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Like all big children, I like steam engines, IC engines and "all things mechanical...

These pages, are set up ,as a work in progress, to share some of the workshop experiences with other like minded "mechanical adolescents" who go weak at the knees, when browsing in the latest tool catalog or Engineering magazine.

By trade, I am an electronics engineer,and I worked on a variety of projects both in Flanders, and abroad.

The "mechanical bent" seemed to be something I picked up from my father,who was a mechanical engineer.

From an early age on, I was party to the dinner table conversations, in which mechanical topics were a very common thing.

As one gets older and wiser (although I know some who might disagree) it was decided that it was time for my second childhood, and so my fondness for all matters relating to steam and "mechanicing" came to the surface again.

In short, a fondness for both big and small steam engines.......and the whopping big machines you need to make them!

Unlike in the UK and the US, the interest in engineering from the Victorian Age, is a rather unusual thing,here in Flanders ,where I live.

There are some clubs around of Model engineers (that's how our species is called)but nothing like the widespread distribution of Model engineering clubs and related societies in the UK!

To the average mainlander, like myself, it almost seems that you can't turn a corner in Britain, without tripping over some individual who is tinkering with a steam engine,be it a small one, or its full size counterpart!

For all you Flemish enthusiasts, the Brits are quit a helpful sort ,when it comes to matters of mechanics and steam.

As long as you don't threaten to take their Imperial sizes and dimensions away, and replace it all by "metric stuff" imported by those "nitwits from Brussels" you can ask most English steam buffs advise on almost anything relating to the topic, and you will be met with a lot of helpful suggestions and tips.

The same goes for our American brethren and the Ossie's and the kiwi's aren't bad sorts either!

I have never mailed a steam enthusiast, and not gotten a reply. These people seem to be specially helpful to Newbies. And they always make time to talk to you, no matter how simple your problem might be.

And although I am rather fanatic, when comes to the use, of my own language, I am afraid, that "the Queens own" is an absolute "must" in this hobby.

I have no knowledge of Model Engineering magazines, that are published in Flemish/Dutch.

There are, on the other hand, a wealth of publications to be had on the subject,in English.

In both the UK, and the US several very interesting magazines are published,on our topic,that are worth your consideration.In the link section,you will find the URL's that bring you to the websites of these magazines.

It is the same story with books. There are at least four companies/publishers who have made it their mission to publish books on the subject and related topics in the UK. I know of one in the US, but there could be more.

(see links page)

It is obvious, that these people are not going to publish their books in any other language then their own.

So, a working knowledge of English, comes with the territory of all matters concerning "Steam".

A lot of the books that these companies publish, are books that are not covered by copyright anymore, and are specially selected for "flat capers" like ourselves,and reprinted.

As it is almost universal, the Net, is always a good place to find all manner of things related to steam and Victorian Engineering. If told where to look, you could download a complete library on the subject in a matter of hours.

(See links page) We are lucky in that, most things worth reading on the subject have ran out of copyright and is there to be downloaded in some form or another

A short tour, around my very modest workshop, will prove, that the machinery you need to make any type of project work, doesn't have to break the bank. It is possible, to get results, with modest means.

Personally, I find that getting the workshop kitted out, is almost as much fun as using it!

Unless you have money by the bucket load, it is going to take you a while to get a workshop up and running.

To be honest, it always stays a "work in progress" until your heirs sell of your things, when you are pushing up daisy's. But such is life, and it is all part of the satisfaction you get out of, if not making things, at least understanding, how and why, they work.

All steam engines and IC engines alike, are not complicated to understand. They are all governed by the simple mechanical principles that you learned when you were 12 years old.

So, do not be discouraged by some of the wonderful products you see made by model engineers with a lifetime of experience (at least that is what I keep telling myself!)

In the following pages, I have tried to give a brief overview of setting up a workshop, and using the machinery, in it. It is by no means complete. I do not claim to be all knowing on all of the aspects of mechanical engineering, far from it, there are many engineers out there, both "Model & full size" who are a lot better versed in this gig than yours truly! So if you spot any mistakes or you feel that certain things should be added to these pages,please write me an e-mail. Your comments will be greatly appreciated,....even if you just like the website!

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