Texas Heat!

[jinman]

Remember years ago, the bumper stickers " Buy American; the Job you save may be your own" Too bad nobody paid attention.

Last week while touring the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Fort Worth, TX, the tour guide was showing off their new machines that will be used to print all denominations of bills including the new $100 bill soon to be released. Just to play the devil's advocate, I asked the tour guide how many of those new machines were manufactured in the USA and supporting US workers. Guess what? They are all manufactured in Austria and Germany. Our own money is made on machines manufactured outside the USA. I was just happy he didn't say they were made in China.

 

[Bird]

Last week while touring the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Fort Worth, TX, the tour guide was showing off their new machines that will be used to print all denominations of bills including the new $100 bill soon to be released. Just to play the devil's advocate, I asked the tour guide how many of those new machines were manufactured in the USA and supporting US workers. Guess what? They are all manufactured in Austria and Germany. Our own money is made on machines manufactured outside the USA. I was just happy he didn't say they were made in China.

That's a little surprising. I would not have thought they'd want anyone outside the USA to even know all the details about the machines.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

This is just another bad year for gardening. But if we don't continue everything will be imported that is offered at the local grocery chain. Most is now. The little cherry/plum salad tomatoes that were selling for $4-5 a plastic pint volume container last winter are now down to 2 for $3 and not selling much thanks to home gardeners like us.
Wife had a problem yesterday canning tomatoes with a pressure cooker we bought 40 years ago. The seal wouldn't... so she had to finish them in a hot water bath method. Called Sears parts. Seals no longer available. We used to buy a lot of Sears everything from the 1960's to the 90's because they always had parts diagrams and repair parts so you could fix stuff yourself.
They got into the "throwaway society" sales philosphy then, somewhat because of competition, quit housebranding most things, and went down the tubes.
Remember years ago, the bumper stickers " Buy American; the Job you save may be your own" Too bad nobody paid attention.

Might try Ace hardware for old Mirro or Presto seals.

 

[jinman]

That's a little surprising. I would not have thought they'd want anyone outside the USA to even know all the details about the machines.

Actually, the technology of printing money is several processes from offset printing of the background colors to the Intaglio process that involves the extreme high pressure that embosses each bill with the image as it transfers ink. The paper, the process, and the plates are where security is maintained. Almost all high end printers are made in Germany or Austria. I knew this when I asked the question. Our money is truly Made in the USA, but the "tools" are made somewhere else. If you ever get a chance to take that tour, I know you'd enjoy it Bird. That shop is as close to consistent zero defects as anything I've ever seen. If it isn't perfect, it doesn't leave the BEP. This is their website.

 

[Bird]

Jim, my wife's sister plans to come visit in a couple of month, so maybe we'll just try to take that tour while she's here.

 

[pacerron]

Thanks for the lead on the seals Kyle. We found it on the net at
620.46010 first item top left but the business has no address or credentials that I can find. The canner is one of those old 21 quart heavy duty aluminum kenmore label, probably made by maid of honor or presto.
I just took a good look and could see on the lid where the steam was leaking out as it was white. We may be able to clean the groove, oil the seal, and get it to work. She should have run a test first. ( Hindsight) At least the seal is not cut and is still soft so we can take it around to see if we can find a match up. 12.5" inside diameter. The rubber is 3/8" wide so outside diameter
is 13.25. Looks like 13.5 would fit tighter. Rubber is 1/8" thick. Wouldn't it be stupid to have to discard the canner because nobody makes a ring that size.
I'll make something if I have too. Maybe an O-ring to go in the groove first.

Much more important problem to me is my 15 year old Woods RM990-3developed a sudden " Ugh-Oh" noise today while mowing pasture. Not the belt, pulleys, or drive shaft bolt.
If you think it is hot in Texas, you ain't seen nothin yet, compared to around here if they tell me parts for the old gearbox are no longer available!
Ron

 

[Western]

Jim, my wife's sister plans to come visit in a couple of month, so maybe we'll just try to take that tour while she's here.

Bird, ask for free samples!!!!!

 

[Bird]

Dennis, I'll bet a day never goes by that the tour guide isn't asked for free samples.:laughing: But I do wonder what their stock answer is.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Bird, tell 'em you want to be in their quality control department. You'll have to take some to the store to "make sure it spends well."

 

[Western]

Sad thing is, half of it would "bounce"

Pretty fascinating story's about the paper and how it's made. I understand there is a family run paper mill that has been producing the special paper for generations.