2016 at the Hammond Barn

[RHClarke]

It was very cold at the barn early this morning. I chose the coldest day of the year so far to sneak out of the house early to get in some quality barn time. It took a few minutes to spark up Lucifer, but true to its name, it was glowing about 20 minutes later. While Lucifer was thawing out the mosquitoes, I did the usual clean up of the shelters and doorways. The rest of the morning was spent cleaning the Pilot Model hubs in prep for painting in the afternoon.

Bob and Grant made their appearance later on in the morning and set about their usual chores. Bob fiddled with his sewing machine and did some door measurements. Grant worked on his trailer suspension and dismantled a old Ford CMP spring pack that still had some life in it - particularly when the nut from the center pin was removed... After the spring surprise, a but more caution was used and a good number of C clamps as well.

Following lunch, we got back to the chores at hand. Later, Bob surprised us with a small treat - a ration can that he surmised came from an army ration pack from the 1950s. To me it looked like the old US ration can that always left green flecks in the food when you opened it. Bob decided to taste test the contents and did not seem worse for wear, so I guess the rats were OK.
It can never be said that we are not willing to try out different things at the barn.

The end of the day was marked by a sit down session to discuss the characteristics and dimensions of Ford and Chev springs. This was all too exciting for me, so I headed home just as it was getting dark.

Photos:
1 - Grant safely removing spring leafs
2 - Really old rats anyone?
3 - Adventurous Bob biting a biscuit
4 - CMP nerds at play

[George McKenzie]

I got a military mechanic, box for a CMP this summer and it has benches in side like the ones I see you are using in your garage em me and I'll send you pictures geomck@wispernet.ca George Mckenzie

[Bob Carriere]

Curious to see what kind of benches you have....... what size truck???

The table you see in the background was purchased at a scrap yard..... they were originally used for lazer research and had to be very accurate flat.... they are built with a 5/8 solid stainless steel top and weights about 1500 pounds.... legs are 1/4 thick 4x6 steel tubes...... paid about $400 for it..... sorry now I did now buy 2 or 3......

Great as a set up table or as an anvil for hammering bent steel into submission.

Cheers

Bob C

[Bob Carriere]

The door frames are being given the last clean up....... 18 gauge sheet metal being cut and readied for the reskinning process.

Everything will be cleaned with acetone where the new skin will mate with the door frame as I am considering a few spot welds to absolutely hold the skin in place during the crimping process of the edges.

The curved section of the door that fits above the front fender will be more difficult as we will probably need to use heat to stretch the sheet metal to a near perfect curve.

We will document our trials and tribulation with photos for future MLU restorers.

The last few days of mild weather has rekindled our spirits....

Cheers

PS.... the tire bead breaker will be at the barn by the week end....stay tuned for "How it works..." on the installation thread.

[super dave]

Will be looking forward with interest on how the tire bead breaker works out

[Bob Carriere]

Actually cancelled barn activites for tomorrow..... forecast is -31C tonite (minus 24F for our USA friends)
and morning hours at_-30C with a 15 kph breeze worth a windchill of -39 C.

It would take sooooo long to even warm up the barn above freezing that it would be quitting time.

Must be getting old!!!!

Stay warm.....

Bob C

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Bob

Yup it's cold, the nice Canadian air arrived, here in New Hampshire, last night -27C on nice breezes of 10-20 MPH. Trying to figure how to it send back north.

Lucifer isn't up to taking the chill of the air in the shop? Have you ever figured out how many BTUs Lucifer puts out at full bore?

Good weather to curl up and read a book.

Is it valentine's day Canada, that's my excuse here for not being out in the shop

Cheers Phil

PS Have shared the Ground Hog Day photo with the family, everybody loves it.