The Engineer

I had not heard of Mich Stevenson before I was introduced to him a couple of days ago. He spent a lot of time and effort saving some significant buildings in the Lace Market from demolition/redevelopment, including the Adams Building on Stoney Street and the Shire Hall on High Pavement. He was instrumental in developing the latter into the Galleries of Justice (and more recently the National Justice Museum). He played it down when we chatted but he is clearly a local hero for anyone interested in preserving the history of Nottingham. https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-new

I've done all I can for now. They should be filling the basin with water tomorrow morning.

Coin box is temporary while basin is empty but still folk throw coins in the basin. Last night I was reviewing a video I made last week to gauge rotational speed of the Orchestra. It looked odd so I compared with a video on Youtube from 1973 where Emett is unveiling the clock. As I suspected, the Orchestra was now rotating in the wrong direction (it should go anticlockwise as viewed from above). My visit this morning was to investigate. Up inside the sunflower, instead of my 4-pole red connectors for the Orchestra motor, I saw 'choc strip' connectors wrapped in insul

Indeed it is me. I can be seen holding what I call the 'mech plate' with the clock drive gearwheels. That was last Thursday. Am on my way there now for a final check before they refill the pool.

I went in yesterday and refitted that modified shaft, new universal joint, pulley, vee belt, etc. to reinstate the drive for the petals. My theory that the Cobweb Wheel's reluctance to turn was due to imbalance was correct: the Technical Services Manager moved some brass blocks and that got it running. I synchronised the 'going' and strike mechanisms with the clock faces (needs adjusting a bit more but it's close enough for now). The petals operated fairly well but the music was intermittent. This morning (in my absence) the guys there looked at the Orc

Update I went in on 12 October and refitted the electrical control panel and two geared motors. I powered up then synchronised the chiming mechanism to the clock. Cobweb wheel (geared motor with new seal) The cobweb wheel was not turning (rubber drive pulley was rotating but just skidding on the drive rim). It is very sensitive to imbalance (probably because three butterflies are missing - that's work in progress) so for now, I pulled the motor's fuse (I don't want the rubber drive tyre to wear away). Petals (new geared motor) The new petals driv

https://www.mynottinghamnews.co.uk/official-unveiling-of-restored-queen-victoria-statue-at-victoria-embankment-memorial-gardens/

Update: I've completed the following planned tasks at home and have arranged to go into Vic Centre later this week to refit the parts. New geared motor (for petals up/down) - added 4-core power cable with 4-pole red terminal connectors, terminated 2-core cable for electromagnetic brake. Cobweb wheel geared motor - fitted new oil seal. Electrical control panel (the one I designed and built in 2012) - fitted new 2.5uF capacitor (for petals geared motor), mounted a 6uF capacitor (for orchestra geared motor) that had been left hanging loose by someone, fitted two-pol

Another example of school award https://www.stolenattic.com/fr/products/antique-shield-fob-pendant-silver-and-9ct-rose-gold

The argument that didn't persuade me was the need for everyone to learn/think 'systems'. I don't think any amount of scientific evidence or hypotheses will trigger a substantial change in the mindset of the masses (few will follow Meadows' example of going off grid and choosing not to have children).

Yes, I listened to the programme. Can't say I was persuaded by the arguments presented.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001pt9w

Was it about Donella 'Dana' Meadows, author of 'Thinking in Systems, a Primer'?

Whenever I do my 'illustrated talk' about the clock and my interventions ending with "any questions?", the "Why was it moved?" usually features. I agree with the sentiment that it should have been left where it was, adding that I don't know why it was moved (and was not party to the decision) but suspect it was commercially driven to increase footfall at the upper north end to get kids to notice shops like 'Build a Bear' and the Disney store.

What about the small metal plate that is integral part of the installation? If the fitter did not install as per manufacturer's instructions, he probably needs reporting to Gas Safe. Did he leave the installation and servicing manuals with you (as should be the case)?

Quick update on the Emett Clock: New geared motor has arrived (to drive the Petals) New oil seal arrived (for Cobweb Wheel geared motor) Am popping down there now to get these new parts and to remove the electrical control panel (I need to wire in the capacitor for the new motor and give the panel a once-over).

Says "LONG LIVE THE KING" on Horse and Jockey so maybe August 1902 (Edward VII coronation) or June 1911 (George V coronation).

I think regardless of shape or rotational position of the chainwheel, there will always be half the teeth (19 in this case) from top centre to bottom centre. Near enough constant length of chain wrapped and no appreciable motion in the mech arm.

What is it about 'against all odds' search and rescue missions from mines, caves, space, deep sea, etc. that piques worldwide interest and media coverage? Tragic of course that five ocean tourists (not really explorers were they) lost their lives, probably during descent, but the media coverage seems disproportionate. There was even a special programme about it this evening with Dan Walker. Compare and contrast with the event of 14 June where at least 82 people perished when a boat carrying about 750 people from Tobruk capsized off the coast of Greece. 104 people were rescued an

I went on bus to town at 10:00am today. Saw a cordon across Market Street. No trams running but lots of buses around. All seemed fairly normal; lots of folk taking in the sun in the Square, shoppers milling around. I think the media coverage is a bit excessive; anyone would think the City is in lockdown and we are all in fear for our safety. I for one am not at all surprised or shocked. Such events are thankfully extremely rare.

Speeding fines are proportionate to income afaik. According to The Sun, Justin Welby's salary is £87k so a £300 fine (plus costs, etc.) sounds reasonable.

I've dabbled with clocks (not just that big 'un). One repair in the 1980s that sticks in my mind belonged to someone who worked with my wife (you know how it goes... he can fix owt, bring it in). The pinion was broken off the end of the balance wheel shaft. I managed to source a new shaft but had to transfer the bits over from the old shaft. The balance wheel with spring was easily removed. That left a tiny collar with a pin that actuated the escape mechanism. I teased it upwards using two pairs of long nose pliers and heard 'ping' before realising it was gone. I w

PROGRESS WITH MOTORS SO FAR Petals geared motor (the one with residue of molten plastic) I stripped this down and it's definitely burnt out. Hard to say what the molten plastic was - all that remains is a lump! I have a Parvalux catalogue from 2007 and have been trying to figure out nearest replacement model for size, wattage, speed, gearbox ratio, fixing holes, etc. (the original rating plate is missing). Snag is that it is Imperial and the output shaft is 1/2" diameter (12.70mm). A new metric geared motor will have 12.00mm diameter output shaft. The geared motor

Not quite as it appears... I tested the little Crouzet motor (that drives the clock mechanism) at home and it was fine (not bad if it is the original as I suspect, running 24/7 with one or two breaks for over 50 years). I concluded that it had not been the cause of any 'blue smoke incident' or causing any fuse to blow. I queried with the guys as to which fuse had blown - the one they identified feeds the Parvalux geared motor that turns the big cobweb/butterfly wheel. I took the Crouzet motor back last Monday (17th April) and refitted it (together with its