New Grinder From Old

Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam: Steam Train From Kandy To Colombo, Sri Lanka

Thank You, Merle!  You found another great one! 

Swiper, No Swiping!

What a change we see in Swiper.  He had his teeth done this week.  He had eight pulled, and two were badly infected.  He also had a nail cut short that was split and causing him pain.  He is feeling much better now and is actually getting toys out of the bucket and playing with them.  He will be moving on soon and we will hate to see him go.  Some Dog!

Wayback Machine: Chainsaw Class At Dixon Springs

This was a great two-day class taught by Instructor Joe Glenn.  The students were SIU Forestry and UIUC Forestry Students on Spring Break who were learning valuable skills instead of partying.  Good People.  This eastern red-cedar is all set up for the drop.  The face is cut, the hinge is one inch thick, and the backstrap is still holding the tree steady.  These young foresters got real good very quickly.

This little guy was a bonus for us.  Foresters see flying squirrels occasionally, but they are mostly nocturnal, so it is always a treat.

Ruger's Auction To Benefit The USA Shooting Team

Ruger has an exciting treasure from the vault this week!  It's  Speed-Six in .357 Magnum from March, 1975.  This new gun has been sitting unused in the vault for 44 years.   Some of the guns that come out of hiding show little bits of wear, or a mark from a fingerprint; this revolver appears to be pristine.  It will sell mid-day, June 26.  CLICK HERE to read all about it and to place your bid. $1125

Tuesday Torque: 600 HP Snow...

...from Road King.  This engine is at the Coolsprings engine show.  This engine would justify a trip to Coolspring.

The Miller's Tale

The Miller's Tale from Euan Myles on Vimeo.

Back To The Old Grind!

Summer Solstice Special

Weekend Steam: British Road Locomotives

Merle picked a couple of good ones; from 2009 and 2013. The Brits use of steam was very different from American traction engines.  One thing I am amazed at is the speed these engines travel while being steered with a pivoting axle that is steered by chains.  Even at two miles per hour steering a traction engine can be a challenge. Do the rubber tires and a smooth road surface make up for the slack and slow gear ration of the steering gear? 

Wayback Machine: Joe Glenn Demonstrates A Rescue Technique

Important technique to know for lifting a section of a tree off of a pinned victim. Steps in the process: 1, Set cribbing in place to prevent the tree from moving. 2, Make two holes through the log with four bore cuts each. The holes must be large enough for your poles to slide through. 3, Make angled cuts so the section can't fall, and wedge the section in place. 4, use poles to lift the log section off, and don't step on the victim. Each hole requires making four bore cuts through the log; become proficient at bore cutting before you try this.

This rescue strategy seems quite relevevant, given all the tornadoes we have had this year. Keep your saws tuned up and ready to go, know how to do a bore cut, have wedges and a hammer in your chainsaw kit, and practice this method. You probably will never need it, but if you do, you better know how to do it.