Clubhouse Grille (*** NO LIV DISCUSSIONS ***) (*** NO POLITICS/RELIGION ***)

[scomac2002]

Heard yesterday at golf that the latest item to be in short supply is rubber.  Look out if you're in the market for winter tires!!

[Conrad1953]

There has been a shortage of truck drivers for decades....but no worries; driverless trucks will

soon be cruising the roadways delivering PT and TP, sauerkraut, hot dogs, golf balls and.....

to a store near you. Just keep peeking into big truck cabs as you pass by and don't freak out

when you see one with no one at the wheel.

 

[BIG STU]

14 hours ago, Soloman1 said:

No toilet paper, paper towels or water at my Costco.

 

 

(Would BIG STU and Conrad1953 please get back out there driving again? Apparently it's the fault of truck drivers now.)

Well I would and I guess very late would be better than never--- I can not sit in a vehicle long without either cramping or having to pee. I drove a whopping 12 miles to the Lawyers office the other day and first thing I had to do was stretch and pee. I saw one of the beer truck ( local) drivers I knew yesterday and he said even Beer was getting in short supply. I can tell you in this area if they run out of beer and liquor this area will shut down.

[BIG STU]

6 hours ago, Conrad1953 said:

There has been a shortage of truck drivers for decades....but no worries; driverless trucks will

soon be cruising the roadways delivering PT and TP, sauerkraut, hot dogs, golf balls and.....

to a store near you. Just keep peeking into big truck cabs as you pass by and don't freak out

when you see one with no one at the wheel.

 

I do not know if you heard this or not--- There is now on a national level a push to give 18 year olds CDLs and put them behind the wheel of a big truck---- I will tell anyone now if that happens there will be mass slaughter on America's highways.

The SC Trucking Association has been pushing for this the last 2 years. I had a good argument with them over this as a 20 year plus member. I ended up dropping my membership in 2019.

[Hankshank]

1 hour ago, BIG STU said:

I do not know if you heard this or not--- There is now on a national level a push to give 18 year olds CDLs and put them behind the wheel of a big truck---- I will tell anyone now if that happens there will be mass slaughter on America's highways.

The SC Trucking Association has been pushing for this the last 2 years. I had a good argument with them over this as a 20 year plus member. I ended up dropping my membership in 2019.

Pardon a poor Scandinavian with lousy english, what is a CDL? License to drive large vehicles?
Back in the Soviet days we had, as close neighbours to them, military draft for all guys. We did about a year at 18-19 yo. That was actually quite a good growing ground for truck driving. I just received my drivers license before starting my service and had to drive a 10 tonnes military vehicle like from the start. A lot of us got the license to drive large vehicles after the service as well. But that was after driving around in the woods for a year... so we really knew how to handle those monsters. Really enjoyed driving that cookery. 

 

Watching the Ryder Cup, seeing my fellow continent players getting slaughtered. Cannot see that US team lose in Rome either. 

 

Edited September 25, 2021 by Hankshank

[BIG STU]

56 minutes ago, Hankshank said:

Pardon a poor Scandinavian with lousy english, what is a CDL? License to drive large vehicles?
Back in the Soviet days we had, as close neighbours to them, military draft for all guys. We did about a year at 18-19 yo. That was actually quite a good growing ground for truck driving. I just received my drivers license before starting my service and had to drive a 10 tonnes military vehicle like from the start. A lot of us got the license to drive large vehicles after the service as well. But that was after driving around in the woods for a year... so we really knew how to handle those monsters. Really enjoyed driving that cookery. 

 

Watching the Ryder Cup, seeing my fellow continent players getting slaughtered. Cannot see that US team lose in Rome either. 

 

No problem Commercial Drivers License--- For clarity there are several different classes with different endorsements like Air Brakes etc. I had all the endorsements except the Haz Mat since 911 Haz mat has to be renewed with a background check etc every 2 years--- I had not used my Haz Mat endorsement for years so I did not renew that endorsement---- 

[miamistomp]

 

[BIG STU]

9 hours ago, miamistomp said:

 

Thanks man brings back memories--- Of the days when I first started in the late 70s---- Banging around in a rattely GMC or International with a 8 Track tape player securely bungee corded on the top of the dash along with a Midland 23 channel CB radio and a set of Bass 88 speakers too.  And yes I said 8 track and a 23 channel CB radio. LOL laughed about the Pink Mack in the song------ One thing about my 40 year on and off trucking career I started on a Mack truck and ended my trucking days in a Mack truck but drove everything else in between including a Marmon-- For those not in the know a Marmon was a handbuilt truck built from common component parts and a great machine. I ran 2 trips in one for a friend when he was sick back in the 80s. Another irony I started driving on a 2 stick Mack which is a beast to shift and my last trip ( when I got hurt) I was driving a automatic transmission Mack with all the bells and whistles ( including Dolby stereo) . I did not like the automatic transmission truck or even the thought of it but came to love it. And like blade irons and persimmon woods we now have a whole generation of truck drivers that do not know the joy of missing or scraping gears

Edited September 26, 2021 by BIG STU

[nitram]

On 9/24/2021 at 3:40 PM, scomac2002 said:

Heard yesterday at golf that the latest item to be in short supply is rubber.  Look out if you're in the market for winter tires!!

Expect birth rates to increase...

[Conrad1953]

TuSimple: Autonomous Trucking - A Better Path Forward

[BIG STU]

21 hours ago, nitram said:

Expect birth rates to increase...

Was looking at your equipment list---- Yep quite a few of us "in the know" still play V-Steels and a Bridgestone J-33 hybrid I assume aint nothing to sneeze at either. A bud of mine has palyed a J-33 hybrid ever since they came out. In fact he had a bag wear mark on his shaft that was about to break. He could not find an Aldila green 65R for it anywhere. You can guess who had one in the stash OF COURSE and installed it for him. He is sorta like me will use any kind of headcover. I told him to use long sock ones to protect the shafts--- Got to thinking I was doing the same thing and got to looking and found a brand new set in the side pocket of my Titleist Mini Staff. Those are not as fancy in fact plain black but I got to thinking some of these older shafts we love are getting harder to find. LOL got to laughing again --- Today most folks do not carry or play a club long enough to get bag wear marks on a shaft. I myself did do that one time I carried an old H&B 4 wood for over 20 years and that steel shaft has a big bag wear mark on it. In fact I still have it and it has been at rest ( well deserved ) since 02 and the rust from the wear mark has ran down the shaft. But yeah I went back to the sorta old school long sock covers

[BIG STU]

11 hours ago, Conrad1953 said:

TuSimple: Autonomous Trucking - A Better Path Forward

Can see it 20 years down the road when more than likely I will be gone--- The computer system goes wild and this automated stuff does not work. A big Nationwide AD---- "Wanted anyone who actually knows how to manually drive a truck". In reality if we had like a cosmic storm that took out the Satellites the whole world would be in a mess. Everything seems to run now days off of computers aided by Satellites. 

[nitram]

20 minutes ago, BIG STU said:

Was looking at your equipment list---- Yep quite a few of us "in the know" still play V-Steels and a Bridgestone J-33 hybrid I assume aint nothing to sneeze at either. A bud of mine has palyed a J-33 hybrid ever since they came out. In fact he had a bag wear mark on his shaft that was about to break. He could not find an Aldila green 65R for it anywhere. You can guess who had one in the stash OF COURSE and installed it for him. He is sorta like me will use any kind of headcover. I told him to use long sock ones to protect the shafts--- Got to thinking I was doing the same thing and got to looking and found a brand new set in the side pocket of my Titleist Mini Staff. Those are not as fancy in fact plain black but I got to thinking some of these older shafts we love are getting harder to find. LOL got to laughing again --- Today most folks do not carry or play a club long enough to get bag wear marks on a shaft. I myself did do that one time I carried an old H&B 4 wood for over 20 years and that steel shaft has a big bag wear mark on it. In fact I still have it and it has been at rest ( well deserved ) since 02 and the rust from the wear mark has ran down the shaft. But yeah I went back to the sorta old school long sock covers

I have both the 2 and 3 iron/hybrid's in the Air Muscle. They've been performers for me for the past 15 years and I use 'em when it's windy and dry (and it is most times at home). They're amazingly easy to hit from the turf, perform better for me than any of the newer driving irons, and are a Bridgestone/Tourstage Endo forging that feels sublime. I also have a backup head for each because who knows how long those hollow body faces are going to last. Yeah they came with the OG Aldila Green NV 85 hybrid and that is such a good shaft and fits A LOT of golfers very well.

 

I have an Exotics CB2 7WD that I've always hit well and I put a Matrix TP8HD in it in 2007/08. I carried it around a lot and may have hit it once or twice a round but was a super dependable fairway finder and rescue club. I was warming up on the range one day at Birdwood Golf Course in Charlottesville, VA. a few years ago and after impact the head went flying down range. I looked at the broken shaft and you could see a wear ring right where it snapped. I always use the head cover(s) when not hitting a shot with them and these were the stock long sock type as well. It has a Ventus Red 9X in it now and it's still a fairway finder although my V-Steel 7 has the same shaft and it's just as dependable. Plus there's something about how a ball looks with a V-Steel head behind it. It is a few yards shorter than the CB2 but when I get ready to hit a shot with it I know it's gonna be a good one.

 

 

 

 

 

[scomac2002]

I'm with you on this @BIG STU .  We should be hanging onto our old school stuff with stiff fingers.  I still use an old B&S gas lawnmower where as all of my neighbours have electrics now.  It's made of steel instead of plastic with actual metal bushings in the wheels.  I think that it's 30 years old and still runs good after a major tuneup and about $175 in new parts.  Most wouldn't think to spend that sort of money on an old mower, but I can keep it in good tune and it should work as long as I have grass to cut.  Same goes for my gas powered Stihl string trimmer which can handle small brush and thistles.  Those were commercial quality rigs from back in the day versus the disposable crap of today.  Same goes for a set of German steel chef's knives that are probably 40 years old.  They need new handles, but the blades are still good even with more sharpenings than I can count.

[nitram]

@scomac2002 I hear ya on the old mowers. I have an old 19" Lawn Boy from the 70's that is still going strong to this day. That old 2-stroke motor survived me mowing lawns for cash in jr. high and high school, both my sons, a brother-in-law, and a few neighbors when I lived in town. It's on it's 4th set of wheels and I don't know how many blades, and there are worn spots on the mower deck, but nothing a little patching won't fix. Just mix that gas a little rich and let 'er eat.

Edited September 27, 2021 by nitram

[BIG STU]

1 minute ago, scomac2002 said:

I'm with you on this @BIG STU .  We should be hanging onto our old school stuff with stiff fingers.  I still use an old B&S gas lawnmower where as all of my neighbours have electrics now.  It's made of steel instead of plastic with actual metal bushings in the wheels.  I think that it's 30 years old and still runs good after a major tuneup and about $175 in new parts.  Most wouldn't think to spend that sort of money on an old mower, but I can keep it in good tune and it should work as long as I have grass to cut.  Same goes for my gas powered Stihl string trimmer which can handle small brush and thistles.  Those were commercial quality rigs from back in the day versus the disposable crap of today.  Same goes for a set of German steel chef's knives that are probably 40 years old.  They need new handles, but the blades are still good even with more sharpenings than I can count.

That is just like looking at an old Professional Black and Decker circular Saw or even a Skill saw for that matter. They have ball bearings where the new Dewalts or Ryoebi have bushings. I have a Black and Decker that belonged to my late FIL. It is around 50 years old now and still going strong. True neither one of us were professional carpenters and in its career has not done as much as a professional carpenter would do in say a year but it kicks on. I also have a B&D commericial side grinder that is over 25 years old and it survived my racing days being used darn near every week. I use it still today to cut shafts. Those old B&S motors were tough as long as you kept a good air filter on them and kept the oil changed. Air cooled engines are tough on oil. I did have good luck with a newer Briggs I bought 15 years ago now. I used Harley Davidson brand oil in it for its life. I did die this year basically worn out. I do not know if I will rebuild or not since I am not able to push it much

[scomac2002]

I remember when my mother bought a brand new pair of Kenmore washer and dryer.  It was sometime in the 70's after we had switched to gas heat.  The dryer was gas of course.  Her old washer still worked, but it was a ringer versus the newer style.  I don't remember having a repair on either in over 30 years of use.  They handled some pretty grimy work clothes over the years, not your typical lightly soiled stuff most folks have to deal with.

 

One day the washer just quit.  Wouldn't pump out the tub, so had to siphon it and fiddle around to get the clothes to the state that they could go in the dryer.  DW called our appliance guy, but he was up north fishing for a week, so she went out and bought a new pair of Kenmores, this time front loader.  Real fancy electronic controlled, high efficiency, used less water, etc. etc.  When my appliance guy returned from his fishing trip he flipped telling me that he could still buy replacement pumps for the old Kenmore.  I didn't know.  Neither did his mother who was answering the phone while he was away.  C'est la vie...

 

The washer lasted about 18 months before it bit the dust.  The suspension for the drum broke and it was going to be over $1000 to fix.  Replaced it with a scratch and dent Frigidaire that was a builder's model return from a local appliance store for $600.  A year or so later the burner went on the gas dryer, so out the door it went being replaced by a similar unmatched gas dryer I picked up on kijiji from some guy whose wife didn't want white appliances in their new house.  $250 brought that one home.

 

Our current house has a pair of Korean laundry appliances.  They were new.  My appliance guy tells me that they can't be fixed either.  We'll see how long they last...

[Fellaheen51]

@scomac2002  Have had to replace some appliances in the last couple years (Refrig, washer & dryer, range).  Performed my due diligence research on reliability, models, options, etc.  A real learning experience!  Just a small number of OE manufacturers, multiple familiar brands under one umbrella manufacturer.  And a consistent refrain across all lines, they don't make them like they use too.  As to product longevity.  The Samsung washer has already started developing loss of paint/rust in the upper tub area.  Been periodically applying appliance touchup paint to keep it in check.  Not yet 3 years old.  The washer/dryer and refrigerator (LG) are Korean.  The range is GE, now owned by Haier (China).  Although not sure where it's manufactured.  

_______________________ 

 

Spent to much coin trying to keep an old dryer running (drum belt, heat coil).  Only to salvage about 12 months additional use before the control module died.  Have to assess carefully whether it's worth the expense.  Or just get a "new" one.  Nothing wrong with S & D, or a good deal on a slightly used.  And one has the luxury of time to watch marketplace listings.  But when your refrigerator dies, you don't have that luxury.

_______________________

 

My snowblower needs to be replaced before the snow flies.  Barely was moving any snow at the end of last season.  The scrapper bar and auger paddles are shot.  The carburetor (choke?) isn't functioning very well either.  Have to ether every time it's started.  Not worth my time to futz with a 15+ year old, 2 cycle blower.  Been browsing online listings for a month, checked out a couple.  One may yet show up, but hesitant to inherit someone else's problem.  The decent ones are only a couple hundred less than a new one.  For the difference, not worth it to me.  Almost went with a 2-stage that was a pretty good deal.  But two reservations.  Storage, would take up a lot of room in my already crowded storage shed.  Second and significant, two stages don't clean down to the surface like a single stage.  And my north facing cement driveway ices bad If I don't get a good clear.  Never had a problem with clearing snow using a single stage over the years.  Think the biggest was ~12", just have to take a narrower bite with each pass.  So don't think a two-stage is really a necessity.  

 

Note to self:  Need to get this done.  Pony up and get one in house before it's needed.  Otherwise, you're going to be scrambling to get blower when the forecast is for a snow storm.  (Not that far away unfortunately).  

[Fellaheen51]

2 hours ago, scomac2002 said:

I'm with you on this @BIG STU .  We should be hanging onto our old school stuff with stiff fingers.  I still use an old B&S gas lawnmower where as all of my neighbours have electrics now.  It's made of steel instead of plastic with actual metal bushings in the wheels.  I think that it's 30 years old and still runs good after a major tuneup and about $175 in new parts.  Most wouldn't think to spend that sort of money on an old mower, but I can keep it in good tune and it should work as long as I have grass to cut.  Same goes for my gas powered Stihl string trimmer which can handle small brush and thistles.  Those were commercial quality rigs from back in the day versus the disposable crap of today.  Same goes for a set of German steel chef's knives that are probably 40 years old.  They need new handles, but the blades are still good even with more sharpenings than I can count.

 

 Wusthof by chance?  They have a lifetime warranty.  Bought a block set of Wusthof knives at an estate sale last year for $25 (poor price, excellent deal, just missing several steak knives).  The 8" chef handle was cracked, missing pieces at the tang.  Contacted their customer service, authorization to return under a warranty claim, and was replaced n/c.  New ones go for ~$150 at retail.

 

 

[Conrad1953]

A 1993 Toyota Pickup with 84 miles on it sold for $45,000.00 on eBay.  Apparently it had been 

sitting in a barn with 80 miles on it these years. Some guy bought it for an undisclosed amount;

drove it 4 miles to see if anything needed to be done to it, fixed a couple things and then listed

it on eBay for a start price of $20K and the bidding took it up from there.

[Divot License]

16 minutes ago, Conrad1953 said:

A 1993 Toyota Pickup with 84 miles on it sold for $45,000.00 on eBay.  Apparently it had been 

sitting in a barn with 80 miles on it these years. Some guy bought it for an undisclosed amount;

drove it 4 miles to see if anything needed to be done to it, fixed a couple things and then listed

it on eBay for a start price of $20K and the bidding took it up from there.

Incredible, and I've not been able to buy £30 worth of diesel since Friday due to fuel shortages/panic buying. 

[scomac2002]

6 hours ago, Fellaheen51 said:

 

 Wusthof by chance?  They have a lifetime warranty.  Bought a block set of Wusthof knives at an estate sale last year for $25 (poor price, excellent deal, just missing several steak knives).  The 8" chef handle was cracked, missing pieces at the tang.  Contacted their customer service, authorization to return under a warranty claim, and was replaced n/c.  New ones go for ~$150 at retail.

 

 

 

No.  These are Henckels.  The paring knife broke and was since pitched when the handle went.  I have a 6" and a 9" chefs knives that are left with bad wood handles.  Worth repairing if I could find a guy that's done it before.  These are the real deal ones made in Solingen Germany not the cheap versions built in Brazil or China.

 

Last time I took them in to be sharpened the Henckels rep that did the sharpening told the store owner that I needed new knives.  I replaced the paring knife as they were on sale, but it was still over $100 just for that one!

 

I got these knives in 84 or 85 as part of a promotion by Case IH dealers when I got a quotation on a new seed drill.  Never bought the drill, but got the knives for the effort.  The seed drill came 4 years later at a farm auction for about 25 cents on the dollar. 😉  Used the seed drill right up to the end selling it to a neighbour 3 years ago.  Still worked and was pretty accurate.

Edited September 27, 2021 by scomac2002

[scomac2002]

6 hours ago, Fellaheen51 said:

My snowblower needs to be replaced before the snow flies.  Barely was moving any snow at the end of last season.  The scrapper bar and auger paddles are shot.  The carburetor (choke?) isn't functioning very well either.  Have to ether every time it's started.  Not worth my time to futz with a 15+ year old, 2 cycle blower.

 

I bought a Cub Cadet single stage two years ago for under $1000.  I got mine at a farm equipment dealer, but I noticed that Lowes carried the model at the time too.  Like you, I did the due diligence before purchase and this model (21" cut) was top rated.  4 cycle engine much less fuss and it has an electric start which I have never had the need to use.  Starts first pull every time.  I've owned several of their products and had good experiences.  Current lawnmower I was talking about is also a Cub Cadet 21" with 5 hp B&S.  Lots of power to handle thick wet grass and not plug.  Parts always readily available which is important if you want to keep stuff a long time.  Perhaps the main reason that John Deere is so popular (another fine example of American made)

[scomac2002]

Played in men's league this morning and decided it was time to finish off the season with more modern clubs after about a month of playing vintage.  Thought I'd give the graphite shafted Speedblades another audition before finally deciding their fate. 

 

It wasn't pretty to say the least.  After playing full weight steel shafted irons the light graphite shafts were really difficult to slot in properly.  Didn't get one flush in the whole round.  In fact, it was far worse than that with several nasty tops.  About the only thing I hit reasonably consistent was the driver of all things. 🤷‍♂️

 

I did accomplish on thing that i've never done before.  I managed to get a golf ball to walk on water, skipping across a pond on a extreme thin with an 8 iron.  The ball skipped 5 times! Came to rest in the rough just below the flag in what should have been perfect position for an up and down for par.  The chip was only fair and then top it off with a 3 putt for a double bogie.  The golf gods giveth and they taketh away...

 

At any rate, I scuffled my way around the course to a rather ugly 48 with only a par on the toughest hole, the 9th, to show for it.  With that the verdict was delivered:  the irons must go.  I have no future with those ultralite shafted clubs.  They really were unsuitable from the very first use.  Some putzing was done to make them more appropriate for me, but to no avail when I compare the results to any one of a number of steel shafted irons I have at my disposal.  I actually hit heavier clubs noticeably further than any of the ultralite clubs that I have tried lately.

[Soloman1]

Snowblowers, lawnmowers, leaf blowers, flamethrower ... no mores for me!

[scomac2002]

1 hour ago, Soloman1 said:

Snowblowers, lawnmowers, leaf blowers, flamethrower ... no mores for me!

 I did make one golf related post today... 🤷‍♂️

[nitram]

On 9/27/2021 at 3:49 PM, scomac2002 said:

 

No.  These are Henckels.  The paring knife broke and was since pitched when the handle went.  I have a 6" and a 9" chefs knives that are left with bad wood handles.  Worth repairing if I could find a guy that's done it before.  These are the real deal ones made in Solingen Germany not the cheap versions built in Brazil or China.

 

Last time I took them in to be sharpened the Henckels rep that did the sharpening told the store owner that I needed new knives.  I replaced the paring knife as they were on sale, but it was still over $100 just for that one!

 

I got these knives in 84 or 85 as part of a promotion by Case IH dealers when I got a quotation on a new seed drill.  Never bought the drill, but got the knives for the effort.  The seed drill came 4 years later at a farm auction for about 25 cents on the dollar. 😉  Used the seed drill right up to the end selling it to a neighbour 3 years ago.  Still worked and was pretty accurate.

I won a set of Solingen Henckels kitchen knives 25 or so years ago as a door prize in a member-guest that we still use daily. The handles are some kind of Roman Oak that are still good to this day. They have never seen the inside of a dishwasher and just one or two hits on the steel and they are as good as new. 

[Conrad1953]

1 hour ago, Soloman1 said:

Snowblowers, lawnmowers, leaf blowers, flamethrower ... no mores for me!

 

Living in the valley of the sun does have it's advantages..................

 

[Soloman1]

47 minutes ago, scomac2002 said:

 I did make one golf related post today... 🤷‍♂️

I meant that I didn't want to use those house maintenance tools any more.

I enjoy all of the diversion here. Man does not live by golf alone...

[scomac2002]

No worries @Soloman1.  There's a certain appeal to the condo lifestyle where you can lock the door and just go away at a moment's notice for a month or more knowing that all the maintenance will get done.  Around these parts the nicer condos have higher carrying costs than your typical bungalow on a building lot, but you are stuck with the maintenance.  Retirees choice keeps demand for condos extremely strong.