Unsatisfied !?

[timo_gross]

We talk a lot about our mistakes and how we improvise and fix them.

But how about the times when we are making a critical and difficult cut, and we measure it and it is perfect, and a big smile comes over our face as we stand back for a second and give ourselves a big pat on the back and say: "Darn, sometimes I am pretty darn good."

That really recharges the batteries.
Lloyd

Then after 10 minutes, when my back hurts from all the pat, I measure again and the part is too small back to "normal".

 

[minh-thanh]

Rule: If you buy two pieces of stock, you will need one. If you buy one piece you will need two .

That is quite true .

Then after 10 minutes, when my back hurts from all the pat, I measure again and the part is too small back to "normal".

In the past , when I machined a part , after measuring it , checking ... its dimensions - ID or OD was ok .
Then, I make another part, just to be sure I measure the part again and the measurement is different this time - maybe during the machining of the material there is a heat related change..... .
After 2 or 3 tests, the results are the same
Now, I usually leave the part I just machined for at least 5 minutes and cool it with oil -with a small diameter part and then measure to get the final result..

 

[Steamchick]

Buy an inch - need a foot, buy a foot, need an inch and have stock for next time is a rule I follow, where possible. But why do I never have a bit of stock the right size for the next job?
K2

 

[Mike Ginn]

I think it is worth making a few comments about computer storage.
Keep multiple copies (as per Richard's post) and ideally use cloud storage.
As technology moves forward make sure you also move data to updated media.
The same applies to software but there are usually work arounds. Microsoft is very tolerant but programs like Autocad are very fussy about version control. I usually save my Autocad files in a low version format such as 2010 in the knowledge that it will be compatible with other older programs. There are however converters from Autocad.
Over the years you will find that media will change. I have moved from 8inch to 5.25inch floppies and of course the most recent 3.5 inch hard floppies. There were others most notably the Zip drives. I still have data on 3.5inch floppies and have an external reader which plugs into the USB port - which is also being phased out. Fortunately there are always adaptors and readers for these older systems/connectors so you should never be locked out of your data,
Remember also that hard drive interfaces change. The older parallel IDE drives have been replaced by the serial SATA drives. I keep adaptors to ensure I can read data from old IDE drives if needed. As an aside I should add that when I replace/reload onto a new hard drive I always do it onto a blank/new drive and keep the old drive with it's data. There will always be data which you forgot to recover. Today I only use SSD drives. On some motherboards these are directly attached or can have a new type of interface.
Finally you should always be able to recover your data but it could take a little effort!
Hope this helps someone.
Mike

 

[ajoeiam]

I think it is worth making a few comments about computer storage.
Keep multiple copies (as per Richard's post) and ideally use cloud storage.
As technology moves forward make sure you also move data to updated media.
The same applies to software but there are usually work arounds. Microsoft is very tolerant but programs like Autocad are very fussy about version control. I usually save my Autocad files in a low version format such as 2010 in the knowledge that it will be compatible with other older programs. There are however converters from Autocad.
Over the years you will find that media will change. I have moved from 8inch to 5.25inch floppies and of course the most recent 3.5 inch hard floppies. There were others most notably the Zip drives. I still have data on 3.5inch floppies and have an external reader which plugs into the USB port - which is also being phased out. Fortunately there are always adaptors and readers for these older systems/connectors so you should never be locked out of your data,
Remember also that hard drive interfaces change. The older parallel IDE drives have been replaced by the serial SATA drives. I keep adaptors to ensure I can read data from old IDE drives if needed. As an aside I should add that when I replace/reload onto a new hard drive I always do it onto a blank/new drive and keep the old drive with it's data. There will always be data which you forgot to recover. Today I only use SSD drives. On some motherboards these are directly attached or can have a new type of interface.
Finally you should always be able to recover your data but it could take a little effort!
Hope this helps someone.
Mike

I would agree with everything you're saying except your suggestion of cloud storage.

As soon as you ship the storage somewhere else under someone else's control - - - -well - - - imo its no longer yours!

Sorry - - - my info is MY info and not for any other entity to paw through (and try to sell me crap relating to whatever).

 

[metalmangler]

and of course the most recent 3.5 inch hard floppies.
Mike

In the programming department I inhabited these were known as 'Stiffies'. Caused a good few raised eyebrows amongst non-computer-literate colleagues...

 

[Mike Ginn]

Regarding Cloud storage. Its a personal choice and many find it coinvent since it can be seamless from phone/pc to cloud and is secure. Yes you are giving away access to your data but in reality Google or others can't possibly read - or want to read - the mega volumes of data stored - same applies to Alexa's ability to "listen" to conversations! Whether we like it or not we live in a digital age were we accept many privacy issues because they are convenient. Your phone continually tracks your location, many modern cars track your driving and journey and the data is kept in the cloud. Your computer usage is tracked etc etc. And then there is personal banking on the phone............
As we all move further into the digital world we each need to decide where our "red" lines are and accept that others will have different "red" lines.
Its all about being comfortable with the technology offered and individually deciding on the balance of risk vs convenience. I would suggest that cloud storage is the right choice of most people.
Mike
PS My only concern with cloud storage is the inability to access the data for whatever reason - which is why I don't use the cloud!

 

[L98fiero]

Regarding Cloud storage. Its a personal choice and many find it coinvent since it can be seamless from phone/pc to cloud and is secure. Yes you are giving away access to your data but in reality Google or others can't possibly read - or want to read - the mega volumes of data stored - same applies to Alexa's ability to "listen" to conversations! Whether we like it or not we live in a digital age were we accept many privacy issues because they are convenient. Your phone continually tracks your location, many modern cars track your driving and journey and the data is kept in the cloud. Your computer usage is tracked etc etc. And then there is personal banking on the phone............
As we all move further into the digital world we each need to decide where our "red" lines are and accept that others will have different "red" lines.
Its all about being comfortable with the technology offered and individually deciding on the balance of risk vs convenience. I would suggest that cloud storage is the right choice of most people.
Mike
PS My only concern with cloud storage is the inability to access the data for whatever reason - which is why I don't use the cloud!

That seems to be a 'frog in the pot' rationalization, and as for whether Google wants to listen to what Alexa hears, there isn't some guy sitting behind a computer listening to individual Alexa terminals, where does it end?

 

[Richard Hed]

That seems to be a 'frog in the pot' rationalization, and as for whether Google wants to listen to what Alexa hears, there isn't some guy sitting behind a computer listening to individual Alexa terminals, where does it end?

It doesn't end. The only solution is to try to know what they are capable of (if it's possible it's 100% for sure they will do it) and not allow them to use it. For instance, only a couple years ago one could take the battery out of one's phone or the sim card--not today! But there is a solution for them following your every move: get a metal case or even tinfoil (tinfoil makes good hats too) and wrap it in that. radio waves do not pass thru metal.

Another good thing is simply do not have one of the alexas or that other contraption. It's not much different from having a corporate spy right in your livingroom/bedroom/kitchen.

Another thing is to have ALL your microphones and cameras covered when not in use. I'm sure some of our brother and sister HMEMs will have other contributions. (also, always keep a sharpened pitchfork next to your door wink wink)

 

[Tug40]

Also Richard, a sharpened pitchfork (and an axe) comes in handy when changing the oil in my Miata.

 

[Richard Hed]

Also Richard, a sharpened pitchfork (and an axe) comes in handy when changing the oil in my Miata.

AH! I see the problem, your pitchfork is not really sharp!

 

[H. K. Barrows]

Thanks Steamchick. H.K.B.

 

[Longboy]

If dissatisfied with a part, I think of salvage and rework first. Can I mod and come out OK for its use and purpose? Or how bout relocating a mounted item or cheating a dimension. Over or under size a fixed or moving piece. I have those liberties as my engines are not built to a plan but wild catted to my ideas. I have a good box full of discards over the years of machines parts mixed in with stub pieces and ends of bar stock. One thing in favor of a redo is that it will take you half the time for a duplicate. You made the original using a little more time and now you know the set up for a repeat by dimension, cutting tools, drill bits, tap holes, springs, fasteners, etc. My best guess is you will belly ache over the. "not quite right factor" for a few hours. Decide to redo the next day. Dis-assemble, remove and remake sed part and after a few hours in the shop be back in a couple of days where you left off again. (unless Ebay and UPS is involved with an order)!

 

[Bentwings]

. If it’s functional and doesn’t look too ugly I just use it . In practice in the shop crap it an make new . I never like being called out for poor quality or not following drawing or instructions.
Unsatisfied ...
When making an engine and especially with engines with many parts , many cylinders,, sometimes there is one or two parts that I really don't like - due to a small mistake or carelessness or even poor machining. ... , it's still usable but I'm not satisfied
Use it or will make a new one!? That's a question I often ask myself
I always want it to be the best it can be, but there's always something I don't like
Have you ever been like that ? And what will you do ?
Thanks !

 

[Mike Ginn]

Longboy I sympathise. My solution to the conundrum is my agreement with myself at the start of the build. If I decide to make an exhibition or near exhibition model then I would always re-machine the part. This also goes for painting. If the paint is not good I will strip and re-do or find another better finish - this also applies to the colour scheme. If the model is to prove a technique I will make do. Since I am retired I am not under time pressure to complete the model so I normally try to get the parts as good as possible. I find drilling jigs very useful since holes which are slightly off centre irritate me.

I'm sure you will be pleased to learn that I do NOT have OCD! I just like models to look right!
Mike

 

[timo_gross]

Longboy I sympathise. My solution to the conundrum is my agreement with myself at the start of the build. If I decide to make an exhibition or near exhibition model then I would always re-machine the part. This also goes for painting. If the paint is not good I will strip and re-do or find another better finish - this also applies to the colour scheme. If the model is to prove a technique I will make do. Since I am retired I am not under time pressure to complete the model so I normally try to get the parts as good as possible. I find drilling jigs very useful since holes which are slightly off centre irritate me.

I'm sure you will be pleased to learn that I do NOT have OCD! I just like models to look right!
Mike

DOCD? Double overhead cam drive..... ...

 

[Nikhil Bhale]

I think it all comes down to you liking the journey or the destination.
At the moment for me its just focusing on the destinations. More the better.

I have yet to immerse myself completely into this hobby.

Afterwards maybe be as Bhagavad Gita says
“You have the right to work, but never to the fruit of work. You should never engage in action for the sake of reward, nor should you long for inaction. Perform work in this world, Arjuna, as a man established within himself – without selfish attachments, and alike in success and defeat.”


Nikhil

 

[Richard Hed]

I think it all comes down to you liking the journey or the destination.
At the moment for me its just focusing on the destinations. More the better.

I have yet to immerse myself completely into this hobby.

Afterwards maybe be as Bhagavad Gita says
“You have the right to work, but never to the fruit of work. You should never engage in action for the sake of reward, nor should you long for inaction. Perform work in this world, Arjuna, as a man established within himself – without selfish attachments, and alike in success and defeat.”


Nikhil

I enjoy both.

 

[minh-thanh]

I think it all comes down to you liking the journey or the destination.
At the moment for me its just focusing on the destinations. More the better.

I like both the journey and the destination.
With the journey, each part I always try to do it the best I can and then the destination will be able to call it okay, or at least I accept it for the time being - at least for now and in near future.
I'm different from you, I don't focus on many destinations.
I only focus on solving the problem: how to make it or that part better, easier..? Think , there is one or two solutions .. Trial and error , again ..
My life experience: Every time I fail, I always learn something. Each time I succeed, I will be more confident for the next goal

 

[Scott_M]

My life experience: Every time I fail, I always learn something. Each time I succeed, I will be more confident for the next goal

Well said !

If a part comes out " a bit off" or just not right, I usually start over. And if there was more work to do on that part, I will usually use the scraped piece for set up or practice cuts the next time around.

Scott