What did you do "IN" your garage today?

[FMB4]

chopping down more 8" sonotubes on the tablesaw, as part of my concrete greco-roman column casting project. I'm using the tubes to make hollow cores in the castings.

Nice work. Looking forward seeing more.

 

[FMB4]

Nothing major. - just fixed the power cord of my drill as it would only work if you lifted the cord. One wire has broken off inside the cord about 2 inches from the drill.

Had the exact same thing happen on my ancient Makita. Slipped a 2 inch or so long section of thin wall rubber hose over the cord where it enters the drill and then zip tied it in place. Probably overkill due to the fact that it held up for ~ 30 years of regular use.

 

[kaymccampbell]

And to continue the poop theme, installed a cleanout near the end of the kitchen drain, and pressure snaked the kitchen drain line. Pressure snaked the main line from downstairs as well, to make sure all the chunkies made it home. Cleaned the tools, and chlorinated the shop where bad things dripped.

 

[gearhead1960]

Hung some new tools on the pegboard.....

 

[FMB4]

Spent about an hour wire wheeling the light to moderate rust off of a bunch of old mechanic tools I got off eB*y. Well, maybe more than a hour. But hey, who's counting? Now it's beer time (with a shot or 4 of whiskey).

 

[kaymccampbell]

Swapped in the high lift blades, and scraped out the mower deck.

 

[Outlawmws]

Took the day off, putting stuff away, had a good day at an estate sale today...

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Read about boats and Chevy 305 engines because I now own a boat with a Chevy 305 engine in it. Given to me free with the trailer from a close friend who sold his lakefront property. I’ll have the year and exact model tomorrow. I think he said it’s a Bayliner Capri or something like that. We will see . I know I’m excited as heck.

 

[sweetk30]

Cut the 2 extra feet off my new flatbed tonight . Am plans is add in new front crossmember. . Then flip old cut off to new headboard . Moved the side lights to new spacing . Cant wait to get a nice bed on this truck .

 

[FMB4]

Read about boats and Chevy 305 engines because I now own a boat with a Chevy 305 engine in it. Given to me free with the trailer from a close friend who sold his lakefront property. I’ll have the year and exact model tomorrow. I think he said it’s a Bayliner Capri or something like that. We will see . I know I’m excited as heck.

Now that's a good friend! Meanwhile, those 305 Chev engines can last for a very long time (with proper maintenance of course). One possible issue with them, IIRC, is cracked heads due to excessive heat buildup. This is often caused by the exh crossover passage through the int manifold. I'm assuming it's a Mercruiser in board/outboard, so the above might not apply.

Also be darn sure that you don't start the engine without the boat being in the water or, if out, make sure to use of a cooling system 'adapter' (can't remember the proper name). Such adapters fit to the cooling system intakes located on the out drive and are connected to garden hose. Failure to follow the above will result in a damaged out drive water pump (pretty easy to replace). You probably already know about this, but I thought I'm mention it anyway.

Btw, maybe you should change your screen name to 'BlakeTheBoatGuy'.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Now that's a good friend! Meanwhile, those 305 Chev engines can last for a very long time (with proper maintenance of course). One possible issue with them, IIRC, is cracked heads due to excessive heat buildup. This is often caused by the exh crossover passage through the int manifold. I'm assuming it's a Mercruiser in board/outboard, so the above might not apply.

Also be darn sure that you don't start the engine without the boat being in the water or, if out, make sure to use of a cooling system 'adapter' (can't remember the proper name). Such adapters fit to the cooling system intakes located on the out drive and are connected to garden hose. Failure to follow the above will result in a damaged out drive water pump (pretty easy to replace). You probably already know about this, but I thought I'm mention it anyway.

Btw, maybe you should change your screen name to 'BlakeTheBoatGuy'.

Thanks for the information about that. It hasn’t run in about two years and only thing it needs is probably a tune up and new plywood floors. The trailer needs new tires. I may need to get one of those adapters to make sure that it will run. Would hate to get all the way to the lake and it not run. Hopefully the cracked head won’t be an issue. Probably will have to order all my parts online because there isn’t any boat places around here except I think Gander Outdoors might sell some things for them. I just know I’m excited. It won’t be at my house it will be at my sisters as 8 cars doesn’t leave room for a boat.

 

[welder4956]

^^^There are many brands, but something like this is what I use:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LR9SDI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[FMB4]

Some people block off the intake manifold exhaust crossover with aftermarket int gaskets. Again, I'm not sure that your int manifold has the exh crossover (it's emissions related).

 

[kaymccampbell]

Some people block off the intake manifold exhaust crossover with aftermarket int gaskets. Again, I'm not sure that your int manifold has the exh crossover (it's emissions related).

Real boat people just pack the crossover with tinfoil. ;-}

 

[BuffettFan]

Blake, congratulations on the "free" boat.
(You'll soon find out there is no such thing as a free boat!)
Once you get it running on the muffs, I strongly suggest replacing the water pump impeller in the outdrive.
It may cool fine on the hose, but after sitting, the impeller fins will hold their compressed shape and not pull in enough water when it's in the lake.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Blake, congratulations on the "free" boat.
(You'll soon find out there is no such thing as a free boat!)
Once you get it running on the muffs, I strongly suggest replacing the water pump impeller in the outdrive.
It may cool fine on the hose, but after sitting, the impeller fins will hold their compressed shape and not pull in enough water when it's in the lake.

I appreciate that info too. I don’t want to blow it up doing something wrong LOL. This stuff is all new to me. Luckily the tow truck driver at my dealership used to be a marine mechanic so I have him to go to as well.

 

[andersen24]

I installed my replacement SPOA10 Rotary lift last night and finished it this morning…….It was perfect keeping the old 7k lift up to use as a working platform to install the new lift. So I guess me next post in ”What did you do IN your garage today,” will probably be me taking down the old 7k Rotary lift. Haha! I’m giving the old lift to my neighbor who helped me put the new one up, and he is installing it on his property so his fellow 4WD club members can use it for bolt checks, etc.

Also in a couple months I will be posting about the updates I’m doing. I’m in the middle of building a bunch of retaining walls on my property and am expanding my 1200’ shop by another 1200’. It will be awesome when it’s done. Building is ordered and should be delivered in about 4-6 weeks. This retirement gig is fun as hell - and getting kind of expensive too! Haha

 

[FMB4]

Read about boats and Chevy 305 engines because I now own a boat with a Chevy 305 engine in it. Given to me free with the trailer from a close friend who sold his lakefront property. I’ll have the year and exact model tomorrow. I think he said it’s a Bayliner Capri or something like that. We will see . I know I’m excited as heck.

@ BlakeTheBoatGuy; please be sure to double check that the alternator on that cool boat of yours is 'marine' rated for inboard use. Such alternators can be pretty pricey, but are absolutely a must for safe operation. I say this because a standard vehicle alternator (AC Delco, etc) will bolt up, connect wire wise, and produce V output just like an inboard marine rated alt, but at much lower cost. And, as such, it isn't all that uncommon to find non inboard rated marine alts installed on inboard boats. The safety issue is that inboard marine rated alternators have additional grounding and/or electrical spark shielding that makes them much much safer for use on an inboard engine propelled boat.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

@ BlakeTheBoatGuy; please be sure to double check that the alternator on that cool boat of yours is 'marine' rated for inboard use. Such alternators can be pretty pricey, but are absolutely a must for safe operation. I say this because a standard vehicle alternator (AC Delco, etc) will bolt up, connect wire wise, and produce V output just like an inboard marine rated alt, but at much lower cost. And, as such, it isn't all that uncommon to find non inboard rated marine alts installed on inboard boats. The safety issue is that inboard marine rated alternators have additional grounding and/or electrical spark shielding that makes them much much safer for use on an inboard engine propelled boat.

Thanks. I definitely will. That is once it’s up and running . Guy kinda exaggerated on how long it set for because the last inspection was 2007. Believe it’s going to need a complete rewiring and new starter.
Going to get it up to my sisters house soon but as you can see these tires would not be roadworthy. The way he talked it had been sitting only two years.

 

[PassnThru]

Changed the oil in the rear diff on the Explorer. It was - awkward.

Behind me I have two quarts of 80W-90 for the front diff - that will have to be sucked out - no drain plug. Maybe tomorrow.
Also have 6 quarts of Mercon SP for the transmission - plan to **** 6 quarts out and pump six new quarts back in. Pan drop and new filter done about 25K ago. Maybe tomorrow.
The Taurus needs an oil change. Maybe tomorrow.

 

[ZRX61]

Separated the non-union fracture in my right wrist (again, for the umpteenth time).. & managed to do it opening a goddamn cardboard box. Now I get to put up with pain for a few days until it somewhat knits back together again... until the next time.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Worked on the stairs.

 

[Outlawmws]

Mostly avoided it (mid 90's today) More putting stuff away in quick dashes - Working on a lantern next to the Kitchen AC... (Had to go outside to burn a cap gasket off, but only took a minute.)

 

[Lightning rod]

Took apart my toaster to clean
Some crumbs got infront of the LCD screen (yes, you read correctly) and my wife whose
is a little OCD (aren't we all on this site) wanted it cleaned
Boy, I really miss the old simple non-electronic toaster.
Any way, happy wife, happy life

 

[sweetk30]

Bed is getting closer to being ready for installation on truck once mods are done .

 

[cjcocn]

Added a 2x2 under the frame of my sled trailer to give enough clearance for the larger wheels after swapping in a 3500 lb axle.

Off the shelf axles didn’t have the same spring perches so I cut the new perches off and welded them so that I had 74” spring centers.

Paint should be dry enough in a couple of days to put the decking plywood back on.

 

[619DioFan]

Thanks. I definitely will. That is once it’s up and running . Guy kinda exaggerated on how long it set for because the last inspection was 2007. Believe it’s going to need a complete rewiring and new starter.
Going to get it up to my sisters house soon but as you can see these tires would not be roadworthy. The way he talked it had been sitting only two years.

Getting ready for that " 3 hour tour " LOL

 

[cowades206]

Replaced the struts in the spouses SUV. The "peugeot" spring compressors did not have enough range so I had to use the HF "apple press" (which is not actually kept in the garage). Compressed the spring with the press and then put the spring compressors on, which held the spring almost compressed enough while I moved it to the new strut. Kinda' scary work.
The SUV was in the garage. I think this counts as garage work.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Cut up some left over lumber from my parents barn project. This all went in the kindling box for this winter. This was right after I started.
This is where it ended. I'll have more by the time Winter rolls around.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I love your patchwork quilt kindling box.

 

[Mr.zippy]

I picked up a 95 Ford Ranger on a sealed bid from the County. 92K miles, 4 wheel drive and a standard transmission. I’ve installed a leveling kit and doing fluid/clean up tasks. Gave 2500 for it. I added a photo of the rear spring shackle so you can see what non-salt roads do to a vehicle after 26 plus years……..of course, here in Wyoming we just got roads last few years, still waiting on phone service

 

[ZRX61]

Swapped out the OEM 17mm oil drain bolt on the ZRX11 for a spiffy low profile, stainless, with a magnet, 6mm oil drain bolt....

... While the engine was full of oil by removing the original bolt, sticking a thumb over the hole & then getting the new one installed without losing more than maybe a tablespoon of oil (which I will check later & top off because oil level is kinda critical on these engines). Bike has 0.26in more ground clearance now.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Swapped in the high lift blades, and scraped out the mower deck.

I'm going the other way around. Taking the high lift blade off and installing the Snapperizer for the beginning of leaf season...

Tommy

 

[larry4406]

Pulled the electric masterbuilt smoker out of the garage to make smoked turkey meat loaf with black raspberry glaze.

Actually wife made it all but I did set up and monitor the smoker.

Smoker was near the beer fridge so I had several as quality control to make sure the fridge works.

 

[Arne73]

Installed a pair of projector headlights in my 2014 Cruze.
In the driveway actually since the garage is full of wood for my deck project.

 

[FMB4]

Real boat people just pack the crossover with tinfoil. ;-}

Or they cover the crossover with a flattended out bit of a tin can (don't laugh, I've see it).

 

[ZRX61]

Got ambitious, went to AutoZone & bought a cabin air filter... Then spotted a couple of detailing doodads I couldn't live without. Noticed they had damn near the entire Griots range on the shelves (didn't buy any of that though).

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Swapped out the OEM 17mm oil drain bolt on the ZRX11 for a spiffy low profile, stainless, with a magnet, 6mm oil drain bolt....

I hope you used anti seize. That teeny hex will strip right out when the plug welds itself in it's hole...

Tommy

 

[Outlawmws]

Or they cover the crossover with a flattended out bit of a tin can (don't laugh, I've see it).

FelPro gasket kits came with that tin block back in the day... even "dimpled" to keep it in place on the hole...

 

[stonesfan68]

I was visiting family's in SD and found this old Husky ratchet (prior to HD, made in USA) that had been left sitting outside for years. I cleaned it up with a wire wheel and some Evaporust and put it back together.