Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

[Scuderia-F1]

Hi Thomas!
Just found out about this forum.
I must also say that this is one of the best threads ever!
I showed this thread for my SO dealer, & he also got all crazy about your awesome rebuild & all the goodies.
This thread works as a BIG inspiration for me, & I guess a lot of others too!

So a big thanks to you, & PLEASE keep on posting!

Best regards,

Anders

 

[toolfanatic]

Hi Thomas,
I stumbled across this site recently while looking for some information on some old tool manufacturers; I registered yesterday after seeing your featured thread! I was absolutely blown away by the fantastic job you've done on restoring the workshop and all the items of equipment and paraphernalia. Such enthusiasm, passion, skill and sheer determination to do "the right thing" is truly inspirational. I spent many hours reading through the pages and even my wife got in on the act! Congratulations on this wonderful thread, I look forward to dipping in from time to time.

Marc, Ireland

 

[markviii]

Welcome to our world, Anders and Marc. I'm busy framing pictures and writing a quiz. I hope you're studying! I'm wishing for spring because I'm so tired of the snow/ice. It was 60 degrees today, but it didn't reduce the ice much.

Chris

 

[ToyMeKaNeK]

....so I wandered off away from the GJ board for a year or so, come back, and look what I find. OMG!
Well, I'm up to page 75 from last Sunday, so I thought I'd skip ahead and be part of the growing family and......well, let me just bow and take my NAPA hat off to you both.
An outstanding effort both here and there. Has giving me a lot of ideas for the man cave too.
I guess you could say I've been fascinated by J.U.N.K.S. (just used nothing knockaround stuff) my entire life.
On a side note: Wish I could go back in time to my Chanute AFB days and see the old Johnson business in action. (as it was P86/#1708) I Wasn't too far from there.

No more wandering off. This site has to be the best on the net hands down. Really guys/gals, what a tremendously nice bunch of talented individuals you are!
I hope I can be more of assistance in future.

John.

 

[markviii]

Tom's doing his best with the time machine thing, restoring lots of the equipment, showing the "before" pictures from "back in the day", and doing actual work at the shop. All things came from and return to the center of the universe!

Chris

 

[3bay]

Can't wait for an update on the Walker jacks!

 

[BB767]

Can't wait for an update on the Walker jacks!

3bay, before I left on my present trip, I stopped in to see Don the powder coater. He showed me a test piece he did of the handle stripes (red/white/blue) which copied the original factory pattern and it just looked fantastic. He told me to expect it done when I get home from flying. I can't wait to see it myself.

Here's another piece finished.

Thomas

 

[CRTDI]

Man, that's going to be one sweet jack when it's all done!! I can't wait either...

 

[BB767]

Hi Thomas!
Just found out about this forum.
I must also say that this is one of the best threads ever!
I showed this thread for my SO dealer, & he also got all crazy about your awesome rebuild & all the goodies.
This thread works as a BIG inspiration for me, & I guess a lot of others too!

So a big thanks to you, & PLEASE keep on posting!

Best regards,

Anders

Hello to you Anders, I'm doing my day job right now so at times it takes a while for me to get on here but I aways do. I wanted to add my own welcome. Curious who or what a SO dealer might be, I'm not familiar with that term?

I just wanted to share what I've done with the shop and property with others and glad you find it helpful. It shows what is possible and I do have much more to post so watch this space.

BTW, we do fly into Stockholm so you might see me wandering around sometime if you're ever around there.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Hi Thomas,
I stumbled across this site recently while looking for some information on some old tool manufacturers; I registered yesterday after seeing your featured thread! I was absolutely blown away by the fantastic job you've done on restoring the workshop and all the items of equipment and paraphernalia. Such enthusiasm, passion, skill and sheer determination to do "the right thing" is truly inspirational. I spent many hours reading through the pages and even my wife got in on the act! Congratulations on this wonderful thread, I look forward to dipping in from time to time.

Marc, Ireland

Marc, nice going getting your wife involved reading this. It's easier for her to see it for herself than try to explain, don't you think? So the enthusiasm, passionate and determination on this project comes through, huh? Good because you pegged me correctly about that! Thank you very much for all those kind words. Chris and I both look forward to you dipping in here in the future. We have several lurkers but you might be our first dipper. Cheers.

Thomas

 

[Scuderia-F1]

Hello to you Anders, I'm doing my day job right now so at times it takes a while for me to get on here but I aways do. I wanted to add my own welcome. Curious who or what a SO dealer might be, I'm not familiar with that term?

I just wanted to share what I've done with the shop and property with others and glad you find it helpful. It shows what is possible and I do have much more to post so watch this space.

BTW, we do fly into Stockholm so you might see me wandering around sometime if you're ever around there.

Thomas

Hi Thomas!

SO is shortening for Snap-On!

I live in Stockholm, so I will keep my eyes open.

Looking forward to follow this thread.

Regards,

Anders.

 

[BB767]

Hi Thomas!

SO is shortening for Snap-On!

I live in Stockholm, so I will keep my eyes open.

Looking forward to follow this thread.

Regards,

Anders.

Oh, I've heard of them........it's all a matter of context isn't it? Yes, I do have a fondness for their tools and equipment. Generally speaking I've never been disappointed by them so I just go with what I know.

Thomas

 

[Scuderia-F1]

Oh, I've heard of them........it's all a matter of context isn't it? Yes, I do have a fondness for their tools and equipment. Generally speaking I've never been disappointed by them so I just go with what I know.

Thomas

I'm not going to argue about that!
It's the only tooltruck I enter.

Regards,

Anders.

 

[Sick Puppy]

....some quarters on top of the toilet tank?

As you may remember the shop never had bathroom facilities since the family home was right next door. I determined the shop should have a toilet and a sink, well, just because it should. We didn't get this up and running until about 7 months after the restoration process had commenced. All winter long that first year, we guys just used natures finest as the bushes provided wonderful privacy and for guys it's just not too much of a problem. After the toilet was installed, tested for leaks, and signed off as good to go (so to speak ) my friend who was helping us declared that he should be the first to use the facility. Told absolutely he could use it no problem, help yourself.............. but it'll cost you a quarter. His reply was it'll be well worth it, done deal and proceeded. I noticed a little later that day he had indeed left a quarter on top of the tank afterward. Well of course I was only kidding and told him I can't take any money for that and come get your quarter. He said, oh no, it was worth it. Well I told him it's still there and anytime he comes back it'll be there waiting....in the same spot. Now through the years it seems to be multiplying as other quarters have mysteriously appeared, especially after I've given a tour of the shop. Nothing has ever been said, they just appear. One of those mysteries of science I guess.

BTW Bill, if you're reading this, your quarter is STILL there and I still can't take any money for that.

Thomas

The wag in me would be tempted to change them up to dollars when visiting

 

[BB767]

....so I wandered off away from the GJ board for a year or so, come back, and look what I find. OMG!
Well, I'm up to page 75 from last Sunday, so I thought I'd skip ahead and be part of the growing family and......well, let me just bow and take my NAPA hat off to you both.
An outstanding effort both here and there. Has giving me a lot of ideas for the man cave too.
I guess you could say I've been fascinated by J.U.N.K.S. (just used nothing knockaround stuff) my entire life.
On a side note: Wish I could go back in time to my Chanute AFB days and see the old Johnson business in action. (as it was P86/#1708) I Wasn't too far from there.

No more wandering off. This site has to be the best on the net hands down. Really guys/gals, what a tremendously nice bunch of talented individuals you are!
I hope I can be more of assistance in future.

John.

Hello John and welcome back to the Journal. I'm sure I speak for many others who also agree with you that the Journal site is the best of it's kind without question! I found it trying to find information to get seals and packing parts for my Walker floor jack and liked it so much I just kinda stayed.

Chanute is just about 20 miles away so you were pretty close. As for your wish to go back in time, I'm trying to get some old home movies of the Johnson shop transferred to DVD and uplinked to You Tube so you and everyone else might still get to see it in action back in the 50's. Pretty cool huh? I've been working on it a while now and we'll see how successful I am. Be patient about it and your wish might come true so don't stray too far.

Good to have you back here.

Thomas

 

[ToyMeKaNeK]

Thank you , Tom. Glad to be back. Looking forward to traveling back.

Edit: It's Sunday the 20th. One week since I started reading this thread. I made it! Whew!
122 pages at this point. This is a major accomplishment for me b/c I normally chuck instructions over my shoulder due to lack of interest in reading.
If something interests me, I'll read it. Even tho my 50+ eyes don't focus like they used to.
You sir, sucked me in. Lock, stock, and barrel.
The only disappointment out of all the threads I read, I only saw 2 Pontiac's on your property. A white rusty '64 in the barn on the lift, and a small scale gas station in the old shop with a model '56 wagon in front.
It would really wet my whistle if you ever get some Goats (or any Poncho) in the shop and snap some photo's.

Regards,
John.

 

[ZAPPER68]

I have been lurking and now is the time for a comment...SPECTACULAR!!

ZAPPER

 

[markviii]

ding-ding-ding-ding-ding! We have a winner from UAE for the 27th country to post on our thread. Welcome. I'll add it on page 97. Also, posting pics of your Chevy muscle cars (any any garage-related stuff) is a must!

Chris

 

[Lincolncruiser95]

Great thread, took me almost three days to get through all 121 pages of your masterpiece.

Those of us blessed with understanding and supportive wives really are lucky sob's!

In 2009 my wife and I bought our home. She settled for a farmhouse built in the 20's or so just because I had to have the 40x60 stick built and the 20x 25 cinderblock garages. The 50x70 hip roof barn was a bonus for which, thanks to you I have some grand plans.

Unfortunately two months after we closed I shattered my femur and tore things in my knee and hip in a crash at work. She has, on her own, remodeled our kitchen and has maintained our three acres for the last year or so in addition to running me everywhere through three surgeries. (More to come).

She also found the 63 lincoln sedan that resides with us awaiting some tlc. She is a lincoln fan herself and found thelincolnforum.net which led me here. Nice '67? .....I think, by the way.

She does all her own wrenching and fiddling with our latest prize, her 52 8n ford. She wanted one just like her grandfather's and I was happy to oblidge! That same grandfather also had a walker floor jack ( of which I had no idea the significance until I saw this thread btw). That jack ( identical to yours with the stamped upper cover ) now proudly resides in the big garage and when it gets used on the continental, there is a feeling that all is as it should be.

As for that pesky switch plate, frame a picture of it and that piston and call it a long lost Dali work!

Hats off to you and especially Chris. Without women like her the world would be no place at all.

 

[markviii]

Welcome to both of you. And, of course, pictures will be forthcoming, right??

It seems like your wife has been involved with vehicles and equipment in the past. I was sort of dragged into it reluctantly. But it's all good and we've shared some hobbies and projects because of it. A 1920s farmhouse is a gem, not just "settling". Things were built to last. Our current house was built in 1910 and Tom's family has owned it since 1959. It's still going strong - just takes tlc, like the cars.

The Lincoln is a '66 that we've owned it since '76 (has about 50,000 miles now) and shown beginning in '78 with Lincoln and Continental Owners' Club (LCOC). Hopefully we'll be able to take it and my Mark VIII to the LCOC Mid-America National meet and Concourse D"Elegance in Pontiac, MI, July 27-31.

Do you belong to LCOC (lots of great activities)? You found us through thelincolnforum.net, but have you checked out Lincolns of Distinction website ( http://www.lincolnsofdistinction.org/vbulletin/index.php )? I digress.

Sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you've recovered back to semi-normal by now. We look forward to further posts from you here and to you starting your own thread with your barn and garages. GJ is a wonderful resource.

Chris

 

[BB767]

Thank you , Tom. Glad to be back. Looking forward to traveling back.

Edit: It's Sunday the 20th. One week since I started reading this thread. I made it! Whew!
122 pages at this point. This is a major accomplishment for me b/c I normally chuck instructions over my shoulder due to lack of interest in reading.
If something interests me, I'll read it. Even tho my 50+ eyes don't focus like they used to.
You sir, sucked me in. Lock, stock, and barrel.
The only disappointment out of all the threads I read, I only saw 2 Pontiac's on your property. A white rusty '64 in the barn on the lift, and a small scale gas station in the old shop with a model '56 wagon in front.
It would really wet my whistle if you ever get some Goats (or any Poncho) in the shop and snap some photo's.

Regards, home
John.

John I don't know how it happened, but last year a '64 Catalina 2 door post, 4 speed car found me and I wound up "adopting" it so it now calls the barn home. It lives next to the white '64 Bonneville you mentioned. It's a 421, tri power and also has Pontiac 8 lug wheels which is somewhat unusual. You just don't see Catalina post cars so much anymore. I didn't plan on either of them, it just..............happened, ya know?? So make that 3 on the property. Feel better now?

Thomas

 

[ToyMeKaNeK]

 

[Stuart in MN]

John I don't know how it happened, but last year a '64 Catalina 2 door post, 4 speed car found me

Nice find! A friend of mine has a '64 Catalina with a tripower 421 and four speed that he bought new. I have a '61 Bonneville with a 348hp tripower 389 and a four speed myself.

 

[markviii]

We have a hard time getting rid of anything - but things do have a way of finding us, too. It must be the vortex effect or something!

Chris

 

[BB767]

Nice find! A friend of mine has a '64 Catalina with a tripower 421 and four speed that he bought new. I have a '61 Bonneville with a 348hp tripower 389 and a four speed myself.

Stuart I have noticed your avatar, yes indeed!! Great minds think alike, yes?

Thomas

 

[biggee]

I promised I'd post pics of the two walker jacks at school, and forgot. So here they are. No matter what I do or try and offer compensation they will not sell them to me. they work flawlessly.

I am still trying to buy them

 

[ToyMeKaNeK]

Nice! My wife's dad had a Texaco station in the early 50's. He had one of those and offered it to me for free while he was moving out of the house he raised his family in.
That would be around the late 90's.
Like a ******* I said, nah, keep it and he rolled it to the curb. Of course, gone in no time. Worked perfectly.
I hope you get them.

John.

 

[Irontoys]

Thomas: long time visitor, joined just to express my admiration for your project garage. It's taken several days to get through it. It has been time well spent. The text and pictures are great. A wish to say thanks for a nice story, well told. Scott

 

[Yonnee]

Hey Thomas, one of the Aussie's again. Haven't been on for a short while... now I have to sit down and work out where I was up to and what I've missed!!

I will say the post a couple of pages back about all the things you've been able to teach your son brought a tear to the eye and a lump to the throat. I only hope that my 10 year old son will have that sort of relationship with me as he gets older.

Anyway, enough blubbering... before I go and read the last several weeks/months I've missed, I've looked up some interesting statistics for you (and any others interested).

- At 2429 posts, this thread is the 5th most posted in thread in the entire forum (less than 100 behind 4th), and more than double any in the Gallery.

-At nearly 599,500 views, it is the 3rd most viewed thread on the entire forum, and 2nd only to Utah977's Bunker thread in the Gallery.

 

[markviii]

Welcome back, Yonnee! Thanks for the statistics. But have any threads had this kind of activity within 14 months? Wish I had time to look, but I'm busy working on that all-important quiz and picture framing.

I woke up to a radio report of the destruction from the earthquake and aftershocks near Christchurch. Our prayers are with our friends down under.

Chris

 

[BB767]

I promised I'd post pics of the two walker jacks at school, and forgot. So here they are. No matter what I do or try and offer compensation they will not sell them to me. they work flawlessly.


I am still trying to buy them

biggee, I appreciate you posting those pictures and especially the data plate closeup. Those would probably date from the 1960's I'm guessing. That's 40+ years of rugged use and abuse and yet as you state, they work flawlessly. You can imagine over the years in a school environment they haven't been shown the most gentle care but they look to be holding up nicely. Testament to the rugged, quality material make up and how well engineered they were. I love how polished the handles are from use.

I see all the front "hubcaps"are missing from the front wheels.

This is one of my jacks with one of the caps removed.

Those hubcaps were not just for appearances but they keep the wheel bearing surfaces clean and retain grease...

...as applied to the front wheel via a grease zirk. Without them, the wheels need much more attention or else they will slowly get get worn out without proper lubrication and that's probably when they will be disposed of.

Best of luck buying them at that time!

Thomas

 

[markviii]

So close, yet so far away! (he's at Newark Airport and I'm home in central IL)

Chris

 

[DEnd]

I'm trying to find an appropriate table-top juke box that uses CDs, but am not satisfied with what I've seen so far.
But, you're right, hondad. We're not much for sitting down!

Chris

Don't be stuck on CD's. An old style one could fairly easily be converted to an input device for a computer to play MP3's and the like. It would probably require some custom programing, but it should be fairly simple.

 

[BB767]

Thomas: long time visitor, joined just to express my admiration for your project garage. It's taken several days to get through it. It has been time well spent. The text and pictures are great. A wish to say thanks for a nice story, well told. Scott

Hi Scott and welcome here. Much appreciation for the short note and support. At times I've wondered if this thread might be getting a little "long in the tooth" so to speak but as you and others have continually stated your enthusiasm for it, I'll keep at it till the story is all told.

BTW-----Irontoys..... how appropriate!

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Hey Thomas, one of the Aussie's again. Haven't been on for a short while... now I have to sit down and work out where I was up to and what I've missed!!

I will say the post a couple of pages back about all the things you've been able to teach your son brought a tear to the eye and a lump to the throat. I only hope that my 10 year old son will have that sort of relationship with me as he gets older.

Anyway, enough blubbering... before I go and read the last several weeks/months I've missed, I've looked up some interesting statistics for you (and any others interested).

- At 2429 posts, this thread is the 5th most posted in thread in the entire forum (less than 100 behind 4th), and more than double any in the Gallery.

-At nearly 599,500 views, it is the 3rd most viewed thread on the entire forum, and 2nd only to Utah977's Bunker thread in the Gallery.

Nice to hear from you again Yonnee. Time with your kids is the most important thing you can do as a father I think. It's a bonus if you can share a common hobby with them. Even though early in my flying career I was gone much more than now, I tried to carve out time when I was home. Start them early with power machines and make it fun, 'cause if you're not having fun, what's the point? I think they'll pick up your enthusiasm.

Interesting stats on this thread. I guess this story is one that many people can identify with all over the world. It's universal, guys just like "junk"!

New Zealand has earthquakes and in some areas you guys got hit with a bunch of rain lately. I thought it was suppose to be all quiet and nice down there? What gives?

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Don't be stuck on CD's. An old style one could fairly easily be converted to an input device for a computer to play MP3's and the like. It would probably require some custom programing, but it should be fairly simple.

DEnd, both my darling daughter and son have offered to help out with a set up as you suggested. Fairly simple custom programing for them and you maybe, but if they're not around as for Chris and myself.........not so much.

Thanks for the suggestion. We'll give it more thought.

Thomas

 

[willy3486]

DEnd, both my darling daughter and son have offered to help out with a set up as you suggested. Fairly simple custom programing for them and you maybe, but if they're not around as for Chris and myself.........not so much.

Thanks for the suggestion. We'll give it more thought.

Thomas

Once you get the hang of MP3s its easy for anyone. When we get new CDs we make MP3s and save them to the computer. I have them sorted by decade and some by type like jazz and celtic music for example. I then burn them to CDs and use them in my car and elsewhere. I then put the CD up and they stay as good as new. As far as the one I burn,if it gets scratched or broke I burn a new one. You can pick up a old computer for a song. You can set up a computer an not hear the same song in hours.

 

[BB767]

Once you get the hang of MP3s its easy for anyone. When we get new CDs we make MP3s and save them to the computer. I have them sorted by decade and some by type like jazz and celtic music for example. I then burn them to CDs and use them in my car and elsewhere. I then put the CD up and they stay as good as new. As far as the one I burn,if it gets scratched or broke I burn a new one. You can pick up a old computer for a song. You can set up a computer an not hear the same song in hours.

Thanks willy for that information. I'm in Brazil at present but will return home very shortly. I'll then be able to show what I did in the barn for the sound system there. Completely different from the old shop. Stand by.

Thomas

 

[MetalMangler]

^^^^ Reported as spam, and hopefully soon to be whacked!

In the meantime, let me state that like most everyone else, I'm in awe of what you have done! As if the work that you've done to recover the shop in the first place, the work you've put into making a coherent, informative and enjoyable thread is as impressive.

MM

 

[willy3486]

^^^^ Reported as spam, and hopefully soon to be whacked!

In the meantime, let me state that like most everyone else, I'm in awe of what you have done! As if the work that you've done to recover the shop in the first place, the work you've put into making a coherent, informative and enjoyable thread is as impressive.

MM

Duh, I should have looked at the left and reported it as well. I have to agree with you on this post being impressive. The highlight of my day is to check my email and see if I have been notified of someone posting here. I work a job that at times is stressfull but I can take a break and come here to get my mind off of it for a few minutes.