Don Campbell's Workshop

[Don Campbell]

Thanks,
It is my favorite model , I told the guy I would make it work for $10,000.00 more but he said he liked it just like it was.
I worked on the wiring today and got sidetracked with the exhaust system. I changed it from a down pipe to a up pipe . It will get a chrome stack on the rear of the machine.

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays workshop progress project was to fix the steering column . You could move the steering column 1 full inch side to side and up and down a half a inch . So I made a bracket with a slot in it the same dia. as the shaft and slipped it over it. Attached it with a few screws and ta, da !! no more play As little as I will ever use this machine it was a easy fix to do it this way. Besides the steering shaft pulley was rust welded on .
Looks like a crack in the floor too

 

[Don Campbell]

One of my favorite days of the year is going to buy steel. Today I bought 4 full sheets and 2 dozen smaller pieces of 1/4 in to 1/8 in. plate. That should keep me busy til spring
They have a nice big shear , you can see the lift truck moving my four sheets over by the shear.

 

[taumac]

Did you find those smaller pieces or do they cut it all for you? What's the fee for the cuts.

5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

 

[Don Campbell]

The 30 smaller pieces are just drops off bigger pieces but I can use them. It costs about $50.00 for the shearing cost.

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays workshop progress shows me pulling the transaxle back out to do a few last things including the brakes. Also I pulled the carb bowl off for the first time and it looks terrible. 5 years of moisture

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays progress in the shop shows me working on the rear engine lid and bracing up the fenders. It still looks pretty rough but you can get a idea now. Also the harley Chrome pipe location and the old muffler on the floor. On the bench in the back you can see the new plastic gas tank and I will build brackets for it's new location too. I am still waiting for the carb rebuild kit. My lift table is still on back order , going to take 6 weeks by the sound of it . Should be driving it by Tues.
The two jd 110 round fender tractors new paint should now be ready for fine sanding and buffing too. Got new lights for the Cub Cadet , Got to redo the steering on the Wheelhorse Grader , want to put a snowblower on my mini 9630 4x4 articulating tractor so lots of fun workshop stuff

 

[Don Campbell]

Today the rear fender looks much better with some body work and paint . Nothing fancy but a fun workshop project.

 

[Don Campbell]

Bought lawn tractor number 15 today . It has a sweet running 18 hp twin Briggs Engine. Also a good rear axle with high low range . I love the twin cylinder engines.
I got the new gas tank mounted today too .
Also today I got the carb rebuild kit for the Bolens Frame steer and I got it running .
Still got to tweek the jets but it idles great . If things go good tomorrow I could get all 15 tractors out in the back yard for a group photo.

 

[56vette461]

Hey Don,

AH, just like ******* or SI swimsuit addition. But which of the 15 will be the coveted CENTERFOLD

 

[Don Campbell]

Ha, Ha, Ha !
No question , my favorite one is my mini jd 9630 4x4 articulating tractor !!!

 

[Don Campbell]

This is garden tractor project number 15 , it will be painted Cat yellow
and have tracks
Not exactly sure how it will end up but I am sure it will look much different than it looks today
A garden tractor with tracks has been on my list for many years.

 

[Crown]

Good choice! I'm a big fan of crawlers

 

[Don Campbell]

Been away from the workshop for a week , time to get back to work/ fun
Got the Ranch kind sanded and painted in a few spots. The hood was cracked almost in half right down the middle , 9 other cracks so I am tweaking the hood a bit to be able to still use it.
My goal this week is to get all 15 tractors in the backyard for a group picture
I am very excited to build my first trac project
Also will make the test drive video of the Bolens frame steer this week and share it

 

[bcos]

awesome Don!

 

[Don Campbell]

Today I am sanding on the hood and side covers and should get them painted this afternoon.
You can also see the rear tailights on the Bolens project

 

[Don Campbell]

This is the first time I have ever pulled out the three jd round fender tractors to see them sitting side by side.
Cancelled my lift table today after waiting 6 weeks now they tell me a few more weeks. I ordered one now from Forward Lift Table Co. in Ind.

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays workshop project was to remove transaxle and inspect it . I replaced the detent ball bearing as the old one had wedged in one of the holes. Also shimmed the drive pulley shaft by a full
1/16th inch of up and down play. We'll see on the next test drive
Also here is the painted hood and side panels for the Ranch King. Not perfect but strong as new with the nine large cracks repaired.

 

[914forme]

Wow just spent to days of lunch reading through this thread, and now I am ready to hit a few tractor restos myself. I have a simplicity Sun-Runner, a Steiner 420D, and a FieldBoss 21 I need to redo. Your work is truly inspiring, and these little guys take up less room than a full blow car redo.

Thanks for the inspiration!!!!

 

[Don Campbell]

Your very welcome
This is why I am here
To give others ideas from my wierd projects
My second test drive was also a failure
Only reverse worked , so I had a fellow stop by and he said everything looks fine except the shifting forks were very bad. So now I am trying to figure out what ones to order off e-bay for this five speed Peerless. My numbers don't match exactly with theirs.
My friend said most of the 5 speed peerless transaxles had the same shifting forks.

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays picture shows the transaxle and one of the shifting forks. I tried springing it back up and it broke. But I am finding out all the forks are 1/4 inch wide for the Peerless 5 speeds. Looks like the length is different . Mine looks to be 2-9/16" long .
I am getting close to getting the right set. Nine had been wore and rounded off and lost the spring lift that locked into the gears. I am still enjoying the learning process about transaxles.

 

[lucky.expert]

I've got to say im impressed! You give me hope with my cheap and limited tools. I have been wanting to convert a lawn mower to some sort of multi-use utility lawn tractor, so this gives me ideas!

And you may have answered these already, but where do you get your tires/wheels, and where do you get your decals? And do you paint with rattle cans or a HVLP sprayer?

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks ,
This is what I want other do it your selfers to know that even with very few tools and a very small workspace you can still have fun in a small workshop.
The local sign shop does decals , and I never use rattle cans . I do spray with a gun but I also paint many projects with just a brush , then I sand out the worst runs and it looks fine. I would much have heavy paint on the projects with a brush than hardly no paint with the rattle cans. I don't like the overspray in my workshop.

 

[Don Campbell]

I got some of the black stripes on today for the ranch king hood and side panels . It seems so nice not to be working on another green and yellow project
I will have to wait til the shift keys arrive next week to get back to work on the Bolens project.

 

[Don Campbell]

Next step with the hood side panels , looking better

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

You're going to fool a lot of people with that one!

 

[Don Campbell]

ha,ha,
The deere are starting to move in my backyard , I have seen as many as 15 at one time . Hopefully I can get a photo of all 15

 

[Don Campbell]

We put some apples and corn in the backyard and it
attracted all 15 deeres
Bolens test drive number 3 SUCCESSFUL
Got the call my Forward 1000 lift table will arrive tomorrow
After waiting 9 weeks from for the Handy 1000 lift table and last week being told another whole month yet we cancelled that order.
Last Wed. we ordered a similar lift table from Forward and less than one week it will be delivered to my driveway
I'll share some pics unloading it and setting it up in the workshop

 

[Don Campbell]

My 1000lb Forward Lift Table arrived today . This one was $500.00 cheaper than the Handy 1000 that they could not get for me after 8 weeks of waiting and for more weeks to wait. I'll get it put together this afternoon .

 

[Crown]

Congrats on the new lift table, I'm sure you put it to good use very soon

 

[Don Campbell]

thanks , yes I am very excited about it.
I got the lift all assembled and I am very excited about it

 

[56vette461]

AAAhhh, A yellow Caterpillar for the "center fold" in field of beautiful green machines. What a concept. Love the look. You have much to be proud of.

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks !!
Time to tweak the old grill. The stock wheels have wore out and I really need to put larger tires on it before the snow flies. This is my next day project in the workshop before I do anything else.

 

[Zeke]

Thanks !!
Time to tweak the old grill. The stock wheels have wore out and I really need to put larger tires on it before the snow flies. This is my next day project in the workshop before I do anything else.

Probably take you 30 minutes.

 

[rmalkow2]

Thanks !!
Time to tweak the old grill. The stock wheels have wore out and I really need to put larger tires on it before the snow flies. This is my next day project in the workshop before I do anything else.

I've been staring at my old grill and thinking to ditch it cause it looks kinda sad from the outside. Hmmmm…….now you got me thinking! Maybe it just needs a facelift and some new attitude. Allow me to honor you by stealing some good ideas.

 

[Don Campbell]

ha,ha
I just have to keep using the old grill , ha,ha.
Here is todays purchase . A jd z-425 , I never had a zero turn before so I am excited to see if I can get it running . I got it VERY Cheap !!

 

[taumac]

Nice mods to grill. I'm actually quite shocked you havnt made some big *** john deer inspired flame throwing grill yet. You surly have the skills!!! Have you ever thought of one?

5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

 

[Don Campbell]

Yes, I have a folder with just custom gas grills , a badass mini pulling tractor grill with duel stacks smoking would be awesome !!!
But for now this will have to do to save our 39 year old Sears grill from the scrapyard.
Now it moves much nicer

 

[taumac]

That's cool

5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks ,
Todays little shop project was to build a stand for the ramps so i can actually use the ramps for a extra work area when in the up position. Working in a tiny shop like mine means using all the space