tacops

My folks said I cut my teeth on a Craftsman 9/16 box end. I grew up being told the only tool was Craftsman. I realized through the 70s and early 80s that there were other quality tools out there but I had acquired quite a collection of Craftsman. I typically made at least two trips a week through the local Sears store and knew all the hardware/tool Staff by name. All of them were full time employees with long careers with Sears. They were all very knowledgeable and customer service oriented. I went in one day and Chuck the tool guy seemed kind of bummed and I asked him what was up. He said Sears was "phasing out" their full time employees and using assorted tactics to get them to leave and he was about to give in. I had noticed that I had not seen two of the regulars for a while. Before long all the full time personnel were gone and had been replaced with no knowledge part time kids that had no work ethic or any concept of customer service. Forget asking if they had any particular tool because they didn't know what you were talking about unless you opened the catalog and pointed to it. They would then enter the "Number" and tell you if it was in stock. I would have to then go find it because they couldn't tell you where it might be. It was sad. I think it has been nearly 12 years since I last entered a Sears. I miss the Sears I knew. I have a couple of ratchets that need new guts but I don't want what they have to offer. I have more ratchets and they will probably last longer than I will. I hope whoever gets my tools when I am gone will have some idea what they have.

And to think I opened this thread thinking it had something to do with buying hats on the internet

What I have for the snowflakes can't be posted here.

Sounds like somebody needs a safe space... (Said in the sound of Pauly Shores voice.)

Apparently they realized through article comment that they had skinned their ignorance. The article has been corrected with regard to the cross breed .44.

In 1982 (Pre cell phone era) I leathered up and hopped on my 1978 Confederate Gray Harley Lowrider after work one night and road down to Atlanta to visit my brother. I hit Atlanta just as the Braves game had ended which made a Harley on the interstate at 70+ bumper to bumper kind of unnerving. I took the wrong exit and pulled into a mini market / gas station to find a phone. I noticed that this was probably not the best part of town when I entered the lot but thought I would make a quick call and get on my way. When I entered the market I saw two inch glass with slide through windows for payment. In 1982 this meant I was definitely not where I needed to be and I seemed to be drawing a lot of attention by just being there. I walked to the back of the store by the beer cooler and found the phone. When my brother answered and I told him what exit I took and where I had stopped to call he said for me to get out of there quick and stop three exits down and call back for directions. I had noticed a group of guys enter the front and look around the store, then focus on me in the back and start down the far side of the store in my direction. I hung up and opened my leathers enough to access my Model 66 if needed as I headed for the opposite door. As I got to my bike I was praying that the starter would kick for I didn't figure I would get a chance to kick it. The group from inside came out and started running my way and another group from the lot started my way. My bike fired on first hit, I jammed a gear, popped the clutch and left that lot like a rocket. I felt like Arlo Guthrie leavin' the Dew Drop Inn except I didn't make an extra lap. ( Analogy for those old enough to understand the reference) I was just glad to get out of there without incident. Once I met up with my brother, ( a gas truck driver in the area) he told me that they had to get a Police escort to deliver fuel to that location and two others in that area, anytime they make a drop.

Years ago I worked with an elderly gentleman who had served during the Korean War. One night the topic of Red Cross came up. I had never heard this guy say a cross word about anybody, even those that deserved it. But when the Red Cross was mentioned he became quite agitated and told of being on the front line for four days with one days rations that he had shared with a fellow soldier. After four days he was pulled back and came across a Red Cross station that had candy bars and hot coffee for those coming off the line. He hadn't eaten in three days. They tried to charge him for the candy bar and coffee. He returned the candy and coffee to the table and kept walking. He said, " I was out of bullets, water and food. I damn sure didn't have no money!"

I would love to share if it weren't for that dang Statute of Limitations thing.

I have a PTR91 and am very pleased with it. I have no experience with the C308 so cannot venture a comparison. In the 80s I had the pleasure of spending a lot of time on the butt of an HK91 but could not afford one at the time. Now I am not willing to pay the market price of the HK91 but am very satisfied with my PTR91.

I would just be happy if Carl would lose that sorry excuse for a western hat. I mean come on, really, anybody that ever wore a western hat (before Urban Cowboy was filmed) knows that the crown and brim shape is essential to the character of both hat and person under it. All it takes is a little steam and imagination. That DXXN hat makes my skin crawl.

As far as I am concerned they can get used to dusting them.

I remember when we had "Personnel Departments". Then corporate minds began to consider the employees as simply "resources" much like another box of legal pads or paper clips, thus the "person and personal considerations" was removed and Voila! we now have "Human Resource" departments. To me that is very telling as to the mindset of management in regard to employee concerns and well being.

I went into one of my local Gun Shops today and circled through the store twice. I didn't find anything I needed or didn't already have. I left without buying anything. What a bummer.

I have two portables, one 5500w running and another rated at 6500w running. They are both duel fuel in that they can use propane or gasoline. I have never put gas in either of them. If I had to I could but I can store propane long term without fuel degradation and it does not muck up my fuel systems on the gennies.

Yeah, if you do it fast it doesn't hurt as much

Chalk one up for the good guys.

Thanks to this thread I watched it and really enjoyed it. Thanks for posting.

From what you describe a 5K should do just fine. I can run freezer, fridge, multiple lights, a couple of TVs and room to spare. I strongly suggest you install an interlock plate system on your breaker box or a transfer switch for safety reasons.

all day meal.

Right there with you.

That's called talent.

I once managed to by gas in Tijuana and a bagel in New York City within 15 minutes of each purchase, all while sitting at my desk in East Tennessee. Ain't technology amazing?

Good choice and will make for lots more good times to come. And Happy Birthday to son.

I just want to say thanks for all the work and effort you have put into getting this site up and keeping it up.

Jane who?!