StillSmart

Neuf is 9 more than Nil mate
You wanted a 10
Robert.

Well done T....hows it feel to pop your soldering cherry??

Ok on to the next project a column....

Toper wrote:I take it then that a Turner Prize is out of the question?

On the contrary, I would use the skating scoring system and give it 5.9 for artistic talent, 5.9 for interpretation, 5.9 for effort and 5.9 for content.

A question I have for the elders here is, should one incorporate cooling effect in the parrot as the alcometer is calibrated at 20°C? mine always feels warmer than that when its running.

so its a 10 from Len.....

hows your dancing?

To add a way of cooling the product in the parrot could be built...but do you want the job???

All I do is use a thermometer and a temperature correction calc

With my language skills, I thought it was a nil Robert. Thank you.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean Ice.

I had thought of creating a spiralled intake tube to lengthen the time it took the liquor to reach the alcometer, thereby allowing it to be nearer the ambient room temperature.

I though this might be attempting one new skill too many.

I do have some little pieces of tubing left over which I might practice on later.

I am buffing my patent leather dancing pumps as I speak

As mentioned, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The tension and excitement I can only compare to those long gone days, when buying your first Air Still, knowing nobody else who does such a thing, you set about to produce your very first product..

There's a pride of achievement if not in the quality (I drank some terrible stuff in those early years, but was very proud of it.)

Not a column Ice as I use a copper pot still but I am considering the possibility of building a copper thumper. Still considering the pros and cons both of using one and building one. But that's for another thread.

For any other cack handed, non-skilled, who have at times wondered about trying soldering, give it a go!

Hey, Mr Toper, that's something to be proud of ! Seriously, I'm impressed! A parrot is next on my list of things to make. Excellent job!.... I'm assuming it doesn't leak?..

Thanks Dave.

No,fortunately there aren't any leaks. That was the first thing I checked for, otherwise I wouldn't have a parrot but more a fancy soldered shape.

Changing the torch I was using made a dramatic difference in working.

It's a pity that unless you have lots of bits of copper hanging around, one can't actually practice to develop skills unless specifically building something.

I have been fortunate enough in life, while working as an "Odd job Man" to have designed and installed a few water based central heating systems, and all the soldering of copper pipe that a body could wish for.
I still get the odd leaky joint, but I am mostly good these days.
Practice can make complacency.

Robert.

I aim a small fan on my parrot keeps the temp right. Like you say a simple small bore copper coil would work well.

Mash, you said,

“...a simple small bore copper coil would work well.”

As the major expenditure has been made, and I now have torch, solder, flux, pipe cutter, bits of copper pipe and tubing, I am assembling the parts for another trial:



Virtually all is already paid for.

I do admire you, and others here that keep striving for a little bit more.
I am starting to wonder if my attitude of "well it works after all that effort, hoorah" is good enough,
Or do I deserve a bit of Easy Street?

Robert.

I am sure, you deserve a bit of Easy Street - your very very silly still was very innovative.


(How many very is to many very) ...sorry!

TO ANY WHO HAVE CONSIDERED HAVING A GO.

As a life-long total non-practical, non-technical, who finds Lego a challenge, having an attempt at soldering was a leap into the dark.

I suppose it's a bit like walking. When you can, you can no longer remember not being able to but, if you can't you can only marvel at those who can.

Starting from scratch, virtually everything you need you will have to buy. Wondering if and when you might have use for such items can be a little off putting.

Buying the cheapest isn't always best. The pipe cutter I bought I found horrendous. To do it justice though, it could be my eighty year old hands, with their failing strength that found it so difficult to stop it going walk about up and down the pipe, as though cutting a thread. The same aged hands might also account for any shake but, as I felt myself progressing, the shake diminished somewhat.

The cheap blow torch I already owned proved inadequate, but once replaced, the way the solder behaved was a marvel. I never ceased to be amazed at seeing that fast run of solder into a joint.

Yes I made mistakes and even aborted my very first attempt, though all parts later proved to be re-usable.

This is the second parrot I made, incorporating much of the aborted first attempt:




Given the going prices for purchasing ready made copper parrots, the initial outlay in tools and materials and consumables is more than covered, and the tools, together with some consumables and bits of materials remain for use in the future.

Whilst one can always see the imperfections in ones own work, the pleasure derived from actually building something, using a technique which is new to yourself is immensely satisfying.

If you feel tempted, try it!

"A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but "still" will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing....."

Mr Toper, I love it!

Dave, a reader of the Romantic Poets no less!

Given my own enjoyment in building my own parrots by starting to learn to solder, I am simply trying to encourage others who, as yet, haven't tried soldering, to do so.

No doubt it will take some time to become really proficient at soldering but, meantime, one can have fun.

And, in this craft,from what I've seen other produce, a skill well worth having.