tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67018264641082980112024-03-08T01:56:03.790-05:00The Armed American... beer, babes, bullets, and things that go bang ...JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-18048724180609085582015-04-09T06:55:00.001-04:002015-04-09T06:55:50.898-04:00Phillip Cooper's invitation is awaiting your response<span style="display: none !important;font-size: 1px;visibility: hidden;opacity: 0;color: transparent;height: 0;width: 0;mso-hide: all;"></span> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; border-collapse:collapse; width:100% !important; font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin:0; padding:0;" width="100%" bgcolor="#DFDFDF"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="3"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; " width="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:5px;font-size:5px;line-height:5px;"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" align="center" width="100%" style="table-layout: fixed;"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; min-width:290px;" width="600" class="responsive"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;"> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:8px;font-size:8px;line-height:8px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;" width="100%" bgcolor="#DDDDDD"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" valign="middle" width="95" height="21" id="base-header-logo"><a style="text-decoration:none;cursor:pointer;border:none;display:block;height:21px;width:100%;" href="https://www.linkedin.com/blink?simpleRedirect=34MnT9Bp6VFrmlOnThPpnlDnThPsCBCfmJB9zcNc39ArCBJpn8JpmRLq5ZLpSZIbm8JrnpKqlZJrmZzbmNJpjRDrCBHoS5Ot2pMrmUZt2pCbmxHtTgNojxFbjxEuDFGqPRBfP9SbSkLrmZzbCVFp6lHrCBIbDtTtOYLeDdMt7hE&msgID=I5989745065088544768_500&markAsRead="><img src="https://static.licdn.com/scds/common/u/images/email/logos/logo_linkedin_tm_email_95x21_v1.png" width="95" height="21" alt="LinkedIn" style="border:none;text-decoration:none;" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:8px;font-size:8px;line-height:8px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;" width="100%" bgcolor="#333333"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="20" class="responsive-spacer"> <table width="20" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:0px;font-size:0px;line-height:0px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> <td width="100%"> <table width="560" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" border="0" class="header-spacer" style="table-layout: fixed;"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="560"> <div style="height:12px;font-size:12px;line-height:12px;width:560px;"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> <td width="20" class="responsive-spacer"> <table width="20" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:0px;font-size:0px;line-height:0px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; " width="100%" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="20" class="res-width10"> <table width="20px" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer res-width10"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:0px;font-size:0px;line-height:0px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> <td style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;" align="left"> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer res-height10"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:20px;font-size:20px;line-height:20px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; " width="100%" class="responsive"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color:#333333;"><b>Phillip Cooper</b> would like to connect on LinkedIn. How would you like to respond?</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-bottom-color: #E5E5E5;border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid;"> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:20px;font-size:20px;line-height:20px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:20px;font-size:20px;line-height:20px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; " width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;" width="100%"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; " width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/blink?simpleRedirect=3oTcPcTejcMdj4Qc3kQdPAUejkZh4BKrSBQonhFtCVF9Dd8h719tStffnBBiShBsC5EsOpBrm5KnThMpmdzojRPt2pLsClEfmQCcjRFr2oNc5ZOpmhKqmRBsBZQsSlRpRZQsT9FpzRHpipBt6BSrABDpl9BsD0ZoipCbmxHtTgNojxFbjxEuDFGqPRBfP9SbSkLrmZzbCVFp6lHrCBIbDtTtOYLeDdMt7hE&msgID=I5989745065088544768_500&markAsRead=" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">Phillip Cooper</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:3px;font-size:3px;line-height:3px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="color: #666666; font-size: 15px;" class="res-font16">Senior Network Administrator at Phacil, Inc.</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:10px;font-size:10px;line-height:10px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" height="30" valign="middle" bgcolor="#287BBC" background="https://static.licdn.com/scds/common/u/img/email/bg_btn_katy_blue_medium.png" style="background:url(https://static.licdn.com/scds/common/u/img/email/bg_btn_katy_blue_medium.png) repeat-x scroll bottom #287BBC;background-color:#287BBC;border:1px solid #1B5480;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;border-radius:3px; cursor: pointer;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; " width="100%" bgcolor="transparent"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="13"> <table width="13px" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:0px;font-size:0px;line-height:0px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> <td><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/blink?simpleRedirect=0SdPcPdPAPc3kNd30Rd3sVe3ARfkh9rCZFt65QqnpKqipPi4hMintDjPRVpkJApn9xq7cCrCZQt7lynThMpmdzojRPt2pLsClEfmQCczRFr2oNc5ZOpmhKqmRBsBZQsSlRpRZQsT9FpzRHpipBt6BSrABDpl9BsD0ZoipCbmxHtTgNojxFbjxEuDFGqPRBfP9SbSkLrmZzbCVFp6lHrCBIbDtTtOYLeDdMt7hE&msgID=I5989745065088544768_500&markAsRead=" style="text-decoration:none; font-size: 13px;font-weight: bold;color: white;white-space: nowrap;display: block;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 13px;font-weight: bold;color: white;white-space: nowrap;display: block;">Confirm you know Phillip</span></a></td> <td width="13"> <table width="13px" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:0px;font-size:0px;line-height:0px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:20px;font-size:20px;line-height:20px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> <td width="20" class="res-width10"> <table width="20px" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer res-width10"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:0px;font-size:0px;line-height:0px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; " width="600" class="responsive"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; " width="100%" class="responsive"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:10px;font-size:10px;line-height:10px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; color:#999999;" width="100%" class="responsive res-font10"> <tbody> <tr> <td>You received an invitation to connect. LinkedIn will use your email address to make suggestions to our members in features like People You May Know. <a style="text-decoration:none;color:#0077B5;" href="https://www.linkedin.com/blink?simpleRedirect=0UhS5mq4xOqTFJc5Fid3tjqAZKh4sQdlpMqARbu4tdlA9Em6FKm3B2uDEStD1hp49psC9JmnBEiQdAkBkTr3l6hlFmokxvpP9lr31Aull1gk5hkDkPcnFfc6F1nQxhgjRAqmZI9CoJq6JTt35xe6AJe6xWuCFHfmhFpipcjlh8fndQ9C9RsSVRfmQCdzRFr2oNc5ZOpmhKqmRBsBZQsSlRpRZQsT9FpzRHpiphdzdAhktElApOrkphgjRKpmJLl6hFripKtmMZt2pCbmxHtTgNojxFbjxEuDFGqPRBfP9SbSkLrmZzbCVFp6lHrCBIbDtTtOYLeDdMt7hE&msgID=I5989745065088544768_500&markAsRead=">Unsubscribe</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>If you need assistance or have questions, please contact <a style="color:#0077B5;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/blink?simpleRedirect=0Nc5ZOpmhKqmRBsBZQsSlRpRZQsT9FpzRHpipIsBlBoSBSsCljsClJrThPtmcZoipCbmxHtTgNojxFbjxEuDFGqPRBfP9SbSkLrmZzbCVFp6lHrCBIbDtTtOYLeDdMt7hE&msgID=I5989745065088544768_500&markAsRead=">LinkedIn Customer Service</a>.</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:10px;font-size:10px;line-height:10px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td>© 2015, LinkedIn Corporation. 2029 Stierlin Ct. Mountain View, CA 94043, USA</td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:20px;font-size:20px;line-height:20px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <img src="http://www.linkedin.com/emimp/kjzzh8-i8a1twkh-f.gif" style="width:1px; height:1px;" /> JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-21209944785493919302015-04-03T09:08:00.001-04:002015-04-03T09:08:52.345-04:00I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn<span style="display: none !important;font-size: 1px;visibility: hidden;opacity: 0;color: transparent;height: 0;width: 0;mso-hide: all;"></span> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; border-collapse:collapse; width:100% !important; font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin:0; padding:0;" width="100%" bgcolor="#DFDFDF"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="3"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; " width="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:5px;font-size:5px;line-height:5px;"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" align="center" width="100%" style="table-layout: fixed;"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; min-width:290px;" width="600" class="responsive"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;"> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:8px;font-size:8px;line-height:8px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;" width="100%" bgcolor="#DDDDDD"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" valign="middle" width="95" height="21" id="base-header-logo"><a style="text-decoration:none;cursor:pointer;border:none;display:block;height:21px;width:100%;" href="https://www.linkedin.com/blink?simpleRedirect=1QsSlRpRZBt6BSrCAZqSkCrStLr2RBt6BSrCAJt7dBtmsJr6RBfmtKqmJzon9Q9D1JrzRQ9DwNbmpLp7xIcjxFbjxEuDFGqPRBfP9SbSkLrmZzbCVFp6lHrCBIbDtTtOYLeDdMt7hE&msgID=I5989745065088544768_500&markAsRead="><img src="https://static.licdn.com/scds/common/u/images/email/logos/logo_linkedin_tm_email_95x21_v1.png" width="95" height="21" alt="LinkedIn" style="border:none;text-decoration:none;" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:8px;font-size:8px;line-height:8px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;" width="100%" bgcolor="#333333"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="20" class="responsive-spacer"> <table width="20" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:0px;font-size:0px;line-height:0px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> <td width="100%"><span style="color:#FFF;"> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:18px;font-size:18px;line-height:18px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>Phillip Cooper would like to stay in touch on LinkedIn. <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:18px;font-size:18px;line-height:18px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></span></td> <td width="20" class="responsive-spacer"> <table width="20" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:0px;font-size:0px;line-height:0px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; " width="100%" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="20" class="res-width10"> <table width="20px" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer res-width10"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:0px;font-size:0px;line-height:0px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> <td style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;" align="left"> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer res-height10"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:20px;font-size:20px;line-height:20px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; " width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; " width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;" width="100%"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; " width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; color:#333333;" valign="top">Phillip Cooper</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="color:#333333;font-size:15px;" class="res-font16">Senior Network Administrator at Phacil, Inc.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="color:#B3B3B3;font-size:13px;" class="res-font16">Charleston, South Carolina Area</td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; " width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;"> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:20px;font-size:20px;line-height:20px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:20px;font-size:20px;line-height:20px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; " width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color:#333333;font-size:15px;">I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:15px;font-size:15px;line-height:15px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td>- Phillip</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:20px;font-size:20px;line-height:20px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" height="30" valign="middle" bgcolor="#287BBC" background="https://static.licdn.com/scds/common/u/img/email/bg_btn_katy_blue_medium.png" style="background:url(https://static.licdn.com/scds/common/u/img/email/bg_btn_katy_blue_medium.png) repeat-x scroll bottom #287BBC;background-color:#287BBC;border:1px solid #1B5480;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;border-radius:3px; cursor: pointer;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; " width="100%" bgcolor="transparent"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="13"> <table width="13px" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:0px;font-size:0px;line-height:0px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> <td><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/blink?simpleRedirect=0SdPcPdPAPc3kNd30Rd3sVe3ARfkh9rCZFt65QqnpKqipPi4hMintDjPRVpkJApn9xq7cCt7dBtmtvpnhFtCVFfmJB9C5QoORBt6BSrCAJt7dBtmsJr6RBfmtKqmJzon9Q9ClQqnpKimtBkClOs3Rx9DwNbmpLp7xIcjxFbjxEuDFGqPRBfP9SbSkLrmZzbCVFp6lHrCBIbDtTtOYLeDdMt7hE&msgID=I5989745065088544768_500&markAsRead=" style="text-decoration:none; font-size: 13px;font-weight: bold;color: white;white-space: nowrap;display: block;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 13px;font-weight: bold;color: white;white-space: nowrap;display: block;">Confirm that you know Phillip</span></a></td> <td width="13"> <table width="13px" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:0px;font-size:0px;line-height:0px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:20px;font-size:20px;line-height:20px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> <td width="20" class="res-width10"> <table width="20px" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer res-width10"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:0px;font-size:0px;line-height:0px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; 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Mountain View, CA 94043, USA</td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="1" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" class="email-spacer"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="height:20px;font-size:20px;line-height:20px"> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <img src="http://www.linkedin.com/emimp/kjzzh8-i81lxdof-1x.gif" style="width:1px; height:1px;" /> JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-75987867483261820372013-02-16T23:58:00.002-05:002013-02-17T00:16:00.327-05:00DIY Heavy-duty steel utility wagon, info needed!Folks- if any of you guys stumble across this and are DIY sorts with input, I am all ears...<br />
<br />
I need a utility wagon, mainly to move my engine hoist and other
heavy/unwieldly shit from the garage to the back shed- BUT, will also need to
transport a 600+ pound engine back there at some point as well.<br />
<br />
Looking to go about 18"X36" for the loadbed, wheels directly under the
assembly (ie: the widest point is the loadbed).<br />
<br />
I have a good bit of scrap 2X2X1/8" wall tubing as well as angle and such,
from past 4X4 suspension and bumper builds. I have no problems or questions regarding
the building of the frame...<br />
<br />
What has me flumoxed is the steering, and appropriate axle for the fixed and
steering axles.<br />
<br />
Basically, want this: <a href="http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/wagon-made-from-scrap-steel.html" target="_blank">http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/wagon-made-from-scrap-steel.html</a><br />
<br />
It looks like he used solid rod for the fixed axle, and steering knuckles for
the steering bit. I don't think the solid rod is up to this sort of stress
unless I go larger diameter. I do, however, think that welding grade-8 bolts to
the frame itself would work just fine. Yes, they will loose some strength from
the heat and welding- in that case, second thought I could through-bolt through
the frame (dropping the frame down another few inches to allow this, of course),
leaving enough length on the bolt to properly affix my wheels (which will have
bearing-equipped hubs). So I don't think the rear axle is such a big deal-
anything I am missing here?<br />
<br />
The front axle, though: I am flumoxed. I have no idea where to obtain the
steering knuckles. I could make the entire front assembly pivot, but this seems
like it would be a weak point of the structure, and would make the cart more
tippy. I don't want "Radio Flyer" single-pivot wagon steering, looking for
something more like a solid-axle equipped truck's steering (ie, the pivots are
at each wheel, a la "kingpins" on a Dana axle).<br />
<br />
I realize box-section tubing is overkill on this project. I will use expanded
steel for the load deck, or perhaps wood if consensus says this would be better.
I am using box section because I have a lot of it that's going to rust if it's
not used, so this is a $0 supply. I can buy the wheels if I have to, for $10
per- but I already have a source lined up for wheels off an old commercial
lawnmower, at $0.<br />
<br />
Costs for the project looks like a bit of hardware (which I probably already
have from previous projects- I have a 200-pound case of misc stainless and zinc
fasteners), some paint, and whatever the solution ends up being for the load
deck and steering. I anticipate I can do this for less than $50, and some welding time. Harbor Freight has something similar to what I want, for $120, but it's actually much weaker (the 1000-pound rating of their unit is said to be VERY generous). Yes, I could buy the HF unit and weld on some reinforcement, making it suitable to the job- but that is akin to throwing good money (and time) after bad. I am not a wealthy man, it's time I stop spending on things I can make myself simply to "Have it right-the-hell now". Actually, it's WAY past time I stop doing that, and this goes double for the country at large and most of us as Citizens... but, another discussion, moving on...<br />
<br />
I realize the box section will make this thing HEAVY, that is fine. I
have some clevises I plan on welding to the frame for tiedown use as well as
hoisting use. Hoisting, as in: to hoist it up into my trailer if I need to go mobile with it (which I will- this wagon wil lbe used at my local pick-a-part salvage yard to retrieve axles, transfer cases, etc). I have a milsurp
M101A1 trailer that I use behind my S-10 (itself highly modified- Dana 44 solid
axles from an 82 Wagoneer are under it, about 12" lift all told), it is of
course quite tall. I am modifying it for civvy voltage and 7-wire RV harness,
and plan to delete the tiltbed feature and mount a pickup bed hoist in it to
allow me to easily load axles, engines, etc. So there are no concerns of keeping
this wagon light enough to get into the back of a SUV without throwing my back
out. Any finished product under 150 pounds will be fine.<br />
<br />
Could use your input on the steering and load deck!JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-38645207300801755312013-02-03T22:59:00.001-05:002013-02-03T22:59:41.115-05:00So yeah, how's that posting more often thing working out for me?<br />
<br />
I came across a neat topic lately I wanted to share real quick - mainly because I will forget it if I don't:<br />
<br />
An outstanding, DIY cleaner for around the house and garage-<br />
<br />
1 cup Dawn dishwashing liquid<br />
1 cup white vinegar<br />
1 cup water<br />
<br />
That's all there is to it. Put in a spray bottle, shake it and have at it. <br />
<br />
I have used it in the kitchen, bathroom (dispatching some VERY tenacious rust-rings that have been in the shower since I bought the house, without ANY real effort), and even in the garage (and on the truck).<br />
<br />
It's cleaned everything I have tried, very well- I used entire cans of Dow Corning scrubbinb bubble cleaner (toxic shit, that!) on the shower, focusing on the rust rings, without much effect. I don't want to overstate the issue- the shower wasn't THAT bad- but I was never able to get it totally clean down to the white, you know? Even after using 3M scotchbrite pads with the DC stuff, no love. I literally made a batch of this stuff, went into the bathroom and sprayed down the shower. Came back in 5 minutes (letting it sit longer helps), and wiped away the stains with nothing more than my bare hand. Amazing, amazing stuff.<br />
<br />
Yes, there's a bit of a vinegary smell, but that's easy to banish with some Febreeze (or the homemade equivalent- involving baking soda, fabric softener, and water- can't recalll the amounts at pesent but it works just as well as the manufactured product, at pennies on the dollar). <br />
<br />
The best part? There's no nagging thought in the back of my head that I ought to be wearing CPOGs when using this stuff. Hell, I know folks that use diluted Dawn for bodywash (and I have done the same when I realized I was out of soap). I can literally keep a spray bottle of this stuff in the shower, and clean the shower as I clean me. Win!<br />
<br />
Also, just used this in the yard this afternoon- I was changing tires on my Jeep. By "changing tires", I mean taking them off the Jeep, dismounting the tires from the wheels, and placing new tires on those same wheels- all by hand. It's a filthy job, and can be agravating. The worst part is usually the inner surface of the wheel, which collects brake dust. Since I have recently bought a DIY wheel balancing system form Harbor Freight, I needed to get the inner surface of the wheel clean so my self-stick wheel weights would actually... stick. <br />
<br />
I got the new tire on, and took an old potscrubber I've been meaning to replace from the kitchen, and the spraybottle of my Wondercleaner. Sprayed it, a couple of rinses and a quick scrub or two with the scrubber, and my formerly-black inner wheel surface is now mostly shiny aluminum. Not ready for show, by any means, but it is definitely clean now. Tar is, not surprisingly, a bitch to remove. <br />
<br />
I ran out of light, and wanted to let the tire sit for a bit to dry the whel as well as leaktest it for a couple days before I mess with balancing the assembly. Once I am ready, I will snap some pics of the balancing process. When I have the weights in place I will cover them with Gorilla Tape so they stay.<br />
<br />
I certainly don't expect the same exact balance one gets with an active, computerized spin-balance.. but seeing that the last time I paid for that (for a 31" street tire for the wife's Jeep), the Tire Jerk put 2 POUNDS of lead on one side of the rim, and 8 ounces directly opposite it on the same side of the wheel (new wheels and tires, thanks) I don't think I can do any worse, and 2 tires will have paid for the balancer I bought. Given that I now have the wife running Centramatic wheel balancers, without ANY rim weight at all, on tires I assembled manually, and her Jeep rides like a Cadillac, I think I'll be good to go- this will be an improvement on what I already am running once I put the Centramatics on my truck.<br />
<br />
Of course, to do this, I am going to have to break down all 5 tires on my vehicle and suck out the airsoft pellets I have been running for balance media for years. Incidentally- they have worked VERY well- the only reason I am getting away from them is to allow me to use a runflat compound inside the tires. More info on that soon, as well!JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-6618244590213452792012-06-27T22:42:00.000-04:002012-06-27T22:43:43.209-04:00Talent, and smokin' hot besides...Came across this lovely young lady via <a href="http://towhichireplied.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Ernest Thing's blog:</a> <br />
<br />
Kimbra, or as I call her "Another reason to love Aussie-land":<br />
<br />
(having trouble with the embedding. Here's the linkage:<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6i1mr9amqeg" target="_blank">Kimbra: Plain Gold Ring, on Youtube</a><br />
<br />
I may have to look into getting her CD.JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-77632096662955643072012-06-17T18:33:00.003-04:002012-06-17T18:33:57.325-04:00Randomosity: catching upOK, I've been away for a while- well not so much away as lazy, but whatever...<br />
<br />
Random stuff over the last year or so:<br />
-it's taken most of the year, but my truck is just about ready to put back on the road. It's finally (most of) the way the General should have built it in the first place...<br />
-My welding skills... sucked, but now rock!<br />
-got myself a Mosin M38 carbine AND a Victor Arms AK47... for less than $300<br />
-sold the Mosin to my boss, as I needed the money at the time (this was while I was on the 6 month contract to hire gig, making shit for pay..... but rocking their world in terms of work performance<br />
-went fulltime at that gig, getting a nice stipend in pay.<br />
-became, on paper at least, a Senior Network Admin... over my head, but swimming like a mofo to fake it till I make it <br />
-went through the NOC version of an Anal Exam, called a DIACAP. We passed, very well<br />
-started relying less on the faking it, and more on the making it.. ie, grew into my Sr NetAdmin role. I LOVE IT!<br />
-have changed out my EDC kit a bit, will do some reviews as time goes on. Short list: Duluth Trading Company pants simply kick all manner of ass. Expensive, sure- but they also have a lifetime warranty. Simply put, you wear 'em out, they send you new ones, shipping included. I am a thick sort, and always wear out the crotch of my pants- we'll see what happens with this...<br />
-Nearly forgot to renew my CWP in time. I've been carrying for 4 years now. How time flies. I will have to go without for 2 months as they process my renewal. For some reason they're backed up and taking every bit of the 90 days they are allowed. (Sarcasm)I am sure I can't imagine why(/sarcasm)<br />
<br />
There's some other stuff, too- that I am not sure I want to get into, here.<br />
<br />
Why have I been a "silent key" for so long? In truth it is partly lazyness and humbleness- I just don't believe anyone wants to read my crap. But the main reason, quite honestly- pains me:<br />
<br />
I simply don't need to catch the eye of the administration. I find myself having to second-guess everything I say, since the present administration likes to see enemies and terrorists among anyone that disagrees with their methods and views.<br />
<br />
I HATE that it's come to this.<br />
<br />
I want to get one thing clear: I am not, nor will I ever be, embracing any sort of revolt or do I consider myself an enemy of the administration. That said- I truly believe that the present administration is not keeping the interests of the country as a whole in their practices and procedures. What will I do about this? I will vote, and urge others to do so as well. To do otherwise would seem uncivilized, and unwarranted.<br />
<br />
I pray that I am not in the minority, and that our present "leader" receives a sound thrubbing at the ballot box, which affords them no alternative but to graciously accept defeat and ceed power to the majority opinion.<br />
<br />
However, if they don't, I wouldn't be at all surprised. I wouldn't put it past them to get every dirty trick out for this one.. like giving amnesty by Dictat to illegals.JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-82791129285108719332012-01-16T11:55:00.002-05:002012-01-16T11:55:42.656-05:00Welcome to the Blogroll: Red State WitchOK folks- front and center, cover down- Listen up:<br />
<br />
We run a respectful joint 'round here. Yes, even with the sidelong nude of the kneeling woman with the 3' long sword I posted some time ago, and similar. (Have I mentioned, Yumm?)<br />
<br />
:makes note to post more eye candy:<br />
<br />
That said- we run a respectful site here. There will be things that I post that you disagree with. There will be things that you say, I disagree with. It's an oft-misatributed quote (and correct me if I misattrib), but:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." -(random Googleness by way of accuracy: This quote is widely attributed to <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1326732584_0">Voltaire</span>, but cannot be found in his writings. With good reason. The phrase was invented by a later author as an epitome of his attitude. It appeared in The Friends of Voltaire (1906), written by Evelyn Beatrice Hall under the pseudonym Stephen G. Tallentyre.)</span><br />
So in short, and with the utmost respect: <br />
-Welcome to the blogroll, Red State Witch. Stealing their tagline: "Pagan AND Conservative. Yes, really". It's something I've long said about myself- and as it happens, it's not terribly rare. <br />
<br />
-Don't mistake those that don't follow the same god you do, as being Occupy Wall Street types. <br />
<br />
-Each their own, and "Judge not lest ye be judged", ring a bell?<br />
<br />
-If you cannot respect the above, noone's making you post a comment... and you might as well save us both the time, because your comment will be sent to \dev\null if it doesn't contribute to a rational, respectful conversation.<br />
<br />
Now- I just have to poke about in the undercarriage here and figure out where I add a hyperlink in the new interface...JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-4771358097870418222012-01-16T11:30:00.001-05:002012-01-16T11:30:28.686-05:00You'd think I'd remember this shi... stuff...So maybe it's psychosomatic (and maybe I horribly misspelled that, but not feeling like caring right now), but every time I stop and think "hey, you know- I've not been sick in quite a while. Cool!"... I soon come down with a nasty bug.<br />
<br />
I'm not given to being sick often, even with my wife working with young children and coming home with all manner of interesting bugs all the time. <br />
<br />
It's just like the last time I took a plane ride with the wife- I looked out the window at the baggage handlers and remarked "you know, it really is amazing how they've never lost my bags."<br />
<br />
She just looked at me, shook her head dismissively, and said "You just HAVE to tempt fate, don't you?"<br />
<br />
Sure as shit- they lost EVERY damned one of our bags. Mine. The wife's. The BSE bag for our then 6-month old child. <br />
<br />
Did I mention this was also the weekend of the big reception shindig her family was throwing for our recent marriage? (honestly, they might as well have saved the money and we might as well not have gotten married, but that's an entirely OTHER discussion!)<br />
<br />
So, yes- I seem to have the uncanny ability to make stuff happen, just by remarking how it's never happened. Fate, much? <br />
<br />
I remarked to myself back in late December, right after Christmas, that I hadn't been sick in a long time- and how fortunate it was, since I'd just started with a new company after having done 6 months on a contract-to-hire "audition" for my new IT gig. <br />
<br />
sure enough- 3 days later on the way back to work after picking up the wife and kid at her work and shuttling them home- I start coming down with this massive stomach and backache, and then spend the next week and a half with a stomach flu. Thankfully, it was light on the "stomach" part, but tripled down on the body aches. I was literally taking 4 ibuprofen every 6 hours just so I could stand up. Yes, I know that's not healthy. I literally felt like I'd been kicked by a mule- I'd have considered drinking heavily had I thought it would have helped.<br />
<br />
Got over that, finally, Friday last. Felt ok till abotu wednesday, and now I've got a damned head cold. Sneezing/wheezing/coughing my head off, but it's not gotten into my lungs and there's no sign of actual infection, so I'm just OTC'ing it.<br />
<br />
Yes, probably all TMFI, but explains why I'm not getting as much done as I would like. I've been trying to turn over a new leaf with regard to tasks around the house, but it's difficult to do when you're ill. Yes, I know the wife troops on and does her stuff round the house when she's ill. I admit I'm a big baby when I'm sick. Shut up. ;P<br />
<br />
On top of it all, I need to have dental surgery soon, as I have a broken and impacted wisdom tooth. It's not hurting, and I am fresh out of leave on the books, so it has to wait- the new company doesn't have a policy in place to let you go arrears on leave, and I'll only be out 3 days so it's not even long enough for STD to kick in. I'd had everything in place to have it done 31JAN, take that Wed-Fri off and have a weekend buffer in place, but that's not going to fly now. Next holiday weekend when I'll have sufficient leave is Memorial Day. I had planned to have The Big Snip that weekend, but it'll have to wait. I'm understandably not too upset about that. (Ladies, if you're wondering what The Big Snip is, read that sentence out to your 40-something male friends, and watch them cringe. Got it?)<br />
<br />
Hopefully Fate's had her fun here, and I can get back to feeling well soon. Does the inverse work?<br />
<br />
"Wow, it's been a long time since I felt great!"JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-72213895929910468512012-01-06T00:48:00.003-05:002012-01-06T00:48:58.365-05:00Getting my home cookin on...So due to having the flu, I wasn't able to participate in a noble Southern Tradition-<br />
<br />
Hoppin' John, collard greens, and barbeque for New Years' Day.<br />
<br />
It's been entirely too long since I used the barbeque for anything more than a fire pit, let alone used black iron to cook more than a grilled cheese sandwich, and now I'm feeling better I think I will split my time outside this weekend with going through the truck project and cooking up some good food. <br />
<br />
I made two loaves of Irish soda bread a couple days ago (while I was still sick, even- promises to keep to my kid!)- one white, one wheat. Both are excellent, and were super easy. I really need to bake more often, I haven't even got the cast pans I was given by a dear friend last year properly broken in yet... :/<br />
<br />
I am thinking the menu this weekend will consist of hoppin' John, greens (though I may wimp out and do frozen), and maybe a couple steaks for the wife and I. At the very least I am looking for some reason to cook over campfire- the hoppin john can be done in a dutch oven, and the steaks will cook nicely on my lodge Sportsman's grill, as I need to get some more oil into the exterior of it since I left it out a few months back.<br />
<br />
Pics will follow...<br />
<br />JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-53096727616589293912012-01-05T23:09:00.001-05:002012-01-06T00:08:39.970-05:00Regarding recent legislation...I'm referring to the bill that was signed by Barack Obama over the last weekend, the <a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:S.1867:" target="_blank">National Defense Authorization Act of 2012.</a> <br />
<br />
Among other things, it gives the Military carte blanche to detain American citizens on American soil, without charging them, trying them, etc. The mind just boggles at the "unintended" consequences...<br />
<br />
.. but, in an accompanying Signing Statement, Barry <a href="http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/2012/01/04/promises-promises-president-obamas-ndaa-signing-statement/" target="_blank">"promises not to use it"</a>. After all, "if one Muslim is taken off the street in the dead of night, none of us are free" (if you can find the quote from Obama's speech a few years back I am paraphrasing here, please provide link in comments!). Perhaps the same thing doesn't apply if you're <a href="http://mrssatan.blogspot.com/2009/04/obama-dhs-deems-veterans-as-terrorists.html" target="_blank">white, Veteran, believe in the Constitution, the Bible,</a> and such silly little things?<br />
<br />
Pardon this- but WHAT. THE. FUCK, OVER? If Bush had done this (yes, I realize Extraordinary Rendition has been done to non-US citizens, on foreign territory, when they're captured in a war zone. NOT near the same, ok?) the lefties would have had a joygasm with the gnashing of teeth and so on. <br />
<br />
ACLU: Stand-the-fuck-TO! If ever you people wanted to stand up and be counted as defending Civil Liberties (yaknow, since it's in the damned name of your organization and all), the time is now. Of course, I doubt you will- you haven't served as more than a shit-stirrer for the left for quite some time now... and Barack's one of yours, right? (EDIT: ok, I found this, and it seems the ACLU's <a href="http://www.drudge.com/news/151949/aclu-blasts-obama-signing-ndaa" target="_blank">found some scrot after all</a>..)<br />
<br />
And to top it all off- go google for "H.R 3166". Here's a hint: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzpr7bL1Iw4" target="_blank">Congresscritter Dent comments on the act he introduced.</a><br />
<br />
(pardon the language and vehemence, folks- I'm just really sick of what the present "leadership" is doing to our country. I wasn't a huge fan of the previous few leaders either- but I am really starting to wonder if the present administration just simply has it in for us)<br />
<br />
The American Mercenary recently pondered a simple question: <a href="http://randomthoughtsandguns.blogspot.com/2011/12/wouldnt-it-be-nice-if-there-were-one.html" target="_blank">Wouldn't it be nice if there were one set of rules that applied equally?</a><br />
<br />
I copy his post here, with full admission it is not my work- I just can't improve on it, and it would be a shame to see it disappear from the web:<br />
<br />
<h2 class="date-header">
28 December 2011</h2>
<br />
<div class="date-posts">
<div class="post-outer">
<div class="post hentry">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="981570818820733354"></a>
<br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title">
Wouldn't it be nice if there were one set of
rules that applied equally? </h3>
<div class="post-header">
<div class="post-header-line-1">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-981570818820733354">
Senator
Bacon felt the hood coming off of his head, and a single bare lightbulb, not CFL
he noted airily, swung overhead.<br />
<br />
The idea that a sitting US Senator would
be kidnapped by terrorists was something that they all had to prepare for, but
Senator Bacon wasn't prepared for the reality, his bodyguards going down with
the muffled flashes of sub-machine guns, the black masked bad guys kicking him
down and flex cuffing his hands behind his back. The hood over his head was the
part where he knew that it had to be terrorists.<br />
<br />
"Do you know who I am?"
Senator Bacon demanded, sensing a presence behind him.<br />
<br />
"Yes, we do." A
cold voice said. A folder slapped down on the table in front of the Senator and
pages of correspondence and photos of meetings with Saudi princes came out.
"You are a terrorism supporter. There is no use denying it."<br />
<br />
But Senator
Bacon couldn't NOT deny it, his meetings with a Prince of the house of Saud was
purely business! "I met with Prince Saud as part of official business! I was
part of the envoy to Saudi Arabia for the last energy deal!" The Senator's
voice held plenty of righteous indignation. "What are you? Some sort of fringe
homeland group? Let me go now and I won't press charges."<br />
<br />
There was
nothing but laughter from multiple voices now.<br />
<br />
"So you admit to having
correspondence with a known terrorism support, you admit that the correspondence
in front of you is actually yours?" The voice held a hint of bitter
humor.<br />
<br />
"Of course it is, I was doing my job! Let me go and I promise you
immunity." Senator Bacon began to feel that something wasn't right. The desk
in front of him was a simple field desk painted olive drab. The bare light
above him was powered by a faint generator noise he heard in the distance. The
room he was in wasn't a room at all, but a field tent. The sound of helicopters
in the distance told him he was close to an airport.<br />
<br />
"We can't do that
Senator, you've made yourself an enemy of the state and will be held without
counsel until we decide what to do with you." The voice was calm.<br />
<br />
"Screw
You, I AM the state!" Senator Bacon yelled, angry beyond reason. "Nothing gets
done in this town without my hand in it, NOTHING!"<br />
<br />
"No one is above the
law" The voice replied. Silence followed. Minutes ticked by.<br />
<br />
"What do
you want?" Senator Bacon realized that bargaining and anger didn't affect his
captors.<br />
<br />
"Simply to do the job that you gave us to do." The voice
said.<br />
<br />
"What job did I give you to do?" The Senator asked, bewildered.
He may have known the Prince wasn't entirely a savory character, but that is
just the cost of doing business in the Middle East right? The Senator couldn't
recall hiring the services of a terrorist cell or mercenary group to do
anything....<br />
<br />
Footsteps came slowly around until a man in uniform, three
stars on his chest came into the light of the single bulb.<br />
<br />
"We are to
detain all who are suspected of terrorism and supporting terrorism." The
Lieutenant General smiled a weary smile. "And you have already admitted to
supporting terrorism. Unfortunately I cannot let you have a phone call or
access to a lawyer since it would tip of your terrorist buddies. The good news
is that this is all perfectly legal. You made it so."<br />
<br />
"I demand to see
an attorney." Senator Bacon felt dead calm.<br />
<br />
"That is impossible Mr.
Bacon." The 3 Star replied. "You will be held until we feel we have a case
strong enough to go to trial."<br />
<br />
"But that could take YEARS!" the Senator
wailed.<br />
<br />
"It took us years to get Jose Padilla, but we got
him." <br />
<br />
"But I'm up for re-election in 18 months!" The senator couldn't
imagine what was happening to him. The law was supposed to PROTECT people from
bad guys who wanted to blow them up, not a crooked politician who threw some
business to a Saudi Prince who had arranged for several boys to entertain him on
his last trip to Riyad...<br />
<br />
"You are a terrorist supporter, not a sitting
US Senator." The 3 Star walked back into the shadows behind the former Senator
Bacon. <br />
<br />
"Stop Tape" The 3 Star said. "Seriously Ben, what the heck did
you think would happen when you turned the military into your personal attack
dogs? I told you it was a bad idea two years ago. I'll let Melinda and the
kids know you are all right but will be incommunicado for a while. It is the
best I can do. Start Tape"<br />
<br />
The 3 Star walked out. Ben Bacon knew where
he was now, in a field outside Fort Lee, in an impromptu detainee camp where
thousands of others had already been processed. Taken into custody and whisked
away to Gitmo or some foreign country for interrogation. Ben Bacon knew for the
first time in his life true powerlessness.<br />
<br />
The truth of the matter
stunned Senator Bacon into silence. The light went out, and Senator Bacon was
thankful for the darkness so he could weep unobserved. Unobserved save for the
IR camera recording his every tear. </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-13590212056691345222012-01-03T15:27:00.002-05:002012-01-03T17:22:46.597-05:00Drilling leaf springs, made easyWelcome to 2012, folks.<br />
<br />
Those of you counting down to "ZOMG!! TEH END OF TEH YEAR ON DECEMBER 21, 2012" Should go right ahead and leave.
Now. Quietly... or there will be no apologies. ;)
<br />
<br />
I hope all are doing well after the holiday season. I, for one, feel MUCH better, having it aft of us. I HATE that time of the year, not for philosophical reasons, more for familial stressors and the overarching fact that just about everyone has forgotten the meaning of the season- and no, I'm not referring to strictly the Christian mythos, either... most belief systems have a common goal for the November/December timeframe... but I'm off-mission, there... ;)
<br />
<br />
So I am STILL working on this darn truck. It pains me to admit I am looking at about 7 months since I've driven it. Long story short, the axle ripped out about June, I wasted a month and a half while a buddy was insisting he'd "get it out in a day or two" while adapting one of my Dana 44 solid axles to replace the back Corporate 10 bolt, I finally said hell with it and decided to just dive in and do the solid axle swap (ie: cut off the factory IFS (Independent Front Suspension)) and convert the whole damn thing to oldschool solid axles out of a Wagoneer) myself. <br />
<br />
"Couldn't take more than a month or two, longest".
Pfft.
Well, yeah- if I'd had bank to back up the goal, no job, more tools, etc, etc...
I am wrapping up the project now, though. <br />
<br />
One of the things I found after mounting the springs as far forward as I could without fabricating a frame extension, was that I needed to still move the axle 2" forward to clear the back
of the fenderwell- I couldn't cut the fenderwell because on this truck the back of the fenderwell is actually the firewall, and if I didn't move the axle forward I'd actually have shortened the overall wheelbase- not something you want to do on this truck, given my goals.
<br />
<br />
The easy solution would be to completely rework the entire front so I could use different springs off of a YJ (about $400 for springs, plus all my wasted time, etc). No.
<br />
<br />
Or, I could order some custom springs with the spring pin moved 2" forward. I checked into that and it's about $400 or so, and would bolt in... but might provide it's own problems by way of addressing lift discrepancies front/rear.
<br />
<br />
Or, I could just drill a hole 2" forward on the springs I have built. Gee, how hard could that be, after all I own a drill press... Go google "drilling leaf springs" and you'll find the following "advice" (all of which proves to take anything you see on the Internet with a VERY big grain of salt...)
<br />
<br />
-don't EVER drill springs, if you do the stress risers induced in the metal will make the springs fail in short order, and you'll die when the axle comes out from under the truck
<br />
>(I should note, I actually saw a highly-degreed fellow (at least, he claimed to be) espousing this approach. Now, I respect the man's education and qualifications- but I feel the need to wax Heinleinian here: "Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it. - Robert Heinlein. Yes, I am a bit partial to just about anything Heinlein said or did, as I basically consider myself a Heinleinian Libertartian, but that is Another Discussion Entirely(tm).. and requires alcohol, steak, and a fine cigar). I should note I've actually seen this attitude invoked by people whose rigs look like company advertisements for Rusty's Offroad Products, and anyone who's had a chance to inspect the aftermath of when those products fail should realize that's a pretty big freaking joke. I had a friend (mumbles something about "Absent Companions") whose XJ's lower control arm actually broke at the weld- while backing out of the driveway. Anyway- enough said about that at the moment...
<br />
<br />
-heat the spring with a oxy-acetylene torch to detemper it, drill the hole in the now unhardened steel, and retemper it. Use your barbeque and a 5 gallon bucket of water to do this.
<br />
>Gods, where to begin! First off- your barbeque grill is NOT going to get the steel hot enough to properly detemper/retemper the steel, even if you can get the damn spring to fit into it (how many of you have a 5' long barbeque, hmm?). Likewise, that 5 gallon bucket of water isn't going to quench the red-hot steel, either- quenching steel requires IMMERSING it in a liquid, entirely, and usually oil to boot so you get some carbon transfer from said oil. Thirdly, tempering/detempering steel properly is a rather exacting operation involving heating the steel to a specific temperature and doing so in a uniform matter. While yes, it is done in primitive conditions (notably by Nepalese blacksmiths- see the Gurkhas and their distinctive khukuri blades), those folks aren't depending on the product to maintain safe operation while several tons of force are regularly conspiring against the integrity of said product.
<br />
<br />
-cut the hole with a plasma cutter
<br />
>yes, because everyone owns a plas. Nevermind that the plasma operation doesn't transfer *as much* heat into the spring, it is still transferring LOADS of heat into a spot on the spring- to the tune of several thousand degrees.... it's *plasma*, folks. Not real wise.
<br />
<br />
-cut the hole with a oxy torch
<br />
>I'm suddenly glad I have no hair, as it would really suck to be ripping it out right now.
<br />
<br />
-can't be done, don't even try, you'll induce stress risers into the spring and it will fail
<br />
>Yes, if you cut the hole with the wrong sort of bit, with no lube, and "just go at it" on high-speed. NEVER cut steel on a high speed, particularly tempered steel. First off, you'll just harden the steel as you're trying to cut it- you're working against yourself.
<br />
<br />
-use a carbide/titanium/unobtainium bit. Replace often.. even if you can resharpen the bits yourself.
>expensive, and seems a rather "hack" method of operating. Anytime you're using a tool for its intended purpose and then throwing it away immediately, you're probably doing it wrong.
<br />
<br />
-use a hammer and a punch, do it with the spring at room temperature<br />
>:crickets: Really? Look, if you've done this, I will NEVER give you any trouble, lest you smite me mightily...<br />
<br />
-use a step-drill in a drillpress, and it's no problem.
<br />
>this sounded like utter bunk to me- my experience with uni-bits (step drills) always seemed to end up regarding them as the adjustable wrench of the drill world. It'll work, kinda, but will cause more damage than it's worth, because it's not the proper tool... plus they're expensive. I did grab a pack of 3 a few months back at Harbor Freight for $10, as a gamble.
<br />
<br />
Please note, I say it "sounded" like BS. As in, past tense...
<br />
<br />
Since I am trying to keep this build as inexpensive (read: "Best bang for the buck") as possible, I elected to drill the spring. Read on...
<br />
<br />
I've been sick with a low-grade stomach flu since Thursday, so the past weekend has sucked to say the least... even so, I managed to pull the spring on Thursday after work and attempt to drill the hole 2" forward of stock. I used a 1/8" drillbit, and even with it being a high-grade TiNitride bit, still had to sharpen it 4 times. I stepped up a couple sizes- and about 1/4 of the way through the pack (of 7 leaves, so not even getting 2 leaves) I hit the wall. I'd been using plenty of oil, moderate pressure, and still it work hardened and I could go no further. I tried for two hours, numerous bits, all freshly sharpened with my Drill Doctor (BUY one, now, if you haven't!) and it was an act of desperation.
I tried the step-drill thing yesterday- disassembled the pack, got one of those cheapo step drills, expecting to frag it immediately... setup the drillpress (again, Harbor Freight*, and the second-best $50 item in my shop) shrugged, and spun the feed wheel around- and the damn bit sunk through the steel like it wasn't even there. I am EXTREMELY impressed.
<br />
<br />
So, long story short- need to drill holes in a leaf spring? Use a good step drill, a drill press set to slowest speed (sub 700RPM), lots of oil. Cut each spring individually. Easy.
<br />
<br />
*BTW- yes, I know they're cheap tools, made in China, and no I'm not real happy about it. But when I can spend $50 on a chopsaw that will cost easily 4 times the price if it's "made in the USA" (and that's likely a lie- it's likely made in... China) and it lasts me 9 years of just beating the hell out of it while building several jeeps and projects, and then only needs a new set of brushes, I don't mind saying I got my money's worth. Conversely- I bought American- a Hobart
(aka Miller) plasma cutter (AC250i, I think it was?) for $800, using it occasionally, and the damn thing flat-out DIED after less than 2 hours' runtime... to the tune of needing a new $670 mainboard which the company would not honor warranty on, and told me "you can't let them sit, they have to be used often to maintain them (unbelievable levels of bullshit, that- and yes I am qualified to judge)... well hell, no "Made in America" for me, thanks. I have a jeeping buddy who uses a cheap Chinese plasma cutter (I want to say the Cut250?) in his shop all the time and it's not given him any problems- and cost less than half of what I wasted. Well, he's using that tool to put food on the table and it's not even hiccupped. I bought mine as a hobby/very occasional use tool, and I now have a $800 paperweight. How smart was "buying American", again?JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-86043838612437807812012-01-03T13:10:00.000-05:002012-01-03T13:10:18.212-05:00Happy New Year, 4X4 EditionWelcome to 2012, folks. Those of you counting down to "ZOMG!! TEH END OF TEH YEAR ON MAY 21, 2012" Should go right ahead and leave. Now. Quietly... or there will be no apologies. ;)
... I just spent a half hour composing a post, only to have google's "autosave" feature delete the bulk of it. NOT happy. Looks like I'll be composing offline going forward, so as to avoid this issue.
I will re-type and post later, the post regarding travails encounterd when trying to move the front axle 2" forward on The Beast so I can get it back on the road.
Blogger/Google- get stuffed. Dry.JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-31805251512844215842011-12-18T19:49:00.000-05:002011-12-18T19:49:12.047-05:00It's amazing how people change...(this was stuck in my "Draft" folder for months owing to the previous issues I had with Blogger.... I'll post it now)
I've had this on my mind for a while now... it won't be long, but perhaps too boring and offputting to post here. No matter, it's my "house"... but I will keep it brief, thanks in large part to a screwy "f" key...<br /><br />About 2 years ago, when I started this blog, I said that among other things, I support the right of a woman to choose, meaning I supported an individual woman's right to abort her unwanted or imperfect fetus.<br /><br />I do still support a woman's right to choice - however, there's more to it than I thought...<br /><br />...shortly after I began this blog I started looking into various and sundry other interests, which I'll not go into in depth. Let's just say, I am VERY eclectic. Getting down the rabbithole on a wikipedia and google search session on some topic or other, I came across a turn o phrase which I think can be parlayed into the above - "safe, sane, and consentual". Something "clicked" and I've been mulling over the repurcussions of those words for quite some time now, in varying applications.<br /><br />Abortion? SSC check:<br />-Safe? Well, at the very basis of it all, someone's dieing during it, so that's a fail...<br />-Sane? Again- while you're not mowing down toddlers, you ARE killing a creature. Some make the distinction that it's not sentient, not truly homo sapiens sapiens... so, my sleep-addled brain comes back with "so then, it's ok to mow down a random animal that will never be sentient? No? Fail..."<br />-Consentual? See above, re: sentience. This is required for informed consent. Just as you can't ask a prairie dog to give an inormed opinion on anything (animal brains versus human brains notwithstanding), you can't get informed consent from a fetus... honestly I am too tired to go too deeply into this part now- but since we've already failed the other two, I'm thinking that's worthy of a full sop on the abortion thing. <br /><br />So yeah- I've changed my mind. Pro-lifers, though we share a drastically different view o the world in many ways (church among them, though I have a respect for several churches and in fact have even been reading scripture)... gonna have to say I am on the pro-life side of this, with some select reservations I am still mulling over. More on that at some point in the future, in case I haven't run you all off. For now, I need sleep, and this keyboard sucks.<br /><br />I will add that, though I still identiy as pagan(ish), I have no love for liberals, gun-grabbers (hey, used to be in their camp, too!), the scent of patchouli, unwashed/shaved hippie women, or Ron Paul.<br /><br />That is all. Presently....JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-19360653262191407372011-12-18T19:46:00.001-05:002011-12-18T19:46:43.006-05:00Problems posting? Try thisAs a note, folks:
(let me put on my IT Help Desk guy hat)
If you've been having trouble posting to Blogger as I have, try updating to the new interface- it's down in the lower right corner, probably flashing irritatingly at you.
I did, problems are gone. So now I have no excuse not to spout more dribble into the Ether... because if it's one thing the Internet needs, it's another opininionated asshole.
Hey, my place, my rules, right? ;)JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-10897753230644627382011-12-18T18:56:00.004-05:002011-12-18T19:44:15.337-05:00S-10 Solid axle conversion finally near completion!Well, the "couple weeks" I thought this project would take, turned into half a year owing to several things- money, studying, weather, and so on...<br /><br />But I am glad to finally note that as of yesterday I finalized configuration of the crossmembers, testfitted everything, and am ready to finalize the fitment by way of MIG welding it all together. <br /><br />Long story short- the crossmember that was sold to me years ago was not the correct one I ended up needing- *my* fault on that one, as I changed plans in the intervening years. The crossmember was built for use of YJ springs and Dana 30 - and I ended up going with doubled S10 springs and a Wagoneer (fullsize Jeep, circa 82) Dana 44. So my spring perches ended up moving out about 1"- just enough to bugger the works.<br /><br />Of course I forgot this when Iw as planning the final build so it ended up putting me behind by a month, as I had to find time to source the materials, while making very little money on my 6-month "audition" at the new facility, and time to actually measure, cut, weld, etc- during which time my chop saw died (another $100 to replace), and nevermind that my plasma cutter died after only 2 hours' total runtime.. and just out of warranty. I will NOT buy anything made by Hobart, ever again, for the record...<br /><br />.. and let's not even start about the "daylight savings" thing I forgot to take into account. I'd been making great progress when I could come home from work and still have 4 hours' daylight... now it's dark when I go to work and dark when I get home. Not so fun, that.<br /><br />I'd intended to do the finish welding today- did the trial fitment yesterday, which required no small amount of hammering, grinding, levering the piece back out from between the framerails, pressing it back up, lather, rinse, repeat. Sure, it only weighs about 30 pounds- but when you're laying downhill on a 15 degree grade, head down with a pounding headache, and you've been holding the damn thing while trying to adjust it and yet keep it from slamming into your face- yeah, gets a bit tiring! To say nothing of trying to keep a snug fit for a good weldment, and to facilitate NOT having to hold it in place while you snug the spring hanger beneath it. Iritating, much? But it's done. All bolted together, truck doesn't have a jackstand under it now for the first time in 6 months. I was a tad concerned when I noted the rear end was still 3" higher than the front- something I'd have been ok with on a longbed truck, but this is a mid-length SUV- but then I remembered long ago I put in a set of those el-cheapo 8" long lift shackles, and I recently acquired a couple pair of stock shackles when I bought the springs for the front. Swapped those out (my 60" hilift was JUST long enough to get enough tension off the hanger bolts, almost)and now there's about a 1/2" difference in favor of the front. I won't worry about it just yet- there's going to be a bumper and winch mounted up front, as well as a 50 pound hilift jack- so I may well find that I'm a quarter inch low when all is said and done- I'd be fine with that. I still have a set of main leafs from the second pack I worked in, with the eyes cut off- they should do nicely as an add-a-leaf lift if need be. <br />Anyway- I'd intended to finish weld this all today- but apparently my tendency to operate on 4 hours' sleep a night decided to catch up with me this weekend. I slept from 1930 Friday to 0800 Saturday, and much the same last night and part of today- and am feeling a bit "off" - probably fighting off the cold bug my wife and son brought home. Yay.<br /><br /><br />Things remaining to do:<br />-bolt up the rear shocks, brake hose, breather hose. This has been staring me in the face for 5 months, I've been lazy about it, saying again and again I was going to address it this weekend. Luckily I never did- it would have been wasted effort now that the read end is 3" lower. I may yet have to relocate the parking brake lines and the brake hose- I'll determine that once I take it to a loading dock that's abandoned around the corner and measure for shocks and bumpstops<br /><br />-drop front springs one last time, drill a hole 2" forward of the present spring pin hole to move the axle 2" forward- it's not drivable now primarily due to interference with the back of the wheelwell (which is actually the floorboard of the passenger compartment, else I'd cut and flare).<br /><br />-relocate brake hardline-to-softline demarc point, welding a piece of angle to the frame as the new point aft of the shock. Use stock (new replacement) brake hoses, backwards- left on right, etc- to get to the wheel calipers.<br /><br />-install hydroboost brake system, power steering pulley and filter, purge and flush. I've retrofitted a 97 Astro power steering/braking system, complete. Hydroboost brakes, more pressure and flow, everything in one fell swoop. This was to address an anticipated issue- the Dana 44 brakes are easily 75% larger volume at the wheel cylinders- my stock bits wouldn't have worked well at all. Also, I intend to go diesel in the near future, so vacuum boosting would have been problematic. <br /><br />-measure for, fabricate and install shocks and bumpstops up front. On my old XJ, I never got around to fabbing proper bumpstops, partially due to the unibody construction. Poor excuse! This beat the hell out of my suspension, and I was noticing last time I looked at that truck it needs a serious going through. I want to particularly take note of a way to make a combination bumpstop mount and trackbar mount for the driver's side. My present plan is to use poly bumpstops from Daystar, but I've been told to check out stock Chevy fullsize bumps, too. I'll have to look into it. I'd appreciate paying $8 per bump instead of $30 (guessing at prices, but Daystar is PROUD of their stuff. I may even buy a stock Chevy bump, pull a plaster mold, and get some two-part poly and make my own. Could be a cottage industry!<br /><br />-mount draglink to steering box. I may be swapping in an Astro steering box due to the forward location of the axle. This will require cutting out the factory crossmember in the front of the frame, relocating the passenger side brake hardline, and installation of a new front frame crossmember- which I've already done. Remember the 30 pound crossmember between the framerails I was complaining about- I learned to plan ahead. :) Actually it was partly concern for my welds- I'm not yet ready to weld up a Space Shuttle pressure vessel (luckily, this ain't one ;P ) so in order to not have to wory about the front end, ever, I decided to overbuild it. Thus the front frame crossmember atop the spring hanger crossmember. Frame member welded to the frame, spring hanger welded to both of those- equals no worries! A couple of Adel clamps, careful bending of the factory hardline and securing to the new crossmember and I ought to be ok. As well, the new crossmember provides a handy location for the engine bypass filter, and the power steering filter. Thinking ahead!<br /><br />-general grinding and painting. I need to cut off the passenger side suspension mounts for the old suspension, grind the driver's side down flush instead of just "good enough", wirebrush the front axle and the frame wherever I've disturbed the factory coating, and hit it all with rustoleum Hammered finish. Once the entire build is done, I'm going to herculine everything from the beltline to the frame. The entire point of this build was to build a truck I can drive for quite some time to come, with off-the-shelf parts. To that end- corrosion protection is a concern. I'll be bedlining a lot of the steel underneath the truck, and applying Kroil or comparable protection to anything I can't reach (like the interior of the framerails). <br /><br />-related, but not crucial: fabricate rock rails, modify the front bumper mounting points- by way of cutting them off, plating the framerails closed, and putting angle-iron mounts "wherever the hell I need 'em" for whatever bumper I source- I'm looking at a TJM bullbar from Australia that a friend pulled off an old Land Rover Defender 90. It's about a $1000 bar- he paid $80. Gonna show up with $200 cash and 3 gallons of homebrew and see what we can come up with. ;)<br /><br />I'm sure there's other things, but I can't think of them at present. One thing that will need to be done is to figure out where in the heck I can keep all my tools. Apparently they once went in my garage, but at present they're all crammed in the project truck wherever they'll fit!<br /><br />One thing that was nice to find out, and that got me fueled back up for the project- when I removed the cheapo lift shackles, replaced them with the stock bits- the truck was 3" shorter in the rear- which meant the tailgate and rear end no longer required a jump to get in (I am NOT short... ok, not THAT short...) and my truck wasn't getting "stupid big". As it sits now, I question whether the average person observing my truck will even realize it's highly modified. Also, I am 1.5" within the bumper height laws of my state now, instead of the other side of them- so no worries from Johnny Law. I respect them, but given recent events I find that I don't TRUST them... another discussion, for another venue. Suffice to say I haven't had problems, but I know a few law-abiding citizens who have.JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-52119393082060331812011-12-08T21:22:00.004-05:002011-12-08T21:59:58.838-05:00Bypass filtration of automotive lubricantsThose of you who know me, know that every now and again something shiny catches my attention, I target-fixate, become an expert on the subject, and then move to something else.<br /><br />A couple years ago I targeted on lube filtration with an eye toward extended drain intervals- we're talking 30,000 miles or more without draining the oil...<br /><br />Yes, I know- "everyone knows that you have to change the oil when it wears out every 3000 miles"...<br /><br />.. uh, no. <br /><br />Oil does not wear out. It gets full of trash and the additive package wears out/gets consumed. This is why we drain the oil- to remove the trash and replenish the additives....<br /><br />What if we had a way to get almost every bit of trash out of the oil, could increase crankcase capacity and thus the amount of additives, and could remove just enough oil when we removed the trash from the system to allow us to add about a quart, replenishing the additive package? <br /><br />Well- The Military, heavy industry, and savy motorists have been doing precisely this for years. There are different mechanisms- everything from using rolls of toilet paper in a canister (NOT kidding!) to using very large canisters using 3 rolls of paper towels, to very expensive "boutique" systems that resemble the normal (aka "full flow") filter already on your car.<br /><br />I wanted something inexpensive to try out, both in the sense of the initial outlay and the price of filters. Amsoil has a system- but it's $270 or so, plus $40 for the filter. Uh, no...<br /><br />I ended up using a couple pieces from my local Grainger industrial supply house. Cost me about $70, all up- $15 of that was for shipping. You need a Baldwin B50 filter and the matching mount- it's referenced in the catalog, think it's OB1305 (edit: yes, it is). Combine this with properly-rated hose (I used 3/8" ID transmission hose because I had it, but 1/4" will be fine- this isn't a high volume affair- in fact it's more like a drip coffeemaker). Fittings on the mount are 1/8MNPT, and I elected to use 3/8" right-angle hosebarb to attach everything because once this is assembled there shouldn't be cause for disassembly.<br /><br />I used a 1/8NPT Street-tee to attach the pressure side to the oil pressure sender on my 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 motor. This moved the pressure sender about 2" from the block- this is fine- and I used another 1/8MNPT to 3/8 hosebarb 90 to lay in the pressure side to the filter block. The block was mounted under the vehicle as the vehicle is rarely offroaded, is lifted, and there is a dearth of underhood space. I plan on putting a Clayton longarm kit under the Jeep in the next year or so, and that comes with a hefty skidplate, so I'm not going to concern myself with the location too much.<br /><br />Running back from the discharge side of the filter (you MUST pay attention when plumbing this- filters are designed to flow one way and only one way!) I used another 90-degree 1/8MNPT to 3/8 barb fitting into more 3/8" hose. To get the discharge of the bypass filter back into the engine, I purchased a swivel return fitting from Amsoil ($10, PN forthcoming), and drilled the rivet out of the stock oil filler cap. Note that this destroys the cap... but yet it doesn't. The cap will fall into three pieces and if you're doing this at 2100 on a school night you immediately start calculating which auto parts store has the part and will be open at 0630. Stop. Think. The return fitting passes through the hole you drilled and will take the place of the rivet, holding things together. No wuckin' furries, mate!<br /><br />You DID make sure there wouldn't be any interference with the valvetrain or breather chennels in the valce cover, right?<br /><br />I had to chet to attach the hose to the swivel fitting- I needed another 90 degree 1/8MNPT to 3/8 hosebarb but apparently there wasn't another one in town till next week. I found one similar, but with a 5/16" barb- bought it, I'll just clamp down a bit. I want to use a JIC fitting at the top of the engine anyway as it's the one piece that MAY need disassembly at some point, will fix that later. <br /><br />This system goes in parallel with your fullflow filter- and doesn't flow much pressure or volume at all- about 5psi and less than a quart a minute- so it won't rob your engine oil pressure. What it will do is scrub your oil of 98% of the crap that's floating about in it. My install added nearly 3 quarts of oil to the sump capacity- that only started as 6.1 quarts. I have added 50% capacity to my engine, without risking pressure effects from the level being too high. This increases oil thermal stability, cleaning effect, cooling, you name it.<br /><br />My oil started out black- I'm going to keep an eye on it as things go by nd if I can find sample jars, I'll pull samples at 500 miles, 1000, 2000, and 3000- normal duration for an oil change- and I'll be sending off a used oil analysis kit to Blackstone labs as well- if you're going to extend drain intevals you must know what is going inside the engine- this is where analysis comes into play.<br /><br />Another trick I did is to put small 8mmX1mm neodymium magnets I bought off ebay ($15 shipped for 100 of them) on the feed side of the filter so that anything magnetic that passes through my engine will be right there looking at me when I change the filter so I'll know something not cool is up. Sounds strange? You mechanical sorts that have been inside a transmission, transfer case, or oil pan know that this is a VERY common thing to do- in fact my NP231C and 700R4 transfer case and transmission both had them from the factory!<br /><br />Next trick will be to add a fullflow spin-on filter to the transmission cooling circuit return line, along with a bypass filter there.... and a fullflow filter to my power steering system (which is now doing duty as my power steering and power braking system as I've retrofitted hydroboost from an Astro)- and a bypass filter to my coolant system... All for less than the price of one bypass filter from the "Big A"...<br /><br />On that subject, I should note that I am using Amsoil XL series 15W30. It's full synth and actually CHEAPER than Mobil1. I was going to use Mobil1 but at $9/qt versus the $6.60/qt I paid for the Amsoil product- think I'm good to go...JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-38907846960463815932011-12-08T21:21:00.003-05:002011-12-08T21:22:34.178-05:00This is a test...... had this been an actual post, there would have been something slightly less boring....<br /><br />12345....<br /><br />....54321.<br /><br />OpSat?<br /><br />Test complete...JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-64968145252093690312011-11-14T13:52:00.001-05:002011-11-14T13:52:20.110-05:00WTF, blogger??<div><p>I've actually been posting but apparently there's a bug of some sort making my posts go to 'drafts' instead of live. Not sure what's up, or even if this will work... stay tuned...</p>
</div>JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-28537289413952285012011-08-28T22:49:00.000-04:002011-11-14T13:50:25.395-05:00(some of) What I've been up to....<div><p>So the 10-bolt in the back of my 89 Blazer crapped out back in June. I have had axles and just about everything for my SAS swap laying out in my back yard for about 10 years. Perfect time to get after it! Get the junk out of the back yard, give the wife less to *%$@#* about (though I gotta admit she was right to do so), get my truck safe and the way I want it. Win/win/win/win!~!</p>
<p>I've got the rear axle rebuilt and mounted under the truck, springover, just have to figure out a way to drop the rear brake softline so I don't have to buy an expensive drop line (and to keep as much stock as possible when time comes to work on it), and likewise with the parking brake cables.</p>
<p>Have another set of the rear springs to use up front- I may end up going to Dakotas as folks that have done this before me say the stock rears are too soft for the front, but I have these on hand. </p>
<p>Likewise a drop pitman from an XJ (Jeep Cherokee, FYI) if I need it. May well end up going to the XJ steering box if I have steering concerns. I'll also change out the steering rag joint to a YJ steering shaft to get rid of the stupid slop in the steering- the truck is downright DANGEROUS now, it wanders so (now being, before I started this- the suspension is, near as I can tell, untouched over the last 22 years). As I've found on the S-10 forums, even with brand new (stock) components, the steering is VERY sloppy. I aim to fix that.</p>
<p>I have 33" Cooper STs on the rear now- and the truck is honestly a tad taller than I want it. This will be my daily driver, mind. My short ass (5'6") may need a stirrup to mount up. Hey, that's funny right there... all the more reason to do it!</p>
<p>Today.. well, Not as much as I'd like to have achieved this weekend- but we are well and truly NOT going back to stock. Yes, I am kinda afraid, here.. </p>
<p>Removed all the "small stuff" on driver's side. Shock, brakeline, upper a-arm bolts, and then got waylaid on the wife's jeep (brakelight kept coming on- broken adjuster in LR drum brake at fault), and changing the spare tire mount on the rear bumper on the Blaze from the stock pattern to 6X5.5 for the proper spare tire. (As an aside- Kennesaw Mountain Accessories couldn't even drill the *%$@#* mount holes 5.5" apart or whatever stock size was, properly. No, not either one of these patterns! I paid WAY too much for that bumper!)</p>
<p>on the driver's side, all I have to disconnect is the tie rod, lower control arms (2 bolts), and bolts for the swaybar (got 1 off, 2 others seized and soaking in PB Blaster now). </p>
<p>Oh yeah, got the Hilift that sat in my back yard for 7 years out in the weather behind my shed cleaned up (lubed, not painted, though the only thing showing rust is the base plate) working properly, shortened the handle, and mounted it to my rear bumper. Granted, the mount was already there, but I spent about 30 minutes working on it. </p>
<p>Not bad work for the weekend of a large Hurricane, eh? Granted, it only skirted us, but still- way it was blowing and raining Friday, I thought we'd have a problem so I spent the afternoon sterilizing and filling water cans and doing misc preps. </p>
<p>Bloody hell it was HOT today! FYI, a 16 ounce tumbler half-full of lemonade and topped off with Bud Light is damned tasty in such a situation.</p>
</div>JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-5701105492523001122011-08-28T20:58:00.004-04:002011-08-30T22:36:17.984-04:00What's taking all my time lately...<div><p>So the 10-bolt in the back of my 89 Blazer crapped out back in June. I have had axles and just about everything for my SAS swap laying out in my back yard for about 10 years. Perfect time to get after it! Get the junk out of the back yard, give the wife less to *%$@#* about (though I gotta admit she was right to do so), get my truck safe and the way I want it. Win/win/win/win!~!</p>
<p>I've got the rear axle rebuilt and mounted under the truck, springover, just have to figure out a way to drop the rear brake softline so I don't have to buy an expensive drop line (and to keep as much stock as possible when time comes to work on it), and likewise with the parking brake cables.</p>
<p>Have another set of the rear springs to use up front- I may end up going to Dakotas as folks that have done this before me say the stock rears are too soft for the front, but I have these on hand. </p>
<p>Likewise a drop pitman from an XJ (Jeep Cherokee, FYI) if I need it. May well end up going to the XJ steering box if I have steering concerns. I'll also change out the steering rag joint to a YJ steering shaft to get rid of the stupid slop in the steering- the truck is downright DANGEROUS now, it wanders so (now being, before I started this- the suspension is, near as I can tell, untouched over the last 22 years). As I've found on the S-10 forums, even with brand new (stock) components, the steering is VERY sloppy. I aim to fix that.</p>
<p>I have 33" Cooper STs on the rear now- and the truck is honestly a tad taller than I want it. This will be my daily driver, mind. My short ass (5'6") may need a stirrup to mount up. Hey, that's funny right there... all the more reason to do it!</p>
<p>Today.. well, Not as much as I'd like to have achieved this weekend- but we are well and truly NOT going back to stock. Yes, I am kinda afraid, here.. </p>
<p>Removed all the "small stuff" on driver's side. Shock, brakeline, upper a-arm bolts, and then got waylaid on the wife's jeep (brakelight kept coming on- broken adjuster in LR drum brake at fault), and changing the spare tire mount on the rear bumper on the Blaze from the stock pattern to 6X5.5 for the proper spare tire. (As an aside- Kennesaw Mountain Accessories couldn't even drill the *%$@#* mount holes 5.5" apart or whatever stock size was, properly. No, not either one of these patterns! I paid WAY too much for that bumper!)</p>
<p>on the driver's side, all I have to disconnect is the tie rod, lower control arms (2 bolts), and bolts for the swaybar (got 1 off, 2 others seized and soaking in PB Blaster now). </p>
<p>Oh yeah, got the Hilift that sat in my back yard for 7 years out in the weather behind my shed cleaned up (lubed, not painted, though the only thing showing rust is the base plate) working properly, shortened the handle, and mounted it to my rear bumper. Granted, the mount was already there, but I spent about 30 minutes working on it. </p>
<p>Not bad work for the weekend of a large Hurricane, eh? Granted, it only skirted us, but still- way it was blowing and raining Friday, I thought we'd have a problem so I spent the afternoon sterilizing and filling water cans and doing misc preps. </p>
<p>Bloody hell it was HOT today! FYI, a 16 ounce tumbler half-full of lemonade and topped off with Bud Light is damned tasty in such a situation.</p>
</div>JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-14145089878155099602011-07-03T12:25:00.005-04:002011-07-03T21:28:49.225-04:00JRE Industries sheath reviewYes folks- I know I've been gone for a while... haven't had much to say...<br /><br />Well, boy do I now...<br /><br />I picked up a SOG Powerlock multi-tool a few months back, because I was sick of dealing with the worn-out Leatherman Super Tool I'd been carrying for 20+ years. It was so worn-in that I could literally use it as a balisong- a few flicks of the wrist and out came the blades. Unfortunately this resulted in a deep gash in the back of my dominant hand as the drop-point blade went about a quarter-inch into my paw. Yeah... that hurt a bit...<br /><br />( EDIT: Actually, the sheath I ordered was for a Victorinox Swisstool, since the nylon sheath that came with it had worn through and I was looking for a good, HD replacement. Sorry for confusion, I have too many EDC tools ;) . I bought the SOG Tool to carry while waiting for the Swisstool sheath to arrive, below. I'm gonna be lazy and leave the rest of this as originally posted, as I've been outside grilling most of the day and am feeling rather sun-baked... the Swisstool and SOG tool are the same size and both tools fit this sheath, just trying to prevent some confusion)<br /><br />So I bought the SOG tool- great tool, but the sheath that came with it SUCKED. It's a folded leather affair, loosely riveted, and way, WAY oversized for the tool it ships with. I actually dropped the tool a few times without the snap coming undone. Granted, I was climbing over/under my Jeep and a few (errr.. slightly heavier ;) ) vehicles, but this is a problem I never had with the other multi-tools I've carried over the years. Something had to be done...<br /><br />A quick Google search lead me to this gent, <a href="http://americanbushman.blogspot.com/2008/08/new-jre-swisstool-sheath.html">The American Woodsman</a>. A quick visit of the JREIndustries site, I sent an email, and after waiting a week for their reply (money's knocking and they can't be bothered to reply faster than a week?), a deal was struck. I think the all-up charge was $42, with 12 weeks leadtime. A bit long, yes- but this is pretty standard for the custom leathercraft industry, so I had no problem with it.<br /><br />I ordered the sheath on the 16th of April. The receipt of the order was acknowledged on the 17th (much faster than i expected, so a plus for them). I inquired about some custom features on the 18th, with the acknowledgement that if they'd already started, just build it as I ordered it. Received a reply on the 24th acknowledging my requests, and discussing at length some options I might have not considered. I immediately replied, nailing down what I wanted, and putting it in a list of requirements to make it clear to all parties. No reply to emails for acknowledgement of the changes made, sent on the 24th of April, 6th of May, 14th of May... on the 5th of June they responded, saying my last 2 emails had ended up in their Spam folder (odd, but I work in IT so I know strange things can happen) and I replied on the 19th (REALLY not sure what happened there- life's been nuts lately with training for a new certification so I can keep my job. Hey, I dropped the ball there, I admit it!), on the 26th of June he replied we have all the specifics of my sheath squared away and will be cutting leather on it soon. 2 days later, sheath is done and being shipped my way. Yay!!<br /><br />I received the sheath on the 2nd of July (yesterday). The following is a cut/paste from my email to them...<br /><br />***** Cut/paste of email to vendor follows *****<br /> Unfortunately, I have to say, I am *massively* disappointed....<br /><br />I asked for the following:<br /><br /><br />"Swisstool Pouch Sheath:<br />-black leather and black thread<br />-JRE logo on the outside<br />-folded-over leather belt loop - Rivet Back Up<br />-to fit a 2" ranger belt<br />-no loops, no clips<br />-snap closure"<br /><br /><br />You confirmed that. In fact, that is a direct quote from your second-to-last email, sent 05JUN11.<br /><br />Additionally, I specified:<br /><br />"Regarding the sheath- I'd called and spoken to someone weeks before you sent this. We decided to go with addition of a firesteel loop and purchase of one of your firesteels. I'll be wearing this on my offside (left hip) so would like the loop on the aft side of the sheath (looking at the sheath, on the observer's right)."<br /><br /><br />What I received was a black leather sheath with black thread. That's fine, it's what I wanted. Unfortunately, it's the ONLY requirement of my order that was met. The sheath has the cut-slot beltloop which I specifically did not want. I even expressed my concerns with other leather products built that way having ripped over time. It will probably fit a 2" gunbelt, but given that it's the cut-slot sort of arrangement it will be a huge pain to deal with.<br /><br />Further, the slots were obviously cut after the leather was dyed, as there were raw edges in the cut.<br /><br />Additionally, the metal belt clip which I didn't want, was included. That's one thing, but the way it was installed was, frankly, amateurish. The leather was cut with overlapping slices to the extent that they extend past each other- creating not a box cut but something very "hack".<br /><br />The firesteel loop I requested was installed on the *left* side of the holster, not the right.<br /><br />The JRE logo, which I specifically requested to be on the outside of the holster, is completely absent. I can't say I blame you, though- I wouldn't want to claim this work as mine, either.<br /><br />All of the leather edges are crude, exhibiting no real effort at slicking them and creating a fused edge.<br /><br />The border around the stitch line is uneven. I'm not referring to "let me get out my ruler and measure this" uneven- I'm referring to something that looks like a new leatherworker's effort.<br /><br />Given that you folks do this professionally and have a long lead time, I would expect better on all accounts. I am not a professional, I only do leatherworking for my needs and friends, but I could have done much better. The only reason I didn't was because I needed a sheath to replace the crappy one that SOG sends out with their tools, and as I've a lot going on at work (IT), I don't have the free time.<br /><br />I will be honest- this sheath is still *much* better than the one SOG sold with the tool- but if you've seen what a horrible piece of work that is (folded leather, riveted together loosely, massively oversized for the tool- I actually lost the tool out of the still-snapped sheath twice in the first few days I had it), that's not hard to accomplish. I don't feel it was worth the $40 I paid, however.<br /><br />Please understand, I'm not a "complainer" type of person.. but I do believe in being honest, and receiving fair value for my money. With this in mind, I won't be recommending your leather goods to anyone, going forward.<br />***** end cut/paste *****<br /><br />Now, don't get me wrong- I don't expect perfection, and I know that leather is a natural material and subject to imperfections. Hell, that's WHY I like leather!! However, all of my issues with this product have to do with shoddy worksmanship and inattention to detail. I went to lengths to point out what I wanted in this product, and was prepared to pay extra for it if need be. It should be noted I added the firesteel holder (and also one of their firesteels, so we made sure it fit, even though I have plenty already), and so I owe them $20 for those items. I had misgivings about ordering from them when it took so long to hear back the first time, and these were reinforced after long periods of no communication. I don't expect them to be sitting in front of their email all the time (when would they get anything done!), but I think 2 or 3 business days to reply is plenty of time. <br /><br />I'll take pics and post them later, to illustrate my problems with this product. I imagine I'll have plenty of comments about how much I shouldn't bitch about a vendor. Well, to them I say- you know what, this is *my* blog, I can back up everything I've said, and I paid good money and was more than patient. "You pays your moneys and you expects to gets what you wants", you know?<br /><br />I doubt I'll get a reply from JRE. If I do, it'll be in a few weeks, and they'll want me to ship it back to them so they can take a look and address any issues. Which means more money spent shipping the item, more time wasted without a decent sheath, and more time carrying the worn-out Leatherman. I'm just going to keep what I have here, throw it in the drawer of holsters I never use because I found something better (you 2A EDC sheepdogs know what I'm talking about), and call it a learning experience.<br /><br />It all goes back to what granddad always told me... "you want something done right, do it yourself!" Lesson learned, again.. I shouldn't have been so lazy!JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-70897949594615076842010-04-29T18:38:00.003-04:002010-04-29T18:43:51.329-04:00Musical Interlude, reduxFile under "your humble bloghost is not nearly as "vanilla" as he may at first seem...<br />Ladeezungemmun, I present, the Cruxshadows, "Winterborn":<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SVNjx4k8mWk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SVNjx4k8mWk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-49584657345740216652010-03-29T07:03:00.001-04:002010-03-29T07:05:37.460-04:00There, I fixed it...From the folks that brought you lolcats and icanhazcheeseburger:<br /><a href="http://thereifixedit.com/"><br />There, I fixed it!</a><br /><br />All manner of interesting engineering-type geekery therein...JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-18126622083649511912010-03-28T09:29:00.002-04:002010-03-28T09:41:05.819-04:00OK, so as is often the case, I am behind in my "new band" discoveries... by something like 9 years... :/<br /><br />Muse is a band from England, I am honestly having a hard time trying to pigeonhole them into a specific genre of music. Let's just say they're like a modern-day Queen.<br /><br />Yes, rockin', in other words.<br /><br />Politically, they "get it". They're libertarians. Not at all like Green Day- the no-talent asshats that constantly bite the hand that feeds them.<br /><br />This song is inspired by Orwell's 1984:<br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tLfxpolWDp8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tLfxpolWDp8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />and this one's the one I was first introduced to the band with:<br /><embed id=VideoPlayback src=http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=3716754063848408320&hl=en&fs=true style=width:400px;height:326px allowFullScreen=true allowScriptAccess=always type=application/x-shockwave-flash> </embed>JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701826464108298011.post-66910510897601942742010-03-17T23:30:00.003-04:002010-03-17T23:34:33.503-04:00Latest tomfoolery from the house...Just a real quick blurb of an update:<br /><br />-the Stout turned out GREAT. As luck had it, I was able to do the first Pour tonight, and I'm quite happy. Pics to come ;)<br /><br />-new "wierd shit" project: "container gardening". Build a container out of a pair of Sterilite containers, which seperates the water from the potting mix (irigating the plants from the bottom), making a sort of terrarium, and avoid problems with weeds, make very efficient use of resources, and reap big numbers of veggies. Starting one with tomatoes, we'll see how it goes...<br /><br />-Blackhawk has finally listened, and released a Serpa CQC for the 24/7 line of pistols. I'm VERY happy. Now if they just get OC through the state house...JAFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156862389929535444noreply@blogger.com0