The Derelict Garage rides again!!!

[fergus]

So here's all the stuff that was on the other wall. It has all since been moved to the shed.

After an half day of moving and cleaning, I, for the first time had a completely open and organized shop.

Yeeeeehaw! It feels great...finally having enough space to really get some things done easily. The list is still long for other improvements, but I've definitely made some headway.

Sadly, the garage would only remain this way for less than 24 hours.

 

[CoconutPete]

Wow!

What are those 2 things to the left of the bandsaw in front of the sheet of osb?

 

[fergus]

Those are two vintage Lincoln welders - aka Lincwelders. The black (maybe green?) SAE200J is circa 1944, the other 250MK is 1950. They are both DC stick/TIG machines that I bought from a sheetmetal shop. They are an unusual design in that they are motor driven - a motor spins the "generator" part of the welder. Word around the campfire is these machines have a very stable, very smooth arc. Unfortunately, they are both 3-phase machines...but, since they are motor driven, I believe that a phase converter could be used to run them off 220 single phase. I paid next to nothing for them...I thought it was worth a gamble for a TIG machine...I've wanted one for a long time, but the expense is usually pretty high.

 

[egnorant]

Looking great! My plan also involves converting the old chicken coop for yard tool stuff.
Always good to find a fan of "unusual" looking tools of yesteryear too!

Wish I could envy those guys who roll through and build the beautiful shops, but it seems like I am one of the build a little, do a project to mess it up, clean and reorganize...lather, rinse, repeat.

Bruce

 

[JC23]

Great!!! And for yer next trick???

 

[fergus]

The next morning I got onto my next project. Remember this little guy?

Gave it thorough wash down then rolled it in.

There was so much room left in the garage I just laughed and laughed. You could fit at least three of them in there.

And then...

And thennnnnn...

Happy belated Thanksgiving!

 

[HOTFR8]

Love the T-Shirt. Did you have a VB at the end of the day ?

 

[fergus]

Nah mate...had a Crown Lager! That shirt is the only souvenir I brought back from Brisbane back in '01 or '02. Lovely part of the country...also went down to Gold Coast on another trip.

 

[HOTFR8]

Nah mate...had a Crown Lager! That shirt is the only souvenir I brought back from Brisbane back in '01 or '02. Lovely part of the country...also went down to Gold Coast on another trip.

Well VB is made in my part of the country and it is now once again a full strength beer. As for the Crownie well you have top shelf taste.

If you are ever this way I will show you a real beer like a Redback or a Sea Gull mind you I am drinking a cascade as I type this...........

How many HP is that car and can you out power it. Sorry just had to add something silly as you ar in the engine bay.

 

[fergus]

36 HP. Without the motor in it I can pick the front end clean off the jack stands!

 

[tinbender 66]

I'll bet you can fit a small block in there.

 

[GregsRetroGarage]

More reason to buy 3 of those little Hondas!!!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Ferg, I liked you before but now I think we may have a one-sided mini-bromance going on, lol. You're up there in the hinterlands of Yolo County and you're wearing a Dodgers cap?! Awesome. I am a dyed-in-the-wool fan and can be at the Stadium in 8-10 minutes from my house.

Also love your little Honda. I had a '78 5 Speed when the 5 speed was a completely different trim level car than the four speed. I'd LOVE to do a rotisserie level restoration on one when I retire in about five years. Funny thing is I never see any of that era for sale. I know a restoration would be a money loser but I have find memories of my '78. My now 32 year old son was a newborn/toddler when I had it. We'd go to drive movies, back it in with the seat down and him on blankets in the back. His mom & I sitting on folding chairs right behind it. Warm, golden memories. Can't wait to see your progress.

 

[fergus]

I'll bet you can fit a small block in there.

So says the small block Chebby guy! Maybe not quite a small block...but I bet something with more than 36 HP. If you're lucky, you might get to see. The last car might be something special if I ever get around to it.

More reason to buy 3 of those little Hondas!!!

Why...3x36HP = 108 HP? One is just a shell, the other two are complete. I've got one running motor, two blown motors (the one I just removed threw a rod through the case) and one that has thrown a rod but will actually still run.

Ferg, I liked you before but now I think we may have a one-sided mini-bromance going on, lol. You're up there in the hinterlands of Yolo County and you're wearing a Dodgers cap?! Awesome. I am a dyed-in-the-wool fan and can be at the Stadium in 8-10 minutes from my house.

Also love your little Honda. I had a '78 5 Speed when the 5 speed was a completely different trim level car than the four speed. I'd LOVE to do a rotisserie level restoration on one when I retire in about five years. Funny thing is I never see any of that era for sale. I know a restoration would be a money loser but I have find memories of my '78. My now 32 year old son was a newborn/toddler when I had it. We'd go to drive movies, back it in with the seat down and him on blankets in the back. His mom & I sitting on folding chairs right behind it. Warm, golden memories. Can't wait to see your progress.

Well I didn't think we were ready to go public yet Dan, but...

Yeah, some folks probably think the Dodgers cap is permanently attached. I take a lot of **** from all the stinking Giants fans around here (my wife included) but I could care less. I'm from LA...wait I'm from Norwalk...so I don't have to take no **** from nobody vato. Some of my best memories are going to Chavez Ravine when I was a kid.

I've got another rebuilt motor ready to go into the Honda, but I need to order some front end parts and do some other work before it goes back together. I also need to drop and inspect the tank. Most likely it will need the tank cleaned and lined. I'll probably use a POR-15 kit on it. Never used one before, but as far as I know they are top notch for a DIY kit.

 

[fergus]

Oh yeah. Made it to Harbor Freight yesterday. I now consider myself a master of self control - despite all the black Friday deals I was able to walk out with just one item. New belt for the bandsaw.

Man what a difference.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

....Well I didn't think we were ready to go public yet Dan, but...

DAMN! I knew I jumped the gun!

....Yeah, some folks probably think the Dodgers cap is permanently attached. I take a lot of **** from all the stinking Giants fans around here (my wife included) but I could care less. I'm from LA...wait I'm from Norwalk...so I don't have to take no **** from nobody vato. Some of my best memories are going to Chavez Ravine when I was a kid.

I own a lot of caps but I've considered replacing them ALL with ONLY Dodgers caps since they come in assorted colors now - something I rejected at first, but I've started to get used to them.

I love to hate the Giants but I am NOT one of the A-holes that throw ice at middleaged ladies wearing Giants gear - my "hate" is good natured. Don't even get me started on those criminals that beat Bryan Stowe. Those mofo's oughta spend the rest of their lives behind bars if Mr. Stowe has to spend the rest of his days brain damaged. I WANT Giants fans to be passionate about their team as I am about mine. PS: 2013 oughta be a lot of fun for true blue fans.[/QUOTE]

....I'll probably use a POR-15 kit on it. Never used one before, but as far as I know they are top notch for a DIY kit.

I've heard lots of good things about that POR kit.

Do you know of any good Honda forums for the 1st generation Civics I'm interested in? I THINK '73-'79?

 

[fergus]

Yeah Dan, if we can't get it done in 2013, then dang it!

Here's one good link...in honda-tech:

http://honda-tech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=106

Another good one (I think)

http://www.1stgencivic.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=142

That's about it... the rest of the links I have are all N600 specific. And sparse...parts for these cars are pretty hard to come by.

 

[Wingnut65]

Nice work on the saw and the shed. They both turned out beautiful. Next time, skip Step 7 in the shed build. Not really necessary and an un-necessary delay to the completion... Hope you're feeling better. Good luck on the employment end as well.

 

[fergus]

Nice work on the saw and the shed. They both turned out beautiful. Next time, skip Step 7 in the shed build. Not really necessary and an un-necessary delay to the completion... Hope you're feeling better. Good luck on the employment end as well.

Thanks Wingnut. Definitely skipping step 7 from here on out (knock on wood). All back to normal (relatively speaking) now.

Decided I'd do a little clean up of the "wood pile". Had some pallet rack (the lighter weight stuff) out at what was my old "shop":

We had a container out at my in-laws ranch and I worked out of there for the first year and half that we lived here. Went through a bunch of old stuff... Found these... you moto and enduro guys might know what all this is...from about 20 years back...

Anways...got back to the house and took all this:

and this...

And straightened it out onto the rack:

Left the bottom shelves out to leave a home for the welders. It works well enough for now until I can build a real lumber rack. If I ever get to it, that is.

Also used some shorter sections (I cut down the vertical sections) as a rack out in the shed:

I previously used the shorter section as a workbench. I had two four foot sections cut to about 44" high. So it was a 2x8 workbench that was pretty stout and took maybe an hour to put up. Its a quick and dirty way to make a workspace.

 

[Hotrod1959]

Have not been on here in a while and just got caught up. Really like the doors.

I kick myself when I think about these arched carriage doors I could have had when they were tearing down the old Agnews State Hospital.

The doors were from the original fire station on the property. I was living in a ranch style tract house at the time and didn't see them being used in the future.

I really like your shed too. I am into re purposing whenever I can.

My bro had one of those Honda's in the mid 80s. Fun car. Good luck with it.

 

[voodoowagon]

GREAT THREAD, love all the salvaged material.

 

[fergus]

Have not been on here in a while and just got caught up. Really like the doors.

I kick myself when I think about these arched carriage doors I could have had when they were tearing down the old Agnews State Hospital.

The doors were from the original fire station on the property. I was living in a ranch style tract house at the time and didn't see them being used in the future.

I really like your shed too. I am into re purposing whenever I can.

My bro had one of those Honda's in the mid 80s. Fun car. Good luck with it.

Thanks man. It's definitely a fine balance between "saving" and hoarding...sometimes you've just got to let things go. The motor has been swapped. Going to sell everything now.

GREAT THREAD, love all the salvaged material.

Thanks man. Thanks for reading.


Well, a few developments over the holidays.

First, this guy went had a little adventure:

I let him run out at my in-laws ranch for the day. We think he got hold of a poisoned gopher. Strychnine. It was pretty ugly...convulsions and such. Good news was I caught it just minutes after it happened. Bad new was....it was $$$$$ at the vet. So basically, everybody's Christmas present was that Butch got a trip to the doggie doctor. Nice.

Then, during some heavy rains, my wife ran the VW thru a large puddle. Well, it might have been more like a small lake. But it wasn't that deep though really. Just deep enough to hydrolock a Beetle TDi. The water was only about 12" deep ( I drove out to inspect the carnage) but, due to the fact that the intake snorkel goes way down towards the front fender, it sucked water. Lots of water. It didn't just bend valves. It didn't just bend rods. It cracked the block.

Enter full coverage, gentleman. Our insurance totalled the car and covered it as a road hazard, without any dings on her driving record. What's more, the settlement completely covered the cost of a new car, registation, tax and another set of wheels and tires. Plus a few more $$$. Enter the new ride:

Slightly newer,less miles much bigger, more fun to drive, a new (new bottom end, rebuilt top) engine and AWD. We're going to the snow SON!!!!

A small victory after the pooch getting all screwed up on poison.

Anyways, been doing a few other little things, more photos and updates to follow.

Oh yeah: I went back to work 2 days ago at a local ag/tractor dealer. Pretty fun so far. Best part is we can buy tools for cost!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

...this guy went had a little adventure:

I let him run out at my in-laws ranch for the day. We think he got hold of a poisoned gopher. Strychnine. It was pretty ugly...convulsions and such. Good news was I caught it just minutes after it happened. Bad new was....it was $$$$$ at the vet.....

Yeah, but he APPRECIATES it. AND

You just confirmed what he's always known: You'll take care of him no matter what. Look at that little face!

 

[madoc1]

MAN, I JUST FINISHED READING YOUR WHOLE THREAD. MUST SAY NICE WORK. BUT WHAT I LIKE THE MOST IS THE FACT THAT YOUR CONFIDENCE GREW SO MUCH OVER THE BUILD! THAT IN ITSELF, TO ME, IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE WHOLE PROJECT.

 

[fergus]

Thanks man. You're right... My confidence in my abilities has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years.

 

[Ford52PU]

Read all 16 pages tonight, really admire your work and resourcefulness. Glad the pooch is ok too. Lost my best friend in August and can't talk the boss into another yet.

 

[guss013]

Hi Fergus!
I too am a late starter and have just finished reading all the pages!
Great job on the garage, lovely ideas of re-appropriating the bowls, windows, and cabinets. This is my type of place, keep up the good work, and an eye out for those deals!!
You deserve another Crown!!

 

[fergus]

Read all 16 pages tonight, really admire your work and resourcefulness. Glad the pooch is ok too. Lost my best friend in August and can't talk the boss into another yet.

Thanks man. Loosing a dog *****. Lost this one twice already...nearly.
So does your handle mean you've got a '52 F-1? If so, post up a pic!

Hi Fergus!
I too am a late starter and have just finished reading all the pages!
Great job on the garage, lovely ideas of re-appropriating the bowls, windows, and cabinets. This is my type of place, keep up the good work, and an eye out for those deals!!
You deserve another Crown!!

Thanks man...I appreciate it. I'm always looking for more deals. I still have to take care of so many projects though, I've told myself "No more NEW projects" until I can get the others squared away.

 

[fergus]

So I got a little busy with the bandsaw and made a few racks:

One for hammers, one for the radio, one for my drills and one for the chargers.

Worked out okay. I'm going to re-do the one for the chargers...need to build one that incorporates battery storage and then mount it lower to make it easier to get to see the charging indicator.

 

[fergus]

I wanted to start using my Shopsmith some more. I used it a little, then I realized just how freakin dirty the whole thing was:

So I decided I would clean it a little. Then a little more...then a little more. I decided I wouldn't stop until all the grease was gone. It looks like someone probably used it for metal working too. In total, I probably spent 3 days cleaning it. Got everything cleaned but the lower tubes. I need to put them in some Evaporust or something.

I'm trying to learn how to turn wood. Was working on a honey dipper:

Made a beer tap handle for my buddy:

I've made a few other things but have already given them away.

I've been turning apple wood prunings from our tree out back and some pecan wood from the tree out front. Free wood! Most of what I've turned ends up as firewood anyway. But I enjoy it...its very relaxing. Hopefully I'll get some more practice in, then graduate to other things like pepper mills, pens amd maybe bowls after I get some more tooling.

 

[Shoottx]

I've made a few other things but have already given them away.

I've been turning apple wood prunings from our tree out back and some pecan wood from the tree out front. Free wood! Most of what I've turned ends up as firewood anyway. But I enjoy it...its very relaxing. Hopefully I'll get some more practice in, then graduate to other things like pepper mills, pens amd maybe bowls after I get some more tooling.

Be very, very careful, turning is a whole nuther vortex. DAMHIK

One of the great resources for turning is to find a local chapter of American Association of Woodturners. The local guys will have a lot of answers to questions.

http://www.woodturner.org/community/index.htm

 

[fergus]

Oh I'm aware Shoottx... I've probably spent 20 hours on Youtube so far just watching and learning.

Right now I'm just trying to stay "level" with my skills as I've started a new job and don't have enough energy to go out and practice every night.

I've already found my local AAW group...and there are many more quasi-local chapters as well.

 

[155'Ringman]

Absoloutely loving this thread with the great re-use of so many tools and other bits and pieces.
The doors are great with the old windows and the rollers. Fantastic.
And you have a cool name too!!

Cheers

Fergus

 

[fergus]

Thanks Ringman...and a belated welcome to GJ! Thanks for reading. Good to have another Fergus around.

This site might get really "Scotch" with two of us...

 

[y'sguy]

It seems to me you might be able to remove those lower Tubes, one at a time and rig up something to spin them with. Experiment with some different grades of scotch-brite or sandpaper. You might even be able to use the Shop Smith itself?

 

[fergus]

It seems to me you might be able to remove those lower Tubes, one at a time and rig up something to spin them with. Experiment with some different grades of scotch-brite or sandpaper. You might even be able to use the Shop Smith itself?

Oh I got something planned for the rust. Just haven't gotten to it yet. It looks pretty bad.

 

[mdbeck1]

It seems to me you might be able to remove those lower Tubes, one at a time and rig up something to spin them with. Experiment with some different grades of scotch-brite or sandpaper. You might even be able to use the Shop Smith itself?

If it's just surface rust you can get some fine grit emery cloth after it and have it gone in just a few minutes. ...of course then you want to hit it with some clear....

 

[fergus]

Was planning on something that involved absolutely no manual labor for rust removal... I have the resources available...just no memory to remind me to pick up said resources on my way home from work. We shall see...

 

[fergus]

Went down to the in-laws and helped to get the orchard ready for replanting. They've taken out 35 walnut trees!

I think I'm gonna have plenty of wood to practice turning with...

 

[J-man67]

IMPRESSED! I started reading this the other day and today I just had to catch up. I liked seeing a lot of guys telling you to tear it down, but you kept to your guns and pushed through. Came out great man. The re-using and ingenuity was great. Good work man!!