Tree Bigger Than Your Saw?

This tree has been waiting for us until the crops were out. We had warm weather and favorable wind to help bring it over, so today was the day. A diameter tape showed the tree was 55 inches diameter, and our big saw has a 28 inch bar, with an effective reach of 27 inches. We have had to deal with similar situations before, and found that removing blocks around the tree is a good solution. Borecutting makes your saw as handy as a light saber for making special cuts. Find a chainsaw class if you don't know how to borecut and do open face cutting to drop a tree.

Weekend Steam Bonus: Steam Shovel Action At Rollag, Minnesota

Some great action we saw at Rollag, Minnesota.

Weekend Steam: Cute Ones Across The Pond

Merle spotted a couple good ones for this week. Wouldn't you love to have one of these in your back yard? Thanks, Merle!

Gophers Again

We dug again.  During our previous explorations for the downspout drains we found the perimeter drain on the south end of the house, and where it had been cut decades ago during a water line installation.  The far end was plugged by tree roots and it had to be replaced from the cut  outward.  We had the plumbers here this week and they got 'er done in half a day.  It's installed and covered up.  We will be leveling next Spring, and maybe we can make this yard smooth enough for Bocce Ball.

Maintenance Reminder!

Guns should be cleaned and lubed after use, especially before being stored away so they don't rust.  Your carry guns should be cleaned and lubed regularly so they are always ready to run.

Oil creeps away from the surfaces that need to move, and lint will pull the oil off.  Pocket carry should be considered as extreme service because of lint and dirt exposure.

Ignore your gun for too long and pocket dirt may prevent proper functioning.

You need only a few minutes to break down, clean, and lube most guns.  Do it at least once a month. 

Take note of of your carry ammo, too.  You need to run your gun occasionally, use up that ammo you bought five years ago and stoke up with factory fresh.

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

                                                                         $2575
You can be a winner this week with Ruger's auction offerings.  Ruger is selling a Law Enforcement Only Mini-14 from 1988. It was returned from a Minnesota Police Department and was returned to inventory.  It looks like a good one and is drawing lots of interest.  The revolver is a Ruger Service Six made in 1985 and returned in 1986.  It looks good, and it may go for a bargain price, judging from the bids as I post this.  Click on the photos to go to the GunBroker links.  Both of these fine firearms will sell mid-day, Wednesday, November 6, 2019.

                                                                               $660

Tuesday Torque: Firing Up A Field Marshall

This is really Firing Up!  You have to light a punk and put it in the combustion chamber, and then you spin the engine with a shotgun shell.  Boy, do we have it easy today! Thanks for the pick, Merle!

Oldie? Be A Goodie!

                                                              Back To The Old Grind!

Have You Been Trained To Use Chainsaws Safely? Here's Your Lifesaving Opportunity!

                                                             Click On Image To Enlarge.

If you have a saw, or are thinking about buying a saw, and have not had chainsaw safety training, you need this class.  How many times have you seen a news report of storm cleanup and seen someone operating a saw in shorts, sneakers, maybe on a ladder, with no eye protection, no leg protection, and no hard hat?  Just about every time there is storm cleanup, I'd say.  Don't be that guy.  Call or email the Dixon Springs Ag Center and sign up for this class.  You will learn valuable skills and avoid visits to the emergency room.  Be sure to inquire about advanced training, too.  They will be scheduling a class for that also. 

Weekend Steam Bonus

Last weekend we went to Pinckneyville for the Fall Festival.  One of the highlights was watching the Corliss engine that is now hooked to a new boiler setup in the American Thresherman stationary engine building.  Watch for more engines to be set up in the years ahead.