Recent content by PHPaul

A free 275 gallon heating oil tank (lots of people converting to propane for some reason) and a manual "rocker" pump that I don't remember how I wound up with . Top it off once a year - hopefully when prices are down - and problem solved very cheaply and efficiently.

Disclaimer: I am NOT a machinist. Now that we have that out of the way, my first thought is that your tool is not set up right. I believe standard threads are 60° and the tool (cutter) has to be at 90° to the work. They make a little gauge for checking that:

Man is the only critter that buys tools to make tools for his tools.

Safety-Nazi's Look Away! I got tired of forking out $40 every time that switch failed, so I built a jumper. No problems in several years now...

Just once? That'd be nothing sort of a miracle for this old fart.

I am SO envious! I got to play with one whenever it seemed like the best approach when I worked at the cannery. By the time I started there, they'd long since closed down their in-house machine shop but had the sense to keep the Bridgeport and a humungous Hendy lathe. The other maintenance...

My grandson runs a site prep/landscaping business and is completely fed up with Mother Deere. Working on trading his Deere excavator for a Kubota. I got there years ago, but I thought it was just my local yuppie/horsey dealer. Apparently not.

Two additional points: 1. I take some pains to park my stuff on level ground. It is indeed more difficult if things are askew. 2. This is modified somewhat by my top-and-tilt system. I can get "close enough" and adjust the lower arms and top link as needed quickly and easily. Some of the...

That's the sort of issue that has always made me question the usefulness of "quick" hitches. I can hook up any of my traditional implements about as quick. The only real exception to that was a post hole digger. That thing was always a cast iron b!tch to hook up. Don't think a quick hitch...

Zip ties? Seems a little sketchy, but okay for a parade tractor I guess. Wouldn't want to put much of a load on them.

I hear that. Tractor is a 2015, haven't hit 850 hours yet.

And some vaseline... $460 for two 180/85D12 R1 ag tires and tubes. Basically a metric 7x12. I don't even want to KNOW what rears are gonna cost when the time comes...

Just put new fronts on the B2650. Only tool I needed was a credit card...

I use a couple of approaches to steady my shaking hand(s) and tired old eyes: 1. Especially when just beginning, whenever possible, position the work so you're welding "flat" not vertical up or down and certainly not inverted. 2. I steady my nozzle hand with one of two techniques, either by...

Some Adult Ed operations offer a beginner course as well. Cheaper, shorter and an excellent way to find out what you don't know.