Hello ODK members It never seizes to amaze me � the use of cable ties. The cable tie must rank as one of the most simple, useful and versatile inventions of the 20th Century.
G'day Mowerfreak and Tyler These cable ties are amazing for sure. Mowerfreak tells us of one use. Brilliant!
Tyler, I hope you, wearing fawn-coloured Safari Suit, holding a magnifying glass, calculator, notepad, pen, and butterfly net, venture to Bunnings and do the calculations for us.
Tyler on Ties --------------------------------- Jack
Howdy Tyler & CyberJack, many cheap discount stores sell packs of various cable ties and I imagine they are considerably less than at the major chains. I use 2.7mm plain round trimmer line with my Kaaz weed whacker and it works very well. I don't bother with that fancy star shaped stuff. They don't seem to perform as well and when you look at the cross section, they actually use less nylon to produce the same "thickness".
Yes CyberJack, I was chuffed at the simple solution it provided there. I got a multipack in a variety of colours for a song many years ago and have been looking for uses ever since.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Hi Cyberjack: Butterfly net being required for me sounds about right haha.
MF, yeah, this is a pretty rough estimate - in some cases, the cable tie user would probably pay less. I use 2.4mm round in everything.
Disclaimer: the following will probably put readers to sleep:
Ok, worked out the following - pretty rough estimate, but its comparing chalk and cheese
Comparing zip ties to a bump feed head poses too many variables (eg how often bumped, etc), so these calcs are using a head like the cheap homelites use, single line, 40cm cutting diameter, 10cm of line wasted each replacement. 4.6mm wide x 1mm high cable ties $9.50 and 15m Saxon 1.6mm trimmer line $4.98 (homelites actually take 2.4, but still)
1.6mm line has 8mm^2 cross-sectional area (CSA), the ties have 4.6mm^2 CSA. Inaccuracies arise due to the slim nature of the zip ties - they will spin much faster, as they have more like a knife edge - meaning faster wear.
Basically, with the fixed line head, 1/5 of the trimmer line is unusable, meaning 1/5 the string is useless.
Overall, it seems that zip ties work out at 47.5 cents 'per metre', whilst even the smallest (least economical) roll of 1.6mm trimmer line works out at 41.5 cents per metre (after loosing the aforementioned 1/5 useless short lengths). Can't make any comments on the longevity of the cable ties, but if 1.6 is anything to go by, great in the field, but useless against concrete.
By the way Cyberjack, not sure if everyone else is having this problem.
Last few hours on here, first time i post a reply, all my paragraphing disappears; it just becomes one block.
If I edit and repost, it works fine
[quote=Tyler] . Overall, it seems that zip ties work out at 47.5 cents 'per metre', whilst even the smallest (least economical) roll of 1.6mm trimmer line works out at 41.5 cents per metre (after loosing the aforementioned 1/5 useless short lengths). Can't make any comments on the longevity of the cable ties, but if 1.6 is anything to go by, great in the field, but useless against concrete. [/quote]
I think it's plain to see that in a bump feed situation, trimmer line wins out (especially when you paid only $5.00 for a 50m of 2.7mm trimmer line at a sale price in Bunnings!), but one situation where they are useful as an alternative to the line is when you have just about finished doing the yard when you run out and don't have time/ feel like rewinding the spool, so you just fit a pair of cable ties to complete the task with!!
P.S Hey Tyler, I'm currently having problems getting the quote function to work haha. Something CyberJack can also have a look at.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Hello Mowerfreak and Tyler One thing never ceases to amaze me here - the dedication to the UK inspired anorak syndrome. You are both true train garden equipment spotters.
Your replies are entertaining for the ODK punters like me. Tyler, many thanks for the investigative journalism, a candidate for a 4-corners' expos�.
Many thanks to you both for the entertaining posts.
-------------------------- Jack
p.s. Tyler/MF - not sure about the posting problem. Will investigate ... Sorry!
CyberJack]Hello Mowerfreak and Tyler One thing never ceases to amaze me here - the dedication to the UK inspired anorak syndrome. You are both true train garden equipment spotters.
Speaking of trains, Sydney is close to losing it's 1970s double deck stainless S sets....no, lets stick to trimmer lines.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
CyberJack, Anorak syndrome - never heard the name, but I certainly suffer from it; mower spotting, car spotting, researching odd topics etc. Hit the nail right on the on the head mate.
Its just lucky that I didn't try to compare the 2 materials used in terms of things like the Young's elastic modulus, Yield stress, Ultimate Tensile Stress. Can't remember if second moment of area applies in this instance (especially as I only know how to use it in relation to a static beam).
Mowerfreak, I don't think I will ever run out of trimmer line. From memory, I have 15m of 2mm, 30m of 3mm, the 2.4mm 250m $20 role from Bunnings, 30m left of 2.4mm Saxon line.
And about 35m of 2.4mm line I got from the tip last week - $12 for a Line trimmer, the 35m of line, and a VN Commodore Executive instrument cluster (and no, I don't have a VN so I have no excuse) :)
By the way, CyberJack, thank you for looking into the issue with the replys and quoting. Seems UBBCode is disabled - Html is the only option.
I'm sorry I don't have any special uses I have used cable ties for but every cable tie I have used has been for a very special need and reason. I have seen the remnants of cable ties on whipper snippers though, and I remember a motor bike brought here with probably 30 cable ties holding something together. Can't remember what it was holding together, just remember the pile of them on the floor after I cut them all off
By the way, CyberJack, thank you for looking into the issue with the replys and quoting. Seems UBBCode is disabled - Html is the only option.
Many thanks for the info Tyler.
Hope this is fixed shortly.
----------------- Jack
p.s. Anorak (slang) ... "Anorak" is a British slang which refers to a person who has a very strong interest, perhaps obsessive, in niche subjects. This interest may be unacknowledged or not understood by the general public.
I think thats right CyberJack - Garden equipment is an interest unacknowledged or not understood by the general public.
It perhaps stems from the reduction of the mower from something that represented several weeks wages, to something you can pick up for pocket change at Aldi, Big W or Bunnings.
Like other consumer appliances - kettles, toasters, (even Toyota Corollas), most people are happy to just use it until it breaks and then go out and buy a new one - without ever paying any great attention to it
I used one recently as a clamp for a windscreen washer hose that kept coming off a fitting every time I opened the bonnet, that extends the hose as you open it. It has helped so far.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
I think there are many different aspects that has brought our world to this point.
It was a quote I once read on a wall in a business that sums it up.
A man named John Ruskin said, 'There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey.'
However, taking care of what you bought has always been ignored by some - but it appears that the trait has become more prevalent (I suppose biologists would call it a dominant trait).
Off topic but, for example, at around the same time back in 1983, my Grandmother (Mum's side of the family) and my Fathers parents, each bought a new car. Coincidentally, each purchased a new 1983 Holden JB Camira SL/X Automatic. Now that statement alone will probably cause some previous Camira owners to shudder.
My Father's parents had a old A40 Austin prior to the Camira - rarely repaired/cared for except when it broke. They drove their Camira into the ground - it went to the wreckers in 1996.
My Mum's Mother takes good care of her Camira. Keeps it clean, checks the oil and coolant once a week, and oil change on time. 35 years later, it has so far done somewhere in the region of 280,000 to 340,000 km (odo stopped and restarted itself - indicated 250k). The head isn't original, but the bearings, rings and pistons are.
Just goes to show that taking care of something can allow it to exceed all expectations.
People say its now too old to be any good. But just like a 1983 Victa, it will outlast a lot of the new Asian made stuff on the market now
Tyler were they the injected models made to run on super? They were a rocket ship I've heard. The unleaded EFI versions weren't as good.
I had a 1995 Toyota Lexcen on duel fuel that made it to 308,000km...before I crashed it.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
MF, that was 84-85 JD with EFI. 84kw and 140 odd nm. They went very well apparently. 1986 unleaded, they went to single point injection and lost 20kw overnight.
The JB had a 2 barrel variable jet carby - 64kw and 125 nm through a 3 speed auto isn't much, but enough. Hills need a run up though haha
I have an 89 KE Laser Ghia sedan with the up specced EFI 1.6 with optional overdrive auto. It has good low down torque but not much up top.
My friend used to have two KEs, one a 1.6 carburettor with three speed auto wagon and a "bubble hatch" with the same drive train. They both went really quick off the mark, much better than mine does. I can sometimes feel mine wanting to go harder, but then it gets a mild flat spot and feels it's usual sluggish self (compared to those two). I can't work out why. I have changed the fuel filter a while ago and now use 15w 40 oil instead of 20w 50 with only slight improvement to throttle response. Now the rear end is making a strange noise when I brake, as though the rear cross member the independent suspension arms bolt to, has come slightly loose. I had a manual KE years ago and had to replace that cross member for some reason I forget and now this one may need it too.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
A mate has a 1990 KE model, the Carla Zampatti edition. I don't reckon he noticed before he bought it.
I remember with fords of that era, something about the backing plates in the drum brakes start rattling/jolting as they age. Also remember something in the KE Gregory's manual about the flat spot. Will go have a look.
Was the overdrive in those overdrive or direct. What I mean is, cars like the magna had the 0.75:1 ratio with the 4th gear (lockup converter), but some smaller engined cars that were crippled by unleaded petrol (including the 1986 Camira), all the 1-3 ratios were lowered and 4th lockup was 1:1. Meant the lack of power was a bit less noticeable. At least by 89, most had sorted out their unleaded problems.
Was the overdrive in those overdrive or direct. What I mean is, cars like the magna had the 0.75:1 ratio with the 4th gear (lockup converter), but some smaller engined cars that were crippled by unleaded petrol (including the 1986 Camira), all the 1-3 ratios were lowered and 4th lockup was 1:1. Meant the lack of power was a bit less noticeable. At least by 89, most had sorted out their unleaded problems. [/quote]
Yeah, It's definitely overdrive (forget the ratio) with lockup that activates at 70km/h (feels like a fifth gear). 3rd is 1:1. First and second ratios are practically identical to the three speed unit, according to the user manual in the glove box. The gear changes are somewhat rough by todays standards, they thump slightly sometimes, especially first into second. The engine braking effect is very good though, keeping the car in control at all times, especially if you disengage overdrive down a long hill. Helps engine cooling too. I'd appreciate any info that may help me to make my little steed that bit more zippy. It's thirsty around town considering it's a 1.6 with EFI. It took 28 litres for 206km for my last fill. I've pumped the tyres up to 40 psi to try and arrest this. It helped last time but the ride was HARD! It seems more compliant this time, with the new tyres it received recently.
PS: my one has four wheel disc brakes (wouldn't know it though!!).
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Turns out I actually have the factory KE laser service manual and the gregory's. Long story, but a couple of years ago I ended up with a lot of repair manuals very cheaply (no they didn't fall off the back of a truck haha).
I'am not sure if you've seen the pages of it, but I will scan in the relavant pages (will open a new thread in off topics as this one started with zip ties, so probably shouldn't end up with repair manual scans haha) tomorrow sometime.
They are basically saying things along the line of Voltage on control unit signal from air flow meter, temp sensor, water temp sensor, then the fuel pressure, a dud injector or the control unit. The suspension diagnosis page is pretty stock standard stuff, but I will scan that to.
Let me know if there are any other sections of the manual you would like me to scan. It's no trouble as the new HP printer scans in a flash. Previous one decided to stop working and with all the clips and tamper proof screws, I haven't opened it up to investigate.
Which links back to CyberJack's statement about the state of the world - pretty sad that I was able to buy the entire HP all in one (printer scanner fax and copier) for $89 after HP cashback, etc, yet a set of printer cartridges cost $120 at officeworks.
As Ted Bullpitt of Kingswood Country would say, 'No wonder the bloody country's in a mess'
13.5 odd litres is a little bit on the high side, the Camira manages around that (probably a bit more) in a lot of suburban driving.
First to second always seems a bit harder in cars of this era, I often shift like a manual - letting off the accelerator as I feel its about to shift. Engine braking is really good - I accidentally selected second not drive when leaving the shops earlier in the year, and was wondering why the car was engine braking approaching a round about. I was too busy trying to clear the fog of the windscreen (winter and no a/c), and get through the roundabout.
No tach on it by the way, but a Vacuum Economy Gauge was standard.
That would be good Tyler to see those particular pages you are talking about. I have the thick factory manual too but would like to see those pages shown here all the same, as it's a massive book and you already know the relevant sections. I apparently have a bad earth somewhere according to my mechanic. Blinkers make the headlights dim slightly which is a sign he says.I recently obtained a decent enough multimeter. Can you or anybody give me the rundown on how to test for a good or bad earth using the ohlm function. I am a complete novice to auto electricals and don't even have the most basic concept of how they work. I just know there is negative and positive terminals and that voltage is like the speed of the water through a pipe and amps are the quantity of water (electricity)?
PS: here's a couple of recent pics. Ignore date on photos. It reset when I installed new battery..
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Yes MF, its definitely a huge book - light red colour cover.
Its funny, the Camira has a bad earth as well - every 10 minutes of driving, the fuel and temp gauges start failing, but putting the indicator on for 2 seconds turns them good for another 10 minutes. I can't work out the problem yet.
I am a complete novice in auto electrics as well - getting 240v a couple of times means I am not that keen on electrics. haha
Its been nice talking to you about some car stuff as well as mowers Have a good night.
