Random Thought of the Day

I vaguely remember the oily rags warning when I was kid.

But people still burn down their houses when a linseed oil rag spontaneously catches fire as it is evaporating.

Quote: rxwine

I vaguely remember the oily rags warning when I was kid.

But people still burn down their houses when a linseed oil rag spontaneously catches fire as it is evaporating.

I think it has to be a pile of rags, and what happens is oxidation. Oxidation puts off heat, and in a pile, that heat can build.

Quote: odiousgambit

I think it has to be a pile of rags ....

Nope!!!! As one hard working waitress found out just ONE rag used to wipe linseed oil was enough to set her virtually fully constructed brand new log home on fire. And she shortly afterwards found out that since the structure had not been slept in for at least one night it was NOT legally a home (old common law rule) and that her homeowners policy was therefore worthless. Sad news for someone who lives on tips and had sweat-equitied her log home to the 99.9 percent complete state. One mistake with a rag and it burned furiously. One mistake with her insurance broker and she wasted her money. Just one mistake.

There are a few Star Trek original series eps I've never seen.

Does new driver training still tell people to be sure and set the hand brake when parking?

These days, you can't get the keys out of the ignition unless you put it in park. That's clearly sufficient, although I sometimes use the hand brake if it is somewhat steep. I like the brake holding then, it as sometimes shifting out of park gets balky. Plus, well, it seems safer.

I knew someone once who learned from a trainer in the UK [I think it was]. They were even taught to always use the hand brake at a red light while waiting. Apparently the idea was to help prevent a car that was hit from behind from hitting the car in front. Although i guess that makes sense, it amuses me to think that it was taught, as clearly even those taught that way soon ditch the idea.

As would anyone taught to use the hand brake today, in addition to putting it in park, I have to think.

I have a manual tranny, I always use
the brake when parking.

Quote: Evenbob

I have a manual tranny, I always use
the brake when parking.

well, OK, but you know, when driving one of those I usually just leave it in low gear or reverse on nearly flat surfaces.

You always apply the brake on a
manual when parked so you never
have to think about it when you start
it. You never have to look at anything
because no matter what you know the
car isn't moving. It becomes habit in
a very short time, like putting on the
seat belt.

If you ever had a car start rolling downhill after you parked it (raises hand) you learn your lesson quite quickly.

Most of my cars have been manual drives.

It's not the steep San Francisco grade hills that get you, it's those barely sloped ones.

A car can actually appear motionless at first on those. (raises hand again)