The good bits coming out of the Covid epidemic

[Andrew EvansParticipant @andrewevans67134]

great for wildlife and stargazing

[Brian OldfordParticipant @brianoldford70365]

Posted by Andrew Evans on 21/04/2020 09:25:37:

great for wildlife and stargazing

Or Musk Starlink Satellites tonight at 20.58.

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Greatly reduced levels of CO2 and NOx emissions.

Russell

[Bryan Cedar 1Participant @bryancedar1]

Posted by Gaunless on 21/04/2020 09:04:30:

All the NHS workers I know are embarrassed by the clapping. Who had that Moronic idea? Leave them some dignity perhaps?

I do hope that when this virus nightmare is over the goverment will award some kind of medal to those on the front line of the NHS. After all, we are fighting a world war and it is usual to award a medal in such circumstances of war service.

This acton will mean more than Thursday night clapping.

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

If you've ever been to an emergency room on a Friday night you realise our medical staff deserve a medal every week.

[Brian Baker 2Participant @brianbaker2]

In view of the pay freeze that they all had perhaps a bonus of £1000 each might be more appreciated.

Regards

Brian

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Posted by Gaunless on 21/04/2020 09:04:30:

All the NHS workers I know are embarrassed by the clapping. Who had that Moronic idea? Leave them some dignity perhaps?

It isn't for the NHS workers. It is for the mental health of the people doing it, particularly children. It has been interesting hearing it come up from the village half a mile away as the direction is not where I imagine the houses to be through the trees. One doesn't always appreciate the way the roads twist.

heard an interesting side effect of the reduced petrol consumption. Shortage of tarmac as tar is a byproduct of refining. The utilities are still digging holes in the road that need covering so look out for potholes.

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

I do sometimes knock Asian import stuff, but have a garage full of it. Today came my 50mm face cutter ,complete with 10 inserts & the arbor. About £25.

Or I could have gone for a Sandvik, if I got a 2nd mortgage.

Basically agree with Michael above.

Steve.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

If you've received no nuisance calls recently it's 'cos they were ringing me – pretending to be my bank's anti-fraud department!

I don't think the air is noticeably clearer than usual where I am, because I live on the SW English coast; but I am becoming accustomed to the much quieter surroundings. Far less traffic about, though the helicopter base a couple of miles way is still operating (training pilots).

I have not had to use the pedestrian lights between the Co-op and me for a few weeks now: I just wait for the three approaching cars to go by… then typically the four that have arrived in the other direction.

I do count my blessings though. Although missing my caving, model-engineering society and geology-group activities, and occasional Sunday Lunch in my local (proper beer too), I am retired so my daily life has not changed much. I have a modest garden, a friendly neighbour, and of course my workshop and enough projects for that humorous Walker-Midgley poster about immortality.

It must be awful for those cooped up in flats, and who have no real hobbies or interests in life – and two friends with incurable, stealthy, long illnesses are always in my thoughts.

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

Don't forget all the new enterprises that will start up from the unemployed people who have sadly lost there jobs.

The government have already said they will support new start ups. I hope they will, as there will be a lot of people wanting to start there own companies.

Of course many will start & fail, hopefully many will start up & become fruitful.

After all this is over I think that many companies will have staff working from home where possible. Saving valuable office space.

Anyone got any idea what sort of business will be the most successful to start.

Steve.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by Steviegtr on 21/04/2020 17:59:26:

I do sometimes knock Asian import stuff, but have a garage full of it. Today came my 50mm face cutter ,complete with 10 inserts & the arbor. About £25.

Or I could have gone for a Sandvik, if I got a 2nd mortgage.

Basically agree with Michael above.

Steve.

So in this time of social distancing, isolation, etc perhaps you might find time to use it (both the face cutter and the full garage of stuff) and report back your technical findings?

That £25 tool, when actually in use, may well be poor value in comparison with more reliable supplies from the likes of Arceuro – at not so much more outlay (and a lot less than genuine Sandvik cutter, which would likely be a blatant waste of money – when used by a greenhorn on any hobby mill).

But there again, as they say, ignorance is bliss. If you have nothing decent with which to compare it you may well feel sufficiently satisfied with your purchase….

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Steviegtr on 22/04/2020 03:38:31:

Don't forget all the new enterprises that will start up from the unemployed people who have sadly lost there jobs.

The government have already said they will support new start ups. I hope they will, as there will be a lot of people wanting to start there own companies.

…

Anyone got any idea what sort of business will be the most successful to start.

Steve.

If only it were that easy! First, people who have been made unemployed may not have the skills needed to make a fresh start, and – even worse – they may live in the wrong place. Second, politicians are excellent at saying they want to do good things, but generally poor at delivering them. (Sadly at election many voters listen to new promises rather than check the old ones were fulfilled.)

Unfortunately the most obvious opportunities likely to arise from the Pandemic are negative. Businesses enabling genuine and opportunistic:

• Suing the NHS and Care Homes because they failed to care adequately for a deceased relative, whatever the cause of death or injury
• Suing the NHS because a condition wasn't diagnosed by a GP during the lock-down
• Suing Social Services because an incident wasn't managed correctly during the lock-down
• Suing employers over disciplinary actions taken during the crisis.
• Suing companies who were unable to deliver during the crisis
• Claims for recovery of Insurance and any other Service that wasn't delivered during the crisis.
• Claims relating to misfired Furlough Payments and other Government schemes were the claim was incorrectly rejected, or incorrectly assessed. (This might be the next PPI!)
• Pursuing businesses like airlines, who back-peddle on refunds.
• Increased accountancy and business planning requirements, necessary to recover from a badly depleted finances and loss of trade
• Bankruptcy and receivership services.

Time will tell, but I suspect government top-priority in face of a likely world trade depression will be protecting the core economy rather than relying on lots of small risky startups. Lots of successful startups would be a very good thing, if it could be done, but they don't have a good track record. Talk is easy, turning policy into many profitable businesses is hard.

The other aspect of the problem is the amount of government and commercial debt built up during the crisis. Government debt was declared initially to be at least £40Bn, more likely £60Bn today and more before the end. £60Bn is about 10% of annual UK tax revenue, and almost all of it has been spent on the community rather than in ways that foster economic growth. The sum is roughly equivalent to all the savings painfully made by Mr Cameron's government, and the debt will effect what happens next. I've no idea what will happen – in the UK conservatives believing in financial prudence and market forces will be at odds with the conservatives who favour government support of businesses. That's complicated enough, but our trading partners abroad will doing the same thing, and there's no reason why their perceived best interests will align with ours. In the same way, Boards and Owners will be worrying about their business liabilities, also likely to be painful and causing missed opportunities.

My mum fears her savings will lose value due to inflation. Actually, I think deflation is more likely due to goods and services losing value because in difficult times no-one wants to take a risk or has any spare money to spend. Deflation is good for savers, but bad for everyone else. For example pensions depend on people spending money tomorrow, not on a bank vault full of gold saved when we were young.

Slight inflation is good for the economy because it encourages spending. Otherwise inflation and deflation are both bad for pensions, and pretty much everything else. Choppy times ahead. It's not at all clear to me what the best way ahead is for either government and commerce. Ending the lock-down and making a fast recovery are different problems, both tricky.

There's a lot to be said for hiding in a hobby workshop and waiting for the dust to settle.

Dave

[Steve Skelton 1Participant @steveskelton1]

Good God S-O-D you are a negative person.

Whilst this pandemic is causing huge stress and uncertainty for most people, it is from events like this that people with drive and initiative will have their hands forced for them to do something different and start-up on their own. Whilst you are right some will not be successful there will be a huge number who will and cottage industries will start up all over the country – some may even become SME's.

That is how a number of my friends (and I) have done it and then wished we only had done it sooner.

Steve

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

I could do with stocking up with car batteries considering the number of cars that have stood going nowhere during the crisis The AA and RAC will be making a fortune ( Other breakdown services are available )

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Here's a good bit – I haven't seen SWMBO's siblings for a month.

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 22/04/2020 11:40:04:

The other aspect of the problem is the amount of government and commercial debt built up during the crisis. Government debt was declared initially to be at least £40Bn, more likely £60Bn today and more before the end. £60Bn is about 10% of annual UK tax revenue, and almost all of it has been spent on the community rather than in ways that foster economic growth. The sum is roughly equivalent to all the savings painfully made by Mr Cameron's government, and the debt will effect what happens next.

What are the chances of large infrastructure projects like HS2, Northern Powerhouse etc etc being put on the back burner as a result?

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

Posted by not done it yet on 22/04/2020 08:01:33:

Posted by Steviegtr on 21/04/2020 17:59:26:

I do sometimes knock Asian import stuff, but have a garage full of it. Today came my 50mm face cutter ,complete with 10 inserts & the arbor. About £25.

Or I could have gone for a Sandvik, if I got a 2nd mortgage.

Basically agree with Michael above.

Steve.

So in this time of social distancing, isolation, etc perhaps you might find time to use it (both the face cutter and the full garage of stuff) and report back your technical findings?

That £25 tool, when actually in use, may well be poor value in comparison with more reliable supplies from the likes of Arceuro – at not so much more outlay (and a lot less than genuine Sandvik cutter, which would likely be a blatant waste of money – when used by a greenhorn on any hobby mill).

But there again, as they say, ignorance is bliss. If you have nothing decent with which to compare it you may well feel sufficiently satisfied with your purchase….

Well thanks for calling me ignorant. Been called worse. The facemill I was using yesterday & it is very good, apart from I had to retram the head, which I had not got perfect the 1st time. It is the same one I believe that ARC sell. My garage full of Chinese stuff, I have been using for years. Most of it pretty good too.

Today is the turn for the flycutters. You have also seen previously a lot of my use of Chinese stuff when making the rings. Regards

Steve.

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

Posted by Steviegtr on 22/04/2020 16:16:50:

Posted by not done it yet on 22/04/2020 08:01:33:

Posted by Steviegtr on 21/04/2020 17:59:26:

I do sometimes knock Asian import stuff, but have a garage full of it. Today came my 50mm face cutter ,complete with 10 inserts & the arbor. About £25.

Or I could have gone for a Sandvik, if I got a 2nd mortgage.

Basically agree with Michael above.

Steve.

So in this time of social distancing, isolation, etc perhaps you might find time to use it (both the face cutter and the full garage of stuff) and report back your technical findings?

That £25 tool, when actually in use, may well be poor value in comparison with more reliable supplies from the likes of Arceuro – at not so much more outlay (and a lot less than genuine Sandvik cutter, which would likely be a blatant waste of money – when used by a greenhorn on any hobby mill).

But there again, as they say, ignorance is bliss. If you have nothing decent with which to compare it you may well feel sufficiently satisfied with your purchase….

Well thanks for calling me ignorant. Been called worse. The facemill I was using yesterday & it is very good, apart from I had to retram the head, which I had not got perfect the 1st time. It is the same one I believe that ARC sell. My garage full of Chinese stuff, I have been using for years. Most of it pretty good too.

Today is the turn for the flycutters. You have also seen previously a lot of my use of Chinese stuff when making the rings. Regards

Steve.

Just re read this post. I now realise what I am. It looks like I am a ignorant greenhorn. MMnnn . Ok I probably am. It is unfortunate that we could not have all been born to the likes of you & the grass SOD. Or maybe fortunate that we were not. To think you are the MASTERS & belittle all below you is quite a low form of wit. I thought this thread was to talk about the outcome of Covid & not to slag one & all. Or one.

Back on track. The good bits maybe some new start up companies will start making things at a price we will be attracted to. Cutting out the likes of buying from a foreign company & making Britain what it should be again. GREAT. A lot of the money being earned in the UK is from folk who buy from the said & then sell at a huge profit. Proof is I just bought the facemill which is very good to a green thing. It even came with a pack of 10 inserts. For the measly sum of £25 all in with the cutter , Arbor , inserts & key. The same ones sold by a sponsor of this forum comes in at £61.85. It may not have come from the same factory, but probably did. 

So I can understand why some members are pushing products sold by retailers that buy from anywhere but the UK. But surely the whole point of this time in our lives we can sit back & think of a way forward for this country.

Which by the way I would rather be than anywhere else apart from. Maybe Richard Branson's island with the dolly birds. .

Ranting over. Stay safe & think positive.

Steve.

Edited By Steviegtr on 25/04/2020 01:25:46

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

It may not have come from the same factory, but probably did.

Possible, but most certainly not definite and likely less than probable. Even if it did, we (most of us) know that in every production line there can be rejects that do not pass quality control. I wonder where the items, which are not good enough for the likes of a reliable importer, end up. That’s right – by unsuspecting bargain hunters who sometimes get a bargain and sometimes get a fake or rejected (by some) inferior product.

We all see these glowing reviews of some cheap tat, by reviewers who are given the things to review. No different than car journalists who are treated to travel expenses, hotel accommodation and expensive junkets – are they going to review the good bits or the bad? (no need to reply, I already know the answer). Have a watch of THIS enlightening you tube video. Emma was just too honest, told the real truth and has not been ‘invited’ to make a review since. I wonder why🙂🙂🙂. You can draw your own conclusion.

Do read the thread re the fake mitutoyo dial gauge. It, too, might be enlightening for you.🙂

PS. I like your late night/early morning rants posts. They usually contain something to comment on.

 

Edited By not done it yet on 25/04/2020 08:56:17

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

NDIY your link hasn't stuck and now I'm really curious.

Good things:
Going from driving past several supermarkets almost every day to once a fortnight I have learned much more about what I eat and how long a jar of coffee etc lasts.
Got more sleep by not having the 90 minute morning commute.
Cleaned up a lot of sticks from the garden 'cos I'm burning more wood that ever before.
Ah the peace of fewer tourists and dog peoples parking outside but still too many mountain bikers, 7 in the hour I was out by the garage last evening.
Not having to talk to anyone for days on end like before I got so heavily involved in clubs and suchlike.
On the weekly team call the boss implied we might only be able to do one day a week in the office to maintain distancing for a while – he was despondent about it and I was (silently) delighted.

Dilemma: should I retire so I can live like this all the time or keep working to pay for a bigger workshop.

[Ray LyonsParticipant @raylyons29267]

Not having a newspaper all week made me realise how much I spend on chip paper. This week I saved £10.80 which will now go into a savings box for the shed budget.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

OOPS, I changed the font and that likely messed it up! I’ll try again.

**LINK**

Edit:works this time.🙂

Edited By not done it yet on 25/04/2020 11:33:53

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Steviegtr on 25/04/2020 01:12:41:

Posted by Steviegtr on 22/04/2020 16:16:50:

Posted by not done it yet on 22/04/2020 08:01:33:

Posted by Steviegtr on 21/04/2020 17:59:26:

I do sometimes knock Asian import stuff, but have a garage full of it. …

Steve.

So in this time of social distancing, isolation, etc perhaps you might find time to use it (both the face cutter and the full garage of stuff) and report back your technical findings?

That £25 tool, when actually in use, may well be poor value in comparison with more reliable supplies from the likes of Arceuro – at not so much more outlay (and a lot less than genuine Sandvik cutter, which would likely be a blatant waste of money – when used by a greenhorn on any hobby mill).

But there again, as they say, ignorance is bliss. If you have nothing decent with which to compare it you may well feel sufficiently satisfied with your purchase….

Well thanks for calling me ignorant. Been called worse. …

Steve.

Just re read this post. I now realise what I am. It looks like I am a ignorant greenhorn. MMnnn . Ok I probably am. It is unfortunate that we could not have all been born to the likes of you & the grass SOD. Or maybe fortunate that we were not. To think you are the MASTERS & belittle all below you is quite a low form of wit. I thought this thread was to talk about the outcome of Covid & not to slag one & all. Or one.

…

Ranting over. Stay safe & think positive.

Steve.

Oh dear,

Let's hope that a better understanding between myself and Steve comes out the Covid epidemic!

I'm not belittling anyone Steve, though I am questioning your approach to developing a new hobby. As you're a determined and very confident individual with relevant experience, I thought it best to issue a clear challenge. Confident chaps are often deaf to criticism.

The problem is you're trying to run before you can walk.

My first advice was to slow down, and not start the hobby by modifying machines before learning to drive them. Then I moved on to the need to learn a wide range of skills such as how to read a drawing, and translate that understanding into the machine operations needed to make a particular part to specified dimensions. That's an order of magnitude more difficult than freelancing an old car part into a shiny cup.

No-one is belittling you as a person, but I – and others – are questioning your approach, particularly as it is likely to mislead beginners. You're going the wrong way if your goal is to make or repair working mechanisms. Whilst you've clearly demonstrated an aptitude for practical work, I don't think you've twigged the need to develop the skills needed to produce precision objects with a lathe and milling machine, and that's what they're for!

It comes down to what's the best way to learn. Maybe for Steve, it's enthusiastically exploring random subjects, enjoying the thrill of jumping in at the deep end despite the red flag! But most of us learn best by following some form of structure, basically start simple, do some theory, get accurate results on real machines, and repeat to get the skills and experience needed to successfully make complex objects.

Though flattered to read Steve thinks I'm a MASTER, it's not true. I've always been interested in scientific and technical subjects, history, current, and futures. Although I have engineering qualifications, they're in Software Engineering. I only got seriously into being a 'Model Engineer', whatever that is, just before retiring. I'm self-taught, partly from books, but enormously from this forum, plus plenty of machine time. The Forum is great because our international membership covers many subjects at all levels. We have chaps with massive shop-floor skills and industry experience across to full blown professional engineers doing hard maths. We also have instrument repairers, scientists, businessmen, managers, a professional boiler maker, computer programmers, computer support experts, mechanics, prize winning model makers, electricians (of all sorts), motor experts, builders, toolmakers, sheet metal and wood-workers, restorers, dentists, vets, bee-keepers, loco builders, and gunsmiths etc etc. Compared with these guys in their own field, I'm a rank beginner. It's not about me, it's about what I can learn from them! And in return, I share what I've picked up over the years in electronics, radio engineering, software engineering, and the sciences. Though I've learned lots of tricks, I'm far from being a top machinist – too slow. Doesn't matter, it's a hobby. And pretty much every time I log on to the forum I learn something new. From you too Steve – aren't you the forum's top expert on recovering written-off cars and making rings? I couldn't do either of those!

Dave

 

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 25/04/2020 11:39:57

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by Ray Lyons on 25/04/2020 10:17:41:

Not having a newspaper all week made me realise how much I spend on chip paper. This week I saved £10.80 which will now go into a savings box for the shed budget.

Not recent, but I knew a fellow who gave up smoking. He rolled his own and retained a baccy box in which to save his ‘usual’ expenditure on tobacco. He and his wife went on two holidays per year on those savings!

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

I just don't get this continued Banggood, Ebay knocking!

Don't buy cheap stuff and then be surprised if it turns out to be total crap!

A lot of the "cheap" branded stuff on Ebay and car boot sales, IS stolen from factories. Who would buy tooling for hundreds and then sell it for a few quid? We have had problems with theft at work, no doubt it becomes the "bargains" that people like to boast about.

Rant over….for now.

Jim

[Author]

Posts