Above 1200 Sq/FT Cleaning Up My Shop

[shedfullatools]

Your shop is looking great You've made some pretty major improvements over the past year and Im sure have inspired more than a few people to get out and do the same. I don't comment often but I have been here since the first page of your thread and I am definitely along for the ride

 

[oldironfarmer]

One last comparison photo, the south end of the west shed a year ago today

And a year later

One of my downfalls is getting something finished enough to use and then final completion suffers. The shop is usable and I love it, but a few things still need to be finished. However it is a joy to go out each day to do whatever is next, I'm loving it.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Your shop is looking great You've made some pretty major improvements over the past year and Im sure have inspired more than a few people to get out and do the same. I don't comment often but I have been here since the first page of your thread and I am definitely along for the ride

Thank you so much!!

I'm glad to know you are coming along. It has been great fun to do things knowing someone will be looking over my shoulder. "Shedfullatools", I want that many tools

Thanks for the comment

 

[shortykorte]

You've accomplished a lot this past year. Just think what you could get done if you had a few more Saturdays. Great job.


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[oldironfarmer]

Life is about looking forward, and that's what I do, but I also want to take the time to show the new visitors who have come to live with me over the past year.

Award winning show truck

Surface grinder

Miss Vicky

Coke machine

39 IH 2 Ton

1972 Ford COE Semi tractor

1941 Chevy

Stay tuned for part

 

[Finallygotit]

Andy, congratulations on the one year anniversary. You have come a long way my friend!!

 

[oldironfarmer]

Part 2!

1935 Chevy

1941 Ford one ton

1950 Studebaker

1995 Dakota

1952 Willys

All in all a good year!

But the friends I've made here are the best.

Thanks guys

 

[oldironfarmer]

You've accomplished a lot this past year. Just think what you could get done if you had a few more Saturdays. Great job.

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Or if I wasn't so lazy. Thanks Dan for reminding everybody

Thanks for the comment

Andy, congratulations on the one year anniversary. You have come a long way my friend!!

Thanks for the kind words!!

Lot's to do, full speed ahead!!

 

[Craptain]

I think, and looking at my shop, I know that you have actually come a long way in a year. The spaces, are looking less cluttered, and are most certainly much more pleasant to work in. Additionally just look at the new skills you have learned in the same year. Even allowing for the unreasonable number of Saturdays you have, you still achieve more than most of us.

Congratulations on a successful year.

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[dlcwent]

Why are you blaming me?????????? I just say it the way I see it. And what I see is you've done more in the last year than several of us put together. (1/2 cup excluded). Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

 

[tinker rick]

Andy, thanks for the journey and the brooms. A few more saturdays and all will come together.

 

[oldironfarmer]

I think, and looking at my shop, I know that you have actually come a long way in a year. The spaces, are looking less cluttered, and are most certainly much more pleasant to work in. Additionally just look at the new skills you have learned in the same year. Even allowing for the unreasonable number of Saturdays you have, you still achieve more than most of us.

Congratulations on a successful year.

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Thanks for the kind words. I can see progress, and A/C throughout is a real joy. We'll see what kind greetings the power sends me for their monthly congratulatory celebration. In addition to the four window units, I've got 72 hours on the big kiln, enough to heat the building for a couple of months.

I'm having a little trouble deciding what should be where. And visitors actually get lost in the maze

Thanks for the reminder on skills, a year ago I had never intentionally melted aluminum and now I feel marginally competent at sand casting aluminum. I had never made a pattern, and now I can make crude patterns which get the job done. I had never operated a shear or brake and now have made a few boxes, and had always thought of shaping replacements panel parts as something I could not afford the time to go to school and learn. While I'm not there yet, I can see that replacing small rusted areas is within my grasp. That in itself opens up a whole new world for restoring old tractor sheet metal and bringing old cars back to life.

Looking forward now!

Why are you blaming me?????????? I just say it the way I see it. And what I see is you've done more in the last year than several of us put together. (1/2 cup excluded). Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

I knew you'd be back...

Actually, it was all positive, I did thank you, did I not?

As I am going back through the thread to repost pictures I'm having a great time. PB did me a favor: I have to review my thread. July-August-September last year were great months, getting the mud down and roof up. I was on fire to get it closed in and feel like I've lost my drive since then. I'm truly glad you see progress. However I'm starting to feel the pressure of my granddaughter's 16th birthday on April 4th and I'm seeing no progress on the Studebaker. My intention is to change that. But other things keep getting in the way. Now I've got a "Ladies' Day Out" planned for my shop July 29. My Zumba teacher is bringing three to five of her friends to spend the day having broom/loom/alum demonstrations and maybe a little sock knitting. If I get a few socks knit they can help stitch up the toes. They promise to bring a good meal but I have to clean up the shop if cultured people are going to be here in their nice clothes. I told them work clothes, which will probably be one level nicer than what I wear to church.

It will be fun, really.

And I'm helping get a little business started and that's taking some time, yesterday afternoon and all day next Friday. Yesterday was doing a detailed cash flow analysis with several scenarios and Friday is meeting with their banker whom I don't know. It seems like work, and I stopped that nonsense

Must focus on the Studebaker!!

Thanks for the comments, friends!!

 

[oldironfarmer]

Andy, thanks for the journey and the brooms. A few more saturdays and all will come together.

Thank you!

And I'm just almost there! I think I can slide some now

 

[1/2 Cup]

Andy, its just awesome what you have achieved in a year.

Well done..

 

[realvc]

Congrats. on one year of posting your shop clean up. It has been lots of fun following the many adventures of "The Old Iron Farmer".

Thanks for your hard work, inspiration and for your sharing it all with us.

Vince

 

[jimreed2160]

Congratulations and thank you for a year of fun. I was afraid that you would do some actual cleaning and then the thread would be done. Thanks for leaving some on the table so we can all enjoy another year of
The Adventures of Andy.

 

[power wagon]

andy, great pics, you are an inspiration ,some day I may be organized, most likely not but its fun, my problem is more comes here then goes out, but its not that bad of a problem tho, keep up the good work

 

[oldironfarmer]

Amazing.

Thank you!

Andy, its just awesome what you have achieved in a year.

Well done..

Thanks!

Looks better in a summary

Congrats. on one year of posting your shop clean up. It has been lots of fun following the many adventures of "The Old Iron Farmer".

Thanks for your hard work, inspiration and for your sharing it all with us.

Vince

Thanks!

It is amazing to me how sharing the experiences are motivating to do more.

When I first started I thought I should just stick to shop improvement. I fell off the wagon...

Congratulations and thank you for a year of fun. I was afraid that you would do some actual cleaning and then the thread would be done. Thanks for leaving some on the table so we can all enjoy another year of
The Adventures of Andy.

Thank you!

I was fearful of actual cleaning too. So I've avoided it. I fear getting done and then getting bored. My wife believes my fears are baseless. But what does a person with no caboose really know?

andy, great pics, you are an inspiration ,some day I may be organized, most likely not but its fun, my problem is more comes here then goes out, but its not that bad of a problem tho, keep up the good work

Thanks!

Cool shop. You have cars stored on cars! And that looks like a hearse

I'm so glad I don't have your problem! I have a rule that I get rid of something every time I acquire something else. That way I will never ever clutter my shop with too much stuff. For instance, I bought the English wheel. I discarded most of the packing that came with it. I only saved the box to make floors for the rusty card file drawers. See how that works? I feel so much better knowing I'm avoiding clutter. You should try it. I know you might need the packing some day, but honestly, if you keep everything you have a problem. I don't!

Thanks for the visits guys, it's been a great one year anniversary! I get such great support from my friends on Garage Journal, it is important to me.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Nice day today. I'm following 1/2 Cup's lead.

I'm sorting small tools from the toolbox I was traded. Today I took the time to clean and repair minor issues as I sorted the tools. None of them are tools I need, but it is great therapy to just do a little cleaning. I reground several cold chisels, a flat screwdriver, and this pair of needle nose pliers.

These were long pliers, with almost an inch broken off one side. A couple of minutes grinding and polishing and they are ready to use. The tips are symmetrical, just does not look that way in the picture.

So don't get me wrong, the point of this post is to share that I had a great afternoon doing unimportant and unnecessary work. Great therapy while minding the kiln winding down.

Looking forward to tomorrow! It's my Saturday this week!!

 

[Vieux]

For the year you have achieved a lot. Excellent and great job done. I should take an example from you.

 

[BUGTHUG]

Thank you!


Thanks!

Cool shop. You have cars stored on cars! And that looks like a hearse



Hearse, where?? maybe you meant curse, not hearse.

 

[jbmatth]

Great to see the year in review Andy, I thought I had posted on your thread early on but I didn't find my first until page 6. I was a week late to the party but don't plan to leave until I get kicked out. April 4th with be here before you know if so you better get to getting.
JB

 

[oldironfarmer]

For the year you have achieved a lot. Excellent and great job done. I should take an example from you.

Thank you! Kind words are always appreciated.

My dear mother in law, when asked whether she needed anything, would universally respond "only a few kind words".

Thank you!


Thanks!

Cool shop. You have cars stored on cars! And that looks like a hearse



Hearse, where?? maybe you meant curse, not hearse.

You do have a curse of a hearse. Or is it a hearse of a curse?

So, is that not a hearse in the picture? The top and side windows didn't look like a station wagon to me. (wow, that's an antique term) Maybe it's a limo?

Great to see the year in review Andy, I thought I had posted on your thread early on but I didn't find my first until page 6. I was a week late to the party but don't plan to leave until I get kicked out. April 4th with be here before you know if so you better get to getting.
JB

Page 6 is early on

You did get kicked out but were too callous to notice so now we've just gotten used to you.

Yes 4-4-18 bearing down on me (and that date is in international format, not US).

Thanks for the visits, guys! Even JB. Anybody with a Cobra is always welcome. And anybody who made his girl a Jeep bed

 

[jbmatth]

I might just have to make it a point to get on you if I see more than a week without any progress leading up to 4-4-18. I'm just to stubborn to leave I guess, even if I get kicked out I might just start a new account, I'll update my thread with the final installment of the Jeep bed shortly.
JB

 

[madoc1]

andy, great pics, you are an inspiration ,some day I may be organized, most likely not but its fun, my problem is more comes here then goes out, but its not that bad of a problem tho, keep up the good work

congrats on a very full year of adventure and progress. not many of us elders get so much done!

on pw's car, i bet it is a limo. notice how the rear door seems larger than the front and is set up as a suicide door.

jim

 

[Bob Heine]

You do have a curse of a hearse. Or is it a hearse of a curse?

So, is that not a hearse in the picture? The top and side windows didn't look like a station wagon to me. (wow, that's an antique term) Maybe it's a limo?

Andy, that is most definitely a hearse (around 1948 Packard). A quick Google for Packard Ambulance led to a photo of that vehicle's other brother. I'm assuming the lack of extra lights and the remaining black paint means it was used as a hearse, not an ambulance.

https://cars.trovit.com/listing/194...e-ambulance-project-t-street-rod.LW1_1B1lz1zr

 

[Wreckster23]

1 year and 3000 posts? Good on ya old timer. I certainly enjoy catching up on your shop. Would love to see that stud cleaned up some (Can't recall that I've ever seen one of those trucks in the wild.) Keep it coming.

 

[power wagon]

its a 51 cad, and is a hearse

 

[oldironfarmer]

I might just have to make it a point to get on you if I see more than a week without any progress leading up to 4-4-18. I'm just to stubborn to leave I guess, even if I get kicked out I might just start a new account, I'll update my thread with the final installment of the Jeep bed shortly.
JB

Stay on me like a duck on a June bug. I really don't know how much work I have ahead of me on the Studebaker.

That Jeep bed is so nice

congrats on a very full year of adventure and progress. not many of us elders get so much done!

on pw's car, i bet it is a limo. notice how the rear door seems larger than the front and is set up as a suicide door.

jim

Thank you

Elder, huh? Maybe a box elder. That's what I am, a box elder beetle. What pests

Andy, that is most definitely a hearse (around 1948 Packard). A quick Google for Packard Ambulance led to a photo of that vehicle's other brother. I'm assuming the lack of extra lights and the remaining black paint means it was used as a hearse, not an ambulance.

https://cars.trovit.com/listing/194...e-ambulance-project-t-street-rod.LW1_1B1lz1zr

Cool picture. That's obviously not a rat rod (note the tires) but look at that back bumper

1 year and 3000 posts? Good on ya old timer. I certainly enjoy catching up on your shop. Would love to see that stud cleaned up some (Can't recall that I've ever seen one of those trucks in the wild.) Keep it coming.

Hmmm.... 3,000 posts. What is my limit? Am I going to be kicked off?

Old timer huh? Eh boy? What did you say? Speak up!!

Glad you enjoy the thread. We are going to see the Studebaker baking stude's one of these days! I guess I'm not sure I've seen one on the road in many years.

its a 51 cad, and is a hearse

Slick! Wanna trade? If I could get a hearse Bug Thug and I could race to the death!

Thanks for the comments guys! I love all the visits.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Today the kiln opened to reveal it's contents. No cracks!

Everything looks good. Now I need to build a steel framework for supporting the furnace and lifting the lid. I plan to adapt this furnace to burn used motor oil and cooking oil.

Sorted more tools then started back on the Stud-E-Baker. The tailgate is first. It has been bent from too much load while closed , I assume.

A few years ago when scrap was high I let the neighbor's boys talk me into letting them haul off a few tons of old iron. I wish I hadn't. They know antiques and knew what not to take but took some anyway. Once it's gone it's gone. Part of what they took was a Studebaker pickup bed trailer. It had a Ford axle, the floor was rusted out and the fenders were a disaster, but the tailgate was pristine and straight. And they got a few bucks for it Never, ever, again. I'll die with worthless **** on this farm before I let someone take stuff again. Did I just rant?

Anyway, I could use that tailgate now. I never dreamed I would one day actually own a Studebaker pickup.

So I started on the tailgate. Got it part way. I'm going to have to make some tools to reform the beads but I made some progress.

I'm afraid the easy part may be over.

While I will try to clean it up to look like new, we'll see how far I can take the tailgate. The lower roll is rusted through, so I need to figure out how to fix that, and of course the latches have to be rebuilt.

Feels good to get started

 

[BUGTHUG]

Andy, that is most definitely a hearse (around 1948 Packard). A quick Google for Packard Ambulance led to a photo of that vehicle's other brother. I'm assuming the lack of extra lights and the remaining black paint means it was used as a hearse, not an ambulance.

https://cars.trovit.com/listing/194...e-ambulance-project-t-street-rod.LW1_1B1lz1zr

Yes it is both.. The reason it has suicide doors makes it dual purpose for the ambulance loading and unloading. It is my understanding is that this model was probably sold to a small town that couldn't afford to have both types of pro cars. This car was set up for dual working job, and because there is no sign of red lights it was probably used as a hearse only.
That's my story and I'm sticking with it. looks to be in pretty decent condition. The big rear bumper was probably a big help with loading and in loading a victim.

 

[BUGTHUG]

Hey Andy, what is that thing that is behind the tire changer that is red and looks like it is made from a disc hub that is on a stand??
That body work on Mr. Baker should polish several of your skills. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

 

[sawduststeve]

Morning Andy
I've read ALOT of your thread and the amount of cleaning, rebuilding and skills shown are an inspiration.
Keep up the great work. [emoji106]

What's the obsession with hearses. I've got a photo of one you might like.
Cheers
Steve


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[oldironfarmer]

Yes it is both.. The reason it has suicide doors makes it dual purpose for the ambulance loading and unloading. It is my understanding is that this model was probably sold to a small town that couldn't afford to have both types of pro cars. This car was set up for dual working job, and because there is no sign of red lights it was probably used as a hearse only.
That's my story and I'm sticking with it. looks to be in pretty decent condition. The big rear bumper was probably a big help with loading and in loading a victim.

I/m wondering if the rear bumper is aluminum. Or they are starting restoration from the back forward...

Hey Andy, what is that thing that is behind the tire changer that is red and looks like it is made from a disc hub that is on a stand??
That body work on Mr. Baker should polish several of your skills. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

That is a tire spreader mounted on a disc brake rotor. Mr. Don Long graciously gifted that to me when he completed his floor mount spreader. This one is very good and I've used it several times. It is mounted on the tire changer because it fits. The tire changer, by the way, is up for grabs. If anyone wants to come get it it will make a decent tool. All the air system was burned off and I converted it to manual only. No bead breaker, you have to do that separately but it pulls tires off and mounts them just fine. Tire spreader does not go with it

We're not polishing body skills yet, we are crawling before we walk. But you have to start somewhere, and I can't start any younger.

Thanks for the visits and comments.

 

[dchance]

Andy
Looking forward to the work on the Studebaker (along with all of the other projects that will happen along).

Nice start on the tailgate. You have to start somewhere and the back is as good as the front.

Dwight

 

[oldironfarmer]

Morning Andy
I've read ALOT of your thread and the amount of cleaning, rebuilding and skills shown are an inspiration.
Keep up the great work. [emoji106]

What's the obsession with hearses. I've got a photo of one you might like.
Cheers
Steve


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Thanks for the kind words!

Not really an obsession with hearses, BugThug just has one. I've never had one so I can't rehearse.

Andy
Looking forward to the work on the Studebaker (along with all of the other projects that will happen along).

Nice start on the tailgate. You have to start somewhere and the back is as good as the front.

Dwight

Thanks! We're off and going now, enough getting ready.

Thought I'd start on the tailgate and then front fenders then the bed. I don't know about jumping around though, that's not something I usually do. I get one project started and see it right through to the end before I start something else.

 

[Guster]

Happy thread anniversary Andy! Good progress and a lot of fun along the way too.

Also signed up for the Studebaker refurb. Look after that hammer arm though... it is too easy to overdo it. Especially with the thicker steel of older cars. Doctor tells me I have both tennis and golfers elbow.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Sorted a few more tools from the toolbox I traded for. More files, lots of taps and other tool steel, and punches and chisels. Here are some of the punches and chisels, these are the ones I cleaned up

Worked a bit more on the tailgate. Made some caulking tools to straighten up the beads where they were creased by the damage.

Flat nose on the left, rounded Vee in center, and a 3/4" round on the right. The 3/4" fits the beads on the tailgate nicely.

Got the tailgate mostly straight.

Worked the beads against a shot bag. It was slow but worked well. The tailgate is 16 gauge so it is pretty stiff.

Now I've got to find some 16 gauge to repair the cracked and missing corner pieces and make new latches. I've got one of the old latches for a go-by.

Also cut two pieces of beam to make a support for the new furnace. The chop saw support works well.

I also got myself a little gift. A lighted clock for my machine shop area.

It would make a nice night light.

Thanks for stopping in!

 

[oldironfarmer]

Happy thread anniversary Andy! Good progress and a lot of fun along the way too.

Also signed up for the Studebaker refurb. Look after that hammer arm though... it is too easy to overdo it. Especially with the thicker steel of older cars. Doctor tells me I have both tennis and golfers elbow.

Thanks! I'm having loads of fun.

I am an experienced blacksmith, I do and have done lots of hammer work. I'm also ambidextrous, a switch hitter.

One important hammer technique is to use the right size hammer. Often people try to use a hammer too large for the job or for their capabilities. My most used blacksmith hammer is just shy of two pounds, and lots of smiths I know don't think they can move much metal with a small hammer. Not true if you are working hot metal. The other technique is good hammer control, make each blow count, even rapid blows. That reminds me, I've got some blacksmith work to do, I need to make a three piece yoke to hold the furnace arch.

Thanks for dropping by, I need to check the Coke machine, it may be getting low.

 

[BUGTHUG]

Thanks for the kind words!

Not really an obsession with hearses, BugThug just has one. I've never had one so I can't rehearse.



Well its not something to practice at, its kinda one time deal. If you do get a chance to " rehearse", I would take it. Specially if you get a better offer second time around.
On the hearse bumper. I'm sure its not OG with the car, but sometimes the coach builders would use whatever they could get cheap. They would shop around like International Harvester, or AMC just whoever had the best price. It was a business that there wasn't much profit to make a specialty pro car. You have to realize that ALL of these cars were custom made, lot of hands on manual work. That is what makes it neat to own something that maybe only a very low number was made and still around in OG condition.
There all your visitors are "feed" (fed). if they like it or not