Ruger's Auction To Benefit Honored American Veterans Afield

Ruger is offering a real winner this week and it probably won't be run up by the Collecitibles Crowd.  This is a 1990 (first year of production) P85 Decocker Pistol, with 15 round magazine in 9mm.  These are great pistols for home, vehicle, sport; whatever!  They are built like a tank, and the Decocker would be my pick if I went looking for one.  It is New-In-Box!  You can't go wrong with this one.  Click Here to read the description and to place your bid.  This fine pistol will sell mid-day, Wednesday, October 24, 2018.  $655

Tuesday Torque: 30-60 Rumely Oil Pull

These big old machines are more fun to watch if they are working.  Here we see a big Oil Pull on a sawmill.  These were a big step up from steam engines, but life was still hard.  There is no description with this video, other than it belongs to Charley Roadhouse.

'round and 'round She Goes! Hard To Beat Stone Ground!

Back To The Old Grind!

Here You Go: LINK

Hey, did you notice that Mr. Freeman might just be a bit supersitious?  One of his galluses is twisted, and that will protect you from being struck by lightning!  I have heard it from many old-timers who were never struck; it must be true!

Tree Farm Field Day!

You could not have asked for a better October day than we had in Wayne County Illinois today for Gary and Debbie Stratton's Tree Farm Field Day.  Gary and Debbie were the Tree Farmers of the year in 2017 for Illinois, and today they hosted a party at their Tree Farm for all who are interested in growing trees.  Activities included a portable sawmill, invasive species identification and control, prescribed burning benefits, timber marketing, a fishing derby for kids, chainsaw maintenance, chainsaw use in falling trees, campfire, coffee, and free donuts!

                Gary and Debbie Stratton with Jay Hayek, University of Illinois Extension Forester.

                             
                                    Tree Farmers who have been active in forestry for 25 years.

                                          Susan won a Smokey Bear poster as a door prize!

                     Believe it or not, the chainsaw instructor won the raffle for a Stihl chainsaw!

The Fairfield Forestry District has always been a busy place, with very low turnover in foresters.  Mel Gerardo opened the office during the 1950's.  Mel was a Marine vet, and was one of the Chosin Frozens.  He ran the Anna-Jonesboro nursery when he left the Fairfield office.  Rick Moore was the next District Forester; he was a Vietnam vet.  Gary Stratton followed Rick, and I was the D.F. from 1988 to 2017.  Jenny Lesko has been there for a year now, and she is really getting into the job.  I hope she is there for many years. The Fairfield district has had several Illinois Tree Farmers of the Year.  Bernard and Mike Podolsky, Jack and Beth Riley, Terry Wheeler, and the Strattons were the award winners during my years at Fairfield.

Weekend Steam #2: Poor Kid...

...will grow up thinking everybody plays with steam engines.  He will be cast a weirdo about the time he hits junior high.  It's worth it, though!

Weekend Steam #1: A Bit Of Speed

Merle is keeping us buried in choices for steam videos.  This one will give everyone a thrill.  Thank You, Merle!

Another Part Completed!

Sheridan Concrete of Mt. Vernon, Illinois came to close up the jackhammered areas, and they did a great job.

We are dry, and that was a good deal, allowing the cement truck to get close.

                                                           The first wheelbarrow load.

They worked the cement for hours to make it smooth and pretty. We still have a way to go in the basement, but having the plumbing finished and covered up again feels pretty good.

Stratton's Tree Farm Field Day

Gary and Debbie Stratton are hosting a party Saturday, October 20 at their Tree Farm east of Fairfield, Illinois. There will be lots of activities, and you can learn a bit about timber management.  Gary will be discussing Timber Stand Improvement, Prescribed Burning, Invasive Species Control, and more.  There will be a safety trainer from the University of Illinois teaching you the things you need to know if you operate chainsaws.

                                                                  Click To Enlarge.

I have the saws prepped and we have picked out a big storm-damaged white oak to drop.  Come and see if it falls the way I want it to! 

All of those annoying little bright spots have been filed away, so there should be chips and no dust. See you Saturday!

The Problem Is Found

The blower started snorting, missing, losing power, and acting really bad the other day.  I thought it had a batch of bad fuel and the piston was sticking.  I was going to take it to the shop where we bought it, but pulled the plug so I could roll the motor over and check it for a scored piston.  The sparkplug told it all.  I cleaned this baby and the motor runs like new.

Ruger's Auction To Benefit Honored American Veterans Afield

Ruger is offering a special Redhawk this week.  It is New-Old-Stock from 1980, when the Redhawk line was first being produced. I have shot one of these and I can tell you that they shoot like a rifle.  It is good for Moose or Squirrel!  CLICK HERE and read all about it and then place your bid for a special revolver. This gun sells mid-day, Wednesday, October 17, 2018.  $2984.59

Tuesday Torque: Fascinating Magneto Drive

We saw this neat machine over at Evansville a year or two back.  I evidently did not take a photo of the builder's tag, so I don't know the make of this engine.  Someone on YouTube will tell us, I bet.

Chili Weather Requires Cornbread

Back To The Old Grind!