MYSTERY OBJECTS

[PanBiker]

No.

[Stanley]

Cable stripper?

[Big Kev]

Coaxial cable 'peeler'. Twist it around the coax and it gives two cuts, one deep cut for the core and one shallow to expose the shielding?

[PanBiker]

Nearly Kev but I'll give it you. Not coaxial cable but multi-core. once round the cable to score the jacket then the button on the side when pressed rotates the cutter 90 degrees and you pull outwards to cut the outer jacket and peel off.

[Tripps]

I didn't have a go. For me it was so obviously a digital video camera.

[Big Kev]

[PanBiker]

The cable was 8 core foil screened and used in SJ Research Nexus cabling which was used in some Acorn computer networked schools and other establishments. It was a faster sytem than the standard Econet system that ran on standard coaxial with BNC and T connectors. The sockets were parallel connected but without cutting the cable which was stripped laterally along its length for about 4" and the inner conductors punched down into IDC connectors within the sockets without breaking the inner conductors. This gave a much lower loss network than the standard coax. I installed Nexus networks in the computer labs at Kirkham Prison and also at King Edward and Queen Mary Schools in Lytham St Annes. I later re-cabled the network at Kirkham in Cat5 when they upgraded to PC based networking, Fortunately I could re use the trunking that I had installed previously. Nexus server out and upgraded to a Windows 2000 Server, switch cabinet and patch panel and compatible PC workstations for the users.

[Stanley]

What is it?

[Stanley]

You seem to have given up on this one. I shall review it at dinner time.....

[Gloria]

It looks familiar, but can’t for the life in me place it.

[Cathy]

Same here

[Stanley]

You've seen it before. Clue, it's the underside of an article found in many homes..... not however in the kitchen.....

[Stanley]

It's the underside of a stapling machine.....
There you are. you knew that all along!

[Stanley]

What is it?

[Gloria]

A tunnel to somewhere?

[Stanley]

Yes Gloria and it's not long since we looked at it.....

[Gloria]

Is it the railway tunnel at Gisburn?

[Stanley]

No Gloria, a bit longer than that and look again, that's water in it. I shan't let it hang on long..... Think of recent tunnels we have mentioned......

[Gloria]

I can’t even remember if I’ve had my breakfast, never mind what we’ve been talking about .
Mile tunnel, Foulridge?

[Stanley]

Sorry Gloria, I forgot to come back..... Last big clue, much much longer than Foulridge Tunnel.

[Stanley]

Longest canal tunnel?

[PanBiker]

One of the Standedge Tunnels then?

[Stanley]

Only one Standedge Canal Tunnel and that's it. You've got it right Ian.....

[PanBiker]

Indeed but for the record there are four but the other three are rail tunnels.

[Stanley]

What is it? It's about 4" long overall.