What did you do "IN" your garage today?

[Bessy]

Spent the weekend up at my parents place to celebrate my Dad's birthday. He had already lined up some time on the hoist at his buddy's shop and told me to bring along my winter tires. Between the three of us, we swapped out six sets of tires and two oil changes in about three hours, and decided that was enough. Back at my parents' place, we did a little bit of work this morning trying to get the hard top sorted out to go back on my Dad's boat. He's still got a long way to go before that project gets installed on the boat, but it's one of those projects he can tackle at home rather than taking the 45+ minute drive to the warehouse where his boat is currently stored. Helps to have projects like that at home to tackle while he takes Mom to and from her physio and doctor's appointments post knee surgery.

Dad had asked me if I could bring the outboard motor back to their place to install on my Crestliner aluminum boat. It's a 15 hp four stroke weighing in at approximately 111lbs dry weight and being only about 15 months post car accident, I was not about to try and man handle that outboard into the back of the wagon. Opted instead to pull the boat home and use the chain fall to install the engine, figuring that it also gives me an opportunity to do some other odds and ends in a (normally) dry shop rather than in the yard.

Keep in mind, I've got two other project boats, a full suite of woodworking tools and entirely too much lumber from an auction haul I made in 2022, so space is tight to say the least, but I managed to get the tinner in the garage on the trailer, and (not quite) directly under the opening for the chain fall.

Now I said, a normally dry shop... unfortunately with the weather, we had a ton of humidity, which was no match for the carnauba wax on my machines. Did a quick wipe down with wd40 on the bandsaw because it was drenched in condensation, but I was not able to get over to the table saw to do the same, as it's still pretty Dusty from hogging out half laps in 2x4s for the shorts rack that I'm trying to put together. It will need to get a good cleaning and rust prevention soon, but not tonight unfortunately.

Having a birthday party for the wife next weekend with a few of her family members coming in from the (bigger) city, so I'm not sure how much time I'll have to work on boats and or rust prevention this week.

 

[Blue Chips]

No giant leap, but at least a small step toward the elusive goal of 'getting organized.'

I recently obtained a large number of wood veneer samples. From past experience, these tend to get scattered, lost, or broken, and it's a pain to sort through them and find the one you're looking for.



I thought it would be a good idea to compile them in a binder, so I trimmed the samples to the same size, printed new labels for them, and inserted them in plastic binder sleeves in alphabetical order in two sections: foreign and domestic. Here are a few typical pages:







The binder, with some title labels added:



Now I need to keep the organizing momentum going and clean up my workshop.

 

[LeeG]

Changed oil on my F150, helped a neighbor with a few small projects, and sprayed weeds. Pretty low key.

 

[rharman]

***** that they closed. Luckily for me mine re-located down a few stores in the complex to a much larger location.

There are two others each about 30-45 minutes away - opposite direction of each other. This one was also about that distance. I just gravitated to it as it's in an area I'm very familiar with and my wife and I still go up that way regularly. She grew up in the area and our dentist & eye doctor are both up there too.

 

[Mikeske]

Take the truck out to the washing area of my home get the truck soaped down and Mother Nature decided it was time for a cloud burst. Just as I finished soaping down the truck I got a free rinse from the sky. I could not complain but of course all I did was sit there laughing as the it sure saved me time as the truck got a complete rinse and I rolled it back into the shop.

I go to work drying the truck and of course it is spring I figured in time to wax the truck. Now the truck has all the road grime off and a nice wax job and intermittent rain predicted the rest of the week but at least the grime is off. Oh yeah I also fixed the right taillight as I did not get it completely plugged in and had no taillights on the right side. Nevermide the junk in the bed I have a load of garbage and recycling to do.

 

[Brent T]

Washed the Clownshoe!

 

[Old Man Roger]

I always thought they were funny looking, but now all I’ll ever see is a clown shoe.lol

 

[Prospecter]

Put stuff away; Making progress on the aftermath of the Inside workbench move, but still a lot to go

Funny how one action begets another, and pretty soon we're into a full scale reorganization!

 

[Mike S.]

I cleared off a wall in my workshop and got the spring compressor hung with the help of a couple of neighbors. Now I can replace the front struts on my wife's SUV this week.

Bonus points for garage dog?

 

[Hooked]

The plan was to wash the F350 & then hit a local car show. Instead I took it to the local car wash & had them take care of that. Then I hit the car show, listened to people say nice things about it & was given a spiffy little plaque.
When I got home I got under the truck & continued cleaning up under there... During which I managed to knock a magnetic flashlight off the frame rail & artfully prevented it hitting the ground by intercepting it with my nose. Not too much claret was spilled.
For some reason it doesn't always like starting on the front tank.

My F350 (diesel) had a similar problem which I finally narrowed down to the tank pickup tube being broken. It seems a piece of the plastic got sucked up the tube to restrict flow -- but not always. Several months after replacing the assembly in the front tank the rear tank developed the same problem.

 

[Hooked]

I looked at that at my Rockler. I liked it but just didn't want to take up that much space on my pegboard. If they had any left, I could have got it at 75% off the last couple of weeks. Store lost their lease and is closing. Likely tomorrow is last day. I went there 3-4 weeks ago when it was 25% or 50% off and the store was basically empty. Very sad.

It was always busy. Surprised they aren't just relocating but they've been there forever. Likely had a very good lease rate and current rates wouldn't be feasible. Just my guess.

Kinda funny, I'm on the email list from my local (Houston) Rockler and a while back I received an email about the Pasadena store closing. Hmmmmm, I never knew there was a store in Pasadena (Texas), which would much shorter drive for me. After receiving a few of those emails and one having something I would be interested in I look up the store address. Uh, Pasadena, California.

 

[rd65]

Got a new tube put in the garden tiller tire. What a job! I believe that the smaller the tire the harder it is to work on. Old tube was not repairable.

Changed the oil/filter in Clarence, the 1948 Ford panel truck.

Started to flush out the coolant and got the old emptied. I'll refill tomorrow.

It was cold enough to light off the wood stove and use up (get rid of) some scraps and small firewood.

Yes, smaller is harder. Small ATV & bike (65cc and under) can be a true PITA. Hoping that changing the front tires on my rider in the near future won't be too much of a hassle.

 

[rd65]

Deck on my Ariens broke yet again. I should say MY WELDS FAILED lol

So quickest solution? Buy another deck. Err. Whole mower…

It too has a failing mount (I knew before I paid. But it was only $100, and the mower has other parts I NEEDED)

Pulled my Amazon mulching specials off and cleaned up the knicks.

Then threw the deck on the mower and went mowin



I’m not too concerned about this deck failing. It will absolutely.

But I have ordered the parts to assemble the simplicity champion zero turn deck. When Jacks ships those out, I’ll rebuild the deck and start using that zero turn.

I’ll still be keeping the Ariens and my FOUR broken decks for it, as I do like using it to do the first mow of the season and uncover the deadfall and mandrel breakers.

Little by little I guess.

We have one of those YT3000 rigs. Been going pretty good since 2011. Has had 1 engine swap, was still under warranty, a couple head gasket swaps, a couple sets of spindles, and a broken camshaft-compression release. And some new welds on the rear deck mounts. Hopefully it will survive for a few more seasons.

 

[Magnum440d100]

We have one of those YT3000 rigs. Been going pretty good since 2011. Has had 1 engine swap, was still under warranty, a couple head gasket swaps, a couple sets of spindles, and a broken camshaft-compression release. And some new welds on the rear deck mounts. Hopefully it will survive for a few more seasons.

Sounds like my Ariens Lmao


The engine in the YT3000 spins by hand. But it builds compression in the crankcase, even just by hand.


I’m debating on tearing into it, just because it’s really kinda a nice tractor.

 

[Motorman55]

Hot and a little humid today in South Jersey. Worked up a little sweat removing the 'Winter Windshield' from the 74 FLH Harley today. It's pretty big and bulky overall so it took a bit of monkey juggling to hang it up. The only wall space available in the garage is over the gray shelving so there it went and there it'll remain till September.

Here's a couple pics to give you an idea how big this thing is. Yeah, a little OCD kicked in with the spray cans.

 

[rd65]

Sounds like my Ariens Lmao


The engine in the YT3000 spins by hand. But it builds compression in the crankcase, even just by hand.


I’m debating on tearing into it, just because it’s really kinda a nice tractor.

Probably that crappy head gasket on the single cylinder Briggs. Definitely flat plate the head and use a genuine Briggs gasket or you will get to replace it again in short order. Pic is off the spark plug I pulled out of it. It still ran ok, was just doing the usual preseason checks. Blew lots of smoke under a load.

 

[niget2002]

Right outside the shop...

Replaced a PLA 3d printed part in the travel trailer with the same part printed out of ASA.

The PLA printed part melted in the heat of the trailer last year.

 

[cjcocn]

I cleared off a wall in my workshop and got the spring compressor hung with the help of a couple of neighbors. Now I can replace the front struts on my wife's SUV this week.

Bonus points for garage dog?

That’s the only type of spring compressor I would use if (probably when) I had to use one.

 

[hobie18]

My neighbor
Er, my neighbor stopped by to get some advice.

 

[Magnum440d100]

Probably that crappy head gasket on the single cylinder Briggs. Definitely flat plate the head and use a genuine Briggs gasket or you will get to replace it again in short order. Pic is off the spark plug I pulled out of it. It still ran ok, was just doing the usual preseason checks. Blew lots of smoke under a load.

Dang! That’s rough plug!


I bought the YT3000 as a parts machine for my Ariens, as a lot of parts cross.


Unfortunately, the rear trans mounting plate on the driver side on my Ariens is starting to crack. I believe I can use the frame of the YT3000.

But if the engine runs decently, only needing head gasket replacement, I may move away from the Ariens. It’s just been a REALLY dependable machine, all things considered.

As far as what I did today?


Well…

No good deed goes unpunished.


The neighbors set up a kids slide into the creek. They put it across the creek from their property, but accessible by my property. I see why, as there is silt and some river stone, making a nice “beach”.

Anyway, being the good neighbor, I decided to start clearing it back there for the kids. I walked it, didn’t feel anything particular. So I took my mower.

Yup.

BAM. Found a large limb. Broke a dang spindle.


So after work, I picked up a couple spindles. Can’t just do ONE! Especially because I had a vibration. So why not.

Then, figured since the deck was going to be off the machine, might as weld the tearing bracket before it completely tears off.



It ain’t pretty, but it might hold.


Went and did a couple passes on my 2 acres, and she cuts nice and flat.


Still can’t wait for the parts to arrive to fix the Simplicity Champion. Then the Ariens may just be the workhorse/first cut machine. And the simplicity the finish mower. Who knows.

 

[Mikeske]

I clear the countertop in the shop and of course it being a horizontal surface it attracted more junk but I think that was intended as I wanted more of the items on it to be off the floor and I stop tripping over them on that side of the shop. Then I found some clips to secure the air line to the center shop hose reel.

 

[rayra]

Piled up a bunch of yard and irrigation work tools and supplies, heading over to my folks' house in the morning to fix their drip irrigation system again. Did this work 2-1/2yrs ago while prepping that house for my folks to move in. My father quickly broke it and turned it off, because it put water where he didn't want it. Then teh last two years insisted on dragging a hose around and hand watering the last 2 summers in Vegas. In the process tearing up more of the system. Now suddenly it is an urgent matter to to him to restore the system to operation.

/I'm supposed to be finishing a couple furniture projects while the weather is still favorable. SO here I go, dutiful Son.

 

[rayra]

I clear the countertop in the shop and of course it being a horizontal surface it attracted more junk but I think that was intended as I wanted more of the items on it to be off the floor and I stop tripping over them on that side of the shop. Then I found some clips to secure the air line to the center shop hose reel.

Looks like you could use a fuels locker

 

[Mikeske]

Looks like you could use a fuels locker

It's a work in progress for me and it occupies my time away from the insanity inside the house.

 

[rharman]

It's a work in progress for me and it occupies my time away from the insanity inside the house.

I'm sure it can't be easy on you. It's good that you recognize the need for some "you" time.

 

[rharman]

< snip >

Here's a couple pics to give you an idea how big this thing is. Yeah, a little OCD kicked in with the spray cans.

I would have done the same thing with the alignment & cans...

 

[stioc]

These days I prefer doing diagnostics work more but once in a while turning wrenches is still therapeutic. Worked on a family member's car that he recently purchased...among other things; brakes, one ball joint and a CV axle were completely shot. On top of that someone had used RTV on the brake pads instead of grease, cleaning that mess from the caliper pistons was fun...not :/

 

[Houdini5150]

My car was due for a tire rotation so after I completed that I cleaned off my Ryobi Impact Wrench, and my Icon 1/2 ratchet handles. Then put all my stuff back on the service cart and wheeled that back into position.

 

[PWC Repair]

Never seen one like that. The stock wing on my formula 350 was similar, but not quite the same. Were they fiberglass? Or that same rubbery material of the OEM wing?

Heavy, solid fiberglass. Later versions were hollow glass. It's believed that because the spoiler worked so well that GM copied it into their own, along with the "wonderbar" front frame brace that Mecham used.

 

[welder4956]

My neighbor
Er, my neighbor stopped by to get some advice.

You did your neighbor in the garage?

 

[smackey05]

Swapped over the carb after changing out the throttle plates. Ended up finding a pretty big oil leak on the car. Looks like it is leaking at the intake manifold, head, and block junction at the back of the engine.

On this engine you need to take out the valvetrain to replace the intake gaskets...

 

[nadogail]

Threw out some stuff, cut some boards and looked for a box of brads, I found them where they belonged, after looking everywhere else.

 

[BonzoHansen]

Sunday I took a window ac unit apart to clean. Put it back together today.

You did your neighbor in the garage?

What's the old saying here at GJ, bang his wife? Lol

 

[Mikeske]

I got a little more time to organize and got on the horizontal surface that I had made after taking out the junk upper cabinets. I am doing this when I have the time and tomorrow is lawn mowing day so today it was to do something. I figure if I put my filters and stock of item I rointinely use I can't cram garbage on it.

 

[rayra]

Tidied up this morning's tool use mess, cleaned the oils and sap off the hedge trimmer blade, chopped some more clean pine / fir scrap into brick oven -sized pieces. And swapped the tools loaded in the Urban Assault Suburban so I can try to do some more work at my parents house tomorrow in the 4hrs between my radiology / thyroid scan appts. I think I'm going to be slightly radioactive tomorrow, probably not supposed to be sweating on things. I'll have to ask in the morning.

 

[DGersic]

Drilled some holes. Not much else.

 

[56vette461]

Must be spring cleaning time. Cleaned up all my painting tools from an interior repair project. Hopeful that those paint projects are done for a while. Started cleaning up all the sockets, ratchets and wrenches from the toolbox and reorganizing the toolbox. Crazy how much stuff can accumulate in the box when I run from one project to the next.

 

[PhantomEB]

Shredded a belt, got a new one….71$ later. Looking for a little longer as I sure will hate replacing a belt on the trail with how tight this length is. Time to hit Amazon.

working on wiring again after work once I move the PS bracket out a washer.

 

[Hooked]

Finally solved the problem(s) causing my '94 7.3L diesel being hard to start after sitting a few hours. Thought I solved it last Thursday when I found the manual fuel pump leaking but that only helped 'a little'. Searching more yesterday with the motor running I found the second culprit. Turns out the fitting on the input line to the injector pump was leaking. Don't know why but tightening the fitting solved the problem. My guess is there's an o-ring or rubber washer inside that will eventually need replacing.
I've been trying to find this leak for several weeks but hadn't searched with the engine running.

 

[ambenz]

Our Antique 2001 EVG 24v Ebikes needed new Lead Acid Batteries to run...$90 each bike, every other year. So I am upgraded one bike battery tray to Lithium Ion batteries and bought a matched brand battery charger to charge them, as a test...


Finding Lithium batteries to match the size of the lead acid batteries was a challenge.

I upgraded the two 12VDC 12Ah lead Acid Batteries to two 12VDC 20Ah Lithium Ion Batteries. The batteries are wired in series to make 24VDC and charge while wired in series. The batteries I found fit "perfectly" inside the existing EVG battery tray container so I didn't have to jury rig the connections to the bike...win win...

These Life PO4 batteries have internal circuit to prevent overcharges and starting a fire. I will be charging them outside, just in case.
BUT...It is a $200 upgrade for each bike including the smart chargers. Is it worth it? IDK. Could use the money for new 60V bikes. Looks like everything is working!!!
Ran the bike for 40 minutes with lights on and in full power mode. Full Speed as much as I could. Used 15% of battery and recharged in 30 minutes. Lead Acid battery would have been 3/4 drained! Man, this is nice to be able to extend the life of these antique bikes.
I had to spec out the charger to charge these new batteries too... found this one....


I use to get 10 miles in economy mode with Lead Acid...I went for a 20 mile ride in full power mode with Lithium Ion and after putting it on the charger, it used less then 50% so, I could get 50 miles, without pedaling, I bet. I could sell the bikes easier now, in better condition than new, power wise. I ordered a battery and charger for the second bike. In the end, the bikes still only go 14 mph max on flat terrain.

But now I have the option of selling them for more money running than if they were not working. Maybe $1000 each? That would get me a down payment on 2 new bikes with higher speeds and new running gear.