Add on for a pistol, red dot sight on top with flashlight, ir laser and laser on the side rail, called a Roni and they are now available for most modern pistols.
This weeks preps check-in
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So much for that checkbook! Seriously, I never feel bad about spending money on tangible things that you will have for years. I'm sure you're going to be a lot more comfortable in the camper vs that barn too. As far as the welder, they are an indispensable tool to have around. Being to repair or fabricate things can save a lot of money, and be a life saver if shtf. One thing I've been thinking of is grid power. How does the local utility there work with you on getting power to such a remote place? Will they cost share or do you foot the whole bill?
It is tough looking! Are you allowed to own semi auto rifles over there?
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Yes. Yesterday was an expensive day. The stock market had been very good to me over the years but I think it's time to start moving away from stocks to more tangible and useful goods.
The welder is a great tool to have around the place, plus I could do welding jobs around the area if I want to. It also has a 12k generator which will power anything that I may need.
The power lines end about 6 miles away so the cost to bring it up here would be prohibited. Plus there is nobody living between there and here to cost share with. We're going with solar, wind and a backup diesel generator. The house will be heated with wood and we'll have propane for cooking and the water heater. That's next year's projects. Our goal is to be as independent and self-sufficient as possible.
After I get the trailer setup I'll start looking for a new boat and another 4 wheeler.
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There are certainly advantages and disadvantages to both diesel and propane gensets. I went with diesel over propane primarily for two reasons; longevity. A diesel engine will last 2-3 times longer than a propane between rebuilds, and a diesel generator is overall less expensive to operate. If I needed an occasional use generator for backup then I would have went with propane. Until I get the wind and solar system up and running I may have to run the generator for long periods of time.
I can buy off-road diesel fuel for both my tractor and genset and avoid all taxes. With the proper additives and treatment diesel fuel can have a long shelf life too, not as long as propane, but long enough for my needs. I can also make diesel if needed.
Diesel does better in very cold temperatures 
Yes, but not full auto.
I don't know the rules here well, but know you can get a special permit for fully auto. Probably just more scrutiny and money. I kind of feel that it's just a waste of ammo anyways. It's impossible to stay on target. I can squeeze my trigger finger pretty fast anyways.
That was amazingly fun to watch! I'm jealouse of the assortment of weapons the guy had access to. And no doubt, I wouldn't want to be on the opposing side if he was in a firefight!
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Well my daughter moved away today and took my grandbabys. Her husband got a job at a sawmill about 5 hours away. Not sure how that's going to change our plans yet.
That sucks! I know the feeling, I have 4 grandkids 500mi away in fla. and 2 in Chicago. So we're lucky to see them once a year. My daughter in law had just gotten pregnant with their first recently but lost it after about three or four weeks. Really sucked. One of these days I hope to have little ones nearby.
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Sure it gels if it isn't winter grade diesel. I've used diesel down to -65 and colder without any problems. Propane fueled engines don't do well in very cold temps.
I wasn't aware of cold problems with diesel either. I had heard of mold or algae growing in it in summer though. I guess there's no perfect solution. The best plan is to have more than one option I guess.
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Got all the water lines filled in today and the first load of gravel was delivered. Had something weird happen too. As I was backfilling the ditch I saw another rattlesnake on the edge of the trench. I got off the tractor and took a shot at it, and missed. The snake went in to the ditch. As I was taking aim again the ground gave out under my feet and I fell 5' in to the ditch with a very angry rattler. Didn't miss with the next shot.
Sorry, I'm a snake and reptile in general fan. I catch snakes all the time and pick them up to mess with em for a little while before letting them go. I usually am happy to live and let live even with poisonous snakes. Now when I had little kids playing in the yard I wasn't so easy to get along with and killed a few. Now that it's just adults here on the property I usually don't mess with them. Anyways, am glad you didn't get bit.
Here's a fun fact for you; in the US there's about 1.5 people killed by snake bit each year. (Ok, I don't really understand the half here but let's go with it). When you consider that number, compared to all the other things that can kill you, why are we all still creeped out by snakes?
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I agree with you and I'm not too worried about myself getting bit. I like snakes, even rattlers. But when my dog gets bit and I kill 6 between my barn and house site, in an area of 100x100 yards, another at the pump house and one at the gate, and a few more on the road, that's too many. I realize they do a lot of good by eating rodents but I also have to take the safety of my wife and grandkids and our stock in to account.
I can ride for miles across our property and never see a rattler, but for some reason they seem to like where I decided to build.
Your right, very few people die from snake bites, but a lot of dogs do and some livestock does. My daughter watched her neighbours horse die from a snake bite this summer. A friend on mines bull got bit on the jaw last year. The bull survived but he looked like hell for awhile though. When I'm out away from home and come across a rattler I usually play with it and poke it with a stick but then let it go on its way.
One of the advantages of living in Alaska was there were no snakes.
If you live in cold climates most stations should already have switched over to winter grade or buy additives, similar to what is done with kerosene and aviation fuel, fuel at the pumps should already be adapted to the environment
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When I worked in extreme cold environments we used JP8 in all of our diesel engines. During the summer months when the temps could reach 32f we'd treat the fuel with an algicide.If you live in cold climates most stations should already have switched over to winter grade or buy additives, similar to what is done with kerosene and aviation fuel, fuel at the pumps should already be adapted to the environment
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I'll be happy if I never see another -65+ day again. It may hit -30 here but that's about it.
I've heard that propane becomes a liquid in that kind of cold. I hope I never get to test that one.
Well, I have good news and bad news. The business my son and I started is doing pretty well. Way beyond what I expected for the first year. That's the good news. The bad news is I'm going to an accountant this morning to find out how much tax we owe. I really don't mind paying my fair share, I just wish they would stop wasting it on stupid stuff and giving it away to people who don't really need help.
Ooh...sounds like fun Brent.
I'm actually good with math, I just don't like it. I can even teach it well...taught my college stats class basically, as the instructor sucked at teaching it. I even came up with some one page reference sheets that are STILL floating around the local campus, lol....
I'm actually good with math, I just don't like it. I can even teach it well...taught my college stats class basically, as the instructor sucked at teaching it. I even came up with some one page reference sheets that are STILL floating around the local campus, lol....
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Started getting gravel delivered a couple days ago for the driveway. Also working on widening some of the narrow places and sharp corners, filled in a washout and trimmed some trees. I'm bringing the new trailer home on Monday so I have a lot of work to do on the road to get the trailer up here.
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Good luck with that. Better bring a pillow with you for the drive home. About a month ago I got a letter from the revenue department of a state where I did some business. They demanded many thousands of $$$ from 2013. No explanation just a demand to pay. I sent the letter to my tax accountant to figure out what it was about. Turns out they were trying to tax my wife's income too. My wife never lived or worked in that state. Basically my CPA wrote a letter telling them to pound sand. No response yet.
Years ago I had the IRS take 1000.00 out of my bank account. No letter, no phone call, no reason. I was in the middle of a move to where I live now and figured it was cheaper to let it go than deal with it. I've always kind of regretted not fighting it though. Damned crooks. It did suprise me that the bank just allows them access to your money without a court order or anything.
