2009 at the Hammond Barn

[RHClarke]

It was a good Sunday at the barn as it warmed up to -3oC. After a fairly early start, Bob and Grant found serial numbers hidden under layers of paint on Bob's doors. Grant pulled apart the doors - removing the outer skins so that Bob could map the interior dimensions. Two things were noted - there was no paint on the interior surfaces, and penetrating oil really penetrates! The oil was sprayed on some of the nuts and bolts and had seeped almost to the other side of the door.

While they played with the doors, I worked on fabbing up replacement parts for the spare tire holder. I made the cross bar and its cover (see two up for photo of the original). After failing to make a squared away bracket, I called in Bob, who came up with a really simple way of making a bracket. He took a length of square tubing, cut one side off and bent out the sides making a very good looking bracket. While not exactly like the original, it will be hidden behind the spare anyway.

I also played with the other two fenders. After heating them up near Lucifer, I undercoated them and then added the mudflaps. The front fender went on with very little fuss. The large rear fender will have to wait until next week. It is gratifying to see things coming along (after all these years...).

[servicepub (RIP)]

Originally Posted by RHClarke

It was a good Sunday at the barn as it warmed up to -3oC.

We had a bit of a cold spell here and the temperature plumetted to +28. However, it is nice to see photos of snow - it gives me a nice warm feeling al over.

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by servicepub

We had a bit of a cold spell here and the temperature plumetted to +28. However, it is nice to see photos of snow - it gives me a nice warm feeling al over.

Clive, How long have you been having these hot flashes? Do you feel the need to buy a convertible? Or perhaps go on an adventure somewhere? Hopefully, you will get a chance to come back to Ottawa on leave to (ahem) chill out...

[Gunner]

Rob:

Congratulations! After throwing a lot of money at the provincial government you now have proof that you own something thats been yours for years!!

Staggering!

Mike

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by Gunner

Rob:

Congratulations! After throwing a lot of money at the provincial government you now have proof that you own something thats been yours for years!! Staggering! Mike

Gunner, Nothing succeeds like excess - especially when it comes to paperwork. It looks like the system is set up to exact money at every turn from those whom it is supposed to serve. Despite the load of tax money we fork over every year to support those who are paid to support us, it appears to me that we are getting less service at greater cost. It is time to sink unions, lawyers and pencil neck tax and spend politicians.
Back to the main topic - It helped going to a rural office as the offices close to home seem to be run by male-hating, weightwatcher wannabes, who see us as "inconveniences". I was more than a little annoyed by the constant questioning of my motives (“Why would you want to register that?”) and their slavery to procedures (“Why doesn’t the VIN have 17 digits?”). The less than helpful manner in which I was treated in Ottawa contrasts with the excellent advice and assistance given by David and his team in Kemptville.
Bottom line is that the HUP is legally registered in my name and registration is one more step toward the Spring 09 roll out. Seven years...King Solomon would not be impressed!

[servicepub (RIP)]

Originally Posted by RHClarke

. Seven years...King Solomon would not be impressed!

But it's only one in dog years???

[RHClarke]

Bob queried my posting of photos on this thread. He had a question from a fellow CMPer from afar about the types of photos being posted on threads. Since the Posting Photos thread is locked, I'll respond here with my two cents worth.

We have two options as far as I know:
Attaching thumbnails; or
Attaching a photo via URL.

Both have advantages and disadvantages. The Thumbnail is easy to effect - just follow the directions under "Manage Attachments". Once posted it requires that extra step (clicking) to expand it but it usually only gets a little larger. No problem. You can save the photo by right clicking and selecting the save options. You can then open the photo in a photo manipulation program and have your way with it.

My preferred option is to post a URL to a photo by copying it and pasting it into the text field of a reply. There are disadvantages - first, you need to join an online photo archiving website (I use Photobucket), set up an account and upload the photos to the website. You must also allow public viewing, so save the "candid snaps" for your private viewing... Once uploaded, you superimpose the cursor over the photo and all sorts of detail pops up. Select the URL, copy and paste it as mentioned. Here's the rub - if the website closes up shop or changes some of its "character", your link may/will be lost. I am not sure how much bandwidth URLs take up, but the larger photos sure look nice...

We will see if Bob goes the thumbnail or URL route when he posts photos of today's barn antics...

[Phil Waterman]

Originally Posted by RHClarke

....Grant pulled apart the doors - removing the outer skins so that Bob could map the interior dimensions. Two things were noted - there was no paint on the interior surfaces, and penetrating oil really penetrates! The oil was sprayed on some of the nuts and bolts and had seeped almost to the other side of the door. ......).

You raise a very important point about CMP doors which I have confirmed on all three of my trucks. The inside of the doors were not painted hence some of the rust out problems. I have tackled this in different ways if I re-skinned the doors I have painted the inside. When not re-skinning I've removed the doors taped up all the openings and poured in about a quart of cosmoline like industrial rust inhibitor, the waxy stuff works best if it is heated up till it pours like water. Then rotate the door slowly until the inside of the entire door has been coated then drain out the excess. One caution if you ever have to do any welding on the door be prepared for the coating to catch fire, which means any welding should be done with the door removed from the truck.


Cheers Phil

[Grant Bowker]

The door(s) I was working on were off a Cab 13, the outer shin was ripped around the hinges and needs other patching too. Oddly, it seems to have fatigued in the corners rather than seriously rusted. I was also curious to see how the door was built.
To open up the door I drilled out the spot rivets and bent back the flange around the door edges. I probably should have used heat along the fold line to soften things because the metal was cracking as I unfolded it. Not really surprising given the tight fold. One interesting thing, it seems they assembled the screws at the top of the door, then did a very few spot welds to hold the two faces of the door in place as they folded the flange over and then did the main series of spot welds around the perimeter. As with all CMP welding, the quality was "variable". The initial locating welds were missed as I started the door disassembly.

Bob's doors were off cabs 11 and 12. Interesting to note how many more parts were used to make the earlier doors. But each part cound be made using much simpler equipment.

[RHClarke]

I am now the legally registered owner of my (unfit) HUP. It took no less than three visits to the license office, hours on the phone to Manitoba for a lien and registration search (at a cost), a game of fax tag between myself, Manitoba Vehicle Registry and the Ontario License Office, a sworn affidavit (at city hall at a horrendous expense), a copy of the bill of sale and a appraisal, but it is done!

Another small step towards a spring roll out…Many thanks to Gunner and to David at the Kemptville License Office. I think the next HUP should be easier to register...or maybe not.