From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

Is R.C.M. working and everyone OK?
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 9/16/2025 3:10 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

Is R.C.M. working and everyone OK?

I read you 5X5 ... all is well here at The 12 Acre Wood . I spent my morning identifying and repairing electrical issues on my "new-to-me"
Yanmar 1500D tractor . It's now charging from it's onboard alternator
and the dash warning lights are working . Got too hot to work outside
before I found the fuse links ... so the horn , turn signals , and
headlights will have to wait .
--
Snag
We live in a time where intelligent people
are being silenced so that
stupid people won't be offended.
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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 9/16/2025 1:10 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

Is R.C.M. working and everyone OK?

Far as I know.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff

--
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG antivirus software.
www.avg.com
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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Tue, 16 Sep 2025 16:10:23 -0400, "Jim Wilkins"
<muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

Is R.C.M. working and everyone OK?

I live! (according to my doctor)
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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Snag" wrote in message news:10acii6$2qo8o$1@dont-email.me...

On 9/16/2025 3:10 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

Is R.C.M. working and everyone OK?

I read you 5X5 ... all is well here at The 12 Acre Wood . I spent my
morning identifying and repairing electrical issues on my "new-to-me"
Yanmar 1500D tractor . It's now charging from it's onboard alternator
and the dash warning lights are working . Got too hot to work outside
before I found the fuse links ... so the horn , turn signals , and
headlights will have to wait .
Snag

------------------------------

Similar electrical system projects here. I removed the 2000 Honda's distributor and drilled out and retapped a rust-frozen and broken 5mm cap screw, a simple task on a vertical milling machine, which has paid back its cost. Kroil has freed some rusted bolts in steel but not this one in
aluminum. It's next to the cap vent and perhaps ozone from high voltage sparking attacked it, I'm told the localized corrosion there is common.

A rusted engine mount bolt into a hollow frame section that would start turning and then jam from thread rust inside came out after wedging a bronze bore brush against it through the nearby small drainage hole that had let water in. The undercar bolts yearly LPS-3 spray could reach loosen after 25 New England winters but the inaccessible ones may need drilling. I'm told Waxoyl and Woolwax (lanolin) are also effective, though messier.

The 1991 Ford needs a windshield wiper switch, I found two sources.
Restorers tell me parts are still available for much older American
vehicles. A friend turning a 1970ish Malibu into an SS Chevelle has found what he needed. He said he could buy all the parts to build one if
necessary.

Test driving new cars and trucks convinced me to keep my simpler old ones, that have taller clear windows, full-sized spare tires and for which I could and did buy the factory shop manuals. The lane-keeping assist that works
very well for me was tightening the steering play adjustment. I might add
rear view cameras, otherwise I don't need the expensive and reportedly troublesome modern extras.


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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

Yup,
r.c.m. does seem to be working
and
I seem to be fairly alright :-)
Regards,
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m1seglexvi.fsf@void.com...

Yup,
r.c.m. does seem to be working
and
I seem to be fairly alright :-)
Regards,

--------------------------------

I was concerned because you hinted you hadn't been.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:23:37 -0400, "Jim Wilkins"
<muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

"Snag" wrote in message news:10acii6$2qo8o$1@dont-email.me...

On 9/16/2025 3:10 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

Is R.C.M. working and everyone OK?

I read you 5X5 ... all is well here at The 12 Acre Wood . I spent my
morning identifying and repairing electrical issues on my "new-to-me"
Yanmar 1500D tractor . It's now charging from it's onboard alternator
and the dash warning lights are working . Got too hot to work outside
before I found the fuse links ... so the horn , turn signals , and
headlights will have to wait .
Snag

------------------------------

Similar electrical system projects here. I removed the 2000 Honda's >distributor and drilled out and retapped a rust-frozen and broken 5mm cap >screw, a simple task on a vertical milling machine, which has paid back its >cost. Kroil has freed some rusted bolts in steel but not this one in >aluminum. It's next to the cap vent and perhaps ozone from high voltage >sparking attacked it, I'm told the localized corrosion there is common.

A rusted engine mount bolt into a hollow frame section that would start >turning and then jam from thread rust inside came out after wedging a bronze >bore brush against it through the nearby small drainage hole that had let >water in. The undercar bolts yearly LPS-3 spray could reach loosen after 25 >New England winters but the inaccessible ones may need drilling. I'm told >Waxoyl and Woolwax (lanolin) are also effective, though messier.

The 1991 Ford needs a windshield wiper switch, I found two sources. >Restorers tell me parts are still available for much older American >vehicles. A friend turning a 1970ish Malibu into an SS Chevelle has found >what he needed. He said he could buy all the parts to build one if >necessary.

Test driving new cars and trucks convinced me to keep my simpler old ones, >that have taller clear windows, full-sized spare tires and for which I could >and did buy the factory shop manuals. The lane-keeping assist that works >very well for me was tightening the steering play adjustment. I might add >rear view cameras, otherwise I don't need the expensive and reportedly >troublesome modern extras.

And the degree in Gismology to drive the damned things!
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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Gerry" wrote in message news:invmckpu7aj5i2hue8es1rb9k3v8ku7g6n@4ax.com...

On Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:23:37 -0400, "Jim Wilkins"
<muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

... otherwise I don't need the expensive and reportedly

troublesome modern extras.

And the degree in Gismology to drive the damned things! --------------------------------
During the "preflight" familiarization I ask the salesperson to turn off all the automatic driving assists. I don't use or need cruise control to hold a steady speed and tightening the steering box cured a slight tendency to wander.

It appears that my 2000 Honda may have a Double DIN radio size that will
take an LCD screen with a backup camera, I could use one and GPS+NAV. Has anyone done this?

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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> writes:

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m1seglexvi.fsf@void.com... Yup,
r.c.m. does seem to be working
and
I seem to be fairly alright :-)
Regards,

--------------------------------

I was concerned because you hinted you hadn't been.

I think I have learned a lot as I looked back on the summer of
(intended!) activities.
The impression was so little result for the time - and that was for sure
only my own fault (is that really true though?).
However life does teach you that fundamental realisations don't come
easily (cheaply) - they cost in pain almost always.

So you have a feeling there was a need to go through aggravations on a
path to realisations coming.
That much I was philosophical and reflective about.

Those reflections have ended-up reaching far back - a sort of grand reconciliation.

The essence is that anything I want to do I have to do it all myself
in-house.
I previously asked about "machine tools" and you were all absolutely
emphaticly "yes!".

The reconciliation in the mind is that the mind which sees the "useful projects" and the way to do them has learned from doing and driving
before. I have to do that doing. That it is unlikely that group
projects on my aspirations can deliver. You always end up having to
accept a compromise which has even more consequences than you could
visualise departing from the plan you had - with huge time-consequences
and waste of energy "flogging dead horses" and that energy not put to "I
got the steel in; I welded in my outbuilding; I ...".

Getting through my Doctorate after everything wrecked-up, working in
industrial plants when I got the chance, working in Turkey rescuing
regarding the welding aspect the 3rd bridge over the Bosphorus - all
involved team-work, collaboration and fostering a shared vision of a
shared endeavour.

That had supplanted the go-for-it of learning to repair motorcycles and tinkering leading to what launched my Doctorate - I saw methods and I
did the pilot-tests which showed feasiblity then came up with the
"full-spec." methods which delivered the results.

But now things come a full circle.

Collaboration would be like
"Here's this chalcopyrite (the primary copper ore) 'which I found lying
in my garden as it just so happened' which I've broken-up - will you
grind it? Jim has got a lab. froth-floation machine. Bill has the
firebricks to build a furnace in his garden" - etc, etc.
Make my contribution "modular".

There are some others.

But broadly - reflecting on it all, there's a lot of things "dropping
into place", many of which give quite an upbeat self-validation.

I do see that what I have done has worked straight-off because I thought
it through. Did calculations I actually find quite nice - maybe what a cross-word-puzzle person gets. Make a coffee and settle at my desk for
an enjoyable time-out picking through the challenge. But calculations
others find impossibly difficult. The insights and the means to do
them. "In the sum of everything" the methods I have built-up for
practical tasks do deliver. So for instance the rod-mill worked
first-off...
It would be demoralising going through try after try, none really
getting there for reasons you can't figure.

I see that without a specific objective to wake up to each morning time slipped-away like sand pouring between parted fingers.

The "model" is the very productive time on building work on my home in
late summer into autumn. I knew every morning when I woke up exactly
what needed "hitting". Plus - I felt good!
So yes - keep "my" projects "modular" in that I contribute parts I do
the doing on.

I don't know if any of this makes sense...

Just a little other point.

We did have a disappointment in the late Spring. Knowing the reopening
local tin mines - tin is not distributed like most other minerals are -
would have a need for "core drilling", and having a machine left-over in
the hobby-mine from when it was a training mine - think like Colorado
School of Mines - we thought "this is it".
We could drag one of these down levels in existing / abandoned mines and
have a several-hundred metre start on "proper" drilling machines "at
grass". Plus, as the lode structures are usually parallel on the same
about 10deg to 20deg to vertical in the mineralised areas, we visualised
- and geologists confirmed - drilling "sideways" from existing levels
would in most cases give optimal angle on the suspected / likely
untapped lodes.
Yes it wouldn't meet "standards" particularly those for raising vast
amounts of money on stock-exchanges because the cores are too small -
but - you wouldn't pay for the "to spec." drilling until you damn' well
knew the assay, thickness and extent of the target lode.
(that's a lesson in science and in welding - don't pay for expensive
tests until you damn' well know what the answer will be)
However, the first reopening mine "wanted experience", and said
experienced person hired "our" core-catcher from our "group" but we were otherwise shut-out. We all had to go other ways, getting our daily
bread elsewhere.
One would have thought a company would try to get more than one source
of a critical resource - in this case diamond core drilling teams - but apparently not.

"All we had to do" was mess-around going through the learning-curve diamond-drilling into "sterile" granite at the hobby mine. Yes we would
have had to make a few gifts towards the electricity bill for running the compressor at-surface for our "pillocking-around" - it didn't half
produce a spike in the electricity consumption doing as much as we did.
But miners of the era until 1999 did say the only way to learn is
exactly what we were doing.

Even this though is part of the overal philosophical "fitting it all
together". Got to feature into plans that nothing will be "plain
sailing".

Well, big response.
Best wishes,
Rich S
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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m1y0qan51h.fsf@void.com...

The essence is that anything I want to do I have to do it all myself
in-house.
I previously asked about "machine tools" and you were all absolutely
emphaticly "yes!".

The reconciliation in the mind is that the mind which sees the "useful projects" and the way to do them has learned from doing and driving
before. I have to do that doing. That it is unlikely that group
projects on my aspirations can deliver. You always end up having to
accept a compromise which has even more consequences than you could
visualise departing from the plan you had - with huge time-consequences
and waste of energy "flogging dead horses" and that energy not put to "I
got the steel in; I welded in my outbuilding; I ...". --------------------------

When designing and building industrial electronic test equipment I was at
the mercy of mechanical engineers and the machine shop for everything I couldn't make with a file, drill press, sheet metal shear and brake.
Whatever I wanted had to be fully described and toleranced on a drawing,
they wouldn't tolerate cut-and-try. I can't blame them, degreed engineers
can be notoriously clueless outside their specialty, and sometimes at the hands-on aspects within it.

As I didn't know machining at the time I couldn't distinguish the hard and easy ways to do a job, for example I would round a corner to control 40 KiloVolt corona discharge by grinding and filing, the shop would order a corner-rounding end mill in the size I specified. They knew nothing of electrical problems so they would suggest the solutions they could do based
on how they chose to interpret my attempts to explain.

I found that a local school offered night classes in machine shop and jumped on the chance to learn, as also with programming, welding and blacksmithing. The student-abused machines were valuable to learn proper versus excessive cutting feeds and speeds through experience as well as how to accommodate
the wear and damage to the old lathe, mill and surface grinder I bought. Fortunately others made the more spectacular mistakes such as shattering a surface grinding wheel, I only burned an endmill.

The buying approach I partly chose and partly lucked into was acquiring machine tools sized above model steam engine building and below what's practical for production, apparently a range meant for a model shop, tool maker or inventor. Old American iron was available when I looked in the 1990's, for less than what new import machines of similar capacity and
weight (rigidity) cost. I probably could have done most of the same work on new imports, perhaps an 8"~9" diameter lathe and square column mill drill. I had to sadly pass on larger machines I didn't have room for, a Bridgeport
and Monarch. The surface grinder wasn't as necessary and the mill eliminates the need for a bench sized drill press and the clearance space around that
it consumes.

My machines suffice for most of what I want to make because I know their limits. I've learned enough to adequately specify the jobs I can't do and
send out to a larger shop. There have been a couple of them this summer, not too expensive because I did the prep and fixturing. The DIY constructions you've described are in the same range of size and power.

My most recent lathe job was a custom 5mm automotive screw of non-standard length with a turned-down section on the shank to captivate it in the partly tapped bushing on the distributor cap. I made it from stainless because the original rusted, froze and broke. It's a small simple part, but essential
and unavailable for a 25 year old car, particularly in stainless. The mill
had drilled out the broken screw remains in the distributor casting
accurately and squarely enough to keep the drill bit from deflecting into
the softer aluminium.
jsw

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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m1y0qan51h.fsf@void.com...

Collaboration would be like
"Here's this chalcopyrite (the primary copper ore) 'which I found lying
in my garden as it just so happened' which I've broken-up - will you
grind it? Jim has got a lab. froth-floation machine. Bill has the
firebricks to build a furnace in his garden" - etc, etc.
Make my contribution "modular".

---------------------------------
The British approach to electronic warfare R&D during WW2 was like that,
very small teams on tasks that could be modularized such that each member handled an entire electrical or mechanical aspect and the only collaboration required was connecting them. I was part of a similarly managed project to design a tester for advanced semiconductors.

In the Farm Hall transcripts the captured German atomic scientists discussed R&D group dynamics after hearing of the US success and complained that
Germans couldn't and hadn't cooperated as well as they assumed the Americans had on such a large project. Their egos were too big and Nazi dogma promoted competition instead of cooperation. They hinted that they hadn't really
wanted to succeed. My "Copenhagen" guess is that Bohr and Heisenberg
discussed ways to appear to make progress without actually doing it. I think the same was true of Kammler's Bell which I can see as an X-Ray antiaircraft weapon.

https://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/pdf/eng/English101.pdf

"KORSHING: That shows at any rate that the Americans are capable of real cooperation on a
tremendous scale. That would have been impossible in Germany. Each one said that the
other was unimportant."

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Fri, 19 Sep 2025 09:29:22 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:
<snip>

The mill
had drilled out the broken screw remains in the distributor casting >accurately and squarely enough to keep the drill bit from deflecting into >the softer aluminium.

Nice job!
Removing broken off metal parts stuck in aluminum (or anything soft)
really sucksEfyaN+A
I broke off a threaded bolt while changing the thermostat in old
truck years ago. Simple 30 minute job became whole day job. Even worse
I broke off a harden steel EZ-Out in the broken bolt stub tooEfOaN+A
I got out the Dremel and a Carbide cutter I'd bought years ago but
never used. Was REALLY surprised to find this actually worked and I
ground out the broken off EZ-Out albeit very slow. Had to work at a
~45deg angle to my vision, so couldn't really see what I was doing. I
noticed early on while cutting on the EZ-Out that it sounded different
if I drifted off it into the aluminum. Once the EZ-Out was gone I just
kept working on the broken bolt stub by ear. It went a lot faster than
the EZ-Out. Once I chewed through the length of it to aluminum on one
side what was left came out.
I picked up a metric tap for it the next day to clean up what was left
between cutting and corrosion. It still had enough threads left to do
the job with a new bolt okay.
In hindsight I should have just used the hole drilled into bolt stub for
EZ-Out to guide the Dremel cutter instead. Listened to the noise while
cutting to guide it. Would have taken maybe an hour extra instead of a
day.
I knew better than to try an EZ-Out for a job like this but the bolt
had been moving a bit by wrench early on. I just didn't want to go get
a better suited wrench to tease it back and forth and broke it off
being too impatient...
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI
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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Leon Fisk" wrote in message news:10ajpdn$ftpt$1@dont-email.me...

I knew better than to try an EZ-Out for a job like this but the bolt
had been moving a bit by wrench early on. I just didn't want to go get
a better suited wrench to tease it back and forth and broke it off
being too impatient...
Leon Fisk

-----------------------------------
I used to tear down and rebuild older motorcycles for education (not profit) and EZ-Outs rarely worked for me on 6mm screws frozen into aluminum. Usually
a hammered impact driver got them out eventually, maybe the axial impacts opposite the tightening direction cracked the corrosion locking the screw thread to the aluminum.

I can't always tell if the bolt is starting to turn or to shear. Kroil in a needle bottle is a definite help, not a guaranteed fix. I've had to use the part that was attached as a guide to make a jig with matching holes that fit their screws closely, with a drill bit guide sleeve at the broken screw location. The distributor cap served to locate the broken screw under the
mill spindle with a center finder.

The current project is the wipers in the 1991 Ranger. Low and Intermittent don't always work, High does. I replaced the multifunction switch on the column which showed some suspiciously high resistance readings after 150,000 miles. At dawn when it was cold everything worked, at noon in the sun the failure was back. Contact problem? The motor seems OK when powered directly through its connector via 1/16" Molex pins. I'm checking things in the order of their ease of access.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Jim Wilkins" wrote in message news:10ak3rg$krco$1@dont-email.me...

...I replaced the multifunction switch on the
column which showed some suspiciously high resistance readings after 150,000 miles. ...
--------------------------------
That is a known issue with switch contacts. The oxide buildup shows
resistance at the low voltage and current of a DVM resistance measurement
but not so much at its higher normal working voltage and current, which
"punch through" the oxide at least temporarily. Those contacts still lit
turn signal bulbs brightly (my test lamp). On a high end Keithley 580 Micro-Ohmmeter there is a setting that limits the test voltage to 20mV to measure the resistance of the undisturbed oxide.

Switches meant for low voltage and power usually have gold-plated contacts that don't oxidize, the better switches for higher power use a
silver-cadmium alloy whose oxide is conductive. Gold-plated "dry contact" switches can be damaged by arcing if opened at higher power levels.

The contacts in starter motors I've fixed had thick copper contacts which
had burned away enough to no longer connect. I built them back up with
brazing rod which lasted 40,000 miles, twice.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Fri, 19 Sep 2025 13:27:57 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

<snip>

At dawn when it was cold everything worked, at noon in the sun the
failure was back. Contact problem?

Suspect you already know this...

The old motor assemblies like what was on my standard wiper 1982 Chevy
K10 had a set of "park contacts" inside them. Parking being completed
wiper in the down position after turning them off.
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Leon Fisk" wrote in message news:10ak96v$llo3$1@dont-email.me...

On Fri, 19 Sep 2025 13:27:57 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

<snip>

At dawn when it was cold everything worked, at noon in the sun the
failure was back. Contact problem?

Suspect you already know this...

The old motor assemblies like what was on my standard wiper 1982 Chevy
K10 had a set of "park contacts" inside them. Parking being completed
wiper in the down position after turning them off.
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI
------------------------------------
My 78 Accord was like that with a separate interrupted circular contact
track that continued to power the motor after shutting it off until the
wiper blades reached the Park position, I cleaned and greased it when it became sluggish.

This 91 Ford has only gears visible in the box, the Park power switching function (which still works) appears to come from an electronic module
tucked somewhere under the dash. I'll have to remove the seat to get my head under there, only a section of dash below the steering column removes for access.

I just opened the gearbox and haven't yet made enough jumper wires to power and test it without short circuit risk, the motor ran properly on external power while installed. The Hi and Lo motor connections are direct and the
Park signal is the +12V or Gnd output of a switch that may be under the
output shaft gear.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:06:22 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

My 78 Accord was like that with a separate interrupted circular contact >track that continued to power the motor after shutting it off until the >wiper blades reached the Park position, I cleaned and greased it when it >became sluggish.

This 91 Ford has only gears visible in the box, the Park power switching >function (which still works) appears to come from an electronic module >tucked somewhere under the dash. I'll have to remove the seat to get my head >under there, only a section of dash below the steering column removes for >access.

I just opened the gearbox and haven't yet made enough jumper wires to power >and test it without short circuit risk, the motor ran properly on external >power while installed. The Hi and Lo motor connections are direct and the >Park signal is the +12V or Gnd output of a switch that may be under the >output shaft gear.

Found a ~40mb pdf Service Manual here, seemed to have wiring info for
wipers:

https://gimmemanuals.com/servicing/ford/ranger/ford-ranger-4wd-workshop-manual-v6-245-4-0l-1991.pdf

If that doesn't work directly try this link:

https://servicingmanuals.com/manual/1991-ford-ranger-4wd-4-0-workshop-manual/ --
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Leon Fisk" wrote in message news:10akjdd$llo3$2@dont-email.me...

Found a ~40mb pdf Service Manual here, seemed to have wiring info for
wipers:

https://gimmemanuals.com/servicing/ford/ranger/ford-ranger-4wd-workshop-manual-v6-245-4-0l-1991.pdf

If that doesn't work directly try this link:

https://servicingmanuals.com/manual/1991-ford-ranger-4wd-4-0-workshop-manual/ --
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI

-------------------------------------------------
Thank you very much.

I do have the full set of factory manuals from Helms, the problem is finding things in them as info is scattered, grouped by type rather than subject,
and they aren't well indexed. The files you found are searchable, 325
matches for "wiper".

I've been redrawing the separate component internals, wiring harness and connector pinout drawings to have them in one place.

The Engine/Emissions-Diagnosis manual covers all 1991 engines and vehicles
and is 4" thick, the Ranger/Explorer/Aerostar books add up to nearly as
much.

I quickly decided these vehicles were long term keepers and bought the consumables, manuals and special tools to take care of them.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Fri, 19 Sep 2025 13:27:57 -0400, "Jim Wilkins"
<muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

"Leon Fisk" wrote in message news:10ajpdn$ftpt$1@dont-email.me...

I knew better than to try an EZ-Out for a job like this but the bolt
had been moving a bit by wrench early on. I just didn't want to go get
a better suited wrench to tease it back and forth and broke it off
being too impatient...
Leon Fisk

-----------------------------------
I used to tear down and rebuild older motorcycles for education (not profit) >and EZ-Outs rarely worked for me on 6mm screws frozen into aluminum. Usually >a hammered impact driver got them out eventually, maybe the axial impacts >opposite the tightening direction cracked the corrosion locking the screw >thread to the aluminum.

I can't always tell if the bolt is starting to turn or to shear. Kroil in a >needle bottle is a definite help, not a guaranteed fix. I've had to use the >part that was attached as a guide to make a jig with matching holes that fit >their screws closely, with a drill bit guide sleeve at the broken screw >location. The distributor cap served to locate the broken screw under the >mill spindle with a center finder.

The current project is the wipers in the 1991 Ranger. Low and Intermittent >don't always work, High does. I replaced the multifunction switch on the >column which showed some suspiciously high resistance readings after 150,000 >miles. At dawn when it was cold everything worked, at noon in the sun the >failure was back. Contact problem? The motor seems OK when powered directly >through its connector via 1/16" Molex pins. I'm checking things in the order >of their ease of access.

On a 1990 Lumina van, I ended up running numerous grounding straps.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Gerry" wrote in message news:gn6sck57vn33338v7gi392pbanm1rcnam1@4ax.com...

On a 1990 Lumina van, I ended up running numerous grounding straps.

Power and ground tend to be ignored until one gains troubleshooting experience. On some of the automated test equipment I worked on we had to measure and control their currents, and in sensitive measurement circuits
keep the ground current down to a few milliamps. There were separate analog, digital and "High Quality" measurement grounds joined by low value resistors and back-to-back diodes.

Nothing on the analog side exceeded 10 KHz, measurements were given a few milliseconds to settle, mostly because of capacitive dielectric absorption decay in the custom Teflon-insulated reed relays and coaxial cables made by
WL Gore. I built an instrument to measure and display it at the level of picoamps. The project engineer had been a designer at Keithley and I learned
a lot about precision automated measurement from him, which helped at Mitre where the engineers were experts in radio but not the computerized voltage measurement that digital radio introduced.

Microwave digital radio had the additional concern of the impedance of the power circuit which has to be treated as parts of controlled impedance transmission lines, the source and return path for signal currents. I was given a problem board to troubleshoot that another department's Ph.Ds had struggled with for two weeks. A glance at the circuit board inner layer
prints showed the problem, they had used low frequency design rules in which the grounds for various circuit functions are separated into lobes and converge in a small area, to break up ground loops.

What they missed was the large current spike when a high speed and power 74S logic family bus carrying the A/D measurement output from the analog to the digital ground regions changes state. In that nanosecond the ground planes
on both sides could have up to 3V momentarily between them, swamping the receiving inputs, before the ground return current could make it to and back from the common junction at about 6" per nanosecond, ~= c/2. The 15 minutes
I needed to solve the problem was mostly spend setting up a convincing scope display of the "ground bounce." https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/what-is-ground-bounce

When I designed a microwave frequency digital radio I controlled
interactions in the continuous inner layer power and ground planes by where each circuit was located relative to the power feed, and used multiple
values of bypass caps whose self-resonant frequencies didn't overlap. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/2019-capacitor-self-resonant-frequency-and-signal-integrity
"You can also easily [measure capacitor resonance] with a vector network analyzer."
If you have and know how to use one.
https://nanovna.com/
In college I became totally lost during the lessons on Laplace transforms
and the S plane. Later in night school we learned how to use rather than worship complex number math.

I snatched up a Keithley Micro-Ohmmeter at a flea market. It still worked
fine but the 1980's HPIB data output had become obsolete, the company had changed to USB. It can easily show the resistance of an inch of 10 AWG wire, and of course switches, breakers and rusted ground screws. My other problem detector is a thermal imager that reveals heating from IR drops. 5A through 10AWG wire shows up clearly, 2A is visible. Bad connections glow like light bulbs.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Sat, 20 Sep 2025 08:33:05 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

<snip>

My other problem
detector is a thermal imager that reveals heating from IR drops. 5A through >10AWG wire shows up clearly, 2A is visible. Bad connections glow like light >bulbs.

I've wanted something like that (thermal imaging) since my working days.
Best I could do back then was a temp probe in a blob of silicone grease
on suspect components.

Would still like one but have no particular need right now. Nowadays I
try hard to have patience with items like this. It's better to wait
until really need it and then buy current or recent offerings.
Prices and abilities for these items keep getting better at a rapid
pace.

I have a cheap infrared temp gun. It's helpful and will be good enough
for now...
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Leon Fisk" wrote in message news:10amd9e$13eaf$1@dont-email.me...

I've wanted something like that (thermal imaging) since my working days.
Best I could do back then was a temp probe in a blob of silicone grease
on suspect components.

Would still like one but have no particular need right now. Nowadays I
try hard to have patience with items like this. It's better to wait
until really need it and then buy current or recent offerings.
Prices and abilities for these items keep getting better at a rapid
pace.

I have a cheap infrared temp gun. It's helpful and will be good enough
for now...
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI
------------------------------------
I bought this one and have no complaints with it. https://www.amazon.com/VEVOR-Thermal-Imaging-Camera-Rechargeable/dp/B0BGRSF97F?

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Sat, 20 Sep 2025 15:13:07 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

I bought this one and have no complaints with it. >https://www.amazon.com/VEVOR-Thermal-Imaging-Camera-Rechargeable/dp/B0BGRSF97F?

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind if the need comes up or I can't resist
buying one any longerEfaiN+A
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> writes:

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m1y0qan51h.fsf@void.com...

The essence is that anything I want to do I have to do it all myself in-house.
I previously asked about "machine tools" and you were all absolutely emphaticly "yes!".

The reconciliation in the mind is that the mind which sees the "useful projects" and the way to do them has learned from doing and driving
before. I have to do that doing. That it is unlikely that group
projects on my aspirations can deliver. You always end up having to
accept a compromise which has even more consequences than you could
visualise departing from the plan you had - with huge time-consequences
and waste of energy "flogging dead horses" and that energy not put to "I
got the steel in; I welded in my outbuilding; I ...". --------------------------

When designing and building industrial electronic test equipment I was
at the mercy of mechanical engineers and the machine shop for
everything I couldn't make with a file, drill press, sheet metal shear
and brake. Whatever I wanted had to be fully described and toleranced
on a drawing, they wouldn't tolerate cut-and-try. I can't blame them,
degreed engineers can be notoriously clueless outside their specialty,
and sometimes at the hands-on aspects within it.

As I didn't know machining at the time I couldn't distinguish the hard
and easy ways to do a job, for example I would round a corner to
control 40 KiloVolt corona discharge by grinding and filing, the shop
would order a corner-rounding end mill in the size I specified. They
knew nothing of electrical problems so they would suggest the
solutions they could do based on how they chose to interpret my
attempts to explain.

I found that a local school offered night classes in machine shop and
jumped on the chance to learn, as also with programming, welding and blacksmithing. The student-abused machines were valuable to learn
proper versus excessive cutting feeds and speeds through experience as
well as how to accommodate the wear and damage to the old lathe, mill
and surface grinder I bought. Fortunately others made the more
spectacular mistakes such as shattering a surface grinding wheel, I
only burned an endmill.

The buying approach I partly chose and partly lucked into was
acquiring machine tools sized above model steam engine building and
below what's practical for production, ...
...

You were forced to overspecify everything... ?

"The pigs all had their snouts in the trough".
By this everyone can get paid for doing nothing.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> writes:

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m1y0qan51h.fsf@void.com...

The essence is that anything I want to do I have to do it all myself in-house.
...

--------------------------

When designing and building industrial electronic test equipment ...

A crucial point which had been in mind and I didn't mention:

I have to be "a happening person".
Someone it is for others to want to engage with.

In a declining economy ("Project Ukraine" has made any previous woes
many-fold worse) I see retrospectively it has been futile being
"nice-guy" foot-slogging around companies - without being that strong
happening person.

If I am to have anything, I have to recognise my strengths and abilities clearly and get doing a lot of those things.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m1a52o6uwz.fsf@void.com...

"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> writes:
...

You were forced to overspecify everything... ?

"The pigs all had their snouts in the trough".
By this everyone can get paid for doing nothing.

-----------------------------------

Sometimes, depending on conditions. When trying something new available products are rarely a close match, and industry required what appeared to be overspecifying based on previous incidents, like a forklift puncturing an electrical cabinet. That resulted in the requirement that all internal hazardous voltage be run through grounded conduit so a short would pop a breaker, and regardless of power level any exposed wiring outside enclosures had to be too strong to break accidentally or intentionally by hand, 16AWG. The external panel controls had to be oil-tight to protect them from conductive or flammable coolant spray from whatever they were placed beside and soapy water wash-downs with a hose. Oil-tight switch controls were
several times more expensive, and modular so their switching functions could be changed with a screwdriver, such as single pole single throw to double
pole double throw. Lab equipment wasn't subject to those requirements but we met them anyway since we were prepared for them. Delivery is quicker if you have stock on hand and charge for its replacement. I do that for common hardware at home too.

Idiot-proofing encourages hiring cheaper idiots as operators. The history of infantry weapons and tactics demonstrates this when compared to artillery which required more careful handling. An example today is singers dropping a fragile and expensive professional microphone. Air hose nozzles became
vented and less effective because some idiot worker once pushed a high pressure nozzle against another and punctured the skin.

Automotive electronics can be subject to nearly the temperature stress of fighter jets, for example a snowplow in Alaska (or NH) starting cold and ramming at full power into a snowbank, or being splashed with icy water. As
an apprentice I helped assemble a large expensive machine that rapidly
cycled a batch of GM HEI ignition modules between hot and cold limits while testing their proper operation. If a loose or corroded battery clamp disconnects the alternator can generate around 100V until the energy stored
in the rotor has dissipated and the voltage regulator regains control of
rotor current.

Aviation electronics had to at least stay in place during a shock of
somewhat over 30 g's (?) so they wouldn't fly into the cockpit during a
rough belly landing. That one was a mechanical engineer's problem to solve,
as was adequate cooling airflow at altitude which seemed excessive on the ground. Some WW2 aircraft engines fed supercharged air into the distributor
to avoid sparks jumping at high altitude.

Submarines were/are? tested to the pressure equivalent of 10,000' altitude. Diesels pull a vacuum in the hull if the snorkel closes from a large wave.
The radar stealth coating on WW2 U-boot Schnorchels didn't hide them from
the latest secret Allied radar, the boats were out until the war's end but ineffective after spring 1943. Those are examples of conditions one might
not expect or design for.

New equipment intended to test other new equipment sometimes needed modification as the specs changed, using components with higher ratings was
a valuable hedge. An example I can mention is the Apollo spacecraft flight control computer that had more computation to do during the actual moon landing than had been expected or tested for. It's supposed failure was a watchdog timer lamp that flashed because the program couldn't cycle through all tasks in a pre-specified time which had been initially assumed to be
more than adequate, and could be changed in hardware if the programmers knew to ask. The program loop's final task was to reset the timer that kept the light off, presumably unless the computer crashed. I heard that from the
Mitre engineer who had helped design and build the computer. He was on other tasks when the computer was being tested.

I don't intentionally overspecify on home projects that I can easily change unless the available material is more capable than needed or I don't know
the worst condition, such as the starting shock load of my electric hoist or the maximum starting (locked rotor) current for an electric motor running
from a DC-AC inverter. Measured results vary widely depending on the random phase at connection and the inverter's surge capacity is also unknown, and indeterminate until I buy one.

I designed the tractor bucket loader for an impact that would lift the rear wheels off the ground, but didn't know the weight capacity of the front
tires and axles so I machined an adjustable hydraulic pressure relief valve and crept the pressure up until a tire failed. I collect used test equipment to be able to measure these things.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m14isw6uev.fsf@void.com...

A crucial point which had been in mind and I didn't mention:

I have to be "a happening person".
Someone it is for others to want to engage with.

In a declining economy ("Project Ukraine" has made any previous woes
many-fold worse) I see retrospectively it has been futile being
"nice-guy" foot-slogging around companies - without being that strong
happening person.

If I am to have anything, I have to recognise my strengths and abilities clearly and get doing a lot of those things.

-----------------------------------------

I became the go-to person for challenging tasks by solving difficult
problems, unproven claims on my resume meant nothing, even that I wrote it
on a computer I had designed, built and programmed. Likewise a little bag of home-machined parts lit up the interviewing engineers more than any written claim. Perhaps you could have your business card laser-etched on thin stainless and rim one or two with a neat TIG bead.

I was very impressed by your bridge success, though an interviewer might see less of the justified complaining about the inspectors. I wouldn't want to
be hired for ability to negotiate with unions, I saw how that affected my father and brother.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> writes:

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m1a52o6uwz.fsf@void.com...

"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> writes:
...

You were forced to overspecify everything... ?

"The pigs all had their snouts in the trough".
By this everyone can get paid for doing nothing.

-----------------------------------

Sometimes, depending on conditions. When trying something new
available products are rarely a close match, and industry required
what appeared to be overspecifying based on previous incidents, like a forklift puncturing an electrical cabinet. That resulted in the
requirement that all internal hazardous voltage be run through
grounded conduit so a short would pop a breaker, and regardless of
power level any exposed wiring outside enclosures had to be too strong
to break accidentally or intentionally by hand, 16AWG. The external
panel controls had to be oil-tight to protect them from conductive or flammable coolant spray from whatever they were placed beside and
soapy water wash-downs with a hose. Oil-tight switch controls were
several times more expensive, and modular so their switching functions
could be changed with a screwdriver, such as single pole single throw
to double pole double throw. Lab equipment wasn't subject to those requirements but we met them anyway since we were prepared for
them. Delivery is quicker if you have stock on hand and charge for its replacement. I do that for common hardware at home too.

Idiot-proofing encourages hiring cheaper idiots as operators. The
history of infantry weapons and tactics demonstrates this when
compared to artillery which required more careful handling. An example
today is singers dropping a fragile and expensive professional
microphone. Air hose nozzles became vented and less effective because
some idiot worker once pushed a high pressure nozzle against another
and punctured the skin.

Automotive electronics can be subject to nearly the temperature stress
of fighter jets, for example a snowplow in Alaska (or NH) starting
cold and ramming at full power into a snowbank, or being splashed with
icy water. As an apprentice I helped assemble a large expensive
machine that rapidly cycled a batch of GM HEI ignition modules between
hot and cold limits while testing their proper operation. If a loose
or corroded battery clamp disconnects the alternator can generate
around 100V until the energy stored in the rotor has dissipated and
the voltage regulator regains control of rotor current.

Aviation electronics had to at least stay in place during a shock of
somewhat over 30 g's (?) so they wouldn't fly into the cockpit during
a rough belly landing. That one was a mechanical engineer's problem to
solve, as was adequate cooling airflow at altitude which seemed
excessive on the ground. Some WW2 aircraft engines fed supercharged
air into the distributor to avoid sparks jumping at high altitude.

Submarines were/are? tested to the pressure equivalent of 10,000'
altitude. Diesels pull a vacuum in the hull if the snorkel closes from
a large wave. The radar stealth coating on WW2 U-boot Schnorchels
didn't hide them from the latest secret Allied radar, the boats were
out until the war's end but ineffective after spring 1943. Those are
examples of conditions one might not expect or design for.

New equipment intended to test other new equipment sometimes needed modification as the specs changed, using components with higher
ratings was a valuable hedge. An example I can mention is the Apollo spacecraft flight control computer that had more computation to do
during the actual moon landing than had been expected or tested
for. It's supposed failure was a watchdog timer lamp that flashed
because the program couldn't cycle through all tasks in a
pre-specified time which had been initially assumed to be more than
adequate, and could be changed in hardware if the programmers knew to
ask. The program loop's final task was to reset the timer that kept
the light off, presumably unless the computer crashed. I heard that
from the Mitre engineer who had helped design and build the
computer. He was on other tasks when the computer was being tested.

I don't intentionally overspecify on home projects that I can easily
change unless the available material is more capable than needed or I
don't know the worst condition, such as the starting shock load of my electric hoist or the maximum starting (locked rotor) current for an
electric motor running from a DC-AC inverter. Measured results vary
widely depending on the random phase at connection and the inverter's
surge capacity is also unknown, and indeterminate until I buy one.

I designed the tractor bucket loader for an impact that would lift the
rear wheels off the ground, but didn't know the weight capacity of the
front tires and axles so I machined an adjustable hydraulic pressure
relief valve and crept the pressure up until a tire failed. I collect
used test equipment to be able to measure these things.

What I meant was - not well explained - they overspecify the path to any
goal.

My discoveries and successes have been through "feeling my way along" -
sensing what Nature is revealing and adapting. Life is what happens
when you are making other plans - have a plan yes but adapt it rapidly
with what you find as a result of driving on determinedly on the
plan-so-far.

My perception of a lot of "go nowhere machines" of organisations is to immediately specify everything. Superficially it sounds right - but if
you have any experience of science, you know it fundamentally absolutely doesn't work that way.

My understanding is that in the USA there was a lot of discretionary
funding of good ideas. eg. the Internet happened because of
"long-haired hippies" asked to find a communication system which was
impossible to disrupt and provided funds to "give it a try" to ideas
emerging.
Then there's been competions like which produced the "Reindahl" (sic.) - 128bit-key - cryptographic algorithm and self-driving logistics
vehicles.

Etc.

Surely have related before - I once was treated to the distressing sight
of a colleague curling over the desk his face red, blood vessels pulsing
on his temples, making and anguished acting-out of strangulation --
because disguised in jest I was trying to steer them away from thing
"ISO54321 / EN0123 / ISO....." approaching the investigation of a
problem / discrepancy in Non-Destructive Testing.
Fortunately three days later they were looking at exactly what I had
been conjuring-up as if teasing them - and they realised that was a
non-random connection.

Have a given a better impression of what I mean?
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m1o6r3691k.fsf@void.com...

What I meant was - not well explained - they overspecify the path to any

goal.

That certainly happens here too, notably with military weapons systems
subject to congressional oversight (meddling) and interservice rivalry
(scarce resources). Uncertainty of what opponents will do makes it worse.
It's been like that since when the argument was over the proper length,
weight and use of spears. I studied but avoided personal experience with
that subject, specializing in communications, a field that lacks the glory
to attract large egos.

I made a point to seek out small lean innovative companies that didn't have "too many chiefs and too few indians". https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ioakeson_engineers-want-to-become-managers-until-activity-7348710146375643137-9tiJ

The disadvantage of startups is that they don't survive the stress of recessions and jealous competitors' frivolous lawsuits, but I'm self-reliant enough to not need a steady job.

Mitre turned out for me to be like a large assortment of small groups, I considered it a do-your-own-thing artists' colony environment for theoretically inclined engineers, who fortunately left me alone to decide
how to build their ideas. Segway was in some ways similar, engineers were
free to individually explore new ideas that might lead to a product, or not. The production reject bin was intentionally beside the door to the lab.

In college I participated as technical assistant in an actual artists'
colony of actors and a film maker, a lite imitation of Andy Warhol's
Factory. That other unfettered extreme is only as productive as the
individual talents allow. They may be even less collaborative than large corporations. Theatre resolves it by making the producer the boss of
business decisions and the director autocratic on artistic matters.

The semiconductor test equipment company was a good example of right-sizing
a project. The customers knew and clearly specified what they needed and one hardware and one software project manager converted that into closely
matching design specs, then parceled out relatively independent parts of it
to individual engineers and programmers while they managed by controlling
the interconnections, the Black Box model, and digging deeper into any difficulties. I handled the smaller details like calibration hardware and software.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Management_by_exception

This came out during that project and mirrored it. https://www.amazon.com/Soul-New-Machine-Tracy-Kidder/dp/0316491977

Long ago I decided I should become the multi-talented assistant to a
brilliant scientist or engineer, and I've more or less done that.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Thu, 18 Sep 2025 07:12:19 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:
<snip>

It appears that my 2000 Honda may have a Double DIN radio size that will >take an LCD screen with a backup camera, I could use one and GPS+NAV. Has >anyone done this?

I bought a used 2013 Impala a few years ago. Owner before me had a JVC KW-V250BT aftermarket radio installed in it. It has provision for a
backup camera, RCA jack and reverse switch input. I toyed with the idea
of using it but decided I wouldn't really use it enough to hassle with
it.
Personally I'd skip the reverse switch and just add a switch somewhere convenient so it could be used whenever. Camera units were less than
$50 but of unknown quality.
Manual for it can be found here: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/2314897/Jvc-Kw-V250bt.html
Download should be maybe ~2mb. Has some basic specs and install info.
It needs a special module so the vehicles door, trunk, blinkers... can
still make beeping noises that had once went to the factory radio/sound
system. You lose your clock too if the unit is turned off. The touch
screen works with regular gloves on. It has very few actual buttons and
isn't easy to turn off (sub menu item). Interface acts kinda slow IMO.
Would be an older model now, probably been replaced with another (copy
right 2018 on manual). Has a LOT of features that I suspect you'd have
no use for but I'll let you decide thatEfyeN+A
It does sound REALLY nice playing my mp3 music collection from a 32gb
Memory stick plugged into its USB-A on the frontEfaiN+A
For GPS + Nav I'd use my phone with a decent dash mount if it was
necessary. I rarely go anyplace nowadays that NAV would be helpful...
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Leon Fisk" wrote in message news:10aptgd$1ugga$1@dont-email.me...

On Thu, 18 Sep 2025 07:12:19 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

<snip>

It appears that my 2000 Honda may have a Double DIN radio size that will
take an LCD screen with a backup camera, I could use one and GPS+NAV. Has >anyone done this?

I bought a used 2013 Impala a few years ago. Owner before me had a JVC KW-V250BT aftermarket radio installed in it. It has provision for a
backup camera, RCA jack and reverse switch input. I toyed with the idea
of using it but decided I wouldn't really use it enough to hassle with
it.

Personally I'd skip the reverse switch and just add a switch somewhere convenient so it could be used whenever. Camera units were less than
$50 but of unknown quality.

Manual for it can be found here:

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/2314897/Jvc-Kw-V250bt.html

Download should be maybe ~2mb. Has some basic specs and install info.

It needs a special module so the vehicles door, trunk, blinkers... can
still make beeping noises that had once went to the factory radio/sound
system. You lose your clock too if the unit is turned off. The touch
screen works with regular gloves on. It has very few actual buttons and
isn't easy to turn off (sub menu item). Interface acts kinda slow IMO.
Would be an older model now, probably been replaced with another (copy
right 2018 on manual). Has a LOT of features that I suspect you'd have
no use for but I'll let you decide thatEfyeN+A

It does sound REALLY nice playing my mp3 music collection from a 32gb
Memory stick plugged into its USB-A on the frontEfaiN+A

For GPS + Nav I'd use my phone with a decent dash mount if it was
necessary. I rarely go anyplace nowadays that NAV would be helpful...
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI

-----------------------
I should learn to use my i6S for more than tethering for laptop cellular internet. With almost everything turned off to extend battery life it still can locate me on a map. This 15-year-old laptop is just so much easier to
see, and type on with a slide-out wireless keyboard.

A car audio store will install a double DIN Kenwood for ~$1000 or sell me
the components for $500. Naturally they told me to beware of Amazon as if I didn't already know. The rear-mount spare tire complicates the camera mount, it blocks one side view for a license plate mount. I could mount a camera in
a spare tire center hole cap to get the wide view I want for backing out of
a mall parking space. They had a workable dash screen for under $100 but not an economical camera with instructions, so it will keep.

They thought drilling a hole might be a problem for me, I suppose that's
from experience with their usual customers. I tend to forget that most 'normal' people see metal as inherently immutable.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m1o6r3691k.fsf@void.com...

My understanding is that in the USA there was a lot of discretionary
funding of good ideas. eg. the Internet happened because of
"long-haired hippies" asked to find a communication system which was
impossible to disrupt and provided funds to "give it a try" to ideas
emerging.
---------------------------

https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/strategy/alternative-funding-startup/angel-investors

'Angel' private investors are standard practice in theatre, Mel Brooks'
comedy "The Producers" describes an attempt to scam them that backfires. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Producers_(1967_film)

In business instead of a one-time share of the show's profits the investors get a share of company ownership, a private parallel to publically traded stock. I was too wary to invest and worked for wages instead, which was the right decision.

I kept a group of color printer company angel investors happily contributing yet another quarter's expenses for over a year by copying their business
card logo, cleaning up and enlarging the image and delivering a stack of
paper with letterheads and graphics during the meeting.

After the electronic tech work was finished I became the font (letter shapes and sizes) designer; the dot grid (240/") was different from that of a laser printer (300/") and we couldn't just copy it though that is legal. I never guessed I'd become a graphic artist. Knowing the special letters of the
French and German (and some Runic) alphabets helped me.

The print quality was good enough for fancy wedding invitations and the
colors brilliant, especially when printed in reverse on acetate. Meanwhile
we struggled to keep a printer operating for as long as a week. These were full color ink jet printers around 1985. The process which sprayed droplets
of molten plastic ink inspired 3D printing. It was capable of printing on aluminum offset press plates and even paper towels, the only thing it
couldn't do was stay unclogged, despite alcohol and compressed air plumbing and a vigorous ink jet purge that could put abstract art on a tee shirt 2
feet away. The joke was that it lacked only a Diesel generator.

Indications of the small company attitude were the sign "Last one out please lock the door" for those choosing to work late on something interesting, and the roaming pet dogs on weekends.

The design spec was that the damned thing had to work reliably eventually.
All else was optional, added if it was easy (raised Braille) or proved essential.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inkjet_printing
"In 1986, Howtek launched the Pixelmaster solid ink-jetting printer, which opened the door to printing three-dimensional plastic inks and led to a 1992 3D patent, US5136515A."

Robert Howard also invented cable TV, to serve an apartment building he
owned from a single antenna. He was as likely as Trump to summarily fire people so I avoided him.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m1o6r3691k.fsf@void.resulted in the

My understanding is that in the USA there was a lot of discretionary
funding of good ideas.

Individuals can invest in government projects, the mechanism is the
Municipal Bond which has the advantage of the return being partly or fully tax-free. I've supported school, roads and housing construction.

https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/investing-basics/investment-products/bonds-or-fixed-income-products-0
They are safe as long as the government has the guns to collect the taxes.

Naturally any opportunity the "rich" take advantage of and the "underprivileged" don't must be inherently racist and evil. The alternative
of "Investing" in government projects through lottery tickets doesn't count. https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/bond-villains/

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Leon Fisk" wrote in message news:10ak96v$llo3$1@dont-email.me...

On Fri, 19 Sep 2025 13:27:57 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

<snip>

At dawn when it was cold everything worked, at noon in the sun the
failure was back. Contact problem?

Suspect you already know this...

The old motor assemblies like what was on my standard wiper 1982 Chevy
K10 had a set of "park contacts" inside them. Parking being completed
wiper in the down position after turning them off.
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI

----------------------------------

The wiper motor and replaced column switch passed the factory manual test procedures, which leaves the intermittent and low speed wiper control
module, Motorcraft 17C476, unavailable new, delulu expensive and
questionable used. It contains an unpotted circuit board that's not too complex so the detective work begins.

Crawling under the dash to remove it reminds me I'm getting old. My feet and legs were upright in the cab rear window, I wonder what passers-by thought. Foam sheet snow sleds are nice pads to lie on under trucks and are cheap in spring. They even make gravel tolerable.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Mon, 22 Sep 2025 15:23:59 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:
<snip>

Crawling under the dash to remove it reminds me I'm getting old. My feet and >legs were upright in the cab rear window, I wonder what passers-by thought. >Foam sheet snow sleds are nice pads to lie on under trucks and are cheap in >spring. They even make gravel tolerable.

Classy "creeper", I usually settle for corrugated card boardEfyaN+A
I've been know to repair modules like that too. A lot of times it's
just something loose, especially with that ones age. I'm sure your
roads are nice and smooth too (cough, cough)EfyeN+A
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Sun, 21 Sep 2025 20:24:21 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

I should learn to use my i6S for more than tethering for laptop cellular >internet. With almost everything turned off to extend battery life it still >can locate me on a map. This 15-year-old laptop is just so much easier to >see, and type on with a slide-out wireless keyboard.

I'm doing the same (tethering to cell) but have two phones. Provider
gives me 20gb data per phone per month. One is my primary phone and the
other a spare. If one has problems or system doesn't act right I can
try the other phone.
I usually check out maps and directions on the desktop computer. Maybe
take a screen shot or make a pdf for the phone in case I can't remember
all of it.
Fiber has come through since I had to resort to cell phone data but
prices for it suck. Would more than double what I'm currently paying. I
watched it go in and have zero confidence in how they installed it
and how they market their product offeringsEfyaN+A

A car audio store will install a double DIN Kenwood for ~$1000 or sell me >the components for $500. Naturally they told me to beware of Amazon as if I >didn't already know. The rear-mount spare tire complicates the camera mount, >it blocks one side view for a license plate mount. I could mount a camera in >a spare tire center hole cap to get the wide view I want for backing out of >a mall parking space. They had a workable dash screen for under $100 but not >an economical camera with instructions, so it will keep.

I forgot to mention that the JVC radio doesn't interface with the
steering wheel radio controls either. I never got to use the OEM radio
that way so I don't miss it. I suspect the owner before had it installed
to use their iPhone hands-free via Bluetooth through the radio system.
I've never bothered to set it up with my phone. Not something I'd use.

They thought drilling a hole might be a problem for me, I suppose that's >from experience with their usual customers. I tend to forget that most >'normal' people see metal as inherently immutable.

Whoever installed mine didn't put all the dash screws back in nor did
they remember to plug-in the Driver Information Center control button
panel back in. So you couldn't use the trip meters, oil change life,
tire pressures... I wouldn't trust a car audio store to install
anythingEfyaN+A
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Leon Fisk" wrote in message news:10as95r$2ivob$1@dont-email.me...

On Mon, 22 Sep 2025 15:23:59 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

<snip>

Crawling under the dash to remove it reminds me I'm getting old. My feet
and
legs were upright in the cab rear window, I wonder what passers-by thought. >Foam sheet snow sleds are nice pads to lie on under trucks and are cheap in >spring. They even make gravel tolerable.

Classy "creeper", I usually settle for corrugated card boardEfyaN+A

I've been know to repair modules like that too. A lot of times it's
just something loose, especially with that ones age. I'm sure your
roads are nice and smooth too (cough, cough)EfyeN+A
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI
--------------------------------

Cardboard is easier to slide on, I flatten and save large boxes for that reason. Off pavement the hard solid plastic bonded to the bottom of the foam doesn't soak through and pads small stones better.

The repair appears to have been quick and easy, a relay coil pin had visibly broken loose from the solder on the single-sided board. The failure was intermittent so time will tell. It measured connected, perhaps due to
handling or being in the cool basement. The component lead forming intentionally allowed for thermal expansion and contraction, the small
diodes had half loops in one end, but the relay was tight on the board.

Very often I found that solder opens were the failure cause on boards. I tested the soldering on fine pitch high pin count quad flat packs by sliding an open safety pin from my key chain down the row. An unsoldered pin pinged
at a lower pitch.

In the 80's solder shorts on the inner planes of multilayer boards were a problem, the board fab houses were painfully adapting from less dense commercial to the nearly mil-spec requirements of computers. Often shorts could be opened on a bare board by connecting a large cap charged to ~20V to +5 and Gnd. If it wasn't under outer layer copper the fault would flash as
it cleared. This was a diagnostic, those boards wouldn't be completed. By
the 90's the quality had considerably improved such that visual inspection found nothing.

Actually Maine and NH roads are quite well maintained outside of cities. Pavement cracks are carefully sealed to keep water from freezing and
expanding underneath. The less densely populated areas of Mass aren't far behind us. I've ridden on much worse in NY.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m1o6r3691k.fsf@void.com...

"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> writes:

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m1a52o6uwz.fsf@void.com...

"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> writes:
...
You were forced to overspecify everything... ?

What I meant was - not well explained - they overspecify the path to any
goal.

My discoveries and successes have been through "feeling my way along" -
sensing what Nature is revealing and adapting. Life is what happens
when you are making other plans - have a plan yes but adapt it rapidly
with what you find as a result of driving on determinedly on the
plan-so-far.

My perception of a lot of "go nowhere machines" of organisations is to immediately specify everything. Superficially it sounds right - but if
you have any experience of science, you know it fundamentally absolutely doesn't work that way.

-------------------------------------------
In my experience allowing a non-technically-educated supplier to make
choices was dangerous, there was a good reason if we wanted something difficult so the job was carefully specified. The US military learned the
need for specs when under Ulysses Grant they ordered soap at so much per bar and the supplier made the bars smaller and smaller. Grant could have deservedly suffered the ridicule Gilbert and Sullivan applied to Sir Garnet Wolseley had they lived here.

I know less outside high tech. I think I see your point, though, that people who aren't really qualified for the challenges of their jobs become very self-defensive and tend to seek the protection of standards or specs to
shield them from being called wrong, whether or not those should apply. That happened in the non-technical departments of high tech firms, for instance
in benefits, accounting and human relations, they were visibly nervous and defensive talking to us and demonstrated their memorization (if not understanding) of company policy and the complex retirement plan. Even the computer IT people feared us technicians who appeared as if we could have effortlessly taken over their jobs if we didn't mind the downgrade.

The engineers treated me as a near equal after I solved an engineering math problem in my head for them, 10,000,000 bits sent at 2400 bits per second takes 4,166.67 seconds, which is 1 hour, 9 minutes and 26.67 seconds. That's how long I tied up a satellite channel without finding a single error in the returned data stream. I knew what the real problem was but if I told them
they would have dragged me back into cryptography which I was happy to
avoid.

I found a credible unclassified alternative that exonerated where the
problem wasn't, with credit for an accomplishment. Similarly I spent the
last few days testing the more accessible areas that might contribute to a problem in my truck and only after they passed all tests I unbolted the seat and awkwardly crawled under the dash to reach the likely and actual culprit. At 34 years old any or all could be failing. Once under there I found why
the truck was losing power, the throttle cable had stretched. Tomorrow an individual (bracket) may suffer on the milling machine for the good of the whole (truck).

Rijndael, BTW.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Mon, 22 Sep 2025 15:48:11 -0400, Leon Fisk <lfiskgr@gmail.invalid>
wrote:

On Mon, 22 Sep 2025 15:23:59 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

<snip>

Crawling under the dash to remove it reminds me I'm getting old. My feet and >>legs were upright in the cab rear window, I wonder what passers-by thought. >>Foam sheet snow sleds are nice pads to lie on under trucks and are cheap in >>spring. They even make gravel tolerable.

Classy "creeper", I usually settle for corrugated card board??

I've been know to repair modules like that too. A lot of times it's
just something loose, especially with that ones age. I'm sure your
roads are nice and smooth too (cough, cough)??

Several years ago when second son had mid-back length ponytail, he was
wishing he had used cardboard instead of my yard sale creeper to go
under his one ton when no one else was home and his hair got caught in
the casters. Since then, every time I trim my beard, I put the 1/4"
comb on the clipper and give him a once over.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Gerry" wrote in message news:mo54dk94dglhe5i9j5rj5k405kffi7sl3q@4ax.com...

Several years ago when second son had mid-back length ponytail, he was
wishing he had used cardboard instead of my yard sale creeper to go
under his one ton when no one else was home and his hair got caught in
the casters. Since then, every time I trim my beard, I put the 1/4"
comb on the clipper and give him a once over. -----------------------------------

I tried a cheap black hoodie as a stain hiding work shirt but the hood
caught under a creeper wheel, at least it didn't wrap around it. Under the dash a headband light kept snagging on the brake and clutch pedals.

The HF Badlands 3 ton off road jack hasn't been as convenient as I hoped for gaining extra height under a vehicle. It will lift the tires off ramps for brake work or steering rack adjustment but doesn't lower far enough to put
the wheels back on the ground, lowering requires two stages and more getting down and up than my old knees and back like.

The Badlands has a solid plate underneath to rest on when the wheels sink
in. The handle lock lets it be tilted onto two wheels to steer or crab walk sideways. It weighs nearly 100 Lbs and has a centered, padded lifting strap plus side handles / tiedowns. It's well thought out and nicely made or a
copy of another that was. I can't test it to anywhere near its load rating.

I had to wedge open the HF spreader bar's chain hooks, disconnect the chain and bend the hooks back onto 1/4" bow shackles to reach the width between
lift points, the Ranger's rear axle shock mounts. Jacking by the
differential worries me, I've watched a rear axle shaft slide out on the pickup ahead. The adapter nut made from broken rock drill rod is to attach
the spreader bar on a lower Viking floor jack. On the Badlands the spreader bar doesn't clear the differential.

I've always used ramps when under a car because I don't trust jack stands
for heavy wrench handle pulling, though I test stability by heaving the
bumper sideways, and sometimes hear a stand slip. Using the Badlands for steering rack adjustment which requires me underneath with the wheels free I found that my economy jack stands raise the body lift points barely high enough to fit underneath on a creeper. I had previously banged loose and
oiled the adjustment locknut with the wheels on ramps.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Tue, 23 Sep 2025 09:30:58 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

<snip>

The HF Badlands 3 ton off road jack hasn't been as convenient as I hoped for >gaining extra height under a vehicle. It will lift the tires off ramps for >brake work or steering rack adjustment but doesn't lower far enough to put >the wheels back on the ground, lowering requires two stages and more getting >down and up than my old knees and back like.

Thought that Jack looked really promising when it came out at HF. Kept
reading the reviews as they came in and it didn't impress me so much
anymore...

This is the HF jack I would get if my current old one craps out:

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-long-reach-low-profile-professional-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-blue-56641.html

It can lift from 3-3/8 to 24-1/4 in. It's heavier than I'd like but has
one of the highest lifts of any of their offerings. That ~24 inches
would be really nice for the mower.

I mostly use mine to lift the front of my riding mower so I can
scrape off/out the deck after mowing. Used on vehicles too so the low
side is also important.

Never gotten around to it... but always wanted to build a skid plate for
use on soft ground for these type of jacks. Would probably need to be
1/4 to 3/8 inch thick. Two shallow channel irons to fit the wheels and
properly spaced (welded together) for width would likely be lighter.
Probably harder to source too. The jack wheels need to be free to move
slightly fore and aft or eventually you'll damage your jack on soft
ground.
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Mon, 22 Sep 2025 23:50:28 -0400
Gerry <geraldrmiller@yahoo.ca> wrote:
<snip>

Several years ago when second son had mid-back length ponytail, he was >wishing he had used cardboard instead of my yard sale creeper to go
under his one ton when no one else was home and his hair got caught in
the casters.

OUCH! I've a similar long ponytail. I always tuck it under my shirt
when doing this kind of work. Best to tuck between shirt and sweatshirt
but not really an option when it's HOT out. It stays put there pretty
well too.
Creepers always look and sound like a great way to work under vehicles.
But the wheels are always bumping into your tools, parts... getting
stuck in cracks in the cement and then you loose 2-4 inches of space to maneuver in. Cardboard seems the best solution for meEfyaN+A
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Leon Fisk" wrote in message news:10augrv$2vrd7$1@dont-email.me...

Never gotten around to it... but always wanted to build a skid plate for
use on soft ground for these type of jacks. Would probably need to be
1/4 to 3/8 inch thick. Two shallow channel irons to fit the wheels and
properly spaced (welded together) for width would likely be lighter.
Probably harder to source too. The jack wheels need to be free to move
slightly fore and aft or eventually you'll damage your jack on soft
ground.
Leon Fisk
----------------------------

I've used scrap 2x12 under a floor jack to gain enough height for
jackstands. I needed to slide close on cardboard beside the jack to roughly center the pad under the lift point so the jack had to move in all
directions. I couldn't see to do that while standing. With the Badlands it's possible but not easy to raise the pad close and slide it into place while lying next to it. The $20-and-fix-it Viking is easier to move and operate lying down but the Badlands lifts almost 10" higher, nice for changing
riding mower blades when the front lift point is high already. The Viking
fix was replacing a lost snap ring to keep an arm end on its shaft.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 9/22/2025 10:50 PM, Gerry wrote:

On Mon, 22 Sep 2025 15:48:11 -0400, Leon Fisk <lfiskgr@gmail.invalid>
wrote:

On Mon, 22 Sep 2025 15:23:59 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

<snip>

Crawling under the dash to remove it reminds me I'm getting old. My feet and
legs were upright in the cab rear window, I wonder what passers-by thought. >>> Foam sheet snow sleds are nice pads to lie on under trucks and are cheap in >>> spring. They even make gravel tolerable.

Classy "creeper", I usually settle for corrugated card board??

I've been know to repair modules like that too. A lot of times it's
just something loose, especially with that ones age. I'm sure your
roads are nice and smooth too (cough, cough)??

Several years ago when second son had mid-back length ponytail, he was wishing he had used cardboard instead of my yard sale creeper to go
under his one ton when no one else was home and his hair got caught in
the casters. Since then, every time I trim my beard, I put the 1/4"
comb on the clipper and give him a once over.

I've lost a few beard hairs to a drill motor ... and got it shortened
one day when I got too close to my forge . It only goes down 1/3 instead
of halfway to my waist now . My creeper doesn't work well on gravel ...
--
Snag
We live in a time where intelligent people
are being silenced so that
stupid people won't be offended.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Leon Fisk" wrote in message news:10auhcm$2vrd7$2@dont-email.me...

Creepers always look and sound like a great way to work under vehicles.
But the wheels are always bumping into your tools, parts... getting
stuck in cracks in the cement and then you loose 2-4 inches of space to maneuver in. Cardboard seems the best solution for meEfyaN+A
Leon Fisk
---------------------------

I use all the choices depending on the vehicle, where it's parked and what needs doing.

The foam sleds are washable so I can stay clean enough to sit in the car afterwards. They pad rough and wet surfaces the best. I keep one under the rear compartment mat to kneel on for roadside tire changes and protecting
the seat if carrying lumber etc.

Cardboard combines ease of sliding with maximum clearance. It can't be
washed and rocks puncture it so it's best on pavement. A large box folded
flat can serve to lie on or contain to-be-cleaned stuff, for example
junkyard car parts.

I like a creeper when the job requires moving around, such as an exhaust, removing/replacing a bumper and splash shield or spraying rust inhibitor. My sister gave me a Bone creeper for Christmas, her husband is a mechanic. It
has larger wheels that swivel well and handle cracks better than the
Autozone webbing creeper. The caster lumps can restrict arm reach. It rolls easily, too easily when struggling with a rusted bolt. It's my choice for
more extensive jobs when the car is raised on ramps and I'm moving under and out frequently.

On good pavement the Autozone creeper is good enough, less restrictive to raised arms and it folds to take less space in the car, to go help someone. Spilled oil or antifreeze drains through the webbing instead of pooling
under me.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Tue, 23 Sep 2025 14:16:12 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:
<snip>

My sister gave me a Bone creeper for Christmas, her husband is a mechanic. It >has larger wheels that swivel well and handle cracks better than the >Autozone webbing creeper.

I liked the looks of those "Bones" creepers too. Until I started seeing
them stuck in peoples trash carts along the road with the castor area
busted out of them. As I recall it was a small circular area right at
the top of the bulge for the castorEfOaN+A
I realize there are people who can break anything but I've seen them
several times now and I don't get out much anymore.
At least the old style from years ago was fixable. New castors and
board slats can still be had...
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Mon, 22 Sep 2025 18:32:04 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:
<snip>

The repair appears to have been quick and easy, a relay coil pin had visibly >broken loose from the solder on the single-sided board. The failure was >intermittent so time will tell. It measured connected, perhaps due to >handling or being in the cool basement. The component lead forming >intentionally allowed for thermal expansion and contraction, the small >diodes had half loops in one end, but the relay was tight on the board.

Thanks for the update to what you found and likely repaired. If you
were to quit posting right now, in a few years or less I'd be hard
pressed to remember your name. But that little fix you made will be
stuck in my head till dementia kicks it outEfyaN+A
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Snag" wrote in message news:10aunec$35jtf$1@dont-email.me...

My creeper doesn't work well on gravel ...

Hmmm, a creeper on tracks ...

Segway had some snowblower tracks to play with, but no one did.

I had a yard sale choice between a wheeled and a tracked snowblower, either for $100, neither running well. The tracked machine was considerably harder
to maneuver on grass so I took the wheeled one and fixed the relatively
little that was wrong with it, mostly replacement of worn parts. Apparently tracks are better on gravel, wheels with chains on icy pavement.

In August I rode in a WW2 half track at a tank museum event. They had a dirt track loop in the woods suited to motocross and zipped around it as fast as the driver dared, like a roller coaster but without seatbelts.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Leon Fisk" wrote in message news:10aus2g$36ln4$2@dont-email.me...

On Mon, 22 Sep 2025 18:32:04 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

<snip>

The repair appears to have been quick and easy, a relay coil pin had
visibly
broken loose from the solder on the single-sided board. The failure was >intermittent so time will tell. It measured connected, perhaps due to >handling or being in the cool basement. The component lead forming >intentionally allowed for thermal expansion and contraction, the small
diodes had half loops in one end, but the relay was tight on the board.

Thanks for the update to what you found and likely repaired. If you
were to quit posting right now, in a few years or less I'd be hard
pressed to remember your name. But that little fix you made will be
stuck in my head till dementia kicks it outEfyaN+A
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI
---------------------------------------
It was visible because I used a powerful Optivisor headband magnifier (a recent flea market treasure) and soldered for a living so I know what a bad
or failed joint looks like. Instead of flowing smoothly onto the pin the solder was peeled back very slightly at the intersection with the pin, as though 25 years of thermal cycling had torn it loose. The break was visible
as a hairline gap in what should have been a continuous light bulb
reflection along the fillet/meniscus.

Maybe a posting here will find its way to a special interest group that can use it.

In a few years I may be hard pressed to remember my name. I've already forgotten my birthdays though that doesn't seem to stop them.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 9/23/2025 4:25 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

"Snag"-a wrote in message news:10aunec$35jtf$1@dont-email.me...

My creeper doesn't work well on gravel ...

Hmmm, a creeper on tracks ...

Segway had some snowblower tracks to play with, but no one did.

I had a yard sale choice between a wheeled and a tracked snowblower,
either for $100, neither running well. The tracked machine was
considerably harder to maneuver on grass so I took the wheeled one and
fixed the relatively little that was wrong with it, mostly replacement
of worn parts. Apparently tracks are better on gravel, wheels with
chains on icy pavement.

In August I rode in a WW2 half track at a tank museum event. They had a
dirt track loop in the woods suited to motocross and zipped around it as fast as the driver dared, like a roller coaster but without seatbelts.

One of my neighbors has one of those 6 wheel drive side by side ATV's
and he's bugshit crazy with it . I've been on 45-# slope with him , the
only thing keeping us "upright" was centripetal force .
Speaking of machines that need a little work , my neighbor has gifted
me a 2007 Arctic Cat 650 4 wheeler . Runs but not well and needs a new
battery , pulls hard to the right - likely a hung brake caliper - and
could use new tires but I ain't complaining . He has decided he doesn't
want to mess with all the little problems . I'm turning into a home for
busted machinery ... every piece of my yard equipment came to me either
broken or needing worn parts replaced . Exceptions are a chainsaw and
line trimmer that were bought new . That's OK though , I rather enjoy
bringing old machines back into use .
Speaking of which , I've got most of the problems on my "new to me"
Yanmar tractor sorted out . Lucky for me the electrical system hasn't
been molested very much , I still have to track down why the overheat
light has no power and I'm rewiring the intake preheat device for manual control . Most expensive so far has been replacing all the bearings and
seals in the front axle knuckles . Replacing the throwout bearing is the
only "big" thing left , and it's not so bad yet that it can't wait .
--
Snag
We live in a time where intelligent people
are being silenced so that
stupid people won't be offended.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Leon Fisk" wrote in message news:10auroc$36ln4$1@dont-email.me...

On Tue, 23 Sep 2025 14:16:12 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

<snip>

My sister gave me a Bone creeper for Christmas, her husband is a mechanic. >It
has larger wheels that swivel well and handle cracks better than the
Autozone webbing creeper.

I liked the looks of those "Bones" creepers too. Until I started seeing
them stuck in peoples trash carts along the road with the castor area
busted out of them. As I recall it was a small circular area right at
the top of the bulge for the castorEfOaN+A

I realize there are people who can break anything but I've seen them
several times now and I don't get out much anymore.

At least the old style from years ago was fixable. New castors and
board slats can still be had...
Leon Fisk
-----------------------------------
Thanks. I checked and mine looks OK. I think I could slit, overlap and spot weld sheet steel into a bowl shaped repair patch. It helps to end the slits
in small drilled or punched holes. I've hammered steel as thick as 14 gauge into compound curves.

Were there any nearby grades where kids might have used them as sleds?


--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Tue, 23 Sep 2025 12:20:37 -0400, Leon Fisk <lfiskgr@gmail.invalid>
wrote:

On Mon, 22 Sep 2025 23:50:28 -0400
Gerry <geraldrmiller@yahoo.ca> wrote:

<snip>

Several years ago when second son had mid-back length ponytail, he was >>wishing he had used cardboard instead of my yard sale creeper to go
under his one ton when no one else was home and his hair got caught in
the casters.

OUCH! I've a similar long ponytail. I always tuck it under my shirt
when doing this kind of work. Best to tuck between shirt and sweatshirt
but not really an option when it's HOT out. It stays put there pretty
well too.

Creepers always look and sound like a great way to work under vehicles.
But the wheels are always bumping into your tools, parts... getting
stuck in cracks in the cement and then you loose 2-4 inches of space to >maneuver in. Cardboard seems the best solution for me??

Just don't use cardboard when using the deathwheel or welder or
torch!!!!
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:17:31 -0400, Leon Fisk <lfiskgr@gmail.invalid>
wrote:

On Tue, 23 Sep 2025 14:16:12 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

<snip>

My sister gave me a Bone creeper for Christmas, her husband is a mechanic. It
has larger wheels that swivel well and handle cracks better than the >>Autozone webbing creeper.

I liked the looks of those "Bones" creepers too. Until I started seeing
them stuck in peoples trash carts along the road with the castor area
busted out of them. As I recall it was a small circular area right at
the top of the bulge for the castor??

I realize there are people who can break anything but I've seen them
several times now and I don't get out much anymore.

At least the old style from years ago was fixable. New castors and
board slats can still be had...

I still have one from the late 40s or early 50s and one from the late
60s - both still work but NOT on the pave-stone driveway!!
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:22:54 -0400, Leon Fisk <lfiskgr@gmail.invalid>
wrote:

On Mon, 22 Sep 2025 18:32:04 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

<snip>

The repair appears to have been quick and easy, a relay coil pin had visibly >>broken loose from the solder on the single-sided board. The failure was >>intermittent so time will tell. It measured connected, perhaps due to >>handling or being in the cool basement. The component lead forming >>intentionally allowed for thermal expansion and contraction, the small >>diodes had half loops in one end, but the relay was tight on the board.

Thanks for the update to what you found and likely repaired. If you
were to quit posting right now, in a few years or less I'd be hard
pressed to remember your name. But that little fix you made will be
stuck in my head till dementia kicks it out??

First thing to do when troubleshooting power circuit boards is look
for bad solder joints - and if you don't find any, resolder EVERY
JOINT. Fixed about 80%.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Tue, 23 Sep 2025 17:59:38 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

It was visible because I used a powerful Optivisor headband magnifier (a >recent flea market treasure) and soldered for a living so I know what a bad >or failed joint looks like. Instead of flowing smoothly onto the pin the >solder was peeled back very slightly at the intersection with the pin, as >though 25 years of thermal cycling had torn it loose. The break was visible >as a hairline gap in what should have been a continuous light bulb >reflection along the fillet/meniscus.

Had to do a lot of soldering too. Had two pencils, a kinda pencil vacuum
sucker and a 250 watt gun at my work bench. The vacuum unit had a
pretty strong heater in it, sometimes used it for soldering to
supplement the 60 watt pencil.
I had several magnifiers too. A 7x Loupe was the most
useful. Also had a "microscope" shaped like a fat Sharpy
pen. It was useful some of the time if you could get a bright light,
focal distance and angle all aligned at the same timeEfOaN+A
I spotted an Optivisor 2x Model on AZ several years ago that had been
returned for a nice price and bought it. Also have the flip up/down
booster (LP1 OptiLoupe, Adds 2.5X) for one eye for it but haven't put it
on. The working distance on it is pretty close-up which kinda limits
its usefulness for me.
I'm really near sighted, I can push my glasses up or take them off
and do a fair job checking solder joints that way. Suspect far sighted
people would find the Optivisor a lot more helpful...
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Clare Snyder" wrote in message news:6kq6dkh0q1568jifmo6li5v8vfmmj58631@4ax.com...

First thing to do when troubleshooting power circuit boards is look
for bad solder joints - and if you don't find any, resolder EVERY
JOINT. Fixed about 80%.

------------------------------
Measuring the voltage drop from where power and ground enter the board to where it appears on component leads sometimes reveals open or poor connections, but it requires a schematic or board tracks that can be traced, and touching a lead can move and temporarily restore an open joint, as with this relay pin. It's more certain than checking resistance because probe contact doesn't affect the reading.

In the early 80's incomplete plating inside through holes occurred, we had a hand-held fisheye microscope to visually inspect them. Wave soldering
touched only the bottom of the board and depended on capillary action
between the lead and the hole plating to solder the top, which could fail at
a hole plating break and leave the component side track disconnected. The
fix was top-soldering IF you knew where to check. In addition to all
component leads I've had to solder a piece of bus wire into every via. The problem had been mostly solved by the time surface mount came out. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_soldering

Previously boards had been thoroughly cleaned in Freon vapor degreasers
before wave soldering. Once Freon was banned there was no equally adequate
and acceptable substitute for cleaning boards enough for machine soldering. Room temperature Isopropyl alcohol mostly worked, but it couldn't be
distilled like Freon in the degreasers because the hot fumes are flammable. Boards had to be handled with cotton gloves and we found that vending
machine products were coated with silicone to make them slide easily, which inhibited solder from sticking if transferred from fingers.

Production engineering could be contracted out to a consultant, often an in-house engineer or tech who better understood the product's function and company's abilities and had demonstrated problem-solving talent was given
the added task. Richard, this is what you have and are doing. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/pay-salary/consultant-hourly-rate?
A consultant who took the desk beside me spent much of his valuable time on the phone negotiating the next job.

It's a somewhat thankless job, when a manager calls in help they are
admitting they couldn't fix it themself. A problem may be passed around
until someone demonstrates progress on it, that's how I got into digital
radio and laser space communications, I was the least unfit for the tasks.

A can-do attitude can be both helpful and risky. Many of the big
names/talents in manufacturing had quit their previous jobs after fights. Albert Champion was behind both AC and Champion spark plugs for that reason. Usually the discord is hidden but the media showcases Trump's personnel disputes as if they (and he) were abnormal. I'd be more concerned if his subordinates were all sycophantic yes-men, he tolerates dissenting opinions.

I asked Trump about cooperation before the first election but he hedged his answer, he may have been unsure of it. In New Hampshire most Republican candidates for President but no Democrats since Bill Bradley meet with
voters in person and are willing to mingle within the crowd and risk unscripted questions as Trump did. Many politically attentive citizens here attend Town Meetings and follow the rules of order in public discussions,
such as staying quiet while a designated person is speaking. I pay attention to who does or doesn't distrust and fear us.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Tue, 23 Sep 2025 23:16:00 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:
<snip - conversing about using old kids sledding sheets for creepers>

Were there any nearby grades where kids might have used them as sleds?

Maybe, but I haven't noticed any sticking out of trash carts. Kids
don't seem to play outside much anymore. I walk A LOT and regularly
pass homes that have kids but they're never outsideEfyaN+A
I'm going to watch for sleds this year at my regular Mega-store and see
what they look like. Don't recall seeing what you've been describing...
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Leon Fisk" wrote in message news:10b10nt$3necu$1@dont-email.me...

I'm going to watch for sleds this year at my regular Mega-store and see
what they look like. Don't recall seeing what you've been describing...

When I looked for an example I saw only fancier ones at higher prices. Mine are like wet suit foam with a solid back layer and cost under $10 at spring clearance. A closed cell foam camping mattress is similar, without the solid backing.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Leon Fisk" wrote in message news:10b0tmj$3l1kt$1@dont-email.me...

I'm really near sighted, I can push my glasses up or take them off
and do a fair job checking solder joints that way. Suspect far sighted
people would find the Optivisor a lot more helpful...

I was very nearsighted too and didn't need optics to check soldering. I
could read the state names on the cornice of the Lincoln Memorial on a $5. With age my sharp focus moved out to reading and computer distance and far vision improved. Viewing a distant object through a small hole between my thumb and two fingertips "stops down" the outer part of incoming light and improves sharpness.


--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Wed, 24 Sep 2025 10:02:58 -0400, Leon Fisk <lfiskgr@gmail.invalid>
wrote:

On Tue, 23 Sep 2025 17:59:38 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

It was visible because I used a powerful Optivisor headband magnifier (a >>recent flea market treasure) and soldered for a living so I know what a bad >>or failed joint looks like. Instead of flowing smoothly onto the pin the >>solder was peeled back very slightly at the intersection with the pin, as >>though 25 years of thermal cycling had torn it loose. The break was visible >>as a hairline gap in what should have been a continuous light bulb >>reflection along the fillet/meniscus.

Had to do a lot of soldering too. Had two pencils, a kinda pencil vacuum >sucker and a 250 watt gun at my work bench. The vacuum unit had a
pretty strong heater in it, sometimes used it for soldering to
supplement the 60 watt pencil.

I had several magnifiers too. A 7x Loupe was the most
useful. Also had a "microscope" shaped like a fat Sharpy
pen. It was useful some of the time if you could get a bright light,
focal distance and angle all aligned at the same time??

I spotted an Optivisor 2x Model on AZ several years ago that had been >returned for a nice price and bought it. Also have the flip up/down
booster (LP1 OptiLoupe, Adds 2.5X) for one eye for it but haven't put it
on. The working distance on it is pretty close-up which kinda limits
its usefulness for me.

I'm really near sighted, I can push my glasses up or take them off
and do a fair job checking solder joints that way. Suspect far sighted
people would find the Optivisor a lot more helpful...

I USED to be able to see fine details up close even in questionable
light - but I was YOUNG then!!! now even with good light and my
glasses AND a magnifier the details sometimes escape me. That's when I
pull out the temperature controlled pencil and the roll of solder and
reflow every joint that looks anything CLOSE to a possible problem.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Wed, 24 Sep 2025 10:54:53 -0400, Leon Fisk <lfiskgr@gmail.invalid>
wrote:

On Tue, 23 Sep 2025 23:16:00 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

<snip - conversing about using old kids sledding sheets for creepers>

Were there any nearby grades where kids might have used them as sleds?

Maybe, but I haven't noticed any sticking out of trash carts. Kids
don't seem to play outside much anymore. I walk A LOT and regularly
pass homes that have kids but they're never outside??

I'm going to watch for sleds this year at my regular Mega-store and see
what they look like. Don't recall seeing what you've been describing...

They used to call them "flying carpets" , Then Coleco sold them as "slde-a-boggan"A few years ago I saw some called "rolll-a-boggans" at
a discount / dollar store. These are all just polyethelene sheets.
There are some moulded ones that look like they might make good
sliding creepers too - EMSCO ESP and Lucky Bums, and Sno Joe and
Slippery Racer are a few that look interesting. Definitely kook good
for working on grass /mud or sand - and quite possibly gravel where
roller creepers can NOT be used - as well as on rough concrete.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Clare Snyder" wrote in message news:vilbdk1rua67g8hli3if63fbrldbjdob41@4ax.com...

On Wed, 24 Sep 2025 10:02:58 -0400, Leon Fisk <lfiskgr@gmail.invalid>
wrote:

On Tue, 23 Sep 2025 17:59:38 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

-----------------------------

Old tin/lead solder can be cleaned of oxide by pulling the section you
unroll to use through a pinched paper towel.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> writes:

...
function and company's abilities and had demonstrated problem-solving
talent was given the added task. Richard, this is what you have and
are doing. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/pay-salary/consultant-hourly-rate?
A consultant who took the desk beside me spent much of his valuable
time on the phone negotiating the next job.

...

I have consulted on hourly pay.
The oil&gas engineering industry uses the method so they can set-up
staff for projects - which start, run, and complete. The folk go from
project to project.
You put in a time-sheet with your hours of work claiming payment.
Sanctions against Russia starting 2014 put an end to that. Was the only "happening" place and we were barred by our own government.
They were willing to make nuclear-powered drilling-rigs to operate in
the Arctic. We abruptly severed from all that.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m1cy7dokfo.fsf@void.com...

I have consulted on hourly pay.
The oil&gas engineering industry uses the method so they can set-up
staff for projects - which start, run, and complete. The folk go from
project to project.
You put in a time-sheet with your hours of work claiming payment.
Sanctions against Russia starting 2014 put an end to that. Was the only "happening" place and we were barred by our own government.
They were willing to make nuclear-powered drilling-rigs to operate in
the Arctic. We abruptly severed from all that.

---------------------------------

After reaching our mid 50's I and others of my generation weren't welcome as full-time employees on the company health plan, so I worked as an hourly consultant.

Now they suffer the consequences of their actions. https://unmudl.com/employers/blog/employers-struggling-to-acquire-technician-talent


--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

I don't want to be "funny" or anything, but...
Regarding the situation here in Britain, you don't even start to bring
into focus the magnitude of the problem.
That article https://unmudl.com/employers/blog/employers-struggling-to-acquire-technician-talent
- attributes it to a narrow "supply and demand mismatch".
You don't get any inference of the massive mess-up in society which is
the overall structure of what's gone wrong.
I lack eloquence to do this, but I'll try.

"post-industrial" we have the "managerial class".
Managing our services; managing what remains rightly.
So that's new rulers "in town".

* liability and not being responsible for own actions
v
We can't train young people (in Britain you have to use "welding
simulator" until you are "at least" 18 years of age - companies are
finding young people with a welding qualification - there is no weld
simple enough they can do it and get started)

* "unless it's a Degree it's not worth it" - "ahh you want to study -
here is this much better 'structured, quality-assured,
objective-defined, ... qualification' - in other words whatever it it
is sitting in classrooms

* you work on a skill for years - you go to an interview and they ask
you a "to objective criteria" series of "angels dancing on the head of
a pin" questions - excludes any chance to discuss your ability for a
job - more specifically; a device to exclude all reality

[my friend - she got a job - it's a technical job needing aptitude &
experience - because about 5 deays before the then current incumbent
left - with months gone by on "interview processes" they had to
"set-aside all good procedure following the rules this time" and have
the team leader chatting with anyone who showed interest in the job and selecting which one was in that team leader's opinion nett the best
choice. My friend was "personning the fort" alone sometimes within a
month of starting...
The point is - this was forced on them - otherwise my friend would never
have been recruited]


Etc. - keep on applying "sweeps of the same brush".

Look - you can all relate to this in the USA, where many of you are.
The mistake of, whatever terms you apply (all pretty!) - going to war
with Russia was mistaken in concept and in general a questionable
idea...
How did the US powers-that-be get it so wrong?
Russia was supposed to collapse within about 3 weeks after "Pew-tin has
made his final mistake" - and the Russia economy sailed on just fine - oil-tankers continued to sail; factories continued to produce;
newspapers printed new; people went to work - all no discernable change.
vvv
In Langley, Virginia, if the way to get ahead and switch from barely
making ends meet and having a 2 hour commute to work to a big office,
good salary, residence in a desirable area a short commute to work is to

say what the boss wants to hear<* and that has gone on for a couple of generations - you are going to "press the magic button" and find your

supreme economic weapon - your secret "nuclear option" (sic.) - isn't
even seen by your opponent - you are in an empty room pressing a
brightly coloured button with a lurid label but it is a "placebo"
connected to nothing. You pick it up and find it's just got a
flashlight-cell to make the button light-up - but that it and entirely
it...

So - step back and see how big the whole non-function is...

In my opinion...
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m1ikh0xtpk.fsf@void.com...

I don't want to be "funny" or anything, but...
Regarding the situation here in Britain, you don't even start to bring
into focus the magnitude of the problem.
That article https://unmudl.com/employers/blog/employers-struggling-to-acquire-technician-talent
- attributes it to a narrow "supply and demand mismatch".
You don't get any inference of the massive mess-up in society which is
the overall structure of what's gone wrong.
I lack eloquence to do this, but I'll try. ... -----------------------------------
I post here for practice to correct a severe deficiency of eloquence. I
don't think in only one dimension but text has to be.

Usually I positioned myself to be where the actual work was, but when money dried up due to a recession or the yearly end>restart gap of the US budget process I saw people retreat into the survival positions you described while society coasted downhill on the dwindling surpluses of the past. My model is rats climbing over each other to be the last to drown when the ship sinks. I don't have the experience to write much about it because I purposely avoided the meetings and complications by remaining a technician (with overtime)
while doing an engineer's design work. When the layoff came I cut firewood
for free winter heat and caught up on neglected house and car maintenance.

https://remote.com/blog/global-hr/types-organizational-structure
Mostly I experienced the small company's lean efficiency of a "flatocracy", under stress the company might morph into the others for self-protection or because ageing or less productive engineers forced into management without training may not do as well with people as with things.

My father jumped from accountant to deputy commissioner and CFO of a state government agency. He took management classes and then tried to explain what he'd learned while I listened with apparent concern. My take-away was that I have no talent for or interest in joining management. I do try to at least learn something of what I know I'm not naturally good at.

Theatre provided exposure to a director's methods of management and
motivation that I wouldn't see among independently self motivated scientists and engineers. The musical "A Chorus Line" is a good demonstration of the
good cop/bad cop or carrot and stick approach. https://trainingmag.com/how-to-handle-employees-using-the-good-cop-bad-cop-strategy/

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m1ikh0xtpk.fsf@void.com...

* you work on a skill for years - you go to an interview and they ask
you a "to objective criteria" series of "angels dancing on the head of
a pin" questions - excludes any chance to discuss your ability for a
job - more specifically; a device to exclude all reality

-----------------------------------------
The HR person who should be prefiltering candidates before the experts interview them can only discuss what they understand, which is policies and procedures and maybe a vague misunderstanding of the actual job
requirements, from someone perhaps good at doing but not explaining. For new product secrecy Segway fed the employment agency fanciful distractions
instead of their real requirements. I might have studied ship block coefficients and hull speed if I'd taken them seriously. Actually I got that sort of detail from the extensive Titanic literature. https://www.titanicology.com/Titanica/Two-Points-in-Thirty-Seven-Seconds.pdf

A liberal arts education teaches one to memorize and regurgitate the current set of accepted doctrine, it's no help to enter and explore the unknown of practical skills and new technology. https://genius.com/Gilbert-and-sullivan-when-i-was-a-lad-annotated

My little bag of home machined tools and instrument parts jumped over the verbal communication hurdle.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:m1ikh0xtpk.fsf@void.com...

Look - you can all relate to this in the USA, where many of you are.
The mistake of, whatever terms you apply (all pretty!) - going to war
with Russia was mistaken in concept and in general a questionable
idea...
How did the US powers-that-be get it so wrong?
Russia was supposed to collapse within about 3 weeks after "Pew-tin has
made his final mistake" - and the Russia economy sailed on just fine - oil-tankers continued to sail; factories continued to produce;
newspapers printed new; people went to work - all no discernable change.
vvv
In Langley, Virginia, if the way to get ahead and switch from barely
making ends meet and having a 2 hour commute to work to a big office,
good salary, residence in a desirable area a short commute to work is to

say what the boss wants to hear<* and that has gone on for a couple of generations - you are going to "press the magic button" and find your

supreme economic weapon - your secret "nuclear option" (sic.) - isn't
even seen by your opponent - you are in an empty room pressing a
brightly coloured button with a lurid label but it is a "placebo"
connected to nothing. You pick it up and find it's just got a
flashlight-cell to make the button light-up - but that it and entirely
it...
--------------------------------------

We certainly aren't immune from bureaucracy's tendency to make their own job security their main objective, and view the world through the selective
filter of how it supports that goal. Not having possibly hostile and
credible threats on our borders gives us an added luxury to view events as
we want to instead of realistically.

This has been especially true of the party composed of labor lawyers who
lack the skill to tie their shoelaces and argue like kindergarteners. In international relations they tend to assume that whatever they want will be the inevitable outcome and don't have a backup plan, like Obama's Line in
the Sand, which turned out to be a yellow piddle trail marking our retreat.
I don't claim that the other party is much better.

International power politics is a master class chess game clouded by random events where even the best gambits sometimes fail, the leadups to WW1 and
WW2 being good examples. Trump isn't finished yet and shouldn't be judged
too hastily on incomplete evidence.

I purposely rejected an invitation into the Intelligence business. An
example of its politicized yes-man tendency is Curveball, the disgruntled Iraqi who made up the chemical weapons scenario based on a personal grudge
and was amazed that we swallowed it so easily, mostly for lack of other
timely evidence. We tend to leave Humint, spying, up to Britain or Israel as the better experts with more historical connections. Saddam himself
mistakenly believed that the CIA would see through his bluster that was
aimed at Iran, not us.

An example on your side is the German Nordpol operation in which they
captured and turned nearly all the agents sent to Holland without raising British suspicion, even though an agent's code allowed telegraphing caughtcaughtcaught in the encrypted message to alert his handlers. You had done the same to their spies.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englandspiel

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2