Stop using cream separators as planters!

One could use an old Surge milking machine for a planter instead?

For a long time after WWII Mom planted petunias in Dad's old Army helmet hanging on the front porch......

geo

Got a couple of the milkers around here too!!!

Antique signage when bought is preserved, protected, loved and cherished. People who leave antique wood wagons set out into the open oughta have their grass kicked. Yes there are reproduction wagons made today, but they cost over a grand. Leaveing iron machinery to rust in a yard isnt much different than my leaveing my farm machinery in my machinery yard, so I cant see much harm to that, other than, as has been said, That deprives somebody from useing it, BUT, If we cant connect those who need an antique plow, and I know where 2 of them are setting in yards, with those who have access with one, Then, at least leaveing it ina yard, its at least kept from a junkyard.

Geo in MI, when I read about your mom's petunia "pot" the first thing I thought about was that it might be her way of beating your father's sword into a plowshare. Maybe a victory for her that he made it home safely?

I was the daughter of the youngest child (a daughter) in a family that values sons highly so I have very few things that belonged to either set of grandparents. I envy anyone, like you, BetsyK, who has full access to those treasures. When I was a kid, my grandmother asked her only son to dispose of so many things--her wooden dough bowl, churn and butter mold, goodness only knows what else. He threw them into an old silo my grandfather no longer wanted then knocked it down. Just broke my heart.

One thing I do have is a hay hook Papa forged then fitted a wooden T handle to. I used it for years before I decided it would be safer displayed in the family room. Only problem is that I never found another as well made, comfortable and efficient as the one Papa built.

Incidentally, I own 9 antique spinning wheels, three are great wheels so I understand your "pain." All were purchased, none from family.

If the wheel is not warped use it! Spinning is fun and a good way to relax after a stressful day of work. If I can learn it, anyone can cause I am not the most coordinated motor skil type. Not to mention when you get done you have nice, hand spun wool yarn to knit with. I used to reenact and made knitted items out of hand spun wool all the time. It is so much nicer to work with than factory spun stuff it is unbelievable. Spin the wheel and sight down the edge of it while it is spinning. If it wobbles, it is warped, if it spins smoothly without vibration it is good to go. I don't yet own my own wheel but it is on the short list of required homesteading items after we get done restoring the farmhouse. It is going right next to the fireplace and I will be able to stay cosy and warm in the winter while I spin away LOL. The other side of the fireplace is where I am going to put my treadle sewing machine (use it exclusively now, packed away the electric one).

As for crocks, I have my grandma's and still use them for the same purposes she did, mostly pickle making. I can understand the OP's angst, every time I see an big old spider pot cast iron pot on one of those ring things hanging in someone's front yard full of dirt and flowers I just cringe. I have Dh's grandmothers, it is clean, seasoned, stored with the rest of the cast iron and gets used every winter (makes really good homemade chili). I like antiques and own a lot of them but, my requirement is that I have to be able to use them. I don't have time or inclincation to have a bunch of stuff sitting around just for looks that has to be dusted.

Hey. FarmBoyBill - someone around here has been looking for horse drawn equipment if those are for sale. If they are, let me know and I will get the info to you.

RebelDigger, you sound like me too. I seldom buy an antique unless it's something I can use.

However, be careful putting your sewing machine and the wheel when you get it near the fireplace. If exposed directly to the heat, it can really dry out and damage the wood.

Mine are for sale if you are interested but it would be a long drive to come see/get one. I just haven't posted them on Barter Board. I'm going to keep 2 maybe 3 that are special to me but due to arthritis and carpal tunnel problems, the others and a lot of my other spinning/weaving goodies are going to find new homes and soon.

Hey Son in Kans. Theres to be a draft horse auction N of Pawnee Okla April 2. There will be draft horses, harness, impliments, wagons and buggies.

a friend gave me one of those cream seperators, I only have a few goats, but she insisted I have it. It was her mothers' i think. but I am thrilled simply to have it. for now, its in my barn, but when we get a good porch where no harm with come to it, it will live there. possibly with a plant in a pot, but maybe not--i like it as it is, not as a planter. I like dairy!

I really care less what happens to rotted out car bodies and old "white goods" meaning junk kitchen appliances and water heaters . Its great those dont end up in some rural roadside ditch.

I hate seeing usable farm machinery or good weldable steel (bar, angle, etc) scrapped to be melted down and sent to China.

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"What would you do with a brain if you had one?" -Dorothy

"Well, then ignore what I have to say and go with what works for you." -Eliot Coleman

Scrappers around here are offering $150 for junk car. That 9N cant be worth that much more, how about I give you $200 and call it a deal. Just think what you could do with all that money, maybe buy 2 bell peppers and a head of iceberg lettuce. Lovely, lovely salad....

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"What would you do with a brain if you had one?" -Dorothy

"Well, then ignore what I have to say and go with what works for you." -Eliot Coleman

That is epic....I usually stay away from and frown upon sig lines...but I have to use that....is that ok.

Let me know and I will take it down if you do not approve.....

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"The OP wasn't saying people shouldn't be allowed to do this; he's saying it grinds his gizzard" -JOSHIE

Maybe the other way around.....Dad had a drinking problem for awhile, but eventuallly he recovered. So, during that time, it may have been her way of saying that the pot of flowers was the only useful thing that fit inside that helmet.



geo

Heck no, I've got $50 worth of oil ON it(not in it)........besides I have to plow the garden in a couple of weeks, and carry dead tree limbs to the burn pile, and lift the fishing dock into the water, and ride the grandkids thru the woods, and haul firewood, and,....and......

I'll mail you some peppers.......

Besides I don't want to be responsible for the ghost of Henly Ford....

geo

Its the American Way. Send good usable or repairable machines to the junk yard for 10 cents a pound because we are too lazy to fix them , or use them, then decide a few months later that we need another one anyway, buy one made in China, India, Pakistan, etc. from our scrap, with some toxic materials added for good measure, resold here for much more than what it is worth, use it for a few more months, get bored with it, let it sit and become nonworking again, and start all over again.
Our ancestors would be proud.

It is very hard to save everything from the scrap bone yard. I have done my darndest to try and help, have saved alot of horse equipment from the scrap man. Drove by the junk yard one day years ago and he had a very old Deering corn binder sitting in the yard, Drove in to see if he would sell it, "sure he says" and 75 dollars later and me gettin my trailer, it now is sitting in my shed. Had another neighbor had a wood wheeled wagon, he called to see if I would buy it. Only 500 dollars he said, a bit steep I said, well the wheels are worth 100 bucks at the antique store he says, so go sell them there I said. I bought it a couple years later on his Auction for 150 dollars, it now sits in another shed, but I do hook the horses up to it a few times a year. And Heritage farm, I have no idea how many cream seperators I have down in the shed, least half dozen. I figured up one day I think I have near or better than a hundred pieces of horse equipment from great shape to junk yard shape. This was one heck of a hobby when I was younger, never saw an auction I didn`t want to go to. I also kringe when I see somebody put stuff in their yard, but it is theirs, and I can`t do anything about it. > Thanks Marc

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Our Diversified Stock Portfolio: cows and calves, alpacas, horses, pigs, chickens, goats, sheep, cats ... and a couple of dogs...
http://springvalleyfarm.4mg.com

Heard and add on the radio yesterday that they were paying 300 for complete cars at the scrap yard. > Marc

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Our Diversified Stock Portfolio: cows and calves, alpacas, horses, pigs, chickens, goats, sheep, cats ... and a couple of dogs...
http://springvalleyfarm.4mg.com

hey Heritage farm - I have some random cream separator pieces including the bowl that I got in a lot of "goat stuff" I was going to use it for a planter....

how about if you toss one of those unwanted nubians in your car and come have a look? I'm sure we can work something out.....

...Don't know about Joshie, but it's OK with me!

Pictures, I need pictures!

Well, you are a long drive away...

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I'm an environmentalist, left wing, Ron Paul loving Prius driver with a farm. If you have a problem with that, kindly go take a leap.

I know, but don't you want to rescue the poor cream separator?