Member postings for Ian S C

Some where in my memory bank is pressure testing the air cooling systems of high power radio and radar transmitter output valves such as the VT 98, I'm not sure how this was done, my information source(Dad) is nearly 40 years gone.

Another thought, drains require to be tested to 1" Hg or 5 psi (I don't know if those are the same, got info from different places).

Ian S C

Edited By Ian S C on 09/10/2018 13:03:02

Congrats on the mill, I was going to suggest that if you buy new, see if you can get the seller to through in a couple of end mills or slot drills as discount(no harm in asking).

Ian S C

The ME thread is the old Whitworth extra fine thread, In USA there is an equivalent in the UNEF. These threads are ideal when fine adjustment is wanted. On models it makes a nice scale thread in places where even BSF looks too course.

Ian S C

Also used by the Long Range Desert Group in north Africa in WW2.

Ian S C

A manometre of a similar range is(I think) used for checking the draught of a chimney, you want it to be positive rather than negative.

Ian S C

G - Golf is how I pronounce it.

Ian S C

Many heavy aircraft in the propeller era had an astro dome, this was used with a Sextant for daytime navigation. And the Astro compass with suitable charts for night navigation. It was a big thing with the RNZAF during WW2 flying Hudsons / Ventruders, and DC-3/C-47s up the Pacific, often escorting a squadron Of P-40s or Corsairs over thousands of miles of open sea to a pin point Island airfield. Also used on the Catalinas and Sunderlands on patrol.

Ian S C

The capacitor on a sewing machine motor is for RFI suppression, and not required for operation of the motor. I can remember when the capacitor blew on Mums Singer, I must have been about 7yr old, my bed room was next to the living room where Mum was sewing, there was an all mighty bang, and I went out to see what had happened, Mum was sitting back from the machine in a cloud of smoke. About an hour later Dad arrived home, took one look at the machine, disconnected the capacitor, and that's the way it remained for the next thirty or so years, notably with less RFI than it had before the big bang. Mum did have a Jones, no electrical problems there, it was Grans treadle machine.

Ian S C

Going by the section of the forum this thread is in I don't think Fred was asking about workshop heating, but heating for a steam boiler, in which case a bunsen burner could be used(no oxygen required) used, but I would say DON'T. Use LPG or similar bottled gas, it has more heat(BTUs) and is much safer, and easy to get.

Ian S C

Lignum Vitae, very old lawn bowls, stick to the plastic bearings on 316 stainless shafts, make sure all metal parts are stainless or plastic, and probably best to over engineer the chair as they can have a rough time from some staff, or patients.

There was a Kiwi bloke Rob Buchanan  making low priced plastic wheel chairs that were suitable for being immersed in salt water. Ron set up a Charitable trust called MEND, I don't know if the e-mail address is still ok,

[email protected]

Ian S C

Edited By Ian S C on 06/10/2018 11:00:26

I'd say hand scraped, and hollow for that Jason.

If i was making it I'd fabricate from steel plate.

Ian S C

You can often work out how things fit together using a parts book if it's any good.

Ian S C

I well remember a night about 65 years ago in Dunedin (NZ)One of the wharf sheds across the harbour from where we lived went on fire, there were about 200 acetylene cylinders, and some other types, from where we were watching, there were flaming trails arcing up over the water, then came the bang (of course the bang came first, but speed of sound and all that), it was much better than any fire works. The fire had to be left to burn its self out, and fortunately the cylinders were all projected away from the city.

Ian S C

Over the years including the first one (1898) there have been plans for acetylene generators in the ME magazine.

In the early days of NZ acetylene was quite popular for household lighting. At the small country school I spent my 4th Form year at we had an acetylene generator to supply gas for the Bunsen burners in the science lab.

Ian S C

Hopper, it just means that there are no live stock living in the water. What happens if a vegan, when eating an apple finds that he/she has eaten a worm?

When I was Nursing in a small country hospital, one of my jobs was a monthly check on use by dates for medications, and the likes of dressing packs and sterile instruments.

Ian S C

Apple Cider, Coca Cola, or any fruit drink will work, but citric acid is probably the best and safest method. The fruit drinks may leave the item a bit sticky, but that will wash off with hot water.

Ian S C

One way I got rid of end play in a shaft(plain bearings), I fitted the ball from a bearing, I think it was 1/8" in the centre hole in the end of a 1/4" shaft, this bared against a hardened disc in the outer end of the bearing bush, this could work with a ball race.

Ian S C

It was Hot Point that made mains powered toy steam engines, my mate Mac has one in his little museum, I don't know if it is working, it probably needs new electrodes.

Ian S C

The pictures don't seem to be in your album, did you try to put them up directly?

Ian S C

Just did a oxy LPG set up for the Menzshed last week, have not used it yet, I'll see what tomorrow brings.

Ian S C