The Home Machinist!

I am of mixed emotions on the whole thing. I am getting buried in 8" of snow before some single digit temps. I did not need the extra work right now. It seems my plate is always too full. My thumb has compromised my ability to do some handling right now, another limit imposed.

Thanks for the thoughts.

TTFN.

_________________
Big Dave

Be Alert! The world needs more Lerts.

OK, in the dumper again.. My 90% score went nowhere. I got my rejection letter dated the 24th, today, from Arcellor Mittel. I can try again in a year. Good luck with that one Bucky.

I signed up with a hiring agency, and they have two responses already. Here we go again....

I finished the lock rods, and 1/4 turn handle mechanism on the tractor barn. Worked out kinna neat. I am trimming up my commputer from a major trash overhaul, and it is slow and giving me fits, so pics may take a while, but I will try to show this simple triumph.

We moved the three moblile coops up to the front of the property, for easier access, since the snow has now about disappeared, and given the opportunuity, we moved all the coops house doors to face East. Each coop got a small 6 x 8 plastic tarp, to shed snow and give some shelter. Also finished two water heaters from metal feed pans and some light parts. The new founts use a bought ring, and 5 gallon bucket on top. The heater is stacked below, and the two series wired bulbs provide 40-60 watts of heat, to keep the founts thawed. So far, so good. Simple to build, they did not cost the $45 that store- bought units were.

Now that the smoke has cleared, ( literally ), I am collecting the board sheathing and siding pieces, to fill in the charred and damaged areas from the fire. Now that tempers have cooled, and cosmic thinking is now engaged, repairs to restore the orignal configuration is underway. Two 2x4, and about 15 feet sq of sheathing has to come off. about 2 sheets of drywall, to finish off. Not a big deal really. It should take a bout 2 whole days to do the basic rough work, and a coupla hours here and there for finish and paint.

Moms '02 Ranger is showing a slow coolant leak. Most of a gallon of 50-50 was added this week to top it off. Investigatioin shows the right side of the front cover gasket under the pump is failing as the aluminum part is corroding away. It will wait for warmer weather for the 3 hour repair.

Thanks for lookin...

_________________
Big Dave

Be Alert! The world needs more Lerts.

WOW, Ducked the big bullet again.

I ran into chicago to test for a job Thursday, for a large bakery. I noticed my Ranger extended cab was wandering a bit at speed. Well, despite my best effort, I am not being considered for the job, because of the opinion of the Chief engineer, a late 30 something. I only missed 6 of 80 questions. All answered in long hand, no, multiple guess opportunities.

Friday, I worked my little job, and made a stop on the way home. Backing out of the parking spot, -POP- , The pitman link knuckle dropped off. No steering what so ever. I pulled up crooked in the spot, and called Sonny, and we roped it together for a run to his garage shop. Once parked in his drive for a Sat. work session, the $28 dollar link was purchased a coupla blocks away, and ready to go.

This is the second time, a major steering part, has failed after being served by Nerdy-lube guys. That joint was dry, and I paid for the 'deluxe' oil change and lube. So what did they lube, if the link has a broken zerk, and is all rust?

Buyer beware. A new meaning to the word 'service'. I should know better anyway. I am thankfull it did not drop on the expressway, that would have been AWKWARD.

_________________
Big Dave

Be Alert! The world needs more Lerts.

Dave. Some kinda way you were in that parking lot at that time. We all know "awkward" is black roses in that situation at any speed. Wow!.
My friend Eli drove his normal commute of 50 miles at 65mph to work one morning. While backing out of his parking spot for the return home, a lower ball joint BROKE.
I think I've been jolted into facing something I would otherwise put off. Thanks.

To be honest, since I am aproaching 60, I spend a lot less time on the ground under vehicles for any reason, and it is showing up with these types of warnings and failures. I can wail all I want, but the assignments and limits of the territory is mine. I own it.

My bad. Need to adjust for better results.

_________________
Big Dave

Be Alert! The world needs more Lerts.

Maybe you should change your handle to Lucky Dave?????

I had a tie rod end break on a Land Cruiser one time.....made a left turn and a right turn at the same time....
Was just takin' off, so no damage....other than blocking traffic in a main drift while I bailing wired stuff together enough to get the thing outa the way....

I get my tires rotated & balanced every 3000 miles on my vehicles....free....part of buyin' tires from Les Schwab. They're real good about telling me about any issues, before they turn into something ugly.....

Bill

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Today's solutions are tomorrow's problems.

Bill. FJ 40 ? Those biga$$ tires and such we used to put on them really stressed the steering for the wheels were offset. yeh everybody knows that.

Nope....HJ75's....diesel powered, various different beds, all with 7.50-16's. Toyota discontinued em', and replaced em' with the HZJ79.

Vehicles that work well on the surface, don't do the same when they get utilized in an underground mine. The environment, as well as miners, are real tough on things.

Bill

_________________
Today's solutions are tomorrow's problems.

OMG! Dont I feel dumb! Spent some time Sunday for building the entrance ramp on the little work barn, known as the tractor barn. It was simple enough to build a stout ramp 4 feet out with a 1ft slope to the ground, 3 ft level and 6 ft wide for the door width. 5 2x4 spines and scrap decking of 5/4, carrythe wheel weight with a center for good measure. all done and shimmed to the corrrect level to clear the doors, we did the first run in of the tractor, only to find the 6 ft 4' opening is TOOO SHORT FOR THE ROLL BAR TO CLEAR. AAAaaagh! Who would have thought. For now, I will remove the bar, as I dont operate on hills here, I have none. So the 1200 lb diesel beastie will still have a home.

I got bit, by an unknown, and feel quite defeated. Murphy was an optimist for sure.

_________________
Big Dave

Be Alert! The world needs more Lerts.

good thing it wasn't a boat in the basement!

No, its the 23 ft boat that wont fit in the garage!

_________________
Big Dave

Be Alert! The world needs more Lerts.

Well with all the people dying around me, lost a Cousin last month and a close friend just Sunday, I feel like I am spinning my wheels real hard. My Ranger is down for Brakes up front, Mom cancelled some chicks order for exotic birds, and the replacement chicks for the flock, 40 of them, now reside in my living room until they harden off in a week or two.

I have decapitated the tall chicken Condo, and recreated a new roof for the lower part. It is 5 foot tall now, rather than a tower, and the top, being complete and 3 feet tall will be married to a new floor and nest system, similar to the original, with a loafing area under the floor. They will have a distinct family resemblance with the similarities.

Collecting a the lawn tractor parts, has revealed I am a consumate Hoarder. Repairs to various old projects have begun with the unnatural good weather

_________________
Big Dave

Be Alert! The world needs more Lerts.