Member postings for Steve Neighbour

We live in the Severn Trent water co area, and had a similar issue with the stop cock under the sink, and also I couldn't access the main valve in the pavement as it was buried in mud.

I called STW to see if they could help (not expecting any help tbh) and was really surprised that not only did they send out an engineer the same day, who confirmed the main stop valve was duff.

They arranged to dig it up, replace with a new one all totally free !!

I could then easily turn off the supply and replace the one under the kitchen sink

So it may be worth contacting your own water company 🤔

The incidence of scam phone calls predominantly to mobiles (from a moble) is rife at the moment.

They call, you answer, they interrogate your phone in the 20-30 seconds your saying "hello, hello" and they have your info

Its simple to avoid, DON'T answer any calls not recognised by you (or your phone if it has 'smart calling'

If it is someone genuinely trying to get hold of you they will either leave you a message, or call you again on the same number (which a scammer would not ever do) for risk of getting traced.

Ditto . . Wearing gloves with anything that goes 'round & round' is a a big no no.

Since my engineering apprenticeship I have always used a barrier cream before and a good hand cleaner such as Swafega after, then a spot of good hand conditioner cream after.

I think I need one of those guys to do all the 'domestic stuff' that shmbo keeps finding to scupper my 'playing' (her words) in my workshop !!

Edited By Steve Neighbour on 01/01/2021 09:44:41

I'm sorry, but your big round thingie is no where near shiney enough, now go and polish it - there's a good chap !!

Steve

I use a 1/2 kW electric panel heater which I pop on the 2kW setting as a instant heat boost when in the workshop and run on a timer on the 1kW setting if the oat drops to freezing or below overnight.

The workshop is extensively insulated to reduce heat loss.

Seems to work well, although if we get a '63 winter as the weather folk are suggesting it might get pushed to its limits 🤔

I have to agree - I am very pleased with my WM250, it appears to be very accurate (far more than I can probably work to !!)

When it arrived, and following installation, the only issue I had on comissioning was a miss-aligned micro switch on the drive belt/change gears cover which caused intermittent 'fail to runs' - very easily rectified and I have since changed the tool post holder for a qctp type which is a big improvement.

I have also been impressed by Warco's customer service all the way from my initial enquiry to delivery

However when I ordered it, I have to admit it was with some trepidadtion that I was buying a pile of far eastern scrap metal having read all the pros-cons banter especially from the die-hard British lathe owners (Myford, Colchester, Harrison etc etc) and I am not for one second saying there is anything wrong with these machines, they are very well made and built to last.

I had originally looked at getting a Myford super 7, primariuly because I was 'weaned' on a Myford by my Grandfather.

But I was put off by the high cost of a 'new' one, and even more put off by the cost of used ones, yes I know, occasionally there are very good examples of used ones that come up for sale, but they seem fairly rare.

Steve

Firstly the size and power of a vehicle is somewhat irrelevent - a small 'low power' car is usually more than capable of exceeding the UK speed limit these days.

Secondly most delivery van drivers are carrying (and one hopes delivering) 100's of parcels on any given day, so their van may be rammed full at the start of their work, or likelwise empty when they are heading back.

Years ago, I was at the roadside with a work colleauge when a car went past at a significantly excessive speed, I remarked "look at that reckless idiot" !!

To which my colleauge replied "You never know what another persons haste is, he may be rushing to a hospital"

So, these days I am a lot more tolerant of others these days, we all have a right to live our lives how we wish, unfortunately there are those who seem to lack common sense are think laws apply to them - for those individuals we have the Police !!

I also have a Warco WM250V and find it to be a lot better than most of the "British is best" camp would have anyone believe.

Mine is certainly a lot more rigid and accurate than I was expecting, so from my perspective the "poor Chinese quality" statement is completely unfounded, certainly for new machines.

Maybe I was lucky

Edited By Steve Neighbour on 04/12/2020 11:50:03

+2 for RDG (listed under Myford accessories catagory)

I'm a Electrical Engineer (semi retired) and there are many references to the two words mentioned which we now appear to not be able to mention !!!

Two transfomers in a electricity grid station were always reffered to as 'M and S' pretty much anything that has a primary and secondary was always called M and S

The world really has gone mad

(Now, I must pop out and feed my rainbow sheep with my gender neutral grandchildren)

Steve

I was in my 'final' year at senior school when the country decided to change from Imperial to Metric (1973)

Ever since then I continually flip between the two standards and often think of a 1 inch M4 bolt etc. I can not for the life of me fathom distance in metres or kilometres.

Thankfully we still have pints at the pub (when we can safely go to a pub) I dread the day I have to ask for 0.5 litre of my favorite rehydration liquid and always say how my car manages a certain MPG.

My 'new' lathe is metric and I have both metric and imperial micrometers - and love completely confusing my Grandchildren

I guess my generation will eventually pass on, and everyone will then 'think' in metric

Why do the so called 'generation X or is it Y which I think includes my 'kids' (they're all in their mid - late 30's now) insist on always sending text messages, whats app or the dreaded face book rubbish to make any arrangements or organise everything instead of picking up the @%&$ phone and calling to discuss it ??

I will ask my eldest daughter "what time shall we come over ?" to be abruptly told "I sent you a whats app dad" . . .

I think I am (already am) a technophobic grumpy old man

We will have a whole genration in years to come who will revert to the grunts and snorts of our cave dwelling ancestors if this continues, and will have lost the art of conversation.

Now where did I put my pen, glasses and car keys

Steve

Edited By Steve Neighbour on 12/10/2020 13:34:50

By far the most annoying phrase is the 'younger generation' use of LIKE in general discussions.

" I saw my friend, like she was on her bike, and like she also saw me cos like I waved to her like she called at my house like she is my best friend"

Arrrggghhh

Edited By Steve Neighbour on 10/10/2020 20:53:40

I have Numatic Henry, which has good suction and copes with all my swarf except the long spiral stuff, bags are strong enough to contain sharp strands and are reasonably priced.

Edited By Steve Neighbour on 09/10/2020 19:59:23

For small components I use an aerosol brake/clutch cleaner, seems to work really well and leaves no residue.

Readily available from the likes of toolstation etc

Hi Matt,

I would suggest you look for a site on YouTube called 'blondie hacks'

This is really a very good to watch site and the woman uses a Precision Mathew's machine which you'll you'll recognise as a Asian import clinen probably made by Weiss.

She has a upload on the machine with all the pros & cons.

Paul,

Your final decision may ultimately be driven by availability . . C19 has had significant impact on supply of machines, unless you're happy to wait (or are lucky its in stock)

I waited 15 weeks from order to delivery for mine 😩

I didnt mind too much as it meant I could progress my workshop to 'almost' finished without the distraction of the 'new toy'

Steve

Hi Paul,

A warm welcome

I have a Warco WM250 which is near identical to the DB10, you'll find there are quite a few derivatives of essential the same lathe on the market, most are made by Weiss in China are they are well made and accurate although often need a little fettling and tweaking when setting up.

am very happy with mine and it is far more capable than some 'it must be made in Britain to be any good ' folk would have you believe.

There is also a really good supply of parts and accessories that will fit most of the clone machines from the various UK suppliers..

Good luck and do keep the feed updated with your progress.

Steve

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful.

A tct tipped shattered, but more than likely that was due to trying g to take to big a cut

I ended up trying a cobalt steel blank, grinding the end to shape, it works but loses its edge quite quickly, its slow going but getting there.

Steve.