North East Tennessee Saturday MAC Report
Beautiful day in NET today though still on the warm side at 68* presently.
I thought I had 7 or 8 Ash lined up to fall today, but the fellow in charge was out of town. Just as well, the woodlot boss doesn't want anymore wood at the lot until they reduce the load in the yard, and more germane to me, my shoulder and neck are giving me a fit. Been building up since Labor Day weekend when I spend all weekend plus a half a workday moving and spreading dirt.
Last I heard, Brian was doing some light cutting down at the lot this morning. I took care of some wife and daughter things, then scratched my head wondering what MAC related matter could I report on today. Bingo, I need to make a new bottom shroud for the 800. So I when down in the lab and found my original dimensional model. Back in the driveway and using my tailgate for a bench, I removed the two remains of the old shroud. One piece was no bigger than a lock washer for the screw that held it. The other is shown below with the model; nothing of it left to cover the cylinder fins.
You can see from this picture why a bottom shroud is necessary to direct cooling air through the bottom fins.
Not having the proper tools, I did the best I could with pliers, a vice and a miter saw. You got to count your fingers when cutting thin aluminum with a miter saw and then count them again when you shut off the saw. My count came out even, but while making the last cut (actually just a 1/4" nibble) the blade grabbed and torn the piece - ruining it in the process. I had to make another one. Sprayed it with the only yellow paint I had on hand; doesn't match and with a half clogged nozzle it came out pretty ugly and runny. It is hard to see in the picture, but if you squint you can see I pressed two ribs in the piece to stiffen it. I also put a 90* bend in the rear for the same purpose.
All put back together.
I fired her up for fun and to help cure the paint. Maybe next week, it will see some wood.
Be safe.
Ron
This valuable report is provided through the the generous support of MacNuts like you and Blind Squirrel Falling, one of America's greatest imaginary businesses.
Beautiful day in NET today though still on the warm side at 68* presently.
I thought I had 7 or 8 Ash lined up to fall today, but the fellow in charge was out of town. Just as well, the woodlot boss doesn't want anymore wood at the lot until they reduce the load in the yard, and more germane to me, my shoulder and neck are giving me a fit. Been building up since Labor Day weekend when I spend all weekend plus a half a workday moving and spreading dirt.
Last I heard, Brian was doing some light cutting down at the lot this morning. I took care of some wife and daughter things, then scratched my head wondering what MAC related matter could I report on today. Bingo, I need to make a new bottom shroud for the 800. So I when down in the lab and found my original dimensional model. Back in the driveway and using my tailgate for a bench, I removed the two remains of the old shroud. One piece was no bigger than a lock washer for the screw that held it. The other is shown below with the model; nothing of it left to cover the cylinder fins.
You can see from this picture why a bottom shroud is necessary to direct cooling air through the bottom fins.
Not having the proper tools, I did the best I could with pliers, a vice and a miter saw. You got to count your fingers when cutting thin aluminum with a miter saw and then count them again when you shut off the saw. My count came out even, but while making the last cut (actually just a 1/4" nibble) the blade grabbed and torn the piece - ruining it in the process. I had to make another one. Sprayed it with the only yellow paint I had on hand; doesn't match and with a half clogged nozzle it came out pretty ugly and runny. It is hard to see in the picture, but if you squint you can see I pressed two ribs in the piece to stiffen it. I also put a 90* bend in the rear for the same purpose.
All put back together.
I fired her up for fun and to help cure the paint. Maybe next week, it will see some wood.
Be safe.
Ron
This valuable report is provided through the the generous support of MacNuts like you and Blind Squirrel Falling, one of America's greatest imaginary businesses.
