Bee Swarms

[bob turner]

It is truly interesting to arrive at 83, and realize that we have been in business only three of my lifetimes. That, apparently, is a fairly long run for what seems like a pretty good organization.

On the track, Wahl clipper oil works well, too. I think all you really need is a coating of any light machine oil. I am currently using votive candle fuel, and can detect no difference from Wahl. The stuff Stephen recommends is truly pricey, and often paying a whole lot of bucks for something can make one think it is better.

We have a $2000 modification on Cub-type airplanes. We did before and after testing,with me flying and the owner recording data. His data showed a decrease in performance. He decided his data was wrong.

I am sure more scientific testing of that theory has been done - but not my field of expertise.

[bob turner]

Tonight my Back up Malley was making its sixth trip around the outer loop when it locked up. This is the one about which we did a ten-part construction series in OSN.



Even though you see no drive shaft, this one is one of my very best runners - it has two different ratio gearboxes, two different mechanisms including slightly different driver sizes, and is just glass-smooth.

But it locked up! A very quick look revealed that the rear engine driver bearings had frozen due to inadequate lubrication!

The moral of this story is - if you let a model locomotive sit for four years, best to put a drop of oil on all bearings before going too far with it.
Back on the track tomorrow - too late to test it now.

[bob turner]

Runs perfectly again. I now have a darn old freight train running around. Next it is time to find my track gauges and fix a tight spot or two on loops 2 and 3. I did have two box cars literally jump vertically off the track. They might have had roofwalk contact - I should know tomorrow, with trimmed ends in place.

[bob turner]

Friday update - my old original NW-2 with stock AN motor and gearboxes is frozen! It is the motor bearings - and the Liquid Wrench is at the airport. Just like airplanes - let these things sit for a while and they die.

[webenda]

Suspect Bob is referring to the Constitution, 1789 is when it was fully operational . The bees may have other opinions about the USA of course.

Everything I know is now on Google (and Spell-Checker helps me with what I write.)

So, I looked this up...

Dates from Bob Turner

235 years
2024-235=1789
1789-1=1788 (the constitution of the United States was written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789.)

Three times his age (83)
83x3=249
2024-249=1775
1775-1=1774 (Boston Tea Party, December 16, 1773. In 1774, the British Parliament passed a series of laws collectively known as the Intolerable Acts, with the intent to suppress unrest in colonial Boston by closing the port and placing it under martial law.)

Edit 1: Corrected age typo.

[Neil]

I was using his age as 83 . In any respect, barring the small unpleasantness of the Civil War, close to two and a half centuries of reasonably stable government and society. I agree with Bob, a pretty good set of innings.

[bob turner]

New control panels, everything works. Photo maybe.

Funny story - the panels are Piper Cub yellow with black Leroy lettering. The Greek said “I don’t understand - what is loop one, loop 2, etc. I tried to explain, but it wasn’t sinking In. Baffled - she is very bright with a Masters degree from an Ivy League university, and the concept of a loop puzzled her?

Tonight I invited her to look at the new panels - she said “oh - railroad. I thought you were making airplane panels.”

Now I get it.

[webenda]

New control panels, everything works. Photo maybe.

Photo please.

[bob turner]

Sorry it took so long:



I have been learning stuff:

My outer loop is steel track, partially exposed by a window. Big Backup Malley has been hesitating in the vicinity, even though I have carefully cleaned and oiled the track.

Years ago, I tried to eliminate the hesitation by installing feeders every eight feet or so - no luck. When we re-did the roof, I cut all of the feeders off, and on reassembly last month, I merely cleaned all the tracks with 320 sandpaper and oil.

But yesterday I really took the time to clean it really good - I mean, really good. No more hesitation.

Same is true on brass and nickel silver loops, but it is seriously important on the steel rail. I used to use Wahl clipper oil, but I have discovered that any light oil will do - even votive candle oil (don't ask).