Scott NC

I've never used a tester. Does it put a ding or dent in the test piece? Maybe I should look it up. I'd rather ask you. And JHCC how did you cut out your template? Dremel'? Saw and file?

If you know how to set your machine properly for the mig process you are using it actualy helps the anti-spatter do it's job. Somecases you don't even need it. But non stick spray won't help much if you have giant sputter ball globs flying all over due to incorrect heat or wirespeed. Same with stick welding. It's kind of the same principle with flux core welding and slag covering, set right, it just peels off without having to wear your arm out on a chipping hammer. I think, but am not sure, at one place I worked at we used a water based anti-splatter spray, mixed in huge proportions.

I figured you'd like that one. I've had a few of those quakey knees, turning green adventures in my time.... The trick is to turn then into lemonade.

I'd like to thank you all for your ideas, thoughts and input. I seriously appreciate it. I'm putting the bird themed ideas on hold for a time as I already ran into a snag with the face sculpture venture. It did not take long. A bit of who's telling who what to do. And they want big sculptures now, which I'm not set up for, time, shop or scrap pile wise. I really do appreciate all the ideas though, and I can always look back here at the bird part if I get on track with this. Ideas are timeless. I used to sell vegetables back home at the farm market but that was easy, you just put up a stall, put it on the tables and people bought what they want. Nobody told me what to grow.... I talk again with them this afternoon... Thanks, again.

A little sidetrack, I wonder how many ultimately got melted down: https://www.nebraskastudies.org/en/1925-1949/on-the-home-front/scrap-metal/ I read a story about a well heeled collector that sent out agent's to buy up city and small town cannons from cemetaries and memorials by unscrupulous means, for his "museum". It's controvercial so I won't link to it. I have a few small ones on a shelf.

Hate it when that happens.

I have a bunch of planter discs I could turn into birdbaths pretty easy, but never thought of that. I also overlooked making birds from silverware. I have a friend back home that makes them. These are all great ideas and I should have thought of some of them. I just want to start off on the right foot so asking for ideas. I tried a few times in the past and didn't go so good but this sounds promising. I'm a bit introvert myself and just going into that shop was a trip. I do ok once in an established setting tho. Thanks.

Now that reminds me of "The Musicions of Breytown" my dad used to doctor up in his own fashion as a bed time story. Great stuff.

I have a book called "The Best Loved Stories, Told at the National Storytelling Festival" that is pretty good. Read "The Walkin' Catfish" sometime. Are you looking for lore or urban legends or something else?

Bugs have legs, so why don't they have arms? Preying mantis kind of do. They sort remind me of T-Rex's. Ant's could probably use them, as industrial as they are.

I used to give all my stuff away, but I found a store that likes my face sculptures and want's to do them on commission, which is ok with me. I just decided on a fling to take some samples and a portfolio of sorts in and ask if they would be interested, it's 30%. It's an eclectic little shop, but in a pretty high end area. The owner has a bird shop too and said if I could come up with something unique along those lines, he would sell them too. I was thinking of making some bird houses, textured sheet metal, maybey a twisted roost or porch with handmade (small) hinges and hardware, similar to this old beat up wood one I have: I could fashion it as an outhouse. Or even a bent old stovepipe coming out the top. Or a hanger like this? The birds would be easy to forge. I think hang by baling or piano wire. What unique bird related stuff could I do? I looked at the bird shop and they have a lot of hangers and whatnot. I have an assurance, I'd get a nice price for handmade as opposed to import stuff. That hanger is wood birds and twine.

Did it cut fairly square? Looks like it but you know.... Just curiosity.

I'm glad it's working well for you so far. I have some questions for you but think I will wait until you have used it more to ask.

Bugs have no lungs.

Nice fish, Billy. I really like the pipe photo! You look a bit astonished. I must say, it's nice of Max to give you a little credit by letting you hold up his catch for the camera.... You guy's are having too much fun!!!

I lost a family gun once to a house break in 25 years ago. It was my dads stevens side by side 410. I lost a of other stuff but that hurt. I'm glad you have those to preserve. Nice phoros. I know the rat that did it and I would like to teach him something but I've gotten over it. Dirty thieves.

I'm not sure what mean humor is.

You did post that and I said "Hi". I don't know where it went.

And then a voice came out of nowhere:

I could not agree more.

Hi Slag!

Dad sent me a complete unabriged Sherlock Holmes, when I was in the Navy. He new I liked it. There is a book of some unpublished stories as well as a lot of other insider stuff on Doyle and why he wanted to kill off Holmes, but I will have to find it on the shelves or look it up. There is an old black and white British movie series on Holmes on youtube. Google: "The Careless Sufferegete". If you can watch "Boris Turgof The Anarchist" in that episode without cracking a smile or laugh let me know. It's a half hour watch.

I know, I said large and heavey, but I mean't by model engineering standards. It may be 2 or 3' long. I haven't seen it in 30 years. I'm getting a bit irritated with no photo. We may lock horns soon.

We are getting secret island and treasure mixed up. One island and second secret treasure. I was just trying to work an all important chainsaw into how to get to the secret island to dig up Cooks second treasure. Books are always better. Billy, read "From The Earth To The Moon", by Verne. The furnaces built to create the cannon to shoot them off on their way is worth it alone. Pouring the cannon walls..... Don't watch the movie though. The human imagination, unlimited, is why movies are always worse. I will bow out until the dust settels.... again.