DIY with function over finesse!!

[MattBLancs]

It would, very detailed pictures and very detailed torque figures and the list of what to remove first is LISTED, not 'refer to page xxx, chapter z'

Thanks for the description on contents, sounds good, I'll likely seek some of these out

At that Matt but you know, even if you're like me and struggle with my own native language it's amazing how well you can read and understand technical French. I had a RT manual for the Xantia in French and I could always get the gist of it and as Pete says, it's very good with diagrams and pictures...

I got expelled from the French class but then I can't blame them as I could barely speak English fluently then, let alone any other language! In fact I couldn't until quite late in life actually. It's all a bit different now as you can't shut me up... Making up for lost time perhaps Now stick a microphone in front of me with a PA system attached and a gathering of people and I'm away... I simply love public speaking and I'm famous for it...

Back on topic... If there ever was a topic We had a sherdathon today and the shredder with the brass bearings broke - as expected - but the one with the Nylon-66 bearings did a sterling job. The one with the phosphor bronze bearing also stuck it out to the end...

Here's the proof



And one of the bearings, showing no wear



We did find the motors don't like continuous duty. They get very hot and loose power. They're fine once cooled down...

So now I'll make sets of Nylon-66 bearings for the other two...

The three shredders cost a tenner. I must have spent at least twice that on experimental bearing material

Ah, forced (fan) cooling next upgrade then ?

[MattBLancs]

That's a nice selection Matt Does the baby one have a section on nappy changing?

Well you did ask..

... Yes!

There's nice bits of humour thrown in, e.g.

[CitroJim]

That's a nice selection Matt Does the baby one have a section on nappy changing?

Well you did ask..

... Yes!

Magic A lovely bit of subtle humour there... Shame the same is not seen in any of their car manuals, it would improve them no end

Ah, forced (fan) cooling next upgrade then ?

Now there' a thought And maybe pressure lubrication for the bearings... I'll end up turning these into super-shredders

[myglaren]

Liquid Nitrogen supercooling. You know it makes sense.

[mickthemaverick]

When you're doing the pressure oil feed for the bearings Jim , you may as well add a second pump and tank of shredder oil to lube the blades when initialised!

[mickthemaverick]

Oh and a laser beam detector to give a bin full warning!!

[CitroJim]

When you're doing the pressure oil feed for the bearings Jim , you may as well add a second pump and tank of spreader oil to lube the blades when initialised!

That's a good one indeed

Oh and a laser beam detector to give a bin full warning!!

Yes, it is beyond belief these shredders do't have that as once the cutters start regurgitating the shreddings from a full bin the risk of a solid jam is nearly inevitable unless you realise and do a rapid reverse. Forensically examining the damage to the original bearings I'm almost of the belief they're sacrificial and designed to fail in the case of a jam before the motor and gear-train is damaged...

I may look at a full bin switch... It only needs a micro-switch on a ball float. I could source a suitable ball next time Autumn and I go for soft play... I'm sure they won't miss one from the ballpit

[moizeau]

Never tried the needle roller inside the original bush Jim? Regarding the motor dying, a little contact breaker (like on RC cars in my youth) or if heat is the problem, presumably the wires feeding the motor must get warm also so a suitably rated thermal fuse would work With the motor protected you can for your life on the bearing configuration.

[Stickyfinger]

A great time saver.....

[CitroJim]

Never tried the needle roller inside the original bush Jim?

No, now they've done the bulk of their hard work Pete - well beyond what any shredder would normally see - and no they will only be used for light domestic duty, I'll not go that far, especially as the Nylon-66 seems to work well - my test bearing did have a stern test with several reams of paper!

Regarding the motor dying, a little contact breaker (like on RC cars in my youth) or if heat is the problem, presumably the wires feeding the motor must get warm also so a suitably rated thermal fuse would work With the motor protected you can for your life on the bearing configuration.

That is a good plan I'll be looking into a thermal cutout along with a 'bin full' interlock...

I learned a lot about bearing materials playing with these shredders... All good knowledge.

Yesterday, my lathe got a good cleanup and service. It had almost buried itself under swarf...

[CitroJim]

Flagpole problems today... Our parkruns have sets of banner flags on carbon fibre poles that remain upright via a metal spike in the ground...

They all pack down neatly into a thin bag when not in use but not, as happened last week, when the bottom pole gets stuck fast to the spike...

The flags are intended to rotate about the spike and to achieve this there's a nylon sleeve between the spike and pole...

Lots of mud had got in there and a seriously big tug was needed to separate the two. A good cleanup, new O rings, a bit of dressing of the scratched nylon sleeve and a good lube with Vaseline sees it all good again

[MattBLancs]

Was feeling a bit creative, this is first day since with any sunshine, so maiden voyage:

Peg bag made from a (torn across the knee and generally tatty) pair of overalls!
Chest pockets retained= put all the broken / disassembled bits of peg in there for reassembly later.


Yes it's a bit wonky, machine sewn but all done by an amateur! (Me)

[Sloppysod]

Was feeling a bit creative, this is first day since with any sunshine, so maiden voyage:
Peg bag made from a (torn across the knee and generally tatty) pair of overalls!

Yes it's a bit wonky, machine sewn but all done by an amateur! (Me)

Ah, I can only assume your are too young Matt, you don't cut up perfectly good clothing that still has pockets......pockets were usually used to cover areas that needed repair, especially knees & elbows!
Other than that 9.9/10 (lost marks due to wonkiness)

[myglaren]

[MattBLancs]

Yes definitely too young
I've relocated pockets to knees on a couple of jeans, but these overalls seem to have gone thin most of the way up the leg, so decided not to bother.

Yes, disappointed with the wonkiness but it is functional enough. Quite a good score all told!