Mat's BX Blog

[Tinkley]

Even if that is not the problem at least you have next years firewood!...

[mat_fenwick]

Might be a bit damp though!

It should be fixed within a week, after I phoned last night to get an update on progress. Apparently there is a "major fault on the line" (really? ) and the "engineers are still working on it". Erm, no they're not!

[citsncycles]

That's better than the response I usually get - 'Nothing to do with us, it must be something you've plugged in, but if you insist we'll come out anyway and charge you £120 for doing so!'

[electrokid]

'Nothing to do with us, it must be something you've plugged in, but if you insist we'll come out anyway and charge you £120 for doing so!

I had the threat of that nonsense too...

Hello, I have high levels of noise on my line but only when it rains.

We can visit but if the fault is beyond the master socket then you'll have to pay.

It can't be beyond the master socket - it doesn't rain inside the house.

You'll probably have to pay anyway.

OK book me a visit anyway.

Fine - next Thursday in the afternoon.

Thanks... will it be raining next Thursday afternoon ?

I don't know - why do you ask.

Because if it's not raining then the fault will not be present.

If there's no fault we'll probably charge you anyway.

etc...

[Thread Bear]

I have broadband but no 'phone here. Same issue. I know where the fault is. The wire is nicked and one broken. One of the two you need for talking. Broadband, more info but more efficient, needs only one wire to work. But BT will not come and fix it claiming its my problem. No it is not.

Why not give us lots of money and we will give yiou faster internet speeds.

'Does this make the 'phone bit work better?'

'Eer no'.

'Well I do not watch movies or play games so I will wait until you will have to give us free uprated broadband, or loose business to the satellites servers who are already roughly the same price as you are. By the way, guess who I am going to go with when I move if you do not get your arses down here and fix my fecking phone!'

'Blather, excuses'. So far no action. The Engineers are usually nice helpful guys but the office whallers are bloody useless. Bye bye BT, you are the weakest link. Trouble is they are driving Britain behind by not getting there act together.

[electrokid]

Despite what your friendly (?) neighbourhood BT Over-reach "engineer" might tell you, it is no longer in any way illegal for you to do work on the section of line on the master socket side: and they cannot "fine" you. What they can do if you get it wrong is apply the relevent charge ie: for moving the master socket if that's what you've done.

Which is why I'm in the process of moving my master sockets... and upgrading to the latest NTE5 with the ADSL faceplate filters: because that way I get to route the wiring where I want it - tidy and out of the way.

But in Mat's case - putting up your own telegraph pole is probably a bit excessive

[mat_fenwick]

putting up your own telegraph pole is probably a bit excessive

Agreed - when we put the line in we put it underground For considerably less than the £7k that BY wanted...the BT engineer just dropped off all the bits with a nudge and a wink kind of thing.



Unfortunately in the process we found someone else's water supply (Photo after the repair!)



Anyway, the overhead section of the line (which we didn't put in) has now been repaired. Kind of - the line has been zip-tied to the handrail of the bridge, looped around tree branches (which are due to be felled in the next few weeks ) and then tied to the pole about half way up. I assume and hope this is just a temporary job to get us going!

The Focus now has an MOT after spending £20 on a new spring. Bit of a pain to fit it, as the top nut rounded off due to rust. But managed to weld another nut on top of that to undo it.



The plan is to use that next week so I can clean the BX in readiness for the NEC. It'll just get dirty again as soon as I set off, but at least it should be easier to clean on the way down.

[mat_fenwick]

Yesterday I washed the BX, went over it with the clay bar and vacuumed the interior. Today's task was to sort out the paintwork that needed doing. I touched up a few chips with a brush, but the worst area is this old repair on one of the rear doors:



Didn't have the best start to the day, as I ran out of masking tape shortly after starting. Being a Sunday, none of the motor factors was open so had to make an 80 mile round trip to Halfords Anyway, I gave it all a rub down to key the surface...



...and put on 3 coats of colour, 2 of lacquer.



The only problem now is that it highlights how badly the front door (another second-hand one) has faded!



It's much worse than any of the other panels. I'll give it a go with rubbing compound; see if I can get the colour back.

[Tim Leech]

Youve started something there Matt! Im sure it will look fine, haveyou tried t cut and polish on your Alloys? works a treat for me. Also may be worth reblacking the sills?

[mat_fenwick]

Wheels are next on the list! I've used T cut before, with a scouring pad and that got the grime off well. Sills will look better by Thursday too

Then I've got to polish the paintwork and put some back to black on the plastic trim. And cut some blocks to keep it in the air...

[Jaba]

The BX fashion parade critics are watching you.........

[mat_fenwick]

Wheels are now cleaner, but can't polish the paintwork as it's covered in condensation. Inside is looking nice 'n clean though



Think I'll be taking my shoes off before I get in!

[Tim Leech]

That interior really looks inviting! What more could you ask for in a car.

[mds141]

That interior really looks inviting! What more could you ask for in a car.

Sophie Ellis Bextor?!!

[MULLEY]

Fabric seats