A Shed Downunder.

[rixtrix1]

Your brick acquiring adventure reminds me of one my dad and I did when I was 15. Our town's original high school building, 1919, was torn down and my dad made arrangements with the local landfill operator for us to come and get tan, fired bricks. Same process as you, a load ( 110 bricks in the trunk of our 1963 Buick LeSabre ) a night and several on the weekends. We only lived about half a mile so it wasn't that hard on the car, although it was really dragging ****! we chipped most of the mortar off with a ball pein hammer, Hardest part was wheelbarrowing the bricks out of the hole up to the car at ground level. Dad built a fireplace/grill, patio, walkways around the home, another out to the back gate and brick lanes down the driveway. Don't know how many bricks we got, but the whole project lasted from mid-May to Sept. I even ducked out with the car a few times to get some extra loads, even though I didn't have my license yet! Joy of living in a small town. Nothing as grand as your brickwork: thanks for bringing back the memories and sharing your's, too.

 

[metalhead140]

1/2 cup, great pics of all the brickwork, carport, etc. and nice looking pups, too. Always something interesting here. What do the new A/C units use for refrigerant? They sure are compact. We had to replace our heatpump with a new Trane 3 ton unit 10 years ago. It's about 2'x3'x6' and we had to crane it up to the roof mount. About $5k back then.

[Metalhead 140, sorry to hear of your unfortunate incident, but good to hear everyone is OK! Also nice to see it didn't dampen your spirits through the acquisition of a new project car. Best wishes!]

Thanks Ric, I greatly appreciate the thoughts. I best not sidetrack 1/2 cups thread any longer!

I heard some talk of this Tesla battery pack, but no real information. What benefits are they touting compared to a regular battery bank?

 

[1/2 Cup]

Your brick acquiring adventure reminds me of one my dad and I did when I was 15. Our town's original high school building, 1919, was torn down and my dad made arrangements with the local landfill operator for us to come and get tan, fired bricks. Same process as you, a load ( 110 bricks in the trunk of our 1963 Buick LeSabre ) a night and several on the weekends. We only lived about half a mile so it wasn't that hard on the car, although it was really dragging ****! we chipped most of the mortar off with a ball pein hammer, Hardest part was wheelbarrowing the bricks out of the hole up to the car at ground level. Dad built a fireplace/grill, patio, walkways around the home, another out to the back gate and brick lanes down the driveway. Don't know how many bricks we got, but the whole project lasted from mid-May to Sept. I even ducked out with the car a few times to get some extra loads, even though I didn't have my license yet! Joy of living in a small town. Nothing as grand as your brickwork: thanks for bringing back the memories and sharing your's, too.

Thanks for dropping by Ric and sharing.

I was only able to carry about 250 per trailer load, which maxd it out capacity wise, fortunately I only had 5 miles to go per trip.

It would have been a classic moment to see the Buick with 110 bricks in the trunk.

Regards

 

[1/2 Cup]

Thanks Ric, I greatly appreciate the thoughts. I best not sidetrack 1/2 cups thread any longer!

Not side tracking at all.


I heard some talk of this Tesla battery pack, but no real information. What benefits are they touting compared to a regular battery bank?

That is the $ MILLION question?? Thus far all I have seen is a pic of a wall mounted arrangement and very little other technical detail.

I am watching with interest. The company I purchased our solar system has had a more traditional storage system out for some time now, here is a link.

http://www.zenenergy.com.au/home/energy-storage/about-energy-storage/benefits-of-storage/

I have not dare ask what it would be worth as yet.

Regards

 

[1/2 Cup]

I have been a bit slack of late in regard to updates, as usual work is pretty full on at the moment and a number of projects to complete before the end of the financial year looming large.

Work: We have just completed the relocation of a 500KVA substation and main switchboard at Tullaroop Resevoir ( HOTFR8 country) this feeds an Urban Water Authorities pump station delivering town water.
Given just two days to have the power off due to the lack of storage capacity they had, with months of planning and pre work it was all hands on deck for the cut over which was achieved in a day and a half.

The works were necessary to allow a $4m embankment and safety upgrade to proceed with out the issue of overhead high voltage lines in close proximity to where the civil works are to be.

http://www.g-mwater.com.au/water-resources/storages/tullaroopreservoir

A sad note that has touched us all Asha, who is my eldest sons garage dog and Shelbys mother passed away to the big kennel in the sky last week.

R.I.P. Asha

Asha and son Chase playing in our front yard.

View media item 50737


On a brighter note Evie and the pups are doing fine, they have tripled their birth weight of 140 grams in two weeks and all have their eyes open now.


The split system install I managed to finish the refrigerant lines, vac, leak test and commission the new unit last week.
It works a treat but on the downside my eldest son now wants two installed
as most charge anywhere from $500 - $1000 for a back to back install including electrics.

Other happenings in the Shed Downunder

I spent last weekend putting my new press to work, my eldest has a Holden HSV 5000, one of about 350 produced. We replaced all the suspension bushings with Nylothane units.
He intends to put it on limited club registration to get it back on the road.

http://australiancar.reviews/reviews.php#!content=review&make=HSV&model=SV5000&gen=1017

I have been having a break from the Carport and Storage solution and spending some time on the under bench draw system that you may recall I had made a start on some time back.

The draw slide brackets.

View media item 47317
The draw slides.

View media item 47474
Waiting for the draws.

View media item 47886

Talk about old recovered bricks of late, I visited a 180 acre property a mate of mine has just closed on last night and he most kindly donated about 500 bricks the same as mine that are in a pile behind an old dairy he intends to demolish to make way for a cattle yard.
I graciously accepted offer. and you know what I will be doing next week end.

I think that's about it for the moment, have a great weekend guys.

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: first off i'm sorry for your loss even if it was your son's dog. i lost my furry friend last week and still am not over it. i bet it's not much easier with all the little dogs around, but maybe it helps. we have our grand dog here for a few days and he's looking for my cat so it even bothers him here.

good to hear that big jobbed at you at the helm to keep things on time and always good to hear when a plan works out.

you deserve a little break from the carport and i for one am still admiring it. it looks like your exercise is scheduled with the new pile of bricks and best of luck with that.

best wishes and hope you have a good weekend.

 

[rmalkow2]

So sorry to hear about the loss of your son's dog. They do become a big part of the whole family and the loss is hard.
Sounds like you've been very busy on other fronts and will keep watching for the draw project completion.

 

[taumac]

Sorry to hear of losing a furry member of the family. I'm surly dreading the day I lose Sammy. He is around 15 now which is old for a American Stafordshire/Shepard mix.

 

[Bob Heine]

A sad note that has touched us all Asha, who is my eldest sons garage dog and Shelbys mother passed away to the big kennel in the sky last week.

R.I.P. Asha

Asha's passing is a sad day for your family and I wish I had more than condolences to offer.

I spent last weekend putting my new press to work, my eldest has a Holden HSV 5000, one of about 350 produced. We replaced all the suspension bushings with Nylothane units.
He intends to put it on limited club registration to get it back on the road.

I have lost an awful lot of brain cells over the past 25 years but one of the dormant ones came back to life at your mention of the Holden HSV 5000.

When I moved to Australia in 1989 I knew nothing about automobile prices but I had to buy one within two weeks of arriving in Sydney. The Sydney BMW dealership gave me a wake-up quote -- a used 5-series would cost $100,000. I was equally shocked at the Ford dealership when they offered a well-used three year old Fairmont station wagon for $26,000. Having left all my tools back in Florida, I settled on a new Toyota Camry for the same price as the used Ford.

When I attended the Sydney Motor Show in 1990, the Holden HSV display impressed me more than any of the European exotics. My first year living in Australia changed my "sticker shock" level and the HSV 5000 seemed a bargain at $52,995. Unfortunately the insurance add-on for the V8 made it seem a foolish expense when our assignment was drawing to a close in less than a year. I did a quick search and 25-year old SV 5000's are selling for

I only took a few film pictures at the show but here's my two favorites:

Holden SV 5000

Holden Maloo

It looks like a used HSV 5000 is finally coming down into my price range (driven less than 5,000 km a year) :
http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars...247 1252 1282 4294965745 4294965530&silo=1011

 

[1/2 Cup]

Drives

rmalkow

Gerard

Bob

Many thanks for your kind thoughts guys, sincerely appreciated I can assure you.

Bob, coming out here from the States and looking to purchase a car be it new or used would be a shock to the system for sure.

There is certainly nothing wrong with a Camry you purchased, they are a great car.

Many thanks for your pictures and Carpoint link as well.

The HSV 5000 should in my opinion will appreciate in value in time, from memory I believe my son paid around $18k 5 years ago and the car is in reasonable condition for its age. I am encouraging him to keep it in as original condition as possible and he is doing a great job on that front even though it has been garaged for the last 4 years.

I managed some Quality Shed Time yesterday and finished the under bench draw mounts and slides. I am now ready to knock up the nine draw cases.
The mounts are of the same style that I used on the fabrication bench, I want to keep them all looking the same to provide some continuity in the shed.

The fabrication bench set up.

View media item 37410
The fixed work bench draw mounts an slides completed yesterday.

View media item 50750
Many thanks again and have a great weekend.

 

[CoopVA]

My, you have been busy! Bench is looking good.

Condolences to you on the loss of Asha... It's never easy loosing a loved one...

 

[1/2 Cup]

My, you have been busy! Bench is looking good.

Condolences to you on the loss of Asha... It's never easy loosing a loved one...

Many thanks Coop

 

[Grizz1963]

Words are easier to say for me, but I also want to say that I feel for you guys.
These animals become part of our families, part of the pack that makes us who we are.
When Harley, my garage cat was really ill a few weeks ago (and cats are bastards!!!) I really was losing sleep about it, helpless, other than making her comfortable, and trying to get her her to eat and drink.

The place one animal fills in your life is never filled by another, but you can always harness the good memories, and use those past experiences to create a great new path with the others in your life.

I hope the good memories will make you all grin when you feel down.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Words are easier to say for me, but I also want to say that I feel for you guys.
These animals become part of our families, part of the pack that makes us who we are.
When Harley, my garage cat was really ill a few weeks ago (and cats are bastards!!!) I really was losing sleep about it, helpless, other than making her comfortable, and trying to get her her to eat and drink.

The place one animal fills in your life is never filled by another, but you can always harness the good memories, and use those past experiences to create a great new path with the others in your life.

I hope the good memories will make you all grin when you feel down.

Many thanks for your kind thoughts Rian, the family really have some fond memories to share that's for sure. Asha was and still is a huge part of our extended family.

Regards

 

[drivesitfar]

Grizz: awesome post and your timing was good because i'm framing up the cement pad to cover my little Mirry's (the boss of our world the last 8 years) resting spot. sorry to hear your garage boss has or is leaving you soon.

I guess God said let's give the guys and gals some grief along their live's path before the two legged friends and relatives start to go MIA. every furry friend I've had were awesome so knowing they don't live long i always tried to make their time here as good as possible.

cheers all and 1/2 keep your chin up and take care of that new bunch.

 

[Vieux]

Well-made workbench with drawers. I liked it!

 

[Grizz1963]

Grizz: awesome post and your timing was good because i'm framing up the cement pad to cover my little Mirry's (the boss of our world the last 8 years) resting spot. sorry to hear your garage boss has or is leaving you soon.

I guess God said let's give the guys and gals some grief along their live's path before the two legged friends and relatives start to go MIA. every furry friend I've had were awesome so knowing they don't live long i always tried to make their time here as good as possible.

cheers all and 1/2 keep your chin up and take care of that new bunch.

Thanks for your sentiments too mate.

Harley did pull through, with some vets intervention, a jab of long acting antibiotics and a lot more care ( did I mention, all cats are bastards? )
She lest quite a lot of weight and a bit of her bullying ways, but all is back to normal, with her being the usual nuisance in the garage.

Memories are there for us to cherish at all times.

 

[shortykorte]

Asha is a beautiful girl. I guess an Evie Jr. is out of the question for a shop companion. I'm hoping my Fergie is with me for a long time.

Looking forward to seeing more of your great craftmanship.

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: forgot to add that your welding bench is becoming a work of art. very nice work and hope it serves you well. you might want to rest up for all the new (old) brick acquisitions this week.

Grizz: happy to hear the BOSS is back in the shop running things almost as usual.

 

[akdiesel]

1/2 Cup

I too would like add my condolences. Looks like she was well cared for.

Your bench is looking great. One of the best looking designs on here.
Ok now this may be my ignorance but is really called DRAW slide or is that just how it is said in your location? I have always called them DRAWER slides, but I have heard the phrase draw before in this term.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Rian

Vieux

Shorty Korte

Drives

akdiesel

Thanks heaps again guys.

akdiesel, the term "draw" is how it sounds out here and it could also be related to my poor grasp of the English language.

 

[BBChevro]

"Drawer" wood bee rite... **** eye new watt ewe whirr torqueing about.




Nice work.

 

[HOTFR8]

That is bad luck losing a Dog but you must have your hands full with four pups. More to the point Mrs 1/2Cup has.

Work: We have just completed the relocation of a 500KVA substation and main switchboard at Tullaroop Resevoir ( HOTFR8 country) this feeds an Urban Water Authorities pump station delivering town water.
Given just two days to have the power off due to the lack of storage capacity they had, with months of planning and pre work it was all hands on deck for the cut over which was achieved in a day and a half.

The works were necessary to allow a $4m embankment and safety upgrade to proceed with out the issue of overhead high voltage lines in close proximity to where the civil works are to be.

More work than just turning off one tap for a day and a 1/2.

"Drawer" wood bee rite... **** eye new watt ewe whirr torqueing about.

 

[1/2 Cup]

"Drawer" wood bee rite... **** eye new watt ewe whirr torqueing about.

Nice work.

Try Googling "Draw" and drawers are in there, so I feel vindicated

Thanks Mark

That is bad luck losing a Dog but you must have your hands full with four pups. More to the point Mrs 1/2Cup has.

More work than just turning off one tap for a day and a 1/2.

The pups are doing fine and getting a little more active every day, not to much of a hand full at this point. I will post a pic later.

It was a huge few days at Tullaroop but it all went well

Regards

 

[sean Buick 76]

Checking back soon looking for puppy pics!!

 

[1/2 Cup]

The pups at 18 days old after a big feed. They are just starting to get upwardly mobile and developing individual personalities. They have tripled their birth weight of 140 grams already. Little cuties.

All four have been entered into the Melbourne Royal in September.

View media item 50824
Have a great day guys.

 

[HOTFR8]

More Show Dogs ? I guess they have been breed for just that.

 

[sandmanracing]

You can tell the one up the back will be the cheeky one...

 

[1/2 Cup]

More Show Dogs ? I guess they have been breed for just that.

Your right HOTFR8 and guess who has to take a day of work to help.

You can tell the one up the back will be the cheeky one...

Spot on, she is the trouble maker at this point.

Thanks guys

 

[HOTFR8]

Depends how you like days off work and Dogs I suppose.

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: the puppies picture reminds me of when our twins were little sleeping with our 2 year old. they are 25 and 27 now and i still remember it was like watching a ticking time bomb ready to explode.

do they have a little different markings on each one or how do you tell them apart other than the Cheeky one that sleeps on her back?

looks like fun and is their mom entered in that show too or is she getting a rest while the grandparent take the kids out for the day.

cheers

 

[1/2 Cup]

Depends how you like days off work and Dogs I suppose.

I would rather be in the shed HOTFR8 to be honest, however one has to do what one has to do.

1/2: the puppies picture reminds me of when our twins were little sleeping with our 2 year old. they are 25 and 27 now and i still remember it was like watching a ticking time bomb ready to explode.

do they have a little different markings on each one or how do you tell them apart other than the Cheeky one that sleeps on her back?

looks like fun and is their mom entered in that show too or is she getting a rest while the grandparent take the kids out for the day.

cheers

Drives, we are just starting to tell them apart, the boy is the biggest and an habitual back sleeper as well, one of the girls has a white flash of hair on her chest and one of the other girls is getting upwardly mobile and her squeak is developing into little yap and we usually find her out of their bed.

Thanks for dropping by guys.

 

[1/2 Cup]

TGIF this weekends to do list.

. Pick up a load of bricks, the same as the ones at our home, that were donated to the cause.

. Install 2 new ceiling fans, four light fittings, 6 power points and two light switch replacements at my sons home that I have been putting off and putting off for ages now.

. Arrange my nephew to make some drawer cases for the under bench drawers, he is a cabinet maker by trade and has all the gear and can do it in a tenth of the time I would do it in, although it goes against the grain, I thought why not.

Subject to change without notice.​

Have a good one guys.

 

[akdiesel]

TGIF this weekends to do list.

. Pick up a load of bricks, the same as the ones at our home, that were donated to the cause.

. Install 2 new ceiling fans, four light fittings, 6 power points and two light switch replacements at my sons home that I have been putting off and putting off for ages now.

. Arrange my nephew to make some drawer cases for the under bench drawers, he is a cabinet maker by trade and has all the gear and can do it in a tenth of the time I would do it in, although it goes against the grain, I thought why not.

Subject to change without notice.​

Have a good one guys.

Two hours and a pint and you will be ready for a new list of chores.

 

[HOTFR8]

Two hours and a pint and you will be ready for a new list of chores.

A Pot or a Stubbie but then may be just a Cup of Tea for 1/2Cup and it would be back to work .

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: don't change your normal Aussie language on your posts because i really enjoy it as i'm sure others do too. if your nephew can make a few draws in less time and without as much thinking involved on your end all the better.

snap a lot of pictures of that welding table when you get the DRAWS because i think its a work of art.

thanks for the 411 (old # we used to call 40 years ago on our telephones to get somebody's phone #) on the puppies. sounds like they are a handful and what do you feed the future champions?

 

[RivennHewn]

Seeing those pups put a smile on my face.

I can smell their puppy breath from here.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Two hours and a pint and you will be ready for a new list of chores.

You are spot on akdiesel.

A Pot or a Stubbie but then may be just a Cup of Tea for 1/2Cup and it would be back to work .

All of the above HOTFR8.

1/2: don't change your normal Aussie language on your posts because i really enjoy it as i'm sure others do too. if your nephew can make a few draws in less time and without as much thinking involved on your end all the better.

snap a lot of pictures of that welding table when you get the DRAWS because i think its a work of art.

thanks for the 411 (old # we used to call 40 years ago on our telephones to get somebody's phone #) on the puppies. sounds like they are a handful and what do you feed the future champions?

Thanks drives I trust that how we say things out here is not taken as being taken out of context or offensive in way.

Seeing those pups put a smile on my face.

I can smell their puppy breath from here.

I am please the pups have lightened your day Rivenn considering your recent loss.

So thus far my weekend has gone like this, not quite to plan

Saturday 6.15 am I went to work to finish a report that I was under the pump to have completed. Done

7.30 am Out to my mates new 180 acre grazing property to pick up a load of bricks that match our home, the trouble was they had been heaped up in a pile of dirt and rubble which proved more than a little challenging. I am not sure just how may bricks I can recover but based I what I have done thus far there is probably about 1000 all up. They are pretty clean and the little mortar most have is lime based and easily removed.

View media item 50891
10.00 am and 300 bricks and one overloaded trailer later I was on my way, dropped into the hardware store on the way home to pick up some paint and steel.

Home, unload and stack bricks, done.

Lunch and my dad dropped in to say g'day and check on the pups.

Trimmed our lemon tree filling our green waste bin as we have a fortnightly pick up, done.

Last week I had repainted my fixed work bench frame with the Shed Downunders corporate green that I typically use for many of my projects, getting ready for the new drawers.

View media item 47886
Anyway Mrs 1/2 Cup commented that it would look better in black an I have to admit she was right, yet again. The black will provided a nice contrast to the stainless drawer fronts.

Bench frames repainted in black, done. pics to follow.

This morning I am out to my sons place to finish his electrical work that I have been putting off for a while.

Have a good one.

 

[sean Buick 76]

I always enjoy the updates Mate!

 

[rmalkow2]

My hats off to your productive day. I'm exhausted just reading about all the digging, stacking, loading and unloading, painting etc. You deserve a cold one at the end of this day for sure.