Went to visit a scout leader buddy this evening. He heats his home with wood and cuts up wood shipping pallets for kindling. Few cuts and I have my free wood frame for the tanker.
His wonderful wife fed me dinner while I was there! Good times.
Pallets are a wonderful source of wood… especially if you have a planer… but a table saw will give you most everything you need…
Look for a pallet that is used for heavy stuff, like bricks or such, and it often has oak planks, I’ve saved some really nice red oak and white oak too… I got lucky once and found one that had rough cut 5" wide 1" planks of white oak…
But I did have to dig down thru about 20 pallets in a stack to get to that one.
that’s the spirit of MIK!
Okay, this past weekend I was the Campmaster for the Scout units attending camp. I do have an update, the aluminum tank was handed off to the weld shop. I threaded a rod to hold the 2 domed ends in place for welding. I should have taken a picture before I handed it over, but I did not.
Here instead, is a picture from Saturday afternoon as the sun was setting.
This is the dinning hall at Camp John H. Ware taken from the second floor of Macaleer Lodge. Was a beautiful weekend to be at camp!
2 Likes
Beautiful camp. I have such find memories of my scouting days. Summer camp, winter jamboree, and camping someplace every month. We had awesome leaders. We camped 11 months out of the year regardless of weather. One of my favorite trips was snowshoeing 2.5 miles to Revett lake in sub freezing weather and making snow caves in the tree wells of 5 foot plus deep snow. As an adult I can fully appreciate the sacrifice my leaders made to give us kids an experience that has lasted with me today. The reason I put a backpack on and hike solo into mountain lakes is firmly rooted in those days.
Just catching up here and the only question I have is with the top fill of the tanker. That set up may work but what are you going to do about the misfire on the Ford ?
As you probably know, that tube is a heat insulator for the plug wire. When the operator picks up the vehicle the engine will be cold. Once he clears the end of the driveway we’re good, warranty expires.
Now for the hard part for me. getting the coupler mounted at the correct height.
The coupler will be frame mounted. The tank should be ready tomorrow.
Busy month for scouting. Yesterday was a Pinewood Derby workshop. One of the scout’s grandfather was cutting wood blocks with his hobby band saw. Another leader was weighting bodies bodies with melted, old car wheel weights. Lots of sanding and dremel work too. Next Saturday is the race.
2 Likes
Tank is getting closer to being done.
I realize my pictures lack what must be the required libation endorsements. Hope this helps.
2 Likes
You are a mad man on a grinder. Looks great.
Just to be clear, no grinding soft metal on a grinding wheel. 40 grit on a belt sander. A little more dressing required with a finer product.
Well in my book two things are required for my MIK to be successful. B&B. Bourbon and blood. I have one half of the equation, bourbon ( well whiskey at least). But so far no blood.
Makers mark is an on the Devon’s approved liquor list. BTW for those who knew him it was Steve Featherkile’s drink of choice.
I have been known to enjoy some Scotch too. I couldn’t add that to the picture as the empty bottle went out with the recyclables.
I’m a Basil Hayden man myself 
Vic have you tried BH’s Red wine cask finished bourbon? I am not a huge wine fan but it adds a unique and subtle finish to it.
1 Like
I’ll keep an eye out for it
1 Like
Wayne how long did the grinding take you to get to this point?
No grinding, 40 grit belt sander at work. I hurried at lunchtime, about 15 minutes. I did go a little deep in some spots. Add another 10 minutes to find and install a new belt. The belt on the machine was an 80 grit (worn out).
1 Like
I’m gonna take a wild guess and say a couple fingers of makers mark. Lol