Pye MM

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks Joe. You won't be surprised to learn that I did actually look into setting up my own workshop foundry. I joined an American forum and all the information was there. Please check this out as an example;

http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/

I was taught blacksmithing as an apprentice and wish many times I had an anvil and forge. It would be wonderful now that I'm retired to have everything I could dream of in my garage as I would run riot with ideas. A garage the size of a warehouse would certainly help but I can't grumble with what I have.

I also miss full size oxy/acetylene equipment; not for welding but brazing and burning would be useful; I once bought the smaller size but decided having compressed gasses around home was just a bit too dangerous.

I'm pleased Alan has added the dimensioned spindle drawings as this information is not available elsewhere; when I made my spindle I didn't know this was going to become a common weak point on these sets and is why I suggested making a few spares whilst Alan has all the equipment set up. Whenever I do such work the first is always the hardest and most time consuming to do.

At the moment I'm totally frustrated as I want to potter around in the garage but the weather is dire. It's also perishing in the workshop so I'm doing a bit of web surfing for ideas regarding my proposed new home made belt grinder. I've already pulled out a chunk of Aero-space alloy bar stock at 2.5" Dia by 5.75" long to make two rollers from but I need to check out my black iron stock.

Kind regards, Col.