What did you do today (2015)

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Well I cheered myself up by looking at a few old Model Engineers. Percival Marshall lamented the tribulations of editors when wrestling with whether or not Model Engineer had room for wider engineering stories in its pages – as a way of encouraging younger entrants to the hobby. I wish I had the wit to compose Ed's Bench like his Smoke RIngs:

Some seventy years ago an American writer, Will Carleton, produced a volume entitled “Farm Ballads," in which he included some very human and amusing verses relating to life on the prairies in the great wide West. In one of these – “The Editor’s Guests" – he describes some of the visitors who invade the editorial sanctum of a small town newspaper. A farmer brings in his youngest son and explains that the lad is no use on the farm –

"But he don’t take to nothing but victuals and he’ll never be much, I’m afraid,

So I thought it would be a good notion to larn him the editor’s trade."

The farmer proceeds to explain the reason for this suggestion,

" I used for to wonder at readin’, and where it was got up and how,

But ’tis most of it made by machinery, I can see it all plain enough now.

And since the whole trade has growed easy, ’twould, be easy enough, I’ve a whim, ‘

If you was agreed, to be makin’ an editor outen of ]im."

Then the editor explains some of the hundred and one things he has to know and do in his daily work.

"The farmer stood curiously listening while wonder his visage 0’erspread,

And he said, ‘]im, I guess, we’ll be goin’, he’s probably out of his head’ "

I read this poem many years ago, but it often comes into my mind, and I hope these few extracts may give you a smile.

[john carruthersParticipant @johncarruthers46255]

They tried the rc mowers on the banks round Dover castle, now they use Herdwick sheep

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

The Herdwicks must be better. They have four "wheel" drive with independent power to each one, as well as universally adjustable cutters!

Howard

[Nick WheelerParticipant @nickwheeler]

Sheep can't really be trusted on motorway verges though!

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

..motorway verges though…….
.or anywhere else…those shifty eyes you know

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

In todays 'latest posts' we have two new members introducing themselves. Why are the posts attributed to Jason?

Should I have started a new thread for this question I wonder?

Ian P

[Bob Brown 1Participant @bobbrown1]

Sheep great with mint sauce

Bob

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Even better with Lamb

Martin P

[Bob Brown 1Participant @bobbrown1]

A lawn mower you can eat

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Ian Phillips on 14/11/2015 19:01:04:

In todays 'latest posts' we have two new members introducing themselves. Why are the posts attributed to Jason?

Should I have started a new thread for this question I wonder?

Ian P

He had to move them, its a quirk of the system

Neil

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Ian as Neil says they should have been in their own thread rather than tagged onto the bottom of Neil's one. To be able to move a post to a new thread first I have to create one to get a thread number, I can then move the post to there and then delete the blank post that I have to make. If you look at the URL of this page you will see a six digit number – 103007 – that is the threads number.

As I create the thread the system still wants to attribute it to me. For those that are quick you may find the new thread with a post by me with just "." as the text due to the system not allowing a blank post and the "." is the quickest way round it

All in a days work for a Moderator. I also do it sometimes when a new question often by a new member is added to a very old post, a lot of people don't notice the date and start replying to the OP rather than the new question.

J

Edited By JasonB on 14/11/2015 20:13:04

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by JasonB on 14/11/2015 20:11:04:

All in a days work for a Moderator.

.

… and you even carry the can for Nick_G' s posts

MichaelG.

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Now the dark morning and nights are upon us I finally decided [ only after two winters ] to sort the lights out in the back of the Donald.

Never come across a Donald yet that has decent lights. Mine has one right in the back, above the rear doors with a 1/4 watt festoon bulb fitted. The fact they supply most vans now with side opening door seems to have evaded the modern day Mr Lucas or Monsieur Lucas in my case.

So get two strings of these Chinese LED light strips with the adhesive back and thread them thru the roof supports and stick them down.

Temporary wire up to existing light feed and test.

That's at half past dark tonight. Need to secure both ends of the strip with those self adhesive square pads and a cable tie and them fit two door switches care of a Seddon Atkinson and wire in.

Difference can be seen between these strips and the cab light which is on at this point.

Dead chuffed and now off to post in the Lathe design not keeping up post with the latest sage but probably should be in Bodgers Lodge so a warning for anyone of a sensitive disposition NOT to read it.

[Four stroke FredParticipant @fourstrokefred]

Yesterday and today a few of the local model engineers had a display of work at the local woodworkers show. It was very successful and we met many interesting people and prospective model engineers. We packed up at 2.0 pm and then the rain began. We had 22 mm in ten minutes and that didn't help when trying to load trailers and cars. All models are now back in their respective sheds but will have to given a check out tomorrow just to make sure they didn't get wet. The locos at the front of the display are both 5" gauge – Green Arrow and a Bundaberg Fowler 0-6-2. Other models included a scale model speed boat with a 20cc four cylinder engine ,a range of model IC engines, the tractor , traction and stationery steam engines. Other than the rain ( which we need) it was a very good weekend.

George.

[ChrisHParticipant @chrish]

Not really what I did today, more just a comment, that I for one will be disappointed that the "My Little Engine" thread has been discontinued, as it was both interesting and informative, even if the reasons the thread ended as it did leaves me confused as to why exactly.

One query but, what does MEM stand for, which forum is that?

Chris

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by ChrisH on 15/11/2015 11:00:17:

One query but, what does MEM stand for, which forum is that?

.

Model Engine Maker **LINK**

Seems a very appropriate location for those that make Model Engines.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 15/11/2015 11:38:52

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Model Engine Maker.

We had a good (slightly damp) day out a public open day at our museum at Homebush (about 50k inland from Christchurch NZ), I ran three of my hot air engines. The Ruston Hornsby 6 HR got an hour or two of running, but owing to the fact that we are in a drought, I couldn't run the turbine that is the centre piece of our exhibits.

We'v been getting quite a few wet days, but 2 mm 3 mm in 24 hours, then a bit of wind and we loose 10 mm.

Sad to see Gerry move on.

Ian S C

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Just found this fascinating page

On a miserable, wet, Sunday … a few minutes pondering

"what could I do with that?" seems in order.

MichaelG

[ChrisHParticipant @chrish]

Michael and Ian – thank you for saying what MEM stood for. Was obviously having a 'Senior Moment", as I had completely forgotten that website, not only that, but that I had registered on it too!

Now, saying I had a "senior moment" I am quite happy with, as I am taking the piss out of myself which is perfectly acceptable to me, well, others do it anyway regardless!

Which put me in mind of a doopy bird on the other end of a telephone line a few years ago who, when I said I was having a "senior moment" immediately scolded me and informed me that one could not say "senior moment" anymore, one must now say (the frankly ridiculous) "agest moment". Judging by the speed she then supplied me with the information I was seeking and then hung up, I gathered that my reaction of "oh blooming heck, not another bit of Politically Correct Nonsense" was not the Politically Correct response she expected me to give! "Hard chess" as they say in Russia I thought, but too bad, I have never been politically correct in my life.  "Senior Moment" is amusing to me, "Agest Moment" is insulting.

Chris

Edited By ChrisH on 15/11/2015 20:56:26

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

We use MSI.

Stands for mild steel inventor.

Martin

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

Just realised MEM is a forum. MSI is just what we call ourselves.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I came across this today in an issue of Popular Mechanics.

It documents an interesting approach to policing speeding cars (in Chicago, not Lincolnshore, luckily for DC).

But can anyone guess the year? Googling the answer is cheating.

[Jon GibbsParticipant @jongibbs59756]

1915?

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

1922?

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

1915, 1922, dream on, this is the USA

Definitely before Nader, so more likely 1960s

ian

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