Yep all I run in my lawn equipment is 90 octane ethanol free fuel. I have another trimmer that was my Dad's. It is a Poulan Pro Link and it is a 2 stroke. I mix the oil with the same 90 octane ethanol free gas and the thing sounds like a chainsaw and revs to the moon, it is very powerful!!!

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Got home from work this morning at 0530 and then promptly awoke at 1000 thinking about all the crud I needed to get started during my next three days off.

Busted out the borrowed jackhammer and started throwing it around on the gunite that was shot on the side of the house 20 years ago so I can build a set of steps and start prepping the pad site for Mrs. Bugs new hot tub that will be delivered in six weeks. The gunite was 8-10” in spots and I was hand loading it in the bed of our GMC K1500 in sections. At the end of the day of six hours running the J-hammer and then loading, our truck is grossly overloaded with a few thousand pounds of gunite chunks. All to be drivin to the dump and off loaded in the morning.

For the record, I am sore AF and would like to know where I can get a 5# aspirin. Anyone?, Anyone?, Bueller? Bueller?

Amazing how her great new idea morphs into a ton of work for me[emoji849] In her defense, she did mow the yard and trimmed some of her flowers today. Although, I keep telling her all of our local wildlife will do all of that for her. The deer are more than happy to trim all of her flowers down to the soil.
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Bug- alternate idea a little late:
Use the concrete chunks to ring beds, filler for ditches and behind retaining walls, erosion control.
Make lemonade.

Never too late, load two…..[emoji848]

Thanks for the option.
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Oh yeah, proved my insanity/stupidity today. Placed an order for 13 pallets of 60# legacy retaining wall block. A job that me, myself and I will be throwing here in the near future[emoji15][emoji849]. Insert your imagination of what a person could do with 13 pallets of that stuff.

Gawd I need a life……


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Floater
 

Building a dock for a buddies float plane opps.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1684629490.jpg

Been trying to chase down a coolant leak in the RX350. I have a pressure kit and have used it to find a couple of drips that I think are coming from a coolant bypass pipe that is under the intake manifold. I took the upper plenum off and still couldn't tell exactly where the drips were coming from so on to the next step, removal of the lower intake manifold. Next step, pour gasoline on the vehicle and set on fire!!! https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b082fd67d8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...f91c956bd6.jpg

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Some very impresive projects going on here.

Trev, you have my respect man. That's a very labor intensive job!

And Guy, I like the design of your dock! Interesting and will enjoy seeing the finished product!

And FWIW Marty, when my Silverado was losing coolant, after a fair amount of looking I couldn't find the leak, and ultimately concluded it was the water pump, which I changed out and the problem went away. Good luck and please keep us posted.

Success!!! I removed the lower intake manifold today, pressurized the system once more and confirmed that the leak(s) were coming from the failed O rings at each end of the bypass pipe. After confirming this I then drained the system, removed the thermostat housing on one end and the heater hose fittings at the other end and then removed the pipe. The O rings were flat and very brittle. I will replace the O rings and a few hoses and clamps as, I don't like the way some of them look, out with the old. It's definitely been a process and I'm not done yet, but I feel I made some really good progress today. Yay!!!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...a8d3663a05.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...456b73e883.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...3c04befe99.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...24bcc9e3de.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ba4ee95819.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...33cda0a660.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...7235e43909.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1864c03aa7.jpg

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Continuing Thread: What Are You Fix-It'ing Today?
 

Ok fellas, a DIY tool topic for the DIY brain trust.

As many of you have noticed, I’ve been blowing up the thread with an upcoming big project. Since I am a solo operator on this, I’ve been thinking/kicking around the idea of finding a used tamper and or vibraplate. There have been several times I have rented them for the weekend and called it a day. Since I will be primarily working before my work shift of 1630-0300, so if I include my commute it is more like 1515-0420. I want to make the most of my time so I don’t want to worry about returning equipment during my available times.

Here are some file photos of the equipment I am looking at.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b130ba79db.jpg
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These are just pics and not necessarily the exact brands I’m considering. My thought is that if I can find these in good used condition, I can use them freely depending upon my schedule. When I am done with this project, I could even work a side hustle and rent them out on the weekends. My oldest does this with a log splitter. Now this idea is all great and good, however I have no idea what to look for and issues to be aware of as I look at potential items. I know there are much wiser and knowledgeable folks on this thread than me, so I am willing to take any sound advise relating these two types of tools.

The hopper/tamper and vibraplate is something that isn’t used often but sure nice to have when you need it. I also understand that there are significant differences between occasional weekend warrior work and professional quality requiring something able to take the abuse of all day usage. I grew up in a civil engineering household, and although I am not an engineer, I learned from one and understand the points of proper soil compaction.

Thanks guys

Todays brief pre-work project, utilizing the busted up gunite as rip rap in an area where a 12” culvert pipe empties out. As “John70t”suggested. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ac84b144ce.jpg
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Step one: clean out the leaves
Step two: obtain weed cloth to place under the stones.
Step three: empty the bed of the truck of the manageable gunite chunks and stack accordingly.
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Cheers
Trevor aka Bugs


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Continuing Thread: What Are You Fix-It'ing Today?
 

Thanks Baz,

I’m questioning my sanity…….

Back in 2013, the airport had a fence contractor drill through a 8” water main directly above our property. Without going deep into the weeds, a lot of hillside damage occurred. After 5 years in court fighting for damages and after paying attorney fees, we didn’t have enough to pay a contractor to do the job. Besides, prices substantially increased between 13 and 2018, not to mention now.[emoji849]

So this has come down to me, myself and I in getting it done. I guess it’s my personality and the way I roll. If it fails, then I only can blame myself. Kinda why our complete HVAC removal and replace took so long a couple years ago. I had a friend help me and I was able to do a quality job the I know a commercial operation could not since time is money. Besides, I ended up fixing so many issues with the house. I now know what it means to be “drinking buddies” with the city building inspector, literally…. The builder/contractor was good friends with the BI, and the house should have never pasted final.

Cheers

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More drainage culvert work with the “mistress”
Even some house work done by the locals.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9a684ed8df.jpg


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Finally got the crack fixed...http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1684809229.jpg
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Didn't want to be that guy with 2 engines in the engine room. ;)
Soon to be 650hp 23 degree for the 10 and the 750hp 18 degree for the 5.
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Continuing Thread: What Are You Fix-It'ing Today?
 

Nice spot on the crack and nice looking repair!


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Impressive. Is that left unpainted until an inspector can sign off on the work? You probably know a certified inspector who can just walk over and sign off, don't you!

The walkway pavers were sinking under mulch and the path a bit overgrown. Felt like getting to the weeds was a chore in itself. I put them directly on stage-1 paver base and added the 4x4 as a slight retainer and it also widens the drive slightly in feel. I like moving through this space now.
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The IA was standing right there... the welder is certified and works at a well known aerospace outfit, missiles etc... really talented guy.

Prepped and painted, ready for cover.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1684890365.jpg
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The hand-in-blender me asks "If it broke before, why won't it do it again?"
Would a couple gussets or plates strengthen that area?

I'll bet the sleeve they installed goes all the way to the end of the new tube. Twice as thick.

But Guy will set us straight.

The model citizen nailed it. It's not an uncommon repair but it isn't exactly common. This ac was used as an ag plane for a time, so it's likely just wear and tear and landing heavy... the sleeve continues up appropriately 8", which is plenty.

The repair gained the ac weight in the worst place gussets, etc would have added to much weight. As it is the next annual will require a new w&b.

Change your avatar?

Started this dash 18 couple of days ago. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1684894410.jpg

Yes

Todays pre-work shift task…
Took this…https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9536b12a78.jpg
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Turned it into that…..https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...210b644192.jpg
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Long day today. We decked the sea plane docks today, I prepped the tail surfaces with urethane over the epoxy, and shaped the super pacer wing tips and shot urethane on the tail around the weld repair.
Steve, at pierce aero says it's better to seal the epoxy primer with urethane before fabric for the best corrosion protection, I agree with him.
Interestingly, the last covering job included a nice reservoir of cured super seam in that lower brace cavity..... I chunked it out and whudayaknow..... yup surface corrosion. Neutralized it and properly epoxied and urethaned it...
Anyway, done, done and dun!http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1685014557.jpg
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I picked up the O rings for the coolant bypass pipe. I got them from the Toyota dealership in Auburn and was actually cheaper and faster than ordering them online. I am also replacing the short rubber hose that goes on the bypass pipe as well because it is orginal and I don't want to have to do this again, ever!!!
I also got that from the dealership.
I am going to get it all back together Saturday. Making progress, stay tuned. [emoji846]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...8538e3d752.jpg

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Jeeez, you've got projects. It must be a good trick keeping all the parts for all the different airframes sorted. I like your rotisserie! Very clever use of engine stands.

Yup... Like a treepekeredgote.... hopefully I'll get the pacer wings covered next week... someone did a fugly job installing the shet metal on the stc'd wing tips so in order to prep them for the new-ish German fabric... oratex I had to smooth things over and epoxy prime the wings..http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1685057649.jpg
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Not too hard to sort when they're all different airframes

I'm seeing a small very deep pit and shaded natural pond at the conclusion of that runoff surrounded by flowering bushes and a lounge chair. Gotta feed the wildlife.
That's already been a hell of a lot of work. Something small to enjoy at the end.

Maybe a retractable hose pumps to a 'rain barrel' somewhere.
Here in Michigan (w/3 sides deep water) we get charged significantly more water rates for not having rain barrels.

I hope I don't jinx myself about getting it done, but my roll bar will be delivered tomorrow and I want to get it installed in the 330 this weekend. Then I will have to adjust my drivers seat to work with it.

I've also got some old style hood louvers I want to install on the hood, to get hot air out.

If only the rain holds off...

[emoji15][emoji15][emoji15][emoji15]
Dang!! They (governmental agency) frowns on water collection of any kind due to the revenue lost by the local water company. Yes, it’s beyond stupid.

Got my pallets of wall block delivered. And wouldn’t you know it, guess who showed up to crawl up my arse?[emoji848] The City!!!!!!

Saw the block and assumed I was doing something I shouldn’t be. 21 years here and never seen a city official. Oh yeah, I was lectured about not having an encroachment permit and then he returns and tattles to other departmental officials. Mrs Bugs gets a knock in the door and then does a property walk around while I was running errands.

But that’s ok, they only passed the out of control homeless encampment that been in place for two plus years.[emoji849]…… illegal cars, dumpster, ports heads and a mailbox.

Good times


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The eagle has landed. I watched a few videos tonight and with my car stripped out on the interior, it doesn't look too bad to install.

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Took a lot longer that i thought it would, but that included working on relocating the seat, to be comfortable.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1685237366.jpg
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That sucks, Trev......hope they don't interfere too much with your work there. I've had a few encounters here but mostly when the drunk redneck lady next door called in to complain. Things got straightened out but only after I got a hold of the head person and arranged an onsite meeting with them.

Keep chargin', brother!


Very nice, Rocket! Lot of work there. You Tube is amazing isn't it? Sometimes I think it's the very best part of the Internet, hands down...lol....

Good luck with the rest of the project! SmileWavy

Utah awaits your triumphant retreat.... We see the stars here too. 3 ski hills with better deeper powder than ca, 9500 foot runway, and mmsp down the highway... as well as tons of twisty canyon roads to boot!

Thanks man!!! We like the geographical pluses of CA, but the rest has declined in ways I am embarrassed to say we live here. We fully understand the “proper” way to relocate……. Assimilate into your new environment and “DO NOT”, I repeat, “ DO NOT! Try to change it to what you left. It’s amazing how many try to do that and make a bad name for the majority of normal folks. Anyway, sorry for the rant.

We are still looking for our “ahh ha!” moment. Youngest in AZ with three grandkids and our oldest is here with 2.9(third is due in July). Wife grew up in Phoenix so that’s off the table. We are divers so that is a factor as well[emoji2371] in all transparency, we haven’t discussed UT, [emoji848][emoji848][emoji848][emoji848]

Back on point:
This is what I was working on.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...308c21ca23.jpg
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Trying to figure out what this fuel valve “Scmutz” could possibly be?!?!? New valve is just as draggy as the original, and the new smooth Allen valve’s handle shaft is too short. The Allen is better but I haven’t figured out how to extend it so I can slide it inside the 3/8” aluminum torque tube. Thinking having a local weld a stainless steel addition to the end of the existing post and then turn it down to it will slide in and then drill the two holes for the threaded bolt and locknut.

Still trying to figure a solution.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...fdf196fce9.jpg
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BTW: love reading about your progress on your little hot rod and other work.[emoji1]


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Continuing Thread: What Are You Fix-It'ing Today?
 

Thanks Baz!!!!

In all fairness to the second city official who did the knock n talk with Jamie, he was very complimentary to the condition that we have the property in and what we have done to make it look nice. We have strived to make it as defendable as possible due to the extreme fire risk CA seems to face every bloody year. Circular drive around the house, 2 acres all dirt, no/very little weeds, all cedar, pine, oak and shrubs trimmed up off of the ground. Always a work in progress. Told Jamie he wasn’t there to give us a hard time and was following up after Captain Pants Pooper went running back(new guy). We do have one wall directly in front of the house that exceeds the 4’ rule. It’s a tumbled stone that is a pinned wall with a back slope of 18 degrees. When we were flooded by the ruptured 6-8” waterline that flowed for four hours before getting shut off in 2013, that wall saved our arses as the wave of mud, rocks and debris flowed downhill to our front door. I have all the faith in the world in the wall’s integrity. He did tell her “It looks like a very nice wall, and I am not looking at it right now”[emoji6][emoji6][emoji6]. So this encounter give me hope to some sensibility with the City.[emoji1695][emoji1695][emoji1695][emoji1695][emoji1695][emoji1695][emoji1695][emoji1695][emoji1695][emoji1695][emoji1695]

The City official walked around with Jamie and discussed certain wording between a “retaining wall” vs “decorative garden wall” used to beautify the property. So in essence, and to quote the movie “The Martian” instead of “Science the chit out of this” we are going to “Decorative Garden Wall” the chit out of this place. [emoji38]

Here is hoping for the best!!!!!!
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Worked for an additional two hours on this last-night with the borrowed jackhammer. What I thought was all the gunite removed, turned into another 1/4 truck load of chunks. More drainage fodder. The gunite was hidden below the dirt line. It’s like the gift that keeps on giving. Was able to get a few tiers of the old wall removed and cleaned, prepping to the stair building party soon to come.

Stay tuned[emoji854]


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Nice!!!! Safety first


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My guess.. . The schmutz is likely fuel lube. Is it super viscous and difficult to clean, even with solvent? If so it's fuel lube, the valve was assembled with it.

In your shoes I'd likely machine the lever that came with the valve down to the interior diameter of the appropriate length and diameter of 4130... it'll likely handle the torque required to change the lever position with less torsional flex between you and the valve.

Why was I under the impression that the valve was originally located between your legs in the canoe?

As far as diving goes several spear fish flaming gorge, and blue lake .... blue lake has tilapia. We have sea base as well as homestead crater, not exactly monterrey but it'll keep a diver current. No mater how you slice it here or in Placerville your still going to need to travel in an aluminum and composite disease tube for the good dives..

All you guys are working on cool stuff, big projects like landscapes, airplanes and race cars. I was doing something trivial bordering on stupid yesterday. This is the base for my bike repair stand, it's really heavy, and I have to break the stand down and stash the parts when I'm not using it because it takes up a lot of space.

I needed something that I could grip this base with. Unused combination wrenches, and some old wheel studs and lug nuts, set back with some spacers cut from one of those old Harbor Freight flashlights did the trick. For the icing on the cake I used some actual Porsche aluminum wheel nuts that I had laying around for just a hint of flash.

Handled, and no money spent or trips to the hardware store.

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