Above 1200 Sq/FT Zeph's Quasi WWII Era Shop

[BUGTHUG]

There is a good post on here about compressor's and how to set them up. If I knew how to show it on here I would. Complete computer illerite
I would say put all the moisture traps as close to the compressor as possible.

 

[zepher11]

There is a good post on here about compressor's and how to set them up. If I knew how to show it on here I would. Complete computer illerite
I would say put all the moisture traps as close to the compressor as possible.

I performed a few searches last evening regarding air compressor filtering and fittings. All my fittings seem to leak as of late. Thank HF for that. I was almost going to go with the Prevost, but decided to try the Milton V hi-flow connectors and see how they work. I saw a lot of good comments on those. The prices for these aren't too bad either, so I ordered a bunch to covert all my tools over.

I didn't get a lot of garage projects completed yesterday. My temperature gauge in the shade hit 82 degrees. I had to spend some time mowing and cleaning up after the storms last week. This morning at 7am it is already 60 degrees, so I'm going to go out on a limb and say it will be warmer today.

I did mount one hose reel. It is one of two 50' HF reels I picked up the other day. I have had a 25' HF hose reel for about twelve years and haven't had a problem with it, but it is built better than the new ones they carry. Looks the same, but the new ones seem cheaply made. Which is pretty normal nowadays. Hopefully, these will hold up. They don't retract as nice as the 25' reel does. I also ended up modifying my air line layout yesterday. I was going to put the second reel on the wall on the other side of the work bench. It just didn't fit in there correctly. I have now decided to mount the second hose reel on the ceiling between bay one and two.

My main work area will likely be in the second bay in front of my work bench, so with this configuration I will have easy access to a hose reel on either side. Sounds easy, but after checking out that HDPE/aluminum 3/4" Max Line hose, it will be a bit of a battle by myself. Might just take a while to get it all in. I also ordered some additional fittings to complete what I think I want to do:

 

[ATK305]

I know I'm kinda late on this thread but I had to say ... Beautiful!! What a nice job. I'm a WW-2 History guy as well. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

I must say this. Kudu's to you for marrying that woman. A woman who would want you to put the garage in the front is a keeper. Hang on to that one...

 

[zepher11]

I know I'm kinda late on this thread but I had to say ... Beautiful!! What a nice job. I'm a WW-2 History guy as well. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

I must say this. Kudu's to you for marrying that woman. A woman who would want you to put the garage in the front is a keeper. Hang on to that one...

Thank you very much! I showed your message to my wife. She told me that this is just one of the many things why I would want to hang on to her!

 

[zepher11]

Installed a little bit of the air line today. I used galvanized pipe to bring it though the wall from the outside. It's a little tight around the work bench, but I wanted all the lines to be confined to as little space as possible:

Coming back this morning from Home Depot, had a nice view of Mt. Shasta. Nice to see the snow on there. Looks like a trucker was admiring the view and not the mandatory turn off for the inspection station.

 

[A34]

Love your garage and collection. I too collect WWII stuff, but not vehicles yet. Although I'd love to have an old Willys or Dodge staff car. I do some Civil War campaigning and would love to get into WWII stuff, just don't have the time. Love the theme of your garage.

 

[zepher11]

Love your garage and collection. I too collect WWII stuff, but not vehicles yet. Although I'd love to have an old Willys or Dodge staff car. I do some Civil War campaigning and would love to get into WWII stuff, just don't have the time. Love the theme of your garage.

Thank you. I was a Civil War buff when I was a kid. I think I was the only nine year old that subscribed to "Civil War Times Illustrated." I had a great grandfather that enlisted in the Georgia Volunteers. They were from Dahlonega, GA. He was 16 when he enlisted, and was a Captain when taken prisoner.

I have kept my eye out for a Dodge Command Car, but they are really starting to command big bucks. Maybe one of these days.

 

[zepher11]

Fumbled around in the garage today and installed a little more of the air line system. Now waiting on a couple of fittings and filter to finish up. Bracketed the work bench nicely:

Installed the air hose reel on the ceiling. Not a super easy job by oneself. Like I always tell my wife: What takes two people to complete in fifteen minutes, I can get it done in three hours. Jobs like this would be handy to have a friend:

I think it will be handy to have the air hose above. My old air hose reel was twenty five feet. Fifty feet will be much handier I think.

 

[zepher11]

I was wandering around GJ and started checking out the two post and four posts lifts. This has me now pondering how handy one of those would be. Not sure if a two or four post would be best for me someday. In the meantime, I did find a single post lift that I think would be perfect for me:

 

[zepher11]

Here is another view of a single post "lift" in operation. Jack stands were not the order of the day back during the big one. Likely a lot less dangerous than being on the front line, however:

 

[zepher11]

The two post version WWII lift:

 

[zepher11]

This two post lift is more within my budget parameter:

 

[BUGTHUG]

I don't know if you could afford to feed that last 2 post lift, looks like he eats horse's. His boots look like size 15

 

[zepher11]

I don't know if you could afford to feed that last 2 post lift, looks like he eats horse's. His boots look like size 15

You're probably correct. It may be less expensive in the long run to pay for the electrical usage on a conventional two poster.

 

[shortykorte]

Yuba City, Yuba City!!!

Spent 5 years at Beale. Great area.

Great job on the motor pool. Going to have to paint the blue air lines OD green thought.

 

[BUGTHUG]

Here is another view of a single post "lift" in operation. Jack stands were not the order of the day back during the big one. Likely a lot less dangerous than being on the front line, however:

I didn't see the little kid first time I looked at the picture, looks like a ghost.

 

[zepher11]

Yuba City, Yuba City!!!

Spent 5 years at Beale. Great area.

Great job on the motor pool. Going to have to paint the blue air lines OD green thought.

Thanks! Yep, Yuba City is only a few hours south of us. I like the work you are completing as well. Your wall paint with the stripe is close to what I did. Love it!

I was going to totally conceal the blue in the conduit and paint the conduit OD, but my wife chimed in and said she liked the industrial look of the non painted electrical conduit. Have pondered painting the HDPE, but not sure if I will. We'll see.

 

[zepher11]

I didn't see the little kid first time I looked at the picture, looks like a ghost.

Early photo bomb! The kid was way ahead of his time in history.

 

[ZRX61]

Where your airline comes through the wall & it has that big 90deg curve into the upright...
Feed the curved line into a T instead, that was you can put a drain on the bottom of the drop leg.

Ideally you need about 50ft of line between the comp & the first water trap/separator. If you mount the separator right by the comp the air won't have time to cool & allow the water to condense out.
It's also ideal to mount all connectors on T's with drop legs below them so any water will collect at the bottom & now blow through whatever tool you are using.
Good layout here:
http://www.tptools.com/tech-metal-piping.dlp

.. except I'd add a T where the flex line from the comp goes into the drop leg & make the bottom of it like the bottom of the blue section.

 

[Martin XJ]

The two post version WWII lift:

I've got a two post version like that, hope to finish restoring it this year.
Martin.

My thread http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271477

 

[BUGTHUG]

Just watching Fox News with Jamie Colby that does a new show of people that inherit things. Its showing a guy in Michigan that a guy named Harold was in WWII on a PT boat with John Kennedy. Harold was lost at war and the mom had wrote Kennedy and meet him at the white house etc. Anyway the guy has a collection of WWII things like a PT boat in a small museum and other things. Anyway its on now.

 

[zepher11]

Where your airline comes through the wall & it has that big 90deg curve into the upright...
Feed the curved line into a T instead, that was you can put a drain on the bottom of the drop leg.

Ideally you need about 50ft of line between the comp & the first water trap/separator. If you mount the separator right by the comp the air won't have time to cool & allow the water to condense out.
It's also ideal to mount all connectors on T's with drop legs below them so any water will collect at the bottom & now blow through whatever tool you are using.
Good layout here:
http://www.tptools.com/tech-metal-piping.dlp

.. except I'd add a T where the flex line from the comp goes into the drop leg & make the bottom of it like the bottom of the blue section.

Obviously, I didn't put a great deal of thought in the air line layout. I've actually only had an old cheap water separator on my old system. If one can call it a system. I have only used rubber 3/8" line straight from the compressor for the past twenty-five years or so. Never had a hard line system, and I never really considered moisture an issue. I have sandblasted and painted cars...,etc...and have not had a problem with anything. That is, one that I am aware of...

It may be the extremely low humidity up here...I don't know. However, I did buy a nice moisture trap and regulator from TP tools that I just received today, so your comments are actually very timely...thank you. Maybe I can salvage the set up. I see what you mean about the "T" that you mention at the bottom where it goes through the wall. I may be able to make that change without too much trouble...I hope.

Now, getting 50 feet of airline run before the moisture trap may be an issue. Can one run some coiled up airline between the compressor and the moisture trap to gain length, or would the coil have some adverse impact on the system? I may need to modify a couple of things.

Thanks for the link and comments. I have time to check it out tomorrow, so I will see if I can make it operate a little better.

 

[zepher11]

I've got a two post version like that, hope to finish restoring it this year.
Martin.

Really? A Diamond T? Man, I am envious. If you have any recent restoration photos, I wouldn't mind you posting a couple here. I would think I died and gone to heaven if I had one of those. I have never seen on in person. Of course I live in the sticks, so there are a lot of WWII era vehicles I haven't seen in person.

Just noticed your thread link on your post. Maybe you have a photo or two of it on there. I'll check it out. Good luck with the restoration Martin. Can't wait to see it when you are done!

 

[zepher11]

Just watching Fox News with Jamie Colby that does a new show of people that inherit things. Its showing a guy in Michigan that a guy named Harold was in WWII on a PT boat with John Kennedy. Harold was lost at war and the mom had wrote Kennedy and meet him at the white house etc. Anyway the guy has a collection of WWII things like a PT boat in a small museum and other things. Anyway its on now.

Very cool. I actually just watched They Were Expendable last weekend which is about PT boats at the outbreak of the war. The special effects in this movie were outstanding given that the movie was made in 1945. A lot better than some of the newer movies I have seen of late.

The PT boats were totally awesome. I'll see if I can track down that show.

 

[BUGTHUG]

That's a great show with John Wayne and Donna Reed, took place in the Philippines.
I was over there in 1976 (P.I.). Loved it. You could still snorkel and see remnants of WWII stuff in the water by Grande Island.

 

[zepher11]

That's a great show with John Wayne and Donna Reed, took place in the Philippines.
I was over there in 1976 (P.I.). Loved it. You could still snorkel and see remnants of WWII stuff in the water by Grande Island.

Yes, great actors for sure. If it weren't for them, I really wouldn't have any reason to watch television.

The Philippines and other WWII island battlegrounds are places I would like to visit someday, however it won't happen. If I could ever get it together and actually get overseas, I would take a Band of Brothers tour of some type first. I had paid for a tour a few years ago, but it fell through...after a few months of intense pressure I barely received my $6,000 back. Thank you internet and paypal!

 

[zepher11]

"Where your airline comes through the wall & it has that big 90deg curve into the upright...
Feed the curved line into a T instead, that was you can put a drain on the bottom of the drop leg....".

Well, I gave it a shot today and installed the "T" with a drain on it as you suggested. It was a little difficult to separate the HDPE aluminum wrapped hose from the fitting. I finally did and reused it. I think the o-rings on the fitting should be fine.

I also elected to install the moisture trap and regulator at that location as well. I was going to install it at the compressor outside, but thought I would try to get it as far away from the compressor as suggested. Not perfect, but it should be a little better than what I had planned.

I also connected the ceiling hose reel to the system via the HDPE. I had to run in into the attic. What was odd is that both the new hose reels I picked up from HF were identical based on the box. However, I noticed that the mounting pattern was different on the second hose reel. Now I know why. The first hose reel had a 1/4" NPT fitting for the incoming line. The second one had a 3/8" NPT fitting for the incoming line. Odd. I had already went to the hardware store for fittings, so I had to go back as I didn't have any 3/8" NPT reducers. All is well now.

I found a new check valve and installed that on the compressor today as well. I hope this eliminates the leakage and roll back of the compressor after it shuts off.

The only thing I can't figure out now is how to connect the compressor to the HDPE 3/4" line. I see that most everyone uses a rubber pigtail line from the compressor to the hard line (HDPE in my case). I went to a few places today to see if I could find a line like that, but all they could make me were hydraulic lines. No one had NPT fittings that would work with the hydraulic lines. I wonder what everyone else uses? I search the net and see if I can find a solution. I was really itching to fire the system up!

Here's the drain and moisture trap/regulator:

A little cockeyed, but should be okay:

I also outfitted all the Milton connectors to the system. I compared the fittings with my old ones, and the orifices are great a bit larger and should be a nice improvement on airflow:

The entrance of the HDPE into the attic is shown here:

 

[BUGTHUG]

I'm thinking HF has a short 5' hose, if its what I think you are talking about?

 

[zepher11]

I'm thinking HF has a short 5' hose, if its what I think you are talking about?

Thank you. Wouldn't you know it, just a little bit ago on Ebay I found a three foot 3/4" hose with 3/4" MNPT and 3/4" FNPT fittings that is actually made by Rapid Air for the Maxline kit I have! Should have it by the end of the week. They call it a "jumper hose." I wasn't sure what they were called. All is good!

 

[ZRX61]

You absolutely can use a length of copper coil to get *distance* from the comp before the first separator. I've even seen people put the coil in a big bucket of water to keep it cool.
As for the flex line from the comp to the hard lines, I used that clear plastic tube that has the white nylon reinforcement grid embedded in it. I went with 1/2in or 3/4 I.D. I forget which. They sell it at Home Depot etc by the ft & it's dirt cheap.
Never had an issue with it in 15 years (used quality hoseclamps, Breeze or Tilden brand) & the same piece just got reused again on the new set up. I put a brass barb fitting on the ballvalve on the comp & another at the other end where it joined the hard line.

 

[zepher11]

You absolutely can use a length of copper coil to get *distance* from the comp before the first separator. I've even seen people put the coil in a big bucket of water to keep it cool.
As for the flex line from the comp to the hard lines, I used that clear plastic tube that has the white nylon reinforcement grid embedded in it. I went with 1/2in or 3/4 I.D. I forget which. They sell it at Home Depot etc by the ft & it's dirt cheap.
Never had an issue with it in 15 years (used quality hoseclamps, Breeze or Tilden brand) & the same piece just got reused again on the new set up. I put a brass barb fitting on the ballvalve on the comp & another at the other end where it joined the hard line.

I know the type of tubing of which you describe. I ended up going with the pre-made line. Hoping to get it by Friday. I should have some time next Sunday to wrap up this project. I'm thinking I may just use what's left of the blue 3/4" line between the flexible hose and where the moisture seperator/regulator is located. It may give me about thirty feet or so.

Thanks!

 

[zepher11]

I installed my jumper hose from the compressor to the hard line yesterday. Fired the compressor up and and nothing! No leaks that is. Could not detect any air leaks whatsoever. I will check it today to see if the compressor held air with the new check valve installed.

I also moved and installed my vice on my new work bench. Welcome old friend:

We have spent countless hours together over many years, and the vice has held up and hasn't disintegrated! Looks rugged as most of the paint has been torched off over the years and has many dings. I don't remember if I picked this up at HF or one of the traveling tool shows prior to the HF days. In any event, I have been happy with it. I could use another vice with soft jaws someday...hmmmm

 

[BUGTHUG]

Someone here in Wichita has a vise like that for sale on Craigslist for about $50.00 I think.

 

[zepher11]

Someone here in Wichita has a vise like that for sale on Craigslist for about $50.00 I think.

Yeah, I probably paid $40 or $50 at the time. Wasn't very expensive as I recall. I have another big vice on a metal table that I bought at an auction. I was checking it out earlier today.

It has always been outside, so it's a bit rusty but operates. Has a big tag riveted on the side that says "Made in China." I think I'll keep it outside and use it for the more messier projects. I just need to figure out how to move the table. It's really heavy. I removed it from my trailer and moved it after I brought it home a year or so ago, but that's the last time I really checked it out. I don't remember how I moved it into the backyard by myself!

 

[zepher11]

I am selling my 89 year old cousin's house for her. and I have been wrapping up some of the last items that need to be completed before escrow closes this next week. She had these neat little carts that are really old school in her garage. My wife wanted me to toss 'em as they were really rickety, but of course I couldn't do that.

Brought them home, cleaned them, fixed the casters and replaced some of the missing screws. I think they may end up OD in color as most everything else around here. They both have a little electrical outlet on them. Not sure what there intended use was originally, but I thought I could use one for my old school engine analyzer. I can also keep my battery charges on the lower shelves. Sort of like a crash cart as used in the hospitals. Just wheel it out to the patient:

 

[zepher11]

Now that I have a lot more free time on my hands during the weekends with the garage basically completed, I have been goofing off and sitting and admiring the sights. However, I have noticed that the glare is brutal whilst in the garage enjoying a cold beverage and enjoying the veiw...the main garage doors face the south.

It primarily seems to be the glare from the concrete apron. I'm wondering if there is like a dark or close to black stain that I might be able to use on the apron? I know we talked about it earlier in the thread about possibly staining the garage floor. I think I would be up to staining the apron to knock down the glare, but not sure if there is an outdoor stain. I would have had the concrete dyed or colored when poured had I know.

May need to post this question in the main forum, but in the meantime I think I'll conduct a few searches on GJ. Here is what it looked like this afternoon. This was later in the day, so not as bad. However, one can kinda get an idea of what I am talking about:

 

[wasfast]

I am selling my 89 year old cousin's house for her. and I have been wrapping up some of the last items that need to be completed before escrow closes this next week. She had these neat little carts that are really old school in her garage. My wife wanted me to toss 'em as they were really rickety, but of course I couldn't do that.

Brought them home, cleaned them, fixed the casters and replaced some of the missing screws. I think they may end up OD in color as most everything else around here. They both have a little electrical outlet on them. Not sure what there intended use was originally, but I thought I could use one for my old school engine analyzer. I can also keep my battery charges on the lower shelves. Sort of like a crash cart as used in the hospitals. Just wheel it out to the patient:

I lived on a farm as a kid, in a early 1920's era house. Not many electrical outlets and a small kitchen with little counterspace. We had 2 of these for newer electrical appliances (toaster, blender etc) as well as a portable buffet since the kitchen table was smack in the middle of the small kitchen. Perhaps that was what your cousin did.

BTW, great job on your garage. It's a bit strange to suddenly (seemingly at least) have time once the construction is complete. However, that's the point to enjoy the space and the items within.

 

[BUGTHUG]

I have a Craftsman engine analyzer JUST like that one that my starter wife bought me for my birthday back in the 80's, I still have the OG box that it came in. I've used it a few times on my VW's, work good for that. Not much use on anything past the 90's style cars
The little table with the black edge is porcelain, they make nice tables to put house plants on.

 

[BUGTHUG]

[/QUOTE]

guess the answer would be "not to sit there" problem solved.

 

[zepher11]

I lived on a farm as a kid, in a early 1920's era house. Not many electrical outlets and a small kitchen with little counterspace. We had 2 of these for newer electrical appliances (toaster, blender etc) as well as a portable buffet since the kitchen table was smack in the middle of the small kitchen. Perhaps that was what your cousin did.

I never thought about that, but that really makes sense. They are definitely vintage as the outlets and cords look very old.

BTW, great job on your garage. It's a bit strange to suddenly (seemingly at least) have time once the construction is complete. However, that's the point to enjoy the space and the items within.

Thank you. You are spot on with this observation. It is really strange. I kept walking out to the garage this past weekend where I would find I really had nothing pressing to do. I was on quite the mission over the past six months to get the garage completed and that all important final inspection. It's nice to sit and relax, reflect and get a little enjoyment for a change. All the projects I do now will be "at my pleasure" projects...