uncledj

Hey...when I'm driving the motorhome, or, as I like to call it..."Ridin' the Big Wheel"....I go where I want....my lug nuts are bigger so if you don't like it, get outta the way. (Just kidding) For those of you who haven't had the experience, when you first climb behind the wheel it's a bit intimidating, but if you've a normal understanding of common sense physics, you get into the groove pretty quick. After a bit, it's not much different than driving my work van. What it comes down to is that those who are lousy drivers in cars, will be even worse drivers in larger vehicles. I've often thought there should be some sort of a driver test to pass before you can drive these things, but when you think about it, it's pretty rare to see a motorhome in a traffic accident. I can only remember maybe 2 that I've seen in all my years. Anyhoo, I think most people willing to drive a behemoth are courteous and capable.

Really tough to find people right now. We're talking about hiring 3 qualified mechanics in Western OH area, and the local Union Hall has no one to give us. 70K+ job with great retirement / health benefits, and it's next to impossible to find anything but entry level people.

Sounds like your quick reaction saved the day. You've time to heal before the REAL riding season begins. Take it easy, get yourself healed up.

Basement concrete isn't usually very thick though.....Cut, if you've a concrete saw, ... or at least deeply score with a circular saw / diamond blade and break.

I built a small garage just to house a 69 Chevelle project, with the intention of working on it in said garage. I'd installed 2 - 8' electric baseboards to keep it above freezing, and a hanging gas heater for quicker heat. As it turned out, the electrics do the trick and I've never needed the gas heat. Electric is safe, and needs no propane refills. Baseboards are easy to install if you don't have to run miles of wire. If getting power to it is an issue, then I'd agree with everyone else.

Lol...sounds like where I work. Things went well for quite a while. About a year ago, they got rid of the 2 key people who directed 40 some techs and in an attempt to streamline and make things run more efficiently, they hired 9 people to replace the 2 they got rid of. What a mess. Management is now trying to figure out why we're not making money anymore..... It'd be funny if it wasn't so sad....and dangerous. Thank God I'm in the Trades and can get work pretty easily even if the company tanks.

I told Lisa that when we got our lives back, we'd go on an Alaskan Cruise. Still have a little snag....(Little Pomeranian who's going to be 18)...still can't leave him, but don't know how long we'll still have him. Anyhoo, I'm starting to look into booking a cruise and thought I may be able to get some valuable input from my Venturerider family. We'll be flying out of Columbus, OH, and will want a package deal.. What line? What time of year? What to do when we get there? Don't know what happened with the text size....whatever....

Wouldn't know where to start. Worked in the steel mills (pipe mill) out of high school, spent a couple of years as a laborer at Turkey point power plant, nuke side and fossil side...January 1985 I was the most highly irradiated guy in the plant, then worked as an insulator in the fossil boilers, then back to the steel mills as an outside contract laborer, then road construction labor, then I got into my current profession where the toughest jobs were removing / installing steam boilers, dealt with a lot of asbestos,but I was finally using my brain a bit, and now, as a commercial / industrial HVAC guy....I still have tough days and b**ch, but I know just how good I actually have it. Lord knows, I know what work is....I've the torn muscles and torn and worn tendons to prove it.Some of those laborer supervisors used to work us like dogs. I've seen some pretty cool stuff,....it gave me some good life experiences, but I can't help but wish I'd taken an easier path. Now I'm just looking forward to retirement. Still have 9 or 10 years to go.....hope I can make it. lol

I've been going through Dad's stuff, planning on donating most of it, but I came across his hearing aids, and I think these things can be pretty expensive. They were originally provided from the VA, so they should be top of the line.... Anyway, I figured that with all the old fogies that've spent a lot of time around loud motors and such on this site, maybe someone would want them. If not, I'll see if the VA wants them back, but gubment doesn't usually work that way.

I wonder how that applies to a Mini 14. My guess would be that .223 would be intended for a bolt action, and that .556 would be for auto loaders. I dunno. Like you said, I've shot both with no problems.

Just had an idea. You could keep what you have, just turn the temp up to 180 or so and install a tempering valve to keep the output at 120. Some smart person could do the math and come up with an exact answer, but that seems to me like it'd give you 50% more available hot water at the tap. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Watts-3-4-LF-MMV-US-Tempering-valve/264148061138?hash=item3d80738bd2:g:MkgAAOSwwZxcJob7:rk:1:pf:1&frcectupt=true

Can't say I'm crazy about the idea. I think I'd opt for a second traditional tank, propane or electric, piped in parallel, or, better yet, a single larger tank, and you can opt for a high output tank as well. The on demand heaters can be problematic, and the electric ones take a good bit of juice to run.....serious amp spike when they start. You'll need to be sure your power supply to the house / breaker box and wiring can handle it. Best of luck with your project; whichever way you go.

​That was a costume?

We had Dad's Funeral yesterday. It was a bit odd being on a Thursday Morning, but we wanted to get it done before all the heavy snow we are supposed to get this weekend. It was a beautiful service, especially hard to maintain my composure when they did the Honor Guard Service, with the presenting of the Flag, and the playing of Taps. Dad was a great man, loved by all and we were lucky to have him. I was honored to write the eulogy. Godspeed Dad. Eulogy for Leonard Sheehn Thank you all for coming; especially on such short notice, to acknowledge Dad's passing, and to reflect on his life. Dad was the son of Charlie and Helen, born and raised in an era that few of us can understand. I'd loved the story he'd told when, as a child, his father dropped he and a friend off, in the woods, to spend a week camping and ultimately living off the land. He had his trusty BB gun, which he'd use to hunt the birds that they'd cook and eat. We may think of this as unfathomable today, but for him it was a fond memory and a great adventure. He grew up, living through the Depression, but with his Dad being a mixture of entrepreneur and huckster, they'd fared better than most. As a young man, he'd remembered the first time he'd seen Mom, (His words) " That pretty red haired girl that was kicking coal off a railroad car"......To later gather and take home.....Remember folks.....This was the Depression, and they were dirt poor. Anyway, they were later married, and Dad went off to War. He spent three years in Italy, where he saw the Horrors of War, but also had some good experiences, that could only be had in those times and places. When Dad left for the War in Europe, Mom was expecting their first child......the first of six. Most of you know that I'm the baby of that bunch. I think I was lucky.......By the time I came along the family was established, and doing well, and I had older brothers and sisters to watch out for me, and Mom and Dad were too wore out to keep on top of my shenanigans. All's well that ends well, as we seemed to turn out pretty good. Dad spent the bulk of his professional life as a machinist, culminating with him running the Machine shop for the steel mill. He said he'd enjoyed his work and I think he wanted me to follow in his footsteps, but with the downfall of the steel mills, it wasn't to be. Dad was an avid hunter and fisherman and was happiest in the woods. He took the time to share his love of the outdoors with his children, and one of his greatest gifts to many of us was to establish a love for the Mountains of Pennsylvania, not to mention the establishment of the Headhunter Camp, that has become an important part of our lives. This simple, wonderfully placed cabin has become his legacy. I'm sure it will remain long after most of us are gone as well. Mom and Dad provided us with a healthy, happy and safe home. We always had a roof over our head, food in our bellies and clothes on our backs. AND THE CHRISTMAS'S....WOW.....Looking back on the great Christmas's we had....the food....the decoration...and the gifts !!!.........So much that I took for granted as a child. Dad was one of those guys that could build or fix anything. He built the home that I grew up in. He had a strong work ethic that he'd instilled in his children. He encouraged us to do for ourselves, work hard and do the right thing........Usually...... I remember a friend that Dad had mentored somewhat on the finer points of hunting that laughs when he recalls the time Dad told him....." If ya follow all the rules, you'll never get anything". You know who you are out there..... Dad and Mom did all that could be asked of a parent. Thanks Dad.......Thanks Mom...... It was twenty years ago that we lost Mom; before her time. I was there with Dad just minutes after Mom had passed; at home, and as hard as that was it was made harder when I saw how it had broken Dad's heart. That was an incredibly difficult time for us all, but Dad was eventually comforted when he found love again, with Ruth. Dad and Ruth would remain faithful companions for the rest of his life. Ruth....Thank you for the love and comfort you've given Dad. Dad.....You've taught me how to be a good man You've taken the time to show me things and places that many children never have the opportunity to see. You've shown me the beauty and wonder of simple things. You've taught me the importance of family....always looking out for one another. Your kindness, tolerance, even temper and grace gave me the ability to weather the storms that life sends our way. Your sense of humor gave me the ability to laugh with the world, and often at myself. I think the simplest and most heartfelt thing I can offer is to say that I'm PROUD to say that you're my father. I love you Dad. I will see you again.

Another one of "The Greatest Generation" has gone home. Dad passed peacefully yesterday with family at his bedside. At 96, he had a pretty good run. He was loved and will be missed. (sniff)

If you're going to end up gluing 5' pieces and pushing them through, I'd strongly suggest using pressure couplings instead of DWV couplings. The pressure couplings will be longer and stronger and will withstand more abuse as you finagle the piping through the existing 6".

​yes

I've been upgrading the headlamps on my vehicles, and have found that the LED bulbs aren't so great. They give off a very bright, white light, but it really doesn't project well, and, like you said, there's very little difference between low / hi beam. I tried supposedly brighter LED's with little improvement. The ratings they give the bulbs are really a bunch of promotional BS. I then went with HID, which are a bit of a PITA to install, but they are as bright as advertised and with a very noticeable difference between low / hi. The only issue I've had with them are that every once in a while one or the other of the headlights won't light initially....was making me crazy until I realized cycling the lights would resolve the problem. Relay sticking?....ballast issue? Dunno, but it hasn't happened for a few weeks now. So in my opinion HID is the way to go. I can't say if any manufacturer is better than any other, but all in all I'm happy with the upgrade.

Yup, some places get skiddish about filling older tanks. I've replaced the valves on a couple of old 100lb tanks and there's a place near me that doesn't hassle me over it. One of the tanks has a last inspection stamped at 1951...lol..(true fact)

Doesn't the pilot go out when the the thermostat is satisfied and the flame goes out? Frank 6" is one helluva pilot flame..... I don't believe that Fool has a standing pilot...His merely lights the pilot as a step to bring on the main burner.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/100LB-PROPANE-VAPOR-TANK-SERVICE-VALVE-COUPLER-BBQ-POL-100-LB-GRILL-HEATER-LPG-1-/263507664560?hash=item3d5a47deb0 If your valve is horizontal, you'll want to remove the dip tube.....finger tight, screws right out.

If anything, you'd want to DROP the shutoff temp a few degrees to help disperse any residual heat.

Well stated, but brother, you don't know the half of it. The constant pursuit of energy efficiency has caused more issues with reliability, functionality and service life than people realize. I do this stuff for a living (commercial / industrial) and see it every day. Keep it simple, stupid is more true today than ever. Trouble is that the gubment mandates this stuff without knowledge of or concern for unintended consequences or real world benefits / failings. Having said that, FlyinFool...don't get too enamoured with ultra high efficiency. Salespeople make it sound great, but it's not. Fan switch doesn't seem the type prone to failure, but may be....does the switch control the fan motor directly or through a relay? (Stuck / sticking relay?)

As far as the pilot is concerned, doesn't sound like a thermocouple, but rather a flame sensor, which is nothing more than a steel rod that will conduct a tiny bit of electricity to ground through the flame. (flame rectification) It'd be a good idea to clean it...like someone said, no sandcloth...small wire brush or scotch brite pad. The idea there is that sandcloth has silicates in it which will imbed in the steel while cleaning, and when heated can melt into the steel thereby insulating it from the flame. So....no sandpaper. It shouldn't be that tough to pull the pilot ignitor / flame sensor as an assembly, and while you're at it, if you have compressed air, blow out the pilot orifice. They sometimes get restricted and a small pilot flame can cause that issue as well. Keep in mind that with flame rectification, unlike a thermocouple, the flame sensing is instant. It doesn't need to heat up....the flame merely has to contact the sensing rod and it'll go to main flame. As far as the fan switch goes, best to post a pic of it before speculating further.

My favorite version.....The only musical instrument is a bell....All the rest is Human voice.