From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

While re-wiring my KVM (old 2-port sat below the desk and was remotely operated, new 4-port sits above desk) I had to disturb various cabling, including a 6-way mains strip ... while doing that I heard a nasty
BZZZZT! arcing from inside it.

Went to open it up, using snake eye security bit, and one of the 'teeth'
broke off straight away, I suspect the bit was one of those from a set
of 76 bits you have to buy when there's just one you actually need, so
ordered a decent set of snake eye bits.

Anyway managed to open the 4-way with a wrong sized snake eye bit, I
know some multiway strips are surprisingly cheaply made, this one more
than normal, three zig-zag brass strips, not even spot welded to the
contacts the plugs go into, just wedged in contact between the contacts
and bits of plastic. The arcing was related to the neon+dropper
resistor, so I just cut it out.

Anyway, rejigging all the the cabling wasn't too expensive, I could
re-use some of the DisplayPort cables, others needed replacing 2m to 3m, others replacing 1m to 0.5m, to suit the new arrangement, some got
upgraded from USB2 to USB3 in the process.

Also bought a couple of active adapters so the spare KVM port can now
handle HDMI or VGA connection for "visiting" computers, even mini-HDMI
for the rPi Zero.

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On Mon, 14 Sep 2026 20:52:02 +0100, Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk>
wrote:

While re-wiring my KVM (old 2-port sat below the desk and was remotely >operated, new 4-port sits above desk) I had to disturb various cabling, >including a 6-way mains strip ... while doing that I heard a nasty
BZZZZT! arcing from inside it.

Went to open it up, using snake eye security bit, and one of the 'teeth' >broke off straight away, I suspect the bit was one of those from a set
of 76 bits you have to buy when there's just one you actually need, so >ordered a decent set of snake eye bits.

Anyway managed to open the 4-way with a wrong sized snake eye bit, I
know some multiway strips are surprisingly cheaply made, this one more
than normal, three zig-zag brass strips, not even spot welded to the >contacts the plugs go into, just wedged in contact between the contacts
and bits of plastic. The arcing was related to the neon+dropper
resistor, so I just cut it out.

Anyway, rejigging all the the cabling wasn't too expensive, I could
re-use some of the DisplayPort cables, others needed replacing 2m to 3m, >others replacing 1m to 0.5m, to suit the new arrangement, some got
upgraded from USB2 to USB3 in the process.

Also bought a couple of active adapters so the spare KVM port can now
handle HDMI or VGA connection for "visiting" computers, even mini-HDMI
for the rPi Zero.

Just a quick moan about the derogatory use of "shoddy." I feel almost
as strongly about it as when people say they are going to Nick a bike
or a car. Up here in t'north, shoddy is something proudly made in
factories - mostly around Dewsbury - and there's nothing shoddy about
Shoddy.

PS. I've come across multiway strips like that in Argentina but I had
no idea they had arrived in the UK. Any sign of a UKCA or CE mark or a
kitemark on it?

Nick
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Nick Odell wrote:

Just a quick moan about the derogatory use of "shoddy." I feel almost
as strongly about it as when people say they are going to Nick a bike
or a car. Up here in t'north, shoddy is something proudly made in
factories - mostly around Dewsbury - and there's nothing shoddy about
Shoddy.

Oh, I'd never heard of "shoddy" as anything other than being low
quality, wikip has further enlightened me. I have to say it feels like someone should have been fighting for shoddy and mungo's corner about 50
years ago, the original meaning has been overwhelmed now?

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recycled_wool>

PS. I've come across multiway strips like that in Argentina but I had
no idea they had arrived in the UK. Any sign of a UKCA or CE mark or a kitemark on it?

No independent certification marks, just the relevant BS number, which I
think is taken as a declaration from the manufacturer that it meets that standard?

SMJ Electrical Ltd, according to Companies House they folded 2 years
ago, but I see various products still sold by several retailers/wholesalers. --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Just a quick moan about the derogatory use of "shoddy." I feel almost
as strongly about it as when people say they are going to Nick a bike
or a car. Up here in t'north, shoddy is something proudly made in
factories - mostly around Dewsbury - and there's nothing shoddy about
Shoddy.

Batley and Dewsbury were known as the "shoddy towns" - according to my geography teacher, but that was a long time ago...
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 15/09/2026 12:18, Abandoned Trolley wrote:

Just a quick moan about the derogatory use of "shoddy." I feel almost
as strongly about it as when people say they are going to Nick a bike
or a car. Up here in t'north, shoddy is something proudly made in
factories - mostly around Dewsbury - and there's nothing shoddy about
Shoddy.

Batley and Dewsbury were known as the "shoddy towns" - according to my geography teacher, but that was a long time ago...

The topic probably came up because the "Woolmark" for Pure New Wool was
only introduced in 1964 - I started at the school in 1965
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 15/09/2026 12:18, Abandoned Trolley wrote:

Just a quick moan about the derogatory use of "shoddy." I feel almost
as strongly about it as when people say they are going to Nick a bike
or a car. Up here in t'north, shoddy is something proudly made in
factories - mostly around Dewsbury - and there's nothing shoddy about
Shoddy.

Batley and Dewsbury were known as the "shoddy towns" - according to my geography teacher, but that was a long time ago...

Shoddy was shoddy. Made from recycled clothes IIRC
--
"The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow witted
man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest
thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him."

- Leo Tolstoy


--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 14/09/2026 20:52, Andy Burns wrote:

While re-wiring my KVM (old 2-port sat below the desk and was remotely operated, new 4-port sits above desk) I had to disturb various cabling, including a 6-way mains strip ... while doing that I heard a nasty
BZZZZT! arcing from inside it.

Went to open it up, using snake eye security bit, and one of the 'teeth' broke off straight away, I suspect the bit was one of those from a set
of 76 bits you have to buy when there's just one you actually need, so ordered a decent set of snake eye bits.

Anyway managed to open the 4-way with a wrong sized snake eye bit, I
know some multiway strips are surprisingly cheaply made, this one more
than normal, three zig-zag brass strips, not even spot welded to the contacts the plugs go into, just wedged in contact between the contacts
and bits of plastic. The arcing was related to the neon+dropper
resistor, so I just cut it out.

Anyway, rejigging all the the cabling wasn't too expensive, I could
re-use some of the DisplayPort cables, others needed replacing 2m to 3m, others replacing 1m to 0.5m, to suit the new arrangement, some got
upgraded from USB2 to USB3 in the process.

Also bought a couple of active adapters so the spare KVM port can now
handle HDMI or VGA connection for "visiting" computers, even mini-HDMI
for the rPi Zero.

I bought a "wireless controlled" 4-way mains block a little while ago.
It was needed for some remote testing at $WORK. The Wifi control needed
a custom Android app to run, but my idea was to rework this using the
open source Tasmoto firmware, so that it be controlled via a linux PC
just connecting and sending messages etc.

I opened this thing up and identified the wifi module which I intended
to replace (or reprogram, can't remember) ... but what I saw inside
terrified me. it was all copper parts just rubbing up against each
other, bit of plastic sheet folded over just using friction, etc. Yours
sounds very similar. The prospect of putting all this back together and
me being responsible for the safety of anyone using it put me off, and I
ended up binning the project.

I have never heard the term 'snake eye bit' before!

J^n
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

jkn wrote:

I have never heard the term 'snake eye bit' before!

What else do you call them?

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 16/09/2026 07:02, Andy Burns wrote:

jkn wrote:

I have never heard the term 'snake eye bit' before!

What else do you call them?

Not heard that term before so had to look it up.
I call them two prong bits or two prong security bits.
Never come across a use for them yet ... perhaps one day!
--
Regards
wasbit
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 16/09/2026 07:02, Andy Burns wrote:

jkn wrote:

I have never heard the term 'snake eye bit' before!

What else do you call them?

One eyed trouser snakes?
--
In todays liberal progressive conflict-free education system, everyone
gets full Marx.

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

wasbit wrote:

I call them two prong bits or two prong security bits.
Never come across a use for them yet ... perhaps one day!

The cheapy 6-way was the first time I'd used them, which was why I was
annoyed that the small bit broke straight away. The 'Laser' ones have
just arrived and look a lot more up to the job (I ought to throw out the
other ones, but suspect the temptation to keep them as spares will win).

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 16/09/2026 07:02, Andy Burns wrote:

jkn wrote:

I have never heard the term 'snake eye bit' before!

What else do you call them?

"those security bits with the two prongs on the side"...

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On Wed, 16 Sep 2026 09:26:28 +0100, wasbit <wasbit@invalid.com> wrote:

On 16/09/2026 07:02, Andy Burns wrote:

jkn wrote:

I have never heard the term 'snake eye bit' before!

What else do you call them?

Not heard that term before so had to look it up.
I call them two prong bits or two prong security bits.
Never come across a use for them yet ... perhaps one day!

Light has finally dawned: are you talking about something that looks
like a flat screwdriver bit with the middle nibbled out?

I didn't need the other 71 shapes and sizes in a kit so I grabbed the
nearest bit of scrap steel rod[1]and with a grinding wheel, fashioned
a flat driver and cut the middle bit out. That was years ago and I'm
still using it today.

Nick
[1]Which just happened to be an old cello spike but other sources of
steel rod are available.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 2026-09-16, Nick Odell <nickodell49@yahoo.ca> wrote:

On Wed, 16 Sep 2026 09:26:28 +0100, wasbit <wasbit@invalid.com> wrote:

On 16/09/2026 07:02, Andy Burns wrote:

jkn wrote:

I have never heard the term 'snake eye bit' before!

What else do you call them?

Not heard that term before so had to look it up.
I call them two prong bits or two prong security bits.
Never come across a use for them yet ... perhaps one day!

Light has finally dawned: are you talking about something that looks
like a flat screwdriver bit with the middle nibbled out?

I didn't need the other 71 shapes and sizes in a kit so I grabbed the
nearest bit of scrap steel rod[1]and with a grinding wheel, fashioned
a flat driver and cut the middle bit out. That was years ago and I'm
still using it today.

For the hand tool version just butcher a flat screwdriver blade.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 16/09/2026 19:09, jkn wrote:

On 16/09/2026 07:02, Andy Burns wrote:

jkn wrote:

I have never heard the term 'snake eye bit' before!

What else do you call them?

"those security bits with the two prongs on the side"...

Dog-tooth driver?
--
"I guess a rattlesnake ain't risponsible fer bein' a rattlesnake, but ah
puts mah heel on um jess the same if'n I catches him around mah chillun".


--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 16/09/2026 21:23, Nick Odell wrote:

On Wed, 16 Sep 2026 09:26:28 +0100, wasbit <wasbit@invalid.com> wrote:

On 16/09/2026 07:02, Andy Burns wrote:

jkn wrote:

I have never heard the term 'snake eye bit' before!

What else do you call them?

Not heard that term before so had to look it up.
I call them two prong bits or two prong security bits.
Never come across a use for them yet ... perhaps one day!

Light has finally dawned: are you talking about something that looks
like a flat screwdriver bit with the middle nibbled out?

I didn't need the other 71 shapes and sizes in a kit so I grabbed the
nearest bit of scrap steel rod[1]and with a grinding wheel, fashioned
a flat driver and cut the middle bit out. That was years ago and I'm
still using it today.

Nick
[1]Which just happened to be an old cello spike but other sources of
steel rod are available.

I've still got a very cheap screwdriver like that, made years ago, I
don't recall using it or making it.
Many things disappeared during the house rebuild, and other things were
left behind...
--
rCLBut what a weak barrier is truth when it stands in the way of an hypothesis!rCY

Mary Wollstonecraft

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2