Member postings for Meunier

Did a contract in early '90s in Rotterdam on the 17th floor of an office building overlooking the quayside on the Maas.
The SmitTak floating crane barges would occasionally park outside the office and we would watch the crew shimmying up the ladders to the jib? boom? tops to grease the pulleys - we had to look up at them overhead from 17th flr.
DaveD

Edited By Meunier on 05/04/2020 20:15:39

Many thanks from me too, Andrew. Any day when one learns something new is a successful day.
DaveD

Same situation here in France, blessed relief.
It's usually touting for the govt sponsored scheme to insulate loft for 1Euro.
They always hang up on the answerphone, any real callers leave a message.
DaveD

Could be a 454 just like the one in my '72 C3 Vette out in Saudi (that one's a bit shinier than mine was )
Left it behind 'cos 9mpg would be a bummer in UK, was OK at 17p a gallon, cheaper than a bottle of water.
DaveD

Edited By Meunier on 26/03/2020 21:02:50

I can recommend investing 49mins watching this youtube film - **LINK**

Follows the manufacture by a Rolls-Royce owned German company of a 13,600hp 20cyl diesel engine, one of four installed on a SeaCat ferry btwn Malta and Sicily.
Shows the whole process from casting the crank-case through to in-service with good engineering insights.
DaveD

Wasn't there a fire at BOC depot Acton/Willesden?, '60s or '70s IIRC when acetylene cylinders shot off like rockets.
DaveD

a quick DuckDuckGo failed to find links, forum memory probably better.

Edited By Meunier on 17/03/2020 21:30:55

In a panic situation, logic is the first thing to go absent
Previous panic episodes, bread/petrol/sugar, and now loo-rolls. I despair.
DaveD

Now don't be putting ideas in my head Bill, I have the identical twin lathe of yours !
Will continue with the Brook Gryphon 2-speed motor but bear your comments in mind.
DaveD

I know the storms in UK seem to be never-ending but the fig and cherry-plum trees have been in blossom here for two weeks now. Best of all though is that yesterday mid-day MrsD called me outside to see and hear the dances (I cheated and looked it up = herd or dance ) of cranes flying over on their way to North and North-east Europe. They always stop over our village, wheel around before re-forming into V's and heading off North again.
They know better than the forecasters when Spring's a-coming !
Hope you all are keeping your feet dry in the workshop.
DaveD

Dek, I have seen a suggestion for shaky hands.
Take a length of non-stretch fabric, something like an arm sling, tie the two ends together, put round neck then insert hand in the loop and take several turns round wrist. This gives something to 'push' against and gain stability.
I imagine a length of cord would work, if not so comfortable on the wrist.
DaveD

I think the chap with shovel on shoulder, on the pavement/sidewalk behind the tailboard of the waggon deserves his own 'bubble' Ahh, comeon, I've only just finished levelling this section !
DaveD

"Now where did I leave the monkey wrench ????? "

DaveD

Martin, thank you for pointing out what is now the obvious.
DaveD

Mine is the same but in Grey. In 1973 was fortunate to purchase the 1965/1966 year ML7BT with Brook Gryphon 2speed motor and Dewhurst control gear, with the Cowells tailstock and Trileva and QCGB already installed, with many chucks+dividing head, etc from a fellow club member retiring from workshop activities.
It took some persuasion for the budget manager to approve £327 but it has earned its keep many times over.
Back on topic, I deduce the Cowells was installed between 1965/1966 and 1973
DaveD

Edited By Meunier on 07/02/2020 20:42:39

Having had a Cowells Capstan rack-feed tailstock on the ML7 for many years, along with @CornishJack, I can compare it with the usual screw-feed tailstock and say that it is much better overall - more sensitive more instinctive and quicker in operation.
With a 1.6mm drill in the tailstock chuck and a 3mm bar of stainless in the 3-jaw it is possible to 'peck' and withdraw to clear chips with just a finger and thumb on one of the capstan bars with hardly any effort, to a depth of 12mm..
Highly recommend.
DaveD

Neil, I like your plastic bag tube example and confess I am also unable to do the math.
Unless I have completely misunderstood your proposed bar dimensions, the min bore id of 14mm appears to be greater than the 12mm shank diameter.
DaveD.

Edited By Meunier on 07/02/2020 17:11:25

Hmmm Dave, anyone who noted your avatar in articles for MEW might ponder that remark ! (unless the effect was due to condensation acquired whilst measuring humidity  ) 
DaveD

Edited By Meunier on 02/02/2020 20:28:35

Thank you for that suggestion MichaelG, a fruitful result.
DaveD

I can echo that, Jan2016 had a lung X-ray and liver ultrasound as prelim to starting to take Methotrexate for Psoriasis and the ultrasound revealed an Abdominal Aortic Aneurism 36mmH x 25mmW x 35mmD and was put on 75mg soluble aspirin and Simvastatin. Long story short..sudden appearance of increased frequency and urgency to urinate and inability to drive less than an hour without needing to - urgently.- or else Complained to doc and was changed to Atorvastatine when all returned to normal.
(AAA has remained same size since through several follow-ups with Vascular specialist)
DaveD

Neither, you haven't paid yet.

DaveD