A Arwel Wyn Jones, nope scratch that, a TYJ Build!!

[soniced-up]

Resin is out again; Giving Volpone's idea a whirl.

I've glued some 10mm metal washers underneath the lip of the fresnel lid.

The dowels were 10mm in diameter, but the holes in the fresnel were a little less, making it a (deliberate) snug fit.

 I've had a plastic bag over the top of the lamp overnight for the past week and off during the sunny periods, so the dowels have dried out. I've painted them in the super-duper expensive paint (£34/$43 a Litre/0.3 US Gallon!!!) and widened the holes on the fresnel cap to 10mm.

Once the washers are secured in place, I'll stick a bit of paint on them. Hopefully, the extra paint and washers will help prevent some of the swelling and make it easier to remove the cap to charge the bulb without damaging it, but tight enough that it won't blow off in a gust of wind!!

[soniced-up]

Pleased with the results. It's still a snug fit and is already scraping the paint off the dowels.

🤦‍♂️

I'm going to attach the metal washers to the top of the cap too, to help reinforce it, again suggested by the logical thinking of Volpone.

But that's a job for next week! 😆

[Volpone]

Ooh, that looks nice.  It actually looks like they're supposed to be part of the design.

[soniced-up]

Update;

Well in a word, bugger.

It didn't work. I removed the cap to attach the metal washers to the top of the fresnel cap, only for the bottom ones to detach completely. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

I'm reattaching the bottom ones first, but I'm looking at using a stronger resin.

Best I start doing some research.

Again.

[Volpone]

*sigh* This is the problem:  I'll come up with an idea that *seems* like a good idea, only to find out it doesn't work.  Or it works the opposite of how I thought it would work.  (Or that I just haven't figured out the right way to make it work.) 

Still, I guess if the weak bit didn't crack, it *kind of* worked--even if it fell apart.  That't the other fun part:  If you're trying to make something *not* happen, you can't actually be sure that what you did had any effect.  It maybe just didn't happen because conditions weren't right.  And as long as it *doesn't* happen, the only thing you can be sure of is that it hasn't happened.  Yet.  Never a dull moment.

[soniced-up]

The way I look at it Volpone, it keeps me busy and out of trouble!

I'm really perplexed why the resin didn't hold, as it's one of the best on the market. I can only postulate that I didn't use it correctly.

I'm re-gluing it and giving it another go- you're right in saying it may have protected the weak point on the fresnel cap.

[soniced-up]

Spring has err, sprung! 😆

I've been monitoring my beautiful ghost monument like a hawk through the very wet winter and I'm pleased to say there has been no major issues.

Unfortunately, the washers on the fresnel cap was a bust. However, the cap has had no further splitting and has been relatively maintenance free throughout the winter.

I've done a few tiny little touch ups with paint and sealant where I found a few tiny issues- not leaks but I didn't want to take any chances and Russell's good advice on regular checks and fixing little niggles is the way forward.

I've been keeping myself busy with a little project. I decided I wanted to actually use my antique Bakelite phone to take calls in the TARDIS- however, I decided from the very outset of getting my TARDIS that I would in no way make any holes in it for cables etc- even the bulb in the fresnel is a LED rechargeable one, with the interior lighting also rechargeable battery-powered.

I kept coming back to somehow converting the landline into a cellular GSM one, but I baulked at the very thought of completely cannibalising my antique phone.

The other issue was would my antique phone actually work? It was badly corroded and dirty inside- the phone was nearly a hundred years old!

So, I threw myself into research and discovered the technology already existed to make a landline adaptive to mobile (cellular)- I guess I was late to the party.

Again.

There were two options- one was a box you plugged your landline into, with a SIM card in the box. It operated on 2G and after reading some reviews, it appeared that it didn't always work.
So I plumped for the second option, the XLink BT HD. in short you plug your landline into it, connect your mobile/cell to the device via Bluetooth and bingo! You have a working landline via a cellular connection!!

So, that's miracle 1 solved; 2 to go...

I stumbled across a business that sells and restores antique phones, but also converts them to modern use without destroying the aesthetics or integrity of the original phone.

I got in touch and they agreed to have a look at my phone. I shipped it off and they quickly assessed that yes, my phone was in a sorry old state, but they could indeed repair it!

Miracle 2 ✔️

The final obstacle- powering the XLink, as it was supposed to be mains powered. As I was adamant to have no wires, I had to replace it with some sort of portable battery pack.
Bear in mind, I have no electrical skills or had the first idea on how to tackle this- I hoped to use something similar to the battery pack that powered my interior lights, but it couldn't generate enough juice. So I needed something bigger- a AA battery power pack courtesy of Amazon!

It worked! 😊

I'm just waiting for the Bakelite to arrive from its restoration, but here's a picture of the equipment in the phone hatch:

It looks messy, but it's still at the testing stage. The good news is, it's all hidden from view from the outside via the "Pull To Open" hatch.

Sorry for the very long update!

Lee.

[soniced-up]

And my gorgeous Bakelite phone is back.

It sounds amazing when it's ringing!

[Volpone]

Ooooo....  Y'know, there are people that would be happy with your temporary test phone--even if it didn't actually work.  Having that vintage phone--and having it able to take calls--is amazing.  I'm assuming you can't call out from it because even if it had touch-tone buttons (let alone a dial), your cell phone probably doesn't know what to do with it.  Or does it? 

Oh, and off-topic, I do like the hints of fiberglass fabric peeking through.  It's a little like seeing a nicely-done weld--you see the craftsmanship behind the build (if that makes any sense). 

[soniced-up]

Ooooo....  Y'know, there are people that would be happy with your temporary test phone--even if it didn't actually work.  Having that vintage phone--and having it able to take calls--is amazing.  I'm assuming you can't call out from it because even if it had touch-tone buttons (let alone a dial), your cell phone probably doesn't know what to do with it.  Or does it? 

Oh, and off-topic, I do like the hints of fiberglass fabric peeking through.  It's a little like seeing a nicely-done weld--you see the craftsmanship behind the build (if that makes any sense). 

Interestingly, it does dial out, but you have to use your mobile (cell) phone to do it.
The restoration team asked if I wanted a dial fitted- however I liked the authenticity of it being a direct line to a police station, like back in the day.

It makes perfect sense- I absolutely love the perfect imperfection of it!

[Volpone]

You will have to nerd around to see if you can set a default number on your phone--find some software where, if it doesn't pick up a dial pattern after a set amount of time, it dials a preselected number of your choice.  OR!  If it just rolls to voicemail, you could record an appropriate message:  "Metropolitan Police, what is the nature of your emergency?"  This might confuse people calling you and getting voicemail, but would maybe be worth it. 

[soniced-up]

You will have to nerd around to see if you can set a default number on your phone--find some software where, if it doesn't pick up a dial pattern after a set amount of time, it dials a preselected number of your choice.  OR!  If it just rolls to voicemail, you could record an appropriate message:  "Metropolitan Police, what is the nature of your emergency?"  This might confuse people calling you and getting voicemail, but would maybe be worth it. 

Funny you should mention that- I looked into getting a specialised number for the sole use of the TARDIS.

I did my due diligence and looked into ordering a bespoke number that was 07 (mobiles in the UK start with these two numbers) 999 (911) TARDIS.

Yep. 07999TARDIS.

However, the cost of £225 ($280) for a SIM card was silly money and there's no way I could justify spending that much!

😆

[Volpone]

There's something available in the US called Google Voice that lets you get a phone number that you can link to your cell phone so you can send and receive calls on the Google Voice number on you cell with the app or you can make Web based calls from your computer.  Free number but I don't think they'll let you pick the number.