What I do at work. Bus in bits content.

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What I do at work. Bus in bits content.

109 posts & 63 voices | Started 10 months ago by MidlandTrailquestsGraham | Latest reply from MidlandTrailquestsGraham

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project - Member

MidlandTrailquestsGraham - Member
And to all those who think that buses are dull, do you get people peering through the fence where you work, writing down numbers and keeping track of what equipment you have got, then setting up a website all about it ?
http://www.reddibus.com/Vehicle%20Allocations.htm

Posted 1 hour ago # Report-Post

Puts hand up in shame, and then hides, before the naughty man in overalls shouts abuse at me and freinds.
(well it was quite a few years ago, but i still love buses)

Posted 10 months ago #
dadandlad - Member

And to all those who think that buses are dull, do you get people peering through the fence where you work, writing down numbers and keeping track of what equipment you have got, then setting up a website all about it ?

Bus nutters

Posted 10 months ago #
mc - Member

Wasnt the leyland National built without a chassis ,the bodywork acted as a chassis to hang the engine etc off, then there are the mercedes integrals

Several buses/coaches have been built with integral chassis.
Latest one I know of was the Plaxton R-Series with Dennis modules, which had a full stainless steel integral chassis, with a ZF independant suspension/steering module bolted on the front, and one of various engine/gearbox combos bolted on the back.
Was the most powerful coach available when it was launched back in 2000, with the option of a Cummins ISC pushing out 410 horses, coupled via the then recently launched ZF AStronic 12speed ASM box (very impressive piece of engineering in it's own right!).

And just to ensure they crammed as much of the latest technology as possible into it, it was also one of the first production coaches to use a full CAN bus system for the body electrics.

Only reason I know so much about it, was a relative bought the first production one, and I done a college presentation on the technology in it.
The gearbox still fascinates me, as it contained no syncros, and instead relied on internal air brakes to match shaft speeds when changing up gear, and then double declutching to match speeds when changing down gears.

Posted 10 months ago #
IanMunro - Member

Which is why we need good engineers AND mechanics. One isn't 'better' then the other. Different skills, equally important, but don't confuse them

Some bicycle mechanics earlier...

Posted 10 months ago #
Burls72 - Member

Nuts to the haters, threads like this are interesting, well to me anyway, better than the usual arguing about politics.

Just to throw another one into the mix, mechanics work on cars, fitters work on hgv's and psv's. Well thats what I always thought, my dad was a hgv fitter for 20 years. I was about to say how can you have an IT engineer then i looked it up on wiki

An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical and practical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, safety and cost.[1][2] The word engineer is derived from the Latin root ingenium, meaning "cleverness".[3]

Engineers are grounded in applied sciences, and their work in research and development is distinct from the basic research focus of scientists.[2] The work of engineers forms the link between scientific discoveries and their subsequent applications to human needs.[1]

Oh, and you shouldn't really use a weave that big when mig welding otherwise you risk a lack of side wall fusion (3g coded welder, well I was)

Posted 10 months ago #
Elfinsafety - Member

The term 'Engineer' to describe only those who have academic qualifications is elitist and divisive, although you do need some sort of distinction I spose otherwise people like my neighbour think they're 'engineers'. The bloke swore blind that the most important screw on a hanging basket bracket was the lower one. So I suggested he try hanging the basket off the bracket using only the lower screw. Even his dozy wife was squawking 'he's an engineer!' at me, as though I'm some sort of thick ignoramus. Stupid cah. He's forever correcting mistakes he's made simply because he has such limited knowledge of engineering. Then he's amazed that something simple I've done actually works quite well.

Posted 10 months ago #
sobriety - Member

I'm going to wade into this, as it's a joking argument that I regularly have with my Dad, he too spends his working hours hitting busses with lump hammers, I spend my working hours designing bits of chemical plant, I'm an engineer (the one who designs stuff) he's a mechanic/technician (the unfortunate sod who has to deal with someone like me's lack of appreciation of ergonomics!)

Posted 10 months ago #
Burls72 - Member

Call me suspicious but I think the reason everybody wants to be called an engineer rather than a mechanic etc is because engineers are better paid, or should.

Edit: Your dad's a mechanical engineer

Posted 10 months ago #
sobriety - Member

Edit: Your dad's a mechanical engineer

Posted 10 months ago #
slartybartfast - Member

This is an little engineering job i did a bit of work on. I am neither mechanic or engineer, but can make stuff.

Posted 10 months ago #
Elfinsafety - Member

I think you should chrome plate that. Proper bling it.

Posted 10 months ago #
slartybartfast - Member

I think it will have enough brass bling on it by the time it is finished.
I did want him to build it from stainless steel, but he said it is not traditional.

Posted 10 months ago #
Elfinsafety - Member

Not 'traditional'? Is it an original one or a replica?

If the latter, SS is fine.

Posted 10 months ago #
slartybartfast - Member

It is a copy of one that was scrapped in the 60's, all built from scratch just using original Fowler B6 drawings.

Posted 10 months ago #
Nipper99 - Member

I was for 20 years or so an agricultural/plant mechanic / fitter. Great job never dull but on £7.50 p/hour at the end. Now a solicitor and can afford a roof over my head but no where near as satisfying(still have my snap on tool chest and tools etc in the shed). I am very envious MTG!

Posted 10 months ago #
Elfinsafety - Member

Then does it really matter if it's not exactly the same as an original?

I think using modern finishes would really make it stand out, be a conversation piece. Why the insistence on 'tradition' all the bloody time?

Imagine it, right, two-tone paint like on a TVR, all chrome plate/polished brass and that, wheel spinners, the lot. Would be boss.

When I am rich I am going to buy a Rolls Royce and lowrider it. Have a pneumatic/hydraulic system that adjusts the suspension, so if you're driving past the local Wimpy, you can just flip one corner up with attitude.

Posted 10 months ago #
slartybartfast - Member

The bloke who is building it is a proper steam fanatic and his engine is going to be an exact copy of the original, some of the things he has done just to get it that far are just mindblowing to me.

Posted 10 months ago #
Daniel - Member

Graham, 80" with one tonne rims (similar to 2b)

Posted 10 months ago #
wwaswas - Member

My Dad has one of these he plays with;

Dennis Merryweather GXA95 by asciidv, on Flickr

Posted 10 months ago #
Travis - Member

it beats looking at On-Ones

Posted 10 months ago #
Burls72 - Member

I was for 20 years or so an agricultural/plant mechanic / fitter. Great job never dull but on £7.50 p/hour at the end. Now a solicitor and can afford a roof over my head but no where near as satisfying(still have my snap on tool chest and tools etc in the shed). I am very envious MTG!

Thats what you call a career change! Can I ask what spurred you on to change and choose that profession?

Posted 10 months ago #
Nipper99 - Member

Burls, lots of lawyers in the family. Interesting job most of the time, but at the end of the day for the better income. If i could fettle agricultural and plant equipment for the same or even similar money i would like a shot. mechanics analytical mind is excellent training for a lawyer imo.

Posted 10 months ago #
Elfinsafety - Member

My Dad has one of these he plays with;

Your dad has a fire engine??

Can he adopt me? Pleeeeease??

When I was very small, I wanted to be a fire engine...

Posted 10 months ago #
MidlandTrailquestsGraham - Member

As this thread seems to moving towards all sorts of engineering projects, here's another one of mine.
Like most people who own a vintage vehicle, I've had to make, mend and modify all sorts of parts.

I bought a trailer to go behind my Militant.
I borrowed a timber lorry to fetch it home, then unloaded it using the Militant's crane.

I soon found a problem that the Militant brakes aren't particularly good by modern standards and the trailer brakes were too good.
The 4t trailer was trying to stop the 22t Militant and locking it's wheels up too easily.
I made some brackets and fitted a load actuated valve.

I made a linkage to connect it to the axles with rubber mountings.

With the trailer empty and the springs extended, the valve reduces the pressure to the brakes.
With a load on the trailer, the springs compress, opening the valve and allowing full brake effort.

Posted 10 months ago #
Burls72 - Member

MTG - Thats big boys toys! A couple from me,

My labour of love (sorry rubbish pic)

Work, didn't build it myself obviously just supplied parts (5 metre long t-sections welded from 25mm thick plate) which wasn't as simple as it sounds. We were the only engineering company in the area who's standards were high enough. When the work was being done it looked like nothing was going on but there were nearly 100 blokes working in those two green tombs sorry steel boxes. I went in there once, not nice.

Posted 10 months ago #
althepal - Member

Aw man, me I'm a technician, but the Amb version though would argue againt the earlier comment that we don't work much out ( or words to that effect, can't be bothered going back to check, was prob a firey that made it anyway-ooooo, joke!)
Sad to get to the end of this wee thread, always appreciated engineering, engines, buildings etc..
I've never really been one to bother with titles much, unless it means I'll receive bit less money than I feel I should- thank you agenda for change!!
Sorry, little bit ot there..

Posted 10 months ago #
timber - Member

Like the big machine fixing. Remember working on a friends farm when I was younger helping with a clutch replcement on a tractor in the yard. One half strapped to the forklift and the other half to the telescopic.

And that militant looks handy too, could use that in the woods if it would fit between the trees.

Posted 10 months ago #
TuckerUK - Member

MTG, see you've got a dog box there too. Synchromesh not able to hack it then?

Posted 10 months ago #
althepal - Member

Dog box, niice..

Posted 10 months ago #
Elfinsafety - Member

Wunundred!

Posted 10 months ago #
wwaswas - Member

Wunundred!

Did you stay up until 3am just to post that?

I'm sure he'd welcome some help with the thing (it may be for sale soon, in any event) but you'd have to move to Anglesey...

Posted 10 months ago #
jackthedog - Member

AEC Militant. Nice!

Nice idea with the brakes MTG.

Posted 10 months ago #
MidlandTrailquestsGraham - Member

Update from the world of bus engineering.

A tip for those who are neither mechanics nor engineers;
You're not supposed to be able to see straight through an engine like that.

Posted 1 month ago #
ir_bandito - Member

somewhat different to my world of engineering

Posted 1 month ago #
CaptainFlashheart - Member

ir_bandito - Member
somewhat different to my world of engineering

You work for Ann Summers, and I claim my £5

Posted 1 month ago #