County Fair

I went to the health club again yesterday, took it easy, and if I keep working at it I might have respectable looking biceps by Christmas. It definitely won't be tomorrow or the next day, however. After the health club visit I had lunch with Coach Jen and a mutual friend of ours. He's in law enforcement and offered some insights on the Trump assassination attempt - interesting. As always, I really enjoy when the three of us get together for lunch. 

After lunch it was off to the fair. Allis-Chalmers was well represented this year. This is a WD 45 - basically the same as my Allis only with some more horsepower. However, I'd like to have one of these bucket set-ups for mine. Be nice for keeping the lane in good shape, moving snow in the winter and picking up heavy things. There are a lot of these old Allis-Chalmers for sale. I've been considering looking for one with a bucket, buying it and then selling mine. 

Same tractor only with diesel power. My brother had one of these back in the sixties. He bought older tractors and equipment and then traded up as he picked up more acreage and made some money. I think he still has either a WD or a WD45, probably just for sentimental reasons. 

Case traction engine. I'd like to see this thing run. I've seen many of them in operation over the years but I never get tired of watching anything steam powered run. If I never bring anything else home to work on in the next few years, finish about 20 projects, I'd like to build a small-scale steam powered train.

As I was heading for the truck I ran across a blacksmith. There's a blacksmith shop on the grounds but there hasn't been anyone working there since I quit doing it in 2011. The smith is Bryce Vernon from Adamsville, Ohio. He had a few minutes to talk shop with me and explained he travels from fair to fair in the summer months. I don't know how lucrative this is, but he's a young guy practicing his craft and keeping the trade alive. 

According to his business card, he specializes in hand forged knives and art smithing. Looking at the items on display on the table, he does nice work. Unfortunately, I neglected to ask him where he was heading to next, but if you see him at your local fair, tell him Shop Teacher Bob sent you. And then show your support for a young craftsman with the purchase of a hand-made item.