Bullhunter
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318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
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Post by Bullhunter on May 16, 2017 2:01:57 GMT 9
Belinda and I stopped in the RAF Lakenheath BX today for lunch and to get a Starbucks Mocha. While there was a group of one LT Officer and 5 Enlisted Troops collecting donations for the Armed Forces Association (AFA). I donated the change in my pocket. On our way out Belinda got wondering what was going on and walked over and asked. She donated some change and then I spoke up. I mentioned when I was in the Air Force we would just send just one young NCO or Airman around the base to ask donations for AFA & CFC. I then said, "Check this out the Air Force is really over manned or it now takes one Officer, a Senior NCO, Jr NCO, and 3 Airman to due what one young troop used to do." Left them speechless.
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Post by adart on May 16, 2017 7:14:02 GMT 9
Using my maintainer skills. A few years ago I put in a Pella sliding patio door. (supposed to be a good door) Well this spring we had a good rain and the water was poring in down at the bottom window seal. Put a towel down and got on the internet to see what kind of warranty it had. 20 year. So called Pella and they said they would send the single slider. When it arrived it was a whole new door. So now I have a new door not just the slider that leaked. Walla installed. Can't beat that. No cost just my labor.
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Post by Gene on May 16, 2017 8:47:03 GMT 9
think you could drop by and check out my weed wakker... its been misfiring...  |
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Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
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Post by Bullhunter on Sept 8, 2017 0:50:43 GMT 9
Our washing machine was acting up for a month or more. Would wash cloths fine but it often would not spin. After I retired from the USAF I worked as a service manager and appliance technician for 10 years in a home appliance store. I knew what the problem was, the lower bearing on the transmission was leaking oil onto the break/clutch. The motor would spin but the clothes tub often would not unless I shook the tub or pushed and gave it a start. I first thought I'd change the transmission, brake/clutch assembly, and anything else I found. Then I figured its 21 years old maybe I should just save myself the hassle and replace the machine. We picked out a HE Toploader by Maytag which is now part of Whirlpool. It was delivered and the damn thing filled with 4 inches of water on normal, when I selected deep wash cycle it filled with 2 inches of water. I called HomeDepot and they said a technician would be out in a week to change the water sensor. I said nope, you will take this unit back and I will be in with my wife to pick out a new unit. We settled on a Whirlpool frontloader machine and it works great. Cost us about $1,000 but I got the 10% military discount. The other machine cost us almost $500. I figured it would have cost me about $250-$300 to overhaul our old machine and I think sometimes that is what I should have done. |
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Post by Jim on Sept 8, 2017 2:24:31 GMT 9
Our washing machine was acting up for a month or more. Would wash cloths fine but it often would not spin. After I retired from the USAF I worked as a service manager and appliance technician for 10 years in a home appliance store. I knew what the problem was, the lower bearing on the transmission was leaking oil onto the break/clutch. The motor would spin but the clothes tub often would not unless I shook the tub or pushed and gave it a start. I first thought I'd change the transmission, brake/clutch assembly, and anything else I found. Then I figured its 21 years old maybe I should just save myself the hassle and replace the machine. We picked out a HE Toploader by Maytag which is now part of Whirlpool. It was delivered and the damn thing filled with 4 inches of water on normal, when I selected deep wash cycle it filled with 2 inches of water. I called HomeDepot and they said a technician would be out in a week to change the water sensor. I said nope, you will take this unit back and I will be in with my wife to pick out a new unit. We settled on a Whirlpool frontloader machine and it works great. Cost us about $1,000 but I got the 10% military discount. The other machine cost us almost $500. I figured it would have cost me about $250-$300 to overhaul our old machine and I think sometimes that is what I should have done.  ?? |
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Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
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Post by Bullhunter on Sept 12, 2017 11:20:42 GMT 9
JIM, We often think we are making the best choice or deal and later it turns out not to be so. Happens often. That's life.
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Post by adart on Sept 17, 2017 7:28:06 GMT 9
Jim I talked with a repair tech. Thats what he said. Would be better to overhaul the old one than buy new. The new ones are junk according to him. They run for 4-5 years then crap out.
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Post by Gene on Sept 18, 2017 0:41:16 GMT 9
bought a set of maytags in '72... had to replace them in '98... with maytags... just the basic model... they will be 20 next year... nough said...
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Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
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Post by Bullhunter on Sept 18, 2017 3:47:10 GMT 9
We have our new washer. I went with the Whirlpool. Years ago after I retired from the USAF I remembered all the service calls on appliances when I worked at the appliance store as the service manager. Maytag and GE front loaders were giving us lots of work. Got plenty of Tech Sheets and recalls on those appliances. Talking with sales and technicians found the LG's having issues and no companies on our area will cover warrenty work on GE or LG. So we went with the Whirlpool. Still would rather have my old machine, but my wife likes this new Whirlpool frontloader. She suggested we get the matching dryer also. I said, "Nope it will be just us looking in the laundry room."
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Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
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Post by Bullhunter on Nov 24, 2017 2:46:20 GMT 9
Happy Thanksgiving to all. This card I got off another military forum and it reminded me of something.
It was the fall of 1978 and I had arrived at Sembach Air Base, West Germany during the cold war. There were no fixed wing aircraft at the base, only five CH-53 helicopters. I reported in and was told the aircraft would arrive in about a month. I thought I heard the jet engine dispatch NCOIC tell me they would be A-10's. I guess I fix attention on the 10 only. Anyway to keep busy I house hunted, looked for a car to buy, took a few rides on the CH-53's, and assisted the mechanics now and then working on them. Then one day someone yelled four of the new aircraft just landed. We went outside and waited as the aircraft were down under the hill out of sight coming up the taxiway. Then I heard then noise and thought to myself that does not sound like jet engine noise. Then they came into sight and the noise got louder. I said, "What the heck are those, they aren't A-10's" Someone said, "Nope they are OV-10 Broncos" I was not very happy, but they turned out to be a fun and easy aircraft to work on. Over my 4 years at Sembach I got to fly on them very often in the copilots seat.
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Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
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Post by Bullhunter on Dec 7, 2017 14:11:55 GMT 9
Fixed many lines, seals, tubs, & pipes on Jet Engines so I figured It do this.
Well, found a water leak last night. Guess had it for awhile. Was a bit of a pain in the butt to fix. With my getting down and working inside the cabinet it aggrivated my whiplash pretty quickly and with great pains and stiff ness. So I got up and said the heck with it, pulled the sink out of the cabinet. That made it easier until I went to put it all back in. Damn 3 trips to the local hardware store to get some good steel braided hoses, a valve, flat rubber washer, and o-rings. The valve did not fit so had to go back, then a flat rubber hose washer kept leaking needing a replacement. Murphys Law! Anyway its all back together at 3:00PM. If it wasn't for the trips to the hardware store I'd been done long ago. Now to take a Rx pain pill. Have the heater going in the cabinet drying it all out. Just hope I don't have to replace the floor in the cabinet. Likely have to paint it with Kilz Primer the use some good semi-gloss kitchen or floor paint.
That black spot might be rot.
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Post by Jim on Dec 7, 2017 14:20:04 GMT 9
It won't be long Gary and you will find out that a plumber's bill ain't all that bad........ Won't be long and your ladders will be in a yard sale.. Don't fight it.. Most of the time there is no extra charge until you try to supervise
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Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
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Post by Bullhunter on Dec 20, 2017 5:50:18 GMT 9
Well, just hoping we can get through the holidays without something breaking or needing repairs. This morning went and picked up my mower deck that I had welded. It developed to rust holes, too prevent them from getting bigger I had then welded. Just about every winter some repair on it is needed. I bought my Craftsman Yard Tractor & grass catcher in 1996 one year after I retired. It has a kohler 18HP motor and it still runs like new. Just like the F-106  I have a scheluded maintenance for it and a major phase every winter (Belts, filters, oil, grease, & cleaning). It sits in my shop/alert barn on alert duty ready for action at a moments notice. 
One thing that does not seem to be going well is our scheduler cruise this spring to the Caribbean Islands. Most all the web cams in the islands we are to visit say they are "off line because of the devastation." One web came I did fine showed a hill covered with brown sticks. No trees left at all. Many places still without power and damaged. Now two seperate cruise ships have over 500 sick passengers. I'm glad we purchased the cancellation insurance, because I think we will cancel it and fly military space-a someplace. Maybe go visit the granddaughters near RAF Lakenheath, UK.
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Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
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Post by Bullhunter on Jan 9, 2018 3:48:58 GMT 9
I mentioned our Caribbean Cruise above and we just cancelled it. Just to many if's down there now. New frontload Whirlpool washer quit working for 2 hours about 2 weeks ago. Thing is operated by a computer so I did not have the knowledge to fix it. After 2 hours it started working fine. I had already called for warranty repair. So, I decided to keep the appointment that was 2 weeks out, just in case. The technician arrived and no problems with machine. He said he runs into this often. The machine is very sensitive and if the wrong soap or too much soap is used then bubbles will get into the pressure tub triggering the unit to think its full and not start. We are using the special soap, but the technician said that adding Shout or Spray-in-Wash will cause it. These stain removal products are not low suds and need to be use sparingly. I believe this was what caused it. We now have one warranty call on record.
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Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
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Post by Bullhunter on Jan 25, 2018 14:00:30 GMT 9
Rain and wind now so bad, I'm doing preventive maintenance on my yard tractor. Purchased it in 1996 about one year after I retired from the USAF. Was working for Sears at the time and they came on sale so I got one and also used my employee discount. Runs like new, but I take care of it also. Major phase inspection every winter. Minor inspections in summer with filters and oil changes. Some things are hard to stop. |
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Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
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Post by Bullhunter on Feb 3, 2018 16:21:09 GMT 9
Replaced the brakes and recondition the front suspension & axle. Also did a complete lube.
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Post by Gene on Feb 4, 2018 4:15:57 GMT 9
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Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
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Post by Bullhunter on Feb 23, 2018 4:32:11 GMT 9
Well, this year in the Puget Sound area we have had several snow falls. One at Christmas and 3 this month (FEB) and I'm enjoying it. Being from PA and spending a 3 year assignment at Griffiss AFB, NY., I don't mind the snow that much or the chilly tempatures. Spent many-a-night out on the Griffiss ramp working on jet engines in all weather conditions. Some nights were pretty bad and some tight places was impossible to work with gloves on. It sure was a bad thing when the BTU400 heater broke-down or ran out of gas. I remember on night the BTU400 heater stopped and went over to restart is and noticed the gas gauge was on empty. This heater the AGE driver had only dropped off to me about 20 minutes earlier. As I stood there saying "Oh crap" the NF2 light cart shut-off and everything went dark. Can't recall my exact words or thoughts, but it wasn't pretty. Got on my truck radio to job control and call Job Control for replacements and told them I was on work-stoppage until a new heater and light cart arrive full of gas. Of course the next radio response was something like: when will you complete this job - the aircraft flies later this afternoon. My reply went something like this. I have no idea as I need light and heat to see and working it a tight space without gloves is not possible, maybe 2 hours after I get AGE support. Wind, rain, snow, sleet, heat, etc, etc, and no PC crap back then. Those were the days. A few winter pictures from the night shift at the Griff.
image hosting for website
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Post by LBer1568 on Feb 23, 2018 6:00:35 GMT 9
After an awesome day yesterday with temps in high 70's today is just sort of hohum. Temps in 50's, but cloudy and windy. Forecast for rain most of weekend. Gas down to $2/36. Gary, I to like some nice fresh snow in morning. Makes this old Earth look much better. That is until they hit it with salt and exhaust from vehicles to turn it into crappy black.
Enjoy Lorin |
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Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
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Post by Bullhunter on Feb 23, 2018 7:29:13 GMT 9
Lorin, Three years I got to work all 3 shifts during the seasons. Pic's of the Bomber and Tanker ramps in the winter.
img safe
Then we have the F-106's in winter.
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??
I have a scheluded maintenance for it and a major phase every winter (Belts, filters, oil, grease, & cleaning). It sits in my shop/alert barn on alert duty ready for action at a moments notice. 
