See that, that's the American rangefinder, the iconic Argus C3 "Brick" made from the 30's to the 60's it's the quintessential American camera, it should fall into the same category as the Zebco 33 and the Parker Jotter. Everyone who has an interest in American manufacturing should know about the C3.

Things everyone should get to try.

To tell the truth, I have not been fishing in several years. I love it, I regret not doing it, but I never take the time to go. I grew up with a Zebco reel in my hands, not the fancy made overseas things they sell now, but just a black plastic 202. I wonder how many millions of american kids were introduced to fishing with a clear fiberglass rod and a black 202? From there I got a 404, then new and used 33's. Have to love the 33! And the myriad of old Zebco's that turn up. 66's and the like. Black and silver, the older they were, the better they seemed to work.

Many hours I have spent with an old Zebco in my hands, and when they moved overseas about a decade ago, I bought up a few spares. The new 33 is a 33 in name only. If you ever get the chance, get an old made in USA 33 and an old pole. And just go fishing.

My Bike of the Month.

Back in the day, I always thought of Peugeot's as something special. All the bicycle shops were either Schwinn, (The overwhelming majority) Raleigh or Peugeot, or sometimes a combination of all three. The only one I ever remember seeing as a kid was a P6 that I owned, won in a bike-a-thon for Saint Jude's hospital, and I seriously doubt I'd have ever had a 10 speed had I not won one. When I got into Bicycles for real I of course set out to look for Peugeots, and I've ended up with several. I also learned about the difficulties of fixing and finding parts built to French standards!

This is the latest out, a '74 Peugeot PR-10, 2nd in line from the immortal PX. As Peugeot's go it's not bad, (workmanship could easily range from decent to clearly intoxicated..... )

On saving some cast Iron.

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 1:53 pm Post subject: Extreme cast iron refurbishment.
Disclaimer: Don't ever ever try this yourself unless the pan you are working on is beyond salvation by conventional methods.

I stopped by a little junkstore/antique mall yesterday, I tend to stop by the place once a month or so. I've seen these pans many times over the last few years sitting out in the weather, they were ugly the first time I saw them. Normally I stick to Wagner, and I never asked about these because I figured the price would be too high, on top of them being very distressed no name skillets.

Yesterday, mostly so I would not have to see them rusting in the gravel driveway every time I stopped in the place, I asked about them. And for a grand total of $4 I brought them home.

Now, these were some of the worst pans I have ever seen, the pictures do no do them justice, these were not the fresh out of the Kitchen pans I love to find. These were gone, all seasoning was a memory. Extreme measures had to be taken.

Sandblasted, wire wheeled, and then hand sanded down to remove the rough surface the blasting tends to leave on cast. Most of you will tell me I ruined them. Don't worry about it. Happily they were still nice and thick with very little pitting and no cracks.

Seasoning in a bit on the stove, I should have lit up the Coleman and done this outside, I washed and scrubbed them out, heated them up to dry them really well, then poured in a little vegetable oil and got them warm. Next I wiped them down with the oil, then put them back on the burners and got them decently hot. The nice color came right back.

The No 9 on the right burner turned out to be a National, with a fire ring, a good find for $2! Both look to be decent enough pans.

My Parker 45,

I got into Fountain pens completely by accident, a chance find of a Parker "21" for $3 at an antique mall sent me barreling down the slope. Never having used a FP, it's been a whole new experience, I have so little basis for comparison.

Things that make life better.

I plan to begin a small project to seek out little, and sometimes not so little items and products that stand out in a world packed full of the mundane and generic. Products that stand out.

You can still buy US produced sneakers from Newbalance.

http://www.newbalance.com/

The Kitchenaid mixer.

http://www.kitchenaid.com/flash.cmd?/#/page/home

Wagner Cast Iron, cast in Ohio.

http://www.wagnerware.com/PLineCat.asp?Filter=PL&PLine=4

Parker Pens, $7 for a Jotter, produced since 1954!!

http://www.parkerpen.com/en/

Jorgenson cabinet makers clamps.. Simply no substitute.

http://www.adjustableclamp.com/handcat1.htm

These things I appriciate

Things I intend to write about. Things that transcend decades.

Parker Pens....still made in the UK

http://www.parkerpen.com/en/?lang=en

My choice is a "Jotter" in blue or black.

Cast Iron cookware...but just the made in USA stuff.

Anchor and corning.

And as many old school products that I can find that are still being produced.