Kyle's Garage Project

[G20-Budo]

So while out in the garden today, I noticed a few things I thought I'd share.

1. My starfruit tree has FRUIT!

2. I also dug 5 more holes to sink plumeria pots in the ground.

3. I also included some pics of my guava tree today (fruiting like crazy)

4. Then my passionfruit vine (and a leaf of it, you can see how big it is next to my hand).

I'm very much looking forward to next spring already, to see what fruits I have. Some area's of the yards are starting to come together.

 

[Denwood]

Kyle, what's the plan for these plants? Once you've determined they can survive there (and it's a lot warmer in Chandler vs Thunder Bay!) are you planning some kind of orchard/garden deal? Wrenching on cars whilst sneaking out back for some fresh fruit and beer doesn't sound so bad

I know you've mentioned it before..but you need a shed to liberate your shop space! Maybe you're already there though if shipping parts outbound..

 

[sean Buick 76]

Looking good Kyle!

 

[G20-Budo]

Kyle, what's the plan for these plants? Once you've determined they can survive there (and it's a lot warmer in Chandler vs Thunder Bay!) are you planning some kind of orchard/garden deal? Wrenching on cars whilst sneaking out back for some fresh fruit and beer doesn't sound so bad

I know you've mentioned it before..but you need a shed to liberate your shop space! Maybe you're already there though if shipping parts outbound..

Dennis,

Good questions!

The plan for the plants is to get fresh fruit year around in my back yard. Basically, I'd like to have a tropical backyard here in the desert. Some fruit here either can't buy at the market, or it would be stupid expensive (like they want $3 per passion fruit! There is hardly anything in one!). I enjoy growing certain tropical fruits here that most can't. As for the flowering plants, they're just for the fun of it (my daughter loves them). Two years ago for Hawaiian day at school, I sent my daughter to school with a REAL lei made from flowers from my plants and last year I sent her with one in her hair. Pictures attached.

The shed I've made NO progress on, other than to realize I actually need two sheds. Well one shed, and something to cover my pool pump equipment from the sun. The one that was here when I moved in (over 20 years old), the roof started to rot, so I removed it. If I'm going to replace it, I figured instead of it being 3' tall, I'll make it 6' or more tall, and longer/wider. Then I can store all pool related items in there out of site. Pics of that area are attached. I did a rough estimate of the size, basically it will be around twice as long, 6' tall and the same depth.

This past weekend I FINALLY start packing the car items to start clearing the garage, but the box I got from my buddy at a dealership isn't in proper shape for shipping these items to another state. I do not want pieces falling out. I am waiting on a better bumper box. Those this did give me more room in the garage. Again, pic's attached.

It might not look like I have got much done, but I can now access my bench again and did some clean-up on my Hollands vise I'm restoring. I just need to wipe it down and paint it. I should have some pics of it in a few days.

 

[G20-Budo]

This weekends update includes the finish of my vise restore. About two years ago I picked this Hollands 24 1/2 vise and today I finished the paint, assemble and lube of it. I'll pick up some bolts and mount it this week. It has a bit of slop when I first goto open it, so I'm thinking I need to pick up a washer to go under the screw head, between the screw head and dynamic jaws. Big thanks to KMScott making the handle for me. I included a picture of the Hollands next to my Wilton Tradesman 1750 for reference (which I also need to clean up and get new jaws for).

 

[s2kattracks]

I feel you on the passion fruit. My wife and I spent 6 months in Uganda while adopting our son and you could get roughly a pound of them for like 1-2 us dollars....I remember coming back and seeing the same 3-4 dollars for ONE of them! Crazy

 

[G20-Budo]

I feel you on the passion fruit. My wife and I spent 6 months in Uganda while adopting our son and you could get roughly a pound of them for like 1-2 us dollars....I remember coming back and seeing the same 3-4 dollars for ONE of them! Crazy

s2kattracks,

Yeah, we are pretty excited to have them growing here. One they get established, they fruit very well in this area. And then they'll be free.

 

[s2kattracks]

Free is good! Get enough of them going and sell them locally

 

[Bob Heine]

About two years ago I picked this Hollands 24 1/2 vise and today I finished the paint, assemble and lube of it. I'll pick up some bolts and mount it this week.

Kyle, not sure why it looks so good to me but that Hollands vise makes me a little jealous. Well done!

 

[G20-Budo]

Kyle, not sure why it looks so good to me but that Hollands vise makes me a little jealous. Well done!

Thank you Bob.. for me it's a work horse, and more vise than I should ever need. It's got a 4.5" jaw that opens just at 8".

 

[G20-Budo]

Merry Christmas to all you Garagejournal people out there!!

 

[sean Buick 76]

Looking good nice work on a productive year!

 

[G20-Budo]

Thanks Sean! Though I haven't made nearly the amount of progress this year that I wanted. But things are starting to look up! I'm hoping to have some cool updates in the next month or so.

I hope you and your family have a blessed Christmas!

 

[rixtrix1]

This weekends update includes the finish of my vise restore. About two years ago I picked this Hollands 24 1/2 vise and today I finished the paint, assemble and lube of it. I'll pick up some bolts and mount it this week. It has a bit of slop when I first goto open it, so I'm thinking I need to pick up a washer to go under the screw head, between the screw head and dynamic jaws. Big thanks to KMScott making the handle for me. I included a picture of the Hollands next to my Wilton Tradesman 1750 for reference (which I also need to clean up and get new jaws for).

I'm very jealous, Kyle. I'll just soldier on with my Ridgid 350R 4" vise I bought new in 1976( gosh, it's 40YEARS OLD!!!!!).

 

[G20-Budo]

I'm very jealous, Kyle. I'll just soldier on with my Ridgid 350R 4" vise I bought new in 1976( gosh, it's 40YEARS OLD!!!!!).

Ric, that is AWESOME! 40 years and it's still serving you well! You should stop by some time to check out my vise(s). Merry Christmas to you and the family Ric!

-Kyle

 

[rixtrix1]

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Kyle!

 

[Kenfab]

any updates Kyle?

 

[G20-Budo]

Hey Ken,

Thanks for stopping in. My progress around the house has been slow. I did have a buddy that contracts for the local cable/internet company stop by and test all my coax in the house and assist me in relocating my new cable modem to the middle of the house. I included pics of the router/cable modem where it's now located and my internet speed test. Very happy with our internet speeds now. My old cable modem could only go about 1/3 the speed of my service, now it's setup the way it should be.

I also did a little work on cleaning up the jaws of my Hollands 24 1/2 vise (thanks to some help from CrotalusAtrox). I attached some pics that show the before and after clean-up. I still need to tape it and paint it, but it's a bit chilly to paint right now. But it's where I want it now.

 

[Kenfab]

Wow that's fast internet

Vice looks great

 

[G20-Budo]

I started checking out the instructions for a new wideband sensor that I picked up for my car. The older Innovate wideband sensor I had started going out. I replaced the sensor twice, and both times it just killed the new sensor with in 2 months.

So I picked up a new AEM wideband X-Series UEGO. The tune on my car is a bit off now that I installed some bigger cams, and I have no way to know what I'm doing while tuning without a working wideband.

 

[Kenfab]

ohh i know about that wideband problem, the way to fix it is to box up that nice looking wilton vice of yours and post it to any person called Ken in australia.... haha

that ***** about the sensors, they arent cheap, hopefully the new one helps... maybe your egts are getting a bit high and cooking the sensor, or too rich and getting too much fuel residue on it, do you tune it yourself?

 

[G20-Budo]

ohh i know about that wideband problem, the way to fix it is to box up that nice looking wilton vice of yours and post it to any person called Ken in australia.... haha

You're funny mate.

that ***** about the sensors, they arent cheap, hopefully the new one helps... maybe your egts are getting a bit high and cooking the sensor, or too rich and getting too much fuel residue on it, do you tune it yourself?

Ken, my car is normally aspirated (no boost), and I don't *think* it's running too rich. The issue with the Innovate wideband is very well documented on the internet. At some point they just start failing, and no matter what you do, the control unit doesn't seem to come back. I switched to an AEM. I'm going to try and get it installed this weekend. Then I'll be able to tell you if it's too rich or not.

 

[drivesitfar]

Kyle: nice to hear you met CA and maybe he showed you how he really spiffs up a vise or how to make any old steel thing shine. your Holland's vise has come a long way since the day you had your Dad pick it up for you at his neighbor's house a few years ago (at least i think that's how you bought it).

anyway Kevin's new handle he made for you is awesome looking. did you polish the hub or did you just ship the screw to Kevin to have him shine it up while he made you the handle. it looks great no matter how you did it, but do tell if you maybe haven't already and i missed it.

in case you haven't seen these Snap on Wilton made Tradesman vises transformed into a green bomb here's Gman's recent one he did that looks a lot like yours. he bought this Extreme Green from Snap on for i think maybe $25 and a few other members buy a Grabber green spray paint that i'm not quite sure of the brand name so if you want some you might have to do a little researching or ask a member that has painted one.

i'm betting when you say it's too cold to paint you hadn't ever thought of putting a heater in your garage? since it's warm enough usually in the days in your part of the world maybe a heat lamp or even throwing a cardboard box over it at night might allow you to paint now since you only need 60's or i guess wait and try to hit the window where you have 80's before it hits 120's and it's too hot to paint.

the mention of picking fresh fruit off a tree in your yard has my mouth watering cause we have figs, kiwi berries, tomatoes, plums and few other things around here during the summer.

good luck

 

[G20-Budo]

Kyle: nice to hear you met CA and maybe he showed you how he really spiffs up a vise or how to make any old steel thing shine. your Holland's vise has come a long way since the day you had your Dad pick it up for you at his neighbor's house a few years ago (at least i think that's how you bought it).

That is correct Drives.. My father sourced the Hollands for me from their neighbor (who had no need for it anymore). So was a good deal for me.

As for CrotalusAtrox showing me how to spiff up vises, yes he did show me a thing or two. But I still have plenty to learn. He was very cool about sharing his process.

anyway Kevin's new handle he made for you is awesome looking. did you polish the hub or did you just ship the screw to Kevin to have him shine it up while he made you the handle. it looks great no matter how you did it, but do tell if you maybe haven't already and i missed it.

I shipped the screw to Kevin, and paid him to install the handle in the screw (and to put the screw in the lathe and clean up the hub).

in case you haven't seen these Snap on Wilton made Tradesman vises transformed into a green bomb here's Gman's recent one he did that looks a lot like yours. he bought this Extreme Green from Snap on for i think maybe $25 and a few other members buy a Grabber green spray paint that i'm not quite sure of the brand name so if you want some you might have to do a little researching or ask a member that has painted one.

i'm betting when you say it's too cold to paint you hadn't ever thought of putting a heater in your garage? since it's warm enough usually in the days in your part of the world maybe a heat lamp or even throwing a cardboard box over it at night might allow you to paint now since you only need 60's or i guess wait and try to hit the window where you have 80's before it hits 120's and it's too hot to paint.

Drives, I have seen the Snap-on Green vises. I like them very much but also like the Red. Truth be told, I haven't decided on the color yet. I plan to buy new jaws for the Wilton 1750 from Kevin.

As for the temps to paint my Hollands, I don't mind waiting for it to warm up outside.

the mention of picking fresh fruit off a tree in your yard has my mouth watering cause we have figs, kiwi berries, tomatoes, plums and few other things around here during the summer.

Speaking of fruit.. I finally spent some time in the back yard today, and decided to prune some of the old dead branches from my guava trees. And look what I found while there. Some ripe guava's and some that will be ripe soon.

 

[G20-Budo]

This weekend was a productive. I started digging out the area I'm going to use as the foundation for my shed. My plan was to build a 12x10' shed, but I got a too good to pass up deal on a used 12x8' tuff shed. The neighbors are selling their place and are willing to part with it, and it's in great condition. They also have a LARGE amount of crushed granite in the back yard they need to get rid of. So I'll be using that as a foundation for the shed.

My plan is 4" of the crushed granite packed in, with 2" concrete blocks in each corner and a few spots in the middle to support the shed around 1" off the gravel, to make it easier to move later if needed.

I had my two sons helping me with digging the area out. We got about 1/2 of it cleared (no it's not level yet, but it's a great start). I then went ahead and mowed the grass/weeds while I was there, and cleaned up around the yard.

Here are some pics. I still need to clean up the hoop house and put a table and raised bed in there.

 

[drivesitfar]

G20: thanks for changing your SIG LINE!!

with your green thumb i'm wondering if you could plant a bunch more fruit trees and maybe a garden so you don't have to try to get grass to grow in the heat during the summers. might also provide some shade and make it a bit cooler. although it looks like the government built you a shade wall at the back of your property.

great find on the neighbor's shed. one thing you might want to do if you are planning on putting in shelving in there or anything fairly heavy is get some 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch plywood to put on the floor before filling your shed up. i did that in my rubbermaid 7x7 and have never had any issues with the floor in mine. i know yours is metal instead of my heavy duty plastic, but these things were more built for lawnmowers and light duty stuff.

nice work and good to hear your boys were out there working with you!!

 

[G20-Budo]

G20: thanks for changing your SIG LINE!!

No worries, glad I can provide some kind of support.

with your green thumb i'm wondering if you could plant a bunch more fruit trees and maybe a garden so you don't have to try to get grass to grow in the heat during the summers. might also provide some shade and make it a bit cooler. although it looks like the government built you a shade wall at the back of your property.

Funny you should mention that Drives, that is my exact plan. A bunch of fruiting trees..some tropical, some stone fruit and a few others. The sound wall is 20', because there is a freeway (rubberized asphalt) 100' from the wall. So it's not too noisy for us. I plan to plant stone fruit next to the wall, it's on the South end of my property, so the stone fruit trees will get no sun during the winter and stay nice and chilly. The other trees will be over on the other side of my back yard in that big open spot next to my daughters play house/swing set.

great find on the neighbor's shed. one thing you might want to do if you are planning on putting in shelving in there or anything fairly heavy is get some 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch plywood to put on the floor before filling your shed up. i did that in my rubbermaid 7x7 and have never had any issues with the floor in mine. i know yours is metal instead of my heavy duty plastic, but these things were more built for lawnmowers and light duty stuff.

The floor is made of steel, but placing 1/2" plywood inside on the floor shouldn't be an issue. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[G20-Budo]

Hello guys,

I just realized I've been remiss in posting pictures from our trip to the Grand Canyon while my inlaws were visiting during December (MIL and her hubby from IN, Sister in law from CA and BIL from the Philippines with his 3 kids). The visitors wanted to go hiking here in town (Phoenix), and goto visit the Grand Canyon. Pictures below.

I can only upload 7 pics here at a time, so I only uploaded pics of the locations, me, the wife, our daughter and her snowman.

 

[rixtrix1]

Great pics, Kyle!

 

[drivesitfar]

G20: one more little tip in case you didn't already know. sometimes with the wind and rain combined these shed doors let water in so slope your shed a little bit from back to front to allow any water to drain back out under the door if that happens.

great pictures of the Grand Canyon. it's been 30 years since i paid for a helicopter flight out of Vegas to fly my bride and i and my boss and his manager at the time into the Canyon. i would do it again and not pay extra to land cause you don't need champagne to get a buzz on a flight like that.

looks like your daughter is very happy to see and play in the snow. great picture of you and your bride and daughter and that is some spot to take it too.

best of luck with the shed and the yard and then some QST as 1/2 Cup would say.

cheers

 

[G20-Budo]

Hey guys..so I made some progress on the shed foundation. I dug it out, then my neighbor was nice enough to take turns hauling the crushed granite back there. I measured and then placed 4 blocks in the ground, leveled them out, and started filling in the rest with the crushed granite. I included some pics below.

I should get the shed next week, but I don't know if the crane has a long enough boom to get it where it needs to go, and I don't have an RV gate. Any of you guys have an idea on how to move a 1K lb + shed once it's in the back yard?

Thanks.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Can you borrow a trailer and roll it back there that way? Not sure if here is enough room though.

 

[G20-Budo]

Can you borrow a trailer and roll it back there that way? Not sure if here is enough room though.

Sean,

Thanks for your reply and the suggestion. Nope, not enough room for a trailer, well unless it was dropped in with the crane..? Which I hadn't thought of until just now while typing this..

Your comment gave Ric and idea. He's going to measure a piece of equipment when he gets home that might work for my needs.

Thanks for the reply, your suggestion got ideas flowing.

 

[taumac]

Re: "Kyle's Triple" Garage Project

How I've seen it done is to use large 4in pvc pipes on the skids. Just roll it back to where it's going to go.

 

[drivesitfar]

G20: unless you have a bunch of guys coming over and want to put 2-3 beams under it and carry it to position i like Taumac's idea of getting some PVC or cast iron or even round wood to roll the shed into position.

or can you take it apart and maybe put it back together which might help if you need to put some silicone in the joints to make it waterproof?

know anybody with a huge lumber cart? i have a couple of them and they move 1000-2000 pounds like it's nothing and go over bumps easily so if your yard is pretty firm a cart might work.

good luck

 

[rixtrix1]

Kyle, the trailer axle we spoke about is a little too narrow. I would have to lengthen it to fit under your shed. I probably could have it ready by this Saturday and drop it over so you can decide if it will work for you. No cost for pipes or 2x4's and just a little time for me.

 

[G20-Budo]

Guys,

Thanks for the inputs.. I did a search for "moving shed with skids" and found a number of them. This video makes it look pretty easy.

So with this in mind, I'll just have the guy with the crane drop it on a set of blocks (to make it easier to get the skids and pipes under).. then jack it up, remove the blocks and start pushing it.

So Ric, I don't think you'll need to mess with the axle, but thank you for the offer! That was very kind of you.

Thanks again guys!

 

[rixtrix1]

Kyle, do you think this will work in conjunction with a handcart on the opposite end from the axle? It's 104" between the bearing supports.

Took about half an hour to do.

 

[G20-Budo]

Kyle, do you think this will work in conjunction with a handcart on the opposite end from the axle? It's 104" between the bearing supports.

Took about half an hour to do.

I think that could work. Looking forward to trying it out.

Thank you Ric!!!

 

[G20-Budo]

Hey guys,

It's been awhile since I provided any kind of update.

1. I had a slow water leak in the front, near my water shut off valve. A plumber buddy of mine came over to help me with getting it all sorted the way I wanted.

2. The shed I was waiting on fell through, so I'm going to plan B (build a shed). First step is now to pour a concrete pad, updates as I have them. It will be a 10x12" slab, 4" thick.

3. I've been spending a good bit of time in my back yard. I got a lot more wood chips delivered and moved much of them into the back yard (Still working on that).

Some of the wood chips I've been moving to the back yard, bit at a time (And my daughter, who says she's queen of the wood chip hill).

4. The wife asked for a raised bed to grow veggies in, so I transformed our old turtle pond into a raised bed.

Here is what I started with, and some progress pics.

I have planted a mango tree, fig tree, 3 castor bean trees, and I've done a good bit of cleaning in the back yard.

Our Spring here in the Phoenix AZ area has been great! Plants are growing all over, including my passion fruit vine that has just taken off.

Here's the passion fruit flower, and fruit: