Weekend Steam: More UK Steam, Commemorating The End Of The Great War

Merle is finding some good ones for us.  Thank You, Merle!



From the YouTube description: "To commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the the end of the First World War and to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Great Dorset Steam Fair. A special WW1 Convoy was organised to run from the Tank museum at Bovington to Tarrant Hinton at the Show Ground. This film covers the the convoys journey from Bovington to Blandford Forum."

Roadside Amusements, or Tragedies

Spotted this one in Jefferson County, IL a few years back.  It probably wasn't too far from being a good tractor when it was parked, but they go down the slope pretty fast when left out in the weather.  (Just a tractor picture; no link. It was a long day.)

Old Threshers, Thursday, August 30-Labor Day

Old Threshers is a great place to make memories.  I have always been a steam engine nut, but there are plenty of other nostalgic activities.

Funny Thing: Luke, the guy who made this little homemade tractor saw it on YouTube recently and commented.  We posted this after the 2009 show.  Now he finds out that he is famous! Well, 250 views; a few people have seen it.  He's famous with me! 

Ruger's Auction To Benefit The Light Foundation

Good for Moose and Squirrel, Ruger is offering a Model 77 Magnum Rifle in .375 H&H Magnum this week.  This fine rifle was built in 1992, and it appears as new.  It was returned by a distributor in 1996.  It comes with sling swivels and a set of Ruger rings.  You can't go wrong with this one.  CLICK HERE to read all about it and to place that winning bid.  $1375

Tuesday Torque: Doin' Go-Buggies The Hard Way

Once upon a time you would see the occasional buggy at an engine show.  Some old boy or his grandkids would be putting around with a two-wheeled garden tractor and sulky, or maybe a converted Wheel Horse tractor with an old hit and miss engine.  Now these buggies are controversial at many shows because there are too many of them.  Nowadays most of them are golf carts or modern utility vehicles moving able-bodied folks around.  You do have to watch for them when you go to shows.

I like this one.  It is a big engine that the little 1 1/2 HP John Deere can barely spin, and it embodies the best qualities and sentiments of showing off your engines at a show.  You can hear it coming, too, so it doesn't run you over!  I like that! Many Thanks to Merle for spotting this one for us!

A Righteous Claim To Fame

                                                           
                                                                 Click To Enlarge.

                        Work Like You Want To Be Number One!  Back To The Old Grind!

Teddy In The Hospital

We have had a wild week.  In addition to all of the regular things that we are taking care of, Teddy injured his back this week and his hind quarters were paralyzed.  Our vet did X-rays and nothing was broken, but our vet could not offer the aggressive treatment that Teddy needed.  Our good friend, Michele, who raises Schipperkes, recommended that we go to Veterinary Specialty Services near St. Louis for emergency care.  They did an exam for Teddy, then an MRI to confirm that he had a disc injury, and then they did surgery almost immediately.  Two days later our little friend is progressing nicely and is even walking a bit.  We expect to bring him home near the end of this week.  Michele checked on him today and shot some video for us.  We have hope that Teddy will make a full recovery.

Weekend Steam: African Railroads!

Merle has picked another set of good vids this week.  He is good at finding exotic steam locations!

Magnetos; A Noble Quest

Our Friend, Gary Bahre has the Sears 9 HP Economy engine from Buck's Branch, just above Martin, Kentucky, that we collected some forty years ago.  It is a beautiful engine now, on a new drop-center cart, with a bright paint job, and riding on heavy duty wheels from a Case threshing machine.



The only thing spoiling the restoration for Gary is the magneto setup.  This engine came out in 1920 with a Webster mag and ignitor.  Gary has the ignitor base, but the mag is missing.  It was changed out for a Wico EK mag on a blacksmith-built mount in the '30s or '40's, probably because EKs were easily available due to oil and gas production in Eastern Kentucky. 

This is how his Sears 9 looks now, with a rustic, but whopperjawed and somewhat ugly adaptor to hold the Wico EK.

This is the type of mag that the Sears should have.  It is a pretty little machine in its own right; made of iron, steel, brass, aluminum and copper.  Websters are poetry in motion as they produce the sparks to make these old motors run.  We had a couple phone calls with Gary today, and he is hot on the trail of some good leads.  The chase is a thrill, and bagging the one you want is as good as a thirty point buck.

Ruger's Auction To Benefit The Light Foundation

Ruger isn't making these anymore, so you better make a move on this one.  It is a Stainless, 2 3/4" barrel, .38 Special Speed Six, made in 1983 and stored in its original box in Ruger's vault since then.  This fine little pistol will sell mid-day, August 22, 2018.  CLICK HERE to read all about it and to place your bid.  $805

Tuesday Torque: The Collis Is Highly Unusual And Very Collectible

The Collis is a very rare engine, and it is one that Cushman collectors salivate over. It came out in 1920, and there were only about 800 of them made. Cushman licensed it to be built as the Pierson engine, and there are a few out there with that name. The Collis was a big departure from the typical farm engine of 1920. It turned much faster, was lighter for the horsepower, it had a counterbalanced crankshaft, and it had a radiator instead of a water hopper. Updates came quickly and the rotating radiator disappeared, replaced by a radiator behind the flywheel, which acted as a fan and pulled air through the radiator. The single rocker arm that worked both the intake and exhaust valve was a huge innovation in 1920. Typical farm engines at the time ran at half the speed or less of the Collis, and they used an atmospherically operated intake valve. That wouldn't work at higher speeds, thus the cam-operated intake valve had to be used. This design was meant to be used for orchard sprayers and binders to cut and bundle wheat and oats, and it was much lighter than engines that were being utilized at the time. I think that most of these engines probably failed when the rotating coupler leaked, letting the cooling water escape. That could drain the system quickly if the operator wasn't looking. If you run across one of these that can be restored, grab it. There are very few in captivity that run, and Cushman collectors want them.

Ready To Roll?

Back To The Old Grind!

Did You Know...

...that JC Penney sold dune buggy lawnmowers?  You learn something at every engine show!

Gas Engine Hill, Here I Come!

I am planning to go to Pinckneyville tomorrow to visit friends and take a few photos.  Here is Dick Brown's classic early Fairbanks engine that he showed there last fall.

Friends Are Home, Safe!

One of my very best friends, Tom Gargrave, is on the far left.  I know some others in this group, too.  They have had some real adventure in Idaho and Utah.  Read about it HERE, in the Southern Illinoisan.  Lots of good photos!

Photo Credit: Tom Gargrave via the Southern Illinoisan

Weekend Steam One Day Early!

Merle found a good one that really is good to show after the one we had last week.  If you like to look at houses built 100 years ago, this is how moldings were made back then.  Big iron planers with shaped knives that were turned by steam engines made that fancy wood.  I've been lucky to see some of this machinery in action, and now you can too!  Thanks for the good work in spotting, Merle!

The Curve Eats Another One

It might have been a 'possum; might have been a phone call or whatever, but another vehicle ran off the road yesterday in front of Patti's place.

The really sad part of this is the truck was fine when it ran into the ditch.  If only the driver had let it go on through those shrubs he could have driven parallel to the road and come out on the next driveway with no damage.

Instead, he was trying to get back up on the road and he tangled with a power pole as a result.  Luckily, he did not hit it head-on, or it would have been much worse.

Hit the 'possum, don't look at your phone, hit those curves at a proper speed, don't drink and drive.  Do all those things, and wear your seatbelt. We do not enjoy seeing these wrecks.

Ruger's Auction To Benefit The Light Foundation

Ruger is offering a highly desirable non-catalog Mini-30 this week.  This little rifle was possibly made as a dealer exclusive model.  It has a laminated Tree-Bark stock and is stainless.  CLICK HERE to read all about it and to place your bid.  This fine little rifle will sell mid-day, August 15, 2018. $1848

Tuesday Torque: Bonus Week!

Merle has been busy, and we have a backlog of good videos to watch.  Let's start with a big one!



And then an amazing restoration!

Do you know that single cylinder tractors are a real thing with some collectors?



Thank You, Merle!

Good Looks Won't Hurt You,

but you still have to turn out the goods!  Back To The Old Grind!

American Thresherman Association Show at Pinckeyville, Illinois: Be There!

Coming up next week! August 15!

Weekend Steam: A Day At The Mill!

Steam engines doing work is why we have nice things.  I always enjoy seeing these old engines being used to do real work and not just play.

Brownwall Engine

This video is from seven years ago!  I was looking through old files and found some raw vid from 2011 at Boonville, Indiana.  I love the sound of the LeRoi engine next to this Brownwall engine!

Ruger's Auction To Benefit The Light Foundation

Here is a special one from Ruger's vault!  This is a 50th Anniversary Blackhawk (original smaller frame and grip) made in 2005, and it is not a catalog item.  This .357 revolver was made in 2005, then it was engraved and marked as a 50th Anniversary Blackhawk.  Collector interest does not seem to be excessive, but it has been viewed many times.  CLICK HERE to read all about it and to place your bid.  Click Here to look at more photos!  This extra-special Blackhawk will sell mid-day, Wednesday, August 8, 2018.  $801

Tuesday Torque: 60 HP Hart Parr at Pioneer Acres Museum, Irricana, Alberta

Merle's Pick this week is a fun one to watch.  These big Hart Parrs are scarce as hens' teeth, so you watch when you see one.

Don't Feel Pressured Monday Morning;

We are here to pump you up!


Back To The Old Grind!

Happy, Happy Birthday To Lisa Marie!

My little baby is five years old today!

The drive to Chickasha was worth every minute, every mile.  She goes with me every day to feed Big Jack and they have become best buds.  They chase each other around his dog yard and then have private little talks.

Weekend Steam: Restoration Of Sumpter Valley Locomotive

Merles' Pick this week is a good one!  We get to watch some of the gritty restoration process of a century-old locomotive.




Thank You for spotting, Merle!

Autumn, Autumn, Go Away, Come Again About October

We saw goldenrod blooming last week, and that's OK, but now the sumac is turning red already!  It's barely August!  That's jumping the gun!  Black walnut is already beginning to yellow and drop leaflets, and catalpa is visibly changing to a lighter shade of green.  I'm Not Ready!  I still have wood to split and I can't break away from the lawnmower.  August Lilies and Fall colors just seem incongruous to me, but I am always behind the curve.

Mini Ammo Can; Yay or Nay?

Right or wrong, I have been carrying extra ammo in old 35 mm film cans for decades.  They hold 6 .357s or 4 .44s or .45s, and the cartridges stay clean and dry.  When I carry I usually have a Ruger single action with me whether I am hunting, cutting wood, or cruising timber. I never have needed a reload, but I like to have it handy.  Forty years ago in Pike County, Kentucky, I had a timber rattler appear at my feet from under a rock.  The landowner was right next to me and my dog, Merky, was coming on the run because I had called him.  I missed the rattler's head with the first shot from my Blackhawk, but got it with the second.  Other times I have used .22 Magnum snakeshot on copperheads.  You can put several reloads of .22 Mag in one of these containers.

What brings this up is I got an "Are You Serious" and "Get A Speedloader" from a couple of commenters on Facebook recently.  I have been questioning myself ever since, but I don't see a problem.  This works for me, so is it a good idea, or not?

Ruger's Auction To Benefit The Light Foundation

Ruger is offering a  pistol this week that could become your Old Dependable.  It is a P 85 with manual safety in 9mm, with ambidextrous magazine release and ambidextrous safety.  These pistols are solid, dependable guns, but they don't grab the interest of collectors, so this is a chance for you to get a high quality home defense gun that will really work well.  CLICK HERE to read the entire description and to place a winning bid.  This Ruger 9mm Manual Safety P 85 will sell mid-day, August 1, 2018.  Update: 11A Central, it is at $430.  $5 increments.  Less than 1/2 hour to go! Get Busy!  $430!  Someone got a bargain!