Escape FROM my dream shop

[Chrisb62]

One of the things that I haven't talked too much about is the fact that I took a post retirement "part time" job. I'm a parts driver for a very large construction company

Got to hand it to you @rmack898 taking a part time job for dumpster diving privileges. You are a smart man.......

 

[shortykorte]

See you should have held that welding class you talked about.

 

[rmack898]

taking a part time job for dumpster diving privileges. You are a smart man.

Not the smartest thing I've ever done but I'm resupplying my materials rack.

I finished welding the gate on Saturday and as expected, it kicked my ***. Aleive, hot tub, and single malt offered little relief.
I temporarily moved the gate out to the top of our front driveway just to see how it looks. This is not the place where it will be installed.

Next step is to get it to the sandblaster but before I can do that I have to fix the brakes on my old truck. I'm not looking forward to that as it require more crawling on the floor.

 

[cbacres]

Killer gate. I didn’t see this before Flywheelers, now I know why you were looking at the heavy duty stuff for a latch.

What about a geared rail and gears off a scrapped lathe or similar for a dungeon type latch?

 

[Craptain]

Got to meet the famous gate today.

Actually passing so close that I had to stop by and see Mac and visit his shop while drinking his beer. What a wonderful host.

 

[rmack898]

I had a great visit from Andrew on Saturday. We discussed and solved many issues in both of our shops.

The gate departed yesterday for sandblasting. A friend is getting it done for me as a favor so I'm not sure when I'll get it back.
While I'm waiting, I backed in this boat trailer that I got for free and will start on making it into a small utility trailer.

 

[Finallygotit]

And the anticipation builds.........

 

[bctexas]

I had a great visit from Andrew on Saturday. We discussed and solved many issues in both of our shops.

The gate departed yesterday for sandblasting. A friend is getting it done for me as a favor so I'm not sure when I'll get it back.
While I'm waiting, I backed in this boat trailer that I got for free and will start on making it into a small utility trailer.

If its anything like that gate, you will be able to haul a Mack truck on it....

 

[rmack898]

And the anticipation builds.........

Like Carly Simon singing about ketchup.

I actually thought the gate would be done today but not yet.

If its anything like that gate, you will be able to haul a Mack truck on it....

Isn't it a GJ requirement to over do everything?

The trailer will be a lightweight utility trailer that I can haul with the van or Laura's Outback. It has a single 3000# axle and will have a 6'x9' wooden deck. (Did I just say wood?).

The trailer frame is in pretty good shape. It's made from 4" heavy channel. The trailer is currently 20' long and I will cut it down to 9' with a 3' tongue. I spent 10 hours pretending to be a truck driver today and when I came home I stripped the boat trailer down to a basic frame in about 30 minutes with a M18 cordless grinder and a M12 Hackzall. All the wiring went in the trash but it had new LED lights that I salvaged. The vee shaped cross members will get removed one at a time and replaced with a straight cross member. I think I can do all the modifications with just the material already in the trailer.
I'm thinking that the rest of the week will be short days so maybe I can have this trailer done by the weekend.

 

[rmack898]

I spent the Wednesday and Thursday on the couch not feeling well at all. Today I started driving the roll off truck for my friend picking up and delivering dumpsters. I picked up the first can and took it to the county landfill to dump, when I got out of the truck to open the gate on the can this guy was about 15' away from me watching all the sea gulls feeding on the trash. I'm sure he was just looking to see which gull would be his lunch.

I got home this afternoon and took a portaband to the boat trailer and cut it down to the size I want for my new trailer. I have some design work to do but that will all be based on what I have in my materials pile. The only money I plan on spending for this trailer build will be the wood for the deck and maybe some paint but I thin I might have some paint stashed away somewhere.

I hope to have it all welded up and ready for decking sometime tomorrow afternoon.

 

[bulletpruf]

Looking forward to seeing the cheap utility trailer come together.

 

[rmack898]

Well the trailer work came to a screeching halt. The trailer has these Vee shaped cross members that I am cutting out one by one and replacing with straight cross members to support the new wood deck. I had intended to pie cut the vee cross members and make them straight but by the time I crop them out and straighten them, they come up just a little bit too short.

If this trailer would never see public roads I would make the short cross members work and it would probably be stronger than the junk trailers they sell at Lowes. Since I plan on using this trailer on the road, I'm going to pick up a stick or two of angle and do it right. I'm not going to make a special trip to get metal so the trailer is on hold until I find myself near the steel service center.

While I'm waiting, I started on getting this plate compactor that I bought at auction back in shape. I bought a Predator engine on sale and see how that works.

 

[rmack898]

During the Craptain's recent visit, I was complaining about my twist drill storage issue and how I wish I could find a deal on used Hout dispenser cabinets as I just can't afford new ones on my retired fixed income. Andrew (in his infinite wisdom) persuaded me to buy the VEVOR import dispensers. I thought about it for a few days and pulled the trigger on Amazon for $160

I was quite surprised that they are actually made from thicker metal than the Hout's.
My only complaint is that the the drawers have stickers that indicate the sizes instead of being embossed in the metal like the Hout's. Those with keen eyes will see the error in the fractional cabinet sticker.

It was a badly needed upgrade for the shop and while I prefer not to buy import stuff, I'm not unhappy with them.

 

[cbacres]

During the Craptain's recent visit, I was complaining about my twist drill storage issue and how I wish I could find a deal on used Hout dispenser cabinets as I just can't afford new ones on my retired fixed income. Andrew (inches infinite wisdom) persuaded me to buy the VEVOR import dispensers. I thought about it for a few days and pulled the trigger on Amazon for $160

I was quite surprised that they are actually made from thicker metal than the Hout's.
My only complaint is that the the drawers have stickers that indicate the sizes instead of being embossed in the metal like the Hout's. Those with keen eyes will see the error in the fractional cabinet sticker.

It was a badly needed upgrade for the shop and while I prefer not to buy import stuff, I'm not unhappy with them.

Andrew the enabler!

 

[techkelly]

Ah yes, the infamous 9/31 drill bit. I don't recall ever having a need for that particular size.

 

[boyleged]

I just bought and received their fractional index this week to start my drill organization. I found the partitions to be a little too deep but for 1/3 the price of a Hout I just got at work it works better for me. The Hout we got from MSC last week has sticker labels like the Vevor

 

[zmotorsports]

During the Craptain's recent visit, I was complaining about my twist drill storage issue and how I wish I could find a deal on used Hout dispenser cabinets as I just can't afford new ones on my retired fixed income. Andrew (in his infinite wisdom) persuaded me to buy the VEVOR import dispensers. I thought about it for a few days and pulled the trigger on Amazon for $160

I was quite surprised that they are actually made from thicker metal than the Hout's.
My only complaint is that the the drawers have stickers that indicate the sizes instead of being embossed in the metal like the Hout's. Those with keen eyes will see the error in the fractional cabinet sticker.

It was a badly needed upgrade for the shop and while I prefer not to buy import stuff, I'm not unhappy with them.

Very nice Mac. I would LOVE to have a Huot drill bit organizer but lack the available space and can't justify the expense. Those things are freakin' nice.

 

[cvairwerks]

Ah yes, the infamous 9/31 drill bit. I don't recall ever having a need for that particular size.

That would be an “L” bit....

 

[racer-john]

Well the trailer work came to a screeching halt. The trailer has these Vee shaped cross members that I am cutting out one by one and replacing with straight cross members to support the new wood deck. I had intended to pie cut the vee cross members and make them straight but by the time I crop them out and straighten them, they come up just a little bit too short.

If this trailer would never see public roads I would make the short cross members work and it would probably be stronger than the junk trailers they sell at Lowes. Since I plan on using this trailer on the road, I'm going to pick up a stick or two of angle and do it right. I'm not going to make a special trip to get metal so the trailer is on hold until I find myself near the steel service center.

While I'm waiting, I started on getting this plate compactor that I bought at auction back in shape. I bought a Predator engine on sale and see how that works.

Do you not have a "Metal Supermarket" near you? They will cut to length and deliver.

 

[rmack898]

Do you not have a "Metal Supermarket" near you? They will cut to length and deliver.

ALRO is about 45 minutes away but their prices are very high. Delivery is way too costly.

There are 3 metal service centers to choose from in Jax and all are about an hour away. If I'm going to get metal, I'm getting full sticks and sheets of whatever I'm needing, so I take my big trailer. I would need to spend well over $1k on an order for delivery to be a viable option.

 

[Mark_17]

Any updates?

 

[56vette461]

During the Craptain's recent visit, I was complaining about my twist drill storage issue and how I wish I could find a deal on used Hout dispenser cabinets as I just can't afford new ones on my retired fixed income. Andrew (in his infinite wisdom) persuaded me to buy the VEVOR import dispensers. I thought about it for a few days and pulled the trigger on Amazon for $160

I was quite surprised that they are actually made from thicker metal than the Hout's.
My only complaint is that the the drawers have stickers that indicate the sizes instead of being embossed in the metal like the Hout's. Those with keen eyes will see the error in the fractional cabinet sticker.

It was a badly needed upgrade for the shop and while I prefer not to buy import stuff, I'm not unhappy with them.

Love the Kennedy Box. I have the same box I got as surplus sale from the closure of a local AFB. My only regret is they didn't have a couple more at the sale.

 

[rmack898]

Any updates?

It might take a while and things will be out of sequence so please stand by.

Love the Kennedy Box. I have the same box I got as surplus sale from the closure of a local AFB. My only regret is they didn't have a couple more at the sale.

I bought that Kennedy box off CL full of tools. When I went to pick it up I spent almost 2 hours talking the the seller. The box belonged to his father Bill and all the tools had his name etched on them. Listening to all the stories Bills son told me about Bill I couldn't even haggle on the price and just paid him. To this day I still feel like Bill is helping me in the shop every time I use one if his tools.

 

[bulletpruf]

I bought that Kennedy box off CL full of tools. When I went to pick it up I spent almost 2 hours talking the the seller. The box belonged to his father Bill and all the tools had his name etched on them. Listening to all the stories Bills son told me about Bill I couldn't even haggle on the price and just paid him. To this day I still feel like Bill is helping me in the shop every time I use one if his tools.

That's pretty cool.

 

[rmack898]

Well I can't believe its been 4 months since I said that I would have the little utility trailer done in a week. I actually finished it yesterday.
I didn't realize that going back to work out of retirement again would have me working 5 days a week, 10-12 hours everyday, but that's what I've been doing to help my friend get caught up after losing his last employee and we're finally getting caught up.

I'm happy with the trailer. I got the boat trailer for free, I spent $40 on steel, $160 on lumber, $25 on a new coupler and wiring harness and $10 on paint. For $235 all in and about 20 hours labor I have a nice new trailer that will come in handy so I don't always have to drag out the big trailer when I need to move something.

 

[rmack898]

I never wanted grass when we built the grove but I lost that battle and since we put down the first 4000 sq/ft of sod, we have put an additional 5000 sq/ft and it needs to be cut and I have to do it.
2 years ago I bought a Toro zero turn that needed a deck for $175. I did a quick weld fix on the deck thinking that I would make a new fabricated deck for the mower as a winter project. The second winter came and went and I never made the new deck. I was cutting the grass 2 weeks ago and the deck came unglued for good. Now I had just a few days to build a new mower deck from scratch. Used decks are non-existent and a new replacement deck is cost prohibitive.

Amazon provided me with new spindles, idlers, blades, and a belt for $110.

I started with a cardboard template of the old deck and marking the location of the spindle centers. I transferred the cardboard template to plywood and laid it on top of 11 ga steel, transferred the spindle centers onto the steel and use the plywood template as guide for the plasma torch and cut the new deck top. I cut some 4" wide strips from the 11 ga sheet and welded them to the new deck. Cut the holes for the spindles and transferred the locations and mounts for the idlers. Added a a few brackets for mounting the deck and roller wheels and installed it on the mower.



The whole mower deck project made me realize that I have way too many projects that I have been procrastinating on that I need to get some things done and off my list because I have a bunch of things that I want to start. The list is long

 

[Finallygotit]

Mac, nice job on the deck. And you even painted it!

Now, get back to work.

 

[shortykorte]

Ok that’s interesting, make your own deck. Good job. The trailer looks really nice too.

 

[Jim greengo]

Pack up and head to nebraska,much easier living here!

 

[Johanfpa]

Very nice fabrication work Mac, looks like factory!

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice job on both the utility trailer and the mower deck Mac.

 

[Craptain]

Dang! That mower deck will last longer than you will.
And it's good to see the trailer finished.
I almost dropped by on Saturday, but had to get my crew home and time was short. Maybe it's a good thing I didn't upset your work

 

[bulletpruf]

Nice work on the trailer and mower deck!!!

 

[Bob Heine]

Mac, I'm looking forward to the mower deck upgrades. There's the custom bagging system with mulching block-off plate and the hose connection for cleaning....

 

[rmack898]

Mac, I'm looking forward to the mower deck upgrades. There's the custom bagging system with mulching block-off plate and the hose connection for cleaning....

Bob, the only upgrade this mower deck will see is when I call a lawn service in to relieve me of the grass cutting duties.

Mac, nice job on the deck. And you even painted it!

Now, get back to work.

Thanks Dan, I might not prime but I do paint my projects.

Ok that’s interesting, make your own deck. Good job. The trailer looks really nice too.

Shorty, I figure that trailer will be perfect for when I pillage, I mean visit your new shop.

Very nice fabrication work Mac, looks like factory!

Thanks Johan.

Nice job on both the utility trailer and the mower deck Mac.

Thanks Mike

Dang! That mower deck will last longer than you will.
And it's good to see the trailer finished.
I almost dropped by on Saturday, but had to get my crew home and time was short. Maybe it's a good thing I didn't upset your work

Andrew, your crew will always be as welcome as you here at the Grove. When you're in the area always feel free to stop by and empty my shop fridge.

Nice work on the trailer and mower deck!!!

Thanks, and congrats on your retirement.

 

[rmack898]

As I said earlier, this update is out of sequence.
Sometime back in May a few of us gathered at Craptains shop. There was much haggling, swapping, trading, and even some exchange of currency.

I came home with a nice Lista cabinet that I got from Chris. After measuring twice and buying once, I got it home only to find that it would not fit in the space under my fab table.

I did a bunch of cutting, welding, and painting and I got the Lista cabinet right where I wanted it and life was good.

 

[rmack898]

All is well in my shop and then Laura and I drive up to NJ to go to our niece's wedding, it was a formal affair just outside NYC.



Then we spent a few days getting to meet our new grand daughter for the first time.


We stayed at Trevor's house and I brought up a few things for his shop and he sent me home with a few things for my shop and that's were the problem starts.
He gave me a new Vidmar cabinet that is an inch too wide to fit next to the Lista I just spent all the time modifing the fab table for it to fit under. I have more cutting and welding to do to get the Vidmar in its new home.
I have not cut the bench up yet but it is probably the next thing on the to do list as it will give homes to a bunch of stuff in the shop that still has no home yet.

 

[Chrisb62]

I got it home only to find that it would not fit in the space under my fab table.

Well sorry for the extra work......good thing you had some spare time to make it right.

All is well in my shop and then Laura and I drive up to NJ to go to our niece's wedding, it was a formal affair just outside NYC.

Awesome....you do clean up well.

I have more cutting and welding to do to get the Vidmar in its new home.

I think Shorty is on the prowl for a discounted cabinet.

 

[Craptain]

I think Shorty is on the prowl for a discounted cabinet.

Name a time when Shorty is not looking for discounted anything.

 

[zmotorsports]

Looks like a great trip Mac. And grandkids make all the difference. Wasn't sure I believed all the fuss about grandkids, but the last four months I've had my world turned upside down by the introduction of our grandson. Now I can't get enough of him.