DAVE & REBECCA'S BIG ADVENTURE travel blog

We pulled into our Boondockers Welcome space

Jerrid explains about the poplar wood used for their exceptional products

Our host shows us the CNC machine used to cut out the...

Blank pop guns routed from poplar wood

Blank swords routed from poplar wood

Edges are routed for a smooth finish that won’t splinter and hurt...

Rebecca checks the finish and certifies it “great”

Then a barrel is added

Jerrid explains the process

Texas made in several colors

Custom or generic labels can be burned into the handle

Yup !

Though unfinished, a sword for your knight or damsel

With an accompanied shield, makes a great set.... think Dungeons and Dragons...

Our host Gary, Porta-Deck shows us a drill press used in the...

They use metals, screws and attachments that don’t rust or fade in...

These are metal tread material, you won’t slip on this!

There are many sizes, cut to length metals used for that “Just...

Welded hand rail brackets.

Some have to be welded and others have to be riveted.

Riveting allows the pieces to move or flex when needed.

A welding bench for exact fit and finish

Complete deck bases fold up nice and compact for transportation in RV...

A Deck and Steps system all setup, notice how small the pieces...

You can buy just the step set if you’d like, notice how...

Complete set of steps for trying out, they collapse like an accordion...

Our friends after a great catfish dinner, we bid adieu til we...


Made the 175 mile drive due North from Livingston to Canton, which is along I-20. We’re staying at a Boondockers Welcome hosting place. We have long time friends who live locally to meet for dinner.

As it turns out, our Boondockers Welcome hosts have a small, light industrial manufacturing business and we’re always interested in good ol’ American ingenuity! So, shortly after arriving and while we were setting up we asked them if we could have a tour of the business. Our host, Jerrid and family own Kraft-Tyme Inc. Shortly after we began, the tour, it occurred to us, when you see some items on the store shelves, it may not dawn on you but, there’s a person, family and employees behind that product. We got an up close and personal view of how ol’ fashioned “Pop guns” are made! ! ! Dave had one when he was little, his boys all had them when they we were small tykes, too! So, here it is, where the best Proudly American made in Texas, Pop Guns! This family has been making this product and others for more than 26 years. Along the way, he explained the differences between Texas made and Chinese made. They use poplar wood as the best for these toys, as it doesn’t splinter and is soft in the hand, unlike pitchy, heavy, splintery pine. Pay a little more get the best! You won’t be disappointed ! Enjoy the pictures and go buy some for your grandkids. Think Dungeons and Dragons or Game of Thrones props! Proudly sold at Buckeyes gas stations and other fine museums.

Next, we met up with our friends. They also have a light manufacturing business locally. Actually, this one is in Emory, Texas about 25 miles away from Canton. Many of you have noticed the nice metal steps and deck we use for our setup on the RV sites. Once again, there’s a person, family and employees behind that product. For those who have mobility issues, comes this idea to help people easily get into and out of their RV’s! Proudly American made in Texas the RV-CO Porta-Deck and Porta-Steps. All these fold and store compactly for travel or storage. We really like ours that we’ve owned since 2014! There is a Porta product for nearly every need and application! Another American success story, now having been made for more than 7 years. For more information, go to: www.rv-co.com there’s also some YouTube videos about setting them up..

Our stay for this one night went well. We recommend Boondockers Welcome organization for those times when you just need 1 to 3 nights to rest from the road or to see something interesting.

Share |