Lockdown day 8

Wife appears to be better from her sickness. That's good and I'm glad it's over. No symptoms for me yet, but there are a couple days left til it could show up. Hopefully that doesn't happen.

No pics from yesterday, nothing interesting anyway. Started my day by cleaning the hog pen. Wasn't too bad since I didn't wait too long this time. Lol. Surprising how much fertilizer a dozen hogs can make. Then worked on the manure spreader some more. That is a bigger project than expected. Been painting the green parts with rustolium spray cans because it doesn't look like that much stuff. That was a mistake. Lol. Bought 4 cans first thinking that would be close. Went back for 6 more and that's not enough either. Likely need another 4 or so. Oh well, nearly done with the green now. Will have to start on the welding and patching of the rusted parts today.

One sad note, my grinder died today. Only 30 years old or so, and just like that it died in me. It's a dewalt and the only 4 1/2" grinder I had left. Still have 2-7" dewalts from when I was in the welding shop still going. Can't seem to get good equipment anymore. Lol. Guess I'll have to look at a new one.

Going to be a bit chilly today so don't know how painting will go. Looks like no rain for the next two weeks for us but not warm either. No temps in the 60s for at least 10 days. Things should dry fine for planting but ground temps may stay too cold. We will see.

I bought a 4 1/2 dewalt 3 years ago for 70 bucks,and the local welding supply has them for 60,they are good grinders.

"One sad note, my grinder died today. Only 30 years old or so, and just like that it died in me. It's a dewalt and the only 4 1/2" grinder I had left."

There's a good chance it just needs new brushes. I'll bet they are still available and cheap.
Dewalt grinder brushes

You might take the Dewalt apart and check the brushes and wiring. There is a place on the internet called eReplacementParts.com that I go to when something like that quits. Compare how the older ones are built compared with a new model. No comparison.

I have painted with those cans when temp was in the 30's with no problem, dried just fine even after temp droped below freezing. And I probably used 3-400 of those cans of green. Even painted in rain on parts with no problems showing. Was common for me to have at least 20 on hand at a time.

On the kind of parts you're painting, I find getting the paint in quarts or gallons, and applying it with a roller to be more efficient.

I have never bought a new grinder. If there are pawn shops in your area or one where you go to town take a look. I have four in the barn all old and from pawn shops. Thirty dollars should get you one to last a few years. Ellis

The $20 4 1/2" angle grinders from HF work well for me. It is surprising how much use/abuse they take. My line-up has one for each 'tool' on it. Brushes are the most common problem and usually there is an extra set of brushes in the box when buying a new one.

The DeWalt Pa bought 30 years ago died on me last year. Gall darn it. I bought a Porter Cable sawzall when they first came out with the twist lock. It died on me 2 years ago and I was mad. Then I reflected on the fact it was 25 years old and had come to work with me everyday. It had moved through 5 different trucks and 3 separate employers. Then I thought ?God I feel old!?

The 4 1/2 grinder I use now is a Makitta.

Can't remember how old it is, at least 5-6 years, still running good, replaced the brushes about 6 months ago.

Before that I always used Milwaukee, then they sold out to China, the quality went away, no more of those!

As for grinders. I have 4 harbor freight 4 inch. I use them a lot. I haven't had one go bad yet. If one does For under 20.00 or less I have a new one. Stan

Metabo grinder (seriously good) I am glad your wife is mush better. The spreader is looking just fine. Are you going to use stainless bolts/nuts to put it together? Jim

I have 3 HF grinders and a dewalt. I like the HF because it has a switch that I can switch on vs the trigger you have to hold down on the dewalt.

I have a 4" Makita bought in '83 used almost daily for the first twenty years of its life. Did a complete overhaul, bearings, brushes, switch, cord about 10 years ago. Bought a souped up (high amperage) 4 1/2" Milwaukee a few years back that I really like except for the "safety" trigger; much prefer the on/off switch on the Makita.

My go to grinder is an old 4 1/2" Dewalt. It suddenly died 3 years ago. A new set of brushes (very cheap) and it is good as new. At least take a look at them.