68 Commando 8 refresh

[ebinmaine 68,874]

Puuurrrrrttyyyy

[rjg854 11,574]

All your pieces and parts are looking great, can't hardly wait to see it all together.

[bellevillerod 835]

Went to start reassembly and found I had forgotten about the center structure. Got it sand blasted and painted now just watching paint dry.

[bellevillerod 835]

Do you guys try an save the original dealer stickers on your tractors when refinishing them? I find myself taping them off and trying to persevere them. I think it gives them a look that cements their place in time. Much better than just a repaint.

[rjg854 11,574]

Yes, I'd definitely say save them if you can.  That history would always stay with the tractor that way. 

[ebinmaine 68,874]

7 minutes ago, bellevillerod said:

you guys try an save the original dealer stickers

History.

Provenance.

Just cool.

 

[Tractor boy 239]

Gotta save the patina!

[bellevillerod 835]

4 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

History.

Provenance.

Just cool.

 

My feelings also...see something else in these pics you like?

[ebinmaine 68,874]

1 hour ago, bellevillerod said:

see something else in these pics you like?

I dunno man....

I'd bet I could put those metal sticks to good use...

[bellevillerod 835]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

I dunno man....

I'd bet I could put those metal sticks to good use...

I hope so...should be there soon.

[bellevillerod 835]

Well slowly starting to get it back together. Test fitting cleaning out paint making sure new bushings fit and move as needed.

[ebinmaine 68,874]

10 minutes ago, bellevillerod said:

cleaning out paint making sure new bushings fit and move as needed

Looks fantastic Rod.

While you're cleaning out paint, be sure to scrape your grounds.

I may have forgotten to do that here or there.....

[Pullstart 63,201]

On 4/22/2019 at 7:03 PM, bellevillerod said:

Well slowly starting to get it back together. Test fitting cleaning out paint making sure new bushings fit and move as needed.

 

That’s a cool coil mount there!

[bellevillerod 835]

Hey guys,

 Wow how time flies, sorry about the time lapse in posting these pics. I'm doing a living kidney donation for my little sister and the testing is insane. So far so good, go in tomorrow for the last 8 hour day of tests. If all goes well should be able to give her what she needs very soon. Back to my Commando 8, got it put together and running. Don't mind the dirt but even though we have had biblical rain and mud I had to take it for a ride down my dirt road...lol. Couple of small touches left to do but it's at 99% finished. For my first complete rebuild I'm very happy with it. Learned a couple of things that will help with the next tractor, my 854. Well what do you all think?

[bellevillerod 835]

From this to this, it's really satisfying to bring one of these back from years of use. How little it cost to have a really nice tractor. 

[Pullstart 63,201]

It looks great!  I like the Army stencil on the front badge!

[Pullstart 63,201]

Oh, and how gracious of you to donate your kidney to your sister!  I hope that all goes well during the operation and recovery, that her body accepts your donation without hiccup and life is back to normal before we know it!  

[bellevillerod 835]

Just now, pullstart said:

Oh, and how gracious of you to donate your kidney to your sister!  I hope that all goes well during the operation and recovery, that her body accepts your donation without hiccup and life is back to normal before we know it!  

Thanks ....I just think that when it come's to family you don't even have to think about it. Now that I am going through the process I'm just glad that I may be able to help her out. The U of Mich is one of the best Hospitals for this kind of procedure. I'm at the far end of being able to give at 59 years old. Modern Medicine is something else, if all goes well both of us would spend less than 3 days in the hospital.....crazy. I need some thoughts an good wishes/prayers from you all tomorrow so I pass the last of the tests. 

[rjg854 11,574]

You've done a real nice job on that Commando.  Looks brand new,  kudos for  your efforts.  

 

And as a topper to give of yourself to help another 

[ebinmaine 68,874]

That tractor looks fantastic Rod !!

I'll throw some posi-karma your way for the testing to go well...

[classiccat 548]

14 hours ago, bellevillerod said:

Well what do you all think?

 

 

 

 

Can't wait to see your 854 with this one under your belt!   Amazing job!  

[bellevillerod 835]

14 hours ago, pullstart said:

It looks great!  I like the Army stencil on the front badge!

Thank you, I had my doubts on how it would turn out. When I got the tractor it just had a section of screen sheet metal screwed in the opening. So I made a new piece out of 12 gauge stock and welded some studs on to it. I saw the horse head parts that went there online, but wanted to make it my own. We have this stencil maker in the shop from 1945 or so. It is a Commando so what better than an Army style font on the front.

[CasualObserver 3,409]

Very nice! You should be proud, looks great and should last a good long time.

[bellevillerod 835]

Hey guys check this one out. I just finished this for the wife. Its not a Horse but it's kinda neat, gonna use it to plow the garden. Still needs a little carb tuning but at high throttle it smooths out.

[ebinmaine 68,874]

Horse or not, that thing is REALLY nice!

Looks and sounds great! Love those old round fenders.

I definitely like the credits at the end. filmed on location... That's just plain funny to me.

 

I'm curious to know why you have the rear tires pointing that direction?