It Broke!!

[Reginald]

<table cellspacing=1 cellpadding=6 bgcolor=#666699 border=0><tr><td bgcolor=white><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" color=#666699 size=2><b>Introduction by Luke T.: &nbsp;</b><i>Sooner or later, it breaks.

Link to original topic (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=15957)</i></font></td></tr></table>



It looks as if the little yellow plastic tag has fallen off. Since this is an integral part, holding as it does the battery clip that powers the blue light and stuff I think I will have to throw it away.

That's the third one I've had and it's gone the same way as the others. I might get a green one next with a red light on it. The only thing is that the green one has that annoying wobbly bit as an extra, I'm not keen on that. Oh well.

Have you ever had one? Did it break? Any recommendations for a better one? Perhaps one not built in Albania?

Reg (Confused and missing the reassuring sound of it working) of London (ish)

[jimlintott]

Have you tried duct tape?

[roger]

Why not get another one and paint it green, so you get the quality of the green one without the wobbly bit?

[Reginald]

Originally posted by jimlintott
Have you tried duct tape?

Originally posted by roger
Why not get another one and paint it green, so you get the quality of the green one without the wobbly bit?

I've tried both, but the Teflon non-stick areas just wont have any of it.

It wasn't nice sitting there covered in tape and green paint chips.

[Dragonrock]

I turned mine upside down, gravity held the tab in place and the light started working again.

[Luke T.]

The Swiss make a better one. You can get them in any color you like, as long as that color is red.

[Dragonrock]

Originally posted by Luke T.
The Swiss make a better one. You can get them in any color you like, as long as that color is red.

Yeah, but have you ever counted how many things you have to pull to turn it on?

[_Q_]

Of course it broke. It's supposed to break, and you're supposed to buy another one. That one's going to break, too.

If you got one that didn't break, think what that would mean to those who earn their daily bread making ones that do break!

Heartless so-an-so...

Assume your rightful role in the world economy! Get out there and buy another one. Now!

All what we got here's
American made
It's a little bit cheesy,
But it's nicely displayed
Well we don't get excited when it
Crumbles 'n breaks
We just get on the phone
And call up some Flakes
They rush on over
'N' wreck it some more
'N' we are so dumb
They're linin' up at our door (That's from Frank Zappa's Flakes. You can find the rest of the lyrics somewhere on line. Better yet, listen to the album Sheik Yerbouti, if you haven't recently.)

_Q_

[DVFinn]

It's just another sign of our throw-away society. My grandmother has one of the old fashioned ones. She cleans it faithfully after every use and it's lasted her damned near 30 years.

[Soapy Sam]

Mine melted. Burned a hole in the roof. Insurance wouldn't pay up because it had "Indoor use only" in 3-point Serbo-Croat on the bottom, just between the magazine and the throttle capacitor.

[Reginald]

Originally posted by DVFinn
It's just another sign of our throw-away society. My grandmother has one of the old fashioned ones. She cleans it faithfully after every use and it's lasted her damned near 30 years.

Oh! Ive never seen an antique one. Was it the bakelite and brass one or the cheaper but somewhat more robust cast iron one?

I bet it looks nice polished. Not like these plastic ones these days.

I thought mine was going to go at the handle, they often go there, I think they have improved the design in that area though.

[Luciana]

OK! Now, is it a guy's only thread? What did I miss? What are you talking about? :re:

[roger]

I've heard some good things from people who have bolted there's onto the dishwasher so you no longer need the battery to power the light and stuff. However, I'm not sure how you can do that and still retain access to the squirrel cage and the rear view mirror.

[Mercutio]

I have an old coal-fired one I inherited from my grand-dad, but it's so hard to find coal any more...

[Reginald]

Originally posted by Mercutio
I have an old coal-fired one I inherited from my grand-dad, but it's so hard to find coal any more...

Did they not do a conversion kit at one time for that type?

I think it used those big lead/acid cells, of course the drawback was that you still had to push and pull it and you didn't get that lovely "lime light" effect from the mantle.

[Dragonrock]

Originally posted by Reginald
Did they not do a conversion kit at one time for that type?

The conversion kits I saw were still combustion types, you know, a bowl and grate for kerosene or burner for propane. I didn't know you could convert them to electric.

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by Reginald


Did they not do a conversion kit at one time for that type?

I think it used those big lead/acid cells, of course the drawback was that you still had to push and pull it and you didn't get that lovely "lime light" effect from the mantle. I never looked into it; I use mine merely as a conversation piece. I figure brass polish is cheaper than a conversion kit. It looks lovely by candlelight.

[American]

When I done kill somethings, George always gives me new one. "Lennie" he says. He says to me "Lennie- DON'T shake her too hard this time. Babys don't like to be shaked!", he says to me.


You should listen to George, Reggy. He know lots of stuff.

[HarryKeogh]

my solar powered model gave me a solid 10 years of service before calling it quits.

i went by the local repair shop that was the only authorized service center for it to see if they could fix it. much to my dismay, it's now a Starbucks.

ha, the irony! a Starbucks!!!

[Luke T.]

I've learned to live without one. Life isn't as convenient any more, but I've adapted. I figure the time I save by not constantly having to fiddle with it makes up the difference.

[roger]

Originally posted by HarryKeogh
my solar powered model gave me a solid 10 years of service before calling it quits.

i went by the local repair shop that was the only authorized service center for it to see if they could fix it. much to my dismay, it's now a Starbucks.

ha, the irony! a Starbucks!!! Solar powered? So the blue light is only on when the sun is out? Now that is irony. Who needs the blue light when the sun is out?

[Reginald]

Interestingly enough, the very first ones were made of wood. Mind you as I understand it there are very few of these left. I think once they became popular and the usefulness of them was established, mass production became the overriding issue. Which is a shame.

There are some nice Japanese ones however any authority on them will tell you straight ..."don't get one made in the mid 70's!" They will say. They had a lot of quality assurance problems. It was all hushed up, which is understandable. When one considers the thousands purchased each year I suppose my yellow tag falling off, when looked at in the correct perspective, is not that bad. I still miss it though.............terribly.

[Dragonrock]

I have a question about the wooden ones. I have one of the original japanese ones made out of bamboo. I was told that it's not really the same thing because the bamboo is already circular. All they have to do is drill a few holes. Does this really matter? It still works, or at least I assume it does, It's fragile and I don't want to risk breaking it by trying to get it spinning again.

[max]

the secret is to buy a strawberry flavoured one.......I just run out of wine.....doh

[Luke T.]

Originally posted by Dragonrock
I have one of the original japanese ones made out of bamboo.

Whoa! That's a collector's item. You can get thousands on Ebay for one of those. Which artist made it?

edited to add: it's only worth something if you haven't drilled on it!

[Dragonrock]

Originally posted by Luke T.


Whoa! That's a collector's item. You can get thousands on Ebay for one of those. Which artist made it?

I'm not sure how to pronounce it, but the ideogram looks like a dead bird that hit a corvette window during a hurricane.

[Reginald]

Originally posted by Dragonrock


I'm not sure how to pronounce it, but the ideogram looks like a dead bird that hit a corvette window during a hurricane.

Thats a shame...the one's that bring in the real money are those marked like a dead bird that hit a truck window.


Oh and the spirit level has to be intact....and before you ask, no, a replacement Korean stand will not help the matter. Watch out for those, it's possible to get badly conned unless you know what to look for..

[roger]

I'd be careful with those bamboo ones, I know a couple of people who have lost their earlobes using those things.

[Cleopatra]

Originally posted by Luciana Nery
OK! Now, is it a guy's only thread? What did I miss? What are you talking about? :re:
I think that they are playing the Surrealists..

[Dragonrock]

Originally posted by roger
I'd be careful with those bamboo ones, I know a couple of people who have lost their earlobes using those things.

The wood is so thin that the edges end up rather sharp. But it's too fragile to use so I just keep it on the knick-knack shelf.

[Reginald]

Originally posted by Cleopatra

I think that they are playing the Surrealists..

Nooo thats next Saturday! If anyone wants to be on the JREF Soccer team for the upcoming game with the surrealists, let me know.

Mind you if it was anything like the last game, our people stood huddled discussing the physics of the ball movement, how luck not only does not play a part in the game but how it doesn't exsist...and while this is going on the surrealists are scoring goals by kicking fish, bananas,bowler hats and melting watches into the net!

106-nil. Oh well.

[Dragonrock]

Originally posted by Reginald


and while this is going on the surrealists are scoring goals by kicking fish, bananas,bowler hats and melting watches into the net!

106-nil. Oh well.

I though we successfully argued that none of those goals counted as not a single one involved the soccer ball?

[Luke T.]

Originally posted by Dragonrock


I'm not sure how to pronounce it, but the ideogram looks like a dead bird that hit a corvette window during a hurricane.

Oh. That guy. He got greedy and started having them machine-made in bulk quantities by child laborers. You can tell because all the parts are perfectly interchangeble with any other one he claims to have made.

[Pepper's Ghost]

If you feel like spending the money, you can get a custom one. I think it is well worth the extra expense. They'll engrave it and everything.

[Reginald]

Originally posted by Dragonrock


I though we successfully argued that none of those goals counted as not a single one involved the soccer ball?

Well actually getting the ball back into play was hard enough, it was our own fault. If the Science posters hadn't insisted on making that scale hydrogen atom with the ball and a tangerine we may have stood a chance!

[Reginald]

Originally posted by Pepper's Ghost
If you feel like spending the money, you can get a custom one. I think it is well worth the extra expense. They'll engrave it and everything.

Mine was engraved......the tag still fell off!

[wayrad]

I inherited one of the coal-fired models with the eccentric camshaft and would like to use it in my home. I figure I can always knock out a wall or two to make room. But, I am worried about greenhouse gas emissions. If I electrify it, will it destroy its value on the antique market?

[Cleopatra]

Ok. Mine broke too and it was one of the green ones.

[Reginald]

Originally posted by wayrad
I inherited one of the coal-fired models with the eccentric camshaft and would like to use it in my home. I figure I can always knock out a wall or two to make room. But, I am worried about greenhouse gas emissions. If I electrify it, will it destroy its value on the antique market?

You just can't get the cells anymore. If you rip the guts out you can put more modern one inside the original shell, but I would advise against it. As you quite rightly suspect, it will ruin the value of the thing. I don't think I've even seen one of these ersatz-coal fired ones on e-bay.

[Luke T.]

Originally posted by wayrad
I inherited one of the coal-fired models with the eccentric camshaft and would like to use it in my home. I figure I can always knock out a wall or two to make room. But, I am worried about greenhouse gas emissions. If I electrify it, will it destroy its value on the antique market?

If you have a Significant Other, you should check with her first before knocking out any walls. They aren't as enamored with these things as we are. They tend to be more pragmatic, and if she finds out about the newer, smaller, battery operated ones, she will probaby get very angry. I like the idea of "antique," though. This could be a real selling point with her during your negotiations.

If the brass fittings have been replaced with the plastic swageloks, I don't know what to tell you. They kind of lose their charm after that. A good tool and die guy just might be able to save it and your marriage though.

[Checkmite]

Originally posted by Cleopatra
Ok. Mine broke too and it was one of the green ones.

Sometimes during transporation accidents will happen, and not even the green ones are completely immune. Return it with the shipping invoice and explain that it arrived that way; they will probably replace it without undue fuss.

[max]

besides you can get pandas swinging from the bamboo ones so it's as well to use the ivory make

[Luke T.]

Originally posted by Cleopatra
Ok. Mine broke too and it was one of the green ones.

I hate the shade of green they used for those ones. They were obviously going after the female market. And the engraved curliques are over the top, if you ask me. You wouldn't catch me dead with one of those.

[wayrad]

Originally posted by Luke T.


If you have a Significant Other, you should check with her first before knocking out any walls. They aren't as enamored with these things as we are. They tend to be more pragmatic, and if she finds out about the newer, smaller, battery operated ones, she will probaby get very angry. I like the idea of "antique," though. This could be a real selling point with her during your negotiations.

If the brass fittings have been replaced with the plastic swageloks, I don't know what to tell you. They kind of lose their charm after that. A good tool and die guy just might be able to save it and your marriage though. Well, since I'm female and there is no S.O., it's probably more of a problem that I'm renting. However, what the landlords don't know won't hurt them, although the flue for the exhaust might attract their notice.

And I'm still left with the emissions problem if I don't electrify. Do you think a small cooling tower in the back yard would be too obvious?

[roger]

Originally posted by Luke T.
I hate the shade of green they used for those ones. They were obviously going after the female market. And the engraved curliques are over the top, if you ask me. You wouldn't catch me dead with one of those. I gave my ex-girlfriend one of those for a present. Before long she was spending more "quality time" with it than me, if you catch my drift. And now she is an "ex".

Perhaps I didn't get the one with the feathers and extra battery compartment things would have turned out differently.
:(

[Luke T.]

Originally posted by wayrad
Well, since I'm female...

DOH!!

... and there is no S.O., it's probably more of a problem that I'm renting. However, what the landlords don't know won't hurt them, although the flue for the exhaust might attract their notice.

And I'm still left with the emissions problem if I don't electrify. Do you think a small cooling tower in the back yard would be too obvious?

Is there a swimming pool on the premises? That would work and it would heat the pool as well. Serendipity.

[Dragonrock]

Originally posted by roger
Perhaps I didn't get the one with the feathers and extra battery compartment things would have turned out differently.
:(

The extra battery compartment ruins the whole look of it. It's too utilitarian and the feathers are an obvious attempt to hide the extra lump. That being said, the extra batteries can be a life saver during a prolonged blackout.

[HarryKeogh]

Originally posted by Cleopatra
Ok. Mine broke too and it was one of the green ones.

umm...what the hell are you talking about??? you lost us.

getting back on topic, someone brought one onto Antiques Roadshow last month, sadly it was a fake, how disappointing, if genuine it would have been worth several dollars.

[Soapy Sam]

Note that "Mine broke too" construction. Not "I broke a green one". Thing is women have no concept of a PM schedule. Nothing lasts forever if you don't take care of it. Probably not even then.

Is it true you can get a USB2 interface for them now?

[Zep]

In the old days here down under they used to have an old gas-powered version. While it was a bit larger than the British models of the day, causing most people to have to put them under a tarpaulin in the back yard at night, at least they performed up to spec reliably for many years.

However in the 1950's they tried grafting a motor-mower engine on in place of the gas engine. While this gave a significantly better performance, it was WAY too loud to be used with comfort indoors. And it was also much too lumpy to be convenient.

So they went out of vogue for a decade or so, and it wasn't until the advent of the battery-powered electric ones that they were looked at again here. Mind you, even though the batteries were a lot bigger than they are today (do you remember the 12V motor-bike battery model, Reggie?), they were considered a triumph of modern engineering.

Of course, Moore's Law pervaded, to the extent that the equivalent model today can be reduced to just pocket-size, or even hung on a lanyard around the neck! And internally they have improved their performance and capacity several thousand percent also.

Perhaps, Reggie, you should try another manufacturer's model. While the bumps may be a bit different (and so you could have to rearrange the mantlepiece or under the stairs), at least the yellow tag won't fall off. Some of them don't even have yellow tags.

Good luck!

[roger]

Originally posted by Zep
Some of them don't even have yellow tags.

Good luck! Well of course they don't have the yellow tags anymore. They are made exclusively for the Australian market. I think that if you'd stop and think about it for a moment you'd realize we can't exactly allow those onto our shores. Think of the consequences!

You dirty perverted Australians (not that there's anything wrong with that) can keep your detagged units, thank you very much.

[Brian]

The display on mine has been flashing 12:00 since I got the damn thing.

[Soapy Sam]

Set the big handle to " Overdrive" and press "Reset".


and....RTFM!

[Zep]

Originally posted by roger
Well of course they don't have the yellow tags anymore. They are made exclusively for the Australian market. I think that if you'd stop and think about it for a moment you'd realize we can't exactly allow those onto our shores. Think of the consequences!

You dirty perverted Australians (not that there's anything wrong with that) can keep your detagged units, thank you very much. Well, the situation is that many of the yellow-tag units we get here are labeled "Made in Molvania (www.molvania.com)" and they are significantly cheaper than the Japanese or Korean models, but the quality is so poor that they have become a joke. So we have tended to purchase the more expensive European or Japanese models, which happen to have no yellow tag.

Unfortunately, there is also now an illicit trade in cheaper knock-offs smuggled regularly in suitcases from Taiwan and southern China, also with no yellow tags. These have rather put people here on their guard after the bamboo springs fall out... Ergh...

Personally, I rather like the yellow-tag models because they have that rather regal country-home look that only Britain can do so well. Although if the yellow tags tend to fall of, as Reggie describes, I think I might just have a closer look at models from our more regional manufacturers next time I buy, even if they don't have those beautiful British-green "racing" bumps (like a Spitfire, or an XK Jaguar...).

[Zep]

Originally posted by Soapy Sam
Set the big handle to " Overdrive" and press "Reset".


and....RTFM! Exactly. See pages 725 through 821 of the Users Guide.

[UnrepentantSinner]

I have a titanium and gold one made in Russia during the old Soviet days.

Are those metals supposed to rust? Mine are.

[sorgoth]

Every version is the same thing, only patched up and given a paint job. Don't fool yourself into buying pre used ones!

[wayrad]

Originally posted by Luke T.

Is there a swimming pool on the premises? That would work and it would heat the pool as well. Serendipity. Luke, you're a genius. In fact, if I use the swimming pool for cooling, I can grow thermophilic algae in there and bubble the flue gas through to remove the CO2. The H2S rising from the surface will give it that authentic natural spa ambiance, too! I can see this is going to be a big hit in the neighborhood!

[Skeptoid]

It is interesting to note that the physicist Richard Feynman was a collector of these gizmos. He had 137 of them in his collection, including a home-made version powered by a 10 milligram plutonium battery that only needs to be changed once every 24,000 years!

[roger]

My sister's best friend's cousin knows this guy that has a friend who read on the internet about this girl whose dentist's receptionist's aunt told a story about this guy who ran his car into this truck full of chickens, and while he was being transported to the hospital he overheard on the radio someone talking to the dispatcher in the background, and he can't be sure, but it sounded like the person was good friends with this guy who works at the 7-11, and a customer told him that his girlfriend's stepfather read on a bathroom wall down in Rio back in '87 that if your plastic tab breaks you can take it to a faith healer, and have it's aura adjusted.

Now, I know it is just anecdotal evidence, but it's too substantial to just ignore. I mean, with that many people testifing to it, there has to be something to it.

[zakur]

Mine worked fine for years until I lent it to my neighbor. I don't know what the sumbitch did to it, but now whenever I turn it on all the neighborhood dogs start howling.

Maybe I should look into getting its aura adjusted.

[Zep]

Originally posted by zakur
Mine worked fine for years until I lent it to my neighbor. I don't know what the sumbitch did to it, but now whenever I turn it on all the neighborhood dogs start howling.

Maybe I should look into getting its aura adjusted. Again, the Users Guide (chapter 113 AND chapter 257) are quite specific about aura adjustment with respect to animal interaction. In summary, it sounds like all it needs a simple tune, so you will need a tuning fork in B-flat. Your neighbour may have used it to cut his hedges - NOT SOP, I'm afraid.

[Zep]

Originally posted by roger
My sister's best friend's cousin knows this guy that has a friend who read on the internet about this girl whose dentist's receptionist's aunt told a story about this guy who ran his car into this truck full of chickens, and while he was being transported to the hospital he overheard on the radio someone talking to the dispatcher in the background, and he can't be sure, but it sounded like the person was good friends with this guy who works at the 7-11, and a customer told him that his girlfriend's stepfather read on a bathroom wall down in Rio back in '87 that if your plastic tab breaks you can take it to a faith healer, and have it's aura adjusted.

Now, I know it is just anecdotal evidence, but it's too substantial to just ignore. I mean, with that many people testifing to it, there has to be something to it. Uh huh.

[HarryKeogh]

is there any truth to the rumors that the Y2K4 bug will render them all useless (or turn them into robot ninjas) come midnight tonight?

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by HarryKeogh
is there any truth to the rumors that the Y2K4 bug will render them all useless (or turn them into robot ninjas) come midnight tonight? Not my old coal-fired one! Ha! That'll teach you young kids with your computer chips and your electricity and your fancy yellow tags!

...on the other hand, the brass is looking greenish, so maybe there's something to it...

[Dragonrock]

Originally posted by Zep
Again, the Users Guide (chapter 113 AND chapter 257) are quite specific about aura adjustment with respect to animal interaction. In summary, it sounds like all it needs a simple tune, so you will need a tuning fork in B-flat. Your neighbour may have used it to cut his hedges - NOT SOP, I'm afraid.

OH MY GOD!!! I can't believe that you are so lame that you actually have to read the manual. The things were originally designed to be operated intuitively and to be honest, they're not that complicated. Plus, everyone knows that the best ones are made in the Hi Choock region of China and since only 472 people can read Hi Choock Manchurian it makes the manual rather usless.

[HarryKeogh]

Originally posted by Dragonrock
Plus, everyone knows that the best ones are made in the Hi Choock region of China and since only 472 people can read Hi Choock Manchurian it makes the manual rather usless.

not if you use the built in translator! c'mon man, think!!!

[Brian]

Originally posted by HarryKeogh


not if you use the built in translator! c'mon man, think!!!
I tried that. All it did was swear at me in Yiddish.

[wayrad]

Originally posted by Mercutio
Not my old coal-fired one! Ha! That'll teach you young kids with your computer chips and your electricity and your fancy yellow tags!

...on the other hand, the brass is looking greenish, so maybe there's something to it... Just be grateful the brass hasn't been replaced with the plastic swageloks! True, there was a brief vogue for such modifications in the 70's, but as Luke quite rightly points out, it really diminishes the appeal for the discriminating collector.

[Luke T.]

Originally posted by UnrepentantSinner
I have a titanium and gold one made in Russia during the old Soviet days.

Are those metals supposed to rust? Mine are.

That's probably a patina left over from the steel casing. It probably corroded from electrolysis. Those old Russian batteries were pretty leaky.

The Russian models don't run well outside of cold climates. It was probably run on a mixture of vodka (for the alcohol content to prevent freezing) and gasoline for so many years that you will need to replace the engine. The only problem is that the factory was privatized in 1992 and has since been taken over by former KGB agents turned gangster and they converted it to a McDonald's beef patty manufacturing plant.

I only know this because I was at a flea market a couple years ago and almost bought a Soviet one myself. Fortunately, one of the Swiss makers was in the booth across from the Soviet guy and told me all this.

It could be disinformation. The Swiss have been trying for years to get a larger market share, but they just don't get that not everyone wants a red one, and have resorted to trash-talking about their competitors instead.

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by wayrad
Just be grateful the brass hasn't been replaced with the plastic swageloks! True, there was a brief vogue for such modifications in the 70's, but as Luke quite rightly points out, it really diminishes the appeal for the discriminating collector. Mine was in storage then....my folks didn't like it, my grand-dad couldn't part with it, and I thought it had been sold. My folks didn't even have an electric one--Luddites.

[Dragonrock]

I bought a wind-up one for my nephews. It's supposed to be safe for use by children, but with the yellow thing breaking off I'm starting to wonder.

[HarryKeogh]

could someone please post a picture of theirs? i could stare at them for days, the craftsmanship is awe-inspiring. i'd post one but each time i try to photograph it the picture comes out blurry. wierd, every other picture on the roll comes out fine.

[Jeff Corey]

Great Grandpa Giles, the Civil War veteran, had a wind-up spring driven one that he used to scare the kids with at family holiday gettogethers.
We got back at him by hiding his wooden teeth so he had to gum the squirrel stew.
The last I saw a model like that, it was fetching $5000 on EBay.

[Phil]

I've been reading in a archeology journal that an outfit run by a Dr. Niesh MacNamara has unearthed pottery shards from what would be the area of ancient Macedonia depicting one being used by what appears to be village elders or perhaps some type of religious officials.

One journal entry even included an illustration that clearly showed the thing being powered by --- get this --- children! That's right. Apparently children or perhaps small adults in that era were used as power sources! Seems it was an honor of sorts to be given that duty.

Also it looks as though most of the outer casing and some of the ventalation resevoirs at that time were fashioned from a molded, hardened resin extracted from a tree once indiginous to that region.

To be honest this is the first I've heard of one being used so long ago. Anybody have any more information about this? A Google search turned up nothing further.

[HarryKeogh]

Originally posted by Phil
To be honest this is the first I've heard of one being used so long ago. Anybody have any more information about this? A Google search turned up nothing further.

hmmm, i just ran a Google search and got over 12 million matches. just out of curiousity, what exactly did you type in the search field?

[Phil]

Originally posted by HarryKeogh


hmmm, i just ran a Google search and got over 12 million matches. just out of curiousity, what exactly did you type in the search field?
No, what did you type in the search field to get 12 million?

[HarryKeogh]

Originally posted by Phil

No, what did you type in the search field to get 12 million?

oops, my bad, i was looking at my previous search "hot gay porn"

yeah, i got zero results either.

[roger]

I've been thinking about getting the open heart surgery attachment for it. There's a pretty clean one from the 40s on ebay right now. Does anyone know if this works with the wind powered versions? (Mine is pewter, if that matters).

[wayrad]

Originally posted by Phil
I've been reading in a archeology journal that an outfit run by a Dr. Niesh MacNamara has unearthed pottery shards from what would be the area of ancient Macedonia depicting one being used by what appears to be village elders or perhaps some type of religious officials.

One journal entry even included an illustration that clearly showed the thing being powered by --- get this --- children! That's right. Apparently children or perhaps small adults in that era were used as power sources! Seems it was an honor of sorts to be given that duty.

Also it looks as though most of the outer casing and some of the ventalation resevoirs at that time were fashioned from a molded, hardened resin extracted from a tree once indiginous to that region.

To be honest this is the first I've heard of one being used so long ago. Anybody have any more information about this? A Google search turned up nothing further. What I've heard is that most archaologists think MacNamara's long-term ouzo addiction has finally caught up with him, and that he simply misinterpreted some perfectly ordinary pictures of ancient astronauts.

[Luke T.]

Originally posted by HarryKeogh
could someone please post a picture of theirs? i could stare at them for days, the craftsmanship is awe-inspiring.

I'll do even better than that. This is a photo of of what is inside the venturi block of the conformal retractable isolation chamber from an old Pennsylvania Works model of the 1930s era. Even this many years later, they have managed to keep this particular detail totally proprietary.

I knew that by taking this piece out, I would never get it back in again, and that is why you have never seen one, or even a photo of one, before. But as I said earlier in the topic, I have learned to live without it now. It wasn't easy.

Being able to show this to all of you almost makes it all worth it.

[Phil]

Originally posted by wayrad
What I've heard is that most archaologists think MacNamara's long-term ouzo addiction has finally caught up with him, and that he simply misinterpreted some perfectly ordinary pictures of ancient astronauts.
So ancient astronauts used them, too!!

Maybe they passed them on to us as a gift, like they built the Pyramids.;)

[roger]

I can't find any pictures of mine right now, but here is a picture of the hat I wear while using it.

http://www.tcrobots.org/mtgpics/2001/0107_23.jpg

[Dragonrock]

Originally posted by Jeff Corey
Great Grandpa Giles, the Civil War veteran, had a wind-up spring driven one that he used to scare the kids with at family holiday gettogethers.
We got back at him by hiding his wooden teeth so he had to gum the squirrel stew.
The last I saw a model like that, it was fetching $5000 on EBay.

This one's made of cheap plastic, you know, the light blue kind. I got it out of one of the claw games at the arcade. It only works for about 10 seconds till the spring unwinds, but my brother said the kids have been using it non-stop.

[DVFinn]

Notice of Eligibility for Class Action Suit

As owners of the item in question you are hereby notified that you are automatically listed as plaintiffs in a class action suit being brought by parties against the manufacturer of said item. To receive a settlement you must meet the following criteria:

1. The item has not been modified by the consumer in any way other than cosmetic. Cosmetic modifications also disqualify the consumer from recieving any part of the settlement if such modifications impaired either the ventillation or magnetic shielding, or if the cosmetic modification made it impossible to read the government mandated safety warning imprinted inside the left rare coverplate of the ancillary armature assembly.

2. The item was purchased:

a. Between the years 1969 and 1992 and has a nylon gasket beneath the swageloks manufactured by United Fabricaters Inc. but excluding models recalled in 1984.

b. Between the years 1954 and 1987 and has a yellow pull out type tab guard supplied by the subcontractor Moldavian Material Exporters Ltd.

c. The item was purchased at any time and the unit has been shown to emit octarine radiation between 45000phtz and 60000phtz.

If you wish to remain listed as a party to the class action suit no further action is required. If you would like your name removed please fill out and send the attached postage paid reply card.

Distribution of any settlement or court awarded sum resulting from this action will be calculated according to the following schedule after the payment of legal fees.

The settlement shall be divided in to equal shares, the amount of shares to be determined based on the number of claimants and the alloted shares per claimant. Shares are alloted according to the following guidelines.

1. If you have received radiation burns from your unit you are entitled to 5 shares plus 2 additional shares if the scarring is visible above the neckline. (*1)

2. If anyone in your household has developed cancer of the hair shaft resulting in the need to have the affected hair removed you are entitled to .25 shares for each inch of hair lost. (*2)

3. If you have been subject to sexual disfunction after use of the unit you are subject to 5 shares plus .5 additional share for every 5 years of age between the age of onset of sexual disfunction and age 65. For example a 25 year old would receive 9 shares because 5+.5((65-25)/5). (*3)

4. If any other physical injury has been documented resulting from the normal use of the unit you may be awarded additional shares.


*********************************

Note.

1. Shares for radiation burns may be reduced or denied if photo documentation shows the claimant to have been ugly to start with.

2. Persons with Mullets will instead be penalized 2 shares plus .5 shares for every inch of difference between the hair on in front of the head and the hair in back of the head, plus 2 points for stupidity.

3. This is void if the purpose of purchasing the item was to alleviate pre-existing sexual disfunction, or if the plaintiff meets the ugly clause in exception note 1. above.

[Brian]

Would scar tissue on ones colon be construed as intentional misuse of the product?

[zakur]

Heh...heh...Finn said 'shaft'...heh...heh.

[zakur]

Originally posted by Luke T.
I'll do even better than that. This is a photo of of what is inside the venturi block of the conformal retractable isolation chamber from an old Pennsylvania Works model of the 1930s era. Even this many years later, they have managed to keep this particular detail totally proprietary.

I knew that by taking this piece out, I would never get it back in again, and that is why you have never seen one, or even a photo of one, before. But as I said earlier in the topic, I have learned to live without it now. It wasn't easy.

Being able to show this to all of you almost makes it all worth it. Thanks for posting that LukeT. It's fascinating to see the evolution of these things over the years. This is a pic of the high voltage fully isolated bipolar transistor from a late 70s model. It belonged to my Dad. Unfortunately, he wore a mechanical prosthesis and tried using the device once during a thunderstorm. After the flash and a big bang, all that was left of my Dad and the device was this solitary part.

[Phil]

Originally posted by zakur
Thanks for posting that LukeT. It's fascinating to see the evolution of these things over the years. This is a pic of the high voltage fully isolated bipolar transistor from a late 70s model. It belonged to my Dad. Unfortunately, he wore a mechanical prosthesis and tried using the device once during a thunderstorm. After the flash and a big bang, all that was left of my Dad and the device was this solitary part.
Was there anything left of the machine?:D

[Reginald]

I've decided against an older model. I've been doing some research and I've found out a few things that may put some of you collectors off these things.

1) Children who were incapable of climbing up chimneys or working down the mines were often employed by the manufacturers of these things. Their rate of pay for the day was one farthing!

2) Due to the requirement of getting the phosphorus bit just the right shape, it had to be licked round. In a similar way to old fashioned match makers, however the problems associated with match manufacture were suffered here too. It's a little known fact that over ten times as many people got Phossy jaw making these things as did making matches! (It has to be said that the modern LED light is far better than the chemical ones of old in any case).

While we are on the subject of occupational diseases associated with these things let us not forget these nightmares.... lamplighter's elbow, Brass polishers lung and the often fatal (but always embarrassing) Riveter's crotch.

[PinkRabbit]

Well, I have an old turn-of-the-century treadle model and the workmanship is just amazing. It still works like gangbusters and does everything I need. And while I occasionally consider replacing it with a more modern version, this one really does quite nice, and it's a lovely piece of furniture to boot as it has a simply stunning, hand carved oak cabinet. Overall what it lacks in speed, it makes up for in accuracy.

Btw, did you know that the original Sears Catalog sold a do-it-yourself model that came with the basic chassis and you just put it together and installed a few of your own parts? I hear there are still a few of them around in the New England states in working condition.

Barb

[Dragonrock]

Riveters crotch was only seen during the construction of one building. The fact the each of the floors was only 2 feet tall brought the workers close to what is known in the business as "the wang-thwack zone" Cases found at other locations were usually faked for job injury claims.

[HarryKeogh]

How come on page 34b, foldout A in the owner's manual of the 1964 British model (i know, i know, lots of mechanical problems but who knew that back then?) it states "do not antagonize or provoke unit when either fully charged or at night-time"?

[Phil]

Originally posted by HarryKeogh
How come on page 34b, foldout A in the owner's manual of the 1964 British model (i know, i know, lots of mechanical problems but who knew that back then?) it states "do not antagonize or provoke unit when either fully charged or at night-time"?
Good question. I remember when I was a little boy, and my dad got me the Little Man Starter Kit for Christmas, even the toy model's instruction manual strongly suggested you not provoke the unit.

My friends and I were always too scared to try to find out what would happen, if you did provoke it. In fact, it became an urban legend that you'd be rendered impotent and piss yourself uncontrollably if you did it.

[Brian]

Mine says you're not supposed to get it wet, feed it after midnight or expose it to sunlight.

[roger]

It's a misprint. It's supposed to read "polish the earpiece twice a month". Really.


(snicker, snicker)

[Luke T.]

Originally posted by wayrad
Luke, you're a genius. In fact, if I use the swimming pool for cooling, I can grow thermophilic algae in there and bubble the flue gas through to remove the CO2. The H2S rising from the surface will give it that authentic natural spa ambiance, too! I can see this is going to be a big hit in the neighborhood!

All right. You are almost there. But I want to make sure you are aware that there is a serious safety hazard in your type of model. If the previous owner was an impatient person and opted for the extra heater, there will be an auxiliary oily waste drain line. During installation, a lot of new users are unaware of this even though there is a T-connection right there in plain sight. When disconnecting the main oily waste drain line for disassembly so it can be moved, they are pretty good about turning off the required spigot, but don't notice the auxiliary drain line is still open and has its own spigot which must be closed, and when they disconnect the line, all the auxiliary oily waste pours out. Third degree burns are common.

[Tesserat]

Originally posted by PinkRabbit

Btw, did you know that the original Sears Catalog sold a do-it-yourself model that came with the basic chassis and you just put it together and installed a few of your own parts? I hear there are still a few of them around in the New England states in working condition.

Barb

Yes! I saw that too, and thought "that can't be too hard to make"

I've got a small machine shop, and it came together quite nicely. I wrote for the specs for the USSR model, (patent expired when the country did), and modified it to remove the parts that declaimed socialist principles.

The only problem is that because I've been making them out of aluminum, it no longer makes that delightful "ping" sound when you pull the tab. I know it's not a big deal, but to me, it loses a lot without the "ping" sound.

(don't tell me to use stainless steel - the specific gravity doesn't work out.)

[wayrad]

Originally posted by Luke T.


All right. You are almost there. But I want to make sure you are aware that there is a serious safety hazard in your type of model. If the previous owner was an impatient person and opted for the extra heater, there will be an auxiliary oily waste drain line. During installation, a lot of new users are unaware of this even though there is a T-connection right there in plain sight. When disconnecting the main oily waste drain line for disassembly so it can be moved, they are pretty good about turning off the required spigot, but don't notice the auxiliary drain line is still open and has its own spigot which must be closed, and when they disconnect the line, all the auxiliary oily waste pours out. Third degree burns are common. Well, I have to admit I moved mine before reading your advice, but I really think the driveway looks better this way!

Excuse me, I have to go empty another bag of fertilizer into the pool now :)

[zakur]

Whatever you do, please be sure to read the label warning whenever you use it:

http://home.woh.rr.com/zakur/images/warning.jpg

[Zep]

This excellent and educational thread has caused me to go back into our computer museum archives and see what I can find about this vital equipment. So herewith, a few pics of some of our artifacts!

First up, in the 1920's, no engineer would consider a tune-up done without employing this little beauty!

[Zep]

Then, by the early 1950's, electronics had been introduced on the newer models. And here's the selective interface from a 1954 model, complete with sample card.

[Zep]

By the 1960's, the card interface had been supplanted by the teletype input, a significant saving in space and power requirements, and VERY NEARLY making the whole thing portable.

[Zep]

By the 1970's, transisterisation had its effect on the design, and it had become much more like the models we know today.

For example, here's the rarely-seen pre-yellow-tag interface module with the orange tags that were more difficult to break. (Note: this one is in poor condition, having been found under the floor of a chicken-shed in New Zealand.)

[Zep]

By the way. Those of you who question my ownership of the manual set? Well, here's proof - the User Guide (Molvanian (www.molvania.com) version)!

Ha!

[PinkRabbit]

Originally posted by Tesserat


Yes! I saw that too, and thought "that can't be too hard to make"

I've got a small machine shop, and it came together quite nicely. I wrote for the specs for the USSR model, (patent expired when the country did), and modified it to remove the parts that declaimed socialist principles.

The only problem is that because I've been making them out of aluminum, it no longer makes that delightful "ping" sound when you pull the tab. I know it's not a big deal, but to me, it loses a lot without the "ping" sound.

(don't tell me to use stainless steel - the specific gravity doesn't work out.)

Dude, you should try titanium. A friend of mine has one he made himself...takes some real skill to put it together and you'll probably have to invest in some special equipment, but man, once you've got a working titanium model, he insists you'll never look back. I haven't tried it for fear I'll become hopelessly addicted, but I must say, in watching him, the effect is pretty amazing. Okay, the ping is a wee bit pongish, if you know what I mean, but it's tough as hell and nothing slows it down.

Barb

[Mercutio]

My dad says that when he was small, he had a marvelous little toy (http://www.lyricsfreak.com/p/peter,-paul-&-mary/107764.html) that reminded him of one of these deallies.

[rustypouch]

I had one, but the wheel fell off.

[tim]

Ladies and Gentlemen (and Zep)! My sense of humour ranges from the absurd to the surreal, with many stops in between.
This thread, and all your posts, have been an absolute delight of belly laughs for me. Every single one of you has proved to me that there ARE strange excentrics the world over. Long may you flourish.
I humbly thank you for brightening my evening more than somewhat, and I lift a glass of strong Christmas Ale to you one and all!
Cheers!
Tim

[ludo]

Ok! I admit it! I sold it to Reginald in good faith, but I think it must have been from a faulty batch. I apologize and will offer him a full refund, grovelling apology and complimentary basket of fruit

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by tim
Ladies and Gentlemen (and Zep)! My sense of humour ranges from the absurd to the surreal, with many stops in between.
This thread, and all your posts, have been an absolute delight of belly laughs for me. Every single one of you has proved to me that there ARE strange excentrics the world over. Long may you flourish.
I humbly thank you for brightening my evening more than somewhat, and I lift a glass of strong Christmas Ale to you one and all!
Cheers!
Tim I quite agree! (http://host.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33292)

[Brian]

Crap. It ate one of my ducks. Now it's flowering.

[tim]

Yours is flowering?
I've been nurturing mine for years in the hope that it would do the same. As you know, this only happens when a probe lands on Mars. I had high hopes on Christmas day with Rover, but sadly it was not to be.
The damn thing flowered this week - only for 37 minutes and 12 seconds, as they do - and I was out at work! I returned home to a twisted and rotting stem and the sight of my dog eating what remained of the flower.
Oh the sadness, nay, the grief!:cry:

[Zep]

There is an ointment that WILL fix this situation, Tim, but it involves finding a virgin. My particular manual is not specific as to the species of this virgin, nor what to do with it...

[tim]

Would one of these do?
"Caviar comes from the virgin sturgeon,
Virgin sturgeon, very fine fish.
Virgin surgeon needs no urgin',
That's why caviar's a very rare dish."

Or how about one of these?

[Zep]

Originally posted by tim
Would one of these do?
"Caviar comes from the virgin sturgeon,
Virgin sturgeon, very fine fish.
Virgin surgeon needs no urgin',
That's why caviar's a very rare dish."

Or how about one of these? Well, as near as I can translate from Molvanian (www.molvania.com), the process involves either "flaying alive", "masticating", or "pureeing slowly". So I'll let you choose as appropriate.

[Some Friggin Guy]

I feel I should bring something to everyone's attention.

Just because these things are incredibly useful, don't think you can't get ripped off with them.

I recently found this (http://frigginguy.mysitespace.com/thing.html) site, advertising a version that...wel, Mr. Randi should be made aware of it.

[tim]

I wish here and now to disassociate "Combat Wombat Inc" from the people selling inferior goods under the name "Blind Wombat".
"Blind Wombat" is not, nor ever has been, part of the "Combat Wombat" group of companies.
We at CW strongly warn against purchase of these items, which are to our knowledge manufactured by captive wombats in Molvanian sweat shops in the town of Svetrange.
The mortality rate amongst the workers runs at over 75% in a good year. "Blind Wombat" is aptly named as many of their "employees" have been blinded to preclude escape attempts.

[Zep]

Originally posted by tim
I wish here and now to disassociate "Combat Wombat Inc" from the people selling inferior goods under the name "Blind Wombat".
"Blind Wombat" is not, nor ever has been, part of the "Combat Wombat" group of companies.
We at CW strongly warn against purchase of these items, which are to our knowledge manufactured by captive wombats in Molvanian sweat shops in the town of Svetrange.
The mortality rate amongst the workers runs at over 75% in a good year. "Blind Wombat" is aptly named as many of their "employees" have been blinded to preclude escape attempts. Hear hear! (That's ALL they can do!)

[ludo]

Unfortunately, the complimentary basket of fruit was not considered sufficient recompense for selling the original faulty item.
I await a grilling from the Watchdog team...:(

[The Don]

You lot are lucky, I got three of the bl00dy things for Xmas and not a single one of them worked.

The fact that the new type are in the main a sealed unit obviously prevents repair (is it not always the way these days) but what made it even more exasperating is that the gifts weren't properly labelled so I have no idea who to ask to find out where to return them.

I have found that they behave in a most amusing manner if you put them in the Microwave for a few minutes.

[roger]

Is it normal for it to glow red, emit smoke and shake violently? All I did was tell a friend who was over last night that I was going to power it down and do some maintaince on it, and it started glowing, smoking, and shaking.

[Dragonrock]

Originally posted by The Don
You lot are lucky, I got three of the bl00dy things for Xmas and not a single one of them worked.

The fact that the new type are in the main a sealed unit obviously prevents repair (is it not always the way these days) but what made it even more exasperating is that the gifts weren't properly labelled so I have no idea who to ask to find out where to return them.

I have found that they behave in a most amusing manner if you put them in the Microwave for a few minutes.

Don, before you nuke them all, check to see if they smell. Some of the newer ones need airing out before they'll run properly. Also, from what I understand, most of the UK distributors refuse to give refunds as they are considered "novelty items".

[rustypouch]

Also, did you properly calibrate the dielectric before inserting the redolence?

[UnrepentantSinner]

I took mine into a dealer this weekend to see if I could do something abou the tarnishing "gold and titanium." The technician told me that if I wrapped it in Saran Wrap and Elmer's Glue I wouldn't notice the difference.

He was right!

[Dragonrock]

Excuse me for reviving this thread, but I just wanted to ask if Reggie ended up getting the green one?

[tim]

Well, he did, but it never worked properly, so he sold it to me with a discount. The problem was a bent sprocket on the left crankshaft. A few belts with a hammer by my local blacksmith straightened it and it's as good as new.
I donated it to my local council and they use it daily.

[tim]

As you can see, some of the hoses have seen better days, but they knew how to make them back then and it all still works! So thanks, Reg, it's been a great help to our town.

[Nikk]

Originally posted by tim
As you can see, some of the hoses have seen better days, but they knew how to make them back then and it all still works! So thanks, Reg, it's been a great help to our town.

Ah yes an excellent example of that model. I note though that there seems to be some wear and possible corrosion in the upper feed tubes.

Our experience has been that this can lead to protracted defibrillation in the neutrino beam control unit ( even the german versions are prone to this and don't get me started on the North Korean knock offs ) with resultant expensive down time. The necessary maintenance can be done at the next major service where the procedures are detailed in the manufacturers handbook vol 17a ch27 pp3412 - 3714 inclusive.

You might be amused to know that our previous chief engineer used the aramaic version of the handbook in which the entire procedure had to be preceded by the sacrifice of an ox! Quite unnecessary in my opinion.

[Aoidoi]

If it ain't broke, it doesn't have enough features.

Personally, I hooked mine up to a straight 8 with an overclocked AMD1800 on the carb. Got the fuzzy dice for free.

[Reginald]

Well that’s amazing isn’t it!

It’s funny you should ask.

Following all the sound advice offered in this thread I decided to try the green one. I wasn’t disappointed, the wobbly thingy drove me to bloody distraction. I found out something else before I finally managed to offload it via an ad card in the post office window to some bloke called Tim. It made my whole arm go numb while it was working! Yes indeed, that was something they clearly neglected to tell me in the brochure!

Call me a sentimental old fool but I didn’t get rid of the one that broke. I just couldn’t find it in my heart to do that. So it sits there, lifeless and lightless, despite the fact that it’s probably worth a fortune in recycled materials.(mercury not withstanding). My only worry is the sharp edges when the children play near it, but I’ve been filing them regularly and apart from a few burrs it’s now reasonably safe. I’m sure that social services would worry about me taking a file to the children, but they are used to this sort of thing here. It was only 6 weeks ago that we British stopped sending them down mines after all!

[tim]

Sigh. I spoke too soon - it exploded.
The engineer left it running unsupervised and the governor broke. The resulting build up of pressure destroyed the entire area, including the town hall.
Initially we thought it a freak accident and put the slivers of bamboo down to coincidence. Then one of the rescue workers found hanging from a tree branch the green tag that was attached to the hose bank. The warning instructions were in Korean!
Bearing in mind that Reginald had sold it to me as a Swiss model - it was painted red after all - I have contacted the police, the Trading Standards people and the Canine Defence League. DId I mention the local dogs home went up as well? All that was left was a badly singed Labrador Retriever with a puzzled look on his face. He's deaf.
Reginald, you have a lot to answer for!

[Reginald]

Tim, what can I say?


I would like to apologise for all this, but I can't. You didn't read the terms of sale. I'm afraid you don't have a leg to stand on. Which is ironic really because neither did the one you purchased from me. That could be why it fell over.

[tim]

Originally posted by Reginald
Tim, what can I say?


I would like to apologise for all this, but I can't. You didn't read the terms of sale. I'm afraid you don't have a leg to stand on. Which is ironic really because neither did the one you purchased from me. That could be why it fell over.

Ha! I would have expected nothing more from someone like you!
Look the survivor in the face and try to explain what happened to him!

[Reginald]

Well had that little chap been wired into it correctly, not swanning around in some dog's home he wouldn't have been here to look cute and hard done by. Don't rely on my being English to indicate that I get all mushy (I'm sorry that is an unfortunate phrase given the accident with the thing and the effects on his little buddies) when I see a sad doggy. It just won't wash matey!

[richardm]

Of course it broke. There's supposed to be a Ratifying Defibrillator in-line with those hoses. Looks to me like somebody's replaced them at some point. Frankly, I'm amazed you got it going at all.


Edited to add: Looks like you've been sold a pup.

[Reginald]

Originally posted by richardm
Of course it broke. There's supposed to be a Ratifying Defibrillator in-line with those hoses. Looks to me like somebody's replaced them at some point. Frankly, I'm amazed you got it going at all.


Edited to add: Looks like you've been sold a pup.

Trust you to bring up the in-line Ratifying Defibrillator!!!!

[Dragonrock]

Originally posted by Aoidoi
If it ain't broke, it doesn't have enough features.

Personally, I hooked mine up to a straight 8 with an overclocked AMD1800 on the carb. Got the fuzzy dice for free.

Careful, My neighbor hooked up a double nitros system and the torque was more than the reticulated camshaft was rated for. He was able to weld it, but for safety reasons he just uses a hampster to provide the spin.

[Reginald]

Tim, before you get legal on me can I ask you a few questions?

1) Did you turn the black plastic knob to the "A" position before starting it up?

2) Did you ensure That the wick was free from any carbon or other "sooty" deposits?

3) Did you lock the secondary support unit into "child safe" mode?

4) You did (please tell me you did) use a manufacturer's approved wire seal and not just a coat hanger bent into a correct looking shape? (It's been statistically shown that this is one of the primary causes for fatal injuries caused by these things*)

5) You had the telephone number of an expert in the field of mental heath ready and waiting?

........ a few things to consider there Tim.





* "Things that can go horribly wrong with them- The controversy continues" Authors J Whisty/T Rosen, Yellow Lorry Publishing £9.99 (£5.99 Paperback) Available from all good bookshops.

[roger]

It looks to me like tim used some weapons grade homeopathic heavy water in it. And then he blames Reginald for selling him a faulty one. You reap what you sow, tim, you reap what you sow.

[Mark]

My Grandmother had one. She says it's the reason she ended up divorcing my Grandfather.

[Reginald]

Originally posted by Mark
My Grandmother had one. She says it's the reason she ended up divorcing my Grandfather.

That's not uncommon either, see my earlier reference.

[Mark]

Originally posted by Reginald


That's not uncommon either, see my earlier reference.

All I know is, I hope my girlfriend doesn't buy one!

[Reginald]

Originally posted by Mark


All I know is, I hope my girlfriend doesn't buy one!

I'd be more worried that she already has one and you don't know about it!

:D

[Mark]

Originally posted by Reginald


I'd be more worried that she already has one and you don't know about it!

:D

Eeeeek!

Now I'm worried! Well, I believe if I adjust the flanges just so, it'll massage my temples for me, so it's all good, I guess.

[Dragonrock]

You know Mark, if you pull the yellow tab out of alignment and flush out all of the illudium coolant, the resultant sludge will tell you exactly how she's been using it.

Just compare the color to the chart in appendix ARS-29-a of the felopian chinese translation of the manual.

[Mark]

Originally posted by Dragonrock
You know Mark, if you pull the yellow tab out of alignment and flush out all of the illudium coolant, the resultant sludge will tell you exactly how she's been using it.

Just compare the color to the chart in appendix ARS-29-a of the felopian chinese translation of the manual.

Thanks! If I am not mistaken, the isotope of illudium that is ejected is Illudium P38, which, as we all know, is alarmingly unstable. I have used it to terrible effect before, but will be most careful this time.

Please let me know if any of you start experiencing mild earthquakes, though.

[Reginald]

Originally posted by Dragonrock
You know Mark, if you pull the yellow tab out of alignment and flush out all of the illudium coolant, the resultant sludge will tell you exactly how she's been using it.

Just compare the color to the chart in appendix ARS-29-a of the felopian chinese translation of the manual.

Sorry to be pedantic but that should actually be ARS-29-b. (You would have had a laugh though, "a" relates to cats!)

[Skeptoid]

Originally posted by Mark
My Grandmother had one. She says it's the reason she ended up divorcing my Grandfather.
My Grandma had one too, however she divorced Grandpa for being a drunken philanderer.