N.E. trip

Louise & I got back last night from a 1,672 mile road trip through New England. We went to Manchester New Hampshire so Louise could get material for her antique button jewelry so we made it a bit of a vacation, too. We visited Ralph Sproul thursday & I got to try out his 3b on some big roller bearings. What a great tool! Ralph has a wonderful shop with lots of thoughtful improvements, tooling, fixtures, etc. Thanks, Ralph! We camped at Bear Brook State Park while we were near Manchester. It was very beautiful with tall hemlock trees & wild blueberry bushes. I recommend it. Next we went to Windsor, VT & saw the American Precision Museum which was located in the Robbins & Lawrence armory. Very interesting, but rather small. I'd never seen a Fellows gear hobber in action before so seeing one make a small gear answered some questions. To get to Windsor from New Hampshire you cross the Connecticut river via the longest covered bridge in America which was an added bonus. From there we headded south again & stayed in Mass. before visiting some friends in Verona NJ & home.
It was a welcome respite from work & the Richmond heat, but now it's back to work.

Welcome home Tom and Louise.. and stuff

Boy there were a few days that the weather could have been better for you all. May be the weather was a bit better down that way?

Note for above post:
I forgot to mention that I found 2 old GE 300 series starters that needed stuff to make them work with my setup.

I'm headed out tomorrow to have a chat with architect/owners about a possible job that may involve cobbling together fireplace screens/windows from one of the cheapo on line manufacturers. I'm bound and determined to try and convince the owners they will be making a mistake. They are having "budget issues" and are now being all concerned. Should have done that right from the GET GO with stuff like framing paint choices changes to stuff already done..... the list goes on. instead they get cheap with the stuff that will make the house really pop. Duh.
JIM

I saw something at work today that warmed my heart (and given that I'm a lawyer, that isn't easy [grin]). Yesterday, one of the attorneys obviously decided to get rid of an old desk lamp, so she left it in the corridor outside her office with a note that said "broken."

This morning, I saw one of the maintenance guys holding the lamp and looking a little puzzled about what to do next. The next time I walked by, the lamp was back in the same place, but the note was gone. I'm sure he fixed it and put it back. I'm sure glad everyone doesn't think "broken" means "throw away."

towns & cars

LOREN T- That was Santa Fe NM. How do you know about Santa Fe/Rosa. Do you know what it means when they ask Red or Green?Grin

Old Fords and big motors were almost the downfall of me. Had one of each "49'-'50'51'. When you put a small block chev in one of them you had to re-engineer the whole car, engine compartment, clutch, tranny, rear end. Move steering outside of frame, motor mounts, radiator, sheet metal and etc..

We once had a '51'flat-head 6 Studebaker pickup. It was bright Yellow. Aluminum head, Englebrock intake, bored, upped compression and two two barrel carbs. Don't laugh. We paid for the motor work before the locals found out the little truck would haul ass. Had to put pens in the hood to hold it down past a hundred.

Blow the hood up/off on top end---that will scare the wet-dirt out of you.

Loved the little '49' thru '53' three speed tranny with overdrive.

Gonna get hot again today. Pretty soon we are gonna have stewed Tomatoes on the vine.

chuck

Mike B

Take a look at "Shop Class as Soulcraft" by Matthew B. Crawford, The Penguin Press, 2009, isbn 978-1-59420-223-0. I think it was acclaimed by the New York Times. First sentence of the book mentions Noel Dempsey of Richmond's used equipment place called "Dempsey's". The author is a motorcycle mechanic but has a PhD from U of Chicago and a vocabulary and swentence strucure pattern that push me a bit. The book explores such things as fixing broken stuff as a sort of zen thing. You will enjoy it as I'm sure other regulars here will. I heard about it in Memphis from Monster Metal over at IFORGEIRON.com. I'm into it only about 20 pages and already love it. He's more into the trades than the crafts, being an electrician's helper at 13 years old and now bikes. I'd be interested in your take on the book.

Shop Class as Soulcraft

John,

Just put the book on hold at the library -- looks like I should have it in a few days.

Hot Rods

I know a guy that's a Ford nut... kind of like me but more devious. He was at a local car show a while ago and talked to a fella that had 32 Ford coupe with a small block chevy in it. When my buddy commented on the engine 'being in a foreign land' the swap artist gave him a ration of BS which really PO him. Figgering that turn-about is fair play, Double D, the Ford Nut, picked up a Corvette with a puked engine, and proceeded to swap in a Ford 427 side oiler. When he showed up at the show the next year the stream of 'criticism' was worth every penny. Double D thought the extra effort that he put forth into making sure he was in the stall next to the 32 Ford... priceless.

Dempsey

I go to Dempsey's Machinery exchange every week, usually on Saturday & have spent a considerable sum of money with him the past 21 years. I've learned a lot from the guys who hang out there & have seen some real specialized machines come through there. He's almost finished building a big addition on the premises which is already filled up with things.

I guess I'll have to check out the book to see what Mr. Crawford has to say about Noel.

Tom C

I picked up another old odd shaped sledgehammer to make into another medieval stake anvil at the fleamarket today here in Socorro. Now comes the fun part---finding and forging *HEAVY stock to make the shaft for it. For the last couple I did I used 2.5" sq stock and another smith's 200 pound chambersburg power hammer.

Also picked up a "new issue" unused record plane, (made in England, still has the original cosmoline on it) for $4 with manual. Sold it on as soon as I got to work for $5 to someone who would appreciate it and *use* it. I'd never be a businessman...

Thomas

Tom C., Noel Dempsey is mentioned only at that opening. But the author lives in Richmond. Maybe you can meet him at Dempsey's and talk about your trike, etc.

Mike B., attaboy in using the library. I am going to have to read this book more than once. The guy is a friggin genius so far as I can fathom. He's talking about things that have been on my mind for many years.

welcome home

Tom & Louise, Good to hear you made it home - really nice you stopped by - enjoyed it. Three days camping with two 2 year old grandsons was a blast -but tiring. :-)

Ralph

Thanks, Ralph. I love seeing other guys' shops to see how they're set up. Then I think, "Some day I'll get it as organized as Ralphs.." Ahh, what a kidder! But a man can have dreams.

I'll bet you're worn out from keeping up with the young-uns. Just watching my sister with her tribe wears me out.

My first car was a '57 chevy station wagon, our erstwhile family car, that was ceded to me my senior year in college. I wasn't much of a gearhead until things started to need work on it so I date my mechanical education to its acquisition.

Tom C

temps difference

Helen had a dental apt. Friday morning at 7:45. We went to Amarillo Thursday night staying with Joe Bob. Made it some easier to get to the appointment without having to start out in the middle of the night.Grin.
Got up all my life in time to kick 'Gengis Kahn' the fighting rooster off his perch. Now that is the middle of the night. Love this being able to snooze if I want.
Friday morning in Amarillo we were shocked to step out the door to a breeze blowing from the Southwest that was hot at 7:15 in the morning. The accumulated heat of the hot summer did not let the town cool down at night. I felt the the sidewalk and it felt like the rocks around the Hueco Tanks North of El Paso in August.
We live 10 miles from town--nothing anywhere around us to hold the previous days heat. I had not thought to much about the heat and the folks living in the big cities with all the concrete, asphalt, brick and no way for a breeze to get around through all the enormous buildings.

I looked at the thermometer at about 6:00 this morning. The temp was sitting on 58. The concrete and buildings at the Dalhart Airport making the official temp 6 degrees hotter.
Makes a guy glad he has a back porch, all mowed down green grass(weeds also), good coffee and a nice looking looking sorrel colt in the pasture close to the house. To sit there in a comfortable chair to enjoy all of it is a blessing.BIG OLD GRIN.

Life is great---God Bless

chuck

Shoot even a small place like Socorro has a heat island. One of my co-workers is mad at me because I told him we were sleeping under a down comforter at night with just a box fan in the window. They live in town and I have a lot of nothing around our area and flood irrigated alfalfa fields right next to our property on the east side.

Had my grandson for an hour; my daughter was attending a memorial for the first of her friends to die; just a couple of years out of high school. I brought a tiny ballpeen hammer for him to play with, a plumb and only a couple of ounces. When he;s bigger I will let him try the Atha one...

Thomas

Just went to the library to pick up the book John recommended.

While I was there, I washed my hands in the bathroom. Fortunately, they'd posted a sign to tell me how to accomplish that. It went like this:

1. Wash hands with soap under warm running water for at least 20 seconds.
2. Rinse well.
3. Dry hands thoroughly with paper towels.

How are you supposed to keep soap on your hands for 20 seconds if they're under running water? If you actually follow the first step, why do you need the second? The third step was okay, except it didn't do much to explain the hand dryer mounted on the wall -- and they were out of paper towels.

I guess they don't expect folks at libraries to read. Which might explain why the place is being slowly overrun with DVDs and books on tape.

On the bright side, I guess I should feel relieved they didn't post instructions on the other plumbing fixtures. Because if they did, I probably wouldn't (grin).

instructions

MIKE- The written instructions were probably for young nerdie students or political interns.

The air dryer was probably put there to save arguments in case the towels had been used up.GRIN.

chuck

temperature

HELEN just came in the house. She and JIMMIE D. had been moving a welding/air compressor trailer and a cooker trailer. HELEN was wringing wet and talking about how damned hot it was. We checked all the temp gages and it must be somewhere between 103 and 105. Big swing from what it was this morning.
Cloudy toward Dalhart but the clouds are moving to the Northeast we are to the Northwest.------Clear as a bell--hot as hell.

Me-- I had been taking a little nap.Grin.

chuck

This morning at 6:30 it was already 78F. By 12:20 it was 120F in the shop with the forge going, shut the forge at that point, and by 3:40, when I decided I was too hot it was a solid 105F with the forge off. Came in, showered, drank another qt of water and felt better. Then came a hard thunderstorm with downpour and it is again 79.9F.

Forged a copper busbar to 3/4" square to make split crosses. I got three blanks, and 4 from steel, all ready to forge in the morning. I think I have a 115F limit in the shop now for forging:)
I will probably add the split crosses to my ETSY page.

Sweany's gasser

How's that gasser working? (look in the gallery all)

I stayed out of the shop all day today..... Perfect.

My drill press works! Got it all cleaned up and ready to go to work Monday morning. I may be getting a job making a bunch of kitchen hardware and think it may be time to buy a Procunier Tapping Head to make things go fast (this job will justify the price) and the drill press is just the tool for the job.

Temps are perfect here and I hope it holds till fall. I hate hot!

JIM

Temps

Was about 79F at 6AM; peaked at 109F in the shade this afternoon. Not close to any major heat islands. No breeze till late PM. Did some welding and some tractor work early. Humidity is down so evap. cooler is working fine.

Have some items to forge, will wait a few days, usually after mid August the temps are closer to 100F than 110F.

It is a very nice 73F and humid with a hanging mist from the thunderstorms last night. Going up to do a couple of hours of forging before it hots up.

Finished forging by 10:00. Very humid. Hard to hold the hammer with all the sweat running down my arm:)
Made 3 big split crosses from steel. I had the copper one at 90% finished and waited about 20 seconds too long. Melted part:(

Posted Fajita Chopper photo

I posted a copy of the fajita chopper made for the fellow at work. He will soon let me know how well it works. It is a full tang for strenght, epoxied into a inlet chanel in the handle bottom, and pinned with brass rivets. Nice and sharp and slender blade cross section.
I made the blade square to his request, I think I would have gone with a rocking radius end if made for me.

new deal

JEFF-- You just proved that we have not seen everything.Grin.
It looks like what it was made for. Gristly meat and thick rinded peppers.

Come out nice. Will work great, with authority using both hands.Grin

chuck

Chuck, I would have liked to have had enough stock to have got the blade lenght and still had enough meat to grind smooth. Had to leave a few divots since I started with 21/2" by 5/16" spring stock.
I will probably look for a little bigger stock if I make any more.
As you can see I am not a knofe maker:)

I LIKE IT!

The tool was made for the job huh Jeff. Perfect.

Doing forced paperwork and figuring tool list / prices for a Waldorf school that is vary serious about making Blacksmithing a part of their curriculum. I hope they can make it work. I may be the teacher. Vary cool! We shell see.
JIM

Ponderings

I was going through my emails and come across this piece.

You can be encouraged about our country's future when you see something like this.

Specifically, there is an annual contest at Texas A&M University calling
for the most appropriate definition of a contemporary term.
This year's term was: "Political Correctness."

The winner wrote:
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which
holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd
by the clean end." Nuf said!.

chuck

Oh boy Chuck I'm using that one at the next select board meeting.
TANK YOU!
JIM

I'm Moved mostly. Now the weather has cooled off 10 degrees and is overcast. Bout killed me last week.

I am in the new place and back at work, even though there is a huge mess I can work around it and get caught up once again.

the move

Good for you Mills.
Ah the things that make us strong. Don't they bite the big one sometimes?
and why do we have to be so strong?
JIM (who is all smiles)

Almost got rear ended yesterday coming home from work. I slowed down and cut to the right to let a big buzztail cross the road---it was out on the "explosive laden vehicle" route---no houses anywhere near and so I was quite happy to live and let live.

Lady behind me must have been on her cell phone as well as ridding my bumper, she swerved across the double yellow line, saw the buzztail and kept on going over to the opposite berm to avoid it. Fellow behind her had no problem slowing down and following me around it leaving her behind *2* old slow pickups.

Since this route goes by the state police station I tend to follow the speed limits, especially going under the interstate as I've seen 3 incidences of the State police not stopping at the stop sign at the exit right on the other side of the tunnel.

The snake took up most of the lane and looked fit and happy and ready to help keep down the rabbits and rodents!

Thomas

Yea for the snake, to bad the car driven by the bone head lady survived.

I was up in town with my kids getting ice cream. It's 25-mph and lots of folk at that time of night. Bone head in SUV come flying through I run out like I'm going to jump out in front of him ...... Notta. The fool didn't even see me. Lady saw the hole deal... Now I'm sorta known for being a bit of a hot head when it comes to people going to fast through town and have suggested more then once for folk to take pictures of fools doing stupid stuff and having a slide show at town meeting entitled "is this you?" with descriptions of each picture. Well she took pictures, and has been for sometime now, AND, she as friends doing the same!! She has it all under control and it will appear at this upcoming town meeting! That'll keep them honest.
That aut to go over like a fart in church. I LOVE IT!
JIM

Well in general when I'm traveling on a road marked "Explosive Laden Vehicle Route" that goes right by the State Police Station I feel that it's a good idea *not* to tailgate!

(and when I see delivery trucks using that route I give them a lot of room!)

Thomas

Gullywasher

Storm blew in last night with over 2" rain and 60+ mph winds. Cooled things off nice. No power for awhile, and I just had a squeeze of hay delivered. Took the top two layers of bales off this AM so they could dry out and not mold, will let the stack dry a bit before tarping in. No warning of the storm. Just a dark cloud on the horizon and 5 minutes later, Shazam!

coontail-gully washer

ELLEN to bad about your hay. maybe it will dry fast enough.

Anytime a buzz-tail that size takes up most of the lane and slows up crossing a highway in this country. He ends up like a chicken or a skunk. He just flat shoud have been someplace else.

We have seen too many people, dogs and horses crippled or killed by the big snakes this time of the year. The smaller snakes have used up their venom as they make it. A large snake makes a lot of poison fast.

Sides that when you are a foot and stumble over one of them. They will make you run over something and hurt your self.Grin.

chuck

Big coon tails

Yeah, and they'll make you about 10 lbs lighter when you realize what you're stepping on!

Ifn I had run over it I'd have had to stop and clean it and cook it that evening (and with the other two behind me it might have been a mess...)

I'd have liked to have the rattles as I want to give all the grandkids a nice rattle to show off when they are in grade school...

Thomas

Sleeping

In the Philippines when I was 15, I was working on a crew to start as new college. The land was half forest/jungle and half cogon grass. Both areas were infested with cobras. We each worked 1 1/2 shifts. One during the day and a half shift at night. I worked surveying in the day and drove a tractor at night. It was an International TD18 crawler with a six-gang 36" disk plow to break up the cogon sod.

We went out two at a time on the tractor. One worked "first half, one second. The tractors were serviced during meals. After supper I went out with Victor Torado. When we got to the edge of the plowed ground I said "Victor I am tired." he replied I couldn't sleep now if it was my turn, I'll go first." I spread my army blanket in a furrow and went out like a light.

I woke with a start. The hair on my neck rose. I didn't know why. Except for the distant sound of the tractor it was silent. I said to myself "John, go back to sleep!" I put the flashlight in my mouth, and shook out the blanket. A BIG cobra rolled out!

I began wildly flashing the light at the tractor. I heard the plow come out of the ground as Victor shifted into high gear. He was soon there. I said, "Vic, I can't sleep." He said "It is only 10 o'clock, you have two more hours if you want to sleep, but I am suddenly sleepy." I climbed up as he climbed down. He shook out the blanket and lay down as I roared off to the edge of the broken ground. I picked him up at sunrise and we went back for breakfast and out day time work assignments.

So are cobras as tasty as rattlesnake?

Thomas

eating snakes

Nah! THOMAS-- Don't 'cha know. They spit in your face.

And it is somewhat worst than snuff juice.Grin.

chuck

Funny thing; I picked up a 12 button rattle on the way home last night---within seeing distance of the house!

Wife refused to have it in the kitchen; sigh; last night's dinner was meatless.

Thomas

Today

Busy day! I spent the morning at the lab. After lunch I went to the club forge and since it was cooler I made a hook for my long-handled forged shoehorn. Then I went to the Bike Coop. The Coop leader, Zac Holford, found a rear freewheel cogset with a huge low gear. We put it on, and were able to adjust the dérailleur to work with it. As soon as I got home I tried it on the driveway and I was able to pedal right up!
Now I can start and end a bike ride from home.

Downloaded, filled in & sent off our Quad States registration this morning.Got the info package in the mail this afternoon. Sounds like another great line up!

I went to Barns & Noble & bought the book John was talking about, " Shop Class as Soulcraft", took it by Noel's to show him. He was tickled. He had heard rumors about it but hadn't seen the book yet. Also, I bought a cute little Dake arbor press with no wear on it from him for $35.

Tom C

mm installed 3 hand ralis today two more tomorrow. each take almost one stick of two in and one of 1 1/2 in pipe. What a pain to hoss those 7 foot tall beasts down a water raceway. I have two sphop carts that I can us e now. hands a re cram0ing done.

New crop must be starting to come in, I smelled roasting chili's today on the way to work!

Looks like I get to make a whirlwind trip to Las Cruces tomorrow *after* I finish a repair job at the library. My parents want to be sure the contractor is building the gate supports right to take a *real* gate and not a handful of hollow tubes tacked to a crossbar---this means I have to make them a gate now...

Thomas, going to bring some chopped green to Quad-State

beans & stuff

I was sitting there eating one of those little Tangerine looking things that taste more like a good orange. I got wondering about a few things.
The wife and I did not want any green beans this year. Got No help in picking and putting them up last year.
Two(2) Grandsons and two(2) Grand daughters said "Oh Poppa! We will plant them and pick them every time they are ready and get them in the freezer".

DUH! What is there about that to wonder about. You know--I know--They knew--it flat was not going to happen.

What caused me to start wondering about beans is, after us and the kids picked the first time they said "We will pick them don't worry". End of their bean picking and back to the wondering.
Helen and I picked the beans this evening and got a half a sack of old matured out almost ready to plant beans off of the bottoms of the bean plants. We are old and stove up and still had to repick to get the bottoms of the beans cleaned up. I spect we will have quite a volunteer crop of beans.

There will not be anymore green beans planted in our garden. I am not getting down on my knees for anyone but the Lord All Mighty.

Nice evening though. There is close to a half a pick-up load of Tomatoes that are going to ripen all at the same time. We need to garage sale for more jars. Gonna be lots of Sweet Potatoes and Egg plants. Jalapeno Pepper bushes are really getting with it.

I meant to put this here and put over on Forgemagic. First mistake I ever made.Grin

chuck

I made a mistake once. I thought I was wrong!

Chuck, when my help for picking beans evaporated, I changed my approach a bit. I planted, picked an easy first, top of the plant picking, then went back say a week or so later and picked by pulling up the plants by the root. Stand up straight and pick all the beans off, toss the plants on the compost pile and plant another row. Course we may have a better rain pattern, but I usually could plant/harvest 3 crops of a summer. Then the deer got so bad, and I am too cheap to put up a 12' frnce so the garden is nor lawn.

Cobra Story

A farrier I knew was a 1st Air Cav vet who was in Viet Nam in the late 60s' He was terrified of snakes, esp. cobras. They were patrolling when a big cobra went into the bush just in front of him. Seconds later the VC sprang an ambush. He hit the ground fast in spite of the cobra. He still hates snakes.

Thomas If you need a half way point I can offer a bed for the first time. This empty nest thing is neat. Sandpile may be better company.

BTW Chuck what has become of the book? I am sure looking forward to reading it.

Last of the stuff is now at the new place and the first load of scrap is hauled, I quit today early about 1400 and may not go in tomorrow at all. It is time to get on a regular schedule again. Work has been coming in the door steady fro more than a month now and it is like rain on parched ground, we are starting to green up. Can't wait to see what the future holds again.

Been selling trowels pretty heavy, so decided to try to find the best balance of work in the fire processes etc. Did a batch of 30 today. BUT half way thru the spring on the power hammer snapped. Lucky me that I had a spare leaf spring blank and in an hour I had a fresh spring, on a wiped down machine, freshly greased, and the safey hood back on. Anybody who runs a Rusty type without the hood is nuts. That spring lasted 5 years. Gonna send The Rock over to my favorite spring shop and get a couple more spare blanks:)

Did finish 30 thru forged. Tomorrow is my least favorite part, grinding.

book

MILLS--The transcript is more or less done till I can find an editor.

The editor needs to have a background in cowboy--western type books or it will blow her away.
It is pretty calm pedestrian time book. I have woven quite a few of life experiences into it. But left most out because a lot of the participants are still kicking.Grin.
I sent a early copy to ELLEN. I did something wrong or something. I wrote it on works-word processor and thought I copied it as so. It would not come up for ELLEN. She had to work at it to get to upload on her 'putor.

Anyway it is 103,500 words now and needs to go across a good editors desk. I don't want it ash-canned. I just want it edited.GRIN

chuck

ELLEN

I meant to say ELLEN helped out. I took some of her suggestions and changed some other things around. Every time I go through it I find something I overlooked or left out.

I 'spect that most writers keep the nails on their index finger cut short(cuts down on the wasted time--spent booger picking). So that they keep on pecking and re-pecking. Writing is a slow business at best.

I started the thing in NOV. right when I should have started forging blades and worked on it all winter---------It still ain't done.GRIN

chuck

Sandpile's Book

It is a great read, I like it better than Louis L'Amour. I was honored that Chuck asked me to read it and comment.

I converted it to Word and sent it back to Chuck.

that is hi praise indeed. L'amour, like sandpile, based his stories on reality and on country he actually saw and lived in.

John L.,

You’ve asked what I thought about “Shop Class as Soulcraft,” which I just finished reading. I did need to slow down and sometimes read some sentences twice so I didn’t miss things. (If you haven’t got that far yet, the pace does pick up some after the first 50 pages or so.)

I agree that the author makes some very perceptive observations, most of which really strike a chord with me. I could quibble with a few things. For example, the author asserts that assembly lines dumbed down blue collar labor. But I think most people who were hired into factory jobs in the early 20th century came from farms, with the farm labor replaced by equipment coming from some of those factories. And I’d guess that the equipment replaced some of the less-skilled manual work on farms. So the assembly lines certainly crated a new class of unskilled labor, but I’m not sure they replaced much skilled work.

For the rest, I can only talk about my personal feelings. I’m lucky enough to have an office job that isn’t (I think) “degraded” as the author describes. The issues can at times be relatively difficult, and I do have the sense that my advice makes a difference. But I still get more satisfaction from figuring out how to make something than from, say, working out a clever way to analyze a legal issue. (I’m not sure that blacksmithing problems are easier to figure out, either)

I think one reason for this is something the author addresses. If I make something, I’ll know right away whether it works. I’ll only really know if I got a legal question right if there’s litigation over it (which there usually isn’t, thank God). Even then, judges can get things wrong, so there’s no final answer except in the unlikely event it reaches the Supreme Court. And they issue a lot of a 5-4 decisions.

Another reason, which I don’t think the author addresses directly, is that making something is real. If I try to forge a part and the metal either does or doesn’t flow the way I want, I’ve learned something about the physical world. On the other hand, if I’m asked to interpret a statute, I’m trying to figure out what Congress meant. But Congress may have meant 535 different things or, more likely, they never thought at all about the issue I’m looking at. And if I wasn’t being paid to answer the question, I really wouldn’t care what they meant anyway.

Thanks, Mike. I finished reading the book, but need to read it again. I should have read his last chapter first. My first impression from the first read are that he is too book smart to be a bike mechanic and maybe not book smart enough to be a bike designer. To me, he's a child of hippie era parents trying to find himself after all that education didn't satisfy him, nor anyone else until this book. I found his take on professional managers quite illuminating.

I'll say more after reading it a second time.

Nice split cross Jeff

I stayed out of the shop one of 2 days this weekend. Getting things buttoned up for a week of R&R starting Wen. I can't wait to get out of dodge and relax.
JIM

Mills; that is a kindly offer indeed! However NW Arkansas is plumb full of relations and friends and some that are both! I expect I will get put up by some kinfolk (and not like Sandpile putting up beans!).

Actually I expect I will be spending an extra day going round and saying Howdy to everyone ranging from my Grandfather to my twin grandkids. And if I get a chance stopping by and buying some handle seconds as I go though the hills.

Picked up another couple of ballpeen hammers for the bucket at the Las Cruces Fleamarket and finished off the forging on another rasptlesnake for the State Fair once I got home---I've been telling my wife that after the next go round of minor surgery I'll be able to finish them off as that qualifies as "light work"; don't know if she's fallen for it though...

Thomas

grub

You slow down around here and give me a chance to stuff you with grub.

It won't be anything as simple as Pinto beans. It will be navy beans, Sauerkraut and wienies a slice of ham and an egg sandwiches to go.

Then we we will slip a recorder for the conversation about how far it is across Oklahoma the with windows rolled up.Grin

I would save some Habaneros and HOT Anaheim's for you.

chuck

book

MILLS--ELLEN is being a sweetheart. I wish it could be compared to a good writer, but alas, it probably will never hit the publishers that have the resources to push a book.

We will self-publish and hope to break even.GRIN

chuck

Sandpile; about your book: who do I make a check to and for how much?

I've been across OK both with the windows down and up; but it was west Texas where we had an ice pack for our guinea pig and it was flopped belly down on it as we drove through! (1962 Buick Special---no air conditioning...)

Thomas

book

Chuck,

I'll pre-pay for my copy if it helps get it published. It probably cost you up front to get it printed and getting a few people to do this might help.

Jack

Book

THOMAS--JACK--Thanks. We will have to see about getting it edited.

Sister in law has been to a couple of classes on writing. She has read some of the mess I wrote down.
She said her instructors told her there is a connection between a storyteller and an author but just because you can tell a story don't make you an author.Grin I am still scratching my head over that comment. I have not considered myself anything but a broke-down over the hill kind of a guy that has really enjoyed my life and the people in it.

Louis L'Amour and Elmer Kelton were absolutely great storytellers.

Completely different backgrounds: L'Amour was at different times a rascal, rounder, doer, involver, defender of the weak and meek.

Kelton was like a scholar plodding along along scratching his head and wondering how that all come about. Both excellent storytellers.

Got to go get my blood work done. So I can a new bunch of dope.

It has rained 2 and 1/2 inches since 9:00 last night. It is 58 degrees right now.

chuck

Just had mine done, finally they checked something that seems to be a common problem in Type II diabetics and it's easy to fix and should take care of a whole raft of stuff I've been having! I just hope the side effects of the new med is not worse than the problems it's supposed to fix...

More than one way to write---look at the original fairy tales, made to be read aloud. Compare them to most fiction books that would be a pain to read aloud.

I'd take a spiral bound un-edited version from Kinkos and still get the later version. I just want a copy before a twister hits and it all goes over the rainbow!

Thomas

stuff

Did not have to drain any blood off. Hemo-G was 15.9 platelets were not as high as in the past.

I need some Lipitor and the heart Doc will not return the pharmacy calls. SO I am going to get meds from a local Doc. that has a nurse with sense enough to return calls.

I bet I would get a return call if I left a racist, sexist smart ass-ed comment on his message machine-------Huh?
He probably wants me to come in so he can tell me with a real serious face and a profound manner of speech. "Just keep on as you have and come back in six months. Oh! And by the way don't pick up my $375.00 that you left at the front desk".

I really think if he would get rid off his Victoria's Secret model and get him a good girl Friday nurse that knew how to use the phone, me and his wife would both happier.

chuck

Sandpile; I just had bloodwork done at the local clinic for the specialist I see in Albuquerque, (supposed to be done first thing in the morning and ALBQ is an hour away...with wait times, etc it would mean I lose 1/2 day of work)

Anyway I get a call from the nurse at the local clinic telling me my numbers were off and I should come in and start getting shots. I asked if they had sent the results to the Dr that requested the test be done---No they had not! Told them that I had to go with the specialist who was seeing me for that and most likely he'd have them start giving me shots after my next appointment---a week away.

Boy I miss having access to a medical staff that can read, follow instructions and is on the ball!

Thomas

Medical systems broke and no one cares.
JIM

Medical

Wait till socialized medicine like NHS in England kicks in all the way here, and we'll really see broke! Whole purpose is to cull the herd of old folks....

broke

I went to the doctors a while back to get a blood draw. No insurance. I ask how much before they give the price. I say fine, pay, get the needle. Get a bill later for the "lab work". Go back ask whats up. They say that was part of the deal. Told them I had asked how much it was going to cost right from the get go, you told me I payed seems the deal has changed since. I get threatening letters in the mail all the time now about trashing my credit bla bla bla.
I'm fixing to go in there and start threatening back, dam crooks.

I'll die before I go into get fixed by the "System"
JIM

temperature

Well, Strange things are bound to happen if you just hang around long enough.

In my remembrance of times past I have never seen 47 degrees morning temp in August here in Dalhart. They are calling for 45 in the morning. I don't know what kind of record that will be but it will be maybe a hundred year or close record. Neighbor just stopped by. His gauge showed 46. I need another month to get all the tomatoes ripened.

Our normal frost is the 17th of Oct. Normal just means there have been no surprises.Grin

Chuck

Jim are you in a state where verbal contracts are good?

If so I'd go in and tell them that you had a contract and fulfilled your part and if they trash your credit you will sue them for the total net worth of everyone in that office!

Thomas

Thomas

I'll look into it. Be nice to stick it to the crooks for a change.
JIM

Sandpile's book

There are places that have a machine that will produce a bound book,softcover, directly from a disk, one at a time, no minimums. Check with a large university library who may have one or know where one is. Amazing. Or maybe online search.
Jim

Book

Thanks JIM- I am going to have to get off dead center and find an editor. I know me and I know the thing would really benefit from someone with experience looking/working it over.Grin

chuck

Jim

Verbal Contracts: Google Verbal Contracts plus your state name and you will get a synopsis, that altho basic,should be enough to get you started. Looks like Vermont has a verbal contract statute but i can't remember where you are. Since the dollar amount is small you may be able to handle it by yourself in a small claims court or the equivalent without attorney. Good luck!

Spike trowels

Still selling, so I made a bigger batch of trowels than I have ever made. Photo just possted.

How many more before you decide to throw in the trowel!

Does this mean you will have spending money at Quad-State? (Or is it all going towards college fees?)

Thomas

ThomasP, 4 in college as of Monday. The youngest is pursueing a Dental Hygiene program. The anatomy book for one class was $276. One class. When I went to college that was a years worth of books.
In fact when I took my first post ARMY classes at UK, the tution was $278 for full time.
Talk about sticker shock.
I will most likely still be the rather $ poor, trade stock rich guy as in the past. That will continue until the beating stop:)

New Hat in hand for Quad State:)
For all the regulars, Look close, think hard and work with me and the hat will be all clear:)

hats

JEFF- We have a few Mid-Western looking Yankees come through here. Snow-birds is what we officially call them that be a different species than a damned Yankee that be one that comes and does not return to where it was before he left.
Anyway before I got distracted on the difference between one Yankee another being as how they all wear fanny packs turned around and snugged up under there tool sheds and having married sisters that have a total vocabulary of ALRIGHT GEORGE!! YOU YOU DON'T HAVE TO KEEP REMINDING ME. WHAT ARE YOU FROWINNG ABOUT NOW? Hear me. You think they can speak English even if they did overhear me? They should not be eavesdropping. Oh whatever!

Me thinks that would not sound much different in French or German.

Anyway before I was interrupted. A fielders cap with a hippie headrag around it, being decorated with tongs, hammer, swage, calipers some off brand of beer--like Pabst Blue Ribbon or some such.

chuck

hats

Anyway what I started to say is. It does not take much to make George do a double take and Ethel Pearline to throw her elbows out and say WELL! I NEVER!

Northern Ohio might not be much different.GRION

chuck------------My hat of choice would probably turn some heads also.

That's a bunch of trowels

Must feel good to have then DONE Jeff.
JIM

That is indeed a bunch of trowels Jim. I was almost exactly half way through forging when the leaf spring broke on my power hammer. Took me about an hour or so to make up a new spring, and get it running again. I spent a lot of hours at the grinders as well. I do wear a really good respirator, but that many hours of hogging off metal free hand does get a little old. My next addition to the shop will be a much bigger motor for the main belt sander to increase the rate of removal.

Chuck, the hat is complete, they have to figure out the joke:)

Verbal Contracts

Thanks Ellen. I'm in Vermont. Sounds like luck will be on my side.
JIM

lab work

Jim you dont say if the letter came from the doc or the lab. You may have payed for the blood draw but not the lab .You got to listen to the fine print.

Question asked and ansured

I go in to get something done because an end result is in order. I ask how much that will be. They tell me. I decide one way or another weather or not I'll do it based on that #. Me not being the doctor is why I ask the question. Them not answering the question is a problem............. The bill is from the lab. The doctor needed to tell me the fact that there would need to be lab tests and they would cost extra. They got their money............... See what's going on?
There was nothing to listen to ......... Deception works that way.
Crooks
JIM

Jeff, Jim

Great stack of fine looking trowels.

Good Luck, Jim!

Jim

One other point, most medical facilities have an "insurance price" and a "cash price". You might approach them and see how low they will go to settle this.

I needed a follow up Scan one year after my kidney was out. Through insurance the total cost was $2,100, and I had a $2,500 deductible. Called a few scan places asking for the cash price, got it done for $400.

Good you were healthy enough to shop around and be your own proponent. Lots of folk out there get that shaft cuss they have no clue or are to weak to care.
It's a broke system.

I'm up for the fight though. (-:

JIM

Hogging metal on trowels

Jim I'm just curious what you are using to take off material on the trowels. I use some Norton Blaze belts on my 2x72 and love them. They take metal off fast and skin a lot faster!

engraver pic

Threw up a pic of the plate marker/engraver I added to my plasma table. I priced some commercial ones, nearly had a heart attack and decided to build my own.

Plain ol Bill, I am the trowel hogger. I used Norazon belts till I ran out of the ones that came home from the valve shop with the sander. I used about 20 of the brown aluminum oxide next cause that was what I had. I need to order and will most likey go back with the Norazon at warp 7 speed

some blacksmithing

So I posted a couple o pics of a job that needed to be done before we took off for a week of family vacation. We needed it! A week is as good as it gets.

Bill,
Boy ain't it great when you can make what you need to pay the bills?

JIM

NORTON BLAZE

BILL I don't have a clue about a Norton Blaze belt. Tell me about it. What is it like and what is better about it.

Monday I am going to order belts. Where is the cheapest and best place you have found to buy belts?

chuck

Gravely blowout

Man John, that's the worst tire aneurysm I've ever seen! Pretty good tube, huh? Probably take over thirty stitches to close up the aneurysm...(grin)

Rich

blaze belts

Chuck I have been using the Blaze for quite awhile now (or at least since they came on the market) for my knife grinding. I use the 50 grit 2x72 and these last longer than any others I have tried. The Blaze only come in hogging grits and man do they HOG. Get a few of them and try them out. Not the cheapest belts around but they far outlast most. True Grit in Ontario, Californicate is where I get mine. They have a web site http://www.trugrit.com/ and their phone number is (909) 923-4116. Good folks to deal with for any abrasives you might need. If you need some skin removed from a finger or six they work really well for that too!

belts

BILL--Thanks. Truegrit is where I get most of my belts and all of my paper. Fine folks.
I did business with his dad till the younger one took over. They will ship the same day and the second day it will be here. Jantz(some times next day) is the same way. Some of the other places are not that way.

chuck

Thanks for the tip, Bill. I finished the grinder I've been working on & need to get some belts.

Tom C

Abrasive Belts

We prep some pretty tough materials for chemical analysis with abrasive belts. All abrasives are zirconia-alumina, and the grits used are 40, 60, and 120. We use 2 sources for belts: www.metlabcorp.com out of Niagara Falls, NY and www.industrialabrasives.com out of Reading, Pa Good prices and good quality belts from both sources. For sample prep, we use 6" x 48" belts. I've purchased home use belts from industral abrasives with a credit card. I haven't tried that with Metlab Corp.
Just a couple more options for finishing supplies - both will go finer than 120 grit - that's just where we need to stop for sample prep. Metlab corp also sells all the polishing supplies needed to prepare samples for metallographic analysis such as diamond pastes, etc.

Abrasive Belts

Thanks for that info Gavainh. I just placed an online order with industrial abrasives for some of the zirconia belts. Quick and easy.

display

Our little local heritage museum has asked me to make a display of blacksmithing items for next spring. That should be enough time to make a few trinkets. :)

Well had another visit to the Docs; not much fun and after figuring out that I was having a third endocrine issue the Doc asked me if I had ever had a head MRI...We're doing some more labwork first; but I may get to hold very still and listen to the powerhammers gone wild sometime in the future. It will be the Pits!

I'm hoping that *EVERYTHING* will be worked out by Christmas and I can get back to *not* losing work to drive back and forth to Albq every couple of weeks!

If only the mother ship had warned me to always wear the Al foil cap when living out here...

Thomas

Thomas, Aluminum foil is so yesterday, don't you know it is titanium these days:)

MRI

Thomas make sure you have your head examined first,by an x-ray. You don,t want errant metal shavings being pulled through your flesh at warp speed. Metal workers must have this done,first. Good Luck

Goos Luck Thomas

Hope all the results come out in your favor.
JIM

garden

TOMATOES GALORE---We have been canning and picked 40 to 50 lbs tonight. The plants are not looking as well as they should. Peppers--we got about two gallons of Jalapinos tonight and picked only the bigger ones so we can stuff them next weekend.

Talk about HOT!!! We tried one of the Anaheim Serranos--LORDY ME!! We drank about a gallon of milk trying to get the fire to go out. Grandson eat half a pepper and ruined his shower. Hottest Serrano I have ever tasted.

We have a little yellow(early)(red later) pointed-cluster growing pepper that looks like an ornamental pepper but it is hotter than all get out.

Needing another rain-- Everything is still green but it is starting to fade. Have a had good summer. So far we have one(1) cucumber total.

We are watering the garden tonight. Will put about 10,000 gallons on it by 6:00 IN THE MORNING. Sure glad we are on our own water.

chuck

THOMAS

Started the above post to tell the Lemitar Wizard to watch himself and then got distracted --first time I have ever done that.

Now where was I? Don't forget to make your premium payment on your insurance if you are going to start in on the glands.

chuck

Thomas and Chuck

Like Bill W advised let them know (in advance) that you are a metal worker. I've had a couple MRI's and they always run a preliminary test to check for metal particles......

Chuck good for you on your tomato crop; you must have a fairly large garden. Also, good you have your own well to water with.

Whew! For a minute there I was afeared that Sandpile was going to advocate Cowboy methods of gland work...

My insurance is paid up but I keep wondering if the home office will start wondering if I'd be cheaper working for someone else...

I don't see any of the Docs again till October---wanted my Quad-State free, clear and unencumbered. It's sounding more like I'll be driving out myself in the pick-up though; great for bring the "wall of shame" anvils out and some good coal back but a much harder drive---and a bit more risky as a 21 year old truck might decide to take a break on such a trip. I'm thinking of coming out a day or two early to allow for down time. Have to check with Helen and see if they want to Hog tie someone and dump them in back of the truck for a trip to Q-S...

(Ellen, Sandpile, you ever want to go to Q-S by plane, I'd be happy to pick you up at the Airport (Dayton or Columbus) and let you borrow my truck to get to and from the hotel.)

Thomas

offer

THOMAS-- That is very nice and I appreciate the offer.
I have a lot of Friday night ballgames for the next few years--hopefully.

chuck

Thomas, Got room in that truck for some roll up doors? e-mail me for details.

Jeff I dun lost your address and you had just given it to me too---again!

I'm at thomas powers "to be found" zianet.com

If I take the truck I could use a door or too though it's uphill going back!

Thomas

ThomasP, mail your way.

The end is near!

We're about to be engulfed by a red giant!

Or if not, why are they installing solar compactors on the street corners?

Actually they're solar-powered trash compactors, but the name's a little odd. Guess they're trying to save labor costs on emptying the trash cans.

Wonder how the things will hold up -- I'm sure the local teenagers are all thinking up stuff you *really* shouldn't put in a trash compactor. Or at least 30 years ago *I* would have been.

weather

Dog-gone weather--------set records last week for low temp.
This week--today we had a low of 65 and a high of 99.
Yesterday 55 low and 100.6 high.---Calm today till about an hour ago then it blew 45 plus and the dirt from the road construction North of here almost stopped traffic on the south side of it.

Blew a couple of my tomatoe plants over.

This country is the original wait 15 minutes and see what happens.

chuck

I got in some forging yesterday morning, nice cool breeze under the shop extension roof with the doors open through the older shop. I was supposed to be doing clean-up on the rasptle snakes I had already done; but forging is always more fun than finishing!

Since I had picked up a box of welding tank valve protectors at the fleamarket I took one of the old battered ones and made another wind bell from it and so had to forge a hanger for it. Sure hope someone at the fair decides they have to have it! All recycled materials: the bell from the welding tank valve protector, the holder for the bell from rebar bundle shipping wire, a chunk of old tire chain dependent on the inside from the bottom loop of the wire (drill the hole right in the center of the top of the bell and it doesn't seem to affect the ring much) and finally a chili forged from a piece of pipe with the step looped through the bottom link of the chain.

I have several hanging from the mesquite tree by my shop and when I'm in bed in the house with the window open I can tell how hard the wind is blowing by listening to them.

BTW I got a couple of real nice bright red "new" welding tank valve protectors in the deal and I was thinking of bringing them to quad-state if anyone could use one. I've been given enough stuff by other smiths that I'd be happy to give them away or even happier to trade them for old battered rusty ones!

(and yes, once the sun was on the far side of the house I did go and scrub down the rasptle snakes that had been soaking in 3 gallons of vinegar overnight and then rinsed them in water with a bit of baking soda and then rinsed them with the hose and hung them to dry. Tonight I'll wire brush them lightly and then spray some clear krylon on them as the fair is a fingerprint intensive venue!

I've spent any spare time over this holiday weekend punching out bottle caps for the tails---I think I am going to have to break down and buy the appropriate sized punch for my whitney and do it the easy way in the future!)

Thomas

Compressed gas tank valve covers

Here in Chattanooga they charge $5 extra if the cover is missing.

covers

Is the Co. that is charging extra AirGas?
Those crooks try to charge a Hasmat charge per tank of $10.00 ...... I pick up/ exchange my own tanks. They also mess with my lease saying I have more tanks then I actualy do, and they charge more per tank then they agreed apon when the lease was started.
If you deal with Airgas watch your bill!
I've called them on it all more then once. I have started billing them on the time I spend fixing their mess ups, Like that matters.
Up here in Vermont we have no choice but to deal with them so I'm stuck fighting the battle with them. Haun Welding Supply is an alternative but I'd have to go to NY to make it happen.
JIM

Airgas

Yes!

My local propane dealer *gave* me a cap for my 100# bottle; said I was a good customer and one was required for transporting it.

I hope to clear enough from the State Fair to fill that bottle once or twice this winter for my propane forge.

Keeping *any* contracts dealing with your bottles is Mandatory and they should be kept clean and safe cause you may work 20 years with just a handshake and then someone new will come along and you have to *make* them follow what the contract says!

I'm starting to pack for Quad-State in his mind...well what's left of it anyway...

My wife picked me up a bottle of Cruzan Blackstrap for Q-S; lovely woman---so glad I married her, since Rich wasn't going to be showing up.

Thomas

QuadState and marriage

Gee Thomas, I never knew you felt that way! I'm more than a bit relieved to know you're already committed. (grin)

John Odom

Good luck and if you can change suppliers great! I wish I could without so much effort.

Haun Welding Supply was here but when Airgas bought out Marreum-Graves (that's who I used) they moved in next door to Haun, slashed prices, and took a beating till Haun said "uncle", and left Vermont. After that Airgas has done nothing good.

Bunch of crooks, I hope they pay some day.

JIM

selling too cheap

JIM I have been there. A big outfit with hundreds of outlets(convenience stores)came to town. Me and the other jobbers had been barely getting along at the price we were getting at the pump. TALOR/MART called and told me I better sell out to them. I was not ready to sell and refused their offer.

Sixty days later they opened a cheapo outlet and started selling gas and diesel at ten cents(per gallon) below cost. We sat there or on cost for almost 6 years. Could not get a buyer to buy into that kind of deal.

We ended up losing $600,000.00 in 6 years and having to sell to clear debts at the bank. Kept our ranch and home place.Grin

Tail lights are really bright.

There was one humorous deal that come out of it. You should have seen a man(tough guy) fleeing across a ballroom in the Fairmont hotel in Dallas. His Armani's, styled hair, plastic surgeon could not save his --- all he had to save him was speed.Grin He sure was an inspired runner.

I have about gotten over it.(not quite)

chuck

Well Sandpile I'm just glad you didn't have open haulers of chicken and pig "manure"---you know the old unmaintained trucks that leak, splash slosh, etc accidentally breakdown at those locations for days at a time...

Walmart came to our town and one of the Hardware stores and the sewing store have shut down. Shame as the Wal-Mart sewing area has *nothing* compared to what the little mom&pop store had.

However the two groceries seem to be holding their own---they stock what people want and not what's cheap!

I decided I'm willing to pay extra to have a great oldstyle hardware store in town and so shop there *first* instead of last.

Rich, I've been monogamous for 26+ years; I think you're safe...(actually I think you must have been hanging round the jail too long to get such thoughts in the first place!)

Thomas

Thomas

Good for you! On both the monogamy and the support of your local stores. We could use more of both.

Rich

monogamous

I have been that way for 47 years and 9 months.
HELEN has very nicely made sure of that.
I have a very nice learning curve.
It has only taken a black-eye or two.Grin

chuck