What did you do today? (2014)

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

Thats interesting, I have to add that the people behind our property also planted Leylandi and he was unable to cut it back as he was frightened of heights. This hedge reached more than 3 meters high. A couple of months ago he called in a some tree merchants and they cut it down to 2 meters high but in doing so he may have killed part of it as a 2 meter section further along from my garden is now dead. So I am wondering if I could cite the fact that part of the hedge died and thats why this one died?

Clive

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Fed up of all the tatty miss-matched CD's lying about used as coasters so decided to make myself a nice matching set of 387.

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Interesting comments on the "scourge" of the Leylandii. I do have somewhat mixed feelings about it! The previous owner of our house had planted a hedge which we "inherited". In our case a hedge of some sort is essential. The other side of the hedge is a small car park for the houses round about and on our side there is a steep sloping drop into our garden. A barrier is thus essential ( Imagine neighbour driving home from pub late at night……) and the hedge provides this protection and also a good screen. The problem was that the previous owner let it get too tall and hedge trimming was a nightmare. I had to buy some special steps with a platform at 8ft. to cut the top. What's more a petrol hedge cutter with TWO extension pieces would only just reach across the width to cut the far top. Last year I got a firm in to take out the top and reduce the height to a more manageable size. ( This of course meant that there is a bare space when viewed from above as it will not regrow) The height reduction has helped but the stuff grows like fury so a regular cutting regime for the sides is needed. ( And boy – wielding that hedge cutter with an extension is a killer on the shoulders and flakes me out for the whole day.)

Oh no! – that reminds me it's due another cut very soon.

Norman

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

Thats interesting Norman. I have a problem around the bee hives with weeds so I bought a petrol strimmer but its not really man enough for the job. A good hedge can be made with Quince and if you are into Quince jelly then they crop quite well. Just remember not to let any of the black pips get in the mix. It is slow growing and does not need too much trimming. Another is Beech hedging which retains its leaves through the winter. I think there is some legislation about Leylandi but i did not take much notice at the time.

Clive

[Bob Brown 1Participant @bobbrown1]

A big problem Leylandii is their roots are not very deep, in clay soils they will probably only go down about 30cm or so, this makes them very susceptible to falling over in high winds. Did a bit of tree surgery on a row of them took the tops out then attach tractor and pull, over they went only disturbing the top couple of feet of top soil. Then a simple case of load trailer, tip in a heap and burn.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I have to take the tops out of our Leylandii soon, a miserable, sticky task.

Neil

[Flying FiferParticipant @flyingfifer]

A handful of copper nails driven into the trunk works wonders as well. I`ve still got a bagful if you want some.

Regards Alan.

[Oompa LumpaParticipant @oompalumpa34302]

Well, continuing with the tree theme ( ) I started two jobs today that are non-profit making, but they are my jobs.

First up, an Oak toolmakers/engineers chest. Been looking for one for a while and seen a couple in Mahogany but i wanted Oak. This one came up for sale recently. It has a number of issues (being kind here) and I have already started the removal of all the old varnish. This will store all my calipers, DTI's and Micrometers, along with other specialist tools such as curve gauges, thread gauges and so on.

Next up, my "win of the week". This is an Elliot Progress No1 drill press.Although there is a nice crescent of autographs on the table the drill hasn't done all that much work by the looks – considering it's age. It's not important in any event as this will be stripped and completely rebuilt – it's going to be a keeper:

I did not give much money for this drill, not much at all, so I am extremely pleased with my win and hopefully it will become a a great tool after the refurb – because it didn't cost much I won't mind throwing new bearings, springs and a bit of chrome. Just have to have a bit of chrome

graham.

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Hi Clive

There certainly is some legislation about high hedges ( and not just Leylandii ) It was introduced, I believe, by a certain Deputy Prime Minister. I'm not to sure how far it has been applied but, if you are interested or , indeed, if you ever have trouble getting off to sleep the detail is HERE .

I believe that the original intention at this house was for a beech hedge, which would have been far preferable, but we have "inherited" the Leylandii which, in truth "does the job".

Neil – the best of luck in your task. I'm afraid I employed a specialist company to shorten mine. It took four of them flogging away all day on one of the hottest days last summer. (That took some of the sting out of the bill!)

Regards

Norman

 

Edited By NJH on 24/07/2014 21:15:45

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

> I employed a specialist company to shorten mine.

So did we, they did the minimum possible, but at least it now means that everything needing a trim is still within bowsaw size, perhaps 5" max, most about 3"

Neil

[Raymond Sanderson 2Participant @raymondsanderson2]

Being hit by Bee's when on a motor bike is no fun I'll agree more so when one or two go inside the helmet a full face type. Man do brakes work well and drivers scream obsenaties at you when crossing 3 lanes to get to road side all while your trying to remove helmet and control the bike.

Here in Australia there is far worse than Bee attacks while ridding.

During summer months we have whats known as Christmas Beatles these are the size of a mans thumb and at anything over 40k can be as dangerous as loosing an eye let alone smearing the shield if one is worn so bad you can't see out of it. If riding with just shirts n shorts or light clothing its like being hit with a cricket ball.

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Being hit by insects while on a motorbike brought home two incidents from my past I was riding by a bus stop when a large beetle shot down my open shirt to my lower parts a strip tease followed with the bus stop audience watching.

The next time I learnt keep your mouth shut on a bike as a wasp went in and stung me.

Paul

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

This brings to mind the big beetles that used to fly into the security lights in Hong Kong, Rhino beetles I think and they had a long snout and would stick in the mesh wire. You could see them in the daylight waving their legs and flapping their wings. Then the Kites came in and wrenched the off the mesh. These beetles were about 3" long.

I lived in a flat in Kowloon and I would go to the bathroom and as I turned on the light something caught the corner of my eye as a movement. It was some time before I realized it was a ginormous Cockroach that lived in the overflow hole in the sink! I carefully watched and saw first his feelers come out and then he came out and he was at least 3" long. The Amah came with a kettle of boiling water and boiled him with it, no more after that.

The Chinese kids used to keep them in little bamboo baskets and also on a length of cotton.

Clive

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Ray,

Your beetle looks a lot like our cockchafer, its probably a relation. I have a dead one in my workshop, I found it on our doorstep, dead but undamaged. They are becoming scarce here (too many motorcyclists).

We also call ours 'May Bugs' do your 'Christmas' beetles come out in December?

In the early 90s I used to be based at a nature reserve with lots of pools and lakes. On very hot sunny days I used to park on a large, sheltered but sunny concrete pad and at the end of the day my black Opel manta would have a scattering of dead diving beetles on top. they must have seen it as a dark pool of water and tried to dive in. I don't know if it was the impact or the scorching heat that killed them.

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 25/07/2014 10:04:20

[V8EngParticipant @v8eng]

May bugs are very good at crashing into our security floodlight, then they fall to the ground (usually upside down).

The local foxes seem attracted to this and eat them off the ground, the munching and crunching noises are very loud.

The foxes only seem to eat them fresh though.

 

Edited By V8Eng on 25/07/2014 10:11:28

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Just picked this up off the patio before the dog ate it, looks like one thats just come out of the pond and drying off.

Surprising how well it can grip your skin. It sat like that on my knee for ages

J

Edited By JasonB on 25/07/2014 14:44:57

[MikeParticipant @mike89748]

All this insect talk reminds me of my introduction to Zimbabwe, where I worked in the early 1960s. First evening there, I sat on my hotel veranda with a nice cool G&T. There was a sudden buzz and a splash, and a flying beetle, almost circular and nearly an inch and a half in diameter, plopped into my drink. A waiter took it away and brought me a fresh one, on the house. "Often happens, sir" was his only comment when I thanked him. As for our UK dragonflies, at the nymph stage they are vicious devils and can even eat tiny fish fry.

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Jason,

Your thigh is looking a bit wrinkled, have you considered moistuirising?

Rod

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

A very lovely Southern Hawker, Jason.

Dragonflies will often land on the a good vantage point to rest, so a good party piece when one is about is to hold out your finger as it may well land on it. Has a very interesting effect if your companions know them as 'horse-stingers'.

That's a ruddy darter, top left.

Neil

[Oompa LumpaParticipant @oompalumpa34302]

Finished the finish on my toolchest:

Drawer lining on it's way! And I need to make a small replacement drawer divider in Oak.

graham.

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

Did the Gatwick run today as the youngest Son and family are going to Spain (Murcia) as usual the M25 was chocca but at least that 50mph stretch has gone. Being Friday I caught the weekend rush hour on the way back and was stuck on the M26 to M20 junction for ages. I turned off down to Halling and then onto the M2 which is better than Bluebell hill route and the junction onto the M2. Missed all the showers both going and coming back.

Clive

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Graham

Do make sure that the oak is well sealed or you may find that it stains your tools.

Norman

[Raymond Sanderson 2Participant @raymondsanderson2]

Posted by Oompa Lumpa on 25/07/2014 18:24:05:

Finished the finish on my toolchest:

Drawer lining on it's way! And I need to make a small replacement drawer divider in Oak.

graham.

Graham and excellent job, what are the knobs made of or are they stock a form shop?

I agree with the comments re wood and tools but that is something that happens with almost all wood and metal.

As a young boy I always envied the wooden tool boxes of the old gents who had them. I still like the look and wish to make one more for the memory now days as well as the look and I feel prestige that it seems to bring.

I have some real nice Jarrah and NSW Rosewood at hand, have just watched a WiP off another forum of a Cedar one being made.

These days the metal tool chests have taken over I have my share.

[Raymond Sanderson 2Participant @raymondsanderson2]

In Hexham near Newcastle Australia the Mossie's are so big they had to build an airport.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/474497/rta-demands-ossie-the-mossie-moves-back/

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

Graham – Nice job. When I did the restoration job on mine a couple of years ago I bought new chromed corner pieces etc. – makes a good job even better.

Rik

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