news model engineering mikes-models

Change of authoring software

Following a problem with Firefox and other webrowser's, I have had to stop
using Frontpage 2003. After trying a few new programmes I have decided to
go with Coffee Cup and there suite of web authoring tools. Now begins the
long job of changing over. I am sorry for any inconvenience. The positive
news though is this works on all current browsers....(or so I hope!)

14tn March 2008

New Links Page

As the site grows, and it is certainly a little bigger than it was when it started
just 3 short months ago, I am changing the layout slightly to accommodate a
separate 'Links' page. The only links I will list are those whose sites I am
interested in and may be of interest to you. They will be both suppliers I have
dealt with and am happy to recommend or other model engineering sites.
Hope you like the new page......

3rd March 2008

Delay in making progress in many areas

Unfortunately for various reasons, I have been unable to make any decent
progress in the modelling area over the last week and a half. I am hopeful
that 'normal' service will be resumed as soon as possible. The chess article in
particular has been some cause for concern, since many of my notes seem to
have 'disappeared' and I am cobbling the many pieces of workshop scribble
together. The results of which mean's making at least another one of each
piece, to ensure its not just gobble de gook. I have made another knight,
which is the most complicated of pieces to write about! Still no doubt I will
finish soon............. The Mill's has come to a dead stop because I need to
get a suitable MT2/MT3 extension piece, so I could use an end mill as
detailed in the crankcase instructions.

Another 'complication' or is it 'opportunity, is the arrival in the workshop of a
Myford ML7! I will need to do some remedial/refurbishment work on her
and after that I will have to decide whether to keep the ML10 (to which I
have a great attachment) and sell the Myford ML7, or vice versa. This new
arrival has clouded the issue somewhat as it needs to sit somewhere and the
workshop is overcrowded now, so my poor old Mk2 Jaguar has to sit
outside, much to my annoyance until I resolve the issue.

I have for some time wanted to tidy up my workshop and make better use of
the storage I have already as well as add to it. This, linked to the new arrival
of the ML7 prompted me to revisit the home made bench for the ML10
lathe. I have therefore decided that as I need to house the bigger new arrival
it is opportune to build the new stand with the layout suitable to either the
ML10 or 7. It would then take the place of the existing stand which could
then temporarily hold the surplus lathe until disposal. Fine in theory but it
means work stopping on all the other projects until the new bench is made.
So another 'one' off project is up and running, the new bench! Life seemed
so much simpler when I ran the Brigade!

13th February 2008

Work commences on the Fowler traction Engine!

Today I started work on my Fowler A7 Traction engine which is a
momentous occasion because its the first time in over 6 years that I have
been able to devote any 'proper' time to it. So I intend to split my time
between the Mills 1.3cc aero engine and the Fowler, a little more
evenly......time will tell! Don't forget you can email me any time at
mike@mikes-models.com I am considering whether to have video's relevant
to model engineering on my website. As an experiment I have added a
viewer to this page for the time being. They say the content will be relevant
to each page but time will tell. Let me know what you think.........

30th January 2008

Father Christmas brings new tools

Well, more the money received, to buy's new tools! I have wanted a digital
height gauge for some time to help me in marking out. After an exhaustive
search for the best value for money, I found one for Ł69 (plus the dreaded
postage) from JLS Supplies - engineering supplies [click here for link] When
it arrived today (the next day from paying!) I was very impressed with the
quality of the height gauge. Now looking forward to using it. JLS Supplies
gave excellent service and value for money and I will use them again. I have
no link to this company, only as a customer.

4th January 2008

Apologies for those unable to visit the site recently

I am sorry for those of you who were unable to view the site recently. I have
just changed from one web host who I have been with for several years, to
another site in America. Unfortunately this change reduced the quality of
viewing if using any browser other than Explorer. This was due to only
having a Linux server (confused me as well!). I therefore decided to find
another web host who supported Windows servers and based in the UK.
This I have now done and hopefully all issues have been resolved if you are
reading this!

4th January 2008