Why is tee dee a better engine?

Yeah it doesn’t really bother me, doesn’t violate any rules, just pointing it out so people aren’t expecting responses.

Cribbs74 wrote:Yeah it doesn’t really bother me, doesn’t violate any rules, just pointing it out so people aren’t expecting responses.

Thoughtful on your part, Ron. Well done, sir.
xtal_01 had a pretty cool avatar. Roy still lives.
Bob

Cribbs74 wrote:Yeah it doesn’t really bother me, doesn’t violate any rules, just pointing it out so people aren’t expecting responses.

As a moderator I consider it part of your responsibility Ron. Rusty in his prime kept this forum corrected on many occasions and when needed could weld a pretty big stick. Not required in this instance. I'm just concerned that he stopped posting abruptly in what was/is a pretty interesting thread. Life is a lottery, you can be walking along whistling Dixie one moment and not the next.

I was surprised as anyone to see this post come up ... that was two years ago!

I still check in from time to time  ... still interested in Cox engines and planes.

Life has just kept me busy ... "almost" finished building the house and spent all summer working on the foundation of a new 3500 sq ft workshop.

I have attached a few pictures of the elevator I built during testing.  They wanted almost $40K to purchase and install one.  I used an old forklift mast ... total cost $2K.  Pictures show it when I was testing it.  Now has a gate and railings around the hole and a "real" platform.  Still need to up a door on the bottom floor and interlock it but there is only two of us in house so it is not a priority.  

My mom (no 82) had a lot of health problems that kept me traveling between VT and Canada for a that year.

I even managed some "real" work designing and building a large remote site control panel for a client.  A few  pictures below.  It controls 12 pumps ... monitors flow and then sends an e-mail each night with totals.

Anyway ... still here and hope to become way more active at some point.

Thanks!

Mike

Wow! You've been quite busy!.....I too was wondering where you went! Good to see everyone is doing well!

Can't get rid of me that easy!

Just got buried in work ....

Still planning to get back into the hobby .... even have three engine right in front of me on my desk.

Thought I would have more time this year when everything shut down but instead I actually got busier!

Even now ... running out to go shopping for Christmas dinner. I am cooking for my wife's family. Calling for ice on Christmas day so moved it up to Christmas eve. I am "almost" done decorating .... just some finishing touches on the tree (got the wreath hung outside today ... while it was snowing).

Just need a few more hours in each day

Merry Christmas (or as my wife keeps reminding me to say ... Happy Holidays) to all !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike

rsv1cox wrote: Life is a lottery, you can be walking along whistling Dixie one moment and not the next.  

True dat, Bob
Bob

Hey Mike, great job on the lift! Your wife looks really happy about it!

Nice to see you pop in again.

I never got a chance to use a PLC with a display. The only time I used one was back in tech school. An Allen Bradley SLC500. Still have the manual for it.

Both my grandparents worked at Allen Bradley in Milwaukee for 40 plus years. At his retirement party we got to tour the clock tower. That was a long time ago. Probably 88 or 89.

When I first seen your pics above I thought that setup was way overkill for a home brew elevator control.

Welcome Back Mike , man you have been busy !! Happy Holidays

Mike's back! Welcome.

I must say your lovely wife has courage on both fronts, although I would think your elevator is as safe as any. Bunch of innovation going on there.

Bob

You are right ... she "usually" trusts me ... but she must just shake her head some times.

The elevator is probably safer than most.  It is way over built ... can handle 3000 lbs.  Hoses and such are rated for 5000 working psi.  I have velocity fuses so if a line is cut it will stop (mechanical valve senses too much flow and shuts down).  I have a generator ... spare pump .... and at some point will install a battery back up pump (I have the original 24 volt pump off the forklift).

Here is another ... she needs care every 4 hours so before we met, she had never traveled.  I got an old RV ... gutted the interior ... installed hospital beds .... built a lift to go from front to back ... cut a new door ... built a wheelchair lift (I was going to buy one ... got a quote of $25K .... built this one ... folds under the floor so it takes up no room inside).  I have to admit, it must have been scary the first time riding it up also ... or using the lift inside.

I did work in the nuclear industry for about 15 years ... and I am a machinist by trade.  I always look at the details ... and can get lost in them ... which is why it took me 7 years to build a house (ouch).

Thanks,

Mike

Your relentless efforts and professional DIY streak to support your wife are really touching, Mike..

Honestly, you don't know how expensive things are till you talk with someone who is disabled.

As soon as you put the word "medical" on anything, the price jumps 10 fold.

I understand some of it is liability ... but some of it is just greed.

Worse, when in a rural area like ours, you only have one or two medical stores and you are at their mercy.

If a wheelchair breaks ... no rentals available and you can wait weeks for parts.  Last time I was told they would not order a part they needed till they got a large order together so they could save on shipping ... and they would not let me pay for rush shipping (said it would violate insurance rules) ... and the company would not sell me the parts directly!

Lucky for me, I am fairly handy.  I can keep most items going so she is not stranded.

Plus I want to give her every opportunity in life I can.  I even got her to get her drivers license a few years ago.  The opened up a new world to her.  She has a van with hand controls (she stays in her chair and it automatically locks down).   She had a part time job ... now she works full time.  She directs a community chorus.  She has become politically active.  She for the first time could call up a friend and just go out shopping or to a movie.  She can even take her aging mother out now.

The van is a bit of a maintenance nightmare ... the nearest service outlet is 6 hours away.  Lucky for me again, I have been able to do most of the work myself .. only once in 8 years have I had to put it on a flatbed and send it to the dealer who converted it (shipping alone cost me $2K out of our own money).

Hope everyone is having a Very Merry Christmas !!!!!!!!!!

Mike