A collection of 15 additions to the model engineer's armoury of tools and equipment from the former editor of Model Engineer's Workshop magazine. This practical collection covers benchwork, the lathe and milling operations, and includes: marking-out and machining aids; a simple motorized filing machine; an unusual and improved milling vice; a micrometer stand; internal and external chuck stops; cross drilling jigs; a hand turning rest; rear mounted toolposts; and a self-releasing mandrel handle.

The evolution of the compact, or portable, lathe has brought many a model engineer's life-long ambition to reality. No longer regarded as the scaled-down variant of the long-established permanent workshop machine, they are purpose-designed tools of remarkable ingenuity in their own right. Compact lathes (such as the Unimat III, Peatol, Shearline and Cowell range) are inexpensive, self-contained, adaptable to a broad range of machining techniques and ideally suited for beginners and those with working space restrictions. Stan Bray's comprehensive introduction to the subject covers the technology and the components, the machining operations and facilities which will enable the novice or experienced operator quickly to reach full proficiency and achieve the highest standards of lathe work.

Stan Bray introduces the fascinating world of horology to the complete beginner. This book explains the terminology of the clockmaker and provides general details of clock construction including layout of wheels and escarpments, a number of the latter being described. Making of wheels, pinions, escarpments, plates, pendulums, weights, cases, hands and faces is described. The necessary tools and equipment are described with details of how to make specialized items and choice of most suitable materials for their construction.

The accumulation of odds and ends of bar and rod is inevitable with any lathework, but rather than throw them into an ever-growing scrap-box, why not turn them into useful little tools to simplify and speed up future work?

In this book Stan Bray describes a variety of small implements, none of which demands much material or takes more than an evening to make.

You may not see an immediate need for some of them but once made it is surprising how often they will be used. There is also the satisfaction of turning what might be wasted into something useful and the knowledge that money has been saved.

This latest volume in the Workshop Practice Series presents a general overview of the grinding, lapping, honing and polishing of metal, as well as the materials used to make grinding wheels, belts and papers. The uses of various machines and grinding mediums are described, including the off-hand grinder, modern miniature hand drill/grinders and toolpost grinders. There are also instructions for making a small barrelling machine and other suitable devices.

This book details the construction of a range of simple miniature steam engines and boilers. The projects, each of which can be completed with only a basic workshop, range from a single-acting oscillator to more sophisticated twin-cylinder double-acting engines and a variety of boilers. A final project brings together engine and boiler for a simple steam railway locomotive. These projects are a perfect introduction to model engineering and an enjoyable exercise for the more experienced engineer or those who wish to pass on their hobby to a younger generation. Stan Bray is an experienced craftsman in engineering and metalworking; among his previous books is "Metalworking: Tools and Techniques."

This book provides all the information any ship modeller interested in powering a model boat using live steam will need. It offers both the basic theory covering the steam power plant and fully detailed drawings for the construction of simple and advanced steam engines, boilers and ancillary equipment. There has been a huge growth in interest in live steam-powered model boats in recent years but modellers have endured a dearth of practical construction drawings for suitable steam plants. Here, the author covers many types of engine from simple oscillating cylinder types to piston and poppet valve engines and the application of radio control to the management of the boiler and engine. The projects (which all include detailed scale plans) include simple single cylinder oscillating engines, multiple cylinder oscillating engines, single and multiple cylindered slide valve engines, piston and poppet valve engines, boiler construction and heat sources, control units, reversing systems, radio control valves, and the mounting of engine and boiler units into model boats.

Milling is the process of cutting away material - usually, but not exclusively, metal - by feeding a piece of work pas a rotating multiple-tooth cutter. The cutting action of the teeth of the millign cutter provides a fast method of machining, and the machines surface may be flat, angular, or curved. The surface may also be milled to any combination of shapes.