$4000 an ounce

[Moneybox]

if the price goes up wont production increase to counteract it?

You do see some mines held in care and maintenance when the price drops and then they are put into production as the price rises but the demand is always higher than production. I have a lot of small operations that were productive back in the late 1800's and have had a bit of attention over the years however there is still 25,000oz sitting there waiting for somebody with the time and energy and of course a little bit of financial backing.

 

[Mackka]

You are literally sitting on a gold mine mate. Have you been fixing anything lately as I need a Moneybox fix? Cheers Mackka

 

[Moneybox]

Well not a major fix Mackka but something that kept me awake for too many hours last night.



I wanted to build Mrs M a carport because the previous one has a forklift, concrete mixer, tools, parts etc and she was grumbling about her car rotting away in the summer heat. The rules that apply allow me to erect a soft roof shelter but a hard roof must have plans submitted and approved. The easiest and best is shade cloth but all previous attempts have gone with the wind. This time I decided on a full frame with the shade cloth screwed down.



Sewing the shade cloth with her machine has always been troublesome because the needles won't handle the heavier UV thread so while I was in Perth dropping off 500kg of old batteries and some copper I searched around for an industrial sewing machine. This one turned up at the Men's Shed for sale at the right price. Loading it in Perth was ok but it was too heavy for me to get out of the trailer. I had to cut the side out of a wheely bin to make a sled which did the job nicely.



I couldn't get it into the house but on the veranda will have to do. Then came the issue of getting it to sew. It continually cut the thread at the needle and after multiple attempts with various threads I tried changing the needle to a bigger one that I just bought for the job.



Unfortunately the new needles have a 2mm shaft instead of the original 1.5mm so I gave that idea away about 8pm last night and decided to sort it out in the daylight. The problem was that my mind wouldn't rest so I spent the next couple of hours on the internet and found that that little groove on the needle had to face to the left. The needle shaft is round so it can be inserted in any position. Then I watched a video on how a sewing machine works and from that I realised that the other side of the needle has a small scallop out of it that allows the bobbin to pick up the thread without chopping it off.

All I had to do was insert the needle the right way around and it sews nicely. Now to the shade cloth. I have to make up a sheet 8m x 7m so after my cuppa I'm busy for a bit and Mrs M is away in hospital for a minor operation. I can do with being busy until she's back in a week or so.

 

[Mackka]

That was just what I needed Phil, thank you and I hope Sandra will be ok and a quick recovery. After Alfred went through here like a packet of Epsom Salts last week, I was not surprised by the number of shade sails I saw that were torn to shreds but the smart Queenslanders from up north whom had experience with cyclones took theirs down and packed. Them away, smart thinking. Stay safe mate, cheers Mackka

 

[FindSumStuff]

For me. It's weather and other things getting in the way at the moment.