What did you do "IN" your garage today?

[zarex]

Got the paint done in the shop and washed the floor, prob the last time it'll be this empty lol. Gotta switch out the 2 random white outlets and can finally mount the real lights and wall mount garage door opener. Temp lights were nice but they don't output much light.


Gonna eventually build something to hide the garage door track uprights or make them look built in with an enclosure. one of the doors the metal angle pieces were hanging lower then the other door for some reason so the drywall looked worse in some spots.



Not having a work surface has been such a pain and cant wait to build the first version of it. Gonna just leave the floor for now cause i'm torn on trying tile vs getting it epoxied but sled carbides will prob chew that up and until we build a shed the sled has to stay in this garage. Gonna be my woodshop and still have the option to park the truck inside in the winter. Hvac guys are coming next week for quote and site visit for installing a heat pump mini split for heat and AC. Def need to run internet out here cause it's just far enough from the house wifi doesn't work very well



Been randomly hearing noises what we thought were birds on roof last few weeks, turns out we had an uninvited guest who managed to make her way into the attic to have a litter of Smols. Animal control guys helped remover her and she took babies elsewhere to a new den while they were fixing any damage and prevention for future. Lucky she and her litter were cute cause the price for everything to get done and cleaned up was not very nice lol

 

[JEFFREYWisconsin]

I imagine there's a glut of ash on the market with the ash borer basically destroying the trees throughout North America. They made it to Oregon in the last few years and have started in on the native lowland forests of Oregon Ash.

For the mess of drilling or otherwise working wood, you do have a shop vac, don't you?





My DP is mounted on casters, so, weather permitting, I'll often take wood projects outside.

I have a ton of Ash, we can't move it out of our county as firewood. The emerald Ash borer doesn't screw around, it's devastating.

However, around here it is leaving holes in forests where young maples are coming up quickly. I have read some articles about a few resistant Ash that have survived and there are plans to possibly work with those select trees to find a way to bring Ash back over time... We shall see.

 

[Beerhippie]

....
Not having a work surface has been such a pain and cant wait to build the first version of it. Gonna just leave the floor for now cause i'm torn on trying tile vs getting it epoxied but sled carbides will prob chew that up and until we build a shed the sled has to stay in this garage. Gonna be my woodshop and still have the option to park the truck inside in the winter. Hvac guys are coming next week for quote and site visit for installing a heat pump mini split for heat and AC. Def need to run internet out here cause it's just far enough from the house wifi doesn't work very well


...

Livestock matting. It's made for concrete-floor barns, where the hard floor is bad for hooves and for trailers, where horseshoes are bad for floors. At around 3/4" thick and made to take the weight of ton-plus critters concentrated over a few square inches, it'll do the job.

 

[DGersic]

I have a ton of Ash, we can't move it out of our county as firewood. The emerald Ash borer doesn't screw around, it's devastating.

However, around here it is leaving holes in forests where young maples are coming up quickly. I have read some articles about a few resistant Ash that have survived and there are plans to possibly work with those select trees to find a way to bring Ash back over time... We shall see.

I had two big ash trees in front of the house, until the bugs got them.

Read about the resistant trees a while ago, I hope it works.

https://www.npr.org/2024/11/23/nx-s1-5189573/in-points-north-podcast-researchers-try-to-save-ash-trees-from-extinction

 

[Gangly]

Put up a little decoration in anticipation of the upcoming season....

 

[Beerhippie]

I had two big ash trees in front of the house, until the bugs got them.

Read about the resistant trees a while ago, I hope it works.

https://www.npr.org/2024/11/23/nx-s1-5189573/in-points-north-podcast-researchers-try-to-save-ash-trees-from-extinction

See:

American Elm

American Chestnut

White Pine

Et Cetera

and see how well that's worked so far.

Sorry about the Debbie Downer--you may now return to your regularly scheduled programming.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Growing up in mass, there were chestnut trees everywhere. They’re all pretty much gone now.

 

[bugnut]

Little time trying a repair on the atv, Removed bolts only 1 needed drilled out. Then proceeded to plastic weld, will attempt to affix a backup square on the plastic to add a little more strength. Need to buy some bolts....

 

[LWB]

I had two big ash trees in front of the house, until the bugs got them.

Read about the resistant trees a while ago, I hope it works.

https://www.npr.org/2024/11/23/nx-s1-5189573/in-points-north-podcast-researchers-try-to-save-ash-trees-from-extinction

FWIW I have had about 20 dead Ash on the property and 4 that are fine. Fingers crossed.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Growing up in mass, there were chestnut trees everywhere. They’re all pretty much gone now.

Fun fact, I actually lived on Chestnut St for a few years as a kid.lol

 

[DeeDubz]

Nah. You fill an old gym sock with the crystals, tie it off, and toss it in the skimmer. They melt down after a few hours and the chemical gets distributed.

You can also hang the sock in front of a return port, but that usually winds up with the sock on the bottom of the pool, and the pool boy chokes on it.

wouldn't it just be easier to get it in liquid form and pour it in the pool.... instead of having a sock in your pool.

 

[ararat]

See:

American Elm

American Chestnut

White Pine

Et Cetera

and see how well that's worked so far.

Sorry about the Debbie Downer--you may now return to your regularly scheduled programming.

Eastern Hemlock is another. Several huge trees died on my parents land.

 

[rd65]

Yea but it's all paint, that one all the paint is missing.

Jubilee emblem


NAA Emblem

I didnt know they were so identical. FIL has a Golden Jubilee, I would love to have it someday as I am a Ford guy but doubt it would come my way.

 

[JEFFREYWisconsin]

FWIW I have had about 20 dead Ash on the property and 4 that are fine. Fingers crossed.

One kinda wild thing on my property is that I have lost most (maybe all) Ash trees. However the ash seedlings still come up and not until they hit a certain size do the AE borers even mess with them.

I wonder if one day they will begin to survive, nature is funny and there are countless ways that things have come back.

I have many confirmed eagle's nest within 10 miles of my house. That would not have been the case in this area when I was a child, nature is rebounding in some interesting ways.

 

[JEFFREYWisconsin]

Put up a little decoration in anticipation of the upcoming season....

That's cool and you left that side to the left for the Big Chicago Bears sign! Awesome.

 

[Beerhippie]

Eastern Hemlock is another. Several huge trees died on my parents land.

I had to stop somewhere. It was getting too depressing.

 

[JEFFREYWisconsin]

Growing up in mass, there were chestnut trees everywhere. They’re all pretty much gone now.

There are some specific hybrid trees which are highly resistant to two line chestnut borers and other pests. I have a friend who is planting several acres as a chestnut farm...will take some years before they have nuts but it is supposedly a lucrative business. They planted the last two years I believe.

 

[Gangly]

That's cool and you left that side to the left for the Big Chicago Bears sign! Awesome.

Haha. I do believe Caleb Williams will take a step forward this year. Y'all went all in on protecting him (which a good organization should do) so he should have plenty of time to make those throws that he was known for in college.

 

[LWB]

One kinda wild thing on my property is that I have lost most (maybe all) Ash trees. However the ash seedlings still come up and not until they hit a certain size do the AE borers even mess with them.

I wonder if one day they will begin to survive, nature is funny and there are countless ways that things have come back.

I have many confirmed eagle's nest within 10 miles of my house. That would not have been the case in this area when I was a child, nature is rebounding in some interesting ways.

We are starting to see eagles coming back here and herons as well.

Zebra mussels were the end of the world in the Great lakes. Lake Erie has never been cleaner. It was declared dead in the 70's. Nature has a way of balancing things out. The less we mess with her the better. I was not happy about trying to "take control" and cut down all the ash trees.

 

[ararat]

I had to stop somewhere. It was getting too depressing.

A little good news, there are several small/medium hemlock trees with nice green regrowth without many bugs on their property. It seems like something is controlling the adelgids or some trees are resistant possibly. I haven't seen any news on it though. Just personal observation.

 

[ararat]

There are some specific hybrid trees which are highly resistant to two line chestnut borers and other pests. I have a friend who is planting several acres as a chestnut farm...will take some years before they have nuts but it is supposedly a lucrative business. They planted the last two years I believe.

I was given 6 seedlings to plant on my property that are hybrids that are mostly American Chestnut. They are growing nicely. The hope is that they will be resistant.

 

[lolaetype]

An addendum to my earlier post on replacing the clutch on the 97 V6 F150





I'm in the middle of replacing the clutch on the F150. The pressure plate is bolted to the flywheel with 6 bolts. One of the 6 on my truck is different, apparently a replacement for a lost bolt. I figured since I had everything apart, why not replace the odd bolt with the proper one. I took the bolt to the Ford dealer this morning. They looked up the price for a single bolt; $24.00. The parts guy and I agreed the odd ball bolt will be able to continue its duty just fine.




Other lessons from this job:

It's cheaper to buy a new flywheel than to have the old one resurfaced.

And most importantly. The truck has a self-adjusting hydraulic clutch. The initial set-up depends on the self adjusters on the pressure plate being properly adjusted prior to installation. The manufacturer claims the pressure plate comes preadjusted from the factory; This is not so, at least in my recent experience. Double check and adjust as necessary or you will proudly start the truck only to find out the freeplay is all wrong and the transmission will not shift when the engine is running. The fix involves a complete redo. I'm getting quite skilled at removing the transmission.

One question for the F150 knowledgeable: The Haynes Manual says the self adjuster spacing for the pressure plate is 0.550". Can anyone verify that is correct? I obviously don't want to do this a third time.

Since the thing is still apart I guess I'll go down and take a few photos for posterity.

 

[KwikFab]

Leather samples arrived!

Upper most sample is one I cut from my own hide from my stool



This way I get to compare them directly off the stool

 

[Beerhippie]

Our Lead Brewer asked me to make a new, lower-water-usage post-fill can rinser for the canning line. Some beer gets spilled out of the can--ideally, just foam--before the lids go on and get seamed, so we need to rinse and dry them before applying the pressure-sensitive labels.

Unfortunately, he doesn't want it so much to reduce the water usage as to be able to determine just how much beer is being wasted by measuring it (there's a catch tray that goes to a floor drain) and subtract the amount of rinse water used. With the stock rinser, which uses about 4 gpm, it would overwhelm any beer, so we're cutting it down to 1.2 gpm with the nozzles I currently have.

While I'm a big fan of saving water (out here, whiskey's for drinkin'; water's for fightin' over), this sounds like a cockamamie way of determining beer loss in the canner.

Anyway, I do what I'm asked--it's my job. If I can save some water in the process, so much the better.

First thing is to lay it out so I can use the least water to rinse the cans--and keep the rinser as small as possible. My desktop cutting mat seems to be ideal for this!

The flat spray pattern is 90 degrees on these nozzles, and the cutting mat has 90-degree lay-outs.



That'll do it. Now, measure between the two squares, subtract the radius of the can and double that, giving me the outside measurement of the frame--and that's all the math for this project. 14 11/16", which I'll round up to 14 3/4". No tens involved in this project--it's plumbing, not machining.

Now, find the overall height by the same process--but no math this time (9 1/2")--and the height of the side sprayers (2 1/2") and lay out my "leads":



From here on out, it's mark-in-place and a bunch of pipe cutting:



There's my kit--some assembly required. I'm using as much salvage--all the pipe and a couple of fittings--as possible.

I made one little mistake. When I need to cut pieces too small to be easily held, I fist clean a long section of pipe so I don't have to hold the shorts--but I forgot.



Vise-grips to the rescue!

Now, lots of cleaning, de-burring, fluxing--and then sweat the little things:



Since this will be used for product contact and I'm using salvaged parts, it's in the USC with some lye solution right now. It'll get a buzz with some sodium citrate after that just to purty it up some, then build a mount, install the spray nozzles and test! I'll have to figure out something to use for an enclosure so we don't spray rinse water all over the room, too.

 

[Skyman]

The display in this HVAC controller croaked a coupla weeks ago. I installed a used e-bay replacement yesterday, and am no longer flying blind when operating the HVAC. I then opened up the one I removed to see if there was an obvious and easily repairable fault such as a cold solder joint, cooked component, etc, but there was not. The DVM I was using was showing a low battery icon, so I swapped that out, and dropped the screw that secures the cover as I was reassembling it. Scoured the floor for it, and it had vanished. After hunting for at least 20 minutes, I gave up, moved the trash can back under the bench, and damned if that tiny screw didn't drop out of the foot pedal mechanism on that trash can.

Old dark unit:



New used unit:

 

[rcktpwrd]

The display in this HVAC controller croaked a coupla weeks ago. I installed a used e-bay replacement yesterday, and am no longer flying blind when operating the HVAC. I then opened up the one I removed to see if there was an obvious and easily repairable fault such as a cold solder joint, cooked component, etc, but there was not. The DVM I was using was showing a low battery icon, so I swapped that out, and dropped the screw that secures the cover as I was reassembling it. Scoured the floor for it, and it had vanished. After hunting for at least 20 minutes, I gave up, moved the trash can back under the bench, and damned it that tiny screw didn't drop out of the foot pedal mechanism on that trash can.

Old dark unit:



New used unit:

88-94 Chevy truck!

just like the HVAC controls in my wife's 454SS... It occasionally doesn't respond and needs a gently smack...

 

[Wrench97]

An addendum to my earlier post on replacing the clutch on the 97 V6 F150





I'm in the middle of replacing the clutch on the F150. The pressure plate is bolted to the flywheel with 6 bolts. One of the 6 on my truck is different, apparently a replacement for a lost bolt. I figured since I had everything apart, why not replace the odd bolt with the proper one. I took the bolt to the Ford dealer this morning. They looked up the price for a single bolt; $24.00. The parts guy and I agreed the odd ball bolt will be able to continue its duty just fine.




Other lessons from this job:

It's cheaper to buy a new flywheel than to have the old one resurfaced.

And most importantly. The truck has a self-adjusting hydraulic clutch. The initial set-up depends on the self adjusters on the pressure plate being properly adjusted prior to installation. The manufacturer claims the pressure plate comes preadjusted from the factory; This is not so, at least in my recent experience. Double check and adjust as necessary or you will proudly start the truck only to find out the freeplay is all wrong and the transmission will not shift when the engine is running. The fix involves a complete redo. I'm getting quite skilled at removing the transmission.

One question for the F150 knowledgeable: The Haynes Manual says the self adjuster spacing for the pressure plate is 0.550". Can anyone verify that is correct? I obviously don't want to do this a third time.

Since the thing is still apart I guess I'll go down and take a few photos for posterity.

It's been a number of years since I did one but I don't recall any adjustment on the pressure plate, it's a diaphragm type correct?
Bolt the plate up and make sure all the fingers are even. The adjustment is in the throwout bearing assembly and it just pushes out with hydraulic action and the fingers push it back when you let off the clutch.

Form the r&r section.

 

[Old Man Roger]

An addendum to my earlier post on replacing the clutch on the 97 V6 F150





I'm in the middle of replacing the clutch on the F150. The pressure plate is bolted to the flywheel with 6 bolts. One of the 6 on my truck is different, apparently a replacement for a lost bolt. I figured since I had everything apart, why not replace the odd bolt with the proper one. I took the bolt to the Ford dealer this morning. They looked up the price for a single bolt; $24.00. The parts guy and I agreed the odd ball bolt will be able to continue its duty just fine.




Other lessons from this job:

It's cheaper to buy a new flywheel than to have the old one resurfaced.

And most importantly. The truck has a self-adjusting hydraulic clutch. The initial set-up depends on the self adjusters on the pressure plate being properly adjusted prior to installation. The manufacturer claims the pressure plate comes preadjusted from the factory; This is not so, at least in my recent experience. Double check and adjust as necessary or you will proudly start the truck only to find out the freeplay is all wrong and the transmission will not shift when the engine is running. The fix involves a complete redo. I'm getting quite skilled at removing the transmission.

One question for the F150 knowledgeable: The Haynes Manual says the self adjuster spacing for the pressure plate is 0.550". Can anyone verify that is correct? I obviously don't want to do this a third time.

Since the thing is still apart I guess I'll go down and take a few photos for posterity.

Ok, it happened.

 

[Beerhippie]

It's a pleasant, sunny 79F outside--perfect weather to test the new rinser!

First test at our line pressure of ~60 psi:



Hmm... are those shock cones? Maybe a little overkill....



Yeah, we just want to rinse the can--not hydrotest it! I do like the rainbow.



Timed 1-minute run. Still more usage than I like.

Second try. I put a 30 psi regulator in-line (the white thing to the right):



https://flic.kr/p/2rmpUJf


Much better! But I think I can get it down to half that with some lower-flow spray nozzles. These were what I had in the boneyard.

 

[lolaetype]

but I don't recall any adjustment on the pressure plate, it's a diaphragm type correct?

The Haynes Manual shows the process for adjusting the pressure plate. The springs (see the pencil pointing to one in the below picture) should be set to a length of 0.55 inches. The manual outlines the procedure for doing so. I've followed the procedure but was hoping someone could tell me if the 0.55" is correct. It probably is but I don't want to pull the transmission for a third time.

The three springs:



The process in Haynes (steps 13 through 16):



No mention of any measurements or adjustments in the slave cylinder section. Could it be the procedure you cited is for a manual adjustment clutch and not the self adjusting variety that I have?

 

[JimH74]

An addendum to my earlier post on replacing the clutch on the 97 V6 F150





I'm in the middle of replacing the clutch on the F150. The pressure plate is bolted to the flywheel with 6 bolts. One of the 6 on my truck is different, apparently a replacement for a lost bolt. I figured since I had everything apart, why not replace the odd bolt with the proper one. I took the bolt to the Ford dealer this morning. They looked up the price for a single bolt; $24.00. The parts guy and I agreed the odd ball bolt will be able to continue its duty just fine.




Other lessons from this job:

It's cheaper to buy a new flywheel than to have the old one resurfaced.

And most importantly. The truck has a self-adjusting hydraulic clutch. The initial set-up depends on the self adjusters on the pressure plate being properly adjusted prior to installation. The manufacturer claims the pressure plate comes preadjusted from the factory; This is not so, at least in my recent experience. Double check and adjust as necessary or you will proudly start the truck only to find out the freeplay is all wrong and the transmission will not shift when the engine is running. The fix involves a complete redo. I'm getting quite skilled at removing the transmission.

One question for the F150 knowledgeable: The Haynes Manual says the self adjuster spacing for the pressure plate is 0.550". Can anyone verify that is correct? I obviously don't want to do this a third time.

Since the thing is still apart I guess I'll go down and take a few photos for posterity.

What a clean shop. Do you really work there or is this all staged? I'm so jealous.

 

[lolaetype]

What a clean shop. Do you really work there or is this all staged? I'm so jealous.

It's called OCD. I prefer to work in a clean environment. When doing something I regularly use a cordless blower to push loose dirt out the garage door. I can never find my tools when I lay them down so I now have a habit of usually returning them to the tool chest when I'm not using them. When I'm done for the day I clean the floor, wipe down the work surfaces and put everything in order.

 

[nadogail]

Nothing, sat on several chairs and just took the day off.
When Mrs Nadogail went to the hair salon, our housekeeper drove me to the grocery and I waited in the car while she made the purchases.

 

[Skyman]

88-94 Chevy truck!

just like the HVAC controls in my wife's 454SS... It occasionally doesn't respond and needs a gently smack...

Yep. It’s a ’94 C1500. Best vehicle I have ever owned, by far.

 

[SMOKEYBEAR]

Wrapped up the small boat project. New hose finally arrived after making a tour of the lower 48, thanks USPS.

Broken EGR bolt is the next task. I hope to have it wrapped up today while waiting on the new EGT probe to get delivered.

 

[JEFFREYWisconsin]

Yea but it's all paint, that one all the paint is missing.

Jubilee emblem


NAA Emblem

This is what it is! an NAA?

 

[Wrench97]

The Haynes Manual shows the process for adjusting the pressure plate. The springs (see the pencil pointing to one in the below picture) should be set to a length of 0.55 inches. The manual outlines the procedure for doing so. I've followed the procedure but was hoping someone could tell me if the 0.55" is correct. It probably is but I don't want to pull the transmission for a third time.

The three springs:



The process in Haynes (steps 13 through 16):



No mention of any measurements or adjustments in the slave cylinder section. Could it be the procedure you cited is for a manual adjustment clutch and not the self adjusting variety that I have?

Could be I've not seen that setup on a LT truck. HD trucks have self adjusting clutches but they have 4 bolts to install to relieve the pressure to "reset" the adjustment.

 

[PhantomEB]

On the moneypit baja an auxbeam 12 switch keyboard was installed to replace light switches, etc. I need labels, been to Etsy to try and find a maker, striking out. I have tried making them with the labelmaker but no light penetrates. So thought why not 3d print a few as a test. I drew a couple and printed them, I immediately liked the texture imparted by the build plate. The same thickness as the factory label may be too thin and allow to much light transmission. I printed in both petg and pla, pla is much darker though both are black, head scratching and more work continues.
MY OCD wants them all 12 to match and be correct.

Is there one for exhaust brake? If so, want to do one up for me? I can’t seem to find a replacement decal for my 2012 Ram 3500, PO sure must of used that brake lots.

 

[PhantomEB]

Back on tidying up all my camping gear and organizing up the trailer for next time. Making it easier to pull out what I don’t need, etc.


already made a kitchen gear tote of utensils, pots, plates, spices and cleaning stuff. Set up the table and Weber/Blackstone and this tote goes straight under! I rarely cook Or do anything inside when out camping.

then it’s back on tackling leaks on the bronco and see if she’s got power brakes now too. Then it’s onto 4x4 ****! Found a new favorite trail last weekend that I deem soon will be lockers mandatory! Up and Over. I estimate we were pushing 45* but the washout sections make it fun.

 

[MacAttack]

Not in but on and not a garage but a 100 year old horse barn. I've been trying to get this roof project done. About 5 years ago part of the metal roof went bye bye. I was still working as a millwright in a steel mill that I retired from. Since then several more wind storms removed the rest of the roof. The critters and rain ruined everything in the barn which we used as storage.
I wanted to tear it down but the wife wanted it repaired. I didn't want to spend 50 grand on an old barn so here I am. Permits in hand.
I have the new rafters installed. After a late night of installing blocking I found 10 blocks were long. I need to spend time to fix my mistake. I can't just leave it. It has to pass inspection. I also have one wall to replace.
I'm waiting on a dumpster and scaffolding. The mess inside the barn needs to be gone and the soffits on one side are over 12' up. The wife has to go through her things in there and I have a car to pull out.
I'll be glad to get back to just cutting grass and Honey Do jobs that never end.