Future home of my '56

[bgarrett]

Re: packrat bordering on hoarder....

in defense of hoarding, if everyone followed Ann Landers advice, "If you dont use it in 6 months throw it away!" we would not have any antique items!

!932 Fords are so incredibly expensive that I am positive that I will never own one so when I got the only 1932 part that I have ever had, I gave it away to Bruce Lancaster. It was an oil pump for a 32 Ford Model B engine. Recently a friend let me buy his grandfathers B engine and the only thing missing is the oil pump.

 

[Kevin54]

Re: packrat bordering on hoarder....

hello ladies and gentlemen,

I want to say thank you all for participating in this forum. It is inspirational.

A bit of background. I have had some major health problems for a while (won't go into that!) and have just let things go around the house.

I was raised by parents who are packrats themselves. Mom being much worse than my father. Anyway, I inherited their tendencies and my garage has become unusable over the years.

My little brother has "broken the mold" so to speak. He has a large (24' X 30'...I think) shop that is very organized. He was my inspiration to start changing my ways. I am finding it is not easy to let things go. I have had the "I may need that" mentality all my life. Working on it...

With his help, I have started cleaning mine out. I am finding tools I didn't even know I had. I do not have pictures of any of the mess that we started with. Lets just say I have kept the trash company busy.

I have current pictures and a few progress pictures that I would like to share with you. Some of the pictures are from a cell phone, so I apologize in advance for the quality.

Before I started working too much in the garage Dad and I replace my old broken sears garage door opener with a chaimberlin 1/2 HP belt drive. I bought a 20" shop fan from Home Depot. Since I have such bad balance problems, I also purchased a warner aluminum platform to work from. The ceilings are 8'-9" in the garage.

This is my home...that is no longer my truck. LOL

I really appreciate all the wonderful inspiration YOU are posting on this board about.

Thank you,
Brian

I'm just kind of wondering where this thread is at? Doesn't look like any packrats that I know. My dad could packrat stuff away and I swear it grew when tucked out of site. Nothing you have shown looks to me to be packratting or boardering on hoarding.

 

[Brian_B_]

Re: packrat bordering on hoarder....

To answer your question: I do not have pics of how bad it was to start with. Tons and tons of junk were tossed in trash bags. Some Thursdays (trash day) there would be 18+ bags sitting out there. I cannot work too much at once..so a dumpster would have been a waste of money.

A lot was given to people who could use it and some was donated here locally to be distributed to others.

The week I started this thread there were 9.

I just got rid of two more yesterday and a bunch of now empty cardboard boxes (14 I think? Not sure)

 

[Brian_B_]

Re: packrat bordering on hoarder....

Today I did not get a lot done. I am still trying to do some every day.

When I would start getting sick, I would sit and sort bolts, nuts, screws, etc..into peanut butter jars friends and family have been saving for me.

More tools are working their way to the first set of shelves.

I stacked up what little bit of lumber I have left:

I primed\painted my paint brush rack (home made-yes I have tons more paint brushes)

The right side has way way more to go (I have to build more shelves), but I have a little bit of room now:

 

[Brian_B_]

Re: packrat bordering on hoarder....

in defense of hoarding, if everyone followed Ann Landers advice, "If you dont use it in 6 months throw it away!" we would not have any antique items!

!932 Fords are so incredibly expensive that I am positive that I will never own one so when I got the only 1932 part that I have ever had, I gave it away to Bruce Lancaster. It was an oil pump for a 32 Ford Model B engine. Recently a friend let me buy his grandfathers B engine and the only thing missing is the oil pump.

I can imagine! I have some parts for my 56...that will not be given to anyone. I have an original 56 power steering pump, pulleys, brackets, and even the weird water pump bolt.

Plus just some spare parts like tail gate chains, NEW hood hinges, a near perfect fender. Oh and a tailgate too. LOL

 

[Brian_B_]

I did mostly planning and measuring today. I think I know where some stuff is going as well as where the next shelves will go.

I fixed an air leak between the compressor tank and the filter. No one ever put any teflon tape on it.

I hated the bent up petcock on the bottom of the air tank, so I borrowed this idea from several of the members here. Now I just flip a ball valve to drain.

I have my air tool rack up (home made). They are bolted to the shelves I just finished. I need to buy a bunch more fittings when I go to town again.

A closer view of the few tools I have fittings in.

 

[Rico.]

Brian, That is really coming along nicely. I would absolutely love a 2 car garage to work in,
but here in England most houses don't even have any sort of garage so my 1 car garage
is better than nothing. It does mean I have to work on the car in the driveway, but on the
upside, turning my single car garage into a workshop means I now have a huge L shapped
work bench and two 27" tripple stack tool boxes, plus a load of shelving. It's a nice place
to be, and I can definitely see now how nice your place is going to be.

I think you and your '56 will spend many a happy hour in there and just being able to make
a dead space usable again, I hope is brining you allot of pleasure as each day and week goes
by. Keep at it old Son, can't wait to see it finished.

 

[Shoottx]

A closer view of the few tools I have fittings in.

Brian can you explain how you have the tools hung on the rack or get a little clearer picture. I have seen them attached to other fittings, but it looks like you have some sort of wire or something on the connector.

I have a bunch to hang and being cheap I don't want to but a bunch of couplers.

Oh and great work on the garage.

 

[Brian_B_]

Brian can you explain how you have the tools hung on the rack or get a little clearer picture. I have seen them attached to other fittings, but it looks like you have some sort of wire or something on the connector.

I have a bunch to hang and being cheap I don't want to but a bunch of couplers.

Oh and great work on the garage.

Basically, it was a flat sheet (I have two of them) of some scrap metal from the shop. Holes were punched wrong! The slots that would be in the front would be a slightly larger size to allow the "ball" of the quick connector to slide in. The hole where the tool actually hangs was supposed to be smaller. The guy punching them for me..forgot to chance the punches. OOPS!

Anyway. I took very small plates and punched the the right size and tacked them behind after it was bent. That is what your seeing...not wire. I was trying to fix a mistake.

If that makes no sense...I can try to get a better pic. Its bolted through the shelves, so might be difficult.

I am super low budget. I use scrap to make things.

I have seen quite a few members here use the female quick connect. However, I hate having to use two hands to get the tool and put it back each time. I can just grab and go with this type.

I think you can sort of see what i was going for in this pic of a professional one. I just wanted to keep a bit of dust out since I work with wood as well.

 

[VWPORSCHEGT3]

I understand the super low budget thing... as for the hoarder or bordering hoarding i see no evidence of that... id say i was more of a hoarder than you!

 

[Brian_B_]

I understand the super low budget thing... as for the hoarder or bordering hoarding i see no evidence of that... id say i was more of a hoarder than you!

Thank you.

That is the point of all of this. To change my ways and get rid of junk. There is a long way to go in the garage and even more inside the house. However, it is a huge change in lifestyle and thinking.

 

[fergus]

Sweet! Garage is looking good. Now...just tell me that F-100 doesn't have a SBC in it...

 

[Brian_B_]

Sweet! Garage is looking good. Now...just tell me that F-100 doesn't have a SBC in it...

No way!!!!!!! It is stock. 272 Y-block and 3 speed.

 

[Brian_B_]

This has been a very bad week...which I will not go into. I did a more sorting of nuts, bolts, screws, wachers, etc...into peanut butter jars. I need more.

I finally have the rest of the fittings and hung my air tools.

I saw this design somewhere online and borrowed the idea. It is a rolling tool tray for under there car. I set some of my magnetic bowls in for bolts.

 

[Ford52PU]

Looking good, Brian. Good to see your garage coming together.

 

[fergus]

Looking good man. Like that Y-block, love the '56 (love all old Ford trucks pretty much). Somebody once told me those old motors were somewhat thrifty with the fuel. What say you?

 

[Brian_B_]

Part of why I am trying to get the garage cleaned out and organized is so I can do some work on the engine.

I have had the truck since 96. It would run 75 down the interstate all day long (it was legal). At 55-60 I managed just over 17 MPG. Dads 97 F-150 gets just under 18...with all the pollution controls and computer mess. LOL

 

[Brian_B_]

Hello all.

I have not given up on the garage. Things just have not been going well around here.

The temperatures have been bouncing around 100 and a little over for the last week and a half. I get sick when I am in it very much. It was 98 INSIDE the garage today.

I lost my job of the last 9 years about two weeks ago (new dean dropped a lot of people's classes). I think there are several of us out of work.

I have no insurance of any kind...and am trying to pay "out of my pocket" for my anti-rejection meds (kidney transplant) as well as my tons of other meds. I have medical bills starting to pile up. Those {I think} I can pay a little at a time and get away with it.

I am just in a rough spot financially and medically right now. I am not complaining, whining, nor trying to get sympathy. Just need to let this out. The stress is getting to me. Hope that is ok guys\gals.

I have drawn up the plans for a "steel" work bench. I have started gathering "drops" to build that (free stuff). I will build it as things come along. I have a piece of railroad iron to make into an anvil (my grandpa gave me before he passed).

I drew up the plans for a storage building. I am starting to collect some of the lumber for that (free stuff). I took apart some more wood items. I have 20 more 2X4 studs stacked in the garage now. Plus a small pile of shorter ones. The storage shed will be a long term project...since the money ran out. It may end up a lot smaller than planned.

I am not on my laptop (where the drawings are) at the moment. I am at my parents house because I got too sick in the heat today. They have the AC going while mine is turned off. I will convert the drawings to .jpg and post them at another time.

My old metal shed was rusted pretty bad when I bought the house in 88...you can imagine how bad it is now. There is some junk in it I need to give away and trash. Then tear it down. While that is free to do...the heat won't allow me to do that right now.

I am trying to keep a positive attitude about all this.

 

[Brian_B_]

This is rough (all I needed for finding drops), but this was the original work bench design. Its 6' long and tall enough for a stool. Originally the two "boxes" under it were going to be file cabinets (have been looking for cheap USED ones). The design\sizes are subject to change depending on what drops I find.

What I ended up with was this old metal desk being given to me. Free is good right?

I will hack it apart and use it. 3 drawers on the left and 2 on the right. Not sure if the center drawer will fit yet or not.

If not, I will use it elsewhere.

I intend to incorporate receiver hitch spots into it like some do here. I do not have enough floor space for everything to have individual stands.


The shed is just 2D sketches. I have all the floor joists, wall framing, rafters, etc...drawn up. It started as an 8X16 on runners (so I don't need a permit). However, with finances being what they are, I may have to simplify and cut sizes down.

North elevation:

East Elevation:

Yes, I could have done this in revit and rendered it all...but I don't need it to be.

 

[Brian_B_]

No progress made in the garage (or house). Just been so much going on lately.....and lack of funds.

Drawer section out of old desk with sheet metal top\back now (also from desk)

Start of workbench top (upside down). There will be 4 receiver hitches I can utilize and the center (tube area) will be where the center drawer from the desk will go.

 

[Brian_B_]

Just random work bench pics.

 

[fergus]

Hmmm...looks like somebody's been over at weldingweb...

Looking good.

 

[Brian_B_]

Hmmm...looks like somebody's been over at weldingweb...

Looking good.

Umm..no. I grew up in a steel fabrication shop. I started arc welding when I was 9 years old. Driving a forklift in the shop at 12.

My dad has worked in steel fabrication for somewhere close to 50 years? He has been at this shop for 31 years.

I did steel fabrication (same shop) until I had some major health problems. MY brother is a shop foreman in a big steel shop (different one).

You might say steel is in my blood.

 

[mikeed]

Very clean like how you organized the drawers in your box.

 

[Brian_B_]

Thank you.

Minor mistake. Not enough room between the legs for the cabinets to slide in. Fixed:

Welded up now and center drawer mounted:

The best part? No money spent so far.

 

[Brian_B_]

Holes for receiver pins.

Getting closer:

 

[crazytrain]

[/QUOTE]




Brian, Great job on the garage. I really like what you are doing and really admire you for keeping it up even while dealing with some major health problems. Some people would have just given up faced with the same, Good for you keep up the great work. I love the bench you are building and really like the tool creeper you made. I was an auto mechanic and worked in an OLD shop where all work was done on floor jacks and stands, that tool creeper would have been a great thing to have. Again good job and keep it up. Good luck.

 

[pitterpat]

Brian,

Just happened upon this thread today! Great work and great job of keeping up. I too am a child of a parent of the depression and I tend to keep stuff because my dad did. Then he died 18 mons ago and I inherited all of his stuff, great tools and stuff but other stuff too. Great TOOLS, he set me up with an entire outfit of air tools and an 80 gal. compressor too!

Great job, I know that you have health problems but have you thought of doing fab work for other people and tell them that you can do it as your health allows?
Just a thought.

 

[Brian_B_]

Thank you gentlemen. I have been up at my brother all weekend. Worn out now. We were working on a friends chevy truck. Did I mention I hate rusted suspension bolts? LOL

The tool tray is awesome. Not my invention. I love it though.

I brought back a small pile of 4' long 2X4s again. I didn't have a truck this weekend.

As far as making stuff in my garage, yes have been talking about it. I would need a torch. I have access to a lincoln 220 Mig. No torch at home yet though.

 

[Brian_B_]

Cabinet sitting in place. Notice added shelf under center (may just be a foot rest-)

Drawers don't hit anything.

Drawers don't hit anything.

There is a piece of tubing sticking out of one of the receiver hitches...just for a test fit. i wanted the receiver tubes flush with the bench. I hate bruises from running into things.

What is left for fabrication? Spring loaded release handles for the hitch tubes (going fancy here!!) and locking bolts. I will try to keep them under the sides of the bench. Again..to avoid bruises. Then the adjustable feet. The round plates, all thread, and nuts are sitting ready to go when that part comes along.

Then I have to get my brother to cut and form the top I want for it.
Some sanding, primer, and paint.

 

[Brian_B_]

adjustable legs made:

 

[Brian_B_]

Locking bolts for the receiver hitches:

Spring loaded releases for receiver hitches (parts):

Spring loaded releases for receiver hitches (assembled):

Lock bolt and spring lock tacked in place:

I do not want things sticking out to run into. They are all mounted "under" the frame.

 

[Brian_B_]

The other 3 spring release handles made:

 

[Brian_B_]

Coming along....

Table top clamped on. Not nearly as thick as I wanted..but free.

Straight edge sitting there. Notice the top is warped even with just skip welds? Too thin.

Using heat to flatten the warped areas from welding underneath.

 

[Brian_B_]

Adjustable legs installed. Notice the cut in the round plate? Scrap from the burn table. All of this is scrap and drops. Double nuts so I can lock them in place once the table is level in my garage.

All spring loaded releases and locks installed now for the receiver hitches.

Still need to put a 2" bar around the top (see my sketch earlier in this thread). The top is not perfect (not thick as i wanted)..but free...

Bench should be complete tomorrow. I can then get it home. I will have to unload it with my engine hoist (not looking forward to that). It weighs almost 500 pounds.

I will still have to prime and paint the bench and the cabinets. Then assemble it.

I think I am way way way overdoing this, but it should last the rest of my life.

 

[Brian_B_]

This is low (NO) budget. Epoxy primer and acrylic enamel paint would be the way to go here. Just way too expensive.

Rattle cans are cheap (wal-mart=.99), but won't hold up very well. Its ok for tool racks and carts..but...

I am thinking maybe get a quart of rustoleum primer and a quart of the same type of paint..and just spray the bench?

I have a couple of automotive guns (devilbiss), but really hate to use them for something like this. They are the siphon feed quart cups too. Would be very difficult to get in and round the legs and supports with it.

Maybe I can grab a cheap detail gun somewhere. I can think of a million uses for one around the house anyway.

Oh...yes I have a 5 hp 60 gallon (220) black max compressor, so air is not an issue.


Sorry...just thinking out loud as it were. I thought I could spray it with some industrial paints at the shop..but it didn't work out that way.

Can't complain...the whole thing was free. Even the original desk they were throwing in the dumpster.

 

[Brian_B_]

Getting bored with this yet?

I have a ways to go still.

All leveling legs installed now:

Back and side bars on.

Back and side bars on. Needs more welding on the bars and will be ready to bring home.

EDIT: It is home in my garage now. Very easy to unload with my engine hoist. It is upside down to prime and paint the bottom side of everything first.

 

[Brian_B_]

Not feeling good at all today.

I did manage to get two NEW Task Force detail guns for free though.

They should work for what I need them for. I am not painting a car.

 

[Brian_B_]

I have not managed to get anything done in the garage. I scraped together the money to buy a quart of rustoleum red primer and black paint today. We will see when I can get back to work on it.

If its not raining tomorrow I need to change the oil in my vehicle tomorrow (in the driveway-workbench is in the way!)

I brought another load of short 2X4s home from my brother's house. Probably 20 or 30 of them about 5' long.

There have an extra support leg (adjustable and screws in) to set under the anvil that I am making. It will go into one of the receiver hitches. I have no floor space to waste.

I do not have a big piece of railroad iron (grandpa gave me this), but it should work for what I do...when It is finished.

 

[Brian_B_]

No money, so can't make the tools I want. LOL

Here are a few freebies that will mount in the receivers on the work bench.

Anvil

Cheap Chinese vice found in the garage.

Shot bag stand: