Escape FROM my dream shop

[86turbodsl]

Mmmmm. Love that pacemaker. Good work Mac!

 

[rmack898]

Just a quick update to prove I'm still alive.

The shop remains as I left it after we unloaded the truck. I went back to the day job and when I get home I've been hanging pictures, shelves, and anything else Laura needs me to get done in the house.

I'm heading back up north Saturday morning and plan to be back to the Grove sometime Monday night with the last load so I can go back to the day job on Tuesday morning.

The closing on the NJ house is February 21st and as soon as I get past that, I should have time to start building out the inside of the shop.

 

[shortykorte]

Thanks for the update. I was wondering if you stuck on the Jersey Turnpike. Have a safe trip.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

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[Duker]

Thanks for the update. I was wondering if you stuck on the Jersey Turnpike. Have a safe trip.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

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Ditto on what Shorty said.... good luck on the closing!


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[Pressingonward]

That's a heck of a move - I'm tired just from reading about it!

Glad things went fairly smoothly and looking forward to seeing your new shop get set up. The new house looks great btw.

 

[taumac]

Hey look Shorty... he left everything wrapped up and pallet jack for us. Should be easy just to load on trailer. [emoji1787]

Good luck on closing... your gonna need nap when this all though.

 

[shortykorte]

G you’re right. How’d I let that slip by me.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

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[rmack898]

Sometimes the best laid plans go to **** in a hurry. It's Monday night and I'm still here in Florida. I will be pointing the truck north tomorrow afternoon with an empty trailer in tow.

Trevor is taking advantage of my empty trailer and having me go 20 miles out of my way in NC to pick up a Synchro-Wave 300 that he found on CL.

I will spend Wednesday and Thursday loading the last of the stuff left in NJ and attend the closing in person on Friday and head home. I should be back at the Grove in time for dinner on Saturday.

The Pacemaker lathe was the only thing that did not make it inside the new shop. I left it under cove outside. Yesterday the weather forecast was for rain in the evening so I figured I better get the lathe indoors. Working by myself with a Johnson bar and 6 pieces of 3/4" sch 40 pipe, I got the lathe move inside in a little over a hours time. Slow, deliberate, and a well thought out plan make moving heavy machinery a safer operation.

Now all I have to do is decide where I want the Pacemaker to reside in the shop and move it to it's final location. I'll get to that when I get back from NJ and start to put the shop together in earnest.

 

[shortykorte]

Slow and easy is the order of the day. Here’s hoping the rest of your week is smooth sailing.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

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[86turbodsl]

Trevor is taking advantage of my empty trailer and having me go 20 miles out of my way in NC to pick up a Synchro-Wave 300 that he found on CL.


The Pacemaker lathe was the only thing that did not make it inside the new shop. I left it under cove outside. Yesterday the weather forecast was for rain in the evening so I figured I better get the lathe indoors. Working by myself with a Johnson bar and 6 pieces of 3/4" sch 40 pipe, I got the lathe move inside in a little over a hours time. Slow, deliberate, and a well thought out plan make moving heavy machinery a safer operation.

Now all I have to do is decide where I want the Pacemaker to reside in the shop and move it to it's final location. I'll get to that when I get back from NJ and start to put the shop together in earnest.

You need to make some machinery skates. I made mine out of some 1/2" plate and a bunch of bearings riding on drill rod. I had my pacemaker moved across the shop in 5 minutes by myself. Your buddy is going to love that syncro 300. Mine makes me really happy when i weld with it.

 

[Craptain]

I picked up 2 sets of machinery skates of Marketplace the day after Shorty and Craig helped me manhandle my Nardini into the shop. [emoji849][emoji848][emoji38]

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[cbacres]

I picked up 2 sets of machinery skates of Marketplace the day after Shorty and Craig helped me manhandle my Nardini into the shop. [emoji849][emoji848][emoji38]

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We still think you did that on purpose!

 

[cbacres]

Good old pipe does it again, moved lots of stuff on pipe.

Safe travels.

 

[shortykorte]

I picked up 2 sets of machinery skates of Marketplace the day after Shorty and Craig helped me manhandle my Nardini into the shop. [emoji849][emoji848][emoji38]

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Ummm, we need to talk. I almost dropped the lathe on my new Florida Safety Shoes.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

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[mybigwarwagon]

Shorty and Craig helped me manhandle my Nardini into the shop. [emoji849][emoji848][emoji38]

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Hey hey now, this is a family site.

 

[shortykorte]

Mack hope you’re home, without any travel incidents.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

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[rmack898]

I'm home at the Grove, the last few days were a blur.

Closing on the NJ house was last Friday at 2:00pm. We were waiting for a payoff document from a non-conventional lender that didn't arrive until 20 minutes before closing. Needless to say we were all on edge. The closing went well and by selling the NJ property, the ESCAPE part of this thread is complete. I am now an official NJ ex-pat.

We had one more full trailer load of stuff that needed to go south. While we were loading the trailer, I needed a screw gun and some screws. Trevor took my truck to go to his house to get a screw gun. When he came back he asked me what was wrong with my truck as it was making a very loud, speed induced noise. It turned out to be the drivers side, front wheel bearing assy. At this point I no longer own a garage and have no tools to work with. I call in a few favors and the next thing I know is my truck is on the lift at the local GoodYear place. 37 minutes later I roll out with a new front hub assembly.....No charge.

I go back to my old house, hook up to my trailer and point the truck north. I missed the last ferry so I have to drive north for a while before I can turn south. I left my old place at 7:30 pm and arrived at the Grove 20 hours later, it was the longest trip south I've had in a long time but I made it in one piece. I went to bed and slept for 14 hours.

I started unloading the last trailer load this afternoon and didn't finish before it got dark and don't care, I'll finish it when I get home from work tomorrow.....or not. No rush

 

[shortykorte]

Glad to hear everything worked out and you made it to the Grove safely. Wish you had the barstool there when we hung iron. I could of rode around giving safety advice and drank beer. [emoji16]


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

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[Craptain]

I am now saying once and for all....WELCOME TO FLORIDA.

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[cbacres]

Glad it’s all done for you Mac. Welcome to your new place in Florida, what a ride.

Get that hot rod barstool tuned up and we’ll meet at Flywheelers in November. I’ll build a bar on my cart and you can ride alongside with a cold one.

 

[mybigwarwagon]

Congratulations, you are now "Florida man".

 

[jimt1971]

Nice to see a Wheel Horse made it South.

 

[Jayman17]

Congrats on getting there in one piece Mack. Now you can get your shop settled in at your leisure.
Gotta be feeling good about that...

Jay

 

[86turbodsl]

Congrats Mack. I bet you breathed a big sigh of relief after this massive journey!

 

[polexican23]

did you drive the 20hrs straight. I understand pee breaks and food stops? but man about 7hrs of driving is my limit. Always has been, even when i was younger.

 

[rmack898]

Wish you had the barstool there when we hung iron. I could of rode around giving safety advice and drank beer. [emoji16]
Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

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It would be hard for you to drive the barstool while clapping you hands.

I am now saying once and for all....WELCOME TO FLORIDA.

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Thanks Andrew

Glad it’s all done for you Mac. Welcome to your new place in Florida, what a ride.

Get that hot rod barstool tuned up and we’ll meet at Flywheelers in November. I’ll build a bar on my cart and you can ride alongside with a cold one.

Thanks Craig, I can do that.

Congratulations, you are now "Florida man".

I guess I am Willie

Nice to see a Wheel Horse made it South.

Jim, my first paying job turning wrenches was for a big Wheel Horse dealer back in 1976. This Horse will get a full restoration once I get settled

Congrats on getting there in one piece Mack. Now you can get your shop settled in at your leisure.
Gotta be feeling good about that...

Jay

Jay, I'm not sure how leisurely it will be getting the shop set up, after not having a shop for almost 2 years I want it all done now.

Congrats Mack. I bet you breathed a big sigh of relief after this massive journey!

I still can't believe that part is done Mark.

did you drive the 20hrs straight. I understand pee breaks and food stops? but man about 7hrs of driving is my limit. Always has been, even when i was younger.

Driving alone I can make the trip in about 15 hours with food and pee stops. I was so exhausted on this last trip I had to stop 3 times to sleep a little.

 

[rmack898]

First thing on the new shop agenda is getting some sparktricity. I will pull string in the pipe this weekend and measure what I need. I'll also start on the electrical plan and come up with a good materials list so I can start shopping around for the best prices.

The rest of this build might take a while as I have to resupply my finances.

I will try to get all the machines in their proper places and get the final layout done.

 

[Kev442]

What a huge weight off of you, no more trips to New Jersey (except for visiting family).
I can't even imagine how good that feels, the stress I would go through just making a 500 mile trip to retrieve a non running car I bought would stress me out bigtime. Then the relief when it was home in one piece...

 

[shortykorte]

Mack good thing I have my hat.


Shorty Korte
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[rmack898]

What a huge weight off of you,

A huge weight indeed. My body was so relieved, it decided I needed a little break for the Flu.

Mack good thing I have my hat.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

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Nice try Shorty, tech inspection will fail your hat and you will have to use two hands.

Towards the end of the work day yesterday I started feeling run down, when I woke up this morning I knew I was not right. I spent an hour sitting at the table reading GJ and then moved to the couch and fell asleep. Woke up this afternoon and went out to the shop to get the little vacuum for Laura. The little walk from the house to the shop and back kicked my *** and now I'm back on the couch.

Now that my build budget has been squeezed to the max, I'll spend the rest of the afternoon (if I can stay awake) cruising Marketplace looking for deals on building materials.

 

[shortykorte]

Take it easy. You’ve been through a lot and everything will be there next week.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

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[rubberrodder]

As long as you don't get a fever along with that tired feeling you should be okay. This Corona virus thing is getting crazy.
My wife says I'm too cheap to get Corona virus. I would get "dos equise" instead.

 

[mybigwarwagon]

As long as you don't get a fever along with that tired feeling you should be okay. This Corona virus thing is getting crazy.
My wife says I'm too cheap to get Corona virus. I would get "dos equise" instead.

I came down with the yuengling virus. Fun stuff. Pretty relaxing.

 

[Jayman17]

Hey Mack, just checking in to see how you are doing, any updates?
Hope all is well...

Jay

 

[cbacres]

He’s probably smarter than most of us, took this time to tune out the world and blow the rest of shop out.

 

[rmack898]

He’s probably smarter than most of us, took this time to tune out the world and blow the rest of shop out.

I'll never be accused of being smart and the shop is still a long way from being done or usable.

Thanks for checking on me Craig.

The first week of March, a good friend who was going through some major life events came down to stay in our camper for a few days for some recovery time. Laura and I both had the flu. His visit required every available minute that Laura and I had 24/7. His one week visit became 3 weeks plus. When he left Laura and I were together alone and exhausted. In the last 17 months, Laura and I have been living in separate states and only visiting each other once a month. After our guest left, Laura and I spent some time getting reacquainted with living together again.

I have been and am still working my day job. We are busy as hell and I have been coming home exhausted with no energy to do anything.

As crazy as things are right now, I'm starting to feel like I can get some things done.

I did manage to get all the shop stuff moved around in the shop to where I think they will live.

I still need to finish all the outside trim on the shop. Renting a man lift for months at a time just so I could use it when I had time didn't make sense, so I borrowed a man basket for a fork lift from my day job. It was taking up space in the shop and they said I could keep it for as long as I needed it. I also get plenty of exercise going up and down the ladder.

Gerard, you would be happy to know that I had a Hooters girl visit the shop and spend the night.

I hope that everyone is well and stays safe.

 

[mybigwarwagon]

Gerard, you would be happy to know that I had a Hooters girl visit the shop and spend the night.

I hope that everyone is well and stays safe.

That will keep the mice away.


Glad you checked in. I was starting to wonder if a gator got you.

 

[Toolfool]

Damn, I thought you were dead. One of your last posts you weren't feeling well enough to walk out to the shop. Then nothing. Sounded all too familiar to me.

 

[Craptain]

Glad to see you are still around. Many of us were starting to worry.

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[shortykorte]

Go all that time separated, move Laura down here and then get the knock on the door. Sounded bad so good that you were able to be there for your friend. Thankful you had the RV.
You know you can safely use ropes and pulleys to control the bucket up/down levers. No more climbing ladders.

Also, I bet Craig gifted you his pet shop owl while you weren’t looking.

Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

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