What did you do "IN" your garage today?

[JustVicingIt]

Nice vice!

Thanks! Was the most fun I had with that build. It toed up perfectly the first time I installed it and was so relieved lol

 

[Snip's]

I picked up this small parts storage organizer that had seen better days and thought I'd do a refresh...
Hit it with some degreaser and scotch padded the rusty spots...


Grabbed a can of Rustoleum Hammered silver and sprayed the unit...


Loaded it up with terminal ends...

 

[Beerhippie]

I picked up this small parts storage organizer that had seen better days and thought I'd do a refresh...
Hit it with some degreaser and scotch padded the rusty spots...


Grabbed a can of Rustoleum Hammered silver and sprayed the unit...


Loaded it up with terminal ends...

Looks like there's room for a pair of Klein crimpers in the long slot on the right!

 

[kwb]

Another 12,000 steps and no actual thing for the day.
The loft is a lot cleaner and organized. Almost to where I want to get it to for the start of creating a dedicated spark protected space for the plasma table.

Didn't get to the leak at the compressor or put shelves in the compressor shed but there's always Sunday.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

The chute on my Ariens snowblower has been moving itself, if I'm trying to blow to the side it wanders back to the straight ahead position. The wave washer by the gear on the shaft seemed fine, so I tightened up the nuts a bit to put more tension on it. The chute crank handle was also rattling all over on the dashboard. The plastic snap bushing was doing nothing, so I replaced it with a 3/8" rubber grommet and a tiny bit of grease for the shaft. Much quieter now, and the chute stays where I put it.

 

[Beerhippie]

Not much in this shop.

I planned out where to put a new-to-us 3bbl fermenter in the ferm hall. Boss suggested putting it somewhere that would require moving ****, wiring and plumbing glycol. Plumbing the glycol to that area would mean shutting down and draining the system. I found a spot where we used to have another tank that's already wired and plumbed with shut-off valves and outlets. I just have to move one large centrifuge back to wher it was used to living before we moved to make room for another piece of equipment (and POS) we no longer have. I'll need to run one PEX line for water and re-wire the the 440V outlet to where it used to be. Tomorrow's project.

Went over to my bud's shop and put in an hour of wrenchin' and lubin' on the Brick project. New clutch slave cylinder was much easier to install with the trans out. Lubed all the door mechanisms with some fancy-*** lock lube. Supposed to be good for -40 to 140F.

 

[micromind]

I picked up this small parts storage organizer that had seen better days and thought I'd do a refresh...
Hit it with some degreaser and scotch padded the rusty spots...


Grabbed a can of Rustoleum Hammered silver and sprayed the unit...


Loaded it up with terminal ends...

Do you solder those? Or crimp them? Or both?

I usually solder mine, easy to do and makes a secure connection, even with high current.

 

[DGersic]

Assembled a HF wheel base for the drill press.



Pondered where I want to put the drill press, and how I’m going to fit it in there.

 

[Beerhippie]

Do you solder those? Or crimp them? Or both?

I usually solder mine, easy to do and makes a secure connection, even with high current.

For heavy draw and/or vibration uses, I crimp and solder--and use heat-shrink tubing for a stress-relief.

 

[bugnut]

Like a few folks here could not bring myself to throw the cast iron skillet in the recycle bin. I have no use for it or any idea what to use it for. I took the time to melt the candlewax and separate it from the skillet, warmed the skillet enough to be able to wipe clean. Sprayed with cleaner and set it on the work bench. Threw the wax away.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Like a few folks here could not bring myself to throw the cast iron skillet in the recycle bin. I have no use for it or any idea what to use it for. I took the time to melt the candlewax and separate it from the skillet, warmed the skillet enough to be able to wipe clean. Sprayed with cleaner and set it on the work bench. Threw the wax away.

Lessee. Solder drop catcher. Casting overflow catcher. Ingot mold. Hot, drippy utensil holder. Soldering iron trivet.

 

[larry4406]

Assembled a HF wheel base for the drill press.



Pondered where I want to put the drill press, and how I’m going to fit it in there.

That looks handy. Wonder if it would work on my Clausing drill press.

 

[DGersic]

That looks handy. Wonder if it would work on my Clausing drill press.

It’s adjustable, claims to work for all manner of shop tools like drill presses, table saws, etc., so it should. Seems pretty sturdy, and is cheaper than building my own.

If all goes well, I won’t move it often. The benchtop size drill press I have now hasn’t moved in ~30 years.

 

[DGersic]

I have no use for it or any idea what to use it for.

Cornbread.

Why was it full of wax?

 

[kaymccampbell]

Cornbread.

Why was it full of wax?

 

[WarHawk666]

Harbor Freight 29 gallon compressor regulator knob failed on me last night, can't adjust tank output pressure. Store rep informed me I can find parts on their website online however it doesn't have a picture of the regulator so how do I know what exactly I'm purchasing for $15.81? I emailed HF for specifics so here i wait and posted my first contribution to Garage Journal.
I removed the cover, gauges, air hose connector and spun the regulator out. No factory pipe dope was ever used I noticed. Hopefully HF can assist me or I'll look for a decent regulator upgrade for this $500 compressor.

 

[930dreamer]

Changed the air compressor pump oil in the Champion. Did some needed cleaning in the shop.

 

[PhantomEB]

Pics?

Tacking in the lower portion now which will get 3/4” plywood for the casters to screw to. Will have a drain from the parts washer into a 5 gallon pail of Mean Green and a Little Giant sump pump that will feed the brush in the tank. Keeps all the **** down in the pail.

 

[PhantomEB]

Get that done then it’s onto the bronco’s leak in the transmission or doubler. Ain’t looking forward to dropping the 205.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Harbor Freight 29 gallon compressor regulator knob failed on me last night, can't adjust tank output pressure. Store rep informed me I can find parts on their website online however it doesn't have a picture of the regulator so how do I know what exactly I'm purchasing for $15.81? I emailed HF for specifics so here i wait and posted my first contribution to Garage Journal.
I removed the cover, gauges, air hose connector and spun the regulator out. No factory pipe dope was ever used I noticed. Hopefully HF can assist me or I'll look for a decent regulator upgrade for this $500 compressor.

Gauges and regulators are consumables in the pressurized air game. I've replaced mine several times over the years. They get wonky, they go.

 

[bmwrd0]

Started on the spindle rebuild for the Logan. Correct wire for the instant reverse motor should be here today, so that will get wrapped up.

 

[bulletpruf]

Found a divot in the crank for my AMC 360 build for the 24 Hours of Lemons.



Tore down my spare 360 to harvest the crank and it was nasty and stuck.





While trying to turn it over I broke the crank bolt head off. Snapped flush.

Tried grinding a slot in it with a Dremel cutoff wheel and getting it out with an impact screwdriver but I just broke a bunch of bits.

Busted out the MIG. Welded a washer to the bolt. Then welded a nut to the washer. That did the trick.

 

[dgreen1069]

Assembled a HF wheel base for the drill press.



Pondered where I want to put the drill press, and how I’m going to fit it in there.

I didn't know that was a thing. How do you like it? Is it adjustable to fit multiple bases? How do you like it?

 

[pancholasvegas]

Got up early this morning with coffee and headed out to keep working on that panel section.



Next up - considering this is a trailer, we don’t need a filler neck. Several people had suggested to just go over the top with a piece of steel and weld the circumference - I’m sure that would work. My thought was to hammer it back flat and into the body line, reversing the factory stamping operation. My line of thinking was that this was a much smaller section to weld, resulting in less heat, so less warpage.

This is what they look like from the back (example shown of the bad section since I had already started on the good one )



Got to hammering it out and roughing it in.



Lot of beating on it and chasing it around.



I eventually had to burr out the tabs, they had split and started folding onto each other. Then I opened them up a bit more into a more uniform shape before I did the patch.

I cut a small section out of the old scrap body panels from the truck to keep the same steel thickness - it’s obviously too flat.




I neglected to get a photo, but I fumbled it through a few passes on the English wheel and got close enough crown into the patch that it would work. I covered it in black sharpie, inserted behind the opening and used my scribe to trace the outline before cutting and fine tuning the patch.





I hate these magnets but it worked for a few tacks.



Fusion welded as much as possible, couple little spots I had to cram some filler in - count it as good practice.

Worked it with the hammer and dolly a bit and hit it with the DA. I’ll consider that filler neck deleted. Little more bumping and a swipe of filler and it’ll be our secret.

 

[Beerhippie]

Got up early this morning with coffee and headed out to keep working on that panel section.



Next up - considering this is a trailer, we don’t need a filler neck. Several people had suggested to just go over the top with a piece of steel and weld the circumference - I’m sure that would work. My thought was to hammer it back flat and into the body line, reversing the factory stamping operation. My line of thinking was that this was a much smaller section to weld, resulting in less heat, so less warpage.

This is what they look like from the back (example shown of the bad section since I had already started on the good one )



Got to hammering it out and roughing it in.



Lot of beating on it and chasing it around.



I eventually had to burr out the tabs, they had split and started folding onto each other. Then I opened them up a bit more into a more uniform shape before I did the patch.

I cut a small section out of the old scrap body panels from the truck to keep the same steel thickness - it’s obviously too flat.




I neglected to get a photo, but I fumbled it through a few passes on the English wheel and got close enough crown into the patch that it would work. I covered it in black sharpie, inserted behind the opening and used my scribe to trace the outline before cutting and fine tuning the patch.





I hate these magnets but it worked for a few tacks.



Fusion welded as much as possible, couple little spots I had to cram some filler in - count it as good practice.

Worked it with the hammer and dolly a bit and hit it with the DA. I’ll consider that filler neck deleted. Little more bumping and a swipe of filler and it’ll be our secret.

FFS! It's a trailer!

You're a better (body)man than I, Gunga Din.

 

[Metallitubby]

Started removing the rats nest of wiring not necessary for the Pikes Peak car. It's been running endurance racing series since it ran PPIHC in 2015, which require all sorts of lights, GPS, flagging systems, etc., that aren't not necessary for hillclimbs.

 

[pancholasvegas]

FFS! It's a trailer!

You're a better (body)man than I, Gunga Din.

That's half the fun! It's just a trailer so I don't have to drive myself crazy if I'm not 100% happy, but since it's a trailer, it leaves plenty of excuses to practice new tricks!

 

[bulletpruf]

Started removing the rats nest of wiring not necessary for the Pikes Peak car. It's been running endurance racing series since it ran PPIHC in 2015, which require all sorts of lights, GPS, flagging systems, etc., that aren't not necessary for hillclimbs.

Pics or it didn’t happen!!!!

 

[niget2002]

I think I finally have the body good enough for the decals. Then I can spray the high gloss clear.



Chassis


Interior

 

[PapaBuilds]

I bought a new house with a 2 car garage that no cars will ever fit in because of all my tools. It only had one outlet and we have a fridge and a deep freezer in it, so basically zero outlets for me which won't work as I've got a table saw, miter saw, bandsaw, router, planer, drill press, bench grinder etc. I installed a sub panel (main was full), then ran each wall on its own circuit so its tougher to trip the breaker. Each wall got three 4-gang boxes giving me 36 outlets now. I've never done wiring like this so I got a permit and got it inspected, they signed off on the first inspection so I was happy about that. Next project is a lighting upgrade!

 

[Beerhippie]

Today's "fifteen-minute job" is to move this ~ $100K beer centrifuge:





to here:



which is where it was used to living until a few (ten?) years back when it was displaced by a snake-oil machine our boss was convinced to buy--which never worked and was a total nightmare to finally get reimbursed for. I had to sign an NDA, so don't ask about it.

Anyhow, not really a fifteen-minute job, but I did tell the boss I thought I could get it done today by myself. Famous last words.

First, I need to move the utilities for it. Start with de-energizing them--CO2, 460V 3-P electric, water. Not a big deal. Now I have to move them back to where they originally were. Turns out there have been many additions to the water and CO2 lines in the intervening years, leaving a complex rat's nest of PEX and fittings. Many of these were for purposes now forgotten, so can just be deleted.

That kept me busy up to lunchtime.

Utilities moved:



Blue is water and red is CO2. I love color-coding.

I'll leave the outlet for our friendly local sparky to finish--but at least I tagged the two black wires for him! Why do electricians hates color-coding wires? If two wires on a 3 phase motor are swapped, the motor runs in reverse--really bad for this centrifuge. For that matter, why do they love to use #1 Robertson fasteners? So 19th century, man.

I had to completely remove this expansion tank from its deep, dark corner to turn it 90 degrees:



We need the expansion tank for the water feed, as the centrifuge is uber-sensitive to fluctuations in water pressure--and if it shuts down, it's about a half-hour to get it up and running again.

It's about as tall as I and too wide to get a bear-hug on. A bit of a wrestling match, but it only weighs maybe 35lb. Got 'er done, anyway.

Now for the big move!

Jack 'er up so I can retract the leveling legs and get the casters back on the floor



only to remember that those casters are frozen solid--not just the swivel, but the rolling part.



I've pulled that nearest one off to see if a bath in hot lye solution in the ultrasonic will free it up.

Plan B is to pull the centrifuge back towards the pallet jack about ten feet. Then I can get the pallet jack on the side of it and push it right into its new (old) home. I have a floor jack at the other end, currently turned 90 degrees from the direction I need to go as it's right up against the wall and there's no way I can get it moving solo. Not enough room to even get a prybar behind it. I need another strong back.

The best laid plans....

 

[Beerhippie]

I bought a new house with a 2 car garage that no cars will ever fit in because of all my tools. It only had one outlet and we have a fridge and a deep freezer in it, so basically zero outlets for me which won't work as I've got a table saw, miter saw, bandsaw, router, planer, drill press, bench grinder etc. I installed a sub panel (main was full), then ran each wall on its own circuit so its tougher to trip the breaker. Each wall got three 4-gang boxes giving me 36 outlets now. I've never done wiring like this so I got a permit and got it inspected, they signed off on the first inspection so I was happy about that. Next project is a lighting upgrade!

I've learned--the hard way--to run individual 20A circuits to each outlet box. You will overload the circuits eventually.

 

[PapaBuilds]

Now you tell me!

I've learned--the hard way--to run individual 20A circuits to each outlet box. You will overload the circuits eventually.

 

[Beerhippie]

Now you tell me!

Want a beer 'fridge and microwave in the shop? There's one 20A circuit right there.

I got the caster out of the USC and lye after 40 minutes:



It now sort of rolls--not well, but at least it moves--but the swivel is still frozen solid--like, clamp in in a vise and whack it with a deadblow and it doesn't move a bit solid. I'm betting it's the classic beautiful SS caster with carbon-steel open bearings trick again.

 

[Beerhippie]

Did I call it, or what?



At least that one pretends to be a sealed bearing. I'll bet the swivel is open.

Do engineers engineer anymore? Isn't spec'ing the materials part of the job?

 

[Beerhippie]

Oh, yeah, I can call 'em.



Those bearings will never again bear....

FFS, folks! Bronze thrust washers would have been perfect--and about the same price.

 

[TheRealZeus]

Hey Doc, this “15 minute job” taking more than one battery pack... This is getting heavy...

 

[Old Man Roger]

Found a divot in the crank for my AMC 360 build for the 24 Hours of Lemons.



Tore down my spare 360 to harvest the crank and it was nasty and stuck.





While trying to turn it over I broke the crank bolt head off. Snapped flush.

Tried grinding a slot in it with a Dremel cutoff wheel and getting it out with an impact screwdriver but I just broke a bunch of bits.

Busted out the MIG. Welded a washer to the bolt. Then welded a nut to the washer. That did the trick.

You’re putting so much work into this car I think you might be missing the point of that particular race.lol As for that divit, I would have taken down the highs and polished it a bit. It’s not like you’re building a high revving race engine.

 

[bulletpruf]

You’re putting so much work into this car I think you might be missing the point of that particular race.lol As for that divit, I would have taken down the highs and polished it a bit. It’s not like you’re building a high revving race engine.

Point taken, but in my defense, I find it difficult to half-*** stuff.

Good point on the crank as well. If I didn't have a spare, I would have done exactly that - smoothed out the edges and run it.

 

[rd65]

Finally got some cleaning done in the shop. Not all of it, but some anyway. Found some old calendars that will work for 2026.