Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

[markviii]

grammar/spelling/punctuation - a definite NO for the test. Now vocabulary development is another story!

Chris

 

[BB767]

Oh boy is this going to be part of the test also? Spelling and grammar.
So many comments I have about the mental part of this shop.
Mental in a real good way!

I've always said I'm counting on you guys to keep me on my toes. Good eye donnie, sometimes spell check will let you down as it doesn't know context. Maybe we should get into grammar a bit........just to spice the test up?

In my defense look at the time that was posted, 0103 AM. This after a days work in the shop. Started out with delivering the Walker floor jack to the powder coaters. Can't get the color to my satisfaction so instead of mixing, shooting samples and then bringing them to the shop we both decided to take it right to them so they can use the original painted parts to get the match.

Then back at the shop I did some maintenance on the Kendall spinner clock....

.....seen at the top of the opening to the north room.

It was made in 1954 and everything needs periodic maintenance every so often. The set screw on the spinner wheel that revolves in front of the neon tube loosened up. So I had to take it down and open it up. As long as it was open I cleaned up the clock face, polished the spinner wheel and cleaned the glass. BTW, if you'll note in the above picture there is a piece of cardboard about 3' long on the side of the florescent light fixture. That's to keep the florescent light from glaring on the clock face. It's white on the shop side and flat black on the clock side to reduce any possible glare.

Next it was on to the air meter.....

...where work continues.

Long and short of it I was typing while tired and that's usually not a good thing as we've seen here....multiple times!!

Show me no mercy guys and keep me sharp 'cause I know all about Chris and her tests.

Thomas

 

[donnie]

grammar/spelling/punctuation - a definite NO for the test. Now vocabulary development is another story!

Chris

UH OH Now I am worried

 

[BB767]

I looked back and found the anvil photos. If this is all old news Im sorry to hop in and rehash, it just smack me.

I cant make anything out in the photo of the anvil. The chipping hammers in post 1907 were used as slitting chisels for hammering designs or splitting steel for mortise and tenons, etc.. Heat the steel, lock it on the anvil, with a plate underneath so as not to damage the anvil, use the slitting tool by placing it on the steel and striking it with a hammer. This would split the steel like using a chisel to split a piece of wood.

Here you go quick60 , is that better? Take at look on Page 99, post #1977. Are there other markings I should look for besides the serial number under one of the feet which will have to wait a while. While I know who made it, I still don't know what type of anvil it is.

One distinctive feature is the horn curving up above the face....

.... another is a curve on one side where the face and heel meet by the pritchel hole.

Thank you also for IDing the tongs and describing the use of the chipping hammers in smithing work. Much appreciated!

Thomas

 

[BB767]

What was under the lift in the image that showed all of the one lung pony motors racked up for assembly on the left ramp??

was that going to be on the test??

This one Joe....

With Chris creating the test I should think all things are possible. It's gonna be like a gathering storm and you poor folks don't know what's about to be unleashed. I stand by my earlier advice and run for your very lives..........................................

Thomas

 

[quick60]

The radius on the heel was probably put there by the smith to turn out a number or pieces with that radius. Could be wear but doubt it. Looks like he stood at the left of the anvil (looking from the heel) and worked over the right side. The radius on the right edge of the face is used to round over material to start scrolls and bends.
An anvil will ring regardless of what it is sitting on. To stop a ring you can wrap a chain around the feet, a large magnet on the body or under the horn may help.

GO to this link and post your photos of the anvil and the identified markings and you will get all the info on the anvil. http://www.abana.org/resources/forums/index.shtml

Also this link may help. .http://habairon.org/Digest/Balcones Forge/Sept07 - A Guide to Anvils.pdf

 

[quick60]

The weight may be a little off. I do not recall if American anvil manufacturers used the British system of weighting an anvil. That may be an inspection number or the actual weight of the anvil. Post on abana and you will get the information you seek. Im not much on identifying anvils I just hammer on em once in a while.

Look between the feet for any numbers.

The upturned horn looks unusual. It may have broken off and been reattached at some point.

Nice find though. I would not give it up unless someone makes an outrageously stupid offer. Even then I'd think hard about letting it go. An anvil is a handy item to have not to mention the history behind behind that piece.

 

[BB767]

I just finished reading the entire post (it took a few weeks). You must have invented the 48 hour day, because I don't know how else you could have done so much in such a short time. Just clearing out the buildings and organizing the goodies would overwhelm most people. I like restoring and using old tools also and hope you have more pictures and stories like the floor jacks to share. I live in the house my great uncle built in 1923. He was a carpenter and I still have and use many of his old tools as well as his home made work bench. Thanks to BOTH of you for the time you spend updatng the posts and answering all the replies. Now if I can just pry myself away from GJ and get back to my shop, I might get something done...

Thank you for persevering through to the end hlp040db. Working with old tools and equipment from past family members is sure special isn't it. It's like a time bridge. I feel the same working in Mr Johnson's shop and using his tools and equipment. I also have my great grandfathers tool chest...

... that's it in the background, filled with hand wood working tools. I treat them with the utmost respect and always think of great grand dad when I use them, always. You clearly have that same reverence. Doing this thread has been quite enjoyable for Chris and myself and when folks like you post in it really makes it all worthwhile. We appreciate it. Welcome and yes, I have several more projects that are going to be posted in here as I work through them so check back.

Thomas

 

[hobbitss]

This one Joe....

With Chris creating the test I should think all things are possible. It's gonna be like a gathering storm and you poor folks don't know what's about to be unleashed. I stand by my earlier advice and run for your very lives..........................................

Thomas

That's the one... Support Post is on the wrong side of the lift tho'...
I tried...
Thanks for all of the Tool Images....

 

[toranaback]

tomas and chris, your little thread here is truly inspiring.
I have fully read it from 1 to 103 and am truly inspired by the way you have transformed your little piece of paradice at the center of the universe.
I have forwarded the link on to many of my friends here in brisbane , australia so your down under fan base is growing even more.
Thank you for all the detail and keep up the amazing work.

 

[ZRX61]

I do wish you'd stop posting pics of that ****** anvil. There's one for sale about 20 miles away that's calling my name & I'm trying very hard to resist...

 

[tdkkart]

That's the one... Support Post is on the wrong side of the lift tho'...I tried...

Not a post anyway, that's an axle housing from a "banjo" rear end.

Gotta wonder how many banjo rears gave up their axle housings as jackstands??

 

[JC23]

Not a post anyway, that's an axle housing from a "banjo" rear end.

Yeah, but isn't that the correct side? I thought the brackets welded onto the lift were on the driver's side. Or am I backazzward?

 

[hobbitss]

Not a post anyway, that's an axle housing from a "banjo" rear end.

Gotta wonder how many banjo rears gave up their axle housings as jackstands??

It WAS an axle housing... It then was converted for a higher purpose...

 

[hobbitss]

Yeah, but isn't that the correct side? I thought the brackets welded onto the lift were on the driver's side. Or am I backazzward?

It is difficult to tell from the closeup images but the lift room doors are in the back ground which puts the brackets on the inside edge of the right hand (passenger side) ramp...

 

[BB767]

I do wish you'd stop posting pics of that ****** anvil. There's one for sale about 20 miles away that's calling my name & I'm trying very hard to resist...

I'm not exactly clear on which anvil you're refering to.............

...'cause if it's....

.....this one...

....I'd be only....

...too happy to oblige your request...

... and promise to limit....

...how much exposure it gets in the future. BTW, except for the first picture, these are all new and slightly different from what's been posted earlier. I try not to repeat photos if possible.

Also Rick, the Ford wrench returned home today and looks super. I'll get it on here and you can fill us in on how many dips it took. Many thanks my friend.

Thomas

 

[cdrewferd]

Ok, I just spent time over about 5 days going through this while thread. Simply amazing what you have done Thomas, and with the support of your wife Chris no less. I only hope that I'm able to do something like this one day as I'm sure it's been quiet the adventure. Your attention to detail is outstanding. I'm looking forward to many more posts and updates on the treasures you find and what you do to bring them back to their working glory.

 

[quick60]

BTW If you found any ford wrenches with extension handles welded on them they are used by blacksmiths to add ornamental twists to square stock.

 

[MilhouseW]

Thomas,

I've been following your thread for some time now, but have not posted until now. I commend you for taking on such a project and think it's wonderful that you've kept a garage with so much history alive, and still use it for it's intended purpose. Great work!

I have two thoughts on the brackets welded to the bottom of your lift (as you showed on page 100 of the thread). On the same page you show an original ad for Rotary Lift which shows (and briefly mentions) a "drain bucket holder" that can swing out of the way. Might the brackets be used for something similar? I know the holes and orientation of the bracket might be a bit off for this use, but maybe not?

My second thought was the bracket was used to hang a strap or chain fall for heavy lifting of objects or pulling motors out of vehicles. I'm not sure if there's enough room in the garage to position a vehicle to do that, or if the modification was done before the building was put up around the lift.

Anyways, those are just my thoughts on the brackets. Keep up the great work and thanks for documenting everything for us!

~Neil

 

[ZRX61]

Also Rick, the Ford wrench returned home today and looks super. I'll get it on here and you can fill us in on how many dips it took. Many thanks my friend.

Thomas

I upgraded to a new nozzle of my mapp gas doohicky so the number of heat/dip cycles was somewhere between 15 & 30...probably closer to 20-25. You'l see rainbow coloring in the coating while you're doing it, but that goes away once it cools down & gets the lemon pledge polish

 

[FordExec]

I upgraded to a new nozzle of my mapp gas doohicky so the number of heat/dip cycles was somewhere between 15 & 30...probably closer to 20-25. You'l see rainbow coloring in the coating while you're doing it, but that goes away once it cools down & gets the lemon pledge polish

20 to 25 heat/dip cycles? Seems like an awful lot of time and work. Is there a quicker process? I have some micrometers and calipers that need work. Will a small propane torch work? bb

 

[ZRX61]

You could use O/A...... but each cycle with the Mapp gas is fairly quick once you get it up the temp the first time. Clouds of smoke & burning oil dripping all over the place

& the thinner the metal the faster the process...

 

[BB767]

ZRX61 kindly volunteered to oil quench the Ford wrench as a way of demonstrating how to treat tools that have lost their finish. By coating them in this way they won't rust and the finish is very durable. Now that he is done with it and it is back here, in the shop I wanted to post the results. As luck would have it, I happen to have a handy............





...anvil to display his fine work.



As you can see the anvil is the perfect way to see....



...his fine workmanship.




But the best part is he's especially fond of anvils and how versatile they are.



Note how graceful and yet firmly the anvil cradles the wrench.




Here it's as if the wrench seems to point the way to the manufactures name, HAY-BUDDEN stamped on it's flanks....



... manufacturers of high quality anvils. Anvils that have been utilized in countless shops across America and the world due to their distinct and useful properties.



It's been said no shop is ever really complete with out one. Now I'm encouraging him to take a looooong close look the wrench so he can better describe his conditioning process. It looks really good to me. Nice piece of work. A BIG thank you sir.

Thomas

 

[ZRX61]

Doh! .......

 

[quick60]

Could the holes/brackets be for attaching chain or shackles to pull frames or secure a vehicle down to the platform?

 

[ZRX61]

I'm going to buy that ****** anvil & then give it the Williams paste treatment so yours looks like a boatanchor. Ha!

 

[BB767]

Hello Thomas,
Just a short hello from your neighbor up here in the burbs.
Being a newbie, I checked out this thread for the first time and I have to say you sure put a lot of work into your proprerty, like everyone is saying, just Awesome!
I get down your way once in a while, have a friend in Decatur and was at the Lakeland College Car show last May.
Maybe we will see you at Buzz the Gutt in Dwight, or Cruisin Roosters at O'Charlies!

Hi neighbor to you as well. Thanks for taking a look here, bet it wasn't what you first expected was it? As I mentioned before there is more material coming forth so stick around. If you do get down this way, (Parkland has a car show every May that Chris and I try to attend), drop me a PM and we'll try to set it up.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

I'm going to buy that ****** anvil & then give it the Williams paste treatment so yours looks like a boatanchor. Ha!

I've heard how fabulously well compensated A & P's are so I'm a little surprised it's not sitting in your shop as we speak.

Hey ya wanna "practice" that paste treatment on a HAY-BUDDEN that looks a lot like this one....

All kidding aside, it was very kind of you to take some of your time to demonstrate that coating. That is very slick.

Thomas

 

[hobbitss]

ZRX61 kindly volunteered to oil quench the Ford wrench as a way of demonstrating how to treat tools that have lost their finish. By coating them in this way they won't rust and the finish is very durable. Now that he is done with it and it is back here, in the shop I wanted to post the results. As luck would have it, I happen to have a handy............

...anvil to display his fine work.

As you can see the anvil is the perfect way to see....

...his fine workmanship.

But the best part is he's especially fond of anvils and how versatile they are.

Note how graceful and yet firmly the anvil cradles the wrench.

Here it's as if the wrench seems to point the way to the manufactures name, HAY-BUDDEN stamped on it's flanks....

... manufacturers of high quality anvils. Anvils that have been utilized in countless shops across America and the world due to their distinct and useful properties.

It's been said no shop is ever really complete with out one. Now I'm encouraging him to take a looooong close look the wrench so he can better describe his conditioning process. It looks really good to me. Nice piece of work. A BIG thank you sir.

Thomas

That poor Wrench got mixed up in Anvil ****!!!!

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

All 'Tool ****' aside, seeing the two together makes me wonder how long before the owner/pimp of that anvil gives it the hot oil treatment. I mean, first he's taking it for long evening walks on the property, then he's asking about its family and where it was born, next it was the photo shoot. What's next? --- 'Say, would you like to have a ride in my airplane?'

 

[oberst]

Shirley, that can't be the way the horn of that anvil was oriented from the factory?

 

[donnie]

Shirley, that can't be the way the horn of that anvil was oriented from the factory?

Don't call me shirley.

I cannot believe that Thomas does not have that anvil cleaned up yet!

 

[Nuts]

That is the crookedest horn on an anvil I've ever seen.
Must have been broken out of the mold too soon.
I can't think of a way you could do that yourself
without breaking it off, which does happen.

So when are we going to see a hot oil dipped anvil?


Nuts aka Doug

 

[BB767]

I have been meaning to get these on here for some time now, but Rick was so enamored with that anvil that I didn't want to just leave him empty handed. Anyway there were several boxes of new...

...planter runner edges...

and...

... new plow points...

I am seeking guidance on the disposition of these.

Are these potential eBay items? Is someone restoring old equipment that these would be useful. I have no idea at all. These are what, over 30 years old or more I would guess? I can't imagine there is anything current being used that would use these, but I really don't know. Any thoughts out there?



Oh. I did have a request to see a better view of the straight peen hammer so.......

... here you go.

Thomas

 

[JC23]

Thomas,

Great thread as usual.

I would think those blades would be valuable to farm equipment and maybe tractor collectors. Seeing how you in a rural area, you should have no problem finding those folks.

 

[BB767]

The two 4 bbl carbs with the black platic looking bodies are cartier thermoquads . Off of 70s Chrysler v8s .Lots of folks hated them and junked them for hollys BUT if you had the knack they are 10 times the carbs on a dodge and had a distinctive ROAR (heard for miles). Me I adore them PS I just stumbled on this and am a noob here ...nice work you are a perfectionist like I used to be when I was younger and even more so. OH one thing if the old feller was to ever come back, he would be completely lost and probably very frustrated, but probably appreciative none the less. Keep up the good work.

I must apologize for not getting back to you sooner...

The carburetors you speak of are here? My only experience with Carters are AFB's and they are not fun to re-jet at the track. The metering rods are not too bad, but the main jets are a bear! I would expect eBay is the best way to get these to a new home if there is anyone who would want them.

You know you might be right about Mr. Johnson being lost were he to return. No doubt frustrated that ALL that good metal is now gone!

Thanks for visiting here and feel free to come back...often.

...of course I haven't forgotten the, well... you know, hammer...

Thomas

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

Have you checked with the Illinois & Indiana Antique Tractor group? After your donation (post 1626), I would think they might be willing to give you some advice on antique farm equipment parts.

 

[BB767]

....

The upturned horn looks unusual. It may have broken off and been reattached at some point.

Nice find though. I would not give it up unless someone makes an outrageously stupid offer. Even then I'd think hard about letting it go. An anvil is a handy item to have not to mention the history behind behind that piece.

Shirley, that can't be the way the horn of that anvil was oriented from the factory?

That is the crookedest horn on an anvil I've ever seen.
Must have been broken out of the mold too soon.
I can't think of a way you could do that yourself
without breaking it off, which does happen....


Nuts aka Doug

I have taken a much closer look at the anvil horn (I'd post a close up picture of it right here but SOMEONE asked me to not post pictures of the anvil anymore ) and I can tell you that the horn is as manufactured. There is no evidence at all of it ever having been broken off and reattached. This might be the time to post this on a black smith forum and see if it can be explained.

As for ever selling it, there are some items that no amount of money can buy (Charles found that out while trying to buy the Al Jerauld manifold) and this is one of those items. It's historical to the shop and as long as I own it, it will remain there. Beside anvils are just so darn useful. You can preform untold different functions with them. Yes sir, mighty handy to have one right at your finger tips, ready for use.



For those interested in seeing a black smith hammer balanced on it's head....

...look closely at the top...there you go.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Have you checked with the Illinois & Indiana Antique Tractor group? After your donation (post 1626), I would think they might be willing to give you some advice on antique farm equipment parts.

Good call, I'd forgotten they would be a good resource for information. They're a great group and I'm quite sure they would always be willing to help out with advice... but if anyone here has some additional thoughts I'd like to hear them also.

Thank you.



BTW, you ever want to see the end of a smith's hammer handle?

It's on the top left.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Here's an update on some shop items. I spent the afternoon with my buddy and got the low down on the mystery manifold...

He confirmed it was from an Army tank engine. His brother was an Army tank mechanic during his 2 years of service and some how this came to be out at the shop. The next load to the metal recyclers will see it going to that great recycling pile in the sky but I'll keep the associated Bendix carburetor...

Next the long handled ball peen hammer...

He hasn't a clue. Sorry.

As for the brackets under the right hand side (passenger side) lift ramp...

...he, like me, had never seen them in use, never asked his Dad or brother about them and doesn't know why they were installed. I believe Nuts and Elroy had it right regarding a home made safety leg, but so far it's just a guess, but a good one I'd say. None of the vintage pictures we looked at showed anything in that area.

We did look at a gagillion billion 8mm home movies though....

on an Mansfield Deluxe film editing machine...

...in my quest to try to find vintage movies and pictures of the shop and property. I will say this, Mr, Johnson was president of the Illinois Bee Keepers Association and he took that work, VERY seriously. There are reels and reels and reels and more reels of honey bees, hives, bee swarms and more hives. Just reels and reels........... If you want to see some vintage honey bee movies contact me, have I got the hot ticket for you!

My work in this area continues so stick around please.

Thomas