Hands up those of you who used to do it on bikes?

And hands up those of you who built ramps to jump over stuff?

If I’m counting correctly – and I rarely do – I make that to be most of you. Thing is, all we got for our troubles was a broken stem, a grazed knee (or worse) and a clip round the ear for being filthy and shredding a new pair of jeans.

After all, the torn Wrangler look sported by the likes of George Michael and Kurt Cobain, depending on your musical bent, was still a dim and distant future.

But, you have to admit that it would’ve been pretty cool to carve a career out of dicking about on a bike and getting on telly for it.

Danny Macaskill‘s derring do should obviously not be tried at home – I mean, how are you supposed to gain enough speed to jump over your living room sofa?

The following video also gets brownie points for being shot in an old Ironworks yard in Scotland. The desolation alone will undoubtedly make Jasper homesick.

Enjoy:

Seriously, next time I go back I’m dusting off my old BMX and tear-arsing around Butler Sheetmetal HQ performing ‘stunts’.

Dissimilar metals and alloys have different electrode potentials and when two or more come into contact in an electrolyte a galvanic couple is set up. A galvanic couple can also be set up on a single metal or alloy due to the metal surface not being homogeneous or if the electrolyte varies in composition, forming a concentration cell.

The electrolyte provides a means for ion migration whereby metallic ions can move from the anode to the cathode. This leads to the anodic metal corroding more quickly than it otherwise would; the corrosion of the cathodic metal is retarded even to the point of stopping. The presence of electrolyte and a conducting path between the metals may cause corrosion where otherwise neither metal alone would have corroded.

In some cases, this reaction is intentionally encouraged. For example, low-cost household batteries typically contain carbon-zinc cells. As part of a closed circuit (the electron pathway), the zinc within the cell will corrode preferentially (the ion pathway). Another example is the cathodic protection of buried or submerged structures. In this example, sacrificial anodes work as part of a galvanic couple, promoting corrosion of the anode, rather than the protected subject metal.

But it’s well worth the admission price just to read about lasagna cells – when lasagna in stainless steel baking trays comes into contact with aluminium foil and eats holes in it as illustrated above.

Something you rarely see Gordon Ramsey having a kitchen nightmare about.

The Euro Inox pdf STAINLESS STEEL IN CONTACT WITH OTHER METALLIC MATERIALS tells you the where, why and how of galvanic corrosion including prevention. It’s also available in a number of languages, which are all available for you to download:

Czech: http://www.euro-inox.org/pdf/map/Contact_with_Other_CZ.pdf
Dutch: http://www.euro-inox.org/pdf/map/Contact_with_Other_NL.pdf
English: http://www.euro-inox.org/pdf/map/Contact_with_Other_EN.pdf
Finnish: http://www.euro-inox.org/pdf/map/Contact_with_Other_FI.pdf
French:http://www.euro-inox.org/pdf/map/Contact_with_Other_FR.pdf
Italian: http://www.euro-inox.org/pdf/map/Contact_with_Other_IT.pdf
Polish: http://www.euro-inox.org/pdf/map/Contact_with_Other_PL.pdf
Spanish: http://www.euro-inox.org/pdf/map/Contact_with_Other_SP.pdf
Swedish: http://www.euro-inox.org/pdf/map/Contact_with_Other_SW.pdf
Turkish: http://www.euro-inox.org/pdf/map/Contact_with_Other_TR.pdf

The Italian version may come in dreadfully handy for those of you worried about foil-eating pasta.

• UK launches a competition to design pylons of the future http://zite.to/lqPsXj #
• Detroit DIYer cooks up stronger, lighter steel, shames scientists http://t.co/rj30UaB via @engadget #fb #
• Regions hope industry clusters will draw jobs #fb http://j.mp/kCPmzu #
• Open-source cell phone network could cut costs to $2 per month http://j.mp/koGhSJ #
• “@guardianscience: Spacewatch: International Space Station timings and positions http://t.co/NNV7IJ4 <~ Mancunian Standard Time. #
• Doomsday bunkers for under $10,000! http://t.co/qFteN2R #
• “@joerogan: Scientists (re)create substance 100,000 times hotter than center of sun http://t.co/cLlv6Pe <~make a self-cooking wok w/ it. #
• ADEX: Futuristic PreFab for Modular Off-Grid Living http://j.mp/kgYSb0 #
• 30 foot Scrap Metal Optimus Prime [Pic] http://zite.to/mgpTs0 #fb #
• “@MFGcom: US #Manufacturing Slowly Rotting Away: How Industries Die – http://t.co/ty2xDoY #fb #
• Ruler designed specifically to shoot rubber bands http://zite.to/lGeAmo #fb #
• Perforated house with bonus pseudo-wank explanation from the architect http://zite.to/j78yBr #fb #
• Engaging the nation with science and engineering http://zite.to/kaWEHi #
• Almost humourously named Wang Kang stuns colleagues by wearing homemade Iron Man suit to work http://zite.to/ma0uMh #fb #
• Arty Bollocks Generator: http://is.gd/SfxYEt #
• Lord (of the vertical record player) Sugar: I have never come across an engineer who can turn his hand to business http://zite.to/jAhGgn #
• Treasure from the Trash: 'Urban Mining' Could Reduce Reliance on Metal Imports http://zite.to/kOtQN7 #fb #
• “@OMGFacts: In some areas of Oklahoma: People who make “ugly faces” at dogs may be fined and/or jailed. < ~ in Bacup it's a mating ritual. #
• “@ElecDesignNews: How to Make a Hand Drill out of a Pencil Sharpener: http://t.co/IqdGu3y #fb #
• American Mum-in-Law pulls a tin of Heinz sticky toffee pudding out of her bag and says instructions are to boil it on the nob for 15 mins. #
• She now knows what a (k)nob is and that she meant hob. Can anybody advise me how I broach the subject of Hobnobs? #
• The Hidden (Google) UK Science & Engineering Map http://zite.to/jQqT6D #fb #
• 3D printing sparks the rise of the citizen designer (Wired UK) http://zite.to/mfdKjr #fb #
• Manufacturing Boosts Economic Growth in Great Lakes Region: http://is.gd/d6bju9 #fb #
• Sometimes, all that’s needed is a filter. #
• My aircon sounds to be working dreadfully hard – like an idling 747 no less. #
• Open Source Digital Fabrication http://zite.to/kR65ff #
• Social Networks for Engineers http://zite.to/jipkG3 #fb #
• Via @guardianscience: Your chance to name a species http://t.co/F9O6Fe1 < ~ shame Woodhouse Terrificus is a no go. #
• Make Your Own Magnetic Silly Putty http://zite.to/lxdVQi #fb #
• Went for lunch at an English-themed butty shop. The only thing English about it was the bloody portion sizes. #tiddly #
• How the ‘ecosystem’ myth has been used for sinister means http://zite.to/mLmhqZ < ~well, if there isn't an ep. of Dr Who in here somewhere #
• Nebula / Cecil Balmond http://zite.to/mxeRQ1 < ~ 4km of st/st chain and 120,000 aluminium plates. #fb #
• Snap-Together CNC Machine http://zite.to/iW1S7m #fb #
• Mirror Polished Stainless Steel Spheres – Art Installation in Santa Monica http://zite.to/lCE3Mr #fb #
• Cool Workshops – Chabott Engineering http://2wheeltuesday.com/2011/06/cool-workshops-%e2%80%93-chabott-engineering/ #fb #
• Bizarre vintage exercise machines http://zite.to/kNGJ28 #
• Data Sculptures http://zite.to/iCviTV < ~ 3D printed vase of voice is rather nifty. #fb #
• Bristol and Glasgow: ‘super cities’ that will lead manufacturing renaissance http://zite.to/kuxe6F < ~ PR fabricated bunkum. #fb #
• Pretty Big Dig: Construction Cranes as Ballet Dancers http://zite.to/iw8YEs #fb #
• Buy a Life-Sized Dalek Right Now for $5K-ish http://zite.to/kV98S7 #
• Learning to Weld http://zite.to/m40ypb #fb #

Feel free to follow us on twitter at twitter.com/tinbashr

Now before you ask, no we didn’t have anything to do with the above aluminium casting, cladding or installation for Bangkok’s Hard Rock Cafe stage.

That isn’t to say we haven’t done our fair share of cafe work. Stainless steel takeaway counters to be precise. But, you’ll have more luck finding the fellas being sworn at in Eric’s Cafe down by the tall buildings than you will any of the swanky Hard Rock variety.

Besides, Jasper in Thailand doesn’t bear thinking about. He’s bad enough ordering a Chinese in Blackpool.

Anyway, here’s an explanation of the installation from the designer’s site:

No, of course you bloody haven’t. But, if you have, did you happen to notice all the news archive stuff harking back to a time when sheet metal meant serious manufacturing and not merely a cottage industry hobby old tinbashers kept up with in their garage or basement workshops?

Then again, if I’m being more precise, harking back to a time when sheet metal unions seemed to be in perpetual conflict with anybody and everybody. Richard Nixon’s name pops up once or twice.

But the most arresting headline from 1931 reads:

SHEET METAL WORKERS’ UNION BOSS IS SLAIN

And the thing is it barely gets five single column paragraphs.

But, if Google’s searchable sheet metal news archive for the last century strikes you as slightly odd, then what about Google Workshops?

Wood, metal, welding and electronics shops are probably not what come to mind when you think about Google but in fact, we often have to build physical products to help us collect and organize information that’s found outside of the web. We do this at the Google Workshops, a hands-on facility equipped with everything from an oscilloscope to a miter saw and even a plasma cutter. Day and night—and even on weekends—the workshops are alive with Googlers working on personal projects—such as home furniture or model airplanes—as well as work-related ones like green business prototypes or components of our self-driving cars.

It’s one thing Tinbashers taking 20% of their allotted time to try out being a Googler, but who’d have thought Googlers would spend their 20% being a Tinbasher?

It feels almost like a circle of life moment.

• Space tourism company opens, hiring astronauts http://zite.to/hLqDFv <~ good lad Dickie Branston. #
• Stylish Digs for Urban Chicks http://zite.to/eupmfB <~ an aluminium chicken coop nonetheless. #
• Numi’s stainless steel stool sprinkler will help you iMove your iMotions for less than $6500 http://zite.to/fZ34VO #
• CNC mill built from junk and hardware store parts http://zite.to/dEkVfJ via @Ziteapp #
• Manufacturing Chat – a social networking opportunity for manufacturers http://zite.to/hOiB8T #
• Vacuum cleaner piracy ~> Self-Replicating 3D Printers Could Prompt Manufacturing Revolution http://zite.to/dS1tQf via #
• Ex-pat Tinbasher originally from Bolton quits job in Oz to watch Trotters get tubbed 5-0 http://is.gd/WpQCSk #
• FRIDA (not Frantic) Offers Glimpse of Future Factory Robots http://zite.to/gV48ZY #
• New Graphene Material is Paper-Thin and Ten Times Stronger Than Steel http://zite.to/eW5DEy #
• Steel Dynamics Showing Its Mettle In Industry Turnaround http://zite.to/feOAbm #
• IKEA Table with Embedded Train Set http://zite.to/epi612 #
• General Motors plans an open house for its Parma Metal Center http://zite.to/hsofwh via @Ziteapp #

Feel free to follow us on twitter at twitter.com/tinbashr

Just a couple of things:

1. I didn’t know they were scrapping the HMS Invincible.
2. Even if I had heard about HMS Invincible I’m no ship scrapping expert.

I had no intention of blagging this just for a mention on the Beeb. After all, the last time I spoke with them from behind the bar at the Shooters I inadvertently used the word ‘breasticles’.

Yes, quite.

Anyway, I rang the gentleman back from the BBC, and when he returned my call I very quickly and (hopefully) politely let him know that I was the last person he wanted to talk to.

If only we could’ve paired him up with Jasper.

But, as I’m sure you’re better aware than I, the thing was being flogged via some government clearing house site – with the dafter members of the press describing it as an eBay clone. If they mean it was up for auction on something that looked like some kids had rattled it together during lunch for their first school web project in 1999, then yes, it was an eBay clone.

But this is a captured screenshot of the page:

And the following link takes you to some current auctions in the form of 5x Hercules (with wings and engines) and 3x Type 42 Destroyers (namely HMS Exeter, HMS Southampton and HMS Nottingham). Please note the ‘add to cart’ and ‘wishlist’ buttons – nice touch. Does PayPal need a verified merchant account before it’ll handle more than a million?

The Daily Mail article speculated more than £2 million as a scrap price for the 10,000 tonnes of mild steel it contained.

But, even £5 million and the chance of a retirement in China as an international school was finally beaten by an undisclosed offer by Leyal Ship Recycling who intend to tow it to Izmir in Turkey at the end of March prior to an eight month dismantling.

Which is almost as long as it takes me to deconstruct a blog post these days.

So, in the spirit of the original question posed by the chap at the BBC – what’s your take on this? Are you pleased Britain is flogging these bits of military history off for scrap to the highest bidder or should they have been turned into museums? Or something else?