Rob

No, I'm not from Texas but I did go to high school there for almost a full year. Rob

One would need more information to go on. What series is it, tractor, single axle or tandem, engine/trans, etc. I'd bet Mark would give you a hundred bucks for it however. Rob

Hi Tom, I really don't know who makes this one as there is no name tag anyplace. If you look on google for vibratory tumbler, there will be several come up. These are common and in many sizes. This one is old but seems to work well and vibrates smoothly. Like I mentioned I wanted one to clean up small parts that normally take a while in a blast cabinet. This thing can run on it's own unattended. Rob

You are alright until he starts to pulling your hair or ears. Just don't make any sounds that could be construed as a "squeal" cause this will send him into a frenzy. Rob

This toy will really excite randyp. It vibrates when in use. Don't think I'll let Mike borrow it however; don't know if he could stand the ecstacy of it's use. Rob

Better me than randyp. He has no brains, but......... Rob

I'm thinking that may have been for the "Mid-liner" series of trucks. I bought two of them and average fuel economy with two cars on the deck was a bit over 8.5mpg. Empty and running the speed limit could get almost 11mpg. These two weighed just shy of 20,000 empty. Couldn't beat my IH with a 9.0ltr V8. I ran that truck myself starting out and consistently averaged 17.8mpg with a 19' steel "No-Mar" bed and wheel lift when empty. This dropped right to 9.5mpg with two cars loaded. Absolute trouble free this truck was too. Rob

Most private parties haven't a clue to the cost of labor. What you are experiencing is nothing out of the ordinary. What the seller has is gold and priced accordingly, what you are worth is nil. I typically don't participate in this type of process. Wait till you get to dealing with farmers and they only want to pay about $40.00 a gallon for paint cause that's what Allis, Deere, IH colors can be purchased for at the local farm supply outlet. If you have much experience in this business at all you know full well that $40.00 won't purchase a pint of basecoat ready to spray. Rob

Safety-Kleen is still very much in business in this area. I don't use them due to prices and the gorilla helps deal with that. Now that randyp has discovered my "secret weapon" I know I'm gonna have problems but I still hold the upper hand. She has PPMS, (perpetual premenstal syndrome and it is viscious) but it's our secret, so don't share it. Rob

I ordered what I need in powder form from Zep directly. The warehouse in Glendale, IL so overnight delivery. Actually was able to speak with one of their chemists to evaluate the needs and match the product. Good ole fashioned support I'm gonna say. Rob

Looks like Grainger handles the Zep line of products but not the powders. I'll call Zep today and find a distributor. Rob

Wait till you deal with a gorilla with PMS. You think the bear is bad, you ain't seen nothin yet. Rob

We used to have a ZEP dealer in Peoria. I always liked their stuff cause it worked. We used powdered alkaline soap in the hot tank at the machine shop I worked in. If you splashed that stuff on the front of your pants you'd loose three layers of testicle meat before you got your pants off. Your parts however would be very, very clean. I'll have to look for a distributor somewhat local. Thanks, Rob

I've been wanting one of these things for quite some time to finish and remove rust from small parts. This is a vibratory parts tumbler. Basically you load the hopper with an abrasive media, then some parts, then more media, more parts etc. till the hopper is almost full. This thing is then turned on and the vibration frequency is quite high and the parts are actually "scrubbed" clean. Depending on the media used and the abrasiveness it will actually round over corners on steel items. These are used extensively in manufacturing for obtaining surface finishes in the micron range, burr removal, polishing, etc. I primarily wanted it to clean up small fasteners and parts too small to blast effectively. These things will actually derust the inside of a pipe if you use the correct size and type of abrasive media. When finished you open the bottom of the hopper and the abrasive filters out through a screen and chute into a five gallon bucket for reuse. Pretty neat little gadget that will be well used in the shop. Rob

If it were me, I'd offer $1000.00 to start. If they take it, you are ahead. if they don't you can always go up. Those trucks are plentiful if you don't get in a hurry. I have several that were started on by someone who lost interest, or could not afford the expense. Believe me they can get expensive depending on how particular you are. That $10,000 sale might cost you double to build and I'm not bullshitting anybody there. My advice for what it's worth is to get something you like and have for some time, then focus, focus, focus. Perseverance pays off in the long run if you are right from the start. Offing a project after dumping hard earned money in it can be quite painful on the old wallet. Ask my kids; they get nothing from me cause there ain't nothin left to give. I spend thier inheritance every day. Rob

Thanks for the tips on both ends. I'll do it. Rob

I can't get the front bearing retaining to break free from the housing in the rebuilt/donor transmission. These things have always basically "fallen loose" everytime I've changed them before. This trans was rebuilt by an independent and they must of glued this sucker in something fierce. I've not put any heat to it but am to that point. The input shaft suffers from clutch wear in the splines and I have a new input shaft , seal, and gasket for it. I've tried slightly oversize bolts in the retaining holes offering a slight resistance and grabbed them with a slide hammer and it won't budge. I can't get to the snap ring out of the main shaft to separate the two with this retainer in place. Any suggestions? Is heat the next option to soften the obvious sealer used during the prior rebuild? Another quick statement and question: My favorite truck parts vendor, (who rebuilds transmissions also) has enough parts to completely built up a RTO-12513 to RTO-14613 conversion. Said they used to do this a lot during the early to mid 1980's but no longer. Anyway, they can set me up complete using my original rear housing and genuine Fuller good used, and new parts for $400.00 ready to bolt on. Think I should spend the money? Thanks, Rob

That explains why my bear keeps running off, returning worn out, and making excuses. Now I know. Rob

$10,000 will buy a very nice one redone that someone is tired of. Rob

If you are concerned about the cost then don't get into the project as a positive return is not reality in most cases. Rob

WTF is the "Mack" you speaketh of? Rob

From appearance it should bring between $1400-1750.00 across the scales. I would start there as the truck has suffered quite a bit of neglect through the years. Rob

My 74 is flat, the 77 is flat, and the 78 has the rib. The 78 has the truck serial number embedded under the fiberglass layers as built. Rob