I originally learned how to hand prop a tail-dragger on a Korean War Aeronca L-16 from a pilot of the same vintage. Regardless of the experience level of either of the individuals, the person doing the propping makes the calls since it’s literally his neck on the line. Check for brake application by pulling on the prop as close to the hub as possible. If the craft rolls towards you, the brakes are not applied regardless of any verbal confirmation to the contrary.  Continue Reading »

It has been awhile since I have posted any truck progress due to a lack of said progress.  The reason for the lack of progress is mostly due to the learning curve that was involved with putting the roof together.  It seems that as with most things taking the roof apart was easy; putting it back less so.

When planning the work on the ’51 I knew that I wanted to pancake the roof.  This is because of the “turret top” style roof.  The story is that the old vehicles had tall roofs so that men could drive them with their hats on.  I don’t know if there is any truth to that story.  I do know that the high roof crown makes the truck look top heavy; this look is accentuated as the glass area is reduced when chopping the top.

 When I built the concept scale model of the truck Continue Reading »

Jack and David received their Bushido Sei Shin Jitsu Blue Belts in this ceremony but since there were so many proud moments, I tried to capture everyone involved in the video.

Tags: Defense Institute, MMA

Know someone whose kid is struggling with a bully or in need of a self-confidence boost? A guy or gal being harassed or succumbing to peer pressure? They should check this out:

Louder is better

Tags: Defense Institute, MMA

Now that the door is a single, solid unit again thoughts go towards cutting the tabs free from the car and getting it on the saw horses to finish it up:

I don’t know about anybody else, but when I drug this rusty hulk home on the trailer and was pushing it into the garage because it obviously couldn’t get there on its own, my wife had an immediate reaction upon seeing it. She said, “It needs to be chopped and you need to suicide the doors.”
Continue Reading »

Tags: 1936 Chevy