What did you do "IN" your garage today?

[cody1325]

I drove the ZT into the shop and greased the deck spindles and check all fluids, in preparation of mowing my lawn and my son's lawn (he lives next door) today.

That reminds me--I need to pick up the supplies and do a service job on the LX277AWS as I tend to start mowing in late March-early April. Also--put another Lock N' Lube on the list. Granddad hated them, and they don't work well in tight spaces, but for the easy-to-get-to fittings, they make the job so much easier. I have the one we used, but can't find it.

 

[LeonardY]

Messed with a Solar salesman.

He walked up while I was fiddling with the ornament.

Asked if i was interested in solar. I said yes.
He started on his sales pitch and I pointed to the Enphase control box.
He said, "You already have solar." I said, "Yes but I am interested in it."

 

[kaymccampbell]

Gave the 50 cent tour. Took orders.

 

[jblnut]

We took apart a chair and made a pattern so I can make some more chairs. It’s the most comfy wood chair I’ve ever sat in. It was a good putzy project to keep me inside so I didn’t wander around in the -20f too long outside.


All done, labeled and marked up with notes.

 

[jblnut]

I drove the ZT into the shop and greased the deck spindles and check all fluids, in preparation of mowing my lawn and my son's lawn (he lives next door) today.

You're going to cut grass today ?! It was -27f here this morning. I actually found myself wishing for some grass to cut today until I realized I must have been outside too long and gotten a frozen brain.

 

[JEFFREYWisconsin]

My wife got me this book for Christmas, it's contained inside a nifty aluminum slide out, I initially skipped the first page and got a chance to check it out today, turns out is signed by members of the original Venice crew from Shelby American. Very cool.

 

[nadogail]

Lined a planter box with Landscape Fabric.
Without asking, our Housekeeper swept out my workshop and cleaned the Closet that holds the Shop Toilet.

She showed me a "Science Project" that her daughter's class is working on at school, The daughter will need a 18" X 36" box for a Sand Table, she was planning on paying someone to build it for her daughter.
I told her I have the materials and will build it tomorrow; the next time she drives her car here she can take it home.

I told her like one hand washes another, we will get this done.

 

[mikegt4]

Picked up the engine block from machine shop jail on Friday for the '73 Mustang build. Painted it Saturday. This will be a 10:1 347 for the '73 Mustang that my parents dated in (Dad bought it new). Getting it back on the road for them to enjoy. This is the original numbers-matching block.






Whipped up this hose clamp storage unit Saturday night out of a few pushrods, exhaust valves, and intake valves. I should make another one, but as it is, this freed up two drawers.






Spent Sunday filing rings and assembling pistons/rods.

Our next door neighbor has a '73 Mustang, it was his wife's aunt's car (original owner) and when she passed no one in the family wanted it so he reluctantly volunteered to take it in. He is not a car guy but he does enjoy taking it out on nice sunny days with the top down. It's nothing special, basic V8/auto, rust free South Carolina convertible, wanted to keep it in the family like you.

 

[TheClaw]

Took this apart.

 

[vwpieces]

Slowly getting the new box organized. Cold in shop, so not spending too much time there.
I think the socket drawer is done. Bunch of sets are on new rails now. Organized mostly for "it fits". Small section on the right is SAE.



PenDOT issued a new plate for the 68 Bus, installed it.
The retired plate is a pair of consecutive plated I received on the last reissue.
Now they are going on the wall with the rest of the collection.


Last summer I applied for Antique plates for 3 motorcycles, all on the same day.
All 3 of the plates received for the bikes are also consecutive. Pretty cool.

 

[niget2002]

Reinstalled the door and front panel after the paint dried. Now I need to remove and paint the side panels and top of the cage. I think I want to get some better plywood or MDF for the top.

 

[rktinc]

What is the shock attached to? Cool find either way.

Edit - I see it now. The entire lower portion of the frame pivots at the head tube. Neat and simple design.

Yes, it never seemed to work very well but it was a unique item for early 60 bike tech. My Grandparents kept one of these at thier house for me to ride when I visited. It was kind of a second bike for me. I never knew what it was until I did a bit of research a few years ago. It will look great hanging on the wall next to my 1978 Schwinn Scrambler Comp model in near perfect condition.

 

[Beelzeboss]

I made the roll hoop and diagonal for my hot rod project.



Then made the handbrake cables work.



Follow along here!

CNC's and Hot Rod's, a Sydney Garage

A little update on the Swift - my new muffler arrived yesterday so after work I put it on the car. First I removed the old muffler, then I cut off the flange and exhaust hangers for a very simple/cheap install. I mocked up the muffler placement under the car while I tacked on the flange...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[kaymccampbell]

Disassembled and recycled a bumper pool table. I had a dream, but it turned out to be a nightmare. I'll go rent a table occasionally at the local pool hall.
Repaired a bunch of little broken stands. Cleaned the floor. Sorted out CUPS and AVAHI configuration on both my Ubuntu boxes. Tested printers.

 

[Fixr]

More snow overnight, so more snowblower time today.

Broke the “cable, clutch” that goes from the squeeze handle to the drive disk mechanism. Spring end broke off. I had broken the other one, that goes to the auger drive, a couple of years ago. Had to order the replacement then, so I got two and threw the spare in my cabinet against needing it someday. Today was that day. Two minutes to swap it out, and back to work.

Cleaning up after, found a broken shear pin. The bolt head was gone, but it didn’t fall out. Another two minutes, new shear pin installed.

There’s more snow in the forecast, but it’s 37F out.

37 is perfect. Cold enough for snow, warm enough to make sure it's really wet snow.

 

[kaymccampbell]

37 is perfect. Cold enough for snow, warm enough to make sure it's really wet snow.

I wish it was 37. Instead it's 15.

 

[Fixr]

I wish it was 37. Instead it's 15.

I'd rather blow 15 degree snow than 37 degree slush. If not having to blow snow, I'm good with 73.

 

[rharman]

Reinstalled the door and front panel after the paint dried. Now I need to remove and paint the side panels and top of the cage. I think I want to get some better plywood or MDF for the top.

No grill or anything to cover the filter?

I turned a whole house attic fan into a garage fan many years ago. Framed over the pleated filter with 1/4" wire mesh.

 

[DGersic]

Dug out a bunch of rare parts for a guy that, now that I found them, I expect will ghost me. So they’ll probably go back in the bin I got them out of.

 

[rd65]

did some sanding with 220, added 3rd coat of poly.

 

[Jay__Dub]

37 is perfect. Cold enough for snow, warm enough to make sure it's really wet snow.

It's a dry cold here. So dry, the bark jumps off the wood. Saves me doing it.

 

[niget2002]

No grill or anything to cover the filter?

I turned a whole house attic fan into a garage fan many years ago. Framed over the pleated filter with 1/4" wire mesh.

Nah. This won't get moved much. I think I've had to physically touch a server 3 times last year.

I did notice I need to add a lip to the bottom edge. The filter popped off when I closed the door yesterday.

 

[racecougar]

Our next door neighbor has a '73 Mustang, it was his wife's aunt's car (original owner) and when she passed no one in the family wanted it so he reluctantly volunteered to take it in. He is not a car guy but he does enjoy taking it out on nice sunny days with the top down. It's nothing special, basic V8/auto, rust free South Carolina convertible, wanted to keep it in the family like you.

Cars are one thing that my family just doesn't seem to get rid of. I brought this one back to life almost a decade ago. It's a '65 C10 that my grandfather ordered new. My Dad cruises it nowadays. I tubbed it, narrowed it, stretched the rear wheel openings forward 2", did a LS swap, and a ton more. Legitimately, the only work performed on it by someone other than myself was the windshield installation and the front end alignment. I assembled the engine, the transmission, the axle, etc., did all the metal work, painted it, made many many parts, and so on.




It was in really rough shape when I started on it. If it weren't for the sentimental value, the truck wouldn't have been restored.

 

[zmotorsports]

Cars are one thing that my family just doesn't seem to get rid of. I brought this one back to life almost a decade ago. It's a '65 C10 that my grandfather ordered new. My Dad cruises it nowadays. I tubbed it, narrowed it, stretched the rear wheel openings forward 2", did a LS swap, and a ton more. Legitimately, the only work performed on it by someone other than myself was the windshield installation and the front end alignment. I assembled the engine, the transmission, the axle, etc., did all the metal work, painted it, made many many parts, and so on.




It was in really rough shape when I started on it. If it weren't for the sentimental value, the truck wouldn't have been restored.

Love that vintage of C10's. My very first solo complete engine rebuild was in my dad's cousin's 1965 C10. It was stock when he bought it and had severe blowby. He knew I was taking auto shop in my Sophomore year of High School and asked if I would rebuild it. THAT was a fun project and I learned so much. I added some minor custom touches for performance and appearance, but it was mainly a very mild 283 cid. I really dug in deep to the tuning aspect once I put it back in the truck. The engine bay also got a full detail before stuffing the engine back in. He added some nice chrome wheels to the truck and I polished the paint up a bit, but it was a nice daily driver for him for many years.

I built it in our school's automotive shop and when I finished it my automotive teacher at the time said I had a real eye for detail. That kind of helped me select my path going forward because it wasn't necessarily what I was being steered towards.

Thanks for posting pictures of your project, I hadn't thought about that truck in many years.

 

[racecougar]

I built it in our school's automotive shop and when I finished it my automotive teacher at the time said I had a real eye for detail. That kind of helped me select my path going forward because it wasn't necessarily what I was being steered towards.

Similarly, my whole engineering career has been directly steered by my upbringing/passion for hot rodding. Looking back, it's been a pretty cool story arc.

 

[zmotorsports]

Similarly, my whole engineering career has been directly steered by my upbringing/passion for hot rodding. Looking back, it's been a pretty cool story arc.

That's awesome. I comment you on the pursuit of your engineering career. I have always admired the effort that goes on behind the scenes to achieve an engineering degree. I watched my son pursue his degree and where it has taken him, and I couldn't be more proud. I wasn't equipped mentally, or financially, to pursue any more classroom time after leaving high school, so I feel very blessed to have been allowed to use my passion to feed my family and fuel my retirement.

 

[zmotorsports]

Made some progress on my aerosol paint can shaker last night.

 

[niget2002]

I built it in our school's automotive shop and when I finished it my automotive teacher at the time said I had a real eye for detail. That kind of helped me select my path going forward because it wasn't necessarily what I was being steered towards.

It's amazing how teachers have a way of influencing us as we grow. My daughter had no idea what she wanted to do in life until one of her teachers made a comment to her the other day about something she did really well on. Now she suddenly has an idea and plan she can work towards.

All I did in my garage yesterday as plug in an extension cord and smart switch to run it out to the front of the truck. I plugged the truck in, then used the smart outlet to turn it on an hour before I had to leave to go to town yesterday. Probably wasn't really needed, but it helped the cab warm up faster.

 

[zmotorsports]

It's amazing how teachers have a way of influencing us as we grow. My daughter had no idea what she wanted to do in life until one of her teachers made a comment to her the other day about something she did really well on. Now she suddenly has an idea and plan she can work towards.

I completely agree. This particular teacher helped me more than he ever knew. I was a bit of a shithead during my Junior year of High School and maybe a bit arrogant. Don't know why, I really hadn't accomplished anything to be proud or arrogant about at that age.

When I signed up for this teacher's advanced auto class for my Senior year, he denied my request, he simply told me I was not welcome in his class. I wanted it so badly I could taste it, and he said he would only consider it IF I brought my parents in to with me to meet with him so we could have a "discussion". Unfortunately, that meant I had to explain to my parent's "why" he didn't want me in his class. THAT was probably the hardest part but I wanted it bad enough to come clean with them. During the discussion he mentioned that he would only allow me into his if I signed a contract with my parents present stating a few conditions.

I have never forgot that as it helped me more throughout my life than I care to admit. My dad was a hard man and expected a lot from his children as well as his fellow man. Disappointing him was worse than any beating I could have gotten, and I knew I disappointed him in a huge way, and I needed to change and correct that disappointment. My dad wore his integrity and honor to the point it defined him and never wavered on either. I admired and respected this BUT, to some extent maybe I felt like that automatically transferred to me at some level. I quickly learned that it did NOT and I was accountable for my own integrity and accountability. I think that situation made such an impact on me that I went to the other extreme where integrity and honor are so deeply woven into my DNA that it is part of me. I NEVER want to let my father down or have him be disappointed in me ever again, even though he's been gone for more than 22 years now. My High School auto teacher helped me discover that and helped to shape me almost as much as my dad.

Yes, teachers can have a profound impact on us and many never truly realize it.

 

[Outlawmws]

'65 C10 that my grandfather ordered new. My Dad cruises it nowadays.

Awesome truck!

Made some progress on my aerosol paint can shaker last night.

Be careful that the shaking is not too violent. I made one and it tended to bust the internal siphon tube. I had to spray those cans upside down.

 

[CoogarXR]

Too cold and snowy for shop time. So I stayed inside and did my taxes. It was the first time in forever that I did them myself. My CPA raised his rates substantially this year, and my income was damn near identical to last year, so it was a good year to go for it on my own. Still owe a ****-ton, but that was to be expected. At least I don't owe a ****-ton plus CPA fees, lol.

 

[cody1325]

Too cold and snowy for shop time. So I stayed inside and did my taxes. It was the first time in forever that I did them myself. My CPA raised his rates substantially this year, and my income was damn near identical to last year, so it was a good year to go for it on my own. Still owe a ****-ton, but that was to be expected. At least I don't owe a ****-ton plus CPA fees, lol.

It's moments like this where I wish I hadn't abandoned accounting out of boredom. I was about halfway through an Associate's in it before I called it quits. Maybe I need to finish the program.

The current guy was a few grades ahead of me, but I did go to school with him. He's pretty much the only guy left around here--used to be three guys--one guy retired, the other went back into the coal industry. The third, whom my grandparents used, was in business for about 60 years before calling it quits. He does make great money, but I couldn't see myself doing it every day.

 

[arca 54]

one done one to go!

 

[E-RX7]

I haven't really been in there lately as this winter, while not super snowy, has still been **** due to the cold. I was in there yesterday digging out some gas cans since I was an idiot after work and opted not to get gas on the way home (long story but ran into a 20 minute traffic delay thanks to an optic cable installation on the way to get some yesterday and that killed my chances of making it to town so I turned around).

Hope to get in there before winter is over though as I'm going to be so busy in spring and summer that my only chance to reorganize things will be now. I had it cleaned and organized but I moved last summer and brought the remaining stuff over in the fall so now it's back to a disaster. I'm also redoing the house inside and out so a lot of things like new baseboards and a new outdoor storage shed are taking up space in there. Spring will be hectic as I'm getting a new tool chest and garage cabinet as well as a new tractor so it would be much appreciated if winter would F off at this point and warm up a little as I just don't feel like firing up the torpedo heater this year.

 

[GrayFlattop]

I haven't really been in there lately as this winter, while not super snowy, has still been **** due to the cold. I was in there yesterday digging out some gas cans since I was an idiot after work and opted not to get gas on the way home (long story but ran into a 20 minute traffic delay thanks to an optic cable installation on the way to get some yesterday and that killed my chances of making it to town so I turned around).

Hope to get in there before winter is over though as I'm going to be so busy in spring and summer that my only chance to reorganize things will be now. I had it cleaned and organized but I moved last summer and brought the remaining stuff over in the fall so now it's back to a disaster. I'm also redoing the house inside and out so a lot of things like new baseboards and a new outdoor storage shed are taking up space in there. Spring will be hectic as I'm getting a new tool chest and garage cabinet as well as a new tractor so it would be much appreciated if winter would F off at this point and warm up a little as I just don't feel like firing up the torpedo heater this year.

Opening day of spring training games today - Winter will be behind us soon enough.

 

[Snip's]

Made 4 gallons of DIY Rust Remover in the garage today...

Thanks to GJ member Noid and Beyond Ballistics and this thread https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/inexpensive-alternative-to-evaporust.536692/

I read about the cautions of the excessive foaming when mixing the Citric Acid and the Washing soda in the liquid state...
I mixed the two ingredients in the dry powder state and then added 2 gallons of distilled water slowly...
My container is 5 gallons... Lots of C02 was generated but foaming was controlled and never tried to escape...


Got my Citric from the Jungle site...

 

[zcar751]

I wanted to go out to the shop but there is still snow on the ground. Funny, when I was in Maine I would have walked out and started a fire in the wood stove with out a thought. 18 years later in Tennessee, snow on the ground, na I ain't going out there.

 

[DGersic]

Many times it's the rubber grommet that is the cause for leaks, and not the valve itself...
Keep an eye to see if it starts leaking again and consider replacing the grommet...

I poked at it a bit out of curiosity today. Whatever is left of the rubber grommet is no longer doing much sealing, it has turned to dust. The pointed end of the valve shaft is no longer a nice cone shape either.



So, leakes when closed, leaks when open. Rubber isn’t obviously replaceable. I pitched it.

The new one is plastic, quarter turn, and will either fail immediately or outlive me.

 

[rharman]

Nah. This won't get moved much. I think I've had to physically touch a server 3 times last year.

I did notice I need to add a lip to the bottom edge. The filter popped off when I closed the door yesterday.

Wouldn't have popped off if there was a grill.....

 

[XJSuperman]

Got a late start after a tripped gfci kept the heat off after I thought I'd bumped it up. But found my groove and managed to get the passenger side rockslider together.