The Gustavus Thread

[gustavus]

Gus and his crane truck will soon be parting company, I've grossed $19,000.00 of which I now have $4500.00 in the black with 95 cats waiting to be processed through the ball mill then added to my accumulated lot.



I've pretty much have my local area cleaned up of scrap cars now the farmers are hitting me with farm scrap,for example dragging an old swather or baler home then spending two days cutting it into smaller bits then reloading to maximize my load is not being very constructive with my time when it only takes me a few minutes to load a couple of cars after removing the cats.

Another PINTA that Native landfill site full of white goods, buying that trailer from Jack wasted money as I have also decided to pass on the white goods. I'm into the tailer for $500.00 with two payments owing. I'm going to return the tailer, and eat the 5.

I have a huge pile of scrap that I purchased last year the pile is mostly large brake drums it seems that I'm not able to find the time to remove the scrap so I'm going to wholesale it to Jack and have his crew remove it. Yea I have considered doing this with the Native white goods but dealing with Indians the politics can get in the way, better to let sleeping dogs lay.

This whole project was geared around cats and it has come to my attention that I'm able to buy cats wholesale further afield where the scrap value of the car is near nil because of logistics.

Soooo were going on a road trip, years ago photography was a hobby that I was heavily into. Just long enough to find out what my subject interests were before trading off my Mamiya for an electric guitar for my son. No the boy never became a Rock Star, he excelled with an old Radio Shack computer purchased at yard sale that came with all the popular programing languages. My son works as a drafting engineer using CAD whatever that is.

Unbeknown to me working with cats would one day rekindle my interest in photography, it was the platinum in the cats. This round going 8 x 10 inch large format using platinum salts to make contact prints. Since I'm going to be on the road anyhow figured why not kill two birds, buying cats and keeping an eye open for that million dollar shot.

Yes platinum and palladium as salts are light sensitive and were used in photography long before silver came into use. If you care to learn more just google platinotypes or platinum prints.

[freonjoe]

Can you get enough volume in cats to justify doing road trips?

[gustavus]

Can you get enough volume in cats to justify doing road trips?

It's a gamble I'm willing to take.

[austonwerner4]

I buy them too

[gustavus]

Just got back from Jacks, thought the cops would be home enjoying Fathers Day, seen half a dozen of them out hiding in the weeds fortunately none bothered me. About the only bad thing it rained most of the day.

Got home in time to see the auction end that I was bidding on, Cambo Large Format 8 x 10 camera, closed at $870.00. I had a $1350.00 proxy on it and thought that was not enough but had trouble squeezing the piggy bank for more funds. So I'm rather pleased at my winning bid, its a very nice camera.

Here's the completed auction, Item number: 150831755532

[gustavus]

It's been a blast helping out where I could.

Last summer my woman Pat informed me that she was moving back to B.C. one thing you could always count on was Pats word. During this time she made all the necessary arrangements for her new home. Also we tweaked to legal matters of shared property.

The property in Elphinstone is much larger than I need and its located mere minutes from cottage country and the beaches that the Winnipeggers come to enjoy during the summer months. We decided that this property had more potential to sell over the Birnie place, so I'm moving back then we'll list this property in hopes of a quick sale.

Called Jack this morning, he was also true to his word and held me at $150.00 ton, effective this morning I'm at $130.00 which makes it impossible to operate and make a reasonable profit. I'll not sell the crane truck but finish up what I have to haul then park it until prices come up again if they ever do. I have a feeling that were in for the long haul this time.

Once I get settled in to the Birnie house and shop, I'm going to fire up the foundry and play around with that new camera. The only option I have for high speed Internet is Xplorenet via satellite - been there done that. The service is deplorable, I refuse to pay such high premiums for such crappy service, my net presence is coming to an end.

The Birnie shack Pictures by ravanian - Photobucket

[Filthy]

i would hate to see you leave the net. maybe try the new mobile app.

i'd miss you, bro

[Mechanic688]

The only option I have for high speed Internet is Xplorenet via satellite - been there done that. The service is deplorable, I refuse to pay such high premiums for such crappy service, my net presence is coming to an end.

As you know, I've really enjoyed your stories of the different things you've done in life. I'm gonna go thru withdrawals cause I live thru your exploitations. I'll wait for your book to come out,,,lol Take care till we hear from you again,,Mike

[gustavus]

Always reading about you guys yapping about CR figured I would give it a test drive by posting a free ad in the M4W. In two short days I've already learned some new lingo.

In less than 24 hours of my ad running I canceled the listing, no I did not get LUCKY. To bad my ebay auctions weren't this active. I've received solicitations from the four corners of the globe with with some spicy pictures. Due to the nature of these not able to share with you guys on an open forum.

WTF has the world come too, did I fall asleep in-class and miss something.

Yea I should be busy moving, and here I am telling stories again.

Made an attempt at going to Saskatchewan to get some help with the household part of this move but it was much to hot for my mutt so we turned and came back home to swelter in the heat in some comfort. See what tomorrow brings.

[gustavus]

Cleaned up some bits from the yard, loaded that grain trailer, then headed out for J's yard, both truck and trailer on the scaled grossed out at 40,000 lbs. Between the truck and trailer my payload was 24,600 lbs which will still net me a hefty payday somewheres around $1500.00 with todays prices.

Had D.O.T. pulled me over their scales the truck would have been over the legal limit in the rear axle, the trailer is not well balanced and it put way too much weight onto the truck. These grain truck conversions look good on paper but belong on the farm not the highways.

That DT466 is the smallest diesel engine I've ever had in a truck and have to say I'm rather impressed with the little best. I had a couple of long hills to pull and she handled then like a champion.

Also this is the fist 5 and 2 transmission arrangement I've driven, I found that I only needed the clutch to start out then every shift after with out. My fist truck had two sticks the fist transmission a 5 speed coupled to a 4 speed which kept ya busy.

Trucks equipped with an auxiliary transmission can be equipped with a power tower which are great for winching applications and you better make sure your truck is well anchored or its heading into the bog.

A power tower is driven from the input shaft of an auxiliary transmission. This means that you can put the auxiliary transmission in neutral, and drive the power tower output shaft with as many speeds as you have in your main transmission, ie. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 etc. With the auxiliary in neutral, the truck will not move as the output of the Brownie is not turning, hence the main drive-shaft to rear axles. They are great for heavy winching applications.

A tid bit on heavy winching, if the object is embedded in mud, tighten up on the winch line then wait a few seconds to allow the suction to break before proceeding. You will be amazed at the difference of trying to do an immediate hook n pull. Brute force does not win in this situation and all you'll do is end up breaking winch line by not breaking suction.

Same thing would apply if you got a cat bogged in mud.

There's always call for experienced winch truck operators in the oil patch.

Today will be spent cleaning rads and loading the pick up with aluminum for a trip into the city, rather than lug this crap over to Birnie the city looks to be a better option. I have a crappy neighbor over at the other place so a cleaner yard is necessary.

My large format camera came in yesterday afternoon, customs hit me up for an additional $115.00. Its a great looking camera now to add some accessories, fist on the list is a tri pod then some film.

This 8"x10" is a monster, already I'm thinking about buying another smaller 4"x5" for nature work, hopefully the lenses will interchange.

Ahh yes the best part is that I'm old enough to apply for an early pension, in Canada we are eligible for full pension at 65 but may apply at 60 for a reduced rate. As you get closer to 65 the rate increases so I've been holding off a bit. I figure what the heck its time for Gill to kick back and enjoy the count down.

Power tower mounted on top of auxiliary transmission.

[BarrenRealms007]

This just ain't right you leaving. You had better call some time then.

[gustavus]

This just ain't right you leaving. You had better call some time then.

I'm giving up the telephone and Internet 7/31/12 to live the life of a hermit, will call before then.

Just moments ago walked in the door from a quick trip to Saskatchewan and back, they had a major wind storm and there's grain bins scattered all over the countryside. Not one is salvageable, enough scrap to keep 30 people busy.

This is one day I wished that I had brought my camera, found 3 scrap Hueys laying in a field. Using google earth enter in these coordinates and you may see them with the eye in the sky.

N 50 49.134 W102 28.249

[BarrenRealms007]

I'm giving up the telephone and Internet 7/31/12 to live the life of a hermit, will call before then.

Just moments ago walked in the door from a quick trip to Saskatchewan and back, they had a major wind storm and there's grain bins scattered all over the countryside. Not one is salvageable, enough scrap to keep 30 people busy.

This is one day I wished that I had brought my camera, found 3 scrap Hueys laying in a field. Using google earth enter in these coordinates and you may see them with the eye in the sky.

N 50 49.134 W102 28.249

You might want to delay your plans then. The truck is needed again.

[gustavus]

You might want to delay your plans then. The truck is needed again.

Nope, my plans are carved in stone, already offered the truck to one of our forum members who live not to far on the south side of the 49th from me. Half of what I paid takes her home. I just need it until the end of July.

Also selling my Mig and metal lathe and have a pending sale on that large hammer mill, I'm going to keep my AC/DC stick welder, air compressor, plasma and foundry furnace. Then lighten up on the amount of tools I have.

I have tools that I purchased over the years, my fathers tools on his passing plus Pats deceased husbands tools. This next move will be six times I've had to move em since we moved from BC to Manitoba.

My son is a computer geek and makes his living from it, these tools are of no interest or use to him.

[gustavus]

Last summer I was given an old anhydrous ammonia tank, same as shown in the picture.

The laws changed, these older tanks are pressure tested to something like 200 psi and the new regs require 300 psi. So for those willing to do the leg work theres some scrap to be had, and the best part is that most are on trailers that you can tow.

I haven't picked mine up yet so I cant tell you how much they weigh, the one I have they removed it from the trailer. If you have to cut the tank open anhydrous ammonia is an inert gas. But I would still advise you to look up the MSDS sheet.

[IdahoScrapper]

I've been to Saskatchewan (Saskatoon). Only there for a week but it seems like a nice place.

[gustavus]

I've been to Saskatchewan (Saskatoon). Only there for a week but it seems like a nice place.

Saskatchewan is a more prosperous and progressive province than Manitoba, but then none of the property's I own have tax's exceeding $250.00. Sask gets real pavement while we get seal coat on our highways.

[huntsman]

Saskatchewan is a more prosperous and progressive province than Manitoba, but then none of the property's I own have tax's exceeding $250.00. Sask gets real pavement while we get seal coat on our highways.

Wow. Where I live you will pay up to $4,000 per year for a pretty normal little house and lot. I pay a lot more!

[gustavus]

Wow. Where I live you will pay up to $4,000 per year for a pretty normal little house and lot. I pay a lot more!

This was one of the many reasons why we choose to sell out in B.C. then move to Manitoba, living here is like being caught in a time warp which did not appeal to my partner Pat. We jointly own two property's both of which cost us less than 50k each.

She told me last summer that she was B.C. bound, over the winter months made her arrangements for the move, she bought a 32 ft class A motor home to live in as you can see neither of us are very conventional.

Currently I reside on a two acre parcel just on the outskirts of a small village ( Elphinstone MB ) its a beautifully treed lot backing onto the Little Saskatchewan River with no neighbors to bother me.

This property is much more suited for a quick sale, I'm moving back to the Birnie house which suits me with my current planning.

[msearl3244]

This whole thread shows a lot of class on the part of all parties involved. It makes me even happier that I invested to become a Scrap Room Member instead of just lying in the cut with my head down.