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The Reassembler - James May rebuilds old stuff on BBC Four


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Old 06-04-2016, 23:05
iamian
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Are there only three?

There are loads of other things he could have a go at rebuilding: washing machine, piano, sewing machine....
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Old 06-04-2016, 23:29
Andy2
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The guy needs soldering lessons, looking at the state of that I'm surprised it worked!
As an electronic engineer/TV engineer and hobbyist for over 50 years, I agree. His soldering skills fall somewhere between 'rough as a bear's arse' and 'clumsy novice' class, but it was good enough in this case. I've re-wired a number of guitars and Fender electric pianos over the years and the factory soldering has always been plumber-class
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Old 06-04-2016, 23:36
drillbit
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I'm slightly disappointed he didn't use an original Fender Stratocaster
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Old 06-04-2016, 23:47
Andy2
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I'm slightly disappointed he didn't use an original Fender Stratocaster
So was I. They're not exactly rare.
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Old 06-04-2016, 23:51
ClarkF1
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The other amusing thing about the Trimphone, was that certain birds could mimic the "ring."
I made someone look in their bag once by whistling the Samsung tone
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Old 07-04-2016, 00:15
Trappedin80's
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As an electronic engineer/TV engineer and hobbyist for over 50 years, I agree. His soldering skills fall somewhere between 'rough as a bear's arse' and 'clumsy novice' class, but it was good enough in this case. I've re-wired a number of guitars and Fender electric pianos over the years and the factory soldering has always been plumber-class
I'm not sure I've ever seen such a poor demonstration of soldering.

Still, he did a proper job overall with the guitar.
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Old 07-04-2016, 01:38
RoseAnne
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This series reminds me a little of the "The Secret Life of Machines" from the 80s/90s which was more entertaining and had a more eccentric presenter!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_...fe_of_Machines

I like the idea though and May is a good presenter. Glad to see him still doing stuff for the Beeb.

Edit: just noticed the Secret Life of Machines is on Youtube!
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Old 07-04-2016, 01:41
Rosebuddy
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I fear it's best to keep him and his screwdriver away from any guitar of value.
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Old 07-04-2016, 08:07
Galaxy266
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I'm slightly disappointed he didn't use an original Fender Stratocaster
Yes, I agree. That Japanese guitar he had was real shite, shite fittings, too.
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Old 07-04-2016, 08:13
Galaxy266
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This series reminds me a little of the "The Secret Life of Machines" from the 80s/90s which was more entertaining and had a more eccentric presenter!


"The Secret Life of .................. " series ( there were several of them) with Tim Hunkin and Rex Garrod was absolutely brilliant!

Tim Hunkin was the "eccentric" presenter and drew all the cartoons for the series.

Rex Garrod was his co-presenter and technician, who later appeared in a few of the series of Robot Wars with his robot Cassius.
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Old 07-04-2016, 08:32
roddydogs
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Why does he suddenly look about 75?
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Old 07-04-2016, 09:11
Shrike
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Why does he suddenly look about 75?
I'm a similar age to May and if I let my hair grow and sport a beard I too suddenly look 75
Give him a shave and tidy up the hair and he'll be back to mid 50s
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Old 07-04-2016, 20:24
Prince Monalulu
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This series reminds me a little of the "The Secret Life of Machines" from the 80s/90s which was more entertaining and had a more eccentric presenter!


"The Secret Life of .................. " series ( there were several of them) with Tim Hunkin and Rex Garrod was absolutely brilliant!

Tim Hunkin was the "eccentric" presenter and drew all the cartoons for the series.

Rex Garrod was his co-presenter and technician, who later appeared in a few of the series of Robot Wars with his robot Cassius.
The name of the show and presenters rings a bell, but I can't remember the content, probably come flooding back when I have a looksee on Youtube.
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Old 07-04-2016, 20:36
Iggyman
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I quite liked it but 30 minutes just isn't enough time to do the subject matter justice, particularly in the case of the lawn mower. It should have been at least an hour or, preferably, one series for each reassembled item (but I guess that would be too costly for the Beeb and also the low attention span viewers (ie most of them) wouldn't be able to handle it).
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Old 07-04-2016, 20:49
Iggyman
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This series reminds me a little of the "The Secret Life of Machines" from the 80s/90s which was more entertaining and had a more eccentric presenter!


"The Secret Life of .................. " series ( there were several of them) with Tim Hunkin and Rex Garrod was absolutely brilliant!

Tim Hunkin was the "eccentric" presenter and drew all the cartoons for the series.

Rex Garrod was his co-presenter and technician, who later appeared in a few of the series of Robot Wars with his robot Cassius.
Agreed, Tim Hunkin's (with Rex Garrod) The Secret Life of Machines series were superb.

They're all on YouTube as well:

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...fe+of+machines

Not only did each episode go into detail on the subject matter but they were never boring and all had a nice bit of humour thrown in for good measure.

If only more series were made with with the same degree of intelligence that also managed to fully engage the viewer.
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Old 07-04-2016, 20:51
degsyhufc
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I quite liked it but 30 minutes just isn't enough time to do the subject matter justice. It should have been at least an hour or, preferably, one series for each reassembled item (but I guess that would be too costly for the Beeb and also the low attention span viewers (ie most of them) wouldn't be able to handle it).
Not sure you can throw that criticism at the beeb this time round. It's hardly bank busting telly and it's on BBC4.

Most of the programmes are actually an hour.


I wonder if the production company made it 30 minutes to sell off to other broadcasters, especially if the beeb weren't interested.
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Old 07-04-2016, 21:09
Eagle9a
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I loved it. It was, to me, a boring subject (all 3 episodes) which no one in their right mind would waste 30 minutes watching. Yet 30 minutes passed in seconds and as said before May is just brilliant at presenting this type of subject.

I hope we get some more.
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Old 07-04-2016, 21:25
Iggyman
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MY 11 yr old watched this completely transfixed. I think he would happily watch James May talking about paint drying. He is a very underrated presenter.
Yes Indeed. Brit Lab is a very good watch when May is presenting:

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...s+may+brit+lab

(namely Things You Need To Know and Head Squeeze).
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Old 08-04-2016, 11:07
colly_tyg
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I thought they were delightful programmes. Reminded me of fixing things in the shed with my engineer uncle as a kid. Particularly pleasant were the quiet times where nobody was talking. There wasn't the need to fill every passing second with noise. It passed the smartphone test - didn't look at it once during any of the episodes.

More please.
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Old 08-04-2016, 13:39
LostFool
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Yes, I agree. That Japanese guitar he had was real shite, shite fittings, too.
Presumably the programme's budget didn't extend to getting an expensive guitar just in case they couldn't put it back together again.
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Old 08-04-2016, 14:17
Steve_Whelan
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Presumably the programme's budget didn't extend to getting an expensive guitar just in case they couldn't put it back together again.
Fender Strats arnt exactly expensive they start at £400 a used one can be had for £200 so I suspect budget was not the issue. Probably more to do with avoiding accusations of giving free publicity to Fender.
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Old 08-04-2016, 14:34
lundavra
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Fender Strats arnt exactly expensive they start at £400 a used one can be had for £200 so I suspect budget was not the issue. Probably more to do with avoiding accusations of giving free publicity to Fender.
Could the Japanese one be easier to disassemble or reassemble?
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Old 08-04-2016, 14:39
Steve_Whelan
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Could the Japanese one be easier to disassemble or reassemble?
No it had Japanese non standard fittings. James stated at the beginning that the tools for Japanese fittings are not readily available in the UK and the fit and finish was pretty rubbish making it more difficult to put back together.
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Old 08-04-2016, 15:19
Galaxy266
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Could the Japanese one be easier to disassemble or reassemble?
No, the opposite is true.
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Old 08-04-2016, 15:35
MR_Pitkin
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Usually like anything May does, but this had me reaching for the remote after 5 mins.
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