A Shed Downunder.

[HOTFR8]

Ohhhh .... it was a Blackwoods store ... specialising in OH&S safety equipment.

Didnt know they had one in St Kilda .. .......

Is that what they are with the red light out the front.

It just cracked the 40 C here on the Met site, there is thunder storms brewing between here and Bendigo as we speak.

I will post some more details of the proposed Manual change over switch and generator inlet whilst I am on leave.

Cloud pattern has just changed here but the storms must be north of me.

As for the switch do you remember - Miss Jane, Mr Squiggle and Bill Steam Shovel.... Bill always said Hurry up.

I'm liking that bench seat.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Is that what they are with the red light out the front.



Cloud pattern has just changed here but the storms must be north of me.

As for the switch do you remember - Miss Jane, Mr Squiggle and Bill Steam Shovel.... Bill always said Hurry up.

I'm liking that bench seat.

 

[1/2 Cup]

If you could figure out a way to put a keg of beer and a tap into that drum and carrier, you could probably sell tons of them. Great looking piece!

I recon a keg would fit quite nicely actually, top idea, no that's got me thinking.
My sister and her partner have just stated a boutique brewery and I saw dozens of brand spanker stainless kegs there. mmmm

Food for thought. Thanks rixtrix

 

[1/2 Cup]

The year that was in and around the Shed Downunder.


Reflections: As I have posted previously it has been a big year in the Shed Downunder when I think about it, I always have a project list on the go and tick things off as they are completed and I am consistently adding to that list, it is a constant reminder looking back and moving forward.
Thus far in 2013;

Shed - West side - finish paving. Completed.
Shed - East side - replace scoria stone with 3/4 blue stone crushed rock in walkway. Completed.
Shed - Personal Access door area replace old pavers due to new perimeter fencing. Completed.
Outdoor area -
Storage - Spare part containers - purchase, sort, label and arrange in shelves. Ongoing.
Watering System - fabricate and install new stainless steel manifold complete with filter screen. Completed.
Shed - Replace crusty light switches and socket outlets. Completed.
Shed - Workshop area - replace lighting - Completed.
Shed - Workshop area - install new ceiling fan, - Completed.
Shed - Rear gate to steel storage area - Finished.
Steel storage area - Clean, sort, stack and recycle unwanted stuff.
Project - Brake drum pot belly heater build. Completed.
Work bench peg board - rearrange peg board layout, remove, clean and store tools not frequently used. Completed.
Project - Drag way Christmas tree light controller -Design, procurement, proof of concept, build, control wiring, label, test operation and delivery to HOTFR8. Completed.
Project - Cast iron oil drum handler and drum make over. Completed.
Project - Bench seat restoration. Completed.
Project - 1930 Model A Ford radiator surround restoration. As shown - Completed.
Project - 2 X Bench seats, as shown - In progress.
Project - Fabrication bench, as shown - In progress.
Project - Retro Industrial bench, as shown - In progress.
Project - Coffee table timber top repair - Not in any hurry to do this but it is taking up valuable bench space. mmm
Project - Pimp 5" Vice for fabrication bench. Completed - shocking images to follow.
Routine stuff - Lawns, general maintenance, gardens, walk Shelby, help neighbours out and the list goes on.
Swap meets - many.
Car Shows - 2
Dog Show - With Mrs 1/2 Cup and rodents - 3
Tool and hardware shop compulsory visitations - weekly.
EBAY - 1 Session weekly - 2.5 hours.
Garage Journal site visits - Sessions per day - Not telling!!!!!
Garage Journal - Hours spent per day - Not telling.!!!


Other bits and highlights;


First grand son - First birthday in Sydney.
Eldest son - Engagement to his partner.
Youngest son - Married in October, wonderful wedding in Sydney we now have a daughter in law..
Dad - Down size - Garage sale 1 of 3 - Completed.
Dad - Down size - Garage sale 2 of 3 - Completed.
Dad - Down size - Garage sale 3 of 3 - Schedule for 2014
Dad - Move to new home - 20 x trailer loads later -One huge Family effort -
Completed.
Our sons home - Remove, replace and test all light switches and socket outlets - Completed.
Me - Annual medical. Completed. Tick, more or less.

Off the top of my head that's about it.

7.6 Hours of work to go today then I have two weeks off on leave, looking forward to 4.00 pm today I can tell you.

Merry Christmas and seasons greetings to every one at the GJ , thanks for having me here and thanks for looking, your encouragement and great feedback.

 

[HOTFR8]

Project - Drag way Christmas tree light controller -Design, procurement, proof of concept, build, control wiring, label, test operation and delivery to HOTFR8. Completed.

Merry Christmas and seasons greetings to every one at the GJ , thanks for having me here and thanks for looking, your encouragement and great feedback.

I've come out in a Hot sweat just reading all that. You have been busy and I doubt I could say I have come close to getting as much done this year as you have. You put me to shame . Well done.

Xmas tree will be moved to the house for a laugh before Christmas.
Seasons Greetings to you and Mrs 1/2Cup.

 

[Vernmotor]

I am coming to steal that bench ! awesome !

 

[1/2 Cup]

I am coming to steal that bench ! awesome !

Your welcome any time, better still i'll come over there and build you one!

 

[Vernmotor]

Well Now that be the coolest thing ever !!

 

[HOTFR8]

In reference to posts 145 & 150. Some one must be interested and reading this topic as I was the second person to ask for the Brookes Beer at what was the Northern Hotel. The poor girl behind the bar had not heard of it so I asked the connection to Apple Annies.

Next stop Apple Annies and they only had a couple of Stubbies and then yet again they also wanted to know why they had been asked for this beer this week as well.

Yes both places had been asked for this beer this week,
I did not refer to this forum in my discussion but 2+2=4.......

Oh as for me getting the beer I was looking for. No luck.

 

[1/2 Cup]

In reference to posts 145 & 150. Some one must be interested and reading this topic as I was the second person to ask for the Brookes Beer at what was the Northern Hotel. The poor girl behind the bar had not heard of it so I asked the connection to Apple Annies.

Next stop Apple Annies and they only had a couple of Stubbies and then yet again they also wanted to know why they had been asked for this beer this week as well.

Yes both places had been asked for this beer this week,
I did not refer to this forum in my discussion but 2+2=4.......

Oh as for me getting the beer I was looking for. No luck.

mmm i will persue it with the Proprieters.
There is 1/2 dozen real cold pale ales in my fridge that potentially will not be there tommorow.

 

[HOTFR8]

mmm i will persue it with the Proprieters.

I think the two place may pursue them as well. Being asked for something they did not have or did not have much of.

There is 1/2 dozen real cold pale ales in my fridge that potentially will not be there tommorow.

I guess you will enjoy those . Did not help me finding them as Pressies for Christmas. I left my run to late .

 

[1/2 Cup]

Over the last couple of weekends I have been able to make some headway with the Fabrication Bench, post #114 shows the plate I scored for the top. It had been in the weather for many years and was pretty rusted on top of the original mill scale. It has taken a fair effort with the disc sander to get it back to bare metal.
Once I was reasonably happy with the finish I clamped it to the angle support flange to trim it to size.

View media item 36385

View media item 36384
I used a 1/4 laminate trimmer with a carbide burr running against a straight edge to remove no more than an 1/8 of material all round. I am pleased with the results and it has a fit thats nice and straight and sharp..

 

[1/2 Cup]

What's a bench without a vice, I had picked this Dawn 5" vice at a swap meet some time back. The jaw plates had been knocked around and were replaced as a matter of course but other than that it is in reasonable condition.
In keeping with the all metal finish theme for the Fabrication Bench, over the last two weeks I dismantled and striped the original finish back to bare metal as well.

View media item 36383

View media item 36382

 

[HOTFR8]

Loving the bare metal finish.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Loving the bare metal finish.

I thought i would try some thing different.

The bench top took some work, i went down to 16 grit sanding discs and they hardly put a dint in the rust and mill scale. I am still not finished with it yet.

 

[Vernmotor]

How will it not all rust ??

 

[1/2 Cup]

How will it not all rust ??

I intend to clear coat the bench frame and vice when it is completed with the exception of the top surface, i have bare metal fixed benches in the shed and wipe them over weekly with CRC or a Lanolin spray as part of my clean up routine and i dont have any real problem with flash rusting at all.
Humidity is not a huge issue here and the shed is dry as.

On the other hand with the Retro Industrial Table i am trying to promote the rusting proccess wiping the exposed metal surfaces down with Hydrocloric acid and letting nature do the rest. It has been out in the weather for the last few weeks and is aging nicely, i will endeavor to post some updated pics in the next day or so.

Many thanks, i hope this helps.

 

[Vernmotor]

Ok If I did that here it be rust in 3-5 days LOL

 

[1/2 Cup]

Ok If I did that here it be rust in 3-5 days LOL

Its hard for me to imagine what that would be like

 

[HOTFR8]

Will be interesting to see how you coat it with Lanolin.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Will be interesting to see how you coat it with Lanolin.

Out of a spray can then wipe over, its called Lanotec. Great stuff.

Not entering into the sheep debate

 

[HOTFR8]

Out of a spray can then wipe over, its called Lanotec. Great stuff.

A photo of the product would be good.

Not entering into the sheep debate

Well, considering you {sheepishly} started up the topic i'll just add you have not pulled the wool over any ones eyes.

 

[1/2 Cup]

A photo of the product would be good.



Well, considering you {sheepishly} started up the topic i'll just add you have not pulled the wool over any ones eyes.

http://www.lanotecindustries.com/products.php

Here's a link to their site.

I use it on wood as well, it gives a lovely finish and particular Red gum.
Do you remember the older timber constructed shearing sheds and sheep yard fences and just how well persevered the timbers were from the natural oils in there wool??

I first saw it used in the aviation industry on aluminium rivets!

Blackwoods stock it here in Shepparton.

 

[HOTFR8]

I have used some of those products myself in the past. I am sure I have used the Citrus based hand cleaner.

Blackwoods carry some good gear. I got some Loctite from them once to join the Sleeper cab rubber in the F4. Have had a good connection with some of the Loctite Guys ever since.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Works at the Shed Downunder have ground to a halt with the preparations for the arrival our youngest son, his new bride and first grandson (18 month old ) from Sydney last night.

Mrs 1/2 Cup has been busily reorganizing the household, literally, over the last week in preparation for their stay, that's almost worth a thread in itself and the short form version goes like this;

. Cleans wall oven, asks me to remove elements in both ovens to clean the top sections, no problems, disconnect 5 wires at each. Cleaning finished, time to refit elements. We have a problem OMG I did what I would kick an apprentices backside for, did not mark the wires where they came from - dual element in both sections, no problem, there is always a circuit diagram behind the back cover.
Remove back cover, no diagram, trace it out not a chance. Ah the manual will have one, not on your life it was only full of cleaning instructions and recipes. Next step Google is my friend - 5 hours of precious time wasted all I could find was the damned manual again and that the company had gone out of business 3 years ago.
The stove has no model, serial or compliance tag to reference either and it turned out from what I could gather a rebadged European unit.
Local service agents could not help either.
So much for the Christmas roast, the pressure is on when Mrs 1/2 Cup remembered my sister had brought a similar model at the same time.
So out to my sisters and I am in luck, same make and model with a few more features, removed the wall oven, dismantled and still no diagram, took photos and traced the circuits out, reassembled and reinstalled the oven. Return home and reconnected every thing as it should be, reassembled and reinstalled it back into its place and bingo we are right to go for the Christmas lunch roast.

. Move dining table from lounge room to family room.
. Move chase lounge from family room to dinning room
. Move lounge chairs from dinning room into lounge room.
. Purchase new chairs for dinning table as she had given our others to our eldest son.
. Dismantle antique cot and store on front veranda.
. General furniture relocation to the shed.
. Return bench seat to the garden that I had moved to the shed so she could repaint it but never started the project.
. Clear out antiques from the house that an 18 month old could potentially reach.
. Set up third bed room for cot.
. Set up Alfresco indoor outdoor room as forth bed room.
. Put up curtains in Alfresco indoor outdoor room.
. Clean windows.
. Move and stock bar fridge from shed to Alfresco indoor outdoor room.
. Move chairs from Alfresco indoor outdoor room to shed.
. We now have an antique church pulpit, plant stand and additional antique captains chairs in the master bed room.
. Rehouse Shelby the garage guardian at my eldest sons place.
. As I had been using the Alfresco indoor outdoor room as storage for the completed bits of the Model A, they to had to be moved into the shed.

So this is what the Shed Downunder looks like at the moment.

View media item 36431

View media item 36430
Any way we got there in the end.

Time to kick back and relax with family..

Cooking breakfast this morning on the front veranda. Trying out the new Weber BBQ.

View media item 36432

 

[HOTFR8]

Once again a busy place. Sounds like Shelby is off for a holiday.

I can smell that breakfast here. No wait that's the Bacon factory here as it must be about finished for the year.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Once again a busy place. Sounds like Shelby is off for a holiday.

It was a case of have to relocate Shelby with the little bloke around, she is out with her mum and dad. I miss her like hell, sometimes.

I can smell that breakfast here. No wait that's the Bacon factory here as it must be about finished for the year.

It was a nice feed.mmmmmmmmmmmm

The twist to the wall oven issue is that i am now doing the roast in the Weber.

Beer oclock

 

[HOTFR8]

So much for the Christmas roast, the pressure is on when Mrs 1/2 Cup remembered my sister had brought a similar model at the same time.
So out to my sisters and I am in luck, same make and model with a few more features, removed the wall oven, dismantled and still no diagram, took photos and traced the circuits out, reassembled and reinstalled the oven. Return home and reconnected every thing as it should be, reassembled and reinstalled it back into its place and bingo we are right to go for the Christmas lunch roast.

I read that as fixed ?

It was a nice feed.mmmmmmmmmmmm

The twist to the wall oven issue is that i am now doing the roast in the Weber.

Beer oclock

Well that sounds good but what went wrong with the Oven ?

As for Shelby, well she can have a break and be home when the little fella leaves.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I read that as fixed ?



Well that sounds good but what went wrong with the Oven ?

As for Shelby, well she can have a break and be home when the little fella leaves.

I should have added that the oven is fixed, just some dumb *** electrician did not take note of where the wires went.
Mrs 1/2 Cup is doing the second roast in the wall oven as we speak. and i couldnt resist trying the Weber out on a roast any way after i brought the optional Weber roasting trivet, optional convection tray, optional cast iron grill plate and the spare drip trays after this mornings effort with breakfast.

 

[HOTFR8]

I heard about that electrician. If I was you I would not let him near your things again.

Will be interesting to see how the Weber cooked version compares.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I heard about that electrician. If I was you I would not let him near your things again.

Will be interesting to see how the Weber cooked version compares.

We just took it off now, same roast pork from the same butchers, interesting

 

[Vernmotor]

I know I don't need to tell you. To take pics of things BEFORE you take them apart ! LOL You about got yourself in deep do-do there ! lol That was Funny as heck to read..I could see the panic in your face from here !

 

[1/2 Cup]

I know I don't need to tell you. To take pics of things BEFORE you take them apart ! LOL You about got yourself in deep do-do there ! lol That was Funny as heck to read..I could see the panic in your face from here !

Lessons learned i can assure you, i should know better and can laugh about it now..

Christmas morning here now, kicking back and enjoying the day with our grandson opening his gifts and looking forward to our traditional Christmas lunch with all the family at my sisters house.

Wishing you all the best for Christmas and for a happy and healthy New Year!!

1/2 Cup and family..

 

[80WTI_55_CHEV]

Over the last couple of weekends I have been able to make some headway with the Fabrication Bench, post #114 shows the plate I scored for the top. It had been in the weather for many years and was pretty rusted on top of the original mill scale. It has taken a fair effort with the disc sander to get it back to bare metal.
Once I was reasonably happy with the finish I clamped it to the angle support flange to trim it to size.

View media item 36385

View media item 36384
I used a 1/4 laminate trimmer with a carbide burr running against a straight edge to remove no more than an 1/8 of material all round. I am pleased with the results and it has a fit thats nice and straight and sharp..

The table looks awesome Steve, job well done

 

[941designs]

Is your garage security a Belgian Malinois by chance? I've worked alongside them here where I work. Amazing breed, simply amazing.

Great thread too!

Last thought, my wife dreams of traveling to Australia.....where would YOU like to visit outside your country the most? Merry Christmas sir.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Is your garage security a Belgian Malinois by chance? I've worked alongside them here where I work. Amazing breed, simply amazing.

Great thread too!

Last thought, my wife dreams of traveling to Australia.....where would YOU like to visit outside your country the most? Merry Christmas sir.

Shelby was the last of a litter of 9 pups that my eldest sons Belgians had, she was born with a cleft palete issue and after 3 attempts at surgery we finally got on top of things over the first year of her life and as a consequence she has not left our place since. You are correct in saying they are an amazing breed, high drive and highly intellegent as well. Well almost all the time any way.
We love her to bits as much as she can be a pain some times but thats a Belgian.

Many thanks for your feedback Sir, i sincerly hope you have enjoyed the read and pictures. I tend to get a bit wayward at times but i guess thats all part of the enjoyment, fun and inspiration I get from being a part of the forum.


We would love to have you guys here, there is just so much diversity in our country, I still have not seen all of it myself yet.

We have travelled to New Zealand recently and thats really welcoming and has simply spectacular scenery and are planning to return at Easter next year (2014)

I would love to visit the States at some point but that may have to wait until I retire.

I also have the desire to follow in my grand fathers footsteps and visit all the places he went during World War 1, he left us with his diary that listed every place he was at during 1915 - 1918 conflict which included Belgium, France and England.

Many thanks again and Merry Christmas .. 1/2 Cup...

 

[Bob Heine]

1/2 Cup,

I've enjoyed your thread and I hope you'll keep posting. If there is any way you can swing it, start traveling now. By the time I retired at 55 my wife's health kept us from doing much traveling. I've taken up welding to fill the void.

I was infected with the travel bug as a child and with two teachers for parents I got to spend a few summers traveling across North America. In twelve summer months over five years we covered all but four US states (Florida, Georgia, Hawaii and S. Carolina), all of the Canadian provinces (except the Northwest Territory) and most of northern and central Mexico.

As adults my wife and I spent some tourist time in a number of islands in the Caribbean as well as Great Britain, Greece, Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Spain, and Morocco. One cruise took us to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Russia and Estonia. It is hard to get more than a taste of these places but I am grateful for all the memories as I grow old and enjoy my young-adult grandchildren. I encourage them to get out and see the world (beyond what pops up on their smart phones).

One of my jobs took me to India for two weeks and another took my wife and me to Australia for two years. The Australia assignment had us living in Manly. Once you travel from Florida to Sydney eight or ten times, everything else is a short hop (after we arrived in Honolulu, the flight to Sydney was 9 more hours).

As you well know, work limits your ability to have a proper walkabout but we did manage a couple of business-related trips to Melbourne and Adelaide. We also took advantage of being down under with vacations in Fiji and New Zealand. Our trips in Australia barely scratched the surface, with a two week sight-seeing drive from Sydney to Hobart, weekend drives to the Blue Mountains and a couple of weeks warming up in Port Douglas (July in Sydney was quite cool for us Floridians).

 

[1/2 Cup]

Many thanks for your kind comments Bob. You have certainly travelled extensively and I am envious of that for sure, I hope you and your wife enjoyed your stays and travels here in Australia.
I am 57 years old, our retirement age here in Australia is 65 and at that time we can then tap into our Superannuation.
Of late I have been considering my options and maybe that will include working part time, I have not settled on this as yet.
At this point in time I have accrued some 3 months long service leave on full pay and we also have the option of taking six months off on half long service pay. That option for me presents a very tantalising opportunity at this point in my life.
Through out my working life I have had the opportunity to travel extensively through our state of Victoria which offers some wonderful places to go and things to do and at times provides some striking contrasts from lush rain forests to semi desert country. Our history by comparison to some is very short but none the less is very rich.
I fully intend to keep the thread going with regular posts as I am finding the more I post now
I am realising there is a lot more about the Shed Downunder that I have not posted.
Cheers.

 

[HOTFR8]

The big Switch ? I am still wondering if or when we will see it ?

I hope to travel more this year. I also hope from that I can post more on the forum.

Always good to meet up with others from the GJ on your travels.

 

[1/2 Cup]

The big Switch ? I am still wondering if or when we will see it ?

I hope to travel more this year. I also hope from that I can post more on the forum.

Always good to meet up with others from the GJ on your travels.

In reality I think I will have to work until I am 75 to afford my retirement
I said that exact statement to a retired work colleague recently and his reply was "I wouldn't worry about that too much, somebody will put a roof over your head and feed you"

Food for thought..

I would like to meet with others I have met on the forum both locally and overseas, maybe we can start with New Zealand next year.