What Did You Do Today (2016)

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Or better still – make their own!

Norman

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Gardening…

The fuse is fine. Last time it blew I replaced it with an old horseshoe for luck.

Dave

[Martin CottrellParticipant @martincottrell21329]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 21/06/2016 15:06:17:

Gardening…

The fuse is fine. Last time it blew I replaced it with an old horseshoe for luck.

Dave

Oh the joys of playing with electric hedge trimmers, I've lost count of the number of times I've done that over the years. Currently have about 3 "repairs" in my hedge trimmer flex!

Martin.

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Neil,

Perhaps the required 9/16" collet was a bit like a left handed screwdriver request?

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 21/06/2016 14:28:19:

I've just been called by a lady who seems to have been give a bit of a challenge by her R&D department … she's been asked to find a 9/16 collet. After some probing it turns out its a 3C collet that's needed.

Now 3C collets are 0.650" in the shank and 9/16" is 0.563" so that leaves a wall thickness of about 1mm… they are listed on ebay but I am sceptical, Rotagrip only go up to 1/2".

Personally I think she should go back to the machinists and tell them to find their own!

Neil

.

See Jason's post on this previous thread:

**LINK**

With Hardinge quality it's probably O.K.

MichaelG.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 21/06/2016 17:36:37:

See Jason's post on this previous thread:

**LINK**

With Hardinge quality it's probably O.K.

MichaelG.

Interesting, still it seems to be something of an obscure item.

Neil

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Was asked if I'd like to go to a local classic car rally at Rufforth airfield this evening in my friends 1970 Tr6 sports car.

There were many interesting vehicles from trucks to scooters the icing on the cake was a stimulating drive round the country lanes in a real car that you have to drive not like a modern comfort wagon.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Despite a lot of rain for the last 2 days I was able to cut the cricket outfield ok but the car park hadn't been touched for 2 weeks and kept clogging the gang mower. One of the rotary mowers is hunting so stripped the carb and it's just as bad so checked youtube for clues. Seems to be lean mixture or the idle setting which at least on this one has a screw – the Atco reel mower has no adjustments at all.

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

Driving old cars is an experience not to be missed !

Recently had the opportunity to drive a T-Model Ford on a road run to a private landing strip to see an old DC3 plane which had been restored (a bit bigger project than model engineering).

Driving the car requires constant attention to keep it in a straight line as it wanders all over the road like a kids Billy Cart. (it is said that the only time that you are on the road is when you are crossing it).

No cruse control, no airconditioning except for the cold wind blowing around us thru the non-existant side windows. Manual throttle lever on the steering column, manual distributor advance lever and fuel mixture knob which had to be adjusted all of the time to match the engine speed. 3 foot pedals on the floor for forward gear, reverse gear and brake, plus a hand lever to select top gear, neutral and park brake.

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Forgot to mention before the TR6 experience had called to see an old car restoration acquaintance the son was there a lad who hill climbs a flat head V 8 Grenfell special amongst sprint machine as well.

He was setting up alloy castings of 4 valve Fiat head to machine it all as he said no CNC here even got a drawing for it I like twiddling knobs.

Then on the floor more castings for heads of an even older classic car waiting to be machined.

Amazing what goes off in these little rural workshops.

[StephenSParticipant @stephens]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 21/06/2016 15:06:17:

Gardening…

The fuse is fine. Last time it blew I replaced it with an old horseshoe for luck.

Dave

A good trick that I saw some time ago (which I must try myself when I get time) is to get some garden hose and either thread it over the power cord if you have either end disconnected, or slit it and push it over the power cord near the clippers. Provides a bit more resistance to the cutter bar and gives you time to move it out of the way or slows down the cutter.

StephenS.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Today; being the occasion of my 67th Birthday [the one that I thought I might never see, because of that Coronary difficulty] we went on the Dinorwig "Electric Mountain" tour.

**LINK** & YouTube

Truly awesome engineering !

MichaelG.

 

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 23/06/2016 23:09:19

[Ed DuffnerParticipant @edduffner79357]

It's sometimes surprising, not having met somebody but interacted with them online, to hear they are not of the age one expects. Michael, I thought you were perhaps a thirty something.

Anyway, may I wish you a belated happy birthday and many more to come.

Ed.

[Thor 🇳🇴Participant @thor]

Sorry I'm a bit late but Happy Birthday Michael, thanks for the links.

Thor

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Likewise Michael, Happy Birthday and thanks for all the help.

Regards,

Martin

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Ed / Thor / Martin

Thanks for your good wishes

I wasn't soliciting birthday greetings, just glad to be alive.

… Things got pretty scary, November through January.

MichaelG.

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Happy Birthday what a tremendous engineering feat.

I know the feeling when you have a sudden serious illness then get a second chance through the wonders of the NHS.

That's why I'm trying to put my long time engineering dreams into reality I have found the help and advice you get from the ME and club level racing scene inspiring.

Paul

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Will be spending most of the afternoon and evening fundraising for local Men in Sheds. This is very similar to Men's Sheds type communal workshops but is more focussed on supporting men's health through communal rather than personal DIY.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Many happy returns for yesterday, Michael.

I went to Dinorwic, in the early 90s/late 80s. Quite astounding.

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 24/06/2016 13:25:16

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Happy birthday Michael may you have many more; I will be 68 in a couple of weeks, am in my 8th year cancer remission, survived a MI 13 yrs ago,and, like you glad to be here, but according to my wife I'm still a grumbling old git, at least I'm alive to grumble & hope to have a few more years of being a 'Victor Meldrew'…. …

George.

[Iain DownsParticipant @iaindowns78295]

This is all rather heartwarming and makes me feel young. After all, I've not (quite) hit 60 yet….

Iain

[Ed DuffnerParticipant @edduffner79357]

Making progress on a DIY box pan folder. I also managed to get my WM180 lathe sorted. Had to machine a slight skim off the plates that hold the saddle onto the bed as there are no gibs. Longer term I will replace the plates and incorporate some adjustable brass gibs.

…and discovered I left the oven on for 2 days at 50°, must be losing it.

Ed.

Edited By Ed Duffner on 24/06/2016 17:13:05

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Why am I so slow? I spent all afternoon making this simple adaptor.

The adaptor lets me do this:

So I can take close-ups of mangled metal.

Total cost: CENSORED

Cheers,

Dave

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

That's a good result Dave – what make is the microscope?

I spent time today making something much the same from cast iron to act as a bush for my new end mill sharpening attachment. Sash weights come in very handy at times but I have yet to master the art of staying clean when marmalising CI – I always end up looking like a chimney sweep and those handkerchiefs? —-eeeekkk!

Rik

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Rik Shaw on 24/06/2016 18:52:33:

That's a good result Dave – what make is the microscope?

I spent time today making something much the same from cast iron to act as a bush for my new end mill sharpening attachment. Sash weights come in very handy at times but I have yet to master the art of staying clean when marmalising CI – I always end up looking like a chimney sweep and those handkerchiefs? —-eeeekkk!

Rik

Hi Rik,

The microscope is a Brunel MX1 Stereomicroscope, from Chippenham. As for cast iron, I made the mistake of cutting a slice off a cast-iron block with an angle grinder. Mega-mess – It went everywhere! Black grit in every room of my house for months.

Cheers,

Dave

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