What did you do today (2015)

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, I'm sorry if I've upset anyone with my lunar eclipse photos, but I've just tried to share some of what I saw of an event that happens now and again and in a non professional way. I do have an interest in astronomy, but it isn't as intense as a lot of people. This event was supposed to be one of the best of it's kind and there won't be another one as good until 2033 apparently. I may be still around to see the next good one, if my eyes hold out good enough. I think it is interesting to read about other peoples interests, other than strictly models or engineering. Some subjects don't hold to much interest to me, but I have learned things that have been both interesting and/or useful. Some things I'll kind of loosely read, or maybe just skip once I'm aware it's of little interest to me and I just move on.

Regards Nick.

[Martin CottrellParticipant @martincottrell21329]

Nick,

I personally wasn't upset by your posting eclipse pics in this particular thread. Whilst it was originally intended as a generally engineering based work-in-progress thread it has evolved into a more general interest thread and is a fascinating insight into members other interests outside of our common shared interest of all things engineering.

I can see Davids point in questioning whether Astronomy should have it's own forum heading in view of its obvious level of interest to many but not all forum members. However I'm happy to keep this thread as it is and just skim past the bits that don't interest me particularly. It was interesting to see that David's request to shift an "off topic" subject to another thread initiated almost 2 pages of off topic banter in reply!!

Regards Martin.

[V8EngParticipant @v8eng]

Posted by JasonB on 28/09/2015 19:20:34:

Posted by David Clark 1 on 28/09/2015 19:12:25:

 

Plastic modelling does have a place on here.

 

So what heading would I put this under?

How about Historical Technology, perhaps as a restoration project (subject to availability of spare body parts)?

Seriously though, that's a really impressive model.

Personally I am quite happy with this thread drifting away from Model Engineering at times, it usually goes back again, I enjoy reading about Clive's Bees as well.

Edited By V8Eng on 28/09/2015 23:11:38

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Given that clocks have always been a legitimate part of Model engineering despite being 1;1 scale it is surprising that telescope making hasn't been featured more often. I also like the occasional article on musical instruments.

In our club which mixes model boats with model engines although a handful are only interested in their one narrow specialisation the vast majority are interested in absolutely anything mechanical or scientific.

[Raymond Sanderson 2Participant @raymondsanderson2]

Talk about diversification of interest on here WOW

I have been on forums where art/porn posting people were banned for life, the mere mention of the topic has Mod's in panic mode fingers poised above delete buttons 24/7.

I know wish the Bee's who had invaded our wall cavity were still allowed to we could have had Honey on tap, not sure the landlord would like it though.

As for celestial gazing I had some excellent nights when I was driving tours out west to Orange when Hayles Comet last showed up. Mind you I had to point out to the wise young Prof who was manning the scope he had it pointing in the wrong direction on the first night. He had fitted a compass the next time I saw him.

Still I prefer to see what keeps others busy, out of the shed, as well as in the shed.

[Bill PudneyParticipant @billpudney37759]

Well I'm on the downhill slope of the first part of my Sieg C3 upgrade. Today I reassembled the spindle with taper roller bearings. I only stopped when I realised that to get proper gear (high/low that is), another spacer is required. Ho hum, no big problem, just a bit of a pain!!

cheers

Bill

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

It would be nice if instead of just putting photos into their Albums where they can be missed if members posted the photos in this thread, two examples from the last 24hrs. This was one of my original intensions as a lot of people don't want to start a separate thread and cover their build but to just add the odd photo of progress here should be fairly easy.

Johan's "halfbreed" engine

And George's 3cyl Atkinson

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

So, everything back to normal then?

Clive

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Clive Hartland on 29/09/2015 08:08:08:

So, everything back to normal then?

Clive

.

Looks that way, Clive … so we should be free to discuss Volkswagen's biochemical attack on the Bees.

… It's worth rewinding to 2013

MichaelG.

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

Regarding the 'enthusiastic' discussion regarding Astronomy , Bees, Shopping and taking the wife to the doctors and the question of what is a relevant post maybe this would be a good general approach. Clearly threads like this one attract diverse posts. If a topic generates a lot of response and it's clear that there is a lot of interest and it would be worth starting a separate thread for it, a kind of budding process. I think therefor that posts should carry on and when they start to dominate a general thread they have earned a place of their own.

Having said all that, I like this thread, it often makes for interesting reading and you feel that you get to know people a little better. It's pretty easy to scroll through and read what catches your eye, it's not as if there is a bandwidth issue as the tread is already up to 123 pages.

So I say go for it.

regards Martin

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Yes-keep it as is, general topics, bees, motorbikes, boot sales et al. I,ve even got a new interest in plastic modeling.

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

Hello Michael, yes, known about, but Bumble bees are very sensitive to pollutants and are suffering terriably.re-introduction of Bumble bees in the area of Dungeness has gone well as new Bumble bees emerged this year, they have been extinct there for many years.

It has been found that Honey bees prefer OSR that has Nicotinids on it, trials side by side have shown that the non-nicotinid plot was not visited? There is something going on with insects and it is the subject of much research all over the world and slowly the jigsaw of results may point to what is causing it.

Just to point out that the initial Varroa infections also are a Virus vector and thats when the Israeli, and deformed wing virus and some others appeared and have carried on since.

Further thoughts have seen Queen fertility fall, causing poor mating and thence poor hive performance. At one time you could leave the hives alone and collect honey but now you are lucky to get a second year from a hive before it fails due to poor Queens. That is why I have been re-queening from known good source.

Clive

[Four stroke FredParticipant @fourstrokefred]

I had meant to include a few notes on the 3 cylinder Atkinson engine but hit the button too soon! The engine has side exhaust valves and automatic over head inlet vales. All valves and the cam shaft have been fitted. The inlet valve guides/ seats are made from bronze and the exhaust from cast iron. The cam will be driven by chain with a second sprocket driving the governor and water pump.Today I started to machine the " 4 legs" but tomorrow I have to get some IC engines and tractor ready for a display at the local model flying club display on Saturday and Sunday. Even though being retired there are still not enough hours in the day !

George.

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

Posted by JasonB on 28/09/2015 19:20:34:

So what heading would I put this under?

.

"Jap totty with her norks ooowwt."! (obvious innit)

Nick

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Posted by JasonB on 28/09/2015 19:20:34:

Posted by David Clark 1 on 28/09/2015 19:12:25:

 

Plastic modelling does have a place on here.

 

So what heading would I put this under?

Feeling left out?

Severed torso found in topless bar?

 

Edited By Hopper on 29/09/2015 13:20:38

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Yes but whose hand is that?

[OuBallieParticipant @ouballie]

JasonB,

Well done.

Now you've started it!

I raise you:

These and lots more where done in the '70s & '80s but doubt I will finish them all now.

I really enjoyed painting them, especially the ability oils give in blending and producing subtle shades.

Skin tones where the most challenging, and took a lot of experimenting, but the base coat was crucial.

I started using Humbrol Matt as base coats, but wore out Sable brushes! Switched over to Tamiya paint and that saved the brushes and made it easier to 'brush out' the oils.

I look at the ones still needing painting, military as well, and just sigh now.

Geoff – Misspent 'youth'

Edited By OuBallie on 29/09/2015 15:03:29

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

.

That motorcyclist is not wearing any kevlar.!

She will be ruined beyond redemption if she comes off. (typical blonde)

Nick

[OuBallieParticipant @ouballie]

Nick,

Geoff – iPad 3 & iOS9.0.1 aaargh!

[Involute CurveParticipant @involutecurve]

My missus just looked over my shoulder whilst dropping off a cup of tea, and said what's that your looking at!! I explained, well sort of….. I think she now thinks your all perves……….. lol

[V8EngParticipant @v8eng]

Mine spent some time in Japan years ago, she saw the Geisha figure and said, "that's all wrong Geisha Girls were covered up".

I bow to superior knowledge, still like the piece though!

Edited By V8Eng on 29/09/2015 17:10:38

[Gray62Participant @gray62]

Can we all remember that there are younger members of the ME community looking at these forums. I don't want to have to start vetting this before my 9 yr old grandson looks through it ! There's a line and I think it is about crossed.

[Johnboy25Participant @johnboy25]

These Phoenix Phollies figurines remind me of an American artist Gill Evlgren. 😜 I better not say any more! 😳

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

Posted by Graeme W on 29/09/2015 18:08:29:

I don't want to have to start vetting this before my 9 yr old grandson looks through it !

.

So we have a 9 year old boy with access to the internet. (quite normal) But how much of his time do you really think he will spend on an ME forum compared to the amount spent on 'recommendations' his school mates give him regarding the sites of 'interest'

I do however fully understand the ethos of your post though.

Nick

[Gray62Participant @gray62]

Nick,

He has access to the internet albeit carefully monitored. He will often sit and look over my shoulder when I am on the forum and whilst the cybernanny software on the PC has already blocked this forum, I don't have anything similar on my ipad. The sites of interest you refer to are already blocked by the aforementioned software. So now I have to check forum info before we sit down to look at this site. Bit of a sad situation when I am trying to encourage his interest in model engineering.

[Author]

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