Here is a list of all the postings Nick Clarke 3 has made in our forums. Click on a thread name to jump to the thread.
Thread: Win 10 update |
24/10/2022 16:01:01 |
Hi Dave - Like you my career for the last 45 years after a few false starts selling to the Motor Trade has been in IT but in an educational context rather than in your commercial background. I do protect my computers against hacking and viruses, as I mentioned but my belief that there is little to steal from most computers still stands. However I think that the original comments were about allowing a software manufacturer access to one's system and unfortunately no number of software systems can prevent this if one has given permission when installing the software. I just don't think there is much that can be stolen under this authorised access on the average home computer. As you say hacking and similar attacks can be issues but I do protect against these. Take care, Nick |
Thread: Revisiting The Red Devil by David Wardale |
24/10/2022 11:08:36 |
My understanding has always been that diesel traction, outside depots at least, was always going to be a stopgap from steam to electric but that economics meant that the retirement of steam was accelerated and happened 10-15 years earlier than originally envisaged. |
Thread: Win 10 update |
24/10/2022 10:31:12 |
Thanks for that MichaelG - The Xerox version of the bit of the Microsoft EULA says it all - and trying to be positive seems in fact to be a bit more restrained than some I have seen - the original Lotus123 and Novell Netware ones spring to mind. The most important point is that if you buy a laptop and Windows you MAY be required to return the Laptop for refund if you don't accept the EULA. They come as a package and it is up to Microsoft what happens, although in practice there would never be an issue IMHO. I am a little bemused sometimes regarding the 'privacy' issue as while my online banking is secured with an external Securekey - a small calculator like device that produces a one-time PIN, there is no information I would really be worried about anyone else seeing on the computer. Security against viruses etc is a different issue of course. Family photos I show to others whenever their threshold of boredom drops and the few bits of writing I do I am grateful for anyone to read. What websites I visit only list the details of an averagely boring lifestyle and are cleared on exiting the browser anyway. No sensitive information such as passwords or card details is stored on the computer. Others may have a philosophical objection to non-sensitive information being seen by others - but personally if they can do no harm with it, I just get on with life. To put it in perspective - if you drop your house and car keys on the drive and leave them there while struggling in with a load of shopping you could be open to a greater financial loss than anything involving a computer. Nick
Edited By Nick Clarke 3 on 24/10/2022 11:01:21 |
Thread: New machines for workshop |
23/10/2022 09:33:16 |
Posted by Jelly on 22/10/2022 23:36:44:
In retrospect I definitely regret not expanding my workshop when I had the chance, but maybe I'm just a terrible hoarder. Whereas I consider myself to be an excellent hoarder! |
Thread: TIG welded copper boilers |
21/10/2022 16:04:59 |
Posted by noel shelley on 21/10/2022 11:26:58:
Having started to build a copper boiler to a well known design only to have my club boiler inspector refuse to test the boiler as he did not consider the design to be safe, not withstanding that it's designer was well respected AND that it complied with the oft mentioned Australian rules left me feeling very strongly on this matter ! Noel.. I feel that it is important boiler examiners have the freedom to refuse to test any boiler presented to them, but they need to be able to justify this decision, and if necessary be taken to task. However in practical terms as a boiler inspector is often a senior and respected member of a club and differences like this can split a club in two, this is often hard to do. What is interesting is that looking back in time expertise as defined today is not always there. The boiler designed for the Willoughby GWR Dock tank was solder caulked and rivetted. LBSC did not visit clubs and his boilers don't seem to have been tested apart from when first built. Also he used brazing spelter a lot at first and later Sifbronze which would be frowned upon today. Both J.Austen Walton and Keith Wilson recommended self fluxing on copper alloys and neither Martin Evans nor Don Young built enough boilers to be experts. L,C.Mason and W.J.Hughes in the traction engine world produced designs for their engines that have turned out to be excellent - but again their designs were few in number. So even a well known design really should come under the supervision of a boiler inspector for their wider experience. Edited By Nick Clarke 3 on 21/10/2022 16:06:22 |
Thread: Silver soldering Torch size |
21/10/2022 15:45:46 |
If you do go for the propane option I keep a 3.9kg cylinder in to run it off but if I have a large job or jobs coming up I have swapped it for a 6kg cylinder which lasts longer and is better with a 4bar regulator but a lot bigger to keep in the garage. There is no charge for swapping sizes within the same group and as I have no big jobs coming up I have swapped back to the small one to save space. Also there are shortages of some cylinders for new purchase so I would find that first - the torches are easy to find! Edited By Nick Clarke 3 on 21/10/2022 15:47:41 |
Thread: TIG welded copper boilers |
20/10/2022 15:55:00 |
A look online confirms that a test is £175 from several places but that is for the test to become BS EN ISO 9606 coded and half of that is deducted from the £500 cost of the day - so it will still cost you £600 just for the test with no training beforehand - and if you don't pass it will be another £600 or no boiler. |
Thread: Any info about what machine this slotting head is for? |
20/10/2022 14:31:55 |
Duplicate post Edited By Nick Clarke 3 on 20/10/2022 14:43:56 |
20/10/2022 14:31:55 |
The size is correct for a Drummond Round Bed (model A), but as has been suggested probably home made. If I had more time I might be tempted to look through Edgar T Westbury's articles in ME from the start of the second World War on capstan and turret lathes, but tempus fugit I'm afraid! Edited By Nick Clarke 3 on 20/10/2022 14:43:39 |
Thread: TIG welded copper boilers |
20/10/2022 14:27:29 |
Posted by Luker on 30/09/2021 12:11:27:
I would encourage anyone to give boiler manufacture a bash (this includes TIG welding copper). If the club has members that guide and help the builder, and a boiler inspector that keeps up with modern manufacturing techniques I can see no reason for a ‘poor boiler’ outcome. If on the other hand the boiler inspectors are not knowledgeable enough and are unwilling to up skill; that is an entirely different matter…
Unfortunately the UK FMES code is quite specific in saying:- 6.2 If welding is undertaken by a person who is not a coded welder the Inspector shall require that weld samples be made available for inspection and testing prior to the commencement of the welding of the boiler, or that the welder shall have proof of test pieces being satisfactorily tested within the 12 months prior to the jointing being undertaken. Weld samples shall be tested by appropriate testing laboratories. The material being welded is not specified so both steel and TIG Copper are equally covered by this requirement if they are to be tested and certified. While an amateur could I suppose meet these requirements, I suspect the expense of professional materials testing might be prohibitive. |
Thread: Boiler calculations- steam output |
15/10/2022 15:03:42 |
Posted by Dave Halford on 15/10/2022 14:27:37:
Jon, Your main issue will be where will you run it (if you intend to.) If a local club, will the resident boiler testers except your design? If not, you cannot run on their track. It might be better in this case to present your outside dimensions to them as they may be able to suggest an existing design that fits the bill. Opening out the barrel seems to be out current of favour. Can you say where this idea that opening the barrel is not in favour comes from? Many existing designs do this and all have 'grandfather rights' so while any boiler inspector is perfectly within their rights to refuse to test any boiler - giving this as a reason is probably not valid. Other factors may of course apply as well, justifying their decision. |
Thread: Moving the Mill Vice |
11/10/2022 09:06:04 |
My mill and its vice are quite small so no issues yet there, but I have noticed now I have retired that clothes bought a few years ago appear to shrink alarmingly - most noticeable is that trouser waistbands no longer fasten easily and shirts bulge - the answer seems to be to buy a couple of sizes larger and hope this will allow for the apparent shrinkage - there doesn't seem much room though! |
Thread: Stringer EW Mini Lathe |
03/10/2022 18:20:35 |
The EW Lathe is small but had a good reputation when new in the 50s - It was, along with a Myford ML7 used in the Model Engineer magazine workshop when there was such a thing. Things to consider are the general condition of the lathe, is it capable of doing the work you want to do with it and more particularly with this model - you could buy it without features such as back gear and add them later if you wished so if something is missing was it ever there - and do you need it? Have a look here for more information http://www.lathes.co.uk/ew/index.html Edited By Nick Clarke 3 on 03/10/2022 18:23:05 |
Thread: What Did you do Today 2022 |
03/10/2022 09:19:59 |
Posted by Mark Rand on 02/10/2022 16:34:17:
I was supposed to be doing some welding in the shed today but... Got the covid booster in one arm and flu jab in the other yesterday. Got the shivers last night and slept most of today. First time I've had a reaction to any vaccination. Had both on Monday a week ago, one in each arm and on Tuesday they were trying to meet up in the middle somewhere! Last Tuesday spent wrapped in a blanket watching, or rather not watching rubbish daytime TV. Even today one upper arm is a bit tender to the touch, but I couldn't tell you which jab that was. |
Thread: 7.25 v 5 |
01/10/2022 16:14:39 |
I think the issue is likely to depend upon whether it is a ground level track or raised. If raised there are fewer 7.25" raised tracks to visit should you wish to do so, and if ground level the fly in the ointment would be the tender on a large loco - I can assure you that it is a long stretch, and hard on the back to stretch over a 5" tender on ground level - it can be a problem on a raised track, but on the ground - ouch! As to performance that can be the same, less or greater depending on the individual locos so I cannot help there. |
Thread: Identifying a vintage lathe |
29/09/2022 08:49:05 |
have a look at the Drummond group on io.groups - there used to be a document on there called. I think allsets which listed all of the different sets of change gears that Drummond supplied over the life of the lathes. I don't think it will matter which set you use - I would choose the one where you need the fewest extra gears, There is a set of 3D printable drummond gears on Thingyverse, but I have not had success printing some of the sizes, |
Thread: UK State Pension |
26/09/2022 10:16:03 |
The new state pension which applies to anyone born after 1951 does not consist of basic and additional parts so the starting value is what you will get already taking into account your contracted out time. I retired 12 months ago and my new state pension, like yours is fractionally less than the full amount. My tax allowance is applied to this and so I don't pay tax on it while any allowance left over is applied to my teachers pension after which I pay tax. The advice to consult a qualified Financial Advisor is sound, but for an overview the .gov,uk website explains it quite well. One final point is that your state pension is not paid monthly, but every 4 weeks on a day of the week depending upon your national insurance number so one month in the year you will get two payments, one at the start and one at the end of the month.
Edited By Nick Clarke 3 on 26/09/2022 10:19:00 |
Thread: What Did you do Today 2022 |
23/09/2022 12:12:27 |
Posted by Jelly on 23/09/2022 11:52:27:
I learned when I made replacement workshop doors that it doesn't take too much storage of materials for a project which you're due to start next to turn everything into a quagmire of items which have to be moved to do simple tasks. Tumbler on top of washing machine and Work- and Machine Bench down one side of the garage - Freezer camping equipment and storage down other - bandsaw on wheeled 7 drawer mechanic's tool cabinet and bike on floor. Scamp 7 1/4" petrol loco build on Workmate - and then the tumble dryer at the back of the garage dies, Arggggh! |
23/09/2022 12:12:27 |
Posted by Jelly on 23/09/2022 11:52:27:
I learned when I made replacement workshop doors that it doesn't take too much storage of materials for a project which you're due to start next to turn everything into a quagmire of items which have to be moved to do simple tasks. Tumbler on top of washing machine and Work- and Machine Bench down one side of the garage - Freezer camping equipment and storage down other - bandsaw on wheeled 7 drawer mechanic's tool cabinet and bike on floor. Scamp 7 1/4" petrol loco build on Workmate - and then the tumble dryer at the back of the garage dies, Arggggh! |
Thread: Forum Software |
21/09/2022 17:36:03 |
For historical reasons because I am old enough to predate mice being common on small computers and also because for more than a quarter of my career I have worked with blind and visually impaired computer users I still find keyboard shortcuts quicker than using a mouse - so please leave this as an option. Also this software does manually what has to happen when uploading a picture - ie it has to be stored somewhere local to the software so the page can be created dynamically from its filename - to allow cut and paste this would need automating and so add a layer of complexity. As it is I know which of my pictures have appeared in my posts and they can be deleted by me should I no longer wish them to appear - having them automatically stored 'somewhere' could leave them on the system, taking up storage. I suspect that the vast majority will not respond, unlike the community minded people so far and as soon as the improved version is launched only then will there be a torrent of people (who have not suggested anything) asking why their pet feature has not been included - but then I was always a cynic! |
Want the latest issue of Model Engineer or Model Engineers' Workshop? Use our magazine locator links to find your nearest stockist!
Sign up to our newsletter and get a free digital issue.
You can unsubscribe at anytime. View our privacy policy at www.mortons.co.uk/privacy
You can contact us by phone, mail or email about the magazines including becoming a contributor, submitting reader's letters or making queries about articles. You can also get in touch about this website, advertising or other general issues.
Click THIS LINK for full contact details.
For subscription issues please see THIS LINK.