Recent posts

#31

Events and Mini Clubs / Re: Mini meet west

Last post by Scargo - July 18, 2026, 09:52:04 AM

Jeff is too humble to say anything about it but sources tell me that his beautiful 850 Austin Mini took top honors by garnering "Best In Show" out of the approximate 100 cars in attendance.

I saw this car at MMW last year
and can attest that it is a very well deserved win.

Congratulations Jeff!

#32

The Lounge / Re: The Cost of Ownership

Last post by scalpel_ninja - July 17, 2026, 04:41:29 PM

My order from Sport was delivered in January, it was right about $500 including shipping charges, a few weeks ago I got a bill from FedEx for almost $300 in tariffs and fees, with no breakdown, except their $15 handling fee. I immediately disputed it and they're "looking into it".....

I'm not paying it till they get it correct.....my guess is about $65 total is what it should have been.

I'm not ordering anything from overseas suppliers any more, if I need tyres or something I can't get here I'll want a total cost before I place the order. This getting a bill for half the cost based on a guess is absurd.

That amount is outrageous. I've been holding off on ordering anything from Sport because they use FedEx. It seems with DHL, it's less unpredictable?

#33

The Lounge / Re: The Cost of Ownership

Last post by Dan Moffet - July 17, 2026, 02:08:17 PM

A little good news:

Yesterday I pulled out my handy-dandy (and small) Simoniz electric power washer to clean the mower deck. I got everything hooked up and pushed the button. The pump made the proper brzzt noise to pressurize the hose and stopped, but when I pulled the trigger, only a gentle stream came out. When I pushed the button again it made the proper noise, but still no pressure.

This morning, I tried again and found the pump would run if I held the button down. I suspected the power switch wasn't latching in the ON position, so I took the machine apart. After an exhaustive search on-line, nobody seemed to offer the switch anywhere. So In desperation, I CALLED. A very nice young lady in Wisconsin took my info and could not find a listing anywhere. She said "just a minute" and put me on hold. Very shortly she came back and reported that the switch was not for general sale, BUT!!! as a courtesy, they were going to send me one... no charge! A while later, I got a confirming email that the "order" had been placed. A few hours later "Lexi" from Simoniz called to say the order was being filled and that I should receive it in 2-3 days.

Even the shipping was free. So now I'll have to wait and see if any sales tax (or duty if not shipped from Canada) is applicable. What's the tax on zero??

(Sign me Happy Hoser!)

#34

Events and Mini Clubs / Re: Mini meet west

Last post by jeff10049 - July 15, 2026, 11:21:11 PM

I thought it was strange as well. It's not like I have a wild cam. I wonder if I just had a defective one from new.

Today was the Avenue of the Giants redwoods drive. 120-mile drive, I think we put about 200 miles on today. No more issues. More pics once I download them or post from my phone.

#35

The Lounge / Re: The Cost of Ownership

Last post by MiniDave - July 15, 2026, 02:30:55 PM

My order from Sport was delivered in January, it was right about $500 including shipping charges, a few weeks ago I got a bill from FedEx for almost $300 in tariffs and fees, with no breakdown, except their $15 handling fee. I immediately disputed it and they're "looking into it".....

I'm not paying it till they get it correct.....my guess is about $65 total is what it should have been.

I'm not ordering anything from overseas suppliers any more, if I need tyres or something I can't get here I'll want a total cost before I place the order. This getting a bill for half the cost based on a guess is absurd.

#36

The Lounge / Re: Tig Welders

Last post by MiniDave - July 15, 2026, 02:15:46 PM

Well, my experiment is over.....try as I might I could NOT get the straight argon mix to weld well. Today I was making a tool for Don for his GT6 to change the guibos in the rear axle shafts and no matter how much I played with the settings I could not get a good weld or any penetration. So, I took the practically full bottle of Argon back and got a regular 75/25 mig mix like I've been using for 30+ years. Since I already had the bottle out I put it in my old welder cause I knew how to set it up, plus I had .030 wire in it instead of .023'

Took a little  bit of fiddling but before you know it I had good solid welds with proper penetration and pretty nice beads. I was welding 1/4" metal onto 1" metal, which is a bit much for a 120V welder setup, but it burned in nicely. The tool turned out fine, so now he can change out the old cheap ones (lasted all of 2K miles) and put in proper $300 ea Metalastic ones.

I haven't given up on the new welder, I just need to learn how to set it up properly.

#37

Daves Garage / Re: 1980 Clubman Estate

Last post by MiniDave - July 15, 2026, 02:05:00 PM

Looks like Buzz won't be coming north till middle or end of August, Harry is just overwhelmed settling the estate and with his own business concerns. We'll see what happens. I'm still shocked and sad that Justin is gone, the world needs more like him....

In the meantime I'll get the hot rod back on the rack and get back to work on it.

#38

The Lounge / Re: Evolve or die

Last post by Jims5543 - July 15, 2026, 11:37:52 AM

My one crew just had to have a police escort to survey a property.

The man next door to the house we were surveying came running into the yard screaming at my crew to get the fuck off his land as it was his house and they were trespassing. He was not nice about it, unhinged would be a good word to use here.

We called the RE agent and contacted the title company, thinking there was a mistake everyone is perplexed.  I jumped on the property appraiser website. Unless he identifies as a lesbian woman from Ontario Canada, then he does not own the house.

I called the local sheriff to see if we could arrange an escort, they had my crew call in to coordinate with the a deputy. I will get the full report this afternoon.

Turns out the old man had dementia, his wife approached my field guy and apologized.  He was ready to throw fists over a house he doesn't own, but thinks he does in his state of mind.  Welcome to the neighborhood home buyers!!

Next week, we have to do the same thing, some asshole ran my crew off because he thinks he owns the world.

I miss 20 years ago when everyone was chill and nice and an asshole was a rarity. Now nice people are rarities.

#39

Events and Mini Clubs / Re: Mini meet west

Last post by MiniDave - July 15, 2026, 07:04:19 AM

Wow, a broken valve spring.....what a strange thing to happen. Leave it to you to know how to do that the old school way!

What a cool looking venue too.....looking forward to more pics!

#40

The Lounge / Spotted in Detroit

Last post by ADRay - July 15, 2026, 05:42:30 AM

Taking an abridged version of the all American road trip and spending a day in Detroit. I spotted a classic Mini just as we were pulling into the parking garage as we got to town. My son snapped a quick "ufo sighting" pic from the back seat. Looks like a Rover with a pretty distinct green roof rack. Anyone recognize it?