Tuesday Torque: Restoration Challenges

If you fool around with old machines you will encounter poured babbit bearings, and you may have to make some yourself.  I poured the rod bearing for the 9 HP Economy that you see  in Gary Bahre's engine shed. Zeke helped my do that when he was just a little guy.  Gary had to pour a new rod bearing for the Bessemer 8 HP engine after the new rod was built.  I have poured many wire rope sockets with babbit, back when I mechanicked for a living.  The  MadMailer has just posted a good video showing a challenging project, and he says there will be a part II, so stay tuned.

A Cup Of Coffee, A Sandwich, And You!

Tonight we continue the theme of enjoying Mondays to the fullest!

Makin' Wood Again

We're cutting wood while the weather is still cool, and the ticks aren't very thick.  Here's a nearly dead blue spruce we worked up for next winter's kindling.  Made a lot of stove wood today, too.

Weekend Steam: The Rock Train, Climax Locomotive!

This video is actually an advertisement, but it is a joy to watch.  Climax locos are mighty rare, and there are some good closeups here.

We Should Wear Our Hard Hats In The Yard

Just some of the sticks that fell over the winter.  Gotta pick them up; gotta mow.

Can You See It?

Click on the first pic and look up in the fork on the right tree (black oak snag).  Do you spot things like this when you are out in the woods?  Landowners are always amazed when I point out the animals hiding overhead, and I really don't know why these things stand out to me.  I trip a lot when I'm in the woods because I do look up more than I look down.

Here it is.  We seem to be covered up in coons the last few years.

Not too many people hunt or trap them now, and the numbers are really up.

Coons, skunks, possums, and coyotes are all nest predators, sucking eggs and eating baby birds.  I think the depression in the fur market is the reason that we are seeing fewer wild turkeys the last few years.

Here's another one, up in a squirrel's leaf nest in a hickory tree. Squirrels like to suck eggs, too, and not very many people hunt squirrels.  Funny thing about these coons.  You can whistle, yell, stomp, and they just go right on taking their nap.  Squirrels will scoot around a tree and try to stay out of sight, but coons don't care.

Ruger's Auction To Benefit The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation

This week Ruger is offering a 1977 Convertible Blackhawk in .357 Magnum/9mm.  These are great guns, and it's one you can shoot and not worry about buying a safe queen.   It sells mid-day, April 5, 2017.  Click Here to read all about it and to place your bid.  $735

Tuesday Torque: Twelve Turning

You can read all about the Dornier DO-X on Wikipedia. It was first built with twelve 524 HP engines, which were swapped out for 610 HP Curtiss water-cooled V-12 engines, so the plane could reach a safe cruising altitude.  There were only three built, and there were many problems, but it was important from a pioneering and engineering standpoint.  This radio-controlled model appears much more airworthy than the original planes.

The Coffee Song, Frank Sinatra

First order of business Monday morning; drink an extra cup or two! No hurry!

One More Daffodil Post

Our daffodils have been beautiful this year, but they are just about done now.  I took these photos last week, and I could have taken more today, but I spared you and stifled the urge.