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Old 6th Apr 2016, 12:05 pm   #21
paulsherwin
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

They are probably right. May has an engaging personality and most people will be tuning in to watch his interaction with the technology rather than the technology itself.

Despite sharing some of the reservations of others in this thread, I thought this was a good attempt to demonstrate the technology underlying everyday items to a non specialist audience - complex yet understandable. The mower was more successful than the phone in that respect, perhaps reflecting May's own interest in old school mechanical engineering.
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Old 6th Apr 2016, 12:13 pm   #22
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

I have to say that I found these programmes quite addictive. Mr May is possibly not an expert in the construction of lawn-mowers, Bakelite telephones or electric guitars, but his enthusiasm and appreciation of the engineering is great to see in this "throw-away" age. I know that technology has come on leaps and bounds in the last two or three decades, such that the workings of the ubiquitous satnav are beyond most of us, but if more people understood something of the contraptions that they are using, it would be a good thing, IMHO.
I am looking forward to the reassembling of a Fender Stratocaster. I think I might be able to do this with my eyes closed, but getting it set up to play properly is another question...
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Old 6th Apr 2016, 12:30 pm   #23
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

Indeed - there aren't that many parts on an electric guitar, and they really only take 20 minutes to put together (I know from when I had to put a new neck on mine after a slight accident involving a drummer). Hopefully the programme will focus a bit more on getting things aligned and tuned.
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Old 6th Apr 2016, 1:06 pm   #24
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

I saw the lawnmower ep and enjoyed it. There need to be more programmes on telly for blokes that spend their time tinkering with old junk in sheds! Even as a kid I used to love watching Jack Hargreaves presenting programmes from his shed about pipes or fishing flies or whatever. I must have made a mental note, "one day I'll have a shed just like that" and now, here I am, living the dream!
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Old 6th Apr 2016, 1:20 pm   #25
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

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Originally Posted by Dave Moll View Post
I agree that it's just entertainment, but part of my entertainment (and I suspect that of many others here) is spotting the inaccuracies and having someone to whom I can grumble about them!
Also got the reason for the Emergency code being '999' wrong -perpetuating another myth .
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Old 6th Apr 2016, 4:12 pm   #26
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

I can see both sides but it's good to view anything like this at all [we are not swamped with technical subjects-unlike cookery for example] It must be frustrating if you have advanced knowledge but we at least get to see the basics and Forum members can correct finer details so it should be a win win

I suspect, however, that showing these programs around tea time at weekends would be much better for "generating" engineering interest among young people. I mentioned the slow TV series of last May on the same channel called Hand Made [Mayed?]. There wasn't much response on here but I thought the program about making a Windsor Chair over 12 days, steam bending the wood, was amazing. I don't think that bloke would have taken any criticism though.
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Old 6th Apr 2016, 4:29 pm   #27
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I sat there muttering about boiling a kettle...
We could go on for hours about different expansion coefficients etc..
Anyway, I quite enjoyed both as it seemed so did James (and probably did). If it sparks up a bit of interest in a few kids, or indeed adults, all the better. I find it most amusing that my 'skills' are considered 'a bit sad' until the consideree () needs them! I also liked the shots of the crew doing their jobs, more sparks?
 
Old 6th Apr 2016, 8:11 pm   #28
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

Enjoyed both programmes. I cut my mechanical teeth on my Dad's Suffolk Punch at the age of about 8, and this included receiving a hefty belt up my right arm from the HT lead. I've had a healthy respect for electricity ever since.

He seemed to make light work of rebuilding that dial though; my efforts have never been quite so successful, and I try to avoid stripping dials at all costs!
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Old 6th Apr 2016, 8:43 pm   #29
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

I had a facebook message after the programme from a non technical friend demanding to know where he could buy one of those expanding screwdrivers! Both he and his partner found it a fascinating programme.
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Old 6th Apr 2016, 8:52 pm   #30
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

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Remind me, don't you have to set the bells up on a phone to ensure that they ring properly?
Yes, that bugged me too. He mentioned the fact that drop wire can cause random pulses and that's why we have 999 but he never mentioned that the gongs have off centre holes to allow for adjustment. Plus the rocker gap is adjustable.

Still enjoyed it though
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Old 6th Apr 2016, 9:26 pm   #31
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

Just watching this evening's offering.
Will someone please teach that man how to solder!
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Old 6th Apr 2016, 9:35 pm   #32
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

Yes, spectacularly inept soldering, although he did admit that he wasn't very good at it.

I felt this was the weakest of the three episodes, with too much skated over. He didn't even explain how to tune the guitar, never mind how to set it up properly. I know he's a pianist rather than a guitarist, but this is pretty basic stuff.
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Old 6th Apr 2016, 11:07 pm   #33
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

He was right about needing three hands to do it, though!
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Old 6th Apr 2016, 11:27 pm   #34
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

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Originally Posted by McMurdo View Post
I had a facebook message after the programme from a non technical friend demanding to know where he could buy one of those expanding screwdrivers! Both he and his partner found it a fascinating programme.
They're American. I've not seen them from any British supplier, but the tool stores at HP plants used to stock them.

They are brilliant for holding slotted screws, for positioning them and getting them started.

They are useless for tightening screws or for undoing tight ones because they are limited in torque before the two shafts distort.

The other big limitation is though it may hold the screw, it does nothing to help with any washer needed.

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Old 6th Apr 2016, 11:41 pm   #35
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/screwdrivers/0547969/
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Old 7th Apr 2016, 12:57 am   #36
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

From the telephone programme, I missed much of it, but when he stated is was going to assemble from parts - which were all neatly laid out in front of him - which he then bundled up first rather than logically considering how they should go together - using a circuit diagram only. Useful , if one can quickly read a circuit diagram, more use would be exploded drawing arrangements , particulary for items which are as much mechanical as they are electronic. If he wants to have a go with a telephone (pabx) exchange of what seems the same era, then I note there is at least one on the large internet auction site with an apparant genuine starting price of 99p
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Old 7th Apr 2016, 1:00 am   #37
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

Re RS screwdriver link, they look a bit pricey for the occasional use, but for a professional where time is money I guess they are quite a timesaver.
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Old 7th Apr 2016, 9:14 am   #38
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

I have watched the first two episodes and certainly found them rather bland.
I feel it was a missed opportunity to make what could have been an interesting programme.

Having rebuilt the same lawnmower myself, I felt many details were missed out. Particularly during the engine rebuild. The telephone rebuild was also lacking many details.

Personally, I quite liked the other series James May has made. This however must have been made very cheaply indeed, and it shows!
Not something I would bother to watch a second time.

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Old 7th Apr 2016, 9:48 am   #39
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

I have two of those RS 'split shaft' screwdrivers. They are indeed useful for inserting slotted screws in otherwise inaccessible places, but, as David says, they're no help with washers. Pity someone can't devise a similar screwdriver for use with Phillips, Pozi, & torx head screws, too! Oh, and what are those JIS screws James said were used in that guitar, and from where can suitable screwdrivers or bits be obtained for them?
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Old 7th Apr 2016, 9:52 am   #40
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Default Re: BBC 4 9pm tonight - Bakelite telephone

I've watched the first two episodes, and for all the very valid criticisms voiced above, I found that for a half-hour programme they were very entertaining. I do find that his non-PC comments can be very amusing.
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