Repairs And Spares

 My Ruger Mk III broke down one week ago. I diagnosed the problem easily when I tore the gun down. Coils had fallen off the firing pin rebound spring. Oscillation within the firing pin channel evidently wore some spots thin on the spring. I called Ruger's factory in Prescott, Arizona Monday afternoon, and the parts arrived Friday. The nice lady who waited on me knew the products well, and took care of me quickly.

The pistol went back together in a few minutes, and I will test it out tomorrow. I need to figure a way to store the spares in the grip of one of the pistols, so I can find them if I have this problem again. 

Weekend Steam II: Adrian, Missouri Steam And Gas Engine Show

 Great video by Someplace Or Another.

Weekend Steam: Shooting An Anvil

Launching an anvil with black powder makes for a great spectacle and noise. It has been done to celebrate Independence Day when no cannon was available to cheer celebrants, or just to wake up the entire community on the Fourth of July. @SomeplaceOrAnother has posted this brief video, and it needs a bit of explanation. 

 One anvil is placed upside down, and is settled in as level as possible. The base of this anvil is charged with black powder. Start small while practicing. Lay a cannon fuse into the powder and leave a long tail so you can back way off before the powder goes off. Caulking compound can be applied around the edge of the anvil to make a good seal for the upright anvil, which you will carefully set down on the first one.  Clear the area around the anvils of spectators, light the fuse, and back off. 

Baby And Mama

 Our mama we watch every year has twins again, and they play regularly in the back yard. The little critters are progressing nicely. 

Possums Are Taking Over!

 Squatters have taken over a groundhog den in the barn! Get rid of one problem, and another always shows up.

Tuesday Torque: 6 HP Bullseye Sideshaft Engine

 Thank You, Merle. I was able to find the same engine on YouTube!

And...running with a few of its friends!

Squibs Caused By....

 I had a squib yesterday, and the bullet struck the target, so I shot again, with no bullet strike. I checked the bore and the bullet was a couple inches from the muzzle.  It punched out easily, I went back to shoot, and had another squib. Three in succession had to be an equipment issue. 

I have seen light strikes cause ignition problems before, and that was my suspicion. I pulled the bolt and found that the firing pin rebound spring had shed some coils. That causes the firing pin to not be struck properly when the hammer falls. Gotta call Prescott in the morning to order a replacement and a few spares.

It's always something. Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam: Kory Anderson's Case 150....Be There!

  Anderson Industries LLC

We are just a couple weeks away from the Dodge County Antique Power Club 8/2-8/4 . We are coming back a second time with more demonstrations, events, and incredible merchandise! Kory will be hosting a banquet Saturday night at the Springbrook Event Center too (tickets available soon!).

**On Friday and Saturday morning at 10:00am, Kory will be offering coffee & donuts , along with an interesting steam talk, followed by rides on the 150 Case! If you're interested, get your ticket here: https://square.link/u/ULXxltfV Ticket includes a FREE 150 Case tumbler. Can’t wait to see you at the show!

*Picture below is the 150 Case along the trail at the Springbrook Event Center!!

Text, links, and photo from Anderson Industries LLC Facebook post.

Surprise T-Storms

 We went to the range for practice yesterday and had a surprise storm deliver 9/10 of an inch while we were gone. That made for three rains of 9/10 in one week! The garden and the crops appreciate it. We are getting another little one Friday noon, and it will probably be another 1/10. Nice weather for July, when the grass usually begins to die. Here's a bit of the rain we got from Hurricane Beryl. 

Side Lean Past The Limit? Something Will Fail!

 The back lean was too much to wedge, but the tractor could handle it. There was not enough room to get the tractor squared away, so I had six feet of side lean. That would never hold if you were wedging, but the tractor can push quickly, so I went ahead. The tree stayed off the barn, but some splitting occurred at the hinge. A 90 segment tree is relatively safe with about one foot of side lean. Six was well past my maximum! A good lesson to tuck away!