linus6948

From what I`ve been reading Bob picking up anything from the RR can be huge grief if observed by any law enforcement under the new Homeland Security Laws concerning RRs making it not worth the risk. The best advice I read was how if you happen to encounter a track crew working on the rails and you happen to have a cold case of beer with you sometimes you can get an odd cutoff scrap or two for the asking. The same theory might hold true around the rail yard.

50 Degrees and Sunny with dry clear roads on Dec 27th forced me to wake her from her "Winter Hibernation" for an afternoon outing. I think we both enjoyed it immensely and I was out till after dark not wanting the fun to end. Today is 40 and raining and back to the teens by Tues night, but it sure was a nice break while it lasted.

My on going search for anvils and railroad track pieces led me to a couple of freebies that I happily took. From an 80 year old gentleman I got a piece of iron/steel that is 12ins x 8 1/2ins x 2ins thick that he said was originally his Grandfather`s. This same guy has a blacksmith`s leg/post vice that he might be willing to sell me. From my buddy that bobbed the Army truck I got a piece of the rear suspension that got cut off.

I do remember reading something about how the metal composition of very old rail track can be an issue if using as an anvil. I `ve also read that some people do a heat treatment process to their homemade anvils. Personally I`ve had metal removed from my eyeballs on two occasions years ago back when I was young and stupid, now I`m much older and a little smarter. Besides now I need glasses to do close up tasks, I usually have a pair hanging around my neck nowadays. http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?10065-Making-a-small-anvil-%28Lots-of-pictures

That could be because of improper use Jeff, most people myself being included, don`t know you aren`t supposed to just whack an anvil`s surface with a hammer. That seems to be where the flying shards can come into play. Apparently people have been using RR track anvils since the first train rolled on a rail and doing just fine with them, I think any anvil has the potential to be misused and send metal flying.

Thanks guys, I enjoyed making it a great deal. By me anvils were once plentiful and cheap, that is certainly no longer the case. Everyone that had one laying around cashed it in when scrap metal was at it`s high point. Add that scarcity to a re interest in blacksmithing and the prices for used ones are just crazy. I found one source selling new anvils for the best prices with $10 shipping. http://www.well-shod.com/catalog.php?category[0]=Cliff+Carroll+Anvils http://www.well-shod.com/catalog.php?category[0]=NC+Tool+Co.+Anvils I was warned off the chinese cast iron anvils as being very poor unless you want to weld a plate of tool steel over the stiking surface. Here are some useful anvil links... http://www.anvilfire.com/21centbs/anvils/making/rr_anvils_photos.php http://www.anvilfire.com/21centbs/anvils/making/RR-rail_anvils.php http://www.anvilfire.com/21centbs/anvils/grizzly_and_ASO.php http://www.instructables.com/id/Railroad-Track-Anvil/?ALLSTEPS

Today I did a little more shaping and removed a little more of the center web below the horn with the plasma cutter and then did some more grinding and started sanding with a flap disk. So far I am very pleased with this plasma cutter and how it performs shaping metal.

I`ve been looking for a reasonably priced anvil but have not had much luck, I also have been seeking a piece of RR track to make a poor mans anvil. As it is the holiday season I have been running around handing out bottled Christmas "Cheer" to friends and I now always ask everyone if they know where an anvil is or where pieces of RR track can be had. As luck would have it in one afternoon I had been gifted two pieces of RR track that friends had in their garages. One 12 inch piece of 5+ inch tall track and an 8 inch piece of 8+ tall track. I used the LOTOS LTP5000D 50A Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter to cut out the center web and to rough in the horn before grinding, the center section cut easily at the 50amp setting and I had good results shaping the horn.I was able to remove the wire standoff from the plasma tips ceramic cone and use it like a whittling knife to pare away the steel a little at a time with almost pinpoint control like a sculptor shaves clay. I toasted one set of plasma consumables doing the cutting and shaping. I did some grinding but ran out of light and will finish it later.

I was able to locate a source in china that has the consumables that my plasma cutter uses for very cheap. So now with a supply on hand I`ve continued to put the unit through it`s paces cutting up scrap metal. http://youtu.be/4D0V_ubuBIo http://youtu.be/UUIOmNn6hM0

File Name: A.E.A Tune Up Systems Chart for the 1948 Dodge D24 File Submitter: linus6948 File Submitted: 07 Aug 2014 File Category: Reference Information Standards of Adjustment From the Automotive Electric Association.. Tune Up Systems Chart for the 1948 Dodge D24 Deluxe and Custom 1948-DO-36 by AEA American Electric Association tune up chart with invaluable information for 1948 Dodge SIX Series D-24 DeLuxe and Custom Models. On one double sided chart information found regards; engine specs, ignition coil, resistor, condenser, spark plugs, gap, idles peed, ignition timing, ignition advance, distributor, vacuum, generators, regulators, charging circuit, fuel pump and other information. Also all applicable original OEM part numbers are referenced. Click here to download this file

You are probably right about that Don, I like the quality of the trap but where they have it mounted is more than ridiculous. http://youtu.be/vsecpUNlORQ http://youtu.be/1G151a2K93g

Now that I`m fooling around joining metal together I figured it might be nice to get a plasma cutter to cut metal up, actually I`ve wanted one for years. I opted for the LOTOS LTP5000D 50A Dual Volt 110/220 V Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter. It has one of the best track records of the chinese units, it has a loyal following of past customers and it came in with an A- review for 2014 by an outfit that rates these things. I did a couple of internet inspired mods like mounting the air regulator/moisture trap unit where you could see it and adding a desiccant air dryer. I also used some fire hose to sheath the torch line and extended the ground cable and replaced the stock ground clamp. I have been trying it out on some rusty metal and some painted scrap and all I have to say is these things are very cool.They do cut metal like a hot knife thru butter and I definitely see some bad lawn art in my future. I saw this unit on amazon for $500 new and $350 used. I found a reputable vendor on ebay who asks for $428 with free shipping, but it also said make an offer. I offered them $340 all in and they countered with $342,40 all in so I bought it. http://plasmacuttersreviews.com/

As I start to get back into body work and metal fabrication I find some of the air tools used in this work are huge "air hogs" and after struggling my whole life with small air compressors I got on craigs list and found this an hour away. It is an 08 model and the seller was asking $475, he eventually took $275 and I brought it home, it is very quiet and runs like a champ, my 5yr old 21gal upright is going to a needy friend who`s compressor just died.

Yes Don I saw my buddy yesterday and this truck does indeed have the multi fuel engine in it.

Yes there is definitely a resemblance.

As far as I know Don it is a diesel, the truck has very low miles on it and the engine fired right up despite the cold temps and lack of glow plugs.

My Buddy who built the cannon is also a 4x4 enthusiast and is now into his next project which is bobbing an old Army 21/2 ton truck. It involves removing the original rear box,and one of the rear axles,cutting the frame, installing larger wheels and tires and using the box off an Army M105 utility trailer. Yesterday with the help of a tow truck we lifted the 1000lb trailer box into position on the shortened truck frame. It went pretty well except for the wind and biting cold, we looked like a Carhartt commercial and there were some medicinal spirits involved to help fend off the chill.

I really put an effort into what I had to accomplish today and did get one more hour long ride in this afternoon...Right up until it started to snow, then I judicially headed for home, window down heater going full tilt. http://youtu.be/0I7qpSUPmp0

As there is snow predicted for late this afternoon I guess the dance is over for me, I did get out yesterday for a couple of hours and the sun even came out for a while.Today I have to do some chores before it snows so a ride today is unlikely, but I`m still hoping for maybe just one more ride. http://youtu.be/7SIibsHybIE http://youtu.be/HIysWf5oYBw

I`ve been lucky and able to still get the coupe out for a daily cruise every afternoon lately as the weather is still being fairly cooperative. We are literally hours to maybe a day or two away from rocksalt and brine being applied so everyday is a gift.Yesterday was overcast but fairly dry and I took a ride to Freeland which is at 1900ft elevation and I drove into a fog that London would be proud to have. I was bringing an old friend I had not seen for a while a bottle of homemade brandy. After we tested it for purity he asked me if I wanted to see the homemade cannon, I said sure expecting to see some table top noisemaker and we went to his shop building/garage. He opened garage door number three and there was a full sized reproduction civil war era cannon that my friend built with his father. It was quite a piece of work and fully functional, they fire it at reenactments and it goes to parades, it was very cool.

I have always wanted a metal brake but could never justify the cost to myself enough to get one. I was looking at tractor supply online and saw they had a 36in brake normally $150 on clearance for $120. I checked availability and one was showing in inventory about 23 miles away. I called and some young girl could not find the item, but it showed in their computer. I took the ride and got an older gentleman to help me and he did, he said they had one that was returned because it was defective in the back . I asked to see it and it was unused and perfect to my eyes, so I insisted they sell it to me, the female manager told me she couldn`t at first because it was defective. I insisted and she called the big boss at home and he said to sell it to me. So then I asked it I could get a vets discount and they gave me 10% off the clearance price. I took it apart cleaned and lubed it and added lock washers and flat washers where I felt they were needed, and got it perfectly adjusted, it weighs 186lbs and is very stable and fairly well made.

Thanks, like most older girls she looks better in dim lighting. That spinner I found this summer after looking for a long time for one that was strong and functional, I tell people with a straight face that it is/was the power steering option in 1948. That is after they always ask the same queation...(hey aren`t those illegal).

As it gets dark so early now my afternoon rides are bringing me back in pitch darkness with the occasional streetlight along the way. I stopped underneath one and tried to get some pictures.

Started to play with the mig welder, practicing on 18 gauge sheet metal, and I fixed a long broken metal dogs tail. I have really taken a liking to mig welding.

Larry that was a rubber-coated black colored bluetooth wireless speaker that sits on my dash playing pandora off of an android phone. I go between pandora and i-heart radio. Can be seen in the photo below on the right side of the dash.