Gondor's Grumblings

Gondor · September 14, 2025, 08:12:09 AM

I was visiting my mother this afternoon. So I moved he printer to get the serial number so it could be registered, and while at it, I checked for a USB socket. Lo and behold! a USB B socket just above the power connector. Nothing in the setup instructions about it, of course. The computer immediately recognised that there was a printer attached and the type too. That's about one of the only good things about Windows 11, it does a good job of recognising recent accessories, not much else going for it though.
So one happy mother, and I don't have to worry about her computer for a while.

Nick · September 14, 2025, 11:02:43 AM

I've just set up a Canon 3750i printer to go with Mums new laptop and it was very easy to set up. Even got the wireless link within seconds.

Of course, a pair of ink cartridges cost the same as the printer

Gondor · September 15, 2025, 10:29:38 AM

In the Telford 2025 thread, talk about shopping lists has started. Rather than clutter that thread up, I thought I would put what I am looking for in my thread.

Tools. Yeah, I know, a bit vague. I probably could do with replacing my nini drill, a nice small vertical drill would be good too. Realistically, it all depends on the funds available.
Model-wise, it's mostly accessories and detail sets that I will be after. There may, of course, be a few things that catch my eye.
Reference material, this will depend on subject matter and cost.

Gondor

Gondor · September 23, 2025, 02:09:06 PM

Not posted here for about a week, so probably a good time to do so again. Health-wise, I am not 100% fit. I have been getting light waves of a head cold since Monday afternoon. It was getting a bit too much while at work this morning, so I declared myself unfit for work, told my boss and headed home. I eventually managed to have a nap this afternoon. Spot, who would have been great company during the nap, had decided he wanted out as soon as I got home. We did rest together this evening, well, I rested while he slept on the top of my chest. He's gone out again, and I will be back off to my bed again. I am not going to go to work tomorrow, regardless of how I am feeling, as it was three hours of being at work before I left, even if I do feel better, I would rather have a full day of being ok first.
Modelling-wise, not much is happening that I haven't posted in the relevant threads. I have resurrected a Jaguar build from a Group Build from last year, I simply fitted a wing I bought onto the fuselage, partly because I was wondering how well it fitted. This could be another "While the Paint/Glue dries" model, it will also help clear the backlog, who am I kidding

Gondor

Rick Lowe · September 24, 2025, 12:29:35 AM

Hope you're feeling better soon, Alastair.

Gondor · September 24, 2025, 03:10:31 AM

I phoned in sick this morning. Slept most of the morning until 10 am. The cat had cold paws when he curled up against my hand after I let him in. My brain is working, but it's as if the gears are a bit clogged up so that it's running slowly. No torque either for the same reason. No idea how long this will last. Currently wearing, other than my night things, an odd pair of socks and a dressing gown to help keep me warm as it's currently 17^oC in my flat and I may go back to bed at some point.
I want to get on with at least one model today, but the lack of oomph is no help. I have an old-school technical drawing to do, which will bring back a few memories for some people. If I don't do it, then I could easily make a mess of the next part of the P.1121 build that's on the go, so it's rather important that I get it done. This will also take part of the build further out of my comfort zone $:-\$

Gondor · September 28, 2025, 05:42:35 AM

I just built one of THESE which I ordered yesterday and received this morning. While my flat is probably not as cluttered as Kit reports his southerly residence to be, it was a bit of a squeeze to assemble the frame and fit the lowest shelf. Once that was done, it was not too difficult to manoeuvre into the corner where it now sits on a corner unit, with about 1cm spare on each side. The upper two shelves were fitted while in place, as I could get to the screws holding them. Now relaxing with a cuppa as I am bushed.
Next up today is visiting my mum, then shopping for work, lunch stuff, etc. Then I will start to move books onto the new shelves. The BIG red Crecy books on soviet fighters are a must to get moved, then things get a bit more picky as to what gets moved. The shelves that are being vacated need to be strengthened, an angled strip of aluminium with a batton of wood behind it, with both being attached to the shelf by countersunk screws, is what I am going to do. A strip of stick-on veneer will go onto the aluminium that shows towards the front of the shelf to hide it. The upside/plus is that the shelf should not bow again; the downside/minus is that there is less room between shelves.
At some point today, I should braise the brass for the P.1121 intake together as well.

Gondor

Rheged · September 28, 2025, 07:21:05 AM

The more shelving, the better. However, as I'm sure most whiffers would agree, books always seem to expand to overflow the available shelving.

PR19_Kit · September 28, 2025, 07:41:10 AM

Quote from: Rheged on September 28, 2025, 07:21:05 AMHowever, as I'm sure most whiffers would agree, books always seem to expand to overflow the available shelving.

It was EVER thus!

Gondor · September 28, 2025, 11:39:06 AM

The braising of the brass for the P.1121 has been put on hold. Orders of Spot, who has decided that I am far better employed looking after him by providing a warm lap and lots of petting.

I have also ordered a set of tweezers with heat-resistant hand pads to hold the parts together when I do braise them together.

Gondor · September 30, 2025, 01:10:29 PM

I think I am going to have to get my cat a Bat'leth, he's a bit Klingon at the moment. Hardly managed to get any modelling done, as he appears determined to make sure he gets all my attention.

Rick Lowe · September 30, 2025, 09:41:07 PM

A needy cat - how unusual... voice of experience, you understand... or should I say, I understand.

Nice, tho.

Accidental Loggie · October 03, 2025, 10:14:05 AM

Have you tried the Universal Cat Trap as a distraction? A suitable cardboard box is always attractive, and obviously size is irrelevant as they'll try to fit in anyway.

scooter · October 03, 2025, 10:24:23 AM

Quote from: Accidental Loggie on October 03, 2025, 10:14:05 AMHave you tried the Universal Cat Trap as a distraction? A suitable cardboard box is always attractive, and obviously size is irrelevant as they'll try to fit in anyway.

Doesn't always work. Out of my seven, only one likes the box. But then, she'll also sit on paper plates and napkins...especially if its close to feeding time and they're on my desk.

Gondor · October 03, 2025, 11:17:58 AM

Spot is a typical cat. He will do certain things in a certain order for a while, then change his mind and do something different just when you have gotten used to him doing what he has been doing previously.
The places he sleeps during the day have recently changed. He used to be happy to sleep on my computer chair, not it has to be my lap, even though I am sitting in the computer chair.
So typical cat, changes with the wind and possibly the solar flux or something.