Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

[W_A_Watson_II]

Sorry, DPCD stands for Dodge Plymouth Chrysler De Soto. It was one of the pre-MoPar logos used on parts manufactured for, drum roll please: Dodge Plymouth Chrystel and De Soto.

The radiator looks kind of like it might be one for the FF Power Wagon's, based on what little I see of it. Overhand front portion of the tank, and perhaps a humped top.

Will

 

[BB767]

Hello Thomas !
The motor is a 1968 318.
Brian thinks it most likely came out of a farm truck because of the manual bellhousing.
That's as far as I've gotten with it! Its safe at his place as is the Ram. The ****** went out! The Dakota I picked up last summer and just put on the road has been a real pill too.
I may just have to drop that 318 into one of the Johnson go-kart chassis if it keeps up !


Craig

By the way, the 318 is in pretty fair company.
This showed up awhile back to go in a 93 Mustang.

Thank you Craig for the update. That's about what I thought it might be and of that era also. If you do modify one of the go-karts with the 318 and need some scrap metal for whatever, you know where to come get it. That's just the sort of thing my buddy and I would have done- oh so many years ago out there. We never let common sense stop us........as you've seen!

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Sorry, DPCD stands for Dodge Plymouth Chrysler De Soto. It was one of the pre-MoPar logos used on parts manufactured for, drum roll please: Dodge Plymouth Chrystel and De Soto.

The radiator looks kind of like it might be one for the FF Power Wagon's, based on what little I see of it. Overhand front portion of the tank, and perhaps a humped top.

Will

Oh.................I knew that.................

When I get home I'll pull it out and give it a good look. I can actually maneuver around in the Tool Shed somewhat now with that huge 318 gone! BTW, in the back of the lean-to is...

a nice rear bumper that I understand is from a 1956-7-8-9 ish Chrysler product that was saved. De Soto comes to mind. It's in the back right corner I believe, standing up with the chrome side facing away from the camera. There's also another rear bumper in the back on the left, from what I don't know. When I finally dig the Chrysler one out perhaps Will you'll be able to recognize it?

(Dickie, your tricycle is still waiting for pick up)

Thomas

 

[dcm5652]

In the center of the picture are 2 yellow chain-saws, the one you can see the side is like one my Dad had when I was growing up, you could hear that thing a mile away and know what it was from the distinctive sound that it had. Thanks Thomas that brought back some good memories. I believe that it dates back to the 1930's.

 

[Vernmotor]

What page was that switch plate on ???

 

[BB767]

In the center of the picture are 2 yellow chain-saws, the one you can see the side is like one my Dad had when I was growing up, you could hear that thing a mile away and know what it was from the distinctive sound that it had. Thanks Thomas that brought back some good memories. I believe that it dates back to the 1930's.

dcm5652 those are both McCulloch chainsaws (classic McCulloch yellow) that are ancient and the one you mentioned has an enormously long bar on it. I have no idea how large the engine is. Once I dig down to that level I'll post them here. Starting back in the late 1950's McCulloch chainsaw engines were the engine of choice for serious go-karters. I had an MC 90 in the late 60's on one of my karts, equipped with a megaphone on the exhaust making a loud engine even louder! Sadly no pictures of it or that kart exist. I spotted the saws early on in the cleaning/sorting process and expect to try eventually and get them running. I expect they are heavy suckers! They brought back some great memories for me as well.

Thomas

 

[Nuts]

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u288/BB767/JohnsonsWeldingDVD/PortableWelder.jpg


I do believe that is a 30/31 Model A Ford.


Nuts

 

[Mavawreck]

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u288/BB767/JohnsonsWeldingDVD/PortableWelder.jpg


I do believe that is a 30/31 Model A Ford.


Nuts

28/29 because of the round splash aprons, 30+ were more square.

 

[hobbitss]

To follow up on the Chrysler engine in the Tool Shed...

Thomas

TOOLS!!!

Nice hand saw... What is in the Bench you piled all of the stuff on top of???

 

[BB767]

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u288/BB767/JohnsonsWeldingDVD/PortableWelder.jpg


I do believe that is a 30/31 Model A Ford.


Nuts

28/29 because of the round splash aprons, 30+ were more square.

I defer to both you gentlemen, heck my buddy and I thought it might be a Dodge. Shows how much I know about those early years. Either way it's still a pretty cool image towing that welder on a wood spoked wheeled trailer. The video has a few more images of it but they're about like the one I posted. Maybe once you see the video it will help. Nobody in the family can remember what happened to that car.

Thomas

 

[hobbitss]

Well, you just had to bring that up............again, didn't you, just had to.............couldn't resist. Nope we're not going to leave that hornets nest alone, let's just poke it a bit with a nice big stick, give it whack or two. Yup, put a sharp stick in my eye............. and then twist it. Let's make sure that all the new guys here know allllllll about the poor dumb airline pilot who can't mount a switch plate square........I feel the love, I truly do...............why do I get the rather distinct impression that I will just never, ever be able to hear the end of that. Of course it doesn't bother me anymore, really...........not much...........


............except I spent sooooooooooo much freaking time trying, I mean really and truly trying to square that plate up and it just wasn't going to happen. Clearly that switch was destined to taunt me from afar................. ding dang, dog gone, stupid plate anyway.......................... well I'll show it, I'll just ignore it!

...hideously wonky... did you have to be that descriptive. How about "slightly off kilter" or "delightfully independent with a mind of it's own". Don't you think those sound much more, well....... easier on the ear? I bet as a passenger you wouldn't want to hear the captain over the PA using hideously wonky describing anything now would you??

Thomas

You know, it might be possible to correct the Wonky, Off Kilter, Switch plate by shimming the box it attaches to...
That way it wont look so Hideous..

 

[BB767]

TOOLS!!!

Nice hand saw... What is in the Bench you piled all of the stuff on top of???

Joe, that image I posted is the clearest I've ever seen it back there. All I know about the bench at this point is that it's an old, all wood bench that looks like some glue joints have failed on it. I haven't even opened the drawers in it yet. No doubt that's where all the gold bars were stored. That's the bench that has a blacksmith's vice mounted on it. Just a guess, but since it has that vice and is located way back in the Tool Shed, it may very well have been Mr. Johnson's first bench in his blacksmith shop and when he expanded his business and started using metal benches this one was placed back in storage. One last thing about it; I discovered it has mounted car tires under each corner to keep the wood feet off the dirt floor. Over the years those tires sank into the dirt to where they're hardly visible now. Once I get the bench out and recover the tires that will bring the total count of tires I had to dispose of out at the property to.....................284 tires and of course I had to pay to dispose of all of them.

BTW, I didn't pile all that "stuff" on it, it was mounded over with much more material than you can now see now. I owned the property more than year before I even knew there was a bench under everything.

Thanks Joe for the interest.

Thomas

 

[Mavawreck]

I defer to both you gentlemen, heck my buddy and I thought it might be a Dodge. Shows how much I know about those early years. Either way it's still a pretty cool image towing that welder on a wood spoked wheeled trailer. The video has a few more images of it but they're about like the one I posted. Maybe once you see the video it will help. Nobody in the family can remember what happened to that car.

Thomas

Neat image regardless! I think it is a 28/29 Model A tudor sedan, the wheels have been changed but that was common due to ride comfort or tire availability or whatever the reasoning. The trailer is way cool! I like to see pictures like this when you think about the way things used to be. No $50K diesel Dodge with matching custom painted trailer, they've got an old sedan with a homemade trailer hitch pulling a homemade trailer. And I bet the work they did was great.

 

[Jallred]

Thomas,
Love the shop. I have been following it for quite awhile now. I realy like the mix of old and new, in paticulair the hand painted signs. I am looking to add some to my shop. My main side job is repairing chainsaws. I am also a collector. If you ever want to sell the MacCulloch saws shoot me a PM and we can talk it over.

 

[BB767]

Here are a couple of additional pictures inside the shop from the early 70's.

This is in the fab room and that's a fabricated fuel tank on the bench done by one of guys in the shop. The trip hammer is just out of frame in the background to the right. Note the steel bench the work is being done on...

...here it is 30+ years later on a temporary basis till I could build my new benches.

Here, in almost the same spot as the first picture, a frost tooth from a backhoe bucket is being serviced, also on that same bench. The trip hammer is buried behind all those items on the right.

I have some more interior images but they didn't transfer correctly and I'll have to wait till get home to correct that and get them posted.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Neat image regardless! I think it is a 28/29 Model A tudor sedan, the wheels have been changed but that was common due to ride comfort or tire availability or whatever the reasoning. The trailer is way cool! I like to see pictures like this when you think about the way things used to be. No $50K diesel Dodge with matching custom painted trailer, they've got an old sedan with a homemade trailer hitch pulling a homemade trailer. And I bet the work they did was great.

One terrific aspect of doing restoration work on and in the shop and gathering up all these old photographs from there reminds me of how things used to be done as you said. I have personal memories of some of it but slowly over the years through safety regulations, EPA regulations etc we lose sight of how our society and the trades functioned 50 years or more ago. No doubt the work done with that old portable welder was great and whatever was serviced with it would go toe to toe with anything done with the afore-mentioned $50K+ custom rig. I expect somewhere, even today, there are old rigs such as that still in operation but they are a rapidly vanishing sight for better or worse.

Thanks Mavawreck for your input.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Thomas,
Love the shop. I have been following it for quite awhile now. I realy like the mix of old and new, in paticulair the hand painted signs. I am looking to add some to my shop. My main side job is repairing chainsaws. I am also a collector. If you ever want to sell the MacCulloch saws shoot me a PM and we can talk it over.

Thanks Jallred, the shop is all highly personal and I've done it to suit myself based on what's at hand and what seems to fit in. I may have to rely on your advice and expertise when I finally get to the McCulloch's and try to breath life into them. Fortunately they've always been stored inside and appear to be complete. I'll keep you in mind, promise.

Thomas

 

[BigAl62]

Tom, on post 4277 you show some wide wheels. Is there any chance of getting a picture of them from the top (showing their face)? I may be able to tell you what they fit. The bottom one has "5 on 5" marked on it, they may be truck (4X4) wheels. Other than that, way cool picture (the old and the new). I can't wait to see more!

 

[BB767]

Tom, on post 4277 you show some wide wheels. Is there any chance of getting a picture of them from the top (showing their face)? I may be able to tell you what they fit. The bottom one has "5 on 5" marked on it, they may be truck (4X4) wheels. Other than that, way cool picture (the old and the new). I can't wait to see more!

BigAl62, I can do that though not sure when. That was just a quick snap while I was cleaning out a path to move the engine. I'll get some better images posted with closeups of any face markings.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Behind the old shop out in the barn is another barn project just completed.



I needed a way to organize those pesky lawn/garden tools we all have that want to fall over, look unsightly and dent up our precious vehicles.



Because the walls have ribs, I installed wood spacer blocks which were level with the top of the ribs, see the upper pair of blocks and the lower one by the level.



To those spacer blocks I attached stained and sealed hardwood boards, some spare sycamore scraps I had in this case.



Then to the sycamore boards, 1/2" pipe flanges were secured with lag bolts.



Here you can see that I also beveled the edges of the sycamore to dress it up and give it a more finished appearance.



6" long galvanized pipe ******* will be installed in the flanges but first I wanted to remove the paper labels they come with. If you just scrap the labels off they shred and make a mess plus these are galvanized pipes and I didn't want to damage the galvanize surface. The best way I've found to remove labels is what I've always know as "adhesive heat reactivation" using a blow dryer heat source in this case.



Once you apply a little heat the adhesive starts to soften up and lose its grip and if they're stubborn, use a little 3M Adhesive Cleaner #8984, and you can generally peel those little suckers off in 1 piece.



Pipe caps were drilled and 1/4" eye bolts installed on them.



In turn, those caps were installed on the pipe...



... and light weight chain with spring snaps on the ends were then installed in the eye bolts.



The pipe keeps the tools from falling over on their sides...



...and the chain keeps the tools from falling away from the wall. The snaps allow the chain to be easily removed, out of the way, while the longer tools are either being removed or returned. Added bonus, the sycamore holds the tools away from the wall and prevents the tools from nicking/scraping the paint on the walls. Now Gus no longer needs to fear being parked near them in the barn.

Thomas

 

[Scuderia-F1]

That´s a GREAT solution to storing all the gardening/landscaping tools!

 

[markviii]

So that's where my blow dryer disappeared to !! I thought it was at the apartments with the 3M window insulation. (I'm surprised that nothing was put on the floor to protect it from those sharp tool blades, though.) We're helping our local hardware store (and the economy) by keeping them very busy cutting pipe and counting out all those fittings.

Chris

 

[babaluba]

...(I'm surprised that nothing was put on the floor to protect it from those sharp tool blades, though.)...

My thoughts exactly.

First the cover plate, then the gear knob... And now, the unprotected floor? My good sir, are you perhaps overworked?

But, as they say, never disturb a genious at work. He (well actually the both of you) might have a plan to set us all off before the test?

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Holy Buckets!

I finally made it!!! I found the lull in the conversation!!!

I thought I was never gonna get here! 2 + weeks of evenings and partial weekend days here and there and I finally made it through 216 pages of this amazing story.

All I can say is WOW. You sir, and madam, are a couple of amazing individuals. Truly just "good people". Your dedication to doing it right just amazes me. The way this story unfolds is like a novel. Your narration of the events at hand are phenomenal. Full of every detail to explain the event. You have made those of us who continue to stick around here feel like family.

The Y manifold story... tear jerking. You sir truly know what is important in life. You gained more wealth in the friendships formed than any dollar figure would have brought you.

And here we are, 2+ years later and you continue to share with us this glimpse into who you are. Thank you for this. I have truly enjoyed the ride and will continue to check in and see what is going on in the "Center of the Universe".

Thanks again,

Jeff

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Okay, now that I got my initial feelings out of the way, I can jump in here. I am curious as to why you didn't hang the yard/garden tools rather than keep them on the floor. I've always hung mine in order to keep the floor space open. Of course, I've always been limited to a 600 s.f. or so garage. Once I get my barn built, I might feel differently about that!

Jeff

 

[markviii]

Hanging!? Quite a harsh sentence for some valuable (and even ancient) tools, don't you think, Turbo1Ton? Decisions, decisions -- holes in handles, implement turned tool-end down, how high off the floor to allow for usability of the floor space, how much horizontal wall space needed for the number/types of tools, how far out to project the pipes/chains, and then what type of hanger would suit all types? Too much to think about in his limited time. I didn't even hear the cogs in his brain working out this solution! I know he has a reasonable answer to the tool-blade-on-the-floor decision.

Turbo1Ton and babaluba- we're honored you both chose this thread to post in on the same day for your 4th posts after having joined GJ 4 and 2 years ago (respectively). Amazing timing given that you're 1/2-way around the world from each other! (well, I guess I'm making assumptions that Jeff is from the US - hopefully from ID or MT to fill out our 50-state list)

Time to get to work.

Chris

 

[BB767]

So that's where my blow dryer disappeared to !! I thought it was at the apartments with the 3M window insulation....

Chris

OH OH, BUSTED!!!

Thomas

 

[BB767]

.... never disturb a genius at work....

Did ya see That Chris, huh, did ya? I've heard it's been said; if it's in writing it Must Be True!

So using the blow dryer's OK...................right Chris?? No hard feelings?


(thanks babaluba, you're a Pal!)

Thomas

 

[dcm5652]

I use old rubber truck mud-flaps to set my tools on, they are small enough so that when they get dirty you can remove one take it outside hose it off and bring it back in without having to remove all the tools for a clean-up.

 

[BB767]

Okay, now that I got my initial feelings out of the way, I can jump in here. I am curious as to why you didn't hang the yard/garden tools rather than keep them on the floor. I've always hung mine in order to keep the floor space open. Of course, I've always been limited to a 600 s.f. or so garage. Once I get my barn built, I might feel differently about that!

Jeff

A warm Welcome to the family Jeff. Glad you made it to the ATP. The world is increasingly getting smaller and I wouldn't rule out Chris and I getting to meet many of you at some point before all is said and done.

Your question about hanging everything has much merit.

In this case, simply the barn is quite large, 4,600+ square feet (1,402m) so I do have the luxury of lots of wall space. The area where those tools are located is behind the Kubota which is much shorter than a car and is empty floor space anyway where there was no need to conserve floor space. In a smaller structure I'm sure I would have done as you have. Wait until you see the hardwood lumber storage solution I came up with for the barn. Now that sucker uses some wall space! Stand by.

Thomas

 

[magnusk750]

Ease of cleaning the floor with the tools hanging above the floor... no matter how many sq ft you have...

Can you feel the blood thirst from the audience, at last we found something to question...

 

[markviii]

Wow! You guys are tough! (all in fun, though, I know)

Tom - I got myself a better hair dryer anyway! (that one is so old that it probably has asbestos in it)

magnusk750 - someone already began a list of those (how shall I word it...) flaws? He really doesn't make "mistakes" very often (oops! at all)(or on so public a forum), but they irritate him. I'm sure he'll thank you for the reminder.

Turbo1Ton - thanks for stirring the pot!

Chris

 

[magnusk750]

Or ban me from even reading...

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Oh darn it. Now I'm a pot stirrer! I never meant for it to get that far!!!!!

Sorry Chris, I cannot add either of the elusive ID or MT to the list of states. I'm in Oklahoma. Oddly enough though my dad is from the bustling metropolis of Salem IL so I have plenty of relatives that live only a short 2 to 2.5 hour drive south from the "Center of the Universe". I might need to go visit them so I can have an excuse to take a day trip and see the Restored 1930's Auto Shop!

Tom, completely understand about the floor space. I'm in the process of planning my 50' x 50' shop/barn space because I'm filled to the gills in my 2 car garage! Once I get that built I might be a little more relaxed about hanging everything.

BTW, did I miss the discussion about the floor coating in the barn? I was paying close attention for that but anything is possible with me.

Jeff

 

[BigAl62]

I thought I was the only one using an old hair dryer for a heat gun! They work great for this purpose and there cheap, too. And Tom, anytime you get to the wheels is OK with me (I know you're a busy guy), I just thought I may be able to help you identify them. I'll be here, don't worry! Oh, and as for the garden tools, I keep most of mine in old steel barrels in my shed, it keeps them upright and out of the way.

 

[BB767]

Ease of cleaning the floor with the tools hanging above the floor... no matter how many sq ft you have...

Can you feel the blood thirst from the audience, at last we found something to question...

Oye magnusk750, you mean this is the first thing you guys have found to question? I'm doing better than I thought!

If you clean the tools before you bring them into the building, there is minimal, if any floor clean up, at least in my experience.

BTW, can I feel the blood thirst, oh ya. But thankfully all in the spirit of trying to help the misguided pilot and help him see the error of his ways. I'm the first to admit I'm always on the lookout for a better solution. That's kinda' the purpose of this forum I think isn't it, to exchange ideas..................and then go beat up on the poor pilot. After all, if he can't install a stupid switch plate square deadhorse) how could he possibly know how to organize garden tools?

Thanks for the input.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Oh darn it. Now I'm a pot stirrer! I never meant for it to get that far!!!!!....

Oddly enough though my dad is from the bustling metropolis of Salem IL so I have plenty of relatives that live only a short 2 to 2.5 hour drive south from the "Center of the Universe". I might need to go visit them so I can have an excuse to take a day trip and see the Restored 1930's Auto Shop!
hanging everything......

BTW, did I miss the discussion about the floor coating in the barn? I was paying close attention for that but anything is possible with me.

Jeff

Hey there Jeff, only in the family a short while and already a Pot Stirrer. Clearly you didn't understand you're on probation for the first 6 months here and Pot Stirring is not allowed while on probation- read the fine print. We've got enough others around here to do that without adding another one!

Salem, why that's practically in the neighborhood, though I didn't expect any Pot Stirrers from down there. That's a bit of a surprise. No you didn't miss the Barn floor coating topic. I've got several posts coming discussing various aspects of the Barn so sit tight.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

I thought I was the only one using an old hair dryer for a heat gun! They work great for this purpose and there cheap, too. And Tom, anytime you get to the wheels is OK with me (I know you're a busy guy), I just thought I may be able to help you identify them. I'll be here, don't worry! Oh, and as for the garden tools, I keep most of mine in old steel barrels in my shed, it keeps them upright and out of the way.

That heat reactivation concept was introduced to Dad and myself when we first started picture framing over 35 years ago. I use it all the time and it's amazingly effective isn't it? Problem with my blower now appears to be all that nasty asbestos that Chris seems cheerfully willing to let spue all over me. Who knew?

Ya, I'll get to the wheels, I'm not only busy but sometimes I'm not even in the country. That really puts a crimp in getting things done in a timely manner. Thanks for understanding.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

I use old rubber truck mud-flaps to set my tools on, they are small enough so that when they get dirty you can remove one take it outside hose it off and bring it back in without having to remove all the tools for a clean-up.

That's a clever way to handle it. Thanks dcm5652 for sharing it here.

Thomas

 

[oberst]

Aye! Caramba!
You've clocked the casting flash on the pipe caps AND the manufacturers logo on the flanges. Well-played, sir. Very well-played.