Ralph Hosier @RalphHosier Twitter profile

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Ralph Hosier

5 months

Today I'm starting a campaign to help bridge the skills gap - Putting the Skills in Your Hands. Let's start a movement to bring practical skills back! #PuttingTheSkillsInYourHands

Motor Skills Training

@MotorSkillsUK

5 months

Ralph Hosier has a message for you! 🫵 #puttingtheskillsinyourhands #Diycarskills #learnskills #learnnewskills 🚗🔧🪛⚙️ information at info @motor -skills.co.uk

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

7 months

Everyone should be taught basic tool skills at school, plus how to wire a plug, how to service a car, how to put up a shelf etc. What do you think?

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

Don't buy cars on finance. Buy what you can afford, then look after it. Loans and finance deals can be very problematic and often encourage buying new regularly which is wasteful and expensive.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

EVs are great, but some people seem to forget that for many their daily drive cost them under a grand. Anything over one thousand pounds is out of reach. I think some people don't realise just how wealthy they are.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

OK, yes Hyundai has indeed won the internet. 74.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

5 years

So, I've been working on a rather special Honda Civic Type R, it's a bit different, hope you like it. @Honda_UK @HondaUKPR

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

5 months

Touch screens should never be used for controls used by the driver. It's just wrong. There, I've said it.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

We, the car community, MUST campaign for the MOT! It is a bare MINIMUM standard for road safety, yet almost a third of cars fail. To pretend it is bureaucracy is to utterly fail to understand its importance.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

6 years

When I see news of a car crash, and someone says 'it's a miracle they survived', I shout at the TV 'it's not a miracle, it's bloody good vehicle engineering'! Engineering is often about working hard to create amazing technology that the people who use it have no appreciation of.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

Tweets from the excellent @RAF_Luton always raise a smile, then I read the comments and laugh out loud. Particularly funny are the people taking it seriously and getting infuriated, then I remember that these people can vote, and suddenly politics makes sense...

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

5 years

I've spent over 30 years working on and developing new piston engines. The new generation of engines are amazingly efficient, but it's not enough. The writing's on the wall, end of days for IC engines. Feels weird, all that knowledge, experience and training, soon to be history.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

Stop buying shit you don't need! This so called 'black Friday' orgy of consumption highlights a few things that are wrong with our society. New doesn't mean better. Old doesn't mean worthless. Buy things you either need or will cherish, preferably both. Look after things.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

5 years

This is the diff from a Jag E-Type, it's 5 decades old, with a little bit of work we'll keep going for another 50 years. Sustainability comes from making stuff that lasts and is built to make maintenance possible.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

We don't need driverless cars. We need better driver training. There is not a people shortage. There is a skills shortage.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

5 months

Auto dip/main beam. Hmmm. If operating a light switch is too much of a burden then maybe driving a motor vehicle isn't really for you? Just a thought.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

Angle grinder seized today, found the permanent magnets full of debris binding on the motor. Half hour later and it's all working again. How many people would just throw things away instead of fixing them?

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

5 years

This is a humble brake light switch. It was made in 1988 and recently stopped working. Rather than commit it to landfill, I took it apart, cleaned the contacts and put it back together. It might do another 30 years now. Fixing things is good. #repairculture

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

I do a fair number of engine conversions for customers. Some like us to convert their classic to EV. Some like us to drop a ruddy great V8 in. Either way I'm happy to oblige. That way I can upset everybody equally.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

We had a problem with a wiper motor, totally unresponsive. It's an obscure old car, so no replacement parts available. So I took it apart, found a burnt out contact, fixed it, now it works well. This pleases me. #repairculture

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

4 years

Car headlights are too bright now. Fact. The reason that the old bulbs were limited to 55w was because it was found to be the brightest acceptable level. The regulation should have specified light output and not power consumption.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

4 years

I've had request for a simple training course for new drivers who want to know how to look after their car. I'm thinking of doing it as a 3hr evening session. Checking fluids, tyres, changing a wheel, cleaning, and what to check when buying a used car. What do you think?

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

11 months

Cars are being designed for people who don't like driving. So people learning to drive now, learn in cars that don't engage. So less people will like driving. So more cars will be designed for people like that. .... Hmmmm .....

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

I see some people still suggesting that ten year old EVs are scrapped due to battery failure, which is odd considering I run two ten year old EVs in our business, both regularly used and going well, both cost me under £3.5k to buy. Funny old world.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

We have to make it crystal clear that combustion engines do not have to mean fossil fuels! We all love our classic cars, and to continue to enjoy these magnificent machines we have to adapt and rise to the challenge. Synthetic fuels, bio fuels and hydrogen all have a place.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

Good to know crude oil price is now back to pre Ukraine invasion levels. Odd that heating oil is still four times higher than this time last year....

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

See what I did there.... I'll fetch my coat...

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

1 year

You can't judge something that you don't understand. Yet people who know nothing about skilled trades regularly judge their value. Part of the reason for our dire skills shortage is lack of respect. We need mechanics, plumbers, electricians, fitters, fabricators, builders etc.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

4 years

We need to create a culture where being 'good with your hands' is valued. Practical skills are vital for a resilient society, it gives us independence and security. Not having to wait for someone else to fix things for you.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

Last time the global price of oil was this high was 2007, apparently. But what was petrol then? I seem to remember everyone complaining about £1.20 but I could be wrong. Someone is taking the piss with fuel prices, we can't just keep taking this abuse! What would the French do?

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

4 years

From next month we will be offering short training courses for beginers. Courses will be run from my vehicle workshop in Bedfordshire. Courses include: Classic car electrics for enthusiasts Basic vehicle maintenance Modern car diagnostics What do you think?

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

Don't let the haters divide and conquer the car community. Whether you love a fire breathing turbo lump or a stunning EV conversion, we are united in our love of car culture and the freedom, self expression and joy it brings. Stick together.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

Just to be clear, we dumped the imperial measurement system because it was unnecessarily complicated The metric system is just better in every way. In engineering it makes important calculations so much easier Also, imperial units have never been illegal here Don't listen to lies

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

How many of you know how to gap spark plugs? I was just sorting this V8 set out and suddenly thought, is this becoming a lost art? #classiccar #mechanic

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

I've decided I'm never selling anything on eBay ever again. Sold one thing for a tenner last month and have six quid in eBay fees! Also the ridiculous number of time wasters asking idiotic questions, insultingly low offers, never intending to buy. I'm out.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

4 years

A car scrappage scheme is aweful. Wasting perfectly usable vehicles. New cars are important, better emissions and safety, supporting manufacturing and sales jobs etc. But so are jobs in service and repair, plus providing affordable cars for low income families.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

I drive an electric Nissan, a petrol V8 Land Rover and a diesel Jaguar. Not at the same time. I think there's something there to upset more or less everyone.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

4 years

Don't get me wrong, we do need new stuff, new innovations which improve function and efficiency. But the shear volume of stuff and short design life is awful. What's wrong with using a 3 year old phone, or a 10 year old PC, or my grandfather's tools?

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

1 year

If a car has water inside under the seat, the electrics will corrode and even if you fix the gearbox the car will never be reliable. This is from experience. Leave the unfortunate owner alone, there's so many misguided, pompous and evil replies on her post it's saddening.

Lisa Harding Art & Photos

@SketchLisa

1 year

So there it is. My car written off due to water in the electric gear box. £22k car bought from brand new, my first brand new car and it’s gone over night and written off. No help from hotel Mercure Sheffield and offered free dinner and a spa treatment as compensation. Have to

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

For a sustainable future we need skills to repair stuff, reuse and repurpose. Today we ran another welding class, three people had never welded before. We'll keep running more and more classes, sharing more and more skills. Hopefully making a difference.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

Things we rely on, such as electricity, water, health care, schools etc. Should not be run for profit. That's just immoral, to profit from something we have little or no choice in buying.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

If the government were genuine in the desire to reduce costs for car owners, they wouldn't reduce safety checks (£40/year), they'd reduce fuel tax (£ hundreds! /year). This is more distraction tactics.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

4 years

If you're one of those people fascinated by the current conspiracy theories please raise your hand. Then slap yourself with it. Fuckwitt

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

Favourite drill stopped working, turned out to be the motor windings wore against the magnet, not had that fail before. Anyway, new rotor installed and it's back in service. Fixing things is good.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

We need to get better at repairing things and stop throwing so much stuff away! Whenever something brakes, in the home, the office or car, my first thought is to find out what the problem is and fix it. Am I in a minority? #repair #repairculture #aohe #sustainable

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

If more people had a go at fixing broken stuff then more stuff would get fixed and more skills would be learnt. If something is already broken you can't make it worse* *You can't make it worse is not a challenge!

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

4 years

The wooden shaft of the garden fork broke, so I welded in some CDS2 roll cage tube instead. Won't break now...

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

Buying less new stuff and making better use of existing stuff is a real green agenda. A nation of repairers, creators and visionaries is a far better future than a nation dependent on mass produced disposable tat Buy stuff that can be repaired. Encourage others to respect repair

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

4 years

So, I've accidentally bought a Corvette and have a limited time to fix it up, get it through an MOT and sell it. This might not have been a good idea. Or well thought out. Or thought out in any way. It might make a good mini series though.... Anyone interested?

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

Just been treated to a Hurricane and Vampire doing circuits over our house. The combination of Merlin V12 and early jet engine is something to behold.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

I've got a cunning plan! Sustainable fuels from @CorytonFuelsLtd have arrived, I'm testing 95 and 102 octane petrol versions. MPG, performance, emissions, oil wear etc. will be tested. I want every petrol special build leaving with sustainable fuel in the tank.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

Our Level 4 EV students taking my Leaf battery apart. And they gained the skills to put it back together again, which is a great test of my teaching ability because if it goes wrong I can't drive home!

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

7 years

What do you think of my new workshop door handles?

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

We get all sorts here...

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

I build cars. Some are nuts and make no sense. Those are the ones I like best.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

5 years

Anything that was built can be repaired. We must stop throwing so much stuff away. #RespectRepair #RepairCulture

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

If you'd ever wondered what a classic Range Rover gearbox would look like with a supercharged Jag V8, now you know.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

6 months

Our industry is desperately short of mechanics. Great jobs in the car, truck, and bus industries are available, but where are the candidates? Many companies are now looking abroad for recruitment. How can we get more people to at least look at being a mechanic?

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

URGENT! New proposed law makes all car and motorcycle modification, tuning, customizing illegal! Please read the Gov't doc, there's a bit about how to respond at the end, please respond in an intelligent and clear way. SAVE OUR CARS AND BIKES!

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

In other news, tomorrow I'm teaching mechanics how to build battery packs for EVs. Later this week I start rebuilding a V8 on carbs. I like to think that there's something in there to upset everyone...

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

So many people asking me about practical skills training, it's really heartening to see that there is still a strong desire to get your hands dirty. All ages too, we've had a 12 year old learning to do head gaskets and a 78 year old learning to service an Alvis! There is hope!

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

Our first welding course is running today. Really proud of the team for getting us to this point. If you would like to know how to repair a sill, wheel arch or exhaust then this course is for you! Email skills @rhel .co.uk for more information.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

The energy price crisis is entirely artificial. Cost of production has barely changed, nuclear unchanged, renewables actually getting cheaper, cost of gas production unchanged. This is political.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

So who's to blame for panic buying fuel? The people who panic bought. Yes some of the media, mostly two newspapers, blew it out of proportion. But we all decide on how we act as individuals. Don't try blaming others for your own actions.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

4 years

I love this old little lathe, it's really old school but still comes in handy. And to be honest it's nice sometimes to do things without computer control, because you can really feel the metal being worked. Ok, maybe that's just me being weird...

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

5 years

If recycling is part of the answer, then surely up-cycling old cars with modern power units is a good idea?

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

Cost of gas and other fuels has sky rocketed. Rate of production of oil, gas etc has not actually changed.... In fact oil production has just been increased. Cost of production has not actually changed. Oil prices are set by stock markets. We are being shafted.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

4 years

I've been talking to a few people today about car related stuff, it struck me how nice the people in the car community are. Generally polite, respectful, fun and interesting. So, well done for being excellent.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

Without doubt one of the great hidden architectural gems in London is the magnificent Stockwell bus garage. A truly amazing place.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

4 years

Hoping to start offering training in September: Basic one day courses: Classic car electrics Basic car maintenance Understanding modern car diagnostics EV safety/ recovery in motorsport Emissions technology Suspension geometry and handling Interested? email skills @rhel .co.uk

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

4 years

For a century the ordinary person has had access to affordable cars. Cars gave us freedom, to live and work where we want, to go where we want, to carry loads, all the things that previously only the privileged could do Freedom is important Cars are important Worth fighting for

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

I'm a little unwell, and Diana has very kindly bought me an 'original' Lucozade. Ok so it doesn't have the cellophane but I'm instantly transported back to the '70s. Now trying to find episodes of Fingerbobs and Mr Benn to complete the effect.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

7 years

Amazing day at @BicesterH #SundayScramble With @TheEddChina & @tomwookieford handing out well earned Diplomas to @Missionmotorspt students.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

Vehicles I've owned in the past and wish I still had: Opel Manta V8. Rover SD1 touring car replica. Alvis Stalwart. Jaguar XJ-S race car. Bowler Tomcat. Triumph Trident 900. Jaguar XKR pace car (from the first Coventry Motofest) Range Rover Classic. What's on your list?

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

The gasp of amazement from yet another student as I explain the difference between Pozidrive and Phillips screws. I love teaching practical skills. Seeing the lightbulb moments when seemingly difficult tasks turn out to be easy.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

5 months

So many 'driver aids' must surely result in driver skill fade? Is there any research on this?

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

Not a fan of hybrids, basically piston cars with heavy luggage. ...waits for fight to start....

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

Direct action for the environment means things like converting existing vehicles to run pure electric. Training people how to fix and maintain things rather than throw away. Inspiring people to think of radical designs. It does not involve gluing yourself to a wall. Or soup.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

Remember a few weeks ago when I mentioned that the cost of oil production had not changed, and supply globally had actually increased. But we still had record high petrol prices. Now the oil giants reveal profits. Just as predicted. We are being shafted. The poorest suffer most.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

I quite like wind turbines. I think they look very elegant.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

In my opinion cars are not right for travel in cities, but elsewhere they give the ordinary person amazing freedom that simply was not possible in the past I strongly oppose restrictions on cars I fully support alternatives like buses Better options, not more restrictions

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

1 year

What is an Engineer? Someone who uses science to solve practical problems. Designing, developing, testing, building. We need to get the message across to those in education, there is a huge range of great careers in engineering. Stuff to really engage the mind of creative kids.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

Be careful converting headlights to LED. A complete LED lamp unit that has a legitimate CE mark is fine and passes MOT regs. But an LED bulb in a lamp unit designed for halogen is not legal and fails MOT due to the reflector not matching the broad LED elements.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

5 years

Today's ride, back to the 80s! #mitsubishi

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

There is a worrying and increasing wave of opinion that cars are somehow wrong, we shouldn't be 'allowed' to own them. This removes personal freedom to travel. There is an agenda there. Be vigilant and vocally oppose negative changes. Make your concerns known to your MP.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

The glamour and luxury of running your own business.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

7 years

I'll soon be selling this awesome BMW635csi for a friend, rare manual gearbox with dogleg first. Really good car. Years MOT.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

I'm so fed up with useless politicians that I'm actually thinking of starting a new political party, based on long term strategy, actual science and engineering, and getting the country working properly. Obviously no one would vote for it.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

Politics explained:

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

6 years

Should have tried these ages ago! @TheEddChina very kindly brought a box of these Grease Junkie gloves up to my workshop, they're ace, durable when working on cars and phone touchscreen friendly!

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

This beauty is going into a customer's much treasured family classic. Can't wait to hear it roar!

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

I support the nurses. I support the postal workers. I support the ambulance crews. I support the critical jobs that we all rely on. I do not support those trying to weaken these things. I do not support those seeking to make profit from these things.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

I'm not convinced about the new road user priority system. Surely we all have a responsibility to look out for others and keep ourselves away from harm? Telling some road users they have more responsibility and other that they have less responsibility seems odd.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

A friend is thinking of selling this really solid Range Rover Classic, it's got a Jag Supercharged engine and goes rather well! But what's it worth?

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

4 years

A sustainable future means making better use of what we already have. Get away from the disposable idea. This means fixing things, not throwing them away. And that needs skills. Some new skills, but many traditional skills. Maybe it's our duty to learn how to fix the things?

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

4 years

I love the fact that tomorrow morning this will be a public road, people going to work as usual, but with tyre marks on the tarmac from the best race cars in the world.

24 Hours of Le Mans

@24hoursoflemans

4 years

2 Hours of the 🏁 #LeMans24 #WEC #24hUnited

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

Today is brought to you by the letter V and the number 8. You're welcome.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

Today I fell off my son's bicycle whist trying to wheelspin on gravel round a corner whilst he was chasing me with a sponge light saber. I may have to grow older, but I can stay immature for ever!

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

3 years

Making gaskets that are unobtainable. Old school skills.

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

2 years

Has anyone watched Moonraker and then looked at what American billionaires are doing and thought hmmmmm.......

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Ralph Hosier

@RalphHosier

11 months

I'm very much against the idea of scrapping perfectly usable things. It's just wrong. Anything can be adapted, modified and reworked to suit new requirements if needed. Any 'Scrappage scheme' is morally flawed unless it only accepts in things that are beyond repair. #scrappage

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