MTFCA Forum

Rich Bingham

Weather is a state of mind to a degree. January thaw now feels like a heat wave compared to two weeks ago. I’d get Lizzie out for a spin, but recent weather deposited a four foot drift up against the shop door and I’m too lazy to shovel out - so I guess I’ll just dream of summertime with the rest of...

Rich Bingham

Too late to remind everyone to have their snoggle-goggles on to protect your eyes from epsilon rays. Carl’s red eyes will return to normal within a fortnight. Applying balsam of myrrh sparingly to the eyelids may help. Don’t forget the goggles during next year’s astral event !

Rich Bingham

if only !! Usually they head for the radiator !
Rich, these are great !!

Rich Bingham

Fun remembries Rich. I well remember your carpet. Glad you’re still playing on it !!

By now most everything on our place has a lengthy back-story. Like how our ‘65 Mustang turned into a 2-bottom Massey plow.

Rich Bingham

Fun remembries Rich. I well remember your carpet. Glad you’re still playing on it !!

By now most everything on our place has a lengthy back-story. Like how our ‘65 Mustang turned into a 2-bottom Massey plow.

Rich Bingham

Dan Hatch wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 22, 2020 10:12 am
I have a 13/14 Roadster that never was sold by the dealer.

?!? That’s intriguing ! Please tell us more Dan. What does that mean ?

Rich Bingham

Only “T” folk can relate !! I wonder how many of our members have actually patched tubes roadside ? My first T, I rolled on ancient rubber for over a year and probably only got 10 to 20 miles between flats. (if that). That all went away with a set of new Riversides, and it’s a good thing too !! They...

Rich Bingham

Rich, I think you’re right. First off I was thinking “roll over” but the damage seems to fit colliding with a moving train, especially the broken rear wheel. 1911 sure fits. The little guy at rear seems really amused ; “Oh boy !! Wrecked car !! My favorite thing !!” Circus posters in the barn behind...

Rich Bingham

Likely true at speeds under 30 on dirt roads. I’ve read several accounts of fatalities owing to injuries from breaking plate glass. On the other hand, I’ve also read more than a few accounts of fatalities involving open cars. Best idea is to keep the rubber side down and the brassy side up !!

Rich Bingham

Re-reading through the back pages of this account, I see that KD was wont to rebuild and reassemble Model T transmissions in his sleep. However, this was only when the waxing Gibbous moon was at 52% or greater. Otherwise, the position of the moon gear would be out of phase. It’s well known that KD n...

Rich Bingham

Nigel, thank you for the first person information. I’m glad to know 30x3” tires will also become available. I hope you will keep forum members updated as you learn more. Meanwhile I’ll be saving my pennies in the hope of being able to buy a set. These really appeal to me, both for the stated quality...

Rich Bingham

I suppose if I were smart enough either to fine tune my Lizzie, or opt to “soup it up” with all the improved cranks, cams, heads, carbs and ignition now available, and I rolled on paved roads at 50 per and quicker, I’d see the need for balancing. As it is, I mostly travel dirt and gravel, and Lizzie...

Rich Bingham

Now I’m really curious about Bockley. Their website claims that their clincher tyres (!) are superior owing to ten years of development and special attention to engineering, the lack of which resulted in tire failures and Michelin abandoning their “beaded tyre” line. They say their tires are careful...

Rich Bingham

Interestingly, when the tastes of the patrons frequenting Ernie’s Saloon demanded a change from the two staple choices, whisky straight up or beer, faddish cocktails with fancy names like “Old Fashioned” , “Thomas & Jeremiah”, “Brandy Alexander”, “Cuba Libre” and such like became ragingly popular. S...

Rich Bingham

Question now, is this the same ‘05 Packard without the windshield ? There couldn’t have been many in Calhoun County at the time. In fact, many Tri-burg residents claimed to have seen their first “horseless carriage” as late as 1938. Sebastian found this photo in the file marked “Mort” - rather a con...

Rich Bingham

DanTreace wrote: ↑
Sun Jan 19, 2020 12:07 pm
...but one would have to like the large name on the sidewall

A matter of taste I guess. The imprint is very much “period correct”. I kinda like it. Too bad they don’t also come in 30x3. Or do they ?

Rich Bingham

Good looking diamond tread tires ! I hope they work out for you !

Rich Bingham

It is hard to imagine anything in Perpetuity. Not long after the first claims were filed on Blisterbug Creek which led to the rich alphabet mines in Calhoun County, a promising vein of diacritical marks was discovered far upstream near the headwaters. Boomers rushed to the scene, and soon the mining...

Rich Bingham

I think that’s the center mandrel for an adjustable reamer. (?!?)

Blades and collet are missing.

Rich Bingham

Dallas, thank you for your kind words of appreciation for our research staff. Positive reenforcement is valuable to them, especially since their hourly wage rate has been frozen since 1912 at twelve cents per hour. Something to do with complying with the Klamitbofer Endowment in Perpetuity.

Rich Bingham

Clever and useful ! Dean, can you use it to drive out an old bushing as well ?

Rich Bingham

How true, Rich. It seems the whole Spaydaford family was at odds with society at one time or another. Skippy appeared to be the only responsible member until the debacle that ended his custard stand venture. Were the Spaydafords all psychopaths, or were they just misunderstood ? Sociologists often d...

Rich Bingham

Burger, thanks for that insight. I think the anteater’s name was just “Excapesmee”. Seems anthills were sparse and far apart in the sage on the Upper Terrace. Maddox couldn’t afford more than four strands of bobwire on his spread, that and small signs forty rods apart reading “FENCE - do not cross” ...

Rich Bingham

Kathy, your pups ride in luxury ! Package shelf seems just right for them.

My Dad told me when he was a boy, his dog Pal (a rat-tail Spaniel) would ride the front fender next to the hood of grandpa‘s ‘25 roadster pickup. He’d often run to catch up and then jump aboard.

Rich Bingham

Laurel Larkvonnet had the distinction of being Medicine Bow’s official town drunk. He won the Mayor’s award twenty years running, at which point the town council suspended the competition as pointless. Laurel was unsteady on his feet and was always guessing about his steps. Culpeper’s sold anise dro...

Rich Bingham

Dogs and Model Ts compliment one another !

Rich Bingham

Sebastian found this one in the trunk of values. It appears to be Cuthbert mounted on Magnitude. Apparently there is a sizable file of Magnitude in the archives if you know where to look. Sebastian took the first step.

Rich Bingham

How could the ladies resist ?? Apparently quite easily. It’s true Cuthbert was an able hand with the ponies, and animals in general seemed to love him. People, not so much. Perhaps a lot of the “incompetent stumblebum” assessments had more to do with his utter lack of people skills than a lack of in...

Rich Bingham

Steve, thanks for the post. It’s always a treat to see your shop and your work. Same for all you fellers getting stuff done. It’s an inspiration !! :D :shock: what have I done in January? :shock: So far, not a frolickin’ thing !! :( (So much for New Year’s resolutions - I have plowed a lot of snow, ...

Rich Bingham

Rich Eagle wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 15, 2020 4:32 pm
I just use that for an excuse not to over clean.

it’s the art of intelligent neglect

Practicing it can enrich your life !

Rich Bingham

While corrosive chemicals on the road aren’t the best thing for a Model T’s underbelly, I don’t think they get as much exposure as newer vehicles with all-steel body pans. Driving mud, snow and slush, I’ve never seen where much of it gets above the splash shields. Most of it spatters on fenders and ...

Rich Bingham

Burger, thank you for posting these. It’s true we have been remiss in not sharing such glimpses of the Institute and the archives vaults, even though we have received many such requests from flat-earthers all over the globe. Please thank Heinrich for his thoughtfulness when you see him. I suspect he...

Rich Bingham

Not manufactured IMHO. The flat bar stock has all the earmarks of back-yard blacksmithing but the threaded items have been neatly machined. Certainly a better “fix” than poorly made reproduction shackles that many have reported fail in a short while. You may want to re-make the turned pieces that ar...

Rich Bingham

Thanks for another great photo Herb !!
They must have been good, the little dog seems to be laughing

Rich Bingham

A product called “Mucilage” advertises heavily, claiming to clear up congestion of all sorts. A 500 gallon load of it was dumped on the viaduct at last report it only made things worse. What was the third question ?

Rich Bingham

I recall the Broadway production that was loosely adapted from the “Gumsmoke” television program. I believe it was titled “Fanny Get Your Gum”. Oddly, it didn’t really appear on Broadway, but in a theater that burned down on the corner of Capital and A Streets. The establishment was famous for its o...

Rich Bingham

One of Sheriff Thwapp’s more embarrassing encounters was an attempt to enforce Saddlestring’s new morality code. When he attempted to shut down the Dove Cage Saloon, Miss Lulubelle Suggs got the drop on him. Shoving two 38s into his back, Thwapp was disarmed and abandoned his mission. Lulubelle was ...

Rich Bingham

Very interesting. Pugalstick “Two Gun” Thwapp was a controversial figure at best. His thriftiness bordered on parsimony, evidenced by his recycling his old wanted posters when he was campaigning for sheriff. Further, as the alphabet mines were running thin on “Fs” at the time, he chose to save less ...

Rich Bingham

Facts are so inconsiderate of fondly held misconceptions. “Grow it yourself” proponents always seem to forget that besides the negative environmental aspects listed, it takes fuel to grow it and process it. The net gain is pitiful.

Rich Bingham

That is Nimrod in the photo. Probably KD chose him for the test run as he was especially susceptible to motion sickness. KD’s inventions for alleviating pediatric gastric distresses are especially interesting as we study the history of KD’s varied achievements. In this case, it’s plain to see how th...

Rich Bingham

That’s most likely, Larry. Interestingly, the 1915 parts list specified bronze thrust washers, which makes it a point of interest as to when lead alloy washers were introduced into production.

Rich Bingham

The fact that Fitzellwitz was suffering with a severe bout of hay fever while recording “Stammering With the Sergeant” made his performance even more amazing, something any sousaphonist can readily appreciate. The recording would have very likely led the hit parade if the movie, “No Time for Field B...

Rich Bingham

I’m sure to be corrected by experts who know better, but I’ll offer what I gleaned from an association with a production engineer who established a soft metal foundry here 30 years ago. Interestingly, he named his enterprise “Blackfoot Brass”. According to him, most alloy proportions may be specific...

Rich Bingham

Shouldn’t they all be Hudsons ?!?

Great photo, thanks for sharing it !

Rich Bingham

Just a niggling point. The lead-alloy differential thrust washers are not exactly a “Babbitt” alloy as rod bearings and mains are. The washers were die cast from what is generically referred to as “pot metal” a substance which has no specific recipe, being largely composed of zinc plus lead, tin, bi...

Rich Bingham

Ethanol in gasoline isn’t the only amendment to the recipe in the past 40 years or more. Nowadays there’s quite a soup of solvents, volatiles and chemistry in gasolines that vary with the locale and can be very different across the country, depending where you live. All are very different from the s...

Rich Bingham

This happens to be the only extant photo of the three unrelated brothers. Obviously, it was taken on the occasion of the embarrassing coyote/jackalope incident. Clever photography partially conceals the leg-irons joining KD and Cuthbert. Melvin was not arrested. He remained with the pair in the Rawl...

Rich Bingham

Opinions on this thread are a sure indicator of resale value and interest. If your primary goal is to drive without having to do extensive overhauls, if both run and drive when you go to see them in person, barring documentation on any engine and/or differential rebuild, there’s little difference th...

Rich Bingham

I love this one ! We were mighty picky in the 60’s, and at the time, I, for one, somehow thought the hulks would always be there, along with the Hoover wagons that provided a wealth of frames, wheels, running gear parts, and not infrequently, usable tires. Returning to the hunt for rust in the mid-7...

Rich Bingham

Rich, thank you for posting this picture of KD in his momoputzopede. Up til now, it was a strong point of contention between Bartholomew and Sebastian, who maintained the unique vehicle was one of KD’s inventions. Bartholomew held that no such machine ever existed, much less that such a thing was KD...

Rich Bingham

Beautiful work. A search for Cotton Eliot reveals he doesn’t appear to be a “commercial” smith (no website) but he’s actively involved with the craft in Texas and the Southwest. It’s been over 40 years now one of our remaining old-school open hearth blacksmiths let his fires die. He kept a rack of M...

Rich Bingham

These are great ! Thanks for sharing them Burger.

Rich Bingham

Thank heaven for the mind warp ! You can use your own Jedi powers to tune in and amplify it, which then gives jaded and cynical adults the power to communicate with critters and kids, thereby gaining true wisdom !! Dallas, your pup looks completely at ease. It’s relaxing just to see a dog so content...

Rich Bingham

My T came to me “used”. The previous owner had toured some 10k miles with it, and maintained it well. It had a TW installed, no report of its length of service at that point. When I set about getting acquainted with my new friend, examination of the timer body showed considerable erosion of the insu...

Rich Bingham

Dallas, I’m pretty sure when they played auto polo, by the time they quit, no one was happy

Rich Bingham

:oops: My apologies Rich. I should have second-guessed the note and refrained from asking. After all, a man’s cuspidor is his own ball of wax, to max a mitaphor as Sebastian is wont to say. I see from the old clock on the wall we are mere hours away from having 2020 vision ! I’ll raise my glass of H...

Rich Bingham

Johnny Cask had a string of hit songs a mile long; “Filson’s Poison Booze”, “I Ran the Mine” and “Goat Ropers in the Sky” were some of my favorites at about the quarter mile mark. Their daughter Roxanne was quite a performer in her own right. She also sang a little. I believe she had a hit with a tu...

Rich Bingham

“Webstad’s Compendium of the English Language and Assorted Tunafish Recipes” was a staple in most Tri-burg homes, along with the family bible and the “Mushroom Herder’s Almanac”, although most of Webstad’s definitions deviated from those found in first edition copies of “Funk & Wigmall’s American Le...

Rich Bingham

Right you are Burger. KD was always a model of sartorial splendor no matter the occasion. He was never seen without his top hat, starched collar and tie no matter how dirty the job. In this instance, he wears his frog coat over a natty pair of swimming togs, anticipating a dip in the moss plantation...

Rich Bingham

Speaking of which, Bartholomew just brought up an issue of “Hoard’s Dairyman” from the basement archives unsorted pile. An article within claims pre-1909 Hupmobiles can be modified to run on sour milk. Coincidence no ? (It might be a good time to remind those who follow this topic not to read everyt...

Rich Bingham

There’s the reason they called him “bob”.

Rich Bingham

Dallas, a couple of years back we were adopted by a Corgi who had a number of health issues. Long story short, most of his ailments responded to a diet based on raw meat. We’re lucky to have an “in” with a local packing house.

Rich Bingham

Burger, you’re lucky !! Or much better informed than we are. The sleen that adopted us a couple of weeks ago is not solar/radiant powered. The vet informs us he is an “obligate carnivore”. Contrary to all current PC trends, he thrives on raw meat (meat is murder) and at the current rate he consumes ...

Rich Bingham

Can’t say it enough Rich, fine work that always thrills me to see. Thanks for sharing it !

Rich Bingham

Our pets are certainly a big part of our lives and deserve a little show-casing here I think. How many of us have a pet that’s as crazy about Model Ts as we are ?

Hannah is my highly trained working dog. On sheep, I do everything she tells me !

She’s also an avid Model T enthusiast.

Rich Bingham

Merry Christmas to one and all, and may God bless.

Oh boy!! Second day of Christmas, we’re just getting started !!

ten more to go. Party hardy !!

Rich Bingham

:lol: something very appealing about the “duck”. Unique and intriguing in a way that transcends merely being a “foreign” car. As for horsepower ratings, really, all the formulae are pretty arcane. Horsepower by the score or the hundreds is beyond my comprehension as I think it must be for anyone who...

Rich Bingham

Truly an historic photograph which shows Kalamity Dick on the right, and Cuthbert Maddox on the left, flanking the ecumenical Tri-Burg Glorious Bell Bangers, from left to right, Rubin Thimblewit, Skippy Spaydaford (at age six), Elmo Furd, Roybahl Ferndip and Fr. Aloyisius, pastor of St. Swithin’s Pa...

Rich Bingham

For those struggling with the metric system, a metric skadoodle is equal to 43,578.8 sodalitres, or approximately 8,714 Imperial gallons. In dry measure that’s 956 cubic octacres.

You’re welcome

Rich Bingham

It would be interesting to know what the composition and process actually was for “Fordite”. It certainly had a fair amount of fiber content, straw or more likely sawdust. My memory of the stuff is that it had a hard rubber aspect, i. e., handling old weathered steering wheels would leave my hands b...

Rich Bingham

We had Pluggers years back for a short while. The cartoons are going the way of the passenger pigeon. What few are left, many look like they are drawn by four-year-olds who use their feet, and the lines are either acidly sarcastic or just plain depressing. Good to know the good ones can be found onl...

Rich Bingham

Tim Whoolery was manager of the Tri-Burg International Hairport in that era. Ground crew foreman Chad Placket was in charge of the wind shears used to keep the sagebrush on the landing strip at a manageable height. Chad never forgave himself for the part the wind shears played in the twins’ accident...

Rich Bingham

My first Model T was a derelict, fairly complete mechanically, but no rims on the wheels ; the hogshead was off, starter and bands had been misplaced. It had been a touring car, but the rear tub had been removed. The windshield brackets had been sawed off flush with the cowl. Someone had hand painte...

Rich Bingham

I hope Larry notes this thread and provides some insight. I have a ‘13 runabout and it’s a nice older restoration; I never questioned the authenticity of the top work, mostly because I’m not knowledgeable enough to assess the fine points. I’d like to know just for the sake of knowing the difference ...

Rich Bingham

Longtime readers of these archives will be gratified to note this historic photo shows (left to right) Mookie Moustrap, Cuthbert “Mad Dog” Maddox, Kalamity Dick and Kid Sheleen forefront at the bar. Others may identify their companions. Miss Blue was often in need of cheering up. Happy Sally was if ...

Rich Bingham

Yes, wonderful and interesting times. You’ll note that’s KD at the bar enjoying a large flagon of Happy Sally. The law officer at his left is not constable Puddinghead, however. It appears to be a youthful Cuthbert Maddox; the mustache being an unmistakable element of his identity. He wears the badg...

Rich Bingham

Personally, I prefer the overhead approach to rear axle removal. I built an overhead beam out of doubled 2x6s for my vintage chain fall. It could also serve for pulling the engine. Timber is handy and easy to make into needed garage items. The axle support on the floor jack is a 4x4 with appropriate...

Rich Bingham

Granted, it may be easier to encounter a unicorn, but what about one if those “crank from the seat” mechanical gizmos that were offered back in the day ? Would that help you at all ? Next question, do they work as well as “as advertised” ? I’d like to think a concerted effort by forum members would ...

Rich Bingham

It’s interesting to note how far advanced KDs techniques were. It has only been recently that bio-mechanical solutions in the medical field have come to be applied successfully, and nowhere near as invasive as the apparatus he installed for Winston’s betterment. This ledgermain feat did not go entir...

Rich Bingham

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑
Sun Dec 08, 2019 12:28 am
In these parts chain binders are usually called boomers . . .

Is that the “OK boomer” Tim Rogers has been writing about ?

Rich Bingham

That’s exciting news for movie fans, Rich ! For anyone wanting to see an advance trailer, the movie is titled “Dances With Moles”. I understand there’s some breathtaking footage of the moss plantations in bloom.

Rich Bingham

Like a moth to the flame, I’ll hazard a guess, so folks who REALLY KNOW what they’re talking about can correct me 😊 Even plowing deep, eventually you’ll nick hard-pan ! 😜 Like a locomotive on rails, narrow tires concentrate the weight, so tractive effort is most positive. Given the high clearance of...

Rich Bingham

Jack, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one amused by comparisons of "the horse" vs. the Model T Ford. For what it's worth, here's a modern comparison: In round numbers, feed and shoeing costs me about $1000 annually to keep my saddle horse. Through the year, I'll ride about 1,200 miles. A thousand b...

Rich Bingham

Another instance that proves the necessity of this forum where questionable and spurious historical commentary can be examined and corrected by fact rather than rumor. Kalamity Dick became reclusive and retired to the basement of Ernie’s Saloon in the early’40s. Sometime before 1950, he and his old ...

Rich Bingham

Errata:
We’re perplexed by the “Bud Light” sign in the background of that photo, clearly dated as “Thanksgiving, 1931”. Anhauser-Busch didn’t begin marketing Bud Light until 1982. Anyone ? Anyone? Bueller ?!?

Rich Bingham

That wonderful photo of the Thanksgiving banquet at Ernie’s in 1931 deserves comment. Thanks to Sebastian for his tireless efforts tracing and re-tracing the aisles of the basement archives. (We really should buy some rubber to put on that tricycle he gets around on. The rims are marking up the parc...

Rich Bingham

Looks great with side mounts !

Rich Bingham

Holy cow !! 😳. Case in point as to why this mere mortal will never own a CDO this side of Heaven !! The creativity factor is a moving target. Rich, I’ve seldom seen such “creativity” as your successful efforts to replicate original parts and hardware. In 1962, when I fell in love with my first Model...

Rich Bingham

Well I remember the proffered “Nib”. Before I could read I was attracted to that red and yellow box with the camel on it. Harvey Sweetbine, an older, mischievous playmate,ruined them for me forever by informing me they were “camel dung”. Familiar with sheep droppings, I believed him and willingly su...

Rich Bingham

Speaking of things fun to look at, Rich, you’ve done it again !! Thanks for posting this, I especially enjoy the close up details. As for the “made up” CDOs, perhaps the motive was “pure”, i.e. to have and enjoy something that would be otherwise unattainable. Much of “hot-ridding”, building T speeds...

Rich Bingham

From the start the whole Raven Bran history is something of a fiasco. Problems arose early on as few could tell the difference between a raven and a crow. Those tasty dark nuggets of goodness in the Raven Bran were actually “Black Crows” at times, dome shaped licorice flavored gum drops sold only at...

Rich Bingham

There but for fortune . . .

Rich Bingham

If I recall correctly this was a suggestion for installation of Kevlar lining with an attendant rationale which seemed reasonable. Retro fitted “improved” items often require a different approach than the originals.

Rich Bingham

?!? Oops !!

Rich Bingham

It’s possible KD’s association with Fierstein was motivated by Kalamity’s research on controlling rubber maggots. An infestation left most automobile owners in the Tri-Burg basin literally tireless. Dick soon found Cuthbert’s home remedy for thrush (copper sulfate and tobacco juice) solved the prob...

Rich Bingham

It’s possible KD’s association with Fierstein was motivated by Kalamity’s research on controlling rubber maggots. An infestation left most automobile owners in the Tri-Burg basin literally tireless. Dick soon found Cuthbert’s home remedy for thrush (copper sulfate and tobacco juice) solved the probl...

Rich Bingham

Speaking of latter-day actors, it’s interesting to note that Pernicious Pictures began a re-make of “Man Without Gingham” in 1956. Vincent Price was cast in the role of Fentmore Google, with Peter Lorre as Kalamity Dick. The initial “takes” were shot on location near Ozone, Idaho but the project sta...

Rich Bingham

Jeff, that’s great ! “B’ar grease” was pretty universally used by the old timers for everything from cooking, to hair oil, to oiling boots and harness ! Leather needs to retain a certain moisture content to remain viable. Oils help to soften leather and retain that moisture level, providing a certai...

Rich Bingham

Kenny Edmondson wrote: ↑
Wed Nov 27, 2019 7:12 am
. . . you’re wrong . . .

Nothing new there Kenny. I’m ALWAYS wrong.

Glad to hear it worked well. It sure would be handier than heavier rope !

Rich Bingham

That’s a wonderful thought for the season Rich, something we can all take to heart. I’m reminded that Cuthbert had a mockingjay brazed onto the radiator cap of his ‘13 Ford, not quite the same thing, but that’s a story for another time. (It was a pretty unique mascot though)

Search found 832 matches