Are there any good old engineering places left ?

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Hi does any one know of anywhere like the above, pref around the midlands, & hopefully with marine bias. I have given the old propshaft/ stern gland/ bearings a bit of an overhaul & it made me think, if I ever need a few bits a bobs, or something making up, I wouldn't know where to go these days. Many thanks.
 
If you have the space the best friend you can have if you have an old Gaffer is a lathe ( Myford or Colchester student ) I have built up my own workshop and it saves you £000s mind you I have been in engineering all my life.
See my bio.
 
Simple [non-CNC] lathes and mills are becoming available relatively cheaply as workshops convert to CNC machining. My brother picked up a vertical mill this way very cheaply. The big difficulty is getting the skill to use these machines properly. My brother had the advantage of a toolmaking apprenticeship. I had to go and get a geology degree, didn't I, which is as much use as tits on a bull now that I'm retired.
Peter.
 
Estuary Automation in Shoeburyness nr Southend.
01702 293901
Small well eqipped shop with 6 or 7 very skilled guys will make or design anything.

Dave Wall (the Owner) is into restoration of anything, particularly tractors and steam engines.
Great craftsmanship, prices and tea.
 
Steam engine enthusiasts. That's where to find these skills. There is a guy only a mile from me has a full workshop with all kinds on planers,lathes, cnc drilling machines etc in his basement. All he works on is model (and real) steam train stuff. He can make anything. He milled the base of some jamming cleats for me which where for thicker sheets.
Every job is one-off to these guys.

A local bloke who is building a steam launch was quoted a price in the £1000s by a Home Counties outfit for line-boring a shaft hole through a 15" "P" bracket. A local guy did it for a few quid.
 
Thanks for the words of wisdom folks. Good point about the steam enthusiasts- of course, & likewise about getting a small lathe. I too have been into engineering all my life, up until recently that is. I have almost every tool I need for timber & steel, but have never got round parting with cash for turning equipment. Maybe now I am reminded I will shake the old moths out the purse. Good advice as usual folks, many thanks.
 
Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition coming up soon. Good place to find out about small lathe work etc. The quality of work done by many of these model engineers is superb.

13-18 October.
Fosse Way, Near Leamington. Junction of A425/B4455

www.meridienneexhibitions.co.uk

Johnsons Engineers Ltd of Dunnington, York are very good. I had them white-metal a shaft bearing for me, then bore it out to size, cut a grease groove, drill for grease inlet. Less than £80 and delivered in a few days.
 
I must comment on the charge of £80 and the relationship to your own workshop with a lathe. The last time I re-metalled a bearing the cost was the lecy and gas, two old bearings for the white metal and 20mins on the lathe. But I suppose the cost of the lathe, gas hearth and bench pedestal drill and all the relevant tools must come into it somewhere but they have bought and inherited over the last forty to fifty years.
 
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