I have been lurking for about a month now. Love your garages and your workmanship. I have an e46 (M3), family in Longmont, a max jack to install, 2 dogs and a cat and used to ride a Triumph. Always loved Nortons. I guess I'm your doppelganger. Keep up the good work.
Post Recession Shop Rehabilitation Project
- Thread starter NedNorton
- Start date
don long
Well-known member
Thanks Chris
That would be great. You can send me a PM please
Don
That would be great. You can send me a PM please
Don
1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Chris, great work all round, the electrics especially. I like your style.
Regards
Regards
E12-535iTurbo
Well-known member
The shop looks brilliant! Such a nice place to work in. Mine is much much smaller but I'd like it to resemble your layout, details and thorough thinking. You should be very proud to what you've achieved there! Keep it up Chris!
rosssloan68
Member
Did you make the cabinet doors out of plywood or mdf? if they were plywood, did you edge band them? I really like the cabinets and plan to copy them soon at my new house. What paint did you use? Did you prime? Great garage!
PatrickH
Member
I have been lurking as well. Great thread and an excellent build. You have great craft when it comes to your work. Subscribed. Oh and trim those windows out on the wall of fame before I come over there and do it. They are just screaming for attention. That and I don't want to drive 8 hours haha.
jbmatth
Well-known member
Chris,
Thanks for asking about the BIL, he is healing still but is back on his feet and back to work now. He just needs more time to fully heal physically, the mental aspect may take quite a bit longer to get over, I'll explain more on my page.
It is tough to see how well skilled crafts perform their duties and how easy they make it look. I know I'm better than I was at most of this stuff years ago, but know I'll never get to their speed or quality.
JB
JB
Thanks for asking about the BIL, he is healing still but is back on his feet and back to work now. He just needs more time to fully heal physically, the mental aspect may take quite a bit longer to get over, I'll explain more on my page.
It is tough to see how well skilled crafts perform their duties and how easy they make it look. I know I'm better than I was at most of this stuff years ago, but know I'll never get to their speed or quality.
JB
JB
tribri – I have to admit, I had to look up “doppelganger”. Thanks for reading along and now chiming in. Always good to hear from another BMW front range resident! Get the MaxJax installed. I just finished giving it a workout over the last few days and all I can say is; I can’t believe that I waited this long.
Don (don long) – I swear that I am getting the updated parts list together.
½ Cup – Always great when you stop in and say, hello. Happy anniversary!
E12-535iTurbo – I appreciate the compliments especially from someone with such great skills. The gate turned out terrific and I have to admit to spending more than a few minutes looking over the compressor schematic! I’m looking forward to seeing how the turbo project progresses.
rosssslone68 – The cabinets… The doors are just plywood. Nothing fancy since they were going in a shop. I left the edges raw. All the cabinets were primed and then painted, in and out. I used Glidden 220 series for the paint, behr primer and applied it with a short nap roller. Are you thinking these for your garage project? If you need any details just let me know.
Bret (bj383ss) –
Congratulations! I’m sure you guys are more than ready to get into the new digs. I can’t wait to see the progress as things come together!
PatrickH – I hear ya on the windows… Come on out!
Unfortunately, the windows are down on the list right now. Overdue car maintenance and other house projects that I have been putting off are first on the list to get done. I think the chopsaw station is the next shop project on-deck for the shop, then the windows. The plan is to weld up some metal and use more of the screws so it ties into the other wall trim. Should be fun. I need to practice my TIG welding a bit before!
JB (jbmatth) – Yes. Over the years I went from Carpenter to Contractor to PM. I used to be fast! Now I’m just content to have a reasonable grasp on how to do it, taking my time, and hoping for the best. I may be slower than I used to be but at least I don’t have to do things multiple times, mostly.
Thanks everyone for stopping in and posting!
Cheers,
Chris
Don (don long) – I swear that I am getting the updated parts list together.
½ Cup – Always great when you stop in and say, hello. Happy anniversary!
E12-535iTurbo – I appreciate the compliments especially from someone with such great skills. The gate turned out terrific and I have to admit to spending more than a few minutes looking over the compressor schematic! I’m looking forward to seeing how the turbo project progresses.
rosssslone68 – The cabinets… The doors are just plywood. Nothing fancy since they were going in a shop. I left the edges raw. All the cabinets were primed and then painted, in and out. I used Glidden 220 series for the paint, behr primer and applied it with a short nap roller. Are you thinking these for your garage project? If you need any details just let me know.
Bret (bj383ss) –
Congratulations! I’m sure you guys are more than ready to get into the new digs. I can’t wait to see the progress as things come together!
PatrickH – I hear ya on the windows… Come on out!
Unfortunately, the windows are down on the list right now. Overdue car maintenance and other house projects that I have been putting off are first on the list to get done. I think the chopsaw station is the next shop project on-deck for the shop, then the windows. The plan is to weld up some metal and use more of the screws so it ties into the other wall trim. Should be fun. I need to practice my TIG welding a bit before!JB (jbmatth) – Yes. Over the years I went from Carpenter to Contractor to PM. I used to be fast! Now I’m just content to have a reasonable grasp on how to do it, taking my time, and hoping for the best. I may be slower than I used to be but at least I don’t have to do things multiple times, mostly.
Thanks everyone for stopping in and posting!
Cheers,
Chris
Zen and the art of BMW maintenance… (plus some cheap tool cursing)
The wife was out of town for work so I took the opportunity to catch up on some much overdue maintenance on her car. The valve cover gasket has been leaking for a while and needed to be addressed. In addition, the oil filter housing and valvetronic motor gaskets were joining in on the fun so needless to say the engine was an oily mess.
While the car was apart and on the lift (love the lift!) it was time to give the suspension some love also; So new struts, shocks, mounts and control arms were also in the parts order.
Started Friday night.
Parts, lots of parts…
I worked in a shop during high school and summers during college. My old boss would be very disappointed.
Engine before…
I have wrenched on BMW’s (cars and bikes) for over 20 years and have changed valve cover gaskets on 3 series cars from the E30 to now the E90. Working on this car, and the lack of access, makes me pine for the good old days and the earlier cars with easy on/off covers and valve adjustments. I come to find out from my buddy who is a service manager at the local dealer that they get 7.5 hours book time for the gasket replacement. An entire day!
All apart; including the filter housing, belts, hoses and a few other “I should replace it while I’m here things”.
Here is one of those things… The crankcase breather tube. BMW went to the heavy use of plastic in the engine bay starting with the E46 and this car is no different. After certain amounts of time it all becomes brittle and develops leaks. It is always in places that stink to get to so while the filter housing was off I decided to change out those as well. (This little hose lives behind the cylinder head and under the intake manifold) The old one came out in pieces.
I hope I can remember where this goes…
3am…
Saturday… (Late morning start with lots of coffee)
Up on the lift! Did I mention that this thing is great? I haven’t had access to a lift since collage (early 90’s) and it makes such a difference.
New rear shocks and mounts. This one blew-up just after I pulled it. Guess it was time.
Remember that we live on a dirt road? Can you pick out the new shock and mount?
Rears are done. No drama. Nice and easy. The front was a little more trouble. First, I will say that I usually buy good professional quality tools. It has been my experience that they are worth it. It isn’t that less expensive tools can’t perform, or that expensive tools always perform, but the better tool is usually less trouble and just does what it is supposed to do. The cheap tools tend to be more hit or miss. YMMV. I loaned my tie-rod tool to a buddy who never returned it.
I purchased one at Harbor Freight for this job.
Here it is after 2 uses.
Add 2+ hours to the job running back to the store for a replacement. I should have sucked it up and ordered the German tool again and saved the headache. Lesson learned.
I purchased a strut compressor for this job. The last time I have to do springs I took them to a friends shop and used the wall mount compressor. We live an hour + each way from the shop and I decided that having the tools here was better so I ordered this.
The springs on some BMW’s and other German cars are short in length and # of coils which poses problems with these types of tools.
I knew this so I ordered the “adapter kit”. This is a reasonable inexpensive solution to the issue but the execution was junk. So, to get the adapter to work/stay in the tool I had to add some tapped holes and grade 8 bolts/washers. These springs, when compressed are storing a bunch of energy that is just waiting to do bad things to you should the tool fail.
This tool, with the adapter, runs about $260. A used wall mount is $400 around here on Craig’s List. Next time I’ll buy the real tool and save the 4 hours of messing around.
Sunday…
Picked up the wife from DIA and ran errands getting back to the house late afternoon.
2:00am and I had this…
Can you pick out the new parts? (it's kinda a game at this point, find the new parts)
3:00am and the tools were put away. The car is at the local shop being aligned as I write this from the coffee shop across the street.
Some things I was reminded of:
1. I still enjoy wrenching on these cars. A lot. The German thought process/engineering still makes sense to me.
2. The MaxJax is awesome! I had to do the final torqueing of the control arm bolts with car on the ground, weighted. 4 bolts. I spent all of 15 min crawling on my back and it made me appreciate the lift that much more.
3. Buy good tools. Cheap tools are frustrating.
4. I need more a lot more light in the garage. I worked the entire time with a head lamp on. When it comes the to "GarageJournal" the garage this spring, I'm going to add a bunch of additional fixtures.
Just got a call from the shop and the car is off the rack. Next up is my E46.
Thanks, as always, for reading through the ramblings.
Cheers,
Chris
The wife was out of town for work so I took the opportunity to catch up on some much overdue maintenance on her car. The valve cover gasket has been leaking for a while and needed to be addressed. In addition, the oil filter housing and valvetronic motor gaskets were joining in on the fun so needless to say the engine was an oily mess.
While the car was apart and on the lift (love the lift!) it was time to give the suspension some love also; So new struts, shocks, mounts and control arms were also in the parts order.
Started Friday night.
Parts, lots of parts…
I worked in a shop during high school and summers during college. My old boss would be very disappointed.
Engine before…
I have wrenched on BMW’s (cars and bikes) for over 20 years and have changed valve cover gaskets on 3 series cars from the E30 to now the E90. Working on this car, and the lack of access, makes me pine for the good old days and the earlier cars with easy on/off covers and valve adjustments. I come to find out from my buddy who is a service manager at the local dealer that they get 7.5 hours book time for the gasket replacement. An entire day!
All apart; including the filter housing, belts, hoses and a few other “I should replace it while I’m here things”.
Here is one of those things… The crankcase breather tube. BMW went to the heavy use of plastic in the engine bay starting with the E46 and this car is no different. After certain amounts of time it all becomes brittle and develops leaks. It is always in places that stink to get to so while the filter housing was off I decided to change out those as well. (This little hose lives behind the cylinder head and under the intake manifold) The old one came out in pieces.
I hope I can remember where this goes…
3am…
Saturday… (Late morning start with lots of coffee)
Up on the lift! Did I mention that this thing is great? I haven’t had access to a lift since collage (early 90’s) and it makes such a difference.
New rear shocks and mounts. This one blew-up just after I pulled it. Guess it was time.
Remember that we live on a dirt road? Can you pick out the new shock and mount?
Rears are done. No drama. Nice and easy. The front was a little more trouble. First, I will say that I usually buy good professional quality tools. It has been my experience that they are worth it. It isn’t that less expensive tools can’t perform, or that expensive tools always perform, but the better tool is usually less trouble and just does what it is supposed to do. The cheap tools tend to be more hit or miss. YMMV. I loaned my tie-rod tool to a buddy who never returned it.
I purchased one at Harbor Freight for this job.Here it is after 2 uses.
Add 2+ hours to the job running back to the store for a replacement. I should have sucked it up and ordered the German tool again and saved the headache. Lesson learned.
I purchased a strut compressor for this job. The last time I have to do springs I took them to a friends shop and used the wall mount compressor. We live an hour + each way from the shop and I decided that having the tools here was better so I ordered this.
The springs on some BMW’s and other German cars are short in length and # of coils which poses problems with these types of tools.
I knew this so I ordered the “adapter kit”. This is a reasonable inexpensive solution to the issue but the execution was junk. So, to get the adapter to work/stay in the tool I had to add some tapped holes and grade 8 bolts/washers. These springs, when compressed are storing a bunch of energy that is just waiting to do bad things to you should the tool fail.
This tool, with the adapter, runs about $260. A used wall mount is $400 around here on Craig’s List. Next time I’ll buy the real tool and save the 4 hours of messing around.
Sunday…
Picked up the wife from DIA and ran errands getting back to the house late afternoon.
2:00am and I had this…
Can you pick out the new parts? (it's kinda a game at this point, find the new parts)
3:00am and the tools were put away. The car is at the local shop being aligned as I write this from the coffee shop across the street.
Some things I was reminded of:
1. I still enjoy wrenching on these cars. A lot. The German thought process/engineering still makes sense to me.
2. The MaxJax is awesome! I had to do the final torqueing of the control arm bolts with car on the ground, weighted. 4 bolts. I spent all of 15 min crawling on my back and it made me appreciate the lift that much more.
3. Buy good tools. Cheap tools are frustrating.
4. I need more a lot more light in the garage. I worked the entire time with a head lamp on. When it comes the to "GarageJournal" the garage this spring, I'm going to add a bunch of additional fixtures.
Just got a call from the shop and the car is off the rack. Next up is my E46.
Thanks, as always, for reading through the ramblings.
Cheers,
Chris
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jbmatth
Well-known member
Great job and writeup, in the end everything went back together and is working so I'd call the job a success. I look forward to the day I will get a lift even though I've never used one I'm sure I'll like it.
JB
JB
1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
1/2 Cup & JB - Thanks guys. I appreciate you stopping in and reading through. The car maintenance has been getting pushed off so I could focus on the shop. The next bit of time will have to be spent playing catch-up.
JB- with your amount of space, that place is screaming LIFT! Once you have worked with one you will wonder how you ever lived without it.
Cheers,
Chris
JB- with your amount of space, that place is screaming LIFT! Once you have worked with one you will wonder how you ever lived without it.
Cheers,
Chris
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dhubbard422
Well-known member
Chris,
Your shop is looking good and now it also appears to be a productive and enjoyable space in which to work on your projects! Nice transformation!
What's up next?
Don
PS. The pic of the dirt road winter grime on the underside of your wife's Beemer took me back... when we lived in Ned, we were out near the end of Ridge Rd (near the summer road cutoff) and the last couple of miles were washboard dirt. Man, cars could get messy very quickly there... especially in the winter!
Your shop is looking good and now it also appears to be a productive and enjoyable space in which to work on your projects! Nice transformation!
What's up next?
Don
PS. The pic of the dirt road winter grime on the underside of your wife's Beemer took me back... when we lived in Ned, we were out near the end of Ridge Rd (near the summer road cutoff) and the last couple of miles were washboard dirt. Man, cars could get messy very quickly there... especially in the winter!
longlivepunk
Well-known member
Haha living in Canada I just thought that was how wheel wells look. Never seen a car that was more than a year old that looked any different.[emoji14]
Still loving this thread. The spiral ducting looks so awesome!
Sent from my B15 using Tapatalk
Still loving this thread. The spiral ducting looks so awesome!
Sent from my B15 using Tapatalk
BBChevro
Well-known member
... Once you have worked with one you will wonder how you ever lived without it.
Cheers,
Chris
I still feel that way about having a concrete floor.
Chris,
Your shop is looking good and now it also appears to be a productive and enjoyable space in which to work on your projects! Nice transformation!
What's up next?
Don
PS. The pic of the dirt road winter grime on the underside of your wife's Beemer took me back... when we lived in Ned, we were out near the end of Ridge Rd (near the summer road cutoff) and the last couple of miles were washboard dirt. Man, cars could get messy very quickly there... especially in the winter!
My car is next on the list of projects. It's getting a bunch done to it. The next shop project will be the Radial Arm/Chop Saw station and the bathroom. More drywall.
On the FJ front I pick-up the "new to me" frame from the Yota Yard next week.
How are things going there? Any time to get into the shop? Get the new moto project settled in yet (I'm sure you have your eye on something to replace the PD)? This Friday it is supposed to be 60 in Boulder so if I can get the Norton to dry pavement I may take her out for a ride. We'll see.
Eric,
Great to hear from ya. All our cars have the "Dirt Road" look. I brought it in for the alignment and the Tech asked, "where I go wheeling?"
I'm looking forward to putting that ductwork to use and get another cabinet built for the shop!
I still feel that way about having a concrete floor.
Yep. I spent my younger days in Virginia wrenching on Jeeps. Those were the days of jack stands (sometimes stacked 2x6's) on plywood so they didn't sink into the mud!
Ahhh... The "good" old days.Thanks everyone for stopping in. I hope to have some time to get on the E46 this weekend and get the front end rebuilt. The new snow tires are mounted and waiting so I better get on it.:thumb: Then it will be back to getting the shop done.
As always, I appreciate everyone reading along.
Cheers,
Chris
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PatrickH
Member
Look forward to seeing the progress! Keep it up. I hear you about drywall I don't mind hanging it as much as the mudding/taping/sanding. You have fantastic craft especially considering the short amount of time you seem to spend on these projects.
dhubbard422
Well-known member
My car is next on the list of projects. It's getting a bunch done to it. The next shop project will be the Radial Arm/Chop Saw station and the bathroom. More drywall.
On the FJ front I pick-up the "new to me" frame from the Yota Yard next week.
How are things going there? Any time to get into the shop? Get the new moto project settled in yet (I'm sure you have your eye on something to replace the PD)? This Friday it is supposed to be 60 in Boulder so if I can get the Norton to dry pavement I may take her out for a ride. We'll see.
Cheers,
Chris
I don't want to hijack your thread, but I will say that I've been so busy with other projects and work (the paying job has been especially challenging recently...) that I just decided to take a break from the shop. However, I expect that I'll start back on it soon with renewed enthusiasm!
I received a deposit on the PD, but the transaction isn't planned to take place until late April. No new project for me until the workshop interior (walls, ceiling, lights, electrical and air) is done! But, I expect that my next bike project will be an old style scrambler, probably a Beemer or a Triumph. Something along the lines of a '60s or early '70s ISDT machine. Something easy to ride. Low seat height. Comfortable dirt bike bars. Dang, I sound like I'm getting old! Oh yeah, I am!
Bathroom? Drywall??? Oh no! Hopefully the space is such that you'll have very minimal drywall finishing work. If not, I'd suggest some more beetle kill pine...
I hope you get out for a ride on the Norton! I plan to take the PD out for a short spin this weekend (wouldn't want the carbs to gum up...) and the weather is very nice here.
Bogdan M.
Well-known member
I have replaced the same valve cover gasket on a E82 125i and it was truly horrible.
I was really frustrated at one point.
The easiest valve cover gasket I have ever changed was on a E32 730i M30.
PatrickH – Thanks for the vote of confidence. Sometimes I feel like the projects just keep dragging on due to lack of available time. I have had a few good blocks to throw at the shop and have been pleasantly surprised at how much can be accomplished given an uninterrupted work session. Oh yes… Sanding drywall… Just the thought makes me cringe.
Don (dhubbard422) – Hijack away, my friend! It’s always good to hear from you (It’s never a hijack, BTW). We all know what it’s like to have real work get in the way of shop time.
Gee, something easy to ride, low seat and comfortable? You taking orders? I’m in! Just let me know when we’re starting. If you get bored before then, I have a bunch of FJ60 stuff that needs to be gone over that I could use an extra set of hands for.
Bogdan M.- Yep. The engine compartments get more crowded every time I we open the hood of BMW’s latest. The M30/M20 engines were, are, easy. Hell, the S54 is easy too compared to the n52! Thanks for reading and commenting (From Romania!
).
Thanks guys for chiming in, I appreciate it.
Cheers,
Chris
Don (dhubbard422) – Hijack away, my friend! It’s always good to hear from you (It’s never a hijack, BTW). We all know what it’s like to have real work get in the way of shop time.
I expect that my next bike project will be an old style scrambler, probably a Beemer or a Triumph. Something along the lines of a '60s or early '70s ISDT machine. Something easy to ride. Low seat height. Comfortable dirt bike bars. Dang, I sound like I'm getting old! Oh yeah, I am!
Gee, something easy to ride, low seat and comfortable? You taking orders? I’m in! Just let me know when we’re starting. If you get bored before then, I have a bunch of FJ60 stuff that needs to be gone over that I could use an extra set of hands for.
Bogdan M.- Yep. The engine compartments get more crowded every time I we open the hood of BMW’s latest. The M30/M20 engines were, are, easy. Hell, the S54 is easy too compared to the n52! Thanks for reading and commenting (From Romania!
). Thanks guys for chiming in, I appreciate it.
Cheers,
Chris
The Mountain Haus… An homage to dirty and maintenance deprived BMW’s everywhere.
This weekend was dedicated to my beloved E46 Touring (wagon to the uninitiated). The first installment of a series I like to call, “Get off your **** and get her fixed up like she deserves!”
After wrenching on my wife’s car’s suspension last week and getting her car done, it was time to do the same to mine. Unlike the E90, which was undergoing my handy work on the front end for the first time, the E46 is now on it’s 4th set of control arms, control arm bushings, tie-rods, sway-bar bushings and sway-bar links. 250,000 mi and counting! The good folks at Koni have replaced the struts/shocks 2 times under warrantee. Both times they make a point to say that the lifetime warrantee only applies to the original owner, at which time I email them a copy of the original receipt (purchased at 60K). I guess folks don't hold onto cars like we do? To their credit, after getting the email with the original receipt and a picture of the odometer they are always very helpful. This time those parts are holding strong and I didn’t have to replace them, which made the job much easier and less time consuming.
Up on the lift… (notice that it is light outside? Different than my normal dead of night shift.)
Out with the old and in with the new… (Aren’t those new parts shinny?)
Small tool side note…
In the “General Tool Discussion” forum a guy asked about tools to work on BMW’s. I chimed in with some recommendations but forgot to add this little gem. It doesn't get used much but when you need it, it's a life savor.
16mm/18mm Low Torque, Slim Line wrench for getting off sway-bar links and Tie-Rods.
Here it is compared to a regular 16mm.
It allows you to get into tight spaces to hold the fastener from turning while putting on and taking off the nut, there-by side-stepping the inevitable stripping of the gunk filled allen key slot and skipping a whole bunch of added frustration. (notice also, the PB Blaster on the nut)
Back to the, “Can you spot new parts” game…
New wheels and studded snows installed. Car back on the ground, tools wiped down and back in the box, MaxJax broken down and put away. Done! Just in time to beat the snow this afternoon.
Tomorrow she has an appointment for the alignment rack in Boulder. What do they say? Do things enough times and you become faster and more proficient? 4th time is the charm. I was remarkably less slow than usual. Only 2.5 hours from start to finish. A lot of the credit has to go to the MaxJax. Doing this without crawling on the ground was a huge help. If anybody is on the fence, my vote is get one. You won’t regret it.
Anyway… the next BMW post will hopefully be in a few more weeks as I prep for the driveline swap. (newer m54, M3 6 speed, M3 rear end (3.62+LSD)) I’m hoping to carve a few days off work and a weekend to get that one done. In the meantime the radial arm/chop saw station is next on the shop list. I hope to get to that this week->weekend.
Thanks, as always, for reading along. I appreciate it.
Cheers,
Chris
This weekend was dedicated to my beloved E46 Touring (wagon to the uninitiated). The first installment of a series I like to call, “Get off your **** and get her fixed up like she deserves!”
After wrenching on my wife’s car’s suspension last week and getting her car done, it was time to do the same to mine. Unlike the E90, which was undergoing my handy work on the front end for the first time, the E46 is now on it’s 4th set of control arms, control arm bushings, tie-rods, sway-bar bushings and sway-bar links. 250,000 mi and counting! The good folks at Koni have replaced the struts/shocks 2 times under warrantee. Both times they make a point to say that the lifetime warrantee only applies to the original owner, at which time I email them a copy of the original receipt (purchased at 60K). I guess folks don't hold onto cars like we do? To their credit, after getting the email with the original receipt and a picture of the odometer they are always very helpful. This time those parts are holding strong and I didn’t have to replace them, which made the job much easier and less time consuming.
Up on the lift… (notice that it is light outside? Different than my normal dead of night shift.)
Out with the old and in with the new… (Aren’t those new parts shinny?)
Small tool side note…
In the “General Tool Discussion” forum a guy asked about tools to work on BMW’s. I chimed in with some recommendations but forgot to add this little gem. It doesn't get used much but when you need it, it's a life savor.
16mm/18mm Low Torque, Slim Line wrench for getting off sway-bar links and Tie-Rods.
Here it is compared to a regular 16mm.
It allows you to get into tight spaces to hold the fastener from turning while putting on and taking off the nut, there-by side-stepping the inevitable stripping of the gunk filled allen key slot and skipping a whole bunch of added frustration. (notice also, the PB Blaster on the nut)
Back to the, “Can you spot new parts” game…
New wheels and studded snows installed. Car back on the ground, tools wiped down and back in the box, MaxJax broken down and put away. Done! Just in time to beat the snow this afternoon.
Tomorrow she has an appointment for the alignment rack in Boulder. What do they say? Do things enough times and you become faster and more proficient? 4th time is the charm. I was remarkably less slow than usual. Only 2.5 hours from start to finish. A lot of the credit has to go to the MaxJax. Doing this without crawling on the ground was a huge help. If anybody is on the fence, my vote is get one. You won’t regret it.
Anyway… the next BMW post will hopefully be in a few more weeks as I prep for the driveline swap. (newer m54, M3 6 speed, M3 rear end (3.62+LSD)) I’m hoping to carve a few days off work and a weekend to get that one done. In the meantime the radial arm/chop saw station is next on the shop list. I hope to get to that this week->weekend.
Thanks, as always, for reading along. I appreciate it.
Cheers,
Chris
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shortykorte
Well-known member
Glad someone is moving forward on projects. Still haven't pour pad for my MaxJax. To many interruptions.
Are you going to document building of the cabinet? Also I love to look at pictures of others sanding dry wall.
Still haven't pour pad for my MaxJax. To many interruptions. Are you going to document building of the cabinet? Also I love to look at pictures of others sanding dry wall.
TLCObsession
Well-known member
Chris -
You never said how long the E90 gasket project took. Did you meet or beat book time? I am pretty slow on BMW's and own one again (2011 328i xDrive), so I am curious. BTW - the Bentley book for it is 5X the price I am used to....
On Toyotas, I can do it in book time or faster, but that includes cleaning and doing more than a service tech normally would. I have owned lots of Cruisers and still own a Tundra - pretty easy vehicles to work on.
Great shop!
You never said how long the E90 gasket project took. Did you meet or beat book time? I am pretty slow on BMW's and own one again (2011 328i xDrive), so I am curious. BTW - the Bentley book for it is 5X the price I am used to....
On Toyotas, I can do it in book time or faster, but that includes cleaning and doing more than a service tech normally would. I have owned lots of Cruisers and still own a Tundra - pretty easy vehicles to work on.
Great shop!
Shortykorte - I'll make sure to post a drywall pic when I get going. Lucky for me I came down with the flu. Dodged the drywall bullet for another week. I'll take fever and a cough any day over finishing drywall!
TLCObsession - 6hrs! Beat the book even with the extras, on the motor work. Got killed on the suspension stuff. The 4 extra hours screwing with the spring compressor didn't help, for sure.
Thanks guys for stoping in.
Cheers,
Chris
TLCObsession - 6hrs! Beat the book even with the extras, on the motor work. Got killed on the suspension stuff. The 4 extra hours screwing with the spring compressor didn't help, for sure.
Thanks guys for stoping in.
Cheers,
Chris
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dhubbard422
Well-known member
Chris,
You're going to some pretty extraordinary lengths to avoid finishing drywall!
Get better soon,
Don
You're going to some pretty extraordinary lengths to avoid finishing drywall!
Get better soon,
Don
Don – Thanks. I was feeling better and decided to go work in the shop for a few min. With all the car maintenance taking up the last few weekends I was excited to get back into the shop and make some progress. I did get the rest of the signal wire pulled for the dust collection but my flu is back with a vengeance, fever cough and all. I guess I dodged the drywall bullet just a little bit longer!
Cheers,
Chris
Cheers,
Chris
After all the BMW-work over the last few weeks it was time to get back into the shop and get a few things done. Only stumbling block is that I have had the flu for the last few days but felt like I was on the mend. I was wrong and my little bit of time today working kicked me back a few steps. Oh well, it was nice to be in the shop.
Quick recap and where I left off… I had gotten the DC system up and running for the Table Saw, Jointer and Planer but hadn’t run the signal wire for the other stations.
Wire pulls for in the already run conduit. First I needed to open up the corner boxes.
Yep, things are still a little tight by the sheet goods cart.
¼ ratchet and a bit did the trick. The thing is still freaking heavy so not having to move it was great.
I’m using 5 wire thermostat cable 18ga.
There are 4 zones currently in use and I designed an extra zone in for future expansion. It is a 5 wire hook-up at the control box per zone. The red wire is the 24vac hot to the switches. I left the insulation on so the runs aren’t hot and will hook them up as I bring the zones online.
For now they are stubbed out…
The chop saw station, router table and drill press will all have switches and a few will have power sensing relays also. That is next on the shop to do list.
Man, being sick *****. I’m headed to get some rest and read-up on a few other guy's shop/project progress before I pass out. GJ has been good sick reading. Speaking of passing out, it is defiantly time to take some NyQuil.
Thanks, as always, for reading this.
Cheers,
Chris
Quick recap and where I left off… I had gotten the DC system up and running for the Table Saw, Jointer and Planer but hadn’t run the signal wire for the other stations.
Wire pulls for in the already run conduit. First I needed to open up the corner boxes.
Yep, things are still a little tight by the sheet goods cart.
¼ ratchet and a bit did the trick. The thing is still freaking heavy so not having to move it was great.
I’m using 5 wire thermostat cable 18ga.
There are 4 zones currently in use and I designed an extra zone in for future expansion. It is a 5 wire hook-up at the control box per zone. The red wire is the 24vac hot to the switches. I left the insulation on so the runs aren’t hot and will hook them up as I bring the zones online.
For now they are stubbed out…
The chop saw station, router table and drill press will all have switches and a few will have power sensing relays also. That is next on the shop to do list.
Man, being sick *****. I’m headed to get some rest and read-up on a few other guy's shop/project progress before I pass out. GJ has been good sick reading. Speaking of passing out, it is defiantly time to take some NyQuil.
Thanks, as always, for reading this.
Cheers,
Chris
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jbmatth
Well-known member
I know you don't like doing drywall, but being glad you have the flu so you don't have to do drywall? That takes it to a whole new level! I can't think of many things I'd like to do less than being sick with the flu. Nice to see you are still making steady progress on the shop though.
JB
JB
shortykorte
Well-known member
Hope you get to feeling better. Nothing better than a nose full of drywall dust and you're missing the fun.
1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Chris, having the flue is not conducive to doing anything other than resting up. I have to admit trying to do as you have when I have had the flue and I couldn't fight it at all.
Great work on the cabling I really appreciate workmanship like that.
Regards
Great work on the cabling I really appreciate workmanship like that.
Regards
It’s been fun wrenching on the cars during my free time but I have been itching to get back into the shop. These last few weeks have been hectic at work and you can add Valentine’s Day and my wife’s B-day to the mix with a little flu thrown in for fun. My wife’s b-day is ON Valentine’s Day, so it makes it extra important. Put all this together and shop time has been at a premium.
Dust Collection Control…The continuing saga.
My thoughts for the DC system have expanded as the project has gone on. This time I wanted to turn some attention onto the switch for the far side 4” drop. Sanding, as you can imagine, kicks up a lot of dust. This switch box has a built in outlet and power-sensing relay in the design so the DC will kick on and off with the tool.
8”x8” NEMA1 box and the rest of the goodies…
A little layout for the front-plate…
Pieces and parts laid-out on the interior, it’s amazing how things fill up and how quickly space is at a premium. It looks so empty in this picture. To make the install easier I decided to use an 8 section terminal block. That way I could wire up everything in the box and connect the 120V and control wires once it was up on the wall.
Unlike the control panel by the cyclone the front panel wont be coming off all that often (if things go well, queue Murphy). So, I decided to hard wire the switch and outlet and forgo the DT/DTM connectors. I just needed to make sure that the wires were long enough to work on it open and had a place to tuck them when the panel went on.
All wired up and ready to go… (Now that I'm looking at the pictures, all this seems like a lot of work to turn on and off a big vacuum cleaner, don't you think?)
Before… (I snaked wires into the outlet box below to power the outlet on the control)
12ga. 120V into the switch-box.
120v and the control wires are run. I really like how the terminal block kept things organized and made connecting everything up a breeze.
Front panel on and the system powered up… Got the blue light but no joy on the DC
I forgot to connect the 24vac at the controller for the zone. That took a little while to figure out. (with the panel cover off) Oops. With that fixed…
The push button works and I plugged a drill into the outlet… Success! The DC kicks on and runs for 15 seconds after you turn the tool off.
And, for my OCD brethren…
The outlet is blue to match the push button switch!
Thanks, as always, for reading the ramblings.
Cheers,
Chris
Dust Collection Control…The continuing saga.
My thoughts for the DC system have expanded as the project has gone on. This time I wanted to turn some attention onto the switch for the far side 4” drop. Sanding, as you can imagine, kicks up a lot of dust. This switch box has a built in outlet and power-sensing relay in the design so the DC will kick on and off with the tool.
8”x8” NEMA1 box and the rest of the goodies…
A little layout for the front-plate…
Pieces and parts laid-out on the interior, it’s amazing how things fill up and how quickly space is at a premium. It looks so empty in this picture. To make the install easier I decided to use an 8 section terminal block. That way I could wire up everything in the box and connect the 120V and control wires once it was up on the wall.
Unlike the control panel by the cyclone the front panel wont be coming off all that often (if things go well, queue Murphy). So, I decided to hard wire the switch and outlet and forgo the DT/DTM connectors. I just needed to make sure that the wires were long enough to work on it open and had a place to tuck them when the panel went on.
All wired up and ready to go… (Now that I'm looking at the pictures, all this seems like a lot of work to turn on and off a big vacuum cleaner, don't you think?
)
Before… (I snaked wires into the outlet box below to power the outlet on the control)
12ga. 120V into the switch-box.
120v and the control wires are run. I really like how the terminal block kept things organized and made connecting everything up a breeze.
Front panel on and the system powered up… Got the blue light but no joy on the DC
I forgot to connect the 24vac at the controller for the zone. That took a little while to figure out. (with the panel cover off) Oops. With that fixed…
The push button works and I plugged a drill into the outlet… Success! The DC kicks on and runs for 15 seconds after you turn the tool off.
And, for my OCD brethren…
The outlet is blue to match the push button switch!
Thanks, as always, for reading the ramblings.
Cheers,
Chris
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1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Chris, we did a similar system in our carpenters joinery at work some years back and interlocked every thing as you have done with the extraction system and it worked a treat.
Regards
Regards
E12-535iTurbo
Well-known member
Perhaps you mentioned it before but are you going to start your own business in the shop or is this purely for your own enjoyment?
1/2 Cup - I agree. The new system is going to be nice. When I built the shop the first time I was pushing to get it done as quickly as possible and consequently had to made some choices that I always wanted to go back and rectify but never had the time to do. This time around, things are much different and I'm excited that the system, while complicated compared to the original, is going to work much better and be very user friendly.
E12-535iTurbo - The shop was used for work when I was a General Contractor and Carpenter but now is just for personal enjoyment. The lack of "having to have it done " has made it possible to take more time, sometimes a lot more time, and sweat the details.
Thanks again for stopping in, Guys. I appreciate it.
Cheers,
Chris
E12-535iTurbo - The shop was used for work when I was a General Contractor and Carpenter but now is just for personal enjoyment. The lack of "having to have it done " has made it possible to take more time, sometimes a lot more time, and sweat the details.
Thanks again for stopping in, Guys. I appreciate it.
Cheers,
Chris
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dkroth - Wow! $16! They are proud of that blue outlet. I guess it would have been but I got the outlet from an electrical sub on one of my jobs. He is a woodworker and we were talking about shops/dust collection, etc. I told him about the blue pushbutton switch and he offered up the blue outlet (extra from a Hospital gig).
Cheers,
Chris
BBChevro
Well-known member
It looks like you're gearing up to make a lot of dust Chris - I do like your set-up, it not only gets the job done, it looks good as well.