So I've been reigning back on my projects, and selling them off. I now take the occasional small jobs to make some pocket change.

But, I've taken on a project, donating my time and the Post's cash (VFW) to fix up a riding mower for a local disabled veteran. The mower was donated to him and was badly ragged out.

The funny thing is, it's rather enjoyable. It reminds me of when I worked on models as a kid. Compared to a car, it is like a model.

I've had to break out some of my best skills. I've fabricated and welded on a sheet metal grass deflector, fabricated a bracket for the hood to repair the shattered nose, and re-welded the outer radius of the front axle.

On the axle, it had apparently split, and no longer secured the kingpin. Someone had laid gorilla welds on it without straightening it out first. The kingpin slopped around like it was wallowed out. So I grabbed my big grinder and nibbled away the old welds. I cut through the axle and hammered it back almost tight around the kingpin sleeve. I left a little gap and welded it up neat and clean. The weld shrunk it a little tighter yet around the kingpin sleeve, and now it is a decent repair.

Beyond that, mechanical stuff. The deck's panhard bar bracket had broken because a connecting bracket was missing. So I had to repair the bracket and add another bolt. There was a bad bearing on one of the deck spindles. Sharpened the blades. Removed and cleaned the carburetor. Replaced the battery and both belts.

It reminds me of when I bought the 76 Nova concourse as a "parts" car and put it back on the road. Or the (56?) Plymouth Belvedere, also a "parts car". Or the 78 firebird. Etc.