CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[Hell Razor5543]

I know somebody who modified several fish hook tethers with a simple clip at one end. He then clips them onto any springs that look like they have 'Houdini' tendencies (the other end of the tether (which is a couple of feet long) are secured to the workbench). There are times when the tethers can get in the way, but he has yet to lose a 'Ping Fukit!'. On springs where the clip would not work he uses strong fishing nylon, and leaves large loops (so that he can easily cut the nylon without pulling on the spring as he does so).

[mickthemaverick]

A reasonably satisfying day in the workshop despite the rampant spring issue. I have a similar mystery missing item going on at the moment, while rearranging my back up system, a TF card (micro SD) slipped from its slot and completely vanished!! I have even had the sofa apart but there is no sign of it whatsoever!! Fortunately it was a new blank one so no data lost but there is a 32gig card somewhere in the house which I have now replaced with a new one from Amazon overnight!!

A wise decision to give the Hyundai a wide berth in my opinion, aircon in particular is one area I find where the weakest link syndrome often strikes!! Replace one component and the next weakest often fails and so on and you never get the job finished in one go!!

[CitroJim]

I know somebody who modified several fish hook tethers with a simple clip at one end. He then clips them onto any springs that look like they have 'Houdini' tendencies (the other end of the tether (which is a couple of feet long) are secured to the workbench).

Thanks James, I'm cogitating an anti-ping-f$kit scheme to prevent any more going off on a flight of fancy

a TF card (micro SD) slipped from its slot and completely vanished!! I have even had the sofa apart but there is no sign of it whatsoever!!

It's gone to live with all the odd socks Seriously, isn't it amazing how such things can just vanish without trace although you know roughly where they went... You just know you'll find it when you're not looking for it; as I will with my spring!

A wise decision to give the Hyundai a wide berth in my opinion, aircon in particular is one area I find where the weakest link syndrome often strikes!! Replace one component and the next weakest often fails and so on and you never get the job finished in one go!!

Precisely! The (surprising) level of corrosion was such that I feared just that and explained to the owner we could end up in a big downward spiral. I even had to fight corrosion levels not expected in a 10-plate car to get the engine under-tray off...

All was understood. The car is for his daughter when she starts driving soon and she can live without aircon!

[moizeau]

I'm cogitating an anti-ping-f$kit scheme to prevent any more going off on a flight of fancy

I had a spring issue with a petrol strimmer, the one in the head that is the 'tap to lengthen cord'. With it being a strimmer it's used in longish grass so a right bugger to find it the head catches something and it disassembles itself. I painted it dayglo pink.

[mickthemaverick]

I had a spring issue with a petrol strimmer, the one in the head that is the 'tap to lengthen cord'. With it being a strimmer it's used in longish grass so a right bugger to find it the head catches something and it disassembles itself. I painted it dayglo pink.

You have to be careful with dayglo pink in the garden Pete, if you look out at night there's a good chance you'll have a garden full of fairies!!

[CitroJim]

I had a spring issue with a petrol strimmer, the one in the head that is the 'tap to lengthen cord'. With it being a strimmer it's used in longish grass so a right bugger to find it the head catches something and it disassembles itself. I painted it dayglo pink.

You have to be careful with daylo pink in the garden Pete, if you look out at night there's a good chance you'll have a garden full of fairies!!

I have a plan involving a very large, clear plastic bag I can use as a protective tent... Then, if any fly, they'll be contained...

The replacement springs have arrived - nothing done today and I've been out all morning at parkrun. As I've recently bought new shoes I can't afford to pay for parking at the venue so I ran there and back*. It ended up getting on for a half marathon It's run my new shoes in a perfect treat

Today it was Milton Keynes parkrun's 15th birthday The promise of cake attracted a very big attendance: 916 of us... I came home in 622nd place. I'd have been much quicker if I didn't spend so much of the run talking to friends...

With a very good friend...

This afternoon I buckled down and got cracking on some mandatory training I have to undertake on a yearly basis. A bit like an MoT to confirm I'm good to do what I do for another year

Tomorrow, after my usual Sunday morning activity, should see me back in the workshop and playing with springs

* I'm only joking - I deliberately chose to run half marathon distance this morning as part of my training for an upcoming ultra...

[CitroJim]

In my super happy place this morning, in the role of Run Director for the 90th time during my 340th parkrun volunteer day at MK Junior parkrun

It was jolly cold again this morning

My volunteer totals above are all-time at all parkruns, not just Juniors

There's a video of me in action but you really don't want to see that!

I then, once a lot of critical parkrun admin - in a coffee shop - was attended to, I could return to my 'springy' starter motor...

My 'tent' plan was tried but it failed

It worked insomuch as it contained a 'flyer' but the fundamental problem was that one spring, nicely placed, would go ping when another was fitted due to slight armature movements.

The solution to this was to make up a set of retaining clips using a tin can for the raw materials:

Once all were in, the clips could be carefully removed and the paxolin retaining plate refitted

Job's a good 'un

[Stickyfinger]

Well done Jim, that is a good start...

[mickthemaverick]

I'm enjoying seeing all these cameras Keep 'em coming ;

I came across this old compact film camera today complete with a film in it but I've dumped that cos I can't be bothered to see if it is any good !!

MTMO - My Canon Sure Shot

[CitroJim]

Ahh, you should have had it processed Mick Once I found an old camera that belonged to my grandparents and that had an undeveloped film in it with some photos of them and their old house on it...

[mickthemaverick]

I'll simply say I have a feeling I know what was on the film and giving it to any other 3rd party would not be welcomed by certain people. Nuff said!!

[CitroJim]

Fair comment Mick!

[CitroJim]

Well done Jim, that is a good start...

And even better today when I bench-tested it

Not without bloodshed though The spring retainers I made up had some razor-sharp edges on them and I found out the hard and bloody way when one sliced through the top of my right index finger...

It looked like a crime scene in my workshop Blood everywhere...

[Stickyfinger]

Bluebell is now called Bloodbath ?

[CitroJim]

Bluebell is now called Bloodbath ?

Now, if I had blue blood but last time I checked, it was still bright red... Shame we're not copper-based lifeforms really as blue blood would be so cool

There is one that does, the Horseshoe Crab. Not actually a true crab. Its blood has valuable medicinal properties and is very expensive - almost as expensive as inkjet ink...

Bloody annoyed to see a small spot of blood on my bedding this morning - I though the bleeding had stopped but it appears to have briefly restarted during the night

Any tips for getting blood out of a sheet?