Old Man Roger
Well-known member
You can almost guarantee the new aftermarket rotor won’t be the same quality either. Ya I know, made to meet or exceed manufacturers specs. Uh Huh.lol
What did you do "IN" your garage today?
- Thread starter mayhemman
- Start date
bulletpruf
Well-known member
In the garage today? Chasing my tail.
I removed the new top roller that I installed on my dozer last weekend.
Disassembled it and harvested the $140 (!) seal from it.
Disassembled and cleaned the old top roller that I had removed from the dozer last weekend, and installed the $140 (!) seal in it.
Reinstalled the old roller with the new ($$$) seal. Works great. New top roller is now my spare top roller.
I removed the new top roller that I installed on my dozer last weekend.
Disassembled it and harvested the $140 (!) seal from it.
Disassembled and cleaned the old top roller that I had removed from the dozer last weekend, and installed the $140 (!) seal in it.
Reinstalled the old roller with the new ($$$) seal. Works great. New top roller is now my spare top roller.
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
Why didn’t you just keep the new one on and have the old one as a spare?
finn
Well-known member
Busy week. Kind of long, with some important garage content, and a gimpse into why I often don’t get as much done in the shop as planned.
Tuesday my son helped me set up the Starlink antenna at the shop. I leased one for the house, and paid the $200 installation fee last Saturday. Well worth it there. I had their installer (actually the Dish Network seems to have contracted to Starlink) run the wires and set the antenna on the eaves so we get a good True North bearing through the trees. I’m trying to be done with ladders…
My son just got back from New Zealand and came to pick up his dog, who we were puppy sitting for six weeks while he was out of the country. Pretty easy installation at the shop for the two of us (I bought an antenna for the shop) and it works well enough to get a good phone signal (no cell service), access Sirius XM, and watch YouTube, as well as search the web, even with the minimum priced plan. This was all precipitated when our old service provider announced he was retiring and hadn’t found a buyer for the system. We don’t have cable available, nor fiber, so my hand was forced.
Wednesday was an off day. Did some cleaning in the shop, though.
Thursday the HVAC guys and an electrician showed up to install the 3 ton mini split in the shop with another 8000 btu head in the office/ bathroom. Took them most of the day, including waiting an hour for the electrician to do the 240v wiring.
Also brought the Maverick in for a reflash oh the trailer tow module. Of course the other end of the Ford network was down, so they rescheduled for next week. Had them change the oil since I was there. $60, compared to the $42 I had been paying. I try to not do my own oil changes on the drivers.
Friday we took the Sprinter / Revel van to Courtney Lake, a US Forest Service Campground about an hour away from the shop. Wanted to get a burger for a late lunch at the Rousseau Bar, in the middle of nowhere, a couple of miles from the campground. The bar is in a building moved to the current site in 1936, and was originally a structure at a nearby CCC camp from the Great Depression.
Of course the bar was closed, despite the Facebook page that said they were open till 8:00 pm and the place was moderately busy…WTF!
Plan B was to drive the Forest Service back roads to Kenton for a burger at U.P.Chuck’s. Of course being Friday, the grill shuts down early so the cook can concentrate on the traditional Friday Fish fry. I was game but my wife doesn’t like fish, so the friendly waitress sent us across the street to the only other bar (and business?) in town, Hoppy’s….. Three different bars to get a burger.
Back to the campground to start a campfire and roast some local (with natural casings) hot dogs. Unfortunately, the skies opened up just as I was lighting the fire. We spent the night nice and dry in the camper van, and even had sufficient cell signal to access the internet via the phone.
Didn’t really need the hot dogs anyway, since by the time we drove through what seemed like half the Ottawa National Forest to get our lunch burger, it was pretty late anyway. A gin and tonic and nachos and cheese was sufficient for dinner.
From there we went to a local county fair about fifteen miles from the campground to watch the Mud Drags on Saturday morning. It was all local guys, and not many at that, but they seemed to be having fun. After we got home Saturday evening, my wife received a text message saying she won a basket of assorted locally made goat milk soaps from a drawing in one of the exhibit halls ( actually, the only exhibit hall), so we had to make another trip to retrieve it on Sunday morning On the way back we stopped for a dozen eggs at a farm stand. Of course my wife had the checkbook but no cash, as she spent it on ice cream and bakery at the fair the day before. I just had three $100 bills.
The guy was willing to accept a check for the eggs, but then said “to Hell with it, I don’t want to make you write a check for $5.00, so this dozen is on me.”
First free eggs I ever got.
Restored my faith in people. I told him that’s no way to run a business, and asked how he expected to become a millionaire farmer. His response was that’s why he has a day job…. Nice guy.
Back at the shop, Sunday afternoon I started the process of replacing the bottom panel of the garage door in the attached enclosed lean to. Earlier in the summer I had a brain fart and caught the bottom panel with the CTL exhaust tip and buckled it. (Previously a strap, 55 year old come along, and a maple tree straightened the exhaust). Fortunately I still had the original lower panel that had some superficial shipping damage, and was replaced by the garage door company, but one thing leads to another, as that piece of door was holding up several pieces of metal barn siding from 10-16’ long stored against the wall. Without the support, they won't stand against the wall, so next I started building a rack for them out of some salvaged 2x12’s. It’s probably going to take all of Monday and most of Tuesday to complete that sub project, since I’ll probably build a long, narrow workbench for a vice, etc. which eventually will just turn into a horizontal surface to clutter with junk. At least I’m realistic.
So what did I accomplish?
Got a new Internet connection that’s faster then what I had, and hopefully more reliable, at the expense of no longer supporting a local business.
Got A/C for the shop and office.
Got a start and plan on replacing the damaged garage door panel.
Spent a day and a half exploring the National Forest and camped in the rain.
Watched the Mud Drags.
Went to the Fair.
Got a dozen free farm fresh eggs.
Got to see my son, who lives 550 miles away across the state.
Said Goodbye to Ziggy, the American French bulldog mix we were dog sitting for. ( he’s a great, friendly dog, and this comes from a non-dog person).
Didn’t mention it, but hosted my youngest brother and his SO for a couple of nights and went to dinner with them this evening
Sometimes I get frustrated when I can’t seem to get things done, but in retrospect, more weeks are like this than not, and that, in itself, is sort of rewarding.
Tuesday my son helped me set up the Starlink antenna at the shop. I leased one for the house, and paid the $200 installation fee last Saturday. Well worth it there. I had their installer (actually the Dish Network seems to have contracted to Starlink) run the wires and set the antenna on the eaves so we get a good True North bearing through the trees. I’m trying to be done with ladders…
My son just got back from New Zealand and came to pick up his dog, who we were puppy sitting for six weeks while he was out of the country. Pretty easy installation at the shop for the two of us (I bought an antenna for the shop) and it works well enough to get a good phone signal (no cell service), access Sirius XM, and watch YouTube, as well as search the web, even with the minimum priced plan. This was all precipitated when our old service provider announced he was retiring and hadn’t found a buyer for the system. We don’t have cable available, nor fiber, so my hand was forced.
Wednesday was an off day. Did some cleaning in the shop, though.
Thursday the HVAC guys and an electrician showed up to install the 3 ton mini split in the shop with another 8000 btu head in the office/ bathroom. Took them most of the day, including waiting an hour for the electrician to do the 240v wiring.
Also brought the Maverick in for a reflash oh the trailer tow module. Of course the other end of the Ford network was down, so they rescheduled for next week. Had them change the oil since I was there. $60, compared to the $42 I had been paying. I try to not do my own oil changes on the drivers.
Friday we took the Sprinter / Revel van to Courtney Lake, a US Forest Service Campground about an hour away from the shop. Wanted to get a burger for a late lunch at the Rousseau Bar, in the middle of nowhere, a couple of miles from the campground. The bar is in a building moved to the current site in 1936, and was originally a structure at a nearby CCC camp from the Great Depression.
Of course the bar was closed, despite the Facebook page that said they were open till 8:00 pm and the place was moderately busy…WTF!
Plan B was to drive the Forest Service back roads to Kenton for a burger at U.P.Chuck’s. Of course being Friday, the grill shuts down early so the cook can concentrate on the traditional Friday Fish fry. I was game but my wife doesn’t like fish, so the friendly waitress sent us across the street to the only other bar (and business?) in town, Hoppy’s….. Three different bars to get a burger.
Back to the campground to start a campfire and roast some local (with natural casings) hot dogs. Unfortunately, the skies opened up just as I was lighting the fire. We spent the night nice and dry in the camper van, and even had sufficient cell signal to access the internet via the phone.
Didn’t really need the hot dogs anyway, since by the time we drove through what seemed like half the Ottawa National Forest to get our lunch burger, it was pretty late anyway. A gin and tonic and nachos and cheese was sufficient for dinner.
From there we went to a local county fair about fifteen miles from the campground to watch the Mud Drags on Saturday morning. It was all local guys, and not many at that, but they seemed to be having fun. After we got home Saturday evening, my wife received a text message saying she won a basket of assorted locally made goat milk soaps from a drawing in one of the exhibit halls ( actually, the only exhibit hall), so we had to make another trip to retrieve it on Sunday morning On the way back we stopped for a dozen eggs at a farm stand. Of course my wife had the checkbook but no cash, as she spent it on ice cream and bakery at the fair the day before. I just had three $100 bills.
The guy was willing to accept a check for the eggs, but then said “to Hell with it, I don’t want to make you write a check for $5.00, so this dozen is on me.”
First free eggs I ever got.
Restored my faith in people. I told him that’s no way to run a business, and asked how he expected to become a millionaire farmer. His response was that’s why he has a day job…. Nice guy.
Back at the shop, Sunday afternoon I started the process of replacing the bottom panel of the garage door in the attached enclosed lean to. Earlier in the summer I had a brain fart and caught the bottom panel with the CTL exhaust tip and buckled it. (Previously a strap, 55 year old come along, and a maple tree straightened the exhaust). Fortunately I still had the original lower panel that had some superficial shipping damage, and was replaced by the garage door company, but one thing leads to another, as that piece of door was holding up several pieces of metal barn siding from 10-16’ long stored against the wall. Without the support, they won't stand against the wall, so next I started building a rack for them out of some salvaged 2x12’s. It’s probably going to take all of Monday and most of Tuesday to complete that sub project, since I’ll probably build a long, narrow workbench for a vice, etc. which eventually will just turn into a horizontal surface to clutter with junk. At least I’m realistic.
So what did I accomplish?
Got a new Internet connection that’s faster then what I had, and hopefully more reliable, at the expense of no longer supporting a local business.
Got A/C for the shop and office.
Got a start and plan on replacing the damaged garage door panel.
Spent a day and a half exploring the National Forest and camped in the rain.
Watched the Mud Drags.
Went to the Fair.
Got a dozen free farm fresh eggs.
Got to see my son, who lives 550 miles away across the state.
Said Goodbye to Ziggy, the American French bulldog mix we were dog sitting for. ( he’s a great, friendly dog, and this comes from a non-dog person).
Didn’t mention it, but hosted my youngest brother and his SO for a couple of nights and went to dinner with them this evening
Sometimes I get frustrated when I can’t seem to get things done, but in retrospect, more weeks are like this than not, and that, in itself, is sort of rewarding.
rd65
Well-known member
Tried out the induction heater on the collector bolts in my daughter's 4Runner. Not sure if it was the heat or the 1/2" Aircat, but all the studs and one bolt are all intact. Really wasnt wanting to need the 1/2" gun but my 3/8" gun couldnt get the last two fasteners, one nut, one bolt. Onto pulling the trans/transfer case tomorrow. The nut closest to the frame required two wobbly extensions to get the socket to fully seat on the nut.
Attachments
finn
Well-known member
I resisted getting an induction heater but finally sprung for an Amazon brand six or eight weeks ago. Settled on a 1400 watt, and love it.
I really like that I don’t have to break out the torches. The open flame and sparks from the torches scare me a little.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
Good deal. Mobility of equipment makes shop life mo’ better in several ways. Since I have the pallet jack I bolted an angle steel perimeter inside the legs 3-1/2” off the floor to move my washer loaded with solvent away from the wall when cleaning behind it is needed.Made a dolly, using scrap wood, so I can move the parts washer around the garage. I brought it over from my dad’s to use for my transmission rebuild. I needed to move and stash it in the corner until I need it again, not sure when that may be.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
Sometimes you can’t get there from here, but where you are still turns out to be ok.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
At 6:30 and at 76 degrees this morning I went to the shop to charge a couple of tool batteries before settling down on the back porch in the zero gravity recliner with one of the dogs alongside and a cup of coffee to wait for the sunrise and watch the two hummingbirds fight over the feeder. Retirement is grand.
bulletpruf
Well-known member
The new top roller was difficult to turn. I probably could have figured out why (i.e., the shaft was pressed in too deep) but it made more sense to me to swap in the old roller with a new seal.
nateo
Well-known member
This weekend was spent playing with mowers. I finally managed to get the blades loose on my rider, a MTD variant that was given to me in running but well loved condition. After pulling the deck and popping out the spindles, heat and breaker bar with the blade in the vice finally did the trick. While I was at it I patched some holes with PL and globbed a coat of rust paint on the deck and threw a bit of grease in the spindle bearings. Blades are now sharp-ish and balanced-ish, and everything (other than the rider's brakes) seems to work as intended.
Then I saw someone giving away a Toro self propelled on my local buy nothing group. Picked it up in a partially disassembled state and spent an hour or so figuring out how it went back together. I even found the wee little spring for the auto-choke tucked down in beside the muffler. Turns out one of the plastic arms on the carb was broken, so $20 to Amazon and I should have a replacement later today. Then I made the mistake of looking the Toro up online. Terrible reviews, and they cost an obscene amount of money new. We'll see if I like it better than my old self propelled walker and then figure out which one to pass on down the road.
Then I saw someone giving away a Toro self propelled on my local buy nothing group. Picked it up in a partially disassembled state and spent an hour or so figuring out how it went back together. I even found the wee little spring for the auto-choke tucked down in beside the muffler. Turns out one of the plastic arms on the carb was broken, so $20 to Amazon and I should have a replacement later today. Then I made the mistake of looking the Toro up online. Terrible reviews, and they cost an obscene amount of money new. We'll see if I like it better than my old self propelled walker and then figure out which one to pass on down the road.
zimman
Well-known member
Epic.At 6:30 and at 76 degrees this morning I went to the shop to charge a couple of tool batteries before settling down on the back porch in the zero gravity recliner with one of the dogs alongside and a cup of coffee to wait for the sunrise and watch the two hummingbirds fight over the feeder. Retirement is grand.
Thank you for this.
Zim
Prospecter
Well-known member
It's fine. Today is another day.
zimman
Well-known member
Roof rack base is done and I'm out of metal. Might take a day or two off and do what @OccupantRJ said. Just sit back and enjoy the view.
Zim
Zim
bmwrd0
Well-known member
Just little stuff. Cleaned out the truck, then washed and vacuumed it, before adding door edge protector. I seems that once I started wearing an AFO on my left foot I need to open the drivers side door all the way to get in and out (which is still a bit of a hassle) and in a parking lot that can led to bumping other cars. So, took care of that. Then changed out some broken plastic on one of the new Webleys, only needing my smallest roll pin punch and a light hand.
zimman
Well-known member
I have those every day but alas, don't get all of it done. I've discovered age, health and mental stability has slowed me down and I'm okay with that. My Mom was a very blunt, earthy grounded woman. She told me often that black is black, live life on life's terms and do the best you can. I try to do that and it's okay not making it to the finish. Enjoy.
Zim
PhantomEB
Well-known member
Picking up two quarts of basic black Self leveling paint and painting the topper today. Will have heat on and fans running.
then order up the light pods for the sides.
I want this thing back on the truck around the first week of the shutdown.
then order up the light pods for the sides.
I want this thing back on the truck around the first week of the shutdown.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
The dog and I enjoyed the view for a couple of hours then picked up a 5 gallon bucket of pine cones from the yard, bundled the shop trash into the wheelie bin, blasted a plastic porta power case with rust stains on it from the flood and washed it with Awesome cleaner, examined and laid out the porta power to later blast and paint, tightened a bolt on a compressor belt guard, then gassed up both mowers for next time. Each mouse bite adds up to the consumption of an elephant later.Roof rack base is done and I'm out of metal. Might take a day or two off and do what @OccupantRJ said. Just sit back and enjoy the view.
Zim
rcktpwrd
Well-known member
Not in the garage but in the parts store parking lot in Carlisle, Pa. Had to replace the battery. Truck was a little slow to crank leaving home and didn't get any better on the 400ish mile drive. Date sticker on the battery was May 2014! So I think we got all the life out of it!
aka Larry
Well-known member
I helped a buddy change the transmission fluid on his Jeep JK. He ended up breaking one of the M6 pan bolts. We tried PB blaster, and heat, but it just wouldn't budge. A two hour job turned into four since we had to run into town to get a bolt extractor. It was still a b*tch to get out, but we finally got it.
rd65
Well-known member
I didnt even think to look at watts when I bought it, was just focused on price. Anyway, the one I got is 1200W, seemed to work decent. Price went up $25 since I bought it six days ago.
rd65
Well-known member
I'm not up to speed with my new routine yet, but I am working on it. Retired last Wednesday.At 6:30 and at 76 degrees this morning I went to the shop to charge a couple of tool batteries before settling down on the back porch in the zero gravity recliner with one of the dogs alongside and a cup of coffee to wait for the sunrise and watch the two hummingbirds fight over the feeder. Retirement is grand.
nadogail
Well-known member
Best Wishes for a Healthy and Enjoyable retirement, may you live long and prosper.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Got behind from last Wed and dropped off so a lot of catch up on this thread! Sucker moves fast!
Went camping Thursday - Sunday and the Garage" was under canopies, mostly my buddy I was camped next to, bur we were working on old lanterns and a few stoves a lot. I got another franken lantern operational if not completed - Milspec fount (tank) and funnel, 242C burner, new mica globe, and I'm switching the vent to an old 30's AGM blue vent:
Still needs a Bail (I'm thinking I'l bend one out of Brass rod) and a better vent nut on top.
I also got the stuck fuel cap off of the >100 YO O'Keef & Merrit camp stove I got earlier this summer. it wqs REALLY stuck! so that oen is starting to prgress.
And fixed stuff, and helped others fix stuff. (I had tools...)
catching up with comments:
See below:
You can use contact cement and fillement tape to replace the failed stuff. Get the old residue off and make a simple alignment fixture.
This is GJ. Lots of people do.
I love my Webley!
Cement floors and Steel = rust. get those metal cans off the floor.
My old favorite chair was a woven web I restrung after finding it abandoned. I un-favored it as its a shorty fishing height... I need to find a better camp seat. my back adn *** will thank me for that...
A year and a half in I'm still sorting out any "routine", but part of me is also concluding I don't really want a routine...
Went camping Thursday - Sunday and the Garage" was under canopies, mostly my buddy I was camped next to, bur we were working on old lanterns and a few stoves a lot. I got another franken lantern operational if not completed - Milspec fount (tank) and funnel, 242C burner, new mica globe, and I'm switching the vent to an old 30's AGM blue vent:
Still needs a Bail (I'm thinking I'l bend one out of Brass rod) and a better vent nut on top.
I also got the stuck fuel cap off of the >100 YO O'Keef & Merrit camp stove I got earlier this summer. it wqs REALLY stuck! so that oen is starting to prgress.
And fixed stuff, and helped others fix stuff. (I had tools...)
catching up with comments:
See below:
You can use contact cement and fillement tape to replace the failed stuff. Get the old residue off and make a simple alignment fixture.
This is GJ. Lots of people do.
I love my Webley!
Cement floors and Steel = rust. get those metal cans off the floor.
My old favorite chair was a woven web I restrung after finding it abandoned. I un-favored it as its a shorty fishing height... I need to find a better camp seat. my back adn *** will thank me for that...
A year and a half in I'm still sorting out any "routine", but part of me is also concluding I don't really want a routine...
Kurt4440
Well-known member
The rotors were only 9 months old. Unfortunately, she broke her ankle in January and couldn't drive for 2 months. The back side of the rotors had minor pitting. What can we do?
Wrench97
Well-known member
Once you get proficient burning a nut off and not nicking the threads on the stud of a exhaust manifold the torch becomes the tool you grab.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
I have 8 years in but sometimes you need to pretend retirement just started to reset the attitude properly.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
Was he humming “pop goes the weasel” while tightening the bolts?
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
Welcome to the land of endless Saturdays. Make sure you've got a 5 year plan. By the time it's over, you'll be into the retirement rhythm.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Early last week, I noticed that something was lifting some of the pavers on one of our table pads:
We moved the table and I put a couple of highway cones over the humps. No need to invite lawsuits.
Since today was the first day we've been closed since I saw that, and the heat wasn't too bad (88F) nor was the smoke (AQI of ~150), I figured I'd better get on it.
One ugly beastie ripped from its lair. Cottonwood trees ****.
No idea why the guy who laid the pavers (NOT ME) didn't bother to dig that out first.
Now to put it all back together.....
I haven't spent much time on the wrong end of an idiot stick lately. Now I remember why.
For now, I think I'll get cozy with a cold brew and sit here in front of the swamp cooler for a while.
We moved the table and I put a couple of highway cones over the humps. No need to invite lawsuits.
Since today was the first day we've been closed since I saw that, and the heat wasn't too bad (88F) nor was the smoke (AQI of ~150), I figured I'd better get on it.
One ugly beastie ripped from its lair. Cottonwood trees ****.
No idea why the guy who laid the pavers (NOT ME) didn't bother to dig that out first.
Now to put it all back together.....
I haven't spent much time on the wrong end of an idiot stick lately. Now I remember why.
For now, I think I'll get cozy with a cold brew and sit here in front of the swamp cooler for a while.
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kaymccampbell
Well-known member
But you do want some kind of rhythm to the deal, most people seem to need guideposts and a pattern to life. I know I surely do.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
Reattached the wiremold for the garage door harness. Put away the tools I took out. Time for a nap.
finn
Well-known member
That’s way above my pay grade.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I get that, but I'm still getting badgered by people that ignored me while I was employed. Now I'm constantly harassed with "you need to do that and you should be doing this," and its nearly all BS paperwork that their incompetent assess need to stop bugging me about.
I just had to take a survey - for the second time - to assure my health provider I was making rent (Home is paid for), had enough food, and 19 other things that don't apply to me. I get that its a "safety net" but there are more efficient ways to do this...
I retired to stop working for other people. not to pick up a different workload...
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
I learned that finesse method of “washing” it off when I first started as a millwright in the 70’s.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
I get those same surveys about life security all the time. As we get on, they seem to worry about us more. Though I honestly wonder what they could actually do for us if we told them that things are bad. Good thing I've arranged my affairs so I'll be here with toys, food and puppies til I'm dead.I get that, but I'm still getting badgered by people that ignored me while I was employed. Now I'm constantly harassed with "you need to do that and you should be doing this," and its nearly all BS paperwork that their incompetent assess need to stop bugging me about.
I just had to take a survey - for the second time - to assure my health provider I was making rent (Home is paid for), had enough food, and 19 other things that don't apply to me. I get that its a "safety net" but there are more efficient ways to do this...
I retired to stop working for other people. not to pick up a different workload...
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Wish you luck and show you the door?
They're not showing concern, they're keeping score.
Wrench97
Well-known member
Practice, practice, practice(on bolts it doesn't matter on)
finn
Well-known member
There are lots of non government social services programs out there, most run largely by non profits. That’s in addition to the government agencies.
Examples include Little Brothers, Meals on Wheels, Catholic (and Lutheran) Services, Salvation Army, and more. Little brothers, for example hosts holiday dinners anyone can attend, builds handicap ramps, and free firewood to seniors with no assets. There are other programs that fund home heating oil(and I presume other fuel) assistance for those in need.
There are even Veteran services that arrange transportation, rent assistance, medical care, depression screening, and much more.
Yes, I too get annoyed by the questions, but if they get help for even one person in need, I can endure the minute or two of my time it takes to answer them.Just because you don’t know about them doesn’t mean they don’t exist
finn
Well-known member
My induction heater is batting 100% so far, and doesn’t require practice or skill.Practice, practice, practice(on bolts it doesn't matter on)