Member postings for Geoff Theasby

Michael Poole, I grew up with the type of can opener consisting of a sharp blade with which you pierced the can, and then proceeded to lever the can lid apart by nibbling your way round, using the sharp edge to cut upwards through the steel from within, at great risk to fingers, until you could peel back the lid. Lethally sharp edges remained, even to threaten the dustbin men in later days and months. As for corned beef tins, the secret is to cut off both ends and just push out the contents. The design is fine, just use the right technique.

Geoff

The 'CE' marking is self-certified, and widely abused esp. in products from the Far East. I got involved in testing our satcoms product, 20 years ago, which is how I found out. Our product was taken to a Test House down South, and passed its tests, but you can buy the CE sticker or have it printed on your product without any proof that you are legit.

Geoff

Don't be too impressed with the Leica name on Panasonic cameras. A top of the range Leica M8 was about 8,000 quid last time I looked. In a camera costing 50 times less, not much transfers over. In a photo competition I entered with a picture taken at full zoom with my FS-35, I was marked down for lack of clarity. That's a very demanding test, though.

Geoff

My Panasonic Lumix FS-35 is great! It takes all my own photos which are used in my Club News column, which are about 6MB when I send them to Diane. It's small but not tiny, the battery is good for 500 shots, and I have never yet filled up the memory card on a mission. Basic adjustments only, I paid about £130 5/6 years ago. Again, usual disclaimer)

Geoff

Howie, yes I know. Weller TCP iron bits are hollow and burn through, but are easy to change 'on the go'. They did last a lot longer with Savbit though. (Usual disclaimer) Now I turn my own Antex bits, it's no longer a problem, they aren't iron-plated anyway, and I just file them flat again every now & then.

BTW, Antex have just introduced an adjustable temperature iron with all the electronics on board. Up and down buttons and an LCD panel in the handle make it very useful.

Geoff

From a soldering company engineer, "You don't need iron-plated bits. The plating is to stop erosion of the copper, but using Multicore 'Savbit' or equivalent means the bits don't erode in the first place"

Geoff

My paper yesterday printed a picture of an SU-33 jet fighter as it "takes off" from the Russian carrier in the Med. Now, call me Mr Picky if you will, but the engines do not appear to be running, the wings are folded and it is chained down to the deck. If it goes anywhere, it will take the ship with it!

Geoff

Edited By Geoff Theasby on 17/11/2016 19:20:48

I may have mentioned this before, but it bears repeating. Using the correct charger on L-ion batteries is CRUCIAL. The recent Samsung battery problems appear to be due to manufacturing matters, but e-cigarettes in particular are prone to catching fire, mainly due to 'any old' charger being used on them. They must also be scrapped by a competent battery disposal organisation, or a suitably licensed retailer. Do not throw them in the bin!

Geoff

Yes, I agree. Iron too small, I have used an Antex X25 for decades, with a quite large bit (I turn my own) possibly wrong solder (use 60/40 or Savbit) and 22 gauge cored solder, clean the solder pads with a fibreglass bristle brush (Brass can leave conductive remains) and 'tin' them first to make sure.

Geoff

Radio amateur of 48 years, quondam electronics technician

Yes Michael, see MEW issue 200!

Anyway, at the recent Northern Manufacturing & Electronics Exhibition in Manchester, I found Waldmann Lighting, whose stand was a paean to Whiteness, offering industrial LED lights and luminaires, so bright that they reminded me of S.A.D. Lightboxes. Despite being 'on' all day (This was mid afternoon) they were scarcely warm to my touch. www.waldmann.com   (No relation)

Geoff

Edited By Geoff Theasby on 14/11/2016 10:46:41

Buy a reel of 500 LEDs on a self-adhesive strip, cut to length in threes, power from a 12 volt 'wall wart'. Cost, about £7, or 1penny per LED, use as many as required, 2 or 3 strips in parallel for more light. Don't overload the wall wart! I replaced a four foot fluorescent tube with a strip of these, and they have been running continuously since late Spring. And, yes the LED household bulbs DO NOT LAST, esp. in 3-branch ceiling lights.

Geoff

Google "Plastic calipers", Amazon do them for 1.78. I have a promotional pair which are good enough for woodworking.

Geoff

Siphoning petrol (It was mine, not a misspent youth) I got a taste of it. Never have I tasted anything so foul! Even including Fennings Fever Cure, which turned out to contain nitric acid...

Geoff

As I have now been referred to as a knit-wit, (Thank you, Neil ) I shall leave you with the following thought:

Model Engineering was once prescribed as therapy for nervousness and hysteria (as evidenced by the febrile posts above) Many new engineers find this hard to believe because, until you get good at it, it actually seems to cause those problems...

Geoff

Edited By Geoff Theasby on 02/11/2016 17:21:44

Socket to me, Rod...

Geoff

Ah, but Roderick, are you a Metric or Imperial spammer? Or adjustable?

Geoff

Nov 4th, Mischief Night! I plead the 5th Amendment!

Geoff

I gave up 34 years ago, in preference to mints. Given them up too. The first 10 years are the worst. The second 10 years, they were the worst too. After that I went into a decline.

I like Gordon's idea.

Geoff

Just downloaded this last week. Not tried it yet.

http://xoscope.sourceforge.net/

Geoff

Yes, Neil, that's the sort of thing. Beware though, some of these kits are counterfeit. I gather (no guarantees!) that the authentic ones are by JYE Tech. They are not much more, see their website, or Google 'DSO138'. I'm told the real ones have 'JYE Tech' screen printed on the PCB. This one doesn't...

Geoff