Category: Magazine

 MACH 2026 The NEC  20th to 24th April The UK’s national exhibition for engineering and manufacturing. MACH 2026 brings together a diverse range of sectors that shape the future of engineering and manufacturing. Visitors can explore cutting-edge solutions for aerospace, defence and space, rail and transport, and marine engineering, alongside advancements in electronics, medical technology and automotive and autosport. The event … Continue reading “‘MACH 2026’ – The NEC Machinery Exhibition…..”

Leeds in the 1920s… Looking Back…. John Aldersley came across an interesting illustrated article from the Yorkshire Evening Post taking you onto the factory floor in the 1920s. Click to view the article:- 1920s Factory     Photograph and article:    © Yorkshire Evening Post.     Photographs in the article are courtesy of ‘Leodis’ the online Leeds archive of photographs. Many … Continue reading “Leeds in the 1920s… Looking Back….”

  Latest News about Graham Sykes’ Steam Rocket Bike… Graham’s Steam Rocket Bike ‘Force of Nature’ was featured recently in ‘Motor Cycle News’…..   High Speed Steam ! Online too… Here is a Facebook clip with Graham pulling 192.94 m.p.h in 5.503  seconds over the standing start quarter mile…..    High Speed Run     (Click on the image when the Facebook … Continue reading “Another update on the Steam Rocket Bike…..”

The Britan Lathe Our young engineer Cameron Pinder came across a photograph (the colour photograph below) of an unusual machine tool – ‘The Britan Lathe’ and sent it to John Aldersley who thought it would be of interest to members. John said he had never seen one before. Well, I can tell you that I used to operate one during … Continue reading “The Britan Lathe………”

  Andrew Kibler kindly forwarded another link of Graham Sykes’s Rocket Bike performing a run at Santa Pod Raceway in Bedfordshire. Hold onto your seats as you watch Graham blast up the drag racing strip…. The ‘Festival of Power‘ will be held at Santa Pod on 3rd – 5th April 2026 and Graham will be demonstrating his ‘Force of Nature‘ … Continue reading “Rocket Bike – A Fast Run at Santa Pod Raceway”

World Skills Practice Pieces by Cameron Pinder Cameron sent some photographs and videos of his work, practising his CAD/CAM skills for the World Skills competition. Click the photos and zoom in to see the amazing details. The milling cutters he used were courtesy of our corporate member M.A. Ford Click on the videos below to view…..

‘Force of Nature’ ‘Force of Nature’ is a Steam Powered ‘Rocket’ Motorcycle built by Graham Sykes for drag racing, record breaking, exhibitions and events. Four years ago Graham brought along this amazing bike and told members about the project. Graham, a precision engineer from North Yorkshire, designed his rocket bike in his garden shed with his wife, Diane, over the … Continue reading “Steam Rocket Bike – Big Update…..”