StainlessDeal

Pete, you can find the widest range of oddities: From Gummo to belt metrics in one skull... You may well be unique.:)

You are too helpful, Russ. Thanks. I'll let you know how it goes.:)

I'm not proud to say this, but I'm not sure how long the filter has been dirty. When I received this machine the freight outfit had knocked it over, and it had oiled itself up pretty well. I cleaned her up and billed the carrier for my time and trouble. I had at first assumed that the smoke and odd mixture characteristics were because of an oiled exhaust system and maybe intake lower side, but today she was blowing a raft of soot at the end. It hadn't occured to me that the carb and air cleaner were as likely to be oiled up. I'm positive that the exhaust is sooty. Thanks for the heads up on the carb, a friend suggested changing the plug that seemed to work (he's a small engine guy at a Deere dealer) so I never checked for a way to lean her out. Now I'll know in the future. I'll see about the valve adjustment, it wasn't running well enough to say, and I didn't put a guage on it to check the compression, but it sounded poorly timed , if you follow me. I wouldn't doubt that a valve adjustment is due. Thanks again Russ!:)

That's one of my favorite lines, I use it all the time. This should probably disturb you. lol :lgsideway I got my first Christmas as a married man, it was terrific. We've had a ball this year and the whole holiday season has been full of exciting new things and experiences. I'm lovin' my life right now!:lgkick:

This is one of the truly great things I've learned from reading Jeff's post's here and elsewhere: Remember that you love what you do and that life is good. I think this is the best sales advice you can give somebody, be excited to do the job, and enthusiastically show and explain to your prospective customer what you will do, how, and why. Jeff is always psyched to do the next job, and that energy is contagious, I know I get excited halfway across the country!:)

Not to put too fine a point on it but tht "kid" is at least 41 years old if he's a 19 year active duty officer. It's an impressive article, one I'm glad you posted. It's good to see somebody pushing for excellence in any group these days.:)

Most Extreme Challenge: Far and away the craziest, most cleverly written thing on the tube these days. Kinda like Mystery Science Theatre 3000, but with Japanese citizen's injuring themselves. It's an acquired taste, and might be funnier just to listen to without the picture. I'll have to try sometime. Don't try to watch it unless you can listen hard, the best lines are quick and come unexpectedly. Vic Romano and Kenny Blankenship are my favorite characters, but Captain Tenille gets some great attitude going.:)

I like the former, the latter (thankfully unavailable) lends itself to too many infantile jokes. Lord knows I'm childish enough to have laughed when I first read it! lol:lgsideway I can see your point about the manufacturer, you'd hate to be accused of squatting near somebody else's site. I don't guess you'd open a burger joint and call it, "MacArnold's. Still, it is the name of your business, and you can redirect people that accidentally arrive on your site, whereas, up to now, those people have to continue to search. A bit of a burden maybe for you, but a positive light in which to dispell any misapprehension the manufacturer might have of you being a jerk. People in your region that are looking for you are as likely to mistakenly arrive at his site and be mystified. People looking for the manufacturer might already be familiar enough with the industry to realize the mistake, and to rectify it themselves. There is a strong likelihood that such a person might know of both of you, whereas local potential customers trying to find your site would probably be surprised and might actually believe you manufacture rigs as well as wash. Could this post possibly be helpful? I hope so.:)

Merry Christmas everybody, and a Happy New Year to you all!:lghohoho: I have greatly enjoyed using this board and getting to know a little bit about you and this industry this year. Thank you all for helping to make my Christmas possible.:) :cool:

I strongly agree with Scott Stone, I love the muck boots. I even wear them when hunting in snow and mud. I've even worn them during wet branding days, and after wresting more than 300 calves, still had nice dry and warm feet. (just about the only nice dry warm parts I had) I also think that insoles are important. Find a Redwing shoe store, or a good granola munching, tree-hugging hiking store. The have some inserts called something like: Doctor (I forget)'s Affordable Orthotic Inserts/Footbeds. They are purple and for about 35 bucks a pair will make any boot you like into your favorite pair. I actually use some Scholls gel inserts in my motorcycle boots(Redwings), and I wear them almost everyday that isn't snowy. I like them too.:)

Happy to hear the good news, Jeff. My best wishes to you and yours, what a great Christmas present you two have given yourselves!:lgkick:

Just a little about the motors. I don't know about the industrial engines, but there are many chinese knock-off Honda and Yamaha motorcycles being sold in the states now. I've had occassion to see the guts of these things EVERY TIME a friend has bought or borrowed one. The bikes are cosmetically identical to their japanese cousins, but the build quality and metallugy is terrible. Springs don't match from one valve to the next, the machining looks like it was done free-hand with a Dremel tool, and parts (like rings on one memorable night) get left completely out. They don't last, I'd wager nearly any amount. I bought a simple 999 foot measuring wheel from one of these guys when mine was swiped on a job. It lasted 9 feet before breaking forever. Cheap is not inexpensive.:)

You don't know me, but I feel like I know you, you've done plenty for me here and on other bbs's and I thank you for that. I can't say how saddened I was to hear of Shelby's troubles this week. My family is praying with you and yours. Please keep us all posted, and hang tough. God really doesn't give us more than we can bear, your family will make it as He intends, so be glad and of strong faith. Your Lord and your friends and your family are with you. Happy are those afflicted by the world, their reward is the kingdom of heaven. BTW, I have noticed we share an affinity for Cornbinders, nice one!:)

The Misfits was Danzig's first band as a kid. (Gotta love the Metallica tribute recordings on Garage Days):bandplay: :topic: Sorry

I was curious what new toys were filling the new spaces in your garage, Wayne. Very nice! Retirement sounds busier and more fun than I ever thought it would.:cool: :cool: Don, next summer or fall, depending on the profits, I'll be looking to upgrade, send me the info, put me on the emailing or mailing list, whatever. I owe you more than a bit, been using equipment you designed for free, I know what side the butter is on! Set me up as a customer, spring isn't breathing too heavy yet, but soon.:)

Does that mean you put them on a 5-year plan? lol:) Sorry, sometimes I just can't resist temptation.

Carlos, one of my best friends from high school has two boys. The second had a stroke when he was just 16 months old or so. It seemed very serious, but he is fine now, about three years later. Seems so strange to say a child has had a stroke. I hope things go well for you and yours, you all are in my prayers.

Scott, glad to see you and yours are well and moving to help those around you. (I expected you would) Keep us posted and let us know if we can help and how.:) I've seen a few tornadoes, was in Oklahome City for the two monsters you always see on tv, and know they can make you feel a little:lgbugeyes so hang in there and make sure everybody is really doing OK, especially the little ones. You're in my prayers.

On most equipment I use the manufacturer recommended fuels (and lubes). Strangely, I use E-10 in my Ford and Oldsmobile (the manuals recommend it) but won't use it in small engines. I just don't think carburators and their mysterious parts get on well with alcohol. My Range Rover gets premium unless it isn't available, then it gets E-10. The Rover will even run on Methanol, not that it is easily available, just interesting. The computers on most modern engines can adjust for octane ranges that are widespread, and that technology will eventually come to small engines, making them more expensive, but longer lived and more reliable. Think of how you felt about (carburated) Volkwagen 4-cylinders in Beetles and Dashers, and how you feel about them in modern 4-cylinder cars like Honda civics and S-2000's. When I was first driving trucks, "Four and a Quarter Cats" and V8 Macks were the hot engines for big-rigs. They were totally mechanical, smoke-billowing 4 mpg monsters that blew fire from bellowing stacks in the mountains. I loved them and couldn't see spending even more money for a fuel-miser straight six with, of all things, a computer installed. To say I was a skeptic would be a terrible understatement. However, my last rigs were all computer deisels (mechanical motors are a thing of the past) that made a hundred horses a cylinder and (usually) delivered over 7 mpg, all while keeping me informed of any concerns in the engine with a clearly worded computer display on the dash. I can't wait for small industrial engines to go this way. There was a series of columns in Car & Driver Magazine this fall about gasoline formulations and uses. I'll see if I can find a link, but I would bet that a search on their site would be informative.

As a newbie, I can't even begin to thank you enough for the information and interesting discussions I've been privy to and part of since joining. I greatly enjoy this site and the people I've "met" here...but...are we ever gonna have an arcade again? Please? I promise to be good, I just really NEED, no I just really WANT, I would just really like to play Space Invaders again, like the old days. Please?:lgbugeyes I now return you to your regular programming...

Next time your equipment costs you some money, think about how cranky this guy must have been.:)

A while back I did this mailbox on a lark. Now there seems to be some sort of problem. It started out like this:

Some sort of encrustation, and it may be toxic: I shot these exposures at about the same time of day, but look how dark everything is and flashes of light before my eyes! I even began to shiver as I was taking these last shots. WHAT IS THIS STUFF?:lgbugeyes

Used a percarb and neutralized with Ox. A little sanding, Ready Seal Dark Red.

I'm going to be in Vegas with some high-school buddies from tonight through Sunday afternoon. I haven't had a lot of notice on this, and don't know any particulars on where I'm staying etc., but if anybody else is out there, and has some free time, give me a call on the number in my signature. Maybe we can hook up for a meal or something. This is kind of an impromptu high-school reunion deal, so who knows what's on tap?:lgbugeyes I promised the wife I'd be as good as an:lgangel: .