Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT Grumblebums Corner

[Grumblebum]

The trailer's not my style, but it looks like it's well set up and wicked cool.

Thanks XTK, I think it's pretty well stocked. I basically just unloaded my camping kit into it and called it done

Good to see you're a real coffee drinker! I have four of those caffettiera in various sizes.

Ah yes not much happens before coffee.

 

[Grumblebum]

Rod

That trailer looks great. I'm planning on another Outback Trek in September if the planets align. You ought to look into this one: http://www.outbacktrek.com.au/about/home/

I did it last September for 2 weeks and it was a blast. 45 cars, 4500 kms (and that's just from Bourke, so 6500 km by the time we got to Bourke and back). I did it with a mate in his 80 series Landcruiser, with a tent attached to the side.

Here's me on the edge of Lake Eyre:

View media item 57954
They go on a different route every year. You can look at their FB page, but because it has "Police" in the name it gets a bit of stick, so it's now a closed group. They haven't advised where this years one is going yet, but I will keep you informed.

There were about 50 kids on the Trek as it's in School holidays, so good socialising for the kids. The thing is organised by the Police Sergeant at Cobar, and a committee out of Bourke. It has a full Paramedic ambulance with the Trek, 2 mechanics in a 4 T truck and trailer with more spares than you can poke a stick at, and is very well organised. The wife is coming this year, so I am looking for a 4 x 4 at present, but for the next one we probably won't have a van yet, so will be either tenting it or staying in cabins (which you can do at every stop).

I'll talk to you some more about it later, especially once I know where they are going this year.

Lyndon
Your local tour guide.....

That sounds pretty good Lyndon, I did a token look into those type of trips a while ago but never got much further as life got busy pretty quick.

What sort of 4x4 are you looking at ?

You have the chopper look going there

Actually suits you.

GB.

 

[Grumblebum]

Just a suggestion for your water pump/battery life, try fitting a small accumulator after the pump. Because the pump uses 6 times its run current to start, which can shorten your battery life. e.g.

http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=5749

Love your slide out draws, did you use wax/silicane to make them slide real smooth.
You could take the longer way home and run up thru Fitzroy Falls and Kangaroo mountain, then onto Moss Vale with some really beautiful pics from that area. We used to go that way on purpose to pick up treatment plants from south Nowra.
Terrick

Good idea with the accumulator. I think there might be one in my dad's shed of suitable size so I will check that out. I have purchased a few bits from caravansplus before when I did the water tank fixup and they were very good.

The blue slides are this stuff: http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/...rip-1-5m-Blue.aspx?pid=118416#Recommendations

It's just skids you use on boat trailers, slides like butter without doing anything else.

We might not make the scenic route home this time, but that is a good idea.

Cheers GB.

 

[Grumblebum]

Nice work on the trailer Grumblebum!

Thanks hewey - definitely time to get it tested out properly!

 

[Grumblebum]

Thanks for all the comments guys, much appreciated. I think I covered everyone there - that was a bit of a marathon

Tonight I finished installing some power to the back of the truck. I'd fabricated this up a while ago but hadn't fitted it yet. It will run the Engel fridge, a couple of 12V sockets and feed power to the new led canopy light as the old fluoro one was just ****.

It's designed with 30 amp in mind so that it was enough to run the fridge and air compressor if needed. I'd run adequate cable from the front second battery allowing for voltage drop etc and it is fused currently just with a 20 amp fuse right at the battery terminal.

Some quick pics, the cables will need a tidy up later but it was dark and the mozzies were out so that's my excuse for tonight.

View media item 57966
View media item 57967
View media item 57969
View media item 57968
Cheers GB.

 

[metalhead140]

You've been busy! Nice work on the benches and lights, and good to see the work on the camper. My parents had a Jayco style camper (up and then beds out each end) when I was growing up, which we towed up Cape York and all through SA and NT. Definitely made some good memories and had some great time away. So far we've managed to restrain ourselves to a tent, but one day...

 

[Grumblebum]

You've been busy! Nice work on the benches and lights, and good to see the work on the camper. My parents had a Jayco style camper (up and then beds out each end) when I was growing up, which we towed up Cape York and all through SA and NT. Definitely made some good memories and had some great time away. So far we've managed to restrain ourselves to a tent, but one day...

Thanks MH, looks like you have been busy yourself. Vette is looking nice.

I originally was leaning towards the small Jayco units you speak of, then this one came up and I jumped on it.

Cheers GB.

 

[Grumblebum]

Tonight I started an introductory mig welding course with a couple of mates. It is a free course run through the local technical college or TAFE (Technical And Further Education). TAFE is where one would normally obtain a trade qualification etc here in Australia.

Anyway this is just for fun and I think it's the first time I've done a course for fun!

I believe we will cover introductory and intermediate mig (GMAW) and arc (MMAW) welding, so really looking forward to learning some techniques to help in my own tinkering in the shop.

This is the toy we got to play with tonight. Jee it can sizzle...supposed to be able to do upto 12mm plate on this baby with a single pass.

View media item 58003
The bay I was working in, it's an amazing workshop.

View media item 58004
Tonight we were tasked with practicing pad welds to get a feel for the welder. We use the same bay and hence same welder each week so that way we get used to the particular settings of that welder.

View media item 58005
After a bunch of continuous welds the old glove which was a bit worn before I used it tonight, was getting a bit toasty. Did I say this welder sizzles ?

So probably some better gloves on order this week before the next class.

View media item 58006
PS please don't judge my welds, this is practice

Cheers GB

 

[dlcwent]

Just stopped by to keep up with your comings and goings. Have a great day GB

 

[metalhead140]

That's cool, I wasn't aware that such courses existed! Any idea how I'd find out if there is similar locally?

 

[Grumblebum]

That's cool, I wasn't aware that such courses existed! Any idea how I'd find out if there is similar locally?

MH, if you google "tafe free courses" they should come up. They are running at many campus locations. I'll PM you the course code in the morning, their site is pretty horrible to navigate.

GB.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Good one GB you can't go past a TAFE course like that you learn so much by qualified professionals and you have a ball doing it.

I did a machining then a panel beating course some years back and loved them.

Regards

 

[Lyndon]

Rod

Please pm me that link too - I've been looking for the free courses up here, but can never find them.

Thanks

Lyndon
AKA "Chopper"

 

[BBChevro]

I've done a few Tafe "short courses" in the past - they were usually fairly inexpensive, but not FREE.
I wasn't aware that they offered any free ones - free is good.

Thanks for the tip GB, I'll have to have a look for them.

 

[Grumblebum]

Just stopped by to keep up with your comings and goings. Have a great day GB

Thanks Dan, tomorrow is the weekend

Have you got a thread going ? Do we need to start a partition to get you to start one ?

GB.

 

[Grumblebum]

Rod

Please pm me that link too - I've been looking for the free courses up here, but can never find them.

Thanks

Lyndon
AKA "Chopper"

PM Sent but you already replied. Lunch Break too ?

So looks like each tafe does their own thing as the course looks different up in the hunter where Andrew is too.

Have a good weekend.

 

[dlcwent]

Thanks Dan, tomorrow is the weekend

Have you got a thread going ? Do we need to start a partition to get you to start one ?

GB.

Following me around during my normal work day would be worse than watching a beach with nothing but walruses laying in the sand. And weekend house projects are as bad as watching paint dry(literally).

Here's one if I must.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=307579

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5318948&postcount=39

 

[Kenfab]

Tonight I started an introductory mig welding course with a couple of mates. It is a free course run through the local technical college or TAFE (Technical And Further Education). TAFE is where one would normally obtain a trade qualification etc here in Australia.

Anyway this is just for fun and I think it's the first time I've done a course for fun!

I believe we will cover introductory and intermediate mig (GMAW) and arc (MMAW) welding, so really looking forward to learning some techniques to help in my own tinkering in the shop.

This is the toy we got to play with tonight. Jee it can sizzle...supposed to be able to do upto 12mm plate on this baby with a single pass.

The bay I was working in, it's an amazing workshop.

Tonight we were tasked with practicing pad welds to get a feel for the welder. We use the same bay and hence same welder each week so that way we get used to the particular settings of that welder.

After a bunch of continuous welds the old glove which was a bit worn before I used it tonight, was getting a bit toasty. Did I say this welder sizzles ?

So probably some better gloves on order this week before the next class.

PS please don't judge my welds, this is practice

Cheers GB

Nice work mate! I wish these courses were free here, theyre about $500 a pop. Good on you for having a go!

try these, i have the earlier version. Can weld all day with mine http://industrial.weldporn.com/product/weldporn-heavy-duty-migstick-gloves/

 

[Grumblebum]

Good one GB you can't go past a TAFE course like that you learn so much by qualified professionals and you have a ball doing it.

I did a machining then a panel beating course some years back and loved them.

Regards

I've done a few Tafe "short courses" in the past - they were usually fairly inexpensive, but not FREE.
I wasn't aware that they offered any free ones - free is good.

Thanks for the tip GB, I'll have to have a look for them.

Nice work mate! I wish these courses were free here, theyre about $500 a pop. Good on you for having a go!

try these, i have the earlier version. Can weld all day with mine http://industrial.weldporn.com/product/weldporn-heavy-duty-migstick-gloves/

Once this course is done we might keep chipping away at some of the others like the fabrication one (although I don't expect them to be free as such). That way we get to play with some of the other cool tools they have and I'm assuming will get to learn how to use the milling machine that is sitting there.

Anyway will see how we go.

Ken, thanks for the glove link I'll check them out. Did they ship your ones pretty quick ?

Have a good week.

GB.

 

[Grumblebum]

Got away on the weekend finally!

Here is a quick pic of the sink setup tapped to the water pump. Just a sheet of ply offcut that I hit with a few coats of polyurethane. Sits in the first draw with a couple of bolts through the side onto small angle brackets to keep it sturdy.

View media item 58126
Overall very happy with the camper. Tows very well. Just a couple of things need tweaking like some dust seals on the front aluminum box and adding an accumulator as Terrick suggested.

Cheers GB.

 

[Denwood]

The trailer mods look great The storage drawers look very useful. It looks like you are all set to get some great use from the rig.

I purchased a MIG welder about 12 yrs back when doing my Westfalia -> Audi engine transplant. I should have taken a course, however my neighbour is a retired metal worker so showed me some basic tips. The MIG is easily one of the best additions ever to the shop! I even managed aluminum welding with it to prototype some of our first cinema gear.

That MIG course will be well worth the time.

 

[Grumblebum]

The trailer mods look great The storage drawers look very useful. It looks like you are all set to get some great use from the rig.

I purchased a MIG welder about 12 yrs back when doing my Westfalia -> Audi engine transplant. I should have taken a course, however my neighbour is a retired metal worker so showed me some basic tips. The MIG is easily one of the best additions ever to the shop! I even managed aluminum welding with it to prototype some of our first cinema gear.

That MIG course will be well worth the time.

Thanks Dennis, was great to finally get the camper out, so now we need to keep doing it!

I would like to get to doing some aluminium as I would like to redo or make a new frame for the top of the camper which is the floor once it flips over. Aluminium would take some of the weight out of the trailer, but I am someway from doing aluminium welding I think. Will see what happens.

Cheers GB.

 

[Grumblebum]

Welding course week 2 tonight...

Fillet Welds.

10mm plate, first pass, then finished with 2 additional passes, it's called 3 pass 2 layer if I haven't forgotten already

I was trying to focus on consistent speed and maintaining the gun angle tonight.

One of my first runs, note where I stopped to the right, so need to restart back over where I finished next time.

View media item 58254
Bit of reflection on this pic but getting a bit more consistent...

View media item 58255
After 3 passes, note a heap of splatter so dialled the wirespeed back a bit...

View media item 58256
Then we did it all again on fresh stock. Still need to adjust the gun angle flatter when doing the 2nd and 3rd passes.

View media item 58257
View media item 58258
View media item 58259
So still good fun. Learing plenty already.

PS> Remember it's practice so no judging my welds

Cheers GB.

 

[1/2 Cup]

GB, Your welds are not to bad and certainly nothing to be ashamed off.

Regards

 

[Grumblebum]

GB, Your welds are not to bad and certainly nothing to be ashamed off.

Regards

Thanks 1/2. So far both weeks have been a quick demo and straight into it, no hours of theory in the classroom first.

Cheers GB.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Thanks 1/2. So far both weeks have been a quick demo and straight into it, no hours of theory in the classroom first.

Cheers GB.

There is nothing like jumping straight into it GB

 

[dlcwent]

Hey GB, aren't we due for some kind of update?

 

[Grumblebum]

Hey GB, aren't we due for some kind of update?

Hi dan, I hope to be able to attend the next welding class tomorrow evening (Thursday for us).

Not much else of interest to report. Last weekend was running around after kids and rewiring phone lines at my parents place on Saturday, then Sunday kids had a play date and all I managed was replacing hinges on the driveway gate (replacing fancy plastic ones with steel ones). The automatic opener that was installed with it seems not to have any micro adjustment and it pushes closed too far and the hinges break. So it seems that some of the measurements are "out" on the placement of the brackets that were installed which are the pivot points for the automatic opener. So I now need to get some accurate measurements and determine what needs adjusting so that I don't have to "stop" the gate closing any further each time.

Apart from a frustrating time with the gate I upset the bulged disc in my lower back somehow on early Monday morning (not from any hanky panky either ) at the start of a 16 hour day of driving and air travel for a client just for a 5 hour hand over meeting from a guy that was finishing up. So now it's inflamed and pushing on the nerves = ouch. Needs a couple of days of horizontal rest before another go on the traction machine on Friday at the physio.

On the upside I have a ton of work I can catch up on via the laptop instead.

On the downside wifie has denied any beer while I am "not well". (don't tell Lyndon he will revoke my man card). But then again I won't fall asleep so early and can get a few pages more through Thomas's thread - still about 300 pages to go there...

So hoping to be ok enough for welding tomorrow.

GB.

 

[Lyndon]

. . . . .

On the downside wifie has denied any beer while I am "not well". (don't tell Lyndon he will revoke my man card). But then again I won't fall asleep so early and can get a few pages more through Thomas's thread - still about 300 pages to go there...

So hoping to be ok enough for welding tomorrow.

GB.

Man card REVOKED. . . . . .

Did you think I wasn't watching?

Lyndon
Hiding behind the bushes .. . . . . . . . .

 

[dlcwent]

Well to start with, if you have to put up with a sore back with pinched nerves, it at least should have been the result of a little fun in the sun and not a long ride.

I have a lousy back (been like this for 20 years). Recently bought a inversion table and use it for just a few minutes when I really feel the nerves pinch. It has help me so much. I assume that is what you are referring to at the physio visit on Friday.

As much as I love my beer, I will say that a little less would allow me a few more hours a day. But damn, I love beer. No other alcohol but love my beer.

While you guys are sweltering. we are watching the snow come down here right now. But it is supposed to be in the mid 50*F tomorrow. Take care

 

[1/2 Cup]

GB, I hope all goes well with your bulged disc. Take care.

Regards

 

[HSpencer]

GB, I hope all goes well with your bulged disc. Take care.

Regards

GB

Take good care of YOU. The back plays dominance in our enjoyable garage work, so it must be cared for!!

My best wishes towards you SIR!!

Best Regards
Herb

 

[Terrick down Under]

GB, I know how you feel, I have had a damaged L5 since I was 25. It just GOES when you least expect it, and drops me to the ground. After 28 years of trying to deal with it, I simply get Tiger balm, Voltaren(anti-inflammatory) and rub on equal amount at the same time, wrap my lower back with 2 layers of cling wrap for about 30 to 45 minutes, NO LONGER or you will get heat burns. Then get into your best position ( this is where your inversion table would be handy) for about 2 hours. I works for me and takes about 50% of the damage/pain away. I got this from my daughters friends that are body builders.....it works on the damage, but doesn't improve my physique unfortunately, they must be doing something extra???.
Speedy recovery.

 

[Terrick down Under]

Sorry, I forgot the most important thing....Give up the beer, and drink natural beverages like JB and cola....a lot better for the healing process. LOL

 

[dlcwent]

Sorry, I forgot the most important thing....Give up the beer, and drink natural beverages like JB and cola....a lot better for the healing process. LOL

Blasphemy. Give up the beer? Don't listen to him GB. The beer is good for you. Made from hops and herbs and full of all kinds of things that heal the body and most importantly, the soul.

If beer is hurting me, I'll deal with the pain in my body so I don't have to deal with the other things that life throws at you.

Sorry Terrick....

 

[Terrick down Under]

DLCWENT, 11 minutes to get a response....not bad.
Better than honey for bait.

 

[dlcwent]

DLCWENT, 11 minutes to get a response....not bad.
Better than honey for bait.

Sorry, I was multi tasking. I'll try to do better next time.

 

[Grumblebum]

Guys, thanks all for the well wishes. First time my back has gone this way and I've had that l5 niggle for about 18 years now, sheesh that's gone quick...

It seems to plague plenty of people, spoke to a customer in Perth today and he said he was out for 6 months, and the guy at the pet shop (had to get him to lift some layer pellets in the back of my truck) said he did his l5 taking his mother a cup of tea.

Anyway much better today, at least the nerve rubbing has gone, just sore.

Dan, the traction machine you lay flat on the table of which the bottom half slides (think of an extension dining table). You get a big neoprene strap around your chest to keep you attached to the top part and another around your waist on the part that moves. This is then hooked on a strap to the machine that applies tension of whatever is appropriate and it cycles between tension and rest periods. Basically stretches you out. It was set to 23 kg for me for 12 mins.

I must have a look at the inversion tables as I've read a couple of threads now where guys use them.

Terrick, I've got the voltaren tabs and been using deep heat. Have never used tiger balm before so might grab some to try. I've tried the voltaren gel before but it didn't seem to do much on it's own. My physique won't be any better either although 3 days without a beer must have done something.

Didn't get to the welding course last night. Wifie said I couldn't be "sick" all day then suddenly be ok to go to welding... Lol sounds like something we would do as kids - I know mine have reasoning like that.

A non-Physical weekend headed my way but will see if there is at least something photo worthy to do.

I was granted an amber ale allowance tonight, so Lyndon is that man card worthy again ?

Cheers GB

 

[Lyndon]

Rod



Onya if you can get the beer in. Card returned (not that I'm the best person to make that judgement)......

Oh, and I use a really good muscle relaxant from Do-Terra called Ice Blue. Expensive, but worth it. No side effects like Voltaren (which you have to take with food, or else you'll get ulcers, reflux then - well you know where that goes from my experience).

Lyndon
Reclining seductively on a late Friday evening

 

[1/2 Cup]

GB missing a welding class, I recon that takes away at least 1/2 a man card

After 39 years of marriage I have learnt to be very strategic with Mrs 1/2 Cup in those situations where what you see is perfectly ok and her reasoning is just the opposite. So I have learned to predict the unpredictable and use that to get a favorable outcome.

PS mostly anyway.

Mrs 1/2 Cup would say different.

Hava good one.