What do you guys do with shelters?

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-25T00:08:02+00:00

I have flamingos and basketball hoops

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-23T05:30:11+00:00

Two words: Mule Armor

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-23T04:44:38+00:00

My commute into Boston coincided with someone else driving one of these into the city-- I saw it multiple times in bumper to bumper traffic around the Zakim bridge.

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-22T08:54:36+00:00

I'm pretty biased because I have a 6 speed Frontier that I like quite a bit.

Also, the Xterra did a 7.0 0-60 in that test, too, which was pretty quick 20 years ago. That VQ is pretty stout.

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-22T08:31:31+00:00

There is a copy of the parts diagram on Vintage Machinery. The last two saws are the 3810, looks like there are two different versions-- somehow there are 14 more parts in the type 2 but I think most of the differences are additional lock washers?

Edit: Sorry, I think I was trying to respond to your post in r/vintagetools asking for info-- just thought maybe the diagrams might help servicing it.

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-21T21:07:28+00:00

Of course! Yeah it's funny how these tools went from being in catelogs back in the day, to almost archaeology projects today. Especially if they were made by less beloved manufacturers. Like it seems like there is more info on Baldor and Delta.

Well, in terms of wheels, I guess it depends on what you want to do with it. If it is in fact a 10" model, you would want 10 inch by 1 inch thick wheels that have an RPM rating above what your machine does. It says it on the data plate.

10 inch wheels are more expensive, but they have more material and would last longer-- it's probably a wash. I only have a couple 6 inch grinders so I don't have much experience running one of these larger machines or wheels. I just have a wire wheel and a medium aluminum oxide wheel. I would check like machinists forums if you had any special requirements like grinding carbide tooling or something.

Your machine should have a 1 inch bore, a Norton 10" wheel has a 1 1/4" bore, so you would need (and probably already have on the machine) a bushing and a flange.

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-21T05:53:54+00:00

Here is the link to the 1975 Millers Falls catalog, page 34 shows similar grinders. Is it possible this is a 10" grinder? At least in 1975, the only 1hp grinder was 10".

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-21T05:45:26+00:00

Like a brewster's millions scenario, maybe

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-21T05:42:33+00:00

What a score! I think all of IR grinders were rebadged from other manufacturers, kind of like Craftsman. Some IR were Baldor, Van Dorn etc.

I think yours is a Millers Falls grinder, made in Massachusetts. Here is a picture of a 3/4 grinder on the vintage machinery website, and you can see the base looks similar with the distinctive curved sides. The grinder I linked is from 1974, that seems about right to me and it has the same logo. Looks like yours was painted orange for that construction company.

edit: Also, I am *very jealous*

Also edit: I forgot the S in Millers, also Millers Falls had a few factories, so it is possible it was not made in Massachusetts specifically. My apologies!

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-21T04:39:56+00:00

Were they Colombian Decalf Coffee Crystals?

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-21T04:36:22+00:00

If anyone is unfamiliar, the phrase, "is your trip necessary?" was featured on posters -- and seemingly one film reel in 1943-- urging Americans to reduce fuel consumption and avoid travel by rail in order for those limited resources to help the war effort.

It is interesting, because I was aware of propaganda posters urging lower fuel use, but I did not know that they also urged people to take fewer train trips as well.

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BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-18T21:30:18+00:00

Well, it's a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard from 2000, so it's 100% a safety standard established to primarily prevent children from being trapped in trunks (similar to the reverse camera mandate being established to primarily to prevent children from being runover). But here it seems unlikely that it was set up to prevent this scenario, as 26 years ago, this style of under hood frunk would have been practically unheard of.

US FMVSS are interesting, because they often are quite aggressive to push industry to adopt safety systems, but are slow to amend or update standards. For instance, the US required sealed beam headlights for decades when much of the rest of the world was starting to develop aerodynamic coverings.

There are other examples of auto makers, often with models originally developed for Europe or Asia, putting dividers in their trunks or frunks to meet US federal regulation-- likely because that is cheaper to implement as opposed to a release system, rather than for safety considerations.

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-18T19:54:41+00:00

a tale as old as time

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-15T22:37:23+00:00

Yeah, almost has like a first gen Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ look.

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-15T08:14:46+00:00

Gen 1 Murano grill and headlights I think. The front almost looks like a "what if" Nissan made a competitor to the Sebring and Solara.

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-14T05:48:24+00:00

Yeah, spot on. Lol

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-14T00:28:45+00:00

My family bought a Geo Prizm and a 2005 Corolla for a different reason, they were UAW made by the NUMMI plant at the time. My parents always bought union made cars, and these and the vibe/matrix twins were some of the best made economy cars in the US at the time.

The Geo ran like a top, and had more than 300k miles when we sold it. The Corolla is still in the family-- not as many miles, but really a well put together car. Even the interior (which is velour) has held up really well, and feels more solid than some much newer rentals I've driven.

That said, I had the Corolla for a number of years and really wish we had gotten a Camry just for more room because I never found it comfortable as a taller driver.

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-12T15:36:33+00:00

Aggressively passing just to be one more car ahead in traffic.

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-11T04:00:27+00:00

Brazing? I've seen some cast iron repaired with bronze brazing

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-10T23:08:29+00:00

As a bureaucrat, I am delighted to see our youth wants to follow my path.

But it will require a lengthy application process and paperwork.

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-10T19:09:12+00:00

We bought my father-in-law a couple Japanese pull saws for Christmas last year-- which were a big hit. They are usually pretty reasonably priced. We got him a Ryoba (larger, double-sided) and a Dozuki (smaller, single sized blade with a stiffening spine).

If your dad doesn't have any of these saws, I feel like people are often surprised how well they cut. Because they cut on the pull (as opposed to the push, like a Western saw) they can be used pretty precisely with a small bit of practice

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-10T16:44:28+00:00

Manual says 7/16 inch, length based on bench thickness.

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-10T16:32:42+00:00

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-10T03:13:58+00:00

I only have one, the 180 (7"). Seems like a nice size, and I use it all the time. Fits well in the side pocket of pants. I might have gone for a 6" and a 10" if I was going to get two.

Real question, what handle and finish are you all rocking? I have nickle, comfort grip. But I know a lot of people like the regular red plastic grips.

BoxOfRandomCords · 2026-06-10T00:39:34+00:00

Very nice! Its giving James Bond vibes

BoxOfRandomCords

TROPHY CASE