What did you do Today 2018

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Our club web host 1&1 has been sneaking in price rises with discounted upgrades so it doesn't look like you are on the more expensive rate until next renewal. I have just 'upgraded' us to the cheaper package. They don't have a 'downgrade' button but I suppose a lower price is an upgrade. The value of my time working this out was about twice the saving so a company probably doesn't notice or care.

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

Facing the outer rim of a weight lifting weight, I was having a few problems with the carbide inserts. The little CCMT060204 inserts cut fairly easily, but left an awful finish and wore rapidly. The larger CNMG120412 inserts were a struggle. The lathe didn't really have to torque to drive them through the hard face of the cast iron at the 10" diameter with the slowest possible 350fpm cutting speed due to the large corner radius.

Some years ago I'd got some cheap CBN inserts from the Bay of Fleas in a CNMx09 size. I finally got to try one out. light, 8 thou cuts at 600fpm left beautiful golden chips and a mirror finish on the cast iron . I think I need to resort to these inserts more often with tough stuff. I've got five to play with and if I treat them with respect, they'll probably outlast me!

[David TaylorParticipant @davidtaylor63402]

David S has it right. We're getting solar panels so have to get a single phase or 3-phase meter put on – we have an obsolete 2-phase one at present that must be replaced. So I decided to get 3-phase and will send it up to the new workshop if it ever gets built… a process that is taking forever to get started.

The leads on the lathe caps are soldered on so I'm assuming the connection is okay. The milling machine has eyes on the end of the leads so I can't see how they were ever good connections because they were not screwed into the caps, more like staked on. One of the eyes was burned right through.

The replacement caps will have spades so I need to put the appropriate female connectors on the wires.

I'm worried I've just made the lathe motor problem worse during the pointless disassembly by crimping or squeezing a wire somewhere. The new cap is $60 AUD… perhaps I should get a cheap one, see if the sparking goes away, and replace it with a good one if the sparking is fixed.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Went to the tip to recycle various bin bags full of swarf and was challenged by a man in uniform – 'this is for metal mate'.

Expecting in the best traditions of this forum to have a blazing row with a jumped up facist jobs-worth, I said it was metal. Bad news ; on seeing the bags were full of swarf he and I had a pleasant chat about the pleasures of lathe ownership.

Then, in Tesco's, after being successfully assisted by an employee aged about 12, I found that one of their Charity Collections was for Heritage Iron. I approve; they specialise in restoring old iron-work and encouraging blacksmithing skills.

Then, whilst queuing to take on petrol, it occurred to me that charging an electric car overnight at home would be much less bother. Not having a convenient local petrol station means I have to go at least 6 miles out of my way to refuel.

These positive experiences are proof that the whole world has gone mad. I only go out to polish my prejudices and am deeply offended when they are contradicted in this inconsiderate way. Like yesterday: heard on radio – 'everything modern is rubbish and always has been'. Bah humbug.

Dave

 

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 13/03/2018 13:55:13

[Swarf, Mostly!Participant @swarfmostly]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 13/03/2018 13:54:26:

Went to the tip to recycle various bin bags full of swarf and was challenged by a man in uniform – 'this is for metal mate'.

Expecting in the best traditions of this forum to have a blazing row with a jumped up facist jobs-worth, I said it was metal. Bad news ; on seeing the bags were full of swarf he and I had a pleasant chat about the pleasures of lathe ownership.

SNIP

Dave

 

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 13/03/2018 13:55:13

Dave, I'm happy for you that your visit turned out that way. I have, in the past, witnessed attendants at the tip (Oops! 'Household Waste Recycling Centre' ) accuse people of bringing 'trade waste'.

In this modern age, when it seems to be rare for people to actually make things, I feel it is important for us all to assert that running a home workshop (not for profit) is a bone fide hobby activity and, hence, is DOMESTIC, aka HOUSEHOLD. Just because we're not as much in the public's view (or do I mean officialdom's view? ) as some hobbies it's not obvious to them how common our hobby is nor how established are our traditions.

I belong to a microscopy club (The Quekett – Google it) which is a registered charity. One of the club's stated aims is to acquaint the public with the benefits of microscopy and to facilitate their learning the art. To that end, members and local groups who hold microscopy events that include public access are urged by Quekett HQ to submit reports of those events so that they can be shown to the Charities Commission as evidence that the club is pursuing its aims. I am not a member of an ME Society but I hope that the various ME Societies around the country might consider adding similar clauses to their Constitutions if they are not already there.

Might there be such a clause in the Constitution of the S.M.E.E ?

Best regards,

Swarf, Mostly!

Edited By Swarf, Mostly! on 13/03/2018 14:58:04

[RobinParticipant @robin]

I am still prejudiced against automatic gear boxes. Way too soon to even contemplate an electric car

[MikeParticipant @mike89748]

Robin, I don't like automatic gearboxes either. In fact, one of my early cars required double-declutching, and I can still do it. As for electric cars, there isn't an affordable one which has enough range to be of any practical use here in the far north of Scotland. However, there are some things in modern life I would not wish to be without – my computer, for instance. And rather than grizzle about the state of the NHS, in my current state of health I marvel at the complexity and huge cost of some of the machinery and techniques used to treat me. In some ways I might be a grumpy old git, but not all the time!

[richardandtracyParticipant @richardandtracy]

I like the auto box in my Vito. It gives about the same fuel consumption as a manual and is much nicer to use in bad traffic than the manual we had in our previous Sprinter. However, it's for 'slow & thoughtful' driving as it doesn't change gear fast and seems to rev the engine much faster than I would if I was in control.

Regards,

Richard.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Microscopes! Me too. Not very active with mine mainly due to shortage of time. Better than astronomy because you can keep warm and be in bed before 9pm. Interesting how many forum members have multiple technical hobbies, not just metalworking.

Heard on Radio 2 recently that people who bought electric cars last year are currently able to sell them second-hand at a profit. Going electric got them a year's free motoring! Won't last of course – down to demand exceeding supply. Still, makes you think.

Dave

[RobinParticipant @robin]

I have been told off for not wanting an automatic. I am told they have come on in the last 40 years but in my heart of hearts I don't believe a word of it. My brother has a Mercedes hybrid, wouldn't touch it with someone else's barge pole let alone mine

I drive a 2002 Honda 1.6SE I got a new drive shaft and a new battery fitted this month for £250

[Andy HoldawayParticipant @andyholdaway]

I now drive a Hybrid (automatic) having driven manual cars all my life, and I love it! I do around 800 to 1000 miles a week, and an automatic in traffic is a delight. Motorway fuel consumption is on a par with a normal 2 litre car, but around town I don't use any petrol. You have to modify your driving style somewhat to conserve battery energy, but for me it's a small price to pay. This is a company car, so the benefit in kind tax saving is well worth it.

Andy

p.s. I charge at home as well as at the office when I'm there.

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Interesting that in France the MOT or Control Technique is 67€ for petrol / diesel cars, 75€ for hybrid, 90€ for electric and even more for GPL (Gas powered) cars.

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

I am pretty certain that for most drivers a modern automatic will give better fuel consumption than if they drove a manual. It's still entirely possible to decimate the fuel consumption by driving an auto with a complete lack of talent but generally most drivers don't know where the optimal gear changes should occur. On the other hand, autos are calibrated very carefully and contain vastly more knowledge of the engine calibration and vehicle characteristics – even the calibration engineers would struggle to drive optimally in manual.. It's also pretty much impossible for a human to cope with the sheer number of gears available – some modern autos have 8 or 9 ratios to choose from, plus several driving modes.

I don't know why people insist on manual gearboxes just as I don't understand why so many people insist on reversing into side-by-side parking spaces. In that instance, I drive straight in, stop the engine and get out. Each to his own….

Murray

[MeunierParticipant @meunier]

Posted by Speedy Builder5 on 13/03/2018 18:24:21:

Interesting that in France the MOT or Control Technique is 67€ for petrol / diesel cars, 75€ for hybrid, 90€ for electric and even more for GPL (Gas powered) cars.

All going up in May though BobH, 80 tested items up to 136 items. Just as well had both of mine done !
DaveD

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

“just as I don’t understand why so many people insist on reversing into side-by-side parking spaces. In that instance, I drive straight in, stop the engine and get out. ” – on Douglas prom that will cost you a ?40 fine – I suspect the reason is that whilst backing in you have control + visibility but backing out into a traffic stream especially with little visibility(+ in Douglas horse trams) can be interesting

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

What Frances says particularly if in a van. Though it does present other problems if you want to put something long into said van!

[SpurryParticipant @spurry]

Posted by Muzzer on 13/03/2018 19:21:44:

I don't know why people insist on manual gearboxes just as I don't understand why so many people insist on reversing into side-by-side parking spaces. In that instance, I drive straight in, stop the engine and get out. Each to his own….

Murray

Interesting observations. I'm entirely with you on the former, but have to disagree with the latter….sometimes. We were always taught to park with the vehicle facing 'outwards'. So in cases of urgency, a safe and quick exit was possible. I could just imagine the pandemonium if, for example, fire engines had to reverse out.

But…on a visit to B&Q frinstance, it makes sense to have the boot of the vehicle easily accessible by parking nose-in.

Pete

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

Posted by Frances IoM on 13/03/2018 20:44:47:
"just as I don't understand why so many people insist on reversing into side-by-side parking spaces. I

Well it is shear common sense isn't it? If the parking bay is on the same side as you then you often do not have room to straighten up so you would end up p..ssed & if you have to reverse to straighten it is awkward to get central. When exiting out you are manouvering into traffic & as well as having to watch the front of your vehicle as it moves sideways & can catch the adjoining cars.

When you reverse in you are not reversing in towards traffic but into an empty bay & you can check it is so before you go in. In doing this manouver you automatically stop the traffic because you are already in the lane rather than having to try & stop it when reversing out.

[jann westParticipant @jannwest71382]

I'll grant automatic gearboxes are miles better than they were … perhaps more efficient than a manual … but automatic gearboxes can't engine brake … seems like a compelling safetynet argument for slowing the car down if there is a brake failure … perhaps going down a steep hill.

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

I like the double rows in car parks, where you can often drive forwards through one empty bay and end up facing outwards in the bay behind it. But then I'm a lazy sod.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

I am often one of the last half dozen cars at work – why is it one of the other 5 is in the bay in front blocking my exit and another blocking the straight run at the exit ramp? People reversing in just slow the process down for everyone trying to sensibly just drive in to the hole and stop without pratting about.

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

Yabbut, people tend to be in more of a rush at going home time!

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Posted by jann west on 13/03/2018 21:52:07:

I'll grant automatic gearboxes are miles better than they were … perhaps more efficient than a manual … but automatic gearboxes can't engine brake … seems like a compelling safetynet argument for slowing the car down if there is a brake failure … perhaps going down a steep hill.

You can always do a manual shift with an autobox, although the DSG gearbox on my Kodiaq seems to understand hills and will stay in a lower gear when descending.

Rod

[RobinParticipant @robin]

SWMBO has an Aygo automatic that I have to drive once in a while. I do not relish the experience, there is so little control. It starts a gear change when you least want one and if you kick it down you wait even longer for power while it tries to figure out how to do it.

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

Posted by jann west on 13/03/2018 21:52:07:

I'll grant automatic gearboxes are miles better than they were … perhaps more efficient than a manual … but automatic gearboxes can't engine brake … seems like a compelling safetynet argument for slowing the car down if there is a brake failure … perhaps going down a steep hill.

How many brake failures have you seen in the past 20 years?

Now brain failure– that is another thing I grant you

Edited By Sam Longley 1 on 14/03/2018 09:13:15

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