What did you do "IN" your garage today?

[TurnipTruck]

One of the things I did today while cleaning up after many days of installing soffit was to put wheels on the stomp shear.

It’s a 1906? Pexto 36” that I used to shear the aluminum soffit. I rarely use it since it’s a 300lb cast-iron pita to move around and I figured “hey, it’s already in the lift bay. Pick that thing up and find some wheels.”
So these wheels I found (in the caster milk crate) were still bolted to stubs of 1-1/2” box tube so all I had to do was look in the treadmill remnants for enough box tube to MIG the gap. I didn’t even have to scrounge bolts or fab mounting plates.

Yay for the hoarder!

 

[Beerhippie]

It'll be nice if you can offload the preventive maintenance part on them. Good luck with it.....

Yeah, well, I've been informed that this is my problem. One more chore for our closed days.

 

[nadogail]

Walked in and showed a visitor some Planter Boxes i am planning on giving away.

 

[bugnut]

Adding A/C to the garage is a game changer.

If AC is out of the budget a dehumidifier running will often reduce the humidity and cool enough to help!

 

[welder4956]

Not much yesterday. Made a run to the box stores for materials, then framed the opening for the AC. By that time it was too hot to work out there, even with the attic fan and 2 blowers running to circulate air. Still have to install the 240 outlet, reinsulate, put the OSB wall panel back up, cut and flash the opening through the siding, and put that heavy *** ac unit in the hole.

 

[zimman]

Found my battery chargers and hung them. I'll come up with something a little less busy later but I've got one that needs a charge now.
Zim

 

[Outlawmws]

I'll come up with something a little less busy later

You should add a shelf to the bottom of that mini bench. Maybe a collumn of mini shelves to for that stuff.

 

[Prospecter]

fighting nasty black flies, sweltering temperatures, oppressive humidity, the ever present smell of rotting garbage, the faint hint of mouse urine in the background, a dvd player (it doesn't), that only gets 1 radio station (country, in Michigan??!!)and simple green that just smears grease around

I like your workbench. Many of us overlooked your challenges because the garage was such a step up from working outside in all kinds of weather. A lot of us spend time working on the space to make it more useable.

Specifically, screens, fans, air conditioning / heat, insulation, garden shed (for the garbage), bleach for the mouse urine, newer Marketplace/Craigslist radio or streaming, and carb cleaner.

Good luck!

 

[Prospecter]

Yeah, well, I've been informed that this is my problem. One more chore for our closed days.

Not sure you needed more job security?

 

[Outlawmws]

Sooo, after a few hours today sitting in the garage, fighting nasty black flies, sweltering temperatures, oppressive humidity, the ever present smell of rotting garbage, the faint hint of mouse urine in the background, a dvd player (it doesn't), that only gets 1 radio station (country, in Michigan??!!)and simple green that just smears grease around (AI says it can't be beat), I'm questioning what you all see in this.

Specifically, screens, fans, air conditioning / heat, insulation, garden shed (for the garbage), bleach for the mouse urine, newer Marketplace/Craigslist radio or streaming, and carb cleaner.

Also after your next garbage PU; power wash the bins and dry thoroughly. If you have green waste PU and toss a lot of messy kitchen comestibles in it; "line" that can with dry, clean yard waste so the glop doesn't stick to the bottom. I keep an old garbage can full of that and toss in a couple handfuls of thatin , or just do an early quick grab of whatever, to keep the power washing needs low.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Cleaned the garage 2-piece bath (toilet and sink).

Ceramic trades used it past 2 days.

Nice having a private bath off the main house for trades and me to use.

I enjoy having mine in the shop, for sure. I enclosed a 3x4 room with exhaust fan for the toilet and have a stainless deep sink outside that door for general use and hand washing. it has an outside style faucet to allow use of a water hose if needed. I installed an in ground sewage grinder pump tank that pumps to the house septic tank 100 feet away through a 2” pvc line.

 

[zimman]

You should add a shelf to the bottom of that mini bench. Maybe a collumn of mini shelves to for that stuff.

Yup, headed that direction. Also adding the SiriusXM home radio I had in the travel trailer and the Solar MPPT unit I had on the truck. Wow, now all of a sudden in the last hour I'm building the GCCC (Garage Central Command Center) LMAO
I need counseling bad.
Zim

 

[bmwrd0]

After 8 months of retirement i realized I wasn't really getting many projects done. And then it hit me, I didn't have a workbench!

$50 dollars later I had a Marketplace special sitting in the garage, and I was actually excited!

Yesterday I kinda fell into a craftsman stack from 1985 that needs some cleaning and painting. I'm thinking to myself, this will be a blast.

Sooo, after a few hours today sitting in the garage, fighting nasty black flies, sweltering temperatures, oppressive humidity, the ever present smell of rotting garbage, the faint hint of mouse urine in the background, a dvd player (it doesn't), that only gets 1 radio station (country, in Michigan??!!)and simple green that just smears grease around (AI says it can't be beat), I'm questioning what you all see in this.

Anywho, obligatory picture of new to me worktable that will probably only be used Wednesday nights (garbage day is Wednesday morning), in the fall (when temps drop), before winter (cause, too cold), and when its not raining (see humidity above).

any suggestions to improve these conditions are welcome!

(Ironically I just noticed the empty box "Oh, What fun it is..."

A lot of good advice here, but first get the trash cans out of the garage, hang up some fly strips, throw away/donate any non-working/non-essential junk like bad DVD players. In other words, make it a space you can do work in, and once you add a dehumidifier or AC, a place you WANT to do work in! Also, I love that bench.

I, on the other hand, have been out doing chores and garage sailing, so back to cleaning out junk that accumulates.

 

[PhantomEB]

P235/45-17s replaced the bald 215/50-17s on the 2015 so now all of our fleet has new tires this year.

new fog light chrome bezel cones today for the same car and I plan to ziptie it in place so it don’t fall out like the last one did.

I need to replace the bumper cover eventually but a headlight needs to be replaced first. Amazon one didn’t work as well as the stock one did as I have special ones for this car I see. Daytime running lights are specific to Canadian models of the line. I so plan to put better lights all around up front As the days are getting shorter again.

New windshield wiper arm and blade cones later on this week. Little things that will get my car back to where it’s supposed to be will happen before the winter comes. Like storage shelf cover for the back of the hatchback and remote starter….

 

[PhantomEB]

Yup, headed that direction. Also adding the SiriusXM home radio I had in the travel trailer and the Solar MPPT unit I had on the truck. Wow, now all of a sudden in the last hour I'm building the GCCC (Garage Central Command Center) LMAO
I need counseling bad.
Zim

I plan to just run SiriusXM app on my phone. Then I can stream it to the JBL encores in the garage, JBL charge on the patio, eventual hot tub gazebo or in the car and diesel.….even in the bronco.

 

[ObnoxiousFumes]

I plan to just run SiriusXM app on my phone. Then I can stream it to the JBL encores in the garage, JBL charge on the patio, eventual hot tub gazebo or in the car and diesel.….even in the bronco.

What do you pay for it? I used to run SiriusXM but for the price it’s kinda silly to not be able to choose what songs I want to listen to. I did get them down to $7 a month or something but still, that’s a lot for just radio.

 

[TheClaw]

Finally got the sidewalk built and the posts stained on the new shop

 

[Buford T. Justice]

After 8 months of retirement i realized I wasn't really getting many projects done. And then it hit me, I didn't have a workbench!

$50 dollars later I had a Marketplace special sitting in the garage, and I was actually excited!

Yesterday I kinda fell into a craftsman stack from 1985 that needs some cleaning and painting. I'm thinking to myself, this will be a blast.

Sooo, after a few hours today sitting in the garage, fighting nasty black flies, sweltering temperatures, oppressive humidity, the ever present smell of rotting garbage, the faint hint of mouse urine in the background, a dvd player (it doesn't), that only gets 1 radio station (country, in Michigan??!!)and simple green that just smears grease around (AI says it can't be beat), I'm questioning what you all see in this.

Anywho, obligatory picture of new to me worktable that will probably only be used Wednesday nights (garbage day is Wednesday morning), in the fall (when temps drop), before winter (cause, too cold), and when its not raining (see humidity above).

any suggestions to improve these conditions are welcome!

(Ironically I just noticed the empty box "Oh, What fun it is..."

Nice! Not any suggestions at the moment, but isn’t retirement so freaking good?!? I’m eight months in as well!

 

[rd65]

Started working on daughter's 96 4Runner (310k miles) yesterday. What a mess. They put splined lug nuts on the thing with no key to be found. Ordered last night on Amazon, will be here after 5pm today - maybe, hopefully. Pulled something in my upper abdomin along ribs trying to get the driveline nuts loose. Ended up using the jack handle after giving the grip area a bit of squeeze in the vice so it would fit over the 14mm open end. Replacing the clutch, flywheel, rear main seal, and now I have added the ujoint at the rear axle. Thing hasnt been licensed since '22 so I am sure it will be needing other things as well.

 

[Wrench97]

Started working on daughter's 96 4Runner (310k miles) yesterday. What a mess. They put splined lug nuts on the thing with no key to be found. Ordered last night on Amazon, will be here after 5pm today - maybe, hopefully. Pulled something in my upper abdomin along ribs trying to get the driveline nuts loose. Ended up using the jack handle after giving the grip area a bit of squeeze in the vice so it would fit over the 14mm open end. Replacing the clutch, flywheel, rear main seal, and now I have added the ujoint at the rear axle. Thing hasnt been licensed since '22 so I am sure it will be needing other things as well.

I had a customer last week who had wheel locks on his car, we call and asked if he knew where the key was..."yea it's in my sock drawer" do you need it? Well you brought the car in saying it needs brakes so yea .....

 

[ObnoxiousFumes]

Started working on daughter's 96 4Runner (310k miles) yesterday. What a mess. They put splined lug nuts on the thing with no key to be found. Ordered last night on Amazon, will be here after 5pm today - maybe, hopefully. Pulled something in my upper abdomin along ribs trying to get the driveline nuts loose. Ended up using the jack handle after giving the grip area a bit of squeeze in the vice so it would fit over the 14mm open end. Replacing the clutch, flywheel, rear main seal, and now I have added the ujoint at the rear axle. Thing hasnt been licensed since '22 so I am sure it will be needing other things as well.

I had a customer last week who had wheel locks on his car, we call and asked if he knew where the key was..."yea it's in my sock drawer" do you need it? Well you brought the car in saying it needs brakes so yea .....

You need a universal lug nut socket set

 

[Wrench97]

You need a universal lug nut socket set

New wheels and new lock studs on a Audi A6 he can bring the lock and the back the next day....

 

[Beerhippie]

Got into the Toy this AM to run some errands. The CEL started flashing and I had no start--starter spun, but nothing else.

So I put the jumper in the Diag port and started recording the flashes of the CEL. It took a while to figure out that they weren't the usual diagnostic codes, but Morse code!

It translated as below:

Remember me?

Remember when it was just you and me?

You loved me then--

sure, it was tough love,

but it was love.

You maintained my engine even when it didn't need it.

You replaced parts before they broke.

You bought me baubles.

Now, it's Vanagon this

and Vanagon that.

Never a thought for your faithful Toy!

So, buddy, show me some lovin' or get to walking!

Well, that seemed rather unambiguous. I figured the least I could do was give the ol' gal a goodly bath.

She needed it:





and the CEL is off now. Checked engine fluids, too. All good.

I was even smart enough this time to do the washing right at the edge of the slab to make clean-up a LOT easier.

 

[2001ZR2]

Didn't have much time today so I took 15 minutes and used the parts I had on hand.

Fun little project and will beuseful.

 

[Outlawmws]

Yesterday started getting the van ready for the upcoming camp trip, but first I trimmed the 3 1X12's I use as a bed frame a couple inches so the "hood" can he fully raised

The first gen Toy mini vans hood is under the drivers seat and you have to lift the hood and the drivers seat as a unit and clip a hook to hold it open.

 

[steves_001]

Today was work on the boat out drive day. Should be ready to re-install the driveline shaft and bearing assembly soon. Then it’s back to the bellows and associated fun. Closer to being wet again! Glad when it’s done!

 

[zimman]

I plan to just run SiriusXM app on my phone. Then I can stream it to the JBL encores in the garage, JBL charge on the patio, eventual hot tub gazebo or in the car and diesel.….even in the bronco.

I had a Sirius Radio anyhow and it's back up now. Love the choice and I got in on a $8.85 deal that includes the F250. I'm good now. LOL
Zim
@Outlawmws shelf in and changes made. LOL
Z

​

 

[INSP380]

Finished up my Wilton 3” ….

Steve

 

[imagineer]

A little scuff & shoot. After repairing the rust holes, the exposed metal got sprayed with epoxy primer. Then the whole Jeep was sanded to 80 grit and sprayed with 2 coats of high build primer. After sanding to 220 grit, the Jeep got sprayed with about 4 coats of Eastwood Acrylic Urethane; color Shaggin' Green Metallic.

 

[bulletpruf]

New top roller on the dozer.

 

[Burt Shaver]

Cleaned the carb on my 2004 Arctic cat that hadn’t ran in just over a year, got the electrical fixed last week thanks to getting some ( lots ) of help from a coulple GJ memebers.
Pilot jet was plugged, runs good now except for a small leak still coming from the bowl overflow, have to take it off and clean the needle float seat.

My daughter’s boyfriend bought an old generator, the pull start wouldn’t engage so we cleaned up the starter clutch this evening.

 

[rharman]

I think the last batch I got was from bolt depot.

Bolt Depot - Fastener Shopping Made Easy

boltdepot.com

Zim

I'll add my vote for BoltDepot. Had just what I wanted - 5/8-11 x 5" SS bolts, washers, acorn nuts. Good price, fast shipping. I was shorted one bolt. Called and they had a new one out lickety-splt no questions/hassles.

 

[rharman]

< snip >



For those who have questions, no insulation or wall board for now. Out of cash. LOL Electrical coming in the winter maybe. Need a stove for this winter. Priorities. LOL
< /snip >

Even though I'm in SoCal, it does get cold in my garage in winter. I've had this since 2017. It's really compact and heats up my 3-car quickly. I just crack the door a bit for the fumes. Propane tank from the BBQ does the job for winter.

 

[zimman]

Even though I'm in SoCal, it does get cold in my garage in winter. I've had this since 2017. It's really compact and heats up my 3-car quickly. I just crack the door a bit for the fumes. Propane tank from the BBQ does the job for winter.

I've had some torpedo heaters before so thank you for that. I'm looking for a efficent wood stove, mostly because "fire" lol. Love a fire place and this will be the clossest I get to one. LOL
Zim

 

[rharman]

What do you pay for it? I used to run SiriusXM but for the price it’s kinda silly to not be able to choose what songs I want to listen to. I did get them down to $7 a month or something but still, that’s a lot for just radio.

If you're looking for a target when negotiating, I have an email offer for $3/month for 36 months. Not a contract from what I can tell so it's cancellable any time month-to-month.

 

[rd65]

Cleaned the carb on my 2004 Arctic cat that hadn’t ran in just over a year, got the electrical fixed last week thanks to getting some ( lots ) of help from a coulple GJ memebers.
Pilot jet was plugged, runs good now except for a small leak still coming from the bowl overflow, have to take it off and clean the needle float seat.

My daughter’s boyfriend bought an old generator, the pull start wouldn’t engage so we cleaned up the starter clutch this evening.

I've used a q-tip chucked up in a drill with some semichrome to polish the seat. Sometimes it helps.

 

[56vette461]

Yeah, same here. Especially in the cabin--too many bright blue lights when I'm trying to sleep. I sometimes miss the days when LEDs were dim and red.

Black electrician's tape is also a good cure for that irritating CEL when on a long push.

With all the alarm controllers, clocks etc. having Led lights I have found that the darkest automotive window tint film works wonders at reducing red and blue lights. Use clear tape to fasten it to the edge surface

 

[rd65]

I've had some torpedo heaters before so thank you for that. I'm looking for a efficent wood stove, mostly because "fire" lol. Love a fire place and this will be the clossest I get to one. LOL
Zim

Woodstove will take up a lot of real estate. I was going to do this, ended up going with 220 electric hanging from the ceiling.

 

[rd65]

Got some more work on the 4runner - electrical connections mostly undone, clutch slave dismounted, one crossmember removed, other one has bolts backed off. Removed both shift levers from top of trans. Couldn't get the exhaust bolts to move, doused again with pentrating oil. Really dont want to use 1/2" gun and break the bolts. Ribs are on fire, told my daughter that this may take a bit of time to finish up.

 

[DGersic]

Drilling long holes.

Test pieces to see what’s possible.




16” long 1/2” bit, restrained with bronze bushings in maple blocks, bed frame steel, and lots of clamps.

The best so far, entrance:




And exit:




I’m pretty happy with a 10” deep hole that only wandered 1/8” or so off of center. The real pieces are 17” long, so I’ll be drilling from both sides to meet in the middle.


My first attempt (top) wasn’t great. Second (middle) was better. Third is good enough.