Hobby Thread - August 15, 2026 [TRex]

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread. For this week, the Wheel of Hobbies (TM) is feeling lucky and decided on a fire truck theme for this Hobby Thread.

A what? A fire truck theme?

[Top photo: 1922 Howe fire truck on a Ford Model T chassis at the former Kokomo, IN Automotive Museum, photo credit David D Jackson]

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Fire trucks are fun. How many kids looked up to firefighters and visited the local firehouse? How many kids had firetrucks as toys?

How many firetrucks have made their way down parade routes with lights and horns?

Firetrucks and fire fighting apparatus and memorabilia are popular with many people, including many that were never firefighters.

Firetrucks can qualify as a hobby. Anything firefighting qualifies. Any among the horde own a firetruck or have a friend that does? Anyone have an antique fire truck? Has any among the horde served as a firefighter? Does anyone collect firefighting equipment or memorabilia? Anyone visited a museum with a firefighting theme?

If you're an amateur pyromaniac or arson is your hobby, better to keep that to yourself.

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What are you hobbying?

Fire trucks may not be everyone's favorite but give the content a chance before you judge. Any adjacent hobbying is in scope (such as small scale collecting or model building), so jump in with your interests, stories and questions.

In any event, the thread is not limited to to the theme. Anything (legal) you are hobbying is welcome. Even if the theme does not speak to you, you might learn something or be entertained. If not, offer something else relating to hobbying. If all of that fails, just check in and say hello.

As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. Leave politics and religion to threads elsewhere (unless your hobby is building or restoring churches). Pants? Nope. As always, puns are welcome and encouraged.

Play nice and do not be rude. Do not be a troll and do not feed the trolls.

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Are you wise in the ways of SPAAMFAA? The Society for the Preservation & Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America

SPAAMFAA was established in Syracuse New York in 1958. Over 1800 members are part of fifty local chapters, primarily in the US and Canada. You don't need to own a fire truck or other antique fire apparatus, but it doesn't hurt. Some members focus on photography or collecting books, patches, toys and models and other fire fighting memorabilia.

Are you aware of other similar groups?

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Want to buy a firetruck of your own? Fire departments periodically sell their old trucks. This guy bought an operating fire truck in Kansas for $3,000 from a facebook post. What a deal! (Really - three grand seems like a steal, even with pricey replacement parts.)

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How to make a fire truck

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People in Poland party with their fire trucks!

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This looks like fun

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Wow. Restoring or keeping old fire engines running is a labor of love.

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I love this. Restoring an old metal toy firetruck:

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Mythbusters tackle firehose power:

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Apparently some people collect fire extinguishers. Sure, why not?

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Horde Hobbying - Moron Beckoning Chasm has been busy with animation:

Maybe BC will add context or background on his project in the comments. I think he'll appear if you say his name three times.

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I do not have the patience, skill or talent to do this:

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"Why would I watch a 30 plus minute video on cymbal making? Because it is incredibly cool."

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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We did a random car theme. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

Notable comments from last week:

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Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

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Reminder: if you put links in the comments, use a URL shortener and describe what you're linking to. Failing to do either or both makes you barrel-eligible. Don't make people click to find out what you're linking.

Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Or just email to say hello. Do mighty things.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2026 05:30 PM (WDaeq)

2 Why are fire trucks always red?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 15, 2026 05:30 PM (1Ff7Z)

3 Cackle ............. Cackle ................ Cackle .............

[Please cackle on topic please. -TRex]

Posted by: Kami Harris at August 15, 2026 05:33 PM (JDSUL)

4 SPAAMFAA was established in Syracuse New York in 1958.

That's funny. I figured SPAAMFAA would have been established in Hawaii.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 15, 2026 05:33 PM (1Ff7Z)

5 Rode on firetrucks often as a kid, my dad was a fireman. He is still around, just at 89yp not chasing fires anymore

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2026 05:33 PM (WDaeq)

6 Not all firetrucks are red, a number of fire companies in se Pa have different colors. Green, yellow, white

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2026 05:35 PM (WDaeq)

7 Apparently some people collect fire extinguishers. Sure, why not?

Frank Fritz collected fire memorabilia. Not ashes, but he was an inspector of some type.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 15, 2026 05:35 PM (1Ff7Z)

8 Not all firetrucks are red, a number of fire companies in se Pa have different colors. Green, yellow, white
Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2026 05:35 PM (WDaeq)

Because Reds are always Russian.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 15, 2026 05:38 PM (1Ff7Z)

9 People in Poland party with their fire trucks!

If you have more than one fire truck, you never have to take them to the car wash. 🤔

Posted by: mikeski at August 15, 2026 05:38 PM (VHUov)

10 I've got no paintings with today's hobby theme. But since it seems most morons would prefer to throw an abstract painting in a fire I've got one of those to post. See nic. 😀

Posted by: polynikes at August 15, 2026 05:38 PM (KC5Lt)

11 In non-fire truck hobby news, as mentioned on last night's ONT, I've finally finished the latest animation thing. It's a bit over ten minutes long.

https://tinyurl.com/4kmztraf

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at August 15, 2026 05:38 PM (CHHv1)

12 I thought Herbie was a VW?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at August 15, 2026 05:39 PM (Cqx++)

13 Fire trucks ain't cheap.

Around $2.5 million per truck. Custom made for each department.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 15, 2026 05:40 PM (FZ29D)

14 * mixes in some Pet Thread *

Dalmatians are the typical "firehouse dog" because there weren't always fire trucks. In the days of horse-drawn fire equipment, Dalmatians were chosen because they got along with the horses.

Posted by: mikeski at August 15, 2026 05:42 PM (VHUov)

15 Posted by: BeckoningChasm at August 15, 2026 05:38 PM (CHHv1)

Really cool. Do you have a program or something that helps you with the shadow work?

Posted by: polynikes at August 15, 2026 05:44 PM (KC5Lt)

16 Not all firetrucks are red, a number of fire companies in se Pa have different colors. Green, yellow, white
Posted by: Skip

And my FF capt son thinks those colors should be banned.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at August 15, 2026 05:45 PM (NnhvP)

17 16 Not all firetrucks are red, a number of fire companies in se Pa have different colors. Green, yellow, white
Posted by: Skip

And my FF capt son thinks those colors should be banned.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at August 15, 2026 05:45 PM (NnhvP)

My town's Fire trucks are Sky Blue.

Posted by: polynikes at August 15, 2026 05:46 PM (KC5Lt)

18 19 ... " I've got no paintings with today's hobby theme. But since it seems most morons would prefer to throw an abstract painting in a fire I've got one of those to post."

polynikes,
That is a brilliant echo (or spoof) of Picasso. Thanks. It made me smile.

Posted by: JTB at August 15, 2026 05:47 PM (yTvNw)

19 Thank you for another excellent hobby thread. Even though my first thought is I'll never use anything mentioned, I will spend hours watching all the videos and reading all the comments. I'm just now starting today, but I foresee several hours enjoyment until the next thread. Thank you!!!

Posted by: Jayhawkone at August 15, 2026 05:48 PM (QSaoA)

20 Dalmatians are the typical "firehouse dog" because there weren't always fire trucks. In the days of horse-drawn fire equipment, Dalmatians were chosen because they got along with the horses.
Posted by: mikeski at August 15, 2026 05:42 PM (VHUov)

Lot of people believe urban myth that they were chosen because they are often deaf or near deaf and aren't bothered by the noise.

Posted by: polynikes at August 15, 2026 05:49 PM (KC5Lt)

21 Cackle ............. Cackle ................ Cackle .............

[Strike two. Hobbying, not politics in this thread. - TRex]

Posted by: Kami Harris at August 15, 2026 05:49 PM (JDSUL)

22 In NY, we lived in a tiny village, Plandome, part of Manhasset. It was once featured in Forbes because over half the members of our volunteer department were CEOs, who picked Plandome because they could be firemen. July 4th parade ended up with the kids having water fights with the fire hoses.

Since CEOs are not so young, the other half of the fire department was high school kids. The stuff that memories are made of.

Posted by: Wenda at August 15, 2026 05:49 PM (NSpAF)

23 Have they not experimented with different colors for emgency vehicles to determine which have the highest visibility? Seems like sky blue would be bad for that.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at August 15, 2026 05:51 PM (Cqx++)

24 I bought a quarter scale radio controlled digger. My wife booted me out and now I'm homeless.

Who will take me in?

Posted by: what the cat drug in at August 15, 2026 05:53 PM (jrgJz)

25 Apologies for not noting I was already in the post. I'm exhausted and have barely been on the computer.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at August 15, 2026 05:53 PM (CHHv1)

26 Posted by: mikeski at August 15, 2026 05:42 PM

Thanks. I didn't know that .

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 15, 2026 05:53 PM (y8wRt)

27 I gotta do a brake job on my truck tomorrow. Oh joy. Still $272 in parts and some sweat vs $900 the brake shop quoted me.

Posted by: toby928(c) at August 15, 2026 05:55 PM (4NO2D)

28 And that is an awesome fire truck in the first picture. I should probably go to a car museum that has cars and trucks from the 20's and 30's because that period for automobiles is just really interesting to me.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 15, 2026 05:57 PM (y8wRt)

29 Anybody here do large format photography? For probably 25+ years now, I've been torn between wanting the latest, techie-est, umpty-megapixel digital SLR because I'm a geek and wanting a view camera made of wood, brass, and leather because some deep part of me has always felt like that's what photography should be. I've always thought and said that the secret to "good" photography is to take a lot of pictures and throw away 90% of them before anyone else sees them and digital makes that a lot more feasible. But still, to quote someone without naming him, "the heart wants what it wants."

Posted by: Oddbob at August 15, 2026 05:57 PM (vTZFs)

30 Fire extinguishers at one time used Carbon Tetrachloride as the active suppressant.

Contemporary fire extinguishers, filled with a powder, tend to become heavily compacted inside after sitting for long time periods, vibration, etc. In the event of a fire, they will often not dispense all of the contents, if they even work at all. What is suggested is to periodically invert the extinguishers and rap on the sides with a rubber mallet, to loosen the contents again.

Posted by: Common Tater at August 15, 2026 05:59 PM (vbftO)

31 We have a volunteer fire department here. Only a couple of people are fulltime employees but, the force is about 90% city employees. It works because they are always in town.

Posted by: toby928(c) at August 15, 2026 05:59 PM (4NO2D)

32 Okay I do have one painting on an Asian landscape theme though not as skilled as the crystal ball painter. See nic.

Posted by: polynikes at August 15, 2026 06:00 PM (KC5Lt)

33 Posted by: BeckoningChasm at August 15, 2026 05:38 PM
Watching on phone, willwatch again on big screen after supper

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2026 06:00 PM (WDaeq)

34 My town's Fire trucks are Sky Blue.

Sure. Why not make them that plumber's putty gray that's so popular now. I mean, why would you want a FIRE TRUCK to stand out or anything?

Posted by: Oddbob at August 15, 2026 06:00 PM (vTZFs)

35 And that is an awesome fire truck in the first picture. I should probably go to a car museum that has cars and trucks from the 20's and 30's because that period for automobiles is just really interesting to me.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 15, 2026

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I grew up with the cars of the '60s and '70s. But many of the plastic model assembly kits I built and customized were of 1930s-1950s cars, like the '35 Ford and '40 Ford coupes, the '48 Ford, the Tri-Five Chevys (1955 through '57), the '58 Impala like my father's, etc. So I always love seeing the older ones.

Watching 1930s-1940s movies, you'll see a lot of then-current sedans and convertibles like Packards and Buicks.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 15, 2026 06:03 PM (wzUl9)

36 I still have a ladder truck toy.

One of my elementary school teachers took us on a tour of a local fire station. My memory is of the brass pole they slid down.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 15, 2026 06:04 PM (XeU6L)

37 Posted by: Oddbob at August 15, 2026 06:00 PM (vTZFs)

You wouldn't think but you would be surprised how much they stand out.

Look up Willis ,TX fire trucks .

Posted by: polynikes at August 15, 2026 06:04 PM (KC5Lt)

38 My dad was a fireman from a few years before I was born until they moved out of town about 3 years ago. He still would go to the firehouse and help clean up. Assistant Chief, drove ladder thruck, ambulance crew, rescue squad

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2026 06:06 PM (WDaeq)

39 I've always thought and said that the secret to "good" photography is to take a lot of pictures and throw away 90% of them before anyone else sees them and digital makes that a lot more feasible.

Posted by: Oddbob at August 15, 2026 05:57 PM (vTZFs)

That is the "correct" way. Of course, you make a proof sheet of all your pix first, then develop the ones you think are best.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 15, 2026 06:06 PM (1Ff7Z)

40 polynikes that is just awesome

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2026 06:07 PM (WDaeq)

41 I just picked up an ice cream maker, and I need to be very careful that making and consuming ice cream and sorbet doesn't become a significant hobby!

One of each so far, and I am very happy with the results!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at August 15, 2026 06:07 PM (l4RKn)

42 I thought Herbie was a VW?
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at August 15, 2026 05:39 PM (Cqx++)

That Herbie is a firebug....

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 15, 2026 06:07 PM (1Ff7Z)

43 One of our older fire stations has been abandoned, and the Progressive city is allowing it to decay. Pic:
https://shorturl.at/2HK07

Insulting, I think, to thosewho served there.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 15, 2026 06:08 PM (XeU6L)

44 My uncles on both my mom and dad's family were NYFD. Only one of their son's , my cousin followed suit.

Posted by: polynikes at August 15, 2026 06:09 PM (KC5Lt)

45 At first glance I thought the car up top might be a Stanley Steamer. When I visited the Stanley Hotel in CO, the hotel that was the model for King's Overlook in The Stand, there was a 3/4 scale model of the classic Stanley Steamer in the lobby. No surprise; the hotel was built by and named after the same guy who developed the car. Sort of an Elon Musk of his day, I gather.

None of the plastic assembly model companies had model fire trucks that I ever saw. Aurora did have a line of "Old-Timers," kits like the Mercer Raceabout, the Stutz Bearcat, the Stanley Steamer, and the "curved-dash" Oldsmobile -- from the days when the "dash" was intended to protect the occupants from flying mud as they drove.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 15, 2026 06:10 PM (wzUl9)

46 I just picked up an ice cream maker, and I need to be very careful that making and consuming ice cream and sorbet doesn't become a significant hobby!
-----

Hand-cranking reduces craving...wait...this isn't one of them new-fangled 'lectric things, is it?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 15, 2026 06:11 PM (XeU6L)

47 I gotta do a brake job on my truck tomorrow. Oh joy. Still $272 in parts and some sweat vs $900 the brake shop quoted me.
Posted by: toby928(c) at August 15, 2026

***
I hope to get back to changing my own oil next year.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 15, 2026 06:11 PM (wzUl9)

48 Carbon Tetrachloride.. had 4 deaths on the air craft carrier due to carbon tet., don't use if you don't have excellent ventilation.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at August 15, 2026 06:11 PM (NnhvP)

49 Want to buy a firetruck of your own? Fire departments periodically sell their old trucks. This guy bought an operating fire truck in Kansas for $3,000 from a facebook post. What a deal! (Really - three grand seems like a steal, even with pricey replacement parts.)
*********
Yet another shameless ploy for an antique firetruck. TRex has plans to get one and drive it in local parades and throw candies to the kids on the street. This is one plan I get get behind!

Posted by: The Grateful - R at August 15, 2026 06:11 PM (XfIK1)

50 And that is an awesome fire truck in the first picture. I should probably go to a car museum that has cars and trucks from the 20's and 30's because that period for automobiles is just really interesting to me.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke

When I was a kid, we'd go to the MSRA "Back To The Fifties" car show at the MN state fairgrounds every few years. It was usually Father's Day weekend, and that was Dad's choice for what to do.

When you've got enough classic cars to fill a fairground, you get a bit of everything. Including classic/restored police and fire vehicles, like that one.

Posted by: mikeski at August 15, 2026 06:12 PM (VHUov)

51 I've been part of building 2 firetrucks. Smaller 4x4, go anywhere types. For the BLM. One F550 cab and chassis and one F650 that we also had to install the 4 wheel drive on. The 4 wheel install I pretty much did myself. Both are still in service here 25 years later. Best part of these builds is I didn't have to match paint. I got to do the whole trucks green.

Posted by: Reforger at August 15, 2026 06:12 PM (9EeNo)

52 Insulting, I think, to thosewho served there.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 15, 2026 06:08 PM (XeU6L)

I'm surprised someone hasn't bought it to turn it into a residence. Is it in bad part of town?

Posted by: polynikes at August 15, 2026 06:12 PM (KC5Lt)

53 One of my elementary school teachers took us on a tour of a local fire station. My memory is of the brass pole they slid down.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 15, 2026

***
"We should stay here tonight -- sleep here! Try it out!"

Posted by: Dr. Ray Stantz, ca. 1984 at August 15, 2026 06:13 PM (wzUl9)

54 I just watched a bit from the video of the guy who collected the old fire trucks. That is very interesting . I'll have to watch more later,

Thanks for your time and effort with this post, TRex

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 15, 2026 06:13 PM (JrHfD)

55 Hey, just gonna dump this here because I'm catching up on the day's Moronity, but... that picture on the coffee thread this morning? That dude?

If anyone was ever curious....

That's not too far from what I look like. Not dead on, but.... close. That guy with grey hair, basically.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2026 06:13 PM (Ot/FD)

56
I'm surprised someone hasn't bought it to turn it into a residence. Is it in bad part of town?
Posted by: polynikes
-------

No, but is on a busy, now 4 lane, street.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 15, 2026 06:14 PM (XeU6L)

57 I'm surprised someone hasn't bought it to turn it into a residence. Is it in bad part of town?
Posted by: polynikes at August 15, 2026

***
"The wiring is substandard, the power supply is completely inadequate for our needs, and the neighborhood is a demilitarized zone."

Posted by: Dr. Egon Spengler, ca. 1984 at August 15, 2026 06:14 PM (wzUl9)

58 29 ... "Anybody here do large format photography?"

I have although it's been a while. I have a Graflex Crown Graphic 4x5 press camera. The resolution in those huge negatives is great, even if not enlarged. Part of their appeal for me is similar to the appeal with shooting traditional muzzleloaders and even pipe smoking. They are more hands on than sticking a cartridge in a chamber or lighting up a cigarette. No auto features on the camera, loading film holders in a light proof bag by feel, getting used to the upside down image makes it a more intimate activity. And it makes taking each shot more deliberate.

Posted by: JTB at August 15, 2026 06:15 PM (yTvNw)

59 Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 15, 2026 06:03 PM (wzUl9)

Yes, I've enjoyed seeing that in the older films.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 15, 2026 06:15 PM (JrHfD)

60 I vote that firetrucks should be red. You really do need to be able to locate them quickly. My family was NYPD. One rebellious female cousin married a member of the FDNY. What a great group of men to enjoy life with!

Wolfus, is the rumor true that you found your new house? If so, congrats. Where will you be settling in/near?

Posted by: The Grateful - R at August 15, 2026 06:16 PM (XfIK1)

61 I am an arsonist, and will admit it on the interwebz.

A significant portion of our farm is tallgrass prairie ... which is composed of fire-adapted species.

I burn a patch of ground in the spring or fall of most years. My burns are mostly for wildlife habitat improvement, so I employ what is called a patch quilt burn strategy.

Basically, you strive to burn about 15% of the subject acreage such that each portion is burned roughly every seven years. This sets back the ecological progression so you can control the distribution and types of cover on the property. It also helps the grass by removing the previous years dead stems which block sunlight and precipitation from reaching the roots of the current year grass growth.

That being said, no matter how many helpers you have, no matter how well established your fire breaks, EVERY burn gives me a very high APF.***

***A$$hole pucker factor

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 15, 2026 06:16 PM (HlyYF)

62 54 Thanks for your time and effort with this post, TRex

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 15, 2026 06:13 PM
***
You are very welcome. Thank you for your patronage.

Posted by: TRex - ladder truck driver dino at August 15, 2026 06:16 PM (XfIK1)

63 Hand-cranking reduces craving...wait...this isn't one of them new-fangled 'lectric things, is it?
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 15, 2026 06:11 PM (XeU6L)

Just don't let Prudy Perkins get her hair caught in it.

Posted by: Mrs. Danvers at August 15, 2026 06:17 PM (1Ff7Z)

64 No, but is on a busy, now 4 lane, street.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 15, 2026 06:14 PM (XeU6L)

I've seen a lot of old fire stations turned into homes. Mostly on a TV show called You Live in What ?

What's funny if Fetterman was profiled on that show when he was a Mayor. I forgot exactly what type of building he and his wife renovated into a residence.

Posted by: polynikes at August 15, 2026 06:17 PM (KC5Lt)

65 Only thing i ever used CCl4 for was etching things in an RIE.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2026 06:17 PM (Ot/FD)

66 My town's Fire trucks are Sky Blue.
Posted by: polynikes

Sure. Why not make them that plumber's putty gray that's so popular now. I mean, why would you want a FIRE TRUCK to stand out or anything?
Posted by: Oddbob

You wouldn't think but you would be surprised how much they stand out.
Look up Willis ,TX fire trucks .
Posted by: polynikes

Quantity has a color all its own, or something.

Posted by: probably not Josef Stalin at August 15, 2026 06:18 PM (VHUov)

67 Somehow got off my Wi-Fi all day it seems.

Anyway, BeckoningChasm your video is quite a view on the big screen. Re-watching Pt 1 now

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2026 06:19 PM (Ia/+0)

68 58 29 ... "Anybody here do large format photography?"

I have although it's been a while. I have a Graflex Crown Graphic 4x5 press camera.

Posted by: JTB at August 15, 2026 06:15 PM
***
Of course you do. I'm convinced there is little you don't know about or have done. Glad you're here.

Posted by: TRex - poland fire truck rave DJ dino at August 15, 2026 06:19 PM (XfIK1)

69 Wolfus, can we see the video tour, or pix of the place you made an offer on?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 15, 2026 06:21 PM (1Ff7Z)

70 I am going to be disappointed if AOP doesn't have a fire truck....

Posted by: The Grateful - R at August 15, 2026 06:22 PM (XfIK1)

71 Wolfus, can we see the video tour, or pix of the place you made an offer on?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 15, 2026 06:21 PM (1Ff7Z)

A virtual MoMe!

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2026 06:22 PM (Ot/FD)

72 That being said, no matter how many helpers you have, no matter how well established your fire breaks, EVERY burn gives me a very high APF.***

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 15, 2026 06:16 PM
***
Do you have voles?

Posted by: TRex - animal control dino at August 15, 2026 06:22 PM (XfIK1)

73 Posted by: mikeski at August 15, 2026 06:12 PM (VHUov

That's neat!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 15, 2026 06:23 PM (JrHfD)

74 Wolfus, can we see the video tour, or pix of the place you made an offer on?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 15, 2026

***
I'll send you a link!

Posted by: Dr. Egon Spengler, ca. 1984 at August 15, 2026 06:23 PM (wzUl9)

75 Fetterman turned a former Chevrolet car dealership into a loft style home. I think this is still his main residence.

Posted by: polynikes at August 15, 2026 06:23 PM (KC5Lt)

76 I just picked up an ice cream maker, and I need to be very careful that making and consuming ice cream and sorbet doesn't become a significant hobby!

One of each so far, and I am very happy with the results!
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at August 15, 2026 06:07 PM (l4RKn)

Was this a sanctioned purchase, or are I just picked up an ice cream maker, and I need to be very careful that making and consuming ice cream and sorbet doesn't become a significant hobby!

One of each so far, and I am very happy with the results!
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at August 15, 2026 06:07 PM (l4RKn)

Was this a sanctioned purchase? Or are you preferring to live in the Wild Side?

Posted by: RI Red - at August 15, 2026 06:23 PM (LMRVO)

77 I am going to be disappointed if AOP doesn't have a fire truck....
Posted by: The Grateful
-------

No one ever asks about me anymore...

Posted by: The Wretched Panhard at August 15, 2026 06:25 PM (XeU6L)

78 My great grandpa worked for Mack doing drafting for their fire trucks. Had i gone to work for them, I'd be fourth generation Mack. Legacy. But i didn't.

Because i didn't want to work for the French. (Swedes now, but, you know, at the time....)

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2026 06:25 PM (Ot/FD)

79 I'm still messing around with amateur radio-related kits. My most recent build was a random wire tuner. I used some scrap wire to build a quick antenna that had waaaay too high SWR on any band to get a usable match, but I could tell that the tuner was trying to do its job. I'll call it a success for now and do a more thorough test later.

Posted by: PabloD at August 15, 2026 06:26 PM (zDDmD)

80 Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2026 06:13 PM (Ot/FD

I thought you were Asian😃

Posted by: polynikes at August 15, 2026 06:26 PM (KC5Lt)

81 "The wiring is substandard, the power supply is completely inadequate for our needs, and the neighborhood is a demilitarized zone."
Posted by: Dr. Egon Spengler, ca. 1984 at August 15, 2026 06:14 PM (wzUl9)

Have you guys tried this poll?!

Posted by: Dr Ray Stanz at August 15, 2026 06:27 PM (zZu0s)

82 I thought you were Asian😃
Posted by: polynikes at August 15, 2026 06:26 PM (KC5Lt)

Ha, nah, just ripped a name off an anime is all.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2026 06:28 PM (Ot/FD)

83 My MiL bought me an ice cream maker and after she decided I didn't make enough ice cream with it, she took it back.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 15, 2026 06:28 PM (JvZF+)

84 I'm still messing around with amateur radio-related kits. My most recent build was a random wire tuner. I used some scrap wire to build a quick antenna that had waaaay too high SWR on any band to get a usable match, but I could tell that the tuner was trying to do its job. I'll call it a success for now and do a more thorough test later.
Posted by: PabloD at August 15, 2026 06:26 PM (zDDmD)

This is ham radio, right? Is it trackable by governments? Saw a YT vid about if foreigners invaded the US, we could use CB radios and they couldn't track the signals.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 15, 2026 06:28 PM (1Ff7Z)

85 Copy pasta fail.

Posted by: RI Red - at August 15, 2026 06:28 PM (LMRVO)

86 Oddbob mentioned large format photography. My favorite experience was at a Civil war battlefield. I was there to shoot a statue of Stonewall Jackson: Crown Graphic camera on a tripod, black cloth over my head to better see the view screen, loaded film holders in a pouch. The place was busy with visitors. Before I could get a shot I was surrounded by kids wondering what I was doing. They had never seen a camera besides their dad's little compact point and shoot and didn't even know about film. That press camera with all the glass and steel drew them to me. They assumed it was the latest (and best) photo gear. I spent time answering their questions. Then I lowered the tripod and let them look through the viewfinder with its inverted image. Their whispered 'wows' and giggles made the trip worthwhile. I never did get the shot that day.

Posted by: JTB at August 15, 2026 06:29 PM (yTvNw)

87 Wolfus, can we see the video tour, or pix of the place you made an offer on?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 15, 2026

***
Email sent with link.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 15, 2026 06:29 PM (wzUl9)

88 85 Copy pasta fail.

Posted by: RI Red - at August 15, 2026 06:28 PM
***
Fundamentals.

Posted by: TRex - zero checking dino at August 15, 2026 06:30 PM (XfIK1)

89 Wolfus, can you share where it is?

Posted by: The Grateful - R at August 15, 2026 06:30 PM (XfIK1)

90 85 Copy pasta fail.

Posted by: RI Red - at August 15, 2026 06:28 PM
***
Fundamentals.
Posted by: TRex - zero checking dino
****
Truth!

Posted by: The Grateful - R at August 15, 2026 06:31 PM (XfIK1)

91 Fetterman turned a former Chevrolet car dealership into a loft style home. I think this is still his main residence.
Posted by: polynikes at August 15, 2026

***
My favorite bar and grill near here was once the Leson Chevrolet dealership, ca. 1947. The little covered patio out front, and the boomerang-shaped dining room, give you an idea of how they displayed the cars back then.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 15, 2026 06:31 PM (wzUl9)

92 I could eat Ice Cream every day. I could, but I don't.

Posted by: Common Tater at August 15, 2026 06:32 PM (vbftO)

93 Wolfus, can you share where it is?
Posted by: The Grateful - R at August 15, 2026

***
Well, I don't want to self-doxx. It's in Terre Haute, IN, I can tell you that much.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 15, 2026 06:32 PM (wzUl9)

94
Got The Big Dummy's show record for 2025 completed and, to my amazement, my books balanced and agreed with Canine Chronicle's numbers for breed and all-breed points. Now, on to 2026.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 15, 2026 06:33 PM (O0L8i)

95 Fundamentals.
Posted by: TRex - zero checking dino at August 15, 2026 06:30 PM (XfIK1)

Of course. I’d show the culprit - lamb chops, mushrooms, spinach, vine-ripened small tomatoes. But this is not tomorrow’s Food Thread.
Oh, I forgot. A fine box of Pinot Grigio. Circa, July, 2026.

Posted by: RI Red - at August 15, 2026 06:33 PM (LMRVO)

96 My favorite experience was at a Civil war battlefield. I was there to shoot a statue of Stonewall Jackson:

Can we help?

(makes wiggly hand phone gesture)

Posted by: Antifags at August 15, 2026 06:33 PM (1Ff7Z)

97 72 That being said, no matter how many helpers you have, no matter how well established your fire breaks, EVERY burn gives me a very high APF.***

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 15, 2026 06:16 PM

Do you have voles?

Posted by: TRex - animal control dino at August 15, 2026 06:22 PM

Yes.

We also have pocket gophers, which are an even greater pain in the a$$.

I am sure the fire gets some of both species, but that merely sets them back for a little while.

I am now convinced that coyotes are also "fire adapted". On burn days, I usually stay out a few hours after dark to put out any fallen timber that is still producing embers. It is spooky, because all of the time I am walking around, I can hear coyotes rustling around in the unburned grass, just beyond the edge of the light.

I assume they are feasting on all of the critters wounded or barbecued by the fire. There are LOTS of coyotes then, I expect they are now smart enough to come to the smell of smoke. At some point, I should borrow an expensive thermal scope and find out exactly how thick they are.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 15, 2026 06:33 PM (HlyYF)

98 I use to eat ice cream about every day from.May through October.

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2026 06:33 PM (Ia/+0)

99 Wolfus, can you share where it is?
Posted by: The Grateful - R at August 15, 2026

***
Well, I don't want to self-doxx. It's in Terre Haute, IN, I can tell you that much.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere
********
Totally understand. Indiana is nice. Congrats

Posted by: The Grateful - R at August 15, 2026 06:34 PM (XfIK1)

100 Wolfus, link only goes to a bunch of listings.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 15, 2026 06:35 PM (1Ff7Z)

101 OrangeEnt - yep, amateur radio = ham radio. And anyone who says that CB radio signals can't be tracked is a small "m" moron. If it emits a radio wave, it can be detected and triangulated. Even a modern (superheterodyne) radio receiver that doesn't transmit can be detected.

If SHTF, I do not plan on sitting on a hilltop tapping out Morse code and coordinating the resistance.

Posted by: PabloD at August 15, 2026 06:35 PM (zDDmD)

102
Saw a YT vid about if foreigners invaded the US, we could use CB radios and they couldn't track the signals.
Posted by: OrangeEnt

All radio signals can be tracked.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at August 15, 2026 06:38 PM (Cqx++)

103 And anyone who says that CB radio signals can't be tracked is a small "m" moron. If it emits a radio wave, it can be detected and triangulated. Even a modern (superheterodyne) radio receiver that doesn't transmit can be detected.

Posted by: PabloD at August 15, 2026 06:35 PM (zDDmD)

I figured that the vid was wrong.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 15, 2026 06:38 PM (1Ff7Z)

104 Wolfus, link only goes to a bunch of listings.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 15, 2026

***
Oops. It worked earlier for someone else. I'll redo it.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 15, 2026 06:38 PM (wzUl9)

105 Watching the entire videos of BeckoningChasm, my YouTube is playing them on its own.

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2026 06:38 PM (Ia/+0)

106 Oklahoma City has a Firefighters Museum. Took the nephew once. Kinda neat.

Posted by: RandomDave (if you can spare a bit, please click) at August 15, 2026 06:39 PM (aJQbY)

107
Never been on a fire truck, but I've been to fire school at A&M. First thing is to have you crawl through a totally-darkened maze in full turnout gear and SCBA. Go in the entrance and come out the exit purely by feel. Some people go nuts in there.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 15, 2026 06:42 PM (O0L8i)

108 Thank you RandomDave, we plan to be in Oklahoma City this fall. Will add it to the itinerary...

Posted by: The Grateful - R at August 15, 2026 06:43 PM (XfIK1)

109 106 Oklahoma City has a Firefighters Museum. Took the nephew once. Kinda neat.

Posted by: RandomDave (if you can spare a bit, please click) at August 15, 2026 06:39 PM

Oooh, that is a good addition to this Hobby Thread.

I go through OKC a lot, probably need to visit that one the next time I am hauling kiddoes!

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 15, 2026 06:44 PM (HlyYF)

110 My uncle had a fire truck. He sold it to his buddy at the VFW. It probably sits in a field now.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at August 15, 2026 06:45 PM (9NN0K)

111 This may be common but I will tell you something that our FD does that I really like. They go to the preschools and talk about fire safety. Then one of the fellows dress up in his full battle rattle, one piece at a time, explaining to the 2-4 year olds what they do, coveralls, tools, boots, gloves, air tank and breathing apparatus, and finally his helmet where he looks like an alien. He tells the children, in his now Darth Vader voice, that if they every see someone dressed like this in their home, he is there to save them and not to be frightened of them.

Posted by: toby928(c) at August 15, 2026 06:46 PM (4NO2D)

112 The kids love it, btw.

Posted by: toby928(c) at August 15, 2026 06:46 PM (4NO2D)

113 At some point, I should borrow an expensive thermal scope and find out exactly how thick they are.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 15, 2026 06:33 PM
***
That could be either very interesting or very troubling.

Posted by: TRex - farm implement inspector dino at August 15, 2026 06:47 PM (XfIK1)

114 toby928(c) - I remember being in first grade and having the fire department give a presentation like that at our school. We got little stickers to put on our bedroom windows to let the firefighters know it was a child's room.

I don't think I'd put that on my kid's bedroom window these days....

Posted by: PabloD at August 15, 2026 06:49 PM (zDDmD)

115 107 Never been on a fire truck, but I've been to fire school at A&M. First thing is to have you crawl through a totally-darkened maze in full turnout gear and SCBA. Go in the entrance and come out the exit purely by feel. Some people go nuts in there.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 15, 2026 06:42 PM

That sounds like good training.

If you CAN'T do that when there is NO fire, then you can't be a fireman. They have to wash you out of the program.

How many programs in the U.S. today (that impact peoples' survival) are now managed with suicidal empathy, such that someone that cannot do the job is not eliminated?

I weep (a little) for our future.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 15, 2026 06:49 PM (HlyYF)

116 That could be either very interesting or very troubling.
Posted by: TRex - farm implement inspector dino at August 15, 2026 06:47 PM (XfIK1)

Only if the scope is not attached to something in .223.

Posted by: RI Red - at August 15, 2026 06:49 PM (30Gj0)

117 Toby928(c). that is an awesome story. Inspire young firefighters early!

Posted by: The Grateful - R at August 15, 2026 06:50 PM (XfIK1)

118 I remember one cold night, well evening in winter after a blizzard, the fire company supply lighting to guys using heavy equipment to clear tje road not far from.my house now. I was with my dad sitting in the fire trick. May not have been more than 5 or 6yo I think.

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2026 06:50 PM (Ia/+0)

119 Here's a tinyurl for those interested.

https://tinyurl.com/osfa-link

Posted by: RandomDave (if you can spare a bit, please click) at August 15, 2026 06:51 PM (aJQbY)

120 That could be either very interesting or very troubling.
Posted by: TRex - farm implement inspector dino at August 15, 2026 06:47 PM (XfIK1)

Only if the scope is not attached to something in .223.
Posted by: RI Red
*****
I NOW KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS!!!!!!

Posted by: The Grateful - R at August 15, 2026 06:51 PM (XfIK1)

121 I remember being in first grade and having the fire department give a presentation like that at our school. We got little stickers to put on our bedroom windows to let the firefighters know it was a child's room.

I don't think I'd put that on my kid's bedroom window these days....
Posted by: PabloD

Totfinder. My brother and I had one in the window. And no, I wouldn't do that nowadays.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at August 15, 2026 06:52 PM (9NN0K)

122 reposted from coffee&prayer thread, because hobby:

"263 yesterday (14th) was the day of St. Maximilian Kolbe, unofficial patron of ham radio operators.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 15, 2026 09:56 AM (VyBeY)"

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 15, 2026 06:53 PM (VyBeY)

123
It is disagreeable to pull on wet turnout gear.

It is extremely disagreeable to pull on cold, wet turnout gear.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 15, 2026 06:53 PM (O0L8i)

124 Some people go nuts in there.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh

Whe the son went through, he got stuck, spread his shoulders and broke the skinny spot. Graders were impressed.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at August 15, 2026 06:54 PM (NnhvP)

125 Sort of related to the CB discussion:

I got Red Storm Rising (1986) on audible a couple months back and have been finally listening to it in the car. Completely different world. Smoking. Open commies.

One odd thing about Clancey that I never thought about until now (I primarily read him in my 20s) all of the people on both sides are competent. He has a few outliers but predominantly the guys are steely eyed and firm of purpose. Its different than so much media you get now.

Posted by: Dr Ray Stanz at August 15, 2026 06:55 PM (zZu0s)

126 predominantly the guys are steely eyed and firm of purpose.

and patriots.

Posted by: toby928(c) at August 15, 2026 06:56 PM (4NO2D)

127 I don't think I'd put that on my kid's bedroom window these days....
Posted by: PabloD

Totfinder. My brother and I had one in the window. And no, I wouldn't do that nowadays.
Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at August 15, 2026 06:52 PM (9NN0K)

Cultural enrichment, comrades.

Posted by: Dr Ray Stanz at August 15, 2026 06:56 PM (zZu0s)

128 "Totfinder. My brother and I had one in the window. And no, I wouldn't do that nowadays.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at August 15, 2026 06:52 PM (9NN0K) "

shades of the Lindberg baby kidnapping ...

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 15, 2026 06:57 PM (VyBeY)

129 Phone books up until the 1980s had "Teen lines" number listed with names and address.

Posted by: Common Tater at August 15, 2026 06:57 PM (vbftO)

130 and patriots.
Posted by: toby928(c) at August 15, 2026 06:56 PM (4NO2D)

Yeah. I like it. Its like being a kid again.

Posted by: Dr Ray Stanz at August 15, 2026 06:57 PM (zZu0s)

131 /off Ghostbusters sock

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at August 15, 2026 06:57 PM (zZu0s)

132 "Totfinder. My brother and I had one in the window. And no, I wouldn't do that nowadays.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory

Put them on the kids room's door.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at August 15, 2026 06:58 PM (NnhvP)

133 I remember being in first grade and having the fire department give a presentation like that at our school. We got little stickers to put on our bedroom windows to let the firefighters know it was a child's room.

I don't think I'd put that on my kid's bedroom window these days....
Posted by: PabloD

Totfinder. My brother and I had one in the window. And no, I wouldn't do that nowadays.
Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory

Sad that we've become that sort of low-trust society. I've seen those sort of window stickers for pets, too. Those are probably still safe.

Apologies if any Morons have them on their car, but I got a big "that is so wrong" belly laugh the first time I heard someone call those rows of stick figures on a minivan's rear window a "kidnapper's menu."

Posted by: mikeski at August 15, 2026 06:59 PM (VHUov)

134 That could be either very interesting or very troubling.

Posted by: TRex - farm implement inspector dino at August 15, 2026 06:47 PM

I think it WILL be troubling ... but better the devil you know.

I usually have a steel fire rake in my hands, which I figure should be good for a single coyote.

I have gotten actual adrenaline dumps from coyotes doing other work in the spring. On two occasions I have been walking through thick cover and had a coyote spring up off the ground only 5' in front of me.

After determining that my briefs are not soiled, I do notice a coyote burrow for their litter dug out into a nearby embankment. I don't know if it is the male or the female trying to divert me? They do NOT spring up directly from the mouth of the burrow.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 15, 2026 07:00 PM (HlyYF)

135 Apologies if any Morons have them on their car, but I got a big "that is so wrong" belly laugh the first time I heard someone call those rows of stick figures on a minivan's rear window a "kidnapper's menu."
Posted by: mikeski at August 15, 2026 06:59 PM (VHUov)

I wonder if you put an shotgun and two German Shepards in the row if it would help?

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at August 15, 2026 07:00 PM (zZu0s)

136

I have this decal on my window. Was there when I bought the place. Never could get it off.

https://t.ly/-qOIa

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at August 15, 2026 07:00 PM (Cqx++)

137 Here they dress in full gear and let the little kids know not to hide from the big scary ff who sounds like Darth Vader.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at August 15, 2026 07:01 PM (NnhvP)

138 Was this a sanctioned purchase? Or are you preferring to live in the Wild Side?

Posted by: RI Red - at August 15, 2026 06:23 PM (LMRVO)

Nope! I had written permission from my boss!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at August 15, 2026 07:02 PM (l4RKn)

139 Rampart, this is Station 51.

Posted by: Boss Moss at August 15, 2026 07:04 PM (2MN4W)

140 When I was a kid, brother and I shared a basement bedroom. One night, Dad propped a bunkbed ladder below the window. He said, "In case there is a fire, you need to climb the ladder, go out the window and run to the neighbors' house."

Me: there's gonna be a fire tonight?
Dad: No, this is just in case.
Me: But what if it happens tonight?
Dad: then do what I told you.

I did not sleep a wink that night. Just eyed the ladder and waited for the inevitable. I was a weird kid. Now I am weird old man.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, aka Agent Frank at August 15, 2026 07:04 PM (0aYVJ)

141 I wonder if you put an shotgun and two German Shepards in the row if it would help?
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at August 15, 2026 07:00 PM (zZu0s)

An "I ♡ my pitbull" right next to "Baby on board".

Posted by: Reforger at August 15, 2026 07:05 PM (9EeNo)

142 116 That could be either very interesting or very troubling.

Posted by: TRex - farm implement inspector dino at August 15, 2026 06:47 PM

Only if the scope is not attached to something in .223.

Posted by: RI Red - at August 15, 2026 06:49 PM

True.

However, I have now developed a fool-proof plan to get rid of all of the damaging varmints on my farm!

I am just going to invite RI Red over with his long-range .22 rifle and have him come do an aspirin shoot.

Unfortunately, my last problem is how to tape all those little aspirins to the heads of all of my coyotes, armadillos, and pocket gophers?

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 15, 2026 07:06 PM (HlyYF)

143 Put them on the kids room's door.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron

A very good idea.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at August 15, 2026 07:06 PM (9NN0K)

144 I have this decal on my window. Was there when I bought the place. Never could get it off.
https://t.ly/-qOIa
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr.

I never thought about that problem..... when the kids outgrow the stickers (or a house gets sold), now you're putting firefighters in danger looking for kids who aren't there anymore.....

Posted by: mikeski at August 15, 2026 07:06 PM (VHUov)

145 Remember G.I. Joe's Alligator? I was deathly afraid of it and named it Lucy.

Posted by: Boss Moss at August 15, 2026 07:07 PM (2MN4W)

146 Station 51 was a single story building. No pole.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at August 15, 2026 07:09 PM (Cqx++)

147 To all you hobbyists who hobby ashore, I fart in your general direction.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at August 15, 2026 07:14 PM (/wPHZ)

148 There are 2 fire companies in town, 1 had a pole from.2ndxfloor to first, I think I went down it as a kid

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2026 07:15 PM (Ia/+0)

149 Even Batman had a pole.

Posted by: Boss Moss at August 15, 2026 07:17 PM (2MN4W)

150 147 To all you hobbyists who hobby ashore, I fart in your general direction.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at August 15, 2026 07:14 PM
***
Given that the world is round, may your own fart sneak up behind you.

Posted by: TRex - earth science dino at August 15, 2026 07:19 PM (XfIK1)

151 One aspect of doing hobby stuff in public is the reactions, especially if it involves outdated stuff. The press camera was an an example. One time I knew would be waiting for a couple of hours to get my car repaired. The dealership had a room set aside for folks to work. I had a draft of an article to write and brought a small portable manual typewriter to do it. It wasn't too loud but could be heard. (It's called a Quiet De Luxe for a reason.) That sound brought people over, older ones remembering when these machines were common and a youngster who had never imagined such a thing. Another time I used a slide rule to take a ham radio exam. Calculators with the formulas weren't allowed. The examiners were mostly older engineers. They smiled when I brought it out and we talked afterwards on how they had built their careers using slide rules. Even using a fountain pen in public gets noticed and can lkead to some enjoyable conversations.

Posted by: JTB at August 15, 2026 07:20 PM (yTvNw)

152 The earth is flat.

Posted by: Boss Moss at August 15, 2026 07:20 PM (2MN4W)

153 Hoist upon yesterday's petard...

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2026 07:20 PM (Ot/FD)

154 One odd thing about Clancey that I never thought about until now (I primarily read him in my 20s) all of the people on both sides are competent

--------

BINGO.

The salient point that emerges from my recent readings in the history of the Pacific War is that, everyone in responsible positions was RESPONSIBLE. Although political persuasions differed, all shared in the belief that American culture was to be protected and preserved, and barbarians had no value except as opponents to be destroyed.

Man, I miss the days when there were adults in charge.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at August 15, 2026 07:21 PM (/wPHZ)

155 Those are some of the lowest view counts I have ever seen.

Posted by: Boss Moss at August 15, 2026 07:22 PM (2MN4W)

156 Time to say thank you before the next act takes the Ace of Spades stage. Thanks for your patronage. Different theme next week.

You're welcome to hang here for a while for the post-hobby thread afterparty but don't forget to stop by Club ONT later.

Posted by: TRex - totfinder dino at August 15, 2026 07:22 PM (XfIK1)

157 Sad that we've become that sort of low-trust society. I've seen those sort of window stickers for pets, too. Those are probably still safe.

Depends: a mutt is safe, but pedigreed dogs get stolen, or so I hear.

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at August 15, 2026 07:22 PM (ZVgZ4)

158 I hope the sidewalk doesn't melt. My type thingee is predicting my words.

Posted by: Boss Moss at August 15, 2026 07:25 PM (2MN4W)

159 Depends: a mutt is safe, but pedigreed dogs get stolen, or so I hear.
Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at August 15, 2026 07:22 PM (ZVgZ4)

----------

I would think that it's hard to establish a pedigree on a stolen dog.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at August 15, 2026 07:25 PM (/wPHZ)

160 Man, I miss the days when there were adults in charge.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at August 15, 2026 07:21 PM (/wPHZ)

It's a legitimate problem that most of the people who create things that are intended to be entertaining have no idea how competent people do anything. They just shoehorn themselves in, or some internal image of other people, and make them do things and stuff, and yadda yadda yadda plot happens. They don't know how to write people because they've never really met people.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2026 07:25 PM (Ot/FD)

161 Afternoon. TRex, and Hobby Horde! I am aggressively hobbying, repairing the lower corners in a fiberglass dune buggy body tub. It is a knockoff of a Meyers Manx. Kind of poorly made, and I had to "stretch" the mounting flange area to make if fit my floorpan, which was correctly shortened. Just put some fiber-reinforced filler in some holes and gaps in the mounting flange; will sand that smooth, and lay on some cloth and resin.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 15, 2026 07:25 PM (1z8ji)

162 TRex,
Thanks for the thread. Couldn't add anything to the topic but it got me thinking about hobbies in general. That beats drowning in all the f'ing political news out there.

Posted by: JTB at August 15, 2026 07:26 PM (yTvNw)

163 152 The earth is flat.

Posted by: Boss Moss
---

and fluffy.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at August 15, 2026 07:26 PM (Cq/ve)

164 163 152 The earth is flat.

Posted by: Boss Moss
---

and fluffy.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at August 15, 2026 07:26 PM (Cq/ve)

---------

And BIG

Posted by: Eratosthenes at August 15, 2026 07:27 PM (/wPHZ)

165 My FiL had a dog that mysterious disappeared one night from a kennel, they wete convinced it was stolen

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2026 07:27 PM (Ia/+0)

166 The earth is a cube. Wake up, sheeple.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2026 07:28 PM (Ot/FD)

167 That's all well and good, AOP. But the pressing issue here today is:

Do you now own, or have you ever owned, a Fire Truck?

Posted by: Common Tater at August 15, 2026 07:28 PM (vbftO)

168 161 Afternoon. TRex, and Hobby Horde! I am aggressively hobbying, repairing the lower corners in a fiberglass dune buggy body tub.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 15, 2026 07:25 PM
***
Of course you are.

Any comment on your ownership of a fire truck (presently or in the past)?

Posted by: TRex - antique dino at August 15, 2026 07:28 PM (XfIK1)

169 tcn in AK, introduce your Falcon to Dennis Carpenter Ford parts.

Posted by: Eromero at August 15, 2026 07:28 PM (LHPAg)

170 Fire trucks ain't cheap.

Around $2.5 million per truck. Custom made for each department.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 15, 2026 05:40 PM (FZ29D)

Fire trucks were often handed down from town to town several times, and often had ridiculously low miles on them. When finally surplused off, they could be bought cheaply. Now, it seems that they miles the damned things out, at least in urban areas. They send them out on nearly every 911 call, it seems.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 15, 2026 07:29 PM (1z8ji)

171 Some of those old toy fire trucks were really long.

Posted by: Boss Moss at August 15, 2026 07:29 PM (2MN4W)

172 The salient point that emerges from my recent readings in the history of the Pacific War is that, everyone in responsible positions was RESPONSIBLE. Although political persuasions differed, all shared in the belief that American culture was to be protected and preserved, and barbarians had no value except as opponents to be destroyed.

Man, I miss the days when there were adults in charge.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at August 15, 2026 07:21 PM

When death is on the line (military, doctor, etc.) I want the strictest meritocracy possible.

If I was sitting in a foxhole with enemy artillery raining down on my position, I don't give a flying f*ck about the skin color of the officer in charge of the counter-battery artillery.

I want the person that is going to drop rounds the quickest and most accurately on their position!

Any other system for advancement through the ranks could only possibly be supported by a REMF.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 15, 2026 07:29 PM (HlyYF)

173 you go, AOP!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 15, 2026 07:29 PM (VyBeY)

174 I have to imagine that a large proportion of the miles on a fire truck are from training.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2026 07:30 PM (Ot/FD)

175 > I would think that it's hard to establish a pedigree on a stolen dog.
---------
As opposed to a car, jewelry, etc?

Hardly.

Animals are mostly currency these days. Or, more common, disposable. Sadly.

Jewelry, not so much.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 15, 2026 07:30 PM (2Cry5)

176 If you take a look at the NASA imagery of the Earth with the ocean removed, it looks as if a theory that our Moon is the result of a collision of some object and Earth long, long ago is probably true.

Posted by: Common Tater at August 15, 2026 07:31 PM (vbftO)

177 WE HAZ A MOVIE MARQUE NOOD

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2026 07:32 PM (Ia/+0)

178 True.

However, I have now developed a fool-proof plan to get rid of all of the damaging varmints on my farm!

I am just going to invite RI Red over with his long-range .22 rifle and have him come do an aspirin shoot.

Unfortunately, my last problem is how to tape all those little aspirins to the heads of all of my coyotes, armadillos, and pocket gophers?
Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 15, 2026 07:06 PM (HlyYF)

Have Aspirin. Will Travel.

Posted by: RI Red - at August 15, 2026 07:32 PM (872PJ)

179 The object should be covered with cheese now.

Posted by: Boss Moss at August 15, 2026 07:32 PM (2MN4W)

180 152 The earth is flat.
Posted by: Boss Moss at August 15, 2026 07:20 PM (2MN4W)

Not around here it isn't.

Posted by: tcn in AK at August 15, 2026 07:33 PM (mm8qa)

181 163 152 The earth is flat.

Posted by: Boss Moss
---

and fluffy.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at August 15, 2026

So like a pancake?

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at August 15, 2026 07:33 PM (ZVgZ4)

182 What I read somewhere, suburban house fires are much reduced. Fires in general. There simply isn't as much for them to do.

Of course tax revenues are down greatly too. Less need for all those suburban fire stations coupled with less money means those go bye-bye.

But they send out 3 ladder trucks, an Ambulance and 6 cop cars when somebody falls off their footstool now.

Posted by: Common Tater at August 15, 2026 07:34 PM (vbftO)

183
Any other system for advancement through the ranks could only possibly be supported by a REMF.
Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 15, 2026 07:29 PM (HlyYF)

"This golden retriever seems to have a knack for tapping out grid coordinates over the radio..."

"Well fuckin' oo-rah then, give that doggo some milkbones and let's party!"

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2026 07:34 PM (Ot/FD)

184 I am just hoping I don't wind up disappointed. Lie if you must....

Posted by: The Grateful - R at August 15, 2026 07:34 PM (XfIK1)

185 Hey Ronster, you have an old fire truck?

Posted by: The Grateful - R at August 15, 2026 07:35 PM (XfIK1)

186 Every year the week before Christmas, the local bar here brings in a fire truck (along with the fire fighters) and puts Santa Claus up top, so the kids climb up the ladder truck to see Santa. The place is absolutely mobbed. They do bonfires, and cocoa, and the usual adult fare, of course. It is the sort of bar where bikers, fire fighters, the occasional Trooper, and the local bar flies hang out, with lots of outdoor space including a sort of stage for a band. It's the only Saturday when there are far and away more kids than adults, and utter mayhem of the really good kind.

The fire fighters do this gratis.

Posted by: tcn in AK at August 15, 2026 07:36 PM (mm8qa)

187 The earth is a cube. Wake up, sheeple.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2026 07:28 PM (Ot/FD)

Nope, it's shaped like a burrito.

-H/T Bloom County

Posted by: Pug Mahon, aka Agent Frank at August 15, 2026 07:36 PM (0aYVJ)

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