Rob

Naw, my formal title is "Assholiness" but I don't go by that too often. Rob usually suffices as it means the same to me. I've spoken with Kaufman a couple of times and they are very willing to build what I want. I did think I was being a bit picky at first when I started looking at trailers but I'm pretty set in what I want so this may be the way to go. I'm thinking of having a channel beam for the front of the trailer rolled to a 4.25ft radius and send to Kaufman direct and let them weld everything together to where I'd just pick it up. Wanting to use the B67 for the pulling unit and it has the concave cab so this would go nice and wouldn't be out of place with an R model either. I have a spare 20,000# hydraulic winch and pto/pump unit. I plan to mount the winch in the nose with a deck roller at the transition from the upper to lower deck slope to not chafe the cable. Not really looked into the total cost with suspension and all, so don't know how the final cost will shake out. The key is to stay below the absolute maximum of 45' total length so I can park inside. Rob

Hi Jeff, it does sound as if the quick release valve is slow to respond. These should get rid of the air just as soon as you push, or pull the control handle and not really delay as yours sounds to be doing. I'd go with a Bendix "QR" series valve. Rob

I just blew up the first photo to get a good look at the truck and I must say I'm quite dissapointed. I see the ugly mug standing next to a beautiful truck and the first thought that comes to mind is "Damn!! I've seen better faces on iodine bottles"!! I then notice the emblem on the side of the hood is incomplete and only says "Thermod". Now this is in no way appropriate and that truck deserves better. It treats you right ,and you should reciprocate accordingly. Think I may have a complete emblem I could send you, or if you have the broken parts of your original I can repair it. PM me your address. Rob

Friday I looked at an 2008 "Transcraft" 48X102 combo trailer that was traded in on a new Great Dane. This thing had cracks galore, piss poor welds that I'd have never turned out, and cracks in the aluminum decking where it joins the neck. None of this was from overloading either. Wasn't very well built and I'll never look at another of that brand. This was at Jim Hawk Trailers in E. Peoria, IL. They weren't trying to sell me this trailer, just why not to purchase one of that brand. I'm wanting a 42' single drop on lowboy type tires to haul two trucks at a time. If I stay under 45' parking is not much of a problem with the pulling unit attached. I've spoken with Kaufman but don't really know anybody local with one of their trailers of the type I'm looking for. Plenty of car haulers and light duty stuff around. Whatever I wind up with will act as a parking lot and stay inside and I may wind up building something myself. Rob

I never had good luck filing holes back round to fit bushings into. Although the OEM replacement bushings are knurled on the exterior dimension to fit imperfect holes, I've found they fracture over time. This coupled with most of the replacement pins are of two different dimentions I found it easier to make a few at a time and they worked well. GM is really the only manufacturer that offered readily replaceable pins and bushing as they are a consumable item that doesn't last. There is not enough load bearing surface to support the weight of the swinging door. Momma won't let me buy anything unless there is a need for it. I'd really like to have a vertical mill and engine lathe again. Herb has located a nice lathe but I can't get clearance to purchase it, (yet). The last truck I dragged home was the perverbial "straw" and she'd had enough of nothing finished, but plenty torn apart. I'm working on that nightly. Rob

Does anybody you know have a milling machine? I've made a jig in the past that was clamped into a vise, aligned the hinge so the hole was centerlined on the end mill, then plunge cut a new hole through the top hole, flip the hinge and do the same for the lower hole. Prior to actual work commencing one would need to pick out a bushing with the correct inner and outer diameter you plan to use. After the hole is bored, you can then bush the hole back to the correct inner diameter. For making hinge pins, I like to use water hardening "drill rod" in 3/8ths diameter. It will be sold in a soft state so it can be worked with. Cut this drill rod to the correct length but leave about 7/16" to work with and form a head for the pin. I take a small oxyacetylene torch outfit and with the pin clamped into a bench vise warm the tip till a almost white color then "peen" the end to a rounded shape with a dinging hammer, (small hammer). After forming into a semi circular ball end, let the part cool and grab the other non formed end with a pair of vise grip pliers and again heat the part to a dull red color. While still red and hot, plunge the part into a bucket of water that is about 175 degrees and swish around for about 30 seconds, place on bench and let cool. As of now this part will be very hard, but very brittle and will not yield good service. After it cools, place on an ungreased cookie sheet in the oven, (usually a good idea to obtain wife's clearance first) and place the heat on about 350 degrees for two to three hours. This is know as tempering, and normalizing. After this amount of time, remove from the oven and let it cool. It will now be ready for grinding on a bench grinder to finish form the head. The part will be very hard, but have ductility and not break easily. I wouldn't skip the last step at all. I have personally take 1/2" drill rod in it's hardended state, placed it on a welding table and smacked it smartly with a 2lb sledge breaking it into a couple of pieces that went flying. As far as the retention area(s) of the hinges, I'd just bore right through the center and helicoil, or threadsert as you mention. It can be difficult to undo someone elses' mess sometimes. I've even blown the center section out of hinges, welded them up, and using some sort of pattern, (like another hinge plate), remade the part. It is nothing but plain A36 grade mild steel strap and easy to work with. Rob

I used my camera in the same fashion on a drive tire. Rob

What???? As passive and sedate as I am with people and their personal ways of life of no concern to me, I'd be expected to say something less than 100% positive of someone's preferred attire? You must be thinking of the wrong person. Why I hold the coveted "esscence of wholesomness" award that has been bestowed upon me. With such credentials, how could I be negative? How do you like that Kaufman trailer? I've been thinking of purchasing one because I'm getting tired of looking at overpriced used junk!! What would you do different? Rob

Guns N Roses; 1987. From the "Appetite for Destruction" album. Rob

I too am pleased a blessing of sense and senility has descended upon us. I was really confused there for a bit. Puts a whole new meaning to the phrase; "Welcome to the jungle". Rob

Ain't it great to have democratically elected lawmakers to represent us? Hope you all remember very well in future elections. Here comes more of the "change" elected. Rob 2011 tax changes.pdf

I don't know why I still come around with everybody picking on me and hurting my feelings. Glad I got "Mamma's" shoulder to cry upon. I'd be lost without it ya know. Rob

There is one participant that is exceptionally large/heavy upstairs that wraps a towel around her breasts and proceeds to press them against the glass, then does both horizontal, and vertical gyrations to scrub them clean, (the glass that is). At this car wash the owner does not exit the vehicle which is probably by choice. Don't know how that lines grosses, (dollar wise) but there are always tips. Rob

Yup they can and do. But they have a stupid populace to pay for it in the millions. Rob

Hey he still has to take the test!! Cheat sheets are not allowed!! Cease and Desist with the coaching so he can pass and be quickly hired up by Swift. Rob

Most likely the middle to late 20's to early 30's. It is a model "AB". Rob

Drink the cold beer, then piss on the garden. Two problems solved with both satisfied. Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions. There is a bright side to everything. Furthermore, you can't spend money you don't have. Rob

Yeah, the general public finds the young, late teens, scantily clad high schoolers more entertaining than me however. I feel cheated. Rob

The local methodist church, high school music booster club, and high school cheerleading squad each do them a couple times a year here to raise funds. They are always busy. I donate use of the dual wand pressure washer for mudbusting and presoaking, the fire dept a tanker of water, and cleanup etc., and all the entertainment one can stand over the afternoon. Rob

Even pick the hair outta your teeth for three days? Deal with stubble punctures to your tongue? Hock up hairballs like a feline? Rob

I looked really close but didn't see a chain box on the Mack containing the utincils for pulling that blue thing out of the way. Suppose you've not owned the truck long enough to properly outfit it yet? Rob

A single size 4 six volt battery will start the truck just fine. A couple of them in parallel configuration will give you a longer crank time but a properly tuned engine starts easily. Rob

You will like having both of the items as I do mine. All of my stuff is air powered because I really don't get out of the shop much but they are used often. I don't have a mobil fuel transfer pump as having equipment fueled is just a phone call away. I do OCCASIONALLY run out of fuel in a truck or two however....... When you say a continuous flow grease gun do you mean the hand held type, or the type that attached to a 120 pound drum? I have both and use the drum type mostly because it has 25' of hose and gets where you need it with 5000# of pressure. Lots of zerks on both trucks and equipment. Really can tire an arm or two out quick to take care of everything. I went to high school in Waco for about a year and a half and still get into that country ever couple of years to visit friends. Been to the truck show at Tye when attending job training in OKC twice, but nothing is on the table there this year. Retired at 56 eh?? I've been eligible for five years today for retirement. Although my physical bulk doesn't reflect it, I'm too young at 50 to draw on a pension solely, and exist. Funny you should mention hot dogs. Momma is away with her momma fixxing me up some homade chilli injected super dogs, (our name) wrapped in fried grits instead of a bun for the holiday. I can eat about a dozen of em but then can't really move too easy for about an hour or so. Couple of hours later we can begin our "contest" to see who can sound off the loudest, longest, and permeate the surrounding air with the most pungent smells known to mankind. I think by the time all three of us get to going, the room odor is akin to a public latrine without air conditioning on a 90 degree day with heavy traffic. Going to be gone the balance of the weekend to meet up with family and hopefully bring another truck home to replace my existing yard crane. Ole "Fred" is tired and deserving of retirement himself. After serving me faithfully for 25 years, he has "earned" his rest. Have a happy, safe holiday everybody. Rob

Yup, I"ve seen and touched it. Rob

That means you're on a roll, rather than a hook. Good feeling eh? Rob