Member postings for magpie

What have I done today ??? SOD ALL ! Happy new year to one and all.

Cheers Derek.

Many years ago I had a business supplying fibre optics, so when I built my shed I built in a very long fibre optic that zig zags through the frame at 6" spacing. If the fibre is broken at any point (roof or walls) it activates the alarm. at the same time the shed very quickly fills with thick smoke and a spray over the door will turn anyone it catches a nice bright green. It is not easy to find anything at all in thick smoke. So far no yobs have taken the trouble to test it.

Cheers Derek.

Hi Bob. Don't forget to drill taping size holes in the casting BEFORE you cut. Hope I am not teaching my granny to suck eggs here.

Cheers Derek.

Good thinking Jim !

Cheers Derek.

I am a volunteer with AgeUK Cheshire "men in sheds". About 6 months ago two of the "sheds" were supplied with SC3s by Arc Euro. Most of the chaps who use the lathes have never used a lathe before,so as you might imagine they are often treated rather roughly. To date we have had no problems whatsoever. I have no hesitation in recommending them and the excellent service from Arc Euro.

Cheers Derek.

P.S. Ketan, please ignore the above remarks about treatment as I think they are still under guarantee.

WELL SAID FRED.!!!

Cheers Derek.

Colin you are not alone in needing motivation in the cold weather. As a young lad (too many years ago) I enjoyed doing fretwork, so when "Bogs" offered me a 1920s treadle fretsaw in need of restoration I jumped at the chance. The fretsaw has now been restored and with the wife's consent is now installed in a small spare bedroom where I hope to spend the winter making a "John Smith" pipe organ. It should make a nice change from making swarf, and no extra heating required.

Cheers Derek.

A couple more questions Iain, what dia is the step in the middle, if the 12 mm is overall length what are the lengths of each section, and the BIG question---- how many do you need. If you don't need too many, and if I can find a bit of brass bar the right size you may be in luck. I was born in north Manchester myself, but for my sins, I have lived the best part of the last 61 years of my total 73 in Crewe so the area is a distant memory I am afraid.

Cheers Derek.

Hi Iain, I am sure you would find someone here to help if we had some idea of where you live. Most folk don't want all the agro of going to the post office and standing in long queues, but are willing to help if you can pop round and collect.

Cheers Derek

I went to the last Chester open week on the first day and I have to say that even with the rather small price reductions the stuff on sale was still more expensive than dealers like ArcEuro. No prejudice, as I have a Chester mill and lathe. I think that most of the folk there were pensioners, and I am 73 yoa.

Cheers Derek.

Thanks once again Russell, "clockshine" looks to be a better idea than the Axminster flakes, and at just over half the price it's no contest.

Cheers Derek

Thanks for the wax idea Russell. I see Axminster sell the stuff in flake form, so how would one go about applying it to the polished brass ? Melt it perhaps and apply with a soft cloth ? and boy o boy have I got some holes to plug. See my thread "fibre optic clock" ( sorry but I don't know how to include a link )

Cheers Derek.

Thanks for the link V8Eng. Quite some time ago, my wife bought me a small gold plating kit which I have yet to try. I don't want to plate the clock for "bling" reasons but rather to stop the brass from tarnishing. However I read somewhere that plating strait onto the brass would result in the gold eventually being "absorbed" and so taking me back to square one. I understand that for the job to be a success it needs to be nickel plated first, thus adding to the cost and no doubt messing up quite a few dimensions. Anyone have any other treatments that would stop tarnishing ?

Cheers Derek.

Why when I have the default set to FIRST PAGE does this site take me to the LAST PAGE whenever I click on a latest post thread ?????

Cheers Derek

I to would like an answer to this question, although I have an idea it may be way too expensive to do all the bits of my fibre optic clock.

Cheers Derek

An aluminium OXO cube ?

Cheers Derek

My brill CNC wife (cash never controlled).

Not bad going that John ! Only 2 years and 7 months to get a roundtuit.

Cheers Derek.

Last time I went to that dammed place (OZ), was in a 707, but by far the best 707 was the one that brought me home.

Cheers Derek.

P.S. is that grumpy enough for this forum ?????

41mm bolt head, will have to be BIG mice !!!!!

Cheers Derek.