[RHClarke]

Domestic chores and wrapping up a contract have kept me away from the barn for what seems to be a very long time (only three weeks or so). Bob and Grant made the marathon trip to God's country and return with a truck full of radios. Bob has some interesting plans for all of that gear. Some of us may just have to get a license and call sign in the future.

In the past few weeks the boys have been quite busy. The major project for Bob was to get rid of the 3/4 inch or so bend out of his truck's front end. The photo below shows the lengths that our Bob will go to fix something. Now some would gasp at the audacity, others will nod their heads in agreement - whatever works, works. Lo and behold! Bob's truck now has rid itself of most of the bend! Now it seems that our buddy Bob puts good faith in our tools. However, be warned and take heed - 1/4 ton rated floor stands will not hold anything much over a 1/4 ton. See photo below for results. Luckily, Bob avoided any injuries.

With the bend out of the way, Bob turned to another annoyance that had to be taken care of. What to do with the parking brake holes when you no longer have parking brake cables? Bob fabbed up some metal covers, painted them and installed them in short order. All that had to be done was pull the axles, pull the bearings, pull the drum, insert two bolts, install the cover with a dose of silcone goop, attach a set of nuts, tighten and then reinstall the drum, bearings and axles.

Of course other chores were completed in and around the barn, but nothing out of the ordinary for this time of the year.

Photos:

1- Bob explaining the need for a separate set of gloves for each side and end of the truck.
2- Roasted CMP framerail. A rare dish best served red hot.
3 - What happens when you use a floor stand that is not rated for the load.
4 - Parking brake cable holes no longer needed.
5 - The Hammond solution to those pesky parking brake holes