2011 at the Hammond Barn

[Stuart Fedak]

Originally Posted by RHClarke

The family decided to spend Canada's 144th birthday in small town Ontario. We visited Kemptville to watch the Calnan Canada Day Convoy finish its parade. A quick stop in Kars to visit the S&P Museum was followed by a pizza dinner in North Gower. We watched an incredible fireworks display and then headed for home.

Rob,
If you have some pictures of the Calnan Canada Day Parade, how about posting some of the photos. Because we are in the parade, I never get to see how all the vehicles look. In the Kemptville portion of the parade, there were 6 Iltis. Gilles had 4 of his fleet, plus a mule. Mike's portion was about 5 vehicles and the guns........ Not sure, but that may have been the largest number of vehicles in a while. Greg W. had his Iltis out for the Merrickville section.

I look forward to the day when some of the trucks from the Hammond Barn join in the parade. The other CMP and MIL vehicles from the Ottawa region are more than welcome to come out for the Canada Day events.

Cheers!
Stuart

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by Stuart Fedak

Rob, If you have some pictures of the Calnan Canada Day Parade, how about posting some of the photos. Because we are in the parade, I never get to see how all the vehicles look. In the Kemptville portion of the parade, there were 6 Iltis. Gilles had 4 of his fleet, plus a mule. Mike's portion was about 5 vehicles and the guns........ Not sure, but that may have been the largest number of vehicles in a while. Greg W. had his Iltis out for the Merrickville section. I look forward to the day when some of the trucks from the Hammond Barn join in the parade. The other CMP and MIL vehicles from the Ottawa region are more than welcome to come out for the Canada Day events. Cheers! Stuart

Stuart, Alas, I did not take any photos of the trucks. There were two reasons for this - one, I kind of take these things for granted these days, and two, when I said end of the parade, I meant the very end - at the paintball property.

I do have it firmly in my mind that the Metal Mistress will join a future Calnan Canada Day Convoy. I just have to get to work on the old girl, but since this project is a labour of rusty metal love, I am taking my time, so it may not be next year or the year after, but eventually, the 45 HUP will be road worthy, insured and plated. See you then!

[RHClarke]

Sunday morning was hot and humid. The perfect time to complete some welding on the HUP roof. But before the welding started, the roof had to be raised somewhat. After placing a level across the back of the roof, I noted a 1/2 inch gap between the bottom of the level and the center of the roof. A jack was placed under the center inside portion of the roof and the gap in the center closed up. However, a significant gap remained on the passenger side under the level. By this time, Bob had joined me at the barn. After getting the low down on his great vacation, he provided some well appreciated advice on how to fix the gap.

The solution to the pax side gap was to relieve the support bracket on the inside of the truck. Three slots were cut into the metal using a grinder with a thin blade. The pax side roof was jacked up and the gap closed up nicely. I took the metal slightly higher with the jack so that when it settled, the gap should dissappear. The slots were then welded over and the jack released. Not surprisingly, a very small gap remained, which was deemed acceptable and good enough for gummit work, etc...

Next, the lip flanges were tack welded to the hatch opening. Then the hatch was thrown onto the roof to test for fit. And fit it did. By this time Grant had joined us at the barn. He had dug up some interesting service bulletins with regard to the gusset plate reinforcements for the rear frame rails of the late model HUP.

Lunch time caught up with us, and I headed back to the city. Normally I would have joined Bob and Grant for some growlies and to eyeball the waitresses at the newest Rotter restaurant, but I had a friend laid up in the hospital in Ottawa to visit.

The next step for the HUP is to refurbish the sliding hatch cover. It needs new rollers, a new gasket, two new support arms and some metal work for the hatch proper.

Once that is nailed down, the HUP will get a light sanding and will magically turn green by summer's end. At least that is the plan this week.

Photos:
1. Mind the gap.
2. Another view of the gap.
3. Inside support relieved.
4. Bob's version of tubular bells.
5. Hatch with cover installed.

[RHClarke]

The weather has been way too hot and humid for outdoor work. Grant has been busy assembling/fabricating components for his wireless truck. Bob had been away on vacation, and I kept busy at work in air conditioned bliss.

Grant had the barn to himself on Saturday and formed the welcoming committee for Bob's return to reality. Sunday was a short day given the heat. I fiddled around with the Prototype's sliding roof mechanisms inside the barn. After a quick and gentle sandblasting, some cleaning, and a good measure of patience and WD40 the brass blocks on the actuating shaft rotated again for the first time in decades. The locking devices on the handles remain rust welded in place, so they were left to soak until next weekend.

Bob and I discussed the need for more permanant shelters for the trucks. The latest wind storm damaged three of our shelters. The Ted's truck shelter got displaced three feet east and two feet south. Its door panel got shredded and will need replacement. Bob's shelter displaced to the south, and my Prototype shelter's door zipper ripped.

The discussion centered on buying sea containers and how they would be arranged. If another container makes its way to Bob's place (I am looking for one in the local Ottawa area), we plan to park them parallel to each other and span the gap with enough steel to support a lean-to roof. That way we can park some trucks between the containers.

If you happen to know anyone who has containers for sale in the Ottawa area (at a reasonable price...), PM Bob or myself.

Photos:

1 - Hatch holding and opening devices
2 - Brass block showing set screw

[Stuart Fedak]

Originally Posted by RHClarke

The discussion centered on buying sea containers and how they would be arranged. If another container makes its way to Bob's place (I am looking for one in the local Ottawa area), we plan to park them parallel to each other and span the gap with enough steel to support a lean-to roof. That way we can park some trucks between the containers.

If you happen to know anyone who has containers for sale in the Ottawa area (at a reasonable price...), PM Bob or myself.

I think Coehn & Coehn have some containers for sale. I have seen some signs on Highway 15 near Perth as well...... What you need is a plan for a good gravel base and installation of a few sea containers all at once. My own preference would be a 20 or 40 foot unit. For a 40 foot unit I would put in a door part way to get better access to the rear. As has been mentioned before, the key is to get a good gravel base and get the bottom hinges out of the water/ice. Wire the unit for lights (hook up a generator when needed). Space them out and bridge over the open area for additional workshop/storage space. Good gravel between the units to drain out any water (install drainage weeping).

I picked up a gas driven compressor a few years ago. Good portable unit that drives all the main air tool that I use. Ideal for this sort of use, and in my yard. With a good gas electrical generator/gas compressor you can use air tools; plasma cutter; do welding and sand blasting........

I think there would be interest in the Ottawa area for a CMP condo. Depending on the number, get a business plan and get some commitment ($$$) for installation. I think some sort of a 5 or ten year lease arrangement would be appropriate.

Cheers!
Stuart

[maple_leaf_eh]

Look at the floor before you buy. There are some with solid steel floors, others have 2x6 hardwood boards. The wood ones are not really weatherproof because of humidity. The other thing to look at is the roof. The shipping companies condemn them when the salt air and chafing in the ship, rub pin holes in the steel skin. If the container spent too many cross ocean trips on the bottom of a stack of 10 loaded containers, the frame and corners are probably stress cracked.

(and if some MLU'er can make a good joke combining salt, chafing and steel skin, I'll tip my internet hat)

[Wpns 421]

I have been using sea containers for many years and the best place to find them is to purchase the heavy truck Trader. There is always someone selling them. I bought mine from a Toronto company but pick the containers up in Montreal. the average price for a 20ft container will go from $2200 to $2700, the 40 ft containers are cheaper. Also try and purchase a Hi-cube it is 11/2 ft higher.
The biggest thing is the shipping, to bring a container from Montreal was $800 for one 40 footer or 2 x 20 ft. If you have a 20 ft flat decker trailer get the container yourself, they 20 ft weight about 4500 lbs empty, it is well worth you while to rent a trailer and getting it yourself.
Also one critical thing you should check or when ordering is that the container not have any strong odors, over the years things spill and the container has a terrible smell inside. Once the smell gets inside it is very hard to remove.
I have 2 x footers and when I build my new garage they will be incorporated into the exterior walls and they will hold my spare parts.
Gilles