eccc whippet

Its been a while ...i should be able to get through till next summer without eating...weighing in at a massive 112 kg. managed to do a whole 10 rides last year... and one this year so far...still battling to get my mind right...did a ride in the middle of last year on the marshmallow .. went over the bars ...slid down the road on my face and arms ...put the bike away and still havent ridden since... took the rattlin red rocket down last week ...had to pump up the wheels ...charged the battery and had to wipe off all the dust...had a really awesome ride ...only 55 km but it was enough.

Just a tip when using a router...no matter what router you use DIY or industrial...always buy the more expensive bits...it will make a better routing experience. A handful of decent bits will cost more than the router...but worth it in the long run.

When i started out after my accident which resulted in me loosing everything including my tools and machines (had to sell everything that wasnt taken by the banks)...after a couple of years I got to use my right hand and arm again...i started buying new tools...Ryobi was all i could afford...as i upgraded...i gave my Dad the Ryobi machines (doing DIY projects) When he passed away...i got all the machines back ...which i donated to his life long friend...he still uses them. Ryobi has its place in the market...as do all the other brands.

It all boils down to how much you are prepared to spend and the application. You want an all round tool to last forever...get industrial grade makita (just be careful makita now has a DIY range) and choose the battery wisely...if you gona use the machine to drill big holes or use a long bit...get a big battery and a small one for the light stuff...these machines get heavy with the big batteries...especially after 8 hours of use. Other wise buy the tool specific to the application...for example i wanted a light weight impact driver for general screw fixing...so a small battery on the most powerful makita impact driver works for me...some people ask me why i dont use the 5 amp/hr ...because i dont want a bulky heavy machine...thats why i have a fast charger and spare batteries. If you are using tools like the grinder to sand for example... as i do on occasion...its better to use the 5 amp/hr battery. just be careful of the older makita machines that are not star rated...they will F^&* up your battery if you dont stop when the battery is low...i learnt the hard way... @around R 1000 per battery it gets expensive...the new batteries and machine do cut out when the battery gets low...to protect them.

Been selling a lot of stuff on market place...my favourite response ... "is this still available" ...just too easy to click and send...i delete a lot of crap...the people who are really interested will try message you again requesting your number ...you learn quickly who is interested. like road rage...i just smile and look out the sunny side of my vehicle...there is just too much negativity in general in SA to allow silly things like this upset you.

scroll saw is for very light stuff ...a band saw can cut most things...wood...plastic...metal and i even use it to shape foam...i use templates and a router to shape most things. buy the bandsaw quick before you get married

I cant afford (dont really want to spend buying) expensive wood...what i do is take off cut and make stuff with the pieces...mix it up and even throw in a bit of plywood or what ever to add character. strip it make something you need using the wood...that way it keeps the sentimental value...even if it is a simple thing like a window planter for the office or kitchen. I have a facebook page called "the cranky woodworker"...check out the pics...if the wood is too small to use on projects...i collect it then make planters or fairy boxes ...i think my daughter and grand children are old enough now to know that the fairy boxes are make in my garage and not in special place ...or tinker bell

Got a call from Discovery to inform me that "all" consent forms signed have been cancelled due to the fact that there was no documentation available at the time i signed the electronic signature pad thingy mabob on the hospital counter...and the fact they they cannot be held responsible for information they share once it has been shared with whoever uses it (just another clause in the T&C's) Should we just be signing all these things people put in front of us regardless if the inform is there or not...would it even make a difference if you ended up in court over some information...maybe if you got ill and tried to claim for something maybe...who knows...who cares.

I had to visit the doc on Monday...from popping the odd disprin ...to 16 pills day...i was asked to sign a document...no document to read just a computerised signing pad...feeling the way i did on monday (was feeling really crap) just signed it. Today i get an email with the document i was suppose to read before signing...like most things in SA ...i can only laugh...maybe they should send the document to you so that you can first read it then respond. "We have received your consent on the HealthID application on 2019/07/29" The T&C's are rather interesting...as it points out in no 7 ...i had the opportunity to read or had it read to me ...there was no document ...how ignorant are we to just sign these documents...and what rights i have i signed away. I wouldnt wish whatever it was that i have had for the past 5 days on anyone...today i woke up coughing...nose running and sweating ...but feeling much better...on Monday i slept on off for almost 48 hours.

Some useless information. A comparison between people who do and dont qualify for free electricity (residential tariffs) If you qualify for free electricity (scale 12)...you get 65 kWh free then with the new price increase (13.07 % effective the 1/07/2019 in Durban) your new rate will increase to R1.11 per kWh For those who dont qualify for free electricity (scale 3/4/8/9/13)...you can also expect an increase of 13.07 % to R1.71 per kWh So how does this look when working on 500 kw consumed. 500 kw x R1.71 = R 855.00 free 65 kw 500 - 65 = 435 kw x R1.11 = R482.85 Business and general is a little more complicated...some of the tarrifs have been discontinued... but just to give you an idea the general tariff (scale 10/11) will also get a 13.07 % increase taking it to R2.15 per kWh 500 kw x R 2.15 = R 1075.00 just imagine if you run a business and your bill is around R150 000 per month...this 13.07 % increase is going to hurt.

Technology is moving so fast ...but more important ...becoming so user friendly and affordable...even for us old technically challenged ballies. I think back...when i started my business...there wasnt even a cellphone...now i run my entire business from a cellphone...the older fellas will remember having to go into the bank to deposit cheques...now my phone does everything...i dont even need cash anymore...no pin required if you still use a card to pay for stuff...just tap and go...if you leave your wallet at home...just use your phone to pay using zapper etc...and if nobody takes a card or zapper etc...send cash to your phone go tho an atm...shop etc and get cash using cardless withdrawl. Of all the technology...being able to communicate with family around the world all on one platform...is what i enjoy the most...who knows what we can expect in 5 -10 years time.

An ad on the hub...the advertiser told me the bike was in mint condition...if it wasnt he would give me the bike for free...i left Durban at midday...arrived in JHB just before dark...saw the bike paid the man and drove back to Durban...i have had the bike for a couple years...it is still in mint condition. saw an add for Di2 levers (to good to be true) "like new"...collected the cash...met the person at his house...they even had packaging...lucky i opened and checked the levers...seems the fella had claimed from insurance after a small ooops...put new lever on the bike and the damaged one in the box....gave him a bad rating...a damaged part in the replacement parts packaging doesnt qualify as like new.

I have just entered a new world of technology...was tinkering with occupation sensors and home automation...then decided to do a course on alarm systems... cctv and remote viewing apps...man did it open my eyes...the best part is being a certified electrician...i have the correct qualifications to setup up a system in my house which will link my alarm...cctv and house electrics together...to work using the apps and or the remote...one remote... not one for the gate... one for the lights...one for the garage...one for the panic button ...one to arm and disarm the alarm ...you get the idea Smart home automation has been around for longer than i can recall...just not affordable for most of us...the systems available in this day and age are making it more affordable ...in fact all new alarm or cctv system installed today will automatically have the facility to remote control and view. which brings us to a few new challenges...one being reliable power to what wasnt regarded as a critical power requirement in the past...however with the new technology...the router... home network and NVR ...all require a reliable power supply and a reliable adsl/fibre connection.

Looking at these pics above... i ask has anyone had any issues with storing the bikes at this angle...with regards to fluid in the brakes...suspnesion etc...considering the suspension and brakes should be sealed...there shouldnt be a problem. I do know you cannot store a bike with fluid brakes upside down (hanging form the garage rafters) ...i saw the results on the levers...it wasnt pretty.

From my experience ...we do group rides ... end off with a breakfast and or coffee...i would highly recommend this combination (not the supplier...just using the link to identify the lights) i have made a point of taking note of how many other bicycles in the group still have lights flashing when we finish (4-5 hrs) ...i am yet to see other lights still flashing. what i like about this combo ...the front lights provides enough light to view the road until it gets light enough to switch over to flashing mode...the back light has 5 flashing LED's. what i also enjoy about these lights...the there are no cables required for charging or separate battery backs etc...you just pop off the rubber piece at the back/bottom and plug the light into the charger...i use the rubber which i remove from the light to support it in the charge. the only one thing that you need to take note of ...the strap must be secured properly when fitting to the bike ...ie make sure you stretch it and check it is secure in the slot...other wise you gona cry long tears when it falls off in the parking lot..and some else scores a huge luck finding it. https://www.probikekit.co.uk/cycling-accessories/lezyne-hecto-400-strip-150-light-set/11509377.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=ZAR&shippingcountry=ZA&shoppingpid=top_10_1903&gclid=CjwKEAjwue3nBRCCyrqY0c7bw2wSJACSlmGZJzlaQQ2VNt-vRurNOv-QGX_unxwdJDn86mWVZNYFhxoCj__w_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

been loading stuff on facebook market place...stuff is selling faster than i can keep up...only problem is you have to learn to read the time wasters and keep deleting their "is this still available" quick replies......it took 2 days to clear out 50 % of the stuff i listed. I find the people who spend 5 seconds or longer actually responding in a more detailed manner are worth responding to...and generally buy the product...i also just delete the "will you accepted R200 for a R5000 item" I have been selling rod racks for many years...sold a few but not like after i posted an ad on facebook market place ...i couldnt manufacture the racks fast enough to keep up with the demand.,,saturated market place so now the sales have eased and still get the odd sale ...need to figue out another place to promote the product or as someone mentioned buy coupons which will boost the views. it certainly has been a leaning experience...now i just need to figue out how t boost sales of other products i manufacture.

Craft markets are a good place to look...second hand shops or try faceboook market place...search stanley hand planes...there are plenty of them. I have a few which i am going to add to market place...i have a pile of power tools and stuff advertised at the moment. Makita planer bosch go 3.6 v 10- 100 nm torque wrench jigsaw 4350 FCT 720 w bosch 10.8 v drill gx 120 hilti gas gun to mention a few...i keep adding as i am cleaning out my store room. I am also clearing out electrical testers i dont use anymore...loop impendance testers ...insulation resistance testers ...and even a power quality analyser.

beware....if you have been installing solar power and batteries...make sure these thieves are no selling you stolen batteries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f8Cv4dyYJo

so is drinking and driving...i would rather be charged for using a blue light than being re ended by a drunk at 5 am in the morning....its just a fine...drunks kill cyclists...i would rather be poor than dead.

IF you live in Africa (anywhere in africa) where the sun shines...solar power is the way to go. IF you are smart you can make good use of the sun and not require huge battery banks...which are now more expensive than solar panels. simple things like running your aircons during the day to cool the house ...fit a duct into the roof space so that the hottest part of the house is cooled during the peak power period...and the other way around in winter (heating cycle)...another example is is to run the pool cycle during the day...turn the temp of the fridge down during the day when the sun is at its peak...make sure the fridge is not in direct sun light...the seals are good and stop digging the fridge all the time.... leaving the door open when you take the milk out for your coffee etc...design your kitchen to fit a good quality cooler in the cupboard...you replace the milk everyday anyway ...mount the geyser on the side of the house ...paint it black and lag the pipes (more important that wasting money on a geyser blanket) set it to max during the peak period...or change to a gas geyser...replace the small batteries in gates alarms etc with bigger units which can also be charged during peak periods and run for extended periods. or if you are smart you will link all those critical devices to an inverter with single 12 V ...105 amp/hr battery (the higher the DC voltage the better) you get 12...24 ..48 inverters you just connect the batteries in series to increase the voltage required. To run a whole 3 bedroom house ...you would need at least a 48 volt system with 3 x 5 kva inverter units with a minimum of 4 batteries per unit (to make up the 48 volts)...the catch is if you dont use lithium batteries (which are going to make the system too expensive to consider) you will need to replace the lead or gel batteries in 3-5 years depending on the level of discharge and how often etc. With new smart home systems...anything is possible...if you are smart you can setup the system to work for you...reduce the power required at night which would mean a smaller system with less batteries. simple things like replacing those lights which get left on...and adding an occupation sensor just help reduce the consumption that little extra....i personally dont like LED lights. rather use sensors for outside security than leaving all the lights on...i believe it is better to skrik the intruder when the sensor pick them up which sets off a buzzer (which can be linked to the alarm if not reset in a set time frame)to notify you there an intruder on the property and at the same time lighting up only the area where they are walking ...makes it easier to detect where they are and as they move ...the sensors and lights switch on....you can setup up motion detect on the cameras to alert you of an intruder ...however i would use it for that ...it is gona drive you nuts will all the trees moving or the bugs which are attracted to the IR light in the camera...in fact i am starting to wonder if the IR light are such a good idea in cameras ...better to have mother F%^& size bright LED lights to reduce the bugs in front of the lens...or external IR lights away from the lens...the light switching on will also change the picture on the cctv monitor making it easier to identify the area...this is why it becoming very important to have cctv cameras around the house as well as beams...last week a beam set off a buzzer the person went to check...he was held up at gun point taken back into to the house where they tied up the rest of the family and robbed the house. Something i noticed the the person next door said when they robbed him and his family...they take one child to a separate location and hold a gun to the childs head while they rob you...they know you will not do anything stupid while they have your child...and i say that is now the line they have crossed ...it is time to start bounty hunting and teaching these criminals that robbing an empty house is one thing...treating our families this way is going a little too far... you read about this crap and believe it only happens to other people in other areas...then suddenly you wake up one day and they are shyting right on your doorstep. https://www.bluesecurity.co.za/hillary-armed-robbery/

An important note ...regardless of which unit you use ...modified sine wave or pure sine wave ...make sure the battery charger is capable of charging the batteries full within the time frame required ...a good charger will set you back R2k + (10 amp charger for a 100 amp/hr battery) and make sure there is a low voltage cutt off if you are using lead acid batteries....a concern with entry level cheapie complete units...(As some else commented ...not good for printers) gel batteries are better but cost a little more... Lithium batteries are the way to go...but you might need to sell your bikes and a kidney to buy one... not even a pile of them. I personally wouldnt use a modified sine wave unit for extended periods. The Axpert inverter 3 kva and 5 kva pure sine wave are hardy units...i have them running on various sites with network servers...cctv ...office computers ...laptops and Led lights...best part is you can link up a solar panel when you can afford to upgrade ...solar panels are getting cheaper by the day...you pick up panels for less than the price of a lead acid battery. If you have an old meter and do as the ANC does in Africa ...you dont tell them that you have fitted a solar system with grid tied inverters...your old meter will turn backwards...if you tell them ...they will replace your meter with a smart meter and you just piss money down the drain if you dont use all the power during the day if you use a grid tied inverter it will shut down if the main supply is switched off ...so you dont have to worry about killing any linesmen working on the line.

i find it more time consuming stripping pallets than they are worth...there is a company in Westmead which sells the pallet wood stripped for a small fee. Nest time you are visiting someone in hospital...those trolleys on wheels they have for the beds ... are ideal i will send you a pic of something i made which folds up against the wall...it would be ideal especially if you have restricted space

I find that so long as you support the table saw fence properly or make a decent cross cut sled ...you can improve the cut...i use a makita contractor table saw...the fence is a piece of cr@p. The power saw motor will determine the rate at which you push the material...otherwise it is down to the type of blade and how well you maintain it. secure the saw to a solid heavy base and you are sorted.

Now would be a good time to consider you power backup options...you not in a flat spin trying to keep your business up and running or the lights on in the house...it would also be a good time to check with your insurance company that the installations that was done recently has a certificate of compliance and is correctly installed as per all the small print in your insurance policy...quickly before all those pop up sales companies disappear ...dont say you weren't warned. "Not always insured "While some insurers do cover generators in their standard home insurance policies, this may not always be the case. Furthermore, there are some insurers that impose limitations and restrictions depending on whether it is a fixed generator or a portable one," she explains. In addition to having comprehensive insurance in place, Colman says that policyholders who own personal generators or are thinking of getting a generator must ensure they adhere to the correct installation and usage requirements to avoid any related claims being repudiated. Prevent rejected claims "To prevent potential claims being rejected, it is important that homeowners receive a certificate of compliance from the electrician following the installation to prove that the generator was installed correctly," says Colman, who adds that failing to install a generator correctly could pose a major fire hazard." a few points - - Understand your essential load requirements (KW) as i have already mentioned a fridge doesnt need to be on the backup system...however you might live in a place where there are always power issues and require a backup system to keep fridges etc running after 6 hours. - Reduce your consumption to ease the backup system...like replacing lights with energy efficient LED lights...gas stove ...etc...etc. - Which system would suit you best...solar...inverter (on or off grid or both) ...batteries ...generator...wind...etc etc...silly things like a old damaged roof could make a solar installation less viable even if you dont have a forest or tall building etc around your house. - Make sure you use the correct type of generator...not a small V-O-V type (very common in SA) - suicide cords ...some crazy sales people show customers how to make a quick fix...it is a cable with a plug top on both sides..you plug it into the wall socket and into the generator sockets...it works...but very dangerous.

One of the reasons i dont sweep away old leaves on the side of the house and plan to lay loose stones inside my fence...they make a noise when you walk on them...you may not hear it...but trust me my little mutt (jack russel) doesnt miss a thing. i also plan to fit inline sensors higher than the dogs and connect them to a buzzer (not the alarm) ...you can get wireless units now ...making it a lot easier to fit and connect to a remote panel. beware of electric fencing...its not as secure as you think...they use a plastic pipe to push the bottom wires away from the wall/gate etc ...they cut a vee into the pipe then push it onto the wire so that it doesnt slip ...then prop it against the wall or fence. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7RfMf8FLXY