Off-grid in 1936

 
Found this old article about how a farmer electrified his farm in 1936
- for "only" $5000.  That's close to $100k in today's dollarettes.

http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2010/05/03/5000-electrifies-dairy-farm-in-virginia

John

  On 1/20/2011 1:26 PM, Neon John wrote:

http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2010/05/03/5000-electrifies-dairy-farm-in-virginia

 From the Inflation Calculator:

What cost $5000 in 1936 would cost $76578.78 in 2009.

 John,

Did you see the ad on page 4 for "alumaweld"???
Solders aluminum or SS.

Curbie

 No I didn't bother to enlarge the pages.  I just read the text.

Aluminum is fairly easy to solder with conventional solder if you use
the correct technique.  The trick is to get the oxide coating off in a
manner that prevents it from forming again.

My technique is to apply a few drops of liquid electronic soldering
flux and then scrape the surface under the liquid with the end of a
file or what not.  Then with a high wattage iron or gun, apply the
solder to the aluminum through the flux.  Sometimes it helps to kinda
grind in the solder with the iron tip.  Once the surface is tinned, it
solders like any other metal.

John


wrote:

 

Interesting.  I wonder if they have any connection to alumaweld boats ?  
Probably not -- it's an Oregon company that makes primo jet boats, drifters
etc

http://www.alumaweldboats.com/aboutus.asp

My buddy has one and it's nice