Saturday 21 June 2014

Learning skills for todays youth?

The heading could mean lots of things but I did see on Sky TV the other day that the British Government (was it Labour) now want to stop free hand outs to youth who  are not learning a trade or skill?

This came in from my good friend Joe yesterday, seems to make a point?

Read it and if you agree maybe its time to build that boat you have been thinking about!
Joes letter can be found posted in blue below my own entries.

Roy


Doing things for ourselves, it was Joe who assisted with my 998cc Hillman Imp engine back in the early 1970s, he found a company named Bremco to do the engineering work. That was to bore out the old 875cc piston liners and then re bore and fit a set of steel 998cc liners similar to the set in this picture.

Like Joe and a few other like minded guys, learning new skills was a part of the challenge.


We need to invent some tools to get the job done better, this is now the second Hillman Imp based car to use the same turning jig.

I think the real problem with boating of all types are a number of things that these days make the door to entry into that world a really tiny one.

Just like DIY, repairing cars is a thing not done by many anymore, with the result that their children do not learn any mechanical skills and often leave school unable to add a plug to the end of an electric wire, so those who mess about with the sea are becoming fewer and fewer.

I think it is the inability to just go ahead and risk your life in a tin canoe made from a sheet of corrugated iron flattened by a steam-roller, as I did when I was very young, to the stringent safety rules and regulations, coupled with the expense that, relative to other pursuits, make it less attractive to the amateur, leaving only those with real passion or who have grown up gaining some experience to want to be involved. If you just look at fishing you can also see how that has fewer participants today because of our lifestyle.

I was at dinner with my brother a few years ago when he remarked that we had an absolutely idyllic childhood.
No over-crowding, no inflation, minimal crime, and a freedom to go anywhere at any time and to experiment with every possible thing imaginable, in what was relative to today a very simple world, all of which the current generation do not have. We never had any money yet we never really lacked for money either.

From the little I know it seems you have had a good life, and for that I am glad.

Friday 20 June 2014

The Eureka canoe by Mike Storer

This canoe just looks right, its a load carrier and stable, easy to assemble and a joy to look at, even when upside down it seems?


This is our test boat and put together to check the CNC cut files we made, as you can see they worked
out well.

We can supply the plys pre cut for easy assembly, the epoxy and glass tapes, micro balloons and fumed silica to make filler pastes from.

Easy to build!

We have the plans on a PDF so you can have them quckly.

Roy

Wednesday 18 June 2014

Proteus 106 Coachroof jig

This is supplied made from removable 16mm MDF board.


The roof is then made from 4mm okoume marine ply top and bottom and a suitable 25mm foam core making a structure that is strong enough to walk on.
 

Tuesday 17 June 2014

Andy Mitchell

My friend of very many years, Andy Mitchell is no longer with us, my best respects to the family and all of his many friends.

 
http://www.andymitchellwines.com/OurStory.html

Farewell my friend.

Roy

Monday 16 June 2014

Hillman Imp transaxle servicing

This is not one of the usual items that I get involved in but as the 1971 Hillman Imp Deluxe has an oil leak in the joint of the alloy casing, its time to open it up and do the repair.


This is the early Mk1 input shaft gear cluster and with the baulk rings removed.


The bearing will be replaced, part #  6204 2RS C3 


A selection of Imp transaxle spares from the parts shelf, there is nearly enough for two transaxle input shafts here. The brass baulk rings fit on the output shaft,the upper four are  new, the lower three are used but servicable.


input shaft needle bearings, one only per transaxle is required, the baulk rings suit the earlier transaxles.


New seals and SKF bearings which are the prefered choice.

Roy

Sunday 15 June 2014

A happy Fathers Day to you!

In South Africa today is Fathers Day and tomorrow is a public holiday and Youth Day being June 16th.

 
Art work is by Jean.

All the best to those fathers out there!

Roy