After Becoming Practical

[Halo]

Given the large interest in the current thread on what made forumites into practical boat owners I would be interested in hearing any amusing anecodtes about what this practicality has led to.

My personal favourite relates to a scuba diving buddy of mine. He decided to make an electrically driven air compressor for charging his diving tanks. This was a large and elaborate construction on a welded frame. To drive it he aquired an electric motor and control from a large and ancient washing machine. A few of us went round to help him fit the motor and see the big switch on. We had a couple of cans of ale to help things along and at around 22-00 it was time to throw the switch. The motor lept into action - one rev forward and one rev backward - it was one of those old vertical washing machines which agitated the washing rather than spinning it. The look on my mates face was tremendous - funiest thing that has happened to me in years.

Anyone else?

Martin

 

[Little Sam]

Sure.

Falling off the beloved motorbike i'd just spent weeks repairing in the school hols miles away from anywhere on the moors, petrol pouring all over my balls and femur poking through my jeans with blood everywhere, screaming my head off in agony at 12 years old, I think i lost my childhood that day. i had to haul myself up off the ground with bike on top of me, Kick start it and ride it about 5 miles back to civilisation, i'm sure to this day ive never cried so much in my life ! Being practical....it got me a really long way that day.

 

[TQA]

How about building a gas turbine from an old lorry turbocharger. like this http://youtu.be/zCVWIbsAzXc

Mind you mine was not as efficient as there was a 5 foot flame cone and serious exhaust over temp problems. Still it ran.