[Diana in Wisconsin]

“hillbilly engineering”

Most things on this farm are held together with orange baler twine until they can be fixed properly. I’ve even made a quick dog leash from it when needed, LOL!

[Paul R.]

Then there is always duct tape!

This spring, in the woods to the east of our garden, several hundred feet further “out”, I found a big loose snarl, about 3 ft. across, of some sort of nearly rust-proof (but I don’t think it’s stainless - I could be wrong) 16 ga. (approx.) steel wire. It had been cut in a few places. It has to be 30+ years old. I set my daughter to work helping me untangle it. Half the snarl is still a snarl, with several long ends hanging out, now, but, I have used over 100 ft. of it this summer for various “attachments”, plant support and supports, etc., and I probably have at least 50 ft. more in 4 modest “bundles”.

One man’s trash...

[Paul R.]

Yet another question!

In thinking about how to care for plants without wetting the leaves, using powder pesticide, fungicide, etc., if absolutely necessary, I recalled this old tool being at my parents:

(Finding this on the web without even the brand name to start with was not easy!)

So I asked my Mom if she remembered it, and to my amazement, she not only remembered it, but suggested it's approx. location @ her place, and that I just take it, as she has no use for it anymore. (These days, Mom's #1 concern is getting to the restroom in time. I suppose that's not too many more years away for me, too.)

But, in the meantime... The duster looks better than the above - likely was barely used, but was badly locked up, though no rust is evident. Generous application of penetrating oil got it cranking again, but:

1) I need to somehow wash the penetrating oil residue out of the interior of the duster where the powder is stored or passes through. Just use Dawn detergent and let dry, then maybe oil the shafts' areas lightly?

2) I think the "gearbox" needs new grease. It definitely "feels" like it. This is another likely 30+ year old item. The gearbox appears to be accessible, but to do so, the bottom assembly needs to slide out, and a small spinner in the top section that holds the "dust" & connects to the gearbox must be removed. The screw holding that spinner on won't budge. By any extreme "longshot", has anyone here ever disassembled one of these successfully and can offer advice?

Thanks!