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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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 Posted -
25/11/2004
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14:20
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I've always been fascinated by the things people do in their spare time when they can do exactly what they want to do. Men and sheds are a particularly fertile field. Women tend to do their thing in the comfort of the house.
I was delighted to see Andy's picture of the clock movement he has made.
It struck me that we could perhaps start a new topic devoted to spare time skill. So Andy starts it off and my contribution is this:
It's a small steam engine made from scratch and is based on the Stuart 5A but a longer stroke. One of these will drive a 14 foot boat with steam at 250psi. By the way, we don't like to call them models, it's exactly the same construction and materials as a full size engine, just smaller. So come on out there, let's hear about what you make in your spare time. I reckon we could be in for some surprises!
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk
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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 27/11/2004 : 14:02
I reckon he probably thought it out himself while trying to work out the chiming mechanism for his clock movement.
Actually, in one sense Andy is right, everyone has there own talents and proclivities. I am actually a crap turner if you are talking about really precise work. Most of my work hs been making parts for engines etc or doing repairs to old machinery parts. The point is I get so much pleasure out of taking a lump of material, no matter how tough, and imposing my will on it. The best maker of small machines I have ever come across it Cherry Hinton. Her work is just amazing but I would never have the patience to do it. Each to his or her own but I firmly believe that everyone has a talent for something and if it's socialising, whether in a pub or anywhere else, that's an equal skill. I'm actually very bad at it and substitute other spare time occupations for it. I really do think I am deficient in that respect but instead of fretting about it I do my own thing.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk  |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 27/11/2004 : 18:50
Doc called in tonight and caught me making muck with a lump of Cast iron in the lathe. He was quite impressed and thought Im was doing precision work making a part for a steam engine. I had to disabuse him. Thuth to tell it has been far too long since I went into the playroom, for the last three years the LTP and ariting has been full time. About three weeks ago I trip[ped over something in the dark on the playing field on Bank Street and the following morning, in daylight, I found it was a cast iron pad that used to be on the wall of the mill to carry the outside end of the hilding bolt for a bearing housing inside. It was a good sized lump of iron so I brought it home. Never walk past a good piece of material! I decided it would make a good base for something si I chucked it into the four jaw and the result is a useful lump that will make a good lamp bbase. I shall have to ponder on it. So when Doc came in I was looking extremely impressive and competent but actually I was reminding myself what a lathe is for! [If you look carefully at the lathe on the right in the playroom pic you'll see a big lump in the chuck. That was the front face.
He brought me some eggs as well.....
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
andydiamond
Hairy Horologist
424 Posts
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Posted - 27/11/2004 : 19:27
Credit where credit is due Colin, the watercolour is EXCELLENT, I would be happy to have it on my wall. So don't say you are no good with your hands anymore, cos it's not true . . .well done mate.(can we see some more?)
Andy.
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Another
Traycle Mine Overseer
6250 Posts
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Posted - 27/11/2004 : 20:23
Thanks Andy. I've posted a couple more in Pictures. Love, Colin
" I'm a self made man who worships his creator"  |
Ringo
Site Administrator
3793 Posts
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Posted - 28/11/2004 : 00:20
I also think your pictures are very good, i also would be happy to have them on my wall.
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Ringo
Site Administrator
3793 Posts
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Posted - 28/11/2004 : 00:22
I totally agree with you stanley about never walking past a good piece of metal, i always keep anything i find being thrown out at work, everything fron brass to titanium, so if you ever need anything give us a shout and i will see what i can dig up.
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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 28/11/2004 : 13:14
Have you seen the water colours Colin has put in the pics section? Brilliant. I particularly like Evening Forest. This is a real talent.....
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Another
Traycle Mine Overseer
6250 Posts
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Posted - 28/11/2004 : 15:29
Ric, Stanley, thank you both for your kind comments, they are very much appreciated. Colin
" I'm a self made man who worships his creator" |
andydiamond
Hairy Horologist
424 Posts
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Posted - 29/11/2004 : 15:21
Very, very nice work Colin, ...and I wasn't upset about the clock comment, I thought it was bloody funny!
Andy.
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Another
Traycle Mine Overseer
6250 Posts
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Posted - 29/11/2004 : 17:56
Cheers Andy. I'll keep on trying. You never know Barrowford library might beckon one day. Colin
" I'm a self made man who worships his creator" |
marilyn
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Posted - 30/11/2004 : 03:12
Hobbies keep the grey cells working...it doesn't matter what your hobby is. Even reading works a differnt part of the brain than staring at the goggle box all the time. I am ridiculed by my family because I never sit still, and I have to be doing something all the time. My husband says I'm like a blowfly trapped in a bottle! I have five quilts on the go at present. I've been working on my W.O.M.B.A.T. one today (Waste Of Money Brains And Time), and I call it that because it's a challenge and I've had some horrific problems with it. I am finally "almost there"...and that is a good feeling. Trying to free up some time to commence one that is composed of 10 inch hexagons...and each hexagon has 72 sewn parts.
I get a bit miffed that my family don't appreciate what I'm achieving...but that's OK! I don't know where I get my itch to do this stuff from either. Mum couldn't sew a button on, and my sister brings me all her mending!
Gran worked in the mills around Barlick...and the Bancroft I believe...maybe this addiction comes from her!
get your people to phone my people and we will do lunch...MAZ |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 30/11/2004 : 05:52
I don't think oy's an addiction, more a creative urge. I am making a base for an angle poise lamp at the moment. Totally uneconomic and made out of bits of scrap but when I've finished it there will be some of me in it. It will also be a better lamp base than you can possibly buy. You're right Marylin, people don't understand but it's a very deep instinct and giving it rein does you good.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
marilyn
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Posted - 01/12/2004 : 05:39
Yeah...you are probably right. And my interests have certainly sustained me through some dark days, and for that I am very grateful.
get your people to phone my people and we will do lunch...MAZ |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 01/12/2004 : 14:12
Here's the lamp with its new base. Shall I paint it or just wax it.... Wax I think.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
andydiamond
Hairy Horologist
424 Posts
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Posted - 01/12/2004 : 19:55
I hope that is going on a good strong table Stanley,one thing for sure,...It ain't going to topple over!!
Andy.
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Shed culture
