AR-15 Pistols

Looking into building an AR-15 pistol, but don't want to have to use a modified bolt carrier.  Phase 5 Tactical appears to have a pistol buffer tube (receiver extension) that works with a standard BCG, unlike the GSE setups.  However, it looks like 7.5" barrels require special considerations with the gas tube.  Their quad rail looks neat too.

Arfcom has an area specific to AR-15 pistols.  The section on ATF letters is interesting and useful.  Apparently the Franklin Armory pistol can have a vertical foregrip because its OAL is over 26", and thus falls into a gray area where it's not an AOW.  Supposedly an 11.5" barrel will result in that OAL.

Garden Stuff

This recipe for tomato jam has been languishing in my iPhone browser for months...saved here for posterity.

Plus the info for "Gordy the Gourd"....

Hybrid Gas Water Heater

The wife's been complaining about the limited hot water from our ancient (ca 1996) tank-type water heater.  In Japan, of course, they use tankless heaters, which is evinced by the major manufacturers being Japanese: Rinnai and Noritz.  Anyway, recently when talking with a builder-type dude, he mentioned hybrids as being the favored type now.  When I looked into it, most hybrids are electric, except for the Eternal GU120.  The size of the tank isn't clearly specified, but from one of the documents it's implied that it's 2 gallons.  $1400, with a $300 tax credit for 2013.

Turkey Cookin'

Fine Cooking has a few tips on how to cook a juicy turkey.  One of the tips is brining, which seems like something to try.  Lastly, there's a video on how to make gravy.  Mmm, turkey fat.  I'm reading up because I'll have to make this stuff in a couple days.

Container Guest House

I've thought about making an in-ground shed out of 20' shipping container.  A house would be neat, too.

Addendum: considerations for container projects.

Another Metals Shop

Gainesville Coins, found via an LPC Survival contest on FB.  Will have to check their prices relative to APMEX.

Bolt-Action AR-15 Upper

I thought it might be neat to have an AR-15 upper that is bolt-action, so I went looking.  Apparently there's not much in the way of real bolt-action uppers.  However, a forum post directed me to White Oak Armament's site, which has a modified upper with a modified BCG with bolt handle.  On one hand, leverage for extraction is likely limited.  Furthermore, odds are good that the action isn't sub-MOA.  Still, it's an interesting concept.

One could build something similar by using a switched gas block and a side-charging upper.

White Oak's sells an interesting adjustable stock that requires a side-charging upper.  I like the steel buffer tube, but it's got aluminum parts as well.

Garage Curtain

In the winter, the garage gets pretty cold, even though it's insulated.  I'd like to be able to work out there, but it bleeds heat too fast because of the north-facing door.  The thought occurred to me that if I could partition an area with an impermeable curtain, that it might be feasible to use part of the space.

Well, I did a quick search and found something that looks like what I was considering: curtain wall partitions.  It ain't cheap, but the more capable solution, a "climate curtain," is even more expensive!

Finex Cast Iron Skillet

Wired had a post regarding the Finex Cast Iron Skillet that's on Kickstarter.  The skillet looks pretty cool.  Incidentally, apparently Siemens VAI has an ironmaking process also called Finex, which is a registered trademark.  It's unclear if there's any relation...seems unlikely.

Heating with Tealights

M.V. posted a link on FB to a video describing how to use 4 tealights in a ceramic tray with a couple terra cotta pots to heat a room.  The cost works out to 30 cents a day, supposedly.

One of the comments on FB was also interesting:

Truckers in Alaska have used coffee cans with a roll of toilet paper inside that is drenched with rubbing alcohol. Burns clean puts off heat. Whatever works.

I'll have to give both these methods a try.  Also, the Knowledge Weights Nothing site looks quite intriguing.

Deodorant Recipe

Interesting read; being able to make one's own deodorant might be useful post-SHTF!

Solar Power

I've been looking into solar power for prepping purposes, since in the short-term, having comms, non-flammable lights, and such would be useful.  Longevity of such devices in an adverse environment is another matter.

The conclusion I drew after a bunch of reading is that I need a monocrystalline solar cell with one or two AGM 12V batteries and a bunch of AA/AAA Eneloop LSD batteries for buffer.  The monocrystalline solar cells last 10-20 years (some say up to 30) and have the best output.  The absorbed glass mat batteries are deep-cycle, don't leak, and are best to use with solar panels.  (Gel batteries might be better still.)  Lastly, the Eneloop low-self-discharge batteries, 2nd-gen and later, will retain 80% of their charge for 2 years, making frequent refreshes unnecessary.

I'd like to run a smart charger directly from the 12Vs, but that would require an adapter cable with a voltage regulator.  In that case, having an inverter that can provide AC could be useful; the size would depend on the 12Vs.

A gas/propane generator could also be used to recharge the 12Vs, so a charge controller capable of running off of AC would be useful as well.

Another interesting application for prepping would be to buy 12V thermoelectric modules and make a rig to generate electricity from heat sources, i.e. from a cooking stove's waste heat, to recharge 12V batteries.  That's a bit more involved, however.

In my quest for knowledge, I ran into a site where the cyclist describes his setup.  Certainly, Goal Zero makes the best portable solar panel, but it's spendy.  You can get a 100W (monocrystalline) panel for just a hair over twice as much as the 7W GZ panel; however, it won't be very mobile.  The Nomad 7 (v2) is just right for a go bag.

Dual-Fuel

AD at work mentioned the DuroMax hybrid generator that runs on both gasoline and propane: the XP4400EH.  3500W rated, 4400W starting, with electric start and 240V output for $650.  The downside is that it's made in China, and apparently has some build quality issues.  (Link to softcopy of manual.)  The Honda EU2000i is $1000 and is 1600W rated, 2000W starting, with recoil start and only 120V output.

There's also a site, US Carburation, linked from the DuroMax page which sells propane adapters for other generators.  I'm almost more inclined to spend the money on the Honda and get the adapter, although I need to verify the power requirements for the devices I want to run.

Black Powder

An online shop, Track of the Wolf, has black powder for sale as well as firearms and accessories.  The catalog looks intriguing.

AR-15 SBR

So I'm jonesing to have an SBR.  Not like I can really afford to do it, but I want to.  In the worst way.

I was thinking it might be easier to buy a registered receiver.  However, apparently that's not the way it works: even though the receiver is the registered part, there are certain requirements on ATF Form 1 or 4.  There's a thread on Arfcom on this subject, with a link to the ATF FAQ on SBRs.

Well, and then there's the issue of whether or not I'd need law enforcement approval if I were registering under my LLC.  The Interwebz say no, but the Form 1 instructions doesn't specifically say this.

I also found Tactical Innovation's AR-15 lower receivers, the T15BDX.  I think I'd have to pick up one of those if I ever decide to pull the trigger on an SBR.  Nice looking hardware.

HK Doesn't Hate You?

In the past there've been multiple references to HK's attitude toward non-MIL/LEO customers as "Because you suck. And we hate you."  But apparently that's not the case, according to one article.  The claim in the article is that HK was one of the few voices to respond to the ATF's request for comments regarding sporting purpose use of "evil black rifles".  Such a shame.

Bill Watterson's Advice

I really wish I could say that I have the kind of passion depicted here in this Calvin & Hobbes-esque homage to text by, and the ethic of, cartoonist Bill Watterson.  Nevertheless, it's a beautiful ideal.

Augh! Link Dump

Weapons

• Arms imports in China from 1960 to 2011 (I was probably looking for from China)
• Embargoed countries from the State Department website
• Lahti ammunition from Anzio Ironworks—would be neat to have!
• What are suppressors made of? (Shotgun News)

Other

• Making a dehydrator from the Ready Store
• Time perspective therapy on WSJ

The Selam

EW posted a link to the mini-album an acquaintance of his released recently.  Apparently it's "bounce-worthy"; I listened to it, and it's not bad.

Custom AR-15 Lowers

ASA posted on FB a picture of the selector switch on a "Pirate" lower, showing Arrgh (safe), Parley (semi), and Plunder (full).  The manufacturer's mark wasn't visible, but I searched and found that it was done by Tom Sawyer MFG in Woodbury, MN.  A thread on The High Road noted that Tom Sawyer MFG is no longer doing firearms engraving, and are referring people to Orion Arms.  Apparently they'll take a blank AR-15 receiver and engrave whatever on it.  Unfortunately, they have no blanks at the moment.

Antoine Doinel

While visiting family earlier this month, the TV was on an we caught part of this horrible French movie called The 400 Blows.  Apparently AMC was having a marathon showing several films by the director François Truffaut following the story of the character Antoine Doinel.  It was kind of depressing.

MAIL

For people interested in chainmail, there's the Maille Artisans International League, or M.A.I.L.  Cool.

Stratospheric Welsbach seeding for reduction of global warming

Is this what those chemtrails are?

Ken Ota

Ryohei Ota posted an article on his father Ken on FB a while ago.  And apparently Bloomington-Normal is called the Twin Cities, too.

Politically True?

Found this on Facebook, actually attributed to Jeff Foxworthy.  Apparently it wasn't him, but a post on a site called Politically True:

• If you can get arrested for hunting or fishing without a license, but not for being in the country illegally … you might live in a country founded by geniuses and run by idiots.

• If you have to get your parents’ permission to go on a field trip or take an aspirin in school, but not to get an abortion … you might live in a country founded by geniuses and run by idiots.

• If the only school curriculum allowed to explain how we got here is evolution, but your government stops a $15 million construction project to keep a rare spider from evolving to extinction … you might live in a country founded by geniuses and run by idiots.

• If you have to show identification to board an airplane, cash a check, buy liquor, or check out a library book, but not to vote for who runs your government … you might live in a country founded by geniuses and run by idiots.

• If your government believes that using steroids or other drugs will ruin your life, but throwing you in prison for years will not … you might live in a country founded by geniuses and run by idiots.

• If your government wants to ban stable, law-abiding citizens from owning gun magazines with more than ten rounds, but gives 20 F-16 fighter jets to the crazy new leaders in Egypt … you might live in a country founded by geniuses and run by idiots.

• If, in the largest city, you can buy two 16-ounce sodas, but not a 24-ounce soda because 24-ounces of a sugary drink might make you fat … you might live in a country founded by geniuses and run by idiots.

• If an 80-year-old woman can be strip-searched by the TSA but a woman in a hijab is only subject to having her neck and head searched … you might live in a country founded by geniuses and run by idiots.

• If your government believes that the best way to eradicate trillions of dollars of debt is to spend trillions more … you might live in a country founded by geniuses and run by idiots.

• If a seven year old boy can be thrown out of school for saying his teacher “cute,” but hosting a sexual exploration or diversity class in grade school is perfectly acceptable … you might live in a country founded by geniuses and run by idiots.

• If children are forcibly removed from parents who discipline them with spankings while children of addicts are left in filth and drug infested “homes”… you might live in a country founded by geniuses and run by idiots.

• If hard work and success are met with higher taxes and more government intrusion, while not working is rewarded with EBT cards, WIC checks, Medicaid, subsidized housing, and free cell phones … you might live in a country founded by geniuses and run by idiots.

• If your government’s plan for getting people back to work is to incentivize NOT working with 99 weeks of Unemployment checks and no requirement to prove they applied but can’t find work … you might live in a country founded by geniuses and run by idiots.

• If you pay your mortgage faithfully, denying yourself the newest big screen TV while your neighbor buys iPhones, TVs and new cars, and your government forgives his debt when he defaults on his mortgage … you might live in a country founded by geniuses and run by idiots.

• If your government believes that the way to make a school of unarmed children safe is to pass another law, this time with the illusion that three 10-round magazines in a rifle is safer than a 30-round magazine … you might live in a country founded by geniuses and run by idiots.

Well, that last one is weaker than the rest.  Otherwise, yeah, it's apparent that things are pretty fucked up.

Trusses Again

Well, back to this.

To get the terminology, diagrams help.  The same site implies that sistering the bottom chord is sufficient to reduce sag: "Undersized bottom chords should be stiffened to prevent ceiling sag and cracking of ceiling finishes. Adding a second member to the bottom chord would normally be satisfactory."

A FH blog post had some conflicting advice.  The solution I thought was most sensible was in the comments: "run a beam under the joist,no post needed, create a beam pocket at one end with double 2x4 cripples and 2x12 double simpson hanger at overhead header. Use 2x12 and 1/2 plywood glued with PL400 and your done."  Except that's probably to reduce the span; my issue is that running something cross-wise isn't an option.  It could work for the shelving, perhaps.  I'd have to remove the drywall to install the trimmers for the beam pocket, though.

A JLC article suggested a composite beam along the lines of the above.  Sounds expensive.

Perhaps I should go find myself a structural engineer to bother regarding my problem.  Expertise ain't free.

Alodia as the Baroness

This came up in Alodia's feed on Facebook, which I must say is a cosplay subject I wasn't expecting.

There are more images on Flickr.

MLPs

I was looking at picking up SDT to put in an IRA account, but when I went to the trade page, my brokerage displayed a warning that SDT is an MLP (Master Limited Partnership), which may have tax consequences for my account:

Investments in publicly traded MLPs involve risks and considerations that may differ from investments in common stock.

Tax complexity risk: Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) are generally considered passthrough entities for tax purposes and have special tax considerations. Pass-through entities may generate unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) that may have undesirable tax consequences for retirement accounts and other tax-exempt investors. If you hold MLP units, you are generally treated as a partner for tax purposes and will be issued a Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) rather than a Form 1099 form for use in filling out your tax return. A K-1 lists the partner's share of income, deductions, credits, and other tax items. If the MLP has operations in multiple states, you may need to file a separate tax return in each state.

An MLP that is treated as a corporation in the United States rather than a pass-through entity for federal income tax purposes would be obligated to pay federal income tax on its income at the corporate tax rate. In this case, the amount of cash available for distribution by the MLP would be reduced and part or all of the distributions made could be taxed entirely as dividend income. In this case a Form 1099 would be furnished rather than a Schedule K-1. Please see the MLP’s website, SEC filings, or most recent shareholder report for further details about tax treatment of your investments.

A search turned up a page on the National Association of Publicly Traded Partnership's site regarding MLPs and retirement accounts which has some useful information about UBIT (Unrelated Business Income Tax).  BusinessWire also has information on SDT, including a link to their tax information page.

Kumquats

I found a place to get a kumquat plant, for almost $100, if one can't wait to grow one from seed....

Hot Shots 2013

I have the calendar hanging in my office.  Hell yeah.

The videos are amusing, though, because the models are quite different when not 'shopped.  And personality counts too, right?

There's a behind the scenes video as well as three other mini-interviews with two models each: Rosie Jones & India Reynolds, Kelly Hall & Sam Cooke, and Holly Peers & Emily O'Hara.

[Links NSFW] I have to say that Kelly Hall (!) looks the best non-pinup, and has the least obtrusive accent!  Followed by perhaps Emily O'Hara (!) and India Reynolds (!).

Edit [2013.06.29]: Rosie Jones isn't bad after all.  Must've been her makeup in the above YT video.