Just Puttering
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Picking lemons in Maine in November… Awesome!!!
Above 1200 Sq/FT Plugger Workshop
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Picking lemons in Maine in November… Awesome!!!
OP
Prospecter
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Yes, pretty awesome. They are few and far between. Still, a bit of fun during the dark days.
OP
Prospecter
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Finished the two zero turn mowers. Oil, oil filters, air filters, spark plugs, blades, tires, belts. Mostly uneventful, except I managed to drain new oil from a zero turn on the floor, replace too much oil, create a lot of oily smoke, drain some more new oil, and clear the smoke. That all was a new experience for me. Oh, well. The ZTs run rough this time of year anyway. They don't care for 30s temps. Most of our equipment is put away for the winter. The northern stuff will go home after Thanksgiving. I need to clean up from current projects so I can get ready to make wreaths.
Jacko264
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Hi mate the light are magical and wonderful.
Graham
Graham
OP
Prospecter
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Thank you, Grahm. They change up their displays a little bit each year, so we try to get there every couple of years.
OP
Prospecter
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I am mostly just chillin' in my support role as dog tender in the run up to Thanksgiving. A few recent activities.
The Meyers Lemons look pretty good this time. The tree is in the living room, where it gets good sun and warmth for the winter.
I continue to work away at the stumps. I am splitting them by hand so I can try to preserve the parts Mrs. P is interested in. Doing it by hand means I don't need to use the engine lift to get them onto the splitter. The engineer's hammer allows mean to do it inside and one handed.
Brugmansia is in its winter hoe in the cellar.
Chunks stored until I work through them.
The Meyers Lemons look pretty good this time. The tree is in the living room, where it gets good sun and warmth for the winter.
I continue to work away at the stumps. I am splitting them by hand so I can try to preserve the parts Mrs. P is interested in. Doing it by hand means I don't need to use the engine lift to get them onto the splitter. The engineer's hammer allows mean to do it inside and one handed.
Brugmansia is in its winter hoe in the cellar.
Chunks stored until I work through them.
OP
Prospecter
Well-known member
Time out to gather tips and make wreaths.
I had two 10/3 100' extension cords I bought in '85 to work on the house. We did not have a lot of outlets in those days, and never in a convenient place. Fast forward 40 years and those cords are very heavy and difficult to manage, and we now have lots of outlets always in the right place. I donated one cord to the ReStore, and cut the other into 4 - 25' lengths with new ends.
Replaced the tines with some I saved from a junked Troybilt. The tines are not supposed to be pointed like that! I still need to get the tine assemblies off the shafts to replace the seals. (And find some seals that will work.)
Happy Thanksgiving from Midcoast Maine.
i
I had two 10/3 100' extension cords I bought in '85 to work on the house. We did not have a lot of outlets in those days, and never in a convenient place. Fast forward 40 years and those cords are very heavy and difficult to manage, and we now have lots of outlets always in the right place. I donated one cord to the ReStore, and cut the other into 4 - 25' lengths with new ends.
Replaced the tines with some I saved from a junked Troybilt. The tines are not supposed to be pointed like that! I still need to get the tine assemblies off the shafts to replace the seals. (And find some seals that will work.)
Happy Thanksgiving from Midcoast Maine.
i
OP
Prospecter
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With Thanksgiving events, I have mostly just been puttering.
I've been working away on my walk behind tiller as I have a few minutes here and there. The drive shaft cover plate had a broken bolt that I drilled out and re-tapped. I put a puller on the tines. No joy yet. Next step is heat. I will try my flame weeder. If that doesn't do it, I will need to find someone with an oxy acetylene torch, or look for an induction heater.
A couple turkeys during our first snow.
My Walker Turner drill press. I salvaged the feed handle and switch from a slightly newer model. I would love to find the period correct ship's wheel feed handle, but so far the only one I've come across is over $300, which is way more than I am willing to commit to indulging my sentimentality. Meanwhile, my Rube Goldberg table lift. I put a sash weight on a cable, and dropped it into the support column. 2" pvc fits nicely around the weight, and inside the column. A couple of elbows to redirect the cable over the belt. The cable is then attached to the table lock handle. Now I have a counter weight to make it easier to move up and down.
The gray Craftsman 80 drill press also needed a counter weight. Basically the same approach, except the 80 has a smaller column, requiring 1.5" pvc. There was a convenient hole in the table to attach to.
You can also see the magnetic sewing machine lights I bought for each drill press.
The counter weight design and sewing machine lights are ideas borrowed from someone here on GJ.
I've been working away on my walk behind tiller as I have a few minutes here and there. The drive shaft cover plate had a broken bolt that I drilled out and re-tapped. I put a puller on the tines. No joy yet. Next step is heat. I will try my flame weeder. If that doesn't do it, I will need to find someone with an oxy acetylene torch, or look for an induction heater.
A couple turkeys during our first snow.
My Walker Turner drill press. I salvaged the feed handle and switch from a slightly newer model. I would love to find the period correct ship's wheel feed handle, but so far the only one I've come across is over $300, which is way more than I am willing to commit to indulging my sentimentality. Meanwhile, my Rube Goldberg table lift. I put a sash weight on a cable, and dropped it into the support column. 2" pvc fits nicely around the weight, and inside the column. A couple of elbows to redirect the cable over the belt. The cable is then attached to the table lock handle. Now I have a counter weight to make it easier to move up and down.
The gray Craftsman 80 drill press also needed a counter weight. Basically the same approach, except the 80 has a smaller column, requiring 1.5" pvc. There was a convenient hole in the table to attach to.
You can also see the magnetic sewing machine lights I bought for each drill press.
The counter weight design and sewing machine lights are ideas borrowed from someone here on GJ.
OP
Prospecter
Well-known member
Another view of the sewing machine light, and the two drill presses. I don't use dust collection for drill presses because I use them for both wood and metal, and I don't want metal bits making sparks in the DC. The DPs also don't generate much fine dust compared to saws, sanders., and planers.
Wreaths on the front of our house.
I moved some stuff around in the shop. The red top box is an old Huot. I kind of like it's "patina." The gray box needs some attention. Probably next summer when I can prep and paint it with the doors open.
Mia does like a fire.
Wreaths on the front of our house.
I moved some stuff around in the shop. The red top box is an old Huot. I kind of like it's "patina." The gray box needs some attention. Probably next summer when I can prep and paint it with the doors open.
Mia does like a fire.
jon72vega
Well-known member
That's a good idea on the counterweights.
Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
That is a handsome pair of drill presses!
M.Brane
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Let's hear it for the tuxedo cat.
Jacko264
Well-known member
Nice ***** cat
OP
Prospecter
Well-known member
Thanks. The Craftsman 80 only shows .0015" runout. Never did much to it. The Green Walker Turner is well worn. Sadly, WT used proprietary bearings that are difficult to get. But I was born in Plainfield, NJ in the era when Walker Turner and Mack Trucks were manufactured there, so I have a sentimental attachment.
OP
Prospecter
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The season of distractions. I am busy with not a projects.
Clearing snow. This time of year I clear way back to make room for future snow. In a couple of months, the amount I clear will be a lot less, even if the snow doesn't force the issue.
Prepping to put in a new pole in front of the house. They started with a Badger. Giant vac, and high pressure water to expose location of underground lines before they started digging for the pole. First I knew of this.
Christmas village is up.
Clearing snow. This time of year I clear way back to make room for future snow. In a couple of months, the amount I clear will be a lot less, even if the snow doesn't force the issue.
Prepping to put in a new pole in front of the house. They started with a Badger. Giant vac, and high pressure water to expose location of underground lines before they started digging for the pole. First I knew of this.
Christmas village is up.
OP
Prospecter
Well-known member
It was incredibly loud, even indoors. Our setback is roughly 90'.
OP
Prospecter
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Except for one unexpected roof project, not much happening as we head for the holidays.
Snow Buntings: 40 years ago, we would see these on the coast. None for at least 20 years. This one was in Arroostook County this week. They live most of the year farther north, but come to the relatively warmer climate of Maine for a short period in the winter.
Recent ReStore haul. I made the monthly-ish donations and these followed me home.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Pretty tough conditions to do a roof repair but at least it wasn’t snowing or raining or too windy. Nice set up to keep you safer while doing the repairs.
Hope you have a nice Christmas and here’s to another great year above dirt in 2026.
Hope you have a nice Christmas and here’s to another great year above dirt in 2026.
OP
Prospecter
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Back atcha.
jon72vega
Well-known member
You are much braver in this weather than I am.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Merry Christmas
to you and yours!Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
Merry Christmas Plugger. Good to see you making a landing space for Santa’s sleigh. 
OP
Prospecter
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A healthy dose of fear is a good thing! I did plan for a slip. Merry Christmas.You are much braver in this weather than I am.
Merry Christmas
OP
Prospecter
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Made me smile!Merry Christmas Plugger. Good to see you making a landing space for Santa’s sleigh.
Jacko264
Well-known member
Hi mate a very merry Christmas to you and your family and have a great new year
all the best
Graham
all the best
Graham
OP
Prospecter
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Merry Christmas, (or Merry Christmas?), One and All. 
kaymccampbell
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Happy Xmas n
OP
Prospecter
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Thank you Kay. Hope you and yours have a wonderful day.
OP
Prospecter
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Thank you. Merry Christmas.
OP
Prospecter
Well-known member
Wishing you all a Happy New Year.
Little shop time in the past 10 days. Holiday festivities and travel. I escaped briefly a few times, which allowed me to pick up and put away a bit. I'm looking forward to some cold, snowy weather for the next 8 weeks so I can get some stuff done.
Little shop time in the past 10 days. Holiday festivities and travel. I escaped briefly a few times, which allowed me to pick up and put away a bit. I'm looking forward to some cold, snowy weather for the next 8 weeks so I can get some stuff done.
OP
Prospecter
Well-known member
Photos are in chronological order.
We have had a steady string of snow and ice storms. These are two different storms. The first I could use the snowblower. The second I needed to scrape.
Mrs. Prospector has some LED table lights she received as a gift from a friend. Pretty when they work. One needed a new rechargeable battery. These are a 2/3 AA, which turns out to be AA sized, but only 2/3's as long. Another's wire had corroded enough to separate from a battery terminal. Resoldered that.
The first of the bulbs are on the kitchen table. These are Amaryllis bulbs that we've had for three years. Maybe we'll get another year out of them.
Our winter grounds crew has been busy de-thatching and fertilizing the lawn for Spring. They do a good, if uneven, job. Work for grubs, but show up inconsistently.
I am working on a bed rail that I am not particularly motivated to finish. It's made out of salvaged pine from multiple projects with multiple finishes. I planed and sawed them to a consistent 5/8ths thickness and an odd 2 3/8ths width. No cost!
We have had a steady string of snow and ice storms. These are two different storms. The first I could use the snowblower. The second I needed to scrape.
Mrs. Prospector has some LED table lights she received as a gift from a friend. Pretty when they work. One needed a new rechargeable battery. These are a 2/3 AA, which turns out to be AA sized, but only 2/3's as long. Another's wire had corroded enough to separate from a battery terminal. Resoldered that.
The first of the bulbs are on the kitchen table. These are Amaryllis bulbs that we've had for three years. Maybe we'll get another year out of them.
Our winter grounds crew has been busy de-thatching and fertilizing the lawn for Spring. They do a good, if uneven, job. Work for grubs, but show up inconsistently.
I am working on a bed rail that I am not particularly motivated to finish. It's made out of salvaged pine from multiple projects with multiple finishes. I planed and sawed them to a consistent 5/8ths thickness and an odd 2 3/8ths width. No cost!
OP
Prospecter
Well-known member
I am slowly working through some spalted maple. I am taking wood previously split from large rounds. The goal is to run it through the planer to get it to squarish dimensions. To do that, I get it as square as I can using the table saw, and an electric hand planer, because those are the tools I have. The first one or two pieces are interesting to watch as the grain emerges. I do a couple pieces at a time and move on to something else. There are many pieces to be done.
Primroses are an annual tradition for January. (From the grocery store.)
Another not so nice tradition is leaving the scraper blade to freeze to the ground instead of putting it under cover. Once again this year, I waited for a thaw, broke it out of the ground with the front loader, and hooked it up to the Kubota so I can scrape the driveway. Of course then the garage door froze to the floor, so I ended up scraping with the John Deere bucket anyway. I did eventually get the door open, which is nice because it is far faster to use the scraper blade instead of using the snowblower or the bucket.
Turkeys are easily startled and very vigilant. They settled in our trees after we came up to them in the back yard. Amazing to watch a flock of 22 turkeys fly across the field and land in the trees.
Looking for a better way to prune fruit trees, I have a new battery powered pruner. Tried it out on the Christmas tree. We always prune off the branches to make it easier to get the tree out, and always find a few ornaments we missed. (Once again I am grateful for Kay's recommendation. Thanks, Kay!)
Primroses are an annual tradition for January. (From the grocery store.)
Another not so nice tradition is leaving the scraper blade to freeze to the ground instead of putting it under cover. Once again this year, I waited for a thaw, broke it out of the ground with the front loader, and hooked it up to the Kubota so I can scrape the driveway. Of course then the garage door froze to the floor, so I ended up scraping with the John Deere bucket anyway. I did eventually get the door open, which is nice because it is far faster to use the scraper blade instead of using the snowblower or the bucket.
Turkeys are easily startled and very vigilant. They settled in our trees after we came up to them in the back yard. Amazing to watch a flock of 22 turkeys fly across the field and land in the trees.
Looking for a better way to prune fruit trees, I have a new battery powered pruner. Tried it out on the Christmas tree. We always prune off the branches to make it easier to get the tree out, and always find a few ornaments we missed. (Once again I am grateful for Kay's recommendation. Thanks, Kay!)
drivesitfar
Well-known member
P: loving all the projects and progress even when it’s snowing and probably a bit cold.
Just curious if you’ve ever tried or made a router type planing tool to get bigger flat surfaces even. I’ve never tried it but I own a few routers so I’ll research it more and see if I can figure it out.
Even the little projects getting finished deserve a pat on the back cause they all count.
Just curious if you’ve ever tried or made a router type planing tool to get bigger flat surfaces even. I’ve never tried it but I own a few routers so I’ll research it more and see if I can figure it out.
Even the little projects getting finished deserve a pat on the back cause they all count.
OP
Prospecter
Well-known member
Thank you, Drives. I like how you roll!
Those router flattening things are a good thought. I found some I could build, and some that I could buy. It didn't look too complicated. I am definitely tempted. It's the old time / money thing. I am trying to get my project list down. Headed to the big 70 in about a year, and I want to get as much off my list as possible so I can play more. I also spent a bunch of $$$ on tools over the past year so I'm trying to control that a little to have more $$$ for boating.
OP
Prospecter
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A new suit of sails is not in the budget. Sail Care will repair and clean, and then re-coat old sails. They claim they can restore sails to almost new for about 20% of the cost. Well regarded by the Mariner Class Association. Folded and packed up the sails to mail them off.
No school, so what do a couple of retired teachers do? Celebrate with Snow Day Muffins. It's a tradition.
Still scraping the ice. At this point the darker areas soak up sun and melt pretty fast.
Another piece of maple squared on two sides. I like the patterns.
I reworked the dust collection duct work for the bench mount drill presses. DPs aren't nearly as dusty. I rigged to collect smaller dust particles without picking up the chips. I don't want to pick up metal swarf when I run the collector for woodworking. (Sparks)
More ice means more scraping. You can tell from the bare pavement that I am making progress.
These particular spalted maple projects are Mrs. Prospector's project. I did a prototype based on what I was hearing. Seems I've captured the vision, so the next ones we can move forward on. She makes her own vanilla extract by soaking vanilla beans in brandy for a year. The beans come in those glass test tubes, so we have quite a few of those around.
No school, so what do a couple of retired teachers do? Celebrate with Snow Day Muffins. It's a tradition.
Still scraping the ice. At this point the darker areas soak up sun and melt pretty fast.
Another piece of maple squared on two sides. I like the patterns.
I reworked the dust collection duct work for the bench mount drill presses. DPs aren't nearly as dusty. I rigged to collect smaller dust particles without picking up the chips. I don't want to pick up metal swarf when I run the collector for woodworking. (Sparks)
More ice means more scraping. You can tell from the bare pavement that I am making progress.
These particular spalted maple projects are Mrs. Prospector's project. I did a prototype based on what I was hearing. Seems I've captured the vision, so the next ones we can move forward on. She makes her own vanilla extract by soaking vanilla beans in brandy for a year. The beans come in those glass test tubes, so we have quite a few of those around.
OP
Prospecter
Well-known member
I sanded a few of the pieces for the bed rail. Not really much work, but I'm dragging my feet on the project.
That brings me up to date. Freezing rain / ice today. Supposed to continue through the night with a little snow thrown in, so I will wait until tomorrow to scrape.
That brings me up to date. Freezing rain / ice today. Supposed to continue through the night with a little snow thrown in, so I will wait until tomorrow to scrape.
OP
Prospecter
Well-known member
A long standing irritation with my tool cabinets has been reading the labels tucked under the handles. It occurred to me to remove the sharp silver handle covers and put the labels on the handles themselves. I do a little at a time as I have time.
I've resumed furniture repair. It's been difficult clearing the cane channels so that I can replace the caning. The solution is to remove the middle of the cane in the channel by sawing it out with a round Dremel blade. Then I ground a narrow chisel down to fit the channel, and chiseled out the leftover cane.
In the photo, I made a form with foil tape and plastic strapping, and filled a broken section with hot glue. The hot glue will eventually be covered by the caning, and not noticeable.
Still working on the bed rail. It's assembled, and waiting for a test fit.
We have some determined squirrels trying to get into the house. They began chewing through the insulation around the heat pump cable and coolant hoses. I wrapped everything in sheet metal secured with zip ties.
I also made a table surface for my work bench so I can temporarily extend the work surface for projects that are bigger than the bench surface.
I've resumed furniture repair. It's been difficult clearing the cane channels so that I can replace the caning. The solution is to remove the middle of the cane in the channel by sawing it out with a round Dremel blade. Then I ground a narrow chisel down to fit the channel, and chiseled out the leftover cane.
In the photo, I made a form with foil tape and plastic strapping, and filled a broken section with hot glue. The hot glue will eventually be covered by the caning, and not noticeable.
Still working on the bed rail. It's assembled, and waiting for a test fit.
We have some determined squirrels trying to get into the house. They began chewing through the insulation around the heat pump cable and coolant hoses. I wrapped everything in sheet metal secured with zip ties.
I also made a table surface for my work bench so I can temporarily extend the work surface for projects that are bigger than the bench surface.
OP
Prospecter
Well-known member
During a recent sunny day, I tackled the "Boat House" (garage addition). No lights out there yet, so I need a combination of daylight, not-so-cold temps, and motivation. Managed to get a few things sorted, organized, and tossed.
I made a little progress on the furniture by making some replacement rungs.
One of the luxuries of two tractors is setting one up with a snowblower, and the other one with a grader blade. When there are only a few inches, the blade is much faster, and leaves cleaner pavement. You can see bare pavement where the sun is melting the first passes of the tractor.
We have some very assertive gray squirrels searching for a way into the house. In Maine, we can hunt the smaller red squirrels all year long, but the gray squirrels are a small game animal, so hunting seasons, licenses, firearms checks, etc. We were able to get a 10 day pest control license to trap and kill the gray squirrels with a pellet rifle. In the picture is a red squirrel. They are small enough that mostly they do not trip the trap. I am not a mighty hunter, but needs must.
On the tiller repair, the tine axles were still frozen (rust). Failed attempts were air hammer, Mapp torch and air hammer, puller, torch / puller / air hammer. Bought an induction bolt heater. (It would be great for frozen bolts, but the mass of the axle provided too much heat sink.) Success was finally achieved with my propane flame weeder torch, followed by the air hammer. An oxy/acetylene torch would have worked, but I do not have one.
The bulbs are inside for their winter display.
We received 12 inches of snow from the most recent storm. Light fluffy snow and a NW wind is when the snowblower excels. The bucket is higher than usual to clear the railings for the front steps.
The sun is out, and we are supposed to get a balmy high of 18* so I will get out the Kubota to scrap out the last of the snow and get some sun.
I made a little progress on the furniture by making some replacement rungs.
One of the luxuries of two tractors is setting one up with a snowblower, and the other one with a grader blade. When there are only a few inches, the blade is much faster, and leaves cleaner pavement. You can see bare pavement where the sun is melting the first passes of the tractor.
We have some very assertive gray squirrels searching for a way into the house. In Maine, we can hunt the smaller red squirrels all year long, but the gray squirrels are a small game animal, so hunting seasons, licenses, firearms checks, etc. We were able to get a 10 day pest control license to trap and kill the gray squirrels with a pellet rifle. In the picture is a red squirrel. They are small enough that mostly they do not trip the trap. I am not a mighty hunter, but needs must.
On the tiller repair, the tine axles were still frozen (rust). Failed attempts were air hammer, Mapp torch and air hammer, puller, torch / puller / air hammer. Bought an induction bolt heater. (It would be great for frozen bolts, but the mass of the axle provided too much heat sink.) Success was finally achieved with my propane flame weeder torch, followed by the air hammer. An oxy/acetylene torch would have worked, but I do not have one.
The bulbs are inside for their winter display.
We received 12 inches of snow from the most recent storm. Light fluffy snow and a NW wind is when the snowblower excels. The bucket is higher than usual to clear the railings for the front steps.
The sun is out, and we are supposed to get a balmy high of 18* so I will get out the Kubota to scrap out the last of the snow and get some sun.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
I hope you’re staying warm and surviving another Maine winter. Great set up for the snow plowing and blowing tractors!!
I just wired up a few lights that I’ve needed in my side of our small 2 car garage for years. Now that I have heat and can see again I’m sure I’ll have a chance to get organized and conquer my FSD.
I wish you lived closer cause I’ve more than a few feet of extra wire and clips and electrical stuff but I can probably use it in my new small shop build next year or in 2027.
Take care and keep up the good work.
Also on a good note I heard the monarch butterfly population is the biggest in years thanks to people like you and your wife!!
I just wired up a few lights that I’ve needed in my side of our small 2 car garage for years. Now that I have heat and can see again I’m sure I’ll have a chance to get organized and conquer my FSD.
I wish you lived closer cause I’ve more than a few feet of extra wire and clips and electrical stuff but I can probably use it in my new small shop build next year or in 2027.
Take care and keep up the good work.
Also on a good note I heard the monarch butterfly population is the biggest in years thanks to people like you and your wife!!