Long ago, I had one or two stamped sheet metal "wrenches" that fit on
your finger tip. They looked like a metal guitar pick, but with a small
hex hole punched in the tip. This allowed holding small nuts from
turning when assembling things. I think they might have come as an
assembly aid for some sort of a toy or electronics kit.

I have a bunch of stuff that I will need to assemble with 0-80 nuts, and
thought one of these would be handy. I don't recall if they went down as
small as 5/32" (which is the size of the 0-80 nuts).

However, I can't find ANY info that such a thing ever existed. There is
a multisize 3D printed plastic version that might do the trick, but I
was very surprised I couldn't find any mention of the original metal
ones.

Does anyone remember these or have any info on them?

Just curious as to whether I imagined the whole thing...

Thanks!

Doug White

Doug White wrote:
Long ago, I had one or two stamped sheet metal "wrenches" that fit on
your finger tip. They looked like a metal guitar pick, but with a small
hex hole punched in the tip. This allowed holding small nuts from
turning when assembling things. I think they might have come as an
assembly aid for some sort of a toy or electronics kit.

I have a bunch of stuff that I will need to assemble with 0-80 nuts, and
thought one of these would be handy. I don't recall if they went down as
small as 5/32" (which is the size of the 0-80 nuts).

However, I can't find ANY info that such a thing ever existed. There is
a multisize 3D printed plastic version that might do the trick, but I
was very surprised I couldn't find any mention of the original metal
ones.

Does anyone remember these or have any info on them?

Just curious as to whether I imagined the whole thing...

Thanks!

Doug White


http://www.fingerwrench.com/

--
Steve W.

On Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 12:57:14 PM UTC-5, Steve W. wrote:

http://www.fingerwrench.com/

That looks sort of interesting, but I think it would be more useful to have hex recesses in the end of a thimble. Even better, would be to have the thimble magnetized, so you could stick the nut in place and reach behind/into/around to the place where it goes with the nut on the tip of your finger rather than on the pad.

This would be a piece of cake for a jeweler to fabricate, and a simple stamping to produce.

On 02/25/2016 1:08 PM, rangerssuck wrote:
On Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 12:57:14 PM UTC-5, Steve W. wrote:

http://www.fingerwrench.com/

That looks sort of interesting, but I think it would be more useful
to have hex recesses in the end of a thimble. Even better, would be to have
the thimble magnetized, so you could stick the nut in place and reach
behind/into/around to the place where it goes with the nut on the tip of
your finger rather than on the pad.
....

I'll use a dollop of gun grease as the holder to the finger tip for
small stuff...can still feel the projecting bolt and it keeps it in place.

--

Doug White" wrote in message
...
Long ago, I had one or two stamped sheet metal "wrenches" that fit on
your finger tip. They looked like a metal guitar pick, but with a small
hex hole punched in the tip. This allowed holding small nuts from
turning when assembling things. I think they might have come as an
assembly aid for some sort of a toy or electronics kit.

I have a bunch of stuff that I will need to assemble with 0-80 nuts, and
thought one of these would be handy. I don't recall if they went down as
small as 5/32" (which is the size of the 0-80 nuts).

However, I can't find ANY info that such a thing ever existed. There is
a multisize 3D printed plastic version that might do the trick, but I
was very surprised I couldn't find any mention of the original metal
ones.

Does anyone remember these or have any info on them?

Just curious as to whether I imagined the whole thing...

Thanks!

Doug White

Erector set wrenches. They were not THAT small.

On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 17:46:40 GMT, Doug White
wrote:

Long ago, I had one or two stamped sheet metal "wrenches" that fit on
your finger tip. They looked like a metal guitar pick, but with a small
hex hole punched in the tip. This allowed holding small nuts from
turning when assembling things. I think they might have come as an
assembly aid for some sort of a toy or electronics kit.

I have a bunch of stuff that I will need to assemble with 0-80 nuts, and
thought one of these would be handy. I don't recall if they went down as
small as 5/32" (which is the size of the 0-80 nuts).

However, I can't find ANY info that such a thing ever existed. There is
a multisize 3D printed plastic version that might do the trick, but I
was very surprised I couldn't find any mention of the original metal
ones.

Does anyone remember these or have any info on them?

Just curious as to whether I imagined the whole thing...

Thanks!

Doug White
Check with Lee Valley. I believe they used to carry them??? Just
checked - they now have a plastic multi-fit one.

Also see: https://www.farmshow.com/a_article.php?aid=24114 - not sure
how small they go.

Also : http://www.wired.com/2008/10/digital-socket/ don't know where
to buy tem --

or: http://www.fingerwrench.com/
Or check ebay- search for hexhold (down to 5mm or 1/4 inch)

On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 11:08:59 -0800 (PST), rangerssuck
wrote:

On Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 12:57:14 PM UTC-5, Steve W. wrote:

http://www.fingerwrench.com/

That looks sort of interesting, but I think it would be more useful to have hex recesses in the end of a thimble. Even better, would be to have the thimble magnetized, so you could stick the nut in place and reach behind/into/around to the place where it goes with the nut on the tip of your finger rather than on the pad.

This would be a piece of cake for a jeweler to fabricate, and a simple stamping to produce.
Magnetic would make it auful difficult if the wrench stuck to your
work, or to metal parts righr NEXT to where youwanted the nut - - -

On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 14:41:43 -0600, dpb wrote:

On 02/25/2016 1:08 PM, rangerssuck wrote:
On Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 12:57:14 PM UTC-5, Steve W. wrote:

http://www.fingerwrench.com/

That looks sort of interesting, but I think it would be more useful
to have hex recesses in the end of a thimble. Even better, would be to have
the thimble magnetized, so you could stick the nut in place and reach
behind/into/around to the place where it goes with the nut on the tip of
your finger rather than on the pad.
...

I'll use a dollop of gun grease as the holder to the finger tip for
small stuff...can still feel the projecting bolt and it keeps it in place.
Or just tape a small "ignition wrench" to your finger if you don't
need to bend it much - -

On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 17:14:37 -0500, wrote:

On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 17:46:40 GMT, Doug White
wrote:

Long ago, I had one or two stamped sheet metal "wrenches" that fit on
your finger tip. They looked like a metal guitar pick, but with a small
hex hole punched in the tip. This allowed holding small nuts from
turning when assembling things. I think they might have come as an
assembly aid for some sort of a toy or electronics kit.

I have a bunch of stuff that I will need to assemble with 0-80 nuts, and
thought one of these would be handy. I don't recall if they went down as
small as 5/32" (which is the size of the 0-80 nuts).

However, I can't find ANY info that such a thing ever existed. There is
a multisize 3D printed plastic version that might do the trick, but I
was very surprised I couldn't find any mention of the original metal
ones.

Does anyone remember these or have any info on them?

Just curious as to whether I imagined the whole thing...

Thanks!

Doug White
Check with Lee Valley. I believe they used to carry them??? Just
checked - they now have a plastic multi-fit one.

Also see: https://www.farmshow.com/a_article.php?aid=24114 - not sure
how small they go.

Also : http://www.wired.com/2008/10/digital-socket/ don't know where
to buy tem --

or: http://www.fingerwrench.com/
Or check ebay- search for hexhold (down to 5mm or 1/4 inch)

For the small stuff like that, I used to put a piece of tape over the
back end of a wrench to keep the nut from falling out. I've also used
a grinder to hack off everything from a 14" crescent wrench (4" end
length) to a 10mm box end wrench (30mm end length) down to usable
length for especially tight spaces radially.

And I used a blue wrench to bend box ends 90 degrees and welded
extensions on to make my own carburetor and distributor wrenches.
(Screw SnapOff w/ their $60 wrench price.)

Other box or combo wrenches got ground to thinner profiles (top and
bottom, removing the radiused edges) to fit into very tight spots
axially.

Since I usually had several of each size, modifying some didn't hurt.
The latter two links show what look to be nylon items which will break
over the course of months to years. Wrenches I hacked off in 1973 are
still perfectly usable by me in 2016 and beyond. shrug

--
No greater wrong can ever be done than to put a good man at the mercy
of a bad, while telling him not to defend himself or his fellows;
in no way can the success of evil be made quicker or surer.
--Theodore Roosevelt

On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 17:16:55 -0500, wrote:

On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 14:41:43 -0600, dpb wrote:

On 02/25/2016 1:08 PM, rangerssuck wrote:
On Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 12:57:14 PM UTC-5, Steve W. wrote:

http://www.fingerwrench.com/

That looks sort of interesting, but I think it would be more useful
to have hex recesses in the end of a thimble. Even better, would be to have
the thimble magnetized, so you could stick the nut in place and reach
behind/into/around to the place where it goes with the nut on the tip of
your finger rather than on the pad.
...

I'll use a dollop of gun grease as the holder to the finger tip for
small stuff...can still feel the projecting bolt and it keeps it in place.
Or just tape a small "ignition wrench" to your finger if you don't
need to bend it much - -

Perfect! I wonder if they still sell those. I have an old set of
Crapsman combos (very nice) and another old (early/cheap) Japanese set
of open ends which were stamped. Both proved very handy, especially
for distributor point nuts.

--
No greater wrong can ever be done than to put a good man at the mercy
of a bad, while telling him not to defend himself or his fellows;
in no way can the success of evil be made quicker or surer.
--Theodore Roosevelt

On 2/26/2016 1:17 AM, Larry Jaques wrote:
On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 17:16:55 -0500, wrote:

On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 14:41:43 -0600, dpb wrote:

On 02/25/2016 1:08 PM, rangerssuck wrote:
On Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 12:57:14 PM UTC-5, Steve W. wrote:

http://www.fingerwrench.com/

That looks sort of interesting, but I think it would be more useful
to have hex recesses in the end of a thimble. Even better, would be to have
the thimble magnetized, so you could stick the nut in place and reach
behind/into/around to the place where it goes with the nut on the tip of
your finger rather than on the pad.
...

I'll use a dollop of gun grease as the holder to the finger tip for
small stuff...can still feel the projecting bolt and it keeps it in place.
Or just tape a small "ignition wrench" to your finger if you don't
need to bend it much - -

Perfect! I wonder if they still sell those. I have an old set of
Crapsman combos (very nice) and another old (early/cheap) Japanese set
of open ends which were stamped. Both proved very handy, especially
for distributor point nuts.

--


"distributor point nuts" Good GOD, you're OLD!

On Friday, February 26, 2016 at 1:28:34 AM UTC-5, Tom Gardner wrote:
On 2/26/2016 1:17 AM, Larry Jaques wrote:
On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 17:16:55 -0500, wrote:

On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 14:41:43 -0600, dpb wrote:

On 02/25/2016 1:08 PM, rangerssuck wrote:
On Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 12:57:14 PM UTC-5, Steve W. wrote:

http://www.fingerwrench.com/

That looks sort of interesting, but I think it would be more useful
to have hex recesses in the end of a thimble. Even better, would be to have
the thimble magnetized, so you could stick the nut in place and reach
behind/into/around to the place where it goes with the nut on the tip of
your finger rather than on the pad.
...

I'll use a dollop of gun grease as the holder to the finger tip for
small stuff...can still feel the projecting bolt and it keeps it in place.
Or just tape a small "ignition wrench" to your finger if you don't
need to bend it much - -

Perfect! I wonder if they still sell those. I have an old set of
Crapsman combos (very nice) and another old (early/cheap) Japanese set
of open ends which were stamped. Both proved very handy, especially
for distributor point nuts.

"distributor point nuts" Good GOD, you're OLD!

Yeah, must be from very long ago. I was especially appalled that the out-of-date people here were still talking of using "dial up" a month or so ago, here. That, or people just don't get out that often any more. I mean cell providers let you plug right into a computer's USB jack. That's why they call it a universal jack. Its supposed to replace everything. No more phone jacks or wires. Not even for the re-charger. Even that's wireless, now. But maybe these guys don't get out much, anymore. I can imagine, especially with all that talk about serving in Vietnam. You guys must be in your eighties or so now.

Anyway, I've never heard of distributor point nuts. Then again, I've never worked on engines or motors (in a day job at least). My work was mostly construction/remodeling/installation/repair behind walls or in ceilings of various properties, not on a shop floor. So I wouldn't bring anything like trade or metric sized car mechanic's tools around with me like with maybe HVAC, electricians', drywall or plumbers' ones. Except, maybe for that telescoping pen magnet for tough to reach lost screws.

On 02/26/2016 10:20 AM, wrote:
....

Yeah, must be from very long ago. I was especially appalled that the
out-of-date people here were still talking of using "dial up" a month or
so ago, here. That, or people just don't get out that often any more. ...

You clearly aren't in a rural area where there is not yet a wireless
network option...and, yes, those areas still exist in the US of A.

--

On 2/26/2016 11:20 AM, wrote:

"distributor point nuts" Good GOD, you're OLD!

Yeah, must be from very long ago. I was especially appalled that the
out-of-date people here were still talking of using "dial up" a month
or so ago, here. That, or people just don't get out that often any
more. I mean cell providers let you plug right into a computer's USB
jack. That's why they call it a universal jack. Its supposed to
replace everything. No more phone jacks or wires. Not even for the
re-charger. Even that's wireless, now. But maybe these guys don't
get out much, anymore. I can imagine, especially with all that talk
about serving in Vietnam. You guys must be in your eighties or so
now.

Anyway, I've never heard of distributor point nuts. Then again, I've
never worked on engines or motors (in a day job at least). My work
was mostly construction/remodeling/installation/repair behind walls
or in ceilings of various properties, not on a shop floor. So I
wouldn't bring anything like trade or metric sized car mechanic's
tools around with me like with maybe HVAC, electricians', drywall or
plumbers' ones. Except, maybe for that telescoping pen magnet for
tough to reach lost screws.



Be not the first by which the new is tried nor the last by which the old
has died.

dpb wrote:
On 02/26/2016 10:20 AM, wrote:
...

Yeah, must be from very long ago. I was especially appalled that the
out-of-date people here were still talking of using "dial up" a
month or so ago, here. That, or people just don't get out that often
any more. ...

You clearly aren't in a rural area where there is not yet a wireless
network option...and, yes, those areas still exist in the US of A.

I live 10 miles from the nearest town in a clearing out in the woods . I
have a 6Mb/s down and 768Kb/s up ADSL connection ... and I'm pretty sure
that hughes.net is available virtually everywhere . I think they use the
same satellites as the TV providers .

--
Snag

On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 22:17:25 -0800, Larry Jaques
wrote:

On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 17:16:55 -0500, wrote:

On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 14:41:43 -0600, dpb wrote:

On 02/25/2016 1:08 PM, rangerssuck wrote:
On Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 12:57:14 PM UTC-5, Steve W. wrote:

http://www.fingerwrench.com/

That looks sort of interesting, but I think it would be more useful
to have hex recesses in the end of a thimble. Even better, would be to have
the thimble magnetized, so you could stick the nut in place and reach
behind/into/around to the place where it goes with the nut on the tip of
your finger rather than on the pad.
...

I'll use a dollop of gun grease as the holder to the finger tip for
small stuff...can still feel the projecting bolt and it keeps it in place.
Or just tape a small "ignition wrench" to your finger if you don't
need to bend it much - -

Perfect! I wonder if they still sell those. I have an old set of
Crapsman combos (very nice) and another old (early/cheap) Japanese set
of open ends which were stamped. Both proved very handy, especially
for distributor point nuts.
I just bought a set off ebay a few months ago - not as good as the
older Craftsman set I had (1969 vintage)- but a lot better then the
stamped crap craftsman carries today.

On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 01:28:28 -0500, Tom Gardner
wrote:

On 2/26/2016 1:17 AM, Larry Jaques wrote:
On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 17:16:55 -0500, wrote:

On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 14:41:43 -0600, dpb wrote:

On 02/25/2016 1:08 PM, rangerssuck wrote:
On Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 12:57:14 PM UTC-5, Steve W. wrote:

http://www.fingerwrench.com/

That looks sort of interesting, but I think it would be more useful
to have hex recesses in the end of a thimble. Even better, would be to have
the thimble magnetized, so you could stick the nut in place and reach
behind/into/around to the place where it goes with the nut on the tip of
your finger rather than on the pad.
...

I'll use a dollop of gun grease as the holder to the finger tip for
small stuff...can still feel the projecting bolt and it keeps it in place.
Or just tape a small "ignition wrench" to your finger if you don't
need to bend it much - -

Perfect! I wonder if they still sell those. I have an old set of
Crapsman combos (very nice) and another old (early/cheap) Japanese set
of open ends which were stamped. Both proved very handy, especially
for distributor point nuts.

--


"distributor point nuts" Good GOD, you're OLD!
I still get to work on stuff that uses them every once in a while.
Not as old as dirt yet, but getting there. (work on cars a a hobby now
instead of for a living)

On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 11:47:48 -0600, dpb wrote:

On 02/26/2016 10:20 AM, wrote:
...

Yeah, must be from very long ago. I was especially appalled that the
out-of-date people here were still talking of using "dial up" a month or
so ago, here. That, or people just don't get out that often any more. ...

You clearly aren't in a rural area where there is not yet a wireless
network option...and, yes, those areas still exist in the US of A.
Places where a cell phone is only a paper weight too.

wrote in message
...
On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 11:47:48 -0600, dpb wrote:

On 02/26/2016 10:20 AM, wrote:
...

Yeah, must be from very long ago. I was especially appalled that
the
out-of-date people here were still talking of using "dial up" a
month or
so ago, here. That, or people just don't get out that often any
more. ...

You clearly aren't in a rural area where there is not yet a wireless
network option...and, yes, those areas still exist in the US of A.


Places where a cell phone is only a paper weight too.

Including New York City:
http://www.cellreception.com/coverag...ork/page1.html

On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 01:28:28 -0500, Tom Gardner
wrote:

On 2/26/2016 1:17 AM, Larry Jaques wrote:
On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 17:16:55 -0500, wrote:

On Thu, 25 Feb 2016 14:41:43 -0600, dpb wrote:

On 02/25/2016 1:08 PM, rangerssuck wrote:
On Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 12:57:14 PM UTC-5, Steve W. wrote:

http://www.fingerwrench.com/

That looks sort of interesting, but I think it would be more useful
to have hex recesses in the end of a thimble. Even better, would be to have
the thimble magnetized, so you could stick the nut in place and reach
behind/into/around to the place where it goes with the nut on the tip of
your finger rather than on the pad.
...

I'll use a dollop of gun grease as the holder to the finger tip for
small stuff...can still feel the projecting bolt and it keeps it in place.
Or just tape a small "ignition wrench" to your finger if you don't
need to bend it much - -

Perfect! I wonder if they still sell those. I have an old set of
Crapsman combos (very nice) and another old (early/cheap) Japanese set
of open ends which were stamped. Both proved very handy, especially
for distributor point nuts.

--


"distributor point nuts" Good GOD, you're OLD!

Aren't WE, though?

Then again, I'm still a 19 y/o in a 62 y/o body with a 90 y/o back.

--
No greater wrong can ever be done than to put a good man at the mercy
of a bad, while telling him not to defend himself or his fellows;
in no way can the success of evil be made quicker or surer.
--Theodore Roosevelt

On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 20:24:20 -0500, "Jim Wilkins"
wrote:

wrote in message
.. .
On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 11:47:48 -0600, dpb wrote:

On 02/26/2016 10:20 AM, wrote:
...

Yeah, must be from very long ago. I was especially appalled that
the
out-of-date people here were still talking of using "dial up" a
month or
so ago, here. That, or people just don't get out that often any
more. ...

You clearly aren't in a rural area where there is not yet a wireless
network option...and, yes, those areas still exist in the US of A.


Places where a cell phone is only a paper weight too.

Including New York City:
http://www.cellreception.com/coverag...ork/page1.html

I keep telling people that cellular phones are still not ready for
prime time, despite all the new technologies and nearly ubiquitous
cell towers. My cell phone is used as a last gasp device.


--
No greater wrong can ever be done than to put a good man at the mercy
of a bad, while telling him not to defend himself or his fellows;
in no way can the success of evil be made quicker or surer.
--Theodore Roosevelt

On 2016-02-25, Doug White wrote:
Long ago, I had one or two stamped sheet metal "wrenches" that fit on
your finger tip. They looked like a metal guitar pick, but with a small
hex hole punched in the tip. This allowed holding small nuts from
turning when assembling things. I think they might have come as an
assembly aid for some sort of a toy or electronics kit.

I have a bunch of stuff that I will need to assemble with 0-80 nuts, and
thought one of these would be handy. I don't recall if they went down as
small as 5/32" (which is the size of the 0-80 nuts).

However, I can't find ANY info that such a thing ever existed. There is
a multisize 3D printed plastic version that might do the trick, but I
was very surprised I couldn't find any mention of the original metal
ones.

Does anyone remember these or have any info on them?

I have some of them -- but none that small. And no information
on who made them (no packaging, just the wrenches).

Just curious as to whether I imagined the whole thing...

If so -- our imaginations are in sync. :-)

Enjoy,
DoN.

--
Remove oil spill source from e-mail
Email: | (KV4PH) Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---

On Friday, February 26, 2016 at 12:48:20 PM UTC-5, dpb wrote:
On 02/26/2016 10:20 AM, wrote:
...

Yeah, must be from very long ago. I was especially appalled that the
out-of-date people here were still talking of using "dial up" a month or
so ago, here. That, or people just don't get out that often any more. ...

You clearly aren't in a rural area where there is not yet a
wireless network option...and, yes, those areas still exist in the US of A.

dab ha ha, that's odd. The phrase "no matter where you are" doesn't mean "no matter where you are" then, I guess. Because you enter that phrase in search engines and put in "phone", the wireless phone services and their advertisements come up.

On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 20:35:31 -0800, Larry Jaques
wrote:

On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 20:24:20 -0500, "Jim Wilkins"
wrote:

wrote in message
. ..
On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 11:47:48 -0600, dpb wrote:

On 02/26/2016 10:20 AM, wrote:
...

Yeah, must be from very long ago. I was especially appalled that
the
out-of-date people here were still talking of using "dial up" a
month or
so ago, here. That, or people just don't get out that often any
more. ...

You clearly aren't in a rural area where there is not yet a wireless
network option...and, yes, those areas still exist in the US of A.


Places where a cell phone is only a paper weight too.

Including New York City:
http://www.cellreception.com/coverag...ork/page1.html

I keep telling people that cellular phones are still not ready for
prime time, despite all the new technologies and nearly ubiquitous
cell towers. My cell phone is used as a last gasp device.

Around here, half of us have given up our landlines. Everybody uses
cell phones for almost everything.

The last two hurricanes cinched it: no landlines, but cell phones were
almost untouched.

--
Ed Huntress

On Sat, 27 Feb 2016 11:11:52 -0500, Ed Huntress
wrote:

On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 20:35:31 -0800, Larry Jaques
wrote:

On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 20:24:20 -0500, "Jim Wilkins"
wrote:

wrote in message
...
On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 11:47:48 -0600, dpb wrote:

On 02/26/2016 10:20 AM, wrote:
...

Yeah, must be from very long ago. I was especially appalled that
the
out-of-date people here were still talking of using "dial up" a
month or
so ago, here. That, or people just don't get out that often any
more. ...

You clearly aren't in a rural area where there is not yet a wireless
network option...and, yes, those areas still exist in the US of A.


Places where a cell phone is only a paper weight too.

Including New York City:
http://www.cellreception.com/coverag...ork/page1.html

I keep telling people that cellular phones are still not ready for
prime time, despite all the new technologies and nearly ubiquitous
cell towers. My cell phone is used as a last gasp device.

Around here, half of us have given up our landlines. Everybody uses
cell phones for almost everything.

The last two hurricanes cinched it: no landlines, but cell phones were
almost untouched.
Around here with all the phone lines buried storm damage isn't a big
issue, but in a 40 year old subdivision hald the wire pairs in the
cables have deteriorated to the point they are useless, and replacing
the cables is a big job for the phone companies - with them running
down the back property line between lots. In a lot of the more rural
areas the same problem exists. A friend on the farm has terrible phone
voice quality, and a lot of cross-talk (can hear the neighbours
talking on the phone sometimes better that the person they are trying
to talk to, and it is NOT a party line!!. The phone company has tried
all the "spare pairs" and they are all worse than the one they are on.

On 2/26/2016 5:14 PM, Terry Coombs wrote:
dpb wrote:
On 02/26/2016 10:20 AM, wrote:
...

Yeah, must be from very long ago. I was especially appalled that the
out-of-date people here were still talking of using "dial up" a
month or so ago, here. That, or people just don't get out that often
any more. ...

You clearly aren't in a rural area where there is not yet a wireless
network option...and, yes, those areas still exist in the US of A.

I live 10 miles from the nearest town in a clearing out in the woods . I
have a 6Mb/s down and 768Kb/s up ADSL connection ... and I'm pretty sure
that hughes.net is available virtually everywhere . I think they use the
same satellites as the TV providers .


I work on a Marina where they have WiFi. The down is 0.95Mbps, I've
lived with it 5 or 7 years. Just yesterday they made a change and now
I'm getting over 3Mbps, more than three times faster!
I'm in speed city now.

Mikek

On 2/27/2016 10:11 AM, Ed Huntress wrote:
On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 20:35:31 -0800, Larry Jaques
wrote:

On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 20:24:20 -0500, "Jim Wilkins"
wrote:

wrote in message
...
On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 11:47:48 -0600, dpb wrote:

On 02/26/2016 10:20 AM, wrote:
...

Yeah, must be from very long ago. I was especially appalled that
the
out-of-date people here were still talking of using "dial up" a
month or
so ago, here. That, or people just don't get out that often any
more. ...

You clearly aren't in a rural area where there is not yet a wireless
network option...and, yes, those areas still exist in the US of A.


Places where a cell phone is only a paper weight too.

Including New York City:
http://www.cellreception.com/coverag...ork/page1.html

I keep telling people that cellular phones are still not ready for
prime time, despite all the new technologies and nearly ubiquitous
cell towers. My cell phone is used as a last gasp device.

Around here, half of us have given up our landlines. Everybody uses
cell phones for almost everything.

The last two hurricanes cinched it: no landlines, but cell phones were
almost untouched.


Yep, neither of my two kids have have a landline, nor have they ever
got cable TV, they stream everything. It's a changing world.
Mikek

On 2/27/2016 2:11 PM, wrote:


I keep telling people that cellular phones are still not ready for
prime time, despite all the new technologies and nearly ubiquitous
cell towers. My cell phone is used as a last gasp device.

Around here, half of us have given up our landlines. Everybody uses
cell phones for almost everything.

The last two hurricanes cinched it: no landlines, but cell phones were
almost untouched.
Around here with all the phone lines buried storm damage isn't a big
issue, but in a 40 year old subdivision hald the wire pairs in the
cables have deteriorated to the point they are useless, and replacing
the cables is a big job for the phone companies - with them running
down the back property line between lots. In a lot of the more rural
areas the same problem exists. A friend on the farm has terrible phone
voice quality, and a lot of cross-talk (can hear the neighbours
talking on the phone sometimes better that the person they are trying
to talk to, and it is NOT a party line!!. The phone company has tried
all the "spare pairs" and they are all worse than the one they are on.

Your going to confuse these youngsters using words like party line.
Probably think it's a drug reference. :-)
Mikek

On 2016-02-27, Ed Huntress wrote:
On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 20:35:31 -0800, Larry Jaques
wrote:

[ ... ]

I keep telling people that cellular phones are still not ready for
prime time, despite all the new technologies and nearly ubiquitous
cell towers. My cell phone is used as a last gasp device.

Around here, half of us have given up our landlines. Everybody uses
cell phones for almost everything.

The last two hurricanes cinched it: no landlines, but cell phones were
almost untouched.

While *here* (Washington DC vicinity), when we got hit by the
"derecho" a few years ago (which had power out for three to seven days,
depending on just where in the area you were):

1) Land lines kept working.

2) Cell Phones died as the tower's backup power ran out
(assuming that you could find a power source to charge the
cell phone itself.)

3) FIOS (fiber optic feed) died as soon as the rechargeable battery
in the modem ran out of charge -- unless you had the special
connector for an external battery to run the thing.

4) I don't know whether my T1 net feed worked or not, since I
did not have power for the computers, anyway. :-)

Enjoy,
DoN.

--
Remove oil spill source from e-mail
Email: | (KV4PH) Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---

On Sat, 27 Feb 2016 18:04:25 -0600, amdx wrote:

On 2/27/2016 10:11 AM, Ed Huntress wrote:
On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 20:35:31 -0800, Larry Jaques
wrote:

On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 20:24:20 -0500, "Jim Wilkins"
wrote:

wrote in message
...
On Fri, 26 Feb 2016 11:47:48 -0600, dpb wrote:

On 02/26/2016 10:20 AM, wrote:
...

Yeah, must be from very long ago. I was especially appalled that
the
out-of-date people here were still talking of using "dial up" a
month or
so ago, here. That, or people just don't get out that often any
more. ...

You clearly aren't in a rural area where there is not yet a wireless
network option...and, yes, those areas still exist in the US of A.


Places where a cell phone is only a paper weight too.

Including New York City:
http://www.cellreception.com/coverag...ork/page1.html

I keep telling people that cellular phones are still not ready for
prime time, despite all the new technologies and nearly ubiquitous
cell towers. My cell phone is used as a last gasp device.

Around here, half of us have given up our landlines. Everybody uses
cell phones for almost everything.

The last two hurricanes cinched it: no landlines, but cell phones were
almost untouched.


Yep, neither of my two kids have have a landline, nor have they ever
got cable TV, they stream everything. It's a changing world.
Mikek

My son does exactly the same thing. I'm not ready for all of it, but
we're in a good spot, with multiple communication services, and I may
change over completely this year.

--
Ed Huntress

On 27/02/2016 3:35 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:

I keep telling people that cellular phones are still not ready for
prime time, despite all the new technologies and nearly ubiquitous
cell towers. My cell phone is used as a last gasp device.

Lots of folks down here don't have land lines. And cell coverage is
spotty in the country. Telstra or Optus are the two big networks.
I'm on Optus, get out of town a ways and I am lucky to get 1 bar. Bought
a GPS receiver for my Iphone (Bad Elf) as Google and Apple maps
rely on cell towers to fix location. (have to buy a map app that will
connect to the receiver) If I ever do any outback exploring, a sat phone
will be a must.

Jon

---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus

On 2/26/2016 11:30 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:

"distributor point nuts" Good GOD, you're OLD!

Aren't WE, though?

Then again, I'm still a 19 y/o in a 62 y/o body with a 90 y/o back.


Yep, isn't it amazing how that works?

On Sun, 28 Feb 2016 16:30:27 +1100, Jon Anderson
wrote:

On 27/02/2016 3:35 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:

I keep telling people that cellular phones are still not ready for
prime time, despite all the new technologies and nearly ubiquitous
cell towers. My cell phone is used as a last gasp device.

Lots of folks down here don't have land lines. And cell coverage is
spotty in the country. Telstra or Optus are the two big networks.
I'm on Optus, get out of town a ways and I am lucky to get 1 bar. Bought
a GPS receiver for my Iphone (Bad Elf) as Google and Apple maps
rely on cell towers to fix location. (have to buy a map app that will
connect to the receiver) If I ever do any outback exploring, a sat phone
will be a must.

Yeah, it's a good thing their prices have dropped over the years.
You can buy a used Iridium or Globalstar with GPS on eBay for under
$100 now. An Australian Iridium SIM with 75mins/1mo service is $146.

Then again, after a few good EMPs, nuttin'll work, sats and sat phones
included.

--
No greater wrong can ever be done than to put a good man at the mercy
of a bad, while telling him not to defend himself or his fellows;
in no way can the success of evil be made quicker or surer.
--Theodore Roosevelt

On Sun, 28 Feb 2016 00:58:09 -0500, Tom Gardner
wrote:

On 2/26/2016 11:30 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:

"distributor point nuts" Good GOD, you're OLD!

Aren't WE, though?

Then again, I'm still a 19 y/o in a 62 y/o body with a 90 y/o back.


Yep, isn't it amazing how that works?

It isn't anything I _ever_ could have conceived when I was first 19,
that's for sure.

--
No greater wrong can ever be done than to put a good man at the mercy
of a bad, while telling him not to defend himself or his fellows;
in no way can the success of evil be made quicker or surer.
--Theodore Roosevelt

On Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 9:09:29 AM UTC-5, Larry Jaques wrote:
On Sun, 28 Feb 2016 00:58:09 -0500, Tom Gardner
wrote:

On 2/26/2016 11:30 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:

"distributor point nuts" Good GOD, you're OLD!

Aren't WE, though?

Then again, I'm still a 19 y/o in a 62 y/o body with a 90 y/o back.


Yep, isn't it amazing how that works?

It isn't anything I _ever_ could have conceived when I was first
19, that's for sure.

If its back-pain (or really any kind of pain), its been my experience that binging on raw vegetables provides relief for maybe a day or so. I remember I was telling Tom that some time ago.

On Sun, 28 Feb 2016 06:07:08 -0800, Larry Jaques
wrote:

On Sun, 28 Feb 2016 16:30:27 +1100, Jon Anderson
wrote:

On 27/02/2016 3:35 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:

I keep telling people that cellular phones are still not ready for
prime time, despite all the new technologies and nearly ubiquitous
cell towers. My cell phone is used as a last gasp device.

Lots of folks down here don't have land lines. And cell coverage is
spotty in the country. Telstra or Optus are the two big networks.
I'm on Optus, get out of town a ways and I am lucky to get 1 bar. Bought
a GPS receiver for my Iphone (Bad Elf) as Google and Apple maps
rely on cell towers to fix location. (have to buy a map app that will
connect to the receiver) If I ever do any outback exploring, a sat phone
will be a must.

Yeah, it's a good thing their prices have dropped over the years.
You can buy a used Iridium or Globalstar with GPS on eBay for under
$100 now. An Australian Iridium SIM with 75mins/1mo service is $146.

Then again, after a few good EMPs, nuttin'll work, sats and sat phones
included.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fwc_BrGpzY

On Sun, 28 Feb 2016 06:07:08 -0800, Larry Jaques
wrote:

On Sun, 28 Feb 2016 16:30:27 +1100, Jon Anderson
wrote:

On 27/02/2016 3:35 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:

I keep telling people that cellular phones are still not ready for
prime time, despite all the new technologies and nearly ubiquitous
cell towers. My cell phone is used as a last gasp device.

Lots of folks down here don't have land lines. And cell coverage is
spotty in the country. Telstra or Optus are the two big networks.
I'm on Optus, get out of town a ways and I am lucky to get 1 bar. Bought
a GPS receiver for my Iphone (Bad Elf) as Google and Apple maps
rely on cell towers to fix location. (have to buy a map app that will
connect to the receiver) If I ever do any outback exploring, a sat phone
will be a must.

Yeah, it's a good thing their prices have dropped over the years.
You can buy a used Iridium or Globalstar with GPS on eBay for under
$100 now. An Australian Iridium SIM with 75mins/1mo service is $146.

Then again, after a few good EMPs, nuttin'll work, sats and sat phones
included.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmnRrCVBaP0

On Sun, 28 Feb 2016 09:01:34 -0800, Gunner Asch
wrote:

On Sun, 28 Feb 2016 06:07:08 -0800, Larry Jaques
wrote:

On Sun, 28 Feb 2016 16:30:27 +1100, Jon Anderson
wrote:

On 27/02/2016 3:35 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:

I keep telling people that cellular phones are still not ready for
prime time, despite all the new technologies and nearly ubiquitous
cell towers. My cell phone is used as a last gasp device.

Lots of folks down here don't have land lines. And cell coverage is
spotty in the country. Telstra or Optus are the two big networks.
I'm on Optus, get out of town a ways and I am lucky to get 1 bar. Bought
a GPS receiver for my Iphone (Bad Elf) as Google and Apple maps
rely on cell towers to fix location. (have to buy a map app that will
connect to the receiver) If I ever do any outback exploring, a sat phone
will be a must.

Yeah, it's a good thing their prices have dropped over the years.
You can buy a used Iridium or Globalstar with GPS on eBay for under
$100 now. An Australian Iridium SIM with 75mins/1mo service is $146.

Then again, after a few good EMPs, nuttin'll work, sats and sat phones
included.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fwc_BrGpzY

A chubby Eastern Indian _cowboy/survival instructor_? Whoda thunk?

Old style cell phones with PM (whatever it's called) will still work
as short-range walkies if properly protected during any of the varied/
possible electronic storms, or so I've read.

--
Of course, we all know that Biden is the intellect of the Democratic
Party. Kind of a grin with a body behind it.
--Clint Eastwood

On 2/28/2016 9:09 AM, Larry Jaques wrote:
On Sun, 28 Feb 2016 00:58:09 -0500, Tom Gardner
wrote:

On 2/26/2016 11:30 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:

"distributor point nuts" Good GOD, you're OLD!

Aren't WE, though?

Then again, I'm still a 19 y/o in a 62 y/o body with a 90 y/o back.


Yep, isn't it amazing how that works?

It isn't anything I _ever_ could have conceived when I was first 19,
that's for sure.

--
No greater wrong can ever be done than to put a good man at the mercy
of a bad, while telling him not to defend himself or his fellows;
in no way can the success of evil be made quicker or surer.
--Theodore Roosevelt


You're STILL 19....except for your body.

On Mon, 29 Feb 2016 09:02:39 -0500, Tom Gardner
wrote:

On 2/28/2016 9:09 AM, Larry Jaques wrote:
On Sun, 28 Feb 2016 00:58:09 -0500, Tom Gardner
wrote:

On 2/26/2016 11:30 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:

"distributor point nuts" Good GOD, you're OLD!

Aren't WE, though?

Then again, I'm still a 19 y/o in a 62 y/o body with a 90 y/o back.


Yep, isn't it amazing how that works?

It isn't anything I _ever_ could have conceived when I was first 19,
that's for sure.

--
No greater wrong can ever be done than to put a good man at the mercy
of a bad, while telling him not to defend himself or his fellows;
in no way can the success of evil be made quicker or surer.
--Theodore Roosevelt


You're STILL 19....except for your body.

+1 g

--
Ed Huntress