Heatsink

The wireless signal from our BT home hub was always dropping out, despite the laptop only being about 2 foot away. It pains me to say this, but we were wishing we had NTL again (although we did have our own router that did the sending rather than an NTL unit) We've given up on the home hub's wireless capability so have the laptop directly plugged in nowadays, so it never drops out now. We paid more than many rival service because we thought it would be mean more reliability I wonder if I can plug my router into the poorly performing Hub. It might be the only remedy to get wireless again! Sorry there's no cure that I know of. BT will only tell you to turn it off and on again. Steve

Check out the grade of alu your intending this for. It may already be heat treated, like the billet aluminium which I get parts CNCed from Steve

The machine is a relative steal at about £1000 (!) I don't know how much of a toy it will be, so having some idea of some simple work it could be used for would be a good idea to pay for it! Keep the ideas coming including any photos of example parts so I can see how complicated they are! Thanks for all the forum links! There is such a variety of cars, which could mean almost every job is a custom one. If there were certain ones that were more popular then I should find out about these. Are there are any companies that sell standard CNCed upgrades / replacements for popular models? I'd love to see how much they sell them for to see if it's worth the effort! Steve

Hi, I'm looking for some pointers from any of you into Radio controlled cars! I might get hold of a hobbyist's 3 axis CNC miller, a small desktop toy, which would allow me straight away to machine small and I'm assuming relatively simple jobs. It made me think of Radio controlled cars - Can anyone point me in the direction of the sort of things companies are selling for Radio Controlled cars based around CNCed parts. I thought this would be worth a look, and it certainly makes sense to try and make the mill pay for itself! Cheers, Steve

All drop-forged cranks require machining afterwards, to add threads, splines, logos and improve surface finish in some areas. You'll only weaken cranks if you remove excess material in the wrong places, or create stress risers by sudden geometry changes. Steve

Hi John, As Tom says, it's a good idea to get as many people noticing your auction as possible. Whilst the price is very low this will have the desired effect of catching people's attention and the way most people work is to add it to their list of viewed items. When they go into their "My Ebay" section, then all these viewed items are conveniently listed with the current price next to them. Then it's really easy for them to follow progress as the auction advances. Don't worry if the price stays low until much later. Many will jump in at the last minute, and the more people you've got watching, combined with a finish time when many people are around (rather than in the middle of the night), then the more chance of a frantic bidding war when the price may go higher than what people had pre-decided they would want to pay. Sorry if I've told you anything you knew already! You've done an excellent job with the advert. It really sells the car. I was starting to get interested myself! I hope it works out well! Steve

I've added this video to my riding videos page, with Youtube streaming, my own humble introduction and naturally an explanation of the Heatink components Kevin's running Top riding as always from Kevin! http://www.heatsinkbikes.com/?p=team Steve

I got a 6k loan from my bank as soon as I left Uni. It seemed to be necessary since I'd landed a job straight away up North and wanted the peace of mind of a car which wasn't very old, plus some space cash to help me with my move, pay off the overdraft etc. It sounds like you've already thought more about it than I did! I should have been working out how much I'd actually be paying back in the long run, thinking about how much per month would be manageable, and wondering about Payment protection and in what circumstances I may be having problems paying back the loan. They make it easy for you to sign up, but you could feel the pinch for a long time afterwards if you over stretch. I went along to the bank with little prior knowledge and when put on the spot about paying additional payment protection, I decided it would be the responsible thing to do. It was a major decision which meant me giving them more money. I was perfectly entitled to say, "Hmm, that's interesting. Can you write down some figures for me to take away and I'll get back to you at a later date" Later on into paying off the loan I learnt that you don't want to be signing up for that unless you've had a few days to read all the small print and have a think about whether it's likely to be any use. It was such a tricky decision because with the theme being me going off to start my own life, it seemed so right to close the door on any one having to bail me out if I had any problems. Of course circumstances did arise where it would have been useful to use the payment protection, and of course I realised that it wouldn't cover these, or any other things that were likely to happen. Very clever of them! Kerching. It's all a good learning curve though, which I think has stood me in good stead now. I never borrow money and don't have any credit cards or store cards. I do have a mortgage though, but somethings are avoidable I guess! Here are some things I learnt. Look at some numbers before hand, even inaccurate calculations are better than turning up at the bank and signing up without trying to think ahead.Be very sceptical of paying for payment protection. If the loan repayment is looking like it would all fall apart if certain things happened in your life, don't take the loan out maybe.Don't do the deal in one meeting. Have a cooling off period after your first meeting to read the small print and let the numbers sink in.If you need to borrow, borrow as little as possible.Write down all the important questions before your first meeting, turn up with a notebook and make sure that you're able to note down a clear answer that makes sense later. Make sure you ask them to repeat the answer again if their response wasn't clear. Over time (should you decide the loan is for you) you'll be paying them quite a tidy sum for having the money loan straight away. It's their job to explain everything clearly upfront. The question about doing overpayment is a very good one! Never borrow money from family because it'll ruin your relationships.Be wary of them buttering you up like I recall they did for me. They may be very positive, complimentary and encouraging about your future, all part of egging you into something which may not be right for you. Again, don't rush into a decision and call the meeting to an end when you've got all the info rather than letting yourselve be carried away by their talk.Vorderman and Tufnell aren't to be trusted.Steve

Hi Andy, I can make refills for Plaz Vee backings If you pop me an email we can arrange it. I'm answering emails quickly at the moment if anyone else has a query, rather than hog TF up! Steve

Perfect! I mustn't forget those test pads I've been promising you either! Steve

Just a quickie! I've forgotten the HTML tag for linking to a section on the same page. Arrggh! Help much appreciated! Steve

TF admin consider it naughty for shops to talk component prices in posts. :$ All the info is up on my site For the gold backings Andy, there is a only a limited quantity, so I'd say let them go for the same price as the silver ones to the first who is interested Steve

Finally, due to rider demand I've added the option to my site to buy the CNC Magura backings without pads Had to perserve with Paypal and was armed with copious quantities of wine to make it work! Bring on summer riding I hope the price is ok! Another thought on the glue: When you add some superglue to the pad, before it cures it acts as a lubricant, helping you to slide the pad in Steve

I can vouch that Hugo (HBtrials) is a very sound chap I've sold him Heatsink components which are on sale in his shop. Rather uniquely, you'll notice that all the prices don't include "taxes", so firstly he'll have to tell you the final retail price that applies to you. You shouldn't pay any import tax at all. For example, if you live in Australia and order from CRC, it will be marked as a "gift", and sidesteps tax. This seems common practise, but again you should check that the sender will do this. The big cost is going to be postage. This could be £40+, so a considerable cost. Your best bet is to contact him and ask for the final price (taxes + postage) to bring the frame to you. I would very surpised if it's cheaper. Steve

QUOTE(deanie-b @ May 13 2007, 10:14 AM) ←I agree with that Steve. If that goes ahead I'll have a pair I'll get it sorted this evening Just the backings: ^Current Heatsink Pads in CNCed Aluminium backings Great to hear you got it sorted Joe! Steve

I use superglue for new Heatsink CNCed backings sold with hand-cut (Coust or Heatsink) pads. Like people have said, some don't even bother with glue. With the CNCed alu backings the pads can be cut with a very tight fit with none of the bowing that this would cause plastic pads. I press new pads into the backings using a vice and hold them whilst the superglue is going off. Since there is such a close fit, the thin superglue is ideal and the associated speedy curing time is also ideal for production and also convenient when you want to get out and ride quickly! Epoxy Resin glues (2 part) are a perfectly good alternative, but they take longer to set. The longer curing ones are indeed stronger It's a thicker glue so suits bigger gaps. Perfect if your pads could do with space filling (Maybe some fragments are left in the plastic backings you extracted them from). I'm long overdue adding some photos to my site showing how to transplant pads and fit them. It's on the to do list! Also, selling backings with no pads would be a good alternative I think. Steve

I'm hoping that when my kids are older I can tell them that smoking was something that people used to do. When finally the evidence was completely overwhelming of it leading to a quick death for the smoker and those around, it rapidly died out. You've got to be stupid to be smoking in light of all the evidence, and if death seems too far off to be real, try and think of the effect an early and painful death would have on your family and friends, any kids you could have in the future. You only get one life! I don't want to voluntarily start limiting my lung operation either, holding me back from enjoying an active life. It really annoys me to see mothers or fathers smoking whilst pushing prams / walking with children. Our neighbour was smoking right up to the birth of her baby. Most smokers don't seem to care for other people's health, but that took the biscuit! Let's not pussy foot around smokers anymore! When they sit next to you and light up, ask them not to, even if they are an attractive young lady!

I've recently whipped off my rear Magura and popped on a Vee brake to match the front one I've had on since I built the bike up. What I like about Vees is that you can get excellent performance with some of the simplest arms & levers, coupled with decent pads of course! It's also great how quick Vees are to set up straight with the rim compared to Maguras No prizes for guessing which Vee pads I use Steve

I was looking at the Wikipedia entry for Gumball 3000. From the official website (before their ending of the race): I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions If they were really all about avoiding racing, is there any history of them banning known racers from participating? I've seen some of the vids on Youtube of reckless drivers during Gumball 3000, posted in the name of it being cool. If I was one of the drivers they encountered, I'd not be sharing that sentiment to have my life played with in that way. Steve

Hi, Aurelien performed recently as part of an indoor Trials show in Saint Paulien, France. Here's a short vid of some of his riding, playing in realtime. http://www.heatsinkbikes.com/index.php?p=team Enjoy! Steve

If you could post some photos of how they broke then that would help others understand the problem better

Any links to it?

Agreed - whack those helmets on! Every person you deliver to is a potential new customer, and if you treat it as if every person you pass in the street is a possible new customer then you can't go wrong. If a customer is recieving couriers then they're likely to be sending them out, and when you deliver they'll have an opportunity to size you up from one side of the transaction. If they can say "I liked the professional look of those chaps" then you could be picking up new trade left right and centre. Steve

Iolo! I'm liking the look of this I've had some ideas occur to me that I need to push your way to get them out of my mind! I really think that you need to think about what clothing you wear when you deliver / pick up. Something to elevate the professional look of the company and also leave an unforgettably positive impression inline with the Green selling point. You guys need some smart uniform, but it doesn't have to be stuffy. Maybe just a Tee with the company logo in huge letters on it would be perfect, along with professional smart cycle gear The colour green should obviously feature. You could get some smart green helmets sorted too. There was something else but I've forgotten it! Now the time to get those SPDs sorted too - I miss using mine for haring down mountainsides or through the streets Steve

When I was involved in a 3 car pile up (minor shunt) I was the only one who the Police officer took the time to ring the station to check I was insured, and I was also breathalised. I guess I should be flattered that I still look young enough to be a menace to society! Seriously though, when I lived in the West Midlands the local freebie paper had a crime report section which listed all the minor points they'd managed to pin on drivers which read like they were spot checks. Make sure you have enough tread on all your tyres because that was a common one. I wonder if they could fine you for only having one working light out of a pair which is quite common. On my way home every evening I always see a few drivers with a mobile to their ear, or parked dangerously with a mobile to their ear. That's something that could be policed better. Steve