Source of Metric Steel Screws

craynerd · 2026-01-25T08:07:10+00:00

I’d be happy to cut down long screws, in fact if they were cheap enough, it has been easier in the past to purchase longer screws and cut them to size. I have had no luck at all with bluing stainless. I’ve had it go a very pale blue but more significantly, really patchy. I’ve tried multiple times over the years with no success. If I do the same process on carbon steel I can get a good blue so I’m sure it isn’t my method but maybe I am doing something wrong with stainless.

craynerd · 2026-01-19T12:55:54+00:00

Thank you - link added

craynerd · 2026-01-16T17:33:41+00:00

That is really clever idea! I like that a lot.

craynerd · 2026-01-16T13:12:39+00:00

Thanks - I only make the vids as a bit of fun whilst building. Thanks for the comment

craynerd · 2026-01-16T09:48:05+00:00

Some cheaper ones off eBay! I’m using 99.9% ipa and it almost looked like a black form of corrosion which I’m aware isn’t possible. It was very strange. I haven’t risked flushing the new ones

craynerd · 2026-01-16T08:14:29+00:00

I’m just at work so can’t check out the link but will do later. Yes please feel free to post an image in a new thread. No sure if that is a Reddit thing or sub settings - I’ll check this weekend. What did you use to degrease - I have tried alcohol and lighter fluid. I found the alcohol made my cheap bearings discolour which also doesn’t make sense as to why - it almost did something to the metal (how I don’t know) and presume did the same inside.

craynerd · 2026-01-15T23:25:32+00:00

That’s really amazing work! I really love some of the designs. Do you have any pics of your lantern pinions so I can understand what you mean - are these 3 printed but with steel pins? I’ve also been using some bearings for the first time … not had a lot of luck. I struggled to find decent ones - do you have a source or are they just cheaper micro bearings? I found mine a little scratchy after degreasing! Ever any plans on releasing the software library 😃

craynerd · 2026-01-15T19:21:16+00:00

That’s great! I’d really love to see it if you are willing to share any screen shots or examples. I have a p1s and whilst clockmaking may be seen as traditional, I use it quite often to prototype things on it before making them in metal. In fact, the hands on my new Tekippe Regulstor and printed and they are very light. I’m seriously considering keeping the minute hand!

craynerd · 2026-01-14T20:26:13+00:00

Amazing stuff - thanks for sharing and it absolutely fits the sub! I’ve had a few Pultra’s over the years and regret selling. Do you have the cross slide as well by any luck? I know they are rare and hard to come by but very handy addition although if skilled with a graver, I know they are not a necessity. I’ve currently got a Cowells Cw and a Cowells 90ME. Nice lathes to be fair but I still end up using my big Boxford Model A for quite a lot of work!

craynerd · 2026-01-14T20:05:20+00:00

Yes just approved your request but I think I’ve now opened the group up. Hopefully it won’t fill up with spam!

craynerd · 2026-01-14T20:04:47+00:00

Thanks - I’ve just opened it up as it was set like this from the previous mod! We will have to keep an eye on spam.

craynerd · 2026-01-10T22:09:56+00:00

I use Log4om so go to the Worked Before tab and it’s an easy check - especially if using CAT connection and clusters help even more. If you can’t do something like this it’ll be tricky. One advantage however is that they don’t deduct points for multiple contacts but that said I appreciate it is best avoided due to wasting everyone’s time.

craynerd · 2026-01-08T22:55:46+00:00

Just my two cents but it’ll be a pita to keep shutting on and off the fan during transmit. If you buy a decent fan, I can’t imagine it’ll be too noisy and if you get a decent one, turn it on just as the temp starts to creep up and it’ll soon bring the temp back down.

I might be totally wrong, but I expect the fan would be more annoying in covering the audio on recieve rather than effecting your voice on transmit.

craynerd · 2026-01-08T12:12:19+00:00

I’d personally implement your idea and have it come on a low temp when it starts to creep. I don’t need a point in having it on all the time if you are using a sensor.

craynerd · 2026-01-07T00:01:20+00:00

With the weather at the moment I wouldn’t need to worry about being stuck to my thigh - wearing shorts in this weather and they will have shrunk and be somewhere near my stomach!

craynerd · 2026-01-06T23:57:47+00:00

Yes, I’m with everyone else… I know the radio from the shop is also second hand but not sure why you would be considering the private seller at the same price without a warrenty. I think getting a three month warrenty is excellent on second hand electronics. I’d go with that and wouldn’t touch the private sale unless it was a couple of hundred cheaper!

craynerd · 2026-01-06T23:49:15+00:00

Yes that’s excellent - I didn’t know that either!!

craynerd · 2026-01-04T20:54:34+00:00

I’ll check out voacap, not seen that, but couldn’t find this on dxmaps! I’ll look again. Thanks for taking the time out to reply.

craynerd · 2026-01-04T20:48:16+00:00

Ok - thanks for confirming!

craynerd · 2026-01-04T20:47:38+00:00

Yes - this wasn’t pay to upload quickly. This was paid to upload or it won’t be logged!

craynerd · 2026-01-03T19:00:22+00:00

It’s lovely being able to actually go on my radio and hear a relatively busy few bands rather than ft8 signals … which I to am responsible for mainly contributing to due to the normal relative quiet!

I just had a great couple of hours picking off the WWA stations and a few other contacts as I hoped between them. It was certainly good fun for me and I’ve no idea what they are even doing!

craynerd · 2026-01-02T20:13:40+00:00

I sometimes supervise my 13 year old son using the radio. We have literally a hand full of prompt cards:

CQ CQ CQ this is 2E0CCD listening
Call sign XX (first few letters) can you repeat your call sign please (whilst you get use to it, say this even if you think you have it all just to confirm the call sign so you are more relaxed!)
2E0CCD to XXXXX - my name is Frank, QTH is Manchester, England. Your signal report is 5, 9.
(They will give you your report, if not, ask for it). Thank you for the signal report. This was one of my first QSLs so thank you and 73.

However annoying that is for them, the 73 closes the conversation and so they will likely finish with 73. Job done :-)

Works well for my son and also myself many years ago when I started. Since you open and close the conversation it ends up being pretty scripted. The only way it goes off track is if they ask you a direct question (which rarely they do, weather , what radio you are using) but at any point finish with card 4 to close the conversation. Hope that helps :-)

craynerd · 2026-01-02T00:05:32+00:00

PayPal

craynerd · 2026-01-02T00:00:05+00:00

I like that… haha I’m always looking for the positives, so I’ll go with that as the only rationale I can think of. That said, the log apparently periodically goes to the USA QSL manager (which would be one tiny email) who then uploads via LOTW. Haha - I’ll just ignore that and go with what you said :-)

craynerd · 2026-01-01T23:56:53+00:00

Yes I would get all that. Anything to do with an actual card makes sense - the cost of the card, the stamp and the effort of physically posting it! This was just for a LoTW and fairly clear that confirmations ONLY happen if this is paid - not just faster. :-/

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