General Conversations

Out on the farms I've worked on occasionally, we have needed some custom bends in our plastic PVC conduit. We found that about 10-12 slow turns of the pipe at the hot exhaust will not burn and make it soft enough to bend. Saves buying a 200 dollar conduit heat bender anyhow.Tip.... if you see the pvc turn color like it's burning, you need to turn it a bit faster

We all use rachet straps... I confess I hated to go to them but they work... I bought the latest set of 4 (1" X 15') at Harbor Freight... (figures they are now on sale for even less.) The package completely enclosed the products. I used the straps last weekend to tie my scooter down on the landscaper's trailer... never gave it much thought. When I got home, one of the straps was almost severed where the THIN strap rubbed on the steel... the contact point was well rounded, I thought. I'm convinced that the straps are inferior, just too thin. I noticed that for the same money or nearly so, the Home Depot has rachet straps with heavier webbing... and the package…

I ran into this great bargain yesterday with Mike. I bought two of these. They are excellent and definitely a plus for having on hand for an emergency/camping/rving,etc. http://www.harborfreight.com/12-led-hand-crank-lantern-96200.html

What's your thoughts?Why are they so stuck on finding a job? Why can't they start a business of their own in their field? I found it hard to deal with a boss and started my own in 81. It seems the money is where the work is and a lot of the college grads think too much in terms of getting a cushy office job. Why don't they think in terms of doing things that require a little more physical labor? Seems like all the people I know that are willing to work are doing well and they started out small in business and worked their reputation/ quality up the scales.I get hard hard jobs from time to time but, find that folks are willing to compensate me more for doing them. In fact,…

The Differential Theory of US Armed Forces (Snake Model) upon encountering a snake in the Area of Operations (AO)1. Infantry: Snake smells them, leaves area.2. Airborne: Lands on and kills the snake.3. Armor: Runs over snake, laughs, and looks for more snakes.4. Aviation: Has Global Positioning Satellite coordinates to snake. Can't find snake. Returns to base for refuel, crew rest and manicure.5. Ranger: Plays with snake, then eats it.6. Field Artillery: Kills snake with massive Time On Target barrage with three Forward Artillery Brigades in support. Kills several hundred civilians as unavoidable collateral damage. Mission is considered a success and all participants (i.e…

Alright, so one of my goals within this year is to make a gantry crane. I have been wanting one for a while now. Biggest thing is being able to hang large game for skinning and quartering. It will obviously serve many different purposes other than hanging game. The possibilities are endless.I want to make it large enough to stand higher than my truck and wider so I could back through it. I estimated it to be at the dimensions of 10'x12'. Giving me some room to clear the mirrors/open doors and tall enough to have clearance and some play room if needed. Then, as far as winching goes, the best would be to go motorized.Design is easy. A-frame style. But material is my biggest…

Thinking of better times? Me too...Now, I have taken the fist step, what next, Moparmom?..I'm still kind of unsure where this is supposed to lead to?

How about running two operation systems and having Windows Vista x64 with Ubuntu Linux 12.04? Well I've done it. I'm now capable of going back and forth between both operating system without rebooting! * Ubuntu Linux 12.04 x64 * Windows Vista x64 Ultimate running within Oracle VirtualBox. Now what I've learned about this is Windows is a pig when it comes to CPU power constantly pulling on the CPU and memory thankfully I've got the ability of throttling how much this virtual machine get for resources from the Linux. But I got to admit it cool to be able to use Windows for those odd ball programs that you can't find a Linux version. Also it allows me to still run IE br…

Can anyone tell me if it is bad for the air conditioning to shut down the Cummins when the A/C is still on?If so, why?Does anyone know why my 93 CTD would be getting better mileage at around 365,000 miles than before?I used to get only 465 miles average down to a quarter tank. Recently I'm getting around 535 miles when down to a quarter tank. Is it just broken in?T.I.A.

http://www.cumminsnewsletters.com/td/brennan_magee.html

Alright, I did a search on the subject here on the forum and came up with nothing. Maybe I searched wrong or something? Maybe it has not been discussed, or much if at all? I sincerely think this is an issue that needs to be brought to attention! I learned about this type of hazard a year or so ago, but did not realize how serious and how much of a presence it can make in our everyday lives. I just got through with my extrication ops and we learned a little about it so we could be aware of it. It was also the first time I got to see some pictures of how SEVERE an injury it can be! Being that we deal with high pressure diesel, I think it needs to be brought to att…

Alright, I'm having some trouble here. Whats the difference between the General conversation forum and the lighter side of mopar forum? Does not necessarily seem like they differ much..

You know that post wrenching beer feeling... at least when you've vanquished your foes and fixed everything you planned on fixing? I don't usually get to work on much, since I live in an apartment about an hour and a half from the well stocked shop and all my tools, welder, and all the associated family stuff. It was fun. Even though the lack of promised trans upgrades were a dissapointment on the new Cummins, I love my new truck. I started vacation this weekend, and I planned two days as truck wrench session. I planned on changing all fluids, putting a wrench on what I can get it on, and give the new rig a through once over. I did run into a couple surp…

I was out studying up some more and ran across this little article that is spot on for newbies that want to transfer over to Ubuntu Linux but are scared here read this article... http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntucat/a-home-users-successful-migration-strategy-from-windows-to-ubuntu/

I had a chance today to see what it is like when all the tail gators try crowding you out of merging onto the freeway. Close to having only the emergency lane ahead, no one would let me in. So the car that was along side even started crowding closer to the car in front to keep me out. I'm going close to the same speed so it's not like I'm the guy that puts up the invisible stop signs to a freeway entrance, like some mergers do.What Do You Guys Do ?I proceeded to very slowly crowd out this lady a little behind me, somewhat along side. You know, it was the rudest one of the bunch. Anyhow She finally backed off, I guess only worried about her shiny new car, It felt right tho…

Alright, so in the midst of this soon to be move I will be conducting, being that the in-laws are on the same property, I get an opportunity to inherit some rare treasures. One of them, a commercial grade meat bandsaw! Its a hobart 5212. I have done a little bit of research on the saw and have found that in refurbished condition can sell at around $2000! They gave it to me for FREE! Its been in the backyard covered in plastic for quit some time. It has handled the elements alot better than I thought it would. I pulled it out yesterday, looking at it and all the parts to it. Was fortunate enough to get it all properly assembled. I found an manual to it, but it is defin…

Over five thousand years ago, Moses said to the children of Israel, "Pick up your shovels, mount your asses and camels and I will lead you to the Promised Land."Nearly 75 Years Ago, (when Welfare was introduced) Roosevelt said, "Lay down your shovels, sit on your asses, and light up a Camel, this is the Promised Land."Today, Congress has stolen your shovel, taxed your asses, raised the price of Camels and mortgaged the Promised Land!I was so depressed last night thinking about Health Care Plans, the economy, the wars, lost jobs, savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc.... I called a Suicide Hotline.I had to press 1 for English.I was connected to a call center in P…

For the first time in a very long time diesel is cheaper that gas! although I don't think it will last long

OK,I have one bar "mostly" installed but only 1 screw of each mount hit solid wood. We all know camper paneling is tissue thin... The second grab bar/towel bar is to go inside the shower unit, one layer of thin plastic over the same partition. The partition measures 3" thick or a tad less subtracting for the corner trim. I thought I'd just bolt on through, backing block & acorn nuts on the other side... but the grab bar base is countersunk for tiny (but long) screws #6 I think. I'm sure in a house, wall anchors would be used.The hardware stores seem to stop at 2" lengths... I was hoping for 3 1/2 to 4". I'm not finding them on line either. I know I could ca…

Ended up in the hospital for an overnight stay. Things are good, just a slight detour.