Technological breakthrough

[isham-research.freeserve.co.uk at pop.pol.net.uk]

I made a _lot_ of crimped connections a couple of days ago, and decided
that as light and compact as the Knipex 13.10.160 stripper/crimper
is - it isn't as good as a heavy-duty one over a long period.

So I went out and spent some silly money on a FACOM 450.  About $80.

Was it worth it?  Perhaps - the quality of crimping has to be seen to
be believed.

Then I went to restock the parts drawers - mainly butt joints in blue
and yellow.  First stop was Shaw's on Abbeydale Road in Sheffield.
After thirty seconds waiting for the staff behind the counter to finish
gossiping, I just turned and walked out without comment.  My mistake -
from the outside, I thought it was a place that wanted to sell things.

So I wound up in (of all places) Halfords.  Obvious technological
advance - you can now get butts with heatshrink tubing already in
place.  To join a wire - strip both ends, shove them in a butt joint,
crimp and heat.  Disposable cigarette lighter quite adequate.  Makes a
_lovely_ job.

On the way back down the Parkway from the M1 into Sheffield, I was
following a BMW 635csi and a Ford Focus.  Mildly irritated that they
wouldn't get out of the way.  Suddenly realised I had fairy lights
in the mirror - pulled over to let the ociffer past.  He shot straight
past the Focus and pulled the BMW over.

Never been so glad to have been blocked by a BuMWiper.

--
 Phil Payne
 UK Audi quattro Owners Club
 Phone: 07785 302803   Fax: 07785 309674