The reassembler

[Globalti]

The shows were good but three was enough. I would have liked him to have put the parts into manufacturing history context - for example in the telephone reassembly he talked about the bulk of the electronics and how, on a modern phone, all that would have been on a tiny PCB. We could have done with knowing more about the manufacturing techniques that meant the lawnmower was so heavy; for example would a more modern version have had alloy chassis plates rather than cast iron and if so, why? What would have changed to make alloy possible?

 

[raleighnut]

I enjoyed the first two programmes. The guitar one will be interesting, but I hope it doesn't set me thinking about swapping out the standard pickups in my copy telecaster for more expensive ones. ........

I just watched the Electric Guitar one. Who let him feck about with a Tokai 'Strat', they were better than the CBS era Fender models at the time.
As for "well that's the bridge assembled" , I didn't see him set either the string height or the intonation on it and I must say I didn't think much to the way he strung the Guitar either, yes it was assembled but it would then need a Luthier to optimise the set-up.

 

[Globalti]

Judging from the quality of the ghost player at the end, he must have had a bit of expert help in setting up the strings and the tuning.

Those hands looked far too slim and delicate to be James May's hands!

 

[hopless500]

Given he plays piano and flute I doubt he's got huge paws.

 

[Illaveago]

I didn't know that the series had already started, so I had to watch it on the I player. I was interested in the lawnmower bit as I have one to rebuild, and I think that the side castings are alloy the covers are thin steel. It is a shame he didn't cover some of the bits in more detail. The oil scraper rings being made of cast iron and easily broken if you were not careful. The magneto would also been a bit helpful. I didn't see any use or mention of oil anywhere.

 

[Globalti]

It was rather bitty; he didn't seem to bolt the sump to the block or fill it with oil; the exhaust was still attached to the head, presumably because the bolts were too rusted to remove. Fitting piston rings is a pain in the wotsit especially the middle one so he's excused that 20 minutes. He could have shown the circlips on the gudgeon pin, which are somewhat vital.

 

[Illaveago]

I I R C didn't you have to heat the piston to fit the the gudgeon pin in the old days?

 

[raleighnut]

Judging from the quality of the ghost player at the end, he must have had a bit of expert help in setting up the strings and the tuning.

Those hands looked far too slim and delicate to be James May's hands!

A good player can 'bend' the string into tune, especially when knocking out a bit of bluesy lead.
Always 'P's me off when you see guitars as being 'suitable for a beginner' meaning they're crap really, more likely to put someone off than encourage them.