Member postings for Mike

Just seen it live - and drooled!

Not much help to Rainbows, and possibly dangerous too so I don't recommend it, but I've frozen small items by taking a small gas torch powered by a butane/propane mix, turning it upside-down and opening the valve, and directing the spray of liquid gas liquid gas at the component to be frozen. Don't know the temperature achieved, but I believe Propane boils at around -40C. Do it outside, and don't smoke!

Of course, none of us knows how well, or badly, Model Engineer is doing because its management does not subscribe to the Audit Bureau of Circulations. That's not Diane's fault, but can we know the figures?

As a former editor of several specialist magazines, I can assure Diane that praise from readers is rare, and she should take heart as long as she is receiving an equal number of complaints from each faction within the readership.

In the readership of any specialist magazine there is a small hard core of readers who have been subscribers for large numbers of years, but the majority of the readership is made up of people who are in the learning phase of the hobby. This phase usually lasts for four to five years, after which many readers drop out. I think that most editors of specialist magazines would agree that much of the content, particularly articles on techniques, can be repeated in five-year cycles, albeit with different forms of presentation and taking technical developments into account. Personally, I think Diane is doing a first-class job in producing a readable magazine which I enjoy.

As a country lad I don't mind poo smells, but dog poo - a curse in our village - is toxic, just like Phil says. I edit the village newspaper, and the lead story in the next issue will highlight the problem, with the following warning:

Health problems spread by dog poo are caused by a parasite known as Toxocara Canis (also known as Roundworm). These parasites live in dogs’ digestive systems. Eggs are released in the faeces of infected animals and thence into contaminated soil. If someone ingests infected material, the eggs may hatch into larvae and can lead to toxocariasis.
Toxocariasis usually affects children aged between one and four years, but cases of toxocariasis have been reported in people of all ages. Young children are most at risk because they are more likely to put things into their mouths and less likely to wash their hands properly.
Symptoms of toxocariasis can include seizures, breathing difficulties, a very red and painful eye, and clouded vision, usually only in one eye. Left untreated, toxocariasis can cause permanent loss of vision in the affected eye.

ega - thanks for the PM. I've replied.

Mike

Tim, you beat me to it. I'd have substituted 3/16BSF - in fact, I'd been thinking about it since this thread started.

ega, I am hugely flattered that you have found a copy of my book, which came out in two editions. The first in, 1987, was entitled "The Complete Guide to Metalwork" - the publisher's choice, which made me a bit cross because it wasn't. The second edition, which came out a couple of years later, carried some minor corrections and - thank goodness - was re-titled "Metalworking - a Manual of Techniques." Alas, there is no chance of a third edition - I'm now 75 and a stroke survivor, and I don't know an artist with Andrew Mackintosh's skills. All I can say is that it was great fun writing the first edition. And, perhaps, I should treat myself to a new Zeus book - mine was purchased around 1975, is much thumb-printed, and stinks of soluble oil!

I came across this years ago when making a fishing reel. I followed the Zeus book, which says 1.8mm, which is just 0.02mm off No.50. I used No.50. After breaking two 8BA taps, I switched to No.49 (1.85mm) with total success. Surprising how a few hundredths of a mil makes so much difference. I was working with a rather "clingy" sample of aluminium - didn't know the spec as it was a scrapyard find. Interesting that Zeus gives 1.75mm as an alternative. That seems impossibly tight.

Hope I've got all that right - these days I need a magnifying glass to read the Zeus book!

Is there anything in this link that might help?

https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090415040838AAvgtYC

I drive a Renault Megane, and there is a manual lock on the passenger side door, actuated by a key cunningly concealed in the "keyless" locking thingy. As most foreign-built cars destined for the European market are left-hand drive, it's the obvious side to have the manual lock. I don't wish to insult your intelligence, NJH, but have you been looking for a hard-to-find manual lock on the wrong side?

I think I would rather have the Truxton Velocette. except to the fact I would almost certainly fall off....

Hi Ega: Not my design, I'm afraid. I did think about it, but don't have welding kit. You can see it at https://www.kmxkarts.co.uk/Recumbent-Trikes/KMX-Sport/KMX-Tornado-F8-Adults-Sports-Trike.aspx. They come in flat packs, and are quite easy to put together (instructions rather better than most flat pack furniture). Got it because a stroke has impaired my balance, so I can't ride a bike.

Thanks pgk. We have no short-life issues with anything on our power circuits, and the house had a reasonably recent full electrical check when a new boiler was fitted. No issues of any kind were discovered, but what I know about electricity could be writ large on the back of a postage stamp so the test may not have identified "dirty" power. I'll take your advice on the candle bulbs when I get round to fitting LEDs in the multiple-bulb setups. It's probably time they were replaced anyway - they've been there for well over 20 years.

Just finished a modification to my "tadpole" reclining tricycle - fitting panniers so that I can use it for shopping. This has necessitated relocating the rear lights and the safety flag. If the weather holds I shall be off on a test ride tomorrow, thus reinforcing my reputation as the village's ancient eccentric, or village idiot, depending on point of view!

Why is it that light fittings with three or five conventional bulbs wired in parallel have such a high failure rate? The three in my house absolutely eat bulbs, no matter what quality is bought. All of the single-bulb lights have now been changed to LEDs, as I have discovered a cheap source that seem to be reliable. Will LEDs work more reliably in the multiple-bulb arrays? Has anyone had any long-term experience?

When I took an interest in NRA full-bore rifle competition back in the 1980s, the ammunition was RG Green Spot, which was the British Army's sniper round in 7.62 NATO (identical in dimensions to .308 Winchester). It wasn't as accurate as hand-loaded ammo, and the trick was to fit a Schultz & Larsen barrel that was made one thou tight. The accurate life of this barrel was reckoned to be no more than 1,500 rounds.

Super 75th birthday party (mine) yesterday lasted into this morning (just)! Had hoped for cash presents to put towards quick-change toolpost, but never mind - got plenty of malt whisky instead, plus some other useful but non-workshop kit. Awoke this morning to see snow laying here in N. Scotland - real winter's here at last!

I've had two Mitotoyos and a Borletti for around 30 years now, and all three are as smooth as when they were bought. A cheap Chinese job was binned after a couple of years - it just kept sticking and no amount of cleaning and lubricating with a tiny drop of watch oil seemed to improve things. I'd go with the general consensus - quality counts. A friend has an apt saying: "Always buy the one you're going to finish up with anyway."

You and me, Nick_G!

Another thing that these marketing folk sincerely believe is that the attention span of the average reader is no more than 30 seconds. Doesn't say much for the human race, does it? Obviously it doesn't apply to ME and MEW readers!