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91

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: December 21, 2014, 10:20:13 PM »

That frost is sure scenic, Ralph.  Makes for beautiful pictures.     The salt on the cars:   If it stays frozen solid it is not too destructive.  Here with warm ups to above freezing temperatures and high humidity the salt / sand lay wet on the metal and that is the opportunity for it to decay any bare metal it is in contact with.  Home washing is not particularly beneficial as most damage occurs on the underside.  The Laser wash that I go to has a rocker panel and under body spray  (high pressure with high volume) that you drive slowly over as you enter the wash bay.  Must buy the eight buck wash or more to get that.  It does a better job of flushing underneath than I could do with a garden hose and nozzle even if I laid on the ground and sprayed up.  I like to go there at least monthly during the bad weather, but only when we have above freezing with dry roads.  If I do that wash five times during the winter equals forty bucks.  My feeling is that it is a real preventive on the body rust.  That is not to say that spraying paint as needed on the underside isn't good too.  There are times you could catch me doing that as well.  Like you, I never drive far enough to wear a car out so I try hard to stop the rust from stealing them away.

In the end  Idid not go to the wash today. More warm weather on the way.

Charlie

92

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: December 21, 2014, 12:12:51 PM »

Glad to hear you are gaining on the illness,  Gene.  Oldest daughter in Delaware O. tested positive for Types A and B flu plus had bronchitis this past week.  She got to the Dr. early and they gave her a script for Tamiflu.  She took it and at last report she was feeling much improved and 36 hours w/o any fever.  Bad junk going around.  She is happy that she can now spend time with her granddaughter again.

As you said, days on end of dark, gloomy weather with dabbles of snowflakes.  Bright sun this AM is nearly blinding to our gopher eyes.  We are  used to being in the underground tunnel.  I might even take the SUV to the laser wash and get most of the salt flushed from underneath.

Charlie

93

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: December 15, 2014, 09:46:51 PM »

Good looking work on the splitter upgrade, Gene.  I have a B&S engine similar to yours on a pressure washer and it leans right into the load.  Probably smaller than yours as it is around a 6 1/2 H.P.
This is a picture of my old splitter.  Pretty simple but it has always done what I need.


[ATTACH=CONFIG]767[/ATTACH]


Ralph, I have looked at the Go Pro cameras but so far am chased off by the cost of them for the little use I have.  I did put up a still picture of the new blower.


[ATTACH=CONFIG]768[/ATTACH]


Charlie

94

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: December 11, 2014, 12:25:07 PM »

Not a bad day here.  Started out @ 24 deg. F and a little warmer now.  Six to Eight inches of snow between yesterday and last night.  It is not feather light but not as heavy as I thought it would be because temp. was above freezing when the snowing started.  I went out this morning and shoveled a work area, then fired up the new blower.  Cleared the walkways, then went on to do the driveway.  With the ground underneath being not frozen and actually soft in places that prevented the need to make tire ruts here and there with the truck and no snowbanks along the edge.  We could use a deeper snow to really give the blower a good test but it ran well and threw snow pretty good.  Some features seem a little cheezy and not made to last for many years but time will tell.  With a three year warranty it may get quite a few good tests.  One thing that needs to go are the skid runners.  They do not curve up enough at the front edge and are more than willing to catch and hang up on any obstacle or even in soft ground.   Apparently Husqvarna thinks their machines are only used on blacktop surfaces but that is not so.  I know aftermarket skidders are available on the net or I may have to fabricate.   Maybe I can sent a print to Gene so he can make me a set with lift over metal from his log splitter engine mount fabrication.        

Other than that I do not know much at all.  Good that Ralph is getting a little reprieve from his sub zero weather.

Charlie

95

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: December 10, 2014, 07:02:00 PM »

Great job with that video, Ralph.  I cannot remember what happened to the '52 Mercury wagon that I bought from the dealership where I worked after high school.  Second gear was gone out on it but it was a running car otherwise.  I paid them $ 25.00 for it.  Never did get to working on the old girl.

Charlie

96

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: December 10, 2014, 08:35:16 AM »

New piece of line installed and the truck is back home waiting for snow detail.  Temp just below freezing with light snow.  All sorts of wild predictions for snowfall over the next two days.  We shall see.  The NE and N wind up to 35 MPH is going to be the uncomfortable part.

Pulled some batteries out and brought them to the bench yesterday so little by little.  Hope to have them all by spring when it is time to put them back in.

Charlie V.

97

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: December 09, 2014, 10:54:29 AM »

Brilliant sunshine with 34 deg. F at 10:50 AM.  Change promised later and not for the better.  Took a short drive down a sidewalk yesterday when a brake line on my truck gave up.  Missed the cars that were stopped in front of me and the line of barrier posts that were meant to keep vehicles off of the sidewalk though.  Alls well that ends well I guess.

Charlie

98

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: December 06, 2014, 10:44:32 PM »

HeeHaw was a must watch for me too, Gene.  Archie Campbell and Nurse Goodbody.  Hey doc, it hurts when I raise my arm.  (slap  / hit)  Well don't raise your arm then!!!!!

String bean with his letter from home right close to his heart.  The KORN News.  Good stuff.

Charlie

99

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: December 06, 2014, 07:55:03 PM »

Hey!!  Did you see the security cam photo of the guy in Sask. stealing a snow shovel.  Some people will take anything.  For me, if I were to steal I think I would go for something a little more fun..........a Corvette.............A speedboat........................ A Civil war cannon........

Only kidding, Ralph.

Told my wife this evening that I might take the snow blower back for a refund because it will not blow snow.  She said we do not have any snow.  I said I know that. **** She does not know who would think of that  except me.  Oh well.

Wet and rainy and not too enjoyable but at least it is rain.  A very dark day for sure.  This time of year I always want to hitch a ride on a Goose heading South.  Maybe a plane would be just a little more comfortable.

Charlie V

100

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: December 01, 2014, 07:08:53 PM »

You are correct, Gene.  My c's and my s's got mixed up.  I was not inferring that you are only two feet tall.  Even I am not that short.  In any case a good looking step.  -20 degrees, Ralph.  That is some global warming you are having.  The old '39 looks and sounds good in your part 11 video.  The dash and instruments look like new.  I am not at all sure but I think I am remembering my Dad's 39 as a two door.  I was pretty young so will have to ask my brother if he remembers.  He may have a picture or two but getting a copy of them is not easy.

Nice day here yesterday.  Very dark but into the 50's and no rain until after dark.  30's with wind today.  Dang furnace died again at midnight Friday night.  Different component this time.  Stayed up the rest if the night diagnosing the problem so I could go for parts first thing Saturday morning when the store opened.  Got it making heat in the early afternoon so could have been worse.  Sure hope it stays happy for a few years now.

Charlie

101

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: November 28, 2014, 08:43:00 AM »

Looks like the step will work out well, Gene.  Just remember to keep your chin bone clear of the hitch as you step onto it.  I am in the same boat as you are when it comes to legs that could have been longer.  To make matters more difficult there seems to be a race these days to see who can make the tallest PU.  It wont hurt my feelings at all when that fad gets over.

The votes are in and counted.  Seems I win unanimously the honor of having cooked the best Thanksgiving dinner at our house.  A stacked deck can be a help too since it was the only one.  As far as I know right now we are both still alive so the food was not too toxic.  Everything was good and enjoyably except I pulled the old trick of forgetting the dinner rolls were in the oven.  They did not burn black but might have been useable as golf balls.  The little buggers took a little more eating than normal.  (crunch, crunch).   I always use the timer on the oven but did not that time.


the forecast is for the temp. to stay below 30 D/F today.  I have a couple of errands to do and I want to go to Tractor Supply and catch two or three pails of hyd/trans oil as it is on a today only sale.  I need it anyway so now is the time.

Charlie V

102

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: November 26, 2014, 08:56:12 AM »

I suggested to the man that the weather would be good on Monday and Tuesday of this week, Ralph, and the roads were dry, and still are.  Even had a dash of rain Sunday night to flush them off.  The guy who runs the place was great and was good  to do business with and I got a nice price concession.  It is not a big box store, but a hardware store and equipment rental business.  Like everywhere it seems they have one or more dumb employees.  The problem with not accepting the delivery (and I thought of that at the time) is they only ordered in two of that particular size and brand.  I do not know if the other is also sold.  If it is, no more are available from the manufacturer this season.  It took me quite a while to settle on this machine, so it is mine now.  Hopefully the wash down I gave it got most of the corrosive cleaned off.  

Wishing everyone here a great and enjoyable day tomorrow.

Charlie V.

P.S,  I will let you know my opinion of this blower after we see our first 10 or 12 inch snowfall.

103

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: November 25, 2014, 02:03:41 PM »

Did I hear my name mentioned.  Yes, I did.  Hi, guys.  You are right about the weather, Gene.  We peaked yesterday with something over 70 F.  I had to get out and chip away a little at the many things I have not accomplished in winter preparation.  Naturally if I get one thing done, three new ones pop up.  As an example, I finally pulled the trigger on a new walk behind snow blower for clearing walks and pathways.  How bad do I need it?  Probably like the 3/4 inch drive socket set.  I may not need it often but when I do, not much else will do the job (shovel). My old freebee hand me down blower finally gave it up last year after my nursing it on for fifteen years or more.  The rubber drive tire on a metal wheel in the friction drive came loose.  I tried re bonding it with three different adhesives and none were successful, sooooo--

The dealer agreed to deliver the new one without charge.  I said there was no hurry and it would be fine to wait until the roads were dry.  When did they deliver?  Friday!  On an open trailer right behind a pick up with no splash flap on the back.  Road was covered with slush and salt.  Exactly what I did not want to see.  My new machine turned white. Give it six months and it will be brown with rust and corrosion.  How careless and unnecessary.  Therefore one of my added tasks yesterday was to wash the blower down as well as possible w/o drowning the engine and wiping it dry.  Hope that solves most of the future rust issue.  

Another good task to have done was the semi-annual coat of my proprietary protective formula to the 20 foot trailer deck.  I think I grabbed the last chance to do that for this fall.  Today we are looking at low 40's with a fair amount of wind so the outdoor stuff is waiting.  I know Ralph would think this weather is summer but.....not here.

Charlie

104

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: November 06, 2014, 09:34:26 PM »

Sure fooled me, Ralph.      :rolleyes:  Sorry about your snow this early.  We may see some tomorrow but should not be cold enough to stick around.   Yet.

Charlie

105

'round the pot-bellied stove / Western Ohio Update

« on: November 06, 2014, 12:31:58 PM »

Ralph, the moon your picture looks very much like the one we had here last night.  Interesting how that rock gets around.

Charlie