2011 at the Hammond Barn

[RHClarke]

The hot weather we experienced in July has extended into August. We do get some good downpours, but for the most part it is hot and humid in and around the nation's capital. Today at the barn was no exception.

However, we did spot the elusive Guy Vapeur on one of his rare visits to the barn. Bob, Grant and I spent some time chatting politics and then actually doing things CMP. Grant fixed the front crossmember of his truck (previous owner had cut away a small portion of the part) and reinstalled it on his truck. Bob pulled his rad off his truck in order to set it up at the correct height. I played around with the HUP doing small tasks. While this was going on, we chatted about sea containers and the layout if and when we buy a few more. I found a source for 20ft High Cubes, but they are somewhat pricy. However, the 20 footers are easier to move so when the conditions are right, I'll have one or two delivered to the barn.

Noon rolled around and I headed back to the city while the boys sweated out at the barn. Hopefully they will provide some photos as I left my camera at home.

[RHClarke]

It has been a spell since our last update, so here is what has being going on in Hammond's one and only CMP haven. Not a hell of a lot. At least it looks that way to the regular viewers of this thread.

I spent most of the past two weeks away in the Maritimes re-connecting with family and friends. Not much to report on MV sightings, other than the usual 3/4 ton SMP that gains value (to the owner) each passing year. He wants $2K for the truck which year after year weighs less and less due to excessive rusting. I suspect that I will go through the same routine next summer...

Being unencumbered by employment, I get to spend additional time at the barn. This week's project was the HUP roof. The bushings for the roller arms were rusted beyond use. Removal was quite easy. After carefully grinding the ends (which were brazed to the outside edge of the hatch cover), some chisel work was required to remove the spot welds from the inside of the lip and from the support brackets. Once the weld was separated, the support brackets were bent off the tube and the tube was hammered out through the edge of the hatch cover. One of the support brackets had to be removed and was replaced with a fabbed up one which was rather easy to make now that the pan brake and metal shear are available for use at the barn.

Some of the interior metal had to be cut out due to excessive rusting. Replacement pieces were bent up and are now ready for welding. The bushings were replaced by cutting up a section of 3/4" OD -1/2" ID tube. The bushings were then drilled and are now ready for welding.

Saturday was a busy day at the barn. We had the full compliment - Bob, Grant, Guy and me had a good ole gab session. Guy showed off a load of recently acquired treasure, a part of which I now have (and is for sale-see http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=17124). Guy departed for home and we headed out for lunch. After lunch it was back to the barn for a frenzied fabrication blitz. Bob and Grant were busy making items to help them with their project trucks. I will post photos of their handiwork later today.

Sunday was quite overcast - we are on the very edge of hurricane Irene so the weather was a bit unsettled. The eastern seaboard is taking the brunt of Irene's wrath. My morning was spent trying to get my driver side door to open and close without resorting to mechanical assistance or a swift kick. Following Phil Waterman's advice, I shimmed up the bottom hinge and elongated the holes for the top hinge. This was a very long process - the door was on and off the truck more times than I wish to remember, but the minor adjustments paid off. The door now opens and closes like it should with a resounding metallic clang.

Bob and Grant played around with their inventions (see the follow on posts later). As noon approached, I had to get back home to take over domestic duties. It was great to be back to the barn.

Photos:
1 - Bushing and support bracket configuration for the HUP roof hatch cover
2 - More of the same
3 - Edge of the hatch cover and the end of the bushing
4 - Replacement support bracket

[Robin Craig]

Late this afternoon I dropped by the Hammond barn, my first time.

I was there to drop off 5 lengths of a version of Marsden matting that I had scooped for Bob after seeing his post on wanting some.

I was able to pass them along to him at cost as my fuel was paid for from another avenue today. I know he would have paid for it if I had needed expenses covering.

Grant and Bob were finishing up their day after having doing something to the king pins of Grants truck from what I could make of it.

Bob had also crafted with Grant some kind of CMP bracket thingy, Bob is alleged by Grant to have reversed the end plate containing two holes but as I'm not an afficianado of such vehicles it means nothing too me. There does seem to have been some truth to the allegation as Bob was heard to utter some kind of expletive when he realised his lack of attention to detail.

Likely as not the evidence will evaporate but Grant and I did see it Bob!!

Cheers guys

Robin

[RHClarke]

Alright, Robin provided some clues so this should be an easy test of your deductive capabilities. First one is a Carriere creation. Any guesses as to the part it is used to form?

[RHClarke]

Grant has been a very busy Rotter these days as well. What are these used for?

[RHClarke]

More of Grant's handiwork. Their purpose?

[hrpearce]

1 dont know
2 king pin bearing pullers?
3 king pin bearing pushers for reinstalling?