Member postings for Jon Lawes

Welcome Phil. This is without a doubt the most asked question on the Forum; it crops up a couple of times a week, and the forum has been around a long time!

Have a go with the search function (either in the top right for a basic search or the google search box on the home page) and you'll find you have enough data and opinions to keep you reading for hours. Best of luck with your research and purchase. There are a lot of people on here with lots of varied opinions, so keep an open mind!

I uses to buy cheap Seiko watches that were not working and gently investigate. At the price I was picking them up for you could afford to buy a few of the same type, and usually build yourself a nicely working watch at the end of it. India was a good source of these; they had cornered the market on cheaply repaired Seiko that seemed to keep time for a few days then go haywire. I learned quite a lot from those. After a while I started buying broken higher end but unfashionable watches, like 1970s Omega, and doing the same thing. Ladies high end watches are brilliant for practicing on as they tend to be a fraction of the price of the Mens variant.

It all changed when the 1970s Omegas suddenly became fashionable again, so I sold the lot and bought a modern one that I don't (and won't) touch. It was a good fun learning experience. I wish you the very best of luck.

Welcome

So I guess the answer is, the general populace don't know...

I use the terms analog and analogue interchangeably as I can never remember which is which (despite being in avionics for years). I guess if I haven't learned by now I don't have much to gain by nailing it down!

Very much a Tea Room Thread as it isn't model engineering, but I figured it would have more potential experts than most of the forums I visit.

While Idly browsing some data on the contents of American survivalists stashes I notice they often have a small radio for receiving emergency broadcasts from the government. In the UK I think we used to use AM radios for this, but suspect its all FM now.

What has happened to the UK emergency radio transmissions now that Digital is replacing analog radio? Has that shifted over too, or is it running in parallel with Analog transmission?

After a brief search I found some documents discussing and making recomendations to the government on the issue but nothing actually concrete.

To précis, If the sirens went, what kind of radio should I take down to my shelter to listen for the All Clear?

(I don't have a bunker, most sirens went away for scrap long ago, this is all out of interest!).

I'd certainly like to know more about this, maybe in a separate thread if you haven't covered it already.

Bravo.

Very nice.

I did briefly consider making some youtube videos of my own to help amateurs (if its a scale with complete novice at one end and expert at the other, I reckon I'm almost a third of the way up it now) but to be perfectly honest I don't think i'm mentally robust enough to deal with the sheer tidal wave of criticism I'd be likely to attract. Like all of these things, detractors shout louder than supporters.

I'm helping some novices get started at the moment, I'll stick with one to one support as it makes me feel less vulnerable!

It's all got a bit silly. I think we need to remember we are all here because we support an enjoyable, inclusive hobby.

I have the same system as Nigel (but integrated), I drilled a hole in the brick wall for the exhaust and have two outlet ducts in the workshop. I also have two carbon monoxide detectors of different brands because I'm rather paranoid about fumes having had a friend brain injured by Carbon Monoxide.

It's very effective, some people have had varying reliabilty but I think making sure you run it for a decent amount of time so it doesn't soot up helps.

Interesting. I assume you have to stick it in some way?

My condolences.

You can get companies in to do workshop clearances, it means minimum effort for you but less return.

My suggestion is that if he belonged to a model engineering society you request that they come and assist; they will be able to identify components to either sell within the club (which may earn you less but will mean the items will be kept local, and possibly among his old friends) or guide you which items to sell on ebay (more clinical, and subject to 14% or something fees, but may get a greater return.). Another advantage of going to his local club, assuming he was a member of one, is that people are more likely to be able to collect rather than having to box up machinery to cart across the country.

Be wary of people flashing offers at you, you may end up selling things under their value. I'm sorry to hear about your loss, its a difficult time.

One thing that may help us assist is location, that obviously makes a difference. Are you in the UK?

Please yourself. I'm getting too old for cryptic games. Luckily this forum makes it quite easy to block people who play them.

My Pillar Drill was lend/lease from the USA. Can't get cheaper than that, unless of course they ask for back-rent.

The most experienced engineer I know with regards to both this locomotive and valve gear is a chap called David Clarke of Atlantic Engineering Design in the South West. I think his company is advertised on Facebook.

Be aware he is one of those people who is run off his feet with work despite never needing to advertise, so he sometimes takes a while to get back to you (and like any small business his knowledge is what pays his bills).

You could also try Sweet Pea owners; as you may be aware Hackworth is common on those.

Welcome Pete,

There is a wealth of info here, one thing I would say is that the amount of time this forum has been around the questions have almost certainly been asked a couple of times before (especially the "which lathe" question!) so you may find the search function will bring up most of your early questions.

We do get a lot of questions where people are reluctant to fill in the gaps of info which they may not feel is relevant but actually would help quite a lot with the answer.

Is the intention to use this metal for practice? Is it a cheap source of steel which you feel you could use for multiple projects? Have you chosen this metal because it suits the end product? I sense from your guarded posts you don't really feel the intention is relevant, but it really honestly does help as when we know the intention we can assist with giving you information on the best way to achieve it.

This is all written with the best possible intentions to assist where possible.

Fantastic work. Thanks for keeping us involved.