Taking Leave

[Anonymous]

Following an unfortunate post in a recent electronics thread that was misconstrued I got excoriated. That has been the trigger, if not the root cause, of me deciding to take leave from the forum.

One thing the current panic has done is make people re-assess what they're doing and it's worth. I'm spending way too much time on forums and not enough time actually doing things.

On a more practical note after nine months of enforced idleness I've now got some work flowing in. So that takes absolute priority.

I understand that deleting my albums would remove the pictures from posts. So, for the time being, the albums will stay.

Andrew

[Anonymous]

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Just take some time out and do something different

Recent events have squeezed us all a bit more than normal

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

There is no-one being shot down in flames as much as i have, in the past. I take my bat home but always come back. You have a vast knowledge & it would be a shame to not offer it as you have in the past. There are a few times when & especially on electrical query's i could comment on, but do not.

The problem lies with a little knowledge been dangerous. So on something i do know about & someone else comments completely dissagreeing with what i know to be fact , i just give in. Which makes me not bother much in the 1st place.

However i have commented many times on matters that i am not savy on & thinking i am right, only to realise later i am not. Take care fella. I guess life is one huge learning curve. I being just an apprentice on most things.

Steve.

Edited By Steviegtr on 16/09/2020 23:46:14

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

Andrew,

Will you not reconsider?

Your input to this forum is always to the point and you bring with it a lot of knowledge and experience. It would be a real shame to see all that walk away.

Take a break by all means and get some of your work done instead, you need to get a balance in the demands on your time and maybe reassess the topics you post on to reduce the pressure.

Kind regards Brian

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

A friend got hooked on Facebook, he gave it up and said it felt like getting his life back. Like alcohol social media should be enjoyed in moderation.

Mike

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

A wise man once said "All things in moderation"

How true !

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Andrew, I think your words are always well respected, your knowledge is well worth reading, so yes spend less time by all means, but keep the door open. Besides which, we all want to see your engines finished.

Regards Nick.

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 17/09/2020 09:43:26

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Au revoir rather than goodbye I hope!

Many thanks for all you've taught me and all those useful corrections to my off-target posts!

Best wishes,

Dave

[Rod RenshawParticipant @rodrenshaw28584]

I think many of us will miss your expertise Andrew.

I have seen many threads where, after the usual suspects have all had a well meaning, but not always expert, guess at the solution you have contributed a well argued answer and demonstrated a depth of knowledge which not everyone has.

Still, sometimes work comes before play and you will have thought about this decision. I hope we see you back in due course.

Rod

[Colin HeseltineParticipant @colinheseltine48622]

Andrew,

I also hope you will reconsider in due course. I thoroughly enjoy reading your posts, especially as you use larger machines such as the Bridgeport mill. I am just a learner on one of these machines and input from people like yourself is a great help.

Regards,

Colin

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Sad not be able to read your input into this forum, put your decision on the back burner, obviously work has to come first & I wish you well with it but to lose your expertise would be a shame, please reconsider & don't burn your bridges.

George.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Andrew,

Yes, the Forum IS addictive!

But your contributions are of value to all who read them

There is no substitute for experience, especially when it is backed by so much practical knowledge.

Please reconsider.

Those criticising you are probably exposing their guilt at a lack of knowledge.

Even if you did get something wrong, we ALL make mistakes.

As JS would have said, The man who never made a mistake, never made anything.

ILLEGITIMOS NON CARBORUNDUM!

Howard

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

I have made so many mistakes, I must have made EVERYTHING !!!

As the Yanks would say, "Sure Bud, take five "

Bridges burned are very difficult to repair [speaking from bitter experience ]

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

I look forward to your posts and depth of knowledge should you return. Your contributions have always been useful. Chris.

[DiogenesIIParticipant @diogenesii]

Likewise – I'll be sorry to see you go..

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

Andrew,

Most of your posts and answers were way above my pay grade but still well worth reading, if only to show how little I know [I suspect I am not alone in this ] Will I miss your posts ? Maybe not, for the above reasons, but I,m sure others will.

Life is too short to get annoyed by comments or insults, do as I do, trade them !

If you dont need them, pass them on.

PS I,m sure you will see things differently after a while.

[Mike LondonParticipant @mikelondon]

Andrew

Whilst fully understanding the priorities of life, I hope this will be a scaling down of forum activities rather than a complete disconnect.

As a fellow M300 and Bridgeport mill owner, it is good to know that there is someone out there with more knowledge than myself regarding these machines should a query arise.

Unfortunately the internet is a double edged sword, allowing people to easily connect but also allowing people to easily insult. My approach is just to develop a thicker skin.

But I hope as your life readjusts we will see you at some time back on the forum with your knowledge.

Good Luck

Mike

[vic francisParticipant @vicfrancis]

Hi Andrew, I do hope you reconsider; your knowledge, skills, are of the highest order; as well your explanations. It would be a sad loss to the forum if you did not contribute anymore. You are right to feel upset, and perhaps lockdown has made people more caustic with their comments. I had it on fb, but The Forum is very valuable to the hobby.If you only got one thing wrong , well that is a tiny percentage of your total output on here! Which is remarkable considering the different topics you have knowledge on.

I quite like looking at Professor Simon on utube; he had a Engineering problem on threads ( lathework his new hobby) I was pleased to give him a helping hand ; I had found one thing he did not know! Compared to his deep knowledge and abilities which I can only guess; but shared knowledge is very valuable , even more to The Forum…

kind regards

vic

[Paul FallertParticipant @paulfallert28101]

Andrew

I owe you so much for your knowledge, insight and opinions.

You will be missed.

Please come back after a sabbatical.

Thank you,

Paul

[DanielParticipant @daniel]

Full concurrence with the above sentiments from me also.

Have a break, then come back.

Look after yourself

ATB,

Daniel

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Hi Andrew,

I heartily endorse Brian Woods comments above!

I really enjoy your threads and expertise as a complete newbie at all this stuff

Also many thanks for you know what!

Cheers, Martin

[Oily RagParticipant @oilyrag]

Andrew,

I join in the praise given above for your depth of knowledge and experience. Your posts are always a delight to read being well written and concise. I shall be sorry not to read your valuable inputs in future. Get back when you feel the need after earning some wonga!

Stay safe and drop by every now and then.

Regards,

Martin

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Andrew, as one of those who has been helped by your advice, firstly thankyou. As one who has to earn a living I drift in when time allows, then may not be seen for months. I hope you will be back, when you have time. Best wishes. Noel.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the encouraging replies. I've also had some PMs and a couple of 'phone calls, in one of which I was smacked round the head and told to stop being an idiot.

The plan is now to take a break and concentrate on the paid for work that is finally coming in. After that, like it or lump it, I'll be back. I will still be reading, and responding to, PMs. The timing may be slow though, as for reasons never explained I no longer get an email to say I have a PM waiting.

I'm not entirely abandoning the traction engines and other engineering. There are three main tasks upcoming:

1. Collect the set of wheels from the rubber tyre company and get the second engine on it's wheels.

2. Re-design the safety valves to be pop types.

3. Understand the maths and see if I can create a 3D CAD model of a spiral bevel gear. If I can model it then I will be able to 3D print and/or machine it.

Andrew

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