
Saturday, July 31, 2010
July e-Postal Deadline Coming Up!

Weekend Steam
YouTube lets us see lots of things that we would miss otherwise. I have never had the opportunity to watch a steam shovel in action, so these videos are a treat. You can see the fireman stoking the boiler in the first one; the second one gives you a look at the winching engine as it runs.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
You Can't Miss!
The Gun Blogger Rendezvous at Reno is just forty days away, and you need to send in your registration. Mr. Completely is working hard to make the Rendezvous bigger and better every year, and in addition to the great swag from shooting related industries which will be given to attendees, Mr. C now has a Glock, and a Hi-Point carbine which will be raffled off to benefit our wounded warriors through Project Valour IT. You must attend in order to win! This year there will be three range days again where you will have the opportunity to shoot a variety of firearms out to 1000 yards, learn how to shoot the Steel Challenge, and maybe even become a fast drawing gunslinger under the tutelage of Quick Cal.
Click on the Rendezvous link to register and to find the info on discounted rooms at the Silver Legacy for those attending GBR. It's a good cause, and you will have the time of your life!
Ride 'em Cowboy!
I think the father enjoyed the ride more than the kid. Keep taking the boy to places like this, and next thing you know, you have an engineer.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
You Ain't Nothin' But A Hornworm!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Eight Horse (Some are mules.) Hitch At Boonville, IN
Boonville may have been short on steam engines last week, but the other exhibitors still managed to have a good time. Eight draft animals may be a bit much for a two bottom plow, but it was fun to watch. The little filly you hear and see toward the end was going from person to person looking for moral support while her mama was hitched up. She made a lot of friends, and was a real highlight of the show.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Sight Alignment For Beginning Shooters, Courtesy Of Ruger Firearms
Labels:
Second Amendment Rights,
Shooting
Sunday, July 25, 2010
The Weekend's Over And You Know What's Coming
Back To The Old Grind!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Disappointed Isn't Strong Enough...

We have been going over to Boonville, Indiana for the steam and gas engine shows at Thresherman Park since EJ was a baby, and he is twenty eight years old now. I think this is the forty-seventh year for the club at Boonville. The unwelcome surprise today was ONE steam engine, and a gasoline tractor powering the sawmill. I asked around, and evidently there is some sort of brou-ha-ha between most of the steam exhibitors and the board of directors. I hope they work out their differences soon; the fall show is coming up in October. I visited with some of the gas engine exhibitors, and shot some video of engines running, then headed home.
Weekend Steam: The Sawmill At Thresherman Park
The summer show at Boonville, Indiana is going on this weekend. One of the attractions you will enjoy there is this sawmill, which is located in a shady grove with several benches nearby to enhance your viewing pleasure.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Machinery Evolution



Labels:
Antiques,
gadgets,
Old Publications
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Free Air Shows
Farm Air out of Fairfield, Illinois covers a big area, and I often see their plane doing its work while I am out and about. This summer they have been busy spraying for Japanese beetles, which love to eat corn silks, and soybean leaves. Pilot Mark was killing beetles for a neighbor recently, and I ran out with my pocket camera to get some video. Not too many years ago they were flying Pratt and Whitney powered Ag Cats. The big radial engines sound a lot nicer to an engine nut like me, but this turbo-prop powered beauty does the job quicker and more safely.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
More Helpful Advice From Ruger
This video series from Ruger has plenty of good tips for new and experienced shooters alike. A little trick that EJ passed on to me is to over-reach the support hand when placing it around your shooting hand. Press your hands together, then pull the support hand around, into position. It helps you to snug up your grip that extra little bit that is so important.
Labels:
Second Amendment Rights,
Shooting
Friday, July 16, 2010
Crankin' It Up
Believe it or not, Beale Street Blues was on the B side of Victor record number 18369. The Side A designation went to Old Grey Mare, which we will post next time. I like Old Grey Mare, too, but I think Side B has better name recognition ninety-some years later. Both sides were recorded on August 13, 1917.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Bohon: A Rare Breed
Harrodsburg, Kentucky was home to the Bohon engine line, and later the D.T. Bohon engines. Both of these brands are exceedingly rare today, and I have seen only a few. This D.T. Bohon belongs to Gary Bahre, of Sparta, IL, whom you have seen on this blog firing up a humongous Bessemer engine. The background noise is a Lister Diesel engine that Gary had on the same trailer, and since you can barely hear the Bohon over it, I threw in a clip of the Lister at the end of this video.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Happy Anniversary!



Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Pay No Attention To Those Silly Anniversary Gift Lists
Monday, July 12, 2010
Don't Miss Out; The Rendezvous Is Coming Soon!



Click over to Mr. Completely's Gun Blogger Basics Post to read some important details about GBR, Mr. C's latest post about GBR events, then go to the GBR Website to sign up.
Ruger Tactical Tips: Flashlights, and Clearing Your Home
Ruger Firearms has posted a new video showing you how to clear your home if you are ever faced with this situation. I have prefaced it with another good one they posted on effective flashlight techniques. After you have watched these videos, click over to CarteachO's current post on flashlight techniques. He has some good thoughts that may help you.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Not My Victrola
"Waitin' For The Evenin' Mail," by Marion Harris was recorded in May of 1923, and this YouTube posting is by Pax41. Al Jolson also recorded this song in 1923, and his version is the one I am familiar with, because we have it on a vinyl re-issue from 1981. I wish I had an original so I could share it with you, because he interprets the song a bit differently than Miss Harris. It's an amusing song no matter who sings it, so listen a few times to get it stuck in your head, and you will find yourself singing this one when you think that no-one is listening . "Honey, please don't fail me, Hurry up and mail me bail, That's just a year ago..." That's entertainment!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Weekend Steam: Another German Treat
Bidone1967 just posted this 2-10-0 a few hours ago, and it starts out on a turntable!
There are plenty of good shots of the machinery, and a bit of good stack talk.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Pattin Brothers Oilfield Engine
This odd rig was once common in the oilfields of the eastern US, and there may still be a few in operation out there somewhere. This engine would have been set in a powerhouse on a knob or point, with rod-lines radiating out to oilwells, where a bellcrank would change the horizontal reciprocation to vertical,operating the rods and pump in the oilwell tubing. This is a small engine; I think it is just eight horsepower, and was meant to operate up to six wells of 1000 feet.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
July Fourth Weekend Fun

Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Shooting With Bea


Bea next learned to handle revolvers by starting with her son's Ruger Single-Six, and she found that she could shoot it more accurately than she could with the little Walther. She got lucky and found a used Single-Six in excellent condition at her local Scheel's store, and soon she was shooting the revolver more than the auto. Her son then introduced her to centerfire with a Ruger Blackhawk, and she found that shooting .38's was easy for her. She looked at the options with Ruger Blackhawks, and when the Scheel's store got a .45 convertible, she bought it. The big slow bullets are easy for her to handle, even though she weighs less than 110.
Her son has been reloading for many years, and he set her up to reload for her .45. A surprise benefit of the convertible Blackhawk is the free once fired brass other shooters leave behind at the range. Every range trip begins with policing for new brass before setting up to shoot.
Mr. Completely's July e-Postal Contest Is On!

In other e-Postal news, Random Nuclear Strikes has posted the results for the June match. Take a good look at the scores. If Mr. Completely tries to lure you into a game of pool, my advice is to run!
Faster Than The Speed Of Light

Monday, July 5, 2010
Home Defense Advice From Ruger Firearms
Ruger is producing a great series of videos for our education and enjoyment. This segment was posted a few weeks ago, and I will be watching for the next one for the True Blue visitors.
Labels:
Second Amendment Rights,
Shooting
Monday Off?
Maybe you don't have to go in to work today. If you are one of the lucky ones, enjoy an extra cup of coffee before you start on your chores around home.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Independence Day Mood Setter
I have been looking around on YouTube for someone playing "Jefferson and Liberty" without success. This video ends with "Yankee Doodle," so it will do for today. If I find "Jefferson and Liberty" I will add it to this post. Be safe today!
UPDATE! Still no "Jefferson and Liberty," but the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps performs a very nice medley of "The Minstrel Boy" and "Soldier's Joy" in the video below.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Weekend Steam


Friday, July 2, 2010
Crankin' It Up
Uncle Josh is winding up his visit to New York City, and invites his new friends to come out to the country for a visit. Cal Stewart recorded this gem (?) in September of 1903, and you will probably notice that although this record is more than a century old, it has very little wear. Maybe folks have been afraid of hyperventilating if they listened to it.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
How Did You Do?

The June e-postal requires a fine eye and an extra steady hand. I shot a few targets and could only make a couple shots before I blew it, then finally made three good shots before I hit the wrong ball. You can probably do better! Random Nuclear Strikes will accept your June target through Saturday, so run out to the range tonight if you haven't shot the contest already. Remember, Cheaper Than Dirt will award a $50 gift certificate to some lucky shooter, regardless of shooting ability.
Like Fighting Zombies?


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