What did you do "IN" your garage today?

[Beerhippie]

Back in May, money was a little tight, and the alternator on my van started squealing. So I ordered a reman alternator from RockAuto and put it in. Welp, it stopped charging yesterday. I could have swapped it on warranty, but I just bit the bullet and ordered a "new" Delco alternator. I should have known better than to buy a reman in the first place. So there's some money down the toilet. But you know the saying, "it's expensive to be broke".

Anyway, I put the new alternator in the van today. It would be a totally easy job if it weren't for one lousy 10mm bolt into the back of the alternator that you have to take the engine doghouse, air cleaner, and a crapload of ducts and hoses off just to get at the bolt from the back. Hopefully this alternator will last more than 3 lousy months.

I don't know if Delco are the same, but the Bosch alternators use a little module that contains the brushes and the regulator. It's held in by a couple of screws; takes a few minutes to swap out (on my Vanagon, at least, it can be easily done in place) and cost about $30 last time I replaced one. Seems to be what goes out most often.

I'm also skeptical that a "new" alternator is any better than reman. I know how many "new" car part--particularly electrical and hydraulic--I've bought that were essentially DOA--like the "new" clutch master cylinder that starts ******* on your foot two days after you install it. I try to buy OEM whenever I can, but even that's a ****-shoot these days.

 

[Wrench97]

Back in May, money was a little tight, and the alternator on my van started squealing. So I ordered a reman alternator from RockAuto and put it in. Welp, it stopped charging yesterday. I could have swapped it on warranty, but I just bit the bullet and ordered a "new" Delco alternator. I should have known better than to buy a reman in the first place. So there's some money down the toilet. But you know the saying, "it's expensive to be broke".

Anyway, I put the new alternator in the van today. It would be a totally easy job if it weren't for one lousy 10mm bolt into the back of the alternator that you have to take the engine doghouse, air cleaner, and a crapload of ducts and hoses off just to get at the bolt from the back. Hopefully this alternator will last more than 3 lousy months.

I have a 2021 Chevy Trax in the shop, bad alternator, no rebuilds available Chevy wants $1757.** list $1451 wholesale book is 2 hours to change.......
So don't feel too bad about the van.

 

[Wrench97]

I don't know if Delco are the same, but the Bosch alternators use a little module that contains the brushes and the regulator. It's held in by a couple of screws; takes a few minutes to swap out (on my Vanagon, at least, it can be easily done in place) and cost about $30 last time I replaced one. Seems to be what goes out most often.

I'm also skeptical that a "new" alternator is any better than reman. I know how many "new" car part--particularly electrical and hydraulic--I've bought that were essentially DOA--like the "new" clutch master cylinder that starts ******* on your foot two days after you install it. I try to buy OEM whenever I can, but even that's a ****-shoot these days.

Depends if it's new OEM or new chinesiam the regulators are the biggest issue with either rebuilt or new the rebuilds that use a good quality replacement seem to work same foe the new units.

 

[Beerhippie]

Back in May, money was a little tight, and the alternator on my van started squealing. So I ordered a reman alternator from RockAuto and put it in. Welp, it stopped charging yesterday. I could have swapped it on warranty, but I just bit the bullet and ordered a "new" Delco alternator. I should have known better than to buy a reman in the first place. So there's some money down the toilet. But you know the saying, "it's expensive to be broke".

Anyway, I put the new alternator in the van today. It would be a totally easy job if it weren't for one lousy 10mm bolt into the back of the alternator that you have to take the engine doghouse, air cleaner, and a crapload of ducts and hoses off just to get at the bolt from the back. Hopefully this alternator will last more than 3 lousy months.

Is this an AC VW van? I don't recall the generator or alternator ever being that hard to replace. Seems I recall having to remove the gen/alt to remove the doghouse, anyway, as the fan mounts to the back of the gen/alt.

 

[CoogarXR]

Is this an AC VW van? I don't recall the generator or alternator ever being that hard to replace. Seems I recall having to remove the gen/alt to remove the doghouse, anyway, as the fan mounts to the back of the gen/alt.

Nah, nothing exotic, just my work Astro van.

 

[Beerhippie]

Nah, nothing exotic, just my work Astro van.

It was the mention of removing the doghouse that got me thinking AC.

 

[Metallitubby]

Did one more checklist on the hill climb Civic before a track day tomorrow:

- Replaced rear brake pads with something more aggressive for the track
- Washed the car/wrap from the previous hill climb.
- Moved wheel weights inboard slightly to clear the brake calipers
- Adjusted/tensioned both inboard and outboard interior nets.

 

[Outlawmws]

A late start, and smalls mostly:

Cut more dead maple to length for the transport tub and split that (we are talking a couple of cubic feet here...) I like this 3 lb splitting maul - perfect for these small jobs - These fit my rectangular Weber BBQ perfectly for a nice small campfire!:






I have its handle getting a lemon oil soak as its pretty dry...

I bent and painted 6 more lantern hangers as I'm down to one good one, and its the only one that is painted. I make these good ones from from old coat hanger - the narrow deep bail hook makes it less likely to bump one and unhook it and lose the globe and mantles... Now I can put a couple in each place I'm likely to need them... pics are while drying.



Just before painting them but after bending them belts came in for this old vacuum I use for cars and camp carpets so that got installed...:





I also re-vamped this lantern hook I use on my "flagpole" so its completely clamp on and no conduit misfit parts. The pole has 4 sections and collapses to just under 4' and is multi purpose: Lantern pole, (the hook broke and I repaired it wrong and it didn't fit right last weekend...) flag pole, and "base station" antenna mast for GMRS band. Love the SMA/BNC antenna mounts!


<slightly extended



V1 flagpole hook in action:

 

[KwikFab]

No garage work today, not with this heat and the kiddo having his drum lesson this late afternoon.

Backyard speakers arrived, and so did the speaker wires I'll be making myself for another set of speakers.





Backyard still needs a few things before it's finished but again, way too hot out

More like in the kitchen.

I hate that not one, but two orders are delayed.

First off, my cable sleeve is delayed by a day which ***** because I had just started on them a little bit ago.







But now the adjustable feet for the shelf I need to weld up are delayed by two days.

Means I'll have to focus on cutting parts today and do other work in preparation of.

Thinking I'll cut out the 6 feet bottoms as well as an additional 10 mounts for the butcher block top.

Follow-up to this post since my jacket arrived.

 

[M.Brane]

Other than visits to the beer fridge nothing. Too damn hot to be doing actual work in there.

 

[oldman_pottering]

to remove the doghouse,

what is this 'doghouse' ?

 

[jeristair]

what is this 'doghouse' ?

The cover that goes over the engine in a van

 

[JEFFREYWisconsin]

Other than visits to the beer fridge nothing. Too damn hot to be doing actual work in there.

The official ruling is: The trips to the beer fridge will count as actual work!!!!!

 

[Prospecter]

The official ruling is: The trips to the beer fridge will count as actual work!!!!!

Sustenance for planning!

 

[niget2002]

Got up at the buttcrack of dawn to smoke test the evap system on the wife's car. Pulled the cover off the car and could see the busted hose before I even used the smoker.

Now I don't know whether to use the smoker or just return it.

I'm thinking I'll replace the part and then smoke the system to check for any other leaks.

I'm not sure what plastic this stuff is, but it's brittle as hell.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Got up at the buttcrack of dawn to smoke test the evap system on the wife's car. Pulled the cover off the car and could see the busted hose before I even used the smoker.

Now I don't know whether to use the smoker or just return it.

I'm thinking I'll replace the part and then smoke the system to check for any other leaks.

I'm not sure what plastic this stuff is, but it's brittle as hell.

I would test the smoker before replacement, just to see how well it works.

IIRC, the plastic on those hard lines is polyurethane.

 

[Wrench97]

The plastic gets brittle with heat cycles.

 

[Old Man Roger]

My Silverado has a bad case of brittlitus.

 

[PhantomEB]

Fired it up and said let’s go around the block… ended up at my buddies place where we fixed the rad hose that burst off, already fixed the missing starter wire. Today is adjust the brake proportioning valve a little and tackle the rear lights. I so would of had that truck impounded if a cop saw me.

this weekend I also plan to put in the remote battery lugs and a 110v plug in, for any time I need power inside say like a space heater If she ever has to be parked outside or the snow is too deep for the one ton to be bothered with. Why take the diesel when I can take the truck with 42s to work. I am that guy who has no reason not to be at work every day!

 

[Old Man Roger]

If you’re taking that to work in the middle of winter, I think you should add heated seats and steering wheel.

 

[niget2002]

Worked on 3 projects today. Finished 1.

Wife's car? Waiting for parts.
Kitchen pull out drawers? Discovered the last cabinet is 13" wide not 12" wide. So the drawers I made aren't wide enough to fit the drawer slides. I don't feel like going back into town to get another piece of plywood, so we'll finish this project next week.

Last project, I installed cat doors on the kid's bedroom doors. They're wanting to leave their doors closed during the day/night, which is fine, but cats are getting locked in the rooms. Now the cats can come and go as they please.

 

[larry4406]

Well at least the cat is happy.

 

[zarex]

Finished installing the lights, wall plates and few of the tools showed up. picked up a magnetic sweeper for any screws or nails that escaped into the gravel just outside, don't feel like getting a flat on the truck. Heat pump/ mini split has been ordered as well.




Gonna build a budget/ quick workbench with just a shelf under it for now down the right wall with a spot for the miter saw. roughly 8ft at the back wall by 20ft down the right wall and install one of the side mount garage door opener's. Not having wifi cause its to far from the house gets annoying so need to run my fiber op cable through the old conduit to install an access point soon >.> and a better stereo for reasons

 

[Beerhippie]

what is this 'doghouse' ?

Or, in my case, the air distribution plenum/fan housing that sits atop the flat-four engine of an Air-Cooled VW type I and II.

 

[KwikFab]

Little bit of welding

















Quick lunch then onto cutting for another customer.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Little bit of welding

















Quick lunch then onto cutting for another customer.

Have you ever used Stargone? You are using some kind of gas with no splatter. Good jobs.

 

[KwikFab]

Have you ever used Stargone? You are using some kind of gas with no splatter. Good jobs.

Never heard of that, what is it?

I use 75/25 and yeah no spatter anywhere. Mainly cause I run it pretty hot and fast so it sounds just like sizzling bacon. I haven't been welding very long but I got my settings dialed in.

 

[Beerhippie]

Little bit of welding

















Quick lunch then onto cutting for another customer.

Your son did a great job on those bevels!

 

[KwikFab]

Your son did a great job on those bevels!

His *** is taking a nap - wife is off work on the weekends so when I came inside for lunch I was like "where's the little dude"

 

[mopar66]

Hung up some stuff in the space between the wall and a section of rack. I had some steel wheels powder coated this week and new tires mounted on them. Put one on my 86 Mustang to see how they look. Need to paint the end of the axle black.

 

[M.Brane]

Worked on the heat shielding for the work bike until the heat, and humidity won.

 

[930dreamer]

I opened the water heater drain , probably the first time ever. Mostly sand.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Never heard of that, what is it?

I use 75/25 and yeah no spatter anywhere. Mainly cause I run it pretty hot and fast so it sounds just like sizzling bacon. I haven't been welding very long but I got my settings dialed in.

They would never tell us what was in it. Argon and ?. It is meant for zero spatter.

 

[KwikFab]

They would never tell us what was in it. Argon and ?. It is meant for zero spatter.

So this comes up, I had weird results on my initial search.



Never heard of those blends, just the regular stuff like 100% co2, 75/25 (like I'm running) and that's it as far as MIG goes.

I was told for minimal spatter, you just need to right settings and travel speed for what you're welding. Unsure how true that is in regards to the lack of spatter but, seems to work!

 

[SMOKEYBEAR]

Planned to do cab lights on the dually, issue with the new light order. I have one that must have a wire grounding out and I need to investigate it, put that project on hold.

Working on some extra back up lighting for the dually. I ordered some some flush mount Rigid lights. The bumper on my '19 doesn't have a flat spot that would be appropriate for the flush mount deal. I've done the flush mounts on my Excursion and older 7.3s. The '19 bumper just has a different profile. I looked at some $$$$ setups that use the trailer hitch, decided to make my own brackets out of some 2.5" aluminum angle. Selected a thicker piece, grade 8 and SS hardware, lock washers and nylon lock nuts. OCD'd it with some rubber washers to adsorb some vibration between the aluminum bracket/ trailer hitch. Wired them to the back up lights and one of the up fitter switches that is hot with the truck off. Tinned wire for all of it minus the the Ridgid wiring, heat shrink /marine connectors and they illuminate with the truck in reverse or using the up fitter switch. Waiting for it to get dark to see if I have them some what aimed properly. Pics no order ..

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

So this comes up, I had weird results on my initial search.



Never heard of those blends, just the regular stuff like 100% co2, 75/25 (like I'm running) and that's it as far as MIG goes.

I was told for minimal spatter, you just need to right settings and travel speed for what you're welding. Unsure how true that is in regards to the lack of spatter but, seems to work!

Yea that's it. With traces amounts of other gasses.

 

[niget2002]

Wife got something stuck in the vacuum hose. Spent 15 minutes trying to get it out before saying f it and cutting the hose open with scissors. Then I taped it back shut with duck tape.

Some how she got an entire pillow case sucked up in the hose. Past the beater head and almost all the way to the top of the hose.

Wife's comment, "should we get a new vacuum?"

I asked why? Did you see the size of that pillow case and how far it made it before the vacuum gave up? Where are we going to find a vacuum that ***** that good?

Not even my shop vac could pull it the rest of the way through.

 

[Old Man Roger]

She did it on purpose.lol

 

[KwikFab]

She did it on purpose.lol

That was my thought, she wants a new vacuum

 

[rd65]

Worked on 3 projects today. Finished 1.

Wife's car? Waiting for parts.
Kitchen pull out drawers? Discovered the last cabinet is 13" wide not 12" wide. So the drawers I made aren't wide enough to fit the drawer slides. I don't feel like going back into town to get another piece of plywood, so we'll finish this project next week.

Last project, I installed cat doors on the kid's bedroom doors. They're wanting to leave their doors closed during the day/night, which is fine, but cats are getting locked in the rooms. Now the cats can come and go as they please.

Drywall is easier to repair than a door....