ZMotorsports Shop Projects 2.0

[zmotorsports]

Sounds like a great trip Mike. You live in a truly wonderful part of this great country!

Thank you. Yes, we love living so close to so many wonderful places to visit.

Thanks for posting the photos from your trip, always interesting for me to see those. Utah looks like a beautiful state! I'm amazed you often see no other vehicles on those trails.

Chamois on the inside of the engine bay! You are the undisputed king of maintenance! Impressive attention to detail shown on all your tasks. I'm jealous

Thanks. I don't know about the undisputed king of maintenance though. I just like things clean and properly maintained. I added the britework to my coach's engine bay several years ago and like to keep it shined up. When I open my engine bay up in a campground to check fluids before departing, I want to have my engine bay something I am proud to show off and not a filthy mess.

If you really want to see a highly detailed RV engine bay, you should check out Mark Martin's Newell coach. He just took delivery of his newest Newell and had PDI out of southern Utah build the Cummins engine that went in it. The engine is fully custom dressed and then once he took delivery of the coach, he drove it immediately back to PDI (Performance Diesel Inc.) in St. George, UT to have a compound turbo setup installed in it and dyno'd it. If memory serves they took the stock Cummins ISX 15-liter engine from 605 HP/1950 lb./ft. of torque up to around 750 HP and 2150 lb/ft of torque. Very impressive numbers, but his engine bay alone is a work of art.

 

[PugetDude]

Brown gravy on chicken fried steak is a class 2 felony in many jurisdictions.

 

[Atlascycle]

White Gravy is for breakfast....

 

[zmotorsports]

Brown gravy on chicken fried steak is a classic 2 felony in many jurisdictions.

Scott, that very topic is a heated one amongst our RV'ing friends. When we were traveling with them quite heavily the group sought out places to compare their chicken fried steaks and although many agreed on the ranking of the steaks themselves, there was a divide in the group over brown gravy vs. white. A debate that still goes on today.

Myself and another woman in our group asked for brown gravy on our chicken fried steak way back in 2010 at a rally that the wife and I hosted in Ouray, CO. We had taken a day drive over Engineer Pass to Lake City because we heard they had a great chicken friend steak. There were about 14 couples in our group that day and upon ordering our lunches both me and another woman in our group from Utah both asked for brown gravy. I thought it was going to come to fisticuffs right then and there. Keep in mind, we had people from both Texas and Oklahoma in our midst, and I quickly learned they take their meatage seriously.

But we've remained friends regardless of our gravy choice all these years.

In fact, we often still send each other pictures of our gravy of choice on our chicken fried steaks within the group even though many are no longer traveling, but it's still a heated debate and we all seem to get our jabs in.

White Gravy is for breakfast....

^^Exactly.

 

[zmotorsports]

I finally got around to taking some pictures and some "rough" measurements for Grant aka @Grant Gunderson last night of my Arizona Transmission and Machine EZ Driver set.


Here is the packaging, a nice blow molded case. I do not believe their website is still active, but their phone number is correct and if you would like to contact them I will put there email link here: [email protected]






There are three pass through extensions, a 3", 6" and a 9".


There are several flat drivers ranging from the largest of 4" diameter.


The smallest is 2" diameter.


The smallest bearing driver OD is approx. 1.228", or 31mm


Smallest ID measure approx. 1.025" or 26mm


The largest bearing driver OD measures approx. 2.355" or 60mm


The largest ID is approx. 2.110" or 53.5mm



Hope those measurements are helpful Grant.

 

[madison069]

Keep in mind, we had people from both Texas and Oklahoma in our midst, and I quickly learned they take their meatage seriously.

I’m from Texas, white gravy is the proper gravy for fried steak or chicken. Brown gravy usually goes on unbreaded steak and rice.
But bless your heart, I’ll let this abuse of meat slide due to you being a yankee.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

...due to you being a yankee.

Shots fired!

Haha, says Cody, the displaced Texan living in the heart of Yankeeville

 

[madison069]

Shots fired!

Haha, says Cody, the displaced Texan living in the heart of Yankeeville

Watching yankee butcher southern food I shake my head so much, my neck is always in constant pain. If it wasn’t for my wife I would have went back to Texas as soon as the new shop had opened. So I’m just dreaming I’m in Texas in my little bubble.

But I’ll say the pizza and Italian food is good up here! Better than what you get in Texas.

 

[SilverJimmy]

When my wife and I were in Chicago we went to the “best” Mexican restaurant downtown. I ordered the combo plate with a taco, enchilada, and a tamale. When the waiter brought our food he started to explain to me that the tamale was in a corn husk and cautioned me to not try to eat it without unwrapping it first! I had to tell him I was from Arizona, knew how to eat a tamale, and that it’s pronounced Tah-Co, not Ta-Coo!

 

[zmotorsports]

When my wife and I were in Chicago we went to the “best” Mexican restaurant downtown. I ordered the combo plate with a taco, enchilada, and a tamale. When the waiter brought our food he started to explain to me that the tamale was in a corn husk and cautioned me to not try to eat it without unwrapping it first! I had to tell him I was from Arizona, knew how to eat a tamale, and that it’s pronounced Tah-Co, not Ta-Coo!

Dammit, know I figured out why I haven't cared for tamales.

 

[SilverJimmy]

The waiter told me that many times some of the locals had actually been able to choke the whole tamale down. Of course they had to slice it thinly! Chewy, but very tasty!

 

[zmotorsports]

The waiter told me that many times some of the locals had actually been able to choke the whole tamale down. Of course they had to slice it thinly! Chewy, but very tasty!

I'm just being a smart *** about eating the tamales Sterling.

Many years ago, one of my coworker's grandmother made authentic tamales and he would bring me a couple dozen about twice a month. We were very spoiled and ate a lot of tamales throughout the late 90's into 2000's and my son would devour them. I just haven't found any that are as good, so I generally don't order them, she ruined me.

 

[madison069]

I'm just being a smart *** about eating the tamales Sterling.

Many years ago, one of my coworker's grandmother made authentic tamales and he would bring me a couple dozen about twice a month. We were very spoiled and ate a lot of tamales throughout the late 90's into 2000's and my son would devour them. I just haven't found any that are as good, so I generally don't order them, she ruined me.

That's why I have been considering making tamales. The locals are either dry, lacking flavor, or lacking meat.

 

[SilverJimmy]

You forgot “Chewy”!

 

[signcrafter]

I'm just being a smart *** about eating the tamales Sterling.

Many years ago, one of my coworker's grandmother made authentic tamales and he would bring me a couple dozen about twice a month. We were very spoiled and ate a lot of tamales throughout the late 90's into 2000's and my son would devour them. I just haven't found any that are as good, so I generally don't order them, she ruined me.

I was going to say Mike, if you don't like tamales it is because you haven't had good ones but then you posted this. There is a huge difference between ones in a restaurant and ones homemade. The ones in any restaurant I have ever been in are usually just shredded pork. They also make them in a big batch and then individually wrap them and freeze them. Then microwave them when ordered. Hard to make something like fresh tamales in a restaurant. I've been in a ton of kitchens of Mexican restaurants and they have all done them the same way. We make them a few times a year, last time I did smoked birria meat, marinated the meat and then smoked it over a pan that had all the vegetables in it to collect the drippings. Then made the broth and finished cooking the meat in the broth before making tamales. Was really good but my favorites are poblano peppers and chihuahua cheese. I got fired from spreading the dough because I kept putting it on the wrong side of the husk and too thick. So I just make the dough and fillings and sauces and then cook them in the steamer.

 

[CGarage]

Nice to see that the Mason-Dixon Line symbology is still alive and well amongst the Americans……

 

[madison069]

You forgot “Chewy”!

I remove the husk.

 

[PugetDude]

The waiter told me that many times some of the locals had actually been able to choke the whole tamale down. Of course they had to slice it thinly! Chewy, but very tasty!

One of my favorite Mexican restaurants when I was in college (a few decades ago) used to have a sign on their readerboard...
"Mexican food so authentic you don't dare drink the water"

 

[swsman]

I'm just being a smart *** about eating the tamales Sterling.

Many years ago, one of my coworker's grandmother made authentic tamales and he would bring me a couple dozen about twice a month. We were very spoiled and ate a lot of tamales throughout the late 90's into 2000's and my son would devour them. I just haven't found any that are as good, so I generally don't order them, she ruined me.

Mike,

Next time you are in the big box store parking lot keep an eye out, there are Mexican folk selling them out of the back of their car.

You being in Ogden area I am surprised there are not hole in the wall places that do a decent tamale.
Here in Salt Lake valley I can think of at least 3 places that do them decent.

 

[madison069]

Mike,

Next time you are in the big box store parking lot keep an eye out, there are Mexican folk selling them out of the back of their car.

You being in Ogden area I am surprised there are not hole in the wall places that do a decent tamale.
Here in Salt Lake valley I can think of at least 3 places that do them decent.

It not good tamales unless it feels like you’re doing a drug deal in a dark alley.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike,

You being in Ogden area I am surprised there are not hole in the wall places that do a decent tamale.
Here in Salt Lake valley I can think of at least 3 places that do them decent.

There is a really good Mexican restaurant here that is pretty authentic that the wife and I frequent called Javier's. My wife really likes their tamales and while I think they are pretty good for a restaurant, there are other things on their menu I prefer. Although I will on occasion sneak a bite of the wife's if she orders them.

 

[zmotorsports]

The front TV in our coach doesn't like the Roku stick for some reason, so I opted to swap it for another 32" television from our bonus room that is a smart TV so it won't require the Roku. It turned out not to be a simple swap as the mounting between the two televisions is just different enough that I have had to cut the old mount apart and fabricate a new mount. Not the end of the world though, I know someone who can fabricate and weld.

The back of the old TV was not quite as deep as the back of the new one, so I took some various measurements between the two and came up with a plan.


I liked the tapered side mounts that I designed and built more than a dozen years ago as the mounting system and wanted to keep it, so I just cut the internal support out (pictured in the background) and made a new internal structure to fit between the existing two outer side rails. Here I just have the pieces tacked together for mockup.


Mocked up on the back of the TV to ensure everything fits.


I then slid the TV into position in the coach to ensure it fit and was properly and evenly spaced before final welding.


Final welding completed.




Welding completed and allowed to cool while I cleaned up the shop.


Custom paint shaker sure comes in handy.


Bracketry painted and ready for final assembly.



I'll post up pictures of the finished product once completed.

Thanks for looking.

 

[fouckhest]

I legit chuckle to myself every time I use my paint shaker, Mike! Thanks for the inspiration, and it really is a handy (support) tool to have in the shop!

 

[zmotorsports]

I legit chuckle to myself every time I use my paint shaker, Mike! Thanks for the inspiration, and it really is a handy (support) tool to have in the shop!

Mike, it's funny how much pleasure can come from such a simple device, especially a shop made one.

 

[madison069]

Nice TV mount there!

I still have the paint shaker project on the list, unfortunately it's at number 84 on the list.

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice TV mount there!

I still have the paint shaker project on the list, unfortunately it's at number 84 on the list.

Thanks Cody.

Only #84 on the list? So you should have it knocked out by next week?

 

[madison069]

Thanks Cody.

Only #84 on the list? So you should have it knocked out by next week?

I could use the paint shaker on this brake job I got going on. Shaking paint to touch up some bare surfaces on the truck is no fun compared to watching it shake on a shaker!

 

[zmotorsports]

I could use the paint shaker on this brake job I got going on. Shaking paint to touch up some bare surfaces on the truck is no fun compared to watching it shake on a shaker!

As stupid as it sounds, it is definitely a rewarding sound and sight to have the paint being shaken while I walk away to do something more productive. I am also certain the paint gets shaken more thoroughly by setting the timer and walking away vs. "thinking" I've shaken it for several minutes when in fact it was probably only about 45-seconds.

 

[SilverJimmy]

I’m just wondering what the likely hood of getting someone who really likes “fun” projects would be if I sent him my box of paint shaker parts if he’d send me back a ready to bolt to the wall wazo paint shaker?! Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[zmotorsports]

I’m just wondering what the likely hood of getting someone who really likes “fun” projects would be if I sent him my box of paint shaker parts if he’d send me back a ready to bolt to the wall wazo paint shaker?! Inquiring minds want to know!

It would probably be at least #84 on the list Sterling.

 

[ntsqd]

Great-Grandmother learned to make tamales from the local ladies when my Great-Grandfather when Phelps-Dodge sent him to head up the Engineering at a copper mine in Mexico. Pancho Villa put an end to his working there, but fortunately not an end to him!
I haven't had a decent tamale since she passed.

 

[swsman]

There is a really good Mexican restaurant here that is pretty authentic that the wife and I frequent called Javier's. My wife really likes their tamales and while I think they are pretty good for a restaurant, there are other things on their menu I prefer. Although I will on occasion sneak a bite of the wife's if she orders them.

You are likely referring to this one, I pass by it often as my route encompasses North Salt Lake through Logan, and Idaho from time to time.

Have not had a chance to drop in just yet.

Street View · Google Maps

Explore a place in a more immersive way in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[zmotorsports]

You are likely referring to this one, I pass by it often as my route encompasses North Salt Lake through Logan, and Idaho from time to time.

Have not had a chance to drop in just yet.

Street View · Google Maps

Explore a place in a more immersive way in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

That would be the one. They also recently opened another location at 7th and Washington Blvd. which we started to go to as it is slightly closer to the wife and I. My son and DIL frequent the one you referenced as it is closer to them, they recognize my grandson when they go in there and really dote on him and spoil him, which he loves.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I finally got around to taking some pictures and some "rough" measurements for Grant aka @Grant Gunderson last night of my Arizona Transmission and Machine EZ Driver set.


Here is the packaging, a nice blow molded case. I do not believe their website is still active, but their phone number is correct and if you would like to contact them I will put there email link here: [email protected]






There are three pass through extensions, a 3", 6" and a 9".


There are several flat drivers ranging from the largest of 4" diameter.


The smallest is 2" diameter.


The smallest bearing driver OD is approx. 1.228", or 31mm


Smallest ID measure approx. 1.025" or 26mm


The largest bearing driver OD measures approx. 2.355" or 60mm


The largest ID is approx. 2.110" or 53.5mm



Hope those measurements are helpful Grant.

Thanks Mike!

I gotta do some measuring as well, but seems like that set will pickup where my Enduro set leaves off.

I finally got around to taking some pictures and some "rough" measurements for Grant aka @Grant Gunderson last night of my Arizona Transmission and Machine EZ Driver set.


Here is the packaging, a nice blow molded case. I do not believe their website is still active, but their phone number is correct and if you would like to contact them I will put there email link here: [email protected]






There are three pass through extensions, a 3", 6" and a 9".


There are several flat drivers ranging from the largest of 4" diameter.


The smallest is 2" diameter.


The smallest bearing driver OD is approx. 1.228", or 31mm


Smallest ID measure approx. 1.025" or 26mm


The largest bearing driver OD measures approx. 2.355" or 60mm


The largest ID is approx. 2.110" or 53.5mm



Hope those measurements are helpful Grant.

Thanks. Just ordered a set!

 

[SilverJimmy]

It would probably be at least #84 on the list Sterling.

I’ll wait, gladly! It’ll be worth it to have such a awesome tool,

 

[zmotorsports]

I’ll wait, gladly! It’ll be worth it to have such a awesome tool,

Who knows, I may get some time over the winter.

 

[zmotorsports]

Last night I finished up the TV replacement in the coach and tidied up the area.





While I had a mess in my fabrication area of the shop, I thought I would go ahead and fabricate a mount for the Astro paint shaker I purchased a bit ago so it would be ready for use next time I find myself painting something, like the hood of my truck or my trailer, if I ever get time to work on it that is.

I grabbed a piece of scrap and trimmed it down to match the outside footprint of the shaker, then grabbed a length of 2" receiver tubing and decided on a proper length.


I think this will work well and not be so large and cumbersome that it can't just be stored under the workbench in the corner cabinet. It is kind of awkward so I don't want to store it too awfully far from where I will be using it for those infrequent times I do plan on using it.



I need to sand everything down, weld it and then throw a coat of paint on it before bolting the shaker to the mount permanently, but it was a fairly quick project.

Thanks for looking.

 

[Jgaz]

Mike,
OMG! Thanks so much for posting this picture.
I now know what my friend was thinking of when we remodeled the front cabinetry on his coach.

His coach had an old CRT TV orginal mounted where your flat screen is now. He wanted a cabinet with a shelf built to replace the original woodwork.

I built this to tie the new design into the existing cabinet frames.

He built a really slick swing down frame to hold a smaller flat screen that mounted below the center section I built.

Full disclosure: We purchased the center door. I don’t have the cutters, a shaper or big *** router, or the skill to make that door.
The doors to the left and right I modified to hold the tinted glass.

We were both pleased with the results but it would have helped me in the beginning if I’d had your picture.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike,
OMG! Thanks so much for posting this picture.
I now know what my friend was thinking of when we remodeled the front cabinetry on his coach.

His coach had an old CRT TV orginal mounted where your flat screen is now. He wanted a cabinet with a shelf built to replace the original woodwork.

I built this to tie the new design into the existing cabinet frames.

He built a really slick swing down frame to hold a smaller flat screen that mounted below the center section I built.

Full disclosure: We purchased the center door. I don’t have the cutters, a shaper or big *** router, or the skill to make that door.
The doors to the left and right I modified to hold the tinted glass.

We were both pleased with the results but it would have helped me in the beginning if I’d had your picture.

Holy cow Jim. That is beautiful. Woodworking is not my forte so I have to get a bit more creative using existing and trimming to mate, but I would love to have the abilities to completely redo the entire front of my coach's A/V cabinetry.

 

[Jgaz]

Thanks Mike. That means a lot coming from someone with your skills

I’d trade a bunch of my woodworking ability for 10% of your welding skill.
So many projects or possible projects and so little time to learn