What did you do "IN" your garage today?

[rollinlower]

after fighting with a certain broke off bolt off and on today i finally got it all out and a new bolt threaded in guess its getting grade 8 bolts next time i go to put it back together lol

 

[Beerhippie]

I'd love to have a power reach pruner, but it sounds like it isn't in the budget. If I' really lucky, I might be able to talk the powers that be into renting a cherry picker for the next tree.



Nothin' but the clean-up now. I've been doing a lot of the larger stuff as I go, as it becomes a safety hazard when moving around the tree.



Done. I tried to erect my 12' orchard ladder: Ain't happening. Because I couldn't use it, I had to get kind of chancy in my tree climbing and finally broke a branch. This tree is brittle--something I'm aware of--and I tried to keep my weight as close to the stem as possible, but... first fall from a tree in a couple of decades. Fortunately, the old guy's still got it and I was able to get my feet under me and then roll when I hit the ground. Picked up some dents and dings from landing on a pile of branches, but it did cushion the landing.

Next victim:



That one's at least half again as large.

At one time, I pruned the trees every year and was able to knock one out in about three hours. Now it's taking me more like three days. Getting called off to put out brewery/pub brushfires sure didn't help any.

My best guess is that I may have last pruned all of our trees in '20. Six years of uncontrolled growth really adds up.

Now to give the mower a tune-up and get to mowing. Oh, that's right: battery electric mower. Tune-up consists of seeing if I left the blade sharp--I probably did--and sticking a battery in.

Tomorrow I'm going to roll the dice and get the irrigation going. Lawn and flowerbeds are getting mighty dry. It's still dipping below freezing at night--30 this AM--but I'm hoping it's for a brief enough time I can get away with it.

 

[gearhead1960]

Unboxed the next part for Ric....

and set up tables to stage stuff for yard sale in 2 weekends.....

 

[TheRealZeus]

extracted severed, left-in-place drip lines for a community island rose garden area near mailboxes. Some continuous terraforming/restoration of garden beds. all this hose was connected to nothing. Cement chunk also same bed, and that bucket..


there is a large yard bag full too, and another bucket …
separately a neighbor gave me the pavers. cramming it in one pic.

 

[Firebird1975]

Tuned up the law tractor.

 

[Outlawmws]

finally broke a branch. This tree is brittle--something I'm aware of--and I tried to keep my weight as close to the stem as possible, but... first fall from a tree in a couple of decades.

There is a message here...

You fell Timm. the budget for making this a safe task vs. possible injuries is a no brainer..

 

[Beerhippie]

There is a message here...

You fell Timm. the budget for making this a safe task vs. possible injuries is a no brainer..

Falling is a part of the risk you take when pruning trees. I'd actually rather fall from within the tree, where there are branches to help me control the fall--than from a ladder. Ladder falls are REALLY scary and much more likely to result in injuries. I'm super cautious not to over-reach when on a ladder.

 

[Wrench97]

after fighting with a certain broke off bolt off and on today i finally got it all out and a new bolt threaded in guess its getting grade 8 bolts next time i go to put it back together lol

Grade 8 bolts in exhaust are problematic, they do not stretch and tend to break when the manifold gets hot and expands.
Grade 5 works a lot better.

 

[TheClaw]

All the chargers were piled on the shelf. Set up a charging station.

I like this. Question, why the timer?

 

[TheClaw]

Falling is a part of the risk you take when pruning trees. I'd actually rather fall from within the tree, where there are branches to help me control the fall--than from a ladder. Ladder falls are REALLY scary and much more likely to result in injuries. I'm super cautious not to over-reach when on a ladder.

Tell me about it. This was from 9ft in the new shop. In addition there were 2 fractured vertibrae and 2 fractured ribs.

 

[zanyad]

I like this. Question, why the timer?

Lithium batteries have been known to go up in flames during (over)charging. Timer decreases that risk.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Built a shelf for the garage shed.

 

[LeonardY]

Pushed the print button a bunch of times.
Was testing the fit of a cover I designed to fit over the sprinkler timer.
A little off on hose connections.

Got them lined up on the second test.
I felt the cover was too loose on the second try.

Too tight on the third try.

The final cover is printing now.
Sharpened several kitchen knives for my friend. Two were really bad. I took out the Makita wet grinder and that made quick work of it.
Finished them up with the Lansky sharpening system.

 

[BonzoHansen]

^^^I just put sprinklers out in the back for some new seed.

Trying to get our 1/2 bath back together. Got the vanity in Monday, glued the sink in yesterday, finished the plumbing up today. Progress.

Also need to get the rear in my garage ready for my truck. And the Z has a coolant leak I need to fix soon.

Too much to do.

 

[Radio Flyer]

I like this. Question, why the timer?

I put a battery on the charger, and spin the timer. I just leave it there and walk away. I don’t have to worry about the charger being on for a week at a time, and the battery is fully charged when I need it.

I guess you could do the same thing with a power strip and light timer as well. If you wanted to get fancy, a smart outlet programmed to come on daily for 30 minutes would be a cool option.

 

[Skyman]

I'd love to have a power reach pruner, but it sounds like it isn't in the budget. If I' really lucky, I might be able to talk the powers that be into renting a cherry picker for the next tree.

Done. I tried to erect my 12' orchard ladder: Ain't happening. Because I couldn't use it, I had to get kind of chancy in my tree climbing and finally broke a branch. This tree is brittle--something I'm aware of--and I tried to keep my weight as close to the stem as possible, but... first fall from a tree in a couple of decades. Fortunately, the old guy's still got it and I was able to get my feet under me and then roll when I hit the ground. Picked up some dents and dings from landing on a pile of branches, but it did cushion the landing.

Geezus, Timm. If the PTB there won't take every possible step to ensure your safety or hire a contractor for that task, they've gotta be among the stupidest sapiens to be stomping around the planet in this century. They should do that for any employee, but especially for the one without whom that place would likely fall apart within months.

 

[Beerhippie]

Got the tree pruning project cleaned up, tools clean and put away. Then trimmed, edged, mowed and blowed for the first time this season!

Battery electric OPE for the win!

I left the mower blade sharp as... a rock. Bad Timm. Tried using a fiber disk for roughing it out for the first time. Never going back to a flap disk! Final edge applied with a Pferd file.

 

[Beerhippie]

hire a contractor for that task

I've been pruning these trees for nigh onto thirty years now. They're my trees. No contractor will touch them until they pry my Felcos from my cold, dead hands.

Got three compliments on the job today from people just driving in to find out we're closed.

 

[TheClaw]

I put a battery on the charger, and spin the timer. I just leave it there and walk away. I don’t have to worry about the charger being on for a week at a time, and the battery is fully charged when I need it.

I guess you could do the same thing with a power strip and light timer as well. If you wanted to get fancy, a smart outlet programmed to come on daily for 30 minutes would be a cool option.

Is that a bad idea, leaving the chargers plugged in for a long time?

 

[Beerhippie]

Is that a bad idea, leaving the chargers plugged in for a long time?

Leaving the chargers plugged in? No. Leaving a battery in the plugged in charger? Do you feel lucky? Too much of a record of Li batteries bursting into flames when left charging.

Besides, both Milwaukee and Stihl--the two battery systems I use--recommend removing the battery as soon as it's fully charged... they don't say why, but that's the advice from the makers.

 

[rharman]

Missed it by a day but.... Happy Birthday @Beerhippie !!

 

[LeonardY]

Print finished. I needed to do a little filing on the top corners. I keep forgetting to put a chamfer. It prints much cleaner.

 

[rharman]

I'd love to have a power reach pruner, but it sounds like it isn't in the budget. If I' really lucky, I might be able to talk the powers that be into renting a cherry picker for the next tree.

< snip >

Done. I tried to erect my 12' orchard ladder: Ain't happening. Because I couldn't use it, I had to get kind of chancy in my tree climbing and finally broke a branch. This tree is brittle--something I'm aware of--and I tried to keep my weight as close to the stem as possible, but... first fall from a tree in a couple of decades. Fortunately, the old guy's still got it and I was able to get my feet under me and then roll when I hit the ground. Picked up some dents and dings from landing on a pile of branches, but it did cushion the landing.

< /snip >

There is a message here...

You fell Timm. the budget for making this a safe task vs. possible injuries is a no brainer..

Geezus, Timm. If the PTB there won't take every possible step to ensure your safety or hire a contractor for that task, they've gotta be among the stupidest sapiens to be stomping around the planet in this century. They should do that for any employee, but especially for the one without whom that place would likely fall apart within months.

I think that knowledge alone would make your bosses insist on a contractor or a lift. Having you climb into trees after a fall like that would be a massive liability for them.

 

[M.Brane]

The trees look great Timm. Happy birthday!

Played with my new bike lift. I have a couple mod ideas already, but I'm diggin' it so far.



I've wanted one of these for a long time, and it was finally time to pull the trigger.

 

[bmwrd0]

Thats a nice one. If I still rode, I would be picking one up.

 

[Outlawmws]

Geezus, Timm. If the PTB there won't take every possible step to ensure your safety or hire a contractor for that task, they've gotta be among the stupidest sapiens to be stomping around the planet in this century. They should do that for any employee, but especially for the one without whom that place would likely fall apart within months. weeks if not days.

Fixed it for ya!

 

[rharman]

Lubed the newly painted window operators for our bedroom. My wife cleaned them so I needed to relube them after painting black. They were an off-bronze color originally. Using TriFlow for the first time. Installation tomorrow.

Did a bit of cleanup on the bench. I'm starting to see benchtop but it's a long ways to go still.

No pics but they're this item:

 

[larry4406]

The trees look great Timm. Happy birthday!

Played with my new bike lift. I have a couple mod ideas already, but I'm diggin' it so far.



I've wanted one of these for a long time, and it was finally time to pull the trigger.

Nice bike and lift!

What is the story with the smashed truck?

 

[bugnut]

That just makes me sad. I was thinking you had overflow, not that you were getting rid of your primary machines.

@kaymccampbell I no longer have much going on that requires immediacy of machine tools on standby. I did a general review, and because I have to store 2 vw's offsite at ~$300 a month, the fabrication equipment is the least used and occupies a greater footprint than the other stuff. So it is an easy decision. Hoping to bring my 62 back home. With all the rolling stock I have plenty to keep me occupied.

I'd love to have a power reach pruner, but it sounds like it isn't in the budget.

You fell Timm. the budget for making this a safe task vs. possible injuries is a no brainer..

Timm, just think how much tree trimming they'll be able to afford when the 1st customer sues, because they got struck by a branch. AND it'll be your fault cause you didn't do the dam trimming job correctly.

PS: old folks break easy, I can take you to visit the local chiropractor or orthopedic surgery center if you want proof

 

[M.Brane]

Nice bike and lift!

What is the story with the smashed truck?

Thanks she looks pretty good for 27.

The smashed truck was pretty nice too until a giant tree fell on it. The roof was down to the dash. I pushed it back up enough to drive it so I could store it at a friend's property nreaby while we moved twice. Once we got settled in here I brought it over, and have gradually been stripping the body. I have a donor truck in decent cosmetic shape with high miles. Before the tree I had planned on using my friend's shop to lift the cab, and do the top end. Once I got it here I decided to just pull it, and rebuild. It's waiting on the stand ready to go back in.

 

[67CarGuy]

Yesterday: Was told the car's charging schedule couldn't be changed from what it was to what it now should be without jumping through impossible (read $$) hoops. Went out, started car, changed schedule, gave follow-up report. All was well.

Today (so far!): Was told there might be a bird in the garage. Not owning a Road Runner (boy wouldn't that be nice!), a Thunderbird, nor a Reliant Robin, I went out to investigate. Stood around for a few minutes listening and looking, heard and saw nothing with feathers, went back in.

 

[larry4406]

Thanks she looks pretty good for 27.

The smashed truck was pretty nice too until a giant tree fell on it. The roof was down to the dash. I pushed it back up enough to drive it so I could store it at a friend's property nreaby while we moved twice. Once we got settled in here I brought it over, and have gradually been stripping the body. I have a donor truck in decent cosmetic shape with high miles. Before the tree I had planned on using my friend's shop to lift the cab, and do the top end. Once I got it here I decided to just pull it, and rebuild. It's waiting on the stand ready to go back in.

Wow I would have never guessed the bike was 27 years old!

I feel your pain on the tree. My ‘72 Cuda got smashed by a tree ~15 years ago…

 

[ctandc72]

The trees look great Timm. Happy birthday!

Played with my new bike lift. I have a couple mod ideas already, but I'm diggin' it so far.



I've wanted one of these for a long time, and it was finally time to pull the trigger.

My favorite Gen VFR. Great all around bike. There's a decent looking one that's parking under a carport I pass regularly. Suppressing the urge to stop and ask about it. Between that and the cheap late 90s Superhawk that keeps popping up on FB marketplace.....the struggle is real.

 

[aka Larry]

Technically not "in" the garage, but just outside the door. However I did run back and forth getting tools and such so I think it counts.

I have a pair of the MagSafe phone mounts in the Jeep and we really love 'em. I also have one in the wife's Charger R/T, which also charges as well as holds the phone. On our first trip in our camper we had to fumble to find charging cords and only one side of the bed has USB charging ports.

I decided to poke around the Jungle Store and see if I could find MagSafe ones that would hold and charge our phones, but be flush mounted into the cabinets on each side of the bed. Sure enough I did, so I bought a pair of these:






I also bought this to provide USB-level power to the chargers:





Of course I didn't have a 60mm hole saw, so I had to go to Lowes to get one before I even started. Once I cut the the holes they simply snapped into place and look like this:

 

[gearhead1960]

Technically not "in" the garage, but just outside the door. However I did run back and forth getting tools and such so I think it counts.

I have a pair of the MagSafe phone mounts in the Jeep and we really love 'em. I also have one in the wife's Charger R/T, which also charges as well as holds the phone. On our first trip in our camper we had to fumble to find charging cords and only one side of the bed has USB charging ports.

I decided to poke around the Jungle Store and see if I could find MagSafe ones that would hold and charge our phones, but be flush mounted into the cabinets on each side of the bed. Sure enough I did, so I bought a pair of these:






I also bought this to provide USB-level power to the chargers:





Of course I didn't have a 60mm hole saw, so I had to go to Lowes to get one before I even started. Once I cut the the holes they simply snapped into place and look like this:

Dammit @aka Larry you just showed me something I didn’t know I needed!

 

[jmdirk]

The trees look great Timm. Happy birthday!

Played with my new bike lift. I have a couple mod ideas already, but I'm diggin' it so far.



I've wanted one of these for a long time, and it was finally time to pull the trigger.

I had to look up those bags, never seen that style for a VFR before. Corbin? Those looks slick, much nicer than the factory style bags.

I have a 2006, not nearly as clean

 

[bmwrd0]

Packed things up for shipping, started to go through all of my excess machining stuff, ordered the available parts needed to finish the lathe. Started to think about the extra misc. taps and dies I have sitting around, haven't come to any conclusions.

 

[rollinlower]

Put up tools swept a little more and put a battery on the charger

 

[Beerhippie]

Timm, just think how much tree trimming they'll be able to afford when the 1st customer sues, because they got struck by a branch.

The threat from falling branches is from the giant cottonwoods in the background of a couple of the pictures above. Those things are huge, and cottonwoods just love to fall apart--and there is exactly zero chance I'm climbing those to prune them! I'm not sure anyone in twon rents a lift high enough to get into the tops of them.

Unfortunately, it seems we no longer have a reliable tree service in the county. A few years back, we had three, one of which was excellent and one pretty good--the third was a total flake.

 

[Outlawmws]

Started to think about the extra misc. taps and dies I have sitting around, haven't come to any conclusions.

Keep in mind Taps (and Dies), Like drills are consumables. taps in particular will dull (not simple to sharpen), not to mention modifying them for things like grinding a total bottoming tap (Use after a factory bottoming tap...)