What Did You Do Today (2016)

[Roger HeadParticipant @rogerhead16992]

Nice, Dave. However, not being a camera person (the last – and only – one that I ever owned was a Brownie Box Camera, 60+ years ago), I don't see where your afternoon's efforts fit into the whole assembly. Maybe you could show a breakdown of the parts… eyepiece –> camera_body.

Thanks, Roger

P.S. I may soon finish up with a camera by default, Telstra are shutting down the last 2G cells in a few months, so a new phone will almost inevitably have a camera. On the other hand, the plethora of phones available threaten to make choosing one turn into an exercise akin to the 'which computer/laptop/tablet/OS should I get' question. I may simply not get another phone .

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

That's very good David.The improved contrast and clarity compared to a cheap USB scope is very obvious.

Neil

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 24/06/2016 19:35:50:

The microscope is a Brunel MX1 Stereomicroscope

.

Nice clean image, Dave

The optics in the Brunel own-brand do seem to be very good.

I note that this one has no inbuilt illumination; so a few notes on your [excellent] lighting might be of general interest.

MichaelG.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Roger Head on 25/06/2016 01:34:11:

…, I don't see where your afternoon's efforts fit into the whole assembly. Maybe you could show a breakdown of the parts… eyepiece –> camera_body.

Thanks, Roger

P.S. I may soon finish up with a camera by default, Telstra are shutting down the last 2G cells in a few months, so a new phone will almost inevitably have a camera. On the other hand, the plethora of phones available threaten to make choosing one turn into an exercise akin to the 'which computer/laptop/tablet/OS should I get' question. I may simply not get another phone .

Hi Roger,

Not a good photo I'm afraid but I hope this makes sense!

The camera has a removable cover that has a bayonet fitting underneath. This allows the black adaptor to convert the camera bayonet to a standard lens thread. This connects to an eyepiece adaptor that plugs into a microscope or telescope. As nothing is ever easy my eyepiece adaptor fits 18mm tubes whilst the stereomicroscope uses 23mm eyepieces, see below.

My home-made aluminium thing plugs into the microscope tube and can't be seen in use.

So far I've managed not to own a camera phone, mainly because I go for the cheapest possible no-contract models favoured by drug dealers. I have loads of fun in phone shops by asking enthusiastic salesmen if they have any with a dial and a bell.

Cheers,

Dave

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 25/06/2016 09:38:52:

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 24/06/2016 19:35:50:

The microscope is a Brunel MX1 Stereomicroscope

.

Nice clean image, Dave

The optics in the Brunel own-brand do seem to be very good.

I note that this one has no inbuilt illumination; so a few notes on your [excellent] lighting might be of general interest.

MichaelG.

Hi Michael,

The lighting isn't anything special – I was just lucky.

The scope was on my dining table next to a south facing window at about 4pm. I tried to take a photo of a millimetre rule at the same time and that didn't work at all – dreadful contrast and reflections. I didn't have time to fiddle with the lighting but could probably have fixed it by changing angles and/or by using mirrors made out of cooking foil to soften shadows.

I agree about Brunel's optics. They are much better than I expected for the money.

Cheers,

Dave

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

For info, regarding optical components. There are several optical makers and optical component importers. If you design an optical system then you can use the catalogues to pick lenses and prisms to suit. Dont be surprised at the prices though.

So, making a Microscope, design the optical system and power and eye pieces and by your lenses in bulk. Saves money.

For instance spectacle lenses are made and ground in Japan in their millions to all specs and powers, All the spectacle makers and retail shops buy in the lens already ground to your prescription and then grind the periphery to suit the spectacle frame you select. Out of interest the blank lens costs about $2.00 each What you pay for is the frame.

Clive

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, today I made a bracket from a 150mm long piece of 80mm x 80mm x 10mm angle iron. one side of the angle iron was cut down to 50mm wide. Three holes were drilled into the 50mm wide side, to correspond with the T slots of my Chester Champion milling machine. Four holes for M8 bolts were drilled into the other side 20mm from the edge and the positions were transferred to a K.K.K. 150 machine vice that I got as a freebie.

This may seem to be a bit OTT for my milling machine, but it sits quite nicely on the table and makes milling a 3 inch cube of aluminium bronze an easy task.

Regards Nick.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Wasted hours checking program code to see where I was getting a divide by two error when driving a stepper motor.

In the end I wrote a little routine to send it an exact number of steps and measure the turn.

My 48-step stepper is actually a 96-step one – oops! Good news really, but means I need a bit more drive current as it has less torque.

Neil

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Got the model steamer nearly ready for a speed attempt in a fortnight just some new bridles to make tomorrow things you have to renew each year for safety reasons. Prop angle has been altered for first run to stop flipping but prop could jump out of water.

So many variables I dont know what to expect with repared cylinder valve seat it might be a success or generator burst. Will do the bridles then start doing more on the full size machining project.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Where is the attempt to be made? If it's within striking distance I might come and watch.

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Posted by duncan webster on 27/06/2016 12:29:08:

Where is the attempt to be made? If it's within striking distance I might come and watch.

July 10 2016 at Kingsbury Water Park I turn off at Junction 9 on M42 and follow signs to Kingsbury then Water Park.

At the park there's signs for the model boating lake the Tethered Hydro's a short walk from the scale and yachting pool.

Hopefully Bob Kirtley will be there with his flash steamer we are both swapping ideas and hope he gets more speed.

As usual with experimental flash steam you can sometimes get a pleasant surprise but there are many problems can suddenly appear.

There are other faster IC hydro's as well.

This weekend I'll be at York Raceway Melbourne one of my speed  friends is involved with Firestorm which should be there

 

 

Edited By Windy on 27/06/2016 13:20:54

Edited By Windy on 27/06/2016 13:30:44

[Bodger BrianParticipant @bodgerbrian]

With wifey's approval (& assistance) I finally started moving my long neglected workshop tools & machines from the garden shed into a spare room in the house to create a new workshop / man cave.

Although she is quite happy for me to do this, she insisted that the room can easily be re-instated as a bedroom if necessary so the worktops aren't exactly ideal but I'm not complaining.

The day when I can get back to doing 'stuff' in a warm & dry environment with reliable electrics is fast approaching

Brian

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Posted by Windy on 27/06/2016 13:17:26:

Posted by duncan webster on 27/06/2016 12:29:08:

Where is the attempt to be made? If it's within striking distance I might come and watch.

July 10 2016 at Kingsbury Water Park I turn off at Junction 9 on M42 and follow signs to Kingsbury then Water Park.

 

A bit too far I fear, and doing it by public transport looks like an epic worthy of Marco Polo

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Today is light bulb day– First this morning the fridge light- like trying to get into a modern car, next a 100W in the outside w/shop, then a 100W in the good w/shop. Suppose I shouldn't complain, there's a good 30 years total running. Done a bulk order of 100Watters.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

This might be of interest FIRESTORM

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Onward progress with my S10V… machining up the conrod…

George.

[Clive HaynesParticipant @clivehaynes74488]

I bet that there is no room in that 'firestorm' for your shopping.

Clive

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Visiting distribution warehouse today. New supplier is facing palletised goods with sheets of 1mm ply but no way to 'borrow' a few as security is tight. Very frustrating as it is quite high quality over large areas. Over the year I could sheet a thousand model boats.

[john carruthersParticipant @johncarruthers46255]

>>but no way to 'borrow' a few as security is tight<<

There is always a way

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 25/06/2016 21:13:16:

The lighting isn't anything special – I was just lucky.

…

I agree about Brunel's optics. They are much better than I expected for the money.

.

Thanks for that, Dave

… Sorry, I've only just noticed your response

MichaelG.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Spent some time remembering those who gave everything in the Great War.

Neil

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Was at York Raceway today a bit windy but not much rain Firestorm fired up after rebuild it had a crash at over 200 mph when running at Santa Pod about 6 years ago.

My friend Graham was busy with the rest of the team preparing it for the test fire a very talented engineer in the speed scene he had shown me a model traction engine his Dad had made so engineering is in his blood.

Dick Craven a chap from my era was there with his Vincent twin and single having a blast he has a motorcycle Museum that the public can view.

**LINK**

It was good to see a youngster having a go on a small capacity bike as well.

Back tomorrow and Firestorm might have a full run also Split Second another jet engine car could be performing as well.

[DMBParticipant @dmb]

On Saturday actually .Hove Park Club trip to Watercress Line, Ropley to Alton, Hampshire. Coach pick – up from Blatchington Windmill in Hove, where we have our Friday night meetings. Train ride behind thd BR 9F to Ropley, back on coach to Jane Austens house and museum about 4 miles away, back on coach to Alton, train back to Ropley, guided tour of shed and workshop. On coach to The Anglesey Arms gastropub @ Halnaker near Chichester for meal then `home` to Blatch. Mill. Very, very lucky with weather – sunny for outside engine photograhy and wandering around. Sometimes heavy rain or very heavy but as luck would have it, we were inside under cover doing something every time, purely by accident and not by design. What a great day out, Can thoroughly recommend a visit to Mid-Hants Rly/aka "Watercress Line" For those who dont know, the area is reknowned for the watercress beds.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

We had a Society trip there a few years ago. One of our members is working on the Black Five in the workshop, or was then. Might be finished now. I think it was that day we fitted in some heritage museum around maybe Basingstoke with a mockup village in a huge barn.

[V8EngParticipant @v8eng]

Posted by Bazyle on 03/07/2016 15:47:41:

We had a Society trip there a few years ago. One of our members is working on the Black Five in the workshop, or was then. Might be finished now. I think it was that day we fitted in some heritage museum around maybe Basingstoke with a mockup village in a huge barn.

Perhaps that was the Milestones Museum in Basingstoke? We spent a very good day there a couple of years ago and I would recommend it as part of a good family day out

Basingstoke was home to Wallis and Stevens, plus Thorneycroft Vehicles.

Also Taskers was not too far from there in Andover.

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