The Racetrack

Theses are a few pictures of Clay, Eneko and I at the Racetrack in Death Valley. This place is amazing. We spent the day exploring the surrounding areas, but the racetrack is the star. These rocks move across the lake bed leaving a trail behind. Rain and high winds are to blame for the movement, but the seemingly same conditions occur in lots of other places, but the rocks stay put... I dont know!!! Truly one of the coolest places to visit.

Cool Machines

I love to see creativity.

Water Wheel

This is a water wheel made mostly out of scrap material as are most of my projects. The steel center portion of the wheel is made from a used electrical spool cut down from about 3' to 1' in width. Then with a whole lot of scrap wood laying around, I built the wheel and the water trough. The ponds are made from an old 500 gallon fuel tank cut in half and sunk into the ground. A small pond pump which my neighbor gave me, pumps around two gallons a minute which is plenty to get this thing moving. I added a brake later as the wheel get moving pretty fast. It's always a conversation piece at any gathering.

The Last Stand

This years tree stand with remote watering station. I made this out of a piece of 1/4"x 6" gas pipe and 1-1/2" x 1/2" steel tubing. There is a 1"x3/8" piece of dowel in the bottom of the bowl as a support pin. The tree is adjusted by the legs instead of the trunk. So much easier. The ammo box was my uncles idea, as we searched for a water tight steel container. A magnet on the inside of the ammo box marks the proper water level. Just drill a 1/2" hole in the bottom of the tree trunk and slip into the stand, tighten up the trunk bolts snugly and adjust the leg levelers. Add water about every three or four days.

Ultimate Potato Cannon

Ultimate potato cannon: An old propane tank with a 2 inch ball valve and 8 feet of schedule 40 steel pipe. I fill the tank with 120 psi (the most my compressor will handle) and use a pin to hold the valve closed. When the tank is finished filling, a sharp tug on the rope releases the spring loaded valve and away it goes..... what ever you've place in the barrel.