True Blue Sam the Travelin' Man

Saturday, April 24, 2021

Weekend Steam II: World's Longest Backyard Railroad Trestle

Good One, Merle! Thank You!

Friday, April 23, 2021

S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien Triple Expansion Steam Engine

The S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien is one of two Liberty Ships that is still serviceable. 2710 were built during World War II. The ship is fired up once a month and the engine is run for the public to see. Thanks for spotting this great video, Merle!

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Make A Plan For Every Tree You Cut!

We go through the planning process for every tree we cut, large or small. One of our viewers asked a good question about cutting a leaner, so we drew out the problem and figured out whether he needed to do anything special, and it looks like dropping his tree will be pretty much straightforward.

Holy Cow, It's Earth Day Again!

I will most certainly go out and celebrate by whacking a tree or two today! Every time you cut a tree you create a place to grow a new one!

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Brassman Bart: National Emblem March by E. E. Bagley

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

What Really Happened At The Suez Canal?

Susan and I found this video quite interesting. Bank Effect and Finger Traps!

Monday, April 19, 2021

Tuesday Torque: IL-MO Engine Show Coming Up!

Illinois-Missouri Tractor and Engine Club will be having an invitational crank-up at Defiance, Missouri at the Daniel Boone Home, Saturday, April 24, 2021! Our friend Gary Bahre is planning to be there with the five horse Falk if the weather cooperates.

Sunday, April 18, 2021

Just A Little Old Widow Maker

Yard work never ends. Gotta pull this one down by hook or by crook before it falls on one of us. First thing Monday!

Back To The Old Grind!

Covid 19 Info You Can Use!

Height Measurement Made Easy; Biltmore Stick Hack

Rules To Live By

Firearms; Col. Jeff Cooper's Rules
1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
4. Be sure of your target and what lies beyond it.

Knives
1. Never cut toward yourself.
2. Always cut away from yourself.
3. Never cut yourself.

AND
If you drop a knife or gun, let it fall!

Chainsaws

1. Always wear your safety gear when running your saw: hard hat, eye, face, hearing protection, cut resistant protection for your legs, heavy boots, gloves (depending on work conditions).

2. Safety devices on the saw must be in working order: front hand guard,chain brake, chain catcher, throttle lockout, and right hand guard.

3. Hold the saw on the ground or lock it between your knees for starting. No 'Drop Starts.' Set the chain brake before cranking.

4. The engine must idle reliably without turning the chain.

5. The chain must be sharpened properly, including properly set depth gauges.

6. The chain must be adjusted to remove slack and still run freely.

7. The operator must understand the forces on different parts of the bar as the saw runs: push, pull, kickback and attack.

8. Both hands must always be on the saw when the chain is running. The thumbs must be wrapped around the handles. Both feet should be firmly planted on the ground.

9. The operator must always know where the end of the bar is, and what it's doing.

10. Don't let the upper (kickback) corner of the bar contact anything when the chain is running unless the tip has been buried with the lower corner.

11. Let off of the throttle before pulling out of a pinch on the top part of the bar.

12. Make a plan for every tree you cut. Assess hazards, lean, escape routes, forward cuts, and back cuts. Evaluate the forward or backward lean, and the side lean of every tree you cut. Know your limits.

13. Clear your work area and your escape path of brush, vines, and other hazards that can trip you or catch your saw.

14. Escape from the bullseye when the tree tips. 90% of accidents happen within 12 feet of the stump. Go more than 15 feet, and stay out of the bullseye until things stop falling.

15. Keep spectators away more than twice the height of the tree in the direction it will fall.

16. Don't cut alone.

17. Keep your body and the swamper's out of the line of the bar in case of a kickback.

18. Set the brake when taking over two steps or when moving through tripping hazards. Keep your trigger finger off of the throttle when you are moving.

19. DO NOT operate a chainsaw from a ladder! Operating with your feet off the ground requires special training.

20. Do not cut above your shoulders.

21. Springpoles must be shaved on the inside of the apex between the ascending and descending sides. If the apex is higher than you shoulders, stand under the springpole and cut it low on the descending side. It will release upward, away from you.Leaning and heavily loaded poles that are too small to bore cut for a hinge should be shaved on the compressed side until they fold.

22. Do not cut a tree that is holding up a lodged tree. Do not work under a lodged tree. Think about a mouse trying to steal the cheese out of a trap.

23. Instruct your swampers and helpers to NEVER approach you from behind or the sides to within the reach of your saw when you are cutting. If you pull out of a cut with the chain running, or have a severe kickback, the swamper can be killed if he is coming up behind you!

24!! Quit When You Are Tired!

25!! Pause and review; reflect, when you are being pushed. You may be pushed into danger. Do not let pressure cause you to ignore safety rules!

Cutting dead and rotten trees is extremely risky, and your safety always comes down to basics and following the rules. Build a good hinge, even if there is just a thin shell to work with. Support the back side of the hinge with wedges if the tree is punky or hollow before you cut out the back. Don't fight side lean or back lean when cutting unsound trees. Release it quickly and get away from the stump. Tell your co-workers what your steps are before you crank your saw. You will live long.

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The blog known as "True Blue Sam the Travelin' Man" (hereafter known as The Blog) is a recreational publication and not a commercial entity. The Blog's authors and contributors receive no income, discounts, products, gratuities, or other payment from any of the businesses, individuals, and other entities which are mentioned, discussed, depicted, shown in videos, promoted, or linked on the blog. The authors of The Blog create material (including but not limited to written text, illustration, audio and video) for their own personal enjoyment and the enjoyment or education of those who read The Blog.

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Saturday, April 24, 2021

Weekend Steam II: World's Longest Backyard Railroad Trestle

Friday, April 23, 2021

S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien Triple Expansion Steam Engine

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Make A Plan For Every Tree You Cut!

Holy Cow, It's Earth Day Again!

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Brassman Bart: National Emblem March by E. E. Bagley

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

What Really Happened At The Suez Canal?

Monday, April 19, 2021

Tuesday Torque: IL-MO Engine Show Coming Up!

Sunday, April 18, 2021

Just A Little Old Widow Maker

Covid 19 Info You Can Use!

Height Measurement Made Easy; Biltmore Stick Hack

Home Life

Larry's, A Great Local Gun Shop

HAWG Holsters

Old Time Farm Toys From Kester's Collectables! Hand Made American Toys For Kids Of All Ages!

Blog List: Start Clicking

Forums, Reference, and Etc.

Sexy Diamonds

Need Phonograph Needles?

Got Tractor? Get The Parts You Need!

Stoke Up!

Resources, Supplies

Click On Labels For Related Articles

Blog Archive

Rules To Live By

Drop That Tree Where You Want It!

Blog Themesong!

FTC Required Disclosure