Weekend Steam: No Controversy In My Mind!

 The only way you can keep antiques like this original is to never operate them. Steam engines need flues, new grates, new staybolts, new flue sheets, new crown sheets, effective brakes, and on and on. I am glad to see old machinery restored and running for new generations to learn from and enjoy.  Tastes change. Back in the 1960s the gas engine hobby was just taking off and restorers mostly wanted their vintage engines to look like new. Lots of original paint and patina were stripped off for new paint. That changed, and now most want the barn fresh, dull paint, old grease, and rust look. Don't fret over how original the machines are.  Just be thankful that dedicated hobbyists spent the time, effort and money to make these treasure run again. 

Soap Class For Everybody!

 Here's Susan's basic soap making lesson. No rehearsal, one take!

Wednesday Windage: .22 Mag, .22 LR, .380 Auto Comparisons, by Gun Sam

 

Tuesday Torque: Galloping Goose!

 Another great topic from Merle! Thank You, Merle!

Out Of Retirement

 Susan has made a lot of soap in years past, both basic and fancy. With lard, tallow, various vegetable oils, and she taught a lot of people how to do it, too. Soap making used to be a basic skill for a homemaker. Her tools and supplies have been sitting idle for many years, but she got a call to teach a class for Home Extension. The lye in that container was some we bought more than twenty years ago!  She will be making a batch Monday to have samples to hand out. 

                                   Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam V: Another Place To Visit! Steamtown!

 Thanks, Merle!

Weekend Steam IV: Who Needs A Quiet Saturday?

 Another great link from our spotter friend Merle.  Many Thanks, Merle!

Weekend Steam III: A Bit Of Railroading History

 Brief, but great info! Thanks, Merle!

Weekend Steam II: West Somerset Railway

 Real Beauty! Thanks, Merle!

Weekend Steam: The Last Shay!

 Merle sent some good ones for us this week! The last Shay out of the shop is one of the engines at Cass Scenic Railroad in West Virginia.  Many Thanks, Merle!

Fox Kits Playing At The Back Door!

 One of our blog friends sent us this video, with permission to post it! This fox family lives in a major eastern city. Foxes and coyotes have adapted to urban settings, but it still seems unusual to see wildlife in developed areas. Foxes in rural areas have a tough time because coyotes prey on them. That drives foxes to live up close to humans, where coyotes traditionally have feared to tread. MANY THANKS TO JOHN for sharing this happy video!

Slo-Mo Recap Of Snag Hinge Failure

 

Here's the hinge failure video slowed down to 1/4 for us to examine. You can see the one that failed swinging toward the camera as it pulls the other stem over. It comes through the mulberry tree that was growing in the fencerow. Note the stump at the end. The left side was punched down when the master snag was pulled over. The branches coming down are impressive! Hinge failure AAR: https://youtu.be/sixSbZ5SRDo

Wednesday Windage: Tim Sundles On 10 mm vs. 45 ACP For Bear Protection

 

Tuesday Torque: Buffalo Springfield 1928 Road Roller

 

This beauty sold recently at Aumann Auctions.  It brought $77,000!

Thanks for spotting, Merle!

Rollag Gas Engine Area

Back To The Old Grind!

 

Hinge Failure After Action Review

 I am in the process of cutting up this snag now, and it is a disappointment. Pin oaks standing dead rot much faster than other oaks, and this one is really punky. I am going to load it out into the woods and dump it because it will not make good firewood. It is too soft and too light. Oh Well, or words to that effect. Take your pin oaks down early while they are solid. 

Weekend Steam II: Big Boy Eastern Schedule

 

May 25: Depart Cheyenne for Eastern Leg.

May 30: Public Display: Omaha, Nebraska.

June 3: Public Display: West Chicago, Illinois.

June 10: Public Display: Buffalo, New York.

June 15–16: Public Display: Scranton, Pennsylvania (Steamtown).

July 4–5: Public Display: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

July 9–10: Public Display: Altoona, Pennsylvania.

July 14: Public Display: Fostoria, Ohio.

July 19: Public Display: St. Louis, Missouri.

July 29: Return to Cheyenne, WY

Weekend Steam: Take A Ride On The Cass Scenic Railroad!

 This little engine is a Climax geared logging locomotive. Ingenious design, fascinating to watch.  Thanks, Merle!

HINGE FAILURE! Snags Write Their Own Ending!

 I am glad I have this recorded! I had it set up the way I wanted, but while I was working away on the backstrap of the in-leaning tree, the hinge failed on the out-leaner! I did not see that because the tree I was working on blocked the view. The chain swung it over to our side of the boundary fence, and then the in-leaner dropped on top of it. You can watch both hinges fail, going sideways. Snags always have extra risks. The wood had lost some strength on these stems and I am lucky the hinge on the out-leaner held until the other one was able to go.

One of the things to do when making your falling plan is to figure out where the tree will go if the hinge fails. You can tell that within a 90 degree quadrant. That is the worst place to be during your cutting. These trees fell almost 90 degrees from where I intended because of the first hinge failure, and knowing where NOT to be turned out to be vital to me remaining vertical when it was all over.

Don't Lose Your Marbles!

Wednesday Windage: Ruger .44 Magnum Hunter, A Hickok 45 Oldie But Goodie

Tuesday Torque: Some Oldies But Goodies!

 Many thanks for the picks, Merle!

NRA Women On Target Day

 We had rain and cold temps at the Carmi Rifle Club, and a small turnout, but we had a good time anyway.  Half of the day was indoors on the rimfire pistol range, then we had some great cheeseburgers off the grill, and shooting all afternoon.  The sun came out to take off the chill, finally!

Potato salad, Big Thick Cheeseburgers, chips, cookies!

Weekend Steam: Propane Is Neat, No Smoke, No Soot, Lights Right Up