Training

Following a period of restrictions and feedback, the Society of Model and Experimental Engineers (SMEE) is planning to run revised versions of its popular training courses for newcomers to model engineering in late 2025.

Courses

Basic Training for Model Engineers

There is a popular moan among the model engineering fraternity that “no one does training any more – its Health and Safety you know”.  SMEE decided to take a lead and originally offered four courses. The two “Basic Training” courses have been enhanced to include the opportuity of ‘hands-on’ experience in the SMEE workshops with the help of experienced members. For insurance reasons, it is necessary to be a member of the society and details about costs and joining can be found elsewhere on this website.

The Basic Training courses consist of a number of monthly sessions (usually the second Saturday of the month) at Marshall House. Each session (they last a full day) consists of lectures, discussion and opportunities for practical experience. In response to suggestions, we are rearranging our workshop to provide opportunities for people new to the hobby to get ‘hands-on’ experience with the help of expereinced model engineers.  By the way you do have to pay – we need to cover our costs and make a small profit for Society funds.

The first course, over three sessions, discusses the setting up of a workshop, what equipment is desirable and the basics of how to use machines and hand tools.

The second course, over six sessions,  covers the construction of an oscillating steam engine and boiler based on Tubal Cain’s “Polly” design. At each session we discuss those parts which delegates go home to make in their own workshops in time for the next session.

The courses are presented by Society members who come from a wide range of backgrounds. Some have many years experience in engineering, others have started much more recently. Most of the lecturers attend sessions that they are not themselves presenting. That means we always have a wide pool of experience to draw on during the many discussion sessions. Experience has shown that delegates derive as much from the wide ranging discussion between themselves and the SM&EE members present as they do from the formal presentations.

A full set of notes, plus tea and coffee are all included in the course fees.

Unfortunately Marshall House is not wheelchair friendly. If you need any special assistance please let us know.

There are more details of the introductory course here and of the “Polly” course here.

Milling

This course aims to introduce model engineers to some of the practicalities of milling in the home workshop. Selecting a machine is covered in the part one course so it is assumed that participants have access to a milling machine or suitable lathe but may lack the confidence or knowledge to use it effectively. We should emphasise that nearly all the discussion is as relevant to milling in the lathe as it is to the vertical milling machine.

As with most of our courses this is not a “hands on” course. We will talk and demonstrate with the aim that you will be able to put our advice into practice when you return home.

The presentations cover vertical milling cutters, speeds and feeds, the use of cutting fluids and the various methods of work holding. Discussion is encouraged and our experience is that many questions of direct interest to participants get covered in this way.

More details of this course can be found here.

Lathe Tool Grinding

The fourth course covers the use of the off hand grinder to produce and maintain lathe tools. Unlike the other courses, this is a one day course and includes practical sessions for all attendees.

For safety and insurance reasons all of our practical training is only open to Society members.