philoshop

I use dryer sheets, the fabric softener thingies. I get 'em from the dollar store for, well...a dollar. Tie them around the various cables and hoses and other parts of the tractors. Replace them every year or so. I haven't had a mouse problem with any of the machinery since going that route, and I don't even remember where or when I initially heard about it, but it's easy and it works.

I've done site prep and installation of a couple dozen of those sheds. They're well built, and the delivery guys know their stuff.

If you're interested in really old airplanes and generally crazy old inventors there's the Curtiss Museum at the south end of Keuka lake. Hammondsport, I believe. It's a nice drive at least. On the ceiling of the lobby is a quarter-scale model I helped build of the actual first airplane. The Wright Brothers took the credit, but Curtiss was the first man in the air with a controllable airplane. Orville and Wilbur went up and came down. Glenn Curtiss took off and circled for a landing. That had never been done before. Like I said, the guy was absolutely nuts. A v-eight engine on a bicycle. Glenn said, why not? Notice the shaft drive. I think this photo was from the late 1800's. It's a pretty cool museum dedicated to a true hero of American individualism, and well worth the visit.

If you're anywhere near a patch of leeks or scallions, your nose will tell you. It's unmistakable. Think of a bowl of chopped onions in your kitchen while you wait for the hots and burgers to come off the grill.

Best of luck to you Pygmy!!

A good set of check weights is an almost indispensable part of any kit. Tiny pieces of brass don't lie about their weight. They're relatively cheap, very reliable, and when something's wrong while weighing charges they let you know. And you shouldn't have a cellphone anywhere near you when reloading. It's an unnecessary distraction. I'm "old school" on this. Reloading is a rewarding hobby, but it demands some discipline.

Fewer and fewer people learn how to hunt before buying a license and going hunting. That's the short answer. The deer are out there, for sure, but in the woods they are way smarter and more aware of their environment than the humans.

I've killed woodchucks at 10 feet with a bow, 287 yards with a pistol, and well over 400 yards with a rifle. Different skill-sets to be sure, but it was all hunting.

Great story! Keep the memory alive, but find another tree somewhere and start a new tradition for the kids. And for their kids.

Optics manufacturers have their feet to the fire regarding customer service and warranties. It was a combination of grass-roots demand and good old competition that started 30+ years ago. Glad things worked out for you.

I'm more of a tent guy. And I promise not to poop in your yard in the morning.

A GTG in Bristol is something I could definitely do! I built a couple of houses in that area 35 years ago. Mind if I camp in your driveway for the night? The biggest problem with these sites is people's inability to simply apologize when they've taken things too far. I've done so on a couple of occasions here, both gone too far and then later apologized. It happens. Criticize the post, not the poster. The particular post is right in front of you and you're allowed to disagree. But you don't know anything about the person who posted it, which makes personal attacks extremely petty.

I just want winter to be over. Being a woodburner, I haven't had hair on my knuckles since October. It's a testy time of year.

That was mean...but funny.

They make their money selling sneakers, yoga pants, golf clubs, and tennis rackets. They've decided to alienate gun enthusiasts to cater to others.

I'm guessing it depends on whether or not he's the one who bought it.

Hunting or fishing my buddy has always said, " Oooooh, they're out there."

A great site for serious rope, and they have a section for short leftover pieces: http://www.wesspur.com/ It's an arborist/treework site.

A good friend of mine reloads for about 20 different rifle and pistol cartridges. He has a big dovetailed slot in his benchtop and corresponding wooden bases on all of his presses and accessories. It's a pretty slick system when done right. The swap-n-go is seamless, without having to worry about nuts and bolts.

Have a great Birthday!! Eat some cake!

It's their right to have their views. But this is approaching coercion under RICO statutes. The Federal government even tried this just a few years ago and had to back down. I'd have to look up all the pertinent info because I don't remember much off the top of my head. Obama and Holder decided that the way to shut down the gun industry was to not allow banks to give loans to manufacturers and retailers... It's a bullying tactic, and they don't realize that bullies often get punched back.

Looks like you have most of the crud off. I agree with Doc at this point. Put a handle on it and use it. The nice thing is that if it's actually 'old', and I'm guessing it is, it's probably good quality steel that will take and hold an edge. It's something I'd be proud to own and use. I'd be more worried about getting the cakey rust out of the 'throat' of the tool than the faces, if you're going to use it, otherwise you will probably buy a few handles trying to fit one to stay tight to the head.

Try a decent battery-powered tool, like a Milwaulkee, and you'll be surprised. The $50 Ryobi is always going to disappoint you, but a good-quality tool is worth it. I have several friends in the construction industry who are almost 100% battery-operated now, and they have no regrets. They take care of their batteries, and they don't have to carry around generators and extension cords. The roofers tend to use gas-powered compressors because you just never know what the integrity of the house circuit is.

I sighted in guns for a gunsmith many years ago, and the M37 was the bruiser even when compared with the big centerfires. I still have the one in 12 Ga that my Dad bought in the mid-to-late 60's. It's a joy to carry in the woods and and very quick to point, but it's nasty as heck at the bench.

When a school system is more interested in protecting their federal funding than they are in protecting their students, there's a serious problem. The federal department of education is only about 45 years old and has proved to be an utter failure in every way. Time for it to go. It just doesn't work when DC bureaucrats try to control local institutions. Seems like Betsy Devos is working at it: https://www.billwhittle.com/right-angle/we-dont-need-any-more