Winter vacation is officially over, so thus begins a new chapter!
We just finished opening weekend at the Arizona Renaissance Festival...and it was as expect...Meh. Just like every opening weekend here. Next weekend will probably me more of the same...and then we'll start making some real money. We did okay, but it is pretty cold for Arizonians this time of year, and the first two weekends are the "bargain" weekends, kids free and two for one tickets. So sales are usually pretty low. We did okay though...slightly better than last year's opening weekend.
Tomorrow morning I have to ship out some catapults, and then get a few parts for the 1981 Ford F-100 we just acquired...like front wheel bearings and brake pads, and a valve cover gasket. It is supposed to rain pretty bad tomorrow morning, so tomorrow I'm just going to get the parts, and materials for this week's catapult run.
I'm also going to go to Scottsdale, AZ and pick up the camper shell I found for the Ford...it will actually fit (99" long by 73" wide), and is a pretty nice one for a good price. I'm really digging OfferUp DOT com...WAY better than Craigslist, and easier to get in contact with sellers and buyers.
Kev
I just got a VERY good package deal on three service manuals: Clymers, Haynes, and Chiltons manuals for my 1981 Ford F-100 truck. All three manuals, delivered, for less than I could buy a Haynes manual at Autozone. Only the Clymers is in good used condition...the other two were advertised as new condition. I'm pretty happy getting all three for 25 bucks, delivered!
Kev
The camper shell is acquired! And it a is Leer! Limo tint all around, moon windows, a 4 sets of slider windows with screens on the sides, two per side. It came off a mid '80s F-150 longbed, and the angle where it meets the cab is perfect...and the slider window mates up perfectly with the rear slider on the truck. 100 bucks! SWEET!!! No keys, but since it is a Leer, locksets are readily available.
It is more of a silver/gold color and doesn't match the truck...but it doesn't look horrible. When we have the truck eventually painted (the same factory eggshell yellow tan), we'll have them paint the shell to match. No cracks at all!
Kev
Found it. I will be following along.
Quote from: c farmer on February 10, 2020, 08:03 PM
Found it. I will be following along.
Thanks! It can get pretty boring though...lol!
Kev
Quote from: ClydesdaleKevin on February 10, 2020, 10:00 PM
Thanks! It can get pretty boring though...lol!
Kev
Nah. Love your trips. If you ever get to PA, look me up.
The booth is all set up and all the catapults are built for the three day President's Day weekend!
The F-100 still runs rough...but surprisingly keeps on running...lol! I haven't had time to do jack to it aside from fixing a wiring issue and putting new tires on it.
At least it is registered now, and we received our new title and registration from Florida in the mail this morning! We were running on AZ Temp plates, and the new registration came in just in time before the temp plates expired.
Kev
:)ThmbUp Hey Kev, been a while since you've posted any pic's of your display at a renfair and your workshop. I'm sure some newbees and some old dudes would like to see it.
President's Day weekend is going well so far...one more day!
And I came across this in my research. If Superior Driveline still makes one of these that will fit my 1981 Ford F-100 truck for a reasonable price, I'm really going to want one of these Remco driveline disconnects eventually! Pretty cool!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=703&v=qhQukbD8JV4&feature=emb_logo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=703&v=qhQukbD8JV4&feature=emb_logo)
Kev
Kev,
I priced one of those disconnects last year for a GMC van. I was quoted an estimate of $1400 to $1600. That did not include shipping. FYI. I was surprised they cost that much. The quoted price included a new drive shaft. It would be cheaper if you used your existing driveshaft but you need a local shop to modify it.
Shawn
Quote from: Shawn62 on February 17, 2020, 12:17 PM
Kev,
I priced one of those disconnects last year for a GMC van. I was quoted an estimate of $1400 to $1600. That did not include shipping. FYI. I was surprised they cost that much. The quoted price included a new drive shaft. It would be cheaper if you used your existing driveshaft but you need a local shop to modify it.
Shawn
Thanks! I was planning on using a local shop to just modify my driveshaft if I go this route, since Superior Driveline listed a local shop that can do the work...but I'm waiting to hear back from Superior Driveline. It will all depend on the price. I don't mind disconnecting the driveshaft manually and hanging it out of the way...but it sure would be nice not to have to crawl under the truck on my back and get dirty before and after every trip.
Kev
It rained ALL DAY here at the Arizona Renaissance Festival...so the crowd...and the sales...were pretty sparse. Thankfully the weather is supposed to be beautiful and cool tomorrow!
And then we have the dreaded Student Days on Tuesday and Thursday. Yuck. LOL!
Kev
We survived Student Days, 2020 at the Arizona Renaissance Festival!
Now, one more day of frantic catapult building before Pirate Weekend! This is the weekend we start making good money here in AZ.
Next week I have to play catch up on a LOT of projects, including replacing the front wheel bearings and brake pads on our Ford F-100, the valve cover gasket, and then ordering the correct rebuilt carburetor for it (if we do as well as we usually do this coming weekend...otherwise the carburetor can wait until after next weekend).
Kev
So today I finally got around to replacing the front wheel bearings, races, and seals on the front of the Ford F-100. Easy peasy, and it doesn't wander on the road anymore.
And exciting news!!!
We sold Siege The Day!!! For quite a bit...lol! It will pay off our property and small amount of credit cards, and still leave us around 15K to start up our new business venture: Selling our catapults and new designs like rubber band guns, at gun shows in Georgia and the surrounding states! This will take a huge load off of us. We'll more than likely take a long vacation up north every summer though, to escape the Georgia heat and humidity.
We are stoked!!!
Kev
Congratulations :)clap Do you have to teach The Buyer how to make the product ? Slowing down is a great idea ! Frank & Louie
Quote from: Froggy1936 on March 11, 2020, 09:43 PM
Congratulations :)clap Do you have to teach The Buyer how to make the product ? Slowing down is a great idea ! Frank & Louie
Our buyer will be working with us in the workshop, starting tomorrow until the end of the show, to learn how to make everything. It will be a three week crash course...lol!
Kev
How can you sell the business but then start a new business making the same catapults? Isn't that kind of a slap in the face to the person you sold the business to? For a LOT of money.
Probably none of my business really but you put it out there so I figured I would ask.
Quote from: Rickf1985 on March 12, 2020, 08:43 PM
How can you sell the business but then start a new business making the same catapults? Isn't that kind of a slap in the face to the person you sold the business to? For a LOT of money.
Probably none of my business really but you put it out there so I figured I would ask.
LOL! That was a part of our agreement: They get all Renaissance Festivals, Medieval Faires, and Cons (like Dragon Con and Comicon)...and we'll be sticking to gun shows and local street fairs and events. We won't be doing any more internet orders, so then get that as well. That way there isn't any crossover. They agreed to it and are quite happy! They also get the website and the rights to the name, Siege The Day.
Plus, I'm pretty much only going to be selling the catapistols and handheld ballistae at gun shows...and then coming up with some other designs, like rubber band guns and rubber band gattlin guns...things that will sell at gun shows.
The cool thing is, there seems to be a gun show somewhere in Georgia just about every single weekend! So we won't have to drive nearly as far from home.
http://www.gunshows-usa.com/georgia/ (http://www.gunshows-usa.com/georgia/)
And gun shows are cheap to do! Usually around 100-200 bucks for a table that they provide.
[size=78%] [/size]Kev
Think about this, You.................. at a gun show......................... . do you REALLY think your profits will outwiegh your your purchases? W%
Quote from: Rickf1985 on March 13, 2020, 01:00 PM
Think about this, You.................. at a gun show......................... . do you REALLY think your profits will outwiegh your your purchases? W%
Rick, that's my problem, my wife has put me on gun restriction and says I'm not allowed to go to gun shows anymore! $@!#@! I just hope when I die that she doesn't sell the guns for what I told her I paid for them! :)rotflmao
Quote from: Rickf1985 on March 13, 2020, 01:00 PM
Think about this, You.................. at a gun show......................... . do you REALLY think your profits will outwiegh your your purchases? W%
LOL!!! That is why Patti holds the purse strings.
Kev
Quote from: beaverman on March 13, 2020, 01:46 PM
Rick, that's my problem, my wife has put me on gun restriction and says I'm not allowed to go to gun shows anymore! $@!#@! I just hope when I die that she doesn't sell the guns for what I told her I paid for them! :)rotflmao
LOL!
Kev
So God is good! The Governor of Arizona just announced that Arizona is going to be following the CDC guidelines, and has shut down all events of over 50 people. Which means the Arizona Renaissance Festival is officially CLOSED! Two weeks early!
Normally this would have been very hard on us...but since we sold Siege The Day, we'll be fine. More than fine! It means we get to go home 2 weeks sooner than we would have!!!
We will still be here for two more weeks, teaching the new owners how to make the catapults...and then it is back HOME to Fitzgerald, Georgia!!!
Kev
Good for you, for him maybe not so good if this drags on!! To buy a business and immediately not be able to get it going could really hurt! Plus all the shows where you plan to sell your stuff in the future are shut down also. Hopefully this all blows over and all of us older folks survive. The way it is spreading I look at it this way, it is not if you will get it it is when and how bad.
Quote from: Rickf1985 on March 16, 2020, 08:28 AM
Good for you, for him maybe not so good if this drags on!! To buy a business and immediately not be able to get it going could really hurt! Plus all the shows where you plan to sell your stuff in the future are shut down also. Hopefully this all blows over and all of us older folks survive. The way it is spreading I look at it this way, it is not if you will get it it is when and how bad.
I think the mainstream media is VERY irresponsibly hyping this up. I don't think this is going to be any worse that H1N1, which is still a thing.
Kev
Ok! I already know Iââ,¬â,,¢m going to get in trouble for this. However not being the sharpest knife in the drawer or the brightest bulb in the pack. Maybe somebody can explain to me how you go from broke to destitute. To buying a new diesel motor home. Ok not totally new. A new truck although not totally new. To affording to buy property. To selling a business that you donââ,¬â,,¢t totally sell it. I smell a rat. D:oH!
Quote from: LJ-TJ on March 16, 2020, 04:00 PM
Ok! I already know Iââ,¬â,,¢m going to get in trouble for this. However not being the sharpest knife in the drawer or the brightest bulb in the pack. Maybe somebody can explain to me how you go from broke to destitute. To buying a new diesel motor home. Ok not totally new. A new truck although not totally new. To affording to buy property. To selling a business that you donââ,¬â,,¢t totally sell it. I smell a rat. D:oH!
LOL!
Okay...let's dissect this:
Last winter, because of a trend of rainy weather and a lot of vet bills the previous year (Renfaires are outdoor events and weather dependent), we found ourselves on the edge of bankruptcy when our 1989 Holiday Rambler's transmission died on our way to Arizona. So I set up a go fund me. I found a 1995 Itasca diesel pusher, only six years newer...and ended up paying 6700.00 for it and trading three of my guns. 5000.00 of that was a gift from my mother, I sold my old enduro motorcycle for 1000.00, and the rest was money we had saved, along with some very generous donations on the go fund me.
The "new" truck is 40 years old...lol! A 1981 Ford F-100 longbed. I traded my lifted Jeep Cherokee even for it.
The property is two acres, and we got a loan from a local community bank for it. A loan...lol! We didn't magically pull 28K from our bums.
And finally, the business is usually very profitable as long as it doesn't rain all year, or get shut down by an over exaggerated hyped up virus scare. The folks that bought if from us own many other businesses at Renaissance Festivals, and know how profitable ours can be from seeing so many folks buying our catapults. They only do Renfaires and Conventions, and could care less about us doing a gun show or two a month...since there is no real overlap in the customer base and we won't be doing any internet orders. Plus, they might need me to make and send them parts for busy shows until they get their sea legs under them, paying me as a subcontractor.
Got it? Pretty simple and no mystery about it.
Kev
:)ThmbUp You have my apolagees. The way I read it from the thread and the way you explained it came out totally differently.
I am surprised that no one has asked you to swear on the bible and sign in blood. Really? Is it any ones business at all except for Kevin and Patti? If you follow his stories you would realize that they are due for some good luck and I for one are glad for them. Good for you two and enjoy being landowners for a change. A whole new life for the two of you, :)ThmbUp
Quote from: LJ-TJ on March 16, 2020, 09:30 PM
:)ThmbUp You have my apolagees. The way I read it from the thread and the way you explained it came out totally differently.
Its all good bro. Seeing different posts over many many years can get confusing.
Kev
Quote from: joanfenn on March 16, 2020, 10:25 PM
I am surprised that no one has asked you to swear on the bible and sign in blood. Really? Is it any ones business at all except for Kevin and Patti? If you follow his stories you would realize that they are due for some good luck and I for one are glad for them. Good for you two and enjoy being landowners for a change. A whole new life for the two of you, :)ThmbUp
Thanks! Although we still intend to travel. Especially in the summer time! The heat and humidity here is unbearable unless you stay in a pool all day. I intend to find some gun shows in upper Michigan and Maine in the summer months...lol!
Kev
I quite enjoy reading of Kevin's combined RV lifestyle and career. And the landing spot in GA is brilliant, I'd love something like that myself someday. Cheers all!
Quote from: tmsnyder on March 17, 2020, 09:24 AM
I quite enjoy reading of Kevin's combined RV lifestyle and career. And the landing spot in GA is brilliant, I'd love something like that myself someday. Cheers all!
Thanks! And the adventures WILL continue...mostly locally, but north in the hottest summer months.
Kev
Kevin once again you have been Duped , The Virus is not a FAKE it is very serious , Especially for people like me that have so many of the underlying previous conditions. Frank
Not fake for me or any of the other Vietnam Vets that have lung issues from the chemicals in that war either. And the only reason I brought up the financial bit was because you put it out there. We also did the math and it did not add up. "5000.00 of that was a gift from my mother, I sold my old enduro motorcycle for 1000.00, and the rest was money we had saved, along with some very generous donations on the go fund me." You had told us that you were broke and your savings were gone. You also spent many thousands of dollars after you bought the motor home. On Jeep tires, solar panels, expensive batteries. And this was before you even got back into your earning season.
It is not so much the fact that you got the RV as much as it is that you rubbed all of this in our faces, over and over. And you still are. You paid more than 28 for that property and it is less than two acres. Please, if you are going to put it out there at least be honest. This is what gets people on edge. That and especially your contempt for those of us that are truly in need and also in danger from this virus. I would venture to say that someone on this forum is going to suffer greatly from it, I hope you will find it in your heart to donate to any of their needs.
Quote from: ClydesdaleKevin on March 16, 2020, 12:36 PM
I think the mainstream media is VERY irresponsibly hyping this up. I don't think this is going to be any worse that H1N1, which is still a thing.
Kev
Because the above post of yours remains I assume it is perpetuated, at least until and if removed by Mark. I also assume the same applies to my responses to your post.
Perhaps you could and would explain the above quote as attributed to you.
You consider the media keeping us informed of updates, numbers, locations, government proclamations, etc. to be ââ,¬Å"irresponsible hypeââ,¬Â?
You consider top Medical Officials around the world - including the USA- to be under the influence of Media ââ,¬Å"hypeââ,¬Â? Along with worldwide governments at all levels - including the USA? As well as major sport associations, airlines, rail lines, retailers, international corporations, etc. etc. etc.?
Numerous travel restrictions world wide are all based upon ââ,¬Å"media hypeââ,¬Â?
You seriously think that Media is trying to perpetuate a false belief that COV19 is a pandemic?
You seriously think that COV19 is equitable or even comparable to H1N1?
Do you even understand the difference between ââ,¬Ëœepidemicââ,¬â,,¢ and ââ,¬Ëœpandemicââ,¬â,,¢?
I sincerely hope that no one close to you is infected with this ââ,¬Å"hypeââ,¬Â as you refer to it.
I seem to recall some time ago you were quite vehemently ââ,¬Å"hypingââ,¬Â e-cigs or vaping. Are you still?
Finally here, I am somewhat curious. You wrote that Arizona, as per the CDC is disallowing any groups of more than 50 individuals. Were you present for CDC/Arizona discussions? Were you present when the Arizona Governor made this declaration? Or, and far more likely, did you in fact hear/read this through the ââ,¬Å"irresponsible mediaââ,¬Â?
OK I give up, I guess it is everyone's business. I was raised to keep my nose out of things that didn't concern me. I guess I was raised wrong. So everybody put out there what you want and if you don't want it to rise up and slap you in the face just keep it to yourselves. Or not, no one can tell you what to do. Keep safe, keep well and well, keep on going.
So let me explain what I meant about the COVID-19 virus...and please, try to keep politics out of this and off this forum:
"I think the mainstream media is VERY irresponsibly hyping this up. I don't think this is going to be any worse than H1N1, which is still a thing."
That is exactly what I said, and nothing more. I don't know where y'all came up with thinking I was saying it wasn't a bad thing, or shouldn't be taken seriously. So far, the mortality rate per those infected is indeed LOWER than with H1N1, which is still going around seasonally and killing tens of thousands of people. They are both very bad, and should be taken seriously...as should the CDC guidelines.
Of COURSE we should follow the CDC quideline and minimize social contact and gatherings of groups of 10 or more.
What I meant by the media hyping this up is that they are irresponsibly panicking people. They could have presented things a lot more calmly, and then maybe folks could buy toilet paper and hygienic products, especially our most vulnerable citizens, the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.
On the bright side, if everyone DOES start following the CDC guidelines, we can minimize the damage this virus does to our citizens...AND minimize the damage H1N1 does to our citizens. Applying the same common sense principles the CDC recommends to combat COVID-19 should also bring the rate of those that catch H1N1 every year WAY down.
Kev
Quote from: Rickf1985 on March 18, 2020, 02:20 PM
Not fake for me or any of the other Vietnam Vets that have lung issues from the chemicals in that war either. And the only reason I brought up the financial bit was because you put it out there. We also did the math and it did not add up. "5000.00 of that was a gift from my mother, I sold my old enduro motorcycle for 1000.00, and the rest was money we had saved, along with some very generous donations on the go fund me." You had told us that you were broke and your savings were gone. You also spent many thousands of dollars after you bought the motor home. On Jeep tires, solar panels, expensive batteries. And this was before you even got back into your earning season.
It is not so much the fact that you got the RV as much as it is that you rubbed all of this in our faces, over and over. And you still are. You paid more than 28 for that property and it is less than two acres. Please, if you are going to put it out there at least be honest. This is what gets people on edge. That and especially your contempt for those of us that are truly in need and also in danger from this virus. I would venture to say that someone on this forum is going to suffer greatly from it, I hope you will find it in your heart to donate to any of their needs.
I'm not even going to dignify this with a lengthy response. "Rubbed all of this in your faces?" Go back and read my thread, "trip from hell." All of this was addressed...back then. Expensive batteries? You mean the two Trojan T-105s I got for 100 bucks each? Or how about the four 99 dollar solar panels which we need to boondock, or the tires, which were needed since ours were worn down to nothing? And never once did I say we were dead broke. I said we didn't have enough to replace the transmission AND make it all the way out to Arizona (we broke down in Florida, if you recall). Even with the go fund me, trading the guns, and selling the bike, we still had just enough to get to Arizona with not a heck of a lot left over after buying this Itasca. Everything that you mentioned that we purchased, "rubbing it in your faces, " were things we needed...AFTER we started back to work, and purchased with money we earned during the show.
I could understand your ire if I was buying Rolex watches, or showing off a brand new Corvette, or bragging about buying a condo in the Bahamas. But that wasn't the case at all.
Haters gonna hate...geesh!
Kev
Quote from: joanfenn on March 18, 2020, 06:53 PM
OK I give up, I guess it is everyone's business. I was raised to keep my nose out of things that didn't concern me. I guess I was raised wrong. So everybody put out there what you want and if you don't want it to rise up and slap you in the face just keep it to yourselves. Or not, no one can tell you what to do. Keep safe, keep well and well, keep on going.
No Joan. You were raised totally correctly. Apparently some others were not.
Kev
Thanks Kev: I wish you and Patti every success in your new venture.
Quote from: joanfenn on March 18, 2020, 08:29 PM
Thanks Kev: I wish you and Patti every success in your new venture.
Thank you! Be safe up there in Canada!
Kev
I probably should not reply but since I was picked out of the group of those that posted it seems that I am the target here. Obviously it is not just me that feels this way but be that as it may. Hater? I do not hate anyone. I do not hate the soldier that shot me in Vietnam, I do not hate the soldiers that sent the mortor round that damn near killed me there either. I do not hate the boss that fired me from a good job because he thought I might be trying to get his job, which I wasn't. And I don't hate you. If I did would I have been giving you mechanical advice all along since this all went down? I help people any way I can and sometimes my ways are a bit dry? harsh? unfeeling? I don't know how to describe it other than I tell it like I see it. That is how I have always been and I will never change. The Lord has kept me alive for some reason and all I can think of to repay him is to help people as I can. My pointing out what I saw was intended to show you that you were being insensitive. But I know you are going to dispute that so I will not go on with it. Going forward if you ask a question about something and it is something I can answer I will help with it. Just who I am. I am not a hater. And as far as how I was raised? I was raised to be very respectful. I don't smoke, drink or do drugs. I have held a job my entire adult life and I have a house and cars for myself and my wife. I get by on very little money but I do not complain. I think I was raised quite well. Others may not agree, nothing I can do about that. Last I have to say on the subject. Have a good night and a safe trip east.
Quote from: Rickf1985 on March 18, 2020, 09:35 PM
I probably should not reply but since I was picked out of the group of those that posted it seems that I am the target here. Obviously it is not just me that feels this way but be that as it may. Hater? I do not hate anyone. I do not hate the soldier that shot me in Vietnam, I do not hate the soldiers that sent the mortor round that damn near killed me there either. I do not hate the boss that fired me from a good job because he thought I might be trying to get his job, which I wasn't. And I don't hate you. If I did would I have been giving you mechanical advice all along since this all went down? I help people any way I can and sometimes my ways are a bit dry? harsh? unfeeling? I don't know how to describe it other than I tell it like I see it. That is how I have always been and I will never change. The Lord has kept me alive for some reason and all I can think of to repay him is to help people as I can. My pointing out what I saw was intended to show you that you were being insensitive. But I know you are going to dispute that so I will not go on with it. Going forward if you ask a question about something and it is something I can answer I will help with it. Just who I am. I am not a hater. And as far as how I was raised? I was raised to be very respectful. I don't smoke, drink or do drugs. I have held a job my entire adult life and I have a house and cars for myself and my wife. I get by on very little money but I do not complain. I think I was raised quite well. Others may not agree, nothing I can do about that. Last I have to say on the subject. Have a good night and a safe trip east.
Its all good bro. And my first post in response to this backlash was clarifying what I said about COVID-19 vs H1N1...not your post. I ignored Terry's post completely because it was off the rails. My "keep politics out of this forum" was to Frank, who I love and respect, after his "45" reference.
I already KNOW you are abrasive and come across as Eeyore when it comes to posting...LOL! It is just the way you are, and your internet personality. And I'm cool with that. But when you attack me personally with misinformation I will respond....respectfully as always.
I'm not mad at your bro, but thought we already worked this out, AND the numbers, in the "trip from hell" post. To see you bring it up again and attack me for things that we already resolved was confusing at best. Just have a little self awareness in the future man. And there is a "my mail" option in this group, if you want to clarify things personally without looking the fool.
Anyhow...social media is the Devil...which is why this forum shouldn't reflect the mob mentality garbage of mainstream social media like Facebook and Twitter. If ya'll want to act like Facebook trolls, come find me on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KevinMacGowanSmith (https://www.facebook.com/KevinMacGowanSmith)). Don't do this HERE of all places!
Kev
We are all packed down and ready to head home to Georgia!
I also got the Blue Ox tow brackets attached to the front bumper of the Ford F-100, and some tow hooks to attach the safety cables to...and replaced the fuse for the cigarette lighter port (to power the Brake Buddy), and installed the break away switch. So we are good to go!
We have to stick around for a few more days to close on the business deal, but the Faire won't let us stay on site (today is the deadline to leave), so we were lucky enough to get reservations down the road at the Lost Dutchman State Park for a few days.
So thus endeth this chapter!
Look for my new thread, The Journey Home 2020!
Kev