The Bullion Express--Boot Hill Express (Reboot 10-4-22)

Hey!

 That ain't a model Mate!

 BUT! It does remind me of the Many wonderful visits to your great Country

Greg

My latest golly-gee thing with my phone camera is the close up (not quite qualified to call macro or micro) is so good, I find myself taking pics of stuff I can't see with my bifocals to read small print. Darned things are so convenient. Even snob-Greg can learn given time.

Yeah.... or how about that torch light on the phone? We had a power outage a few weeks back and I was able to use the torch to get around. Or yesterday when I was placing an on-line order and I was trying to see the CC # on the card. The bank that issued me the card in their infinite wisdom decided to put the CC# on the back, in really small print, and I mean small, in white, against a gray background! There is no way I can read it unless I put it up to a lamp and even then, it is a struggle. I used the phone light and holy Sammie Cats, the number popped! I have a coworker that uses the light/close imaging to take pics of business receipts for expense reports. The uses continue to grow. And now I am using it for this hobby, and my phone is several years old, old technology. I can imagine todays technology would blow my phone away. 

Bakster

 

 

Greg

My latest golly-gee thing with my phone camera is the close up (not quite qualified to call macro or micro) is so good, I find myself taking pics of stuff I can't see with my bifocals to read small print. Darned things are so convenient. Even snob-Greg can learn given time.

 

 

Yeah.... or how about that torch light on the phone? We had a power outage a few weeks back and I was able to use the torch to get around. Or yesterday when I was placing an on-line order and I was trying to see the CC # on the card. The bank that issued me the card in their infinite wisdom decided to put the CC# on the back, in really small print, and I mean small, in white, against a gray background! There is no way I can read it unless I put it up to a lamp and even then, it is a struggle. I used the phone light and holy Sammie Cats, the number popped! I have a coworker that uses the light/close imaging to take pics of business receipts for expense reports. The uses continue to grow. And now I am using it for this hobby, and my phone is several years old, old technology. I can imagine todays technology would blow my phone away. 

 

 

 

Indeed!

Bakster

And or when hovering over my dinner plate.

CapnMac82

 

 

Bakster

And or when hovering over my dinner plate.

 

 

 

 

I swear Capn, you have a camera everywhere. That is exactly what I am talking about. It is me on the couch eating and Sammie crawling over me for best line of sight. 

You crack me up, Capn. I dont know how figured that one. Lol

Bakster

The uses continue to grow. And now I am using it for this hobby, and my phone is several years old, old technology. I can imagine todays technology would blow my phone away.

Let us also not forget that the 'selfie' camera can be used as a de facto mirror in a pinch...useful for catching the occasional cheek smudge or smear, when one suddenly notices mucky fingers from having accidentally touched who-knows-what.

Now that's funny.  Have a standard poodle and a longhaired Siamese that do the same thing.

She stands about the same chance as a snowflake in a blastfurnace of getting to eat all of it

gregbale

 

 

Bakster

The uses continue to grow. And now I am using it for this hobby, and my phone is several years old, old technology. I can imagine todays technology would blow my phone away.

 

 

Let us also not forget that the 'selfie' camera can be used as a de facto mirror in a pinch...useful for catching the occasional cheek smudge or smear, when one suddenly notices mucky fingers from having accidentally touched who-knows-what.

 

Ha! That's a good one. Lol...

The other thing I thought of later was driving directions. I don't have need of it much but its handy when I do.

It was a slow start for me on that.  I had a few times where I googled a map and tried to follow the printout. That seldom worked well. Ultimately, it ended in a call to the person I was meeting that I am a bit lost. I am one of them that hates to stop for directions. I will keep driving until I find it. But when I have an appointment to meet, I have to suck it up. Once when I stepped into the new age of having a smart phone, I was kindly encouraged in how phone apps can talk me through to places. Wow. Just in time, as my eyesight goes with age and maps are tough to see.

goldhammer88

Now that's funny.  Have a standard poodle and a longhaired Siamese that do the same thing.

She stands about the same chance as a snowflake in a blastfurnace of getting to eat all of it

 

I wish I could give Sammie wet food and or treats but man, he pukes it up. I am stuck with a cat that has a sensitive stomach. He seems able to handle dry food but deviate from that, even a little, BARF. It sucks for him and for me. 

Sorry boys, I've been a bit preocupied for the last few days and havn't been on the site. The beastie is looking good Bakster, seems like it's starting to come together. I'm not a car buff, but I have an original Monogram Li'l Coffin and the 1964 catologue which announced it's release. They're a great pair and they were great days when we were kids and all those cool models from mostly now defunct companies were around. I know that todays model scene is so much better in so many ways, but I don't feel the same excitement that I did when I was a kid.

Anyway, thanks for the nice comments about my local area, if any of you ever get here, you have free bed and board waiting. As for sharks Bakster, yep, you would probably get nibbled out there. Great Whites, White Pointers, Bull Sharks, Hammerheads, Bronze Whalers and more. Mind you, there's lots of bitey things on land too...... and you really don't want to bump into a salty, (salt water croc). Then as gamera said, there's always the drop bears.....

Incidently Bakster, if you're feeding sammie on dry food, make sure he drinks lots of water. Dry food can cause urinary problems for male cats.

You want fun...try cathing a cat....wife had to do it several times for her Persian when he'd get plugged up.  And he'd just lay there, knowing she's was trying to help.

goldhammer88

You want fun...try cathing a cat....wife had to do it several times for her Persian when he'd get plugged up.  And he'd just lay there, knowing she's was trying to help.

 

Oh man. Sounds like my first cat I had to put down for that problem. She was 17. Sweet cat. Glad.her suffering is over though.

How old is your Persian?

Dodgy

Incidently Bakster, if you're feeding sammie on dry food, make sure he drinks lots of water. Dry food can cause urinary problems for male cats.

 

That is one thing I dont have to worry about with Sammie. He drinks a lot of water. He is 16 going on 17 so the clock is ticking.  He is doing better than my first cat at this age.

Dodgy

Sorry boys, I've been a bit preocupied for the last few days and havn't been on the site

Glad u are still with is. 

Dodgy

The beastie is looking good Bakster, seems like it's starting to come together

Yeah a little bit. I was looking at what I want to do on this and mate, I have my work set out for me. Pulling in the wheels, raising the stance of the front wheels, and even moving them back closer to the seat. It won't be a street rod, it will be a carriage. Then all the custom lighting and interior. There is a lot to do. 

Dodgy

I'm not a car buff, but I have an original Monogram Li'l Coffin and the 1964 catologue which announced it's release. They're a great pair and they were great days when we were kids and all those cool models from mostly now defunct companies were around. I know that todays model scene is so much better in so many ways, but I don't feel the same excitement that I did when I was a kid.

Amen! Well said. Funny thing. This build is bringing some of that joy back to me. 

Dodgy

As for sharks Bakster, yep, you would probably get nibbled out there. Great Whites, White Pointers, Bull Sharks, Hammerheads, Bronze Whalers and more. Mind you, there's lots of bitey things on land too...... and you really don't want to bump into a salty, (salt water croc). Then as gamera said, there's always the drop bears.....

Sounds like a 1000 ways to die. I think I would sit on the deck where it's safe. Unless you have killer wasps I have to worry about or some sort of carnivorous killer birds!

Nah mate, no killer wasps. Snakes and spiders, yeah, but when you're on the deck with a coldie, who cares??????

I know you have a lot of work in front of you, but I have no doubt that you'll get there and the finished result will be unique, probably something we all wished we had tried. Cap'n Nemo would promote you to Senior Engineer for this. The child in me is loving this and it brings back great memories. 

gregbale

Let us also not forget that the 'selfie' camera can be used as a de facto mirror in a pinch...useful for catching the occasional cheek smudge or smear, when one suddenly notices mucky fingers from having accidentally touched who-knows-what.

There's one I hadn't heard or thought of. Excellent!

My wife believes she is the booger police, drives me batty. Maybe I can try this trick to try to get a step ahead of her.

Bakster

 

 

goldhammer88

You want fun...try cathing a cat....wife had to do it several times for her Persian when he'd get plugged up.  And he'd just lay there, knowing she's was trying to help.

 

 

 

 

Oh man. Sounds like my first cat I had to put down for that problem. She was 17. Sweet cat. Glad.her suffering is over though.

How old is your Persian?

 

We had to put him down at least 15 years ago.  He was pushing 17 or so.

Got an oatmeal replacement about 2005, he disappeared in 2008, we think someone grabbed him when he was outside.  I've got a longhaired Siamese mix now.  Mom was all black Longhair, Dad all Siamese, she got everything from him except the yowl.  Named her Takhli after one of our sister bases from when I was in Thailand.

goldhammer88

We had to put him down at least 15 years ago.  He was pushing 17 or so.

Sorry to hear that. It's a painful thing, worse than I imagined with my last one. I didn't want another pet after that but a friend of mine got into health issues and she can no longer care for Sammie. So in comes Bakster. Sad thing all around but Sammie gets spoiled here. Though, he is not too happy with me right now with his restrictive non-treat diet. 

Dodgy

Nah mate, no killer wasps. Snakes and spiders, yeah, but when you're on the deck with a coldie, who cares??????

Glad to hear it and CHEERS!

Dodgy

Cap'n Nemo would promote you to Senior Engineer for this.

Laughing.  Here Bakster.. go play with some building blocks and report back to me

Dodgy

The child in me is loving this and it brings back great memories. 

That makes this all worth it to me. Cheers mate! 

Dodgy

The child in me is loving this and it brings back great memories.

The adult in me wants some cottage industry PE 3d prints for a bunch of these "fun" kits, though

Unless Pontos makes the PE--those guys are nutz

CapnMac82

The adult in me wants some cottage industry PE 3d prints for a bunch of these "fun" kits, though

Sorry, had to chime in on this. I was thinking the same thing. I think if this ever happened, I will know that I died and went to model heaven. Truly, it would be a magical thing. 

In order to raise and move the front end, I had to fabricate a crossmember for the axle to attach to. This little piece took me several hours to make. Pita. Getting the angles for correct height was the main challenge.

For reference I noted where the axle was to go. As you can see I moved the assembly back and raised it in line with the rear axle. This of course jazzed all the linkages, so I had to modify them a bit. I also dressed up the crossmember with brackets and such to help make it look not so stupid. My other option was to lower the rear axle. This option had its limitations and, in the end, would require adjustment of both front and back. Adjusting the front was the lesser of two evils.

What's the deal with the open differential? I am glad it's hollow because I will be routing wiring through it but why they slotted both the pumpkin and axles, I do not know. I am on the fence if I will repair that. Probably will... because it bothers me.

I recently purchased this caliper, and I must tell ya--I wish I got one much sooner. I find myself using it a bunch! This is a cheap plastic one, but it seems to do the job. I love that it indicates metric as well. It is a handy tool when fabricating.

Nice kitbash job on the axle-raisy-thingie

I'm a bit surprised that is your first set of calipers. I know you are a fellow tool and gadget-lover......better late than never!

I still have my old Starretts from '72, I believe. I use them all the time when modeling. Glad you got dial calipers, they're the real McCoy.

I'll bet you find yourself grabbing them for non-modelling needs ofter enough it might surprise you.

Greg

Nice kitbash job on the axle-raisy-thingie

Thanks Greg about the thingie. 

Greg

m a bit surprised that is your first set of calipers. I know you are a fellow tool and gadget-lover......better late than never!

I have wanted one for a long time, just cheap I guess. I make do with what I have. But I decided to treat myself! Lol.

Greg

I'll bet you find yourself grabbing them for non-modelling needs ofter enough it might surprise you.

Agreed!

Bakster

I have wanted one for a long time, just cheap I guess. I make do with what I have. But I decided to treat myself! Lol.

Hey, so here is a story. 

Many years ago, maybe thirty of them, I met coworkers at a restaurant for a Christmas customer appreciation dinner. The customer had not arrived yet and the banter amongst us migrated to what we'd like for Christmas. The field sales rep chimed in with she'd like expensive jewelry, my manager tosses out something like a new Lexus or some such thing. Then they asked me what I wanted. I had to think about it. It had not actually crossed my mind. All I wanted at the time was this. I told em, I want a new ROM drive for my computer. They both look at each other in disbelief and they gave out a big hoot! These are people that flaunt their wealth, and that is what drives em. Me? I couldn't care less. Even if I was rich you probably wouldn't know it. So, they thought that was the most rediculous answer. Lol.

A subsequent outing for the same purpose had set up in a way similar as the last. This time, the question was, what would you want to be in life if you could magically change things. Honestly, I don't recall their answers, but it probably revolved around some self serving thing. My turn came up. Knowing how they are, I decided to set the stage. I told them that I would like to be a gold prospector. That same look came over their faces which lead to another eruption of laughter. I set them up but to be honest, I'd love to own a mine and pull wealth from the ground. No deadlines, no rediculous demands on me. It would be just me and what the Earth gives up to me. That would be the life.

Hey Greg. Don't tell me that you have a mine to sell. I am not biting. Lol.

We had some good times at those outings. How things have changed.

Good story.

I have no mine, but how about a nice bridge connecting the lower and UP of Michigan?

The thought of being a prospector is fun, but (in the movies) those guys are always getting kilt by bad guys when they hit a good one.

Good story Bakster, and yeah it would be cool. Our friend Goldhammer is a prospector, (as a hobby I think), I don't know if he's had any decent finds, but he certainly seems to enjoy it.

Isn't it fun to spend hours on something with so little to show for it. Ah well, that's modeling.

Greg

I have no mine, but how about a nice bridge connecting the lower and UP of Michigan?

Dude! No way! How much you want for it? 

Greg

The thought of being a prospector is fun, but (in the movies) those guys are always getting kilt by bad guys when they hit a good one.

You crack me up, Greg. This is why I share my stupid stories because it invariably leads to a sprinkling of forum humor.

My vision of being a prospector or gold mine operator is a romantisized one. It's hard work. Btw. To your point about bad guys. This is why I am building a gold carrying war wagon. I think the odds are on my side. The bandits better think twice or they will be run through by my electromagnetic rail guns.

I should also add this. I would be just as happy to have a diamond, sapphire, or any other valued mineral mine. I remember hearing a story about the Kimberly diamond mine. When it was first discovered, locals were hired and on hands and knees, they plucked diamonds off the ground, dropping them in cans hung around their necks. So rich was the source that diamonds could literally be picked off the ground. All you heard is the sound of ting, ting, ting. That is the sound of diamonds dropping in tin cans. Now THAT, would be cool. I think I will go grab a handful of diamonds because Bakster needs a new 4x4.

You know, my coworkers laughed at my prospector answer. But here is thing. The sales rep that laughed is a sort of prospector too. Are you ready for it? 

She was a, GOLD DIGGER! She was having an affair with our boss, the same guy at the outing that laughed with her. It was the most unbelievable situation. Her husband worked there too. Everyone at the company knew about the affair, he seemed to either look the other way, or, he was a party to it. And the latter is a possibility. I have heard some stories.

She dug for gold in her own way. 

There is a little bit of prospector in all of us.