Running Bear's January 2025 Coffee Shop

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From back when it mattered:
Reconditioned: cleaned and operation verified. May be repainted.
Rebuilt: Disassembled, damaged or worn components repaired or replaced to bring the item to operable condition.
Remanufactured: Disassembled, internal components replaced with new or rebuilt components, verified operable to original specifications.
Now you are showing your age as well as knowledge and experience. ;)

I think I was 16 or 17 the last time I saw reconditioned, with a 90-day warranty! That junk yard also sold bias-ply passenger retreads. Perfect for a poor teenager's budget, I loved that place!

I'm willing to bet many modern places sell what we knew as a cheap rebuild (used, tested, cleaned, and boxed) as remanufactured.
 
I mentioned earlier of mystery tracks in the garden

Still a mystery. Other people in the area have reported them also.

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You have entered the Twilight Zone

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I just experienced sticker shock--again.
I have a fair bit of N scale equipment, and there really isn't a good place to store the stuff when off the layout. I used to use Axian storage boxes to hold the equipment, in HO as well, when I had it.
I searched and found them still in business, and still selling the storage boxes. The price has increased from $21.95 to $31.95. A 50% or so price increase over the course of about 8 years. I guess that's inflation, so I put two in my shopping cart, and navigated to pay for them. Imagine my surprise when I found out shipping costs more than the boxes, making two cardboard boxes with foam inserts over $90, plus tax. I guess I'll be rethinking my storage situation.
 


Is the cost worth it, probably not but if it helps Terry be comfortable I’m fine with that and this should
When it comes to a home, I’ve always told people that tell me X feature isn’t worth the cost when you go to sell it that I’m building the house for me to live in, not to sell. I may sell it later but unless I am a contractor making spec homes (which I’m not), I’m making then house my home and hence for me. And I don’t bother listening to the naysayers who are worried about resale value.
 
This might be a good time to cue up some Golden Earring?

One of my favorites! Reminds me of the days when I was doing things I shouldn't have been doing.

"It's 2 a.m., the fear has gone"

"I'm falling down a spiral, destination unknown
Double-crossed messenger, all alone"

"Where am I to go, now that I've gone too far?"

Whoever wrote those lyrics knew what he was talking about.

Reminds me of this one,
"When I ran the hounds of hell
Twisted my foot, I nearly fell
I was lucky, I was alive
One look back I could have died"

I was a bad MF, I never felt so alive. May God have mercy on my soul.

"And from the wreckage I will arise
Cast the ashes back in their eyes
See the fire, I will defend
Just keep on burning right to the end"
 
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Because they knew a rebuilt one would be good. A new one is a crap shoot.
IMHO rebuilt starters and alternators are crap. Generally they are rebuilt enough to get them out the door. They may rebuild a starter for example that may have needed a solenoid to pass the muster. However no one tested the Bendix drive, or the brushes or even did a evaluation on the stator. Wham Bam then paint ma'm.

I'd rather have OEM new or at least OEM reman. Reman from a parts store is a crap shoot.
 
I know better than to ask, but why do the low tire sensors flash only when there's drizzle, rain or snow? Drove to work yesterday, but on my way home, got the low tire message. 2 tires at 29# and the other 2 at 30#. I aired them up again when I got home along with the wife's car as I already had the compressor hose out anyway.
I would guess that the rain is causing the signal from the tire pressure sensors to be partly obscured. some cars have TPMS sensors inside the tire mounted to the bottom of the valve stem. The things only have a little tiny battery in them and when it gets weak they can get wonky. Generally those batteries are only good for 5-6 years. My current truck has this system. When I replace the tires next time, I'll replace the sensors too.
Some cars dont have sensors but use the wheel speed sensors on each wheel to alert you too a low tire, because an underinflated tire rolls more revolutions per mile than properly inflated tires. Again, moisture can affect the wheel speed sensors, but very unlikely. I had an Impala with this system and it was quite reliable.
 
stairlight.jpg
Thanks to Louis for the recommendation. Three pack of these lights arrived today.

We did learn that even the cat sets off the motion sensor. Now to see how long the batteries last.

In other news, tonight was the candidate meet and greet for our new HOA board candidates. Five people. Three seats.

We'd read the "why do you want to run" statements along with the bios. I had my mind changed by one candidate after listening to her. And my wife suggested a different third preference than mine. I eventually agreed with her. We both agreed on top two candidates.

Since we only get one vote per unit, we needed to agree, and not voting for "the professor" over the Barge Salesman was easy to switch for me.
Our top three:
Terry the angry dog walking lawyer (recovering on the lawyer bit). He's got past board experience, and volunteers on the landscape committee - and brings an axe, chainsaw, and shovel to remove about any stump at the age of 70+ reminds me of a taller less hairy Willie.

The new guy, Speedo Don, mid sixties, and wears a speedo to whichever of the pools he's at, made his campaign platform that the board should be composed of year round residents, not heat-birds that flee Florida in the hot months.

The bottom three we settled on the safer bet. Younger guy (barge salesman). The teacher lady was angry about dogs and smoking inside the pool area closest to her. She wants to make processes for next steps... I wonder where my garden gnomes would rate on her list. After all, the current bylaws don't give any leeway for garden gnomes in the front yard gardens. And, the professor, well... He means well, but serving on faculty committees just means he knows how to committee.

Two more weeks and we'll know who wins.
 
Will you take photos along the way to share with us? This sounds like quite an interesting project.
Nope! I haven’t posted pictures of any of the houses since we had an incident after I first joined Facebook. I also rarely post pictures of our kids or grandchildren without permission because of that too. I promised my wife after that no house pictures. A couple winters ago I posted pictures of just the snow in the driveway and caught flax from the wife. I didn’t know the meta data or whatever it’s called can tell folks where the location of the picture was taken. Sorry Mike
 
Nope! I haven’t posted pictures of any of the houses since we had an incident after I first joined Facebook. I also rarely post pictures of our kids or grandchildren without permission because of that too. I promised my wife after that no house pictures. A couple winters ago I posted pictures of just the snow in the driveway and caught flax from the wife. I didn’t know the meta data or whatever it’s called can tell folks where the location of the picture was taken. Sorry Mike
My new phone has the ability to remove or change date, time, and location data.
For future reference, in case you end up having to post something somewhere, you can block that data, or change it.
 


Good evening. Been a quiet day. Actually ran some trains and drilled some industries.

We have a limited HOA, that really only has control and maintenance responsibility for the unbuildable woodland and wetlands, as well as the drainage retention basin.
The township owns the streets and curbs, we own our lots, we hire our own garbage collector, the town provides the recycle pickup, police, fire and ems, street lights and fire hydrants. Really nothing for the HOA to get their panties twisted over...When they get carried away, someone threatens calls the township and stops them. Annual fee still under $300, most of which goes to the property management company... I feel sorry for those who actually have to deal with activist HOAs, and their stupidity.

Have a great week and stay warm...
 
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