Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967
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Posts posted by Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967
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One of my frat bros claimed he was "Pilipino."
But that was fifty-seven years ago. Times change, and sometimes so does spelling. And even the meaning of words in some cases. I can think of a few...
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Most likely inspired by "Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans" from the Harry Potter books.
In addition to popular or unfamiliar but yummy flavors, they included such unique "flavours" as earthworm, earwax, booger, onion, vomit....
And they are actually produced by Jelly Belly ~ availabe from Amazon.
Yum~!
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Dang... I'm still a mite wigged at seeing folks wearing 'em on toes~!
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7 hours ago, PowderRiverCowboy said:
Well , I will help you with a rebate at least
https://promotions.mobil.com/offers/fastfurious/Home/EntryForm
Dang, PRC~! That is plumb cool!!
Amazingly, I actually kept my receipt - and found it, in the bottom of a grocery bag!
Well, I filled out the on-line form (multiple times - it didn't like my phone number), scanned and uploaded said receipt, and hit the "submit" button. Now, if all goes well, the good folks at Mobil 1 will be sendin' me twenty bucks and a couple o' tall metal (?) cups...
Thankee for that!!
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Aww, Tom, this is sad news indeed. We'll ALL miss Trinket; I'm thinking of all your mentions and stories since you first brought her home.
Cherish the good memories - and blessings to Nurse Joanne for her heartful words!
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20 minutes ago, Pat Riot said:
I have only used the screwdriver trick 3 times. That last time it ripped the filter apart and then things got really crappy.
Here is a pair of Vise Grip style pliers made for oil filters that are on way too tight. I got them from Harbor Freight. Well worth the $9.
https://www.harborfreight.com/locking-oil-filter-wrench-63696.html
The reason I bought a pair of these is because of a mechanic at an oil change place in Woodburn, OR. He cinched my S10 filter on so tight I went through darn near every tool you showed in that picture, Hardpan.
My neighbors learned I spoke Sailorese that day.
I recalled seeing these at Harbor Freight and went and got them. I literally crushed the filter getting it off, but I got it off and hot my oil changed.
The next day I was at that oil change business raising some hell. The manager assures me the guy that did that no longer worked there. I could tell he was lying, but it didn’t matter. I never went there again. I also told everyone that I knew about the experience to warn them away from that business.
"Sailorese!" Loved it!! 😄
I saw that "Hazard Fraught" tool; went to the store down the road from me with the intent of buying one, even though it likely would've shredded the filter. But no joy; would have to drive to Fresno for one. May get one anyway when they're back in stock just to have on hand. Lord knows I have just about everything else!
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Oh, I'm quite familiar with the "screwdriver method," and seriously considered it.
However, having seen how easily it already tore open and judging from the force required with the channelock, I'm pretty sure that driving a screwdriver 🪛 through it would've likely just ripped the body apart. 😐
Make that a pox AND armpit fleas! 😉
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Now, oil changes are generally not challenging. I’ve been doin’ ‘em for over sixty years. Pretty simple, usually; heck, we used to teach our Cub Scouts about oil changes (although now they have to be “Boy Scout” size). The difficulty level ranks about alongside installing new bootlaces or bathing a friendly dog.
So, that said, I decided to give “Ol’ Blue” (my new-to-me 1994 Ford F-150) an oil change. Simple. Easy-peasy. Heck… since it’s a 4wd it sits high enough I wouldn’t even have to mess with jacks or ramps.
Okay – for starters, get the oil and filter. Ordered a 6-pack of Mobil 1 10w-30 from Amazon.
Got an email that my order had been delivered. Looked outside… filter here, but no oil. Called Amazon – Oil had been delivered to someplace in Pennsylvania; refund issued. Re-ordered – price had almost doubled. Sheesh!
Oil delivered – wrong oil. Received a 6-pack of Mobil 1 0w–20. Grumble… well, rather than return it, I’ll just give it to the Kid; he’ll use it in one of his newer vehicles.
Hied m’self on down to Wally World and bought two 5-quart jugs of the 10w-30. Took it home. Crawled under the truck and drained the old oil, replaced the plug. Simple. But then life decided to take a Homer-esque turn. (Homer of Odyssey fame, not Simpson).
The filter. Could not access from underneath. At 5’ 10” I’m not exactly “stumpy,” but lack my son’s six-three wingspan reach… so, although I could access the filter from above, it was not comfortable. But do-able. Or should have been.
To wit... it seems that the cretin who had last changed the oil had used a wrench to tighten the filter. And really “put the hooey” to it. That suckah was NOT going to budge! (The Kid sez he knows the mechanic who did the last change, and was not a bit surprised - he's known for screwing up). It literally took hours to get the danged thing off.
I started with a simple strap wrench; no budge. Then a variety of “plier” type wrenches, clamp wrenches, more strap wrenches, an improvised wrench made with an old web belt and large box-end wrench, a chain wrench… even a hammer and long chisel on the base rim. No joy.
FINALLY after a ton o’ effort and a lot of words not normally part of my vocabulary, I found in the back of a toolbox drawer a BIG-a$$ed pair of Channelocks that haven’t seen the light of day in mebbe two or three lustrum.
It worked! By assuming some completely unnatural body configurations, I managed to get a grip on the crimped-on base of the filter. With the aid of a bunch more colorful phrases and all the weight I could muster, I got it to budge. Just a little. But after moving one or two degrees at a time, it eventually gave up its barnacle-hold on the engine.
Eureka! Success! Well… almost. It seems that the 9th generation F-150 with the 351 Windsor engine has two oil filter configurations – the standard (which I had a filter for), and the non-standard… for engines fitted with an “external oil cooler.” Which takes a shorter, fatter, metric filter. Which, as it turns out, Ol’ Blue has. Which is a good thing, of course… but it meant another trip to town for the proper filter. Which went on easily and properly – NOT permanently torqued on.
Dang, but it sure felt good to finally get it done! I deserved a reward of an adult beverage! But dangit… got distracted and plumb forgot. Mebbe tonight, after Kiwanis. If I remember. Prob’ly won’t.
And a Pox on the Houses of Bonzo mechanics and gunsmiths!
“Ol’ Blue”
The old filter, after extraction
"Tools Of the Trade," all used
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4 hours ago, Alpo said:
And effective this year, plastic bags are banned in this state. AND the state continues to mandate that we be charged 10¢ for each paper bag - wholly illegal for the grocer to give the bags without charge.
I still want to make up some durable light canvas bags, which I shall carry with me when grocery shopping to acknowledge and honor he who is proudly responsible for this mandate, and who is thusly most assuredly saving the planet... if not the galaxy!
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There once was a girl from Nantucket
Who'd go fishing, with her bait in a bucket.
But one day by mistake
She for lunch ate the bait
Then back into the bucket did up-chuck it! 🙂
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I'm wondering what metal the jackets were formed from. Stips into cups then lead cored swaged into them... then into a wash, and then into another wash to be copper* plated, if I saw that correctly.
Is the priming compound in the primer pocket or the primer cup?
And I'm a-thinkin' that that old fella with the whiskers might be all of 23 years old... it's a rough life!
*Edit: Looks like copper coming out of the "wash," but the finished rounds look like the bullets are brass plated.
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On 5/7/2026 at 9:23 PM, Alpo said:
I have lusted after a Darne for more than 50 years.
Article in Soldier of Fortune. Guy was in Vietnam. Was shown a stash of captured VC weaponry, and told to take his pick for a souvenir. And there was a beautifully engraved Darne shotgun - most probably stolen from a French colonial - but the barrels had been cut to about 12 inches. That making it NFA, so the writer would not be able to import it into the country. But he had many pictures of it. And I've been in love with them ever since.
Never seen a real one, but God I want one.6 hours ago, Chantry said:Save your pennies, they can sometimes be found at online gun auctions. I haven't seen one in a while, but think a minimum of $1500 and up.
3 hours ago, Sedalia Dave said:Saw one in excellent condition last week in Huntsville alabama. It was in the Bass Pro Gun Library. Don't remember the asking price.
Actually, there are two... not in Alabama, though, but here they are~!
I'm liking the 16 ga....
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3 hours ago, Stump Water said:
Back in the day when American pickups could be had with dual fuel tanks that's the way it worked. I know Ford had two fuel doors on one side. I think Chevrolet had a fuel door on each side. No idea about Dodge.
My '94 F-150 has such an arrangement, with a rocker switch on the dash (tanks are approximately 16 gallon and 18 gallon). There's obviously a solenoid-actuated valve someplace; the gauge always reflects the "active" tank. It's never failed, but for some reason, I just don't totally trust it. Just never have come to terms with the "pump in the tank" set-up.
Back in the mid 70's I had a 60's vintage Chevrolet 3/4 ton "Camper Special." It had two tanks, and as I recall, a toggle switch for the gauge. One had to remember to toggle when switching tanks with a manual valve. Not remembering could result in an annoying outcome. Don't ask me how I know this...
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Interstingly, with their old XJ series, Jaguar almost had a perfect solution: a filler on each side!
However, in typical British fashion for the time, they kinda missed the mark ~ the twin fillers were actually for twin tanks, one in each rear fender. Not plumbed together; rather, there was a push button on the dash to switch from one to the other. So ya had to fill each separately. Now, pay 'tention there, Nigel! You already switched two days ago and never re-filled the other tank!
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I'm wonderin' how those "factory workers" would fare with a blood lead level test...
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You might also check the tension on the bolt spring. If it's only happening on one chamber, likely there's some wear on that particular bolt notch; increased spring tension might help.
I had a similar issue with revolver years ago; drove me nuts, too. Finally, I just stopped yanking the hammer as hard as I had been and all was good.
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Perhaps not as "big," but also impressive....
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So, how's this?
Should I lose or keep the "MAY THE FORGE BE WITH YOU?"
Actually, I was thinking of having a few metal "signs" made, and if/when I get around to it, I'll give one the young lady Scout. And golly gee, never even thought about t-shirts, but I just may look into it!
That said - I have never sold anything, and won't. But if something like t-shirts ever came about, it'd be on a cost-only basis... hey, I have to protect my amateur* status!
Edit: *(Make that RANK amateur... with emphasis on the "rank")
That said, I've hammered out and shared dozens and dozens of feathers, a few dozen "chuck wagon bells," countless steak flippers, barbecue forks, a few crosses made from railroad spikes, miscellaneous trinkets...
But no knives.
Just an "old man hobby." About as far from my careers as a banker and accountant as I can imagine. (The only thing that kept me sane during those periods was dreaming of being a cowboy and fishing/hunting vacations)
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Excellent suggestions, y'all~!
And so, with that.... Introducing Ferro Hephaestus Ducksmith...!
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So, last Saturday I sponsored a Metalwork/Blacksmith Merit Badge class for a half-dozen Scouts. Fun stuff! Anyway, in their workbook I inserted a copy of my "shop poster," and asked them to name the "ducksmith." There were a bunch of mumbles and puzzled looks, but one kid - a young lady! - smiled, and suggested "Since he's working with iron, how 'bout 'Ferro?'"
Whaddaya think? Any other suggestions?
And by the way, on this Star Wars Day of 2026, May the Forge Be With YOU!
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Naw... I'd just remind 'im "Hey ~ they'll stunt yore growth!" and move on.
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Fun stuff, Joe! Terrific find!
The first young lady has a Wiki page (and tons of stuff on YouTube)!
Uh... "Sauerkraut...?"
Sasha Kvashenaya (Alexandra Konstantinovna Kapustina)
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On 4/26/2026 at 8:30 AM, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said:
Really? How much smiling did / do you do while you're working. Well? How much? C'mon, we're all friends here. You can tell us.
Well... when the camera comes on I'm a-gonna be hammin' it up just a mite! At least a hint of a smile, and no chompin' on a wad o' gum. Heck... she could have at least blown a bubble or two!
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What On God's Green Earth Were Some People Thinking‽
in SASS Wire Saloon
Posted
Well... get 'er some and surprise 'er! 🙂