Post Recession Shop Rehabilitation Project

[NedNorton]

1/2 Cup - Thanks for the encouragement. Always appreciate you stopping in. The Cruiser, like the shop, is going to be a long road filled with a few hours here and a few hours there.

Lyndon - Hey buddy! I've been checking in on your thread too. Bathroom looks great. I hope work has been as good. The chop saw stand will be soon. I need to make a run to Home Depot and get material for a raised bed for Mrs. NedNorton so I'll grab the additional sheet goods then.

AZpilot - Thanks for making it through the entire thing. And, thanks for the kind words about Doc. We miss him. I'm glad that the LED by the door worked for you! '81 Cherokee? That sounds cool. I'd like to hear more about that one. I have a buddy that built something similar up and, while not the fastest thing, it's lifted/locked and sure can go just about anywhere.

188slo50 - The before and after pics help remind me how far the place has come. The cabinets have been a great addition. I'm sure yours are just as nice! Thanks for stopping in and reading through.

51rider - Glad you're back! The WOS (Wall of Shame) feels like soooo long ago. I'm hoping that the thread will be, from here on out, a mix of stuff done "to" the shop and stuff done "in" the shop.

larry_g- Yep. Oven cleaner and a power washer. I just need to get to the Dollar store and pick-up some of the cheap stuff. I hear that it works the best.

Thanks everyone for checking in and posting. It really keeps me motivated.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[NedNorton]

Grinding... More grinding... Drilling... Hammering... And, more grinding…

I worked from home today so after scarfing down a few leftovers from last night as quickly as possible for lunch I went out and got after the rusty rear cross-member. It, along with the old bumper brackets, have to go to make room for the new bumper.

Plus, there was just a little rust. Just a little.

A lot of stuff was hot riveted to the frame from the factory. The rear cross-member is no different.

I’ve been grinding the heads, then drilling them with progressively bigger bits. If anyone knows a better way, please chime in!

One more small step complete! (I win again! )

Still to do: the reinforcement plates, bumper brackets, motor mounts and front spring perches to cut off. Oh yah, and the transfercase/transmission cross-member brackets.

I guess it was more like ½ a small step. But, you have to love making grinding sparks at lunch. Way better than working on budget numbers, for sure!

Thanks, as always, for reading along. I appreciate it.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[AZpilot]

Looking good. The rivets have no easy answer. Your way looks like it is working.

The Cherokee project is a three stage deal. Stage 1, get the AMC 360 running, lift kit, and painted. Stage 2 is Fix interior and add cool stuff like onboard air and onboard welder and camping gear. Stage 3 is replace 360 with a built AMC 401. Stage 1 will be done by June 1 hopefully.

 

[188slo50]

I use to grind the rivet heads and take air hammer to punch out the rest of the way

 

[BBChevro]

Hey Chris, I just caught up on the last couple of pages...

That grinder stand/offcuts storage is awesome.

Good to see you making a start on the Land Cruiser chassis.

And why can I hear John Denver singing in my head when I look at this...

Sorry to hear about your dog passing away.

 

[bj383ss]

Looks like your are having fun. Your getting the rivets out the same way I did on my 64' when I removed the manual trans cross member. Except I didn't drill after I ground the head off I punched them out with a chisel.

Bret

 

[KST1]

As stated by others above, grind, and punch out (manually or with air hammer) has always worked on frame rivets for me. Either way it can be a tough job.

-Derek

 

[NedNorton]

AZPilot - Yep. My buddies cherokee was that style. He and his father put it back together. The big blue monster! Good luck getting her back on the road/trail. It will be worth it!

188solo50 - I was thinking of grabbing the air hammer but the frame is outside and the compressor that can run it is inside. I don't think there is any easy way.

Mark (BBChevro) - Thanks for stopping in. It's always good to hear from you and thank you for the kind words about Doc. The deck is my favorite room of the house.

Bret (bj383ss) - I tried punching them out without drilling them first and either they were really in there or, more likely, my weak hammer arm came up short. It isn't often that I find something that I dislike as much as sanding drywall... Getting these things ground, drilled, and punched out is coming close.

On a brighter note... Your new shed is looking awesome. I can't believe you drove all the roofing nails by hand. If I were closer you could have come grabbed the coil nailer.

Derek (KST1) - I'm getting the feeling from everyone here that there is no real easy way. So, it looks like I have more grinder time in my future.


Thanks guys for chiming in! I appreciate it.


I have more grinder time ahead, just not right now.

Side of the house last week...

This post from dhubbard422 a few months ago...

Well, as I am sure you know, the two snowiest months in Colorado are just starting!

Says the former Coloradan that now lives in Central Texas! Of course, we've already seen +80 degree days here, which means it might be a bit scary come summer...

Don

Side of the house today...

40 inches in 2 days.

Bright side is that it gives me a week long reprieve from the grinder. Gotta look at the bright side!

Cheers,
Chris

 

[-Brent-]

Incredible shop! One of my favorite threads, for sure. I love the motto “one wall at a time, one fixture at a time, and one cabinet at a time” as it’s something I can relate to. I’m going to be diving into a similar project coming up.

After reading the thread, a few comments/questions come to mind. First, Wall Control needs a few pictures of your clamp storage. If there’s anything that proves how tough those boards are, it’s your usage. I have them, too, in my utility room, a storage closet and in my landscape shed. I’m a big fan.

Second, how much do you open your garage doors? I ask because I have/had a toolbox and a drill press on the left and right walls beside my door and I found that there tended to be more wear, upkeep, dirt/dust on them. But, my door is opened often. I wonder how your stuff is holding up?

Lastly, you’re very talented. Thanks for sharing your shop and all that it took to get it together. I learned a bunch from this thread.

 

[1949 caddyman]

Snow looks good! Is it on the west side of the divide? We need it in Arizona.

 

[shortykorte]

Wow! And I thought it was cold here for April. I'll take snow skiing over punching rivets any day.

 

[dhubbard422]

Side of the house today...


40 inches in 2 days.

Bright side is that it gives me a week long reprieve from the grinder. Gotta look at the bright side!

Cheers,
Chris

Chris, Enjoy your week away from the grinder! I hope you take a day to ski Eldora; It looks like some nice spring skiing is to be had.

BTW, I think I may have preferred snow! We had 4.5" of rain while it was snowing at your place! And we escaped the worst of this recent storm as some areas SE of us received 13".

I didn't comment on the rivets, 'cause you were doing it as I would have! Grind, drill & punch always works. It is, as far as I know, the cleanest way to remove rivets and it works whether the materials are light or heavy duty. I too was curious if anyone would suggest an easier solution...

 

[Huxley]

I have several extra air compressor hoses in Longmont.

 

[NedNorton]

Incredible shop! One of my favorite threads, for sure. I love the motto “one wall at a time, one fixture at a time, and one cabinet at a time” as it’s something I can relate to.

Brent - Thanks! Knowing that some folks are reading along and taking something from the thread is a huge motivator. Questions; 1.Wall Control... I'll think about sending something in. I do like the stuff, and I generally, dislike pegboard. It's converted me. Mr. Roboto's install is much cooler. You should check his thread out. 2. I'll let you know about the door. The shop has been up and running, with finished walls etc, during the winter. I'm guessing things will be fine.

Again, I'm humbled that people take time out of their day to read this.

1949 caddyman - We on the eastern side of the divide took the brunt of the storm but I think the western mountains got a foot or two that you guys should be seeing down stream this summer!

Wow! And I thought it was cold here for April. I'll take snow skiing over punching rivets any day.

Shortykorte - Amen, Brother!

Don (dhubbard422) - Eldora closed the weekend before! Murphy at his best. Their lease with the Forrest Service was up for the season. The wife and I are going to Copper or Winter Park this weekend for some much needed spring turns. 4.5" of rain... 13" of rain... Reminds me of growing up in Virginia. Hope you guys stayed flood free.

I didn't comment on the rivets, 'cause you were doing it as I would have! Grind, drill & punch always works. It is, as far as I know, the cleanest way to remove rivets and it works whether the materials are light or heavy duty. I too was curious if anyone would suggest an easier solution...

Sounds like you have some practice in this... I'll keep the rest for you to do. When are you coming to Colorado? Make sure to bring that fancy new Tig welder too!

Huxley - Thanks for the offer. I'm almost done and think it will only take one more good 8hr day.

Thanks guys for checking in. I appreciate it.

Bathroom Door

3 feet of snow outside? Time to trim out, paint and hardware the door.

This falls into the "One door at a time" category. More specifically, the "One side of the one door" category. I ran out of material. But, with the door closed, it looks finished!

I think I need to have a sign made... I'm leaning towards something like; "Research", "Library", "Reading Room", Ect. Feel free to add a submission.

Again everyone, thanks for reading the ramblings.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[nine4gmc]

"STUDY"

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

 

[920kip]

"Research and Development"

Everything is looking great. I have been following since pg.1. and really like seeing your projects.
Kip

 

[Huxley]

Explosives storage.

 

[Duker]

Hmmm... Going with Huxley's theme....Hazardous Materials, Mission control or something current...Game of Thrones...


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[coop]

Tranquility Base

 

[Bob Heine]

+1 ^^^ Moon landing site sounds about right.

 

[longlivepunk]

The Dung-eon

Mount Flush-more

Ikea Production Centre (where **** is made)

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[mdbeck1]

View media item 59814
Look here for more:
http://www.compliancesigns.com/bioh...io +hazard +decal&utm_content=Biohazard Label

 

[mefast]

Cookie Factory or Used Beer

 

[Duker]

Used Beer

Hey there you go... Recycling Station!

 

[dreesemonkey]

Ned's Log Cabin

 

[Huxley]

Ned's Log Cabin

Holy ****, that is good.

 

[Rodney Schultz]

This one has long been a fav....

 

[Draven8795]

I too just read this whole thread from start to finish over the last few days. What an inspiration it is. One of the best things I've learned, while I may not be that attentive to detail is that stuff takes time. And by watching others my home projects have become increasingly better. I just retrofitted 5 t8 fluorescent lights to use LED ones and the way it came out is awesome. I can't believe the difference. I think I'm also going to use your idea (that you seemingly found here) of using those sammys and metal shelving brackets to make my own hanging shelves.

Keep up the good work, I look forward to watching the truck come together and stealing ideas that you build in the shop.

 

[Strouty]

You guys are being way to obvious, I would get a sign that says ELEVATOR or STAIRS.

At my shop we have a porta potty and in the summer it is the poop sauna and in the winter it is the poopsicle.

I have to say I bitched about getting 3" of snow last week, I guess I won't complain.

 

[NedNorton]

Wow! I knew that I would get a few responses but, not this many. I'm liking a lot of them! Thanks guys!

Not much to report... The weather here in Colorado has been up and down. last weekend it snowed 8", today is 70! The wife and I went and made a few turns so really nothing has been getting done on either the LC or in the shop.

I'm hoping that, with the great weather, to get some more work done on LC frame. I still have a lot of grinding and wire wheeling to do before it can be moved inside. Living up here in the mountains, by this time every year, most of us are about done with the snow. I'm to this point and really looking forward to taking the studded tires off and getting some outdoor projects done!

Thanks for checking in. I hope to have some progress to report on one of the project fronts and who knows... If the mud on our road would dry-up, maybe a quick lunchtime ride on the Norton to tell you guys about!

Cheers,
Chris

 

[Strouty]

I think we missed mud season this year. Hope the weather starts to normalize and you can count on getting things done.

 

[AZpilot]

The weather here in Colorado has been up and down. last weekend it snowed 8", today is 70! The wife and I went and made a few turns so really nothing has been getting done on either the LC or in the shop.

Life balance is a good thing. Work some, play some, relax some. Life's tripod of happiness.

 

[NedNorton]

Strouty - Glad to hear that you guys bypassed mud season. We, unfortunately, are right in the middle of it. It did dry out over the last few days but we are supposed to get a bunch of rain over the weekend so that was short lived. I did get the bike out this morning before work though so it isn't all bad!

AZpilot - Life balance! Yes sir! These days I have been in the relax mode more and more. We wrapped up two big projects so there has been some time off. Good for the soul but a little rough on the bottom line. Work is supposed to pickup in the next few weeks so I'm trying to enjoy the time.

Thanks guys for stopping in.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[NedNorton]

A little work before the rain…

The LC frame has been neglected (as well as other shop stuff) for the last few weeks due to snow and other priorities. I did manage to degrease the front by the power steering though. It was caked on and looked like the box had started leaking a day or two after it rolled off the dealer’s lot.
A little run to King Sooper’s for some oven cleaner. The cheap (aka toxic) stuff.

I foamed it up and let it sit overnight…

The stuff works great. One word of caution, it will eat the paint. Not a big deal for me since the frame is getting refinished but I thought I would say something in case some reading this decides to go this route.

Fast forward to yesterday…

Old motor mount for the inline 6.

History! (Still needs to be cleaned up/ground flat)

Have to make room for the new LQ4 mounts.

After grinding the mounts off I decided that a little quality time with the wire wheel was in order.

Before…

After…

It is cleaning up nicely!

We are supposed to get rain this afternoon and all weekend so I hit the wire wheeled sections with a little WD40 to keep the rust at bay.

The frame is coming along. I figure I have another couple of sessions to get it ready to move inside. Then the real work begins.

This is the pile of metal that I have taken off it so far.

Little by little and bit by bit it is getting finished. I did find a used set of Alcan 4" lift springs (rears only) for a good deal. They need to be refinished so that may be a good "rainy weekend" project.

Speaking of little… Here is the newest addition to the family. Meet Jackson.

He is a 4 ½ month old Lab mix my wife and I adopted. Great pup and he is settling in.

I hope that the rain clears quickly over the next few days and I can get back after the frame and make a little more progress. We shall see.

Thanks, as always, for reading the ramblings. I appreciate it.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[dittle fart around]

Speaking of little… Here is the newest addition to the family. Meet Jackson.


He is a 4 ½ month old Lab mix my wife and I adopted. Great pup and he is settling in.


Cheers,
Chris

Now that's a good looking dog. Wait till it grows into those paws.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Chris, Congratulations on the arrival of Jackson

He is a nice looking dog.

Regards

 

[bj383ss]

Frame is looking good Chris. Its amazing what Oven Cleaner can do. And the cheap stuff. I also use that to clean all my woodworking blades. It's great at removing pitch.

Also if you have smaller parts that will fit in buckets you can soak parts in vinegar for 4-5 days and completely remove rust.

Love the new pup...

Bret

 

[Huxley]

Nice dog!

I had a few FJ80s & know a few things about Chevys but didn't know what an LQ4 was until Google told me. Do we have to venture elsewhere to more details?

 

[AZpilot]

Hey Jackson!

Tell dad to get that LC done! You need to go for a ride with your ears flapping in the breeze.

 

[ODIS]

Hello Jackson! May he live long and provide many good memories!