ZMotorsports Shop Projects 2.0

[Bigblue&Goldie]

And that's the look when he's staring at the love of his life......


The paper towel holder is badass! I thought at first you were doing mods to the snowblower!

 

[zmotorsports]

And that's the look when he's staring at the love of his life......


The paper towel holder is badass! I thought at first you were doing mods to the snowblower!

Thanks Ryan. I think that con rod is as large as the block of the snowblower engine though. It would take some ingenuity to make that work. But then again.....

 

[PugetDude]

There is only one right way and that is fed from the back, NOT over the top. My house, my rules.

Probably puts ketchup on hot dogs, too.

 

[Firstram]

Probably puts ketchup on hot dogs, too.

Or has cats, they will unroll the whole thing if if it's on there properly!

 

[zmotorsports]

Probably puts ketchup on hot dogs, too.

Ya got me Scott. Yes, I'm a ketchup guy and NOT a mustard guy.

Or has cats, they will unroll the whole thing if if it's on there properly!

Oh HELL NO! Not animals in our home, but I've seen the same thing with small children which is one of the reasons I put them on the way I do. The other is with a large roll and going over the top, is tightens and locks downward when unrolling until the outer diameter decreases slightly. With the roll being used from underneath, it slightly lifts or unloads the roll allowing easy removal without binding.

Seems like a no-brainer to me.

 

[SilverJimmy]

Ok Mike, I get that you’re probably NOT going to give my GMC any love, so maybe you’ll give me a bit of advice? With the onset of this miserable season called Winter, my 06 now thinks it needs glow plugs. Any advise on R&R on them? I’ve been told by several guys that have done them before that when you go to remove them, the initial pop will make you have a “aw ****, it just broke off in the head” moment! So do you have any tricks or tips on this job?
TIA!

 

[Finallygotit]

Probably puts ketchup on hot dogs, too.

NOOOOO!!!!! NEVER!!!!! Ketchup on hot dogs is just wrong!!!! Whomever thought putting ketchup on hot dogs was a good idea should be taken out back and shot. I'm sorry but I have to draw the line here. GAAAAHHHH!!!

(I bet you'll never guess where I was born and brought up?)

 

[zmotorsports]

Ok Mike, I get that you’re probably NOT going to give my GMC any love, so maybe you’ll give me a bit of advice? With the onset of this miserable season called Winter, my 06 now thinks it needs glow plugs. Any advise on R&R on them? I’ve been told by several guys that have done them before that when you go to remove them, the initial pop will make you have a “aw ****, it just broke off in the head” moment! So do you have any tricks or tips on this job?
TIA!

Sterling, no real tips per se. I've found it easier by removing the inner fenders for access then give them a soak the night before with Kroil, BP Blaster or your choice of penetrant then when it comes time to remove, after removing the nut and electrical terminal, make absolutely sure you are on the head of the glow plug fully and use a longer ratchet for better control. I have not really had any issues, but yes, that initial crack when it comes loose makes you think it broke off.

I also put a very small amount of anti-seize on the threads when reinstalling and torquing the new ones.

 

[zmotorsports]

NOOOOO!!!!! NEVER!!!!! Ketchup on hot dogs is just wrong!!!! Whomever thought putting ketchup on hot dogs was a good idea should be taken out back and shot. I'm sorry but I have to draw the line here. GAAAAHHHH!!!

(I bet you'll never guess where I was born and brought up?)

Sorry to disappoint ya Dan. Ketchup to me is like the Frank's Red Hot Sauce commercials, I put that **** on everything. Well, almost everything.

 

[SilverJimmy]

Ya got me Scott. Yes, I'm a ketchup guy and NOT a mustard guy.

Is it really wrong to like both? And maybe a little relish too? Have to get some veggies in there!

 

[02Xterra]

Nice work on the paper towel holder! I have some spare parts laying around, might just have to work up something similar.

 

[Dodge]

Mike: In your post #9835, the picture of the towel holder slug mounted on your cabinet, is that you in the photo on the wall with a motorcycle and a girl, assuming your wife, or future wife?

 

[Bob Heine]

Is it really wrong to like both? And maybe a little relish too? Have to get some veggies in there!

Sterling, I put lots of stuff on hot dogs. Ketchup, mustard, relish, diced pickled jalapeno peppers, raw or cooked onions, chili and cheese. Usually means I need a spork or spoon to handle the spillage. For fun I sometimes use mustard that has horseradish or hot peppers in it. On a special day wasabi or Russian mustard might also be involved.

 

[Scuderia-F1]

I do like the nice detail of using an AJPE rod Mike! ;-)

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike: In your post #9835, the picture of the towel holder slug mounted on your cabinet, is that you in the photo on the wall with a motorcycle and a girl, assuming your wife, or future wife?

Very observant. Yes, that is my wife standing behind my son on one of our bike rides over the Million Dollar Highway (Hwy 550) between Ouray and Silverton a few years back.

 

[zmotorsports]

I do like the nice detail of using an AJPE rod Mike! ;-)

Thanks Anders. I just wish I could say it was a connecting rod out of one of my engines.

 

[zmotorsports]

Last night before cleaning up my machine tools and shop from the previous project I figured while the mill already had chips on it that I would cut some notches in the vertical bandsaw guide that I fabricated a few weeks back.


I set it up in the mill vise and found center. I used a 3/4" end mill and moved in .500" increments from center coming down and touching off then cutting to a depth of about .100", basically just until the tool was cutting at full width across the step. I would then move another .500", touch off and cut the same. I did this pretty much by feel other than the .500" increments in the X axis. I didn't think it was as critical to get each step the exact same depth as they will get nicked and cut up over the years to come but I wanted to see how closely I could "eyeball" it while I was at it.


I ended up moving 5 inches in either direction of center which brought me out to the handles. Once the steps were cut I moved back to center and switched to a .250" cutter and put a small recess in the middle of the tool.


After cutting the steps and looking at it I realized it actually looked quite symmetrical and wanted to see how close I was. I measured the last step in either direction.


And found I was just barely over .003" deviation end to end over a 10" span. I can live with that.


Over to the vise where I took a file and deburred the edges.


Completed.


As I was finishing up the guide tool, I got a weather alert on my phone for snow squalls. There was blue sky when I was driving home but we were expecting a winter storm later in the evening. I decided to step outside and see what the commotion was about and I just had to get a picture of the odd-looking sky just before the storm hit. About 20-minutes later a weather alert came over the radio stating snow squalls and high winds and about that time the shop doors started going crazy as the winds kicked up. I opened the shop door at that time and could barely see the back of our house which is only 45-feet away. HOLY **** was it blowing and snowing.


Next, before cleaning up the shop I thought I'd make a quick modification to the extra set of skids for my Toro snowblower. I've had this snowblower for approx. 10 years now and it seems "normal service" out of one side of the skids is nearly 3 seasons. I flip the skids about every 2-3 years with the exception of last year when we had record snowfall. I went through one side in one season alone. I flipped them at the beginning of this season but then I remembered I had a set that had only been worn on one side and thought I would try a wider base.

Several years ago I machined a couple of wheels for my cousins Toro snowblower that is exactly like mine and he likes them other than the axle corrodes up and he has to keep removing them to break the corrosion free and lube them. I was going to make a set for myself but thought I would try a wider base first. I found some medium carbon bar stock that measured 1" thick by .750" wide so I welded them onto the worn side of the skid for a test run.

The worn section cut off and blended with the bar stock ready.


Powder coating removed and ready for welding.


Completed.


Now between the .187" thick skid and the 1" wide bar stock that is a lot of material to have to wear down. Not sure if this is going to work or not but figured it's worth a try and I can still flip the skid one more time if/when needed.

 

[Jgaz]

When there was the discussion of notches in you bandsaw guide, I was wondering how you were going to add them.
Now I know. Looks good.
Thanks for posting

 

[WoodsTruck]

Given your background, would UHMW skids last any longer than the factory wear plates?

 

[zmotorsports]

Given your background, would UHMW skids last any longer than the factory wear plates?

That is still a consideration. I didn't have the size I wanted of UHMW on hand so that may be a future test if this doesn't go a planned.

I know they offer a UHMW version commercially but haven't really heard much feedback.

 

[moab11]

Any plans to add a chamfer to the bar stock so they aren't as likely to catch on edges and such?

I switched to UHMW skid shoes and noticed that the machine is much easier to move around compared to the steel shoes. I'm sure they won't last as long, but the trade off so far is worth it to me.

 

[zmotorsports]

Any plans to add a chamfer to the bar stock so they aren't as likely to catch on edges and such?

I switched to UHMW skid shoes and noticed that the machine is much easier to move around compared to the steel shoes. I'm sure they won't last as long, but the trade off so far is worth it to me.

Yes, I put a pretty large chamfer to match the OE ones before closing up the shop, just didn't get a picture. The last picture they were still smokin' hot.

 

[SilverJimmy]

Get some hard face welding rod and those will out live you!

 

[zmotorsports]

Get some hard face welding rod and those will out live you!

That's a good idea Sterling.

Once these wear down a bit I may try using some silicon bronze or similar and aid with the wear properties. Right now with the thickness I added, I am at the absolute minimum adjustment without redrilling mounting holes which I don't want to do.

Thanks.

 

[WoodsTruck]

I can only imagine how excited you are about the amount of snow it will take for you to wear those out so you can try the UHMW option next!!

I pick up UHMW drops at the local Motion Supply place. Usually either free or max of $10.

 

[LXCam]

Mike, I just saw the snow you’ll be cussing in the morning is heading my way…




Please feel free to keep as much of it as ya like

Thanks

 

[SilverJimmy]

Me and my Wing-Ma’am got the glow plugs done today. She held the light while I twisted the wrenches! Can’t believe how easy it was, thanks Mike for the vote of confidence. Local Chevy dealership wanted over $400 to change two glow plugs, my wife and I got it done in less than one hour, and I actually used a torque wrench and did everything to spec. I bet their flat rate jockey wouldn’t have even put down his impact the whole job! Very easy after you drop the inner fender, everything is right there!
I really like this truck and I understand why Mike loves his!

 

[zmotorsports]

Me and my Wing-Ma’am got the glow plugs done today. She held the light while I twisted the wrenches! Can’t believe how easy it was, thanks Mike for the vote of confidence. Local Chevy dealership wanted over $400 to change two glow plugs, my wife and I got it done in less than one hour, and I actually used a torque wrench and did everything to spec. I bet their flat rate jockey wouldn’t have even put down his impact the whole job! Very easy after you drop the inner fender, everything is right there!
I really like this truck and I understand why Mike loves his!

There ya go Sterling, I knew you could do it with ease. Goes to show if you want something done right, you need to do it yourself. I agree, doubtful the dealership guy would have torqued it to proper spec. I would like to say they would but from my experience, I would have to hedge on that not being done to spec.

Glad the job went trouble free for ya bud. They are actually a pretty easy repair, but you know the saying, "every twenty-minute job is only one broken bolt away from turning into a 3-day ordeal."

 

[bigdave_185]

Continuing on with the paper towel holder project.

Slug bolted to the angle bracket after the holes were drilled in the cabinet. I like this version better than my original thought of welding the slug to the angle bracket.


Bolted to the cabinet and ready to accept the connecting rod.


Next I had to machine an adapter in which to be pressed into the wrist pin side of the connecting rod as I didn't have a piece of tubing the correct size. I made a larger piece that was approx. .001" larger than the wrist pin bore.


Then took my longer length of aluminum tubing and stepped the end down slightly for a .001" pressed fit into the piece I machined in the step previous.


Before pressing the components together, I chucked it up in the lathe and ran some emery paper and Scotchbrite cloth over the tubing to removed the corrosion.


Now the parts can be pressed together.


Once pressed together I put back in the lathe and faced off the ends so they look like one piece. This also increased the OD by about half a thou larger. Looking back, I think I should have pressed the pieces together and then machined this end down to the .001 interference fit for the wrist pin end. I guess that's why hindsight is 20/20.


To aid in assembly I applied a little pressing lube for the job at hand.


This worked perfectly, even though it was a little tighter fit than I initially intended.


And the finished product.



Thanks for looking and thanks to Justin for the idea.

Um that’s not just cool, that connecting rod probably makes that the most expensive paper towel holder Iv ever seen! I want one!

 

[humpty]

That is still a consideration. I didn't have the size I wanted of UHMW on hand so that may be a future test if this doesn't go a planned.

I know they offer a UHMW version commercially but haven't really heard much feedback.

I tried a couple versions of UHMW skids last year and went back to the steelies.

The first set was just a slab of UHMW machined into the shape of the skids. They moved around too much, you couldn't tighten them enough. I found after a couple sessions one had moved and I'd catch the scraper and I'd have to adjust it.

The second set was the Toro ones and they were better made but they wore faster than the steel and still needed more adjustment than I cared for.

For your expanse of concrete the above idea of some hardface likely would work the best.

 

[MP&C]

I've gotta go with Clint...

Awesome towel holder...

 

[zmotorsports]

Um that’s not just cool, that connecting rod probably makes that the most expensive paper towel holder Iv ever seen! I want one!

Thanks Dave. Yeah, there are cheaper paper towel holders I'm sure, but I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. Only been over the workbench a couple of days and I have to smile when I walk past it. Probably won't get used much as I don't go through that much of the Scott's paper towels as they are not my primary shop towels, I mainly use them for cleaning when using either the Totally Awesome Cleaner of my favorite, Meguiar's Final Inspection (#34).

For my normal shop towels I use the Wypall X80 towels from Kimberly Clark.

I tried a couple versions of UHMW skids last year and went back to the steelies.

The first set was just a slab of UHMW machined into the shape of the skids. They moved around too much, you couldn't tighten them enough. I found after a couple sessions one had moved and I'd catch the scraper and I'd have to adjust it.

The second set was the Toro ones and they were better made but they wore faster than the steel and still needed more adjustment than I cared for.

For your expanse of concrete the above idea of some hardface likely would work the best.

Thanks for the feedback, that was my worry. Although UHMW is a good material and has good wear characteristics, it isn't wear resistant when dragging over concrete. I don't want to be adjusting them constantly. Even the once a year adjustment for normal years is too much for my liking. Last year it was much more frequent during the winter, something like three times and that was horrific.

I think once these wear a bit I will try the silicon bronze and see how that works. I know silicon bronze has good wear properties but not sure how it will hold up directly against concrete either.

 

[zmotorsports]

I've gotta go with Clint...

Awesome towel holder...

Thanks Robert, I think.


Ya know, I figured I would get slack for the ketchup comment being that this is in fact, Garage Journal. However, I didn't realize my man Clint was against it too. I just can't seem to get my head around that yellow **** on anything, I hate just opening the refrigerator and seeing that yellow bottle staring at me. Yes, the wife loves mustard. Now relish, onions, sauerkraut and chili, hell yeah, color me there. But for a quick condiment on hot dogs, yep, ketchup is my "go to" choice.

Hello, my name is Mike and I like ketchup on hot dogs.

 

[Finallygotit]

I totally forgot about that scene. I love you Clint!

 

[LXCam]

Hello, my name is Mike and I like ketchup on hot dogs.

Ya well..,nobodies perfect

 

[rattle_snake]

Love the paper towel holder mike. Just had to one-up with the indexable feature on big end.
Nice cabinets too.

Not a mustard fan myself, katchup for the win!

 

[PugetDude]

.Yes, the wife loves mustard.

She probably loves you too, Mike.

 

[bigdave_185]

@zmotorsports you could introduce them to Fry sauce and see how that goes over.

I’m a ketchup on a hotdog kinda guy also. Mustard goes on brisket or pastrami sandwich’s only in my mind.

Thank you again for the Por-15 help this afternoon.

 

[PugetDude]

I’m a ketchup on a hotdog kinda guy also.

It's nice that you people manage to find one other.

 

[Clemson13]

How do you like the eagle eyes headlamp assemblies? My 2004 GMC Sierra has severely clouded OEM Lights. If I could find a good replacement I would buy those over sanding them and 2k clear coating them....again.

I really wished someone had quality GMT 800 projector headlights that I could find (And trust). I really don't want to retrofit morimioto projectors in.

I have no idea if these are any good AND they are for the Denali and i only have an SLT

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