2013 at the Hammond Barn

[maple_leaf_eh]

Just to add to the comments about snow and driveway shelters, I went to the famous Princess Auto the other day. A 21' telescoping aluminum handled plastic bladed roof rake (yes, that is the name) is coming up on sale. The need was greater to clear snow than risk missing out altogether.

We have had easily 18" of fresh snow in the past two weeks. Here are some snaps of the process of clearing snow. Notice the deflection on the roof supports inside.

[maple_leaf_eh]

One thing I noticed after clearing the snow, was how my resistance braced roof cross pieces, had almost all shifted position. The roof is the original poly-whatever fabric, second-skinned with sections of modular tentage, reinforced with leftover election signs and 1x4 lumber. I need to get some j-clamps in the electrical conduit section of my second favourite hardware store, and put things back in place.

BTW, this shelter is a full Rotter and MLU effort. Guy Vapeur sewed the end panel with doors, and the tentage was purchased from Greg Wright who is a neighbour of Mike Calnan. And Rob Love has visited and inspected the M38A1.

[Ryan]

Amazing pictures guys. Just totally foreign to me. 3 weeks now without a drop of rain, paddocks dry and becoming barren. Dust, grass seeds in your clothing and cloudless skies.
All the best for 2013 from down under.

[RHClarke]

There was a reception committee awaiting my arrival at the barn this morning. To my surprise there were about 20 quite large birds pecking away at the snow in front of the barn doors. As I approached with my camera, half of the crowd flew away with remarkable speed. The braver ones eye-balled me with curiosity until I got up close - then they took off in a flurry of feathers and rude noises. Of course the camera on my mobile telephone decided to ask me some qestions about exposure, and by the time I had sorted it out, the turkeys were gone. Bob has been feeding the local "flock" of turkeys and they obviously have told their friends about the free food at the barn.

After lighting up Lucifer (it was -10oC outside), I headed out of doors for some more snow management. Bob showed up mid-morning and after catching up on the past week's activities, we spent the remainder of the morning clearing away some snow, which is now becoming more of an irritant. Bob mounted his trusty tactor and cleared the laneways and in between the barn and shed. I busied myself cleaning off shelters and digging out the barn doors.

Once that was done, we headed indoors for some metal work. Bob concentrated on some of his sheet metal components while I looked at the Pilot Model doors - photos are on the 42 Pilot Model thread. Lunchtime rolled around and Joyce popped in with tea, coffee, chips and hot dogs. This was a very pleasant surprise and we enjoyed lunch in the comfort of the barn (which was now at a balmy 15oC).

Later on, Grant joined us. He and Bob got into the metal work for Bob's truck. Bob had fabbed up a replacement piece that really looked the part when they temporarily put it together. That burned up the remainder of the afternoon, and as darkness fell, I left Bob and Grant in the barn to put the finishing touches on another of Bob's remarkable creations.

Photos:

1 - Reception Committee
2 - Bob drilling out spot welds to remove a panel
3- The replacement panel being test fit
4 - Lunch is served!
5 - Bob and Grant checking the fit

[maple_leaf_eh]

I was at the EOSC range Sat and Sun midday both days. On Sat there was an extended flock of turkeys working through the snowy corn fields East of the dogleg turn and bridge near Canaan Road. Probably 3 miles SWW from the Barn.

And I wasn't being antisocial, I had a very specific sighting in task that failed on Sat, but succeeded on Sun. Lesson learned - when adjusting scope alignment at close range, make bold corrections on the base. Two feet left at 20yds is more adjustment than is ion the telescope knobs.

[RHClarke]

Guy,

We have a partially destroyed seat back and cushion cover for you to copy. If you like, the package can be dropped off chez vous tomorrow after lunch. If you need better samples, let me know.

[Bob Carriere]

....made up as soon as possible.....


Guy

will be barning tomorrow afternoon ..... if you have time why don't you drop in for a chat.....

Bob


.....and you can see Rob at work..... you will see he does change clothes and works on different parts...

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

Just to add to the comments about snow and driveway shelters, I went to the famous Princess Auto the other day. A 21' telescoping aluminum handled plastic bladed roof rake (yes, that is the name) is coming up on sale. The need was greater to clear snow than risk missing out altogether.

We have had easily 18" of fresh snow in the past two weeks. Here are some snaps of the process of clearing snow. Notice the deflection on the roof supports inside.

The weekend is forecasted to be single digits (below freezing). This would be an excellent chance to go work outdoors raking snow off the roof. I was outdoors after the last storm and again today. The Jeeps thanked me!

[Bob Carriere]

The past few days of bitter cold has complicated things.

I had to use an electric blow gun to warm up the pressure regulator on the compressor system.....but only after I had used the heat in the blower gun to soften up the coiled electrical cord.

Used the gun again to warm up the chuck on the drill press as it was very stiff to turn. The O ring on the air line spool kept hissing and leaking..... warm air did not last long as the cold compressed air cooled it again.

Had "Lucifer" fired up but even after 4 hours the electrical cords on the floor couldn't be coiled neatly and winding up the rubber hose air line back on the spool was like twisting spring steel. The Butane torch used to light the furnace would not ignite but the propane torch burned weakly.

Got the sheet metal job done for the furnace but it was not enjoyable.

Outside temp was -19 with a stiff breeze .... I swear the inside of the barn had stored some of the cold air from the past few days.

The slow leak on the tractor front tire had deflated the tire flat.......

The forecast on TV says that the real cold January weather has yet to arrive.

Bob C

[RHClarke]

Bob, Give me a call if you need some help around the barn. I will be out sometime next week to knock some snow off the shelters and to clear off the roof of the shed. Until then, I will be at home keeping warm.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi All

After looking back through pictures posted on Hammond 2013 I just have to ask Is Hammon Below or Above the Arctic Circle?

Reason I asked is that I noticed that there seem to be a lot of photos from the Hammond Barn that either show snow or you guys dress up in your arctic suites. Counted and there are 62 photos with snow or cold weather gear and only 39 with no snow and or normal work cloths. There were also 5 photos with no indication of temperature.

It would sort of seem that you have winter little over 60% of the time and spring summer fall only amount to just under 40% of the time.

Cheers and Stay Warm Phil