Darmic1

Hi all, Sorry guys, not going to make this now....... bloody car has decided to break. The air con compressor clutch has gone. New compressor upwards of 600 notes from nissan, managed to get one for about half that. Fitting it saturday morning, but my budget for fuel, food etc is now gone.... :-( One day, I will get to show one of my machines!!!

I've been to see the Midgi-Culto today. Its not in bad condition, all complete and only suffering surface rust with no heavy pitting. There is a lot of original paint and even the original decals are clearly visible. The tyres are holding air and look to be pretty good. Having chatted with its current owner, he tells me it was running about a year ago after he fitted a new pull start mechanism and a new exhaust. It was last used in anger about 2 years ago to create some raised beds, It all worked as it should then. He wants £80 to £100 for it, not sure if this is a good price or not as my other machines were either free or less than £15 to buy. Anyways, here are a few pictures........

Im working a night shift, starting at 10pm on the 14th, finishing 6am on 15th....... If its a quiet one, and I get some shut eye, I will load up the Atco and do the 2 hour drive down to you........ Hopefully!!!

Some great pictures, wish I could have got the time off work now, there seemed to be a lack of 'orange'

Cheers guys, will get some pictures when I have a look and let you know if it moves in with me!

Cheers Pat, Will pay attention to that area when having a look! Unfortunately santa didnt bring me Brian's book, nor did it arrive for my birthday..... Guess I will just have to treat myself! I know Gareth..... Im receiving therapy for this addiction :-)

Thanks Kev, had a look at the info..... Seems an interesting piece of machinery. Was told this one has been owned since new, maintained accordingly and comes with manual, history etc. I will definately arrange to go have a look. Last time I just looked, it came home with me!!!! Cheers Paul, am going to look at this one. Could be the next project?

Had a call from the chap who turned the Oak Rollers for my Atco this afternoon. He knows of a Midgi Culto, in working order or it was last year. He say the guy lives in his road and may be willing to part with it for the right price. I have never seen or even heard of one, my question is what do you guys know about them? Is it worth me having a look, is it rare???

Ive been accused of having an OCD...... Anything thats broken and rusty comes my way, often ends up fixed and shiney again!

Thanks Nigel, Yes, Titch is on the case.........

Had a very brief break in the persistant rain today, long enough to pull the Atco out and fit the grass box. Here are a few pictures for you all.

Now all the parts are back I have been able to finish putting the mower back together. Here it is all finished, apart from the Decals, which Titch is busy reproducing...... I took 2 pictures, one with flash and one without. When I get a dry day, I will get it outside and fit the grass box.

Went to the Golf course where a friend works today, He has access to the Hunter grinders Jupiter machine. Both my good and spare reel cylinders have been spun ground and the bottom blade has been ground also. Refitted them to the mower and it cuts really well. Slicing through paper with ease, and no contact between cylinder and blade. Here's the bottom blade set correctly and turning paper into confetti.

I think the BJs were fitted up to very early series 3 machines, not sure on the years though...

Liking it a lot! Dont think I could hide one in the garage!

Well I decided to try the engine today, here's a short video of it running http://youtu.be/5lSD2YKu6U8

I had 2 Mini's, an original Cooper with sliding front windows and string to open the doors. A 1275 GT Clubman front, which had a full ground up resto, before being sold to buy the 1st of my Fords. A 'W' reg 1.3L Escort 3 door estate, good engine and gearbox but a rust bucket. Then had a 'C' reg 2.0 Ghia Sierra Hatch in Paris Blue Metallic, absolutely loved that car....... a bit of power and rear wheel drive! best fun ever with my pants on......... Then the biggest mistake ever, a 'J' reg Ford Orion, low milage, one owner, full history. At 51,000 the rings failed, pressurizing the sump and chucking oil everywhere........ We stripped the engine to find the bores glazed, rings stuck. Once repaired the clutch went, then the radiator, a caliper seized, exhaust fell off...... and then the rust started so I got rid. Decided to go Japanese after that and had a1.6SRI Nissan Primera, one of the rarer saloon models. A G20 to those of you over the water. Probably the my favorite car. When the family grew I bought a 2002 Primera estate 2.0 SE+. Still own that and its probably going to be with us a bit longer, 138,500 miles now, chain driven, legendary SR20DE reliability.

Managed to sneak a couple of hours in the garage today before work. Wont be able to do much more until I have the cylinder ground. Here's where I'm up to.

John! Welcome..... good to see you here!!!

Yes, re the colour, not something you could really hide in the hedge! I do have the original cleated steel wheels too. But I have a block drive and 300 kilos thumping along would do untold damage to it!

Thanks guys, I have a restored little brother of the Series 1, A 50s Howard Bantam with the Villiers Mk15HS powering it. Unfortunately cant start a new topic about that one as I seem to have reached my picture limit?

Hi Steve, message me the dates again and I will check my rosta, there might be some chance I can get one or two days off. I would have been off for the original Ardingley dates

Hi Richard, yes thanks, i'm good. Had a replacement float and bowl sent by Andy Frost, a very kind donation to the project!

Here it is finished, Well almost........ still one or two nuts and bolts to paint.