What did you do "IN" your garage today?

[stonesfan68]

I polished the headlights on the Yukon. The Griot's Garage kit worked really well.

 

[Beerhippie]

Took a load to the Restore (mildly irritated that they did not know what an old oscilloscope was, and thus refused to take it. Take My Old Junk!), went to a couple estate sales to get more old junk, and started working on a mount to put a drum switch on the Logan.

Was supposed to go Xmas tree shopping with the wife later, but she is developing a cold, so that will get postponed until next weekend most likely. And by then I will have a cold.

Should'a told 'em it was a valuable vintage TV.

I run those Vredestein Quatracs on the back of my motorcycle. Good tires.

Those are Nokian Hakappelliita (sp? it's Finish) R5 snow and ice tires. I wanted to try a top-of-the-line studless winter tire and I figure Finns might just know something about winter.

 

[RonnieC]

I wound up cutting all the half dead pre-lit sets off my tree, and replaced them with the regular drape-on type.

Exactly what I did when I was taking the tree down last year. My FIL had given us this tree a couple years ago. He had used it for a few years. The prelights had a lot of gremlins where they wouldn’t work when plugged into each other, etc and I’d be cursing and running extension cords to the top of the tree to get that to light up.
It was a pleasure to just drape new LED strands this year!

 

[niget2002]

Fixed the wife's pencil sharpener. The bucket that catches the shavings had a plastic part that pushes in a safety switch. A student accidentally broke off the pin. It now has a metal m4 bolt to trigger the safety switch.

 

[SMOKEYBEAR]

Fitting some new handles on some old ball peen hammers. Cracked the handle with a miss on the one I reach for most frequently. After inspection, 5 needed handles for the same reason. All but 1 are old ones I have gathered along the way. I started with the worst one first as a practice go. The wire wheel handled most of the cleanup, 2 spent some time with the belt sander. I'm cleaning them up a bit and giving them a fresh paint job while I'm here. I'll get some pictures once I get a bit more progress.

 

[Fixr]

No, I didn't. Still.

I'll do the traditional thing and to do it in knee-deep-snow--after a terrifying drive to the shop on my now bald summer tires.

Not ice? Slacker!

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Cleaned the battery terminals on moms 2017 Camry. It took forever to start yesterday and showed signs of bad battery so I tested it and it tested fine so I suspect the issue was the corrosion. Ran like new today so that was good. She wants to trade it in on a RAV4 so she didn’t want to buy another battery lol. I also checked the oil and both air filters in my RAV4 if we are open tomorrow at work (due to weather might be closed) I plan on doing my 60,000 mile service because it should hit 60,000 tomorrow. I already bought the very expensive Toyota gear oil for the transfer case and then Pennzoil for the engine. I wanted Castrol or Valvoline but couldn’t find 0W-16 in anything except Pennzoil or Mobil 1 or Toyota so I got Pennzoil. With the discount I get at work the stuff is pretty cheap my price but I don’t like giving Toyota parts my business because they take short cuts on just about every part so I choose to buy other brands. Like when it needs brake pads I’m not getting Toyota pads because they don’t include clips or shims which is ridiculous for the price they charge for the brake pads. Just a small rant lol.

 

[kaymccampbell]

The wife has made noises like that recently, mostly as she thinks my office is too cluttered, and that I "never use it anyway". I have to keep reminding her that while she wants an uncluttered house, I would have this place packed to the rafters with stuff, as I like a cluttered, messy house. So, I need a couple spots where I can be as cluttered as I want, with books piled up, every spare inch of wall having a picture or something, and so on.

I occasionally have to remind others that if they can clean or take my space, I can do the same for them.

 

[LeonardY]

Looked for stuff.
Found stuff.
Just not the stuff I was looking for.

 

[Beerhippie]

I run those Vredestein Quatracs on the back of my motorcycle. Good tires.

Oops. Sorry, man, I forgot that pic with the Vreds in front of the Nokians for size comparison. The Vreds were my summer tires, but will be replaced by something in 15" next spring--if I still have any money left after the Vanagon project. They're about beat, anyhow.

 

[Wrench97]

Cleaned the battery terminals on moms 2017 Camry. It took forever to start yesterday and showed signs of bad battery so I tested it and it tested fine so I suspect the issue was the corrosion. Ran like new today so that was good. She wants to trade it in on a RAV4 so she didn’t want to buy another battery lol. I also checked the oil and both air filters in my RAV4 if we are open tomorrow at work (due to weather might be closed) I plan on doing my 60,000 mile service because it should hit 60,000 tomorrow. I already bought the very expensive Toyota gear oil for the transfer case and then Pennzoil for the engine. I wanted Castrol or Valvoline but couldn’t find 0W-16 in anything except Pennzoil or Mobil 1 or Toyota so I got Pennzoil. With the discount I get at work the stuff is pretty cheap my price but I don’t like giving Toyota parts my business because they take short cuts on just about every part so I choose to buy other brands. Like when it needs brake pads I’m not getting Toyota pads because they don’t include clips or shims which is ridiculous for the price they charge for the brake pads. Just a small rant lol.

We do a fleet of Mercedes Metris vans, 2022-2024's the 22's have 200k on them, we have to get brake pads and rotors from Mercedes since none of the local parts houses stock them, abutment clips are special order, rubber boots are special order but they have the pads and rotors in stock......it was the same with the early on with the Ford transit stuff most of the bolts needed when changing the rotors are one time use but on back order at Ford, pads no clips, you could get the brake hose but no banjo bolt seal washers...It's not a Toyota thing.

 

[crab]

Should'a told 'em it was a valuable vintage TV.

Those are Nokian Hakappelliita (sp? it's Finish) R5 snow and ice tires. I wanted to try a top-of-the-line studless winter tire and I figure Finns might just know something about winter.

I had some Nokias a few years ago, great snow tires, amazing really!!

 

[crab]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Not a hell of a lot...picked up a 7 drawer side box at HF yesterday PM...figured I had enough room under the vise to just set it on the floor under the workbench and add additional tool storage...wrong! had to move a couple of support legs on the bench to get it in (I was 3/8" too narrow)...started shuttling tools from the main box to the add on...didn't seem to be working out as I had hoped...I now have some empty drawers in the main box, but I'm not comfortable with how things are laying out...back to the drawing board.

Actually, a side box would be a good place to mount a bench top drille press and you could keep all the bits etc. in one draw and all the hand held drill's in the other drawers. Thanks for that idea LOL!

 

[crab]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Not a hell of a lot...picked up a 7 drawer side box at HF yesterday PM...figured I had enough room under the vise to just set it on the floor under the workbench and add additional tool storage...wrong! had to move a couple of support legs on the bench to get it in (I was 3/8" too narrow)...started shuttling tools from the main box to the add on...didn't seem to be working out as I had hoped...I now have some empty drawers in the main box, but I'm not comfortable with how things are laying out...back to the drawing board.

 

[racecougar]

Whipped up some brake lines.

 

[Skyman]

Whipped up some brake lines.

That's some nice craftsmanship -- and I'm not speaking only of the brake lines.

 

[racecougar]

That's some nice craftsmanship -- and I'm not speaking only of the brake lines.

Thanks! I think the brake line routing is kind of goofy, but I was following the factory path and using the factory retainer holes (switched from sheetmetal screws to rivnuts though).

 

[niget2002]

Came home to my wife telling me the stick vacuum wasn't charging. I tested the PS and it seemed to have an open, so I took it out to the shop, cut the wire, and used the shop PS to feed the voltage the vacuum needed to charge. Plugged the vacuum in and the charge light came on for a split second, then turned off and the current on the PS dropped down to virtually 0.

Ok... battery shot on the vacuum. We've had this a long time and this is only the second time I've replaced it. It's a 'v6' on the Dyson version scheme and they're up to a 'v10' if that helps tell you the age.

Anywho... that made me wonder about the little PS and why it showed open. I plugged it back in and shoved the meter probes on it and it shows the correct voltage now. Maybe an internal resettable fuse popped when the battery died? Don't know.

Tonight I'll hook the wires from the PS back to the plug on the charge cable and install the new battery that I've already ordered. The last battery replacement wasn't a Dyson branded part, so I'm assuming the generics probably don't last as long. Amazon's purchase history didn't even show the last battery I bought.

 

[oldwino]

Actually, a side box would be a good place to mount a bench top drille press and you could keep all the bits etc. in one draw and all the hand held drill's in the other drawers. Thanks for that idea LOL!

Since my post was made several years ago changes have been made. Side box has been moved to the opposite side of the shop next to the drill press and bench grinder. Yes it‘s now loaded with drill bits, spare grinding wheels, etc. I did mount a small vice to the top of the box

 

[rd65]

Not much of anything over the weekend, disappointed in myself. Picked up some, tightened the shop sink down. Still need to caulk it. Swapped out the quick connect fitting on the business end of the pressure washer wand.

 

[niget2002]

Came home to my wife telling me the stick vacuum wasn't charging. I tested the PS and it seemed to have an open, so I took it out to the shop, cut the wire, and used the shop PS to feed the voltage the vacuum needed to charge. Plugged the vacuum in and the charge light came on for a split second, then turned off and the current on the PS dropped down to virtually 0.

Ok... battery shot on the vacuum. We've had this a long time and this is only the second time I've replaced it. It's a 'v6' on the Dyson version scheme and they're up to a 'v10' if that helps tell you the age.

Anywho... that made me wonder about the little PS and why it showed open. I plugged it back in and shoved the meter probes on it and it shows the correct voltage now. Maybe an internal resettable fuse popped when the battery died? Don't know.

Tonight I'll hook the wires from the PS back to the plug on the charge cable and install the new battery that I've already ordered. The last battery replacement wasn't a Dyson branded part, so I'm assuming the generics probably don't last as long. Amazon's purchase history didn't even show the last battery I bought.

battery replaced. PS hooked back up to charger. Everything back installed in laundry room. Did a quick test-pull on the vacuum to make sure it worked, but need to fully charge the battery before first 'use'.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

When I restored my utility trailer some years ago, I bought nice wheels except for the spare. Since the spare tire needed replaced, I decided to order a matching wheel for the spare. When I went to mount it (held on by two lug nuts), I realized the lug nuts would go so deep that I could not remove them without scratching the wheel.

Took my angle grinder with a 4.5" cutoff wheel to a pair of acorn nuts. Then ran the appropriate tap through each one.

Now I have two taller nuts that can thread all the way down the threaded rod.

Problem solved!

 

[Skyman]

Chased down a parasitic drain on the Blazer. I presume it's a port on the BCM that's keeping the courtesy light circuit relay energized at all times. The switches at the doors and rear hatch, and the switch in the IP dimmer are opening and closing as they should. For now, and possibly for a while, the fuse will remain absent.

Moved the snowthrower out of the garage and back into storage. Did more organizing, tidying up and ash-canning.

Thought a little more about how I might mount the power supply and dress the wiring for the LED lighting on the new four-post, without coming up with a decision about it. But, I think I'm getting closer to that now.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Worked in lightburn. Serviced my hearing aids. Worked in lightburn. Burned the first burn of my bespoke project. Needs work.

 

[LeonardY]

Assembled ornaments.

Looked for stuff. Didn’t find the right stuff.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Assembled ornaments.

Looked for stuff. Didn’t find the right stuff.

That's me searching for my brain and energy.

 

[smackey05]

I made a custom mount to add the SkiDoo LinQ system to my 2007 SkiDoo. I didn't want to have to remove the back cover on the tunnel of my sled since I have wiring and other stuff underneath. I made some small riser blocks from ABS and used some longer bolts with the shoulder nuts and it is now on there solid!

 

[Mr.zippy]

Replaced a drivers door handle on a Fiat 500 for a friend. I was not impressed with the engineering on that vehicle. But it had plenty of Abarth badges, so it must be good?

 

[2001ZR2]

Still working on truck front end. Got stuck on the pitman arm but a SK 41653 breaker and my battery impact got it out.

Of decided not to do this on the bench. Took some of yesterday and all of my time tonight.


The defeated pitman arm.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I had to work on my 1/2 barrel for my furnace intake/exhaust for the lake. Snow can drift in and plays havoc with the the workings of the heating system. I’d split a barrel and was going to use both halves. I had drilled holes in both halves and marked an x on the side not prone to drifting. Well I drilled the wrong side and didn’t notice till I went to install. The one that was drilled properly wasn’t high enough.
I hate doing things on spec and not on site. So I dragged the one back and added a top hat. Hopefully the other half will work for an old workmate who just turned 90 this summer. He has the same problem so I’ll likely install this one on his home
I might have to split another barrel but will find out tomorrow as we are doing a preemptive strike at the lake before Xmas.

I had a painting done but more on the picture later. I decided on building a frame for this piece of art work. Awhile back I purchased a lot 70bf of Cherry wood from an online auction. I grabbed 2 pieces that would probably give me the 4 sides required. This lumber had been put away 23 years ago, as one of the pieces with a date supplied. The cherry had taken on a deep hue as this amazing wood has its own way with colour in the end.

I’ve trimmed the lumber to rough size and clamped it down until I get back from the lake. A few scraps left that may find their way to a cutting board or who knows.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I forgot my Daughter came over and we sliced up a perfectly good 10’ 2x4. Didn’t even know I had one tucked away. She is a very perceptive young lady. Between the slider saw and the bandsaw we managed to make one piece of lumber into 14 pieces of spruce. We slipped the pieces through the planer and she took it all home to assemble. Didn’t even get a chance to take a pic. But she did send me a pic of what she was up to.

 

[esben57]

Looked outside and cancelled job on VW Polo due to constant rain ... same as yesterday, Sunday, Saturday.
It's a 2009 9N and the airbag light won't go out. I know an Audi fan and he plugged in his VAG software equipped phone. Thing recognises 2010 onwards. PFFFT!
I want the front seats out to check the yellow plugs, told it's a good place to start. Horn works, no other controls are on the steering wheel.
Then it will be to a garage.
No rain forecast tomorrow.

 

[Hal]

Thrashed around and put a new cutting edge on my snowplow. Real easy, right? Cut the old bolts drop it off, hang the new one and bolt it up. WRONG! They Sent me the wrong bolt kit for the new edge. So I had to unbolt the old one, and the easiest way , for me, was to unpin the plow and turn it upside down, because I could do that mostly standing up, instead of kneeling or crouching down to get at the nuts. One hour job wound up taking more than half a day.

 

[bmwrd0]

Started the headstock rebuild of the Logan, and whoever designed this must of had six baby monkey hands to put it together. But I persevered, and the most difficult part, the back gear, is done. Having a vintage lathe that is full benchtop sized, but compact, necessitates some clearance compromises, and most of them are in the head.

Also, came up with a workable plan for the shop layout once this goes in, but still need to get rid of junk to get there.

 

[Skyman]

So far, very little, and it'll likely continue that way for the remainder of the day. It was 34*F in there this morning, and climbed all the way up to a high of 42*F by late-afternoon.

I did confirm that the parasitic drain is gone on the Blazer, it having sat overnight with the fuse for the courtesy lights absent. When things warm up, I might dive further into it and try to actually solve the fault. For now, I'm declaring victory and staying in the warm house.

 

[Hooked]

Not in the garage but, I've been without a computer for a month after my old one just died one afternoon. Problem was all my login id/pw info was in a folder on my email and I couldn't get me old email working until finally contacting the provided and paying for their help service.
As for projects, again not in the garage per say but plenty of use of stuff from the garage. We our old wooden porches replaced with concrete and we did all the demo work. As you might imagine, no project of this nature goes without finding other stuff which needs work, which we did. So the two week project turned into 4+ but it's done and my bride is a happy camper with the results.

So, I'm kinda back.

 

[Beerhippie]

Been trying to get some more work done on the new Vanagaru... Westfaru?--while cleaning a Rinnai--again. I did it weekend before last so I could take off a couple of days to drive over and get the new rig.

It's 43-45F and raining constantly--not hard, but non-stop. I guess everyone in the NW is in the same boat (gawd, I hope not--get your own boat!). I hear the West Side is getting clobbered--over six inches already today in places.

Between that and the Rinnai throwing me curves--I just spent 30 minutes fixing a clogged water-flow turbine on it--I'm not getting much done on the Van.

Now I'm wondering how high the rain is? If it's falling much above 6,000' ASL, it's falling on snow... that can turn ugly. Supposed to keep it up for days.

 

[Thisistimm]

Wire brush and sand paper cleaned some 16x4 steel wheels for the front of the model A project and painted them up. Today I was shocked to walk outside and not see my breath so I figured I should quickly
Take advantage of what was left of the sunlight!

 

[kaymccampbell]

Actually clicked on the thermostat. Changed out the 4 dead garage door opener bulbs for 4 new ones. Although I can see well enough to navigate the shop by the clock light, Judy can't. Worked in lightburn and ran iterations of the same piece to improve it.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Not my garage but 24 hours later my Daughter has completed her project

Mentioned to have enough room to unscrew jars in the rack, probably didn’t have to.
Sent me a pic anyway to prove that she allowed for it.