[SEL] Baraboo Show

[Joe Prindle]

Hi Folks,
Well, things are starting to shape up for this year's badger Steam & Gas
Engine Club show. I think it will be a pretty good one. We are going to be
joined this year by the Ford/Fordson Collectors for their national show.
We are expecting a lot of tractors, this might just be our biggest feature
yet. When I heard that the feature was Ford, I asked myself just how many
8N's can a guy look at without getting bored. Then I did a little research
and saw some photos from past shows, and I realized how wrong I was. There
should be a lot of really unusual variations on Ford and Fordson tractors,
tracklayers, half tracks, all sorts of goodies. I am really looking
forward to it. I hope I get a chance to get out of the shed long enough to
see the show.
We have just finished putting up a 50 by 100 foot building that will be
our machine shop. It won't be operational for the show, since hanging the
lineshaft and getting everything lined up will take a lot of time and head
scratching. One of our fellow list members, Jon Rowsam, is doing some
repair to the 20 hp Otto that we will use to run the lineshaft. Jon is a
good machinist and mechanic, but we don't hear much from him on the list,
he would rather work than talk about work! Here is pic of him working on a
Ruston at a show a few years
ago:http://badgersteamandgas.com/photos/Scan303.jpg
Natty dresser, ain't he. I prefer bib overalls and a goofy hat, myself.
The Otto should make a nice powerplant to run the shop, and it will be
nice to see her working.
Other than that, not a great deal of news. We have removed a lot of small
trees in the engine area. There will still be lots of shade, but a little
thinning was in order. They were pretty scrubby and made getting around
with a trailer and truck a little tight at times. One of our members, Mark
Beard, has been busy grinding stumps and I think that the guys who exhibit
up there will be pretty happy with the results. Also, we have added a
bunch of camping spots. All camping is primitive, but the setting is nice
and it is convenient.
The main improvements to our show grounds are things that no one will
really notice, new lawn care equipment, additional electrical service,
some maintenance on a few things. These were all things that were needed
and will certainly make those of us who take care of the place have an
easier time of it. I am working on making some major improvements to the
cooling system in the gas shed, adding larger pumps and changing the
control logic.
This coming Saturday, the 31st, is a work day, and we are going to be
doing some cleaning up and moving some junk to make for more exhibitor
parking. Funny, when we hauled that stuff in there it SEEMED like it was
out of the way!
During the show, I would sure welcome some help in the gas engine shed. If
you always wanted to play with big engines, this is your chance. The big
thing is that we get folks who keep an eye on them and make sure that the
water is flowing, there is oil in the oilers and to shut the gas off if
something stalls. It is a lot of fun and you get to play with something a
little different than what most of us are used to. Here is a link to some
photos of the engine shed:
http://badgersteamandgas.com/gas_engine_shed.htm
A recent addition to our website is a message board. I just put it up the
other night, so it hasn't seen much traffic. I am hoping it will help
encourage the sharing of information and answering of questions. I would
appreciate comments on how to improve it.
Here's a link:
http://badgersteamandgas.com/phpBB2/
I am told that there will be a list area at this year's show, August 20th,
21st & 22nd. Last year I got to meet Arnie, which was really great, and I
hope to meet more listfolk this year!
See ya!
Joe

=====
Joe Prindle
Patternmaker, Founder & Machinist
See my 1889 Reynolds Corliss at:
www.tznet.com/jprindle
Our Club:
www.badgersteamandgas.com
See Yoo in Baraboo!


		
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