JANUARY 2017 COFFEE POT Hot coffee with grits for the good Southerners and oatmeal for the Yanks.

[sir james I]

A new Feb. coffee pot is on.

[rtraincollector]

Evening all

Bob I have Porter Cable for my cordless tools. I have the ones I have now ( I have two Drills one 4 years and one five years ) The 5 years also came with a Cordless Flashlight ( only problem you drop it and bulb goes and is very expensive I threw it away) 5" cicrular saw and a saw saw. Been very happy with them.

Not a lot going on here today. No train news here today. Hope all had a good day

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Good day at work.  Labs went really quick.  Other stuff got all screwed up.  Buried in case reports for tomorrow.  I did less than 60 in January so how do I have over 20 waiting for me now?   Will get most done Wednesday and get caught up Thursday.  Worked on taxes tonight.  Getting bigger refund than expected, which is good.  Less paperwork for federal than state.  Go figure.   I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Buckeye Riveter]

Brent...We had a nightmare this summer after we purchased from HD.  I learned that several companies use the same contracted delivery service and those contractors used my new fridge for a hockey goal.  It was seriously dented.  I'm told the Lowe's has their own delivery service and I see their trucks around town.  I know the lake house appliances were ordered from Lowe's in 2009 and there were zero problems.

As to Sears, isn't it something that people running these major retailers did not see the future?  I believe no one wanted to say something negative to the boss.  I assume no one wanted to believe that customers would learn how to run a computer.  Touch screens really changed things, too.

Chief....This software is hard to use on a laptop. Spending some time in Cleveland where we had about 4 inches of snow.  It takes them no time to get the roads cleaned, unlike those swamp rats in NC. 

Mrs. Buckeye asked me what I wanted for my birthday  next month.  I chose a trip to Stockyard Express near Oberlin, Ohio.    This way I can do the trains and the nearby candy store in one trip.  Aftwards we can eat walleye or perch at one of the fine Lake Erie establishment without the summer hoards.

Only 48 days until spring!  Everyone stay safe and those that need to get well, get well. 

Post post:  I did not type this in two different fonts.

[robmcc]

That is correct about Craftsman, Sir James. Stanley/Black & Decker did purchase the line from Sears. I think part of Sears downfall was they didn't really evolve as the retail market changed, both with merchandising and customer service. That sucks Brent. As someone who has worked retail for 20+ years, it's always disappointing to hear someone getting jerked around. I know I try to do everything I can to help out a customer, even if it means taking a hit on something. There's times I've almost given away the farm, but people don't forget and especially in the days of social media, it doesn't take long to get out.

Bob - Ouch! I guess I have too much orange blood. I hope your local D-Pot is good to you. Let me know if you ever have any issues.

 

[submmbob]

Hello all

Last night for this shift. Hopefully it will be a quiet evening.

Kev - pitman arms, given the spline size, I guess can get really tight. Course, it is the only connection to the steering system so maybe that's a good thing:) I tried a pickle fork once designed to remove one once. Yeah, right. All it did was make dents! The rear drums on an early model VW bus are splined onto the shaft and are supposed to be torqued to something like 200+ ft/lbs. I remember my dad and I struggling to remove one of these do fix the rear brakes. When I was in college I worked for a VW shop and the owner showed me a neat technique. After loosening the nut he put a blunt edge tool on an air chisel at the end of the shaft and it just walked right off.

88 - I half to say I prefer Lowes over HD. Much cleaner and better organized and seems like more staff to help. As a former manager of an Ace Hardware I tend to shy away from the big box stores. But our last public lumberyard closed just a few years ago, so I started to use them. We've now bought a number of items for the telescope from them and I've been pleased overall. Will have to take a better look at Kobalt tools. Most of mine are from a Husky set that I bought over 20 years when all my tools were stolen. And, yes, they came from HD.

[KRM]

I figured Craftsman for dead when I saw it for sale at ACE hardware.

39 heading to 41 with clouds and blustery for the day.

 

Not much on the plate for today. Will clean those bridges and prep them for paint. Think I will do them in Cast Blast gray.

 

Last I knew Dan was bleeding out the steering box. I wonder how it went. He took it in at ten for the alignment.

[sir james I]

Latest rumor I heard was Craftsman was being sold to B&D. That will really bring down a quality product.

[RedfireS197]

lion88roar

Mornin' Fellas

If you have your computer settings correct (sleep mode, etc) you should never turn off your computer (turn your monitor off if you don't have it go to sleep), have Windows apply updates during hours of non-use and when you 'wake up' the computer it will either prompt you to restart to install the updates, or it will tell you that it restarted due to a Windows Update. I've had my PC for 5 years now and the only time I shut it down is to install a hardware upgrade, or when I'm cleaning the floor under it. The amount of power used by the CPU and Monitor are minimal these days. The updates are critical in maintaining a healthy, secure, smoothly running PC.

Yeah the fridge saga has been insane. The BBB rep from Sears couldn't believe how bad the situation had gotten. She said she is going to speak with her supervisor and she if she can build a customer service training around it. I've have never gotten so worked up over something like this, but then the guy from customer service hung up on me, it was not a disconnect as I could hear the handset hit the base.

I like buying stuff online as it saves me a lot of time driving to the store, gas, finding a good, helpful, sales person, etc. I am usually very capable of determining what I need and how much I want to spend on the item. Appliances are a whole different story. This is the second appliance I've purchases sight-unseen and both were nightmares (for different reasons). Here in MD we have an appliance chain called Bray and Scarff, they are awesome, very friendly, easy to work with. From now on I'll buy from them and haul the item to the rental myself (they don't deliver that far away). Done with Sears. I can get my tools from Lowes or HomeDepot (Kobalt actually makes tools that are, in my opinion, as good if not better than Craftsman).

 

Brent,

Even though the closing of my local Sears accelerated the demise of Century III Mall in West Mifflin, PA, I don't miss Sears.

Kobalt tools have impressed me, and their 1/2" electric impact is the best tool purchase I've made yet.  Plus, I've never snapped the drive on a Kobalt or Harbor Freight ratchet, unlike Craftsman.

[cnw1995]

Aloha. Grey and cold. But this is the snow-less-est January on record here (since 1870s) - wow!  Finally feeling better after a week of some sort of respitory bug that started like a cold. Ugh. And I was locked me out of this site somehow - didn't recognize any login. Then it did... oh well. Catching up...  

DonB, I think the best part of your layout saga was our getting together.
Dennis, I've been pulled off my feet unexpectedly by our dog who then took off as soon as I dropped his lead. I'm glad you're OK. Our church is moving - renovating an industrial building for 8mil including the purchase. I think they're very fortunate. Fife, I caught some of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona - what terrible weather. I love your layout plans. Praying for your BiL and his family.
Chief, glad you persisted in posting here. Sears is not long for this world...

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all. Sunny and 50 degrees. Was 28 when I went to bed. Temps actually rose over night. Mid 60's today and tomorrow. Errands today and then dinner play at one of the elementary schools tonight. Off down east tomorrow to do some barn maintenance. Then do battery/timer removal from feeders and get stands "closed down". 

 
Brent.  We have had the same appliance nightmares with Home Depot extended warranty.  LG all over the house.  Finally got their attention.  Local manager was the key.  The main call center in Atlanta and emails were ignored.  Also, agree on tools.  Craftsman is not like it use to be.

Got to remember to fire up a new Pot this evenng or later tonight.

Have a good one. 

[sir james I]

2/3 inches of snow this morning. No biggie for around here. 34 Hi.

Brent if you have a Lowe's near the rental they deliver and take away for free. No plans for today, train stuff coming up the next 2 weekends.

S.J.

[lion88roar]

Mornin' Fellas

If you have your computer settings correct (sleep mode, etc) you should never turn off your computer (turn your monitor off if you don't have it go to sleep), have Windows apply updates during hours of non-use and when you 'wake up' the computer it will either prompt you to restart to install the updates, or it will tell you that it restarted due to a Windows Update. I've had my PC for 5 years now and the only time I shut it down is to install a hardware upgrade, or when I'm cleaning the floor under it. The amount of power used by the CPU and Monitor are minimal these days. The updates are critical in maintaining a healthy, secure, smoothly running PC.

Yeah the fridge saga has been insane. The BBB rep from Sears couldn't believe how bad the situation had gotten. She said she is going to speak with her supervisor and she if she can build a customer service training around it. I've have never gotten so worked up over something like this, but then the guy from customer service hung up on me, it was not a disconnect as I could hear the handset hit the base.

I like buying stuff online as it saves me a lot of time driving to the store, gas, finding a good, helpful, sales person, etc. I am usually very capable of determining what I need and how much I want to spend on the item. Appliances are a whole different story. This is the second appliance I've purchases sight-unseen and both were nightmares (for different reasons). Here in MD we have an appliance chain called Bray and Scarff, they are awesome, very friendly, easy to work with. From now on I'll buy from them and haul the item to the rental myself (they don't deliver that far away). Done with Sears. I can get my tools from Lowes or HomeDepot (Kobalt actually makes tools that are, in my opinion, as good if not better than Craftsman).

[KRM]

Good evening,

Train news: I was putting bridges together today for the elevated loop. Good thing for glue. Some tabs were gone. No wonder they were cheap.

 Also made a double wound motor into a single wound motor and replaced the two position e-unit with a three position one on the 200 series ALCO A-A set I have been building from spare parts. I ordered some more of those pigtails I used in the four-motor set up so I can switch out the "dumb" powered A-unit (no e-unit) to either the ABA Santa Fe set or swap shells and use it with this A-A set.

Other stuff:

Bob, We used a pitman arm puller but when it would stall out the impact we would give it a crack on the driver bolt to help it along to get off those tapered splines. I told him to hit it like he hated it. I think he did. I had done it like this 100 times and never saw a box break. After looking it looks like the good old IDOT road salt did it in. Cast aluminum did not have a chance.  So he did get a rebuilt one today on and will have it aligned tomorrow.

If you can post a picture of the 623, sounds cool!

Banks, You can go into settings/updates & security and change how up-dates are delivered. I try to leave the PC on at least one day for 2 hours so it can do it's thing but you can set it like I have windows 8.1 set to not update till you allow it.

[submmbob]

Hello all

Didn't start out that way, but shaping up to be another quiet evening.

88 - wow, that's just nuts, and even worse when you are not at the house to be able to deal w/ it.

Did the furniture polish trick this morning on the 623 shell. Came out looking pretty good. Was looking at Dallee Electronics options for a sound card and electronic e-unit. Original e-unit is loose and mounts right where you could put a decent sized speaker.

Kev - sounds like you need a pitman arm puller. I nearly knocked myself out using one pulling the arm off a truck in a junk yard once. Must have loaded it w/ at least three turns and when it finally let go I found myself up against the fender of the truck next to it. Nothing like tapered splines.

 

 

 

 

[Banks]

Hello There......

Been one of those weeks. Had a nice long post yesterday and Win 10 decided to restart to install an update. That took forever and when it was done my post was gone. Any body know how to fix it so I can keep it from restarting any time it wants?

Fife

Christmas decorations are all down. Some need sorted and boxed then put away. Gonna leave the platform in the living room a while yet. Mrs wants me toput her Valentine tree on it. May get out my 259E and work on it if I can stay awake long enough.

Guess I should head to bed.

 

Prayers for those in need

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Quiet day at work.  Spent the day recovering from Sunday's jaunt.  Worked on project.  Went to see "Girl on the Train" at the library tonight.  Good flick.  Some good train action as well.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Banks]

Hello there,

Quick check in.......

Fife........Prayers for BIL and rest of the family......Sometimes known as a senior moment

Phish....nice prayer.  The chickens will lay much better with 14 hours of light. Better to get them up early than to try to keep them up.

Tried to post yesterday and couldn't log on. When I did get on the (%^$%@()(& Windows decided to restart and kicked me off.

Best move on

 Just read 88's post .......WOW!  Hope it's done when the new fridge comes

Prayers fo those in need

 

[lion88roar]

Afternoon fellas

Banks - awesome news about your wife!

Fife - Prayers will befinitely be raised!

Banks - clif notes version... ordered new fridge, was too wide and required new shut-off valve behind fridge, made trip to Pittsburgh to install valve and ordered new fridge, they delivered new fridge but would not refund money for initial fridge for over a month, then new fridge died (renter lost all her food, and I lost 1/2 month rent). Service man found control board had fried due to crack in case around control board from over tightening screws from delivery guys switch door swing (that was just before Thanksgiving). Then Tuesday after Christmas get a call from the renter that electricity is out for half the house, no heat, and water in basement. Called HVAC guys, they came and did something to the furnace and said the water supply to the ice maker had a hole (they shut the water off at the supply connection), electric was fixed when Duquesne Light turned the power back on after a transformer blew. I went up the day before New Years Eve and installed new ice maker line. Found when they delivered the fridge they forced it into the opening when it wouldn't go in due to the insulation around the freezer unit causing the case to bulge... I filed a BBB complaint after their service manager hung up on me because I didn't report the damage within 3 days of delivery. New fridge gets delivered 2/18.

[rtraincollector]

fifedog

Mornin' boys.  Forgot what I was gonna say.  Thanks everyone.  Phish, Amen.

Morning all. Fife Prayers for your BIL

Fife your first comment is the first stage of getting old. 

Not a lot going on here. 

Jim going to send you a Email. 

Talk to you all later.

[KRM]

Good morning,

The sun is out but it is cold.

 So after all that work yesterday, the Jeep, well seems the gear box is bad and pounding on it to get the pitman arm off it popped the top of the box and fluid is flying out all over the place. So Dan is at the salvage yard now getting a replacement.It was leaking before but now,,WOW. 16 year old POJ is what it is.

Fife, For your BIL

[submmbob]

Hello all

Another quiet night on the mountain. I think I am finally getting over what is left of this cold.

Finished cleaning up the 623. Had to get an industrial toothbrush out of the shop to do the job. I touched up the body shell and the frame w/ a paint pen. After it dries I'll do my trick w/ the furniture polish and it should look pretty good. I think this engine spent time being rattled around in a box, a dirty one at that. Only parts it needs though are one small handail, pickup rollers, and the bulbs and springs. Going to rewire it too.

Ordered a few parts to improve the driver/vehicle interface for the Datsun. I should have a bit of fun w/ that next weekend.

JimS - nicely done

 

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Forgot what I was gonna say.  Thanks everyone.  Phish, Amen.

[SPMan]

Good evening all,

Almost 10:00PM here.  Nice warm day but cold at night.

Don, I had the same problem with the pool.  Had to add some back in order for the filter intake to be below the water surface.  But my loss came from evaporation on these warm days.

V8, congratulations on the new church.  Must be a large congregation to afford something like that.  Our parish made an attempt to build a new church and collected quite a bit of money toward that goal.  However, we did not collect enough to start construction according the archdioses rules.  So the money was put in trust for several years.  Meanwhile cost kept going up every year to the point that it was out of reach for the amount of people we have.  Our pastor sent out a request recently asking  if we want to take the money we have already donated and fix up the church we have and take care of a lot associated expenses like re doing the parking lot.  I gladly gave permission to use what I donated already because the money is doing no good sitting in a bank.

Phish, that was a wonderful Devine Mercy prayer.  Just what I needed too.  Thank you.

Good night all,

Ray

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Prayers for BIL, Fifedog.  May have pushed it a bit much today.  Did 9 miles in 2:07:36 for a 4.23 MPH.  Did the first 6 in 1:22:49 for a 4.34 MPH.  Last 3 miles were just below a 15 minute pace, but I was spent when I got home.  I think the old blood sugar crashed on me when I got home.  Finally starting to feel human again.  Weather is really lousy here.  May stay home again.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Buckeye Riveter]

fife...prayers for BIL.  I know you are the strength.  Think water dripping on your head. 

[wrmcclellan]

Evening all!

A nice day at mid-60's. 70 tomorrow.

Fife - prayers for BIL

[ChiefEagles]

Sturgeon-Phish

Fife – I just offered a Divine Mercy Chaplet for your brother in law.  Let me give you the words from the closing prayer. 

"Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us, and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments, we might not despair, nor become despondent, but with great confidence, submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy Itself.  Amen" 

May God bless 

Jim 

 

Nice prayer Jim. 

Temps dropped fast to 38.  Sure it is Buckeye's fault.

Food Security with County tomorrow and that is it.

Banks, Good news. 

Shake and Bake is home.  Kay may no be happy.  

Hope all have a great week.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Fife – I just offered a Divine Mercy Chaplet for your brother in law.  Let me give you the words from the closing prayer. 

"Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us, and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments, we might not despair, nor become despondent, but with great confidence, submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy Itself.  Amen" 

May God bless 

Jim