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Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT A trip back from the edge.

Workspaces between 705 and 1200 squarefeet.
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xtremek

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Somehow I missed this. I just read the whole thread.
Awesome!
You , Sir have Your priorities right!:rocker:

Thank you. I try to do my best, I just wish I had more time for our girls, They are a riot. And anytime you feel the need to divest yourself of any of those bikes you have, let me know. I'm sure I can talk my son into dropping by and picking something up.:D
 

Bronson

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Thank you. I try to do my best, I just wish I had more time for our girls, They are a riot. And anytime you feel the need to divest yourself of any of those bikes you have, let me know. I'm sure I can talk my son into dropping by and picking something up.:D

You are the first one I will call!:D:D
 
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xtremek

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:thumbup:What a great read, your place is looking fantastic.......Thanks for the update..

I'm honored that you dropped by to take a look and thanks for the compliment. Actually, I very humbled by all the folks that cruise through my little journey. I see everything that everyone else is doing and I sit in awe. Thanks again.

PS. Either ya'll must be very bored, bat $h1t crazy, or very easily entertained to stop in and take a look.:lol_hitti
 
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1/2 Cup

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I'm honored that you dropped by to take a look and thanks for the compliment. Actually, I very humbled by all the folks that cruise through my little journey. I see everything that everyone else is doing and I sit in awe. Thanks again.

PS. Either ya'll must be very bored, bat $h1t crazy, or very easily entertained to stop in and take a look.:lol_hitti

Bored.........Never:thumbup:

Bat $h1t crazy...........many have certain views on that score.:D

Easily entertained............well maybe so.:)

The truth is I really enjoy seeing what you guys are doing, the challenges you face, the wins, the losses, what works, what stuffs up.

There are a lot of lessons to be learned on the Forum.:thumbup:

I don't always comment or post but I do take away a lot from the site.:thumbup:

Once again thanks for sharing.

Regards
 

Kent_B

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I'm going back and reading the entire thread later tonight. I'm in process of cleaning and renovating a 24' x 27' two-car garage and there's an old (55) Ford 860 in need of a lot of TLC.

Just as everyone else has said, you're an inspiration. Keep the tale going. We love pictures and stories.
 
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xtremek

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Thanks Kent, I appreciate your encouragement. We like *** for tat. Start a thread and show us what you're up to. Those old Ford tractors are rugged, I hope your's is as good to you as the Old Mule is to me.
 

Kent_B

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The contractor is supposed to start on the garage roof in two weeks. I'll start taking pictures and putting together a thread of my own. The tractor hasn't been started in at least three years, the hydraulics have an issue and the right rear tire is flat. I did buy the I&T service manual. I'm hoping that I can get away with just putting a tube in, as I don't believe the tires were loaded w. chloride. There's a set of heavy pie weights on them.

Question: What kind of blade are you using for snow removal? I have a scabby old back blade for both moving snow and maintaining the gravel drive.
 
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madoc1

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Thanks. It's appreciated. Most, but not all of them are blue spruce. They look really cool in the headlights as I drive out in the morning. Why do you ask?

my early years were in n.j.

just like the look of them. like your tractor. used to have a 9n with a 2 speed conversion. made it a 6 speed. sold it with the farm. no room for it today, but miss it. shredded many acres with it. you could take a six pack that came with the plastic holder, pull one, then slip the rest down over the intake pipe. a good afternoons relaxation. now this was about 25 years back. lol.

jim
 
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xtremek

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The contractor is supposed to start on the garage roof in two weeks. I'll start taking pictures and putting together a thread of my own. The tractor hasn't been started in at least three years, the hydraulics have an issue and the right rear tire is flat. I did buy the I&T service manual. I'm hoping that I can get away with just putting a tube in, as I don't believe the tires were loaded w. chloride. There's a set of heavy pie weights on them.

Question: What kind of blade are you using for snow removal? I have a scabby old back blade for both moving snow and maintianing the gravel drive.

Cool news about the thread, I'll drop by and check it out. I bet I have the twin to your blade, a cruddy old thing that someone welded a piece of angle iron on the back side to keep it from bending anymore.

I need to brag on my wife. The oven quit about a week and a half ago. Last weekend the wife had me come in and pull the stove out so she could check things out. Part was ordered. Today she put a new ignitor in the oven part, cleaned the stove burners and cleaned the stove ignitors. After bleeding the propane lines, the oven works, the sooting burner on the stove burns clean and the burner that hasn't lit in years is lighting every time.:bowdown: She does all our appliance repairs. Say good bye, Maytag man.
 
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xtremek

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.......used to have a 9n with a 2 speed conversion. made it a 6 speed. sold it with the farm. no room for it today, but miss it. shredded many acres with it.........

jim

Sorry I missed your reply Jim. A two speed conversion? The beauty of the old Fords is that they perform about the same today as they did back when you had yours, tough old tractors.


Another update, I finished putting up the siding on the inside, it looks pretty good in my opinion. In order to do this, I had to pull everything away from the walls and it made the barn pretty much useless. Once I finished it, I spent most of this past Saturday putting the barn back together. I was finally able to get Robin’s Exploder in and replaced the left rear wheel bearing, wiper blades and did an oil change. I still need to get the rear wiper working and her ride should be ready for the winter. The next step is to finish the furnace install, installing the flue, gas supply and putting up the thermostat. Another job I need to finish is putting up the airlines. The gas and airlines were pulled out from under a pile of lumber sitting on a dirt floor, so they’re covered in rust. I’m hitting them with a flapper wheel, coating them with Extend and a light coat of paint. On dry days, I’ll be dropping trees in prep for putting up the wife’s garden shed/duck haus next spring (fingers crossed).
 

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xtremek

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Only if we can swap! You come here and live in crappy Watford and I'll move to paradise!

I've lived in quite a few different settings, from in the big city, the uppity suburbs, middle class subdivision, a small town, and now out in the country. What I've found is that it's all about your neighbors. Good neighbors make for a great place to live, no matter where you live. Sure, I'll swap. Oops, I take that back. I watched two deer stroll down to the pond to get a drink of water last night as I was eating dinner. I guess I'll just have to sleep on the couch the next time I get in trouble. But please stop by if you're ever in the area.
 

bazzateer

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I'd love to!

My neighbours are great to be honest. Just 2.5hrs ago I disturbed some low-life trying to break into my next-door neighbour's place. Heard breaking glass and when he saw me he was off acroos the gaarge roof into the back alley and away. Unfortunately I was round the front of the house with no easy access to the rear. By the time I got back through my house and garden and the garage, unlocking/unbolting doors as I went, while one the phone to the cops, he was gone.

Police arrived within about 5 mins which isn't bad for round here. Still waiting for my neighbours to get home from work. I got off work early otherwise I wouldn't have been here and he would have screwed their place, maybe mine too.

Still wanna swap?
 
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xtremek

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Let me get back to you on that. At least you're a good neighbor. The meth producer/dealer is supposed to be returning to our neighborhood (right across the street from me) sometime this month. I was told he's spent the last 7+ years in the pokey. If he has his act straight, I'll have no problems with him. Everyone makes mistakes.
 
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404

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Really enjoying your postings. Would like to see you continue them.. You have brought happiness and stability to your awesome wife and family.

In that vein, would you consider putting some sort of ROPS on the mule.


Also when pulling bushes do it in reverse, that way the front wheels will push down not go up into the sky. Tractors look really safe and stable right up the the moment you make a tiny mistake they crush you. You don't want your wife and kids coming out and finding you like that.

Regards,
404
 

bj383ss

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Just read through your whole thread and really enjoyed it. I like your no BS approach to everything you do. Its nice to see someone getting stuff done without spending megabucks. You remind me a lot of how my dad does things. He does a good job at everything he does without spending a lot on tools or parts or hiring it done. Your stories are very entertaining and I look forward to you next update.

By the way all the girls, you have to be crazy at some point. I am just glad my wife and I had 2 boys no weddings to pay for!

Bret
 
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xtremek

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Really enjoying your postings. .......Tractors look really safe ......

Growing up around the farm, I learned early that NOTHING on the farm is safe and everything on it can kill you fast. Respect everything, never turn your back on anything and ALWAYS have an eixt strategy. Thanks for your concern, dually noted, and appreciated.

Just read through your whole thread and really enjoyed it. I like your no BS approach to everything you do. Its nice to see someone getting stuff done without spending megabucks. You remind me a lot of how my dad does things. He does a good job at everything he does without spending a lot on tools or parts or hiring it done. Your stories are very entertaining and I look forward to you next update.

By the way all the girls, you have to be crazy at some point. I am just glad my wife and I had 2 boys no weddings to pay for!

Bret

Thanks for the compliment Bret. It comes from being strapped for cash and not being willing to give up your dreams. I may not be good at much, but I have fun and learn a ton.

As far as weddings go, the girls will probably get the same treatment the wife and I got. She made the cake, I picked wild flowers and everyone wore second hand dresses that they picked out. A very eclectic mix of formal, casual, evening, tea and summer dresses. Nothing matched, but they looked good. :p
 
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xtremek

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Thanks Ron. I was kind of worried how it would turn out. I was sick for a few weeks (nasty flu/cold), so I'm way behind. Since then, I’ve replaced the solenoids in Robin’s Exploder (pretty easy except for a rounded trans pan bolt). I dropped all the dead trees in the yard, and the trees where Robin’s duck house is going to go.
 

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xtremek

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I got tired of the pipe clamps hanging on a window ledge, so I fabbed up this hanger from scraps I had laying around.

Last weekend I cracked the whip and made the girls help me clean up the branches in the yard. The brush pile is getting pretty big and there’s still more to go. Also, my daughter tried burning a stump, but it’s not working the way I hoped. I’m going to pour some stump rot on it and then try to burn it again, but I’m not holding my breath.
 

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xtremek

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GM has furloughed all the contract employees (somebody has to pay for the ignition switches), so what does a guy do when he has a ton of days off? :dunno: He takes worn out lawn tractor parts, some scrap steel, and a few old kids wagons, and puts them under the knife, building something cool for the grandkids. I started on a gasser style wagon. After that is a woody hot rod style, and then HOPEFULLY a lifted 4x4 with a ton of articulation. Here’s what I have so far. Party time at the Hack Shack.
 

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xtremek

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This is what happens when you've finally got some free time, you post non-stop.:lol:

The oldest daughter’s boyfriend’s parents (did you follow that?) are going through what appears to be an ugly divorce. He gave me an infared heater since his dad is taking everything and selling it for pennies on the dollar while leaving the wife and son out to dry. I mounted that on the east wall, right in front of where I pull cars in to work on. I’m also storing his toolbox and garage frig. The tools don’t look to have ever been used. It’ll make a good start for the boy when he gets a place.
 

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xtremek

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I don’t have much disposable income, so I can’t afford any cool tools like a slip roller. I needed to bend up some “front springs” for the custom kid’s wagon I started building. I’m using some ¾” flat stock that I cut a little long. Using an ArCO2 bottle, I started my bend, then I pinched the strap metal between a coffee can and the vise and finished it off. It turned out pretty nice, not perfect, but close enough for me. So I’ve tacked the springs, frame and front axle together and clamped everything in place. I think the nose is a little too high, but does anyone out there have an opinion? I hope by the end of the weekend I’ll have the frame, suspension and tubs done and finished the steering and handle by next Wednesday. Don’t hold your breath on that one.
 

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jon72vega

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Good work on the wagon!
The front is a bit high.
If you cut the welds where the front axle is welded to the u-bends, & repositioned & welded the axle to the inside of the u-bends, it looks like the wagon would sit about level.
 
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madoc1

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that stance is about right for a gasser! neat project. do you get unemployment like auto workers used to get? I remember Detroit friends in the 60's telling me the senior workers were laid off first during the model change over time. then they would boogie down to fla and collect their benefits there.

jim
 
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xtremek

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Thanks for the compliments, guys. I'm contract so I didn't get unemployment for Thanksgiving, because I wasn't off long enough to make it worth the effort. I'll get furloughed an extra 2 days for Christmas, so I'll put in for all of Christmas/New Years break.
 

ODIS

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Pacific Northwest
Great thread!

Wonderful mind set and approach to all you do. Especially enjoy where your wife can take charge of any project and where you teach the kids real life practical skills.

Enjoy the life, family, and your beautiful property.

Well done!

Ody.
 

jon72vega

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Hey Jon, what's the story on the Vega/avatar?

Thanks for asking.
The Vega is my Hot Rod I've owned since '79.
It's kept me out of trouble ...LOL... for alot of years.
There's a link about it in my signature line.

I built a new garage for it this year, that replaced one that existed well beyound it's useful life.
I don't hava a build thread, but I took many pictures that I put up on Facebook.
My plan is to soon organize the pictures & make a thread about it on Garage Journal.
Here's a pic:
Dec2014s_zps320f1a2d.jpg
 
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xtremek

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Fantastic work on the wagon, now that's ingenuity. Love it.:thumbup:

How is it progressing?

All the best to you and yours.

Regards

Thanks for the compliment ½cup. The wagon’s moving along. I finished the rear “suspension”. I welded the springs in place and finished the wheelie bars. I also got the center pivot for the handle welded onto the front axle and finished welding the tubs. Nothing like a couple of hundred spot welds. There’s more progress, but I haven’t taken pictures of them. It’s getting close to being ready for paint. I’m thinking of bright metallic blue or red for the pan and satin black for the frame.
 

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xtremek

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Don’t stop by the house unless you’re ready to go to work. Mom and Dad came over for Christmas and after the gifts and meal, he and I went out and finished a project I started back at the end of summer. KentB might be interested in this. At the point of the driveway loop around the front yard, the water collects and causes a soft spot in the driveway. I used the post hole auger to dig two 12” holes on either side of the driveway. I dropped in two 5 gallon buckets and filled them in with busted cinder blocks. Then we dug a trench across the driveway and buried a 4” pvc pipe running from one bucket to the other. I'll finish fixing the yard in the spring.
The neighbor next door let me buy this tractor off of her for scrap value ($20). We, the twins and I, drug it home. The engine was free, so I disassembled and cleaned up the starter, and then the carb. In the process of trying to get the fuel bowl off (seized bolts) I broke the choke arm. Some JB Weld and that’s taken care of. I’ll replace the fuel shutoff solenoid and it should be running fine.
 

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