Nick2
Well-Known Member
Yesterday Wiggo, Martinwoolwich and myself started our Diesel engine & boat maintenance course at Reading College. Whilst Wiggo was clearly a ringer as he already knew lots about mechanical matters it was agreed that we all benefited greatly from the course.
It was great to be able to touch oily and metal bits of engine as we took bits off and then replaced them under the watchful eye of Tony Brooks the ever patient and enthusiastic tutor. It was also a thrill to be able to wear my newly pressed boiler suit and to really feel the part (sort of pun) within the workshop.
Threre were only 12 people on the course and it was spread over the weekend to include a wide range of useful subjects - these included A sort of idiots guide to what does what in an engine and how all the components come together to work (this was really useful for me as I had only ever thought of my engines as green metal things that seem to cause me to run out of money), basic servicing and fault finding, to sternglands, injectors, pumps, filters etc etc.
Much of today was spent on electrics which I found interesting but much seemed to go over my head which is more of a reflection of me than the course. What this has done is to encourage me to read up more about the subject rather than to test and adjust the electrics as for me a little knowledge, some cables and a few batteries seems a dangerous combination.......
This course has been the best £50 or so that I have ever spent in the persuit of matters boaty and I'm told it is government sponsered which must be a bonus.
Tony Brooks is an excellent course tutor and managed to keep a reasonably straight face during some of my dafter questions (which is more than Graham and Martin managed....) and was always happy to spend a little more time on a topic until the penny dropped.
The course notes provided are to me worth the price of the course alone and will serve as an excellent point of referance. This course cannot in my view be recommended enough and I wish I had gone on it earlier. The balance of class room and real workshop time is I understand pretty unusual and the dirty bits (don't worry I did wear latex gloves) really made it for me.
I must thank Tony as well as my two fellow forumites (and the other charming students) for making it such a worthwile and fun weekend.
I do suggest that you call Tony on 0118 967 5200 to book a place or the three forum amigos for any mechanical advice.
Nick
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2>http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2</A>
It was great to be able to touch oily and metal bits of engine as we took bits off and then replaced them under the watchful eye of Tony Brooks the ever patient and enthusiastic tutor. It was also a thrill to be able to wear my newly pressed boiler suit and to really feel the part (sort of pun) within the workshop.
Threre were only 12 people on the course and it was spread over the weekend to include a wide range of useful subjects - these included A sort of idiots guide to what does what in an engine and how all the components come together to work (this was really useful for me as I had only ever thought of my engines as green metal things that seem to cause me to run out of money), basic servicing and fault finding, to sternglands, injectors, pumps, filters etc etc.
Much of today was spent on electrics which I found interesting but much seemed to go over my head which is more of a reflection of me than the course. What this has done is to encourage me to read up more about the subject rather than to test and adjust the electrics as for me a little knowledge, some cables and a few batteries seems a dangerous combination.......
This course has been the best £50 or so that I have ever spent in the persuit of matters boaty and I'm told it is government sponsered which must be a bonus.
Tony Brooks is an excellent course tutor and managed to keep a reasonably straight face during some of my dafter questions (which is more than Graham and Martin managed....) and was always happy to spend a little more time on a topic until the penny dropped.
The course notes provided are to me worth the price of the course alone and will serve as an excellent point of referance. This course cannot in my view be recommended enough and I wish I had gone on it earlier. The balance of class room and real workshop time is I understand pretty unusual and the dirty bits (don't worry I did wear latex gloves) really made it for me.
I must thank Tony as well as my two fellow forumites (and the other charming students) for making it such a worthwile and fun weekend.
I do suggest that you call Tony on 0118 967 5200 to book a place or the three forum amigos for any mechanical advice.
Nick
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2>http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2</A>
) <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.jersey-harbours.com>http://www.jersey-harbours.com</A><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by rich on 09/11/2003 23:49 (server time).</FONT></P>
