Member postings for MW

I for one, am very positive about the future of ME, MEW and the hobby in general, i don't think the formula needs changing. Alot of people have commented before that they reckon it'll peter out eventually. But i think there are still plenty of people out there ready to take up the gauntlet and get involved.

Before the age of the internet i would've said the skeptics were probably right, but i think the internet has done wonders for reviving hobbies like this.

New people will discover new ways of working and tools (like cnc,electronics, imported tools) and people will also continue to appreciate and venerate the old ways of working and quite rightly enjoy both. 

Michael W

Edited By Michael Walters on 05/09/2016 16:41:02

It is true that twist bits are not the sturdiest of drills. But they are the most commonly used. The type of drills you are talking about will set you back a pretty penny, certainly not worth the cost for us.

The other thing is for absolute accuracy with guns, they are pulled through the lathe, not drilled forward, so it is a completely different procedure.

I also defy you to be able to lock up a tailstock, drill move forward and clamp up again in exactly the same spot each and every time. You will always be slightly off if you change the position. For most of us twist drills is about as good as it's going to get.

Michael W

You know, one of the reasons the coal has been largely left alone is probably a strategic decision, as a reserve incase other energy was cut off in a hostile political environment. It's possible, and they like to think of what could happen and prepare for it. The only puzzling thing was why did they close the shafts, if they wanted to get at it again?

It's no secret that theres still plenty to use down there, so i'm thinking they'll use north sea gas as long as they can before reopening the mines one day. 

Michael W

Edited By Michael Walters on 04/09/2016 12:40:24

Yeah, i suspect mine is the same, thanks for the advice, i'm sure they are all nice things to look at even if you don't use them. I just like to have an alternative if nothing else is available, if i want to do any real work i just use propane gas.

Michael W

I can't find it, can you put a link in?

Michael W

I bet the royal family doesn't understand all this fuss about cnc, why, when they already have all those little people to do it for them?

Michael W

Yes, clean coal technology, google it, not the sort of changes that make the headlines.

Michael W

If it can win you more points than that sense of humour then go for it.

Michael W

Edited By Michael Walters on 04/09/2016 10:25:52

He isn't lying, there is enough coal left in the ground to keep the country going for hundreds of years. Britain used to be a world leader in coal powerplants til it all came to an abrupt and unhappy end in the late 70's and 80's, it was a political excercise to curtail the unions power, had nothing to do with energy and environment.

I suppose you haven't heard of clean coal burning technology? The chinese picked up the trail where we left off and now they are the world leaders.

Michael W

I am surprised that no one was even complementary or in awe of how much work goes into it. I would be, atleast because i know that historically everything had to be hand made at some point. If you can make a clock by hand i take my hat off to you!

Michael W

Very drole! Bravo.

Michael W

oops, wrong drill grinder, i was thinking of a different one. 

Michael W

Edited By Michael Walters on 03/09/2016 20:16:19

If it weren't for the sake of free speech i'd say let's put this thread out of it's misery before WW3 breaks loose. Clearly we've struck a chord here which is just too much fuss to argue over.

Michael W

Edited By Michael Walters on 03/09/2016 20:05:03

Here is the "Vera Icona" or true image, of the lamp.

There is some writing on it but it isn't anything i haven't already said.

Michael W

Ha, i have heard on a youtube vid that the older ones used leaded petrol, and a stern american said "i aint gonna give ya no warning bout saftey and what nots because if you're old enough to be doin this stuff, you're old enough to care of yerself" They can be quite volatile,

I'll try to avoid drinking the denatured alcohol too, i'm not that desperate yet though.

Thanks for the warning,

Michael W

I did think about that bazyle, as the cap has a steel nut on it, but it's hexagon edges are completely smoothed over, indicating that it is atleast an old assembly, maybe someone retro fitted it for a compressor?

I intend to have a gander at the innards with a small torch.

Michael W

I daresay you're hardly the shrinking violet, Mr Stevenson. If you truly believe it then say it. I don't see what on earth you could be scared of?

If i can, anyone can do it. 

Michael W

Edited By Michael Walters on 03/09/2016 18:29:05

I think you're treading dangerous ground here.

The luddites were fighting a social cause, not a technological one. They were very good at it by the looks of it by how few of them were actually prosecuted. The local populace harbored them because they believed in their cause.

What it takes to be a gunsmith is way beyond any technical college training, you're scrutinized heavily on all aspects of handiwork.

I happen to be one of that percentile, if i can see beyond popular conception about Luddites i should hardly call that ignorant, so i'm a thug? dig your own ditch.

Michael W

Edited By Michael Walters on 03/09/2016 17:58:04

Hi KWIL,

Yeah i've now noticed that this one has a port the other side, whereas mine has just one cap with a brass wing nut.

So, I've done a little bit of perusing today and in an antiques shop i found an old blowlamp, or what i think is one.

It's made of brass and marked "Vespa FJ Paris" , it appears to have an air regulating screw with a small needle on the head, and a port for filling up with fuel.

But i was totally puzzled by why this model has no pump, it's just totally absent. Then i noticed a small well around the head of the blow lamp with blackening around it from flames, so i presume i fill this with meths and burn off the meths to get it warm enough to start the torch.

I've read about "atmospheric ambient" style lamps which have no pump.

I liked it the moment i saw it so i bought it, but would like to try giving it a run. I just haven't used these old style ones before i wondered if anyone knows why this has no pump mechanism and what sort of fuel/procedures i need to know to get it up and running, i have no photo at the moment but will get one later.Heres a link to a similar one. **LINK**

Michael W