Kenfab HQ (Australia)

[Kenfab]

House update:

So one day boredom set in and I decided that I had enough of our ensuite. We decided to never use the shower when we moved in, the grout was almost all gone, the shower screen was broken and repaired by putting some acrylic sheet either side. 5 years later I figured it was time to sort it out.

Get a load of the random flower tiles
and Yes, this does indeed, spin the wrong way when it flushes

Vanity and fixtures out, safe to say my partner was not impressed when she came home to her bathroom dismantled

Tiles out, built a niche, screed was fine so I waterproofed over the lot

Invested in some tile clip thingos, they worked quite well.. rookie mistake 1 - gloss floor tiles

Rookie mistake 2 - Not tiling floor to ceiling the whole way around

 

[Kenfab]

Turned out alright in the end, my first attempt at tiling

 

[Kenfab]

Car update:

gave the old girl a scrub and a bit of rego and took her down to a little cars and coffee event.

decided to build a drawer for my van, can never have enough storage

still have to order carpet and a latch, pretty happy so far, has 1200mm drawer runners


definitely couldn't afford this, but tried my hardest to snap this up on eBay. didn't hit reserve and I went past the maximum I could probably get a hold of (8K) haha whoops, at least I didn't have to apologise to the missus for buying it

 

[1/2 Cup]

Ken you have been busy all round, great work on the ensuite make over

We have to do ours soon.

 

[HOTFR8]

Bad luck on the truck. Does sound a little over priced.

 

[hewey]

Ensuite came out great, nice work.

 

[jbmatth]

That is a crazy price for that truck around here, I can buy similar all day for $2-3,000 US. How hard (read expensive) would it be to import one to you from here? Also nice job on the bathroom.

JB

 

[Grumblebum]

Ken the ensuite looks pretty good to me. Do you have to do the main bathroom now ?

I used some of the black utility carpet at bunnings off the roll on some of my draws. Don't want it too thick as it's harder to bend on the corners and keep glued down. Are you just lining inside or outside too ?

cheers GB

 

[rixtrix1]

Nice thread! A few ups and downs, but you seem to be weathering them well. Signs look good. Best wishes and thanks for sharing!

 

[Kenfab]

Ken you have been busy all round, great work on the ensuite make over

We have to do ours soon.

Thanks Steve!

Bad luck on the truck. Does sound a little over priced.

I wish it was overpriced. Don’t suppose you know of any kicking around? They go for anywhere between 10-15k these days

Ensuite came out great, nice work.

Thanks Hewey!

That is a crazy price for that truck around here, I can buy similar all day for $2-3,000 US. How hard (read expensive) would it be to import one to you from here? Also nice job on the bathroom.

JB

JB, with the exchange rate it would be approx $6700 of your wonderful dollars. There is a few blokes that bring them over here from the states but 10k aud is the going rate for a very rough truck. I guess they have to make a few dollars for their trouble. About 3000-4000 with shipping costs and taxes I’ve heard to bring a container back. Hey if you can find a 48-50 or a 64-66 and we can work out how to get it back here I’d be happy to throw some money your way

Ken the ensuite looks pretty good to me. Do you have to do the main bathroom now ?

I used some of the black utility carpet at bunnings off the roll on some of my draws. Don't want it too thick as it's harder to bend on the corners and keep glued down. Are you just lining inside or outside too ?

cheers GB

Thanks GB, yes unfortunately I have to do the main bathroom now, I can’t find a bath I like though.

Will be doing just the outside, it’s only for tools, will have to check out bunnings, thanks mate !

Nice thread! A few ups and downs, but you seem to be weathering them well. Signs look good. Best wishes and thanks for sharing!

Thanks for stopping by!

 

[HOTFR8]

I wish it was overpriced. Don’t suppose you know of any kicking around? They go for anywhere between 10-15k these days

I have a cab for sale. No doors.

 

[jbmatth]

JB, with the exchange rate it would be approx $6700 of your wonderful dollars. There is a few blokes that bring them over here from the states but 10k aud is the going rate for a very rough truck. I guess they have to make a few dollars for their trouble. About 3000-4000 with shipping costs and taxes I’ve heard to bring a container back. Hey if you can find a 48-50 or a 64-66 and we can work out how to get it back here I’d be happy to throw some money your way

That isn't terrible for the shipping and tax, I'll PM you a few links to what I could find in a quick search. Let me know what you think and maybe we can make something happen.

JB

 

[Kenfab]

I have a cab for sale. No doors.

Awesome!!

That isn't terrible for the shipping and tax, I'll PM you a few links to what I could find in a quick search. Let me know what you think and maybe we can make something happen.

JB

Thanks so much JB

 

[Kenfab]

Its been a busy week at work this week, ended up doing a 17 hour day on Wednesday. Worked my regular day then got a call out for a burst water main at 4pm. Had to wait 4 hours with the backhoe bucket on top of the burst as it was hurling these rocks up in the air before the technicians came out and shut down the main.

15 hours in, all by myself, the truck driver was off dumping the spoil and getting some rubble. The other guy I was with headed back to the depot to grab a spare part after he dropped it and gacked up the thread and it wouldn't screw into the stainless repair band. My legs were getting stiff sitting in the backhoe so I got out for a walk

Cut 5 firepits today on the plasma table and fixed up my trailer plug on my van. Didn't get any happy snaps of that though

 

[Kenfab]

Probably the biggest reason why Ive been absent from GJ this year, I made it over to the United States of America

Basically had to work every weekend and after work until may to pay for the trip, but was all worth it in the end. Landed in a very cloudy Los Angeles in may, which was a surprise as it was 1 week from summer.

Did the usual tourist stuff, this is the cars area in Disneyland, I loved the neon

I wanted a big American truck, but ended up in a Nissan Armada (Patrol) it was pretty nice so we weren't too upset. After a few days in Cali we road tripped over to Vegas for a few days

This was a pretty common sight towing over there, you would probably be jailed here in Australia for something like this

Another pretty common sight that you would never see back home, this Pete looked like a show truck, and had the most awesome exhaust note as it ripped past me ( I was doing 10MPH over the speed limit and got passed by nearly every car on the road)

Did another day trip from Vegas over to the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon
Pictures really don't do that place justice, it is HUGE!

Left Vegas and cannonballed to Oakland / San Francisco to catch an NBA conference finals game. Sitting on 80MPH really helped get us there on time.

Had a few days in the Bay Area, then headed down the PCH back to LA. Fell in love with all the towns along the coast.

Ended up in Santa Monica for the last few days, caught a baseball game, went to the fast and furious house, rode some bad *** electric scooters on the Venice boardwalk, went to Home Depot and looked at tools, got over to the Petersen museum and saw the star of my favourite movie

Finished up the trip on the Santa Monica Pier with some unbelievable weather

Hope you enjoyed the little recap, I can sift through some of the 7000 photos I took on my SLR and throw up a few more if anyone is interested in the non garage pictures.

 

[jbmatth]

That looks like a great trip, although expensive I'm sure those memories will be with you forever.

JB

 

[1/2 Cup]

Ken that would have been one awesome trip.

 

[HOTFR8]

Sure looks like a great trip. I went to the Petersen Museum when it first opened.

 

[hewey]

US trip looks like it was awesome!

On the imported truck front, just do your homework on the asbestos issue before buying anything. Have heard a few people have been tripped up.

 

[HOTFR8]

US trip looks like it was awesome!

On the imported truck front, just do your homework on the asbestos issue before buying anything. Have heard a few people have been tripped up.

I get an idea he will not be importing . You are 100% correct asbestos with imports is a major hassle.

 

[Kenfab]

That looks like a great trip, although expensive I'm sure those memories will be with you forever.

JB

Thats it JB! Memories are priceless!

Ken that would have been one awesome trip.

It sure was Steve!

Sure looks like a great trip. I went to the Petersen Museum when it first opened.

Thats awesome Simon! Im guessing that was before they did the stainless steel cladding?

US trip looks like it was awesome!

On the imported truck front, just do your homework on the asbestos issue before buying anything. Have heard a few people have been tripped up.

I just read about some of the debacles! apparently they can just decide that you might have asbestos and then you have to pay to certify that you don't

I get an idea he will not be importing . You are 100% correct asbestos with imports is a major hassle.

Hahah

 

[jabberwoki]

Love the little Mazda, my first car was a R100, sure wish I had it now.

 

[hewey]

I just read about some of the debacles! apparently they can just decide that you might have asbestos and then you have to pay to certify that you don't

Ive read some guys have it sorted and certified before it ships. Not sure whats involved, but could prevent some headaches?

 

[HOTFR8]

Again I have an idea he has found something local. So no import headaches.

 

[Kenfab]

Just registration headaches

 

[HOTFR8]

Just registration headaches

Some times they sound easier to deal with than the import ones.

 

[HOTFR8]

I knew he found something local. Well almost local. Over 7 (?) hours drive each way to pick up.
View media item 86320Inspiration for another member of the GJ to start another project. This left today with Ken being the new owner.

Left with some inspiration from being at Sheddwellers and seeing my F4. Sounds like he has some interesting plans.

Always great to put a name and face together from the GJ members.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Good one..

 

[rixtrix1]

I knew he found something local. Well almost local. Over 7 (?) hours drive each way to pick up.
View media item 86320Inspiration for another member of the GJ to start another project. This left today with Ken being the new owner.

Left with some inspiration from being at Sheddwellers and seeing my F4. Sounds like he has some interesting plans.

Always great to put a name and face together from the GJ members.

This answers the question I just posted on HOTFR8's thread. It will be interesting to see what you do with it.

 

[HOTFR8]

This answers the question I just posted on HOTFR8's thread. It will be interesting to see what you do with it.

I had some ideas for him and I will not spoil it but I can say he has already done plenty of home work and I have no doubt will post his ideas soon.
His fabrication skills will be put to good use.

 

[jbmatth]

Great to hear you were able to get what you wanted Ken, and I'm sure much less work than shipping from the states. Looking forward to what you have planned for it.

JB

 

[Terrick down Under]

Watching and waiting

 

[Kenfab]

Haven't had a chance to update, been doing 12 hour night shifts all last week, very tiring, but good for the latest project:

Hotfr8 mentioned he had a cab from a 1948-1950 Ford Truck, I have been searching for a truck now for over 12 months, things either popping up when I don't have the funds, or nothing around when I can afford it. So I decided to cannonball over to where he lives to pick it up.

Around 700km and 7 hours each way to grab it, left at 4am

about an hour into the trip home, I lost 4 tie down straps, 1 at a time, the cab was sitting on tyres, and the rough edges just wore through the straps, I noticed the cab shift a bit on the trailer in torrential rain, so I stopped and re loaded the trailer.

Lost another strap about 4 hours in, was a terrible drive home, lots of rain, the cab was acting like a metal parachute, the roads were being resurfaced and had a single lane of asphalt, and dirt either sides, so I was off in the dirt every time an oncoming car was coming, and my fuel economy doubled for the trip home but I kept on plugging away. The trip home ended up taking an extra 3 hours with all the stops

The cab has been shoved into the shed, now to start tracking down some bits for it

 

[Kenfab]

Good one..

Thanks Steve

This answers the question I just posted on HOTFR8's thread. It will be interesting to see what you do with it.

Thanks mate, should be a bit of fun

I had some ideas for him and I will not spoil it but I can say he has already done plenty of home work and I have no doubt will post his ideas soon.
His fabrication skills will be put to good use.

Thanks again Simon, talking to the engineer today to make sure he will sign off my plans

Great to hear you were able to get what you wanted Ken, and I'm sure much less work than shipping from the states. Looking forward to what you have planned for it.

JB

Thanks JB, haha I will definitely be keeping an eye out for what else I can bring over from the states :crazy eyes:

Watching and waiting

slow goings at the moment haha

 

[HOTFR8]

Thanks again Simon, talking to the engineer today to make sure he will sign off my plans

Blame the trailer for the trip home given it was not a trailer you normaly use.
As for the tie downs perhaps ropes would have been better.

Looking forward to see how the plans come out. Remember use as much as possible from the donor chassis.

 

[hewey]

Sounds like an interesting trip bringing it home, keen to follow your build!

 

[HOTFR8]

Must be time for an update given what I have seen over on Instgram. That old cab of mine is looking whole again.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Must be time for an update given what I have seen over on Instgram. That old cab of mine is looking whole again.

Agree

 

[HOTFR8]

Agree

If he does not post a photo soon I may have to find the photo again and post it myself.

 

[Kenfab]

Our house has had the same rubbish lantern style outdoor light since we moved in, it had a sensor, but after trying 5 different new style globes, none seem to work in in sensor mode, they just stay lit.

So I popped on down to the electrical wholesaler and picked up a few downlights.. bargain at $9 each

Got to work installing them

After much swearing, got them wired up with a Clipsal infra scan

Now I wonder why it took so long to finally get the lights sorted