ZMotorsports Shop Projects 2.0

[zmotorsports]

Funny/Cool Story

So here's a funny and kinda cool story that took place last night on the way home from work.....


As most of you know, I have a thing for RV's and Jeeps. I also have a thing for diesel pushers towing large enclosed trailers, probably from my racing days, but something about seeing a large coach pulling lifted Jeep or an enclosed trailer just does it for me.

I left work yesterday and as I was on the on ramp of I-15 a 40' Tiffin Allegro Bus towing a matching enclosed trailer passed me and I thought, "oooh, that looks cool as hell". As I was cruising down the interstate northbound heading home I caught up to it about 8 miles or so from my exit (about halfway home). I also like to look at where people are from and I noticed the coach and trailer had Washington plates on it, although many times I see either Montana or South Dakota plates it's hard to tell where they're from because a lot of times people use those states to set up LLC's for tax reasons with their RV's. After passing the RV I noticed he kind of kicked it in the *** and was staying up with me although I was just going about 70 MPH with the cruise control on.

When I moved over to the right lane as I was approaching my exit the RV also moved over but then I noticed another RV ahead of me towing a smaller trailer and just assumed they were together. However, the one in front of me turned right heading towards the Flying J truck stop and the coach behind me pulled up behind me and followed me around the turn. There is an RV park just off of the exit so I thought to myself he was going to the RV park. When he passed the RV park I thought to myself well he's going to have a hell of a time getting that large rig into the small Shell fuel station up ahead. Then as he drove past the Shell fuel station my next thought is he was going to the RV dealership near where I live but must have gotten off one exit too early.

I then turned west on the main street heading home and he followed. This peaked my interest and I thought where the hell is this guy going? He must know someone in the area because this is not a major road. After my mile down the road I turned south onto the street in front of my sub-division and he reluctantly followed. Let me say the road leading to my subdivision has been torn up for the past three weeks as it is undergoing a major makeover. New sewer lines and water main as well as adding curb & gutter and sidewalk along with widening the road. It will be awesome once it's done but right now it is a real mess and just road base.

As the coach and trailer turned onto the torn up road I thought to myself "this guy is freakin' LOST!" I turned into my subdivision and stopped at the cluster boxes to grab my mail. The coach pulled up, stopped and the guy got out and yelled out my name. As he walked towards me I didn't recognize him but he then asked if I was "Mike from the zmotorsports YouTube channel?"

To say I was taken back is a HUGE understatement. He and his girlfriend were driving down the road and he recognized my Jeep from my videos. He also knew I lived in Northern Utah from my videos so he decided to take a chance and follow me because he wanted to meet me and see the Jeep and my shop as well as show me his Jeep. It was really cool to visit with them as he showed me his Jeep in which he had recently swapped in an LS engine based on information from my videos and just wanted to say thank you and introduce himself.

I have to say, I don't have many subscribers but the few that I have met through the YouTube channel have all been cool as hell people and I've met them at some of the most interesting and unsuspecting places around the country, or even at home.

Kind of a cool story and thought I's share.

Thanks.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike, maybe you’ve commented before but why don’t you power tap on your mill? By setting up your first part and then setting a stop on your vise, you could drill all holes, switch to a tap, and then re-insert all parts and power tap. Hand tapping holes that size isn’t difficult but power tapping parts like you showed above is effortless and perfect.

Funny you mention that Matt, I thought the same thing but my mill was clean and I didn't want to get it dirty for just four holes.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike - just curious why you chose to build a base rather than just legs with foot plates and leveling feet? Thanks.

Couple of reasons. First was the top will only be about 12" deep so there isn't a huge overhang of the brake and I wanted the base to be a little deeper for stability. The base will be 16" deep whereas the top will be 12" so that should help.

Secondly, I wanted the stand height to be as close to 34" as possible and I only had one 10' stick of the 2" x .095" wall square tubing. That would be 4 legs @ 30" long and be too short for me and my son. After digging some more I found a 32" length of 2" x 3" x .120" rectangular tubing so that would put me to 33" in height. I then thought I'd add some leveling feet and get me to my 34" overall stand height.

I hope that explains my reasoning. Again, just trying to utilize what I had on hand and use up some material vs. buying more.

Thanks for following along.

 

[customh]

I knew where the story was headed from the first sentence. I'll tell you what- if I was in Utah and saw that Jeep I'd be following it too!

 

[zmotorsports]

I knew where the story was headed from the first sentence. I'll tell you what- if I was in Utah and saw that Jeep I'd be following it too!

Thanks Travis. It was just a weird yet awesome experience.

 

[aka Larry]

I'll tell you what- if I was in Utah and saw that Jeep I'd be following it too!

You know you have arrived now Mike...you have your very own stalkers!

I can't imagine I'd ever be in Utah, but if I was in your area, I'd be sure to look you up too.

 

[4 FN 27]

Re: Funny/Cool Story

So here's a funny and kinda cool story that took place last night on the way home from work.....

Kind of a cool story and thought I's share.

Mike you know there is going to be a day when my Wife and I are out touring the country and I am going to pull off and exit ramp in Salt Lake and my wife will say "Where you going?" My reply "to see Mike". Then she will say "Who is Mike?"...

 

[lilscorpion]

Funny you mention that Matt, I thought the same thing but my mill was clean and I didn't want to get it dirty for just four holes.

Lol...I hear you. That’s why I keep some chips on my mill at all times. Seeing them there all lonely makes me feel like I need to make more. [emoji481]

 

[zmotorsports]

You know you have arrived now Mike...you have your very own stalkers!

I can't imagine I'd ever be in Utah, but if I was in your area, I'd be sure to look you up too.

Mike you know there is going to be a day when my Wife and I are out touring the country and I am going to pull off and exit ramp in Salt Lake and my wife will say "Where you going?" My reply "to see Mike". Then she will say "Who is Mike?"...

Thanks guys. Vincent, I don't know about the arriving part but it was definitely unexpected. Funny thing is when I started doing these little videos I wasn't after a lot of subscribers or making money like most do, I just enjoy creating the videos and showing off some of my work regardless of whether I have 100 subscribers or 100k subscribers. I've also really enjoyed meeting the few people that I have had the opportunity to.

Pat and Vincent, you guys are welcome to track me down any day if you're in the area.

 

[zmotorsports]

Lol...I hear you. That’s why I keep some chips on my mill at all times. Seeing them there all lonely makes me feel like I need to make more. [emoji481]

Maybe I shouldn't be so cleanliness minded and I'd use my mill more often then Matt.

When you mentioned that I had to laugh to myself because I actually stood there at the mill last night with the rectangular tubing in my hand thinking "I'll clamp this in the vise and set up a stop and drill & tap all four holes". The next thought to myself was "how else should I do this because the mill table is clean and I don't want to make chips on it for only four holes".

 

[Finallygotit]

What?? You don't keep a shop vac next to the mill at all times??

 

[zmotorsports]

What?? You don't keep a shop vac next to the mill at all times??

Sorry Dan. Please don't think less of me.

 

[shortykorte]

Cool story Mike.
Look forward to you stand build. I’m going to use the notorious order picker battery box as my stand. With no batteries, the box will be perfect for storing sheet goods smaller than 30”x30”.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Maybe I shouldn't be so cleanliness minded and I'd use my mill more often then Matt.

When you mentioned that I had to laugh to myself because I actually stood there at the mill last night with the rectangular tubing in my hand thinking "I'll clamp this in the vise and set up a stop and drill & tap all four holes". The next thought to myself was "how else should I do this because the mill table is clean and I don't want to make chips on it for only four holes".

It's not just you, I struggle with this decision as well......and my stuff is never as kept as yours!!!!

 

[lilscorpion]

Maybe I shouldn't be so cleanliness minded and I'd use my mill more often then Matt.



When you mentioned that I had to laugh to myself because I actually stood there at the mill last night with the rectangular tubing in my hand thinking "I'll clamp this in the vise and set up a stop and drill & tap all four holes". The next thought to myself was "how else should I do this because the mill table is clean and I don't want to make chips on it for only four holes".

I’m the other way around - “well how about that, need to drill a single hole. Could use a hand drill but what fun is that [Matt powers up the mill]”

 

[zmotorsports]

I made some more progress on the stand for my DiAcro 24” finger brake tonight.

Machined the heads down on some 1/2”-13 bolts for the leveling feet.












Tubing prepped and wiped down with acetone for welding.


Quick make-shift fixture to hold things while tacking.


One tacked together.






First full welds were on opposite sides of opposite tubes to minimize and offset any pulling after welding.




Then the inside edges were welded, again, opposites to minimize distortion.








Angle iron on top tacked then an autogenious weld along the top edge.


Both end pieces done.


Next will be to measure the proper width and get the spreader bars cut and welded in place. I think I’ll use some 1” x .095”round tubing that I have for them.

Thanks for looking.

 

[C_F]

That's a great story, about the guy in the motorhome "stalking" you. If you had been 30 seconds slower getting to that on ramp, it probably never would have happened. Timing is everything, for sure. Did he say where his destination was? If he was bringing his Jeep along, I'm guessing Moab?

Your brake stand is looking good so far!

 

[gorilla]

Nice job on the stand. You might want to add a small shelf or tray to it to store the fingers that your not using for the current job.

 

[lilscorpion]

Nice job Mike. Those feet are trick. That’s how I’m gonna make then from now on.

 

[zmotorsports]

That's a great story, about the guy in the motorhome "stalking" you. If you had been 30 seconds slower getting to that on ramp, it probably never would have happened. Timing is everything, for sure. Did he say where his destination was? If he was bringing his Jeep along, I'm guessing Moab?

Your brake stand is looking good so far!

Thank you.

Yeah, timing sure is everything. He was actually heading north back home to Washington. He had been down to Quartzite, Yuma, Parker, Havasu and Sand Hollow areas since New Year's and couldn't go to Moab because of the lockdown that is currently in place so they were heading back home.

I was told he put his LS in his Jeep late last fall before heading down south and now has around 5k miles on it. He did a nice clean install on it. I believe he said he used a kit from Overland Expedition who sells Motech stuff. Much of his bracketry had either Motech or Overland cut into them.

Thanks for following along and for the comments.

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice job on the stand. You might want to add a small shelf or tray to it to store the fingers that your not using for the current job.

Thank you.

I'm not building a shelf at the moment but my cross braces will be placed high enough up off of the floor to both be able to sweep under them as well as be a mounting point for some expanded metal as a shelf later on if needs be. I will be using round tubing spanning across the legs side to side and can drill & tap holes to fasten some expanded metal down if I feel the need later. I hate horizontal surfaces around machines that cut because they have a tendency to be catch-alls for debris, dust, chips, etc.

Thanks for stopping by and checking in on my projects.

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice job Mike. Those feet are trick. That’s how I’m gonna make then from now on.

Thanks Matt.

I was digging through my parts the other night looking for some leveling feet and found two 1/2" swivel mounting feet from a past order from McMaster Carr but couldn't find two more. Then I got thinking that they really don't need to be swivel if mounted perpendicular to the floor and my floor is level so I came up with this quick idea.

I hope they work.

Thanks for the comments Matt.

 

[jbmatth]

I like the way you made the feet, but I do have a question. When you welded in the captive nuts were you able to weld the back side or just settle for the 3 flats you could reach.

JB

 

[zmotorsports]

I like the way you made the feet, but I do have a question. When you welded in the captive nuts were you able to weld the back side or just settle for the 3 flats you could reach.

JB

Thanks JB. I settled on the side I could reach which was nearly 1/2 way around the nut but I also tapped the .120" wall of the tubing so it kind of sandwiches everything together. Not ideal but it works in a pinch.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my little project.

 

[shortykorte]

Nice job on the stand. You might want to add a small shelf or tray to it to store the fingers that your not using for the current job.

I would concur with this. I’ve already ran into this issue and I’ve only used my brake twice. Mike how about a small expanded metal shelf about 2” below the upper horizontal platform?


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[zmotorsports]

I would concur with this. I’ve already ran into this issue and I’ve only used my brake twice. Mike how about a small expanded metal shelf about 2” below the upper horizontal platform?


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Thanks Shorty. In my comment above I mentioned that IF I add a shelf later on it will be an expanded metal one but I'm not committed at this time.

 

[pizza]

hi mike,

thanks for taking the time to document that case repair with such a nice video. educational entertainment at its finest.

 

[zmotorsports]

hi mike,

thanks for taking the time to document that case repair with such a nice video. educational entertainment at its finest.

Thank you. I appreciate that and I'm glad you enjoyed watching the repair.

 

[aclosson]

Funny you mention that Matt, I thought the same thing but my mill was clean and I didn't want to get it dirty for just four holes.

Mike:

I can't tell you how much I have learned by following your threads. I bought a PM35 mill based on your review years ago and it still makes me smile every time I use it. I am always trying to improve my skills but I never have been able to clean it as well as your looks in the photos. When you have the time, I think many of us would be interested to learn how you clean up after using your machines.

Thank you for sharing so much of your knowledge, it has definitely helped me be a better craftsman.

Art

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike:

I can't tell you how much I have learned by following your threads. I bought a PM35 mill based on your review years ago and it still makes me smile every time I use it. I am always trying to improve my skills but I never have been able to clean it as well as your looks in the photos. When you have the time, I think many of us would be interested to learn how you clean up after using your machines.

Thank you for sharing so much of your knowledge, it has definitely helped me be a better craftsman.

Art

Art, thank you so much for your comments. I am flattered by them and even moreso that I can see that you have been a member since 2017 and that you chose now to make your first post.

Thank you very much for following along and for the comments. I am pleased that I have been able to provide good information and material.

 

[Duisky]

Hi,

I'm not really one for posting all that much, but I think I really ought to finally give you some formal acknowledgement given that your shop is one of my favourites on this site for a multitude of reasons. Funnily enough, I see the last poster (#4189) seems to have had a similar notion..!

I just wish to say in general terms that I really enjoy seeing your work, and thanks for taking the time to document the processes. It's evident from viewing the shop build, and your past/current projects, that you obviously take great pride in your work, and produce work of a great quality. I appreciate that as I always strive to produce good work myself, and know the time it takes do so. Keep up the good work and I'll maybe comment again in future..!

 

[Graham08]

Nice work on the leveling feet! That is a much less expensive alternative than spending $8-10 each on them from McMaster. That's a good looking stand, pretty cool that you were able to make that with what you have on hand. I agree with the other posters that say you'll eventually want a shelf to hold fingers you're not using, especially as you start making special ones to do different radii and things like that.

 

[zmotorsports]

Hi,



I'm not really one for posting all that much, but I think I really ought to finally give you some formal acknowledgement given that your shop is one of my favourites on this site for a multitude of reasons. Funnily enough, I see the last poster (#4189) seems to have had a similar notion..!



I just wish to say in general terms that I really enjoy seeing your work, and thanks for taking the time to document the processes. It's evident from viewing the shop build, and your past/current projects, that you obviously take great pride in your work, and produce work of a great quality. I appreciate that as I always strive to produce good work myself, and know the time it takes do so. Keep up the good work and I'll maybe comment again in future..!

Thank you very much for continuing to follow along and for the comments.

Like many others on this site, I take pride in my work and I am always striving to improve my skillset. It is nice when people take notice if it so thank you.

I am flattered that you think so much of my shop as there are many, many nice shops of members on this forum. I have been so blessed to have been able to get a second chance to build my dream shop as I thought my previous home and shop would have been my only opportunity.

Thank you for following along.

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice work on the leveling feet! That is a much less expensive alternative than spending $8-10 each on them from McMaster. That's a good looking stand, pretty cool that you were able to make that with what you have on hand. I agree with the other posters that say you'll eventually want a shelf to hold fingers you're not using, especially as you start making special ones to do different radii and things like that.

Thank you Graham. I appreciate the comments.

I ultimately did take the shelf advise that several of you have suggested and went ahead and planned for it now.

Finished project to follow......

 

[zmotorsports]

This morning I completed the stand for my 24” DiAcro finger brake as well as got it bolted together and leveled in position.

With the purpose of this stand to not only be functional but also inexpensive by only utilizing materials I had on hand, I was originally going to use some 1"x .095” DOM tubing but after digging around some more I found some 1” angle iron that I thought would be perfect to span across the legs as well as provide a ledge for an expanded metal shelf eventually.

I measured from the hole center to the inside edge of the vertical legs then subtracted from the 36” bolt hole pattern and cut two lengths in which to weld in place about 12” down from the top. This will allow easy access to the shelf and still allow me to get a broom underneath for sweeping.

Clamped in place for test fitting before welding.


Feet bead blasted and painted with Rustoleum Hammered Silver which has pretty much been my theme color in my shop.


Stand wiped down, painted and sitting in the sun to dry.


Feet installed and roughly adjusted. Ready to bolt the brake in place.


In place and leveled.




A few last shots of machinery row with everything in its final resting place for the foreseeable future.






Next time I order material I’ll get a small piece of expanded metal for the shelf.

Thanks for looking.

 

[Biff Lungren]

Looks like a metalworking Buffet!

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Sweet new brake Mike. Since you went this way, I have been thinking about going that way instead of holding out for a 48" I can afford.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Looks like a metalworking Buffet!

Yeah, that whole wall is a dream!

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Nice finished work! I'd like to add a few of your machinery row items to my setup!

 

[Monza Harry]

...I ultimately did take the shelf advise that several of you have suggested and went ahead and planned for it now.

Finished project to follow......

Mike I understand your apprehension to the flat surface, uhm $#!+ Collector, so you could add a couple of vertical flat stock bars that your fingers could sit on kind of upside down to the in use mounting. I hope you can grasp my lacking description. Just copy the upper finger mount on your brake and you should be able to sit them on there when not in use. I think that the Diacro is an excellent choice for your brake, if you out grow it with their following you will do quite well quickly when you upsize. Harry