What did you do "IN" your garage today?

[Outlawmws]

Not a lot - Big storm with Waterspouts predicted for the north bay, so inside work putting stuff away, I did oil a bunch of squeaky hinges, starting with the new ones recetly replaced on the MBR bath door. Crashed for a couple of naps, Every so often I just need some extra sleep and I hit that wall today.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Worked in lightburn. Painted and assembled some pumpkin decorations. Designed, burned, assembled, painted the inductive phone charger insert for the Escape. Fought with a lighted Xmas tree in lightburn. So far it's a failure. The burner is ruining another sheet of plywood as we speak.

 

[Bob Heine]

Slotted screws are an instrument of the devil.lol

Roger, I fight the devil's screws with a couple of tools. The screw gripper helps getting them started in or out when a magnetized screwdriver won't work.

I have several 1/4" hex drive bits that have a sleeve that keeps the bit from flying off when I use a powered screwdriver. Some are long and some are short but they keep the air around those slotted screws from turning so blue.

It even earned a patent:

 

[nadogail]

Went to the AT&T store and asked the Manager On Duty about why I was being charged so much for changing my telephones because they were replaced by the Insurance Company. He was able to knock $125 off the "Junk Fees" I was being billed.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Roger, I fight the devil's screws with a couple of tools. The screw gripper helps getting them started in or out when a magnetized screwdriver won't work.

I have several 1/4" hex drive bits that have a sleeve that keeps the bit from flying off when I use a powered screwdriver. Some are long and some are short but they keep the air around those slotted screws from turning so blue.

It even earned a patent:

I have similar tools, but I never seem to be anywhere near them when I need them. Slotted screws must die.

 

[Wiz02]

I have similar tools, but I never seem to be anywhere near them when I need them. Slotted screws must die.

I just used this screw holding screwdriver that I remember my Dad having from the time I was old enough to be a "gofer".

I used it after dropping the first Decora switch plate screw 4 times. And yes all 4 screw slots are clocked vertically.

 

[rharman]

Spent a few hours tidying and throwing stuff away. The bench has been a total disaster for far too long. It still has a LONG way to go.

Replaced the plug on my air compressor with a lighted version so, hopefully, I don't leave it on. I have a wall mounted safety switch at the man door. The plug is not very bright though - but it's green!

Took a cutter to one of my Ernst trays. I have some long forceps that wouldn't fit so I removed one divider. Always jammed up when opening the door. Still need to clean up the cut with a rotary sander.

All this was made possible by getting the propane heater off the shelf and firing it up. Made it nice & toasty out there.

Hopefully, more progress tomorrow. I have 2-3 quick projects in mind.

​

 

[KwikFab]

My *** is kicked and my back is killing me.

My GX470 has been out of commission for a few days, mainly cause I've been waiting on parts.

Initially had a P0340 camshaft code, so I replaced my camshaft position sensor which was a ***** in a half by itself since you have to pull off some coolant drain tube off along with the driver side timing cover -



After having done that, I got a single click no start. So at this point now I figured my starter went out too so I got that ordered.

Finally came in yesterday so I got to taking everything apart today.

If you've never worked on a 2UZ, it's UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD and it is a ***** and a half to fully remove. Here's when I finally got it out, sits in this valley.



The issue? This thing siezed as it wouldn't turn and the ball bearings actually fell out.





On the plus side at least my diagnosis was correct, my starter was bad. However, I didn't realize until TOO LATE that the connector on my new starter was broken! Being that my GX is my daily driver, I opted to zip tie the hell out of the wire to the plug in hopes that it'll last me at least a few years.

Fortunately, the only thing I managed to break was the hose to my PCV so I'm using some Gates transmission line I had laying around. Already ordered a new hose which will come in whenever it does. Took about 6-7 hours total if you include taking a lunch break and bleeding the system since I had to drain the radiator.





At least she runs again.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I just used this screw holding screwdriver that I remember my Dad having from the time I was old enough to be a "gofer".

I used it after dropping the first Decora switch plate screw 4 times. And yes all 4 screw slots are clocked vertically.

I have one of them too, never seem to go get it.lol

 

[SMOKEYBEAR]

I need to get one of those for my band saw! Bought it used, came with no fence, and I kind of rigged something up in the meantime. Its an older Craftsman saw, but I like it and don't do enough wood work to justify something better.

That is exactly the scenario I was in. I looked at all the aftermarket ones. seemed each needed some modification to either the fence system or the saw. I wasn't sure I could do it clean enough to my liking and didn't want to touch the saw just yet. I decided on the mag fence, easy and no modifications required. JET provided me the part number for the correct fence, its no longer made but at least I can search for the correct one on ebay, FBM and the like.

 

[cannuck]

With everything else going on right now (Christmas concerts and recitals), I am lucky to get an hour or two in the shop. M-F/Iseki engine rebuild on slow path because of wait for new intake valves, but most of all I don't want to do several things without #1 grandson here as he hasn't seen and done some of the steps (plastigauge rods on sched for today). Would have done that yesterday but local model railroad club had a HUGE portable HO display (about 500 sq.ft.) in mall in city, so took all 4 boys there for a few hours. What we did get done was front and rear main caps - that have seals that slide in by pounding a square section 3/16x3/16x3" with wire in middle that you have to pound into a groove in bearing caps. Manual make no such suggestion but obvious when it came apart they lubricated with RTV silicone (my pref Permatex Right Stuff/90 minute). Ring gaps, rings and rods in place ready to install when I find right diameter hose to protect crank from rod studs. Trying to get GS#1 to appreciate how and why every tool, hand, glove, part, etc. has to be cleaned and inspected each and every time one is going to be within the engine. So far, looks like my 0.001" (rigid) hone cleanup of bores lands at the top end of most assembly values, well within wear limits. Might get by this whole job on 5 grand - that means I will have a 400 hr., near new compact tractor for 10 (72 cent Loonies, not real money).

 

[zcar751]

Here is my $851 cutting board.

Here is the breakdown of cost:
Wood $28.00
Glue $0.50
Sandpaper $0.80
Router bit $6.25
13" replacement planer $814.68
Mineral Oil $0.50
Cutting board conditioner $0.50

While planning the purple heart wood my old Delta 12 1/2" planer bent one of the knifes and retainers kicking the board across the shop. Fortunately, I wasn't standing behind it.

 

[PhantomEB]

I hope you have a calendar, a task list, a plan, and the will to execute it. Without them, you'll wind up in front of the tube, dead within 6 months.

That’s what I been doing with my recovery time, writing out a list then tackle something every day has worked wonders. Should have a bronco driveable by time I go back to work.

 

[PhantomEB]

sitting on where I stage it between tries at trying to get this doubler/205 back in.

it WILL be back in today as well Driveshafts off the floor, so I can plan my next step. This Machine definitely has been one step forward….oh theres another thing you need to look at.

 

[welder4956]

That’s what I been doing with my recovery time, writing out a list then tackle something every day has worked wonders. Should have a bronco driveable by time I go back to work.

Maybe I need to go back to something like this. I started my retirement making to-do lists in my Outlook calendar, crossing off the completed items, and rescheduling uncompleted items to a future date. It got to be too cumbersome for me and I stopped doing it after a few months. I have a list app on my phone that I have been using for shopping lists. I may try that or just put a whiteboard up on the garage wall.

 

[SMOKEYBEAR]

Here is my $851 cutting board.

Here is the breakdown of cost:
Wood $28.00
Glue $0.50
Sandpaper $0.80
Router bit $6.25
13" replacement planer $814.68
Mineral Oil $0.50
Cutting board conditioner $0.50

While planning the purple heart wood my old Delta 12 1/2" planer bent one of the knifes and retainers kicking the board across the shop. Fortunately, I wasn't standing behind it.

I have yet to successfully cut the juice groove. I may need to buy one of the jigs, the one I made has not performed well at all.

Which planer did you end up purchasing? I have an old Makita, at some point its bound to go. I have kept it alive with lots of repairs and maintenance.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Maybe I need to go back to something like this. I started my retirement making to-do lists in my Outlook calendar, crossing off the completed items, and rescheduling uncompleted items to a future date. It got to be too cumbersome for me and I stopped doing it after a few months. I have a list app on my phone that I have been using for shopping lists. I may try that or just put a whiteboard up on the garage wall.

I use Google tasks. It allows me to have my Todo list synched on my phone, tablet or PCs. I just have items by season, not date, because those get so screwed so quick, and I don't want to keep having to eff with them. Critical at the top of the season, lessening severity going down.

 

[Dixie_Flatline]

While planning the purple heart wood my old Delta 12 1/2" planer bent one of the knifes and retainers kicking the board across the shop. Fortunately, I wasn't standing behind it.

I've had my table saw do that to me. Never used a planer, so that answers a question I've had. Can they turn wood into a projectile? Yes.

 

[Wiz02]

My wife keeps plain old paper project honey do lists for me. Short, medium and long term. These days I just don't work fast enough to need lots of list editing capabilities. Simply crossing off a list item and an occasional rewrite works just fine.

 

[Outlawmws]

I started my retirement making to-do lists in my Outlook calendar, crossing off the completed items, and rescheduling uncompleted items to a future date. It got to be too cumbersome for me and I stopped doing it after a few months.

I'll probably go use Trello again for my retirement tasks, Super flexible and used for personal use (or up to 10 invitees and a limit of 10 boards) its free. Originally designed for Agile software development, its effective for many things, I got my family using it for things like gardening project planing and such

I use Google tasks. It allows me to have my Todo list synched on my phone, tablet or PCs.

I'll look into this Not sure if Trello links to the phone well, but I'm averse to using my phone anyway for much more than as phone and for texting. I refuse to live off of it. But unlikely to use Google as I'm thinking about looking at what my son has done to pull away from the major SW suppliers since they all are insisting on spying on us with every thing, and using AI to really deep dive... So far he has switched to Linux, a completely not mainstream Email, and many freeware tools.

 

[Jgaz]

My “batteries not required “to do” list.


Finished salvaging the hardwood pieces and plywood panels from a large desk that the neighbors were throwing out.
Used an old table saw blade during the deconstruction because of nails, etc.

Cleaned the good blade before reinstalling it on the saw.

Cheap Frisbee, old toothbrush, and washing soda. No fancy blade cleaning system required.

 

[KwikFab]

My *** is kicked and my back is killing me.

My GX470 has been out of commission for a few days, mainly cause I've been waiting on parts.

Initially had a P0340 camshaft code, so I replaced my camshaft position sensor which was a ***** in a half by itself since you have to pull off some coolant drain tube off along with the driver side timing cover -



After having done that, I got a single click no start. So at this point now I figured my starter went out too so I got that ordered.

Finally came in yesterday so I got to taking everything apart today.

If you've never worked on a 2UZ, it's UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD and it is a ***** and a half to fully remove. Here's when I finally got it out, sits in this valley.



The issue? This thing siezed as it wouldn't turn and the ball bearings actually fell out.





On the plus side at least my diagnosis was correct, my starter was bad. However, I didn't realize until TOO LATE that the connector on my new starter was broken! Being that my GX is my daily driver, I opted to zip tie the hell out of the wire to the plug in hopes that it'll last me at least a few years.

Fortunately, the only thing I managed to break was the hose to my PCV so I'm using some Gates transmission line I had laying around. Already ordered a new hose which will come in whenever it does. Took about 6-7 hours total if you include taking a lunch break and bleeding the system since I had to drain the radiator.





At least she runs again.

Drove perfectly fine today.

So, what's the issue?

******* P0330 knock sensor #2 code now

The knock sensors are both in the valley, underneath the upper/lower intake manifold assembly and I do NOT want to take everything apart.

Fortunately, the vehicle drives just fine as it won't go into limp mode unless both sensors detect an issue. I could've sworn I was super careful with the plugs and wires going to the knock sensors when I pulled the starter but I guess I must've fucked something up.

Man, I am not looking forward to pulling all that off again.

 

[nadogail]

I keep my To Do lists in a MS Word File and edit it as it changes.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Assembled the first lit Xmas tree. Burned more. Fixed a Xmas music box church that we've had in the family for 50 years. Cleaned my paint palette and brushes. Cleaned the shop bathroom. Had thoughts about some old keg spigots. Still burning and assembling Xmas trees. They're not the fastest thing. If you turn it around there's lights on the other side.

 

[GrayFlattop]

I keep my To Do lists in a MS Word File and edit it as it changes.

Similar, I use excel and create a different tab for location: basement, garage, house, garden, etc.
Then on each location worksheet, I have columns for “Sooner”, “Later”, “Eventually”.

Tasks are shuffled around, deleted or added as required.

 

[Mr.zippy]

Polished the yellowed headlights on my old cr-v. Had to removed the grill and bumper cover to get them out. Since I had the bumper cover off I treated it with cerakote trim wipes. Now the rest of the trim looks bad, so I guess I'll go down that rabbit hole.

 

[stonesfan68]

I replaced the tie rod ends and stabilizer links on the C70 today. (I still haven't tackled the broken bolt).




As you can see, they were pretty shot. One of the jam nuts refused to come lose so I cut it with a M12 rotary tool and then used a chisel to turn it. I win!

 

[Snip's]

Started to manually remove the paint from the Delta R/I motor stator frame...
Need to get into all the "hard to reach" nooks and crannies...

 

[930dreamer]

Ran all the fuel out of the pressure washer, and changed the oil in it. Both tires are shot.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Rode quads with my 9 year old son for a bit in the backyard for a little bit then put together a tool kit for one of our vehicles. A long overdue task.

 

[rsparks64]

Did some sanding on some teak furniture I am refinishing.

Began work on an Arlo security set up I am installing. I had to charge things and link to my cell phone and iPad app.

Back inside I had to re-do my Christmas music playlist on my computer. I somehow sent 90% of the songs back into the cloud. So, first I had to figure out what I did. Then I went back and downloaded all the Christmas albums and individual Christmas songs from the cloud back onto my computer. Then I had to reform the playlist. I have about 500 songs on it now and think I found most of them.

 

[rsparks64]

Similar, I use excel and create a different tab for location: basement, garage, house, garden, etc.
Then on each location worksheet, I have columns for “Sooner”, “Later”, “Eventually”.

Tasks are shuffled around, deleted or added as required.

I might make one of those, but it may never get edited. Besides, if I did it I would never tell my wife because she would always want to know what progress I had made.

 

[SMOKEYBEAR]

Last thing for today, I wrestled a steel table from the shop to the lawn shed roughly 50 feet or so . Its about 24"x33"x 3/4 inch thick machined plate, 3" square steel tube frame. I'm not sure of the weight, other than pretty damn heavy, but it provided an honest evaluation of my strength and endurance. Made me wonder even in my younger prime, could I have done it without taking a breather..not certain I could have.

I got it for a steal, the plan was to use for a welding table but it was just to nice. I've used it for nothing since I purchased it. The band saw took its place in the shop. I'll save it for another day.

 

[PhantomEB]

tried, tried, tried but going from underneath to not cut up the floor I said ok just a small hole that is easy to cleanup and make an access panel for is acceptable. At least it’s under the Center Console, out of sight.

but finally won after 1.5 days and some wobbly beers to get that doubler and 205 Tcase back in. It’s damn tight every which way under There.

gonna be fun fabbing up a tcase mount to support the far back end while, keeping it accessible to get the Tcase out at another time, sure hope that day never comes.

Monday will be see how the cables will come up thru the floor…..as well shifter linkage and nuetral safety switch.

I also been looking at ways to lower the battery(s) down into the floor…..

 

[PhantomEB]

double post!

 

[JEFFREYWisconsin]

tried, tried, tried but going from underneath to not cut up the floor I said ok just a small hole that is easy to cleanup and make an access panel for is acceptable. At least it’s under the Center Console, out of sight.

but finally won after 1.5 days and some wobbly beers to get that doubler and 205 Tcase back in. It’s damn tight every which way under There.

gonna be fun fabbing up a tcase mount to support the far back end while, keeping it accessible to get the Tcase out at another time, sure hope that day never comes.

Monday will be see how the cables will come up thru the floor…..as well shifter linkage and nuetral safety switch.

I also been looking at ways to lower the battery(s) down into the floor…..

I have a 1955 CJ5, it has a couple access holes like that from the factory.

 

[rharman]

A wee bit of progress cleaning up the workbench today.
Sanded some wood pieces for a couple of future projects. Need to drill & paint - simple stuff.

Replaced the plastic treads on my small Little Giant stool with pieces cut from a door mat from Lowes.
Old treads were brittle, curling and cracking.
New treads are nice. Feel good under foot.
First time using 3M Super 77 spray adhesive. That stuff is tacky!

Old tread on top, new mockups below.	Acetone wiped, masked for spray adhesive.
Overall shot.	Close-up of the new treads.

 

[bulletpruf]

Put a Harbor Freight "Yukon" 48" x 72" cabinet together. Then took it completely apart and re-assembled it, but correctly this time. You'd think I'd know what I was doing, because I assembled one yesterday, too.



Anyway, they're too damn flimsy for anything heavier than a bag of popcorn or two. I'll sell them at a loss and get another Durham cabinet that I should have gotten in the first place.

 

[Jay__Dub]

Took some time and cleaned up bench area #4. Still have a few areas left to organize, but this is done for now. Burn a lot of **** in the stove while I was at it. Kept me nice and warm.

 

[PhantomEB]

I have a 1955 CJ5, it has a couple access holes like that from the factory.

I will be opening it up a bit more then cutting some other sheet that’s a little thicker, just cause ya never know when you need to access linkages or a vent tube eh! Rivnuts to secure it down.