Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

[Motown 454]

Wow I just found and read this whole thread, one word. Awesome! I love to see work like this rebuild being done. Its so interesting I can't wait to see more. You did an excelent job keeping the old and adding some new ideas. Keep the updates coming.
I love the 62 SS its gorgeous what running gear does it have?

 

[Syborg tt]

I am at a loss for words - Just incredible.

 

[BuickFarmer]

Let me join all the others in saying Fantastic Job!!! Seems like there should be some type of GJB award for this.. Nice chevy too.

 

[E46M3]

I just love your restoration... there's history and style that you would have a hard time ever concieving of building, nor would you - but in the end, it's actually much, much better.
Very well done sir.
Thank you for the time to document the process - we here, I think find this kind of build rather cool.
I certainly appreciate your saving something worth saving.
Cheers,
E46M3

 

[keflaman]

I've really enjoyed this thread. Some of the pictures remind me of my grandfather's shop when I was a kid.

last night I climbed into bed and I could see Grandpa flipping the hood of his welding helmet, hear the big, old Lincoln buzzing along and smell the fumes of the welding rods.

Thanks for the memories...

 

[BB767]

A question that remains unanswered is your profession? Which allows as much time off to be able to launch and complete such a grand project. It might be information you'd prefer to remain unknown, however I'm certain you can understand the curiosity.

If you go to the public profile link on the members ID section you'll see that I'm a............



It's an old picture back when I had dark hair. See that's what the stress of flying will do to ya! As you could tell from this post that restoring the shop was never stressful!! Just remember the next time you're flying and a pilot comes on the PA and you hear all those soothing words, he could well have been knee deep the day before trying to find an air leak in an old Champion spark plug cleaning machine ( yes I do have pictures, complete with operators manual and yes I will share them......... later!!).

BTW that's a 757 shown, I have been on the 767 for the last 10 years or so.

B Big
B Boeing
7
6
7

Thomas

 

[ZRX61]

What??? When did they start allowing pilots to play with tools?? LOL!

This is my week so far...

Back on this next week...

 

[cleared4takeoff]

I just want to know what route you fly because I want my family to take it!

I'm a 20 year veteran air traffic controller and just wanted to say it's professionals like you with a great work ethic that make my job possible an mostly a pleasure even if we do sound a bit grumpy as we train the next generation of kids.

I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with Sully Sullenberger and Jeff Skiles in the halls of congress on one of my many lobbying trips for my union (NATCA) and after seeing your detail orientated work I think you are easily in their league.

But please, for the love of god, don't look at my garage. I'm a much better controller than I am a garage organizer. But at least my SS427 turned out pretty nice.....

Jim

"00" @ BNA if you are flying over, We don't get too many 767's anymore since AAL pulled the hub

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

THIS SHOULD BE ON THE FRONT PAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Also, I hope you sent pictures of the lift restore to the manufacturer. This has to be in my favorite threads of all time on this site. Well done.

 

[mcmaster68]

Cool Shop! Awesome job.

 

[D.J.]

Well I had you pegged wrong with enough time off to do the rerstoration I had you in a different profession. Say hello to Mr Smith the Fire Chief at the U of I airport and to Mike Forrest Chief of Savoy the next time you run into them for me. Great pictures and commentary on the forum. Keep up the good work and keep the photos coming. Your shop remindes me of my dads service station. He ran it in my hometown for over 37 years before retiring and selling all the stuff in an auction bach in 1978 or 79. Where I learned to weld and repair tires and numerous other things from all the old folks who used to loaf around in the winter and all year for that matter. 850 population back then and I used to know all of them I believe, now down to about 550. I rant and rave!
________
Child depakote

 

[tdkkart]

BTW that's a 757 shown, I have been on the 767 for the last 10 years or so.

Which means you've seen alot of the CRT cockpit displays, and I can guarantee that I tested/tuned more than one that you've used.
I did 10+/day of those things, both ADIs and HSIs for several years.
If you ever see one sitting on a shelf, grab it, flip it around and look between the air inlet/outlet screens on the back where you will find the round test stamp.
Over the years I had two different stamps, if you see # 222 or 403 in the center of the circle it was originally one of mine when it left the factory in Cedar Rapids.
I also did quite a number of the 8x8" 747 CRT displays, and later many of the first 8x8" LCD displays.
Early in my 20 year test career I did about a year working on your autopilots, and in later years did transponders, before switching over to machine maintenance 4 years ago. Now I maintain the machines in our circuit board shop.

 

[Fueler]

Not a plane guy. It pleases me somehow that in spite of the onslaught of digital displays that there are still some mechanical gauges on board.

 

[tdkkart]

Not a plane guy. It pleases me somehow that in spite of the onslaught of digital displays that there are still some mechanical gauges on board.

Not anymore, Boeing's latest, the 787, doesn't appear to have any:

The 757/767 were designed in the early 80's. The displays and all the other equipment that I am familiar with have average Mean Time Between Failure(MTBF) hours well into the 5 digits. With this and double redundancy on all flight control equipment the old mechanical stuff is really un-needed.
The testing procedures used on the electronics do a very good job of eliminating infant mortality. Once they run, they run for a VERY long time.

 

[rburke65]

BB767....was this posted on another web site a while back?.....Shop Talk or....???? I recall seeing the "Three on the tree" before. And, as if you hadn't heard this before, "Nice Job".

 

[cyclopsblown34]

If you go to the public profile link on the members ID section you'll see that I'm a............

It's an old picture back when I had dark hair. See that's what the stress of flying will do to ya! As you could tell from this post that restoring the shop was never stressful!! Just remember the next time you're flying and a pilot comes on the PA and you hear all those soothing words, he could well have been knee deep the day before trying to find an air leak in an old Champion spark plug cleaning machine ( yes I do have pictures, complete with operators manual and yes I will share them......... later!!).

BTW that's a 757 shown, I have been on the 767 for the last 10 years or so.

B Big
B Boeing
7
6
7

Thomas

You're a well dressed airline crash test dummy?

 

[bindernut]

You're a well dressed airline crash test dummy?

 

[Jack90210]

Three times I've logged onto this thread with the intention of leaving words of amazement and gratitude, and every time I've been too awed to say anything.

Fantastic job with the renovation -- and your having personal ties to the building, the equipment, and the man who owned the place only makes me appreciate your efforts all the more. Well done, Sir.

 

[injdinjn]

Looks great, definitely a lot of work.

Question, Did you have any environmental issues buying a property that stored petroleum products?


Love Google Earth - found it.

 

[ZRX61]

Looks great, definitely a lot of work.

Question, Did you have any environmental issues buying a property that stored petroleum products?


Love Google Earth - found it.

Co-ords....?

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

At first i thought of passing this thread as i'm not into old shops,but i'm glad i did.AVery
nice restoration. Hey "whaddya" know i'm now into old shops restorations.

 

[Even 11]

Just read every post and forwarded it to all the car guys in my mail box. Absolutely amazing! To use an overused word in its true form...... AWESOME! you can really see your whole heart and soul was in this build! Thanks for sharing with us.

-Dane

 

[82_454_shorty]

Just .... Wow! Love the old pics of the shop and what you've done with the new one. Congrats!

 

[Jey]

very nice restoration. I really enjoyed spotting some of the rescued items in the garage that you saved. Well done.

 

[Grizz1963]

If you go to the public profile link on the members ID section you'll see that I'm a............

It's an old picture back when I had dark hair. See that's what the stress of flying will do to ya! As you could tell from this post that restoring the shop was never stressful!! Just remember the next time you're flying and a pilot comes on the PA and you hear all those soothing words, he could well have been knee deep the day before trying to find an air leak in an old Champion spark plug cleaning machine ( yes I do have pictures, complete with operators manual and yes I will share them......... later!!).

BTW that's a 757 shown, I have been on the 767 for the last 10 years or so.

B Big
B Boeing
7
6
7

Thomas

Just registered on here today, after a link from my one current project was linked to a garage on here....

Been reading this thread from start to finish.


BLOWN AWAY !!

I have to say, when you mentioned you were a Pilot, I choked up... weird I know, but it was because as mentioned, it is awesome to see people with other skills, and also that you got pegged so wrong.

I started life in a village, spent a few years in special forces, then went and did 8 years nursing, and became a drug rep 18 years ago, people are often amazed at what I can do, or create, and I have NO skills compared to you guys..... But it absolutely fills me with joy to see people use and enjoy their skills.

This has to be my thread of the year to date.

Thanks for sharing, and inspiring Thomas.

Rian.

 

[BB767]

I live near Effingham Illinois,,,some day I want to come up and see this with my own eyes. I have a friend who grew up in Philo and went to grade school there,,he wants to come up also...Rodney

Well if he grew up in Philo he must be just an outstanding guy Rodney! He should know the way!

Thomas

 

[Photo]

zrx61,

38* 59' 48.26" N
88* 09' 31.22" W

 

[BB767]

BB767,

I will make a suggestion for you on your lift as that is what I do (lifts not suggestions). On any piping to your lift from the power unit install a dielectric union. This will isolate your lift from any potential electric charges and greatly reduce any potential damage to the underground components from electrolysis. Shop looks good!

Dave just where were you three years ago with that suggestion?! What a great idea but now I think an impossible one to install at this point? You might PM the details as long as it doesn´t involve tearing up the floor, again.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Wow I just found and read this whole thread, one word. Awesome! I love to see work like this rebuild being done. Its so interesting I can't wait to see more. You did an excelent job keeping the old and adding some new ideas. Keep the updates coming.
I love the 62 SS its gorgeous what running gear does it have?

The ´62 has a 327/250, powerglide. It came from a small town in Virginia and originally was purchased off the showroom floor Dec 23, 1961 as a Christmas present for the original owners wife and was her car for over 30 years. It was bought from their daughter and came complete with the original title, dealer bill of sale, even the envelope the title was sent in, glove box gas book documenting all gas purchases through the years, all service recipts etc. As I look I wonder how many other ´62´s sat on that lift over the years? If I turn that picture into black and white it would almost look like `back in the day` wouldn´t it?

Thomas

 

[BB767]

What??? When did they start allowing pilots to play with tools?? LOL!

This is my week so far...

Back on this next week...

Is there a greater sound in all the world than when a radial first barks to life and the lompy idle as it warms up??? That is truly heaven!! Beautiful work and thank you for sharing it.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

"00" @ BNA if you are flying over, We don't get too many 767's anymore since AAL pulled the hub

Got it Jim, thanks.

Thomas

 

[BrokeEF]

If I turn that picture into black and white it would almost look like `back in the day` wouldn´t it?

Thomas

You mean like this?

Sean

 

[BB767]

Well I had you pegged wrong with enough time off to do the rerstoration I had you in a different profession. Say hello to Mr Smith the Fire Chief at the U of I airport and to Mike Forrest Chief of Savoy the next time you run into them for me. Great pictures and commentary on the forum. Keep up the good work and keep the photos coming. Your shop remindes me of my dads service station. He ran it in my hometown for over 37 years before retiring and selling all the stuff in an auction bach in 1978 or 79. Where I learned to weld and repair tires and numerous other things from all the old folks who used to loaf around in the winter and all year for that matter. 850 population back then and I used to know all of them I believe, now down to about 550. I rant and rave!

If I see them I will do. I may have learned basic power mechanics out in Mr Johnson´s shop as a youngster, but when I did all my flight training at the Univeristy of Illinois, Institue of Aviation, I also got my Airframe & Power Plant licences at the same time. Now that´s where I really learned how to use tools correctly and sweat the details. My instructors were old school and they never cut you any slack. Do it right or do it over. Very greatful to all of them.

Growing up in Philo I was a paper boy and knew everyone in town and more importantly their cars. Our population back then was about 550, 1,600 now. Nothing beats small town living IMO.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

You mean like this?

Sean

Ya like that Sean, thanks. If you look at it there really isn´t anything that gives it away too much as being a new, current picture is there?

Thomas

 

[travisd]

Ya like that Sean, thanks. If you look at it there really isn´t anything that gives it away too much as being a new, current picture is there?

Thomas

The LED drop-light is a clue

 

[wrigh003]

Really, really outstanding work. Great job.

 

[Warg]

Ya like that Sean, thanks. If you look at it there really isn´t anything that gives it away too much as being a new, current picture is there?

Thomas

Hmmm... The small AC unit might also be a give away...

I do have to say that this is the most awesome build I've seen. I like this much more than the multi-mega new builds... Kudos!

Paul

 

[TA^Guy]

That shop is Great! I love that you took the old shop and restored it instead of leveling it and building something new. It has so much more personality, and having those old and other photos is a huge bonus! Great work!

 

[ZRX61]

Is there a greater sound in all the world than when a radial first barks to life and the lompy idle as it warms up???

Yes, actually there is.....

 

[Rte66Charlie]

Thomas, thank you - please keep posting, so far this has been a wonderful flight.

Kind of off thread here, but do you like the 767 better than the 757? I always thought the 757 was a sleeker, sexier looking bird, but driving - can you tell any difference when you get to that size of a/c? I'm a stick and rudder, seat of the pants guy myself, but I thought it'd be a rush driving a 757.

I'd love to stop in for a visit some time - any powerlines in the way that would prevent dropping the Stearman in on Roosevelt Rd? Appears to be some on the south side of the road there. OK, just kidding about the road, can I land in that field south of you there?

I'm with you on the radials, but you have to admit, ZRX61 has a point about the Rolls - that is a magical sound! (BTW ZRX61 - nice TigerCat! Very few of those flying!! Maybe 6?)