Above 1200 Sq/FT Cleaning Up My Shop

[bolensboneyard]

Andy I don't remember seeing that brake in HF when I was there last. How big is it I.E. wide and what gage will it handle. May have to order from our HF as it is very small. Looks good as usual. I'm trying real hard not to get too interested in casting as building here is a pain; too many chiefs.

 

[Bob Heine]

I found it hard to be a smart *** when having to write serious technical prose. How did you do it?

Andy, the secret is to think of the saddest moment in your life and do a rewrite. If you're good at it, you get into management and create the saddest moments in other people's lives.

 

[Toothaker]

.
.
.

The fingers are a Fibonacci series so you can get a good selection of width with the minimum number of pieces. As you can see, you can also space them a bit to get close to the corners.
.
.
.
Thanks for stopping by!

Andy, you specifically said there'd be no math.

Andy, the secret is to think of the saddest moment in your life and do a rewrite. If you're good at it, you get into management and create the saddest moments in other people's lives.

Now there you go, Bob, giving away all the management secrets.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Andy,
Just stopping by to say Hello and wow about all the projects you manage to work on. It's an inspiration just seeing all you accomplish.
I tend to go in spurts when I get some free time from the office. That's after I manage to catch up on a few zz's.

Cheers!

I come in spurts too.

Thanks for stopping by!

You just have to love a thread that contains "lives in a trailer" and Fibonacci series in the same post!

Any shop progress apart from casting?

I don't see anything unusual. Trailer trash reproduce like rabbits, right?

No, I'm eat up with casting. And I've been selling real estate. Successfully. Not buying, just selling, so I will run out.

Andy I don't remember seeing that brake in HF when I was there last. How big is it I.E. wide and what gage will it handle. May have to order from our HF as it is very small. Looks good as usual. I'm trying real hard not to get too interested in casting as building here is a pain; too many chiefs.

It's a common design everybody carries. Of course HF is the cheapest.

20 gauge steel, 30 inches wide. Shear, finger brake, slip roller in one. $399.99. $320 with a 20% off coupon.

You can cast in a very temporary area, much like outdoor cooking.

Andy, the secret is to think of the saddest moment in your life and do a rewrite. If you're good at it, you get into management and create the saddest moments in other people's lives.

The saddest moment in my life? Oh that is so hard to narrow down. It may have been when I found out not all people like tractors. Or PBS canceled Lake Wobegon. Or when my 60x60 shop burned to the ground. I just can't decide.

I did get into management, but I focused on happiness. I informed many employees that there is not really a state of happiness. It's just fleeting. But there is unhappiness. Happiness is really the lack of unhappiness. Thus when you're caught walking in a downpour you find that stepping into a covered area feels every bit as good as the first bite of a good steak. (or good tofu if you're veggie.(is there such thing as good tofu?)) So I can't create happiness, but you can get a sense of happiness during absences of unhappiness. So I deepen the troughs of unhappiness so the rest of the time the employee thinks he's happy.

Andy, you specifically said there'd be no math.

Now there you go, Bob, giving away all the management secrets.

I lied. There is always math. A Fibonacci number is just the sum of the two previous numbers. Starting with 1 and 1. Then 2, 3, 5, 8, 13... Two adjacent numbers approximate the golden ratio. So if you can't remember the golden ratio (to size an attractive shelf, or instance) just ratio the dimensions to 8 and 13. Or 5 and 8. The farther you go out on the series the closer it is to the golden ratio.

Useful for interval selection. If you're guessing someone's number from 1-100 and they're telling you higher or lower, you will do better by starting at 63 rather than 50. Then pick above middle for the next interval. Odds are (true mathematical odds) that you'll save a step or two in finding the number over interval halving.

Same thing when you have several miles of pipeline with a pig stuck in it and you have resorted to digging up pipe and cutting it open to find the pig. With $30,000 per dig, cut, and repair a pipeline looking for a pig, it is worth real money to find the pig in fewer holes.

Thanks for the visits, guys!!

 

[BUGTHUG]

using the Fibonacci method, can you give me some good lottery numbers?

 

[oldironfarmer]

using the Fibonacci method, can you give me some good lottery numbers?

Absolutely, If you print out a Fibonacci series then go to the number in the series which represents your birthday in days from Jan 1. So if you were born on January 5, go to the fifth number in the series, 7. Then string together numbers in the series from that number on until you accumulate enough digits to satisfy the requirements of the lottery you are mastering. If you were born in March or later be sure to count February 29 if you were born in a leap year. Since the Fibonacci numbers grow by the golden ratio, you can honestly say your numbers are golden.

This method has been mathematically proven to be a successful way to pick numbers, every bit as good as picking random numbers.

 

[Farmall450]

Absolutely, If you print out a Fibonacci series then go to the number in the series which represents your birthday in days from Jan 1. So if you were born on January 5, go to the fifth number in the series, 7. Then string together numbers in the series from that number on until you accumulate enough digits to satisfy the requirements of the lottery you are mastering. If you were born in March or later be sure to count February 29 if you were born in a leap year. Since the Fibonacci numbers grow by the golden ratio, you can honestly say your numbers are golden.

This method has been mathematically proven to be a successful way to pick numbers, every bit as good as picking random numbers.

I like the clause at the end.

 

[Toothaker]

I have a source for some tickets from last week's lottery. They are half price, and only slightly less likely to be winners than tickets from this week's lottery.

Yes, I stole that joke. My best jokes are stolen.

 

[don long]

No lottery tickets for me I'm afraid I'd win and it would ruin what I have going on here.

 

[dreamingmuscle]

I lied. There is always math. A Fibonacci number is just the sum of the two previous numbers. Starting with 1 and 1. Then 2, 3, 5, 8, 13... Two adjacent numbers approximate the golden ratio. So if you can't remember the golden ratio (to size an attractive shelf, or instance) just ratio the dimensions to 8 and 13. Or 5 and 8. The farther you go out on the series the closer it is to the golden ratio.

Useful for interval selection. If you're guessing someone's number from 1-100 and they're telling you higher or lower, you will do better by starting at 63 rather than 50. Then pick above middle for the next interval. Odds are (true mathematical odds) that you'll save a step or two in finding the number over interval halving.

Same thing when you have several miles of pipeline with a pig stuck in it and you have resorted to digging up pipe and cutting it open to find the pig. With $30,000 per dig, cut, and repair a pipeline looking for a pig, it is worth real money to find the pig in fewer holes.

Thanks for the visits, guys!!

Ugh math! My head hurts now thanks a lot.

 

[jblnut]

No lottery tickets for me I'm afraid I'd win and it would ruin what I have going on here.

Haha. I don't play either but when asked what I'd do if I ever won I always give one of two answers....

I'd farm until it's gone.

OR

I'd pay some bills. Everyone I can't get too will just have to keep waiting.

 

[oldironfarmer]

I like the clause at the end.

Glad you read and understood. Generally people skim and miss the point. But it is a good way to select numbers.

I have a source for some tickets from last week's lottery. They are half price, and only slightly less likely to be winners than tickets from this week's lottery.

Yes, I stole that joke. My best jokes are stolen.

I'd not heard that. But it is so true.

No lottery tickets for me I'm afraid I'd win and it would ruin what I have going on here.

I had a buddy who worked at Quick Trip. He got in trouble for calling the lottery the "Stupid Tax"...

Now to be fair a lot of people enjoy playing the lottery, but it is no way to make money, except for the government and the lottery company.

Ugh math! My head hurts now thanks a lot.

You're welcome!

Haha. I don't play either but when asked what if do if I ever won I always give one of two answers....

I'd farm until it's gone.

OR

I'd pay some bills. Everyone I can't get too will just have to keep waiting.

You know the secret answer of how to make a small fortune.

Had my neighbor come by for a bale of hay and brought the rear rack off his grandchildren's four wheeler. It keeps them off the rear tires and had broken so we welded it up. Forgot pictures.

Did manage to get the refrigerator style handle for the burner drilled after too too long.

It fits well and makes it a lot easier to pull and reinstall the burner without inadvertently adjusting the big needle valve.

Then in a fit of fantasy I painted the tray for the sand heap. Came out so:

Well a couple of years ago I bought a CNC plasma table for a friend who was setting up a business. She apparently never followed through and I asked for it. She and her husband brought it today.

Bigger than I expected. It will cut a full 4 foot wide sheet. I didn't get any pictures until I had taken it apart. I'll have to get the Studekota out before I'll have a place for it.

Here's the drive end.

It is all stacked in the corner.

Not really very much for what it cost. I guess I'll start doing pattern CNC plasma cutting. I bet it cuts straighter than I do. I haven't mastered the plasma yet. When I try to drag it along a straight edge I roll it and make a crooked cut. I do a lot better with oxyacetylene. Who knows why. If nothing else it will be handy for making straight cuts, just line the piece up with the table. It does use the same Mach3 system my router uses so maybe the learning curve won't be so steep.

Thanks for looking in!

 

[86turbodsl]

The cnc plasma i bought for work was the single biggest factor in my work becoming presentable. Mach3 isn't so hard to use, and with your talent, i'm sure it will be no problem at all to use. Should be a nice addition to your work. Look forward to seeing what you come up with!

 

[Guster]

Well a couple of years ago I bought a CNC plasma table for a friend who was setting up a business. She apparently never followed through and I asked for it. She and her husband brought it today.

Bigger than I expected. It will cut a full 4 foot wide sheet. I didn't get any pictures until I had taken it apart. I'll have to get the Studekota out before I'll have a place for it.

Here's the drive end.

It is all stacked in the corner.

Not really very much for what it cost. I guess I'll start doing pattern CNC plasma cutting. I bet it cuts straighter than I do. I haven't mastered the plasma yet. When I try to drag it along a straight edge I roll it and make a crooked cut. I do a lot better with oxyacetylene. Who knows why. If nothing else it will be handy for making straight cuts, just line the piece up with the table. It does use the same Mach3 system my router uses so maybe the learning curve won't be so steep.

Thanks for looking in!

Nice reappropriation of the CNC plasma cutter!

Most people buy the mechanics and simply make their own table/stand and water table. Keith Fenner does a great series on upgrades for a break away torch holder and torch height control unit. The only difference between the Mach3 for the router and the plasma cutter is the config file. What plasma cutter do you have?

The burner handle and sand trap looks great!

 

[oldironfarmer]

The cnc plasma i bought for work was the single biggest factor in my work becoming presentable. Mach3 isn't so hard to use, and with your talent, i'm sure it will be no problem at all to use. Should be a nice addition to your work. Look forward to seeing what you come up with!

I'm sure i can learn to use it, I just don't have a lot of enthusiasm right now for more stuff in my brain.

But the more I think about what I can do with it the more interested I'm getting.

Nice reappropriation of the CNC plasma cutter!

Well if they'd paid on their loan I would not have taken it back. I think it might have been a bit much for them, and their dreams seem to outrun their follow through.

Most people buy the mechanics and simply make their own table/stand and water table. Keith Fenner does a great series on upgrades for a break away torch holder and torch height control unit. The only difference between the Mach3 for the router and the plasma cutter is the config file. What plasma cutter do you have?

I would have built one if I'd wanted one. I was just loaning the money to start a side business for them, I thought. It is a nice unit, and since you can shove a full sheet into it it is a lot larger than I would have built. It has three stepper motors for x-y-z control. I don't know what it has for height, as in maybe an automatic touch and pull back sensor but I wouldn't be surprised. In any event I know how to zero my z.

I have seen the plasma as well as lathe options in Mach3. I have a Mach3 license for my router, I hope I can use it for the plasma but likely I won't be generating enough G-code to get over the 1,000 step free limit.

I've got an Eastwood 60 amp (7/8") plasma cutter. I wanted to be able to cut 1/2" plate so bit the bullet and passed on the 40 amp (3/8") unit. It should have plenty of get up and go for carefully controlled cuts. It does have only a 60% duty cycle at 60 amps but I think if I'm at 40 amps or less (3/8" plate) it should be good for 100% duty cycle. Duty cycle certainly is a concern on any CNC driven unit although if I do design in Fusion 360 it offers you the option to automatically limit length of cut. Probably I won't be cutting out any large murals, likely small brackets and such.

My interest level is developing.

The burner handle and sand trap looks great!

Thanks a heap!

 

[Farmall450]

CNC plasma tables are hand-down the tool to have. I could make so many things in high school (with so little experience) with just that and a finger brake. I made a Bobcat battery box and floor, for instance, in like an hour.

 

[shortykorte]

Thanks for education on oil well pumps. Also thank you for tips on a foundry. I don’t foresee casting anything bigger that a 5” hand wheel or bracket so assume 12-16 oz. of liquid aluminum. Fuel will be LP. I’ll look at the crucibles you mentioned and check out my Fibonacci.


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[Guster]

CNC plasma doesn't need much Z axis and can easily be manually set up and let run for the cut as many cheaper units do. Adding auto torch height control is just as easy if there is a stepper already.

The 1k limitation on Gcode is less of a issue for the plasma cutter being basically two dimensional toolpath. Alternatively you can easily convert it to run of anything else these days. But the only difference is the configuration for the motion control. You can create/configure multiple machines in Mach3. As long as you remember to load the right machine configuration when plugging over it will work just fine. That are a ton of instructions on this.

I don't know anything about the Eastwood plasma cutter but duty cycle and torch style are major things to consider for fitting out a plasma table. Contact tip style torches are a complication and many torches eat up tips during the initial piercing operation if they are not tilted as designed. Hence the nicer machines having table specific torches. Don't forget the compressor capacity either. My 50A unit definitely doesn't have the duty cycle and I know my compressor just makes it through a 5ft cut in +1/8" alu. before starting up.

Still one of those tools you find more uses for once you have it.

 

[oldironfarmer]

CNC plasma tables are hand-down the tool to have. I could make so many things in high school (with so little experience) with just that and a finger brake. I made a Bobcat battery box and floor, for instance, in like an hour.

Cool information, thanks! I've already decided I need to make or build a brake for my 20 ton press to form heavier materials cut out on the plasma table.

Thanks for education on oil well pumps. Also thank you for tips on a foundry. I don’t foresee casting anything bigger that a 5” hand wheel or bracket so assume 12-16 oz. of liquid aluminum. Fuel will be LP. I’ll look at the crucibles you mentioned and check out my Fibonacci.

Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

I'm excited you are interested in melting metal. Safety is an issue, however. Splashed 1,500F metal can do some permanent damage.

If you are only going to melt aluminum I highly recommend a stainless steel crucible. Mine is 4" sch 40 304 and has over 300 melts on it and still hanging in there although it is looking a little peaked. Refractory crucibles have a relatively short life, depending on how they're treated, but maybe 50 heats. For propane you can use a naturally induced burner and not need a blower or compressor for combustion air.

CNC plasma doesn't need much Z axis and can easily be manually set up and let run for the cut as many cheaper units do. Adding auto torch height control is just as easy if there is a stepper already.

The 1k limitation on Gcode is less of a issue for the plasma cutter being basically two dimensional toolpath. Alternatively you can easily convert it to run of anything else these days. But the only difference is the configuration for the motion control. You can create/configure multiple machines in Mach3. As long as you remember to load the right machine configuration when plugging over it will work just fine. That are a ton of instructions on this.

I don't know anything about the Eastwood plasma cutter but duty cycle and torch style are major things to consider for fitting out a plasma table. Contact tip style torches are a complication and many torches eat up tips during the initial piercing operation if they are not tilted as designed. Hence the nicer machines having table specific torches. Don't forget the compressor capacity either. My 50A unit definitely doesn't have the duty cycle and I know my compressor just makes it through a 5ft cut in +1/8" alu. before starting up.

Still one of those tools you find more uses for once you have it.

Thanks for the comments. I don't particularly like Mach3 but I'm used to it. If I change for the plasma table I'd have to learn yet a new system. Unfortunately the router and plasma will be about 75 feet apart. I think I'll have to use a second computer for the plasma table. I don't think I can copy Mach3 across and keep the license. But yes, not only is plasma essentially two dimensions, you don't have multiple paths overlapping (if you expect any metal left).

Didn't think about starting the cut in a blind area. My plasma has a high frequency start, not tip contact, but I think it would have to be moving as it starts, probably making a circle or maybe if cutting a hole the start could be on the cut line then overlap on the finish. Interesting.

I think I've got plenty of compressor. But I need to check out the flow rate in the plasma, I've never cut over a couple of feet before interrupting. I just looked and for the Eastwood 60 it says 5-7 cfm at 60 psi. I'm pretty sure mine is rated at 15 cfm.

I'm already wishing I were younger and wanted to make money, I'd like doing custom fabricating work. But there's casting to do.

Thanks for all the visits and ideas, I'm eager to learn.

 

[Farmall450]

I've been saying I should make one of those {20T press brakes} since we got a 20T press, maybe this summer will be the one! Lots of good designs online; I have a folder of them on my computer back at home lol. There's no way I'd pay what SWAG wants for a kit!

EDIT: I envy the man who posts the 6th post from now.

 

[drivesitfar]

Andy: great job on the new handle and do you still need to wear a glove to use it or does it get hot?

looking forward to seeing you set up the CNC, but sounds like you have a few TO DO'S to do before you can find a good spot to set it up.

I love reading your thread and I usually find your R & *** rated comments that sometimes get missed a treat.

that along with Uncle Bob's straight man comments like "I didn't sleep in a Holiday Inn last night so not sure i'm qualified".

cheers

 

[deming]

That looks like a 37 or 39 John Deere model D parked in there.

I am in a similar boat --- my dad passed and I need to sell a bunch of old Farmall and JD tractors. Less is more . you cant keep and store everything !!!

1962 Farmall 560 ( gas) tractor anyone ?? That's the first to go, but not quite sure how to easily post pictures on here.

 

[oldironfarmer]

I've been saying I should make one of those {20T press brakes} since we got a 20T press, maybe this summer will be the one! Lots of good designs online; I have a folder of them on my computer back at home lol. There's no way I'd pay what SWAG wants for a kit!

EDIT: I envy the man who posts the 6th post from now.

Depending on the fabrication time, I'm thinking about buying one of the kits just to get up and running.

Andy: great job on the new handle and do you still need to wear a glove to use it or does it get hot?

No, the tube never got hot if over 6" away from the furnace. But there was no convenient place to grab it, and sometimes it's oily.

looking forward to seeing you set up the CNC, but sounds like you have a few TO DO'S to do before you can find a good spot to set it up.

I love reading your thread and I usually find your R & *** rated comments that sometimes get missed a treat.

that along with Uncle Bob's straight man comments like "I didn't sleep in a Holiday Inn last night so not sure i'm qualified".

cheers

Thanks for the comments!

That looks like a 37 or 39 John Deere model D parked in there.

I am in a similar boat --- my dad passed and I need to sell a bunch of old Farmall and JD tractors. Less is more . you cant keep and store everything !!!

1962 Farmall 560 ( gas) tractor anyone ?? That's the first to go, but not quite sure how to easily post pictures on here.

It actually is a 36. The guy I bought it from, his dad bought it used in 1938. I'm the third owner.

You can't?

Thanks for the visits, guys!

 

[Farmall450]

I think you could make one in a couple hours, probably less honestly. Especially if you have some stout angle vs trying to skim down a piece of plate.

 

[oldironfarmer]

I think you could make one in a couple hours, probably less honestly. Especially if you have some stout angle vs trying to skim down a piece of plate.

True, I think I have a piece of 1/2" thick angle around here some place. Maybe it's 3/8". But you have to be able to bend past 90 degrees to let it spring back to 90.

 

[Rex_A_Lott]

" their dreams seem to outrun their follow through"
I can identify. I seem to have adult ADD.
Kind of like somebody I know that started off to " Clean My SHop".
Sometimes things just seem to come along that I am more interested in doing, than finishing the project I am working on now.

 

[Farmall450]

True, I think I have a piece of 1/2" thick angle around here some place. Maybe it's 3/8". But you have to be able to bend past 90 degrees to let it spring back to 90.

Yes, you have to tweak them a hair.

 

[sawduststeve]

I need to sell a bunch of old Farmall and JD tractors. Less is more . you cant keep and store everything !!!

Blasphemer

Steve

 

[oldironfarmer]

" their dreams seem to outrun their follow through"
I can identify. I seem to have adult ADD.
Kind of like somebody I know that started off to " Clean My SHop".
Sometimes things just seem to come along that I am more interested in doing, than finishing the project I am working on now.

Guilty as charged! I've still got some unfulfilled dreams floating around in my head. I've even got tools I haven't unboxed.

Yes, you have to tweak them a hair.

Hmmm, maybe more than a hair. I meant to look for the heavy angle and forgot. Maybe tomorrow.

Blasphemer

Steve

I was stunned.

Thanks for the visits, guys. Nice comments!!

Progress has been slow. I spent some time actually putting stuff away and cleaning. We had misting rain so I took the opportunity to burn a lot of boxes and other trash. I picked up one box and it was full of packing and a little heavy. Took the packing out to save it and found the second can of exhaust paint. And another set of knives for the Beverly shear. I just ordered two sets as I've ruined the ones on it and forgot I'd bought any. I should be stocked up now.

one way to protect copper and brass (and iron) from oxygen is to put charcoal on the liquid. At elevated temperature the charcoal will consume any available oxygen. I had saved charcoal from my bulk melter and let it dry. It's been in my way on the bottom of the water bath drum section for months. So finally I took the time to break it into smaller pieces suitable for use in the crucible.

months ago I ground some but found the swirling gas in the furnace blows most of it out. Marble size is good.

Then I melted some scrap zinc which had been gifted me (Thanks!) and small zinc parts I'd collected. Made almost four pounds of zinc ingot.

This morning we had a new calf. First one this year. A little late getting started, but lot's of ladies getting ready to calve.

He is a few day old but mom hadn't brought him in for showing until today.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

[oldironfarmer]

I forgot to mention, my son came by today with some WiFi routers from his company, DASAN Zhone Solutions. I've been wanting WiFi in the shop and he came through out of the blue. One unit hooked to the line to the TV (on the shop side of the house) transmitting WiFi into the yard. One unit in the broom room retransmitting, and one unit in the NW corner of the main shop (near the cell repeater antenna) repeating. I have great WiFi all over the shop, and especially available to the computers at the CNC router and the security system so now I have security images stored offsite and available to my cell phone.

Welcome to the 21st century. It's already 20% over.

2019 is 10% over, what have you done with it?

 

[jblnut]

I forgot to mention, my son came by today with some WiFi routers from his company, DASAN Zhone Solutions. I've been wanting WiFi in the shop and he came through out of the blue.

That is wonderful news !!!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Andy you won't know yourself with WiFi in the shop

 

[Farmall450]

Wifi in a steel walled shop, it must be later than 2019

 

[gman007]

Andy
Surprise presents specially something that one really wants and can use are the best. Good on your son, full Wifi coverage should make things a bit easier.

Also congrats on the arrival of the new calf and hopefully many more healthy ones are to follow.

I am curious about your statement "He is a few day old but mom hadn't brought him in for showing until today". Do the cows usually give birth without assistance and unbeknown to you (obviously you know that they are due at some point but do not know the exact date and time) ? What if they do need assistance, how would you know?

 

[drivesitfar]

Andy: great news on the WiFi!!

any issues when melting Zinc like extra slag or fumes? looks like you are gathering up a good supply of ingots.

is that the Bull's offspring with the bad foot? first one since his injury and you saved him from being put down?

stormy, cold and windy starting again tomorrow here and still ice and snow on our roads from Monday's snowfall so i'm guessing your weather is much better this week.

stay warm!!

 

[shortykorte]

EDIT: I envy the man who posts the 6th post from now.[/QUOTE]


Scary. Getting my post in before that. Lol. Interested to see who it will be.



Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Seagoon]

EDIT: I envy the man who posts the 6th post from now.

Scary. Getting my post in before that. Lol. Interested to see who it will be.


Late to the party again Shorty
Looks like Rex A Lott was the lucky Devil

 

[oldironfarmer]

That is wonderful news !!!

Now I just need some USB WiFi units. I ordered a $7 one, 600 mbps, USB 2.0. If it works I need more.

Andy you won't know yourself with WiFi in the shop

I checked my driver's license several times today, it appears to still be me.

Wifi in a steel walled shop, it must be later than 2019

It almost is, 2019 is on it's last gasps.

Andy
Surprise presents specially something that one really wants and can use are the best. Good on your son, full Wifi coverage should make things a bit easier.

He's a good boy. Just a kid, only 50.

Also congrats on the arrival of the new calf and hopefully many more healthy ones are to follow.

I am curious about your statement "He is a few day old but mom hadn't brought him in for showing until today". Do the cows usually give birth without assistance and unbeknown to you (obviously you know that they are due at some point but do not know the exact date and time) ? What if they do need assistance, how would you know?

I'm not a very good farmer. My cows have to look out for themselves. Actually it is generally first calf heifer which have calving problems. My brood stock were originally Maine Anjou or Salers. both easy calving French breeds. I have always used Angus bulls, selected for low birth weight. After several years of having no trouble I quit trying to watch the first calf heifers. They do very well. I don't know that I've ever lost a cow to calving although I'm sure I've lost a calf or two over the years. When I had 105 momma cows I was getting 110 calves per year with no twins. About all I've got left are the best of the line.

Andy: great news on the WiFi!!

any issues when melting Zinc like extra slag or fumes? looks like you are gathering up a good supply of ingots.

is that the Bull's offspring with the bad foot? first one since his injury and you saved him from being put down?

stormy, cold and windy starting again tomorrow here and still ice and snow on our roads from Monday's snowfall so i'm guessing your weather is much better this week.

stay warm!!

Zinc fumes like crazy if you get it too hot, and they make you very sick.

The bull was laid up the summer of 17. I had calves from him last year. And from the neighbor's bull.

We barely reached freezing today, so we're not much bitter.

EDIT: I envy the man who posts the 6th post from now.

Scary. Getting my post in before that. Lol. Interested to see who it will be.

Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app[/QUOTE]

Scary. Getting my post in before that. Lol. Interested to see who it will be.

Late to the party again Shorty
Looks like Rex A Lott was the lucky Devil

Four of a kind!!

It's three sixes that's the number of his name.

I didn't have much time today but spent it all scrapping. I had several lawn mower bearing brackets waiting to be disassembled and cut up

and six pistons which needed the bushings pressed out and cut into four pieces to fit into the crucible.

It's great fun to prep materials for the crucible. Tomorrow a neighbor's son is coming by on his way to the scrap yard to sell me what I want off his load.

Thanks for dropping by!

 

[Farmall450]

Wow, scrap delivery - nice!

 

[oldironfarmer]

Maybe I'll think to take a picture...