North Bros. Tree Stands

So a while back I had picked up a box of pre-1947 North Bros. Christmas Tree Stands.   I just though they were so cool. Well I finally got around to refurbishing them.   It was fun except for the sand blasting, I hate sand blasting.  I refinished 13 all together and they came out really nice.

I tore them down and ran them through the bead cabinet, then was ready to move to the next step.   I boxed them all up and brought them over to the house and cleaned them all up.  Then it was just a matter of priming and painting.   I hung up a makeshift clothes line and then cut wire that I used as hangers.   I primed and painted each one, letting it hang to dry.  This process in itself took me two weeks painting off/on.

Once they were dry I moved into the house where I used a paint marker.  Yes a paint marker, who know they made such a thing.  Well it worked great for this application.  I taped up the legs and then added the gold paint.  For all the rest I just free handed with the marker to add the gold paint where needed.

I used a paper plate and stuck the bolts through it.  Then I could spray paint the heads black to match the rest.  That worked great and didn't make a big mess.  then it was just a matter of final reassembly.   I struggled a bit with the first one, but that allowed me to see what I needed to and the order that I needed to put them back together.

All in all I am very pleased with the outcome. I see these listed on eBay for $65.00 to $250.00 depending on condition.  For me they will become pieces for other items I may want make.

You can see below that I have already repurposed two of them and made lamps.  I found some old ceiling lamps at the flea market and bought three of them for a dollar.   The base was white and required some modifications, but I loved the glass globes that were on them.  I did some research and bought wire, off/on switch and the lamp socket and put it all together.  I made two and have them on my desk at home.

Next I was going to see if I could use some old cameras and wire them up, so that the light will be where the flash bulb is currently.   I'll keep you posted but think they will be pretty cool when done.

Welcome Little Buddy

As one Robinson left us a new one joined the family.  On May 21st. we welcomed Lachlan

Ray Robinson to the family.   This was also the same day that his Great Grandfather passed away.  Lachlan or Lach as I have nicknamed him, sure is another cutie.   I can't wait, actually Candy and I can't wait to get back down to see him and his big brother Aemon.

Looks like we will be able to get back just after Christmas for a couple days.  So looking forward to it.   It's been to long and I wish I could get down there more.

It was nice that the kids chose their Grandfathers middle name to give to Lachlan.   That was a very emotional day for all of us.

Seems like the kids are doing well.  They just purchased a new townhome a year back and are getting all settled.   I had forgotten how much stuff you need when you have little kids.   It all takes up a lot of room.

Love You Pops

I dedicate this blog post to my late father Dennis R. Robinson Sr.   Dad passed away earlier this year, May 21st to be exact.    The poor guy had been sick for about a year and he did a pretty good job hiding it.   I spent a lot of time this year being back in Wichita to visit and help out where I could.

I pretty much traveled by car, train and plane on some of my trips back and forth.  Honestly a lot of it is a blur.   It was some very emotional times and I am thankful that I did get to spend as much time with him as we did toward the end.

For my part I had forgotten all about COVID during this time as we were spending a lot of time in the Hospital and Doctors offices.

I really miss him and at times find myself wanting to pick up the phone and tell him something or ask a question.  I know it has been tough on my Mother as well.   She is now by herself and has some of her own health issues and there is not a lot I can do being 500 miles away.

"Dennis Ray Robinson, 75, of Valley Center, Kansas passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on May 21st, 2021.  Dennis was a loving father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to everyone.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Robinson and Jennie (Kabler) Robinson Cowdrey; Step-dad, William Cowdrey; brother, Edwin A. Robinson

Dennis is survived by the love of his life, Goldie Robinson, of 57 years; son, Dennis Ray Robinson Jr. (Candy); daughter, Angela Marie Montini (Tony); grandchildren, Eric (Shannon) Robinson; Clark Robinson; Katie Montini and Natalie Montini; great-grandchildren, Aemon and Lochlan Robinson; cousins, Linda Kabler, Brian Kabler, and Brenda Kabler.

Dennis had a love for aviation and built and flew numerous aircraft through his life.

He worked for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad for 43 years, retiring at the age of 60.  Through his career with the railroad, he was a Carman, mechanical supervisor, and safety supervisor in La Junta, Colorado and Newton, Kansas. Dennis had served as safety assistant for BNSF's mechanical, car, and locomotive team in Newton, Dodge City, Hutchinson and Wellington, Kan. Dennis helped the team surpass 14 years without a Federal Railroad Administration-reportable injury — one of the best safety records in the railroad industry, according to the Association of American Railroads.  In 2004 Burlington Northern Santa Fe Carman Dennis Robinson was named recipient of the 2004 Harold F. Hammond Award, which recognizes an individual railroad employee for outstanding safety achievement.

After Dennis retired from the railroad, he spent his free time working on his airplanes and flying in/out of his own airstrip. He was known for his Karaoke singing, sense of humor, and savior to any furry critters that may have crossed his path."

Not Even Sure

Greetings All,

Guess it has been a while since my last post.  A lot has happened since I last made an entry in the blog.  Some good and some not so good, but that is life.   Happy to report that as a family and our extended family have all faired well through COVID.  Know knock on wood.

Honestly I am not even sure what to share as it has been so long.  I have been sitting here thinking about it now for 10 minutes.  Time to move on.

So I  am still building balsa wood airplanes.  Last count I have 15 hanging in my office at work.  Yeah I am a goober.  But hell, no one ever comes into the office accept for maybe four of us, so it's not a big deal.  My last post I was still working on my Gee Bee.  Boy it seems like forever ago.

I have managed to complete a few more since then.   Below are photos of the following that I have completed.

Gee Bee

USCG JF4-1

Beechcraft Staggerwing

Hall's Bulldog

Laird Super Solution

So in this picture I am holding the wing I built for my Citabria that I am building.  It has a 70 inch wingspan and will be a RC airplane when and if I ever get it done.  I finished the wing and then put the project away for a while.   It was a rough spring for the Robinson's that I will explain later.

I'll be back tomorrow and share more about my father and a close friend of mine who passed away this year.   Be Safe.