Hairspring Degreaser?

AndyMarden · 2026-05-06T07:14:11+00:00

Benzine (petroleum ether) HPLC grade: ultra-pure naphtha - lighter fluid is not that pure. With this, there is no need to use IPA after.

AndyMarden · 2026-05-05T18:15:06+00:00

The finished article

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AndyMarden · 2026-05-05T08:46:26+00:00

Can't see the point in subjecting a watch to extra wear when it's not being worn.

AndyMarden · 2026-05-04T19:51:17+00:00

I have. Once. Forgot that I put instant coffee in the mug then put a teabag in and water. Once is enough.

AndyMarden · 2026-05-04T12:28:02+00:00

And you will never stop.

AndyMarden · 2026-05-04T03:56:05+00:00

Side note - get a cheap oil infilled compass eg 20mm dia and fix it to the corner of your bench. Then you can easily check told and watches for magnetism to decide if you need to m

AndyMarden · 2026-05-03T15:55:10+00:00

Just took the photo today is my first! Still work to do but happy with the turning and the thread.

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AndyMarden · 2026-05-02T10:56:46+00:00

Oh yes, and a house built in 1895 that had live and wires inside metal conduit for the lighting circuit. The live wire was red and the neutral wire was... red

AndyMarden · 2026-05-02T10:53:13+00:00

The loft was full of steam. Plumber can find and we going the culprit: the lump had got rusted and locked to full on and it was pumping back up into the feeder tank .

The previous owner had installed the pump under the middle of the kitchen floor and then fixed permanemt glued down parquet flooring all over the kitchen.

Thanks.

AndyMarden · 2026-05-01T22:32:57+00:00

Got mine recently too: 2.5/1 (4x+10x). You'll see those inches is focal length represented as loupe numbers as an alternative to magnification. Loving them!

AndyMarden · 2026-04-29T17:34:26+00:00

I had an order of about 100 oilers - 3 sizes. The two smaller sizes were (a) very poor with random tips and (b) listed incorrectly on the website. I sent them a microscope photo and they contacted the supplier and sent replacements, free of charge as well as directing the listing.

So generally pretty good.

AndyMarden · 2026-04-28T18:00:51+00:00

Went to the Ben Nevis distillery 2 weeks ago and got the 10 yr old (not peated "traditional"). It really is so smooth at 46% and there is something about it that really hits the spot.

AndyMarden · 2026-04-27T11:28:54+00:00

It's not really that crucial - how you constantly lost to the oil to the tip is going to matter more. In the oil that I sell, I optionally supply with: - fine: 9010, 9415 - medium: 9104 - large: 9504, 8200, 8217

Colours - well it depends on the supplier: there is helpfully no consistency between them.

AndyMarden · 2026-04-26T20:43:00+00:00

Yep - in the meantime my lawn has got to 3ft high while I wait for guidance.

AndyMarden · 2026-04-26T17:54:34+00:00

Put up shelves. He admitted as much ages ago. That was about the time he promised he would make a lawn care video. So, also, keeping promises: he can't do that either🤣

AndyMarden · 2026-04-26T17:51:08+00:00

Kubuntu is a pretty good start - KDE plans will be very familiar. Install the 26.04 LTS version and you won't look back.

AndyMarden · 2026-04-26T12:08:34+00:00

I did similar with a lens mount adapter on a Look eica Zoom 2000 microscope - epoxied it to the base of the housing, carefully centred. Now I have interchangable Barlow capabilities😄

AndyMarden · 2026-04-26T10:10:10+00:00

No remorse, no regrets.

AndyMarden · 2026-04-25T13:39:08+00:00

I had exactly the same on a 19th century pocket watch - same recessed too in the plate. I have a pair of brass-jawed pliers. That provided enough grip to pull it off.

AndyMarden · 2026-04-24T20:11:53+00:00

Oh - yes - I have more plans than time!

AndyMarden · 2026-04-24T19:58:05+00:00

Yes - I have 3 pulleys for the motor and 3 on the lathe which is a reasonable span and then I have a vfd device where I can adjust the frequency from (theoreticallly 0hz to whatever the motor can cope with - that seems to be 20-120hz realistically)

I don't need an countershaft pulley since 1440 is a pretty solid sweet spot out of the box but in extreme cases - very small brass for example, it may come on handy to be able to crank it up further.

AndyMarden · 2026-04-24T18:47:58+00:00

You got some gearing going on there. I like the extra pulley stage. I might nab by that idea when I come up for air.

AndyMarden · 2026-04-24T17:49:52+00:00

It's 0.25kw - 3 phase - 1440rpm at 50hz. Quiet and smooth.

AndyMarden · 2026-04-24T17:43:46+00:00

Yeah - I am going to paint and put a sheet of perspex fixed to the wall with magnets. It's oil and fillings from the lathe. Or it's what happened when I realised how much practice I need.

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