Roger's Fix-n-Tricks: Blogging on Automotive Mechanics, Woodworking, and Gardening

I've been a mechanic, handyman, and general all around "Mister Fix it" for as long as I can remember. At 53 years old, and looking to a 54th in a matter of weeks, there's never been a job too hard or difficult that I would not endeavor to overcome and master. I've always been that way. So today, I've decided to forge into a different sphere and 'try my hand' at a new challenge. Blogging. For those who don't know me, allow me to introduce myself, and what I intend this blog to be about.

My name is Roger Bullard, and I have been self employed for all of my life, generally speaking. I've been married for more than 30 years, and have two grown children. In my own childhood, growing up within a blended family of 'his children', 'her children', and 'their children', meant there were many mouths to feed -- and as a result, it was common for my dad to get us boys up early and work on a motor swap, doing a head gasket job, or any number of tasking "mechanic" work. By the time I was 17, I was a senior in high school and working part time in a Diesel Shop, and from there went on to learn the trade, even to learning the lucrative business of building diesel fuel pumps for tractors, trucks, and other diesel vehicles. Ultimately I ended up opening my own diesel shop by the time I was 23 and newly married.

Since that time I have expanded my knowledge base to troubleshooting and repairing not only diesel pumps and other diesel vehicular repairs, but also troubleshooting and repairing all types of vehicles, regardless of the type of fuel system, or computer diagnostics required (or not required). I remember back in the day when you had to really troubleshoot a vehicle -- when you didn't have the computer technology they have now to "do it for you". You really had to "know" by "experience" how to "rule out" certain causes for whatever was occurring. Too many mechanics today rely solely on computer diagnostics -- and they are helpful and have their place -- but try using that on an 80's model jeep that doesn't give diagnostic codes and you will quickly see who really has what it takes to troubleshoot and repair something, and who doesn't. For vehicles, the mantra is "fuel, fire, and compression." Rule out two, and you've narrowed it down considerably. Know how a vehicle system works, and you can go from there to discovering what the true problem is. Know some tricks of the trade, and you've found a niche and are the "go-to" guy. That's what 30+ years as an experienced mechanic buys you. That is one aspect I will be speaking on from time to time and sharing what tips and tricks might benefit you.

The other aspect I will share will be on a passion I've found in my spare time: Wood-working, carpentry, crafts, and general all around making things. I've been doing this for as long as I've been married when I bought my very first table saw, router, and jig saw to make wood craft Christmas presents for family. I have a shop full of tools now and have graduated to making some very unique items. Some of these can be seen at my wife's Etsy store, Terra & Timber Treasures, here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TerraTimberTreasures?ref=hdr_shop_menu
So from time to time, and as I do so, I will also be sharing 'how-to' projects as I'm making crafts for the wife to sell in her store, or just making stuff to make, because the hobbyist mind starts kicking in.

Lastly, I will be sharing what I'm working on in the garden. Yes, you heard that right -- not only do I have a grease covered, saw-dust covered thumb, but it's a green thumb to boot. LOL Somehow that reminds me of being 'tarred and feathered', but in this instance, I think that's a good thing -- at least that's what the wife tells me.

I've planted a garden every year now for over 10 years, and this year for example, we put up more than a hundred quarts of canned vegetables from our garden. Over the years I have learned a few tips and tricks as well as things to avoid. Just this year, I learned it's best not to store mason jars in an outdoor shed. Yeah. Not a good idea. It seems glass jars weaken and can break in canning when they've been subjected to extreme temperature fluctuations. Oh well....lesson learned.

To conclude this already long introduction, I want to say that I will be writing weekly, and sometimes more often than that, on whatever event is going on during the week. But I can pretty much assure you guys it will be in one of the above three general areas. Fix-it tricks and trade how-to's are my specialty and my passion, so most of what I write about will be on these subjects. If you have any questions about anything in these areas, feel free to ask. It gives me food for thought, and fodder for blogging. =)

Until then,
Roger is out in the shop if you need him. =)