Hi,

You bring back memories Andrew; baccy tins were everywhere when I was a kid and there must have been millions of them in sheds and workshops; in later years I started using margarine tubs because these held more. I have two soldering irons; the one I often use is rated at 25W. I agree there's little pleasure tinkering around with solid state; I've never liked electronic components I could destroy by just handling them; I used to have to earth myself due to static build up. I have friends who make their own IC boards.

I've restored a few Bush radio's @BillyG and know very well what you are talking about; I liked the big old valves because there was lots of space around the pins for soldering. SW; MW & LW; all I ever got out of the sets I restored used to be about three stations; the whistle from the TRF sets used to clear my ears out; I still have a fully restored 1931 Ultra Tiger Gram. You're mention of half wave rectifier valves reminds me of the very first mains radio transformer I wound; I wound on the primary then wound on the secondaries; the chassis I was working on needed something like 350V on the rectifier so I happily wound for 350V and was delighted when I put the test meter on; it was bang on 350V ( just remembered it was a Strad radio). I installed the rewound transformer and switched on but what a disappointment; it had only about half volume. This really puzzled me for quite a while until I realized I'd done correctly and wound for 350V but the rectifer valve was full wave and center tapping meant only 175V at each end. I stripped it out and wound this time at 700V then the set worked perfectly.

I used to replace dropper resistors with a Wattless Dropper; the big resistors often ruined Bakelite cabinets due to heating. I wonder how many modern cars will end up in the scrap yard once their electronics start to fail; I used to own my own garage business many years ago but now wonder why I ever open the bonnet.

I agree American terms and spellings appear very strange to us here in the UK; we use solder but Americans now use sodder; we use aluminium Americans use aluminum; I've even seen a small cupboard between base and wall unit called a "Garage" I realize I'm a guest on an American forum but why try to change the correct English language?

Having restored a number of vintage valve radios I eventually could completely strip a chassis and fully rebuild it.

Here's a very rough Bush SW45 chassis before stripping and rebuilding it.

Here's the Bush SW45 restored to showroom condition finished in french polish.

Vintage valves were pretty tough but over years of use lost emmission and the only usual test in a home workshop was to check for continuity across the heater pins but the valve could still be faulty so I bought a rather expensive AVO Valve Characteristic Meter allowing me to test most valves.

Here's the Bush SW45 as bought it being an ugly duckling.

These days this old technology is long forgotten being replaced by modern electronics; I find it sad parents will pay £400 for an electronic toy for their child which is outdated as soon as it leaves the store but these vintage radios are now virtually worthless; at one point I had over 70 of these vintage radios. How times have changed; I've now got a sound recording studio that fits into the palm of my hand it being the Tascam.

Kind regards, Colin.

Hi,

Thanks Andrew; just the mention of MOSFET's makes my toes curl; a couple of years ago Bron generously bought me a Tig welder because I fancied learning how to weld aluminium; I've been able to weld steel for almost 60 years using an arc welder.

I set it all up and got seated comfortably; in less than five minutes there was a loud explosion just behind me followed by the workshop being filled with dense smoke; the Tig welder had self destructed. Fortunately the manufacturer was absolutely brilliant and fully repaired it; it had destroyed three expensive circuit boards; large capacitors had exploded and the MOSFET's were well and truly destroyed. I did learn how to Tig weld then I sold the Tig welder and closed my BOC account; I'd done what I set out to do so was happy. Bron's now generously bought me the violin at least this won't explode and this time I think I've got a lifetime's hobby ahead of me.

Thanks @ABitRusty ; Very funny.  I'm sure the way things are going cars will soon  be disposable items just like white goods are now; we don't want an EV we're very happy with our low polluting 2.0L diesel Skoda Yeti which is the Adblue model; we'll hang onto the Yeti because we love it so much.

Thanks for enlightening me Emily; "Appliance garage" often terms used in the US are totally different to terms used in the UK. Our garages in the UK are used to house cars or pick up trucks etc; we wouldn't refer to a car as an appliance. I'm pleased you use solder though so we're on the same page. I love the Christmas cat and I'm happy to exchange any snow we get for your rain; an inch of snow here in the UK is a disaster; schools and airports close.

Yesterday I placed a £50 bid on a 61 key electronic piano through Ebay but the bid has now timed out so I'll be interested what it sells for if it does sell. Now I have the Tascam it's opened up an whole new world of recording to me; I'm new to playing musical equipment so there's nothing like jumping in at the deep end.

This morning was different; I got out of bed with nothing at all planned for today so nothing could go wrong; I'd become fed up of planning what to do each day and being prevented by interruptions; how strange; not a single visitor or interruption today; if I plan to visit the workshop tomorrow normal service will resume; oh hum.

Just for you Emily; I hope you enjoy it.

Kind regards, Colin.

Hi,

Many thanks @Mouse Much appreciated.

Being a guy I'm unable to multi task but I can do one job at a time and do it well. It's surprising whilst I'm really concentrating on doing something that a simple interruption can really throw me out. I can be working on the lathe taking heavy cuts and the interruption usually arrives when I'm at maximum concentration half way through the finishing cut. I hope I don't sound ungrateful for visitors but how come their visit is usually exactly when I want to be left well alone.

Years ago I was making a large wooden up and over garage door; it was torsion box section of frame and 1/4" plywood; I'd already glued and nailed the back panels but typical of my luck our neighbour living directly across the street wanted me to help her she was in a right panic; her car had broken down on the main road. Timing as usual absolutely perfect; I'd just applied the glue to ply panel and frame and was called away.

It's only a few days ago I'd finally managed to get into the workshop and had just settled in making violin knives when our next door neighbour locked herself out of her garden hut; just one of endless interruptions; I don't mind helping at all but it's the perfect timing which annoys most; I've had a lifetime of these interruptions so I'm resigned to them.

I'm finding it ever more difficult to do what I want to do; so many companies I used to buy from have closed down; I'm now relying on buying online for even the simplest of thing; this is OK but many times having to wait for up to a week for delivery is making me age very quickly indeed; I want to learn how to play the violin and hope to make a violin from scrartch but it's all taking forever unaided by our dire climate. Oh for long warm dry spells of weather and few interruptions but I can dream on. I've visited the usual three supermarkets this morning but before driving away at 7 o'clock I had to de-ice the car; I can't do one job for doing another.

Reading through your excellent blog @Mouse you could have the same problems with interruptions.

I've nothing planned for today; it was -0.5C when I set out this morning; BRRRRR. I hope the items I've ordered arrive this morning then I can connect the Tascam to the speakers and microphone; I can do this in comfort then I'll be happy to start recording my violin practice sessions.

I was interested in buying the keyboard shown; it was on auction but also with "Make an offer". I placed an offer of £50 cash with immediate collection; this offer through eBay valid only for 24 hours; the offer was totally ignored; as seen it finally sold for £39 and no doubt through PayPal hence extra fee to pay.

Years ago I saw on eBay a Burgess Sprayit SR122 paint spray outfit. I'd used one of these many years ago to spray my then VW split screen camper also other cars and just fancied buying it. I knew it was only worth about the starting price on auction of £30 so rather than mess around I offered £100 if the seller would post it to me. My offer was declined on the grounds it had a lot of watchers. It didn't sell so now the seller would accept the £100 from me; I declined saying because he had rejected my offer I'd just bought a more expensive Apollo airless sprayer.

A few days later this same Burgess was once again on eBay with the £30 starting price; out of interest I placed it on "Watch". I made a point of being at my computer just before the auction ended; five minutes to auction end still no bidders so I placed £50 on it but waited until about twenty seconds to auction end then placed the £50 bid; I was the only bidder so got it for £30. Bron and I enjoyed a lovely drive on a beautiful summers day over to Cheshire to collect it. the seller wasn't at all delighted hardly speaking to me and he didn't leave me any feedback on eBay.

They say things come in threes so I hope the third is an original Strad.

Kind regards, Colin.

Hi,

A good start for today; my luthier Geoff has sent an email to inform me the violin he's been getting ready for me is now available for collection so I've arranged to collect it tomorrow morning at 11:30 which I'm looking forward to. The violin is German circa 1890; I'm also collecting a top quality case and a really nice bow fitted with best quality Mongolian hair the bow is Carbon Fiber but looks like high quality solid real wood. I'll never play in an orchestra because it doesn't interest me but this violin should be all I'll ever need saving upgrading as I gain playing experience.

Last night Bron and I watched this YouTube video;

Space is limited in the studio so one of these keyboards looks ideal to play around with and I'm trying to get Bron interested in playing a musical instrument; Bron say's she'd have a go with one of these keyboards so we could practice together; me on the violin and Bron on the keyboard; sounds like interesting fun to me.

I'm still playing around with the Tascam and also I keep having a go at sharpening the four knives I've made; sharpening is slow and tedious but I'm doing it on a Trend  diamond bench hone not wanting to draw the temper which is so easy to do whilst power grinding.

The heat's on in the studio so time now to wander in and attract all our local cats whilst I enjoy a violin practice before another day slips quietly by.

UPDATE; 2 pm.

I've just bought the brand new Yamaha keyboard together with 12V adaptor; Bron's interested in it so I hope she takes to it; I'm still busy learning to play my violins.

The violin; bow and case from Geoff are also now paid for; Geoff's kindly sent more details. The new violin bow is Round stick on carbon fibre with pernambuco veneer; fully mounted ebony frog & nickel fittings. The new violin case is an oblong delux case; two toned lined interior fitted hygrometer & blanket. Bron spoils me rotten; I'd love to buy her something really special but she can't think of anything she needs or even wants; I've got a gem of a wife.

Kind regards, Colin.

Hi,

Many thanks Andrew for the Lidl information. Our Lidl store is much too near Huddersfield Town center so we never even think of visiting it neither do we ever go into Huddersfield Town and haven't done so for over 20 years.

The reason is we travel by car not cycle; our Kirklees Council are doing their best and succeeding to close all the stores in town but seem to think cyclists are the answer;

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk.....d-17502944

Only brave or desperate car drivers visit town; if the traffic wardens don't get you the bus gates will;

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk.....w-21540213

I find it very strange how the council can come up with £M's for cycle routes but can't afford rubble skips at the tips. The cyclists can have Huddersfield Town; we shop elsewhere where cars are catered for with excellent free parking not punished.

Kind regards, Colin.

Hi,

Many thanks Bill for your kind wishes; yes I'll enjoy the Tascam journey once I get into the studio in peace and quiet; lots of cable adaptors arrived today so I'm in with a chance of hooking everything up. You live much norther than us so it must get dark by dinnertime; makes you wonder why you get out of bed doesn't it. Merry Christmas to you and your family; have a good un.

I can't spell Fahrenheit Andrew; Celsius is much easier; The reason I quote Celsius is due to our apprentice weather forecasters;

As usual our weather forecasters can't agree so I just look out of the window; I've just copied both these forecasts one the BBC the other the Met office; I like a good laugh.

We enjoyed a prolonged hot summer here in Yorkshire this year it lasted longer than two days; I even splashed out buying an hosepipe; a bit of sunshine and we have a drought.

Tomorrow morning is special; I'll do the supermarket shopping first thing then it's my turn to spoil Bron; I'm taking her over to Boundary Mills in Catcliffe for some very well deserved  retail therapy no expense spared.

https://boundaryoutlet.com/sto.....sheffield/

Kind regards, Colin.