Pellet heads!! What's up today?

Harman's do that occasionally.The dreaded Harman squeal.

 

That would be the stream from horseshoe pond that drains into cobbosseecontee stream.

 

Thanks, will have to check those out - last gutter guards were metal, the front gutter system is in front of the porch roof w/ a 1/12 pitch, and water loads -> freezes solid every year, Sigh.

The problem is the low pitch of the porch roof. If I don't get the guards off before winter season "proper", (which is usually like a 3-day window between "fall" and "butt-azz freezing") - the front of the house becomes a beautiful ice sheet formation by January.

I'm usually out there multiple times each year w/ a 3 lb. hand sledge and long-handled Mason chisel, chopping out sections of frozen 'gutter water' to keep them clear. Still guaranteed to lose a supporting bracket (or three) each year though. Few things are more frustrating than trying to un-snap PVC gutter sections to replace when the temps. are cold.. Ugh. That's usually good for emptying the 40 gal. water heater tank / dumping buckets of hot water into the gutter system, to get the PVC flexible enough to bend.

We've tried cable heaters / "gutter tape", etc. - they work great for clearing the bottom of the gutter, with a nice 'ice dome' on top.. The cold air spill coming off the mountain towards the front of the house is pretty substantial in the winter, a constant 3-5 mile per hr. wind.

Tried the cable heaters at the lip of the roof line, again a beautiful 'ice dome' formation, the cables generally last about 1/2 a season here. * Trying to install replacement cable heater wire in sub-zero temps. ranks right up there with unsnapping PVC gutter sections, and is another guaranteed "6-pack" evening.. With bandages.. I think '05 was the last attempt, w/ heater cable. Saw them in Homey D the other day, they're even more expensive now.

Red Oaks here STB, and lots of them - trees can be bare before the 1st snow flies, and I'm still -guaranteed- to find a bunch of leaves in the gutter system at springtime. Beats the hell out of me where they come from.. Probably from the red squirrel storing acorns, in every house crevice he can find. It wouldn't surprise me. It's a damm conspiracy, I tell you.

If all goes well, the Englander should be out & firing up in the woodshed mid-next week, and installed back in the front porch room immediately after: at least the 'cute little red rodent' will be nice & warm this season. I'm happy for him. Maybe he'll share some acorns this season, while I'm out there working in the ' Keebler Elf ' workshop.. I'll bring the Beer.

Have a fun weekend everyone.

 

Without pulling the auger - I used a high speed Dremel tool w/ a diamond tip "de-burring' bit that worked pretty good on the Englander here..

If the metal is cast iron, a dulled flat-blade screwdriver and some elbow-grease would work also, if the metal is steel, proceed w/ caution.. I'd also try the Dremel with wire-wheel brush, after wetting/soaking the carbon area down with straight Simple Green Pro HD cleaner in a spray bottle, for an hour or three.. This worked excellent for breaking up carbon deposits, on the cold stove here.

 

Have those oak as well but not close enough, the leaves can get blown off the forest floor they need no help from the tree rats.

 

A sharpened large flat bladed screwdriver used like a chisel works or so I've been told.

 

That has been my approach. Usually just a flat blade screwdriver does it.

 

No gutters here and they are rather uncommon in my area for all of these reasons.

 

Well the boss is in the garden. What for I have no idea. On the other side I hauled the grill into the garage and made sure the gas tank was shut off. I is strange not seeing those chicken butts in the coop run. Oh and the next door folks now keep a close eye on their cats after having one that tangled with the local coyote and ran up a good sized vet bill. That kitty is now an indoor one eyed kitty.

 

I came face to face with a large coyote last week in my back yard.The thing stood it's ground and just stared at me.I picked up a large stick and chased it away.My cats are indoor only.

 

I have a shotgun and buckshot for such critters. Just don't run into them when I'm out with it. Which hasn't been often lately. No license at the moment. I'm fairly certain that it is what recycled my chickens. Fresh 'yote scat in the upper driveway.

 

Had one come into my driveway summer of 2016- apparently investigating the noise as I was pulling the bike out of the garage before going to work. I wasn't geared up yet and had just gotten off the bike when it came around the huge rhodie in the front yard. At first I thought it was a dog but then realized it was a coyote. It stopped and stared until I snarled at it to get out of here (not yelling, just a deep, firm voice). Then he turned and trotted down the street.

 

And a hammer.

 

Uncommon here too G, but necessary for this hacienda - basement floor is dirt, front yard slopes down .. Too much moisture under the house w/o the gutter system.

Front & back gutter systems cleared this a.m., finished tying up the brake lines w/ zip ties on the '96 Camry -> placed cardboard under all lines (brake & fuel), started /pedal tested & checked for leaks, cardboard was dry (Yay!) replaced the plastic line covers, lowered the jacks, and took it for a short ride. Previous owner did 1/2 a brake job on rear brakes b4 giving up - other side (Pass.) needs a new rotor / emergency shoes / and pads. ( I knew this going in on the purchase. ) New rotor is on order today.

Unburied the sn!wblower and generator in the woodshed, cleaned up the trail of 'car repair destruction' inside, raked out the leaves, got enough space to place a stove base down & safely move the Englander from the porch room outside onto the base.

Tonight is cleaning up the workshop, getting many tools sorted & back where they belong, and hopefully getting the room blower installed on the Englander.

Still nice & warm out, gonna keep busy.

Have a fun evening all.

 

Well, I finally got off my butt and started getting ready for winter. Put the lawnmower, hose and all the coolers away. Dug out the genny and tried to start it but nothing after 5 pulls. Took the air cleaner off and the carburetor was dry. A couple squirts of starting fluid and she fired right up. I let it run until it was dry. I need to pick up a gallon of aviation fuel for it. I did notice that after 20 years, the foam sleeve (pre air cleaner) that fits over the air cleaner is disintegrating Ordered a new one online. damm shipping costs as much as the part. It should be here by the end of next week. All I need now is another ton of pellets and a 100 gals. of oil and I'll be good to go.

 

Cool name JT, reminded me of ..



Save the Universe from those evil fish !

 

Happy BDay Rich250

 

X2