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Member postings for ChrisH

Here is a list of all the postings ChrisH has made in our forums. Click on a thread name to jump to the thread.

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Thread: Things they don't tell you in the books so I'm asking you lot
16/11/2010 18:02:19
As a PS to the "designer is an idiot" theme, on a ship one day we had a graduate engineer, very well qualified, far superior to us poor mortal engineers with dirty hands and boilersuits who were running the place.  For his degree he had written a thesis on marine boilers.
 
Whilst being shown round the ship's engine room he asked what these great big blocks were, 20ft square by 20ft high each, or thereabouts.  The exact dimensions are lost in time, and don't really matter. but very big lumps of kit.  There were 2 of them.
 
That is the boilers we told him - you remember, you wrote a thesis on it................... 

Edited By ChrisH on 16/11/2010 18:03:59

Thread: The Impecunious Engineer
12/11/2010 10:02:05
Hi Neil,
 
Thanks for the tip on using a long extension lead on the welder - I have a long meaty lead, I will try that.  If it works then that would be a lot cheaper than a new D type MCB!
 
Thinking about it, the lead on the welder is quite short and when used in the past it has always been on an extension lead - now in a new (to us!) house it is the first time I have been able to plug it into a socket direct, and the socket is quite close to the MCB.  
 
This tip should go into the "Hints and Tips" thread! 

Edited By ChrisH on 12/11/2010 10:02:52

Thread: Why is everything you buy such rubbish!!
10/11/2010 13:34:30
Don't blame all the managers, a lot of middle and senior managers really try their best.  It's often the MD and directors who are to blame.
 
I worked for a company in the 1990's.  Every month we had a managers meeting of all middle and senior managers, chaired by the MD and every month we all went in dread to those meetings because we knew someone was going to get a stuffing in front of everyone else, and whilst that someone was getting that stuffing we the rest all looked down, avoided all eye contact, and thought "there but for the grace of God go I".   What a way to run a company.  You lived in fear of making a mistake.  You couldn't be free to make positive decisions for the benefit of company and personnel in case you got it wrong.  You couldn't criticise directors when they screwed up - they were directors after all and sat next to God didn't you know.  The MD knew what he was doing all too well - he had a degree in psychology.  And if you were an engineer then you were the lowest of the low, a necessary evil that the production and packing departments would like to get rid of if only they could repair the machinery and make it work.  Not that failure there in any way affected their belief they knew all about everything mechanical and electrical better than you.  And never make a joke or have a laugh at anything, we don't do laughter and enjoyment here.  What a way to earn a living, but all too common I fear.
 
I got made redundant in 1999.  A tremendous shock at the time - but quickly came to the belief that it was the best thing that could have happened to me.  As my wife said then, it gave us back a life.  Yet all the time I had worked there I, along with many others, had worked hard and long hours, well over the requirement, for the benefit of that company and the people for which we were responsible.
 
So, I sincerely believe that a company is only as good to work for and successful as a company as the quality, experience, humanism, sense of humour and sense of responsibility of the MD and his fellow directors and their application to the company and personnel.  If you get the wrong set up there, get out when you can - if you can.
 
Perhaps that is where we have gone wrong here in the UK. 

Edited By ChrisH on 10/11/2010 13:36:55

10/11/2010 00:06:32
A friend here in France with a mark 1 type Renault in immaculate condition had a gearbox failure last year - it just stopped selecting gears.  A new one cost him 2000 euros, the car is only worth 1500 euros!
09/11/2010 09:42:34
My daughters washing machine is now 7 years old.  When it was 5 years old she had to get the repair man out.  His comment was she should be lucky that it was 5 years old not 3 as the 'new' ones can't be repaired anymore.  Says it all really.
Thread: The Impecunious Engineer
08/11/2010 18:30:04
Ian, Yes the fan is still working, could hear it before I then took the cover off to hunt further, as the first thing I thought about was dead spiders or some other insect shorting across something, but it was all clear.
 
I thought it must be the start current surge as I switched the welder on whilst holding the MCB in (don't tell the H & S gestapo, they don't understand real life) and she switched on no worries.  Didn't know about this C rush stuff, or such things as A, B, C and D type MCB's, but you never stop learning and I do now!
 Chris
Thread: Why is everything you buy such rubbish!!
08/11/2010 18:22:17
The Account-Ants, and some very senior managers, have very much a fair share of the blame to take as well as greedy short sighted unions and workers.
 
In the 1970's I stood by the building of a (then) very large container ship.  Had 2 main diesel engines each of some 26000 shp each, plus 5 generators of 2500 shp each - we were a total refrigerated cargo ship.  The obvious solution would have been to put a nice efficient exhaust gas boiler in the chimney to take all the heat from the exhaust gasses we chucked up into the sky to generate steam to run a turbo-alternator, but no, the account-ants ruled.  Payback on this had to be 3 years or no-go.  The building team got the payback down to 5 years, but it was not good enough, so no steam driven T-A.  Given the life of that ship, like most ships, would have been at least over 25 years, was that short sighted or what?  The building team would spend 2 weeks deciding on whether pump A was better in performance, delivery, price etc etc than pump B.  Then in the final meeting the account-ants would come in and say you are having the rubbish pump C because it is cheaper!  And so it has gone on ever since.
 
We are surrounded by water, we need and once had a strong merchant navy supported by a strong shipbuilding industry supported by all the relevant manufacturing and engineering industries to be able to survive by ourselves.  All is now gone.
 
In the 1990's I worked for a horticultural company and what an eye-opener.  Nothing of quality was ever bought if an alternative was available that was cheap - Crap was King! 
 
I now live in France for part of each year.  We haven't got a car company left to shout about in the UK, but France has.  Most of the motors on the road here are French.  Reason, the French, despite being big in the EU, first and foremost look after the French, France and all things French before considering the EU or the rest of the world.  Why can't our politicians do the same in the UK?
 
But as for working on any modern car, forget it.  I have an old Renault 4 as a fun car and it's great, I can work on all of it.  My Renault Scenic by comparison, needs a garage to change the headlight bulb. (well, OK I have done it, but you have to take a load of covers off and then it helps if you have one inch diameter arms fitted with universal joints, and it takes about an hour to change one bulb.)  The stupid thing is, in France you have to carry a bulb kit around with you in case one light goes out, despite the fact that changing a headlight bulb by the roadside is a total non-starter for 99.99% of the motoring population.
 
I agree with most of what has been said above.  You get what you pay for, buy crap and crap is what you will get, and twice off as you will buy twice.  I lament the fact we now have a throw-away society and cannot /will not repair anything, and that stuff is such rubbish that it lasts no time at all.  Our resources are not infinite, eventually we will have used everything up and then we will HAVE to start repairing stuff.  And that time is not that far off, maybe not in my lifetime but not long after when the oil runs out.  Just think of stuff that needs oil either as a material or as an energy in it's manufacture.  Frightening, or what?
 
Ho humm, so endth the rant for today, feeling better now! 
Chris 
Thread: The Impecunious Engineer
07/11/2010 13:37:11
Howard, Steve,
Many thanks for your advice.  I will see if I can get a 'D' type MCB.  I suspected that it was the initial voltage surge on switching on that was causing the problem, which is why I tried a 20A job in a naive attempt to fix the problem. 
07/11/2010 11:20:01
Bought a MMO - Millington Mail Order I believe - 140A arc welder back in the early 80's.  It may have been a SIP welder with a MMO badge, I don't know.  It's a good machine anyway.  Could get a while on it before it tripped on overtemp, but left for an hour and I would be back in business for a wee while before it tripped again - annoying.  Then in the early 90's fitted a 240v cooling fan out of an old computer inside the welder casing at the back, wired to come on when the power was turned on and bingo, no more over heating, worked a treat.
 
However,  tried welding the other week after not having used it for about 4 years and a problem has surfaced.  Either it trips the MCB immediately it's switched on, or, if it doesn't then it's OK until it is switched off again.  I don't understand it at all but am not surprised - I never trust anything with wires coming out of it.  Tried changing the MCB from a 16A to a 20A - the welder is all the MCB supplies - but no difference.  So if anyone can shed any light as to what that problem may be I would be very grateful!
Thread: Continuing Articles
19/10/2010 13:01:57
All of the above is very interesting, but what does it have to do with, and in, the thread of "Continuing Articles" in ME (and MEW for that matter)?  The thread has been hijacked!
Thread: Hints and tips
16/10/2010 18:38:33
After a session in the workshop ending with dirty hands, if you've run out of swarfega or the like, use washing up liquid with some granulated sugar sprinkled on your hands - works a treat and is cheaper too.
15/10/2010 23:56:22
This thread is such a good idea perhaps it should have it's own 'Topic' instead of being just a thread - what do you reckon Mr Moderator DC Sir?
 
ChrisH 
15/10/2010 23:44:01
A few silly but useful tips:
 
Paint the workshop floor( with floorpaint of course).  Makes things like little nuts/screws/washers/etc dropped on the floor much easier to find.  Colour Red works for me.  Plus block off under the benches etc as suggested earlier on this thread.
 
Philips or crosspoint screw heads always go 'round' in the drivepoint and then the screwdriver just slips around as soon as the going gets tough when screwing them in. Take the screws out and hacksaw a slot across the drivepoint and then use a blade type screwdriver.  It has so much more contact area in the slot created to turn the screw, always works for me to get the tricky screws in.
 
Seized up screws in wood to be removed?  Hold a (hot) soldering iron tip on the screwhead for a few minutes, then try to tighten the screw a tad first before unscrewing, to 'break the stick', and it should then screw out.
 
Rubber hose won't go on the tube?  Heat for a few seconds by dunking the end in a mug of boiling water, or heat with HI's (Her Indoors) hairdryer, and it will soften and zoom on.
 
And don't forget HI's washing up liquid, helps all sorts of sticking things to slide in easy when they refused to slide in before.  Just remember to put the liquid back before she misses it, or buy your own.
 
Raid HI's kit again for the talc (better still, get her buy you your own tub/tube for the workshop when she does the weekly shop - supermarkets own brand baby talc is ideal, you don't need expensive poncy scented stuff) and use it to coat wires before pulling through conduit and they will wizz through.  Talc is much underrated in the workshop, as is washing up liquid.  Also use talc (if you don't have french chalk) to coat rubber rings etc when they are just sitting on the spares shelf waiting to be used - helps protect them.
 
ChrisH 

Edited By ChrisH on 15/10/2010 23:48:10

Edited By ChrisH on 15/10/2010 23:49:59

Thread: Small Miller
05/10/2010 22:47:46
Humm, SPG Tools seem a little economical in letting you know where they are, other than the answerphone/fax tel code is Hinckley and Hinckley is in their e-mail address.  But how can you collect from them if they don't advertise their address, and why use a mobile number as a main contact number during opening hours and not a normal landline number.
 
The price is good though...!  The machine seems very similar to the XJ12-300 and Warco Mini Mill/Drill in spec too.
 
Chris 
01/10/2010 19:06:18
Hi,
Going down this sort of route myself soon.
 
Amadeal quoted me £45 delivery charge, to add to the £412.  If you live close to them you can pick it up from the store, as it were.  Not an option for me really.
 
You could also look at the Warco Mini Mill/Drill, which looks to be a very similar machine in most if not all respects.  Their price is £475 delivered.  Don't know how much you would save collecting from Warco instead of having them deliver.
 
You pays yer money and yer takes yer choice, as they say!
 
Chris 
Thread: Cast Iron welding Sticks
21/09/2010 19:11:22
The pre-heating is very important.  If you don't have a small domestic oven use a flame but play it very carefully all over the item.  The idea is to heat it evenly and slowly without hot spots.  
 
Then when welded wrap it up in an insulating layer of whatever blanket/s you have to enable it to very slowly cool.
Thread: What is the ultimate lathe for model engineering
20/09/2010 12:42:38
This is a bit like, in sailing terms, the discussion often heard in sailing circles of 'what boat should I buy as an ideal boat'.
 
And as Andrew Johnson says with a lathe and a mill, with a boat it's all to do with what you want to do with a boat.  And again twisting what AJ says, with a boat the best advice was always go buy a suitable boat, go sailing, and then you will discover what  boat you will really like and need for the sailing you plan to do.  No point in buying a deep keel ocean cruiser if all you want to do is potter round the shallow places in the Solent on a weekend.
 
Again, as has been said above, think long and hard as to your needs, space and pocket and then: 
Buy the lathe and mill you think will best suit your current needs and circumstances and see how you get on with them.  If they prove unsuitable for your needs, or you needs change, you can change the lathe and/or mill too, by which time you will have a better idea what YOU want, and not what someone else wants for you!
Thread: Another 'What Mill' Question
13/09/2010 13:20:50
Hi,
Thanks to all who have responded with advice.
 
Went to the Warco Open Day at the weekend - had a pleasant afternoon there.
 
Checked out the Mini Mill/Drill and WM14.  One big difference not previously noted is that on the Mini Mill/Dill the whole head goes down when drilling/milling whilst on the WM14 the head remains fixed and the quill is the bit that moves.  However, on both machines the column seemed pretty solid, as did the whole machines.   Both looked well made and good value 
 
So, taking all previous differences plus with the Mini Mill/Drill having a slightly larger table and a handle each end whilst the WM14 has the digital speed and depth readouts I guess it is a bit of "you pays your money and takes your choice" over selection.
 
Chris 
06/09/2010 10:24:51
I had thought you were right Steve in that the spindle assembly is probably more robustly built on the WM14 which is a definite plus factor, plus it has a digital RPM readout and some tools (plus toolbox) all of which is probably worth the extra 200 quid but whether I can justify it is another matter!  I will take a look at Warco's open day I think, plus ask the question raised by Alel on nylon or metal gears.  I don't think the stand comes with the WM14 but as you say, it isn't clear.  I was planning a bench mount installation anyway.
 
I have had a quick look at the Sherline but I think they are too small for my needs.
 
What would be very nice is someone with experience of either the mini mill/drill or the WM14, or both, could jot down their experiences of actually using them.  I would be most grateful.
Thread: Is this hobby dying?
05/09/2010 10:45:37
I don't think it should be dying, but I do think many young people do not have the time and money to devote to the hobby.  Although some may think things are cheap it is a relative term and when you have family commitments then justifying the expenditure, even if the money is available, is difficult when the children need new shoes, food on the table etc. etc. - I know, I've been there.  
 
Only now, when I am retired and able to spend the time and hopefully the money am I able to start the hobby, even though I had dreams of making a steam engine 30 years ago.
 
I remember when my Father retired he took up model making as in his words he had 'spent a lifetime not making anything other than money for someone else'!
 
But I have to admit that when I look around there does seem to be a lot of folk with grey hair!
 
regards, Chris.
 
ps. With the death of engineering manufacturing in this country I suppose another factor is young people do not initially have the skills/interest when they are young to go down this route. 
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