Thanks everyone :)

Thanks for the comments. I have some other armour based on automail from full metal alchemist, I'll be posting some pics of that when I have a chance to take them :P

In a comment to a previous post, Parallel Reality Hero asked, "Are you studying electrical engineering?"

Sort of, in england we have a post mandatory education system that helps us to specify our knowledge for certain workplaces. The system helps us prove that we have the required knowledge by passing tests called NVQs or Nation Vocational Qualifications.

I have so far taken NVQs in Business/Administration, Mechanical Maintenance, CAD(Computer Aided Design - Engineering drawings on computer) and I am currently undertaking an NVQ in Electrical Installations.

I also attend a college on wednesdays where I am studying to pass a Higher National Qualification in Electrical. So in short, yes, I think I am ;)

Check back tomorrow sometime and I will have (hopefully) posted how that control circuit works.

Also coming soon: Instructions on building a basic DC motor from scratch.

A bit about my work

So you may not know that I'm an apprentice, that's cool but I thought I'd share some of my work with you (although I have 3 months until I have finished training then I'm shipped off to my company).

For the past couple of months I have been training on electrical installation and wiring. It's been challenging but I'm definately learning something. For the past fortnight, rather than household electrical, I've been working on control circuits and today I finished off one of my practice NVQ tasks: Traffic light control circuit.

Visit back later. I'm gonna try and get a schematic for the diagram and I'll explain how it all works.
That wont be for another 48 hours so check back then ;)

And now, for some blacksmithing.

So if you guys have read up about me on my profile, you'll have seen that I'm into (medieval) armour.

Here's some pics of my earlier vambrace.

This is the leather vambrace that is inteded for comfort under the armour. It was originally made to match a pair of newrock boots that I had. Also, another interesting fact, it is made from the very same leather used in making the leather interiors of Morgan motor cars. I live not too far from the factory and they give away bags of their offcuts. Neato! (I didn't just say that)

This is the chain vambrace. It is worn over the leather vambrace. It looks and feels AWESOME. Its made from aluminium/magnesium welding rods. The metal tends to leave a black oxide stain on your hands and skin, so the leather underneath provides another useful function - keeping that stuff off me! I made each ring by hand by wrapping the welding rods around a metal bar, then cutting it into rings. The rings are linked together and shut to create the chain mail.

These are the 3 back plates.These are also made from aluminium. You see them here in a more unrefined state, the fishcale pattern you can see still needs smoothing out.

This is the gauntlet. It's made from a leather glvoe and a whole load of aluminium plates, all hand crafted by yours truly.

And finally the whole item. The 2 plates closer to my wrist have been worked a little more.

One note to make: people dont pull funny s*** on me when I go out wearing this ;D

Comments, and questions are, as always, very welcome.

Also-also, if you are interested in some basic guides for making chain mail, let me know! Its so cheap and easy to make, a warning though - it's becomes very addictive!

Let the Games be remembered!

Wow! I'm really going mad tonight! Well don't expect this every evening :P this is just a boost to get started.

In this post, games. These are the building blocks of my childhood, whenever I want to remember anything from the past I think about what games I was playing waaaay back then.

To start:

I loved this game when I was young. It was one of the first games I remember playing on the Playstation.
I still remember the cheat for invincibility: Hardbody. (Wow, I'm really sad) Although it had 3D graphics, it was really a sidescroller adventure.

I wasn't too much of a fan of the first one but the 2nd and the 3rd really made an impact on me. I still have the discs and I play them on my desktop using an emulator.

 If you haven't played this then I am disappointed with your parents, nah just kidding. I loved Spyro as a kid and I still love it today. Personally, it was only good while Insomniac owned it, once it got passed on it went downhill. This leads me onto my next console.

I haven't met anyone who has played this and not liked it. Imo the first had a better storyline but the 2nd had the best gameplay, I liked the 3rd but I didn't play it regularly. I've been meaning to play the PS3 releases but I haven't got around to it (if anyone has played the PS3 R+C's, let me know what you think).

Last one for the evening:

Jak 3. Loved the 3rd, liked the 2nd, wasn't impressed by the first, seemed too much like Link in a different universe.

Are there any crucial games here that I missed? Are you or are you not a fan of these games? Let me know! ;)

Computers

You may be wondering why this was blank, read my comment below....-_-

Right! Let's try again shall we?

I've been into computers for quite a while, probably over half my life, and although I've researched building one myself I always put it off.

About a year ago, however, I got fed up with  my barely adequate Dell Inspiron 6400 and decided to go for the plunge.

I aimed for a decent desktop that could play most steam games and wasnt too expensive, here's what I ended up with:

Asus P7P55D-LE motherboard
Intel i5-750
6gb ram (dont know specifics - will edit later)
2x WD 500gb 7400rpm harddrives
Sparkle GT220 (nVidia - soon to be upgraded to a pair of radeon gpu's in crossfire)
StealthXstream 600W psu
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit

I may have forgetten a few minor details, if there's anything major I'll add it in later.

Any comments, suggestions or questions just drop me a line in the box below.

My baby

Post number 2:

Some of you may not know what a Venox is, what they look like, or even where they came from.

This is my baby.....ok, I lied, this isn't her but its the closest pic I can find right now.

They are made by a company called Kymco, they specialise in mopeds and atvs but this is by far their coolest (and more powerful bike).

Despite appearances, she is a 250cc v-twin. The double overhead cam provides 28 bhp so its perfect for someone (me) who has just passed their test.

They are generally great bikes and the engine is more sporty than you might think.
Just be careful when cleaning or riding in cold wet weather, they dont like water around the sparks or the ingnition coils.

Introduction

Sup guys. This is the first of many posts.

My name is Mike and I'm a biker.

On here you will see in the not too distant future posts about bikes, computers, games music etc

You may also get driving experiences (mainly rants about idiot drivers >_< )

With that out of the way, drop me a line every now and then. Also let me know what you're interested in, in regards to my interests. If i dont know it I'll research it and make a post.