What's made you smile today?

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

A case of "smell the adrenalin", I had a gas welding set "popping back" in the hoses one time that did that for me.

Very glad indeed to be able to say I've never experienced that. I remember, a wee while after being taught how to gas weld, being absolutely shocked watching a chap cutting stuff up at a scrap yard where I was looking for parts for one of my old vehicles, to see him with the full size gas bottles lying on their sides on the ground - when we'd just all been told how important it is for the Oxygen bottle in particular, to be upright. I debated as to whether to attempt to educate the operator or flee quickly in the opposite direction. I chose the latter, mainly because the chap using the cutting torch closely resembled a gorilla and I was a weedy youth!

Thought I might update you all on our household medical situation as I'm on here anyway. Been thinking of Mowermender70 a lot this morning, particularly as I was taking my walk in the early morning sunshine. Last night was, from my point of view, grim. Did I mention Mrs J was diagnosed yesterday with pneumonia? and given loads of pills with the caveat that if her condition worsened in the night I was to ring the ambulance immediately. She took all the medication and went to bed but I could hear her restricted breathing and sporadic coughing from my bed in the spare room. So, of course, I've slept very little and spent a lot of time hobbling through on my sticks to hover over her listening to her breathing and general demeanour. She seemed to get very slightly worse - if that's possible - early on but then settled and became much calmer. Of course I was wondering if her quieter demeanour was a good thing or not. Anyway, I kept vigil over her and made sure her breathing aid - she has a positive pressure breathing aid for her sleep apnea - was working properly. This morning she seems to be breathing better so I think the antibiotics are kicking in and she seems somewhat more her usual self. I took her a cup of tea around 8.00 am - interesting trying to climb the stairs with my stick and carry the cup without spilling it - and made sure she's taken the next raft of medication. Then thought I'd take a wee walk to the end of the road and back to keep everything on the move and working in the leg. But, oh my, the right leg - the one with the new hip, feels a bit "funny". The calf and ankle is a little swollen! Yikes! thoughts of DVT etc flashing through my mind? But DVT hurts a lot doesn't it? Anyway, still went the walk and the swelling has gone down a bit so decided to keep a close eye on it and see how it goes. I've got compression stockings on of course. It's like when you get fluid retention on a long flight. I may just ring the hospital advice line I was given as a contact when I left the hospital last Friday evening, especially if it doesn't continue to reduce.

Gawd, it's all happening to us just now. But I feel blessed that I'm not having to travel some 30 miles each way, like mowermender, to see her.

 

[bugsymike]

Very glad indeed to be able to say I've never experienced that. I remember, a wee while after being taught how to gas weld, being absolutely shocked watching a chap cutting stuff up at a scrap yard where I was looking for parts for one of my old vehicles, to see him with the full size gas bottles lying on their sides on the ground - when we'd just all been told how important it is for the Oxygen bottle in particular, to be upright. I debated as to whether to attempt to educate the operator or flee quickly in the opposite direction. I chose the latter, mainly because the chap using the cutting torch closely resembled a gorilla and I was a weedy youth!

Thought I might update you all on our household medical situation as I'm on here anyway. Been thinking of Mowermender70 a lot this morning, particularly as I was taking my walk in the early morning sunshine. Last night was, from my point of view, grim. Did I mention Mrs J was diagnosed yesterday with pneumonia? and given loads of pills with the caveat that if her condition worsened in the night I was to ring the ambulance immediately. She took all the medication and went to bed but I could hear her restricted breathing and sporadic coughing from my bed in the spare room. So, of course, I've slept very little and spent a lot of time hobbling through on my sticks to hover over her listening to her breathing and general demeanour. She seemed to get very slightly worse - if that's possible - early on but then settled and became much calmer. Of course I was wondering if her quieter demeanour was a good thing or not. Anyway, I kept vigil over her and made sure her breathing aid - she has a positive pressure breathing aid for her sleep apnea - was working properly. This morning she seems to be breathing better so I think the antibiotics are kicking in and she seems somewhat more her usual self. I took her a cup of tea around 8.00 am - interesting trying to climb the stairs with my stick and carry the cup without spilling it - and made sure she's taken the next raft of medication. Then thought I'd take a wee walk to the end of the road and back to keep everything on the move and working in the leg. But, oh my, the right leg - the one with the new hip, feels a bit "funny". The calf and ankle is a little swollen! Yikes! thoughts of DVT etc flashing through my mind? But DVT hurts a lot doesn't it? Anyway, still went the walk and the swelling has gone down a bit so decided to keep a close eye on it and see how it goes. I've got compression stockings on of course. It's like when you get fluid retention on a long flight. I may just ring the hospital advice line I was given as a contact when I left the hospital last Friday evening, especially if it doesn't continue to reduce.

Gawd, it's all happening to us just now. But I feel blessed that I'm not having to travel some 30 miles each way, like mowermender, to see her.

Just a thought re your legs, with your wife in bed, you haven't accidentally picked up her high heels, especially as I see you mention stockings Jock
Also just to prove what an argumentative sod I am, I thought it was the acetylene that needed to be up right, due to it being liquefied at times?
Seriously I wish you and @mowermender70 all the best and I trust you will take the pi** out of me when the time comes.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Strangely enough, I was going to say the opposite and ask how many crates of beer were in the back of the pick up, as the gap at the front wheel arches is higher than the rears.
It reminded me slightly when as an apprentice towing a heavy smashed car on suspended tow with a short wheel base Land Rover, having to brake at a set of traffic lights and the front wheels locking up, due to them "pawing the air".
Though I would say in this case the trailer looks level , so maybe it is the camera angle

Having sampled a biggish american pick up recently I was very suprised how well balanced it was. Being a hire truck my lad was not giving it much mercy and really threw it around on some high speed corners. Our pickups always seem light on the back. I suppose the back axles on those things are pretty heavy duty things and aid weight distribution

 

[bugsymike]

Having sampled a biggish american pick up recently I was very suprised how well balanced it was. Being a hire truck my lad was not giving it much mercy and really threw it around on some high speed corners. Our pickups always seem light on the back. I suppose the back axles on those things are pretty heavy duty things and aid weight distribution

My 3.5 tonne Iveco Daily's with twin rear wheels could be thrown around quite well
Also what is this about you "sampling a big American"?????

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Having sampled a biggish american pick up recently I was very suprised how well balanced it was. Being a hire truck my lad was not giving it much mercy and really threw it around on some high speed corners. Our pickups always seem light on the back. I suppose the back axles on those things are pretty heavy duty things and aid weight distribution

Aye, As long as I've known him, my American brother in law has always had a "truck" in addition to his commuter car. The present one is a Toyota but bigger than the ones you'll typically see over here. They are very popular with the youngsters who are more likely to own something like that than the typical Hot Hatch they'd aspire to over here. I particularly like the old ones they've restored and sometimes, tastefully, Hot Rodded. Generally they go like the proverbial brown stuff off a shovel.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I drove Ruby for the First time since our Heathrow trip a few weeks back. tardy best describes it, so a quick blast at exactly 70mph (full tilt) for 5 miles and its feeling great again. Once the cob webs have been blown away this car drives very nicely. It compares well with our old Seat Leon which always suprises me as that was a very smooth driver. Im not sure what goes on when its just been pottering around to make it become so slow, but its easily rectified.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Just a thought re your legs, with your wife in bed, you haven't accidentally picked up her high heels, especially as I see you mention stockings Jock
Also just to prove what an argumentative sod I am, I thought it was the acetylene that needed to be up right, due to it being liquefied at times?
Seriously I wish you and @mowermender70 all the best and I trust you will take the pi** out of me when the time comes.

Sorry Mike, I'm absolutely knackered today. In fact I'm just going to see if I can manage to lift the garage door and run a voltage check on the battery in Bluey (the Scala) It's been just on two weeks now since she last ran and I'm expecting I'll be hooking up the new RING battery charger to her for the first time just to keep it on the top line chargewise.

The CTEC is still showing no inclination to initiate charging, although it's mode lights work and can be switched between. I came across a you tube repairer trying to repair one with very similar symptoms and he found that the main Caps (Capacitors) had blown - domed ends - replacing them restored normal charging. I'm going to take a look at the ones in mine.

Silly old fart that I am, of course it's the acetylene cylinder that contains a fluid - Acetone absorbed in flocking isn't it? The product descriptor "dissolved acetylene" kind of gives it away doesn't it? I tell you, I'm so tired today that I'm going for a sleep once I've finished this cup a soup and linked up the charger. Glad to say Mrs J seems to be responding well to the medication and, with my help is now sitting by me in the living room watching a Vera episode on catchup tv. I'm not counting my chickens yet though as pneumonia can go downhill so very quickly. What do they call it? "The old man's friend" because it can send you on your way so quickly.

Edit. PS The high heels don't fit as my feet are size 9 - haven't tried her stockings yet but I seem to remember, in the dim and distant past, always getting a row for making holes in them - so I learned not to try!!!

 

[bugsymike]

Sorry Mike, I'm absolutely knackered today. In fact I'm just going to see if I can manage to lift the garage door and run a voltage check on the battery in Bluey (the Scala) It's been just on two weeks now since she last ran and I'm expecting I'll be hooking up the new RING battery charger to her for the first time just to keep it on the top line chargewise.

The CTEC is still showing no inclination to initiate charging, although it's mode lights work and can be switched between. I came across a you tube repairer trying to repair one with very similar symptoms and he found that the main Caps (Capacitors) had blown - domed ends - replacing them restored normal charging. I'm going to take a look at the ones in mine.

Silly old fart that I am, of course it's the acetylene cylinder that contains a fluid - Acetone absorbed in flocking isn't it? The product descriptor "dissolved acetylene" kind of gives it away doesn't it? I tell you, I'm so tired today that I'm going for a sleep once I've finished this cup a soup and linked up the charger. Glad to say Mrs J seems to be responding well to the medication and, with my help is now sitting by me in the living room watching a Vera episode on catchup tv. I'm not counting my chickens yet though as pneumonia can go downhill so very quickly. What do they call it? "The old man's friend" because it can send you on your way so quickly.

Wish you all the best Jock and Mrs J, take it easy when you need to, it's the one beauty of retirement, no one is cracking the whip over us.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Wish you all the best Jock and Mrs J, take it easy when you need to, it's the one beauty of retirement, no one is cracking the whip over us.

My daughters and their building requirements might not support this assertion!

 

[bugsymike]

My daughters and their building requiements might not support this assertion!

Have you tried selective deafness?

 

[The Panda Nut]

I'm the idiot that said I will do it. I drilled the hole for a new waste through the bathroom wall yesterday, and dug out the old pipe, but it is set in concrete that is exceptionally hard and resisting being removed. As apipe join broke I now need to replace the drain all the way to the sewer rather than joining it. Its less than 2 feet away but I see two days work getting rid of the old pipe to make way for new plastic. I really dont like drains... Still at least I have started. Then I have to back flush the central heating boiler, the combi mate pellets have disintegrated and I am assuming are restricting flow. Once the flow is resolved and the combi mate replenished I can get a gas man in to service and fire up the boiler which appears unused. I also need to change half the radiators and also to board a lot of walls before I can do this, that means the electrics need doing at the same time so its getting to be a big job. Nothing too technical but Im already hurting a lot from the activity. Using the breaker on the drains is not good.

 

[bugsymike]

I'm the idiot that said I will do it. I drilled the hole for a new waste through the bathroom wall yesterday, and dug out the old pipe, but it is set in concrete that is exceptionally hard and resisting being removed. As apipe join broke I now need to replace the drain all the way to the sewer rather than joining it. Its less than 2 feet away but I see two days work getting rid of the old pipe to make way for new plastic. I really dont like drains... Still at least I have started. Then I have to back flush the central heating boiler, the combi mate pellets have disintegrated and I am assuming are restricting flow. Once the flow is resolved and the combi mate replenished I can get a gas man in to service and fire up the boiler which appears unused. I also need to change half the radiators and also to board a lot of walls before I can do this, that means the electrics need doing at the same time so its getting to be a big job. Nothing too technical but Im already hurting a lot from the activity. Using the breaker on the drains is not good.

Yeah,yeah! But what are you going to do for the rest of the day.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Have you tried selective deafness?

One of the great attractions of wearing hearing aids - you can always turn them off! In fact you can pretend to turn them off but still evesdrop on the conversation so you know if anyone is badmouthing you! After a while though "smarty pants" like Mrs J rumble to it.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I'm the idiot that said I will do it. I drilled the hole for a new waste through the bathroom wall yesterday, and dug out the old pipe, but it is set in concrete that is exceptionally hard and resisting being removed. As apipe join broke I now need to replace the drain all the way to the sewer rather than joining it. Its less than 2 feet away but I see two days work getting rid of the old pipe to make way for new plastic. I really dont like drains... Still at least I have started. Then I have to back flush the central heating boiler, the combi mate pellets have disintegrated and I am assuming are restricting flow. Once the flow is resolved and the combi mate replenished I can get a gas man in to service and fire up the boiler which appears unused. I also need to change half the radiators and also to board a lot of walls before I can do this, that means the electrics need doing at the same time so its getting to be a big job. Nothing too technical but Im already hurting a lot from the activity. Using the breaker on the drains is not good.

I always forget what problems you guys have with the likes of limescale - we just don't have it. A few years ago my daughter - down near Salisbury - had to have their whole water tank replaced due to it. They now have a thing under the sink which I think has to be kept topped up with salt?

Just back in from the garage where Bluey's battery (new car one year ago) gave a reading of 12.3 volts. That's after having stood for nearly 2 weeks without being started. I've checked her previously after 24 hours approx standing and it usually reads 12.6 to 12.7. Becky (2010 Panda dynamic eco) can stand for weeks and lose almost nothing. Just goes to show how much "stuff" remains connected in on a modern vehicle even when you think it's all shut down.

Checking the voltage was educational. My most trusted and newest multimeter - a Lidl special, gave 12.1 volts. my cheapo yellow generic Chinese made jobbie came up with 12.2 and the new Ring battery charger gave a reading of 12.3 volts when first connected. It gives an existing battery voltage readout when first connected until you select the charging mode you require. The CTEK didn't have any sort of readout, just lights, and I'm finding I like the digital readout on this Ring product. So now I don't know which one to take as most accurate? Maybe the new Ring? On the other hand a spread of 0.2 volts in this application is something I think I can live with. So probably, for the sort of "cave man" testing I do, I'll just grab whatever is closest at the time.

 

[bugsymike]

I always forget what problems you guys have with the likes of limescale - we just don't have it. A few years ago my daughter - down near Salisbury - had to have their whole water tank replaced due to it. They now have a thing under the sink which I think has to be kept topped up with salt?

Just back in from the garage where Bluey's battery (new car one year ago) gave a reading of 12.3 volts. That's after having stood for nearly 2 weeks without being started. I've checked her previously after 24 hours approx standing and it usually reads 12.6 to 12.7. Becky (2010 Panda dynamic eco) can stand for weeks and lose almost nothing. Just goes to show how much "stuff" remains connected in on a modern vehicle even when you think it's all shut down.

Checking the voltage was educational. My most trusted and newest multimeter - a Lidl special, gave 12.1 volts. my cheapo yellow generic Chinese made jobbie came up with 12.2 and the new Ring battery charger gave a reading of 12.3 volts when first connected. It gives an existing battery voltage readout when first connected until you select the charging mode you require. The CTEK didn't have any sort of readout, just lights, and I'm finding I like the digital readout on this Ring product. So now I don't know which one to take as most accurate? Maybe the new Ring? On the other hand a spread of 0.2 volts in this application is something I think I can live with. So probably, for the sort of "cave man" testing I do, I'll just grab whatever is closest at the time.

No limescale in sunny Torbay as built on granite or sandstone mostly, though my sisters in Hampshire and London do have lime scale.
I have a couple of cheap chinese charger /repair function ones but sometimes misbehave. I bought a new 1000amp cranking battery cheap as the guy was mis sold it as a Leisure battery and I could resist a bargain (£40) I have it but never used or fitted it to anything , just charged and repair charged it a few times, it shows 90% on my Ring condition tester but wouldn't accept a charge from these chinese ones, unfortunately so heavy I need an assistant to put it in my garage to charge on my SIP 50/500 starter/charger which is usually less fussy.

 

[FiatMatt94]

I got Scarlett's anti roll bar all wire brushed & painted up today with 3 coats of black paint, I used Matt paint as I don't like car bits looking glossy it's tacky

the 2 new anti roll bar brackets I ordered are coming Monday. I'm going to go find a local hardware shop & get new bolts, nuts & washers etc as 1 of the bolts has snapped & I want them all matching, then copper slip it all up so I don't get this hassle again

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I got Scarlett's anti roll bar all wire brushed & painted up today with 3 coats of black paint, I used Matt paint as I don't like car bits looking glossy it's tacky
View attachment 453884
the 2 new anti roll bar brackets I ordered are coming Monday. I'm going to go find a local hardware shop & get new bolts, nuts & washers etc as 1 of the bolts has snapped & I want them all matching, then copper slip it all up so I don't get this hassle again

Looks lovely and i know what you mean about glossy looking "tacky". I'd caution you about using the copper grease though. Please don't apply it to the actual threads of safety critical stuff like suspension arm bolts etc - they need to be properly torque tensioned or at the very least assembled dry otherwise they may well slacken in service. I appreciate what you're trying to do in terms of excluding moisture to stop corrosion but, instead of lubricating the threads give them a light coating of blue threadlocker. it'll stop moisture penetration, reduce the chances of accidental slackening but still be easy enough to undo with normal spanners and sockets - unlike the commonly red coloured stud locker which is much stronger.

In the past I've been quite keen on Waxoyl but it is VERY messy. If you've got a nice driveway you need to buy a nice big cheap tarp and just throw it away when you've finished and, my goodness, the stuff nips if you get it on your skin and don't wipe it off immediately. It's moderately effective at protecting from corrosion but, in my experience, not perhaps as effective as I'd like. I'm more than prepared to accept I'm probably not preparing as well as I could. I've been watching a few posts on here about Lanogard and now watched the video and I like the look of it and think it might be good for this sort of prevention. I may buy a small kit just to try it out.

 

[FiatMatt94]

Looks lovely and i know what you mean about glossy looking "tacky". I'd caution you about using the copper grease though. Please don't apply it to the actual threads of safety critical stuff like suspension arm bolts etc - they need to be properly torque tensioned or at the very least assembled dry otherwise they may well slacken in service. I appreciate what you're trying to do in terms of excluding moisture to stop corrosion but, instead of lubricating the threads give them a light coating of blue threadlocker. it'll stop moisture penetration, reduce the chances of accidental slackening but still be easy enough to undo with normal spanners and sockets - unlike the commonly red coloured stud locker which is much stronger.

In the past I've been quite keen on Waxoyl but it is VERY messy. If you've got a nice driveway you need to buy a nice big cheap tarp and just throw it away when you've finished and, my goodness, the stuff nips if you get it on your skin and don't wipe it off immediately. It's moderately effective at protecting from corrosion but, in my experience, not perhaps as effective as I'd like. I'm more than prepared to accept I'm probably not preparing as well as I could. I've been watching a few posts on here about Lanogard and now watched the video and I like the look of it and think it might be good for this sort of prevention. I may buy a small kit just to try it out.

I've seen lanoguard & heard it's meant to be really good stuff, I'm quite a big fan of Bilt Hamber myself as especially the stronger S50 I had 4 years out of it on the Panda's arches & it was still hanging on there when I sold it. I've also used it on the Seicento, Dynax UB on the floors & S50 in all 4 arches & inside rear chassis legs along with rear subframe mountings in the body, although I missed a bit at the back of both arches as I did it quickly on the ground when I first got the car so I need to give it another going over in the rear arches before winter sets in. I'll bear in mind about the copper grease, hopefully being new brackets if I keep an eye on them they hopefully won't corrode, I'll get all this back together & I'm starting another biggish job on her as I noticed the inner CV boot is perished & seeping gearbox oil so that's being done towards the end of this week coming/beginning of following week with a genuine Fiat boot with bearing along with a new clutch at the same time as it seems silly not too as the clutch is also quite high

 

[The Panda Nut]

Yeah,yeah! But what are you going to do for the rest of the day.

Suck parots Eat them all sit in the corner and wince.

 

[Cheest]

My immediate thought is - poor Buster! he looks really pissed off!. What's the interesting looking vehicle that's poking it's nose into the picture of the person leaning against the lamppost (3rd image) and who is the person and tune?

Your towing rig looks well balanced and I imagine it tows well? Over here your "trailer" would be called a Caravan. A trailer is something you use to move "stuff" (engines/gearboxes/building materials/etc) But, having spent time on your side of the pond, I knew that - just thought I'd say.

The rig tows really well. My SIL said we'd have problems in the mountains but he now has to eat crow. We hit a stretch of old 66 west of Kingman, AZ that had 191 curves in 8 miles. There were a lot of switchbacks and the diesel didn't care. Things were sketchy a couple times with the cross winds in Utah but no worse for wear.

The artists are the Eagles and the song was 'Take It Easy'.
Standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona,
Such a fine sight to see, It's a girl, my lord, in a flatbed Ford.
slowin' down to take a look at me.

The statue of the guy leaning on the lamp post is Glenn Fry of the Eagles.

Over here, anything being towed with a hitch is a trailer. And Buster was just tired. He is actually enjoying the trip because he doesn't have to share us with anyone else.

@bugsymike Camera angle. The truck has Rough Country off road suspension and usually doesn't know the trailer is back there. I tested the 'off road' part yesterday in red clay.