|
Neon screwdrivers
How are they supposed to work?
I tagged one of these onto the end of a TLC order just to get an ok electrician's-sized screwdriver. I don't intend to use the alleged "testing" facility, but I'm curious how it's supposed to work. It looks like it's meant to be touched to a live terminal and have the current flow up the shaft, through a capsule which I assume is the bulb, and then go via a brass end-cap *into my hand*. The last part of that I'm not particularly keen on. I assume that, while they're not well-regarded by most here, neon screwdrivers don't actually electrocute their owners during intended use. Is it just that the current flow is very small, and almost all the voltage is across the neon? Can anyone with a better grasp of electrical theory explain? Cheers, Pete |
Neon screwdrivers
In message , Pete Verdon
d writes How are they supposed to work? I assume that, while they're not well-regarded by most here, neon screwdrivers don't actually electrocute their owners during intended use. well, not if they are OK else ... Is it just that the current flow is very small, and almost all the voltage is across the neon? Can anyone with a better grasp of electrical theory explain? Chuck it and spend a tenner on a meter -- geoff |
Neon screwdrivers
Pete Verdon wrote:
How are they supposed to work? You touch the tip on something live or not, and they may light up or not. I tagged one of these onto the end of a TLC order just to get an ok electrician's-sized screwdriver. I don't intend to use the alleged "testing" facility, but I'm curious how it's supposed to work. It looks like it's meant to be touched to a live terminal and have the current flow up the shaft, through a capsule which I assume is the bulb, and then go via a brass end-cap *into my hand*. The last part of that I'm not particularly keen on. Yup, is about right - your provide the neutral path. I assume that, while they're not well-regarded by most here, neon screwdrivers don't actually electrocute their owners during intended use. No, that is usually when they do try to electrocute you. You stick the driver on a live wire, it neglects to light, so you go ahead and touch the wire! -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
Neon screwdrivers
On Apr 8, 10:33*pm, John Rumm wrote:
Pete Verdon wrote: How are they supposed to work? You touch the tip on something live or not, and they may light up or not. I tagged one of these onto the end of a TLC order just to get an ok electrician's-sized screwdriver. I don't intend to use the alleged "testing" facility, but I'm curious how it's supposed to work. It looks like it's meant to be touched to a live terminal and have the current flow up the shaft, through a capsule which I assume is the bulb, and then go via a brass end-cap *into my hand*. The last part of that I'm not particularly keen on. Yup, is about right - your provide the neutral path. I assume that, while they're not well-regarded by most here, neon screwdrivers don't actually electrocute their owners during intended use. No, that is usually when they do try to electrocute you. You stick the driver on a live wire, it neglects to light, so you go ahead and touch the wire! -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | * * * * *Internode Ltd - *http://www.internode.co.uk* * * * * *| |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | * * * *John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk * * * * * * *| \================================================= ================/ Do they usually have high value resistor inside to limit current to a few microamps???? Or maybe something less than a milliamp? e.g. 230 RMS volts/230 k.ohms = 1 milliamp. and 115/230 k.ohms = 0.5 ma. Peak voltage of 115v about 160 volts more than enough to fire most neons. PS. Took a small pocket version half way across the globe and to Malta and back over Christmas, mixed in woth pens and pencils in brief case; didn't even realise it was there. Only to have it confiscated on a short day trip between two Middle Eastern countries! Length of the blade or something. Strange thing was that on another flight we were provided with metal fork and knife, the blade length of which exceeded the confiscated pocket screwdriver. So thinking of making one that 'looks' like a ball pint or 0.5mm drafting pencil! Any suggestions? |
Neon screwdrivers
terry wrote:
Do they usually have high value resistor inside to limit current to a few microamps???? yup - you won't even feel a tingle. PS. Took a small pocket version half way across the globe and to Malta and back over Christmas, mixed in woth pens and pencils in brief case; didn't even realise it was there. Only to have it confiscated on a short day trip between two Middle Eastern countries! Length of the blade or something. Was chatting to a friend a while back who had just got back from a business trip in the middle east. He ended up coming back on a commercial jet where about 95% of the passengers were returning US soldiers. A Sargent stood up at the front of the plane, and explained to them that because (of what he thought were ridiculous) FAA rules, they now had to pass round a plastic bucket into which they must deposit any pen knives, screwdrivers or other sharp objects etc. that could potentially be used as a weapon... However since they were military personnel, there were allowed to keep their Ammo, M16s, 9mm side arms, bayonets, and any grenades or claymore mines they had about their persons! -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
Neon screwdrivers
On 9 Apr, 00:25, Owain wrote:
They are too likely to fail dangerous and hurt somebody, and too likely Owain I've read this before - any links to this actually happening? Surely B&Q wouldn't be selling them for £1.99 if there was anything more than a very remote possibility of someone electrocuting themselves through "proper" use of the tool. Failures to the extent that are likely to harm must be incredibly rare. Of course, that completely ignores the false negative potential for them, and that is the real problem with them. Though again they aren't sold with warning flags all over them. Meters can be just as dangerous for ignoramuses like me - when I first bought a meter I would always check the result that I saw with a neon screwdriver as a few times when I first used the meter I used the wrong settings and got a false negative, and the screwdriver was useful to help me out with that. I'm more confident now that I use the right settings on the meter (its not that hard to put it on AC 200v really is it???), but I still keep the screwdriver to hand just in case. Matt |
Neon screwdrivers
geoff wrote:
In message , Pete Verdon writes How are they supposed to work? Is it just that the current flow is very small, and almost all the voltage is across the neon? Can anyone with a better grasp of electrical theory explain? Chuck it and spend a tenner on a meter I already have a meter. It's somewhat less effective than the screwdriver at doing up terminal screws. (You snipped the bit where I said I bought it as a screwdriver, and didn't intend to use the neon part.) Pete |
Neon screwdrivers
Owain wrote:
Pete Verdon wrote: Is it just that the current flow is very small, and almost all the voltage is across the neon? Can anyone with a better grasp of electrical theory explain? Basically yes. Thanks. That's what I was asking. They are too likely to fail dangerous and hurt somebody, and too likely to give a false positive or negative, that they are completely unsuited to the tast and not fit for purpose. A proper electrical tester is much better. I went to some length to make clear that that wasn't what I was asking :-) Pete |
Neon screwdrivers
Owain wrote: Pete Verdon wrote: How are they supposed to work? I tagged one of these onto the end of a TLC order just to get an ok electrician's-sized screwdriver. I don't intend to use the alleged "testing" facility, but I'm curious how it's supposed to work. It looks like it's meant to be touched to a live terminal and have the current flow up the shaft, through a capsule which I assume is the bulb, and then go via a brass end-cap *into my hand*. The last part of that I'm not particularly keen on. This is why they are Not Allowed to be used in workplaces. I assume that, while they're not well-regarded by most here, neon screwdrivers don't actually electrocute their owners during intended use. IF they are working correctly. That's a big if. Is it just that the current flow is very small, and almost all the voltage is across the neon? Can anyone with a better grasp of electrical theory explain? Basically yes. They are too likely to fail dangerous and hurt somebody, and too likely to give a false positive or negative, that they are completely unsuited to the task and not fit for purpose. A proper electrical tester is much better. Always test the tester against a known voltage, then test the unknown wire, then test the tester again, to be certain you aren't getting a false reading. I've followed that advice since you first mentioned it & feel a lot safer, so thanks for that. I have a non contact 'voltstick' which is used as you describe. Always wondered though, why does it light up if waved rapidly from side to side? No idea how they work. -- Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk 01634 717930 07850 597257 |
Neon screwdrivers
On Apr 9, 12:25*am, Owain wrote:
Pete Verdon wrote: How are they supposed to work? They are too likely to fail dangerous and hurt somebody, and too likely to give a false positive or negative, that they are completely unsuited to the tast and not fit for purpose. A proper electrical tester is much better. I've never seen or heard of one that has failed dangerously (at least not where it's not obvious - snapped in two). Always test the tester against a known voltage, then test the unknown wire, then test the tester again, to be certain you aren't getting a false reading. But isn't this the same process one should always follow when using an electrical test screwdriver? So what's the difference? Much easier to get a false reading from a meter anyway - dodgy leads, low battery, wrong setting etc. Jon. |
Neon screwdrivers
On 9 Apr, 01:33, John Rumm wrote:
Pete Verdon wrote: How are they supposed to work? You touch the tip on something live or not, and they may light up or not. I tagged one of these onto the end of a TLC order just to get an ok electrician's-sized screwdriver. I don't intend to use the alleged "testing" facility, but I'm curious how it's supposed to work. It looks like it's meant to be touched to a live terminal and have the current flow up the shaft, through a capsule which I assume is the bulb, and then go via a brass end-cap *into my hand*. The last part of that I'm not particularly keen on. Yup, is about right - your provide the neutral path. I assume that, while they're not well-regarded by most here, neon screwdrivers don't actually electrocute their owners during intended use. No, that is usually when they do try to electrocute you. You stick the driver on a live wire, it neglects to light, so you go ahead and touch the wire! -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ The reason they don't light is that the user is ignorant of the why they light up and is standing on a rubber mat wearing rubber soled boots. If I've got any doubt I usually find some way of earthing my other hand to give a definite earth path. Personally I'd rather use a neon light stick than a meter - leads fall out of meters, they unhook themselves, batteries fail, you require two hands and I'm in more danger trying to find somewhere to clip the lead to earth, and keep it there, than anything else. It's a case of know your tools, be aware of their limitations and use them properly - applies to everything from circular saws to screwdrivers. I've never heard of one failing - has anyone? or is this nanny state protectionism ? I've been working / playing with electricity since my Dad gave me an electric train (12vac) when I was 5 and that was over 60 years ago. I've had the odd shock over the years - show me someone working with electrics regularly who hasn't, but if I'm at all concerned about a wire, I will just brush my finger across it quickly to see if it is live. Rob |
Neon screwdrivers
In message , Pete Verdon
d writes How are they supposed to work? I tagged one of these onto the end of a TLC order just to get an ok electrician's-sized screwdriver. I don't intend to use the alleged "testing" facility, but I'm curious how it's supposed to work. It looks like it's meant to be touched to a live terminal and have the current flow up the shaft, through a capsule which I assume is the bulb, and then go via a brass end-cap *into my hand*. The last part of that I'm not particularly keen on. I assume that, while they're not well-regarded by most here, neon screwdrivers don't actually electrocute their owners during intended use. Is it just that the current flow is very small, and almost all the voltage is across the neon? Can anyone with a better grasp of electrical theory explain? Cheers, Pete They do try to electrocute their users if they're the wrong ones. I once had a 24V version for car use and a 400V (?) for domestic. Guess which one I used to test a mains wire? -- Peter Ying tong iddle-i po! |
Neon screwdrivers
robgraham wrote:
Personally I'd rather use a neon light stick than a meter - leads fall out of meters, they unhook themselves, batteries fail, you require two hands and I'm in more danger trying to find somewhere to clip the lead to earth, and keep it there, than anything else. It's a case of know your tools, be aware of their limitations and use them properly - applies to everything from circular saws to screwdrivers. I nearly always use some electrical tool or lamp or similar to test if a circuit is live. Much of the time I will have been using (for example) my SDS drill so to check if the circuit is off I check that the drill doesn't run when plugged in to the circuit I'm working on. As I have nearly always just used the drill I know that it *does* run when there's electricity there. The alternative I often use is a mains inspection lamp which I leave permanently plugged in to the circuit and switched on, a very visible indication of 'live'! (It's a fluorescent one so, while bulb failure is possible, it's way less likely than for a filament bulb) OK, there are times when the above won't work (lighting circuits, etc.) and you also need to be sure the bit you are working on is the same circuit as you have the device plugged in but most of the time I still think my way is better than either neon screwdrivers or meters. I do have both analogue and digital meters and use them when appropriate. FWIW for checking 'liveness' an analogue meter has its advantages over a digital one, it won't indicate due to capacitive coupling and you don't have to stare at it to check whether it's indicating 250 volts or 250 millivolts. (On the other hand it will break if you try and check 250 volts on the 250 millivolt range!) -- Chris Green |
Neon screwdrivers
On Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:11:46 +0100, Pete Verdon
d wrote: How are they supposed to work? I tagged one of these onto the end of a TLC order just to get an ok electrician's-sized screwdriver. I don't intend to use the alleged "testing" facility, but I'm curious how it's supposed to work. It looks like it's meant to be touched to a live terminal and have the current flow up the shaft, through a capsule which I assume is the bulb, and then go via a brass end-cap *into my hand*. The last part of that I'm not particularly keen on. I assume that, while they're not well-regarded by most here, neon screwdrivers don't actually electrocute their owners during intended use. Is it just that the current flow is very small, and almost all the voltage is across the neon? Can anyone with a better grasp of electrical theory explain? Cheers, Pete The 'driver body contains a neon capsule in series with a large value resitor. When a live terminal is touched a voltage is applied across a series circuit comprising the neon (a high resistance when not conducting), the resistor , your body and the earth path. At some point of the mains cycle the neon gas conducts causing a low resitance path through it and the gas glows. The current that flows is limited to a very low value by the series resistance and the rest of the return path. This current is low but sufficient to keep the neon conducting. Unless there is fault with the 'driver there isn't any danger to the user. I've never known of any problems caused by one going faulty. |
Neon screwdrivers
neon screwdrivers-
holding them in my mouth whilst doing something else with my hands is probably a bad idea cos they can get damp and i could get poisoned! [g] |
Neon screwdrivers
Pete Verdon presented the following explanation :
How are they supposed to work? I tagged one of these onto the end of a TLC order just to get an ok electrician's-sized screwdriver. I don't intend to use the alleged "testing" facility, but I'm curious how it's supposed to work. It looks like it's meant to be touched to a live terminal and have the current flow up the shaft, through a capsule which I assume is the bulb, and then go via a brass end-cap *into my hand*. The last part of that I'm not particularly keen on. I assume that, while they're not well-regarded by most here, neon screwdrivers don't actually electrocute their owners during intended use. Is it just that the current flow is very small, and almost all the voltage is across the neon? Can anyone with a better grasp of electrical theory explain? The neon draws a relatively tiny current and to restrict it even more there is an high value resistor in series with it. The idea is that the current passes through your body to ground. Problem - you may not always be at ground potential so it may not light up or lights up dimly. So one finger on the top and make sure you are touching something else with a reasonable ground on it. Problem 2 - if the neon should become damp or faulty internally, you may be electrocuted. Problem 3 - They are dim and may not be be seen, which may lead you to believe something is dead when it is not. Solution - Don't use it, buy a volt stick which responds to the field around a live cable and no current needs to flow through you. But test it before every use. -- Regards, Harry (M1BYT) (L) http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk |
Neon screwdrivers
The Medway Handyman formulated on Wednesday :
I have a non contact 'voltstick' which is used as you describe. Always wondered though, why does it light up if waved rapidly from side to side? No idea how they work. They detect the field around the cable. Your waving it about moves it through a field, which is a good before and after check of the volt stick. -- Regards, Harry (M1BYT) (L) http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk |
Neon screwdrivers
In message , Pete Verdon
d writes geoff wrote: In message , Pete Verdon writes How are they supposed to work? Is it just that the current flow is very small, and almost all the voltage is across the neon? Can anyone with a better grasp of electrical theory explain? Chuck it and spend a tenner on a meter I already have a meter. It's somewhat less effective than the screwdriver at doing up terminal screws. The corollary is also true (You snipped the bit where I said I bought it as a screwdriver, and didn't intend to use the neon part.) And ? Pete -- geoff |
Neon screwdrivers
wrote in message ... On 9 Apr, wrote: Of course, that completely ignores the false negative potential for them, and that is the real problem with them. you should always test the tester before /and/ after use, which will minimise false negatives. If you understand how they work, /and/ their limitations you can't go far wrong. This applies to all test proceedures. -- B Thumbs Change lycos to yahoo to reply Well said. Did anyone actually answer the original question? The neon tube is in series with a big resistor, about 1 Megohm if I recall correctly, so that only a fraction of a milliamp goes through you; this does you no harm but is quite enough to light up the neon. |
Neon screwdrivers
newshound wrote: wrote in message ... On 9 Apr, wrote: Of course, that completely ignores the false negative potential for them, and that is the real problem with them. you should always test the tester before /and/ after use, which will minimise false negatives. If you understand how they work, /and/ their limitations you can't go far wrong. This applies to all test proceedures. -- B Thumbs Change lycos to yahoo to reply Well said. Did anyone actually answer the original question? The neon tube is in series with a big resistor, about 1 Megohm if I recall correctly, so that only a fraction of a milliamp goes through you; this does you no harm but is quite enough to light up the neon. I think I prefer 'no' electricity goes through you :-) -- Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk 01634 717930 07850 597257 |
Neon screwdrivers
robgraham wrote:
The reason they don't light is that the user is ignorant of the why they light up and is standing on a rubber mat wearing rubber soled boots. If I've got any doubt I usually find some way of earthing my other hand to give a definite earth path. That may help a little but you don't really need a conductive path to earth. The stray capacitance of the body to earth (~150 - 1000 pF) is enough to complete the circuit. I've never heard of one failing - has anyone? There are plenty of recorded cases of shock injuries resulting from neon screwdrivers. The are potentially dangerous because: - the series resistor can fail short circuit, particularly the old type of solid cracked-carbon resistors they used to use in the things; - in damp conditions the resistor can be bridged by condensation, etc. - immunity to transient overvoltages (spikes and surges) is poor, and again the failure mode is to lower the impedance of the device, increasing body current; - the neon tube itself can fracture if handled roughly; - visibility of the live indication is at best poor in outdoor conditions. OK, the last two points can apply to other voltage indicators, any type can fail to indicate, but (a) the neon screwdriver is far more likely to fail than an approved GS38-compliant indicator, and (b) test lamps and meters tend to fail high-impedance. As has already been said, the tester should be tested both before and after the test - this is the basic safe procedure for 'proving dead'. -- Andy |
Neon screwdrivers
The Medway Handyman wrote:
correctly, so that only a fraction of a milliamp goes through you; this does you no harm but is quite enough to light up the neon. I think I prefer 'no' electricity goes through you :-) Unless you are going to take up residence in a RF screened cage, that is probably not an option! -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
Neon screwdrivers
Harry Bloomfield wrote:
current passes through your body to ground. Problem - you may not always be at ground potential so it may not light up or lights up dimly. So one finger on the top and make sure you are touching something else with a reasonable ground on it. To be fair, you probably have enough free electrons floating about in you alone to look like a plenty good enough earth to one of these things. Problem 2 - if the neon should become damp or faulty internally, you may be electrocuted. The contact area of the stud at the top of the driver is probably small enough to not represent a direct electrocution risk, although you could get a nasty shock off it. Problem 3 - They are dim and may not be be seen, which may lead you to believe something is dead when it is not. This is probably the most frequent failing... Solution - Don't use it, buy a volt stick which responds to the field around a live cable and no current needs to flow through you. But test it before every use. Yup, good plan. -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
Neon screwdrivers
"Andy Wade" wrote in message
... robgraham wrote: The reason they don't light is that the user is ignorant of the why they light up and is standing on a rubber mat wearing rubber soled boots. If I've got any doubt I usually find some way of earthing my other hand to give a definite earth path. That may help a little but you don't really need a conductive path to earth. The stray capacitance of the body to earth (~150 - 1000 pF) is enough to complete the circuit. I've never heard of one failing - has anyone? There are plenty of recorded cases of shock injuries resulting from neon screwdrivers. The are potentially dangerous because: where are these cases recorded? I only ask as it is a well known usenet fault to say such a thing without any evidence to support a case! I have certainly never heard of one. -- Bob Mannix (anti-spam is as easy as 1-2-3 - not) |
Neon screwdrivers
newshound wrote:
wrote in message ... On 9 Apr, wrote: Of course, that completely ignores the false negative potential for them, and that is the real problem with them. you should always test the tester before /and/ after use, which will minimise false negatives. If you understand how they work, /and/ their limitations you can't go far wrong. This applies to all test proceedures. -- B Thumbs Change lycos to yahoo to reply Well said. Did anyone actually answer the original question? The neon tube is in series with a big resistor, about 1 Megohm if I recall correctly, so that only a fraction of a milliamp goes through you; this does you no harm but is quite enough to light up the neon. I used to use one about 30 years ago until I received a belt of it, duly consigned to the bin. Nowadays I use a pen sized non contact tester for a quick check (always check it first with a known live)If it gives so much as a single beep out comes the meter. Bazza |
Neon screwdrivers
In message , Peter Twydell
writes They do try to electrocute their users if they're the wrong ones. I once had a 24V version for car use and a 400V (?) for domestic. Guess which one I used to test a mains wire? Well, some would say that was the user's fault as the 24v one wasn't a neon but a bulb indicator (neons generally only work above 80-90V unless there's significant radiation or strong radio signals around) and the user should have known what tools he was about to use. -- Clint Sharp |
Neon screwdrivers
In message
, robgraham writes but if I'm at all concerned about a wire, I will just brush my finger across it quickly to see if it is live. Yeah, I knew an electrician who used to do that (notice the past tense) he realised it was a stupid idea when he discovered that the extra wires were actually the other two phases for a three phase supply. Still, live and learn eh? Or not.... Rob -- Clint Sharp |
Neon screwdrivers
In message , Clint Sharp
writes In message , Peter Twydell writes They do try to electrocute their users if they're the wrong ones. I once had a 24V version for car use and a 400V (?) for domestic. Guess which one I used to test a mains wire? Well, some would say that was the user's fault as the 24v one wasn't a neon but a bulb indicator (neons generally only work above 80-90V unless there's significant radiation or strong radio signals around) and the user should have known what tools he was about to use. I was that user. Can't remember exactly what the 24V one was as it's long been chucked out. It was very similar in appearance to the mains tester, which was the problem. Just picked it up without checking. I *have* learned a little bit about safety since then; it was 37 years ago, after all. -- Peter Ying tong iddle-i po! |
Neon screwdrivers
On Apr 11, 2:51*pm, Peter Twydell wrote:
In message , Clint Sharp writesIn message , Peter Twydell writes They do try to electrocute their users if they're the wrong ones. I once had a 24V version for car use and a 400V (?) for domestic. Guess which one I used to test a mains wire? Well, some would say that was the user's fault as the 24v one wasn't a neon but a bulb indicator (neons generally only work above 80-90V unless there's significant radiation or strong radio signals around) and the user should have known what tools he was about to use. I was that user. Can't remember exactly what the 24V one was as it's long been chucked out. It was very similar in appearance to the mains tester, which was the problem. Just picked it up without checking. I *have* learned a little bit about safety since then; it was 37 years ago, after all. -- Peter Ying tong iddle-i po! Hey you are right; I now recall once having a little screwdriver tester that must have had 12 or 24 volt bulb inside and a lead coming out top of the handle. Wonder where that is ................... maybe in one of the vehicles ................... or the garage .......... the boat .................. hmm!!!! Back to a neon tester/screwdriver ..............; is not the reason they will usually light up even if one is NOT standing in bare feet on a wet floor, due to one's personal body capacitance to something (such as mother earth!) which is nominally at zero volts? At least seem to remember testing for 230 volts RMS in the UK doing that? In North America etc. where nominal RMS to neutral/ground is 115 RMS not so sure? |
Neon screwdrivers
We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember Harry Bloomfield saying something like: They detect the field around the cable. Your waving it about moves it through a field, which is a good before and after check of the volt stick. I've been known to light up in a field, too. -- Dave |
Neon screwdrivers
Grimly Curmudgeon wrote: We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold. I remember Harry Bloomfield saying something like: They detect the field around the cable. Your waving it about moves it through a field, which is a good before and after check of the volt stick. I've been known to light up in a field, too. With the smoking ban its the only bloody place you can light up........... -- Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk |
Neon screwdrivers
On Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:15:27 GMT, "The Medway Handyman"
wrote: Grimly Curmudgeon wrote: We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold. I remember Harry Bloomfield saying something like: They detect the field around the cable. Your waving it about moves it through a field, which is a good before and after check of the volt stick. I've been known to light up in a field, too. With the smoking ban its the only bloody place you can light up........... And then you'll probably cause a fire in the crops. ;-) -- Frank Erskine |
Neon screwdrivers
Frank Erskine wrote:
And then you'll probably cause a fire in the crops. Actually the burning of stubble has also been banned for a good number of years now so it's a no win situation. :¬) |
Neon screwdrivers
www.GymRatZ.co.uk wrote:
Frank Erskine wrote: And then you'll probably cause a fire in the crops. Actually the burning of stubble has also been banned for a good number of years now so it's a no win situation. :¬) Shaving is far simpler. ;-) |
Neon screwdrivers
Frank Erskine wrote:
On Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:15:27 GMT, "The Medway Handyman" wrote: Grimly Curmudgeon wrote: We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold. I remember Harry Bloomfield saying something like: They detect the field around the cable. Your waving it about moves it through a field, which is a good before and after check of the volt stick. I've been known to light up in a field, too. With the smoking ban its the only bloody place you can light up........... And then you'll probably cause a fire in the crops. ;-) Not a problem if the crop is tobacco. |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:33 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004 - 2014 DIYbanter