Re: I'm bored, what to do?

by Dave 418 Fri Apr 03, 2020 9:33 pm

Nice workshop Modelman. Like you I am using this time in confinement to carry on with my workshop projects.
I knew we weren’t going to be out as much during the winter so I suggested the kids and management bought me castings for another steam engine .For my 65th in February. Little did I know how good an idea this would be.
I bought a small milling machine late last year before we were away in Australia. My first project was to make fixings and bits ready for my new project.
Today was spent matching cylinder covers from a lump of cast iron. A nice mucky job not helped by one of the gib screws falling out of the saddle of the min lathe. This was not my choice of lathe, it was inherited from my father. Like you I would prefer a Boxford. I started on them at school in the sixties.
Keep up the projects they will help get us through these strange times.

by Peter Brown Fri Apr 03, 2020 9:37 pm

Back to reality. Chris pressure washed the rear patio today whilst I ran around her brushing the dirty water into one of the three drains from which I'd lifted the covers.

by modelman Fri Apr 03, 2020 10:22 pm

bikeralw wrote:No shed/garage/workshop is complete without a lathe.
My old Myford, knocks all these modern Chinese lathes into a cocked hat. I have loads of accessories, vertical slide, four jaw chuck, various sized faceplates etc. I don't think a week goes by when I don't use it.

Al.

Nice, I like the long bed ML7, I used to have a Super 7, basically the same & I like ( & miss ) the gap-bed, so handy, My Boxford lacks one.

by Dave 418 Fri Apr 03, 2020 11:48 pm

I started with an ML2/4 that had been converted from treadle to motor drive. I closed the workshop when I started owning Landrovers. I could use the bus garage workshop at that time.
I didn’t intend keeping the min lathe when we cleared my fathers workshop. I brought it home and left it for a couple of years. A chance to buy an unfinished project, buying a motorhome, bought a new shed and a change of jobs that gave me more time to re-start the workshop.
The mini lathe is a Warco. Not my first choice but its surprising what can be achieved within its limits. I always thought I would buy something bigger later. When I bought the milling machine I came close to buying a Boxford. It was 50 years old and cost the same as a new small milling machine.
More workshop time tomorrow unless the weather warms up then I will move the Rienza over, trim the hedge and wash that side of the Rienza. Sadly that’s probably as far as most of our motorhomes are going to move for a while.

by Caraman Sat Apr 04, 2020 8:37 am

What has struck me by reading all this is how lucky we are compared to others. Most of us seem to be active retired with houses and gardens and with space and money for our hobbies and I bet most of us have access to quiet spaces that can reached on foot or bike for our daily exercise. We should feel for our younger generation whose education and social life has been disrupted and/or whose job/income has been lost or is at risk and/or live in relatively built-up areas in flats/apartments or houses with little garden and may have mortgages and family to support.

by Quilter Sat Apr 04, 2020 8:44 am

Caraman wrote:What has struck me by reading all this is how lucky we are compared to others.

Hear hear ! to that. We’ve also been following, via blogs and another forum, the blow by blow accounts of motorhomers struggling to leave Morocco and Spain. We give thanks each day that we managed a planned exit from Spain 3 weeks ago.

by Askit Sat Apr 04, 2020 8:46 am

Gromit wrote:
Dbvwt wrote:
Gromit wrote:I've just ordered a Dremel.

Not sure if you read my thread about Dremel type tool advice a couple of months ago?
As there was no sign of the Lidl/Parkside ones I ended up going for the actual Dremel and I’m really happy with it, lovely bit of kit.
Which model did you buy Gromit?
The 4000 model.

That seems the best without going mad with the price. I don't need multiple attachments anyway, so the basic machine is the most important part of the deal - and it comes with quite a lot of accessories.

Fingers crossed.

If you need any inspiration, have a look at the official Dremel site and click the "projects" tab. They have advice on using the tools as well as videos of various projects. I think they have them on YouTube as well.

by Askit Sat Apr 04, 2020 8:55 am

Dave 418 wrote:I started with an ML2/4 that had been converted from treadle to motor drive. I closed the workshop when I started owning Landrovers. I could use the bus garage workshop at that time.
I didn’t intend keeping the min lathe when we cleared my fathers workshop. I brought it home and left it for a couple of years. A chance to buy an unfinished project, buying a motorhome, bought a new shed and a change of jobs that gave me more time to re-start the workshop.
The mini lathe is a Warco. Not my first choice but its surprising what can be achieved within its limits. I always thought I would buy something bigger later. When I bought the milling machine I came close to buying a Boxford. It was 50 years old and cost the same as a new small milling machine.
More workshop time tomorrow unless the weather warms up then I will move the Rienza over, trim the hedge and wash that side of the Rienza. Sadly that’s probably as far as most of our motorhomes are going to move for a while.

I spent the first year of my apprenticeship in the "factory school" workshop learning how (or more appropriately how not to) use large machines (my memory may be letting me down but "Cincinnati" comes to mind). After making a full set of tools, I was very happy to leave all that, and the smell of roselax, behind on my second year.

by Gromit Sat Apr 04, 2020 9:23 am

Askit wrote:If you need any inspiration, have a look at the official Dremel site and click the "projects" tab. They have advice on using the tools as well as videos of various projects. I think they have them on YouTube as well.

Thanks for the suggestion.
I hadn't thought of that, and it's amazing what can be learned from YouTube and other similar sources. Shall have a browse later. up!

by Dave 418 Sat Apr 04, 2020 9:24 am

I feel for the less fortunate than us. We are both retired but not quite in into the risky age with no mortgage and manageable outgoings. Our local Lidle is within site of our front door.
Like others we have been through the difficult stage of life juggling finances and bringing up a family. I always look back on this and feel for people that must be struggling at this time.
The situation with full timers is terrible. What seems the ideal life away from the stress of house owning and being free to travel has turned into a nightmare. The idea of travelling and using our motorhome won’t change for us but what has happened will always be on our minds.
Our travels to Australia last November, December was well timed. I know of people that have struggled to come home to family. Being ill away from home is not something I would want. There’s something comforting about being tucked up at home.
We can’t do a lot to help the full timers were we live but our thoughts go out to them.

by Lancy Sat Apr 04, 2020 9:36 am

I agree. It certainly puts into perspective things like not being able to go out in our vans and the inconvenience of not being able to shop the way we are used to. The very fact that most of us either own a van or have the means to get one, no one on here is going to starve...others in our Nation are going to bed hungry.

Time to turn thoughts outwards from ourselves. Even give some of any monies saved during this time to a Covid 19 related cause, foodbank....

by modelman Sat Apr 04, 2020 10:41 am

Only yesterday, Jackie & I sat in the conservatory sipping coffee & we commented that out of just about every possible position to be in, we are 'probably' in the best one, in the early 80s, we came back to the UK after earning big-bucks in the UAE, bought our present bungalow for cash & then had enough to fund our own little business which has kept me in 'toys' ever since.
So, no debts whatsoever, a few quid in the bank ( hopefully ) large plot with many workshops & sheds, & room for 8 or so vehicles on the drive.
Many of us (me) tend to look 'over the fence' & wish for a bit more, that's the selfish in me coming out, but in truth, when I think about it, i'm VERY rich right now, & feel guilty about the suffering that's happening all around.
Saw a young homeless fella sat under an overpass a few weeks back, a couple of bottles by him & I thought i'm not buying him more booze, so I bought a coke & a large cheeseburger,
the lad was so made up & grateful that it was me that was made up myself for the rest of the day.

by modelman Sat Apr 04, 2020 3:00 pm

Another hobby!!
Just 3D printed off a trial face mask, might need it soon! smile!

I'm bored, what to do? - Page 3 Img_2011

by bikeralw Tue Apr 07, 2020 9:14 pm

I've been sorting my workshop out today, getting a bit of order amongst my engineering tools.
What a nostalgic trip down memory lane reading the wonderful manufacturers names on items.
I've already mentioned my Myford lathe.
Lathe tool sharpener by Wolf.
Micrometers and other measuring instruments by Moore & Wright.
Tapes and steel rules by Rabone & Chesterman.
Sharpening devices by Buck & Hickman.
Cutting and other small hand tools by Eclipse.
Taps dies and drills by Presto.
Spanners and torque wrenches by Britool.
Vices by Record.
Diagnostic meters by Sykes-Pickavant.
Dial gauges by Baty.
Even oil cans by Wesco.

One thing all the above have in common, they're all proudly marked MADE IN ENGLAND.
Al.

I'm bored, what to do? - Page 3 20200412

by Silver Tourist Tue Apr 07, 2020 10:44 pm

Where I worked all our measuring equipment was manufactured by Moore and Wright and/or Rabone Chesterman superb British craftsmanship.

by kaspian Tue Apr 07, 2020 11:24 pm

Yes, takes me back to my original toolkit. Quality makes that you were proud to own. Even10 years ago we still were supplied with quality hacksaw blades from Eclipse and Sandvik . Knipex and Lyndstrom cutters and pliers that last forever and cut anything without blunting etc Then ....we employed people who appointed ' preferred suppliers ' shortly after we started getting 'golden cock ' Chinese blades that would not cut paper let alone steel, drill bits that if they jammed while cutting would unwind themselves leaving a straight bar! Wilkinson pliers and cutters that came from the factory unable to cut even 1 mm wire cleanly and lasted days. Thing is the same company supplied us with led headlights from black spur..........at £9.50 each. I pointed out to line manager that I could get exactly the same Blackspur lamp for £1 in Poundland.......No doubt some head of procurement got a large payoff for achieving his target that year.

by modelman Wed Apr 08, 2020 7:33 am

Like your internal gauge-set Al, I have only a couple & they never seem to be the size I need!

by modelman Wed Apr 08, 2020 7:51 am

I certainly WASN'T bored yesterday, got the lawn-tractor out to cut the grass, started it up only to be engulfed in a massive cloud of thick oily smoke, it ran for maybe 10 seconds before it died.
Got the 'standby' push-jobbie that's been used twice this year already.
Pulled the engine, got it up on the bench, drained the oil & out came a gallon of watery black 'oil', but it wasn't oil was it, no it was the entire tankful of petrol, stupidly, i'd left the tank full over the winter, there is no fuel-tap on this machine & I assume it had got by the float-needle in the carb, straight past an open inlet valve, filled the bore & seeped by the rings & then filled the sump.
And would you believe it, the tank was empty!!
so while I was at it, it was given its first ever health-check, it was lovely & clean inside for some reason.
Re-fitted, new oil, new fuel, instant startup, no smoke, but to be on the safe side, the fuel was drained again, until the new in-line fuel tap arrives.
I notice that later models have fuel taps fitted as standard now!!
A cheap fix for once. smile!

by kaspian Wed Apr 08, 2020 8:04 am

Surprised it started at all Modelman as last years old 'modern' fuel/petrol is No 1 cause of small engines and outboards not starting after the winter layup. A guy I know works in the local council recycling plant and they get a mountain of petrol lawnmowers every spring dumped for that reason . A quick carb clean and new fresh fuel sees most fire up first pull! They then sell them off on Gumtree for charity.

by rogerblack Wed Apr 08, 2020 8:35 am

I always add fuel stabiliser to my stored petrol which is used for the lawnmower, multi-tool and outboard motor and have never had a problem starting at the beginning of a new season (touch wood!). Well worth the few pennies extra cost.

by bikeralw Wed Apr 08, 2020 9:26 am

modelman wrote:Like your internal gauge-set Al, I have only a couple & they never seem to be the size I need!

Believe it or not I picked up the M&W tele gauge set at a car boot several years ago. The seller had no idea what they were for.
If I remember right I got them for £3 or so.
They were in immaculate condition, and still had the greased paper around them.
The wooden box is well worn, but a work of art in itself, dovetail joints etc.
Al.

by groundhog Wed Apr 08, 2020 9:40 am

That was some bargain Al!

I have a set of spanners made by my father in law when he was an apprentice on Tyneside, they must be at least 80 years old and he punched his initials on every one. I will never use them but one of those things you just can't throw away!

Spent the last two days solid pressure washing, only a fraction of what I have to do finished so far. Being a diesel pressure washer It make your arms ache after a while! Relief today though will spend the day strimming and mowing. The lawns round the house have to be given stripes so a Honda roller mower is the chosen weapon!!

by mikethebike Wed Apr 08, 2020 10:34 am

Any one thought of an Autobiography ? It looks a lot of work to me.
I am short on patience so have not even started a model kit !!

Micky

by Dave 418 Wed Apr 08, 2020 11:16 am

The tools I inherited from my father are Britsh made apart from an American Staret micrometer.A lot of his tools were from his clock building time so I tend not to use them for my type of engineering. I found the pin hammer I made at school amongst his belongings.
The pride of place in my workshop is my great uncles tool cabinet. It was made during his aprenticeship as a cabinet maker for the Coop in Rochdale. There is a 1908 Farthing inlayed into the top, I havnt found any conection to that but its a nice piece of history.
The only apprentice pieces I have left are a funnel and a puller for generator pulleys.
When I re-fitted my workshop I got rid of a lot of my heavy bus fixing tools, big sockets and spanners. Some of those were King Dick mostly in Whitworth. We ran some Leyand Tigers and other Gardener engined beasties.
I am not sue if I should mention were my lathe and milling machine are from during the present crisis but they are not British made.

by kaspian Wed Apr 08, 2020 11:39 am

Dave I still own and use a King Dick lightweight aluminium ratchet , must be 50 + years old has been stripped and greased once and still the best half inch ratchet for use under a vehicle due to its weight.
Al , I agree , just 6 months ago we did a massive clear out at work throwing away 5 walk in skip loads of old testers , tools , etc and it was heartbreaking to see the workmanship on display of old oak and mahogany cabinets housing testers with beautiful cabinet joinery skills and joints on display.
Unfortunately old names / brands you relied upon years ago are now reappearing as cheap tat built to a (cheap) price. I still own a drill made by Wolf , 40 plus years old , back handled single 600rpm speed but for drilling larger holes in steel is fantastic. It would work 24 hrs non stop without breaking sweat. I recommended Wolf to a mate who bought one new last year and it fried itself after a few holes in wood. We took it apart and it was just so cheaply made...