July 2007
Monthly Archive
Otsego County Man’s Toy Building Hobby draws visitors from around the World. Don Campbell just finished the cab for this latest Michigan 675 Loader model.
Posted by doncampbellmodels on 31 Jul 2007 | Tagged as: From the Workshop
Otsego County Man’s Toy Building Hobby draws visitors from around the World. Don Campbell just finished the cab for this latest Michigan 675 Loader model.
TEN YEARS OF BUILDING TOYS- When Don Campbell from Gaylord , Michigan ran out of winter projects 10 years ago , he decided to try building toys. This model of a Michigan 675 Loader puts him over the 175 number of different machines he has built models of in the last ten years.
Don started out building farm toys the first seven years. But wanted to try something else like building models of ships or trains or construction machinery.
He did start building one ship model and never completed it, and he did design the first train model on paper , but never cut out the first part, then he sat down and designed the first construction toy and couldn’t stop . He said he just loves the construction equipment !
Three years later Don is still excited as the day he built his first model. Because he builds one of a kind models, each new model is a brand new challenge. Over the last Ten years Don has also been very helpful to others starting to build their own toys.
He always tries to give others tips to get started. Don said he knows of 12 people who are now building toys today from him helping them get started with his tips.
Don is a very friendly person and says his models are far from perfect, but he says it is a labor of love.
His tiny workshop and minimal tools make it pretty amazing the finished pieces that come out of that little space behind his garage.
The one thing he is amazed at the most is that he considers himself ( almost famous ) and he laughs about it.
In a way he is , as he gets regular visitors each week from every state in the U.S. and regular visitors from 90 countries around the world.
When asked how long will he continue to build them, he says he doesn’t know for sure. His real dream is to build half sacle working models/ machines he can actually drive . But for now he is busy working on this latest creation.
Article by Jimmy.
MICHIGAN 675 LOADER CAB UPDATE- I got the cab interior completed and now I will start working on the left rear fender/tank.
Don and Debbie Weight loss progress- Day 17 and we were up early getting our first 3 mile walk in. 90 degree temps the last couple days so we been driving out to the State Park to walk . Much cooler with a nice breeze off the lake.
LOSING WIEGHT AND LOSING FRIENDS- It’s kinda sad as we struggle each day to try to keep going, our friends kinda got mad at us. We can see they are not happy for us, but almost mad. This is not easy to do. We know they are also very heavy and they know they need to do this too. Deb and I will try to get through today and continue to take it one day at a time and we understand how they feel.
I got 3 lbs. of Jelly Belly Sour Jelly Beans in our refrigerator.
I JUST LOVE THEM , Everytime I open the frig, they are calling for me, Eat ME, Eat Me !! And I look down at my big belly and look back at them, and remember two weeks ago and think of my double vision and chest pains, and look at them and nicely say, not today, maybe tomorrow. (:<). NOT !!!!!!!!!!!! They are just jelly beans and they don't know the difference, LOL.
Have a nice Tues.
Metal Artist Don Campbell uses his Lincoln Plasma cutter to cut out windshield opening for Michigan 675 Loader Model
Posted by doncampbellmodels on 30 Jul 2007 | Tagged as: From the Workshop
Metal Artist Don Campbell uses his Lincoln Plasma cutter to cut out windshield opening for Michigan 675 Loader Model
Michigan 675 Mining Machine Cab Progress- Deb took this picture of me this morning as I begain cutting out the front windshield of the loader cab. The other three cab walls were roughed in last week. By tonight the cab should be done and the levers, seat, dash , etc. should be completed.
LINCOLN PLASMA CUTTER-I Iove the Little Lincoln plasma cutter , even though there are a lot of times it just sits on the workbench and is not used, the times when I do use it , it is well worth the investment. I believe I paid about $1,400.00 for it. I also have the Lincoln 225 buzz box stick welder and three small Lincoln wire welders. I’m sure Century , and Hobart make great products too.
DAY 16 weight progress- Deb and I made it through our second weekend of eating healthy with flying colors. We also walked our six miles on Sat. and on Sun.
Deb labeled my clothes in the closet under three catagories,
1. Obese Clothes !
2. Almost Obese Clothes !
3. Don’t Even think About wearing these Clothes !!!!
In just 16 days I am now wearing clothes from the Almost Obese Section, Oh Yea !! , Go Me !!
Today is a new challenge and so far we are doing great again today. It’s sure not easy , and I sure see why so many people are obese today. Being healthy is a little boring, ha,ha.
Any day we could just go get a pie or a cake or a full slab of ribs with homeade fries, and eat it all and committ diet suicide , !!!! (:<)
Jacuzzi nights- With us losing so much weight already, we are enjoying the Jacuzzi again.
Before we would both get in it and when we sat down all the water would flow over the edges and we would just have a little puddle left. Then we would have to refill it everytime, but , now the water just raises to the top edge . Oh Yea !! Feels so good to be in the Almost Obese range , ha,ha, ha.
DIRTIEST JOBS ON TV- There is a TV show called ( Dirtiest Jobs ), and next week the show is going to be about the Mackinaw Bridge . Many of you know we only live 45 minutes from the bridge. So we go up there a lot. Should be fun to watch. It is supposed to air on Aug. 7th , at 9:00 on the Discovery Channel.
Have a nice Mon.
Day Fifteen for Don Campbell eating healthy, still getting more energy back. Sealcoating my driveway this morning.
Posted by doncampbellmodels on 29 Jul 2007 | Tagged as: From the Workshop
Day Fifteen for Don Campbell eating healthy, still getting more energy back. Sealcoating my driveway this morning.
DON AND DEBBIE LOSING WEIGHT UPDATE- What seems like 2 months now, has only been two weeks of our quest for buff bodies again.
You can see my truck behind me in this picture and just 14 days ago , my obese body would have hidden most of my truck, lol
As I sit here eating a cup of Deb’s fresh made cole slaw with a fresh tomato , and fresh cucumbers on top, I am proud to know I am making progress . We have now walked 90 miles since our first day 15 days ago. We are both losing very good and each day gets a little easier. We know to focus on today and not tomorrow because it can end so quick and we find ourselves back to day one again.
Thanks for the nice E-mails and the encouraging words.
SEALING MY DRIVEWAY- Here is a picture Deb took of me this morning of me burning up some unwanted calories. You can see the new pavement at the end of my drieway from the new construction. Everyone on our street got cement instead of blacktop at the ends , evidently they got a cheaper bid for the concrete than the blacktop.
MICHIGAN 675 LOADER BUCKET TEETH - The bucket is done and turned out great. Next I will build and put in the bushings for the dump brackets .
14 DEAD ANIMALS IN GAYLORD MANS FREEZER UPDATE- Fifty year old Rich Blackmore plays in a local rock band and is a DJ at a area Country Music Radio Station. So he is not considered , WACKED !!, but after finding all those dead animals in his house and the fact he lived their too, I almost think Rich Blackmore is WACKED !!!
The Police are investigating and have given them 48 hours to start cleaning up that house.
We went by last night and nothing looked changed. Sounds like the city is taking bides to tear down the house. What is weird is that there are $200,000 +dollar homes directly behind it.
DON’S SUNDAY WISDOM- I believe in God and I believe in Jesus. and I believe I am a Christian .
But I do not believe that alone will get me to Heaven. I think living it 7 days a week and sharing God’s word with others is neccessary to get to Heaven .
The Bible says only a few will make it to Heaven.
Sad to say , many people who call themselves Christians for a hour on Sunday morning and do nothing else , may be in for a surprise, including me. As I struggle with my weight and never give up, I also struggle with my Christian walk and will never give up !!
BELIEVE IN GOD AND YOU’LL BELIEVE IN MIRACLES,
BELIEVE IN HIS SON AND YOU’LL EXPERIENCE ONE !
Have a nice Sunday with the ones you love.