Escape FROM my dream shop
- Thread starter rmack898
- Start date
shortykorte
Well-known member
I’m sure Laura likes you’re taking time to skinny dip with her. 
So after a good bunch of turning and making chips it's clear that my current design idea of the gate hinge need more thought.
Shifting gears onto the next unscheduled project that got thrown into the mix.
I have acquired a few 7.4L MerCruiser engines that I need to sell so the first order of business it to get them off the ground on stands. I don't have any engine stands.
Looking through my materials pile I found some tube and plate. Some band sawing and plasma cutting and I had the parts to make stands. I'm starting out with just two stands, I may have to make more next week if these engines don't sell fast. I made one stand with wheels and the other without.
I have no connection to Fireball tool other than I'm a happy customer. The magnetic shim kit is one of those tools that I keep finding more uses for and I smile every time I use them. I had 8 mount plates to weld onto legs. I set up a 90* corner on the table with some scrap 1" tube and set the shims on the tube. I slid the mount in the corner and put the leg on top against the shims, tack it together and repeat 7 more times. Laura took a video of the last 2.
Here's a link for the video https://youtube.com/shorts/AjPH5gHrnJU?feature=share
Once I get done with these engines I'll be getting back to the gate hinge, I have another idea.
Shifting gears onto the next unscheduled project that got thrown into the mix.
I have acquired a few 7.4L MerCruiser engines that I need to sell so the first order of business it to get them off the ground on stands. I don't have any engine stands.
Looking through my materials pile I found some tube and plate. Some band sawing and plasma cutting and I had the parts to make stands. I'm starting out with just two stands, I may have to make more next week if these engines don't sell fast. I made one stand with wheels and the other without.
I have no connection to Fireball tool other than I'm a happy customer. The magnetic shim kit is one of those tools that I keep finding more uses for and I smile every time I use them. I had 8 mount plates to weld onto legs. I set up a 90* corner on the table with some scrap 1" tube and set the shims on the tube. I slid the mount in the corner and put the leg on top against the shims, tack it together and repeat 7 more times. Laura took a video of the last 2.
Here's a link for the video https://youtube.com/shorts/AjPH5gHrnJU?feature=share
Once I get done with these engines I'll be getting back to the gate hinge, I have another idea.
Craptain
Well-known member
Looks like production line work to me. 
shortykorte
Well-known member
Very nice. Looking at the plates, it appears the bolt holes where cut with the plasma. Is it possible to start the cut towards the center of the hole?
Uofime
Well-known member
Usually there is a setting in the post processor to tell it the feature is an internal diameter or external diameter/feature when generating the Gcode to alleviate those “witness” marks
Two months ago I typed out a lengthy reply and then lost it before I had time to hit post reply.
Since it's bee aver two months, a lot has happened here at the Grove and it might take me a while to sort it all out. While I'm sorting it out I'll post a pic I took this evening as I was enjoying the end of the day with a nice beverage before dinner.
cvairwerks
Well-known member
Mac: For long posts, try typing it in either Notepad or your word processor and then copy and paste into the posting box. You can then add any photos at that point. If you plan to wrap text above and below a photo, then paste the top text, insert the photo, do a carriage return and then paste the next section of text. Most note taking and word processing software is set up to do a draft save about every 10 minutes, but you can edit that to shorter or longer intervals.
Uofime
Well-known member
Bump.
Hope those projects are coming along nicely and you just haven’t had time to post!
Hope those projects are coming along nicely and you just haven’t had time to post!
Well after 18 months since I cut the first piece of pipe, the gate is finally installed and operational. It is manual operation only at this point as I still have to select and procure an opener.
The original plan to use an idler off a large excavator didn't work out so I had to find something else. I wanted the gate to pivot on one end with no external post or visible hinges.
I found a 7000# trailer axle in the dumpster and cut it in half. I welded some rebar legs to the axle, at Shorty’s suggestion I also added a 12” dimeter anchor plate to the bottom.
The gate weighs 784#s and my seat of the pants engineering told me that 1 yard of concrete would be enough to hold the axle in place with the gate attached to it. I dug a big hole, dropped the axle in the hole and built a form to hold it in place. There's no way I’m mixing 45 eighty pound bags of mud so I paid the premium for a $hort load and ordered 1 yard of concrete.
The axle had drum brakes so I had to trepan the hub out of the brake drum. Then I had to come up with a way to attach the gate to the hub. The ID of the gate pipe is 4.75” and the OD of 4” pipe is 4.5” so my plan was to weld a 5’ length of 4” pipe to a round plate and bolt that to the hub. Then I could just lift the gate up and slide to over the 4” pipe and be done.
The 5” pipe that the gate is made from fit right over the center part of the hub but fell right on the center line of the lug bolt holes so I had to drill new lug bolt holes in a larger bolt hole circle diameter. I figured that the plate that gets welded to the 4” pipe and bolted to the hub needed to be at least 1/2” thick and 7.5” in diameter, but only 1/2” stock I had was 6” wide flat bar. I found an old sprocket in my scarp pile that was 1/2” thick so I cut the center out of it to make the flange from. I cut a register for the pipe in the flange and welded the pipe to it on both the inside and outside. I used sch. 80 pipe for this. I wanted the gate to slip over the pipe easily and the 1/4” difference in ID vs Od would make it to install the gate but too sloppy a fit for actual use. I cut out some 3/4”x1” spacer shims from the wall of a scarp piece of the 5” pipe and weeded them to the bottom of the 4” pipe to make up the 1/4” difference in pipe diameters to give it a nice snug fit. I also made a set of these shims to install at the top of the pipe after the gate was installed.
I had my neighbor Randy come over and run the machine lifting and lowering the gate while I guided it down over the pipe. Everything fit as planned and the gate rotates with absolutely no effort. It might take me another 18 months to install an automatic opener but at least I finally got the gate installed.
The original plan to use an idler off a large excavator didn't work out so I had to find something else. I wanted the gate to pivot on one end with no external post or visible hinges.
I found a 7000# trailer axle in the dumpster and cut it in half. I welded some rebar legs to the axle, at Shorty’s suggestion I also added a 12” dimeter anchor plate to the bottom.
The gate weighs 784#s and my seat of the pants engineering told me that 1 yard of concrete would be enough to hold the axle in place with the gate attached to it. I dug a big hole, dropped the axle in the hole and built a form to hold it in place. There's no way I’m mixing 45 eighty pound bags of mud so I paid the premium for a $hort load and ordered 1 yard of concrete.
The axle had drum brakes so I had to trepan the hub out of the brake drum. Then I had to come up with a way to attach the gate to the hub. The ID of the gate pipe is 4.75” and the OD of 4” pipe is 4.5” so my plan was to weld a 5’ length of 4” pipe to a round plate and bolt that to the hub. Then I could just lift the gate up and slide to over the 4” pipe and be done.
The 5” pipe that the gate is made from fit right over the center part of the hub but fell right on the center line of the lug bolt holes so I had to drill new lug bolt holes in a larger bolt hole circle diameter. I figured that the plate that gets welded to the 4” pipe and bolted to the hub needed to be at least 1/2” thick and 7.5” in diameter, but only 1/2” stock I had was 6” wide flat bar. I found an old sprocket in my scarp pile that was 1/2” thick so I cut the center out of it to make the flange from. I cut a register for the pipe in the flange and welded the pipe to it on both the inside and outside. I used sch. 80 pipe for this. I wanted the gate to slip over the pipe easily and the 1/4” difference in ID vs Od would make it to install the gate but too sloppy a fit for actual use. I cut out some 3/4”x1” spacer shims from the wall of a scarp piece of the 5” pipe and weeded them to the bottom of the 4” pipe to make up the 1/4” difference in pipe diameters to give it a nice snug fit. I also made a set of these shims to install at the top of the pipe after the gate was installed.
I had my neighbor Randy come over and run the machine lifting and lowering the gate while I guided it down over the pipe. Everything fit as planned and the gate rotates with absolutely no effort. It might take me another 18 months to install an automatic opener but at least I finally got the gate installed.
Attachments
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
NICE!!! 
scooterbum46
Well-known member
Looks TOUGH! That'd stop a herd of kangaroos (looks like a guard off the front of an Aussie road train).. Great work
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Funny, I was just thinking about this thread. Mac has been lurking.
Craptain
Well-known member
He's been busy with a few projects but he can post when he gets time.
So it has been 2 years since my last post in this thread. I needed a digital break although I have been lurking and keeping up with what’s been going on here on GJ.
After my last retirement I was lured back into the workforce by a former employer. I spent a year and a half line boring excavator buckets and stick points along with some fabrication work. I retired again this past March.
The sprinter van got completed and we departed on May 7th for a 3-month road trip from Florida to Alaska and back. Two weeks into our trip on May 20th, Laura suffered a major heart attack and passed away. We were at a havest host vinyard in Sonoma, CA.
Our son Trevor flew out and drove me home to Florida and then up to NJ to be with all our kids and grand kids. I’ve been in NJ for almost 2 weeks and I feel like I’m living in some bad dream and won’t wake up intil I get back home to my own house. I’ll be leaving here tomorrow to head back home.
I’m not exactly sure what I’m going to do but going home and working on the list of projects at the grove that Laura and I planned on doing is what I want to do. It’s a long list but somehow I think that resurrecting this thread and documenting the work I do at the grove might be a good thing for me right now. I’ll be on the first ferry tomorrow and shold be back at the grove Wednesday evening.
After my last retirement I was lured back into the workforce by a former employer. I spent a year and a half line boring excavator buckets and stick points along with some fabrication work. I retired again this past March.
The sprinter van got completed and we departed on May 7th for a 3-month road trip from Florida to Alaska and back. Two weeks into our trip on May 20th, Laura suffered a major heart attack and passed away. We were at a havest host vinyard in Sonoma, CA.
Our son Trevor flew out and drove me home to Florida and then up to NJ to be with all our kids and grand kids. I’ve been in NJ for almost 2 weeks and I feel like I’m living in some bad dream and won’t wake up intil I get back home to my own house. I’ll be leaving here tomorrow to head back home.
I’m not exactly sure what I’m going to do but going home and working on the list of projects at the grove that Laura and I planned on doing is what I want to do. It’s a long list but somehow I think that resurrecting this thread and documenting the work I do at the grove might be a good thing for me right now. I’ll be on the first ferry tomorrow and shold be back at the grove Wednesday evening.
cvairwerks
Well-known member
Mac: So sorry to hear about Laura. I know it's a huge shock to your system as well as to Trevor and the rest of the family. You are always welcome to drop a note for venting, raging or just conversation.
bulletpruf
Well-known member
Damn. Damn. Damn. Terribly sorry for your loss, Mac.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Mac, I am so sorry to hear of Laura's passing.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
I hope you will continue to post and maybe it can be some therapy for you. We'll be here my friend.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
I hope you will continue to post and maybe it can be some therapy for you. We'll be here my friend.
WisJim
Well-known member
Wow--sorry to hear of Laura's passing. Realize that you have lots of unmet friends here on GJ who can offer support in times like this.
jon72vega
Well-known member
I am sorry for your loss.
Johanfpa
Well-known member
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family during this incredibly difficult time.
Jayman17
Well-known member
Mac, so sorry for the sudden loss of your wife, my condolences to you and your family.
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
Prayers to you, your and your wife's family. So sorry to hear this.
Adaylate
Well-known member
So sorry for your loss...
I've enjoyed following your thread.
Best wishes.
I've enjoyed following your thread.
Best wishes.
Magic City Tool
New member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2026
- Messages
- 1
I have just spent the last few days reading through this thread. And I feel that through it I have gotten to know you and your family. All I can say is though you don't know me, I am terribly sorry for your loss. I felt as if I knew her through here too. Nothing I or anyone can say can make the pain better I know, but there are clearly many people here who care for you and your family. My deepest condolences.
I agree that throwing yourself into the projects you had planned together will be cathartic and will help you to cope. I for one will be here to follow along and offer what encouragement I can. From what I learned of her on here she would want you to keep going on this place that both of you poured so much of yourselves into.
I agree that throwing yourself into the projects you had planned together will be cathartic and will help you to cope. I for one will be here to follow along and offer what encouragement I can. From what I learned of her on here she would want you to keep going on this place that both of you poured so much of yourselves into.
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Oh Mac, I am so so sorry for your sudden loss.
56vette461
Well-known member
Hi Mac. life has ways of throwing us curve balls we never want to experience. Sorry to hear about your loss. I pray that as each day passes a little of the pain of your loss is replaced with memories of all the good times you had together. I agree with the others here when i encourage you to hang out with us as you go through your list of projects and share time. I hope sharing your thoughts and projects is a way to continue to enjoy life.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Mac, this was really hard to hear after all you went through to get here. My sincere condolences.
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RoninB4
Well-known member
-Moments like that do feel like a bad dream you want to awake from. My condolences to you and your family for your loss. Please pay a bit more attention to your own safety for the next few weeks. We're here if you want to talk, vent, or even just have a distracting chat for a few minutes. Keep a firm grip on the wheel.
harley jim
Well-known member
Mac, Im so sorry to hear this news, I could not imagine life without Pat, but I think you have a solid plan, go home and continue what the two of you started. Im praying you find peace Brother. Always know Im here for a friend, you need me, even just to listen, Im here for you.
scooterbum46
Well-known member
Mac - I am sorry to read of the loss you and your family are going through. The best personal advise I can offer is to take life one day at a time. This forum is a good place to be, you are among brothers and sisters with experience in losing a mate. We are here if you need us, just to listen or offer a kind word.
Be safe, be kind to yourself, don't isolate from the world.....She would want you to "keep on keepin' on" ......
Be safe, be kind to yourself, don't isolate from the world.....She would want you to "keep on keepin' on" ......
3baygarage
Well-known member
I'm very sorry for your loss Mac.
Thank you all so much for all your thoughts, prayers, and wishes.
I left Cape May this morning and am currently parked next to an airstrip for the night. I'll get back to the Grove early tomorrow afternoon and see how that goes.
My mind is a raging torrent, rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of........uncertainty.
(Laura loved Mel Brooks movies)
I left Cape May this morning and am currently parked next to an airstrip for the night. I'll get back to the Grove early tomorrow afternoon and see how that goes.
My mind is a raging torrent, rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of........uncertainty.
(Laura loved Mel Brooks movies)
bugnut
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Mac, condolences to you on the loss of Laura. Thoughts and prayers for your family.
I got back to the Grove this afternoon. Etta the dog is visibly upset with an "Empty" house.
I have so many projects on the books and I should prioritize them but one item that is not really important is calling me.
We had planned on sinking a shallow well for irrigation at the raised beds and future site for a chicken coop. we already have running water out there but we wanted a shallow well with a pitcher pump in the event of losing power or a well pump failure. We had already bought the sand point, piping, and pitcher pump but the well never made it to the top of the project list.
On the first leg of our trip driving through Texas, Laura was amazed at the fields of pump jacks slowly doing their thing. I said that it would be cool to build a small pump jack to drive the pitcher pump for our future shallow well. Laura was all over the idea and suggested that we make it solar powered and just let it run every day and feed our pond.
So between whatever I'm required to do in the upcoming months, I need to sink a well, and design/build a solar powered pump jack.
I'm sure there a a bunch of folks here that know a thing or two about pump jacks so if you have any advice, I'm all ears.
I have so many projects on the books and I should prioritize them but one item that is not really important is calling me.
We had planned on sinking a shallow well for irrigation at the raised beds and future site for a chicken coop. we already have running water out there but we wanted a shallow well with a pitcher pump in the event of losing power or a well pump failure. We had already bought the sand point, piping, and pitcher pump but the well never made it to the top of the project list.
On the first leg of our trip driving through Texas, Laura was amazed at the fields of pump jacks slowly doing their thing. I said that it would be cool to build a small pump jack to drive the pitcher pump for our future shallow well. Laura was all over the idea and suggested that we make it solar powered and just let it run every day and feed our pond.
So between whatever I'm required to do in the upcoming months, I need to sink a well, and design/build a solar powered pump jack.
I'm sure there a a bunch of folks here that know a thing or two about pump jacks so if you have any advice, I'm all ears.