"Airy R. Bean" wrote in message
...
PS. Don't expect any reports of rapid progress - mechanical
contrivances seem to take me an age, and I'm also undertaking
my own "vibroplex" bug key at the same time (Hence this
thread about marble slabs) . Mechanics is frustratingly slow.....

1. In software, you get an idea, and a couple of hours later, your
prototype is working well and exciting you as to the possibilities
of the next version.

2. In hardware, you get an idea, and a couple of days later, your
prototype breadboard is singing along.

3. In mechanics, you get an idea which requires 10 components,
and one week later you're lucky if you've managed to make the jig
for machining the first of those components!

"Airy R. Bean" wrote in message
...
I'll make up some switches out of brass rod -


Absolutely true!.
About 30 years ago I picked up a rake of bits and pieces from an amateur who
operated in the 30's. Drawers full of brass stud terminals, connectors, wire
crimp ends, knob pointers etc. nickel plated screw-downs etc. They're much
too nice to use for normal construction and I've been waiting for a project
to turn up where it's worth spending the time to make use of them. (maybe
have to invent some kind of art-deco project) The Vibroplex idea is just
this kind of much-sweat-n-toil, 'object of beauty', that's actually worth
passing down from generation to generation. All the electronics and
programming I've ever done, is so GD transient that I'm lucky to remember
any of it after even a couple of years.
regards
john