filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
Sept 11, 2023 9:09:51 GMT
|
That is a Possession Limit Board (PLB) off t'railway. Used during railway possessions/line blockages to allow engineering works and such, in conjunction with exploding 'detonators' (previously known as fog signals). Should be a battery box in one side, containing a couple of old-style 6v batteries (in parallel, so you only actually need one), connected to the board by a 3-pin 'kettle' lead. You switch the board on/off using a little push switch hidden behind a tiny hole at about 11 o'clock on the red lens ie you need something min. 20mm long and 3-4mm dia to stick in the hole to operate the switch. By the solid infilled handles, that is a pretty old board (+20 years I would think) and they tend to be pretty unreliable, even when young, although they generally get much abuse when in use. Almost inevitably the cheapest nastiest batteries are used and left in 'til they leak, corroding the battery box connections. The kettle lead pins corrode/get damaged, and the switches give up/get broken by people sticking all sort of unsuitable things in the the hole (fnar). However all those things are simple enough to repair, and I have never known the flashing circuit give up, or had to change a bulb now I think about it. Well, you did ask... oh, you didn't
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
|
Nice save. Mk1 Sciroccos really do like to rust... although I am pretty sure I have seen worse rescued! You might be surprised at what Antony* at Rust Republic has made shiny and beautiful, VW A1 chassis being a bit of a speciality, among others. Although some parts are almost Unobtainium, I think you might still be able to get floor pans, boot floor and rear chassis legs (includes rear beam mount).
|
|
Last Edit: Aug 4, 2023 10:01:18 GMT by filmidget
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
Jul 12, 2023 11:54:35 GMT
|
Wife and I took the MX5 back to our Honeymoon destination for 20th anniversary - Riva Del Garda in North Italy... Surprisingly disappointing amount of retros spotted, even retro tat in French Banjo Country, so not worth a full thread. But managed to sneak a few car-related bits... I always thought these under-rated, now I really want one. Grossglockner High Alpine Pass was - literally - awesome. Rare bit of retro-ness in the wild Mines the little silver one - the TVR boys were doing something similar to us but the opposite direction. 2080 miles, 6 countries, sea level to nearly 8500ft, and 52gallons of fuel. Good fun, and only one minor disagreement.
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
Nov 22, 2022 13:18:30 GMT
|
As a Bridge Engineer (including retaining walls, etc) myself and a colleague have just been admiring the placing of the stone in those gabions - honestly probably the neatest we've seen.
Impressive job altogether.
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
Nov 22, 2022 13:04:55 GMT
|
2nd photo: That 'triangular' grey ship (and the white insert) looks like a Power of the Force T16 missing the wings and bits. The jetski looking thing is a later Clone Wars era version of a 'Mini-rig' I think (my lads had one). Don't know what the black thing is.
Most of the items look to be Power of the Force, but they seemed to at least partially re-use some of the moulds from the earlier 80's/90's stuff, so I am not sure on the X-wing and Tie fighter without checking a book that is currently still in storage. Most are missing guns/wings/etc.*
The small Darth, Leia (in Boushh outfit) and AT-AT Driver (Storm Trooper look-alike) are the earlier series.
Most figures are unfortunately missing one of more of gun/lighsaber/cloak/helmet.*
Might be worth something if sold as a job lot? I don't know how collectable the 12" figures are - maybe worth trying those separately?
* I wonder if 3d-printed replacements are available?
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
|
Is anywhere really that bad now? As bad as an ex-pit village in the late 80's/early 90's?
I went to Newstead/Annesley back then and it was like going back to the 1920's, not just back a decade or two.
On a happier, and more relevant, note... My old Grandad was the village Bobby based just down the road from your family estate, in Everton, back in the late 40's and/or early 50's.
ISTR his beat was Everton, Gringley-on-the-Hill, Mattersey, and possibly Clayworth - all on a clunky police bike and checking in to 'control' (or whatever) from each village telephone box.
I would have to ask my mum for more accuracy on the dates/villages, but that will set off her reminisces of an idyllic small village childhood living in the Police House. At least until Grandad was transferred to Arnold in Nottingham, then Mansfield (he must have really upset 'them' when he turned down the funny handshake).
He was originally a poor Sheffield lad, met my Nana (a Land Army girl) while he was up in Scotland driving munitions trucks (later across Europe), and was quite open that the reason he become a copper was for the police house that came with the job. Helps that he was a big tall* ugly bu**er too! I certainly wouldn't have wanted a clip 'round t'ear from him.
Wish I had known him better - he was apparently a bit of a character who did his own thing. For years the family transport was a motorbike and sidecar outfit - wife pillion and 2 kids in the sidecar. That includes trips back to see Nana's family in the north of Scotland!
* I think 6'4" - a big unit back then?
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
Jun 22, 2022 11:34:05 GMT
|
Who/where/what!?
Any more details for a Facebook luddite please?
I could well be up for a evening out to this.
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
|
The traffic light thing was exactly what I had in mind for my newly extended garage, if I ever finish the house bit of the extension. Mind if I steal your code? Although I am certainly sticking with 12v! I attended a 1 day course on getting started with Arduino, run at Nottingham Hackspace, then managed to start playing with a few projects - good fun, but then building works started and I have forgotten what little I did know. The guy running the course is a electrical engineer and had made some great things, my favourite being the nixie tube clock, bit like this: I only got as far as playing with turning LED's on and off with different inputs really, peaking with a stack of LED's that lit up progressively from a throttle on a gaming joystick - didn't think that was bad for somebody whose last contact with 'electronics' was with a few transistors, resistors and capacitors in a technology GCSE over 30 years ago! I have a few ideas for projects, and would be interested in any other of your projects you care to post up.
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
Apr 14, 2022 21:49:10 GMT
|
En route home from a night shift in Beford I might have accidently slipped from the M1 onto the M6, and somehow ended up at Curborough. It just happened that the MG Car Club were holding a sprint meeting... Just a few piccies of things that caught my attention (also wanted to try this new photo thread creator thing). Not great photos as only had my phone, and so didn't even try to take any of the action on track. Starting with wandering around the 'car park', then onto the paddock... I forget what a simple elegant design these are... ...but with some lovely details. The 10 year old me REALLY want to take this home. Mmmm... arches. Serious arches. Can we guess what it is? (No, I don't mean a fat bloke in very hi-vis trousers taking a photo) Of course it's a TR7 V8 (Are there any left TR7 that haven't been converted into 'TR8') Following up with a V8 engined MG. Errr...striking. Another MG - not sure if 6 or 8 cylinders in this one. This was a cracking little thing. It's the second time I reckon I have seen those wheels recently on a little 'weekend racer' type of car - can't think what they are? A subtle bit of 'weekend racer' purposefulness. And not quite so subtle... Into the paddock now. This caught my attention. Actually THIS caught my attention - that's a lot of fan to keep the driver cool... Ah, that would explain it - Blackbird engine where the rear seats would have been. Really pleasant father and son (I think), first time out and unfortunately having a few teething troubles on the runs I saw. Couple of 'bike engined single seaters (Jedi?) - tidy and quick but I can't get excited by them. By way of contrast, a Metro. Well I suppose it takes all sorts. Serious Mini, with serious carbon... ...and serious engine. Rozzer is having a problem with his differential. Not pretty, but bloody quick, and made a fantastic noise. Also a bit scruffy but also surprisingly fast and tidy. Blue Midget in the background was running... ...a lump of K-series. Very effective. A few midgets were running them, allowed in modified classes by MGCC as an "engine from the same manufacturer". As was this one I think. Purposeful in the foreground, pretty (Sprite) in the background (when the bonnet was down anyway). This was the car the current me wanted to take home (much to the disgust of the 10 year old self). Some kind of wonderful MG-based aluminium bodied supercharged special. Love the construction, overall design, details, everything. Cracking little event, and well attended by spectators too, which is nice.
|
|
Last Edit: Apr 14, 2022 21:55:00 GMT by filmidget
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
|
Title promised... thread delivered.
Who wouldn't love a big shiny garden rocket in their life!? Excellent work.
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
Nov 16, 2021 14:31:17 GMT
|
Nowt wrong with a bit of 'pottering', all very manly. Admittedly old-man-in-steel-toecap-carpet-slippers type manly, but manly nevertheless. I say I'm going to "play cars'. You could have tinkering, hobbying, teabagging etc Errr... really not sure about the 3rd term there sir? Not unless his good lady really appreciates the pottering!
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
|
There is also: Rust RepublicJust North of Nottingham, cover fabrication/welding, paint and mechanical work. Fairly regularly post interesting work on their Facebook page. (the silver MX5 posted a few months ago is mine )
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
|
I was searching for potential insurers for my two lads (they turn 17 in March) and had some amazingly reasonable quotes for classic cars from Sterling Insurance (same group and HIC and Adrian Flux?).
Fearing them to be too good to be true I searched for reviews... 'Sharp practice' doesn't cover it IMO, with VERY similar problems to those Fenny is encountering.
I wouldn't consider using them at any price.
All our cars are with Direct Line at the moment - not the cheapest but when I have needed customer service they have been excellent.
Peter James were also great for me when I was insuring a small fleet of minor/borderline classics.
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
Jan 27, 2021 15:20:21 GMT
|
To Gspeed:
For the usual double garage door sized opening I would be surprised if you didn't end up with a 203UB(/C), with an 8mm plate welded to the bottom, width to suit the gable end brickwork.
Nathan: Looking good there. I still haven't ordered my Lathams door, but realised that due to having to lower the ceiling height for the required insulation thickness (I am under a living area), I can't fit the intended roller door. Not happy.
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
Jan 27, 2021 12:07:16 GMT
|
I am not any sort of Vauxhall guy, but did buy a 2002 Z18'ed Astra with 40k miles, but used 'little but often', and with a service history.
I have put about 30k on mine, and only needed a couple of front drop links and rear springs (less than £40 total!), and a rear exhaust section (£75 with new fittings and mounts). Plus servicing of course.
I find the engine to be surprisingly torquey for an 1800 16v, and quick enough for a daily (and more than a match for the chassis...), although apparently there is an early version with 115bhp and later with 125bhp, and mine is attached to a close-ish ratio 'box (which it really doesn't need). Plus the Astra must be a chunk lighter than a Vectra.
Having said that it's competent but dull to drive, and nearly £3k seems a hell of a lot for a car of that age/spec/dullness, especially having been sat doing nothing & deteriorating.
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
Dec 28, 2020 19:40:36 GMT
|
Good information on the Lathams doors, most helpful.
Wanted to go with external opening as internal opening might interfere with the garage door and/or where I might want to position a vehicle (I can't move the position of the door as most of the garage is underground).
However, people, including the builder, said out external opening door were a pain, especially as it might block the route to the front of the property if it only opened outwards 90 degrees.
Now I am happy to go external opening - might even make a recess for the door handle, so it can open close to 180 degrees.
Thanks chaps.
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
Dec 22, 2020 12:27:09 GMT
|
A Lathams security door is on my Christmas list for the extended garage project.
You mentioned fitting was simple (which is good to hear, 'cos I am fitting it) but are you happy with the door generally?
What spec security door did you go for? (PM me if you prefer not to announce publicly)
I was thinking of going for the stainless steel hardware option, with three star locks.
Also considering going for hinged for external opening - if I did, looking at yours it appears in that it should fold back almost flat against the external wall?
If I get around to finishing my garage/workshop to half the standard of yours I should be a very happy man.
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
Nov 18, 2020 15:05:56 GMT
|
That is looking really good.
My builder said the same about tiles - we are currently waiting on concrete beams for the beam and block floor, with no delivery date given.
Can I ask where you obtained your security door? (Lathams?) Look good?
Unfortunately my build is going to have to re-use the existing garage door for budgetary reasons, but would be interested in hearing your experience with a local company. Next door had a Horman (I assume 'off the shelf') fitted - the door is great, the fitters were less so.
Wall spraying is a good idea - I spent hours splashing cheap white emulsion onto concrete blocks!
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
Oct 30, 2020 12:41:10 GMT
|
Shhhh... secret at the moment...
But things like the SPAM FROM at one end having some nice car door handles, couple of sets of plastic drawers replaced by mid size tool drawers, that kind of thing.
Will possibly start a thread on it when I get around to starting as the foundations went in for our new house (and garage!) extension yesterday so I might be a bit busy!
EDIT: Didn't realise 'cupboards you might put in a place of cooking operations' would be censored!
|
|
Last Edit: Oct 30, 2020 12:43:08 GMT by filmidget
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
Oct 30, 2020 10:44:11 GMT
|
Pretty strong in favour of a proper job.
Benzboy - no apology necessary - was admirably succinct!
firenzaboxer - genius thinking, especially as I was already on planning to use an Arduino to control various modes/functions via a little IR remote.
Thanks chaps.
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|