Progress is being made on the WC&C #1’s pilot. The structural elements of the base assembly have been cut and fitted along with the uprights for the supporting members. The retaining ring for the base has had the old finish and rust ground and/or sanded off, primed, and painted. Bob Ristow has fabricated or machined all new hardware with the exception of the cast pieces and connecting rod that rest on the top of the pilot. All of the new hardware was returned to my shop where it has been cleaned, primed and painted. All of the old nuts, bolts, and washers that were salvaged from the old pilot have been cleaned with a wire wheel on the grinder.

Tomorrow (Thursday, December 7, 2006) I hope to start drilling through the base of the pilot and the uprights to begin reassembly. This may take all day as caution must be taken to line everything up accurately. There are no second chances, and oops makes it firewood.

Now for the bad news. I’ve run out of usable lumber and will have to purchase more cured white oak to finish the front of the pilot. Hopefully, Endeavor Hardwoods (Lyndon Station) will have the 8/4 white oak I need.

More as it happens.

–Roger Hugg