Woodwork and metalwork

[Brew 5,409]

Good lord NBL I never thought I'd see one of those again. My Grandad had one and used it extensively. One of his hobbies (he had many) was making fancy budgie cages and as you say the flame was pencil point accurate for soldering. He worked as a 'gasman', I wonder if that's where he got it from?

[NewBasfordlad 3,599]

I would say beyond doubt that's where he got it from and where he learnt the skills to use it. The one I have was made specifically for several gas boards and it is the only place I have seen them.

 

He must have borrowed his like I borrowed mine

[Brew 5,409]

Ooo, bad Grandad, bad.

[loppylugs 8,427]

I saw the picture before I read what you said.  My first response was, Wots that!!!!!!

 

It might even be woth summat nah! 

[NewBasfordlad 3,599]

On about Joseph Whitworth I heard a good tale when I was in the Muzzle Loaders Society of Great Britain.

 

In the mid 1800s he bought and moved to Stancliffe Hall in Darley Dale and it was there he developed and tested the rifle. It was said that testing included firing from the back of the hall over the valley with the river Derwent in the bottom to a target set on the side of a hill opposite.

 

Not unusual as it would give a range of between 800-1000 yards what was unusual was to have your servant stood along side the target pointing out the hits with a walking stick.........talk about dodgy.

 

On his death Stancliffe a beautiful house was given by his wife to the local community it still stands proudly along side the A6 main road as the Whitworth Centre and Park.

[PeverilPeril 3,279]

Just from memory -Whitworth, BSF, BSC, Acme, Butress, Double Butress, BA, Gas (is that same as pipe?), Bicycle, UNF, UNC.... there are more but don't come to mind?

And all have left hand thread versions.

As a matter of interest, the standard thread for fishing tackle is 3/8" bsf and it is still widely used globally.

[NewBasfordlad 3,599]

Gas is BSP on steel pipe, 20 thread on copper and brass so called because it was 20 threads to the inch of length to accommodate soft metal

[DJ360 6,721]

11 hours ago, loppylugs said:

I don't disagree with you Rog.  It is just so hard to do.   Not just tools but old slide and movie projectors, Lps and even CDs. They will probably not want them, but to us they still have some sentimental value.  We remember taking those films of holidays, camping trips etc.. I just don't know.  Who knows they might even regain some value as time goes by even if only as collectors items.  Just dumping them seems almost criminal.

 

I've been collecting LPs for more than 55 years and still have the first ones I bought.  I've been thinking about making some sort of stipulation in my Will.  The kids are welcome to them but I doubt they'd want them, so I'll figure something out.  They could be sold into the 'specialist' trade, or maybe passed on to fellow enthusiasts.  Also, my hi-fi kit.  Just as an example, I have one of these amplifiers:

Looks nice enough except that few kids these days would understand what it is for.. or have a clue that it cost me in excess of £3k.  I wouldn't care if they flogged it.. but I'd want them to get a decent price.  Think I'd leave that in the hands of a couple of trusted 'hi-fi' mates.  A couple of years ago, an old enthusiast friend of mine passed away.  He left a distraught partner, but also a house and garage rammed with rare hi fi kit, components, hand built amplifiers, rare and expensive valves, posh loudspeakers, turntables etc., etc. Plus also a rare Ariel Arrow motorbike, big modern bike and vintage Fiat Sports.  Between myself, another friend and a very good website, most of the stuff was sold at fair prices.

 

Col

 

 

[DJ360 6,721]

4 hours ago, NewBasfordlad said:

On his death Stancliffe a beautiful house was given by his wife to the local community it still stands proudly along side the A6 main road as the Whitworth Centre and Park.

 

I must look out for that next time I do the run home via the A6.

 

[DJ360 6,721]

Much talk of screws, threads, taps and dies on here..  I'm wondering what is the biggest screw or nut anyone has seen? Mine were seen when I worked at Whiteley -Read's in Park Lane Basford.   We made the convex 'dished ends' for pressure vessels by heating steel discs to a red heat and then pressing them to shape on a big forging press which had a mushroom shaped pressing tool fitted.  Below is similar but much more modern looking and clean. The one at Whieteley's was only capable of pressing things up to a couple of feet in diameter.

 

 

However, at one point, a much bigger thing arrived on the yard. Something like this.. but a fair bit bigger.  

 

  It looked capable of pressing 'dished ends' up to maybe 6 to 8 feet or maybe more..  (It was a long time ago) and rather than the essentially one piece construction shown above, it had an upper 'yolk' which was supported on four large steel columns.  These were each probably 10-12 inch diameter and topped off with a large thead and a massive hexagonal 'nut' maybe 18" across the flats. The pic above shows round 'nuts' .  I remember joking with a workmate that I wouldn't want the spanner for those things in my tool bag, never mind the taps and dies etc. for the threads.  Closer inspection revealed that the nuts had holes in them presumably for turning using a bar, so I don't know if the 18" AF spanner actually existed and of course the threads would have been machine cut on a lathe. The press was never set up and working while I was there.

 

Col

[denshaw 2,871]

Col, early seventies I worked at Wilson Ford next door to Whiteley Reads. Might have seen you in the Standard of England?

[DJ360 6,721]

Only went in there a couple of times back then.  I recall going in one Christmas after finishing for the hols.  Had a conversation with a West Indian chap from Jamaica.  I think he was a postman.  He told be that Christmas started in Jamaica about November and went on to the end of January, with everybody getting legless for weeks on end.  I dunno how true it was, but it was certainly and entertaining chat.

I remember Wilson Ford and Arthur Fords.  I know one did electric motor rewinds and I think the other was more general electrical engineering?  I can't recall properly now.

The Standard closed a few years back and I think someone said it's been demolished?

 

Col

[loppylugs 8,427]

I'm with you on the hi-fi kit, Col.  My gear is quite old now and is definitely not in the same class as some of the stuff you are referring to.  I do still have just about every LP I ever bought.  Probably of very limited interest.  Almost 100% classical which has a very limited market anyway.

 

I think I am reaching a point in my life where I don't care much anymore.  Christmas and birthdays come and go.  I'm not looking for the latest stuff as presents.  I buy what I need when I need it.  Within my means.  I suppose you could say that I have reached a stage of contentment.  A pleasant stage to be at.  No more monkey on my back telling me if I just had the latest gizmo I'd be happy.  I never was.  Just wanted the next gizmo. . When I am gone I don't think I'll really be caring what happens to it.

 

Sounds a bit mournful, but it really isn't.  It is very freeing in fact.

[NewBasfordlad 3,599]

Col Stancliffe is on the left hand side of the A6 as you head north a stone built house it stands right on the side of the road and is now called the Whitworth Centre and park you will see a sign for the B5057 to Winster it's just passed the turning. The terrace tea rooms are recommended for a quick stop over on your way past

[Jill Sparrow 10,304]

Agree totally, Loppy. It's nice and, as you say, liberating when you no longer crave things!

[Jill Sparrow 10,304]

5 minutes ago, NewBasfordlad said:

Stancliffe is on the left hand side of the A6 as you head north a stone built house it stands right on the side of the road and is now called the Whitworth Centre and park you will see a sign for the B5057 to Winster it's just passed the turning. The terrace tea rooms are recommended for a quick stop over on your way past

Know it well, NBL. A beautiful building and a lovely area!

[NewBasfordlad 3,599]

If I have plenty of time I some times travel that way up to Buxton with the lady, always try to stop for a cuppa and a stroll round the park, lovely on a warm day.

 

Some how knew it would be to your taste as it is to mine.

[Chulla 4,946]

Enough of hammers. let's hear it for saws. Not seen here is the Black and Decker circular saw attachment.

 

[NewBasfordlad 3,599]

Just ordered a new compound mitre saw, I will post pics when it arrives just for you

[Jill Sparrow 10,304]

1 hour ago, Chulla said:

let's hear it for saws

Are any of them musical, Chulla?

[Chulla 4,946]

Well yes, Jill, if you have a violin bow. Phonetically speaking the sore I did not show you is the one I would only show my doctor.

[plantfit 7,580]

I'm going to have to buy a new shed in the new year looking at all this stuff I have and for most of it I no longer have a use

 

 

Rog

[plantfit 7,580]

A few of my saws,I don't know why I have most of them they are just taking up room in the shed, thanks to this thread it has made me realise "why do I need all this stuff" some of it will have to go one way or another

 

 

If theres owt you want and I don't just ask

 

Rog

[Compo 10,328]

I'm getting a mini welding klit for Xmas and I reckon I could use some of that lot!  If you wasnt to seel, let me know and I shall see if I can get my sister's daughter to pick it up.

[Jill Sparrow 10,304]

Do you mean a mini welding kilt, Compo? Sounds a bit dicey. My father did a lot of welding. Don't think he'd have fancied doing any in a kilt. Sparks might have set fire to his underwear!

 

Ben might know about that!  think his has been on fire a time or two!