New garage in the Philippines

[Morrisman]

Yes Andy, roof on the garage matches the house. There is a layer of insulation under the sheet, just 10mm thick, and I don't think it will be enough, hence the hole I left for an extractor fan high in the gable end.

I think I'll paint the walls in gloss white, easy to keep clean and good for lighting. Maybe put a line or two around it to break it up a little.

I'm not too sure about the floor being tiled, as I do welding and cutting and metalwork a lot, so damage would be a problem. ********* and white chequered pattern would be great though.

 

[mrfortyford]

Wondered if you were all Ok after all the flooding reported?

 

[abstamaria]

Morrisman and I have homes in the Northern island of Luzon, mrfortyford. The storm and flash floods hit the Southern islands, so he and I were spared. I should note that the areas that suffered seldom see typhoons and so were unprepared for this freak event. The volume of rainwater was also extraordinary. Over a thousand are presumed dead, so this is a tragedy. It was good of you to ask.

Andy

 

[welder4956]

We're praying for all those affected by the flooding. I spent about 7 months in 1997-98 working up in Sual in Pangasinan province and enjoyed the people and the country. Hope to go back for a visit in a couple of years.

 

[abstamaria]

Welder4956, thank you. You must have been working at the 1200MW Sual Power Station?

 

[55chevy]

Prayers to our friends in the PI.

Spent 2 years in Zambales province. Met and married english girl, 42 friggin years ago.

Lovely islands, lovely people.

salamat po !!

 

[welder4956]

Welder4956, thank you. You must have been working at the 1200MW Sual Power Station?

Yes. I was there during construction, before the jellyfish invasion...

The company I work for owned the plant at the time.

 

[abstamaria]

I know the project well, welder4956. Sent you a PM. Andy

 

[Morrisman]

Well, time has flown by, and I've not updated for ages. The house is nearly finished, but unfortunately my garage has turned into a general storage area for all the house and building stuff.

The doors are in, and the driveway to it is nearly laid, in block paving:

My drill bench is in place and I've built three large storage cupboards from 3/4" marine ply.

All my plans to get the floor painted, electrics run, storage built before we moved in turned to dust, as there was so much messing about with our main contractor that when we moved in December everything was utter chaos.

I have tried to personalise it a little, with a couple of tool boards and a Harley picture, and a large solid workbench will be built where those sacks of cement currently live.

The bathroom works!

I've been working in there though, making things for the house, the arched window/doors for the balcony.

I built the stair railings for all three floors too:

And the balcony railings:

Front wall railings:

You gotta do what you gotta do:

 

[BUGTHUG]

Wow thats some nice work there. Looks like a fine place to dwell, the metal work is top notch, what a gift you have.

 

[Zeke]

I got a real kick out of that guy welding in flip flops, bare hands and dark glasses. I kinda see now why when some of these people get to the US, they do the kind of work they do.

But the house looks stout. Are most houses there block construction?

 

[Bib Overalls]

Good to see you posting again. Impressive iron work.

 

[Morrisman]

Thanks guys.

It is quite normal for the locals to wear that sort of flip flop and sunglasses 'safety gear' when welding or metalwork, construction etc.

I feel a bit overdressed when I put on my fire retardant coveralls, automatic welding helmet, safety glasses, ear plugs etc..

Most houses here are concrete block construction, but the blocks are pretty rubbish quality. Our place was built by an American and has a lot more steel and concrete beams in than any local place I have seen.

 

[RHD 4 LIFE]

Looks great and coming along nicely. I really like all your own handy work in the metalwork!

John

 

[morfmedia]

The metalwork looks awesome, keep us updated on progress

 

[Layspeed]

Looks very nice! Ahh...you got me reminiscing about my time doing metal work on my in-laws place there in Manila. It was just a little over 2 years ago they built a new house and I saved them quite a bit of pesos in manual labor. I built a few railings, all the window bars, some safety rail around their water tank, and a fairly large sliding metal gate with vertical wood slats. I did not like the huge Arc welder that would sever 1/4" plate with ease when trying to weld thin stuff, but as you say, "You gotta do what you gotta do."

 

[Morrisman]

I've not done a lot more, just tidied up a bit, made a big solid work bench, and bought another car project to take up the space I had cleared.

My wife has built this amazing barbecue come pizza oven in the garden. We had a house-warming party last Friday, and it was fired up for the first time.

And I'm currently on kitchen furniture detail, building an 'island'.

I made drawers today. 1/2" marine ply, glued and nailed together, with my new air powered 'brad' gun.

Primer sloshed on the insides and hung out to dry on my long suffering, hardly touched hot rod project.

This is the main carcass with primer on, and sanded a bit. My wife likes the 'distressed' look. So do I as it makes it far easier to finish.

My body hoist, that I built to lift the body on and off an old hot rod. It was shipped over from the UK when we moved and I just put a coat of paint on it last week. It has an electric winch on to make life easier. I doubt it would be strong enough to lift an engine. You can see where it has been cut and re-welded for transportation.

 

[Morrisman]

Swimming pool is nearly finished too. We've built a waterfall disguised pump station at the end, as we found we'd need a good sized filter and 3/4hp pump to keep the pool clean and clear.

 

[abstamaria]

I'm quite sad about the lack of welding glasses especially, as the contractors take advantage of the workers, who themselves can't afford to buy them. Injury is permanent, of course. My contractor was very professional, however, so his workers used welding helmets and hearing-protectors. I am in Manila, though.

We are losing many of our skilled welders and technicians to the Middle East, where they are in high demand.

But I am happy you are getting along with the job and doing such fine work at that! It will be great to see that Austin Healey at the local sports car club meetings. There is an active classic car cub where you are. I assume a V8 is going in the Healey?

I'll visit you when I'm in your area. The club has moved it's vintage racing series to the new circuit there.

Welcome again, and good luck.

Andy

 

[Morrisman]

I'm quite sad about the lack of welding glasses especially, as the contractors take advantage of the workers.....

Very true. I asked our roofer how his guys can possibly weld our trusses properly with just sunglasses, and he merely laughed it off, refused to engage in the discussion. Most of the workers simply don't know any better.

I hope to drop a V8 in the Healey at some stage, but I've been offered a small old English four cylinder and transmission for peanuts, so that may be slotted in temporarily. I assume it will make it easier to get some sort of paperwork for the car than having a 5.7 litre motor in there. The car has been on the road, but never had any legal papers. Another challenge to surmount.

 

[welder4956]

The house and garage are coming along nicely. The new project looks good as well and should keep you busy for awhile. I don't know where you find time to do all this, but it looks great.

 

[Morrisman]

I'm up at 5:30 am every day, mainly because our daughter has to go to school by 7am. Then I'm busy busy all day, on some project or other.

The swimming pool is now fully functioning, and is just a few paces from the door to my 'shop...... Nothing finer on a roasting hot day.

 

[Morrisman]

I've got seriously fed up of moving boxes around to reach anything, so I started unpacking things and hanging stuff up on the walls to get it out the way. Hopefully I'll make some hi-rise cabinets, one day soon....

Rolled the hot rod outside to give it a blow off with the airline, it is covered is sawdust and everything-else dust. I've also made a start on getting this finished, as it has languished untouched for months. Did some 'glass work and rivetted my brake and fuel line clips in place.

This is the lifting frame I built a few years ago, with small electric winch, just to get bodies on and off. It can be a chore having no buddies living nearby.

I've just finished building this for the wife, but yesterday I managed to break the granite top for it as I was cutting it. It cut easily enough, until I dropped it....

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

"I've just finished building this for the wife, but yesterday I managed to break the granite top for it as I was cutting it. It cut easily enough, until I dropped it...."

Well you did say your wife likes a 'distressed' look! lol Sorry, I couldn't resist; I do hope there were no smashed toes involved. You've been giving it hell with all the projects you've taken on and there's bound to be some 'oops' encountered. I've really been enjoying your build and can't wait till you get some time to show us what is in store for the Austin Healey.

 

[Morrisman]

I did think of using a little hot glue on the granite top, give it some sort of go at repairs, but I was so frustrated I tossed the remnants in the rubbish pile.

The Healey, well, I'm trying not to even start on that yet, but I did roll underneath for a quick look last week. It looks like it was quite a tidy job when first built, but has been hacked around since then. There are several large holes gash cut through the chassis where the exhaust pipes have been run, and a hacked out hole where the drive shaft goes.

Needless to say it will turn into a body-off rebuild, whatever I do with it. I did plan to fit a small four banger, but I may as well invest the time in slotting a nice V8 in there.

It will end up as a sort of AC Cobra style custom job, with side pipes so I can pull that exhaust out of the chassis rails.

 

[Morrisman]

Nothing much done to the garage recently, as it is pretty much up and running. I did make some steel gates for the yard, to keep the dogs in order, and I did get a bit carried away with the artsy side of it all.

No sooner did I finish that than the wife and daughter decided they needed garage time, and took over for some furniture making and painting.

The end result, in the young 'uns bedroom:

 

[porschedude996TT]

Wow, old school "Power-Pac" Heads! Is that a 283 CI?

 

[Woogeroo]

I like all the 'artsy' metalwork myself. Gives it personality!

I like the big grill/oven thing too!

Neat house.

-W

p.s. I like the hiding the water pump in the waterfall idea too, that is good thinkin'.

 

[abstamaria]

Great work, Morrisman! I like the gate and your handiwork. I have not visited Angeles in a while, but hope to catch you one of these days. Once upon a time I was a hot rodder.

I am happy you and the family seem settled and happy.

Best,

Andy

PS: In the Philippines, there are always helping hands. The two times I lifted and then reinstalled the body on my Lotus, the kid next door, the neighbor's gardener, etc. provided the musclepower. All you need to do is go out to the street and see who's around. They will be happy to help. But you know that already.

 

[Morrisman]

Wow, old school "Power-Pac" Heads! Is that a 283 CI?

It's a plain old 350, as far as I know. it has 11:1 CR and a Lunati cam, but not too sure about anything else. It sat in my buddies DeSoto roadster hot rod, unusues for 25 years, then he overhauled it and sold it to me.

I like all the 'artsy' metalwork myself. Gives it personality!

I like the big grill/oven thing too!

Neat house.

-W

p.s. I like the hiding the water pump in the waterfall idea too, that is good thinkin'.

The wife designed the pizza oven/barbecue stand, while I was away working. It is quite a piece of work.

Great work, Morrisman! I like the gate and your handiwork. I have not visited Angeles in a while, but hope to catch you one of these days. Once upon a time I was a hot rodder.

I am happy you and the family seem settled and happy.

Thanks Andy. One of these days I'll get chance to do something in the automotive world again, maybe get to a race meet or even finish one of my own cars.

 

[HOTFR8]

I would like to see more of that Hot Rod. Are there many Hot Rods in the Philipines ?

 

[Morrisman]

I would like to see more of that Hot Rod. Are there many Hot Rods in the Philipines ?

Very few hot rods, but there are a couple being built here and there. Muscle cars seems to be more thing for expats who live here.

 

[HOTFR8]

Ah OK. Would still like to see more of the Rod.

 

[abstamaria]

Hot Rod

Not a sports car, but one hot rod does show up at the local sports car club meetings. It was built locally I recall over 25 years ago. Still looks good, and very fast!

Andy

 

[Bib Overalls]

It can be a chore having no buddies living nearby.

Add a shop refrigerator and fill it with San Miguel.

 

[Morrisman]

Ah OK. Would still like to see more of the Rod.

Here ya go:

The start, body shell brought over from the UK.

All the chassis and suspension built by me, starting with a Model A axle and leaf spring.

Inner frame built for the body to stiffen it up.

Corvair steering box, reversed by me.

Speedway rear axle disc brake conversion, mainly because i couldn't find the complete drum assembly in the Philippines.

9" Ford on a triangulated four bar system, made by me. Axle has new bearings, installed by me.

350/350

A bit of black paint splashed on.

I'm still working on the body shell, lots of filling and sanding to go. Hope to get it drivable soon.

 

[Morrisman]

Re: Hot Rod

Not a sports car, but one hot rod does show up at the local sports car club meetings. It was built locally I recall over 25 years ago. Still looks good, and very fast!

Andy

Beautiful car. We need more of those about.

And is that a Frog eye Sprite I see lurking behind it?

 

[HOTFR8]

Here ya go:

Thank you. Nice work.

 

[Morrisman]

Been away a while, but finally concentrated on getting the hot rod roadworthy. I did the wiring, fitted a bunch of stuff, but eventually got shot down by the brakes not working. I think I have the wrong master cylinder, not enough capacity to operator the disc brake conversation on the rear end. I've now ordered a couple of Wilwood MCs, two different sizes, to try and sort the problem.

And then I found the ****** won't go into reverse at all. So, plans to drive it before Xmas went out the window.

The motor fired up perfectly, with just a couple of oil leaks, so no big drama, but it is now out on the floor to have the ****** rebuilt again. it sat for two years so may have gummed up, or something.

Not a lot happened on the garage front, just tidied up a little bit more, got rid of some junk etc.

 

[HOTFR8]

Looking good.