The government ruined the gas can...

Five 5 gallon gas containers (yeah, the new style crap mandated by the Nanny State to insure that you will always spill some). Each is "numbered" with a number of black nylon wire ties around the handle.

Dosage of Stabil or, more recently (upon recommendation of several small engine mechanics) Sea Foam (Wally World, auto parts stores, Farm & Fleet, etc) gas treatment before heading to the gas station to fill up. Rotate them throughout the year for lawn equipment, snow thrower, rototiller, etc.

Hmm, my vehicles are 12 and 13 years old. I've only replaced one windshield and that was because of a 10" rock kicked up by a truck. I certainly haven't replaced 6 to 12 of them.

Far cheaper and far better, though it doesn't necessarily last longer. I'm quite happy with that tradeoff, though.

There are perfectly good "homeowner" grade tools around. If it matters that much to you, Snap-On is still in business.

More efficient. Cheaper, in real $$, too.

Other than the grease, that's mostly a result of the switch to lead-free gas. It wasn't without its costs, though.

For you, perhaps. Every one I've had still has problems occasionally. The ones in this house won't always flush water completely.

Less maintenance, and *much* cheaper.

Much larger, too. Like cars, I think there was a low point in construction about 30-40 years ago.

I took mine out. ...to the dump.

Or watch the Mythbusters attempts to even get a gas tank to "explode"

- almost impossible to do. Vapors brning coming out of the can? Yes. Can's exloding? No.

I have been involved in two stupid episodes of such things.

!4YOA using a lantern to fill a gas can, vapors ignited and set my pants on fire. Can jusst sate ther and burned itself empty.

Using diesel to "encourage" a brush pile to burn. Big "whoosh" when I added some and a flickering flame from the spout of he can. Slapped my glove over the flame and discovered I had the gas can instead of the diesel can.

The problem with 'explodign cans" is that the internal "air" is too rich to ignite.

Harry K

Per Harry K:

I heard Monica has written a new book in which she trots out the most explicit details. Sounded to me like he was a little kinky.

But still.... Clinton *did* leave a budget surplus.

Reasonable people can argue how and why... but the surplus is a fact of history - as are the ensuing deficits.

The usual leftist's lie. The national debt went *up* every year Clinton was in office. The books were cooked by borrowing money from SS, federal pensions, and other sources.

No, it's a damned lie, or worse, a statistic. One that must be veiwed through a leftist's prism to see.

Since they have such a wide range of tools, there's no way they make most of 'em. I hadda return a cheapo trigger-pump oil can that may have been branded Snap-On, but it was made in China and broke on the

I'm so sick if this stupid myth. I ran 10% alcohol regular in my cars for 5 yrs before it was mandated. Improved performance in every vehicle. Stopped the pinging in my Dodge 318 V8 van and I sold my Honda Civic with 250K miles on the engine and it still purred. My two Harleys ran great with never a hiccup. The only thing I see that doesn't seem to work is small motorized tools like gas trimmers and chain saws. From what I've read in this group, that's more cuz quility has gone down the crapper than from alcohol gasoline

A cathedral ceiling is not "larger". It's less floor space.

nb

YOu will note that the surpluses did not occur until well after the Congress (which decides how much is spent and what the tax levels are) became controlled by the GOP. (Actually if you look at reality, there was little or no change year over year in the increase in spending. This suggests that forces outside the politicians were really at work. So the surpluses are really just the result of a economy that was breathtakingly overheated for awhile that money came in faster than the combined efforts of both parties could shovel it out the door).

But in fairness to Clinton (and you know how much that pains me), those were practices that were in place LONG before he came on the scene. So, he did have a relative surplus since these bookkeeping shenanagins were in place before he came on the scene.

The size of the average house has increased from 938 sq feet in the 50s to 2,700 square feet in 2009 and that has nearly doubled from 1,400 square feet in 1970.

I've seen 'em. I don't need a closet big enough to park my car in.

nb

Old grump! :)

I prefer curmudgeon. ;)

How many hours work at minimum wage (or average or median wage, if you prefer) did it take to buy one of those long-lasting refrigerators? And how many hours to buy one of the newer (allegedly) short-lifespan ones?

Perce

The usual leftist's lie. The national debt went *up* every year Clinton was in office. The books were cooked by borrowing money from SS, federal pensions, and other sources.

No, it's a damned lie, or worse, a statistic. One that must be veiwed through a leftist's prism to see.

You were talking about hand tools. Of course they don't make everything themselves (who does, or for that matter, ever did?) but they do sell excellent tools if you're willing to spend the bucks.

I'm sick of idiots who don't know what they're talking about, but that doesn't solve anything. "Lead free" gasohol.

I get 10% lower mileage with E10 in every car I've owned. Runs OK but it might just as well be air.

You really are an idiot.

No, just an old fart who never grew up and is now going the other way towards diapers and strained prunes.

Precisely!