Covid19 Spare time

txab · May 8, 2021

I bought a Toro Recycler, Personal Pace version with electric start about 10 years ago. I love that thing. Other than oil, blade sharpening and a spark plug occasionally, it's been a workhorse. The Personal pace feature is nice. I walk faster than my late wife did, but we both could use it.

I have no idea if they are still as good of a mower. I've seen where many mower manufacturers advertise never change the oil, just top off. I would be unable do that.

Donstar · May 9, 2021

9 hours ago, txab said:

I bought a Toro Recycler, Personal Pace version with electric start

Interesting, as this just came up for sale on our local used items for sale website! Thanks for the recommendation.

Grumpy Bear · May 9, 2021

Dad tells me that if you don't make a plan to put your feet on the floor the next morning.....you won't. 93 and he's still mowing, Putting up fences. Cutting down trees..... Working on cars.....Trucks and anything else someone will pay him to fix.

I got off the lawn tractor a few years ago and indeed, self propelled walk behind. Still rope start. Meh!

HoosierZ · May 9, 2021

Most of my spare time has been spent in the garage working on various projects. Built an under seat storage box for my truck, a shop clock from a 24” cast iron gear, and I’m finishing up a 20 ton press.

Donstar · May 9, 2021

56 minutes ago, HoosierZ said:

Most of my spare time has been spent in the garage working on various projects. Built an under seat storage box for my truck, a shop clock from a 24” cast iron gear, and I’m finishing up a 20 ton press.

Beautiful work on the clock and the box! The press is one of those things that are invaluable when the need arises. It could also earn you a few bucks as a side hustle or help out some friends! Nicely done!

Donstar · May 9, 2021

11 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Dad tells me that if you don't make a plan to put your feet on the floor the next morning.....you won't. 93 and he's still mowing,

I concur with your Dad and I plan to achieve his gold standard! My wife says we can get a lot of professional lawn cuts for the price of a new lawn mower. I said maybe it would be cost effective over one or two seasons, but I could be doing this another 20+ years! Our local news acknowledges birthdays over 90 and anniversaries over 60, every night, 7 days a week, There are always several of both to announce. I plan to be one of them someday and know you've got to keep moving to get there! Budgeting to live to 100 involves more than money!

KARNUT · May 9, 2021

1 hour ago, Donstar said:

I concur with your Dad and I plan to achieve his gold standard! My wife says we can get a lot of professional lawn cuts for the price of a new lawn mower. I said maybe it would be cost effective over one or two seasons, but I could be doing this another 20+ years! Our local news acknowledges birthdays over 90 and anniversaries over 60, every night, 7 days a week, There are always several of both to announce. I plan to be one of them someday and know you've got to keep moving to get there! Budgeting to live to 100 involves more than money!

My 90 year old father in law just gave his mower to his just started this year’s lawn service. One of his stepsons is paying for as a birthday gift. He still works in the yard. Gets around very well. Another stepson pays for weekly house cleaning. I think it’s all by design. More people to check in on him. I’m doing things to make mowing easier as I get older. More access to the rider less push mowing. The lawn is not the easiest to get walking exercise getting older. Save the walking for the walking tracks. There’s 3 within 10 miles from me.

Donstar · May 12, 2021

On 5/9/2021 at 9:44 AM, KARNUT said:

The lawn is not the easiest to get walking exercise getting older.

True, but I believe I was making the job more physical than needed. I can work smarter with the right equipment. I have become a little too fussy with all of the yard stuff that goes with cutting the grass. I may compromise and hire one of the neighbor's teens to help and a new mower to take for a walk!

Grumpy Bear · May 12, 2021

About a year ago I acquired my Aunt's 19" Toro Tunnel Deck. Late 48's early 50's. Dad bought it for his sister and new husband. Farm yard was her task. He got everything else. Anyway.....I mowed our 1/2 acer lot yesterday with it. OUCH!! But boy does it cut pretty. Think it will become the ditch and trim mower. Leave the bulk to the Honda self propelled bagger. Ahhhhh.

Donstar · May 14, 2021

I've been slowly picking away at the rust on my old utility trailer in preparation for painting It is a task I don't enjoy as I have to do it in front of my house on a relatively short driveway. It is a bit of an eyesore for our pristine cul-de-sac and I'm testing the patience of the only other opinion that matters. She now thinks getting it done quickly is worth spending some money. So, on Wednesday I phoned the local business that gave me a price in April on blasting and painting. It turns out they are booked until late July! (They are unable to find staff to keep up with demand like so many other businesses around here.) I guess it's time to give the old trailer a bath in Tremclad and make it look pretty!

Donstar · May 16, 2021

I am stuck on living vicariously through a few nomadic YouTubers during my late evening TV time. Fulltime RV'ers and long distance trucking fill my recommended viewing list. There is so much to see throughout US and Canada which is missed when flying between destinations! When borders open, I plan to drive from Vancouver Island to Houston, Texas to get a fresh taste of road travel. We did a lot of long distance road trips in the 80's and I only remember the good stuff. My wife thinks my memory is off and that a post pandemic drive to Texas will forever get the bug out of my system. No matter who is right, I'm looking forward to an adventure. This extra time at home has afforded me the opportunity to get rid of the "when I have the time" excuse for outstanding projects. If a two week road trip makes me excited about getting back to my home and routines, then it's a win. If the two week road trip makes us want to continue on travelling for a year or two, then it is also a win!

txab · May 16, 2021

I've started watching re-runs of "Holmes on Homes". I've probably seen many of them, but, it's amazing what some of the these dildo contractors do, that he has to come in and "make it right". These shitty contractors give people in my business a bad name

diyer2 · May 16, 2021

I hear you txab. I worked on poor workmanship repairs for company's I worked for, fixing fellow employees work. Also the company's fixed poor work by other contractors. When I had my own business, I told my customers you will find cheaper bids but you will get quality work and when I start your job I'm here until it's finished. There will be no call backs when I'm done.

Grumpy Bear · May 17, 2021

Binge watching Jay Leno's Duesenberg collection. Using some spare time on that. Duesenberg's 1928-37 420 CID straight eight is a work of art even by todays standards. Seven Liter Four valve twin OHC Pent-roof??? Wait...supercharged for some years??? Blocks and heads cast by Lycoming. Straight Eight. Full pressure oiling. 265 hp on a single one barrel or 320 hp supercharged. MOST of the motors/cars manufactured, a bit over 400 units, are still with us today...over 350 of them. Did I mention they are nearly 100 years old. All under 4250 rpm. 12 quart oil changes every 700 miles.

I heard in one video that the grill louvers are brass bellows operated to control water temperature to 160 F. We call them shutters and operate them with a CPU. I guess GM thought 100 year reliability was to much and the method to simple. Let's complicate it and make it from plastic.

Ain't that a Duesy?

:crackup:

Edited May 17, 2021 by Grumpy Bear

Donstar · May 17, 2021

9 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Binge watching Jay Leno's

I was watching him a couple of nights ago and he was showing a very old electric car powered by an on board gas powered generator. His script could be copied and used to describe some current hybrids. For example, there is a thread on this forum about a Vtrux. It uses the our 4.3 to generate power to feed the batteries for the electric drivetrain of a Silverado. The purpose of the gas engine in both of these examples is to compensate for range restrictions from batteries. Demand has fueled exponential growth in battery storage and the need for gas backup is rapidly dwindling. If I was in an earlier season in life, I would be seriously considering a business plan for gas to electric vehicle conversions. I know that there are established conversion companies but I'm talking about the kind that becomes the Kleenex of facial tissues or the Band-Aid of adhesive bandages!