Author Topic: The what do you do with it and why did you make questions. (Read 14358 times)

90LX_Notch · « **on:** April 20, 2015, 04:05:54 PM »

These questions come up all the time to those of us within the hobby. My new response is going to be one stolen from the Jeep community.

It's an engine thing. You wouldn't understand.

or

It's a machinist thing. You wouldn't understand.

What are some of your responses?

-Bob

Jo · « **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2015, 04:16:22 PM »

Do with it? - I fondle it/them

both once they are made and while they are still castings

Why? - To find out why and how it works and to prove I really understood it

Jo

mklotz · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2015, 04:27:53 PM »

Most of the people who ask these questions are too clueless to waste a genuine answer on them so I make up conversation stopper answers. Here are a few examples...

Why did you make it?

I didn't have the tools I needed to make the whole bomb, so I made this instead.

My analyst says making it will help me not to fantasize about murdering people.

It's an essential part of the ICBM I'm building.

What do you do with it?

I fondle it while designing new instruments of torture.

If I run it really fast, it drowns out the voices in my head.

It runs the pump that feeds the bacteria breeding tank.

KB · « **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2015, 04:31:15 PM »

"You must have too much time on your hands..."

"No, I just find it more productive and satisfying than watching television. Seen any good shows lately?"

Allen Smithee · « **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2015, 04:38:41 PM »

"Last week I invented fire, yesterday I invented the wheel and today I've invented the steam engine"

"But someone invented those AGES ago!"

"Perhaps, but I'm catching up with him..."

AS

Allen Smithee · « **Reply #5 on:** April 20, 2015, 04:48:12 PM »

"As a young lad I had all the usual aspirations: fame, fortune, hot babes, fast cars and interesting toys. But then I chose a career in engineering so the first three were out and the fourth was income-constrained - only the last one is really open to me. So I machine things to make mechanisms that will enable me to bring fourth my revenge on the world..."

PDR

dvbydt · « **Reply #6 on:** April 20, 2015, 04:54:08 PM »

A mental itch, that demands a physical scratch!

Ian

Niels Abildgaard · « **Reply #7 on:** April 20, 2015, 06:05:22 PM »

Quote from: Allen Smithee on April 20, 2015, 04:48:12 PM

"As a young lad I had all the usual aspirations: fame, fortune, hot babes, fast cars and interesting toys. But then I chose a career in engineering so the first three were out and the fourth was income-constrained - only the last one is really open to me. So I machine things to make mechanisms that will enable me to bring fourth my revenge on the world..."

PDR

Why fourstrokes when Two strokes and gasturbines are out there?
Fylla find it an interresting question

fcheslop · « **Reply #8 on:** April 20, 2015, 08:20:36 PM »

A reply I give for my steam boats, Cover it in oil and set fire to it

well thats the one thats printable .
Not known for my sense of decorum . Others have a lot to do with sex and travel.
cheers!

Myrickman · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2015, 09:16:31 PM »

Personal challenge...me against the metal.
Some people do crosswords...I make engines.
Niels, love the Cardi pix.... We have two of them...sawed-off shepherds.

philjoe5 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 21, 2015, 12:25:01 AM »

If someone has to ask the question(s) "What does it do" or "Why did you make it" they surely wouldn't understand the answer.

Upon showing my IC engine to a recent graduate of our system of "higher learning", his response was, "Can't you buy a 6 hp four stroke engine at Harbor Freight for $99"?

My response was "I wish I had met you before I did all this work to make one"

Cheers,
Phil

Dave Otto · « **Reply #11 on:** April 21, 2015, 01:22:59 AM »

The signature line my friend Roland uses seems appropriate.

For those who understand, no explanation is needed.
For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

Relates well to the topic.

Dave

rleete · « **Reply #12 on:** April 21, 2015, 05:53:25 PM »

When I was little and asked my mother "why?", she always replied, "to make little boys ask questions."

Lew Hartswick · « **Reply #13 on:** April 23, 2015, 03:40:22 AM »

Quote from: Dave Otto on April 21, 2015, 01:22:59 AM

For those who understand, no explanation is needed.
For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

I think that is the best answer for the widest use. :-) I shouldn't insult anyone.
...lew...

Jo · « **Reply #14 on:** April 23, 2015, 07:36:06 AM »

Many years ago in Model engineer the attached answer was provided.

Jo

peatoluser · « **Reply #15 on:** April 23, 2015, 08:56:04 AM »

Come on, hands up, be honest - who immediately googled 'Humphrey pump' and thought ...that looks interesting... I wonder if i could....

I must admit , I do agree with the author, I find the steam engine a more fascinating engine to watch than an internal combustion engine,
although I'm sure the ICE requires more skill in machining .

peter

Mosey · « **Reply #16 on:** April 23, 2015, 01:10:27 PM »

Maybe you are showing your engines to the wrong people? I have great acceptance showing my meager ones to grown up real machinists (guys who do it for a living), and say "Gee, I wish I could make one someday but I'm too busy", high-end auto mechanics, the guy who services the heater, the electrician who wires my motors, the hardware store, the little old guy at Cabin Fever who looked at my engine and asked "do you know where I can buy a 6 jaw chuck for my Levin lathe?", and my friends. They all in varying degrees say "wow!, holy cow, incredible, you made all of that, the cranks and pistons too?"
I don't show them to the cleaning lady or my wife's friends.
I don't give a rats !#$%^ who likes them.
I like them. My wife likes them too, and she knows all about when a piece pulls out of the chuck and goes into the big pail under the lathe, 4 times. She also knows when I make a piece and it comes out smooth, shiny, and exactly the right diameter.
You can show them to each other and we will all be amazed and will tell you how fantastic they are.
Keep making things cause you like to.
Mosey

Dan Rowe · « **Reply #17 on:** April 23, 2015, 01:21:18 PM »

Quote from: Mosey on April 23, 2015, 01:10:27 PM

the little old guy at Cabin Fever who looked at my engine and asked "do you know where I can buy a 6 jaw chuck for my Levin lathe?"

Did you have a good answer to that question?

Dan

ibert · « **Reply #18 on:** April 23, 2015, 01:28:34 PM »

My reply to those questions is something like: it generates questions by the minute, or it keeps YOUR brain exercised http://www.modelenginemaker.com/Smileys/default/mischief.gif
If there is a real question i like to reply with a real answer and probably learn something from that conversation

Mosey · « **Reply #19 on:** April 23, 2015, 02:09:30 PM »

Did you have a good answer to that question?

Dan
[/quote]No, Dan. If I found one, could I afford to buy it?
Mosey

mikemill · « **Reply #20 on:** April 23, 2015, 06:24:45 PM »

I think the ignorance comes from people who have no interests in their lives, I have meet a lot of people in my life both on a personal and professional level and if half a dozen had interests I was impressed.
We are part of the very small group (let’s say North America and Europe) of the population who have interests. Two of my friends are about to retire I say what are you planning to do with your time, all I see is blank faces quite frightening, if you stop using the brain it turns to mush!!
So lets celebrate our interests common or not and let the nare do wells slowly sink into the mire

Mike

AussieJimG · « **Reply #21 on:** April 24, 2015, 06:48:46 AM »

Quote from: mikemill on April 23, 2015, 06:24:45 PM

We are part of the very small group (let’s say North America and Europe) of the population who have interests.

And some in that other place - wossname - the little island in the South Pacific.

Jim

Jo · « **Reply #22 on:** April 24, 2015, 07:00:28 AM »

Hey Jim , you guys down under are only a few generations from being Europeans yourselves

Wasn't it us who took engines and mechanical technology round the world so there is no wonder we share the same passions

.

Jo

Mosey · « **Reply #23 on:** April 24, 2015, 01:34:26 PM »

Jim,
You were missed at Cabin Fever, and the contributions of the Aussies are neither forgotten nor underestimated around the globe.
Mosey

Allen Smithee · « **Reply #24 on:** April 24, 2015, 03:59:39 PM »

Quote from: AussieJimG on April 24, 2015, 06:48:46 AM

And some in that other place - wossname - the little island in the South Pacific.

Fiji?

PDR

mklotz · « **Reply #25 on:** April 24, 2015, 04:57:48 PM »

Quote from: AussieJimG on April 24, 2015, 06:48:46 AM

And some in that other place - wossname - the little island in the South Pacific.

Technically, Australia (and Antarctica) are not islands but rather continents. Greenland is the largest island but why can't it be called a small continent? Also, given the amount of water on earth, all the continents are surrounded by water.

This is what happens when you've been retired for nineteen years; you start worrying about stuff like this. (I even keep a list of unanswered questions on my computer.) Fortunately, the medications help, especially when dissolved in gin.

Dan Rowe · « **Reply #26 on:** April 24, 2015, 06:22:28 PM »

Quote from: mklotz on April 24, 2015, 04:57:48 PM

all the continents are surrounded by water.

say it ain't so....Europe and Asia share a common land border. So did a couple of the other ones until they dug some ditches.

Go figure.

Dan

Niels Abildgaard · « **Reply #27 on:** April 24, 2015, 08:50:52 PM »

Quote from: Jo on April 24, 2015, 07:00:28 AM

Hey Jim , you guys down under are only a few generations from being Europeans yourselves

Wasn't it us who took engines and mechanical technology round the world so there is no wonder we share the same passions .

Jo

internal combustion engines,gas turbines,nuclear fission and guidable rockets ?

ShopShoe · « **Reply #28 on:** April 25, 2015, 02:15:10 PM »

Surely someone has done or will do hobby designing or making in Antarctica or in space.

I would like to see THAT member on this forum.

(Wishful thinking? It can't be too long)

--ShopShoe

Pete49 · « **Reply #29 on:** April 26, 2015, 04:35:04 AM »

Quote from: Dan Rowe on April 24, 2015, 06:22:28 PM

Quote from: mklotz on April 24, 2015, 04:57:48 PM
all the continents are surrounded by water.

say it ain't so....Europe and Asia share a common land border. So did a couple of the other ones until they dug some ditches.

Go figure.

Dan

Not so Dan Europe and Asia are all on one land mass and so are not continents. It would probably start another war if that land mass was called a single name like Eurasia with Africa being south Eurasia as it is connected. Or maybe not..... but it is surrounded by water and therefore a continent.

Pete

Mosey · « **Reply #30 on:** April 26, 2015, 02:01:41 PM »

Quote from: Pete49 on April 26, 2015, 04:35:04 AM

Quote from: Dan Rowe on April 24, 2015, 06:22:28 PM
Quote from: mklotz on April 24, 2015, 04:57:48 PM
all the continents are surrounded by water.

say it ain't so....Europe and Asia share a common land border. So did a couple of the other ones until they dug some ditches.

Go figure.

Dan
Not so Dan Europe and Asia are all on one land mass and so are not continents. It would probably start another war if that land mass was called a single name like Eurasia with Africa being south Eurasia as it is connected. Or maybe not..... but it is surrounded by water and therefore a continent.
Pete

Didn't used to be, and just wait...it will not be in the future.
Mosey

Dan Rowe · « **Reply #31 on:** April 26, 2015, 02:27:30 PM »

Guys the issue of how many continents there are largely depends where you went to grade school. I was simply poking fun at Marv for getting the topology wrong. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continent

Dan

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Author Topic: The what do you do with it and why did you make questions. (Read 14358 times)

fcheslop