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Chris - The easiest part is removal of the vertical picket - cut it out w/ a sazall, handsaw or jigsaw. The harder part is installation of the new vertical picket. You'll likely need to remove a top cap from a vertical post. The cap might be secured with an adhesive i.e. silicone, double-sided tape, single-sided tape, etc. If the contractor used vinyl pipe cement - you know - the purple & blue PVC vinyl cements, track them down & beat them to a pulp cause you'll never remove the cap. At any rate, to remove a cap, you can use a brand new razor blade in a utility knife to cut out any adhesive best you can. Go around the edges of the cap from the underside with a drift/screwdriver, etc. & hammer upwards from the bottom - working your way all around the bottom edge of the cap until you can pop it off. Once off, you'll note how the contractor likely secured the top horizontal (hand) rail. If you (often) see a screw, the screw generally is a "stop" which essentially stops the (hand) rail from moving/sliding back & forth. Remove that screw. Possibly you may need to remove two post caps - can't tell from your picture. I can see the type fence they installed in your backyard with vertical post caps. It's going to be one or a couple vertical post caps which you'll need to remove in order to lift the top rail to install the new vertical picket.
Chris - The easiest part is removal of the vertical picket - cut it out w/ a sazall, handsaw or jigsaw. The harder part is installation of the new vertical picket. You'll likely need to remove a top cap from a vertical post. The cap might be secured with an adhesive i.e. silicone, double-sided tape, single-sided tape, etc. If the contractor used vinyl pipe cement - you know - the purple & blue PVC vinyl cements, track them down & beat them to a pulp cause you'll never remove the cap. At any rate, to remove a cap, you can use a brand new razor blade in a utility knife to cut out any adhesive best you can. Go around the edges of the cap from the underside with a drift/screwdriver, etc. & hammer upwards from the bottom - working your way all around the bottom edge of the cap until you can pop it off. Once off, you'll note how the contractor likely secured the top horizontal (hand) rail. If you (often) see a screw, the screw generally is a "stop" which essentially stops the (hand) rail from moving/sliding back & forth. Remove that screw. Possibly you may need to remove two post caps - can't tell from your picture. I can see the type fence they installed in your backyard with vertical post caps. It's going to be one or a couple vertical post caps which you'll need to remove in order to lift the top rail to install the new vertical picket.
Norm - Thank you for the great instructions, but in my case, I do not think I am going to need to remove the Top Cap. Check out the 1st pic below with the Top Cap removed. There is nothing on the inside of the vinyl post but the 4"x4" wooden post that the vinyl post covers. There are no screws or nuts/bolts that need to be accessed interior to the vinyl post. Reference the 2nd pic, and you will notice the metal brackets attached to the Top Rail, and the screws that attach the Top Rail to the Post. The screws are long and go thru the vinyl post and into the wooden post inside. It is a great idea just to cut the broken post out which I'll do. Then after I get the end metal bracket loose, I'm hoping there will be enough play in the Top Rail to push it up at least a little and pop the new picket in without having to take apart the other end? If I have to take apart the other end I will, but I'm hoping I don't have to.
Chris - OK. Well that's another style and honestly a complete "cake walk". Remove one or both horizontal end brackets, raise the rail, remove the broken vertical picket, install new vert. picket, re-attach end bracket & horiz. rail.
Chris, I sure hope you can make that happen- would love to see you and Dawn!
Greg - Me too buddy, me too, we would love to see you guys too! While my Reunion is important to me, because none of us are getting any younger, I am more concerned with Dawn getting to see her Dad. I'm not sure how old he is, but he's got to be in his early to mid-80's, and Dawn hasn't seen him since our wedding 15-years ago. After he was divorced from Dawn's Mom, he met a gal in St.Louis who was from up there and they moved up there probably 45-years ago. He was always pretty reclusive, but his wife passed away a couple of years ago and he is even more reclusive now, and really has no immediate family to watch out for him. Dawn and her Brother have tried to get him to move back here, but to no avail. We worry about him, but what can you do?
I got out relatively early, got the Top Rail loose on the end nearest the broken picket and there was enough play to get the broken picket out without taking the other end loose. Nice! Then, before Dawn had left, I told her I would be running sometime this morning to get a replacement picket at the fence store. Then she said, "You know, I think there were a few extra pickets like that from when they built the deck, and I have them saved in the basement somewhere." We went downstairs and I actually found them (pic), there were 3. Even nicer! Now back outside to get it back together before it gets blistering, or a dog falls off the deck! 🤪
Got the new picket in, the railing back together, and my tools put away. Norm called it earlier when he said it should be a "cake walk". Glad he was right! 😃
Been a good day so far. Took the alternate route to work and then when I got to the airport saw that my exit was open and not jammed up. Oh well, I'm taking the other way the rest of the week just in case. Can't ever tell what's going to happen around here.
The guy that sits behind me is off, so his wall guy has been giving me wheels. So I have three wall guys. He also had a stack left from yesterday, and with another guy giving me wheels now and then, not to mention my own guys, I had a stack going for three full hours. Hit the morning break with 56 wheels, and now at lunch have 87. That's at least half of what we have done so far.
Chris glad the deck was so easy. You don't need to doubt your abilities. You're smart enough to figure things out, as evidenced by this morning's activity.
Sounds like we have the makings of a second TNGMT gathering. If you have it next week I can go because I'll already be up there. Well, in Ohio. That's closer than Georgia.
My neighbor the hot rodder complained that I blew a bunch of grass out onto the street yesterday when I mowed. He said it is slick to ride his motorcycle over. Then he said he was kidding and he didn't care. Well, I know this guy and he was probably serious a little. So after work I'm gonna go sweep the street. I don't have a leaf blower.
Okay gonna have a bit of a nap until lunch is over. Have a good day everyone.
Hit the morning break with 56 wheels, and now at lunch have 87. That's at least half of what we have done so far.
Chris glad the deck was so easy. You don't need to doubt your abilities. You're smart enough to figure things out, as evidenced by this morning's activity.
Sounds like we have the makings of a second TNGMT gathering. If you have it next week I can go because I'll already be up there. Well, in Ohio. That's closer than Georgia.
Mike - Sounds like you're having one helluva productive day at work! 👍
Thanks for the comment that I shouldn't doubt my abilities, I appreciate it! I've never been much of a handyman, but I'm getting better. Dawn is a much better handyman than I am!
What TNGMT gathering are you referring to? If you're referring to the banter between Greg and I about me needing to get up to Michigan for a visit, that's quite a ways out in the future, like 2-yrs out, although I'd certainly like to get up there sooner!
Ya Chris that's what I meant. I was being wise because I'll be close by next week. Some years ago several of us met up downtown Atlanta and spent the day together. A couple even flew down from Ohio. We had a really nice day.
I've got a list somewhere of all the Classic Oldsmobile people I've met. I think there's 7 or 8 people on it. One guy who isn't on the list I almost met, he's in Colorado and I was flying out and wanted to stop by his place, but I stood by for a flight all damn day and ended up going home. I did talk to him on the phone, though.
Ya Chris that's what I meant. I was being wise because I'll be close by next week. Some years ago several of us met up downtown Atlanta and spent the day together. A couple even flew down from Ohio. We had a really nice day.
Mike - Thanks, I get it now, sometimes I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed. Are you going up to Ohio for the annual Amphicar get together?
Some years ago (7/8?) I stayed one night at the West Bank Inn (hotel) in Celina, OH. The hotel was brand new, I think - maybe one year old. I was on my Indian riding to Wisconsin & it was ~1/2 way point. I think it's maybe the same lake where they have the Amphicar thingie?
Chris - Sounds like a bonus deal on the decking fence/rail. Already had three new pickets in the basement & an easy walk in the park installation. That works.
Chris - Sounds like a bonus deal on the decking fence/rail. Already had three new pickets in the basement & an easy walk in the park installation. That works.
Yep, it couldn't have worked out any easier or better!
I'm going to do everything in my power to build some time into our itinerary to see you and Dan
. Well bucko, we need to make it happen. My 50th is this September. should be interesting. There are a couple of guys that I would like to see again, they moved soon after graduating.
John, I like your camera case. . Well bucko, we need to make it happen. My 50th is this September. should be interesting. There are a couple of guys that I would like to see again, they moved soon after graduating.
Dan - I hope you have a great time at your's. I've always had a good time at mine in the past. I went to a very small, rural Highschool, only 79 in my graduating class, and we were a pretty tight-knit group. I'm gonna try like hell to be there! Who knows, I'd really like to get up there before then???
Well not the whiz-bang start of yesterday, but it's steady. We've got lots of nose wheels coming up so things should start getting busy.
Yes that is the lake for the Amphicar club gathering. And that's why I'm going to Ohio. Celina is a nice little town, very military-ish. Lots of legion-type places, lots of old military vehicles on display. The lake is rather large but not very deep. We've been going there for about 25 years and I really wish we would do something different. But the place we hang out(The Eagles) opens the place up to us, doesn't charge us for the big meeting room, we can use there boat ramp. And we are there during the lake fest.
John my high school closed as well. It was all political. There were 3 schools in the district. Ours was the original. I'm not sure exactly what the motivation was to close, it was a near even vote, but one of the reasons they said was it was an old building and falling apart and it wasn't safe for students. Then afterward they ran an ad in the paper for someone to buy the place because it was an excellent place for large groups. Clowns.
Taking Mom to Publix after work. She said she needs things for her trip. Maybe she's taking groceries to my sister. Probably get Awful house out of the trip.
Okay got a few wheels stacking up. Hope everyone has a great day.
I attended a parochial grade school & parochial H.S. & was taught by a cloister of sexually suppressed women. They began introducing some occasional token lay persons during this period (1960s). My graduating class was 110. I attended my 25 yr. class reunion. The 50 yr. class reunion was a tad bit shady w/ regards to how they were putting it together & I elected not to attend - no biggie. Both my grade school & H.S. remain standing & operate as institutes of learning; although, the faculty/staff is entirely lay persons now.
I attended a parochial grade school & parochial H.S. & was taught by a cloister of sexually suppressed women. They began introducing some occasional token lay persons during this period (1960s). My graduating class was 110. I attended my 25 yr. class reunion.
Norm - We had 4 neighbor kids that lived kitty-corner across the street from us that attended the Catholic School located in downtown Battle Creek. One of the boys was my age, and one was my brother's age and we were all pretty good friends. They absolutely hated parochial school. I felt sorry for them, I think I would have hated it too.
My Highschool Class has had a Reunion every 5-years since we graduated. I had made it to 8 in a row until I missed the last one. They are pretty simple affairs. Usually some kind of informal gathering at a park or local watering hole on Friday afternoon/evening and then dinner at a decent restaurant on Saturday.
Norm - We had 4 neighbor kids that lived kitty-corner across the street from us that attended the Catholic School located in downtown Battle Creek. One of the boys was my age, and one was my brother's age and we were all pretty good friends. They absolutely hated parochial school. I felt sorry for them, I think I would have hated it too.
To the credit of both my grade school & H.S. Alma Maters the education I received was unparalleled. Likely, more than anything else they instilled (beat you into submission) ownership, responsibility, discipline, morals & extraordinary study habits. Brother two yrs. younger than me hated it. Mom & Dad let him finish at the public schools. Youngest brother (10 yrs my junior) attended only public schools. Honestly, I walked away w/ the better end of the deal. I know Mom & Dad saved some $$ cause it wasn't cheap paying for parochial schools, bus, lunch, etc.
To the credit of both my grade school & H.S. Alma Maters the education I received was unparalleled. Likely, more than anything else they instilled (beat you into submission) ownership, responsibility, discipline, morals & extraordinary study habits. Brother two yrs. younger than me hated it. Mom & Dad let him finish at the public schools. Youngest brother (10 yrs my junior) attended only public schools. Honestly, I walked away w/ the better end of the deal. I know Mom & Dad saved some $$ cause it wasn't cheap paying for parochial schools, bus, lunch, etc.
Norm - I'm sure you got a much better primary and secondary education than most of us for sure!
Some of you have been posting about how your former schools have closed. Mine has not closed, but they did do a major consolidation about 15-years ago. They permanently closed the Middle School (5th - 8th grades), sending the 5th and 6th grade kids to the Elementary School building and 7th and 8th grade kids to the Highschool. This was done because of declining enrollment and to reduce costs. My Dad had taught PE at the Elementary in the morning, and at the former Middle School in the afternoon. After he had passed from cancer, both the Elementary and Middle Schools put up memorial plaques in his honor outside the entrances to the gymnasiums. When they closed the Middle School there was still an Office Admin there who had known my Dad, and respected him and our family enough to make sure the plaque was taken down and shipped to me here in St. Louis. It was one of the nicest and most touching things anyone has ever done for me! His other memorial plaque is still up outside the gymnasium at the Elementary School and I took my girls by there just to see it when they were around 11 or 12.
Thunder/lightning and extremely heavy rain here right now. Raining so hard the gutters on the house behind me cannot keep up with the amount of water coming off the roof! (Pic)
Dawn's up the street cleanly house for our elderly friends. Monty has retreated to his safe space, the hallway bathroom. He won't come out until after it's quiet for quite awhile. At least I don't have to worry about him getting enough Oxygen since he had his surgery. I'm guessing this rain is gonna push back the start of our Siding replacement. There was a chance they might start tomorrow but I'm sure this rain has squashed that chance.
I went out to mow about 9:30 and had barely got started when the guy came with the Vinyl Siding replacement materials. I had to stop mowing and move some vehicles around so he could unload it in a spot where I could still get both the daily driver and the 4-4-2 out. That set me back a bit, and it was getting pretty warm and was super humid by the time I got done around 1230. I was feeling a little queasy when I got done and had probably let myself get a little too warm. Felt better after about an hour back in the A/C and a couple of waters. Glad it's done!
Dawn's got Ham & Beans in the crockpot for dinner and will make some cornbread to go with it when she gets home. I'm looking forward to that!
Hope everone has had a nice day and has a relaxing evening!
Some of you have been posting about how your former schools have closed. Mine has not closed, but they did do a major consolidation about 15-years ago. They permanently closed the Middle School (5th - 8th grades), sending the 5th and 6th grade kids to the Elementary School building and 7th and 8th grade kids to the Highschool. This was done because of declining enrollment and to reduce costs. My Dad had taught PE at the Elementary in the morning, and at the former Middle School in the afternoon. After he had passed from cancer, both the Elementary and Middle Schools put up memorial plaques in his honor outside the entrances to the gymnasiums. When they closed the Middle School there was still an Office Admin there who had known my Dad, and respected him and our family enough to make sure the plaque was taken down and shipped to me here in St. Louis. It was one of the nicest and most touching things anyone has ever done for me! His other memorial plaque is still up outside the gymnasium at the Elementary School and I took my girls by there just to see it when they were around 11 or 12.
Originally Posted by slantflat
What a nice thing to say! A nice addition to the new sitting room...
I've had a couple occasions when it's extremely hot I'll have squatted down marking my ball then stand up (maybe too fast) and it's like the lights are about to go out.
I've had a couple occasions when it's extremely hot I'll have squatted down marking my ball then stand up (maybe too fast) and it's like the lights are about to go out.
Yes, heat exhaustion is nothing to mess around with!
I just can't get anything done outside. Lots of rain here. The rain barrel on the gutter overflow filled, so I ran out and got the siphon going to put the 55 gallons plus whatever out in the yard.
Microwave quit again. Different pattern of failure. Maybe the capacitor went. I can use it in oven mode for my needs, but I will throw a couple parts at it.
I just can't get anything done outside. Lots of rain here. The rain barrel on the gutter overflow filled, so I ran out and got the siphon going to put the 55 gallons plus whatever out in the yard.
Microwave quit again. Different pattern of failure. Maybe the capacitor went. I can use it in oven mode for my needs, but I will throw a couple parts at it.
When it rains, it pours, literally in your case! Hope you get the microwave working right again.
Chris, that was a nice tribute to your dad. I was talking to my longtime buddy tonight, checking to see if he was going to hit a couple of car shows this weekend. His 50th class reunion was last Saturday. He lived a block from me, and went to public schools through eight grade, then went to a catholic school. When we were young and hitting the bars in our early 20's, we went to a local watering hole, and half of the guys there went to the catholic high school. we tore around a bit back then, and many became friends. Well, when their 5th year reunion came up, they insisted that I go, because I was one of them, and no one would care. I politely declined (no reason to **** of an eagle eyed nun!) many of these guys I have not seen in years, and I told my buddy that it would be good to get together sometime for a beer and a burger.
Thanks Dan! Sounds like a fun bunch of guys you used to hang with back in the day. I hope you get the opportunity to get together with them again in the near future.
I hope you're able to get out to a car show this weekend. There's really only one here I know of this weekend that's even relatively close and it's 70-miles away. The good news is it's about 80% interstate which the car does just fine in even when it's in the mid-90's. It's when stopping at lights going through towns when things start to get a little hairy as far as potentially overheating. It's supposed to be 94° on Sunday when this Show is, but that's 3° cooler that the last 2 times I've had it out. Right now the forecast is pretty good in regard to potential for rain. We'll see, I'm still thinking about it?
Last edited by Dream67Olds442; Jul 17, 2025 at 06:47 PM.
Chris, I am sure you and family are very proud of your Dad, as you should be. Now we know why you are Ralph- Ralph Jr ! That also is something to be proud of. Dan, I am still trying to figure out a date to go to the Mid Michigan Motorplex that will work for me and my buddies. Are they having--- NO , I was going to ask if that pure stock racing thing was going on this year, but since Hemmings Muscle Car mag is kapoot, it prolley is too... I will let you know and hope you will come. The shelter is still open at the township hall, I did a 8am to 8pm shift yesterday and doing another today, It is really boring. They are asking for people for Sat and Sun, and hopefully all will have a place to go and it will shut down Monday.
