Need to keep up with these things as some of my stuff is on old drives that were on win3.1/XP/millennium/vista/NT./7/8.1/And now 10 sometimes a bit awkward moving between system's. But have a nephew who is a programming analyst and sorts it for me.
Wish I could do it but Microsoft changes aren't always easy to keep up with unless your loaded and cost doesn't matter. Cheers Colin

Should have known😉 Well done that man 👍

Already sorted thanks. I have a external disc reader unit, it takes old IDE, SSD, and a few others as well.

Sorry Dave.
Can't drive at moment on these pain killers.

I'll add Colin, that if you bring your broken PC to the lake, I can remove the hard drives, and copy all the files to either a DVD or a blu-ray data disc, which you can then keep, or transfer onto your new pc. All you need to do is ask mate. Cheers, Dave W 😊

By the way Colin, don't forget to take the hard disc drives out of the old PC.
There are gadgets on the market theses days which connect them to another PC via a simple USB cable. Then you should be able to rescue all your old files and copy them to the new PC. Worked with my last PC update no problem. 👍😊
Cheers Doug 😎

All fingers (and toes😲) crossed for you Colin. 👍
German equivalent is
'Ich druck dir die Daumen' = I press for you the thumbs!!
Makes it very difficult to do anything else 😉
All the best (Alles Gute), Doug

Well, let's see what the surgeons say Colin. it must be nice to have a pain free life on the horizon. Good news on the PC & new lifting beam and hoist. So you should have a weatherproof workshop in the very near future. Are you going up to the Cobb on Sunday ? I'm hoping to get there (weather permitting) for the first time in about weeks. Fingers crossed for decent weather. Best wishes to you Colin, cheers, Dave W 😊

Just got news from hospital, have been referred for surgery, so now waiting for appointment. Also ordered a PC today ready to start again, workshop roof support beams all in place, as well as a new lifting beam and hoist, boarding and felting starting tomorrow. Hopefully will be able to work again soon as the specialist says if opps work I should be pain free. I'll believe it when it happens. Cheers Colin.

You could say it's an ill wind that doesn't blow anybody any good. Pity it can't help your illness. I have a pre-op appointment on Friday then hopefully I can get hips done. Good luck for your treatment too as I know what you mean about your pain. My drugs don't even work and they won't increase the dose. John👍

Hi Colin, great news about the workshop, hope your medical news will be as good. Mark

Hi Colin, that's absolutely terrific. I'm very happy for you 😊😊😊 New PC too, great👍 Shame about the Queen and Bounty. Your mention of Bounty had intrigued me, had hoped to see some pics - lots of intricate woodwork and rigging!!! 😡
Not my forte I'm afraid!
All the very best, Doug 😎
PS: you're right about 'others', Granny always used to say "Never mind, worse things happen at sea" Good luck with the quacks. 👍

Super news, just been in the workshop, only lost the Bounty and the Queen, rest only suffered minor damage, losses include my cordless drill, lifting beam and hoist, they were what did the damage inside. My old PC was squashed as well, but it was already dead, but the assessor has agreed to a replacement, also a new drill hoist and beam and the building works, I'll also need a new side door as it used to open inwards but had to be cut out to gain access. New roof beams arrive tomorrow, the boys think roof will be done for weekend. Housing people are being very good about it all. Off to PC World, tomorrow to look at a replacement, seems every cloud really does have a silver lining. I'm feeling much happier now I've been in my workshop and been able to help clear it up. Just waiting for the doctors decision on my knee and hip and back problems, as I'm fed up being on pain killers that make me feel so useless. My brain only seems to function properly when I'm in pain, but then my body doesn't like to work. Oh well stop feeling sorry for myself there's others far worse off. Cheers all Colin.

Hi Dave, thanks for your very generous offer, it's not the boat so much as the fact it was my dad's boat, so it wouldn't be the same, I've still got 3 of his old boats. And I think the wife is right in thinking we should downsize our fleet. Between us we have about 25? Boats. Plus a few hulls awaiting finishing. And a few kits in the process of being built. And with my R.A. and pain killers its getting harder to concentrate on the modelling. Anyway thanks again for the kind offer but I'll reluctantly say no. All the best Colin.

I have been on holiday for the last couple of weeks and only just seen this. I am so sorry to hear about you situation. Hope you get it all sorted out soon. I have so much model stuff in my shed, Brick built. I have the insurance company cover it for £5k. Even then I don't know it that would cover it as it also contains a mega amount of fishing tackle. That alone must be over half of the amount and with about 20 model boats and heaps of radio gear I wouldn't think it would cover half of the shed contents. Good luck I hope you get sorted soon.
Insurance companies can be a bit crappy at times.

Don't worry, they have already paid my son and his mates for the work so far, and have offered them a repair contract at very good rates. They are willing to pay the going rate to replace all losses with new stuff, they came with an assessor today and took photos of what's been done so far, as they took photos last week for reference. All I've got to do now is make a list of all losses, assessor told me to list all damaged items as total loss, as they don't pay for hobby work time. So should cover everything, only loss really is the memories of Dad and his boat. Well not the actual memory, but his boat. Thanks to you all for the kind thoughts, much appreciated, it eases the pain of my losses no end.
Thanks Colin.

Great news regarding the insurance, so sorry you are in so much pain.
Dont forget the hours of building time as well as kit, paints, adhesives etc, make them pay for their failure to maintain the tree
Mark

Good news indeed but sorry about the Queen. is it really a dead loss? I can't help there sorry.Make sure your lads get proper wages out of this.👍

Hi Both, Good news indeed from the housing people👍
Hope they will also pay for replacements for crushed boats and equipment.
Sorry to hear about the debilitating ailments 🤔
Best wishes, Doug 😎

Colin, I have the same problem with my spine and legs. I live my life dosed up to the nines to help "manage" the pain. My problem sadly, is unfixable, so I have no choice but to put up with the pain, or feeling permanently half cut. Good news about about your workshop, & most of your boats. Sorry about the queen. if it's any use, I have an extremely old sea Queen which is very tatty that I had given to me for postage, that I will offer you the same deal (for postage only), if it will help you out. Kindest wishes, Dave W 😊

We got some good news today, apparently a neighbour had contacted housing association when it happened last week, so when I rang they said all repair and replacement costs will be covered as long as I send copies of invoices for work done.
Also have managed to recover sea commander with minor damage to cabin roof, both Fairey's and one launch undamaged. But big disappointment as the old Queen was crushed, have to wait and see what else is left that can be salvaged. The boys are rigging up a temporary roof at present so should be weather proof by tonight. I forgot to take my pain killers this morning so now suffering and can't walk. Be glad when the quack decides what to do about my problem, I'd rather have no legs than all this pain.
Will update tomorrow, cheers all Colin.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you (makes it difficult to type!!😉)
If the Housing Association don't answer you may need a lawyer!!
All the best, Doug 😎

We have managed to cut and remove the tree with the help of local farmer and his telehandler. Son has put scaffolding all round the building now and is starting to remove sections of the collapsed roof, with a bit of luck should be able to see inside tomorrow. Son thinks that my working area seems to be the worst affected area by he said there seems to be a couple of boats on the floor in the corner. So fingers crossed something has survived. There were eight boats undergoing repairs, my wife's swordsman, and her two launches, a Norstar Fireboat, a sea commander, a 48" bounty waiting for rigging, my dads old Sea Queen, and a 34" Huntsman having a repaint. As for insurance, mine said I should claim on the trees owner as it wasn't mine. Might be a problem there it was on communal land owned by housing association.
Anyway not much I can do till its safe to go in. Must say my son and his two mates haven't stopped from 8-00 this morning till now. By for now Colin.

Steer clear of cheapo 'No names' and follow the rules, including charging on a non inflammable surface and/or in a LiPo bag or box and never in the model, and they shouldn't be a problem!
Doug

That's exactly why I don't touch Lipos. You never know the minute.

Hi
it must be something about this month, charging a lipo all went well, charge finished, felt just warm, tidied up, slipped battery into holder and went my tot, next thing the smoke alarm went off, got it on shovel and outside. First one in our street with fireworks, so scratch one Thames water taxi, and a blo***ng of swbo, all a wright off. Regards Dave 😭😭😭

Sincerely hope something is salvageable. insurance?
Doesn't compensate for the blood sweat and tears I know, but something.
Hope your 'Yard' is soon back up and running.
All the best Doug.

The only words are tragic, I can't imagine my reaction, I know what SWIMBO would say, hope the damage is not to bad, but still soul destroying.

Mark

Sat here gobsmacked, and thinking how I would feel if it happened to me. And the word is Gobsmacked, and probably numb with sickness. Hope you find at least some of your models in a repairable condition, and that you can make good the damage to your workshop. Best, & kindest wishes for the future, Dave W 😊

Hi there all you following this blog. Some sad news today, have just come back from a short break with my son and family, to a devastated workshop with a tree laying across the middle, no roof left its all gone collapsed inwards.
My son managed to get inside but wasn't able to salvage anything. He thinks my models on the workbench are all squashed. He is coming tomorrow with a chainsaw to start the clear up. I'm glad the concrete walls haven't been damaged so at least we can re-roof fairly quickly. Also handy having a builder for a son. I'll update when I'm allowed in to see the damage.

A favour.

In which case what were you doing "operating machinery " in that condition you naughty boy

Yep a few splinters, doc said I was lucky I was using high speed self feed or it would have ripped it more. I must remember to use a vice next time. Fifty years engineering, 31 years as industrial first aider, and 20 years as works safety officer should have known better, but I was in a hurry and not thinking straight as my pain killers leave me a little light headed like I've had a few pints.

Just a few quickies. first of all did the drill bit hit the bone? if so it needs an x -ray as there could be bone splinters that will cause pain even after the hole has healed. Re coating boat hulls try 2 part Epoxy paint / resins which can be used with cloth like polyester resin. RN I believe Acetone and various other solvents are available in quantity off the supermarket shelf in France👍. Do you get over the border at all? Not sure but I think the OP that said this mentioned ether too.

Sorry the app still won't let me upload pictures or reply to PM's.

Wow a 1/4" drill through your finger, painful isn't the word I would have thought. And some one else with a modelling knife in his foot. I always say I haven't done the job properly unless I have drawn blood. I have slipped many times with Stanley knives and scalpels. Even more so when I am working on the car. Hope it heals soon and you are back enjoying you modelling. Are you not able to upload pictures of your build yet. it would be nice to see some.

Thanks for your simpathy, yes it is quite painful when I forget and try to use it. Otherwise just a major annoyance not being able to grip things that you do normally without thinking especially my walking stick, having trouble using the wrong hand for walking the dog. But hoping it will be better in a couple of weeks.

Oh heck Colin. That's damned inconvenient and probably quite painful for you. Hoping it heals quickly, and that things get back to normal for you. Best wishes, Dave W.

Oh dear, I can't imagine anything more inconvenient than having a disabled index finger! it gets used for most things. Are you a lefty like me or right handed? Still a problem whichever.
And I thought I had a problem last week with a modelling knife in my foot!
Get well soon Colin.

Sea Queen refurbishment on hold, managed to drill 1/4" hole through left index finger and it throbs like hell. So all modelling on hold till it's healed up. Funny thing didn't hurt till I pulled drill back out. Well that's me for now, cheers Colin.

Hi Canabus
I agree but I retired for the second time in 2009 and have no wish to return to employment.
I do scratch build so make lots of fittings. My purpose in buying the 3D printer was to speed up the production of masters that I could take a mould off to then produce in fast cast resin. Used this on the Olympic and Titanic and have the hull for the Mauretania at 1:96 so plenty of fittings required there. I also have fittings for the KD Perkassa so am not restricted to any scale. This is the real benefit of CAD design as you can quickly rescale to anything (within reason) and the SD printer will produce the masters.
3D copiers are still a bit in the development stage for hobbyists and I am waiting for the cost to become more reasonable. I have seen a demo but its only good for figures in 1:12 scale with an affordable 3d printer. You could use a professional print service but its dear and rather defeats the object of designing and printing at home.

Stephen does produce a range of fittings in the site model shop so they are available.

Dave

RNinMunich, I presume you are situated in Munich. We can get helium in several places here in the UK. Even one high street shop, ARGOS. it is also available through AMAZON. Don't know if that's of any help or even if you were serious as to where you could get it ??
I am 66 (almost 67, in 4 weeks)and have been boat modelling since the age of nine and have also progressed from IC and Taycol to brushless but still use all types. Have also gone into purchasing ready to run, but still get a buzz from the building the model from a kit, have even shrunk and enlarged from plans to build other size models. I haven't tried the 3D printers, not sure about that side of it yet. I find this site a very interesting and helpful place. But I am not as adventurous as some with all the detail they go into. Please keep adding info to this site.

Hi Dave M
CAD and 3D printers would be very handy reproducing old parts for old boats which are no longer available because the company has gone out of business.

Start up a small business to save old boat fittings!!!!
Oh, a 3D scanner would save some time.

Canabus

I have always embraced new technology and agree some of the older skillsets are fast disappearing as it is now possible to design and build almost anything from an electronic gizmo.
I embrace these new techniques and have delved into 3d CAD and printers and can now make most of the bits I need.
I started like many born just after the war with plastic kits followed by balsa and tissue planes, model trains, cars, boats then into electronics and early RC.
I get great pleasure from the building either scratch or kit but I do worry that many prefer to just buy the finished product.
I still have my IC engines and planes from my flying days but for all but the fast racers, brushless more than meets the power requirements for our scale models, but I don't deny or object to the many who still enjoy IC and have access to permitted venues.
Battery power has improved over the years and Lithium batteries are capable of delivering massive power at little weight. Provided they are handled and treated correctly they are safe to use but rather like fireworks incorrect handling can be unpredictable and dangerous.
This refurbishment really goes back to basics and will result in a model being restored and enjoyed for many years and Colin has certainly shown us some new techniques.
I doubt if some of the off the shelf newer models will survive quite so long.
Dave

Hi RNinMunich
I agree with you past, respect the past but move forward.
With a lot of areas of limit to IC motors we have to move to brushless motors and Lipo batteries.
I have changed over with the times and running brushless motors in my Aerokits Sea Hornet, Sea Commander and a
restoring a Precedent Huntsman.
These old boats can go as fast if not faster with the change over.
Canabus

Hi All, Good luck all you Retros. My Sea Scout renovation (and Taycol Target conversion) were enough for me in that direction. Nostalgia is fine, up to a point, but I'm trying to embrace the present and the future.
Maybe it's a result of spending 30 years trundling round the world discussing with navies and shipyards and surveying ships under refit or new construction and noting the massive advancements in construction technique and installed equipment. A vastly different perspective to most perhaps, but somehow we have to go forward as well as respect the past.
We all stand on the shoulders of the greats who went before us, but they showed us the way - not the destination!
OK I admit I have also built/bought ships of WW2, out of admiration of their histories and those of the men who fought in them, and also admit that my first attempt, HMS Hotspur was built copying the construction techniques of Aerokits (at 14 I didn't know any better), but my next project will be modern: T45 the new Daring Class. (Saw her in the fitting out dock at BAE😊, the modules under construction in the halls were also most impressive - looked huge from the ground 😲)
I also have a few experimental odds and ends in the 'kitchen': foam delta wing flying-boat, hovercraft, airship (where do I get the damn helium? Hydrogen I can produce - simple hydrolysis, but don't want to send the flat into orbit 🤔)
Please don't get me wrong, and all jump down my throat, but I'm missing the progress and the connections to modern technology (e.g. 3D printing - exception: Midlife👍) which will encourage youngsters to follow in our footsteps and stand on our shoulders! 🤔
Maybe rolfman got it right; 'It's an age thing!'
My challenge at almost 66 is to combine the best of the past with what is possible NOW!
OK, I'm off my soapbox now 😉
Happy building (however you want do it) and always a hand-width water under your keel 😊
Cheers Doug 😎
PS I forgot to add: I am in no way denigrating the superb workmanship I have seen in various Build Blogs; for example I recently spent an entire day reviewing with wonderment Robbob's build blog, magnificent and I learned a lot. But where do we go from here?

Sorry rolfman2000 I wasn't being funny about it, you just had me wondering about it. As you say we all seem to have the same boats. I have both 34" & 46" Crash Tenders both still unmade in the boxes. A 46" to refurbish, Sea Queen and Sea Commander both again for refurbishing, 34" Huntsman and A Huntsman Hull with no top and a Perkasa hull with no top also to refurb. Sea Hornet as well as several other model boats which are fibreglass ones. And a couple of cars and planes but I still cannot fly them, I cannot get the hang of them. You can get the Sea Queen from Vintage Model boats as they are remaking it now.

Sorry Boatshed, that was me just getting mixed up while trying to type on a mobile phone. The Sea Queen is, of course the bigger version of the Sea Commander, and it is the Queen I have been after. Best wishes, Dave

"rolfman2000" I didn't know there was a 46" Sea Commander. I just assumed that the Sea Queen was a larger version of the Sea Commander but just renamed. I have never seen an advert in any of the old model boat magazines for one. I have many old magazines some even from back in the 1960's and not seen one in them.

Hi Colin
Oh dear my mistake
I do hope you manage to source a replacement PC, my local freecycle groups often have such offerings.
Looks like your family will be visiting lots of coffee shops!
Cheers
Dave