What did you do "IN" your garage today?

[ObnoxiousFumes]

Not “my” garage I guess, this was at work, but I did a quick mockup of the camshaft lamp I’ve been working on this week.
Dug the cam (LS?) out of the GM dealership scrap bin (with permission) a while back, planning to make a lamp but pondering on what to use for the base until recently, when I found the ring gear in that same bin and had an “Aha!” moment.
The shade is just a Walmart special.

 

[Outlawmws]

mockup of the camshaft lamp I’ve been working on

What is the plan for the cord?

 

[driftpin]

I like the camshaft lamp. The ring gear compliments it nicely. I have kept a broken camshaft I removed from a V-four DOHC motorcycle engine, as a reminder of what can happen when 'good things go-bad.' The use I could put the two halves to, I haven't determined. Maybe one of those desktop 'click-clack' steel balls toys, where the outside balls are replaced by the crankshaft halves.

Carb work on the XR650R.

My son took the bike out a while back and brought it back in a "its not running and I dont know why" condition. I could tell the idle screw, choke, and everything on the carb had been toyed with in his attempt to get it back to running condition. I appreciate his efforts, at least he tried to get it running which a lot of people wouldnt even try, so Im proud of him for at least trying. Anyways, the bike wasn't wanting to start, so into the carb we go.


The main jet and needle looked good, and the float was working properly.



So, onto the pilot jet which would be the likely culprit. Sure enough, clogged ports in the jet.

Before:




After:




Time to put it all back together, and try to get the idle and choke squared away.

Aha, pesky accretions of who-knows-what in the pilot jets? Good going. I sometimes use a soda blaster to clean carburetor surfaces from difficult to remove deposits. Easy on the german silver/potmetal that carbs are made from.

Here is one of four pilot jets found in my favorite motorcycle's innards:

​

It was so-plugged, "there was no light at the end of the tunnel."

​

Sometimes the ultrasonic cleaner doesn't get-out everything, and I use a single-strand SS wire to poke it clear. This is the same pilot jet as shown above, now allowing proper flow. Mikuni pilot jet PJ #37.5

​

Mikuni CV carbs for a 1200cc V-4.

​

Arrows show different positions of enrichment pistons for cold-starting. Definitely 'not to spec.' These need to be set to be opening at the same time, and at the same distance. The first step is to see if all the pistons move freely, and move-on from there to ensure a good cold-start.

 

[Gangly]

Aha, pesky accretions of who-knows-what in the pilot jets? Good going. I sometimes use a soda blaster to clean carburetor surfaces from difficult to remove deposits. Easy on the german silver/potmetal that carbs are made from.

Here is one of four pilot jets found in my favorite motorcycle's innards:

​

It was so-plugged, "there was no light at the end of the tunnel."

​

Sometimes the ultrasonic cleaner doesn't get-out everything, and I use a single-strand SS wire to poke it clear. This is the same pilot jet as shown above, now allowing proper flow. Mikuni pilot jet PJ #37.5

​

Mikuni CV carbs for a 1200cc V-4.

​

Arrows show different positions of enrichment pistons for cold-starting. Definitely 'not to spec.' These need to be set to be opening at the same time, and at the same distance. The first step is to see if all the pistons move freely, and move-on from there to ensure a good cold-start.

Man, a lot more time consuming than my single cylinder 650! Kudos to you for your patience and the required attention to details.

To clean my jets, I use brake cleaner and a single strand of wire from a welders brush. I'll take a cotton ear swab soaked in brake cleaner to rub down all surfaces in the bowl, slide, carb body, etc, and to snag any tiny debris that might be in there that I can't see. I think an ultrasonic cleaner would be nice to have, thanka for the suggestion

 

[Gangly]

What is the plan for the cord?

Ls cams are typically hollow.

 

[ObnoxiousFumes]

What is the plan for the cord?

Ls cams are typically hollow.

Yes this one is mostly hollow, had about a 3/4” section roughly 7” in from one end that was still solid, but I welded a round-bar extension onto a 3/8 bit and drilled it out.

 

[Jgaz]

I put this organizer together to keep all sorts of misc pieces of different length material in one place.

I saw the orginal idea on instagram and added a few ideas of my own.
The base turns on a lazy Susan bearing.
I‘ve been checking out construction dumpsters for a few weeks and only had to buy 10’ of 2” PCV and the bearing.

This organizer fits in the same footprint as a std. milk crate.
Time will tell how this works out.
I had most of this material tucked away in about half a dozen places.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I installed a rebuilt injector pump in my mowing tractor this morning. I'm going to bring it back into the garage tomorrow and adjust the valves so I pulled the center hoods off as it's much easier to get at the rockers that way.
Afterwards I gave both it and the loader tractor a bath with Purple Power and the pressure washer then parked them together for a photo op.

 

[Beerhippie]

I put this organizer together to keep all sorts of misc pieces of different length material in one place.

I saw the orginal idea on instagram and added a few ideas of my own.
The base turns on a lazy Susan bearing.
I‘ve been checking out construction dumpsters for a few weeks and only had to buy 10’ of 2” PCV and the bearing.

This organizer fits in the same footprint as a std. milk crate.
Time will tell how this works out.
I had most of this material tucked away in about half a dozen places.

Consider this idea stolen (re-stolen?)! I NEED one--and I have a lazy Susan bearing I bought some years ago for a project that never came together.

 

[niget2002]

Got home from kayaking and put everything away.

Then stained the daughter's desk while watching football.

 

[Outlawmws]

Then watched the daughter stain the daughter's desk while watching football.

Fixed it for ya!

 

[niget2002]

Fixed it for ya!

I know you're being funny, but...

It's her desk. I told her to do final touch up of anything she didn't like. Had the son out there helping too, but he somehow ran out of stain while covering significantly less Sq footage than the daughter or I and had wandered off before I took the pictures.

 

[PassnThru]

Yesterday pulled the 08 Taurus in for an oil change. It's been making squeaking noises in the front end for a while now so I finally decided to track that down. I had previously put new end links on the sway bar but it didn't help. I had moved on to suspect the struts as it had seemed kind of bouncy lately. Had one of the kids bounce it while I was under it and I was finally able to pin point it. Grabbed a can of silicon spray and hit the lower control arm bushings and it all but went away. They really don't seem loose but they are complaining. So that's the next job.
Also, while it was in there I pulled the rear tires because of the brake job I did on it last Friday. It had come to my attention through a video earlier this week that the caliper piston has to be set in a certain position after it's compressed. I was not aware of that at the time. One caliper was good - one was 180 out so there was a gap between the piston and the pad due to one small nub on the back of the pad that is supposed to fit in one of the holes used to spin the piston back in.
I guess I need to start watching a video even for those things I thought I already knew how to do.

 

[fishwatcher]

In my garage today, I found a long forgotten little Masterlock padlock. It would be perfect for a new Toyo toolbox I bought for cheap. The problem was the key was locked in it. Hmm.

I traced the key pattern over a metal zip tie and cut out the shape with a Dremel. The shape was nowhere near exact. I used some pliers to give my twisting of the key-like metal flashing some strength and popped the lock open.

Now.. if I need to lock my Toyo box.. done!

 

[Beerhippie]

In my garage today, I found a long forgotten little Masterlock padlock. It would be perfect for a new Toyo toolbox I bought for cheap. The problem was the key was locked in it. Hmm.

I traced the key pattern over a metal zip tie and cut out the shape with a Dremel. The shape was nowhere near exact. I used some pliers to give my twisting of the key-like metal flashing some strength and popped the lock open.

Now.. if I to lock my Toyo box.. done!

That's one way to be sure you don't lose the key....

 

[Beerhippie]

A rest day. Took a drive down-valley and checked my favorite honey-holes. Spent money. Thought about going for a hike until I saw all the hunters heading to the same trailhead. I'm not one for crowds, and especially not armed crowds.

Filled the toolbox I bought at one of the HHs with our new Worksharp blade grinder. Went through a satchel of maps I couldn't pass up. Thinking about sharpening a knife or two.

Now I'm tuckered out and ready for a cold beer... thinking about knife sharpening is hard work!

 

[930dreamer]

Primed the wood screen door.

 

[jimkinney]

Picked up this Columbian 504 at an estate sale for $40. Forgot to take a before picture, but it looked almost unused, just light surface rust and a bunch of house paint drips.

After a light sand blast and a couple of coats of Rustoleum Charcoal Grey here it is. You can see from the jaws how little use it had, most of the points are still sharp.

 

[jimkinney]

Continued building drawer fronts for son's custom closet. Just pine and MDF.
Still need to cut to size and paint

 

[pancholasvegas]

Burning the candle at both ends this weekend. Masked up and got the first color base coat sprayed, and some intercoats of clear to help with the tape lines on the next colors.



I did roll the edges of the tape and create a soft edge for all the areas where more color is to come. I’ll be able to flat and blend those sections out when doing the next colors and use the body lines to my advantage when it comes to tape lines.

 

[Jgaz]

Consider this idea stolen (re-stolen?)! I NEED one--and I have a lazy Susan bearing I bought some years ago for a project that never came together.

@Beerhippie If you, or anyone else is thinking about building the organizer here is the screen shot I took from the internet.

Each 2” PVC pipe is 5” shorter than the previous pipe.
My 4” piece Is 40” or so because that was the length of the piece I scored while dumpster diving. YRMV

 

[Gangly]

Burning the candle at both ends this weekend. Masked up and got the first color base coat sprayed, and some intercoats of clear to help with the tape lines on the next colors.



I did roll the edges of the tape and create a soft edge for all the areas where more color is to come. I’ll be able to flat and blend those sections out when doing the next colors and use the body lines to my advantage when it comes to tape lines.

Very impressive work. I wish I knew the lingo you were using so that I could better understand the process. However, even without knowing the verbiage for this skill/trade, I can appreciate the work through your photos. Fascinating!

 

[pancholasvegas]

Very impressive work. I wish I knew the lingo you were using so that I could better understand the process. However, even without knowing the verbiage for this skill/trade, I can appreciate the work through your photos. Fascinating!

My apologies, I could do better with explaining some!

There’s a few things going on here - In total, I’ve got 3 more colors to apply. Silver (for the bumpers, “trim,” and grill), green (other half of the body), and red (taillights). I started with the lightest color. When it came to making and taping, I applied the tape and masking just a hair past where I wanted the color to end. Instead of pushing the tape down flush and flat, I rolled the edges back so that it’s more of an “controlled overspray,” instead of a hard stop.

I then applied 2 very light coats of clear coat to the painted area. This is going to give me protection against pulling off any of the white basecoat with tape or masking when I go to apply the other colors. Before applying the next color, I’ll gently sand out the areas where the “overspray” is, to remove any thickness and return to flat. When applying the next set of colors, I’ll be using fine line tape, and setting it flush and flat, but against areas on the body of the car that make sense to have a clear change.

The process will be repeated basically on each color change until it is complete, and then clear will be applied throughout for complete coverage.

 

[Jay870]

Getting ready for winter...

Oil change, air filter, cabin filter, brake maintenance, tire rotation and touching up the underbody corrossion prevention.

 

[Outlawmws]

@Beerhippie If you, or anyone else is thinking about building the organizer here is the screen shot I took from the internet.

I foresee a lot of PVC, scrap or otherwise, bring made into these.

good setup for metal materials, welding rod, wood dowels, etc...

 

[partsguy5768]

Spent the day getting ready for next weeks 5 day, 5 tracks 800 mile drag and drive... wired up a two step, started loading the trailer including building some shelves, trays, hooks out of aluminum in the trailer. Fresh set of plugs in the car. Checked the car over etc... got the motorhome ready for the wife and son to follow to spend the night at each track...

 

[Beerhippie]

I foresee a lot f PVC, scrap or otherwise, bring made into these.

good setup for metal materials, welding rod, wood dowels, etc...

Pipe drops, all-thread, rods, bar stock.... I have stuff just leaning against the wall or tucked behind things that would be much more accessible in that rig.

 

[M.Brane]

It's starting to look like a motorcycle again:


Stator, wiring, coolant res, fuel tank and rear wheel reinstalled. Only part needed is a battery. I'll order that when I get back from the Lemons race next weekend.

 

[Gangly]

My apologies, I could do better with explaining some!

There’s a few things going on here - In total, I’ve got 3 more colors to apply. Silver (for the bumpers, “trim,” and grill), green (other half of the body), and red (taillights). I started with the lightest color. When it came to making and taping, I applied the tape and masking just a hair past where I wanted the color to end. Instead of pushing the tape down flush and flat, I rolled the edges back so that it’s more of an “controlled overspray,” instead of a hard stop.

I then applied 2 very light coats of clear coat to the painted area. This is going to give me protection against pulling off any of the white basecoat with tape or masking when I go to apply the other colors. Before applying the next color, I’ll gently sand out the areas where the “overspray” is, to remove any thickness and return to flat. When applying the next set of colors, I’ll be using fine line tape, and setting it flush and flat, but against areas on the body of the car that make sense to have a clear change.

The process will be repeated basically on each color change until it is complete, and then clear will be applied throughout for complete coverage.

Thanks for breaking it down, i appreciate it.

Jeez, that's a lot of work. Impressive for sure, and I'm interested in seeing the final results. Thanks for sharing the process, Ill be watching.

 

[Outlawmws]

Pipe drops, all-thread, rods, bar stock.... I have stuff just leaning against the wall or tucked behind things that would be much more accessible in that rig.

Same. buckets just get messy and ugly.

 

[Levaughn]

I've been looking for a used de-thatcher for a while, but they are pricey if you can find them. I came across this vintage Hahn Verticut (unknown year) at an Estate Sale for $30. I tried to get the Briggs & Stratton motor to run but couldn't. I decided to put a Harbor Freight 6.5 motor on it. I cleaned it up a re painted it. All total I'm in it for $192.

 

[ATC]

Fired up the plasma cutter and cut out a 55-gal drum for a new burn barrel. Also used it to put a bevel on some 3.5" dia. 1/4" thick pipe to prepare it for welding.

Pulled out the headache rack project for my truck and worked on it some more. Had to cut out a crossbar that blocked the 3rd brake light, and fix a broken weld on a louver.

Dug out the Oxy/Acy torches (probably haven't used them in 10 years) so I could torch off a motor mount bolt that rounded off on a F350 chassis I'm stripping. Cut the exhaust off it below the Y-pipe while I was there too.

 

[ATC]

So, remember kids: Forklift vs. most anything: Forklift wins.

As a forklift operator for the past 20 years, I can confirm this statement.

 

[Outlawmws]

Briggs & Stratton motor to run but couldn't

In my experience, a non starting Briggs is almost invariably the flywheel key sheared and its simply out of timing.

 

[jblnut]

Contemplated life decisions while replacing the fabric on our camper awning. Decisions such as “why didn’t we just buy a new damn camper!?” and “why am I too tight to buy a new camper?” and “how many more times am I going to bleed today?”

Anywhoooooo. New camper awning fabric is installed !! I will not be doing this again. A new camper will be happening before I do this again. Having a few extra helping hands would have likely made it better.

 

[Benw455]

Slowly working on my Power Wagon. Masked off the truck and sprayed the bottom in Rhino liner. Next week I am hoping to put on the factory decals.

 

[oldman_pottering]

I finally got to make some kind of difference in my shed !
For the last 5 weeks or so we have been renovating our bedroom which has seen us sleeping in the other 2 rooms, last week we had to empty all the rooms as we were having the floors sanded so we had moved a spare bed into the lounge room along with clothes racks, the place looked like a chinese laundry. our main bed has been stacked up outside one of my shed doors, another bed has been outside on our deck and my shed has been filled with a flat pack wardrobe all sorts of bits and pieces, as usual anything that we needed from the shed was a real pita to reach so if it came out it went back in but not put away correctly so its still a disaster zone. I reclaimed space in the shed where a new flatpack of 3 wardrobes has been living and yesterday we built them.
the first one we built outside only to realise that we couldn't get it through our bedroom doors so we had to un-build it and redo it in the bedroom ! The other 2 went together Ok in the room, after that was over the only thing I did in the shed was drink beer and watch football

Our bed stacked outside



Flat pack wardrobe



Wardrobe built but not finished

 

[KwikFab]

Made room in the garage.

Shelf and wood tops are gone - went over to my SIL's house to assemble it.

 

[garfieldzzz]

Sat on the floor, changed a driveshaft and a wheelbearing/hub assembly on my daily.
removed some rust, found more rust.. I think Ill need a lift at some point..

 

[bulletpruf]

A few tweaks to the Remington 700 - lightened the Timney trigger from 3# to just over 1.5#.

Re-set the headspace using go/no-go gauges.