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Old 24th Sep 2018, 10:30 pm   #81
Phil G4SPZ
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

As previously discussed (back in 2017) I like this series. This year there have been ten 45-minute programs featuring new (2018) restorations, followed by fifteen 45-minute re-edited repeats from 2017.

I think we may be being too critical here. I can imagine similar criticisms being aired on furniture restoration forums, fine art repair forums, clock repair forums etc but I have found plenty to interest me in the non-electronic repairs which, let's be honest, are far more numerous. I am perfectly happy to admire the skills of most of the experts too.

I also try to spot the brand names of the specialist materials that the professionals use, although they try to disguise them. So far I have identified and bought some really good adhesive, some paint stripper and some leather restorer, all of which will find uses in the general purpose area of my workshop.
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Old 24th Sep 2018, 10:32 pm   #82
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

It was a pretty radiogram. Wonder why they didn't show the radio working.

Series 2, episode 5.

I can't get this to play on my PC ('sorry, this programme is not available') though it plays on my smart TV just fine.
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Old 25th Sep 2018, 8:52 am   #83
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

The two episodes which annoyed me were the one where the Ferranti synchronous clock motor was instantly discarded as 'dangerous', and replaced by a quartz mechanism which probably cost £2, and the cash register where the totaliser mechanism was discarded because "I looked on the internet and discovered that they are always 'beyond repair'", without any attempt to explain or justify the statement. Probably all down to the TV budget...…….

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Old 25th Sep 2018, 10:31 am   #84
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

They also follow the familiar over-used television format that time is running out to complete the repair, usually because the owners are on the way to collect the restored item. I assume that this is intended to hold the viewer's interest but of course we know that they will complete the work just in time. They always do!

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Old 25th Sep 2018, 12:23 pm   #85
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

Alas most programs these days that are remotely technical are plagued with excessive "Dumbing down." It's often annoying as it belittle's the subject.
I'm sure that most people that chose to watch such programs would prefer the content to go into more detail.
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Old 25th Sep 2018, 12:38 pm   #86
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

I've often felt that this sort of programme could have optional detailed sectors available via the 'red button' for those of us interested. I suppose it's all down to cost.
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Old 25th Sep 2018, 12:50 pm   #87
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil G4SPZ View Post
I also try to spot the brand names of the specialist materials that the professionals use, although they try to disguise them. So far I have identified and bought some really good adhesive, some paint stripper and some leather restorer, all of which will find uses in the general purpose area of my workshop.
Hi Phill

Are you able to share the brand names you identified - if not possible on the Forum then please PM me.

I'm looking for a decent leather restorer in the first instance having tried numerous products.

Thanks
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Old 25th Sep 2018, 3:56 pm   #88
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

Quote:
Originally Posted by M0FYA Andy View Post
The two episodes which annoyed me were the one where the Ferranti synchronous clock motor was instantly discarded as 'dangerous', and replaced by a quartz mechanism which probably cost £2, and the cash register where the totaliser mechanism was discarded because "I looked on the internet and discovered that they are always 'beyond repair'", without any attempt to explain or justify the statement. Probably all down to the TV budget...
Agree with both of those, Andy.
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Old 25th Sep 2018, 4:25 pm   #89
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

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Originally Posted by DonaldStott View Post
Hi Phill

Are you able to share the brand names you identified - if not possible on the Forum then please PM me.

I'm looking for a decent leather restorer in the first instance having tried numerous products.

Thanks
I'm no expert, but I understand that leather restorer has to be appropriate for the type of leather, tanning method etc., so it's not entirely straightforward.
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Old 25th Sep 2018, 6:17 pm   #90
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

The product is a brand of lanolysed leather soap, which I think is suitable for most types of leather. I haven't used it yet, but I wanted it for Avo and similar leather instrument cases. Dubbin works quite well, but the soap appeared to be more effective.

PM sent to DonaldStott.
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Last edited by Phil G4SPZ; 25th Sep 2018 at 6:18 pm. Reason: Omission
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Old 26th Sep 2018, 8:40 am   #91
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

You use a soap to clean the muck off/out of the leather, then you want something like lanolin to replace the oil content in the leather.

Propert's Saddle soap is the old standard soap, comes in solid translucent amber bars. Rub them on a wet cloth, rub the leather with the soapy cloth.

Then there is Absorbine "Horseman's One-Step Original Cream" which is a cleaner/re-oiler mixture. It's good for preservation, but less good at cleaning dirt out, you really don't want to get the dirt residue mixed in with the oils you're applying.

They leave the leather with a slightly tacky surface, which is good on saddles. You want some adhesion between the leather and your britches for security reasons. Slidey shiny surfaces look good but cause you problems if things get a little, um, dynamic.

The solution for having a shiny saddle and secure location is in britches with suede, clarino or rubberised cloth seating areas - referred to colloquially in riding circles as 'sticky bum britches' which for some reason isn't a term used in the maker's adverts

David
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Old 26th Sep 2018, 6:51 pm   #92
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

Here's hoping this BBC programme makes it out to NZ - all we ever get here are vile American things where the dollar signs gleam in their eyes all the way while the endless loop of video and sound bite repetition goes on endlessly. The only bit of fun to date has been when a group of banjo players visited the shop where the goods end up and found - they never actually sold the items - only souvenir mugs. Sadly none of the visitors had his handguns with him that day otherwise . . . LOL.
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Old 26th Sep 2018, 8:48 pm   #93
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

One of my main peeves was an episode in which a mantel clock was being restored. The so-called expert repeatedly referred to the movement as the "mechanism" and the wheels as "cogs"! I kept shouting the correct terms back at the TV every time, which really irritated my wife after a while.
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Old 30th Sep 2018, 10:47 pm   #94
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

I suppose this is what happens when technical matters are covered in a programme aimed fairly and squarely at a mass (i.e. 'non-technical') audience. Words like 'mechanism' and 'cogs' are readily understood by virtually everyone above primary school age, whereas 'movement' and 'wheels' are words that have particular meanings in horology but could mean something quite different to the layman. The fact that only horologists call larger gears "wheels" and they have "teeth", yet they call smaller gears "pinions" and they have "leaves", just invites confusion!
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Old 19th Oct 2018, 4:52 pm   #95
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

It is a shame that this series has now finished. It was something to look forward to each evening, even though it was not really radio related, it gave some encouragement to restorers in general. I always enjoy a television series that contains an "end product" or other series that contains an element of discovery (like exploring decommissioned railways that have a possibility for re-opening). Programmes like these are rare but are really educational. With regards to the programme "The Repair Shop", I think that throwing items away (just for the sake that they are either broken or obsolete) is a pretty poor excuse,especially when they originally cost a great deal of money to purchase.
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Old 2nd Apr 2019, 8:26 am   #96
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Default Re: Technology related anachronisms on TV and in films etc.

Last night's Repair Shop had me smiling when he was repairing the old GEC portable radio; pointing to the ferrite aerial with the smaller winding and calling it the long wave coil (no that's the medium wave coil). He made a real meal of repairing that PCB; I'd have gone broke when I was doing them for a living in the 70's.
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Old 2nd Apr 2019, 5:10 pm   #97
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

Just realised the Repair shop is on again on BBC1 in the afternoons at 4.30 again, but not sure if its repeats as I missed it first time around.
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Old 2nd Apr 2019, 5:19 pm   #98
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

Should be on I Player.
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Old 2nd Apr 2019, 5:35 pm   #99
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Default Re: BBC TV: The Repair Shop

It is, I quite like it and record them (using get_iplayer) for later viewing. It is a bit set up, fun nevertheless, all the "players" are knowledgeable (sometimes the director lets this through) some almost cringe playing a dumb part (Jay Blades must know much more than he says). I hope it will encourage at least someone to give it a go.

I saw the radio and "corr that's the same as mine" is wasn't, mine is a Transistor 7, a rather nice set.
 
Old 2nd Apr 2019, 6:06 pm   #100
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Default Re: Technology related anachronisms on TV and in films etc.

That looks like a wave wound coil in that GEC.

Lawrence.
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