Autumn

Autumn

Sunday, October 7, 2012

This & That

I've cramps in my hands as a result of my new hobby. Palm sanders and drill motors with wire wheels attached in use for several hours will take its toll. I'm now thinking seriously of the purchase of a portable table top bead blaster. I'd love to own a nice large sand blaster but its not within my budget, nor do I have the space.

It's hell to be poor.

Progress has been made on the new project. This is the body of an early Coleman 425 made in 1970. She was a victim of a flood and had sat under several feet of water for days. I've owned her since about 1977. The brown paint is primer.

She was in sad shape when recovered. I've three more stoves after her to restore. My next will be a Sears stove manufactured by Coleman. Somewhere between stove projects I must try my hand at the restoration of a couple of lanterns. This stuff is fun...

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At one point this afternoon I came inside to wash my hands. It made me realize I need a bar of old fashioned Lava soap. I remember my father always had several bars on hand. It was kept outside at what was referred to as 'the helps sink.'  It was nothing more than a hose bib and a bench with an old enameled pan atop with an worn out towel to dry ones hands.

I hated the gritty feel of Lava but the stuff worked.

I've been using Goop but find it just doesn't have the cleaning power I need. Time to change.

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I skipped lunch today so treated myself to a slice of Key Lime pie and a cold glass of milk. Not the shameful stuff you poor Yankees must eat but the real thing. Southern made, with real Key Lime juice.

Like this -

If you order Key Lime pie and its body is brightly colored you've been ripped off. Sorry about that.

If you'd like a slice you'd better hurry. The pie must be gone before Sweet Wife arrives home tomorrow, otherwise she's gonna kick my butt.

*****

A friend recently mentioned he thought I'd like a series available on Netflix titled, 'The Tudors.' Said it was a Showtime production. A period piece, which I like...we'll see.

Later,

Stephen





30 comments:

  1. Phyllis (N/W Jersey)October 7, 2012 at 7:00 PM

    Palm sanders will rattle your brains and make your hand numb after about an hour of use.
    As for the Lava soap: Oh, how well I remember that distinctive gritty taste.....

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    1. Yes, indeed. Palm sanders are a pain. Thanks, my dear lady.

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  2. I've played with the idea of knocking together a bead blasting cabinet myself. I've used a sand blaster outside before cleaning rust from a set of gas pump panels and it was pretty brutal and messy in the backyard in 100 degree heat :) Table top might be just the ticket.

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    1. I've checked the prices on a bead blaster cabinet setup...I'll build one too. Thanks, my friend.

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  3. I find your stove restoration work interesting. You have more patience with a sander than I do, but it looks like you've about reached your limit too.

    I've had the real deal Key Lime pie in Key West -at a place that sadly is no longer there. Baked in house by a baker with pride and skill.

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    1. After about three hours I really need a break from sanding...Key Lime is either done correctly or cheaply and the truth is in the taste. Thanks, my friend.

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  4. Lava Soap will clean dirty hands like nothing else; always did like that stuff, after working on cars. There's a place here in Anchorage that flies the Key Lime pies in from the actual restaurant in the Keys that makes 'em. The real deal, and worth every cent.

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    1. Rev. Paul, where in Anchorage!? I believe I saw you out shopping on Sunday, south side Sports Authority? Something in the ad perhaps?

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    2. I still haven't purchased a bar but will...if they ship the pies from the Keys it sure must be pricey...thanks, Rev. Paul.

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  5. A palm sander will make your hands and arms numb after a period of time.
    Stephen how many stoves do you have? I remember seeing 2 others fully restored and now 3 more??
    Lava soap is truly coming back in time. I pickup several bars at Dollar Tree For $1.00 each.
    Homemade real keylime pie, omg.......out of this world!!!!
    Put some coffee on, and you'll have visitors in the next couple of hours that will help you eat that pie. :-)

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    1. Sandy, at present I have, I think, five to seven stoves...two of those are one burners, small. I had one given to me from my mother in law this past weekend. Coffee is on...thanks, my dear.

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  6. "The Tudors" was originally done by the BBC. It looks like Showtime picked it up from them. If you like costume dramas (the Missus lives for them) you can do a lot worse than this.

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    1. I've watched the first two segments...interesting. Thanks, my good friend.

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  7. That's one thing I miss about living in South Florida, real, honest to God, put a smile on your face with delight Key Lime Pie. Can't get that taste anywhere else.

    It's more American to me than Apple Pie.

    I think I'm mad at you. You can make up for it by having some drop-shipped to me.

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    1. Ah, you wouldn't like this good ole pie....so tasty and the whipped cream is great...face it, it'd just put weight on you....I've saving your life.

      Thanks, my friend.

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  8. Good job on the stove. Pie looks pretty good also.

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    1. The stove looks better ever day...first coat of paint went on yesterday.

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  9. You can get a self contained sandblast gun with combined hopper from Harbor Freight for less than 30 dollars. They have blast media too. Your restoration work is looking very good!

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    1. I checked their website...didn't find one. They did list two large one for over a grand. Thanks, Dean.

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  10. dear friend I don't comment often but be warned, tinkering with old stuff and restoring is severely habit forming! The better you get the worse it is. Seek help now. ha ha ha ha the rat

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    1. Mr. Rat, it's far too late. I'm hooked. Thanks, my friend.

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  11. I haven't formally watched The Tudors, but have seen all of the execution scenes from it on YouTube. Henry VIII, you will recall, executed two of his wives and numerous other people during his reign, and executions of the period were gruesome affairs. One character to watch for is the Earl of Surrey, played by David O'Hara (who also played the mad Irishman "Stephen of Ireland" in Braveheart). His scene reciting the sonnet The Quiet Mind is one of my favorite scenes that doesn't involve gruesome death.

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    1. I remember O'Hara...good actor. I'll watch for it. Thanks, Bob.

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  12. I love homemade Key Lime Pie. When I visit my family in Florida, I strongly request my mom and sister to each bake one so I can judge who is the better baker...and have 2 pieces at once.

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    1. You, Joe, are a very intelligent man...love my Key Lime, I do...

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  13. I get the Nellie's key lime juice any time I'm down south, and a couple of stores around here sometimes have it. There's no substitute once you've had the real key lime pie. Enjoy the hobby!

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    1. If you ever have trouble finding the Nellie's let me know...thanks, my dear.

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  14. Key Lime pie is one of my favorite.
    BTW I have a full size sandblasting cabinet you can use sometime.

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    1. I'll take you up on the offer, thanks, Bubba.

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  15. A pair of gel padded cycling gloves will help protect your hands while working.

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