Member postings for Mike

When I were a lad... we regarded 2BA and 3/16 BSF as interchangable. Not quite true, but in many practical situations it does well enough.

Hi ega: It's the curse of predictive text, and I was certainly trawling. It caught me out twice yesterday, once on this website, but it also made a complete nonsense of an e-mail I sent to a friend. Must find a way of turning it off!

I once needed something like this, although not quite the wall wall thickness, and found it on a car-builder's website. I've trolled though old emails but, sorry, I can't find it. Good luck!

Edited By Mike on 19/10/2017 21:01:10

Thanks Martin: yes, it's the brass - or what passes for it - that's being attacked. I suspect it's brass-plated monkey metal, and the letter box flap seems to be anodised aluminium.

Hi Murray, It's the same up here on the Moray Firth coast. We are only about 150 yards from the sea, and after a northerly blow everything is covered in salt. I notice that the "brass" fittings on my relatively new £2000 front door are corroding. Anyone know of a good clear varnish to prevent this problem, as everything I have tried on other such fittings doesn't seem to last for one winter.

Street lights gone out now, sky much brighter but still grey. Hold that gopher wood order..... I expect we shall be having Tony's weather here in the North-east soon.

No yellow sun here in North-east Scotland, but the street lights came on at about 2pm, and they're still on. The rain this morning started a demand on ark plans. Anyone know where to get gopher wood?

Last time I was in the Birmingham Proof House I saw some frightening examples of blown-up guns. Made me think about what I do in my workshop.

As a (retired) journalist, let me ask you to be careful with the libel laws, which apply to all forms of publishing including websites.. I know it sounds daft, but in some circumstances you can get into trouble for telling the truth. The company has already been identified in that most of us have guessed it. I suggest anyone with a complaint goes through the local trading standards department and/or the small claims court. I am not defending this company - just sounding a warning.

Like David, I believe the gun will have been rendered out of proof. This does not mean it cannot be used by its owner, but it would be illegal to attempt to sell it. I am also surprised that factory spares are not available.

....and it's clearly meant to be used as in the last picture, otherwise the Buck & Hickman plate would be upside-down.

Another vote for a nutcracker. Google for "screw-type nutcracker" and you will find many variations on this theme. Or build your own with instruction at http://www.instructables.com/id/Over-Engineered-Nutcracker/

Google for Martin Evans and you get thousands of hits, including a scientist of international reputation, and the spokesman for British Carrot Growers! Is there any limit to this talented clan's abilities?

Frances, the thread is coarse - maybe 1/4 Whit but I can't remember. I got mine out over 20 years ago with a punch applied near the edge, and a big hammer. Replacements were easily made from bright mild steel.

Things were not going well at Ackroyds mill, and the bank would only continue with loans if an accountant was elected to the board. At his first board meeting, the chairman, old man Ackroyd, told him to shut up. When he protested, Ackroyd told him: If we were all in the Yorkshire cricket team, the engineers would be the players, but you would just be the b....y scorer!

Thanks for the picture, John: one of my favourite places, too, although visits are now impossible due to distance from the north of Scotland and advancing age. Used to go there regularly when I was editor of Target Gun magazine in the early 1980s.

Nothing to do with engineering, but one from my profession:

What's the difference between a dead journalist and a dead dog found on the street in the morning? There's a skid mark in front of the dog.

What's the difference between mechanical and civil engineers? Mechanical engineers make armaments; civil engineers make targets. OK, I know it's an oldie.....

Being close to RAF Lossiemouth, we do get the occasional visiting Chinook - surely the noisiest-ever helicopter? By contrast, the Eurofighter Typhoon is much quieter than the Tornado. I wish one would give me a really low fly-by!

Thanks Brian - easy when you know how!