ReeferMac

Thanks Gary, my BIL has a Kubota, says they are built like a Tank. Dunno if I'd qualify for an Ag. cert, I won't be doing any commercial-type farming, it's just for my sanity and the family's sustenance. If for some reason I'm wildly successful, I might try a roadside stand (up the road a ways...), but that'd be strictly cash-business. ;)   - K  

Thanks again for all the info! It will likely be a multi-year project to clear things, but I do have options to borrow and/or rent larger equipment. Hence the diesel vs. gas question - one of the first things I'll be acquiring is a fuel-tank for the site (as I can borrow a bobcat occasionally if I can fill the tank... but it's diesel!)   I have looked at buying a small dozer/backhoe... but I'm not the most mechanical guy, and would be better off renting one for a few weeks here and there (and not having the headaches and maintenance). Entry price is pretty steep to that level of equipment, too. Even if I had the capital, I don't want to tie it up on a piece of equipment that's temporary. I've seen a few older backhoe's on other farms (and could use the front loader if my tractor doesn't have one), but am scared of buying a lemon/money pit. If I was better at fixing that kinda stuff.... Maybe the lottery will come through, LOL!   There may be some valuable wood there, but I don't think much... If anything, want to keep what I can (to use as lumber and to make fenceposts!) It is mostly hardwoods, I've ID'd elm and oak. However I currently work for a tree service company, and a truckload is only worth about $400 these days - I'm told the pulp-mill pays more than the sawmill, believe it or not!

Thanks guys! We are in the process of acquiring some property that is mostly wooded. I will have a lot of land/tree's to clear, and want to create acre's of pasture, as well garden space and fence posts and... typical homestead and small scale farming. I know I need a PTO for equipment, and a front-end loader would be ideal (but possibly beyond the budget). I hope to be able to buy a second/better tractor down the road, but for now, primarily the land clearing and pasture preparation (and fence posts, lots and lots of fence posts!)   - K  

I plan on purchasing a small tractor in the near future (used, hopefully under $5k), and was wondering what advice folks here might have? Make/model seem to be all over, but there's a lot of Massey's, Fords, and similar types in that price range on CL (no, won't be buying any green paint at that price). Should I get diesel or gasoline? What are some of the common problems to look for? I see some rebuilt one's w/ fresh paint (which tells me it might be a POS and they put lipstick on a pig to make a quick buck). What should I check on a 'test drive' before buying? Thanks for the advice.   - Old McDonald

  LOL! I used to mold/cast miniature figures for Dungeon's and Dragon's in the basement w/ my Dad's plumbing torch (back before we knew lead could kill you). I think I still have some of the lead ingots! Would mix it w/ Antimony, and old printer's type... Gawd, the things we used to do that could kill someone today,   .... Come to think of it, I don't think I'd let my 12-year old play w/ that thing these days, WTF were my parent's thinking?!?! LOL!   - K

Thanks guys, but I'm still a bit confused, but want to learn more. In the mean time I ordered a case of plated bullets from Berry's. :D Looks like I've got a week to get my reloading setup, setup! Thanks again.   - K  

Do the bullets have to be lubed in order to fire them, or is that from reloading (case lube)? Powder Coating eliminates this need?   I guess I'm not seeing much advantage to cast over FMJ (aside from a few bucks difference, cast seem to be quite the PIA vs FMJ, assuming FMJ are available to readily purchase - I _can_ see situations where cast might be the only option...)   - K  

Thanks guys, I think I should do some more research to understand better. I've seen cases of FMJ's for about $100, and cast for ~$70, so thought I could save a few bucks more, but if I've got to coat and lube them... I'm thinking as a reloading rookie maybe just spend the extra bread right now to reduce the number of variables in my process. 1m rounds won't take me too long to breeze through... :D   I've got a handful of coated .38's from a good buddy, maybe try a few rounds of that to give it a try?   - K  

Can someone enlighten me as to any pro's/con's to using cast bullets in a handgun?   I carry hollow points, but practice indoors and out, and have always used FMJ commercial rounds (American Eagle, Blazer, and Speer Lawman ordered in bulk w/ the occasional box of range-special). I'm getting into reloading, and looking to purchase a bulk quantity of bullets to use regularly (1,000+).   Will the lead wear/foul the barrel or cause any other differences from the FMJ I've been using? Is there a difference in performance? Not looking to cast my own (yet....), but purchase commercially made in quantity, and it appears I can save ~ $25/thousand by buying cast lead vs. jacketed. Rounds are just for practice, plinking, etc, but I will be using them @ indoor ranges and a lot outdoors as well (Member @ ORSA). FWIW - 9mm, S&W M&P or Ruger LC9s, looking at ~ 124 grain to match the Gold-Dot's I carry.   Thanks for the info.   - Kevin

:cheers:

So this means I need to make nice w/ the high-power boys at ORSA? LOL!   - K  

No no, it's OK, you see, I simply explain to the wife I need to get that Savage in .308 to help pull the stumps!   Still cheaper than hiring out or renting an excavator!   Win-Win!   - K  

That should fix everything!

  Yeah, that's why I was thinking tannerite vs. powder... plink away w/ the 22 from a safe distance vs. lighting a fuse and running like a bat out of...   - K  

    Hmmm... Methinks I need to start  a new thread. Thanks for the info!   - K  

  Agreed The current state of our college's frankly scares me. Going back to the ancient greek and roman theologans, rigorous debate was the purpose of having the discussion, and it was the sharing of thoughts and idea's that produced new-found knowledge! The fact that one can no longer express a divergent opinion, much less debate one, makes 'higher education' the ultimate oxymoron.   - K  

LOL!!!   Where can you get it, LGS? I ask not b/c I wish to imitate, but may have a  large amount of tree-stumps to remove in the near future.... and frankly a little of this seems safer than dynamite!   - K

  THanks! I actually got in touch with them already, and will get them out on the property as soon as we close on it!   - K  

If I recall from the permit class.... Residents of TN are allowed to posses handguns on their own personal property, w/o being permitted. Your automobile is considered personal domicile (if you're riding in someone _else's_ car, I don't think it applies, not your personal property). If you have a guest riding in your car, and it is their gun, and you are permitted, I think you're OK (you're permitted, you're good).   If nobody is permitted, I would not carry the gun in the passenger compartment of the car, period. I believe you could safely transport a handgun from point A to point B in a locked storage box in the trunk, but that may be up to the discretion of the police. Perhaps you could be more specific about the situation: Taking your buddy to the range/your land to do some shooting, and nobody has a permit?   - K  

I ended up going w/ an M&P compact over the variety of glocks.... It simply shot best for me. I'm a big fan of German/Austrian engineering, and the reputation for Glocks simply can't be beat... but I went to the LGS and shot everything in their rental case. After months and a couple hundred bucks in rental/range fee's, I bought the Smith & Wesson, and couldn't be happier with it. Find a shop or friend or two here at TGO and put a box of ammo through each, side-by-side. One _should_ stand out to you in a head to head, and that should be the one you go with. A lot of the other-things that come up in 'which gun' discussion becomes secondary to which one feels most comfortable to you. It should feel  like an extension of your person, completely natural, and if it doesn't, you should keep shopping. Just my 2-cents.   - K  

Wow, that's F'ed up!? Thanks for sharing... guess I'll need to post a TON of standard "Posted" signs... "did not interfere...", I'm sorry, but if I have to stop what I'm doing to tell you to GTFO, you're interfering!   - K  

  One reason I don't display the Gadsen's flag. According to the FBI, it makes you a domestic terrorist! :doh:   - K

Interesting... amazing what a lawyer can do w/ a jury....   Reminds me of the topic of 'no trespassing' signs, as it's something I'm looking into (acquiring some acreage). I've heard it said that it's ill advised to post threatening verbiage on Posted signs (e.g. Trespassers will be shot, survivors will be shot again), as it can be used to suggest pre-determined intent rather than a forceful suggestion to GTFO my property...   As someone acquiring acreage that's been un-inhabited for many years, and showing signs of hunting-use, adjacent to public land, I have to admit, the notion has given me pause for thought. Maybe I'll just post a few near where we plan on building? (Personally I just love that one, and 'if you can read this, you're in-range') Then again, I plan on building a berm for my personal 'range' near the 'public' corner, perhaps that will be enough of a message to potential trespassers...?   - K  

https://bsd.slashdot.org/story/16/03/21/0321213/meet-ubuntubsd-unix-for-human-beings   Saw this this morning!

Ubuntu user since LTS 12.something.... nary a problem, I'd suggest giving it another go? The LiveCD option is a viable option to test it out, see what's causing the troubles (likely a NIC driver). Once up and running, I found Gentoo was incredibly stable, but probably more work to get going than what you're after.   Gawd, how I miss working on Solaris....   - K