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CLOSED////////The Coffee Pot is still on and over 3 years. Here we gather as friends with trains.

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Posted by jmkk on Thursday, December 13, 2007 6:25 AM

 Morning all. Just got home from work, only an extra 15 min. thats pretty bad though considering it normaly only takes me about 10min. Lots of freezing rain, roads were a mess. Was a little surprised the school the wife works for didnt call off school or at least delay 2 hours. Its going to change over to rain by 9:00, at least thats what they say. Time for bed. Hope everyone has a great day.

 

 Jason

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 13, 2007 6:54 AM
Morning fellas... made it to work before the freezing rain/sleet/slow drivers hit the roads this morning.

Stopped at BestBuy yesterday to do some XMas shopping and a set of BOSE 301s and a set of BOSE 201s ended up in my cart! Shock [:O] They sound really nice.  Watched Polar Express last night and when the Berk stopped at the house the first time I thought my house was going to cave in!  Guess I need to adjust the sound levels again.  Have to stop again today to pick up some bannana plugs so I can hook up the rear center speakers (BOSE 161s that used to be rears).

Set up a single track under the tree last night.  Put the 4-4-0 NPCL General on it with Comet, Dancer, Dasher, Prancer, and Vixen passenger cars, looks really nice.  Chose this one because it 1. Has no sound, 2. Has no whistle, 3. I can easily turn the smoke on and off.  Wish it had a whistle though... anyone know if there is an electronic whistle?  I could mod the trucks on the tender with some pickup rollers and then put the electronic whistle board and a small speaker in the tender (it is a soft rubbery shelled tender).  Powered by my old, reliable, never lets me down, Lionel LW... would have used another engine with Whistle/Bell but the LW doesn't have the bell trigger so figured the General would be nice... plus it just looks awesome pulling 5 passenger cars!

No work on any of the layouts last night.  Have to get the last of the track in first then lay it out on the carpet first to get the right dimensions for the framing.  Then I'll go full bore this weekend since it appears we are in for a long cold winter storm... good thing I split a bunch of firewood last weekend and have it in the garage! Smile [:)]Thumbs Up [tup] May split some more wood tonight so I have a backup supply (probably put it in the shed).
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Posted by cheapclassics on Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:12 AM

Good morning all,

It is raining in SE Indiana with temps in the 30s.  At least it is not snow.  I did some Christmas shopping and finished addressing the Christmas cards.  We also watched "Deal or No Deal".  Tonight I will start going back to the YMCA for workouts.  Ugggh!  I absolutely hate going there, but I know I have to so I can be a better soccer player.  I had the regular fare on the dining car this morning.  Welcome to the new people on the 'pot!  This is a good place to be.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

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Posted by kpolak on Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:15 AM

 lionroar88 wrote:

Stopped at BestBuy yesterday to do some XMas shopping and a set of BOSE 301s and a set of BOSE 201s ended up in my cart! Shock [:O] They sound really nice.  Watched Polar Express last night and when the Berk stopped at the house the first time I thought my house was going to cave in!  Guess I need to adjust the sound levels again.  Have to stop again today to pick up some bannana plugs so I can hook up the rear center speakers (BOSE 161s that used to be rears).

I was very impressed with the audio on the Polar Express movie!  Best sounding trains I have ever heard, and shakes the house with the sub woofer on!  Lionel makes a Polar Express whistle tender for about $75.

Welcome Chef!  We have quite a few 'cookers' here.  Topics of conversation, if you haven't noticed, #1 Trains, and #2 is food!  Sounds like a great menu!

Thanks for the prayers and layout ideas!  Don and I are co-sponsering a website

www.I_Have_A_Great_Idea.com and are seeking both financial and labor support.  Kidding.  Laugh [(-D]

Chief:  Hope you find someone with a ladder to light those streetlights!  You always find helpers, but seldome one that comes with their own ladder.

Kurt

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Posted by cnw1995 on Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:24 AM
'Morning from a grey and icy Crystal Lake where I am getting an early start at working-at-home. More sleet heading your way, Mike.

I wonder if Illinois has one of those licenses - Chief, what a fantastic gift!! Since the bride is traveling to Cedar Falls tomorrow, I'm going to start a big crock-pot of chili - you're all welcome to a bowl.

Kurt, didn't AF have that Gabe the Lamplighter accessory? - just what Rolesville needs!!

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 13, 2007 8:20 AM

so would one of these look appropriate in a passenger car train, behind the tender of course?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170176771073&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:us

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Posted by RRCharlie on Thursday, December 13, 2007 8:43 AM

lionroar88;

An REA car would be most appropriate. I can remember seeing passenger trains with as many REA cars as there were passenger cars in the consists. (Late 60's as well as in the 40's and 50's).

Mel Hazen; Jax, FL

Mel Hazen; Jax, FL Ride Amtrak. It's the only way to fly!!!

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Posted by jonadel on Thursday, December 13, 2007 8:43 AM
Jim--
Hang in there with the percussionist, it get's better :) It teaches them many things that they won't find in a traditional classroom. I still see former students who talk about the good times we had and once in a while I will talk to a parent who said that the only reason there kid stayed in school was because of me, that's humbling to say the least. I'm sure Laz will tell you the same thing. There's at least one person in everyone's life that made a difference.

Jon

So many roads, so little time. 

 

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Posted by RRCharlie on Thursday, December 13, 2007 8:52 AM

Low of 55 in Jacksonville, FL last night, 62 now to go to low 80's before end of the afternoon. Usual fare on the dining car this morning. Legs are sore from standing for the most part of 2 hours in one place last night as our choir was rehearsing Vivaldi's "Gloria" for our Sunday offering. The piece runs about 45 minutes and has 12 sections. 4 solos or duet for women's voices and 8 sections of various lengths for choir. The presentation will be sung at various places during the usual service, bracketing scripture lessons, sermon, offering collection, and prayers. Laundry to sort today and then perhaps some trains!(Had to get that in to keep post on topic. Have to be careful about that.)

Welcome to all the new posters. Hope you get as much out of this group as I have gotten in the past couple of years.

Mel Hazen; Jax, FL 

Mel Hazen; Jax, FL Ride Amtrak. It's the only way to fly!!!

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Posted by anjdevil2 on Thursday, December 13, 2007 9:09 AM

Thank you Mel, and now for the news....

Those of us that are members of the Lionel Collectors Club may not have noticed Mel's correction on the Florida State Car on the back page.  Though I do not condone nor advocate the use of college sports to add to the "flavor" of sport, his correction is most appropriate.  It seems that small skirmishes and full blown war have come from mis-identifying the college(s) in question!

Major Kudos there, Mel...is that 2 pubs in 2 months?Thumbs Up [tup]

Be safe my Northern friends, and leave some snow for my Daughter (who will be visiting the GrandParents on Tuesday!)

Rich

I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.
I am the venom in your skin  --- Breaking Benjamin


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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 13, 2007 9:22 AM
 RRCharlie wrote:

lionroar88;

An REA car would be most appropriate. I can remember seeing passenger trains with as many REA cars as there were passenger cars in the consists. (Late 60's as well as in the 40's and 50's).

Mel Hazen; Jax, FL



Mel,
Thanks!  That is what I thought, but wanted to make sure since I was not old enough to remember REAL passenger rail in the States. Sad [:(] That would solve my problem of whistle/bell and would give me some chug chug too! Smile [:)]  Now I just have to get one!

BTW - that font color you used for my name hurts! Wink [;)]
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Posted by Sturgeon-Phish on Thursday, December 13, 2007 9:30 AM

Good morning all

Welcome Chef

Colin congrats on the  religion test, prayeers do help.  I got my grades from this past quarter the other day, B+ in Pauline Scripture and an A in Cannon Law.

Cool and wet in Southern Ohio.  The weather has slowed progress on the garage addition.  Between rains yesterday got about 1/3 of the trusses and purlins in place.  Going to try to add more today.  I'd like to get them up soon to get the roof on.  Start night shift tonight so what does not get done won't be worked on till next Monday.

It's quit raining so I need to go!

May God bless

Jim 

 

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Posted by sir james I on Thursday, December 13, 2007 9:38 AM

Good Morning from SE Mi.

Lite snow and 34,not much snow expected. Youngest grandson going to be here about 4 hrs. today. Same one who kept crying for momma last time I watched him.Maybe this time will be different. Took him to the LHS tues. and he saw the trains but was more interested in the model cars.(2yrs old)

Chief and chef=breaded road kill. yum.I still won't eat grits with it. a couple of streets could use some grits, good pothole filler.

Allright now listen up....Friday the 13th is on thursday this month so be careful today....Sir James

"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks 

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Posted by laz 57 on Thursday, December 13, 2007 11:58 AM

 jonadel wrote:
Jim--
Hang in there with the percussionist, it get's better :) It teaches them many things that they won't find in a traditional classroom. I still see former students who talk about the good times we had and once in a while I will talk to a parent who said that the only reason there kid stayed in school was because of me, that's humbling to say the least. I'm sure Laz will tell you the same thing. There's at least one person in everyone's life that made a difference.

Same here JIM, as JON said I was the only reason some kids came to school.  Lots of em went into the construction fields cause of shop class.  And still today kids love my class and want to be there.

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
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Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Thursday, December 13, 2007 12:06 PM

Good Afternoon from Blueberryhill....

It's a rainy day. 36 degrees. Going up to 40, or something like that. Rain is suppose to stop and then turn colder. Then snow.

Been working around the house on some repairs. Need to finish up , so the wife can finish painting the kitchen. She's good.

No train time today. Maybe tomorrow.

Dining car was here and left. Breakfast of Cheerios.

Y'all have a great Thursday,

Chuck

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!
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Posted by ChiefEagles on Thursday, December 13, 2007 12:26 PM
Afternoon all.  Was going to post earlier but got busy at the "office".  Got pictures and awards hung on walls.  Got new big desk and two nice visitors chairs.  Couch for big window will be delivered tomorrow [nap couchShock [:O]].  Off to Raleigh to do lifetime license for Grandson.  Then meet wife at mall to buy TV and camera.  No rain as forecasted.  Maybe later.  Was breezy and cool but sun came out and it warmed up.  Chat later. 

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 13, 2007 12:29 PM
 RRCharlie wrote:

lionroar88;

An REA car would be most appropriate. I can remember seeing passenger trains with as many REA cars as there were passenger cars in the consists. (Late 60's as well as in the 40's and 50's).

Mel Hazen; Jax, FL

 Really? Most interesting. Where was this and what road? Thanks for your help.

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Posted by dougdagrump on Thursday, December 13, 2007 1:33 PM

In the mid 60's when I worked for the B&O, on occaission we would work the yard at the Cincinnatti Union Terminal setting up the trains and they all had at least one REA car with them. Remember this was still in the day when some of the US Mail went by rail.

It would be nice if you could get one switchable sound equipped boxcar that had both steam and diesel, kill two birds with one stone.   

Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.

www.sd3r.org

Proud New Member Of The NRA

edw
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Posted by edw on Thursday, December 13, 2007 1:48 PM
 laz 57 wrote:

Same here JIM, as JON said I was the only reason some kids came to school.  Lots of em went into the construction fields cause of shop class.  And still today kids love my class and want to be there.

laz57

Hey Laz, you know, I never got to take a woodworking class while in high school, but when I was living in the Washington, DC suburbs in my mid-twenties, I heard about an evening shop class being offered for adults at the local high school. The class ran for 8 weeks, with an experienced instructor present to teach us some basic techniques and show us how to use the equipment. The idea was each "student" would choose an individual project to build. The school had even set aside a small storage area where we could leave our projects between classes, although we did have to bring our own lumber to class each week. All of us were novices, and most came to the first class with plans to build a birdhouse or picnic bench. I will never forget the look on my instructor's face when I told him I wanted to build a five-foot long colonial style trestle desk as my very first project, with plans I had cut out of a magazine.

Well, to make a long story short, the instructor was terrific and one of the best teachers I have ever had. However, despite his best efforts, I was the only one who did not finish his project by the end of the course. On the last night of class, I managed to stuff all of the pieces of my half-finished table into my compact car and took them back to my apartment. The unassembled pieces were stored in a closet for several years, and later when I bought a house, I took them with me where they sat in my basement for almost twenty years!

I am not sure what finally inspired me to finish that table, but after all those years, I finally did, and it is the same table I'm sitting at right now as I type this post. While I've built a couple of other things over the years, I am still a rank amateur when it comes to wood working. But, I do love this table, and how many people get to use their very first wood working project every single day?

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Posted by krapug1 on Thursday, December 13, 2007 2:06 PM


Good Afternoon All:

We are getting more snow and less rain the forecast here on the North Fork/East End of Long Island.
As I write this it is a combination of snow and sleet.

Tons of early closings and cancellations, and the other half got home early so there is no concern about the roads for us.

My company also shut down early so it was off to the Barn and the trains. I attenpted to hook up a Lionel 155 Ringing Highway Crossing Flasher, and so far just one light works and no bell so far.
A good project for a snow day.

This snow will no doubt mean there will be no LIRR train coming through tonight. Despite a passenger train being considered "all weather" transportation, whenever we have any amount the snow the LIRR will "bustitute" our one evening train, yes this far out east we only have one "rush hour" trip from NYC.
On a day like this, the Hampton Jitney Bus, which also serves the North Fork is a more reliable bet.

Ken
Moderator, K-Line Yahoo Group. KLinetrains@yahoogroups.com and LionelMPC Group (new) LionelMPC@yahoogroups.com
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Posted by Wes Whitmore on Thursday, December 13, 2007 2:08 PM

Brent,

I haven't fired up the polar express on my home theater system yet, but I will try it tonight.  I have a pretty good system as well.  My sub is a 15" woofer in whats called an infinate baffle alignment.  It's basically a 15" sub mounted on the wall that goes around my stairs, and uses the air under the stairs (other side of wall) as a huge enclosure.  Frequency response is down below 15Hz.  It's something to see.  It's also very sensitive.  With only 150 watts, I can shake things off walls.  It sounds fuller than any sub I have used in the past. You should look it up if you want a hidden sub that just sounds great on everything you listen to.

Wes

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Posted by A&Y Ry on Thursday, December 13, 2007 2:42 PM

Raleigh Train Fan

Charlie RR is right, the passenger consists of the '30,40','50s, etc, all coupled abundant REA and RPO cars. Carrying the mail and express made money, seating and feeding passengers lost money. As I recall, the steady revenue of the mail contracts with the Railroads ended in 1962 and went to the Airlines.

Books such as Richard Prince's---on the Southern Ry, Seaboard, ACL and N&W all showed photos of steam trains with 5 and 6 headend cars in the consist. Other books such as Rank & Lowe's Southern Steam and Curt Tillotson's Southern Steam Trains-Passenger likewise.  Many of the name passenger trains also carried Combines which were partly crew's quarters and part express freight.

Publicity photos showed nice pristine consists but the General Management [and Accountants] were focused on the bottomline.

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 13, 2007 2:58 PM

 

That's great, thanks! I only have a few REAs and will have to stock up. That bottom line attitude makes perfect sense.

Fortunately there is a train show in Raleigh this weekend where perhaps I can do just that (if I can find a good vendor in between the ones selling 1972 MPC cars for $40 - "RARE LIONEL!")!

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Posted by tmcc man on Thursday, December 13, 2007 3:41 PM

Good afternoon everyone,

88 & Wes I have a Bose radio, which I use as a head unit controller for my DVD player, XBOX360, and TV. It's connected to a 4.1 surround sound unit (which will hopefully be replaced soon). It sounds OK, and when I was playing 2 games today, it sounded good. In one game, I was driving a Nissan Skyline GTR, and I was just amazed at the sound of the boost pop from the turbos. I turned the music in the game off, because I LOVE the sound of the engines of the cars. I was also playing a WW11 game on XBOX Live and you could hear the bullets going through each speaker.

I also watch movies on it, and my absolute favorites to watch on it are Shooter, Live Free or Die Hard, and the Fast and Furious series.

We got ice here, and we are expecting 20 degree temperatures here tonight. We have had some power drops, and there are a few trees that are starting to lean over. I hope it won't be anything serious, but I hope there will be no school tomorrow. We are expecting snow on Saturday night and into Sunday.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Colin from prr.railfan.net
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Posted by Nick12DMC on Thursday, December 13, 2007 3:41 PM
 Brutus wrote:

Nick - I haven't seen Spooks, is it good?  Just now catching up on some old Dr. Who from 2006 and found out there was a spinoff called Torchwood?  Got some episodes of Extras on a tape from a friend and they were very funny - esp the one with Daniel Radcliffe and my favorite (still) Diana Riggs (Emma Peel)!

Yes Spooks is a good show. Follows a group of MI5 (our version of the FBI) officers. Plots keep you guessing.

 For me Dr. Who peaked with Tom Baker and K-9. I can't get into the new series. Although a pal of mine who is a fellow DMC owner and film extra appered in the first new series.

The griiters are out, it's going to be a cold one tonight.

Nick

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Posted by dougdagrump on Thursday, December 13, 2007 3:47 PM

Raliegh Train Fan,

Don't you just love the way sellers, whether it be Bay of E or shows, throw around that "Rare" term. Laugh [(-D]  

Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.

www.sd3r.org

Proud New Member Of The NRA

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 13, 2007 5:11 PM
 dougdagrump wrote:

Raliegh Train Fan,

Don't you just love the way sellers, whether it be Bay of E or shows, throw around that "Rare" term. Laugh [(-D]  



Hey!  I only have 1 so it HAS to be RARE!  Right? Confused [%-)]
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Posted by Brutus on Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:17 PM

Laz and Jon - I was pushing that a little for humorous effect, but I was really proud of my boy. He has actually learned a lot, starting from nothing really, and also was a big hit! It was a little hard to sit through the first band (older kids), but I found I perked up a bit once my boy was onstage!

John Baker -

Laz - conga on the day off! Remember Ferengi Rule #1: It never hurts to suck up to the boss!

EDW - congrats on the woodworking project, nice story, thanks for sharing.

I think we already scared Chef away with all that roadkill talk?  I'm heading over to Doug's for some Chili, then to MI for a bowl of icecream!  (Actually just had a ground turkey burger with LITE mayo and a slice of 2 percent cheese - pretty good, really!)

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

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Posted by Brutus on Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:23 PM

Nick, didn't K9 have a short run spin-off series?  Tom Baker IS Dr. Who - better than all the rest combined.  My least favorite was the fellow with the celery stalk in his jacket.  Gotta love Leela the warrior girl, too!  They also did a pilot movie for a new Dr that was shot in Canada, I think, but it fizzled.

Hey, Why don't you meet me at Doug's and we'll each have a cold Budweiser with our chili?!  Ready, steady, go!  Laugh [(-D]

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

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Posted by laz 57 on Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:56 PM
 edw wrote:
 laz 57 wrote:

Same here JIM, as JON said I was the only reason some kids came to school.  Lots of em went into the construction fields cause of shop class.  And still today kids love my class and want to be there.

laz57

Hey Laz, you know, I never got to take a woodworking class while in high school, but when I was living in the Washington, DC suburbs in my mid-twenties, I heard about an evening shop class being offered for adults at the local high school. The class ran for 8 weeks, with an experienced instructor present to teach us some basic techniques and show us how to use the equipment. The idea was each "student" would choose an individual project to build. The school had even set aside a small storage area where we could leave our projects between classes, although we did have to bring our own lumber to class each week. All of us were novices, and most came to the first class with plans to build a birdhouse or picnic bench. I will never forget the look on my instructor's face when I told him I wanted to build a five-foot long colonial style trestle desk as my very first project, with plans I had cut out of a magazine.

Well, to make a long story short, the instructor was terrific and one of the best teachers I have ever had. However, despite his best efforts, I was the only one who did not finish his project by the end of the course. On the last night of class, I managed to stuff all of the pieces of my half-finished table into my compact car and took them back to my apartment. The unassembled pieces were stored in a closet for several years, and later when I bought a house, I took them with me where they sat in my basement for almost twenty years!

I am not sure what finally inspired me to finish that table, but after all those years, I finally did, and it is the same table I'm sitting at right now as I type this post. While I've built a couple of other things over the years, I am still a rank amateur when it comes to wood working. But, I do love this table, and how many people get to use their very first wood working project every single day?

EDW,

   Fantastic story, I loved it.  You're invited anytime to my shop in the Upper Dauphin Area School district.  Door is open and you can work till the termmites come out.  Glad that you started with something big, no time for that little stuffWink [;)].  I was offered a job similar to that a few years ago from a local community college.  To teach beginners woodworking, fell through they needed 10 people to take the class and we only had 8.  Would have liked to teach it though, we were going to make mantle clocks.  Nice little project I had to make in my college class.  Only would have used about 15 board feet and they do really look great even if your miters aren't real tight.  So if you're ever up this way you are welcome to come in and play around the shop.

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991

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