Things to do under Lockdown.

[MJM460]

We are within sight of the end of a second lockdown, so with the news of the possibility of a lockdown in UK, it is a relevant question for all.

It seems to me that we are all better off than the stereotype of the community in having a hobby that we enjoy, and which is capable of occupying all the time we can devote to it.  However, life does require more than a hobby and, like golf or fishing in retirement, it is not enough on its own.

I am probably also somewhat of an introvert, but I suggest that the most important thing to do in lockdown is to keep in contact with family, friends and relations.  We are so fortunate in this regard compared with the days of the Spanish flue.  Zoom and FaceTime definitely provide a worthwhile extra dimension to keeping in touch.  I made a bracket to hold the iPad on a camera tripod, (the screw is 1/4 inch Whitworth) so the screen could be set with the camera at eye level to avoid that somewhat unflattering view up the nostrils, and the giant “marvel man” chin.  Many organisations here are conducting zoom meetings to just keep people in touch.  After the success of the recent virtual show, perhaps we could try a virtual club meeting.  With care, it is possible to set a time that suits most areas of the world, so even those of us who live far away could join in and make it international.

We really only had about 24 hours notice, but I managed to go and buy a few locally available supplies in the last hours available.  I didn’t get everything I should have, but it helped.  Of course we can buy most things on line if necessary, but if your supply of soldering flux is getting low, it’s probably best picked up in person.

And we take our exercise allocation each day, now wearing masks.  I know the northern hemisphere is approaching winter, and I haven’t experienced the famous (or is it infamous?) English winter, but as the Scandinavian’s say, no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!  I got out regularly through 3 Canadian winters, and I find that +5 to -5 range is way harder to dress for than much cooler or hotter, but winter is a great time to be out in a warm coat, hail, rain or shine.

I am not getting as much shop time as I would like, and have not started watching any new tv shows, and always seem to be busy. And the only jig saw I have was done in January when we didn’t know what was ahead.  Haven’t resorted to breaking it up to do again so far.   But it would be nice to catch up with all the people I normally see, even just for a coffee or chat.  My wife is feeling it more than me, but we both feel it.

So, what to do in lockdown?  I suggest some shop time, some exercise, some chores, some socialising, even though it has to be electronically distanced.  It started out as 6 weeks, but slow results on reducing cases had it extended to 8 weeks, now only 1 week to go if things stay on track.

MJM460

[kvom]

Given that it's unlikely we'll have Cabin Fever in January, my urgency to get the Greene engine finished is at ground zero.  I'm probably going to give up rock crawling because of a bad back.  Lately I've gotten into solving cryptic sudoku puzzles based on watching Youtube videos on the "cracking the cryptic" channel.  Two puzzle gurus in the UK each put out a video daily of them solving some really difficult puzzles.  They also have issued several apps that feature puzzles of increasing difficulty levels, and I've been "wasting" an hour or so daily with these.

My younger daughter has been looking to buy her first home, so quite a few days lately have been visiting prospects with her and her agent.  She's made two offers, but neither was accepted.

[Jo]

I recall that 2 weeks before the first UK lockdown I was decorating 


I am having deja vu as I have just found a marvellous opportunity for some more home maintenance: I was doing a quick pre cold weather maintenance check on my log burner I found the sealant in the lower part of the flue had come loose  As with all of these opportunities the job has expanded: Painting  wood work  DIY   

Jo

[propforward]

After the success of the recent virtual show, perhaps we could try a virtual club meeting.  With care, it is possible to set a time that suits most areas of the world, so even those of us who live far away could join in and make it international.

Great idea! 

[Jo]

In the UK our first lock down was on the 23rd March, our second one in England begins on Bonfire night - 5th November. In preparation for this I have done a number of things like buying myself a special Television for Tai Chi and stock piling some bare essentials like food, bits and bobs for the workshop as well as some more Cross Stitch items 

Surus has also been doing a bit of preparation and getting in the necessities: for the first lockdown he acquired his Naughty Surus Casting Set http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,9622.msg216617.html#msg216617 so I should have anticipated his preparation this time  He clearly thought I wouldn't catch him but this morning I wandered into the Library only to find him with a new set of castings and fondling them. I will have to see if he is willing to share them with me

Jo

[Jasonb]

Look to be some nicely placed drilled holes in those castings  

Did he finish his last lockdown project? 

[Jo]

It looks like his new set has a condenser which somehow goes through the larger stand 

Did he finish his last lockdown project? 

Yes he rehouse all his casting sets in new boxes and has acquired another 40+ empty ones ready for any more casting sets he can find 

Jo

[Vixen]

Projects are all about aquiring bits , maybe starting some, but definitely not for finishing.   

[Ramon Wilson]

"Enjoyment is more important than achievement".

"It is the journey that matters, not the destination"

Surely Mike and Jo 'enjoyment' and the 'journey' is but a transient pleasurable phase  but 'arrival' and 'achievement' has to be acknowledged as a permanent state of self satisfaction  ?

When I look at all the projects I have finished I know it gives me a great deal more of the latter than the enjoyable time machining the parts for the Bentley which still languishes hidden in boxes under the bench .

The obverse to that would surely be looking at all that has been done but seeing it all part made and sitting as unfinished symphonies.

Mind you Mike when I look at your engines some journey eh

Each to his own though   

Ol Tug

[Jasonb]

I'm with Ramon you can't call it a journey if it does not have an end destination. I think someone commented the other day that I don't do a build thread until the engine is finished, I look at it this way who wants to read a book if the author never completes the last couple of chapters, at least with mine you will know there is a hopefully happy ending


Well with the new lockdown fast approaching I have also made a start on sorting out a couple of "castings", just taken an interlude for the live F1, can you tell what it is yet? At least Blind Pew won't have got to them before me, I suppose that's what happens when you buy your casting sets from the RNIB charity shop

[Jo]

Surely Mike and Jo 'enjoyment' and the 'journey' is but a transient pleasurable phase  but 'arrival' and 'achievement' has to be acknowledged as a permanent state of self satisfaction  ?

I am never satisfied with what I do, I know I can always do better and learning how to do better is enjoyable in itself. If fondling your finished engines gives you pleasure feel free to do so. I enjoy examining things and thinking about how to do things as much as the doing itself. Once it is done - its done   

I'm with Ramon you can't call it a journey if it does not have an end destination.

Life is a journey, it is much better if you set out to enjoy it and to be honest I am rather looking forward to the coming lock down But I know there are others who are concerned and will struggle with many things. Treating each other with politeness and respect will help us all through this difficult time 

Jo

[Bob]

The big difference this time around is the weather. My workshop is just getting too cold to comfortably spend all day at the lathe. I have migrated indoors a bit and started making an astrotracking camera mount that is mostly 3D printed. I have not totally put the Upsure single aside. I have fitted the timing gears and all spins around nicely. Valve guides next.

Bob

[Dave Otto]

In the UK our first lock down was on the 23rd March, our second one in England begins on Bonfire night - 5th November. In preparation for this I have done a number of things like buying myself a special Television for Tai Chi and stock piling some bare essentials like food, bits and bobs for the workshop as well as some more Cross Stitch items 

Surus has also been doing a bit of preparation and getting in the necessities: for the first lockdown he acquired his Naughty Surus Casting Set http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,9622.msg216617.html#msg216617 so I should have anticipated his preparation this time  He clearly thought I wouldn't catch him but this morning I wandered into the Library only to find him with a new set of castings and fondling them. I will have to see if he is willing to share them with me

Jo

Looks like he machined all the castings when you weren't looking?

Dave

[Jasonb]

So Jo does the little casting collector know if these castings are to a published design and if so did they come with any drawings?

[Jo]

No.

The general design and threads tell us it is pre 1920s. I need to find some very early MEs to see if it is in there.

Jo