What did you do "IN" your garage today?

[Old Man Roger]

It's pretty much SOP on backroads around here. Not lots of folks paying attention to what's behind them, and a sudden, unexpected pass can turn nasty.

I'm not talking leaning on the horn, just a quick toot to wake 'em up--and it's a Vanagon--ever heard a Vanagon horn? beep beep.

True, a vanagon horn does sound more like an “excuse me“ than it does a “get the f out of the way” lol

 

[KwikFab]

Cut more stuff out on the table.

Short easy day so time to relax.

 

[Wrench97]

True, a vanagon horn does sound more like an “excuse me“ than it does a “get the f out of the way” lol

Unless he sticks this out the window when he wants pass....

 

[Beerhippie]

Unless he sticks this out the window when he wants pass....

I passed up one of the big double-trumpet truck horns at a yard sale Friday. Thought about it for a minute and decided that I'm not that guy.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Unless he sticks this out the window when he wants pass....

Had a douchebag blow a train horn at me and the girl while crossing the street at the beach. Had he parked anywhere along our walk I don’t know if I would have been a mature responsible adult.lol

 

[WisJim]

I'm trying to spend time in the garage every day sorting and repacking stuff in preparation for a move in a month or so. I was just getting organized and then we decided we should move. The advantage will be 60x60 space with 10 foot ceiling instead of 24x40 with 8 foot ceilings. We've decided that we should hire movers so I need someone who can move my modest lathes and small milling machines which are still more than I want to deal with anymore. I've also been trying to find some old kitchen items that I want to take to our local museum's "collector day" in 2 weeks, to include with my collection of old toasters, but I just don't remember where I packed them up 4 years ago when we last moved.

 

[Beerhippie]

It's a good afternoon for puttering around the shop. Rained all night and all morning--no lawn watering today. Now 60-ish, scattered clouds and breezy.

Unpacked some of my camping gear. I'm leaving most of it in the Brick for impromptu opportunities as the weather permits.



Fixed a minor irritation with the Brick that was becoming a major irritation. Being somewhat shy of normal height, the damned shoulder strap of the belt was sawing into the side of my neck. Turns out, VW, in their finite wisdom, provided a second, lower anchor point for the shoulder strap. That's done and it fits nicely now. The big Phillips-head screw thing is a plug for the hole where the top anchor bolts in. The lower anchor point with that plug was hidden behind the vertical leg of the strap.

Trying to finish up some projects I started a couple of days ago.



Feeding the pick handle more BLO. That old wood is thirsty.



Since I have the BLO out, may as well do the movable jaw and nut of the Pipemaster 24".



Laying down some coats of Rusto Hammered Black. I was going to use Gloss black, but I bought this can for my bumper project and it's one of those asinine trigger-grip cans. Better to use it up before that nozzle clogs.

I struggle some with the hammered-finish paints. In order to get the hammered look, I need to lay it on thick--just slightly less than getting runs. I'm used to multiple, very thin coats, which makes it into a simple gloss finish. I'm also painting in 55-60F temps, so more set times between coats.

'Bout time for another coat of paint and BLO....

 

[pima67]

Larch is one of the things I miss about Western MT as they turn golden in the fall.
Also much prized by the local mill for turning into power/telephone poles.

 

[Beerhippie]

Larch is one of the things I miss about Western MT as they turn golden in the fall.
Also much prized by the local mill for turning into power/telephone poles.

They're just starting to turn here, depending on elevation. They're also popular for fence posts, stays and firewood.

 

[Outlawmws]

Turns out, VW, in their finite wisdom, provided a second, lower anchor point for the shoulder strap. That's done and it fits nicely now.

I just checked - my Toy van has the same issue for me, and no option for lowering it...

So I'll continue to adjust my collar to keep it off my neck...

 

[Beerhippie]

I just checked - my Toy van has the same issue for me, and no option for lowering it...

So I'll continue to adjust my collar to keep it off my neck...

I think you can buy or fab a simple extension to lower the mounting point. 3/16" steel strap should be plenty strong. That was my intent until I found the second anchor point.

 

[M.Brane]

Moved some stuff around. Unboxed the new stabilizer jacks for the Toyhauler. Got beer out of the fridge. Sat in the camp chair, and contemplated the whole situation. Enjoyed the nice breeze, and lower temperature.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Rode the chair.

 

[RonnieC]

We have a campervan with a bed that folds down from both sides, supported by legs running down to the floor. The legs get in the way for accessing gear under the bed. I copied what I saw online and made two supports out of super strut. I bolted heavy flat brackets to the top which rest on side bulkheads.
I’ll probably coat with bedliner sometime in the future but I didn’t want to have it offgassing while we are camping soon.

 

[Outlawmws]

Sorting out the window switch wiring - The plan is to use the factory plug and individual plug in quick disconnects to that. I have to modify 9 male tabs as this is an orphan size. I'll put in a strain relief to that harness plug so it doesn't unplug itself...

I did ID the full time hot lead and the switched hot lead. color code is insane... (White hot and Blue Accessory hot? ) I may wire the "child cut off" switch to a 3 position switch, so I can have normal - Off - on without the damn key... and maybe a power lock cut off so they can't use a coat hanger wire to unlock the damn thing.

 

[Beerhippie]

I just checked - my Toy van has the same issue for me, and no option for lowering it...

So I'll continue to adjust my collar to keep it off my neck...

Just recalled something: They also make padded collars that Velcro around the shoulder strap to at least pad that saw-tooth edge.

Yep--just search for "shoulder strap pad for seatbelt".

 

[LeonardY]

Plugged the car in.

Walked through taking out the trash and the recycling.

 

[2001ZR2]

Been cleaning the garage not that you could tell. Got an air hose off of spot where I dropped it.

Having sharpen and fix implements of destruction for limbing up some trees. Tomorrow is the day they pick up that stuff. So sharpened the loppers and had to replace the 10-32 screw that holds the pole saw blade from rotating.

 

[Cheesy1]

My big truck is a 2006 F250 with the dreaded 6.0 Powerstroke. 230k miles and it runs like a top. But, 20 years old and 230k mikes-the King Ranch leathers were getting aged.

Today it got new seat foam and new leathers in the front. A lot simpler project than I anticipated.

The replacements fit well but I am a bit PO’d at Richmond Auto Upholstery. Their website and the online chat guy both said equivalent to OEM. They absolutely in no way are. Original was full blown authentic straight from the cow leather. These are a laminated chopped and formed leather. Likely will last long enough for me, but definitely not what I was sold.

 

[Motorman55]

Built and installed a 12"x36"x3/4" plywood shelf to hold the 4 new Husky parts boxes I purchased from HD. Painted it black and added an aluminum edge trim. Had enough room between them for a plastic black tray to hold electrical tapes. The shelf is easily removed for any clearance issue when storing the '76 MGB in the garage for the winter months.

Next project for this wall is a fold down bench which I want to place under the window. Have to think about how I want to build it.

Meanwhile...back to work.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I replaced the ball seal in my RV toilet.


I even followed the instructions and torqued the band clamp to 65 inch pounds.


it holds water again.


I also put the router table that arrived a week or two ago together.


All of the mating bolts washers and nuts were pre assembled in the parts bag and assembly was a breeze.



I spent some time cleaning the lathe.

 

[rd65]

That occurred to me. The canyon I was driving seems to be about 90% tourons. It was also the most crowded backroad I've driven in a long while. I'm used to seeing no more rigs than I could count on one hand in a day's driving.

Bingo.

Wife and I drove up Mt Pilchuck Rd this summer, I had never been on the road as it used to be in terrible shape. Day hikers driving up all over that drive like absolute asshats. Bunch of gen z-ombies driving their outbacks way too fast on washboard gravel wanting to be one with nature.

 

[Beerhippie]

Wife and I drove up Mt Pilchuck Rd this summer, I had never been on the road as it used to be in terrible shape. Day hikers driving up all over that drive like absolute asshats. Bunch of gen z-ombies driving their outbacks way too fast on washboard gravel wanting to be one with nature.

This was asshats driving their Subys, Sprinters and other "overlander" rigs like they were made of eggshells.

I'm the one driving too fast on bad roads in a thirty-six-year-old Vanagon--but I have experience in doing so, and beer.....

 

[SRU1436]

It's a good afternoon for puttering around the shop. Rained all night and all morning--no lawn watering today. Now 60-ish, scattered clouds and breezy.

Unpacked some of my camping gear. I'm leaving most of it in the Brick for impromptu opportunities as the weather permits.



Fixed a minor irritation with the Brick that was becoming a major irritation. Being somewhat shy of normal height, the damned shoulder strap of the belt was sawing into the side of my neck. Turns out, VW, in their finite wisdom, provided a second, lower anchor point for the shoulder strap. That's done and it fits nicely now. The big Phillips-head screw thing is a plug for the hole where the top anchor bolts in.

Trying to finish up some projects I started a couple of days ago.



Feeding the pick handle more BLO. That old wood is thirsty.



Since I have the BLO out, may as well do the movable jaw and nut of the Pipemaster 24".



Laying down some coats of Rusto Hammered Black. I was going to use Gloss black, but I bought this can for my bumper project and it's one of those asinine trigger-grip cans. Better to use it up before that nozzle clogs.

I struggle some with the hammered-finish paints. In order to get the hammered look, I need to lay it on thick--just slightly less than getting runs. I'm used to multiple, very thin coats, which makes it into a simple gloss finish. I'm also painting in 55-60F temps, so more set times between coats.

'Bout time for another coat of paint and BLO....

Do you cover your BLO when not in use, and what king of container do you use?

 

[Beerhippie]

Do you cover your BLO when not in use, and what king of container do you use?

Pour it back into the original container. Boiled Linseed Oil has "hardeners" that react with oxygen to make it polymerize faster, so leaving it exposed is a bad idea. If I want a can to really last, I'll flood it with argon from the TIG welder. I also thin it 50-50 with mineral spirits to make it go farther and not leave so thick a coat.

 

[Outlawmws]

On the wiring, I also test modified a couple of tabs and confirmed they will fit/work.

Also cleaned up a Wartime "E" SO ratchet and lubed it - I need to stake in a new detent BB - the spring seems to still be there, glued in with gunge..

And last before we went to my son's for dinner, I bid adn won a Pilliod oak machinists box identical in size and configuration to my other Pilliod box, so those both will get setup for my GPA tools and be more manageable for Coleman trips. and it was $1 above the opening bid so I'm happy.

 

[Outlawmws]

Plugged the car in.

Is this cause for pulling the GJ man card?

 

[rharman]

I'm with LeeG.

Cleaning up all the individual things laying around that shouldn't be where they're at. Reclaiming bench space, tool box counter space, and even some floor space.

It's disturbing how easily the place gets trashed by individual objects. Hose nozzle here, bolt cutters over there, piece of angle iron leaning against some object, a dirty rag on top of the garage fridge.. Empty milk jugs used for water, a plate with misc nuts and bolts, buckets of fertilizer laying everywhere, roll of electric fence wire.. The list is endless..

I vow to spend an hour every day putting away small things until there is nothing left.

For some time, I've tried to put away at least one item or do 2-3 minutes of straightening every time I pass through the garage. Unfortunately, project remnants, including tools, can derail that pretty quickly.

I'm also trying to stick to the mantra of "Don't put it down, put it away." That helps a lot.

 

[rharman]

I passed up one of the big double-trumpet truck horns at a yard sale Friday. Thought about it for a minute and decided that I'm not that guy.

When I was a kid (1960's), our neighbor had a pair of those old air trumpet horns on his pickup. He was a really nice guy but, also, quite the character.

 

[rharman]

It's pretty much SOP on backroads around here. Not lots of folks paying attention to what's behind them, and a sudden, unexpected pass can turn nasty.

I'm not talking leaning on the horn, just a quick toot to wake 'em up--and it's a Vanagon--ever heard a Vanagon horn? meep meep.

True, a vanagon horn does sound more like an “excuse me“ than it does a “get the f out of the way” lol

Reminds me of "The Little Nash Rambler" song. If you don't know it, you have to listen till the very end.

 

[SRU1436]

Pour it back into the original container. Boiled Linseed Oil has "hardeners" that react with oxygen to make it polymerize faster, so leaving it exposed is a bad idea. If I want a can to really last, I'll flood it with argon from the TIG welder. I also thin it 50-50 with mineral spirits to make it go farther and not leave so thick a coat.

I figured you put it in some sort of container when not in use. I haven’t tried the 50-50 trick. Is the handle soak in straight BLO or 50-50?

 

[Murby]

For some time, I've tried to put away at least one item or do 2-3 minutes of straightenening every time I pass through the garage. Unfortunately, project remnants, including tools, can derail that pretty quickly.

I'm also trying to stick to the mantra of "Don't put it down, put it away." That helps a lot.

My barn is rather new.. Even to this day, I'm still getting things organized. For example, I wasn't exactly sure where I was going to want to park the welder and plasma cutter, so I just picked the best spot and ran a 6ga SO cord across the floor.. Now that they've been there for a while and it seems to be working out, I need to install plugs on the wall and run wire and conduit to them so they're not sharing the same SO cord.. and that's one more thing I'm not stepping over.

Heck, I'm still making brackets to hang shovels and rakes.. I thought I was done with that until my wife pulled some stuff out of the shed.

And on top of all that.. we're sort of putting in a private golf course / exercise path / entertainment setup.. Not even sure what to call it.. Not as large as a real golf course, but way bigger than any put-put place.. Should be able to get 200 - 250 yards out of it.. and we want a walking trail/path because we're both getting old.

We have like 10 different projects going on around here.. Getting all the tools and stuff put away every time is almost impossible.. But it gets to a point where it has to be done.

 

[Murby]

It's a good afternoon for puttering around the shop. Rained all night and all morning--no lawn watering today. Now 60-ish, scattered clouds and breezy.

Unpacked some of my camping gear. I'm leaving most of it in the Brick for impromptu opportunities as the weather permits.



Fixed a minor irritation with the Brick that was becoming a major irritation. Being somewhat shy of normal height, the damned shoulder strap of the belt was sawing into the side of my neck. Turns out, VW, in their finite wisdom, provided a second, lower anchor point for the shoulder strap. That's done and it fits nicely now. The big Phillips-head screw thing is a plug for the hole where the top anchor bolts in.

Trying to finish up some projects I started a couple of days ago.



Feeding the pick handle more BLO. That old wood is thirsty.



Since I have the BLO out, may as well do the movable jaw and nut of the Pipemaster 24".



Laying down some coats of Rusto Hammered Black. I was going to use Gloss black, but I bought this can for my bumper project and it's one of those asinine trigger-grip cans. Better to use it up before that nozzle clogs.

I struggle some with the hammered-finish paints. In order to get the hammered look, I need to lay it on thick--just slightly less than getting runs. I'm used to multiple, very thin coats, which makes it into a simple gloss finish. I'm also painting in 55-60F temps, so more set times between coats.

'Bout time for another coat of paint and BLO....

I waterproof all my gloves and boots with boiled linseed oil.. Heat it up in a pan, dump in a few old wax candles and stir it all up until its just a liquid. Brush on gloves and boots and it seals and waterproofs all the leather.. Give the threads and seams 2 coats and it plugs all the micro-holes that let water in.

Few things are as uncomfortable as cold wet feet or cold wet gloves.

 

[SMOKEYBEAR]

Soaked 3 large files and 2 ball peen hammerheads I snagged from Restore in some citric acid rust remover concoction. I'll re-handle the hammers, pass the files to a friend that makes knives. All USA made stuff, one hammer is a Bonney the other I can't quite make out the manufacturer yet.

 

[bugnut]

True, a vanagon Volkswagen horn does sound more like an “excuse me“ than it does a “get the f out of the way” lol

FIFY

Just recalled something: They also make padded collars that Velcro around the shoulder strap to at least pad that saw-tooth edge.

I keep these around very handy when trying to protect cars/trailer/mowers/tractors etc from rubbing straps. Have one on the waist belt of my backpack as the velcro on the strap was destroying shirts and jackets.

Plesant day here most of my work was in the house, did remove a part from the printer and fire it up again!

 

[Lassen Forge]

Oh jeezebus, what a day...

Started out easy enough - was going to clean the uptairs porch, straighten up the minishop, and pull out the weed whack-o-matic and clear the terrace behind everything to plant some somethings....

Porch was easy enough. went to the minishop, what an effing mess, but got it somewhat cleaned out, had to rearrange some things to hang up some other things - and in the process realized the 2 shelf brackets were too short to hold the 2 whack=o=matics... so pulled the whackers down, the mini-saw... Hmmm.... Something ain't right.

The bar was on upside down. OK, I've done that on occasion, but I don't remember doing it since the saw is still fairly new. Put it on the list. Put up new brackets for which to store the whackers, got them started, warmed up, checked the fuel, and put them on the brackets. Turned my attention to the Stihl 180, for this I will call O' Betsy. She's my small tree and limber machine, and I always keep it cleaned, lubed, and ready to go in case something falls in the road or whatnot...

Anyway, I check the fuel - damn, that cap is down tight - and OK... almost no oil in the tank.... wtf?? so go to fire it up, and it's like the chain brake is engaged. Nope, checked it, so WTF? Then I realize the chain is frozen. I get it apart, and it looks like someone borrowed it to cut asphalt roofing shingles (which are fairly rare here), the chain is clogged solid and immobile. It looks like someone borrowed it and put it away wet, "maybe she'll not notice"...

Well, she noticed. Gotta go out this afternoon and take the sprocket off and see how bad the damage is to the centrifical clutch AND change the locks on the minishop (apparently someone knows the old combo)... and STILL haven't cleared the terrace for winter planting... mother#^@$*&!!!!

 

[kaehlin]

Attached long hanger to the wall, for purposes of hanging some lawn chairs. They fit perfectly. Easy job, no issues.

 

[413dan]

Spent another few hours organizing the garage at my rental. I get use of the space, carte blanche other than removing certain items the landlord is holding on to specifically. Every time he see's the place he is shocked by how organized it has become.

Planning to spend the day in my other garage cleaning and clearing things to prepare for having the concrete floor touched up in a few weeks. I don't want to be scrambling last minute to do so. Great weather for working outside lately, beautiful and sunny, low humidity.

 

[zimman]

Found this. If anyone wants it I'll send it to them if they pay for shipping.
Zim

 

[racecougar]

Spent yesterday cleaning up and putting everything away from the annual cruise that I put on (Rods & Hogs).