It's in the Mail, Off Topic Style

[TPK]

Just received this in the mail. Dropped my old one, and well you know the result. A very handy thing to have in the tool box.

Never heard of them. Same as a level?

Edit: OK Cool! Google knows everything! Wouldn't mind having one of those myself.

[jerryd6818]

After 20 years, my (digital) bathroom scale went on the fritz this past Sunday. A replacement is on the way but it's going to be a surprise because my daughter ordered it (she has Amazon Prime) & I have no idea what I bought. Supposed to be here tomorrow (Wed.).

The mattress delivery people called me yesterday, not to make arrangements for delivery like they were supposed to but to tell me there would be no on time delivery. They said the truck broke down and the earliest re-delivery slot they had was two weeks from now. P.O.ed? That doesn't even begin to cover it. Thanks Sam's Club. That will be over a month by the time it gets here.

And life goes on.

[cody6268]

After 20 years, my (digital) bathroom scale went on the fritz this past Sunday. A replacement is on the way but it's going to be a surprise because my daughter ordered it (she has Amazon Prime) & I have no idea what I bought. Supposed to be here tomorrow (Wed.).

The mattress delivery people called me yesterday, not to make arrangements for delivery like they were supposed to but to tell me there would be no on time delivery. They said the truck broke down and the earliest re-delivery slot they had was two weeks from now. P.O.ed? That doesn't even begin to cover it. Thanks Sam's Club. That will be over a month by the time it gets here.

And life goes on.

Unless you count online orders shipped with FedEx, Sam's doesn't deliver here. Lowe's where I live stopped using their own trucks. They switched to rented Penske trucks. If Sam's had a bunch of orders that had to be delivered, you'd think they'd just rent a truck from Enterprise or something until the regular truck got fixed.

[jerryd6818]

After 20 years, my (digital) bathroom scale went on the fritz this past Sunday. A replacement is on the way but it's going to be a surprise because my daughter ordered it (she has Amazon Prime) & I have no idea what I bought. Supposed to be here tomorrow (Wed.).

The mattress delivery people called me yesterday, not to make arrangements for delivery like they were supposed to but to tell me there would be no on time delivery. They said the truck broke down and the earliest re-delivery slot they had was two weeks from now. P.O.ed? That doesn't even begin to cover it. Thanks Sam's Club. That will be over a month by the time it gets here.

And life goes on.

Unless you count online orders shipped with FedEx, Sam's doesn't deliver here. Lowe's where I live stopped using their own trucks. They switched to rented Penske trucks. If Sam's had a bunch of orders that had to be delivered, you'd think they'd just rent a truck from Enterprise or something until the regular truck got fixed.

From what I can piece together, Sam's delivers here once a week (large items??) on Mondays. Looks like product comes out of Madison WI (at least this Serta mattress does).

[fergusontd]

Had a surprise today. The mail carrier had passed waaay early (about 11:30 so when my doorbell rang later that afternoon it was a total surprise. My daughter had sent me a box of oranges from the trees in their backyard. Mmmm Mmm, good. I tied into three right away. They are excellent.

Orange you glad she sent them? ftd

[jerryd6818]

Had a surprise today. The mail carrier had passed waaay early (about 11:30 so when my doorbell rang later that afternoon it was a total surprise. My daughter had sent me a box of oranges from the trees in their backyard. Mmmm Mmm, good. I tied into three right away. They are excellent.

Orange you glad she sent them? ftd

Uh-har, Uh-har. Ferg, you slay me.

[fergusontd]

Orange you glad she sent them? ftd
[/quote]

Uh-har, Uh-har. Ferg, you slay me.
[/quote]

I just couldn't pass that up! ftd

[jerryd6818]

I just couldn't pass that up! ftd

I don't blame you. I wouldn't have either.

[cudgee]

Just received this in the mail. Dropped my old one, and well you know the result. A very handy thing to have in the tool box.

Never heard of them. Same as a level?

Edit: OK Cool! Google knows everything! Wouldn't mind having one of those myself.

Get yourself one mate, they are great for sharpening knives to get the angle correct. This one cost me $15US including postage on the Big Body Of Water.

[cody6268]

Diecast Masters RC CAT D7E dozer, lower-end line. I've wanted some decent, affordable RC construction equipment for many years. Those often sold as "Double E" are junk. I was given one when I was 7. It was anemic and the rechargeable batteries didn't last. Not to mention, north of $100. Diecast Masters is the name of the company currently producing diecast models for Caterpillar; replacing Norscot and NZG. Late last year, they announced they were doing a line of CAT-licensed RC models. I figured these would be better quality, given DM has some really nice models in diecast.

They have two ranges. The range this one is from is $40 shipped (still haven't seen them on a store shelf or very many online dealers even, and I don't know if the local CAT dealer is like the local Deere dealer in that they have a toy/model selection in the dealership, but if I do, I'm getting the other three; as free shipping not included, and only for a group of models should shave $10-15 off the pricetag of each). These are 1:32-ish scale, run on AAA batteries, and do not have interiors. Also, if the 1/1 is articulated, these aren't. There's a more expensive, 1/25 range that is $90-ish, and run on rechargeable batteries; and the loaders and haul trucks have proper articulated steering. I decided the dozer would be harder to get wrong, as it has less working parts. Plus, the tracks make it a bit better outdoors.

The tracks function fully (forward, reverse, turning) and the blade raises and lowers. Wish the logging winch at the rear did, even if it was just manual. There's a drum, but no cable, or even a knob to turn it. I guess I could disassemble it and modify it if I wanted to.

[Dan In MI]

I've heard of R/C tanks and the Kyosho Blizzard (owned one of the former, and contemplated getting one of the latter), but never an R/C bulldozer. Could be fun!

[TPK]

Diecast Masters RC CAT D7E dozer...,

Congrats Buddy! Looks like fun!

[cody6268]

Takara (now owned by Tomy) Kubota B2410 tractor. These were done as promotional pieces in the 1990s. It's a Choro Q (thus the kinda odd proportions), and a pullback.

Funny thing. I had actually won an auction for one that was close to $10 more expensive, and bought this one afterward, figuring it would be trade bait, or something I'd just give to the local Kubota dealer. Well, seller mentions he lost the mirror on the more expensive one, and offered either a 20% discount or a refund. I took the refund, as it was still $5 more after his discount.

A member on another forum showed a couple of his Cursor models; and I decided to check eBay to see how much they were selling for. Despite the quality being quite good (on par with 1970s NZG and Conrad--two premium German brands), they're affordable. Most were no more than $40, some $25 or lower. Here in the US, they seem to be valued lower; and for once, what US sellers ask is less than Euro sellers. Cursor, a German firm, founded in 1969, in their prime during in the 1970s, closing in 1987. While known for plastic models of 1890s and early 1900s cars, their main business was producing heavy diecast promotional models for all but a few of the German manufacturers of cars & trucks as well as heavy equipment. They have three-digit model numbers, which also signify the month and year they were produced. But, I question that, given the "677" appears to be modelled after a tractor produced 1979-1983 by Fendt.

These were the three I felt were priced well, great condition, and fit my tastes. There are 2-3 others that are affordably priced from US sellers. I'll get those when I have the money--they are a (boxed!) Unimog for $20, as well as $30-40 models of an O&K wheel loader and Kramer Allrad backhoe. Now the backhoe is VERY nice. These are all 1:35 scale. The tractors, unfortunately, can't use Siku/Britains, or even ERTL implements. And, Conrad didn't make trailers, despite all three of these having hitches.


679 Mercedes Benz Gelandewagen $10.

I lowballed the heck out of the seller on these two. They sent me a decent offer, then I shaved between $2-$5 off of those. Maybe that's why they didn't offer combined shipping; and I had to pay $9.50 shipping on EACH! That would easily have saved close to $10. But, my low-balling shaved $18 off the price of both combined, so I came out $8 better anyway.


478 Fendt GT Tool Carrier with platform. $12 (seller wanted $20, sent me $15 offer, I counteroffered).

677 Fendt Favorit LS Turbomatik. $20, new in box. (Seller wanted $30, sent me $25 offer, I counter offered)

[Quick Steel]

Congrats Cody. These are very neat models.

[Dan In MI]

Some nice tractors there. I also have a die-cast tractor on the way.

[cody6268]

Some nice tractors there. I also have a die-cast tractor on the way.

s-l1600.jpg

Nice! Those were mostly metal as well. I have about half a dozen in that scale, including a "General Purpose" D with metal wheels.


And $10?!! Geez, that had to have been a LONG time ago. They were $20 20 years ago when my folks started buying me 1:16 tractors when I was 3-4.

[Dan In MI]

And $10?!! Geez, that had to have been a LONG time ago.

The package shows a date of 1994. $10 in 1994 is equivalent to a little over $18 today. Maybe this one was bought on clearance?

I'd venture a guess that a modern 1:16 Ertl tractor has a lot more plastic than one made 27 years ago.

[TPK]

The first picture is too dark but it shows a sewing machine drawer that is busting at the seems with EDC's. Weighs a ton!

So what's a man supposed to do? Get rid of some of them?

Your Right! I bought another one. And yes, you guessed it! My wife is thrilled to death about it because I mount these under the kitchen countertops. Because we all know that knives belong in the kitchen! Claims she was just starting to get used to the first one being there. She loves me so I guess she'll get over it.

[jerryd6818]

[TPK]

IMG_20210613_081422_820.jpg

Amazing Jerry! You have the exact same EDC's as I do!

Thanks Buddy!

[jerryd6818]

Tom, I have so much respect for you, I try hard to emulate you.

[jmh58]

Tom, I have so much respect for you, I try hard to emulate you.

Glad I live on a Hill.
John

[WillyCamaro]

Tom, I have so much respect for you, I try hard to emulate you.

Glad I live on a Hill.
John

Under the hill here John.

[jmh58]

Tom, I have so much respect for you, I try hard to emulate you.

Glad I live on a Hill.
John

Under the hill here John.

John

[cody6268]

A few things from an eBay seller in Georgia. These are Japanese "capsule toys". They've done all sorts of odd stuff. These were all items I'd planned to buy as much as 3-4 years ago, but found the prices from Hong Kong or Japan-based sellers were insanely high, and I had to pay the high shipping costs. I paid $7 each for these, and bought two of each since the seller's shipping was $6, flat rate and the items were often "blind box"; meaning one from a large assortment. I don't know what one exactly I'll be getting, but it will be one of those in the photo shown.


I think that if Suzuki USA had stuck around for the "new" Jimny, it would have saved their rear. The SX4 and Swift are ugly, uninspiring cars. The Equator was a badge-engineered Nissan Frontier truck. I quite like it--small, but capable off-road. Much like the original Jeep.

Tomica did a larger-than-1/64 version that was sold in the (again disappointing due to heavy use of Japan-market vehicles) Walmart-exclusvie Tomica line. Aoshima's is true 1/64 and has accurate wheels. However, it is plastic; and likely I will have to assemble the thing. Aoshima's capsule toys are scaled down versions of their model kits, and often fragile.

It will be one of these colors, except for white (sold out). I don't really like the "Dayglow Lime" color (which the Tomica is). Hoping for any color but that.

I don't really collect action figures (though I do have several 3 3/4" scale ones I've bought cheap; as well as my GI Joes, my Rescue Heroes, and a few Power Rangers from childhood), but have been wanting a police officer, firefighter, and EMT/paramedic in 1/6 (12-inch/classic GI Joe) scale. Toy grade ones are usually short on accurate acessories/gear. I'm meeting in the middle by buying the toy-grade figures and adding the missing gear myself. The high-end ones are often expensive (I had looked at a London Metropolitan Police officer that was nearly $200!), so I'm building most from lower-end (no more than $50) boxed figures and the high-end accessories sold loose. Both 21st Century Toys and GI Joe/Hasbro made plenty of police and fire figures. 21st Century did an EMT figure with a large number of accurately done accessories (actually more than any figure done to this date), but A: the body/head used for the actual figure was ugly and B: while the equipment supplied was quite extensive, a defibrillator was missing. No action figure maker has ever done one.


However, Bandai offered one as a "capsule toy" last year or the year before; replicating items in Nihon Koden's "CardioLife" line. I'd seen Japanese and Hong Kong sellers wanting $25 for ONE! These feature all the proper gear (defibrillator, case, electrodes/cables), and have a light/sound function as well. Seller says that these are slightly larger than 1/6, but not by much. I am hoping for the "ECG Display" model, since they are usually the type used by EMS when the full (big) monitor/defibrillator units aren't needed (i.e. when engine or rescue companies run EMS as first-response)

I also have a thing for miniature replica firearms. These all have features that work, despite the small scale. Bolts/slides on the rifles/shotguns, and the barrels open/break on the derringers. Not bad for something no longer than four inches.