What did you do "IN" your garage today?

[Skyman]

Messed around with installation of the LED lights that I bought for my new 4-post lift. I still have a few details to be worked out regarding dressing and securing the wires, etc. They did seem to nicely illuminate the underside of the Blazer that's on the lift.

Decided to back the Blazer out of the garage, and no bueno. Battery was at approximately 0.0 VDC. WTF? Did I leave the dome light on? Nope. Hmm... I did leave the key in the ignition lock cylinder, albeit with the cylinder in the Lock position. I've never done that before. Did that keep a monitoring circuit latched active while the vehicle was at rest? It hadn't occurred to me that it might. Measuring current draw seemed to confirm that it did, although replicating the behavior seemed inconsistent. Charger's on it, and I'll investigate further tomorrow. Hopefully, the battery will recover sufficiently, but I'm sure its lifespan has been compromised to some extent.

Did a little more organizing and tidying up, but there's plenty more to be done with that.

 

[bmwrd0]

Not much shop time, but was able to get the head on the lathe to see where I want to mount the drum switch, and loaded six flats of donation into the back of the truck, which will go to the Restore tomorrow. Sounds easy, but everything in my basement shop has to be hand carried up the stairs, so, not too bad, but bad enough that I put it off.

 

[bugnut]

Fired up the 3d printer and printed a couple bag holder brackets for under the seat in the 17 Ridgeline. Didn't turn on the heat in the shop and soon I was getting cold. Finished print, installed, tested and I think I'll print a couple more for dimensions and modify. Was wondering if I could modify and reprint to work as a gun holder?

 

[Outlawmws]

Was wondering if I could modify and reprint to work as a gun holder?

Will the two halves go up and down together?

 

[coldh2o]

Fired up the 3d printer and printed a couple bag holder brackets for under the seat in the 17 Ridgeline. Didn't turn on the heat in the shop and soon I was getting cold. Finished print, installed, tested and I think I'll print a couple more for dimensions and modify. Was wondering if I could modify and reprint to work as a gun holder?

Bag holder eh? I guess you need somewhere to put your manhood when driving a Ridgeline

 

[rd65]

Added some this weatherstripping to the doors on the sink cabinet and one of two magnetic latches. Cleaned up some power tools and hand tools and got them put away. Removed the mower deck on the rider. I will go pressure that, the push mower, and the sweeper this weekend. I hope to get the push mower & sweeper serviced over the weekend as well. Maybe the mower deck too depending on time and weather. Oh, and I bumped up the temp on the water heater. Still wasn't hot enough to cause any skin damage. Temp under the cabinet was 50 degrees.
I am thinking I need to move the outlet box for the water heater. It is a straight shot down the conduit to the box, not too smart with water being right there. I think I will add a 90+ degree bend to the conduit so any water that might find its way down will drip off instead of going into the outlet box.

 

[glider]

Fired up the 3d printer and printed a couple bag holder brackets for under the seat in the 17 Ridgeline. Didn't turn on the heat in the shop and soon I was getting cold. Finished print, installed, tested and I think I'll print a couple more for dimensions and modify. Was wondering if I could modify and reprint to work as a gun holder?

My son does a lot of gun holster work. Not so much custom work anymore but might give you an idea.

Black Flag Manufacturing

blackflagmfg.com

 

[Motorman55]

Having some work done in the house tomorrow early morning that require the electrician to access the attic space thru the garage. I picked up this work light set at HD to give him some light where there was none previously.

First I had to lay down a few layers and lengths of plywood I had laying around to crawl across. Yeah, I know, Its a hastily done deal but should work ok. Sometime down the road when I have more time I'll pick up some new 3/4 ply and lay down a better floor and fix the wall.

 

[glider]

Put some color on the column today and ordered the correct rag joint.

 

[manwithtools]

Continued with cabinet glue up. Not going as fast as I would like. I'm only averaging about 4 hours a day in the shop. Knees and back don't like that much time on the concrete. I need some mats. Never can have too many clamps...

 

[larry4406]

Continued with cabinet glue up. Not going as fast as I would like. I'm only averaging about 4 hours a day in the shop. Knees and back don't like that much time on the concrete. I need some mats. Never can have too many clamps...

Nice work Dan!

Have you amortized the cost of the shop and the equipment on a per cabinet basis yet?

 

[manwithtools]

Nice work Dan!

Have you amortized the cost of the shop and the equipment on a per cabinet basis yet?

I've learned to never add up the total cost, it just creates needless stress.

The cabinets are for my daughter and her husband who just shared they are expecting our second grandchild. Cabinet cost is no longer an issue, future grandchild costs will make this seem pale

 

[larry4406]

I've learned to never add up the total cost, it just creates needless stress.

The cabinets are for my daughter and her husband who just shared they are expecting our second grandchild. Cabinet cost is no longer an issue, future grandchild costs will make this seem pale

Just busting your balls.

Don't overdue your back!

Congrats on the family addition.

 

[rharman]

Continued with cabinet glue up. Not going as fast as I would like. I'm only averaging about 4 hours a day in the shop. Knees and back don't like that much time on the concrete. I need some mats. Never can have too many clamps...

You should have let me know so I could buy some stock in Bessey!

 

[rharman]

@bugnut - How's the new Ridgeline coming along? Are you keeping the old Ridgeline?

 

[manwithtools]

You should have let me know so I could buy some stock in Bessey!

You know what? That's a good idea! I should have done that a long time ago...

 

[INSP380]

Made a handle for my latest estate sale screw jack. Grabbed a bar of 3/4 316 and undercut and knurled it. Lil too classy, but I’ll save my mitts from rusty pipe.

Steve

 

[partsguy5768]

Nothing... after two shops, a couple of car builds, and much more I'm on wife honey do duty.... working on sandbox and play center for grandkids, circle seating area for the girls, greenhouse for the wife ( did pavers inside today) still have pergola off the front of greenhouse, more curbing, landscaping above the wall, night lighting so the kids can use at night and a few other things...

 

[Outlawmws]

Put stuff away.

Changed the batteries in the thermostat - I set it up with jumpers so it doesn't reset to defaults... in the past it was two C or D cells taped together with leads, this year I used the USB power supply for my nickle plating setup and did it.

Put up the Putz houses as my primary decorating for the season (My other job is boxes down, then back up, then a repeat after Christmas)

This part is done:



This part needs something more. but the rest of the stuff is still in boxes. The blue and peach colored houses the elves, and the singing angels, have been in my family as far back as I can remember. the red house and church I added a few years back.

I have acquired new LED lights that I need to rig up to have them lit inside, and I have some glassine from envelope windows to take a stab at some new windows for the ones little fingers damaged...

 

[niget2002]

Nothing. Caught a small head cold, so I'm watching football with company.

 

[Blue Chips]

This started out to be a simple repair which, as usual, I made more complicated.

The battery indicator light bulb (idiot light) on my old (but recently acquired) New Holland GT18/20 garden tractor was missing, and after installing a bulb, I found that the battery light was always ON, even though the charging system checked out perfectly. A quick check led me to a faulty battery light module.

A new OEM module was way too expensive. Aftermarket modules were cheaper, but I decided to upgrade by replacing the idiot light with a voltmeter, which would have to be small enough to fit in the little trapezoidal cavity on the dashboard that was the former home of the battery light. I found some miniature, low-cost, self-powered, two-wire voltmeters. The ones that were already potted (like the one on the right) were a bit too large, so I decided to pot one of the smaller ones, which would fit nicely if I clipped off the mounting tabs.



I did the potting in two steps. First, I squished non-conductive, non-corrosive silicone into all of the voids on the circuit board. It was a simple enough circuit that I didn't think I needed to use a vacuum-impregnating setup.

After doing a test casting to make sure it would work, I completed the potting by coating the cavity with PVA mold release, inserting the voltmeter into the cavity, temporarily securing it with tape, and pouring urethane rubber casting resin around it.



After the resin cured, I removed the casting and washed off the mold release. I was pretty happy with the way it turned out.



I removed the old battery icon from the dashboard decal by glass bead blasting to remove the translucent red, a bit of acetone to remove the battery image, and then painted the back of the decal to leave a small clear rectangle over the voltmeter numbers (not shown).



I installed the voltmeter, decal, and dashboard lens. Wiring was easy, as it was just a matter of bypassing the old battery light module with some cuts, crimp connectors, and cable ties. Below, it shows the voltage while the engine is running (and charging).



I had previously replaced the fuel gauge, so now all of the dashboard instruments and indicator lights are working.

 

[bmwrd0]

Got Krag and Logan parts soaking in Simple Green (the small shop parts cleaner), Xmas lights on a timer, opened a McMaster box (uncommon fasteners and whatnot), made dinner.

My back is killing me, so nice quiet night here out.

 

[Beerhippie]

Y'all been busy!

Got back to the shop at 5:26 after leaving Troutdale at 10:20 this morning with a new-to-me Vanagaru.

Pics tomorrow. I'm tired, debeerdrated and got stuff to unpack....

I'll probably be starting thread on this... it needs work. But, boy, howdy, is it fun to drive when not giving me headaches! 165 ponies under the deck of a Vanagon... sixty to sixty-five up Deadman Grade (Cabbage Hill) if you know I 84 E east of Pendelton.

 

[413dan]

new valve cover installed on the passenger side to stop a spark plug tube leak. couldn't figure out where the oil was going with no signs of leak or spots underneath. a royal PITA, but it's done thankfully. Surprisingly the whole job required only a flat head, a p2, a 10mm socket, 4, 6, & 8 inch extensions and a 3/8 ratchet. not too bad, and saved maybe 5 hours of playing a shop rate.

 

[2001ZR2]

Been a bit cold but got both lower control arms ready to go on the truck.

What they looked like before:

 

[gsuty17]

Felt like I'd lean into my Grinch spirit for the white elephant gift exchange....

 

[Outlawmws]

But, boy, howdy, is it fun to drive when not giving me headaches! 165 ponies under the deck of a Vanagon... sixty to sixty-five up Deadman Grade

OK you got home with the van - did you take another driver to get the Toy home?

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Finished my lathe bench and mounted the 40+ year old lathe. Never turned before but did a few bench dogs for my build.

 

[Outlawmws]

Lights for the Putz houses are a PITA! - I have 5 different varieties, both LED and incandescent, plug in and battery, and nope; none are an even marginal solution.

Ordered two 10 light LED strings - in white with white wire (to blend int the cotton "snow") - Jeff promises they will be here Saturday. (we will see) tomorrow I'll go get some white wire so I can section them out to the right distances (several bulbs per house)

 

[SMOKEYBEAR]

2 days ago, an upper radiator hose on the Excursion. I swapped it out, leak was worse. The radiator has a crack on the upper inlet port, I did not see it even though I suspected the plastic tank could have been the issue. Easy work, but its in the 30s here and draining 5 gallons of coolant a second time isn't on my list of enjoyable tasks. It's 26 years old, FORD original, so no heartache over the failure. It really is an easy job minus messing with the coolant drain and fill. Seven 8 mm bolts, hand full of trim tabs and 4 hose clamps. Did some engine cleaning since I'm waiting on the second one to arrive.

A bit or research sent me to Oreilys for a replacement, ordered for pick up and it arrived a bit banged up. Inspected it before leaving the store, another one is supposed to be here this morning. Oreilys was ~$340, Ford would have been nearly $800 with shipping, If I was going to spend 8, I would of spent 1k and just got the all aluminum one Moshimoto.

 

[bugnut]

Oh boy where to start:

Will the two halves go up and down together?

@Outlawmws No they are independent. I am not trying to carry a long arm continuously, only a couple weeks a year. Seats in upright position would keep the firearm off the floor. Currently use a blanket on the floor and fold it over, tinted windows help, plus the locales I am in do not invite lookers.

Bag holder eh? I guess you need somewhere to put your manhood when driving a Ridgeline

@coldh2o Yes, no issues with my manhood. I use my Ridgeline like a real truck and it works for me, cheap to feed and bullet proof reliability. I have put 170,000 miles on it without an extra $1 on repairs. I'll take it!

My son does a lot of gun holster work. Not so much custom work anymore but might give you an idea.

Black Flag Manufacturing

blackflagmfg.com

@glider thanks I'll take a look.

@bugnut - How's the new Ridgeline coming along? Are you keeping the old Ridgeline?

@rharman, Well you asked. Drove the 25, for the 1st time in 2 weeks, today as the bursar an I had eye dr appointments about an hour away. Do to an ice lump on the drivers side of the windshield the wiper blade came to a halt on the drivers side, and was trying to move it. It failed and the drivers side wiper arm bent. Stopped at Honda got part #'s and none in stock-would require a pickup trip as drop shipping was not available. Got home checked and the 17 & 25 share the part. Swapped them out. All better now.

Have only put 200 miles on the 25, but as of yesterday it will become the primary. The 17 was offered to a family member, but declined, so it will be going to Carvana or such in the very near future.

The bag holders were a test before installing on the 25, and the redesign will be underway shortly!

The heat location on the 25 keeps my feet warmer, steering wheel heat was quick-a nice surprise, the reworked console which did away with the adjustable interior arm rest is not quite tall enough for my liking, minor differences.

Thanks for asking!

 

[niget2002]

Finished my lathe bench and mounted the 40+ year old lathe. Never turned before but did a few bench dogs for my build.

Looks great.

Are you sure that motor isn't supposed to be flipped the other way so you don't throw shavings all over it?

 

[Outlawmws]

Looks great.

Are you sure that motor isn't supposed to be flipped the other way so you don't throw shavings all over it?

IIR that motor is a Hoover? Likely AC/DC and may not be easily reversible.

It is a good point to consider.

 

[DeeDubz]

Well technically not "in the garage" and even more technically, I didn't actually do it...so not sure why I'm putting it here, but it was so cool I had to put it somewhere.
We recently purchased the 10 acre parcel next to ours and its completely overgrown with manzanita. We hired this company to come out and masticate a large portion.
They got about 1.5 acres done yesterday with 2 machines.
Cant wait to see how it looks by the end of the week

VBelt and son! That guy has a really cool Youtube channel. Hes really into fixing old dodge cummins diesels. He sold his brand new Dodge ram 5500 and replaced it with a F450. Check him out.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Looks great.

Are you sure that motor isn't supposed to be flipped the other way so you don't throw shavings all over it?

The direction the motor is correct. It turns towards the operator, if it was reversed your turning tool would not cut into the wood but skip over it. Most of the debris ends up in the front of your work area or better yet down the dust collection tube. I find that a good quantity of the dust and wood chips ends up in my smock pockets.

IIR that motor is a Hoover? Likely AC/DC and may not be easily reversible.

It is a good point to consider.

You remembered correctly so it is likely not the original power supply. I like it due to the fact it has a couple of oil ports. Bet that Hoover outlasts me, only have to remember to oil it occasionally. I think I will simply leave the 3 in 1 can in the drawer with the rest of the lathe chunks and pieces.

 

[rzims]

VBelt and son! That guy has a really cool Youtube channel. Hes really into fixing old dodge cummins diesels. He sold his brand new Dodge ram 5500 and replaced it with a F450. Check him out.

They're awesome guys and do great work! They did our original parcel about 5-6 years ago...

 

[Outlawmws]

I find that a good quantity of the dust and wood chips ends up in my smock pockets.

 

[stonesfan68]

I changed a headlight bulb in the C70. It took less than five minutes! Compare that to the Yukon that I did last week where I had to partially remove the bumper cover in order to remove the complete headlight assembly.

 

[Beerhippie]

OK you got home with the van - did you take another driver to get the Toy home?

A friend ran me over in his sister's Chevy... Traverse? Generic SUV. I paid for the trip. Spent the night in a Comfort Inn in Troutdale--no complaints there. Met the seller around 8:30 at his soulless office complex and was on the road by 10:20.

I'll be starting a thread when I figure out where to put it. Free Parking? I don't spend much time there, but it seems most appropriate.

Here's the first look:







The Great White Fleet:



Hey! A Vanaru owner who isn't a Hipster!



I'll get some interior pics after I get out all the **** from the road trip.

It needs work. The transaxle is horrible--I'm surprised it made the trip. It screams and has a nasty clunk when going from decel to acel--but on thinking on it a bit, I'm betting it's just the diff. I can do that repair. The Subaru engine needs a new timing belt--the current one has about 100K on it. It's an interference engine, so that needs doing ASAP.

Needs some sticker removal, too.

Otherwise, a blast to drive and very distinctive. I hate anonymous vehicles.

 

[SMOKEYBEAR]

2 days ago, an upper radiator hose on the Excursion. I swapped it out, leak was worse. The radiator has a crack on the upper inlet port, I did not see it even though I suspected the plastic tank could have been the issue. Easy work, but its in the 30s here and draining 5 gallons of coolant a second time isn't on my list of enjoyable tasks. It's 26 years old, FORD original, so no heartache over the failure. It really is an easy job minus messing with the coolant drain and fill. Seven 8 mm bolts, hand full of trim tabs and 4 hose clamps. Did some engine cleaning since I'm waiting on the second one to arrive.

A bit or research sent me to Oreilys for a replacement, ordered for pick up and it arrived a bit banged up. Inspected it before leaving the store, another one is supposed to be here this morning. Oreilys was ~$340, Ford would have been nearly $800 with shipping, If I was going to spend 8, I would of spent 1k and just got the all aluminum one Moshimoto.

Quoting myself here...another radiator delivered and damaged again. Oreilys employee less than professional/ helpful this am. I'll take the refund, thanks.