MadModder

The Breakroom => The Water Cooler => Topic started by: bogstandard on February 08, 2009, 06:47:47 PM

Title: Brass monkies
Post by: bogstandard on February 08, 2009, 06:47:47 PM
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=brass%20monkies

Woke up early this morning, and thought I had snuffed it in my sleep, I was freezing. Checked to see if I had a name tag on my toe, none there, so I must still be alive.

To cut a very long 3 hour story short, it boiled down to the circuit board in my central heating system gas boiler.

I had my new gas back boiler fitted 4 years ago, two years ago the circuit board gave up the ghost, two years further on, now that one has given up. Looks like they have a two year failure built onto the board. My old system had a mechanical control system, and that lasted for 25 years years, without a peep to anything going wrong. I only replaced it because the gas boilers had become a lot more 'efficient'. So much for modern efficiency.

So, being a Sunday, I stood no chance of getting a new board. So after searching on eblay, I found a brand new replacement, for half the normal cost (50 squid instead of 100). So now awaiting delivery, expected mid week.

I am smoking fags like they are going out of fashion, with us all huddled round the lit end, to keep us warm. Bandit the dog and Vinnie the mog are doing sterling work as makeshift hot water bottles.

You take everything for granted until it goes wrong, then panic sets in.

So I will have two duff circuit boards in my hands, unfortunately my circuit board repair man disappeared a few years ago, so anyone in the UK have a mate who does board repairs? I want backup for when it goes again.


Bogs
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: rleete on February 08, 2009, 07:06:09 PM
I had similar failures in the controler of my furnace (natural gas).  After paying the repairman for the first one, I took it upon myself to find a more cost effective place to get them.  Turns out the local HW store sells them for 1/3 what the furnace service guy wants.

Long story short(er), I found that the problem was a single relay on both units that had failed.  Searched on the web using the numbers stamped on the relay itself, and now I have 2 spares waiting to go in - thereby insuring the damn thing works forever.

BTW, the wife and I call the cats MHU, for mobile heating units.  Very handy to have on cold winter nights.
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Darren on February 08, 2009, 07:08:42 PM
£100 a go, or even the bargain £50,

Sorta defeats the efficiency savings a bit......one step forward...... :smart:

Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Brass_Machine on February 08, 2009, 07:16:36 PM
Cats and dogs are great for heating units. Next time we lose the heat... letting the 90lb dogs into bed with us!

If you lived closer, I would be willing to look at the boards John. It maybe something really simple. An example is my uncles ultra huge TV. Went out on him after a power surge. He called the repair guy... they quoted him something like $1600 to fix it. I spent a few hours surfing forums etc... and found the common problem with his TV. Seems there are 7 Caps on one of the power boards that tend to go south. 3 hours later (including the trip to Radio Shack), the TV was up and running. Total cost, 7 Caps @ $1.19 and a few hours of my time.

Make sure you feed the furry kids some good food to help with the heating process...

Eric
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Divided he ad on February 09, 2009, 04:54:41 AM
Quote
Woke up early this morning, and thought I had snuffed it in my sleep, I was freezing. Checked to see if I had a name tag on my toe, none there, so I must still be alive.   :lol:   
 

So I'll wait at least a week before I come visit  ::)  .... Sorry!

Sucks having no heating, you'll have to spend your time in the workshop huddled roung the oil filled heater!!  Either that or copy this guy....  :ddb:


Good luck with the new board.... Hopefully it's something simple to fix on the other two?





Ralph.
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Stilldrillin on February 09, 2009, 06:28:37 AM
I had my new gas back boiler fitted 4 years ago, two years ago the circuit board gave up the ghost, two years further on, now that one has given up. Looks like they have a two year failure built onto the board.

Hmmmm........ Was that an alarm bell I heard?

The 2 previous boilers were always fixable.

Had a "Warmfront" condensing combi boiler fitted April `07.

January `08 they wanted to service it. (A bit early?).......

Recently had the 2yr guarantee/ final service letter..... "It is important we we complete as soon as possible"

We`ve had no problems, but........

Why not wait until April?   :scratch:

Is it me?  ::)

Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: HS93 on February 09, 2009, 06:58:35 AM
we Had Our boiler replaced about 7 years ago and fortunatley took out a service contract, they have replaced the boiler contents about 4 or 5 times and I mean everything heat exchanger presure vessel about four pumps and prob up to about six or seven boards and it all stems from a small leak and O ring change that was rushed and the board was soaked and poped they fitted the new board that was an upgrade board (but not for our boiler) they eventuly found after altering and changing everything to get it work , every time they turned up they would fit a new main gas block...good old WOR*&£R / Bosh.

Peter :ddb:  :ddb:  :ddb:  :ddb:  :ddb:
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Bernd on February 09, 2009, 10:23:08 AM
That's not a fun feeling to wake up to a cold house, especially on a Sunday morning. I'm sure you got that sinking feeling that your heating unit quit.

I have a gas fired boiler with radiant floor heating. It's pretty much mechincal control for heating. Have had it since 1998 when the house was being built. We've always had a soapstone wood stove in the great room for backup. Haven't used it much latley because I haven't felt like cutting up pallets for the wood. Think I'm going to get a coal stove this next heating season. At $240 for a ton of coal it would still be cheaper than what the gas company wants for gas.

Any chance you could put a small coal stove in for just such occasions as your faced with now? Or do the codes in your area not allow that?

Here's hoping you stay warm until you get your heater fixed.

Hey, maybe some Aussie can send you some heat. They seem to have a lot of it right now.

Bernd
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: SPiN Racing on February 10, 2009, 12:50:56 AM
Granted its Florida... so I know being cold here is something to be slapped about..

But we dont have ANY heat in our house.

It was built in 1958, and the place had baseboard heating that was removed before we bought it. The previous owner put in a Wall shaker A/C unit, that died a few years after we bought the place. We replaced that with one that had a Heating element like the previous one. That eventually died.

So mid summer last year we replaced it again.. and DIDNT get a heating strip because the last two winters we never needed it.

Global Warming?

THe last month we have had some of the coldest weather on record. In the high 20s. And thats at high humidity.. and it stayed in the 30s for several days.

Since we have no heat.. we were in bed sleeping FULLY dressed, two shirts, two pairs of socks, and two quilts, as well as a sheet.
We simply dont have any cold weather gear! It hasnt been really cold for more than a day or so in the past.

Cold.. like laying on a cold slab of concrete. Bring all 4 Chihuahuas into the bedroom, get all snuggled up and try to stay warm.

I have a inkling of what it is like up north when its cold.. and thats no fun. I understand why people dont work in the shop when its cold... you may be bundled.. but your nose and ears freeze off. And of course fingers. brr

I think this year I may have to budget in some central heat and air. /nod
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: bogstandard on February 10, 2009, 01:13:43 AM
I contacted a chap today to see if he could repair the old boards.

Yeah, he said, 40 squid each, plus vat (tax) plus P & P. :bugeye:

Almost the same price I have just paid for my new board.

I think if that is what it is going to cost, I will just keep an eye out on fleabay for new ones and buy them as I find them.

It is times like this you realise how much good friends and aquaintances are worth. Those would normally be repaired as freebies, on the proviso that I would return a favour in exchange.

Why can't we go back to the old barter system? :beer:

Bogs

P.S. Squid = slang for one pound sterling. Seems like some of our colonial cousins can't see the pound sign when we type it. We don't quite have the same language.
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Bernd on February 10, 2009, 01:09:40 PM
Quote
Why can't we go back to the old barter system?

One big reason "gov....er.....ment". They can't collect taxes on bartar. Plus the people that have any talent to bartar with are getting far and few.

But I'm with you John, I like bartaring. I've got something you want or need done and you can repay by something I need. I bet it sure would be hard on people on wellfare. Don't know if you have that system over there.

As far as your monitary system goes, I can't quite get the ='s of the money. In other words I believe that the pound would be equal to our dollar. What throws me off is when it gets to the coins. We have the penny, the nickle, the dime, the quarter and sometimes the half dollar. Number wise that would be 1, 5, 10, 25, & 50 cent pieces.

You should hear what some of the slang for our money is. I don't even try to remember it. I think a $5 is called a fin. One of the bills is called a "sawbuck" and so on.

Bernd
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: bogstandard on February 10, 2009, 01:34:33 PM
Bernd,

Bartering to me is a way of life, without it, I wouldn't have half as much in my shop, and my house would be falling down.

But I don't confuse it with friendship. That is a totally different matter.

If a friend contacts me or asks for something, and I have it spare or can do the job, then it is gratis, with no strings attached.

WE do have all different kinds of welfare, I am on welfare myself, but one related to health.
It only just pays enough to survive. Without my other pensions and stuff, I would be queuing at the soup kitchen.

We use coins in 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 50p, 1 squid, 2 squid. A little while ago your dollar was worth about 50p, now it is climbing towards 1 squid. So get your special little bits from the UK while the exchange rate is so good. I've got my list ready for when the dollar drops. I spent about 2K dollars in the US last year, but it is a lot more expensive at the moment, so I will hang back.

Still cold Bogs.
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Twinsquirrel on February 10, 2009, 02:08:53 PM

You should hear what some of the slang for our money is. I don't even try to remember it. I think a $5 is called a fin. One of the bills is called a "sawbuck" and so on.

Bernd

Hey Bernd, I hear ya!!

We have a similar system for slang, I work in the motor trade and the slang is rife, it's funny to hear normally pretty middle class well to do entrepenuers talk about money in that way, it took me a good six months to really get a grip on it!!

Grand/large =£1000 (pretty self explanatory)
Monkey = £500
Ton =£100
Score=£20
Bullseye/pinky =£50
Ayrton =£10
Bluey/lady =£5
Nugget=£1
double nugget= £2

And a new one I heard the other day which I am yet to work out...  a carpet??? any ideas?

Still its all part of lifes rich tapestry

David

Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: sbwhart on February 10, 2009, 03:26:00 PM
Ho Ho Ho

Now I'm going to realy confuse our colonial friends  before we went decimal we had Pounds £ Shilings s and Pence  d. there was 12 d to the s 20 s to the £

we had 1/2 d 1 d coins; 3 d coins called thrupenny bits, 6d coins called sixpence, 12d coins called shillings, 2 shilling coins called florins, 2 shilling and 6d coins called half a crown, 10 shilling notes and 20 shilling notes which were 1 pound notes.  Now try getting your head round that lot and you'll understand why we went to decimals.

 :lol:

Mind you the standards in maths have gone down in the UK since we changed.

As my poor old mum use to say I'm not very cleaver but I can add my money up.

 :lol:

Cheers

Stew

Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Darren on February 10, 2009, 04:40:25 PM
Never mind confusing the colonials !!

Anyone born after around 1960 usually has a hard time even thinking about it, inc me !!   :scratch:


Mind you, maybe that's saying more about me, being a generally confused type  :lol:
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: SPiN Racing on February 11, 2009, 06:21:47 AM
 :jaw:



Oh My GOD


I thought I had a clue to British money... but I see I was confused.

I thought a pence, quid, and shilling were the same.. like.. if it wasnt a pound.. it was one of the other terms.. meaning pennies of some sort.
Pound was similar to our dollar.

I see that I was sorely mistaken.

And wow.. Top Gear (My fav show.. and yes I watch them about 3 hours after they Air in the UK.. and have every episode of the current format with the trio) has some cars on there that were scary expensive.
Like 150K Pounds for a XYZ car... and it used to be easy... Double that to get USD.

Not so easy now.
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: bogstandard on February 11, 2009, 08:55:54 AM
Ciruit board turned up about half hour ago, so I am now just going to fit it.

Spin,

They make Bentleys just down the road from where I live. When you go around and about, they are driving up and down the country roads, taking them out for setting up and test drives. They don't much look like Bentleys, no shiny bits fitted while they are setting up, and they only have standard steel road wheels on.

John
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: bogstandard on February 11, 2009, 10:25:57 AM
WE HAVE HEAT
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Stilldrillin on February 11, 2009, 10:33:38 AM
 :clap: :clap: :clap:

WELL DONE, THAT MAN!

 :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: SPiN Racing on February 11, 2009, 04:44:58 PM
Wooooo!!!!! Congrats!!!


And Bentleys.. /shivers.

THe race shop I work on on weekends building small formula cars, happens to be a Import Auto repair place. And they happen to specialise on Bentleys and Rolls Royce. They mostly work on european cars. Inclusing things like Deloreans.. that I found out have some Volvo motor of some sort.

I have a few pictures of some of the cars that were in the shop, and more notable... But for an example there was a concourse winning 1956 something or other Rolls Royce there last Friday when I stopped by.

Ill post some pics here in the Water Cooler after I get a chance to re-size them a little.
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Darren on February 11, 2009, 04:50:22 PM
Are you warm yet John, maybe now you can let Bandit down for a runaround  :ddb: :ddb: :ddb:
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Bernd on February 11, 2009, 06:51:26 PM
I talked to John on Skype tonight and he was sitting there in a sleeveless shirt. So he either had to much coffee or his heating system is fixed. :)

Nice talking to you John.

Bernd
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Darren on February 11, 2009, 06:55:58 PM
Soooo?

What did you make of skype then Bernd?

Glad to hear John is no longer needing live heat  :clap:
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Bernd on February 11, 2009, 07:05:17 PM
I like it, really neat.  :ddb:

You can see and talk to freinds. Now when they post you can put a face with that post. Still need to tweak it a bit but it works great. Talked to Steve (Cedge) soon after that. He doesn't have a camera so it was only his voice. He said he couldn't see me, but to tell you the truth I think he had his video turned off because he didn't want to see my ugly face.  :lol: He saw it once at Cabin Fever, that was enough. :lol:

Bernd
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: bogstandard on February 11, 2009, 08:06:05 PM
Yep,

Heating is all fine now, just as some warmer weather turns up.

It was nice to have a chat with Bernd, even Bandit got a look in.

Just as Bernd said, putting a face to a post gives it another dimension.

The reason Cedge doesn't have a vid is because he doesn't want everyone to know he walks about naked when he is in his shop. :D
Just to scare the wildlife.

It would be nice to get conference calls sorted, but as usual, I am so thick, I have no idea how to do it.

John
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Divided he ad on February 11, 2009, 09:20:01 PM
Heat..... Cool!!  :)

Well something like that! ....

So, this weekend it should be toastie?? I might see if a scheduled visit is possible ehh John?  :)

I'm not as good with the cold as John is.....  I am as some around here like to say "nesh" ..... I don't know it's origin, but it means wuss like in the cold!!!  ::)

So OI need the occasional warm up!!

Glad your back to full running  :thumbup:


Skype..... I've heard of that ( at this point John does this....  :wack:  :wack:  :wack:  Since he supplied me with his old camera about a month ago!!!) I'll have to get my lazy ass sorted ehh!?!!??



Right .... Sleep now!



Ralph.
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: SPiN Racing on February 11, 2009, 10:24:28 PM
The reason Cedge doesn't have a vid is because he doesn't want everyone to know he walks about naked when he is in his shop. :D

EEEP!

You all saw pictures of my garage/shop. Yes nobody would see, but OH MAN.. the potential for metal shavings.. <shudder>

I dont honestly think you could pay me to go in the garage and machine ANYTHING in the buff!!!


And yes I know you were playing John  :ddb:
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Bernd on February 12, 2009, 09:37:30 AM
That's why Cedge has no vid of himself in the shop because it would be a scary sight with all those burn marks.  :lol:

Bernd
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: sbwhart on February 12, 2009, 05:05:36 PM
John pleased you got your heating problem sorted  :thumbup:

 I think I'll give you visit you tomorrow now  :lol:

Cheers

Stew


Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: bogstandard on February 12, 2009, 05:36:12 PM
No probs Ralph and Stew,

Normal routine, either give me a call or email. As long as you give me time to dispose of the bodies of uninvited people.  :hammer:

Bandit can only eat just so much meat in one sitting, and bones are a pain to turn down to shavings on a lathe. :dremel:

Ralph, don't forget to bring discs (burning type). Stew, just bring yourself. You are both always welcome.  :thumbup:

 
Now too hot Bogs.
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Darren on February 12, 2009, 05:40:30 PM
Can you feel the envy from here?

Must be real nice for like minded people to meet up and have a good old chin wag....


Darren, home alone.....

Actually I'm going to a tool auction tomorrow so don't feel too sorry for me, yes another one...... :ddb: :ddb: :ddb:
And there's another on Sat.... :lol:
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: bogstandard on February 13, 2009, 02:57:39 AM
Darren,

Don't feel too disgruntled, you will be visiting soon to pick up your lathe. :(

It would have been finished yesterday, but another visitor dragged me out of the shop, just as I was making the last parts.

So after I get finished with the bone benders today (physio)  :hammer:, depends how I feel, I will try to get in there and finish it off. :dremel:


John
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Brass_Machine on February 14, 2009, 11:37:14 AM
Can you feel the envy from here?

Must be real nice for like minded people to meet up and have a good old chin wag....


Darren, home alone.....

Actually I'm going to a tool auction tomorrow so don't feel too sorry for me, yes another one...... :ddb: :ddb: :ddb:
And there's another on Sat.... :lol:

Yeah Yeah... At least you guys are fairly close to each other over there. If I wanted to go see, say SPiN Racing... I have at least a 16 hour drive.

Eric
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: bogstandard on February 14, 2009, 01:11:53 PM
Quote
I have at least a 16 hour drive

That is the problem with living on a continent rather than a country.

But your 16 hour journey would take twice as long in the UK. The only problem is, a journey that far would have us falling off the edge of our little island.

Bogs
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Divided he ad on February 14, 2009, 03:51:32 PM
Quote
a journey that far would have us falling off the edge of our little island.

But only by approx' an hour..... I worked it out on google maps  :lol:  .... The last bit might require a four wheel drive though!!  :doh:


I still think the trade off between land and space over distance to get to stuff is uneven..... I want more room! (and wouldn't mind a little drive)  :D


Talk about way, way  :offtopic:      :lol: 



Ralph.
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: SPiN Racing on February 15, 2009, 04:02:37 AM
He always welcome to come to Florida!

Im driving to NC in a couple months for a Mazda event.. so will be about 16-18 hours north :) Race car in tow LOL


And I have to say.. you all over the pond have engineering and model shows!!! We dont have anything like that I have ever seen :(
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Stilldrillin on February 15, 2009, 04:08:07 AM
And I have to say.. you all over the pond have engineering and model shows!!! We dont have anything like that I have ever seen :(

Don`t you have "Cabin Fever"....... (Or something similar?)
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: SPiN Racing on February 15, 2009, 05:01:55 AM
Only Cabin Fever event I know of is a race at Sebring :) And its in teh winter for the rest of the world :P

I might just have to do some searches and see what I can see...
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Stilldrillin on February 15, 2009, 05:38:15 AM
Oops!
Just missed it.......  ::)

http://www.cabinfeverexpo.com/

Guess it`s a little north of you?  :scratch:

David.
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Bernd on February 15, 2009, 10:24:39 AM
Spin,

Cabin Fever was in Jan. Met Steve and Eric and few others that hang here. It's held in York, Pa. Steve could have brought you along since he lives in South Carolina.

Next big show is N.A.M.E.S. (North American Model Enginieering Show) held in Toledo, Ohio.

Next time your at a book store stop over at the magazine stand and see if they have any metal working magazines. They have show schedules in them.

Bernd
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: SPiN Racing on February 15, 2009, 05:37:58 PM
Holy Smokes!!

Penn is a solid 2 day drive away LOL....

Ohio is a solid day and a half... shoot for that matter its about 6 to get out of Florida LOL

I am gonna have to go to Borders or something similar and see whats out there magazines wise, and see if I can plan for something.


Just got done reserving a House at a resort in the mountains of NC, near the Tenn border for a Mazda Rotary event in April. Its a yearly event but costs me around $800 in Diesel fuel each year.  :(
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: sbwhart on February 15, 2009, 06:45:13 PM
How much Diesel would $800 buy, it would buy about 110 US gallons in the UK:-  we pay £0.90/Ltr thats about $7/US gallon  :smart:

I run a 2 ltr Diesel and get 44 miles / Uk Gallon out of it.

Cheers

Stew
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: SPiN Racing on February 15, 2009, 08:09:36 PM
He he he Well the Dually towing the race trailer etc... doing 75PMPH gets between 13 and 14 MPG.
It takes One refill to get to NC from here. Thats 27 Gallons per fillup. SO around 50 Gallons to get there.

The problem is the mountains.

Once I hit them Im in 1st and second gear for around 4 hours to get to the resort. Completely kills the mileage on the truck.. I have no idea how bad it gets honestly.. I have not actually looked.. but the turbo diel is sitting at 6-9 pounds of boost the whole time in 1st and second weaving around in the mountains.
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: John Stevenson on February 15, 2009, 08:35:48 PM
He he he Well the Dually towing the race trailer etc... doing 75PMPH gets between 13 and 14 MPG.
It takes One refill to get to NC from here. Thats 27 Gallons per fillup. SO around 50 Gallons to get there.


Hells bells I get about 10 mpg [ and our miles are longer ] out of a 17 tonne Mercedes lorry fully loaded and never drop lower than 3rd on any of the hills out of a 6 speed box.

JS.
Title: Re: Brass monkies plus offtopic posts
Post by: bogstandard on February 15, 2009, 11:14:34 PM
 :offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic:


This post is starting to become a classic for  :offtopic:

Started out with my boiler going down, then thru a discussion about names for money, followed by a Skype discussion, then a bit on workshop heating and now, fuel consumption when driving cross country.

Definitely this post is worth keeping going.

Lets see if we can get it to when my boiler breaks down again.

 :offtopic: Bogs
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: bogstandard on February 15, 2009, 11:49:36 PM
So lets get this post going, but remember, if it changes from one topic to another, it must be related in some way to the previous topic or say a max of three posts back. That will give you a chance to resurrect an old subject.

So going back to John's one on fuel consumption in his wagon.

I only ever go cross country now on my mo'sickle.

My supercharged minus 3.5 HP Suzuki Wagon R Special gives between 45 & 60 MPG on a run, it just depends whether I stick my feet thru the floor and get it up to the ton (100 mph), going downhill with a tailwind.

My old bike gives somewhere between 25 MPG (around the ton cruising) and 50 MPG (autocruise set at 77mph). If I was towing my bike trailer, the autocruise would be set at 66 mph.

I have a special ignition timing disc that needs to be fitted (if ever I can work that low again), which will supposedly give me an increase in power and fuel comsumption of up to 10%. They detuned the 1500cc engine of my bike when it went into production, this timing disc brings it back to the original engine specification.

If the weather is fine, I know which one I would prefer.

Now that should give you something to chew on.


Bogs
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: dsquire on February 16, 2009, 02:47:08 AM

[/quote]
Hells bells I get about 10 mpg [ and our miles are longer ] out of a 17 tonne Mercedes lorry fully loaded and never drop lower than 3rd on any of the hills out of a 6 speed box.

JS.
[/quote]

John

I agree that your gallons and quarts are larger but as I remenber all American, Canadian and British miles are all :smart: 5280 feet long. Now if you start talking about those punny kilometers thats another story for another thread.

Cheers  :wave:

Don
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Darren on February 16, 2009, 03:23:05 AM
13/14 mpg, wow... :jaw:

I complain at 35mpg, that's why I converted to run on LPG about 4 yrs ago...

Do you actually drive yours....... :poke:
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Divided he ad on February 16, 2009, 04:01:32 AM
Quote
This post is starting to become a classic for   :offtopic:

Started out with my boiler going down, then thru a discussion about names for money, followed by a Skype discussion, then a bit on workshop heating and now, fuel consumption when driving cross country.

Definitely this post is worth keeping going.

Lets see if we can get it to when my boiler breaks down again.
     :lol:    :lol:     Now that's pretty funny John   :thumbup:


I don't know what all this fuss is about .... MPG!!! sod it!  I put fuel in to get where I want..... It costs! That's it!

If I started to worry over little things like pence per gallon etc I'd never visit anyone, drive into the hills or anything of the likes..... You have the freedom of fast transport....... It's brilliant and I love it..... It'll be a very,very high price hike before I give up my freedom!  .... Was that all an answer to something or just me spouting c74p??  :scratch:     :ddb:   


If your struggling John, you gan sit in a deck chair and instruct me.... I'll change your timing disc over.... I have swung a few spanners over the years  :thumbup: .... Can you wait until a bit dryer weather though   :doh:




I love random   :offtopic:   discussions that have no real bearing to the original  :lol:   (fun in the right area.... Water cooler!  :thumbup:)




Ralph.
Title: Re: Brass monkies plus offtopic posts
Post by: John Stevenson on February 16, 2009, 04:23:47 AM
:offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic:


This post is starting to become a classic for  :offtopic:

Started out with my boiler going down, then thru a discussion about names for money, followed by a Skype discussion, then a bit on workshop heating and now, fuel consumption when driving cross country.

Definitely this post is worth keeping going.

Lets see if we can get it to when my boiler breaks down again.

 :offtopic: Bogs

Sorry what I should have mentioned is that I got the truck out, filled it with diesel and went to fetch a new circuit board for my boiler  ::)

JS.
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: SPiN Racing on February 16, 2009, 05:22:01 AM
HA HA HA HA HA HA

 :lol:


Well to stay  :offtopic: for a sec.

When Im driving at like.. 65MPH I actually get 19-20MPG with the truck/trailer.
Its just that with the tongue hanging out at 75.. that pushes it into the horrible fuel economy range of things.

Its the mountains that kill it... Creeping in 1st gear for 45 minutes to a hour, up the side of the mountain at 7-9 pounds of boost from the load.. is kinda hard on the mileage.   :thumbup:

Some of the roads are actually hard to stand on because they are just that steep. I dont know what they use in the winter to drive up there.. because if there was snow or ice.. I cant imagine ANYTHING that could go up those mountains. They are spooky steep.
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: bogstandard on February 16, 2009, 05:51:38 AM
Quote
Now if you start talking about those punny kilometers thats another story for another thread.

No, lets keep it on this one.

Kilometers are great.

After driving on the european mainland, kiloms made it all worthwhile.

Imagine driving along and you see a '100 to' sign. When you are still thinking of miles from back home, your heart sinks as you think, 'Oh no, another hour and a half's driving' and the surprise you get when you get there in about 50 minutes.

The only prob is speed limits. Just on the outskirts of Frankfurt aM, I was knabbed by the police for doing 120mph in a 120kph limit. Cost me a lot of money with an on the spot fine, and only about 5kms from my final destination.
You have to be very careful when going past built up areas on the autobaan at night, the speed limits change, to stop the traffic noise from waking up the locals.

Bogs
Title: Re: Brass monkies plus offtopic posts
Post by: Bernd on February 16, 2009, 09:32:58 AM
Definitely this post is worth keeping going.

Lets see if we can get it to when my boiler breaks down again.

 :offtopic: Bogs

Mmmm let's see. IIRC it's a a two year interval that your boiler breaks down. I don't think we can keep this thread going that long do you? :)

But then again the way you Britt's yak it up I'm sure it would keep going that long. :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Bernd
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: bogstandard on February 16, 2009, 10:04:11 AM
Bernd,

Don't think of it as a means to an end, it is just a place where you can drop in, see what is going on at this moment in time, and feed your own bit of relevant bulls**t into the post.
Just like a topic with no heading, but trying to keep some sort of relevance to some part of the previous post.

Quote
But then again the way you Britt's yak it up I'm sure it would keep going that long.

We are reknowned for giving information.

Which is better, too little or too much?

Bogs
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: sbwhart on February 16, 2009, 10:06:15 AM


The only prob is speed limits. Just on  the outskirts of Frankfurt aM, I was knabbed by the police for doing 120mph in a 120kph limit. Cost me a lot of money with an on the spot fine, and only about 5kms from my final destination.
You have to be very careful when going past built up areas on the autobaan at night, the speed limits change, to stop the traffic noise from waking up the locals.

Bogs

Yes they know how to squese the pips on the contenant, had the car towed away in Amsterdam for ilegal parking, got up in the morning went to fetch the car to load up at the hotel No Car  :bugeye:. went back to hotel told the wife the car had gone and all she could say was stop b*****g about Stewart,  :wack: it took me ten minutes to convince her I was telling the truth and not pulling her leg, cost £200 to get it out of the compound.

was this  :offtopic:  enough.

 :lol:

Cheers

Stew
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Bernd on February 16, 2009, 01:45:46 PM
We are reknowned for giving information.

Which is better, too little or too much?

Bogs

Well, I guess too much. But you have to consider the Yanks are out numbered by you Britts on this forum.  :thumbup:

Bernd
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Bernd on February 16, 2009, 02:00:06 PM
I don't know what all this fuss is about .... MPG!!! sod it!  I put fuel in to get where I want..... It costs! That's it!

Ralph.

Can you tell Ralph is not married and doesn't have any responsibilities?  :lol: 

Boy to be that free again.  :ddb:  :ddb:  :ddb:  :ddb:

Of course the wife says that can be remidied real fast. "I don't know how fast I can have my bags packed dear." :(

Oh well. I did have some good times.

Bernd
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: bogstandard on February 16, 2009, 02:04:06 PM
Bernd,

Quote
But you have to consider the Yanks are out numbered by you Britts on this forum.

Is it my fault that when the Brits are told to have a look at this sight, they decide to stay?

Maybe they find our sense of humour and lightheartedness is the grab factor.

I have noticed that too many sites in the US are run by humourless old farts, and if they smiled their faces would crack. :(

Maybe that is why we can't get an excess of US members, the site is too happy for them. :lol:

Bogs

Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Bernd on February 16, 2009, 02:10:31 PM
Point well taken there John. You know I believe your right about having a bit of fun. :ddb:  :ddb:  :ddb:

Here's my reply to the Mazda post.

The way that guy sends mail is he sends it to himself. He's both the sender and reciever of an e-mail message. I haven't figured that one out. Like I said he's a bit strange, but harmless. A majority of use model railroaders are like that you know, "strange".  :coffee:

Bernd
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Divided he ad on February 16, 2009, 03:22:50 PM
Quote
Can you tell Ralph is not married and doesn't have any responsibilities?   



I do! .... I have pool matches every week and I have to be ready for work in the morning sometime around 8:00 to 8:45..... How many responsibilities would you like!!!!   :lol:



Seriously though.... I have many responsibilities... I just like to ignore them and hope they all go away.... Worked with the Ex fiancee!!!!!  :lol:   (I can laugh about it now!!!  ::) )

 

I just like to try to have fun!  :D   

I'm responsible..... I just like to pretend that I'm not to tease you married guys  :)




Ralph.    :ddb:
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Bernd on February 16, 2009, 03:41:20 PM
Yah, GO Ralph  :ddb:  :ddb:  :ddb:  :ddb:  :ddb:  :ddb:  :ddb: 
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Divided he ad on February 16, 2009, 03:59:23 PM
Ok, ok..... I'm going..... Well I am going to have my tea anyway.... Didn't get in from work till 19:30!!!!    :bugeye: :bugeye: 


Keep up the good off topic bashing thread    :headbang:       :ddb:





Ralph.
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: SPiN Racing on February 16, 2009, 08:01:34 PM
Im not slow.. REALLY!

Its just... when you Old worlders say things I dont understand.. I read on and figure it out.. Brass Monkeys.. meaning cold.. but I had never heard of it. Till I clicked the link tonight.


I THOUGHT... when I first read it you meant Brass Monkey the DRINK.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass_Monkey_(cocktail) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass_Monkey_(cocktail))

Then again I thought possibly.... Beastie Boys?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seFpHtzNoV4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seFpHtzNoV4)
Title: Re: Brass monkies plus offtopic posts
Post by: Bernd on February 16, 2009, 10:42:16 PM
Definitely this post is worth keeping going.

Lets see if we can get it to when my boiler breaks down again.

 :offtopic: Bogs

Mmmm let's see. IIRC it's a a two year interval that your boiler breaks down. I don't think we can keep this thread going that long do you? :)

But then again the way you Britt's yak it up I'm sure it would keep going that long. :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Bernd

Hey Bog's I just did a check on my member profile. I have to take back all that I said above. Looks like I'm the #1 chatter box with 669 messages to my credit.

All I can say is.  :jaw:  :ddb:  :ddb:  :ddb:  :ddb:

Bernd
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: bogstandard on February 17, 2009, 03:19:26 AM
Bernd, let me just check back four of your messages and see what the Devil has to say.  :scratch:

Think about it.

You're only playing at it yet, just wait 'til I get into full swing, when I start piling on the bulls**t, you won't see my a**e for dust. :lol:


Spin, don't worry. Grab hold of Bernd's tail and he will get you up to speed.



Babbling Bogs
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Bernd on February 17, 2009, 10:27:16 AM
Bernd, let me just check back four of your messages and see what the Devil has to say.  :scratch:

Think about it.

You're only playing at it yet, just wait 'til I get into full swing, when I start piling on the bulls**t, you won't see my a**e for dust. :lol:

And the race is on. I'm sure you'll catch up. I've seen you preform on HMEM.  :thumbup:

Quote
Spin, don't worry. Grab hold of Bernd's tail and he will get you up to speed.



Babbling Bogs

Sorry SPiN, wifes got a hold of the tail already.  :D

Bernd
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: SPiN Racing on February 17, 2009, 06:00:52 PM
HA HA HA HA GOOD!

Not the tail Im fond of chasing thanks!  /wink

 :lol:
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Divided he ad on February 17, 2009, 08:11:11 PM
Quote
I read on and figure it out.. Brass Monkeys.. meaning cold..



Worse than that Scott..... It means cold balls!!.... Cannon balls that is!!!  (if I remember correctly?!?!)    :lol:




Ralph.



Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Bernd on February 17, 2009, 10:34:18 PM
Quote
I read on and figure it out.. Brass Monkeys.. meaning cold..



Worse than that Scott..... It means cold balls!!.... Cannon balls that is!!!  (if I remember correctly?!?!)    :lol:




Ralph.





And not the kind you make on Ralphs ball turner either.  :ddb: :ddb:

Bernd (who's trying to see how many subjects can be fitted in as  :offtopic: that have been disscussed already)
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: SPiN Racing on February 18, 2009, 07:45:02 PM
Wait...


So its like...

Colder than a witches tit in a brass bra in December?  :jaw:
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Bernd on February 18, 2009, 10:37:12 PM
SPiN,

You need to clarify that statment.

What side of the equator are we talking about and how far south or north of the equator that would be. :D

Bernd
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: sbwhart on February 19, 2009, 01:55:47 AM
Im not slow.. REALLY!

Its just... when you Old worlders say things I dont understand.. I read on and figure it out.. Brass Monkeys.. meaning cold.. but I had never heard of it. Till I clicked the link tonight.


Ok  the expresion cold enough to freeze the balls of a brass monkey, is an old navy expresion, in the days of the old wooden sailing ships, the cannon balls were stored in piramids to stop the piramids falling over in rough weather they sat in a brass square, called a monkey, when it got very cold the brass square contracted and the balls became unstable and fell off.

Many common day expressions and words in every day use have their origins from the navy:-

show a leg,

log book

chip off the old block

 etc etc :scratch:

 :D
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Divided he ad on February 19, 2009, 01:27:06 PM
Well now Stew.... You've left yourself wide open for this,


What's all them thar phrases from and even mean then ??    :scratch:       

And mind yar get ye right answer or I'll hoist the main brace an make ye walk the plank!!!!! Arrrrr!!!!   :whip:   (didn't have a cutlass waving smiley to hand!)


Well, once  :offtopic: we're all   :offtopic:  !!!!  :lol:




Ralph.
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Kludge on February 19, 2009, 05:57:21 PM
The reason Cedge doesn't have a vid is because he doesn't want everyone to know he walks about naked when he is in his shop.

Is there something wrong with doing this?  :)

Best regards,

Kludge
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: bogstandard on February 19, 2009, 06:00:44 PM
It all depends if you have asbestos dangly bits, unless of course you are a masochist. :lol:


Bogs


Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Kludge on February 19, 2009, 06:19:50 PM
Worse than that Scott..... It means cold balls!!.... Cannon balls that is!!!  (if I remember correctly?!?!)    :lol:

Story is that the "monkey" is the rack on which cannon balls were placed on aboard warships, and that they were brass to give the sailors something to do to keep them busy, polishing brass being popular in most navies, y'see.  In extremely cold weather, the cannon balls would shrink enough that they would slip between the rails hence it was cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.

Since I was in the US Navy, I've pretty much catagorized this with sending someone fresh out of boot camp to engineering for some relative bearing grease and a bucket of steam, to the bosun's locker for a length of waterline, or to an aviation bosun's mate for a bucket of prop wash.  Etc.  Lots of etc.

BEst regards,
Kludge ... who was evil and did those things.  :)
Title: Re: Brass monkies
Post by: Kludge on February 19, 2009, 06:27:54 PM
It all depends if you have asbestos dangly bits, unless of course you are a masochist. :lol:

But when I'm using the machines, I'm sitting on a stool or standing not walking.  When I'm walking, nothing's running - or even has power to it.  Of course, some might say that about the dangly bits too but that's subject for another time. :D

Best regards,

Kludge