Stuff you have fixed today

[Ross365]

Today I have been refurbishing my magnetic-loop (magloop) radio aerial. This type of aerial has become very popular for listening to distant radio stations on MW & SW. They really came to the fore a few years ago when a company called Wellbrook were selling them at £350. Mine is something I built (threw together) myself. The loop is a length of insulated wire fed down the bore of some copper brake-pipe tubing (which has a gap in the middle) and that is supported on some old plastic water pipe (the loop is 1m in diameter). The ends of the insulated loop connect to a coax feeder and then to a small 2-transistor amp and that feeds the receiver. The loop is largely "immune" electronic noise from many domestic electronics these days which badly effects conventional long-wire radio aerials. I think the total cost of mine was ~£15? Sadly, I managed to cut through the coax line with my hedge trimmer in the summer, so repairs were needed before the weather turns. Anyone interested in making a magloop should visit https://www.george-smart.co.uk/projects/wellgood-loop/

 

[My Old Landy]

Today I have been refurbishing my magnetic-loop (magloop) radio aerial. This type of aerial has become very popular for listening to distant radio stations on MW & SW. They really came to the fore a few years ago when a company called Wellbrook were selling them at £350. Mine is something I built (threw together) myself. The loop is a length of insulated wire fed down the bore of some copper brake-pipe tubing (which has a gap in the middle) and that is supported on some old plastic water pipe (the loop is 1m in diameter). The ends of the insulated loop connect to a coax feeder and then to a small 2-transistor amp and that feeds the receiver. The loop is largely "immune" electronic noise from many domestic electronics these days which badly effects conventional long-wire radio aerials. I think the total cost of mine was ~£15? Sadly, I managed to cut through the coax line with my hedge trimmer in the summer, so repairs were needed before the weather turns. Anyone interested in making a magloop should visit https://www.george-smart.co.uk/projects/wellgood-loop/

View attachment 369419

I have been watching a few YouTube hams building these. They seem to have a secondary smaller loop and an adjustable capacitor in them?

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

In the gaps between the maddness and the bad news I did get a few bits done.

Using wire wool, metal polish and then some wax.
I cleaned the surface rust off, and made the moving parts move.

This bubble stick was in need of some love.

So it got it.

These needed a clean.
The optics are good and all the parts move.
But the leather needed a lot of attention.

The leather was treated to saddle soap, left in a warm place, then lots off wax.
It is now stoped saoking the wax up and now is soft.

Even buffed this 40mm case up as well.
Makes a good pencil holder.

 

[8ob]

Today I fixed a couple of SWMBO`s mucking out forks, not many browny points in this but may be able to shut both eyes when I get into bed tonight.
The handles get a bit sloppy in the socket (leave it @MattF ) and break where the retaining bolt passes through so I added a clamp.

 

[awemawson]

You might have straightened the bent tine while you were at it - half a job

 

[8ob]

You might have straightened the bent tine while you were at it - half a job

Wrong, its a game. Swmbo leaves broken clutter by my workshop door, when I get sick of tripping over this gear I repair and return it. I am no longer tripping over it/them so as far as I am concerned its "job done".If and when she decides the tines need straightening and she is prepared to wait another nine months for the fix they will be outside my workshop door again causing a trip hazard.


Bob

 

[Robotstar5]

Mrs Robo bought one of her horse clippers back saying they'd packed up and she was going to buy a replacement.
I took them apart and found a wire soldered to the motor had broke, soldered it back on and it works fine.
The longest part of the job was looking for a tiny screw I dropped

 

[redlig]

Mrs Robo bought one of her horse clippers back saying they'd packed up and she was going to buy a replacement.
I took them apart and found a wire soldered to the motor had broke, soldered it back on and it works fine.
The longest part of the job was looking for a tiny screw I dropped

View attachment 369548

A pound saved is a pound earned. Most folk are happy to just throw stuff away at the slightest opportunity I can't help feeling this is going to stop or at least slow down.

 

[Farside]

Anyone interested in making a magloop should visit https://www.george-smart.co.uk/projects/wellgood-loop/

Coincidentally, I just ordered a V.3 and bias-t from him on Friday.
I was inspired to by some gobby ham mouthing off about him 'stealing' the Wellbrook design. Load of nonsense, amplified loops have been around a lot longer than Wellbrook.

 

[8ob]

Fixed this Beech that was in danger of throwing itself on the floor or surrounding buildings. Our chimp went in the day before and dismantled the crown.

Went in and lifted out the stick.

It had lost its newness.

 

[Gragson]

Pics of the chainsaw toting chimp, I guess you pay him peanuts or monkey nuts - Now that would be a useful pet!

 

[Barking Mat]

I've been fixing boats today, for a change.

Fibreglass repairs.it wa

It was 22°, I dosed it like winter, it got a bit hot.

 

[Bullet2012]

I've been fixing boats today, for a change.

Fibreglass repairs.View attachment 369962View attachment 369963it waView attachment 369964

It was 22°, I dosed it like winter, it got a bit hot.

Epoxy or Poly ?

 

[Barking Mat]

Epoxy or Poly ?

Epoxy, overdosed ......

 

[Barking Mat]

Epoxy or Poly ?

I was pushing the boundaries.

I got 4 layers of thin fibreglass in, in one go.

I've never used that many thin layers in one go.

The thing with fibreglass, it will break at a certain point.

If you hit something hard enough.

 

[Bullet2012]

I was pushing the boundaries.

I got 4 layers of thin fibreglass in, in one go.

I've never used that many thin layers in one go.

The thing with fibreglass, it will break at a certain point.

If you hit something hard enough.

Tell me about it , stuff is awesome and carp at the same time

 

[Barking Mat]

Tell me about it , stuff is awesome and carp at the same time

Yes, totally.

Would never touch a steel or wood boat, fibreglass is superior, but still crap.

Boats are crap, full stop.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

As a matter of interest only, what sort of 'training' do the the hirers get before being let loose on France?

 

[Barking Mat]

As a matter of interest only, what sort of 'training' do the the hirers get before being let loose on France?

It dépends, some have never driven a boat, they get minimum an hour, can bé longer, it you've had thé same boat ten times, can bé ten minutes.

It's all about assessing thé client.

First question i ask: have you ever driven a boat before ?

 

[Barking Mat]

This engine got retired from the fleet today.

21 years old, 11,000 + hours.

Still going strong.

Kubotas, good engines.