Tonight,

...We light!

The Sewer-Septic Saga Continues...

The good news is we can take a shower again!  I have lost track of the number of days the plumbers have been working here, so I guess that's the bad news.  We had the septic tank sucked today, so it should be good for the next decade.  The new sewer line is in place and needs only a floor drain and a cleanout added before it can be filled in and new cement is poured. All of this started because we are going to put new flooring down in the basement.  Mission-Creep is a term that we use daily now.

The Last...

...Violet Of Summer??

Now THAT'S a Happy Birthday!

If you don't understand the thrill of such things, you just haven't lived long enough yet!

Ruger's Auction To Benefit Honored American Veterans Afield

Ruger is offering a very special Mini-14, built in 1979.  This one has the marking for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, a model that was built for that organization.  1300 were built and marked with O.H.P on the rear of the receiver, and an additional 300 were made without that mark.  This rifle does have the O.H.P. mark.  It has been residing in Ruger's vault for nearly forty years, and now it can be yours!  CLICK HERE to read the full description and to place your bid.  $1834.99

Tuesday Torque: Plowing With Antique Tractors At Will County Threshermen's Association

On Some Jobs You Must Gum Up The Works!

Back To The Old Grind!  (This man is too much of an artist to use a grinder, but that is most of us would do today.)  (Gumming a saw increases the depth of the gullet to match the reduction at the top of the tooth.  If you don't do both, the gullet will fill with cuttings.) Recycled from five years ago. This is valuable information that bears repeating.

Weekend Steam: NKP 765

This one (Courtesy of Merle's video spotting) will put you right back into the early 1950's.  Thank You, Merle!

Ruger's Auction To Benefit Honored American Veterans Afield

Ruger made a run of Flattop Blacktops in 2005 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Blacktop line.  These were the same size as the original Blackhawks with the flat top of the frame that soon disappeared when the frame size was increased. This Blackhawk is engraved, a feature that was not put into the Ruger catalog.  This fine revolver has been residing in Ruger's vault ever since it was built and engraved in 2005.  CLICK HERE to read all about it and to place that winning bid.  $695

Tuesday Torque: Two Nice IHC Engines

Here are a couple of nice engines that look pretty similar. Engine aficionados will note that the one with the new paint fob is a hit and miss model, and is the older engine.  It has a thermosyphon cooling tank, which was soon phased out to a tray cooling system, and later, to a screen cooler over a tank.  The thermosyphon used a lot more water asn was heavier to move around.  The newer, original finish engine is throttle governed.