Member postings for Peter G. Shaw

Similar to you, Nigel, I too used to go track riding around an old quarry on a standard drop handle-bar bicycle. Main problem was all the punctures I used to get! I've also a recollection that I used to get problems with the chain as well.

Still, it was all good fun - no crash hats, no thick puncture proof tyres, poor sidepull brakes, metal "rat-trap" pedals. And I enjoyed it.

Just for fun, I reckon I could do up to about 40mph on that machine - 4 speed deraileur type, 27 x 1.1.25 inch wheels. Any advance?

Peter G. Shaw

I've read Nick's reference. First thoughts are that it makes a mockery of a race, where one person attempts to win: instead, it becomes a team race. Now ok, other games, soccer, rugby, hockey etc are indeed a team effort, but in this particular event it doesn't seem right to me. Presumably this same idea could be applied elsewhere, eg running. No, I think it's stupid.

ega,

You make a good point about the Peloton exercise bike. Indeed, the ads that I have (unfortunately) seen are more than enough to put me off ever considering one. (I'm not that interested in young ladies dripping sweat!) Plus, there has been a problem with Peloton treadmills and feet being caught in it with painful results. (That's my limited understanding of what happened - I didn't really pay that much attention to the report.)

Interestingly, about 5 years ago I bought an exercise bike. Earlier this year, it broke. To be precise, the flywheel axle broke probably because the depth of metal where the grooves for the drive belt were situated wasn't thick enough. The makers, although I think they are more likely distributors/importers, no longer made that model, so I bought what appeared to be a similar model. It lasted all of two weeks before failing. Dismantling it revealed that internally it was identical to the previous model, but this time, the drive belt had jammed down the side of the axle. I suspect it has been poorly assembled such that the pedal drive, and the flywheel were not in correct alignment. So, I'm looking for a new drive belt, and then we shall see, but I'm not exactly hopeful. Why didn't I send it back and claim under warranty? Well, I'd had to complete external assembly, and I'd got rid of the packaging, and I didn't really fancy packing it up to return. Plus, it's quite heavy. So, I'll replace the drive belt, reassemble it, and see what happens, but, I've now no great faith in it lasting. In which case I'll just write it off and buy a different make.

Peter G. Shaw

Nick,

Agreed. But then I've never been to any public, ie paying, event since my father took me as a young, very young, sprog to watch Huddersfield Town, not that I could see anything. And today? Quite frankly, I'd rather read a book, or watch a good film, or ..... than watch 22 overpaid children who have failed to grow up kicking an inflated bladder around.

Peter

There is something about cycle racing that I do not understand. What is the peloton? And what does it do? And what advantage does it give, if any?

Any offers for an easy to understand explanation?

Peter G. Shaw

I had a Lambretta LI150 once. Satisfactory for me, until I "lost" it going slowly, but not slowly enough, around a greasy corner right on the crown of the road, the road having bad cambers on each side. I came off, and the scooter continued it's merry way, on it's side, and slowly spinning round on the twist grip with the result that the engine ended up running flat out.

What was worst, was that this three days before my motorcycle test, thus necessitating some urgent repairs to the windscreen.

Peter G. Shaw

I went down with what I eventually discovered was ankylosing spondylitis (AS) when I was 18, or therabouts. I'm now 78.

Diagnosis was confirmed when I was 38, and I was put on mefenamic acid/ponstan (an NSAID - Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug) for pain relief. Ultimately, the drug, although good at pain relief, affected my stomach so I'm now on lansoprazole for, I think, acid reduction, and no more NSAID's. Fortunately, after about 40 years of intermittent pain, stiffness & sciatica, the AS "burnt" itself out and no more pain, just a permanent stoop.

One thing I did discover was that hot baths seem to help, and sleeping on my own in a single bed with sheets & blankets tucked in, ie like a sleeping bag, is also helpful. I can only assume that in both instances any coldness is being dissipated before it gets to my lower back.

About 6 weeks ago, I fell off my pedal cycle! (Stop sniggering at the the back there.) Fortunately onto grass, but even so had a tremendous amount of pain. Plenty of paracetamol, and after a week ot two I was able to move around, and do some things albeit with some pain and some stiffness. Yesterday, and this morning I have been pushing my Flymo up and down the back garden. Yes, I'm still somewhat cream crackered, but it's more soreness than anything else. But, the really interesting thing was that the exercise that I have done in recent days does appear to be beneficial.

Peter G. Shaw

When I first started in this game I used to suffer from rust and so I used to use WD40 quite liberally. Trouble is that it needs wiping off before use. Then I started to cover the lathe with a piece of cloth followed by a piece of plastic sheet. The logic here was to try and keep it warmish, to keep dust of it, and because the garage roof wasn't too clever, to protect the lathe against any leaks. Didn't stop the rust though.

Eventually, through the medium of ME & MEW with people reporting using, eg, a low power bulb under the lathe, I opted for some self-regulating heaters from RS, part no 360 4059. These devices maintain, or try to maintain, a constant temperature. The ones I bought were rated at 10W but actully seem to run at 18W. I fitted two to my lathe bed, and no mure rust ever since. I still use the cloth & plastic covers though.

I suppose there is a snag in that with two running permanently at 18W or 36W in total then there is a cost in electricity, but for me it's worth it.

Regards,

Peter G. Shaw

Speedy,

If you are spending slower, then you are a naughty boy, after all, we have all been exhorted to get out and spend more following the lockdowns!

Mind you, I agree with you.

Peter G. Shaw

I too cannot really be called a model engineer, perhaps more of a tinkerer. And as others have said, I have indeed learned a lot from reading on this forum, plus having all the WSP books, plus a few other books, and every issue of MEW. In general, I do it out of interest.

As far as tradesmen are concerned, in my younger days, I did fall foul of people who should have, perhaps could have, known/done better, and as a result I ended up doing a lot of things myself. At least then I could only blame myself if something went wrong. Typically, a reel-to-reel tape recorder which came back with parts missing and no improvement; a car which was suffering from VW's attempts at something or other following Ralph Nader's expose in USA. (Unfortunately it's so long ago that I've forgotten what Nader was saying, and what VW were trying to do hence the lack of clarity.) Anyway, this car was killer, coughing and spluttering when trying to pull away at road junctions etc. It turned that it needed slightly larger jets in the carburettors - information gleaned from the storesman when the actual VW mechanics had tried twice & failed to improve!

That was in the West Riding a long time ago. Currently I'm living in West Cumbria and have found that people here that are generally very reliable. Which perhaps makes up for the earlier mishaps.

I haven't had much to do with council planning, but about 25 years ago made some changes and built a small porch, and I must say that I did find them helpful. Which brings me to a story:

I was designing & planning the porch, and had been in contact with the planners and been told quite bluntly that I must use millimetres and not inches. This I was quite happy with having some years previously deliberately built something wholly in metric. One day, whilst talking to the planner, I was told that "we're not really bothered about the odd inch or two!" Cue a short pause, and then I said "Excuse me, what are these inches you've just mentioned?" Followed by another short pause after which I couldn't stop myself from giggling. Strange to relate, but that planner became somewhat more friendly after that.

Peter G. Shaw

I too tend to stick to speed limits better (!) Dementia? Old age? Or just the fact that generally we don't need to get there as quick having set off in good time. Long distance? No problem, except that nowadays we restrict our actual driving time to an hour then stop for a drink or whatever. Perhaps that should "and whatever! After all, at our age (70 & 77) does it matter how long a journey takes? Although it has to be said that our children comment negatively about it. New areas? Can't be bothered! We've found places we like to visit, and now can't really be bothered trying other places, eg we found a caravan site near Oban in 2000, and we are still visiting 21 years later, sometimes even twice a year.

I don't doubt that there might be some connection with Alzheimer's, but given that a) it's the BBC reporting; b) it's a university & c) it's American in origin, and I do wonder if it's someone picking up on some small correlation and seeking to make their name.

Peter G. Shaw

Nick & Philip,

Thanks for that confirmation - it is nice to know that I am not alone with this problem.

Nick,

I don't have any sort of problem with it maintaining the "on" position. Nor do I have any problem with it not holding on rough etc surfaces. I do have a slight problem with the power of the magnet as it's not as strong as the two lever magnetic bases I have. But it's usable with care.

Right then, as I mentioned two posts above. An experiment will shortly be forthcoming. Remove the label, perhaps a good clean with paraffin and then a soak in possibly some "68" oil I bought for the lathe slides. If I can get on with it (note the careful avoidance of the "round tuit" there!) I'll see about setting it up this week - provided my poor old clapped out, cream crackered body can be persuaded to withstand a bit of light work. And then I can leave it until mid-August, ie after 2 weeks in the caravan. Yay-hay!

Peter G. Shaw

Suggest trying shop-APT.co.uk. A Glasgow firm with a variety of carbide tooling and a very helpful website. No connection, just a satisfied customer.

Peter G. Shaw

Howard,

Since the WD40 didn't work, and then I learned about the WD40 problems, I haven't done anything. I'm wondering if it may be worthwhile placing it in a jamjar with sufficient light oil to allow the device to be submerged. Beginning to sound like an experiment coming up, perhaps in the winter months (when it's too darned cold to do anything). Obviously it would then need to drain for a while.

Peter

Please may I piggyback on to the original question?

I have a push button magnetic base similar to the one on Nick Farr's photo above, even including the sloping part on the top. But, it isn't an Eclipse. In fact it doesn't show a manufacturer. But it does have a label fastened just as Nick's is, and on the same face too.

Anyway, to cut the waffle (!), mine can be very stiff to operate, so much so that I have, at various times, removed the front label (and glued it back on!) and sprayed WD40 inside and outside, ie around the push button in an attempt to free it off. This, I must admit was well before I learned about the negative aspects of WD40, so please don't bother telling me off. So, the question is, therefore, how can I ease the button operation such that it doesn't almost involve a thumb dislocation. FWIW, I have two other magnetic bases, both lever operated, and both being much easier to use. Incidently, I don't recall the WD40 having much of an effect, hence I now just put up with it's stiffness to the extent that rather than switch it off, I use brute force to remove it from wherever it has been used, and keep it on a piece of 6mm thich steel plate with a piece of polythene between the magnetic base and the steel plate.

Cheers,

Peter G. Shaw

I have been following this, and other, threads out of interest to try and understand what this brave new world may eventually look like. The one thing that seems to stand out is the almost universal theme that Mr & Mrs Average simply will not be able to afford personal transport, and that this means that we are headed back to a time when only the most affluent will be able to afford cars. In one instance this was mentioned as being 1960!

Now, I am in my late 70's. I remember 1960, and before, very well indeed. For example, my parents bought the first (second hand) car in 1954. I bought my first car, a van actually, in 1965.

So what was life like back then? Especially considering that we didn't know any better!

Well, TV was limited to two, or maybe three channels. Does today's "hundreds" of channels really represent an improvement? I suggest not.

An evening out was either the pub, about which I say no more, or a visit to the cinema, of which there were about 10 with 5 miles of where we lived. Transport was diesel bus, or electric (trolley) bus, both of which ran until 11.30pm.

Work, something which a lot of people seem to forget about, was 40 to 48 hours per week, including Sat am, and by the time one added in travelling time to & from work, resulted in something like 11 hours away from home which in reality meant that opportunities for leisure were somewhat restricted. Do we want to go back to those hours? Probably not, but I do think that as a nation we are today frightened of hard work.

Holidays. I well remember queuing in Halifax for a coach to take us to the likes of Butlin's at Filey. Or having to travel by train (steam at that) to Pwtheli in North Wales.

Now, why have I brought this up. To show that there are a number of people who have lived their lives, and who managed quite well without personal transport. And, it has to be said, didn't know anything different. I was going to say "better", but are we really better off today rushing hither & thither? (I may have got my saying wrong there.) And also to show that this age of readily available personal transport is really quite short, 60 or so years at most. Perhaps we should consider making our own entertainment at home, rather than expecting it all to be laid on for us. Perhaps we should consider that all this rushing about seeking new experiences is actually bad for us. In this respect, I have recently come back from a place what we have vistited many times, a place which has an almost magical calming and soothing effect on me. Which suggests that I for one, need to escape from our increasingly frenetic lives. Perhaps, restrictions on our personal freedom to travel might not be a bad thing after all.

Lunch calls, so I'll leave it there.

Regards,

Peter G. Shaw

Going back to the original complaint of this thread, ie about NI driving licence etc for identification, over the weekend I have completed this years Self Assessment and submitted it by the same means, eg Government Gateway, that I have been using for a few years now with no problems whatsoever. I haven't had to give D/L information, or NI No. (they already knew it), or indeed any other information.

In fact, due to a combination of putting all our savings & investments in ISA's, having a current account that doesn't pay interest, and a small emergency account that pays minimal interest (just above £8) this years submission was the easiest I have ever done. HMRC already knew my works pension for the year, and for my state pension, all I had to do was take the weekly figure and multiply by 52. Job done. I did have to state the small amount of charitable giving, but that's all.

And yes, I owe 60p!

In respect of Javascript & HTML, my email client, Thunderbird, is set to only display incoming emails as Plain Text, and has been like that for a few years now. I also have email addresses which are mostly something odd, and not that easy to guess. End result is that I get next to no scams/begging emails/Nigerian uncles etc. A good few years ago, I did have a spate of these emails so I set up some messaging rules to get rid of them before they appeared in the inbox.

Being on Linux, although I do now have a Firewall (GUFW), or maybe two 'cos I think there's one in the router, I have had next to no trouble for probably at least 8 years, eg from when I moved over to Linux.

And, just as Stuart says above, I do pay the chimney sweep, window cleaner, hair dresser & others in cash. And why not? It's a darn sight easier for me than having to go through the rigmarole of setting up an account for these people via my bank account, and making sure that it's all correct. I could use one of the three cards I have got, but then it requires me to remember to whom, and how much did I pay, and then to check the bank statement at some point in the future. Yes of course it leaves the field wide open for fiddling, but that's up to the recipient's morality, ie my convenience (selfishly I suppose) comes first.

Funnily enough, I have had two tradesmen who were more than happy to take payment by direct bank transfer. One was a darn good roofer who looked like someone you would cross the street to avoid, whilst the other was a gardener who came twice a month to cut the grass.

Cheers,

Peter G. Shaw

Emoticons.

Here's what I think about them.

Utter, utter, rubbish.

It seems to me that this is (these are?) another silly idea from someone , possibly a so-called programmer, simply showing off and saying, in effect, "Look how clever I am!". What these people forget is that other mere mortals then have to learn these darned things, firstly what they mean, and secondly how to use them. Frankly I don't want to know, and I don't care about them.

This episode reminds me of a time some eight or so years ago when I was attempting to find a Linux distribution which I could reasonably easily use. Now a few years prior to then, I had tried Suse 9 along with KDE 2 and found it quite palatable so naturally I tried again only to find that Suse was now using KDE4. Unfortunately, when attempting to create a better looking desktop, better looking for me that is, I got myself well and truly screwed up. Why? Because the so-called programmer had seen fit to use a tiny device known as an almond which sat in the very corners of the screen looking for all the world like a screen aberration. I, of course knew nothing of this and so Suse was abandoned in favour, eventually, of Mint with the Mate desktop.

Over the years I have, unfortunately, come across a large number of what can only be described as poor, if not bad, programming where the programmer has quite obviously not thought about the end users, eg, the questionaire where I was asked my occupation (retired) - two questions further on, what does my employer do! Another one, a list of options which was in any old random order rather than the obvious alphabetic order: that same list didn't even contain the obvious "None of these".

I apologise for the rant, and before anyone says anything, I am well aware that there is a cost involved. But if poor programming results in the users going elsewhere, then what then does the cost matter?

Gosh, I feel better for that.

Peter G. Shaw

And what about Richard Wilson, he of One Foot in The Grave fame. Born & bred in Glasgow no less, yet speaks with an almost plummy accent.

Peter G. Shaw

Thanks Michael, I thought it would be something stupid like that.

Pater G. Shaw

I too have three slide rules: Faber Castell 57/92 (10", Boots Ringplan Standard (10", and a Helix A50S (5". Of these, the Boots suffers from a rather slack slide which makes life difficult whilst the Helix despite it's short length, has the most scales.

But my Casio HS-5D 8 digit 4 function solar powered calculator gets the most use!

I've also got a vague recollection of being taught how to use the slide rule in C&G Maths 'A' - I can't really see it being taught in 'B' & 'C'. If so, that was in 1959/60 academic year at Bradford Technical College.

Peter G. Shaw

Edited By Peter G. Shaw on 24/05/2021 17:12:40

Yet another Edit. I've got the blasted Smileys! They are NOT part of the original - it should be a double quote in each instance, eg ".

Edited By Peter G. Shaw on 24/05/2021 17:14:31