So, what do you do when there is nothing to do?

Bob, you certainly have a way of improvising to restore these, and without an expensive milling machine, lathe or 3D printing machine. (Not that I am faulting those who have access to such wonderful pieces of equipment and the skill to use them.)

Nice job on the cowlings Bob…. A neat idea for a part that would be near unobtainable otherwise….. Think about some faux cylinders and maybe a cooling vent….Hope you are weathering well….

That is a neat little screw gun there. And now a question about it. If you were to strip a screwdriver bit, are they replacable with off teh shelf standard bits? Or can you even possibly just use your own bits? I likey.....

NEW222 wrote:That is a neat little screw gun there. And now a question about it. If you were to strip a screwdriver bit, are they replacable with off teh shelf standard bits? Or can you even possibly just use your own bits? I likey.....

I went to Channel Lock website, but their screwdriver web listings and their latest PDF catalog from 2020 does not show the product. It is advertised on E-Bay and Amazon, but not available on Lowes home improvement center, although they sell their hand tools.

I gather that the tool has been discontinued. When stocks are gone, they are gone. May be that is why they no longer list it in their catalog, wasn't a good seller. Interestingly though, it does appear it uses standard screwdriver bits, after examining their box photos.

https://www.amazon.com/Rapid-Fire-Quick-Power-Screwdriver/dp/B07KYVPNF1 - $20.00 US


One just pops the worn bit out of the plastic cartridge holder and puts a new one in. But not having the tool means my comments are academic. They could have done something to require that you must buy their cartridges only. I wouldn't want someone to buy it because of my comment, and find out I advised wrongly.

Bob will have to clarify.

That little driver caught my attention too when I first saw it…. Thought it was a small drill…Would like to have a drill about that size…. Currently using a small DeWalt, Great for around the house but bulky for modeling….. Maybe there is one, Just haven’t looked that hard…. Anyway, Looks like a great compact tool

Okey, I have to ask, what is the purpose of having a "gun" rather than just an electric screw driver?

Bob,

We had a cold snap a week or so ago that put my shop down to 2 degrees. I’ve had enough of it. I need to work out there. I can deal with cold having grown up in Canada, but I am getting to an age where I ask my self why suffer?

I picked this up the other day….

So, what do you do when there is nothing to do?

I went back to work!  

A former student (he's in his mid-fifties now) had acquired a contract to network a number of locations in KY and IN and could not find anyone who wanted to work, so he contacted me.  We have been installing the switch boxes and patch panels, pulling new CAT 6e cable, cutting in wall boxes (these are all existing office buildings), doing all the punch downs and certifying the connections.  Since a little before Thanksgiving, we have pulled over 27,000 feet of cable.  We spend a lot of time with fish sticks, fish tape and jerk line -- a few interior walls don't have insulation, but all exterior wall drops have to be punched through fiberglass.  Two of the locations were formerly doctor's offices and several rooms were lead lined behind the sheetrock! We should be finished in two more weeks.

Frankly, I didn't know if I would be able to keep up the pace -- we work a minimum of 10 hours/day on site and in those office buildings that are not yet occupied by the new owners, 12 hours/day.  He does look out for the old man and takes care of most of the ladder and attic work and I deal with everything from head height to the floor -- still have to get down and back up, however.  

I have enjoyed the work, but after we grab a bite to eat in the evening, get back to the hotel and do some planning and prep for the next day, I'm done!! But, it is a good feeling to know that at my age, I'm still able to make some contribution.

a--

Regarding @Andrew's good and faithful work ethic, recently I listened to Pastor Chuck Baldwin's recorded new year's message:

https://libertyfellowshipmt.com/News/tabid/56/ID/4353/My-Vision-For-2023-And-Beyond.aspx

He spoke of a problem with much of our today's society, where that people don't seem to have the work ethic that was IMO, overall prevalent years ago. It is something that I observe here in Clovis. A good number seem to be happy to live in a bare minimal existence, subsisting on government programs. (Please note, I am not speaking of those who paid into U.S. Social Security through their employments and are now drawing from that. This is not an entitlement, no matter how the government labels it. It is a retirement from the government for mandatory investment in it.)

When Covid hit, some decided that they no longer had to pay rent, and did not, because the N.M. and other state Supreme Courts determined that their so-called governor's executive orders prevented landlords from seeking redress for non-payment of rent, utility companies seeking redress for nonpayment of utilities. Now, the "law" has "expired", and so a number face eviction and utilities terminations nationwide. They could use their government subsidies to help them gain an education, or get into an apprenticeship, give up the subsidies and become independent. When misfortune hits, they take the path of least resistance without the thought of consequences, now carry a ball and chain.

Personally I feel blessed. I stuck it out with the federal government for 28 years, and am now collecting a retirement. I stuck it out with the Army Reserves, and am now collecting a small retirement along with the medical benefits. And, for sticking it out for a shorter time at Douglas Aircraft, and reaping a small retirement.

It pays to be a finisher. It also demonstrates by being a faithful provider toward one's wife and children, to lead a life that is relatively free from worry. Early on, I moved around a lot between job positions, seeking advancement, although I probably would have done better just sticking to one from the start.

But, I am glad I stayed with the government. Although it paid slightly less, it allowed me to be employed in lower cost areas, (in essence making as much or netting more than in a high cost area), afforded a better family life than would ever have in the midst of a large city. Plus, overall, the government was fair in its treatment of me. There was far less politics interfering with advancements, pay bonuses and compensatory days off, moving expenses, and etc. (With most recent changes though, I think a lot of that is evaporating.)

I am also grateful that I stayed with the same woman for now going on 38 years.

But most of all, I thank my Lord for helping me to stick it out for so long.

Amen George, You have your priorities right…. Since I retired I’ve been going slowly and carefully thru the Psalms, Something I’ve wanted to do for a while … Four months … At Psa 114…

Andrew, That kind of work sounds familiar except mine was electrical…. I bet you’ve thrown a tennis ball with a string tied to it over a suspended ceiling a time or two as well

Robert

rdw777 wrote:...............
Andrew, That kind of work sounds familiar except mine was electrical…. I bet you’ve thrown a tennis ball with a string tied to it over a suspended ceiling a time or two as well

Robert

That brought a smile to my face.  

I've have also used a slingshot to shoot a 1/2" nut tied to monofilament across ceilings; I've driven an RC jeep with a flashlight taped to the body down wire mesh cable trays towing monofilament and sucked yarn tufts (like those on the tops of toboggan hats) tied to monofilament down innerduct using a vacuum cleaner -- we called it "sucking a mouse".  

Necessity is truly the mother of invention.  Regardless of the type of work we do, many of us learn to do it better, faster, more efficiently and with quality. I really believe that same ethic carries into our hobbies -- I see it on this forum where pride in workmanship, attention to detail and quality of product is showcased daily.

andrew wrote:I've driven an RC jeep with a flashlight taped to the body down wire mesh cable trays towing monofilament and sucked yarn tufts (like those on the tops of toboggan hats) tied to monofilament down innerduct using a vacuum cleaner -- we called it "sucking a mouse". [...] I really believe that same ethic carries into our hobbies -- I see it on this forum where pride in workmanship, attention to detail and quality of product is showcased daily.

I think I see a potential Cox Engine of the Month winner. During lunch break, after or before work, before they close up the ceilings, you place a Cox powered car in the cable tray. Get someone to take your close up photo with fuel bulb in your hand and battery nearby, RC car top up with an insert close up of the engine in photo, pretending to run it.

To add further realism, borrow a smoke machine that is used on stages, (I've got one ) to mist up the scenery a bit like a Castor oil burning Cox would.

As long as the leadership doesn't object, I think you could have a lot of fun doing it. (And, you don't have to carry the antics to an extreme as I mentioned, especially short of running it!

rsv1cox wrote:What started this thread.  Finished it.  Squeezed it in between caliper # 1 and 2.  On left.

But found another missing the cowl.  Thankfully I have another Nescafe' coffee jar cover.

The risks of buying partial plastic airplanes.  All of these are/were missing substantial body parts.

But once were lost, and now were all found all happy in a great new home to be cherished once again! Great job on the bringing back from the dead of airplanes!

As for drills, too bad they were discontinued. They do look nice. My first one was a B & D 6V I believe. Internal battery, that finally gave up and would not hold charge. So I tried my best to dismantle it as I was going to try making a 1/2a starter from it, but it did not work as planned.......