Why do I do it?!

[larry PhelanParticipant @larryphelan54019]

Over here we dont make mistakes,we make COCKUP,S or as we like to call them SAD STORIES.

[vintagengineerParticipant @vintagengineer]

When I did my apprenticeship I was taught a fitters job was to make parts fit not just fit parts! And don't trust other peoples work to be correct, check against the drawing!

 

Edited By vintagengineer on 21/08/2017 19:39:39

[Steve PaveyParticipant @stevepavey65865]

Posted by chris stephens on 08/12/2009 19:29:56:
Hi Martin,

I don't think even if the designer would have had computers to help him that the bridge stood much a chance. The design was fairly standard, the problem was he had not allowed for wind related problems, with the flat sides. With the best computer simulation available, it is no bl**dy good if you don't factor in all the variables. Look at the Millennium bridge in London, clearly the designers only looked at it from an artistic point of view and completely overlooked the fact that people would actually want to walk on their piece of modern art sculpture. I hope they had to pay back their design fees.

 

chriStephens

The initial design for the Millenium Bridge was actually meant to perform in exactly the way it did. It was not an arty-fatty sculpture but a design put together by civil engineers. What they overlooked is that the public assumed that it was dangerous because it flexed (it wasn't) and that the media, with their usual lack of engineering knowledge, would overhype what they perceived as a faulty design. And they weren't 'made to pay back their design fees', because the body that commissioned the design and approved the concept of a flexing bridge deck. You could argue that it was the assumption that the public would also approve was at fault.

The really clever bit of the design was the alterations they made subsequently to overcome the perceived problems. It is in no way comparable to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, which suffered from harmonic deflection problems in particular wind conditions. The reason I know this is because a good friend of mine happens to be a civil engineer, and was engineering director of the firm who designed the Millenium Bridge.

[John ReeseParticipant @johnreese12848]

Tony,

Welcome to the club!

The only people that have not messed up are those who did not do anything.

A while back I made a tangential tool holder. I built it without making sketches or drawings. After I completed it I realized I had made a left hand tool holder. Time to start over.

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

I was also involved in the Nimrod saga (fiasco) as the company I worked for made various parts over the years including wiring looms.

We heard the story about the wings from Br Aero engineers. The designers of the new wings had no idea to what extent the RAF fitters had carried out field mods to keep Nimrod flying.

Brian

Edited By Brian Hutchings on 21/08/2017 20:12:56

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

Crikey, this thread has just resurrected after nearly eight years!

[geoff walker 1Participant @geoffwalker1]

 

Over here we dont make mistakes,we make COCKUP,S or as we like to call them SAD STORIES. …And I've made a few recently. I am currently making my first steam engine and the way it's going it may be the last! Up to now I have 4 c'ups 1. the cylinder block bored through the wrong face. (careless) 2. The cross head guide. Got the machining sequence wrong on this resulting in the final reaming drifting off line (lack of experience on my part) 3. The bottom plate for the cylinder block. Milling operation all going well until the vertical slide performed an impromtu pirouette. (scary and careless) 4. And finally the piston came free on the rod as I'm lapping it into the cylinder (no loctite). I'll get there, eventually but this has so far been the most error strewn thing I've ever made. Still good fun!!! geoff

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Ah! So I am not the only one! (Always thought that it just me, for working off the back of an envelope, or just off my head) may be that last bit explains a lot?

Howard

[larry PhelanParticipant @larryphelan54019]

Hi Everyone,

You will be happy to know that I,ve just made another Cock up,nothing major,just about four hours work down the drain and a waste of material. Do I have enough material to make another part ? you must be joking !

Would kick the cat,if I had one, afraid to kick the dogs,they can look after themselves !

So I just said "Dear dear,how silly of me " or words to that effect . There was no need for heating in the workshop this evening,in fact I had to leave the doors open .

So Howard,no, you are not alone,not by a long shot ! No wonder my scrap box is so big .

[larry PhelanParticipant @larryphelan54019]

Hi Howard,

Have just eaten [an empty sack wont stand ],and having knocked back a half bottle of Aldi,s good red wine,the answer to my cock up came as clear as day ! Such a stupid mistake ! However I console myself by knowing that I am a member of a worldwide club,with a huge membership [even if they are a bit shy ] So I say,,let us soldier on going where many have gone before,and even many more will go,and never mind those who get it right all the time,they are a dying breed..

PS i do not advocate Aldi,s red, it just works for me ! I suppose any good red would do.!

At Euro 6 a bottle,it was a cheap price to pay for an answer,and so quick !!

So,I shall give it Hell tomorrow. !!

[Steve WithnellParticipant @stevewithnell34426]

Posted by Circlip on 17/11/2009 21:33:56:

"Measure twice and cut once" old adage from my mentors Tony and yes, we ALWAYS remember after the event, what a wonderful teacher hindsight is.

 

Just ensure you restrict your "Occurances" to materials and not Soft tissue. No matter how annoying, it's a HOBBY.

 

Regards Ian.

Sometimes on high value jobs, to measure twice, have a brew and read the paper, then measure again before cutting! Measure twice sometimes means you measure wrong twice…

[Adrian GilesParticipant @adriangiles39248]

"Measure with a micrometer, mark with chalk, cut with an axe" seen on another site.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

It's not over yet; and the fat lady has a long time before she comes on stage.

2 days and two bandsaw blades later, have abandonned the "latest" method, and decided that plastic is easier to work than forged Aluminium alloy. The plastic will need thinning, but less costly of time and machinery, than the first "durable, high quality" intent

Howard

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Posted by vintagengineer on 21/08/2017 19:38:41:

When I did my apprenticeship I was taught a fitters job was to make parts fit not just fit parts! And don't trust other peoples work to be correct, check against the drawing!

Edited By vintagengineer on 21/08/2017 19:39:39

​Snap!… my grouch was making & fitting tapered gib keys.

George.

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