Member postings for Gordon W

It was the same in the British car and m/c industry. Engine shop would get a box full of pistons, skilled/ semi-skilled men would measure the pistons and holes ,then fit piston in appropriate hole. Japan bought expensive machine tools, made pistons and holes to fine limits, assembled by unskilled people.

Petrol pump from old car- diaphragm type can be driven off eccentric or cam, suggest old fiat or skoda. We used one to pump a mix of hydraulic oil and white spirit for many years. Output easily adjustable with a tap.

I don't know what they are for, but would guess some other than a lathe. There seems to be timing marks on most of them ? Maybe a lace machine as JS said.

Remember the treadle drill very well. Maybe that's why I look after me teeth. Held down by an assistant and a smelly bag over the mouth and nose. Come a long way since then. About that time the Myford was all the rage ?

Isn't it amazing how people can get worked up over these things ? I'll say it again- things are the size they are, does not matter what units are used, so long as mating parts are in the same units. I'm off to the yard for fence timber and the like, 40mm is 1 1/2" , 100mm is 4". We all know it's not but the hens won't notice. Last time I was in France 1/2 kilo was called a pound, in french of course. Keep the 25.6 one for April 1st.

Ah, Ronan, if only. Also had a Norton 500T, 500 Vincent, 500 V twin BSA, etc.etc. Of course if they all still existed they would not be worth much now.

I've just made something similar, used drill and screw for joints. Was going to use my nearly full bottle of Gorilla glue but found it had gone solid, a bit annoyed. So used my new toy, hot melt glue , very adequate for the job. Ps I am not a woodworker.

I had a Tiger Cub trials bike, think it was a genuine trials. Worst bike I ever owned, and that is saying a lot. Strange ignition system that had a mind of its own. Threw it over a quarry edge one day in frustration. Strong though, still pushable after that.

You can still get 1/2", act. 13mm square, but you will have to go to the yard and check. I know this 'cos I've bought it in error, not that it mattered at the time. I think it is from when we went metric and the rolls were not altered. Black MS will be best for your job.

When I want to buy something and I'm not clear on a point I just email the seller and ask. Almost always get a helpful reply.

Thin 1mm cutting disc. Or maybe better if a lot to do, a cutting tool as used for exhaust pipes, very good. Local garage might do a one off for you.

I made connecting plugs from 2 pin plug and sockets as sold for mains electric lawnmowers and suchlike. You can make them polarised by cutting one pin short and putting the sawn off piece in the socket, you will have to work out how much to cut off depending on the make of coupler.

May have missed it, but- PTFE tape sold as"suitable for gas " is thicker and generally better. Can be easily folded.

From practical experience of stoves - The temperature can vary , depending on fuel type and weather conditions. I've seen stove pipes dull red at the top when the air inlet was left open after lighting. Taking hot air off the flue can even stop the flue gas going up the flue. Too cold and a tar etc. deposit sets to the inside. I used to advise having a blaze-up once a week to stop large build up, esp. on wood burners.

I think Philip may be correct. Grind your own. I use angle grinder with 1mm disc for cutting and a newish grinding disc for rough shaping, finish on bench grinder. Angles not very important, shallow for steel etc. and sharper for aluminium. I do have a carbide tool for the first cut in cast iron and sometimes black steel.

Mr Provins- thanks for the info, one genuine ,round base anglepoise going on sale, will not bother to paint it. Hard to match the genuine grey blue, like a washed out myford.

Another source of good cast-iron is the base off an anglepoise lamp, the genuine ones. About 6" dia and an inch thick. I know 'cos I've just dropped one on my foot.

soak in hot water and make flowerpots

This may be off course-- I remember taking a pressure gauge apart once and the drive to the pointer was rack and pinion. 'fraid that's all I can remember.

Several ideas-- I used a 12V car battery for a couple of years, worked well on all drills 12V or less. A friend pointed out that I might as well buy a mains drill. You can get the battery pack rebuilt, look on-line, quite pricey. Re-build the battery pack yourself, can be cost effective. Buy a new drill, my new one has Lithium -Ion battery 4Ahrs and does not seem to suffer like the old ones. I've put in several hundred 4" wood screws with no problems on new roof so it's paid for itself already. I now use old one on 12V car battery in the w/shop were the cable does not matter.