They sell an excellent torch in B&Q, shaped like a headlight, 24
LEDs. A 3cm deep 7cm dia cylender. It is much better than any bicycle
front light I've seen and only £4.99. So I want to adapt it.

I need 4 bolts, like those used to screw an electric plug face to the
back box, but a size or two narrower, 20mm long.

Buying online by trial and error until I get the right size seems
disproportionately costly. Any thoughts on a diy store Liverpool where
I could browse before buying? B&Q don't sell any that thin. The size
is possibly M3 or M2.

Tony

On Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:48:04 -0700 (PDT), tonyjeffs
wrote:

They sell an excellent torch in B&Q, shaped like a headlight, 24
LEDs. A 3cm deep 7cm dia cylender. It is much better than any bicycle
front light I've seen and only £4.99. So I want to adapt it.

I need 4 bolts, like those used to screw an electric plug face to the
back box, but a size or two narrower, 20mm long.

Buying online by trial and error until I get the right size seems
disproportionately costly. Any thoughts on a diy store Liverpool where
I could browse before buying? B&Q don't sell any that thin. The size
is possibly M3 or M2.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...44481#features

There are other assortments, some with larger sizes. They're so
cheap, you may as well stock up.

On 12 Sep, 18:04, Laurence Payne wrote:
On Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:48:04 -0700 (PDT), tonyjeffs

wrote:
They sell an excellent torch in B&Q, shaped like a headlight, 24
LEDs. A 3cm deep 7cm dia cylender. It is much better than any bicycle
front light *I've seen and only £4.99. *So I want to adapt it.

I need 4 bolts, like those used to screw an electric plug face to the
back box, but a size or two narrower, 20mm long.

Buying online by trial and error until I get the right size seems
disproportionately costly. Any thoughts on a diy store Liverpool where
I could browse before buying? B&Q don't sell any that thin. The size
is possibly M3 or M2.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...44481#features

There are other assortments, some with larger sizes. *They're so
cheap, you may as well stock up.

Wow - perfect answer - ideal - I'll go straight there monday.
Thanks

Tony

On Sat, 12 Sep 2009 10:49:22 -0700 (PDT), tonyjeffs
wrote:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...44481#features

There are other assortments, some with larger sizes. *They're so
cheap, you may as well stock up.

Wow - perfect answer - ideal - I'll go straight there monday.

That is unless you have a good local hardware shop. There's still one
near me who would just pull out a cardboard box and sell me one nut
and bolt for a few pennies.

Laurence Payne wrote:
On Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:48:04 -0700 (PDT), tonyjeffs
wrote:


They sell an excellent torch in B&Q, shaped like a headlight, 24
LEDs. A 3cm deep 7cm dia cylender. It is much better than any bicycle
front light I've seen and only £4.99. So I want to adapt it.

I need 4 bolts, like those used to screw an electric plug face to the
back box, but a size or two narrower, 20mm long.

Buying online by trial and error until I get the right size seems
disproportionately costly. Any thoughts on a diy store Liverpool where
I could browse before buying? B&Q don't sell any that thin. The size
is possibly M3 or M2.


http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...44481#features

There are other assortments, some with larger sizes. They're so
cheap, you may as well stock up.

I think the ones you refer to which attach a 13 Amp wall socket to the
back box are (Metric) M3.5 so maybe what your'e after is an M3 thread
Don

In article
,
tonyjeffs wrote:
Buying online by trial and error until I get the right size seems
disproportionately costly. Any thoughts on a diy store Liverpool where
I could browse before buying? B&Q don't sell any that thin. The size
is possibly M3 or M2.

Maplin would be a likely retail source. They certainly have such things
mail order - but it's a bit of a gamble if your local store stocks them.
Other source would be a decent model shop.

--
*I finally got my head together, now my body is falling apart.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In message , "Dave Plowman (News)"
writes
Maplin would be a likely retail source. They certainly have such things
mail order - but it's a bit of a gamble if your local store stocks them.
But of course you can use the online store stock checker (can't believe
I'm standing up for Maplin) it's usually pretty good and the OP should
be aware that Maplin open Sundays as well if he isn't already.
Other source would be a decent model shop.


--
Clint Sharp

On Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:48:04 -0700 (PDT), tonyjeffs wrote:

They sell an excellent torch in B&Q, shaped like a headlight, 24
LEDs. A 3cm deep 7cm dia cylender. It is much better than any bicycle
front light I've seen and only £4.99. So I want to adapt it.

I need 4 bolts, like those used to screw an electric plug face to the
back box, but a size or two narrower, 20mm long.

Buying online by trial and error until I get the right size seems
disproportionately costly. Any thoughts on a diy store Liverpool where
I could browse before buying? B&Q don't sell any that thin. The size
is possibly M3 or M2.

Tony

Please bear in mind that it won't be to the relevant spec. for bike lights,
so it could be used in addition to such a light.
The law is stupid on this (and most things): if a cretcan pulls out in
front of you or overtakes directly in to you, it'd be 'your' fault for not
having the correct light, even if it is better than the legal one.
Law and courts are total barriers to truth and justice.
--
Peter.
The head of a pin will hold more angels if
it's been flattened with an angel-grinder.

On 12 Sep, 20:24, PeterC wrote:

Please bear in mind that it won't be to the relevant spec. for bike lights,
so it could be used in addition to such a light.
The law is stupid on this (and most things): if a cretcan pulls out in
front of you or overtakes directly in to you, it'd be 'your' fault for not
having the correct light, even if it is better than the legal one.
Law and courts are total barriers to truth and justice.

People who make up stuff in order to make a fantasy point are a bigger
barrier to truth and justice.

If you disagree, please provide the precedent you claim to be relying
on.

On Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:32:11 -0700 (PDT), Bolted wrote:

Please bear in mind that it won't be to the relevant spec. for
bike lights, so it could be used in addition to such a light.

People who make up stuff in order to make a fantasy point are a bigger
barrier to truth and justice.

Technically if the light(s) being used on a bicycle are not marked
with the relevant BS (or EU equivalent or better) standard you should
also have such lamps fitted and working.

Any lawyer worth their salt would pick up on the use of "unapproved"
lights only to make a case of "contributory negligence".

At least these days it appears that you can legally have flashing
lights, which IMHO are easier to spot, even if the BS hasn't yet
caught up. But that may be a bit grey...

What might be a problem with this lamp is dazzle to on coming
traffic. dipped car headlights have a definite cutoff. This lamp
won't have that and just angling in down a bit might not be
sufficient, some form of hood may also be required.

--
Cheers
Dave.

On Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:10:07 +0100 (BST), "Dave Liquorice"
wrote:

What might be a problem with this lamp is dazzle to on coming
traffic. dipped car headlights have a definite cutoff. This lamp
won't have that and just angling in down a bit might not be
sufficient, some form of hood may also be required.

The purpose of a bicycle light these days is not to illuminate the
road ahead, but to make yourself visible to other traffic. Angle them
to be visible, but don't choose a beam light that might dazzle.

So I'm wondering if this whole thing is a good idea at all?

"Laurence Payne" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:10:07 +0100 (BST), "Dave Liquorice"
wrote:

What might be a problem with this lamp is dazzle to on coming
traffic. dipped car headlights have a definite cutoff. This lamp
won't have that and just angling in down a bit might not be
sufficient, some form of hood may also be required.

The purpose of a bicycle light these days is not to illuminate the
road ahead, but to make yourself visible to other traffic. Angle them
to be visible, but don't choose a beam light that might dazzle.

So I'm wondering if this whole thing is a good idea at all?

That might be true in town and if you ride slowly but it certainly isn't
true in unlit areas and certainly not if you want to travel reasonably
quickly. I have both a "make myself visible" standard LED bike light and a
BFO halogen which lights the path ahead. On the rare occasions that one has
failed I've felt very vulnerable or been forced to slow to a crawl depending
on which one it is.

"Laurence Payne" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:10:07 +0100 (BST), "Dave Liquorice"
wrote:

What might be a problem with this lamp is dazzle to on coming
traffic. dipped car headlights have a definite cutoff. This lamp
won't have that and just angling in down a bit might not be
sufficient, some form of hood may also be required.

The purpose of a bicycle light these days is not to illuminate the
road ahead, but to make yourself visible to other traffic. Angle them
to be visible, but don't choose a beam light that might dazzle.

The purpose of my bike light is to illuminate the road ahead, something it
fortunately does quite well. Being a proper bike light from Germany, where
they have laws about this sort of thing, it's got a beam pattern designed to
illuminate well but not dazzle.

There's also a significant market for bike lights which illuminate the
entire area ahead, and do it very brightly - but these are aimed at off-road
use.

The advent of decent cheap LED torches like the one the OP mentioned has
provided another fairly popular route to bike lighting. There are handlebar
mounts for them - Fenix make one for example, though the OP's route is
obviously more suited to this NG :-)

As Laurence says, you just need to take a little care with aim - keep the
brightest spot away from driver's eye level, and you'll be fine.

PeterC wrote:
On Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:48:04 -0700 (PDT), tonyjeffs wrote:

They sell an excellent torch in B&Q, shaped like a headlight, 24
LEDs. A 3cm deep 7cm dia cylender. It is much better than any bicycle
front light I've seen and only £4.99. So I want to adapt it.

Please bear in mind that it won't be to the relevant spec. for bike lights,
so it could be used in addition to such a light.
The law is stupid on this (and most things): if a cretcan pulls out in
front of you or overtakes directly in to you, it'd be 'your' fault for not
having the correct light, even if it is better than the legal one.

Just trying to remember the last time I saw a cyclist at night who had
any light at all on his bike...

David

On Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:07:41 +0100, Lobster
had this to say:

PeterC wrote:
On Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:48:04 -0700 (PDT), tonyjeffs wrote:

They sell an excellent torch in B&Q, shaped like a headlight, 24
LEDs. A 3cm deep 7cm dia cylender. It is much better than any bicycle
front light I've seen and only £4.99. So I want to adapt it.

Please bear in mind that it won't be to the relevant spec. for bike lights,
so it could be used in addition to such a light.
The law is stupid on this (and most things): if a cretcan pulls out in
front of you or overtakes directly in to you, it'd be 'your' fault for not
having the correct light, even if it is better than the legal one.

Just trying to remember the last time I saw a cyclist at night who had
any light at all on his bike...

Last night I was amazed to see a cyclist (at around 11.00pm and on the
wrong side of the (unlit) road) with a reasonably effective tail lamp
:-)

As I passed him I noticed that he had no lighting at all to his (?)
front, which I suppose is more critical for his riding position, but
hey..!

Why is it that nighttime cyclists always ride dark-coloured unlit
bikes, seem to have a preference for dark footpaths and breakneck
speeds and wearing black clothing (usually with a hood)?

Not that I'm one to complain, you know...

--
Frank Erskine

"Frank Erskine" wrote in message
...

Why is it that nighttime cyclists always ride dark-coloured unlit
bikes, seem to have a preference for dark footpaths and breakneck
speeds and wearing black clothing (usually with a hood)?


Hee, hee. An amusing story from last winter...

My cycle route takes me across an unlit common on a narrow-ish path with a
ditch alongside, at one point there is a dog-leg and two cattle grids as the
path crosses the ditch. On one occasion it had been raining hard for days
and the common was flooded to about 10cm but the path is a little raised and
so was fine although had water on both sides.
In winter I ride with a home made 20W 12V halogen front light (which has a
very sharp cut-off so it doesn't dazzle) and I have no visibility problems
at all, even at 30kph. As I approached the bridge I found that the path was
blocked by cows and I was forced to get off and push my way between them. I
got back on and crossed the bridge where I met an unlit cyclist going the
other way at some speed. I shouted a warning "look out, there's cows on the
path" but I suspect that the guy had his iPod ears in and misheard as the
response was obscene and biological (he probably thought I was complaining
that he didn't have lights). Satisfyingly I then heard two rattles as he
went over the grids really quite quickly followed by a pained cry and a
splash.
I did think of going back to check the cows were alright...

On Sun, 13 Sep 2009 11:18:56 +0100, Calvin Sambrook wrote:

"Frank Erskine" wrote in message
...

Why is it that nighttime cyclists always ride dark-coloured unlit
bikes, seem to have a preference for dark footpaths and breakneck
speeds and wearing black clothing (usually with a hood)?


Hee, hee. An amusing story from last winter...

My cycle route takes me across an unlit common on a narrow-ish path with a
ditch alongside, at one point there is a dog-leg and two cattle grids as the
path crosses the ditch. On one occasion it had been raining hard for days
and the common was flooded to about 10cm but the path is a little raised and
so was fine although had water on both sides.
In winter I ride with a home made 20W 12V halogen front light (which has a
very sharp cut-off so it doesn't dazzle) and I have no visibility problems
at all, even at 30kph. As I approached the bridge I found that the path was
blocked by cows and I was forced to get off and push my way between them. I
got back on and crossed the bridge where I met an unlit cyclist going the
other way at some speed. I shouted a warning "look out, there's cows on the
path" but I suspect that the guy had his iPod ears in and misheard as the
response was obscene and biological (he probably thought I was complaining
that he didn't have lights). Satisfyingly I then heard two rattles as he
went over the grids really quite quickly followed by a pained cry and a
splash.
I did think of going back to check the cows were alright...

MY last GF, when a doc. in A&E at poole, came up to the flat and told me
that there was a cyclist in for the night who'd hit a pony in the New
Forest. She told me that he wasn't bad but she'd let him have a bed for the
night, told me his name and ward, so I went down for a chat and to take the
****.
The pony was uninjured and not even concerned - wandered to the grass and
started grazing.
Cows are even tougher!
--
Peter.
The head of a pin will hold more angels if
it's been flattened with an angel-grinder.

On Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:07:41 +0100, Lobster
wrote:

PeterC wrote:
On Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:48:04 -0700 (PDT), tonyjeffs wrote:

They sell an excellent torch in B&Q, shaped like a headlight, 24
LEDs. A 3cm deep 7cm dia cylender. It is much better than any bicycle
front light I've seen and only £4.99. So I want to adapt it.

Please bear in mind that it won't be to the relevant spec. for bike lights,
so it could be used in addition to such a light.
The law is stupid on this (and most things): if a cretcan pulls out in
front of you or overtakes directly in to you, it'd be 'your' fault for not
having the correct light, even if it is better than the legal one.

Just trying to remember the last time I saw a cyclist at night who had
any light at all on his bike...


They were playing Del Shannon singing "Runaway" on the dodgems at the
local feast, and Fish n' Chips were 3d to take away.

Derek

Derek Geldard wrote:

Just trying to remember the last time I saw a cyclist at night who
had any light at all on his bike...


They were playing Del Shannon singing "Runaway" on the dodgems at the
local feast, and Fish n' Chips were 3d to take away.

ROFLMAO


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

"tonyjeffs" wrote in message
...
They sell an excellent torch in B&Q, shaped like a headlight, 24
LEDs. A 3cm deep 7cm dia cylender. It is much better than any bicycle
front light I've seen and only £4.99. So I want to adapt it.

I need 4 bolts, like those used to screw an electric plug face to the
back box, but a size or two narrower, 20mm long.

Buying online by trial and error until I get the right size seems
disproportionately costly. Any thoughts on a diy store Liverpool where
I could browse before buying? B&Q don't sell any that thin. The size
is possibly M3 or M2.

Tony

Back to B & Q to use their small fixings pick n' mix service.

Bill

In message
,
tonyjeffs writes
Any thoughts on a diy store Liverpool where I could browse before
buying? B&Q don't sell any that thin. The size is possibly M3 or M2.

Coming in late on the original question, if you can find them, there
should be some really good engineers' suppliers in Liverpool.

I'm closer to Birkenhead, and there's a J R Webster (opposite a
Toolstation and Screwfix and near Cammell Lairds), that has helpful
staff and have sold me odd bolts and other similar devices. In Wallasey
Bestco has also been good. They may only do larger bolts, though.

The thing about these places as opposed to the sheds is that they seem
to be staffed by real people, sometimes even with a sense of humour.
They are usually pretty competitive and will sell things in ones.

I was appalled when I realised how much Wickes had charged me for penny
washers. Since B&Q installed the do it yourself checkouts with the
electronic woman shouting at me I've bought nothing there.

--
Bill

In article ,
Bill wrote:
Since B&Q installed the do it yourself checkouts with the
electronic woman shouting at me I've bought nothing there.

They are rubbish, aren't they? Always some broken so they won't give you
the choice of cards or cash. And nowhere to put larger parts.
But usually quicker than queueing at a checkout.

--
*Women who seek to be equal to men lack ambition.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:14:41 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
had this to say:

In article ,
Bill wrote:
Since B&Q installed the do it yourself checkouts with the
electronic woman shouting at me I've bought nothing there.

They are rubbish, aren't they? Always some broken so they won't give you
the choice of cards or cash. And nowhere to put larger parts.
But usually quicker than queueing at a checkout.

They're a pain when you're buying, for example, a length of chain or
cable which has to be checked off against the photograph album and
the barcode hand-scanned accordingly. When that happens the checkout
attendant seems to disappear for his/her teabreak, so you again have
to queue at a 'normal' checkout.

--
Frank Erskine

On Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:14:41 +0100, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

Since B&Q installed the do it yourself checkouts with the
electronic
woman shouting at me I've bought nothing there.

They are rubbish, aren't they?

Utterly, I refuse to use them in any shop. Too slow to scan, too
finickity about where you put things "Unexpected item on ...".

The stores obviusly have them as they don't have to pay a checkout
operator so if they passed that saving on in the form of say a 5%
discount they might be a little more acceptable.

--
Cheers
Dave.

On Sep 14, 11:42*am, "Dave Liquorice"
wrote:
On Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:14:41 +0100, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
Since B&Q installed the do it yourself checkouts with the
electronic
woman shouting at me I've bought nothing there.

They are rubbish, aren't they?

Utterly, I refuse to use them in any shop. Too slow to scan, too
finickity about where you put things "Unexpected item on ...".

The stores obviusly have them as they don't have to pay a checkout
operator so if they passed that saving on in the form of say a 5%
discount they might be a little more acceptable.

--
Cheers
Dave.

I'm glad its not just me (though I do use them). They seem to have
been designed by someone who has never been shopping in their life.
Either I MUST put items in the "bagging area" (I'm not allowed to just
carry the item or put it in the trolley one I've scanned it) or I must
NOT put items in ("unexpected item...."). The sooner all items have a
simple RFID tag on them and we can just walk through the checkout
without putting anything on the checkout the better.

Matt

In article o.uk,
Dave Liquorice wrote:
Since B&Q installed the do it yourself checkouts with the
electronic
woman shouting at me I've bought nothing there.

They are rubbish, aren't they?

Utterly, I refuse to use them in any shop. Too slow to scan, too
finickity about where you put things "Unexpected item on ...".

The stores obviusly have them as they don't have to pay a checkout
operator so if they passed that saving on in the form of say a 5%
discount they might be a little more acceptable.

I use them if there's a smaller queue.
One joke is I sometimes buy Becks no alcohol beer - I don't drink alcohol
much these days. And it needs approval...
For those who haven't tried it - it tastes pretty good for a non alcoholic
beer. Any other recommendations welcome.

--
*Why is it that most nudists are people you don't want to see naked?*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:42:39 +0100 (BST) Dave Liquorice wrote :
Utterly, I refuse to use them in any shop. Too slow to scan, too
finickity about where you put things "Unexpected item on ...".

The stores obviusly have them as they don't have to pay a checkout
operator so if they passed that saving on in the form of say a 5%
discount they might be a little more acceptable.

My local supermarket here in Melbourne has them and I now use them
by choice - great to be able to pay for $5 of goods with a ex ATM
$50 note and not feel embarrassed, likewise being able to get rid of
a pile of small coins that somehow seem to accumulate. Before I
emigrated I always had problems with the ones in Tesco though.

--
Tony Bryer, 'Software to build on' from Greentram
www.superbeam.co.uk www.superbeam.com www.greentram.com

On Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:30:52 +1000, Tony Bryer wrote:

On Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:42:39 +0100 (BST) Dave Liquorice wrote :
Utterly, I refuse to use them in any shop. Too slow to scan, too
finickity about where you put things "Unexpected item on ...".

The stores obviusly have them as they don't have to pay a checkout
operator so if they passed that saving on in the form of say a 5%
discount they might be a little more acceptable.

My local supermarket here in Melbourne has them and I now use them by
choice - great to be able to pay for $5 of goods with a ex ATM $50 note
and not feel embarrassed, likewise being able to get rid of a pile of
small coins that somehow seem to accumulate. Before I emigrated I always
had problems with the ones in Tesco though.

Recently noticed a machine in Morrisons. Bung in all your change and it
prints a voucher you can use at the checkout.

Badly placed - just at the checkout exit...



--
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

On Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:54:53 +0100, Bill wrote:

In message
,
tonyjeffs writes
Any thoughts on a diy store Liverpool where I could browse before
buying? B&Q don't sell any that thin. The size is possibly M3 or M2.

Coming in late on the original question, if you can find them, there
should be some really good engineers' suppliers in Liverpool.

If you're anywhere near Northampton I have some quite small ones (and
fasteners as well). If you're really stuck, e-mail me the dimensions and
quantity; if you need only 2 - 4 I'll drop some in the post if I have them.
--
Peter.
The head of a pin will hold more angels if
it's been flattened with an angel-grinder.