Stovebolt.com Forums The Side Lot The Old Dominion Stovebolt Society (MD, VA, WV & DC) ODSS Wrenchfest -- 5-7 May 2023

On behalf of the Old Dominion Stovebolt Society, Lower Potomac Chowder and Marching Guild and the Greater Philadelphia Boys Saw Orchestra ...

It is my personal and professional honor to announce the 2023 ODSS Wrenchfest -- 5-7 May 2023!

This year's gathering of the clan is being hosted by Hardshell at the ODSS Southern Campus in Mineral, Virginia. Early arrivals welcome before Noon on Friday. Everyone must be gone by 5 pm Sunday or Jim will call Animal Control.

There will be few additional details as we will make the weekend up on the fly. But the usual ODSS rule applies -- Projects (doable within the time constraints of the event) welcome! There will be places to camp with access to electricity and running potable water, and "facilities" will be available. Other than that, if *you* want it there, *you* bring it (i.e., food, adult beverages, specialty tools, etc). No major food or activity planning will be done.

So come self-contained and self deployable. There *might* be commercial lodgings available nearby ... Hardshell can fill you in on that, if desired.

Wrenching and bonhomie (i.e., an abundance of "Toxic Masculinity" ) -- the weekend in summation.

Exact location deets (physical street address for GPS route planning purposes) will be made available via pm to those rogering up to this great time.

I’m going to do the best I can to make it. I’ll let you know when I do.
Thanks for the invite and for Jim’s generosity.
Victor

Looking forward to the Event! I will do my homework on lodging available and how far it is to travel there. My advice is to camp or bring a camper/RV. We have plenty of room for any size RV, trailer, etc.

Jim

Thinking about it? Need to check with the Red Head first.

Don

My rack is made, the Quigley is ready to roll!

Red head said JUST GO! In a loud voice. I wonder if I should go or not?
Still 6 weeks away, so we’ll see.
If John shows up in a Ford, I’ll be in a Tacoma and maybe bring some rain.

Don

If you bring rain, you can keep your butt out west, Buster!!!!

Don't be using that 4 letter word on here Don. We want dry red clay to ride on.

Jim

It's a 20 minute ride to the closest hotel. That location would be a Best Western Hotel at Zion Crossroads. Phone number (540) 739-8022.

It is always better to stay on the farm! That is what I encourage everyone to do . You will probably hear the coyotes singing !

Jim

Sounds like a great time. I hope I can make it there.

Looking forward to get out of my depressive mood of late!
All I need is an address. Then I will decide on driving or towing?
Leaning towards driving.
Jim S

Any issues Jim? You hollar. Driving or depressive mood.

Hang in there, James. May's coming ...

Wrenchfest cures all!!!

The Granite state plans to send a representative.

With donuts?

Douglas
Glad to see/read, that you are making the trip down !

Just looked up the location. It's approxamatly 5.5hr ride. Guess i'm towing?

Kind of a yawner in here. You all watching your daffodils growing? Get out of your rocking chairs fellas.

Is Buddy to make an apprentice at this event?

Well, the daffodils do look especially luscious this year 😊

I’m looking forward to it, but haven’t done much more than think about it. I will pull a little trailer down and won’t be able to get there until Saturday morning. Wish I could make it Friday, but….

I understand it’s BYOE, but if anyone wants me to bring anything, let me know. Doug asked me to bring salads a couple years in a row, and my performance doing that may have disqualified me from further duties.

I plan on being there if the weather cooperates. I absolutely refuse to put Ol Halis on the interstate, so I mapped out a route through the woods 100 miles. Nice leisurely drive through country I haven't seen before.
Look forward to introducing Halis and myself to some Stovebolters who understand the obsession with these old trucks.
I'll be tailgate camping in a tent.
I'm sure the entrance will be well marked.

Jethro 'n Halis.

Hey Jethro!

Looking forward to seeing you both there. I don't understand the obsession *some* people have with these old trucks, either. Some of these kooks even name their trucks. Weirdos if you ask me. Glad Charlie and I will have at least one other sane person (besides Pat) there.

But ... I thought we weren't allowing anyone actually from Virginia to attend?? I'll have to check on that. Or maybe it was New Hampshire?? Come to think of it, it *was* New Hampshire. You're cool, then.

John

If I can get the clackity-clack out of Sweet Pea's engine in time, I'll be heading out there.

I would like to come out to see everyone. I'll be in the Glen Allen area all day Saturday at youth soccer games. I was wondering how far it is from that area to the wrenchfest? Maybe down I-64?

Gray Ghost,

While waiting for someone to weigh in (hopefully hardshell), you can click the link in one of hardshell's posts, where it states his location (on right side, in the series of other blips of info: Louisa county, Virginia). When you click there, it'll pull up a map and you get to see those details. That'll give you an idea as it relates to Glen Allen.

Peggy,

Thanks! The devil is always in the details. Louisa is 2 counties over from Spotsy, where I live. Both counties are pretty big! Depending on where, exactly, hardshell is located, I'm hoping to have a short trip from Glen Allen ( a Richmond suburb). I'm hoping for the shorter trip since it'll be later in the day when I can break free from the soccer.

Mike

Just wondering who may be at the Wrench fest. Still a slight chance I will make the run.
I think Hambone could use some Missouri back up?
If need be, maybe Jerry will have my back?

Don

I will be coming

Mike! (Not you, Roache) There will be several attendees from Spotsyltucky in attendance! So I hope it works out for you.

Don -- We've cancelled the event. No one will be there. Hardshell has even sold his property and moved away.

Mike Roache -- Cool. Hopefully the timing will be good for us to convoy there with some of the gang.

Sounds like a Double Dog Dare John?
Granted, I may be sitting at the driveway munching on some deep fried snacks straight out of the fryer.
Pork rinds, tater chips, hush puppies and maybe some Crappie?
But I bet HardShell and Hambone will be sitting right next to the fryer with me.
Come to think about it, we can fry up our own fresh donuts!

Moo Moo not required to join us.
Don

Hope Jim can order some of this weather for Wrenchfest!

Don -- This is a wrench fest, not a food fest. I think I speak for all when I say that you may feel free to leave the fryer home... You're off the hook. Food is covered for the weekend.

Do you have a follow on class to the drill bit sharpening seminar you did a few years back?? Some other basic machining tip a bunch of slackers like us might find useful?

Sharpening a saw blade??

Basic tapping ? Thread chasing? Broken bolt removal??

Like the song says 'You are on my mind"

Wrench fest? Food fest? Beer fest?
I think they all go together as long there is no driving after the beer.
Moo Moos not required after the beer!

Anyway, it's just a slight chance I can make it to this social event. Wife said to just go, but, a main waterline leak to the lake house is tops on my list.
I just wanted to stir the pot some and git John perked up some!

Where is TPR when we need him?
Don

I am thinking about putting on an AD front clip alignment demo. Sweet Pea ('50) could use some tweaking.
I have some handmade go no-go gauges for quickly checking the cab-to frame spacings. I can go over how to adjust the threaded rods on top of the engine compartment to move things around, as well as demonstrate exactly what "loosen up every nut and bolt before adjustment" really means.
I will require a stipend for my services. I will accept a spare hot dog or three, and a splash or two bourbon spread over the 3 day span of this epic event.

What is the date again! That’s the fun thing about it losing your mind, everything is new every morning you wake up.
All I remember is the the wife said to “Just Go”. Think I can get her to bake up some cookies for the ride?

Don

Don. Thanks for thinking of me but I *really* don't need to be "perked up" right about now.

Mike, "Exact location deets (physical street address for GPS route planning purposes) will be made available via pm to those rogering up to this great time." Might want to PM hardshell so you can get this detail.

Don you will never run out of water at the lake house Carl needs a hand with the Go no go gauges and a hand splashing bourbon I would love to be in on that will be thinking of you all having a good time nothing like meeting a Stovebolt member only friends you haven’t met yet and remember Vicky told you to go .Happy Wife Happy life

"Saw sharpening?"

You can't drink it, but I'm bringing a gallon of corn head grease for anyone who needs some. Free to me, free to you. Just bring something to take some home in.

Also some corn squeez'ns, that end product of the corn head grease.

Guess it’s never too late to get my gaps right, so looking forward to 52Carls presentation.

Peggy,

Thanks! PM sent to hardshell.

Mike

Jethro -- At the very least, we can top off everyone's steering boxes.

Looking forward to a great event!

All things aside, there is one item of business that needs tending to:

The NED

The last recipient was presented this award at the event in 2019. Per tradition, the winner is to add to the award for the next year.

Who was that winner? Let's see who remembers........

That's funny Chris. John and I were just talking about that last night. The base of The NED is from one of my Dad's (RIP) bowling trophies. Plus, seeing The Ned (the man) in some of the KC Reunion pictures left me with some joyful memories. Miss him.

The Ned and The Golden Phantom [s160.photobucket.com] at KC Reunion 2012.

So ... yes. Where's The NED?

I’m pretty sure this is not it. I think it was awarded to me because you liked my flamingo dance or something.

But I think I know who did receive it.

This looks like a clue. [photos.google.com]

From AmtrakJoe's Homecoming pictures taken at the 2019 weekend.


Here's a huge view [lugnutz65chevystepside.weebly.com] from Lugnutz stack of images.

Wow that was a fun weekend. Those pictures are great. Thanks for the memory jog.

Can't wait to see G3's addition to the Ned!

Oh snap!
That's a good one ole boy.
Gotta run to the store for some popcorn now.

If someone accuses you of looking like a flamingo, just put your foot down.


(Already told this one? )

Week from today ...

:0

Crickets

I have a verbal kitchen pass, looking for a Virginia waiver before proceeding to something in writing. Pat66

One thing for sure, down south in ole Virginia, if you leave here hungry, it will be your own fault !! Enough said about that. It will be a grand time! With plenty of Standard wrenches, Cold refreshing Gatorade, and a few opossums on the grill !! LOL

Does anyone have any interest in 16-inch single piece hub-piloted 8-lug Budd wheels? If yes, you can have them. I can bring them to Wrenchfest. I have a set of six.

Looking forward to a great weekend!

Brings the wheels. We can chain them to Sweets ankles and he can drag them around for the weekend.

Now *there's* an idea ...

Speaking of being in a gifty mood, if anyone is in need of anything mechanical or electrical for an AD truck, let me know. I have a huge storage shed full of too much stuff which needs someone else's shed to be stored in, or better yet, be used on someone's truck.
Let me know and I'll load it up into Sweat Pea"s bed and bring it.

Here is just something I need to mention so everyone is aware. It will be obvious to most of you when you see the place but I must say it anyway. Our farm (the fields) is rented to the local farmer and I have told him what is happening this weekend. We can ride the dirt roads on the farm but STAY OUT OF THE FIELDS.We can hug the edges of the dirt road to pass someone if necessary but try to avoid the crops. The farmer is a nice young man and he is currently renting the old farm house from my brother so everyone may get to meet him. My two brothers, one cousin, and I own the entire farm so we have the entire place to enjoy this weekend. The main thing is to stay on the roads and out of the crops so we don't interfere with the farmer's bottom line.......

Jim

It is great sadness, that I won’t be able to make the trek south after all!
My lovely wife, decided to allow her Gallbladder to fail. She is scheduled for surgery this Friday! Unless, it really fails and becomes an emergency, then surgery would be moved up. Would it be wrong of me to wish for the latter?
Jim

Good trucks are everywhere... good wives are not. Stay Home. We understand.

Don -- If you come to Wrenchfest, would you bring the Stovebolt EZUp with you? HQ needs it this season.

Thanks!

Very sorry to hear that Jim. Just send the truck. Kayla will watch out for it.

Sorry John, I will not be at the WrenchFest this year. But I also don't have the Stovebolt Awning anymore.
It was turned over to Tuts and Alvin of the Southern Bolter's 2 years ago.
Since the MBA Roundup is held at Mongo's Garage now, we did not need it to show who we are.
Tut's and Alvin should have it set up for this years Southern Jamboree in Townsend Tennessee.
Reservations are made for Vicki and I to be there the first weekend in June.

I know you and your Boyz will miss me this coming weekend, but, I will not be attending.
Tip a cold one or two for me!
Heads Up? Tim Down Under may be back in the states again this summer?

Don

Somehow some way I will be there but at this point, that is the closest thing to an ETA I got. At work at 4am yesterday and 5 this morning so we will see how the next couple of days goes.
Jim Schmidt, sorry to hear about your wife. Take good care of her.
Jim Christian, I am still planning on bringing the standard Winchester fare if needed. And Sweet, lots of smaiches......


That is all.

Hey Jim,

Do you have room for one more truck? I'd like to come on Friday or Saturday, as I will be tearing down Hambone's overdrive transmission and will be spending a few hours on that task. I'm going to do enough prep work such as making a gasket and a special part made by Grigg to break it down and put it back together. I can bring a couple saw horses and a half sheet of plywood for a table to work on. The weather looks really good so I would prefer doing it outside, maybe under a tree. Don't bother with shop space, I really want to do it outside as it is a neat thing that may attract a bit of attention so outside would be better suited for viewers as well.

I won't impose on you for the generous offer to stay over as I will be travelling back home at the end of the day.

Thanks much Jim!

Regards,

Cosmo

Cosmo -- that sounds like an excellent seminar! Thanks!! And thanks, by the way, for shuttling stuff up from Jr's!

Don -- Understood. I'll check with them about "opportune Lift" to get it up here. The Man from Snowy River should know the HQ light has been left on for him ...

Jim -- Roger that. Tend to the Mrs -- most important task we have in this life (followed closely by raising our kids ...)

Currently, preparations are well in hand for a Friday AM departure of the Milliman-Roache Expedition to Explore, Conquer and Pillage the Inner Territories of The Commonwealth of Virginia.

WHAT!
It’s bad enough that I’m missing out, but, now, Cosmo also………..!
Not fair!
Jim

All the grass on all Roache property is complete. Now, new battery for Dempsey and a well needed bath. Maybe a tank of gas. Pack up the truck with sleeping bags, trail bed and tent. Cold brews in the cooler and I'm ready to roll out Friday morning.

If anyone knows where to find the old school, non-synthetic gear oil that I need to put in my 3 speed tranny, please bring me a gallon or two and I will gladly pay you for it. That may be the simple solution to my tranny inconsistencies.

On a different note, I was wondering and I have never seen any official rules or unspoken laws for our great events. If I was tinkering with one of my toys this weekend, that is not a stovebolt, would that lead me being brought up on charges by the camp fire light? I'm asking because I'm so close to completion of my new-to-me boat with a Virgin Yamaha 115 V-Max on the back. Bilge pumps and GPS wiring are all I have left preventing me from my first dip in the water. As soon as these cool days pass by, I want to be ready.

Cosmo - We have lots of room for you under my open barn and plenty of shade tree spots as well.

Hardshell .... If your 3-speed requires the same mineral oil as the SM-420, its available at NAPA. I got mine there.

Hard to imagine that one would not find mineral oil in Mineral, VA???

As for the by laws of the ODSS .... You are supposed to know them by memory -- all 943 of them. Plus the 421 amendments. It helps if you recite them at bedtime (you must face towards Switzerland whilst doing so) every evening. NOT knowing them by memory *will* result in charges being brought up, now that you have confessed to this egregious transgression. The penalties for that one are amongst the most severe. So at this point, you may as well happily violate ODSS Rule 259 -- "ODSS Members shall not, while attending the Spring ODSS Gathering, attempt any work on any object that is not of pre-1988 GM origin."

Also applying is Amendment 42 -- "The Host of any ODSS gathering, as the face of the ODSS as it were, shall endeavor to protect the reputation and ideals of the ODSS by holding him/herself to the highest personal standards of integrity. He should be as well a gentleman of liberal education, refined manners, punctilious courtesy, and the nicest sense of personal honor. He should be the soul of tact, patience, justice, firmness and charity."

Meaning that you are in deep doo doo if, as host, you violate any of the bylaws or amendments.

In for a dime, in for a dollar!

I already have you on the docket for your trial.

I do recall something added to the bylaws recently that allowed for rehab/repair/improvements to pre-1988 Boston Whalers during sanctioned events. But needed a written exemption from rule 259 prior to starting work.

Hambone, I'm glad you're coming,

It will give you a chance to defend yourself. Looking at AG Milliman's docket, you sir are up for a fish fry!

I was going to bring some new door hinge bushings for the suburban and ask for some assistance to replace them. Now it seems I may be asking for legal trouble.

In all fairness, it’s not a Whaler or Yamaha so may not fall under Sec 259.

Maybe we should have two different sections: those that live strictly by the by laws, and those that dare to say “bye laws”!

Sirs and/or Ma'am, I plan on making it but first I'll be moving my daughter out of her dorm at West Virginia University (WVU) on Friday. She's made me proud thus far obtaining a 3.5 GPA after her WVU freshman year studying exercise physiology with hopes of getting into PT school afterward. Jim I sent you a PM and thanks for hosting. And all others new and old to the ODSS, let's stay motivated to fix the stovebolts. V/r, Nick

I have always tried to be on my best behavior around all of you fellas so you would never suspect that I'm an outlaw from way back in the day. I have been a firm believer that rules, laws, and Amendments were invented for me to break them. Just left over thoughts from my younger, wilder days. So, perhaps early Friday before there are too many witnesses, I might be involved with things that keep me floating and finding fish fillets ! Then I could move the non Gm, 23 year old vessel. Outlaw rule #1.... Hide the evidence !

Hambone -- Excellent catch on Rule 259. That exemption was included in the By Laws Sub Committee on Oversight and Enforcement meeting minutes for Feb '15.

Victor -- If you're asking for legal trouble .... man oh man have YOU come to the right place! You weren't on my radar. But, by golly, you are now!! Don't worry, we'll find *something* you're guilty of.

Nick -- Being an overachiever (as a restorer AND as a parent) puts you in violation of Rule 642. Actually knowing what Rule 642 is makes you an overachiever. I won't tell you and thus entrap you into further violations of the By Laws (Which would put *me* in violation of the ODSS Habeus Corpus Doctrine). But you might ask Marlow -- Dude ... he's, like, a TOTAL recidivist.

Yikes -- Legal Evening is looking like its going into extra innings ...

Hmm - A parent & restorer. Well, I'm seeking counsel (not Billy's lawyer, no way, no how) cause I remember Rule 642 has an exemption. It is: 1) If you executed the 1890 rule in your household with your teenagers - When they are 18 years of age they have 90 days to move out unless they intend to: A) join the military; B) go to trade school, like welding or CAD; or C) have me send them to a university studying only Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM). They must maintain a 3.0 GPA in STEM too. Not guilty is my plea.

Ah yes, the 1890 Rule... a very fine bit if rule making there, by the by. But ... if it so pleases the court, may I direct your learned attention to Section XXIV, Sub Para 3408 (e)? It states that you must have a completed ODSS Standard Form 261 (with the required endorsements) on file for a minimum of 120 days prior to invoking the 1890 Rule.

My staff looked through that file cabinet drawer and found Hambone's completed SF282 (similar to SF261 but it has 2 extra pages for additional references), Sweet's, DJ's, Joe's, Cosmo's (pending completion of his SF261 ....) but could not find yours ....?

Hmmmmmmm.

Looking forward to seeing my brothers at Wrenchfest. I have no knowledge of the aforementioned “laws”, as they don’t pertain to me, but I am willing to mete out punishment for the host, Commandant, Grand Poobah, or Illustrious Potentate.

Beaver Stick of Death will be available and at the ready...

Hope everyone is arriving safely and having fun. But save some for for tomorrow!
I should arrive around noonish.

Here's the HOT WASH from the ODSS Wrenchfest, complete with commentary (naturally) and plenty of pictures.

Enjoy.