The Night Mail

[Happy Hippo]

4 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

5ft 11 3/4. 

Huh!

 

That's what my width was, after a month of fasting.

 

I gave up the fasting malarkey, pdq

[Happy Hippo]

With all the latest hoo haa about things reopening quickly now the vaccination program is well underway, does anyone here have a prediction as to whether Model Railway Exhibitions will go ahead this year?

 

I might consider going in 2022, but my gut instinct is to see how things progress and settle down over the next 9 months or so.

[PhilJ W]

1 hour ago, Tony_S said:

5ft 11 3/4. Though plenty of people at least 2 inches shorter claim to be six foot tall. 
Aditi claims to be 5 foot tall but that probably is a very slight exaggeration.

In my yoof I was 6' 2.5" but I have shrunk to just under 6 feet.

47 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

With all the latest hoo haa about things reopening quickly now the vaccination program is well underway, does anyone here have a prediction as to whether Model Railway Exhibitions will go ahead this year?

 

I might consider going in 2022, but my gut instinct is to see how things progress and settle down over the next 9 months or so.

Our exhibition is pencilled in for 30th October but I think that social distancing and other precautions may still be in place and they might make it unviable. I'll write a bit more about it later but I'm off out for my jab shortly.

[Happy Hippo]

The log arrived

[bbishop]

Depends when the pandemic becomes an endemic.  They must get the second jabs done urgently, otherwise immunity will be compromised and we will remain with a pandemic.   Even so I expect all the "at risk" groups will require a booster in the autumn.  Basically offer a covid jab with the flu jab, although there is no evidence yet that they can be done concurrently.  Not that that concerns those in power.

 

Of course we can't predict the influence of the "Covid research group" .  They appear to be a reconstituted "European research group", which bodes ill for the future.  A premature relaxation may cause numbers to sky rocket.  If the government can hold it's nerve, we may have exhibitions in the autumn, but I'm not optimistic.

 

Meanwhile my ability to type has been compromised by a Spur Null Gruppe 29 coach which arrived by courier this morning and which insists on sitting between the keyboard and myself.  And it has three siblings.

 

Bill

 

Edited February 15, 2021 by bbishop

[Tony_S]

1 hour ago, Happy Hippo said:

I gave up the fasting malarkey, pdq

I didn’t exactly fast but as the very nice doctors after fixing my heart suggested it would be good to lose a little weight I stopped eating snacks, had smaller portions and didn’t start alcoholic drinks again. I put on 2kg. 

[Tony_S]

2 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

, does anyone here have a prediction

Aditi is on the committee of her French language group. Some other committee members thought they would be able to start meetings (about 30 people in a typical  school classroom sized room) in May. Aditi politely suggested that they were a bit optimistic. The social distancing limit for their room is now 6. Most of the visiting lecturers are elderly. Most of their membership is over 65 too. They keep costs down by providing overnight accommodation in committee member’s homes. She just doesn’t see May as being feasible. They have also had access to a wider range of lecturers now that they use Zoom. The person who is optimistic doesn’t have WiFi, broadband or a data capable phone. 

[New Haven Neil]

I too have noticed I am now some inch and a bit (a bit is an imperial unit of measurement, smaller than a bucketful) shorter than I used to be - according to the Dr's anyway.  Spoils my BMI. I used to be a shaving under 5'11" but am now high 5'9's. Debs nephew is 6'5", and built like a honey monster - he can adopt an intimidating presence, but in fact is a gentle soul.  

 

OK off for a walk to calm down, as having replaced everything replaceable or overhaulable on my chainsaw, it still conks out after 10 seconds.

 

Grumpy of Fraggle Rock.

[Winslow Boy]

18 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

I too have noticed I am now some inch and a bit (a bit is an imperial unit of measurement, smaller than a bucketful) shorter than I used to be - according to the Dr's anyway.  Spoils my BMI. I used to be a shaving under 5'11" but am now high 5'9's. Debs nephew is 6'5", and built like a honey monster - he can adopt an intimidating presence, but in fact is a gentle soul.  

 

OK off for a walk to calm down, as having replaced everything replaceable or overhaulable on my chainsaw, it still conks out after 10 seconds.

 

Grumpy of Fraggle Rock.

So I take it that a shaving is more than an inch but less than a bucketful.

 

Can't help you with the chainsaw even though many moons ago I could strip one down and reassemble it and not have any parts left over, but that was when I was a mere whippersnapper.

 

Come to think of it I can assist- buy a new one.

[Happy Hippo]

24 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

I too have noticed I am now some inch and a bit (a bit is an imperial unit of measurement, smaller than a bucketful) shorter than I used to be - according to the Dr's anyway.  Spoils my BMI. I used to be a shaving under 5'11" but am now high 5'9's. Debs nephew is 6'5", and built like a honey monster - he can adopt an intimidating presence, but in fact is a gentle soul.  

 

OK off for a walk to calm down, as having replaced everything replaceable or overhaulable on my chainsaw, it still conks out after 10 seconds.

 

Grumpy of Fraggle Rock.

I'll ask my son about the chainsaw;  He still repairs them for his old boss.

 

Have you replaced the crank shaft seals?

[bbishop]

9 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

I'll ask my son about the chainsaw;  He still repairs them for his old boss.

 

Have you replaced the crank shaft seals?

Elephant seals or hippopotamus seals?  B

[Tony_S]

3 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

 

Have you replaced

I can recall many many years ago when chatting in the staff room, a new colleague mentioned that her husband couldn’t start their previously reliable motor mower since their move from Yorkshire. Apparently the spark plug sparked, there was compression and fuel getting to the cylinder. I made what I thought was a very sensible suggestion and got the response “he isn’t a complete idiot”.  A couple of days later she told me after hearing about my suggestion he went out and confirmed that he had been a complete idiot and it wasn’t petrol he had filled the tank with. 

[Happy Hippo]

21 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

I can recall many many years ago when chatting in the staff room, a new colleague mentioned that her husband couldn’t start their previously reliable motor mower since their move from Yorkshire. Apparently the spark plug sparked, there was compression and fuel getting to the cylinder. I made what I thought was a very sensible suggestion and got the response “he isn’t a complete idiot”.  A couple of days later she told me after hearing about my suggestion he went out and confirmed that he had been a complete idiot and it wasn’t petrol he had filled the tank with. 

Putting the wrong fuel in can have serious consequences.

 

I remember a  Beagle Bassett aircraft was refuelled with Avtur rather than Avgas at RAF Valley in the early 70's.

 

There was enough Avgas in the system to allow  the aircraft to take off off.

 

Both engines failed due to this fuel discrepancy, and the Aircraft crashed between Valley and Mona  (Valley's satellite field) killing one of the crew.

Edited February 15, 2021 by Happy Hippo

[PhilJ W]

I can't see there being any shows or exhibitions this year and as and when they do start up again there's bound to be some fundamental differences. All participants will have to be masked and larger aisles provided for social distancing. Layouts will probably need some sort of screen with the top at least 1.6 metres above floor level. Traders would have greater problems, normally they display their wares on an open table but again they will have to be placed  behind glass (or Perspex). Thats if the traders are still trading, I fear that many will have ceased trading especially those that do not have a physical shop and rely upon renting tables at shows, exhibitions and swap meets. 

[simontaylor484]

With regards to the chainsaw is it 2 stroke.

Is the fuel fresh?

 

Just a thought 

[simontaylor484]

I don't think we will see exhibitions this year im afraid

 I think we will see a reluctance from venues to begin with with regards to disinfectant protocols and the like 

[New Haven Neil]

Fuel fresh, yes, and there's no ethanol in it here to buqqer things up.  The fault is common when looking on line, the fix is replacing the fuel line as they get pinholes.  I have done that, and also replaced all the gaskets and diaphragms, filters etc in the carb and fuel tank, but it still stops.  It's not a crank seal issue as it starts easily and ticks over fine, but won't run on power for more than about ten seconds - fuel starvation symptoms.  It's a Stihl MS180 BTW, and no I can't afford a new one!  Infuriating.  3 mile walk hasn't brought up any further ideas, just made my hips sore.

[Happy Hippo]

Quick reply from my son:

 

 

If he describes that its not getting any acceleration. Either the carb has a lift pump that has failed (my stihl climbing saw I used to have one and it wasn't in the replacement gasket kit.) 

 

Or, it's not getting any impulse suction from the crank case to pump the carb. It will either have a rubber tube or it's part of the inlet manifold (which is a rubber boot) 

[New Haven Neil]

2 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

Quick reply from my son:

 

 

If he describes that its not getting any acceleration. Either the carb has a lift pump that has failed (my stihl climbing saw I used to have one and it wasn't in the replacement gasket kit.) 

 

Or, it's not getting any impulse suction from the crank case to pump the carb. It will either have a rubber tube or it's part of the inlet manifold (which is a rubber boot) 

 

 

This model hasn't a pump nor the separate tube, Richard.  The bigger Stihl's have that system.  The diaphragm has been replaced, and it is in the right way up, needle valve replaced and height is correct, I will investigate the inlet manifold again but I don't recall seeing a separate pathway for crankcase pressure to get to the carb, presumably the inlet suction must work the diaphragm somehow.  Thus we're looking at something in the carb, but.......who knows.  The titchy internal filter in the carb is clear, jets fine (it runs OK until it stops, if you get my meaning - full revs are available, it isn't bogging).. Carb off again then......#sigh#

 

Edit - Manners, Neil - thank your son for his advice, Richard!

Edited February 15, 2021 by New Haven Neil

[bbishop]

Typing is still compromised by my new friend, who is very handsome in a Teutonic sort of way.

 

I'm doing German homework tonight, which means no gogglebox, not that I often watch it.  As there is nothing worth listening to on R4 or R3 and I really struggle with the inanities of Classic FM, it is time to pick a CD.  Brahms & Sibelius violin sees a good choice, but on opening the box - no CD inside.  "O dash it", I think (stronger expletives are available)  and look for an alternative, how about Elgar violin?  Open the box and lo and behold - two CDs, Elgar of course, and the missing Brahms & Sibelius.  So which to play?  Bill

[Happy Hippo]

3 minutes ago, bbishop said:

Typing is still compromised by my new friend, who is very handsome in a Teutonic sort of way.

 

I'm doing German homework tonight, which means no gogglebox, not that I often watch it.  As there is nothing worth listening to on R4 or R3 and I really struggle with the inanities of Classic FM, it is time to pick a CD.  Brahms & Sibelius violin sees a good choice, but on opening the box - no CD inside.  "O dash it", I think (stronger expletives are available)  and look for an alternative, how about Elgar violin?  Open the box and lo and behold - two CDs, Elgar of course, and the missing Brahms & Sibelius.  So which to play?  Bill

I hope you're not still holding something long and green in your hand.

Have you tried Scala Radio?

 

It's one of these new fangled DAB digital stations.

[Tony_S]

1 hour ago, New Haven Neil said:

Carb off again then

I really hesitate to offer advice to an engineer but are you absolutely sure it is a carburettor fault? Is there some kind of fuel filter other than the one in the carb? Is the silencer clear and not blocked with gunge? I don’t have a petrol chainsaw just an electric one but have spent ages years ago resurrecting Aditi’s Dad’s small petrol engined garden tools. 

[New Haven Neil]

32 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

I really hesitate to offer advice to an engineer but are you absolutely sure it is a carburettor fault? Is there some kind of fuel filter other than the one in the carb? Is the silencer clear and not blocked with gunge? I don’t have a petrol chainsaw just an electric one but have spent ages years ago resurrecting Aditi’s Dad’s small petrol engined garden tools. 

 

All sensible suggestions Tony, but yes I have changed the filter in the tank, and even tried without it.  Also the spark grid in the silencer.  The issue is it will run at full power, for about ten seconds, then stop dead. So that writes off most issues of back pressure, but points towards fuel starvation.  It could possibly be electrical, but the plug is OK and it fires right up again in a couple of pulls, so I doubt it is heat soak in the magneto, and the ignition cut out is operating correctly.  I can leave it ticking over no problem.

[Dave Hunt]

6 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

Putting the wrong fuel in can have serious consequences.

 

I remember a  Beagle Bassett aircraft was refuelled with Avtur rather than Avgas at RAF Valley in the early 70's.

 

There was enough Avgas in the system to allow  the aircraft to take off off.

 

Both engines failed due to this fuel discrepancy, and the Aircraft crashed between Valley and Mona  (Valley's satellite field) killing one of the crew.

 

It was July 1973. I was on a Phantom squadron stationed at Bruggen but was detached to Valley for some missile firings in Cardigan Bay. The weather wasn't suitable for our purposes so we weren't flying when it happened but we heard what was going on; not nice. As I remember it hit a barn or something similar and the nav was killed; the pilot was the Valley station commander who was badly injured but survived.

 

Dave

 

Dave 

[Tony_S]

I had two cars that I couldn’t identify a fault causing them not to start. In both cases it could be a fuel fault mimicing an ignition fault or vice versa. The Volvo turned out to have both faults. With the Escort I never found out, as I was so fed up of trying to fault find I took everything to bits, put it back together and it all worked, so I sold it.