Any question answered...

I can get it from our lab stores - how much are you needing?

I need a 24mm socket. I bought this Halfords Professional Socket 24mm 1/2" Drive from Halfrauds without checking my torque wrench first.

My torque wrench is this one

Which means it’s a 3/8"sq Drive, right?

What is the best thing to do?

a) Take it back and buy a 3/8” 24mm socket, or

b) Buy a ½” – 3/8” adaptor?

I'd assume that adaptors aren't great as you're moving the leverage point outwards? Or does it not matter?

I am guessing I could pop the adaptor bit in my drill (which has a torque setting) and use that, which would be more stable.

Also any recommendations on good value sockets? One of the bolts it’s for is plastic, so I want a good fit.

Cheers.

Farming question.
A couple of years back I noticed loads of the fallow fields were growing poppies. THis year it seems most of them have yellow wild flowers (buttercups or something maybe?).
Anyone know why they change the type of flowers? Is it something subsidy-related, perhaps?

Isn't it just that they are wild flowers? So not deliberately planted? I thought that was the idea with fallow fields, that you didn't do anything to them.

#notafarmer

If you don't need a high torque and won't use it often then get an adapter, it'll be useful to have. The adapter won't move you further out as you're going from smaller to larger drive.

Cheers. That's a good shout.

I'd rather have it ASAP as well and Halfords have one in stock near me.

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/sockets-accessories/halfords-professional-socket-adaptor

Just to double check, I need a 3/8" Female to 1/2" Male.... because my wrench is male and the socket is female, so the adapter mirrors this?

Looks to be the right part, yes. Although what I said about the adapter not moving you further out seems wrong, based on the picture. Still shouldn't be a problem if you hold the torque wrench head in place as you tighten.

Thanks. I think you're right about the adapter being useful generally anyway though.

Although it's not something I think I'll use loads I ordered a 24mm 3/8" one anyway as you can never have too many tools, right?

where can I buy pure acetone and Isopropanol?

I ordered a big tub from eBay

The latter need this, which go over the thru axles;

Not everything flowers at the same time, maybe poppies will pop up soon.

Useful if you have the thru-axle version of the CL disc locknut, which I don't.

Useful if you have the thru-axle version of the CL disc locknut, which I don't.

I do, and I don't even own any CL hubs 😛

Any suggestions for stiffening a RALTech wheel cover?

I put the Ultra version (which is quite thin and flexible) on a friend's bike and it rubs the derailleur when using the bottom sprocket (10 speed) and bulges further out to rub the chain stay.

Fiddling around it's possible to eliminate both issues, but as soon as the wheel is spun they reappear.

Bonding concentric circles or radial ribs of a stiffer material perhaps? Is there something in an aerosol that could be sprayed on, which stiffens when it's dried?

Don't use the bottom gear?

She doesn't.

I know 11 speed is a problem, but it shouldn't be with 10 and as I can "cure" it temporarily, I'm sure there's a permanent solution.

Either way, there's still the rubbing at the chain stay.

Ditto. 5 litres of each, and 5 litres of MEKK. If I ever do take up sniffing solvents, I'm sorted for months...

Don't you know, the cool kids collect stamps, not lockrings.

I have one ordered now.

Rubs the chainstay? What bike is it? I had issues with the 11spd low gear so removed it but that was the chain rubbing not the derailler cage or chainstay.

You can try moving it around within the spokes but also pull out/push in the plugs - doing that changes where it bulges so a bit of tuning should even it out. Then tape the bastard to the rim.

Felt B12.

Only one point on the cover rubs the chainstay at a time (which varies), so it's not a clearance issue as such.

I can tune it out doing as you suggested, but it soon returns. Unfortunately taping it to the rim isn't a practical option, as the cover has to come off quite regularly.

That's all my tricks done I'm afraid. Some guys on the TTF said they'd drilled small holes and zip-tied the covers to hold them inwards towards the spokes but I didn't want to drill them.

Is there a way of pouring the leftover crumbs and bits of hazlenut from your packet of boasters into your mouth without the bits from the top half of the packet going in your eyes?

Spinergy stiffeners type jobbie, stuck on the inside with sticky velcro patches maybe?

Interesting...

A quick search suggests, if I can find some, that they're cheap enough to be worth a gamble.

Im sure you could even just make something similar with some carbon/plastic leftover strips stuck together with some epoxy glue