The year from hell

**BCNZ** · 06-03-14, 10:42 AM

Hi guys,

Back after an absolute year of hell. I lost pretty much everything in a fire - tools, test equipment, components, you name it - and sadly no insurance

I'm now back on the path to rebuilding but what a mission. So many things that I've collected over the years which are now 'unobtanium', or things that have been donated to me etc and I am now
struggling to find replacements.

Anyway, hope to be around a bit more, I missed this place!

**mandc** · 06-03-14, 10:46 AM

Bloody hell mate...talk about a crap year. Hope this one is a lot better. At least no one was hurt (I hope).

**Tiny** · 06-03-14, 05:46 PM

Bugger, no one needs that, I feel for you.

Hope all pans out ok for the future.

Great to have you back, your input has been missed.

**lsemmens** · 06-03-14, 10:08 PM

Welcome back! Hope the next year or six, or more, are vastly superior to the last one.

**Uncle Fester** · 07-03-14, 10:14 PM

I am paranoid about fires.
While I know how to tame electricty and keep things safe,
I even keep my LiPo tools in the tin shed.
I don't trust gas. It is banned in my houshold.
I am also hanging around the kitchen when my wife cooks with oil.
What caused the fire?

**ssrattus** · 08-03-14, 10:08 AM

Welcome back! Hope you are getting back on your feet OK.

**iwacelect** · 08-03-14, 10:54 AM

bad luck, no insurance... that sux

nice to have you back stu

**admin** · 08-03-14, 02:08 PM

Sorry to hear mate, but good to see you back.

You are in NZ, yeah ? Maybe we have a few members that could throw a soldering iron or 2 your way ? Or even a collection from Oz to you.

**admin** · 08-03-14, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by nomeat

I don't trust gas. It is banned in my houshold.

What, no farting as well ? Your a harsh man

**Uncle Fester** · 08-03-14, 03:47 PM

Yes, storage and release of gas only outdoors please.

Plenty of outdoor entertainment area on the property though.

I believe Studio and me both have the obsession of collecting old technology that has become nearly impossible to replace.
Insurance is useless. Money just buys junk these days.
SWMBO threatens to torch my garage when I accidentally do not behave, despite all effort to act with extreme caution.

**leginau** · 08-03-14, 11:06 PM

hope this is a better year for you

**BCNZ** · 10-05-14, 12:49 PM

Thanks guys for your kind words and support.
It's a slow road to recovery and there have been many tears shed along the way.
Nomeat is quite correct in saying that money doesn't replace everything. So many bits and pieces that I had picked up in my travels over the past 35+ years which were oppprtune finds, many of which aren't made any more.
I've always been worried about fire too - I know how totally destructive it is. At least with a flood you can salvage many things, mostly what wasn't plugged in or switched on at the time - but fire consumes everything, leaving precious little to salvage.
To answer the question of what caused it would involve a lengthy story about the events leading up to it, and there is also a criminal aspect to it involving a third party so I can't say too much in case things end up in court.
Suffice it to say it involved a heater, a plastic multi-board and an extension cord.

So far I've managed to get some basic tools and test gear up and running, and I was fortunate to not have had everything in the one place - I'd had some of my gear stored off-site, a real blessing.

I'm still hunting for various bits and pieces and if the mods don't mind I'd like to put a list up here as my guess is some of the good foll on here might just have a few.of these things and I am quite happy to pay any shipping costs along with whatever you want for said item(s).