Boomer54

25 minutes ago, Boomer54 said:

Thanks for that. That jack has a max rise of 19" which is good so ideally I would like a set of 4 ramps that have a height just slightly below that. May be 16 to 18"? Does this sound about right ?

Obviously I am trying to create as much working space underneath as I can safely get.

Can see the car ramps are not going to be that height. Hydraulic one's look to get more height, but are more expensive albeit I suppose one does not then need a jack. If you just work one end of the car at a time you could by the look of it get away with just a pair pf the hydraulic jacks. Anyone used these and do they feel stable.

14 minutes ago, VFR said:

No do not use a puck front or back , only the side jacking points (IMO)

Something like this jack is nice with its big cup on the contact area & it also looks like its a twist handle to lower / raise which is better. 

Not saying this particular one but this type.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403826274550?hash=item5e05ebf0f6:g:WEEAAOSwOxFgBEWi&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8H3myPoRGH7fefEa%2BvC5bcrGwqFQdQLgQ2CmMKGU%2FdDHjvpKStPSEC4Q%2BuVVfCArXXsOnyyCwLXFJaHYbq2XCoJGs7B96NBfywvRcIxW94%2B5iFWXB5TJZIB2IIdYubi5lHFkGvHcrvyRwHTlewYrIh6tkX9627s9y7gvi6%2BPfDS0KJaS43Oy3YFTyCJIkr0N7f%2F8WkHIn3Ged9ze8r%2BpenqUvyzAaVwEQkkWrIUvUCE9FKkRJqAe%2BzPXoJOTOCVvIp4xDTsGFGqKG42htFxuMSm8L1nVXNsxVkbUf8DxZfbd8gpG5F14Keq4rVSTw4v6FA%3D%3D|tkp%3ABFBMvp2csvhi

Thanks for that. That jack has a max rise of 19" which is good so ideally I would like a set of 4 ramps that have a height just slightly below that. May be 16 to 18"? Does this sound about right ?

Obviously I am trying to create as much working space underneath as I can safely get.

So, I read the Logburners group and spotted a guy making kindling. I had assumed everyone might know how to use a hatchet properly to make kindling, but apparently not.

As winter is coming and you might be making your own kindling here is how you do it. 

First things first; you don't need to force the blade ; you do not need to use much strength ; you do not need to take big swings.

If as below you have a standard hatchet with a 12 inch handle then as in the other picture you will hold the handle so the front of your hand is about 3 inches behind the head of the hatchet. You will hold your wood with your other hand and tilt it away from you ever so slightly so that it is not in true vertical. When you swing you will not need the head to move beyond 6 to 8 inches maximum. When you strike you will do so so that the hit impacts in the rear two inches of the blade. The middle and front of the blade are not in use. I do not fish ,but when you cast with your wrist turned sideways up that is how you will hold and swing the hatchet in what is a relatively small chopping motion.

If you are having to use much strength you are doing it incorrectly. When you hit into a knot rather than use muscle flip the piece to the otherside and work you way back to the knot. Smashing through a knot is not worth the effort and increases the potential that you might end up hurting yourself.

44 minutes ago, PRT68 said:

Whenever I haven't been able to get a trolley jack underneath, I have two short lengths of scaffold planks that I drive over to raise the car on that side. Most jacks will then go under. Always use a puck as well on the jack to save damage.

Thanks, yes ,good catch. Inch may be two at most would do it. I do have wood, oh do I have wood....great tip.

For clarity, I will be using the jack front and back ,not sides ,so is a puck still necessary?

Not being an expert on the subject I wondered will any trolley jack rated for 2 tons and upwards work for the SC 430? My concern was not the weight, but whether all jacks would actually fit safely under the skirtings of the car. The question is only in my mind because someone I met yesterday had 3 jacks and he commented that one was specifically for his MX5 as it was low to the ground. Made me wonder if I should have any such concerns regarding getting a suitable jack  for the SC 430.

Any pointers that you know work would be appreciated.

Ideas for Bonfire nights. No more wood collecting.

Does not matter whether you like his films ,or not. The man has STYLE. He's hitting it out of the park for Boomers.

12 minutes ago, Mr Vlad said:

I've been thinking about this as it's actually really difficult (we'll to me anyway).

I'd be an Austin 1100. Nothing special. I get there eventually but 100% there. I keep going, so long as I'm serviced regularly and looked after. Dependable to get there. (Oh yes, the one my Dad bought for a sister about 54 years ago only recently departed to the great scrapyard in the sky). Answer to the needs of family and sometimes friends. 

Basically Simple Dependable 

My first car was an Austin 1100 in dark Green bought in 1973. No synchromesh on 1st so double the clutch was a must. Had no problems with it. Sold it on to a friend of my brothers and it kept him poor for 6 months until he chose to preserve his wallet and get rid. In fairness the bit about 'looked after' really did not fare well under my custodianship.

I have just spent 3 hours in the company of your 2001 SC 430. It's still looking very sharp. In general, a well sorted car.Being Sorned I could not get a run in it, but Neil the current owner seems well pleased with the performance. Apart from the expected couple of things that any car will get if it's driven it is quite immaculate and it is still on coilovers ! Pleasure to have been able to give it a lengthy lookover.

5 hours ago, Malc1 said:

lucky he's not in a Public Car Park .  a traffic warden would book him for parking other than totally within the bay area ...........

They do my way for sure ......  Swale in Kent 🥶

Malc

Hmm, was that the traffic warden Swine in Kent ?

1 hour ago, Malc1 said:

I think I would want to be, well I really am ........... simply an older Ls400  ..  solid, safe, reliable, hardly ever breaksdown, very very comfy but above all ........ can be very very fast and very quick off the mark 😇

Malc

Now that's a surprise ,not   😃

I might switch over from being a Lada Vaz to a Lexus SC 430, reliable, powerful, silky smooth road charmer !

Yeah.

It's a two glass O'Clock hard work polishing that car.

Something that goes with Beer O'Clock ,nice Leffe Blonde

1 hour ago, dutchie01 said:

Alfa Romeo GT 1600 Junior Bertone Coupe. Emotional, not too fast, temperamental and breaks down every now and then.

Summarised as good looking bad boy !

5 hours ago, RONNIE W HODGEKINSON said:

Think I Would be A Ford Capri..Its the car I Always Wanted..Sleek Fast and Reliable.. Remember that car >>>>

My brother had one back in the day. A sort of bright orange/mustard colour . I remember him taking me out in it and when he hit the pedal the seat physically slapped me in the back. Exhilarating 2.8 lt of hmmmrp. One of three cars he wrote off in a particular stretch of wall after post match bar days at the rugby club. Actually, I am not a fan of big govt, but the drink driving laws were a major step forward. I shake my head in disbelief at what we used to do in our cars.

Similar laid back vibe.

Liked this and the song wasn't bad. 

3 out of 3 for "reliable" !

Car manufacturers take note.

For cars of a certain era.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=80O3OoaZeko

Hmm, were you towed inside the car?

They say dogs tend to be a mirror for their owners. I thought what if that were true for owners and cars.

So, if you were a car then what car would you be?

Have a little fun here giving us your rational for the choice.

I will lead off. I would be a Lada Vaz 2101.

Cheap to build, basic and robust whilst easy to maintain and reliable whatever the weather.

On 11/8/2023 at 10:23 AM, Boomer54 said:

👍

Adam, any joy?

My kind of mechanic.

1 hour ago, Malc1 said:

Hey I went TWICE .......  two different girlfriends, one of whom I actually married 🙃 ( and divorced 🤩 )

Didn't see you there ......  BUT wowee, wasn't it great at those times !

Malc

I auditioned, but my Alopecia was a problem. I sued them on the grounds of discriminatory hairloss.