Search found 50 matches

by robbo
3 Jul 2010, 8:35pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Toy Train Thread
Replies: 111
Views: 9926

Re: Toy Train Thread

Scratch. 1" dia. copper tube boiler, wheel castings from Walsall Model Industries, machined to fine standards by me, everything else sheet rod or pipe as appropriate.
by robbo
3 Jul 2010, 11:48am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Toy Train Thread
Replies: 111
Views: 9926

Re: Toy Train Thread

A Sharp Stewart 2-4-0 in 0 gauge, 8mm twin cylinders, slide valves, meths fired, nearly complete now.

Image
by robbo
10 Apr 2010, 10:28pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Help save Royal Mail bikes
Replies: 23
Views: 3237

Re: Help save Royal Mail bikes

mw3230 wrote:... Promoting safe cycling is one thing, campaigning about the way in which a company runs it's business is another.


Well said, what next? Tree fellers to use axes instead of chainsaws? Turners going back to treadle lathes?
by robbo
4 Apr 2010, 12:29pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Towing a Caravan.
Replies: 30
Views: 2343

Re: Towing a Caravan.

rmware wrote:
chris667 wrote:Oh no, a hill!
I imagine it would be OK. What are you trying to do?

Does Lands End to John O'Groats have many hills? :P I'm thinking of doing it in July provided I get a caravan company to sponsor me, it's looking positive at the moment though.

Google "Shap"
by robbo
4 Apr 2010, 12:23pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: cotter pins
Replies: 56
Views: 4489

Re: cotter pins

If I was making cotterpins, price no object, I would use aluminium bronze.
by robbo
9 Feb 2010, 1:34am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Badgering for a badge
Replies: 73
Views: 15519

Re: Badgering for a badge

Just out of interest I used to have some waterslide transfers for work. Set-up charge for a 3-colour A4 sized sheet was £600+, after that each A4 sheet cost about £10.
by robbo
7 Apr 2009, 1:37pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: 1/8th Chain
Replies: 17
Views: 1157

Re: 1/8th Chain

I've got a drawer full of unused Renold 3/32" chains, most still have the joining link in its little plastic bag.
by robbo
23 Jun 2008, 10:01am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Transmission life
Replies: 38
Views: 4503

Khornight wrote:What about for fixies?

Wider chain, not changes... should I still worry about changing my chain before my (albeit it single) gear?!

Hmmm, does trying to break by pushing backwards change the way it wears? Better or worse?


3/32" bushed i.e "old fashioned" 5/6 speed chains are stronger than 1/8" other things being equal, so the sprocket lasts a bit longer but the chain less.

I wouldn't worry about the limited effects of leg braking, compared to the time you are propelling forward the time you spend pushing back is minute.
by robbo
23 Jun 2008, 9:53am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Transmission life
Replies: 38
Views: 4503

I use NOS Renold chains (Just got two 3/32" chains for £4.50) and they do last for years. I fitted one to my fixed in 2004 and it is still on it. The one on my Rohloff is still going strong after 3 years and 20 000+ miles. During the brief time I was using 8 sprockets the Sram chains needed changing twice a year. Apparently modern chains break sometimes, almost unheard of with Renold chains. On the other hand you cannot match your cadence to the optimum without at least 20 gears preferably 30.
by robbo
2 Sep 2007, 6:29am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Stands on touring bikes (and pumps)
Replies: 19
Views: 4105

nobby wrote:Something I've wondered about: why have the derailleur on the right when you get off the bike on the left? It is natural to lean it against the gear side at risk of damaging it.


It is better to get off a bike on the left, then you have less chance of rubbing your leg or trousers against the oily chain. Just as leaning the bicycle with the chain towards the wall means you (and passers-by) have less chance of rubbing against the chain.
by robbo
31 Aug 2007, 12:30am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: HARDEN HUBS
Replies: 4
Views: 1709

Just a little snippet my father told me.
The bearings Harden fitted weren't known for being long lasting especially in the front, and just after the war the replacements were difficult to come by. A member of his club found that exactly the same size bearing was used in the bus ticket machines where he worked as a fitter. So when he had one of these machines to repair he turned up a couple of bronze bushes for the machine and the bearings he should have fitted were passed on to any cyclist who needed them.
by robbo
31 Aug 2007, 12:22am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Chrome/Nickel plating
Replies: 11
Views: 2317

Caswelleurope make kits for plating small items at home. I can't get their website for some reason.