Ruger's Auctions To Benefit The USA Shooting Team and the Light Foundation

                                                                           $846
Ruger is doing a double every week lately. This M77 Mark II in a Desert Color Laminated Stock was not a cataloged item.  This fine rifle was made in 1988 and is chambered in .223. The description makes me think that this is a one-of-a-kind rifle.  It sells mid-day, Wednesday, October 9, 2019.  CLICK HERE to read about it and to bid.

                                                                           $1025
This P 94 in 9 mm was sent out and returned, then it was sent out again as a police loan, and returned again to the Prescott factory.  It looks new, but the laser does not work.  The bidding shows that there is some collector interest in this pistol.  It also sells mid-day, Wednesday, October 9, 2019.  CLICK HERE to read about it and to bid.

Tuesday Torque: 1893 Otto Engine, Rollag, Minnesota

This one goes back to the early days of internal combustion.  It's a four stroke cycle engine, but good luck figuring out what is happening with the links on this rare survivor.  I watched for a long time, and I was flummoxed!

Mark Another Off The List!

The downspout drain is replaced and buried. We have tilled and reshaped the yard off the basement, and now we have it limed, fertilized, seeded, and strawed.  Now, on to the next project!


Back To The Old Grind!

Just In Time For Columbus Day!

We made a journey to Menard's yesterday for supplies and celebrated Christmas while we were there!  Great Fun!

Weekend Steam Bonus: Triple Expansion Engines On The Texas

Two, Two! Low Pressure cylinders on each engine!!! This video is a good one to gain an understanding of compounding in steam engines. Most triple expansion engines have three cylinders.  The engines on the Texas split the exhaust steam from the second cylinder into two low pressure cylinders.  They figured this system more than a century ago and this is the first time I have heard of a four cylinder triple expansion engine.  Live and Learn!  Thanks, Merle!

Weekend Steam: Let's Go Boating Again!

Coventry Boat Rally, 2014, Steam On The Canal.  Thanks, Merle!

Shade Tree Calls Are Still Coming In

I had a call from an old friend who wanted advice on dead trees.  I started with this elm.  The answer is obvious here.

The bigger problem is that this cowboy action shooting range is situated in an old field situation, which means most of the trees are ash.  This year was the big die-off from emerald ash borer.  There are lots of trees to take down, and many of them want to fall on buildings. Most of the trees can be taken down with chainsaw and wedging, but there are several that need a pull in a safe direction, or to be taken down with a bucket truck. I did not volunteer, but did recommend a logger who can teach some club members how to drop the easy ones safely.  The difficult cases will be easy to reach with a truck after the easy ones are removed.

I had another call yesterday for pruning needs on young yard trees.  I think that if I wanted to go back to work I would be busy every day, but we aren't going there.  We are enjoying the luxury of working on our own projects every day instead of trying to take care of the place two days a week.  We are going to finish up some dirt work on the back yard today.  We are thinking about getting a set of bocce balls after this project is done!

Minneapolis 35-70 On The Prony Brake

This tractor was made in 1919 and was rated for 70 horsepower on the belt.  It starts out a bit rough, but the engine seemed to settle in and it turned out 74 horsepower.

How Do You Make Music For Century-Old Band Organs?

Band organs exist in a very small world. There are a few roll makers, but only one that has machinery that can use midi files from a computer.   If you want to have a new roll made for a band organ, you probably will have to buy an entire run of rolls, and then sell your unneeded ones to other band organ enthusiasts.  This gentleman was cutting a new roll at the Rollag engine show during the Labor Day weekend show.

Ruger's Auctions To Benefit The USA Shooting Team and the Light Foundation

                                                                           $1075
Ruger Police Carbine, 1996.  CLICK HERE to read the description.  It was at a police department on loan for many years.  Looks pretty much new, though.

                                                                         $805
Ruger Stainless Speed Six, 1985.  Returned from a distributor.  Looks new, but has some fingerprints visible on right side in the photo.  CLICK HERE to read all about it.  Both guns sell mid-day, Wednesday, October 2, 2019