A Shed Downunder.

[NedNorton]

Finally the new pistons and rods arrived today from the UK for the MG F engine.

View media item 57160
Next is balancing and then I can start to piece this beast together.

Have a good one.

PS I am going back out to the shed to drool some more, its great when your eldest son is paying the bills.

That is internal combustion engine ****!

Cheers,
Chris

 

[1/2 Cup]

"Look Mom at how cute I am chewing on things" lol

I guess the rodents think you're bored and need something to fix.

shorty ,I will put it this way Mrs 1/2 Cup and I do not see eye to eye when it comes to puppy training.

1/2: i knew RODENTS was an endearing name you picked for them for a reason.

GEESH no wonder the one peaking out from the shrub had that mischievous look on his face.

You are right there drives mischief is there middle names but they do respond to " you little rodent " when they are up to no good.

 

[1/2 Cup]

That is internal combustion engine ****!

Cheers,
Chris

Chris, agree the issue I have is that I have to be careful as drool actually leaves stains on nice stuff like that.

Have a great day.

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: i bet that MRS. 1/2 has a plan for raising those Rodents as you call them. she's done pretty well with the mom, your kids and maybe you too. i'm sure with your help.

all kids need to work off the energy and we all just try to survive until they do.

my wife put pickle juice on her breasts to keep our daughter from wanting to breast feed at 13 months (late getting teeth) so wondering if maybe putting some non lethal chemical or something on the wires might keep the Rodents from chewing on them? Just a thought.

cheers and is it still 90's (30c) outside the Shed today? raining here and highs in the low 40's and that is degrees not Celsius.

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2: i bet that MRS. 1/2 has a plan for raising those Rodents as you call them. she's done pretty well with the mom, your kids and maybe you too. i'm sure with your help.

all kids need to work off the energy and we all just try to survive until they do.

my wife put pickle juice on her breasts to keep our daughter from wanting to breast feed at 13 months (late getting teeth) so wondering if maybe putting some non lethal chemical or something on the wires might keep the Rodents from chewing on them? Just a thought.

cheers and is it still 90's (30c) outside the Shed today? raining here and highs in the low 40's and that is degrees not Celsius.

drives Aside from their antics the Rodents are doing really well. Mrs 1/2 Cup has them in a training routine and they should do well in the ring this year.

A friend has given Mrs 1/2 Cup a concoction of stuff that she is using to spray on the things that they chew that is appears to be working. I never thought of pickle juice, I will pass that on.


It is still in the 90 F here although we are looking at a cool change today with some rain I hope, things are very dry here at the moment. Typically this is the hottest part of the year in this neck of the woods.

We should have some milder temperatures here over the week end.

BTW we celebrate Australia Day next Tuesday so I am looking forward to an extra long weekend as I will be taking Monday off as leave.

Quality Shed Time ( QST ) here we come.

Have a great day.

 

[Lyndon]

.....

It is still in the 90 F here although we are looking at a cool change today with some rain I hope, things are very dry here at the moment. Typically this is the hottest part of the year in this neck of the woods.

We should have some milder temperatures here over the week end.

BTW we celebrate Australia Day next Tuesday so I am looking forward to an extra long weekend as I will be taking Monday off as leave.

Quality Shed Time ( QST ) here we come.

Have a great day.

Steve

As to Monday - so am I. Looking forward to a long weekend.

It's cooled a bit here overnight after some typically large thunderstorms last night, but that just makes it muggy.....

Have a great long weekend!

Lyndon
Still at work for a while yet......

 

[BBChevro]

Me too (having a 4-day weekend).

 

[1/2 Cup]

Steve

As to Monday - so am I. Looking forward to a long weekend.

It's cooled a bit here overnight after some typically large thunderstorms last night, but that just makes it muggy.....

Have a great long weekend!

Lyndon
Still at work for a while yet......

Me too (having a 4-day weekend).

Enjoy the weekend guys

Lyndon, it was 90 F odd here yesterday and humid and today we are around 68 F and drizzling rain. Certainly a stake contrast, at least we haven't had those endless days of heat.

One more afternoon meeting to go and I am out of here.

Regards

 

[HOTFR8]

I was meant to be at the Hot Rod Show today. V-Line then offered free travel (after they had heat issues and wheel issues with signals and boom gates) from the 23rd until the 30th so I changed my plans to go tomorrow.

Lucky I did change my plans as I think we have had our monthly rain fall here this morning.

Monday will be a lost day.

 

[Lyndon]

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Monday will be a lost day.

Simon

When I had my business I used to hate days like Monday coming, as I still had to pay for employees to show up and drive trucks around, but half the customers would be running with almost no staff, and therefore wouldn't send freight out. It used to cost me a packet on those wasted days.

I LOVE 'EM NOW THOUGH!!!

Lyndon
Anxiously awaiting 1.30pm.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I was meant to be at the Hot Rod Show today. V-Line then offered free travel (after they had heat issues and wheel issues with signals and boom gates) from the 23rd until the 30th so I changed my plans to go tomorrow.

Lucky I did change my plans as I think we have had our monthly rain fall here this morning.

Monday will be a lost day.

HOTFR8, I have seen the show advertised here, if it is anything like other years it should be great.

No doubt you will grab some pics to share yet again.

Regards

 

[HOTFR8]

Simon

When I had my business I used to hate days like Monday coming, as I still had to pay for employees to show up and drive trucks around, but half the customers would be running with almost no staff, and therefore wouldn't send freight out. It used to cost me a packet on those wasted days.

I LOVE 'EM NOW THOUGH!!!

Lyndon
Anxiously awaiting 1.30pm.

Melbourne Cup is another of those days you never know what is going on.

HOTFR8, I have seen the show advertised here, if it is anything like other years it should be great.

No doubt you will grab some pics to share yet again.

Regards

I may have made a mistake but the offer of free travel was to much for me. $30-00 could be better spent on something else other than travel like tools, car parts, food or drink. Although in the past Friday has been the best day to take photos this year this may not be in my favor. Can only wait and see as I am to late to travel today. Hopefully will have something to share.

Measured 5 mm of rain here after 9 am and another 9.5 mm of rain just after 12-30 pm. All good as it saves me watering and good for the rain water tanks as well.

 

[Lyndon]

Simon

I didn't want to hijack Steve's thread shocking too much so I posted into your thread.

Lyndon
Sneaking away quietly....

 

[HOTFR8]

1/2 is a good bloke he will not mind the hijack and I am sure he is looking for that rain as much as I have been.

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: Just curious what holidays you have Down Under during the year that you all get paid time off work? i'm guessing Christmas is one, but I think I've heard of a couple Australia Day holidays or maybe it was another name close to it. i know you acknowledged that we had Thanksgiving, but not sure you celebrate it or have a paid holiday for it.

also curious how windy it is since most of the good golfers i see from Australia are great wind players. is a normal breeze or calm day about 15 and maybe a windy day up over 30 MPH?

i hope you find the solution for the Rodents or maybe they will grow out of it soon enough with you and Mrs. 1/2 telling them NO real loud many many many times.

have a great weekend and are those pistons going to get oily pretty soon or are you still a ways from installing them?

 

[Lyndon]

1/2: Just curious what holidays you have Down Under during the year that you all get paid time off work? i'm guessing Christmas is one, but I think I've heard of a couple Australia Day holidays or maybe it was another name close to it. i know you acknowledged that we had Thanksgiving, but not sure you celebrate it or have a paid holiday for it.

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Drives

I'll let 1/2 answer some of your other questions tomorrow - but since it's 3.30 in the morning and I've got a touch of insomnia going on...... - as to our holidays - there are 9 public holidays per year in Australia that employees are paid for:
New Years Day, 1st January,
Australia Day, 26th January,
Good Friday, the whatever day of the whatever month that happens,
Easter Monday, ditto to the above,
ANZAC Day, 25th April celebrating our loss of a war in 1915 (I don't want to be too flippant about that - but it is celebrating a loss - Google it),
Queens Birthday, the something of June every year (even though that's nowhere near the Queens actual birthday),
Labour Day, some states do this in May, some in October,
Christmas Day - You know what day that is....,
And Boxing Day, ditto.

As Steve, like the rest of a sensible country, is probably asleep (like I want to be but can't), I hope this helps a bit.

Lyndon
In the land of the long yawn......

 

[drivesitfar]

Lyndon: thanks for the list and of course for putting your take on the holidays too.

BOXING DAY is a holiday? must have been a great fight.

i'm not sure you have insomnia or just getting old because i never sleep past 6am anymore and i'm usually up at 3am to 4. Just Saying you might want to go to bed earlier.

 

[Lyndon]

Lyndon: .
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BOXING DAY is a holiday? must have been a great fight.

i'm not sure you have insomnia or just getting old because i never sleep past 6am anymore and i'm usually up at 3am to 4. Just Saying you might want to go to bed earlier.

Drives

"Boxing Day" is the day after Christmas - I thought everyone called it that???

And my insomnia comes every once in a while as a by product of Chemotherapy.... I haven't had it for a while, but it's got me this morning (it's 5am here now and I've been up chatting on here since about 2.30am). I've been having a good yarn with a couple of Stateside guys on my thread. I normally sleep very well from about 9.30pm till 6.30am (gee - we're getting very personal here aren't we? ).

Sorry Steve for hijacking the thread - again....

Drives, Have a great day, or night, or whatever time it is there.

Lyndon
Wandering around aimlessly....

 

[1/2 Cup]

Hijack what hijack???

I slept in this morning I am usually up at 4 am and it was a bit past 5 when I got up. I guess it is Saturday after all.

On the public holidays we also get the Melbourne Cup day off, for a horse race mind you.

On the weather in terms of wind, it has been pretty calm here really. We do get some pretty wild winds at times but our windiest months are usually around late October.

On the MG F engine build, I can't do too much until we get the balancing done and the head now has to have the valves and guides installed then the face machined. So I will be focussing on my projects for a change this week end.

Saturday I plan to make some mods to my small welding table adding some additional support under the top and adding a new vise.

View media item 48305
View media item 48814
I brought the same Dawn vice as the one I pimped for the fabrication table but I will leave it in its OEM finish.

View media item 36383
Sunday, I had planned to go to the Centre State Swap in Bendigo but Mrs 1/2 Cup reminded me that another of our sister in laws is celebrating her 60th and we have been invited out to lunch which will end up an all afternoon catch up with relatives and friends.

Monday, My eldest dropped around some MG TC manifolds he needs de rusting so I will be engaging the trusty Solar Powered Electrolysis Bath yet again. Before and after pics to follow.

Tuesday, I have a few chores in the garden and not a lot planned other than that.


Have a great weekend every one.

 

[Kenfab]

Looks like some interesting projects for the weekend! Cant wait to see how they go.Shame about missing the swap meet.

I go back to work on thursday (rdos) hopefully i can get some qst in and achieve something

Have a good weekend too mate

 

[CoopVA]

That small welding table is sweet...

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: i thank you for having your assistant stop in and answer my early morning questions. he did a fine job and his comments were very interesting too.

so you celebrate a lost war, the wrong Queen's birth date, a horse race, a boxing match, labor day because you needed to vote yourself a day off, 3 days for GOD and his SON, and a couple good drinking days in January in the middle of your summer. sound about right??

have you seen all my posts on the Vise thread and the Vise Repair 101 thread about BLO (boiled linseed oil) and Fretters has a wax type mix he's using to protect our naked vises? if you have any questions just ask ok?

also a couple members of the vise thread (Bagged and Joe) bought $100 smokers and actually cook BLO on their vises and finish is awesome. i wouldn't suggest you putting it in the family oven, but maybe you have a shop oven or a friend does.

have a great weekend

 

[Kenfab]

1/2: i thank you for having your assistant stop in and answer my early morning questions. he did a fine job and his comments were very interesting too.

so you celebrate a lost war, the wrong Queen's birth date, a horse race, a boxing match, labor day because you needed to vote yourself a day off, 3 days for GOD and his SON, and a couple good drinking days in January in the middle of your summer. sound about right??

hahaha never heard it put like that, but its pretty damn funny. In my state we have a different day off for a difference horse race and we dont have boxing day we have 'proclaimation day'

 

[drivesitfar]

Ken: i've never had a paid holiday being self employed, but i'm well aware of most of the ones that the government takes off in the US.

most of our holidays are honoring the dead and not sure why we don't take Valentines day off instead of one of them (no not Christmas) to give the living a day to celebrate life.

Sorry 1/2 we're having a bit of fun here while you are slaving away in the Shed.

cheers buddy

 

[sandmanracing]

1/2:

so you celebrate a lost war, the wrong Queen's birth date, a horse race, a boxing match, labor day because you needed to vote yourself a day off, 3 days for GOD and his SON, and a couple good drinking days in January in the middle of your summer. sound about right??

Just a bit of clarification:

ANZAC Day is more closely associated with the first time we fought as a nation in a conflict. Prior battles (Boer War) were fought as colonial units (NSW Rifles, Queensland Mounted, Victorian Rifles, etc.) and is also used as a commemoration of our collective losses since then.

Anyway...

Labour Day celebrates the 38 hour week, Queens Birthday is usually the second Monday of June (and Rover Scout Mudbash - google it) and the remaining days are typically QST/QDT (quality drinking time) dependent upon your preference.

Victoria also gets Grand Final Eve off (Australian Rules Football) and usually if Christmas, New Year or Boxing Day falls on a weekend we get an extra day.

We're not a lazy nation mind you - we just like to take time off for important "cultural" reasons...

 

[1/2 Cup]

Looks like some interesting projects for the weekend! Cant wait to see how they go.Shame about missing the swap meet.

I go back to work on thursday (rdos) hopefully i can get some qst in and achieve something

Have a good weekend too mate

One has to do what one has to do, it should be enjoyable just the same.

That small welding table is sweet...

Thanks Coop

1/2: i thank you for having your assistant stop in and answer my early morning questions. he did a fine job and his comments were very interesting too.

so you celebrate a lost war, the wrong Queen's birth date, a horse race, a boxing match, labor day because you needed to vote yourself a day off, 3 days for GOD and his SON, and a couple good drinking days in January in the middle of your summer. sound about right??

have you seen all my posts on the Vise thread and the Vise Repair 101 thread about BLO (boiled linseed oil) and Fretters has a wax type mix he's using to protect our naked vises? if you have any questions just ask ok?

also a couple members of the vise thread (Bagged and Joe) bought $100 smokers and actually cook BLO on their vises and finish is awesome. i wouldn't suggest you putting it in the family oven, but maybe you have a shop oven or a friend does.

have a great weekend

drives thank you for the tip, I have raw LO quite a bit, I must get some BLO and try it.

As for the holidays we do like to celebrate things downunder.

hahaha never heard it put like that, but its pretty damn funny. In my state we have a different day off for a difference horse race and we dont have boxing day we have 'proclaimation day'

Ken: i've never had a paid holiday being self employed, but i'm well aware of most of the ones that the government takes off in the US.

most of our holidays are honoring the dead and not sure why we don't take Valentines day off instead of one of them (no not Christmas) to give the living a day to celebrate life.

Sorry 1/2 we're having a bit of fun here while you are slaving away in the Shed.

cheers buddy

Its lunch time now, so I am check on what you guys have been up to.

Just a bit of clarification:

ANZAC Day is more closely associated with the first time we fought as a nation in a conflict. Prior battles (Boer War) were fought as colonial units (NSW Rifles, Queensland Mounted, Victorian Rifles, etc.) and is also used as a commemoration of our collective losses since then.

Anyway...

Labour Day celebrates the 38 hour week, Queens Birthday is usually the second Monday of June (and Rover Scout Mudbash - google it) and the remaining days are typically QST/QDT (quality drinking time) dependent upon your preference.

Victoria also gets Grand Final Eve off (Australian Rules Football) and usually if Christmas, New Year or Boxing Day falls on a weekend we get an extra day.

We're not a lazy nation mind you - we just like to take time off for important "cultural" reasons...

I forgot about the Football Grand Final eve public holiday.

 

[drivesitfar]

Sandman: i wasn't trying to disrespect your holidays or the reasons for them. just having some Friday (or Saturday for you guys) humor. i swear i've only been on 1/2's thread for 6 months and he's had 2 holidays that I was sure he called Australia Day hence my curiousity. also wanted to know a little more how you blokes tick.

we celebrate Columbus day and what for i haven't a clue. We should take off the day after the Super Bowl because most everybody calls in sick anyway the day after either because they are traveling or REALLY SICK.

1/2: it's always a good time inside the Shed and thanks for letting an old Norwegian join your group.

cheers all

 

[sandmanracing]

All good Drives, the true meaning of ANZAC Day has tended to be modified to suit varying ideals by locals. More sort of directed elsewhere anyway, not in your general direction.

Believe me when I say most of the holidays here tend to end up around a BBQ/fire pit with a can or several in hand.

The Grand Final Eve holiday has been requested to be changed to the Monday for the same reason you mention about the Superbowl - though as a St.Kilda member I would need the week off if we finally won the Grand Final again!

 

[Lyndon]

1/2: i thank you for having your assistant stop in and answer my early morning questions. he did a fine job and his comments were very interesting too.

so you celebrate a lost war, the wrong Queen's birth date, a horse race, a boxing match, labor day because you needed to vote yourself a day off, 3 days for GOD and his SON, and a couple good drinking days in January in the middle of your summer. sound about right??

have a great weekend

Drives

Thanks for the great laugh. I enjoyed that synopsis. And she' s not the wrong Queen, just the wrong date....

And only Victoria (1/2's state AKA as Mexico as it's south of us....) get the day off for a swear word "horse race"... The rest of us have to work it.

I've just come in from the garage, but 1/2 is still obviously out there and into it!

Lyndon
Hiding from an enormous summer storm that's passing by.....

 

[drivesitfar]

Lyndon: so which Queen are you celebrating. Victoria or Elizabeth or do tell? i'm guessing the gals MADE you boys have a holiday honoring a girl. YES??

don't get me wrong the fairer *** is a needed and wanted necessity, but you blokes play RUGBY into your 80's don't you?

 

[Lyndon]

Lyndon: so which Queen are you celebrating. Victoria or Elizabeth or do tell? i'm guessing the gals MADE you boys have a holiday honoring a girl. YES??

don't get me wrong the fairer *** is a needed and wanted necessity, but you blokes play RUGBY into your 80's don't you?

Don't ask me "which Queen". You must have mistaken me for someone who gives a tinkers damn..... I'm also a bloke and I just do as I'm told....

And some of us play Rugby until they turn us into bike parking (upside down and buried 3 feet deep), the rest of us either cheer them, or play Motor Racing. Like 1/2.

Just saying.

Lyndon
Going back to my thread now.

 

[drivesitfar]

Lyndon:

 

[1/2 Cup]

While you guys have been chatting away......

I have been slaving away in the shed and finished installing the new vise and fitting up a support angle under the top of the small welding table.

View media item 57243
My next job is to get out the Solar Powered Electrolysis Bath and derust the MG TC inlet and exhaust manifolds for my son.

Have a good one, I know I am enjoying QST.

Regards

PS the welds are still warm.

 

[Lyndon]

While you guys have been chatting away......

I have been slaving away in the shed and finished installing the new vise and fitting up a support angle under the top of the small welding table.

My next job is to get out the Solar Powered Electrolysis Bath and derust the MG TC inlet and exhaust manifolds for my son.

Have a good one, I know I am enjoying QST.

Regards

PS the welds are still warm.

Great job Steve - don't forget to fit in some beer time....

Lyndon
Just relaxing the day away.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Great job Steve - don't forget to fit in some beer time....

Lyndon
Just relaxing the day away.

Thanks Lyndon.

It not quite beer o'clock yet for this black duck, try me at 5.00 pm

Note to file 1/2 Cup don't post after you have cracked a tinny. ( opened a beer for those that aren't familiar with our lingo )

My Dad just arrived with his steam iron and the electric cord was thread bare so I have just repaired that for him. Then he showed me his new smart phone and I showed him a few tricks with that, it is a tough gig teaching an 83 yo that has difficulty with technology.


Regards

 

[rmalkow2]

Wow! The table looks great and will be a versatile work station. Great job.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Wow! The table looks great and will be a versatile work station. Great job.

rmalkow, thank you very much.

It suits my needs, it is portable, not too big and a really sturdy work platform.

Originally I hadn't intended to fit a vise but it got the better of me.

As part of my "continual improvement program" I am thinking of fitting a power board and two 5" grinder holders underneath out of the way.

Have a great day..

 

[Grumblebum]

View media item 57243
Looking good 1/2. Are you using normal twist drill bits to get those 12mm holes for the vise bolts or cobalt ones perhaps? I've been finding that after drilling a few bolt holes on my benches the 12mm bits are blunt (and that is with pre drilling up with smaller size bits first).

Cheers GB.

 

[1/2 Cup]

View media item 57243
Looking good 1/2. Are you using normal twist drill bits to get those 12mm holes for the vise bolts or cobalt ones perhaps? I've been finding that after drilling a few bolt holes on my benches the 12mm bits are blunt (and that is with pre drilling up with smaller size bits first).

Cheers GB.

Thanks GB
I would have normally borrowed the Mag drill from work which does a great job but I did the 12 mm holes nice and slow with my battery drill starting with a 5mm then 8 mm 10 then 12 mm just std. P&N bits nothing special and then counter sunk both sides. The secret is to have the bits sharpened just right and keep the speed down otherwise they bite or chatter and I hate that big time.

I trust this helps

 

[Grizz1963]

Morning mate,

Table is neat, and I think I may have said it before, I love those mounted clamps.

They make life a lot easier.

Off to the scrap yard this morning for a rummage.....m