Chainsaw Kickback And Your Chain Brake

 I saw a video the other day where a fellow was complaining that chain brakes are useless. He was demonstrating how he formed his opinion by doing kickbacks with his saw with his bar vertical. That launches a kickback right at your face, and luckily, he never made a serious kickback, because a bad one is powerful. His brake probably was fine, and he wasn't hitting wood hard enough to make it set. Sometimes when doing a demonstration you may have to hit several times to get the effect you want, but if you do, you must have your saw turned so it launches to your right, not vertically at your head. A strong hit will swing the saw several feet.  Here's instructor Joe Glenn demonstrating a kickback at one of the classes he taught.

The next video shows me out in the woods to cut up a black oak, and I show how to check your brake to make sure it operates correctly. 

Weekend Steam: When Steam Was King, J.I. Case, 1950s

 Those engines were still young in the 1950s! Today we see hobbyists putting new boilers on engines to keep them running, so it is still a serious hobby. Life is good!

Milo Matthews monitoring the Prony brake being pulled by a Russell engine at the 1953 Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers reunion. Milo was one of the founders, and his son Stan started the Midwest Central Railroad, bringing engines 2 and 6 from the Southeast, and in 1966 bringing the Number 9 Shay from California. I don't think you will find any Old Settlers or Threshers at the shows nowadays. The young'uns carry on!

Weekend Steam: Big Boy Is On The Move!

Don't Plant Ash

 

Foster Pups Take A Trip!

 Coast to Coast! One Day! Two of Dottie's pups (Born in the Jackson County, Oregon animal shelter, and raised in a foster home.) have their forever homes! A flight nanny came from Ohio to Oregon, then to New York, arriving just before midnight to deliver. This long distance adoption kept us on pins and needles all day, but our nanny communicated with everyone concerned and the trip came off perfectly. More trips are being planned. The adopters very graciously agreed to let us share this photo of the happy moment. These successes are possible because of generous volunteers and donors who are dedicated to Schipperkes. Many Thanks to all of our supporters!

Wednesday Windage II: Ron Spomer On Maximum Point Blank Range

Wednesday Windage: Tim Sundles On The Changes From Old To New Models Of Ruger Single Action Revolvers

 This information is old news to old folks, but younger shooters may not know the history.  Back in 1973, Gun Digest had a lengthy article about the changes, with a history of the dangers associated with the old click-click-click of Colt type single action revolvers.  I was sold immediately and have had only the transfer model Rugers. They are solid guns, and you aren't likely to have life threatening malfunctions with them.  Here's Tim:

Tuesday Torque II: Shades Of Alexandar Botts!

 In the 1950s, Upson offered the following biography of his hero: “Alexander Botts was born in Smedleytown, Iowa, on March 15, 1892, the son of a prosperous farmer. He finished high school there; then embarked on a series of jobs – none of them quite worthy of his mettle. In these early days the largest piece of machinery he sold was the Excelsior Peerless Self-Adjusting Safety Razor Blade Sharpener. He became interested in heavy machinery in 1918 while serving in France as a cook with the motorized field artillery. In March 1920, he was hired as a salesman by the Farmers’ Friend Tractor Company, which later became the Earthworm Tractor Company.  Read The Whole Article!

Tuesday Torque: Wayback Machine To Boonville, 2009

 This video has had just 1000 views since we posted it seventeen years ago. The nickels aren't coming in very fast. It's not a bad video, and there are some good hit-and-miss mechanical views.

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great cemetery crawl this weekend, and had some quality time with family and friends.

This marker had the marble spire stolen a few years ago. Maybe a sculptor strapped for funds and needing raw material. Who needs a stranger's grave marker in their home?

Poor George. Went from Bluford, IL down to Tennessee to visit family and was abducted and drafted into the Confederate army. He came home after the war. 

We got to review a lot of history of family and neighbors.

 

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