FRENCHBLUE72
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2011
- Messages
- 30
Looks like the shop has been busy since last time I checked in...
Mark's Monster Garage....3800 sq ft
- Thread starter IGO2XS
- Start date
Toolfool
Well-known member
I was actually asking for both nut's so I take it you are making me an offer with the left one.
[/QUOTE]
PM me your mailing address.
[/QUOTE]PM me your mailing address.
I had been playing around with loosening the body bolts this week. I don't know what it is about a corvette project but nothing says a project is underway than the body coming off the frame. I saw a picture of a frame shop taking the body off a frame with a gizmo they built using 7 foot long metal tube bolted to each side of their 2 post lift with a couple brackets welded to it to lift the body off the frame. I got a little anxious this weekend and decided I would remove the body. I didn't have any metal tubing so I figured I would use wood. :crazy2: I have two 6" long pieces of aluminum angle bolted on to pick the body up at the rockers. It worked and I plan to build a pair out of metal this week.
I took a picture of my drum room for you guys tonight. I have converted it to the shop office and a place to store new parts. You can't see from the photo because the desk and the shelving is behind my back. However you can see I am using the acoustical treatments as a place to pin up my ideas for the Corvette project. There are a lot of ideas going through my head right now so I thought I would start hanging them up to look at.
I took a picture of my drum room for you guys tonight. I have converted it to the shop office and a place to store new parts. You can't see from the photo because the desk and the shelving is behind my back. However you can see I am using the acoustical treatments as a place to pin up my ideas for the Corvette project. There are a lot of ideas going through my head right now so I thought I would start hanging them up to look at.
tskills10
Well-known member
The use of the lift makes pulling the body so much easier. On a different topic. You may or may not remember a while back I've mentioned about a good friend of mine that had moved down to your neck of the woods. Well, he and I were talking last night. And he was telling me that he still has not gotten to go by your place. But apparently somebody at the church he goes to was telling him about a guy, named Mark that plays the drums at the church, that has a really cool garage. So I guess he is getting closer to getting to see in person what a great place ya got going there. By the way his name is Bob Gardner for when guys do get to meet. I thought it was funny having the conversation with him last night and then seeing you post pics of your drum room.
It really is a small world isn't it
I wonder if he goes to my church maybe??? I have played drums for well over 40 years and probably play 4 or 5 times a week. Its nice having them set up in the garage so I can play them anytime I want and not bother the wife.We are working on the 72 Blazer the next few days so I will put up some pictures soon.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!
Just a few things going on in the shop. We got started painting the 72 Blazer this past week. We are painting all of the jams and we should be shooting the body Monday. All of the interior floor and under the hood is painted with Rapter Liner. Its a very durable product and easy to work with.
The last few days I have been scraping undercoating from under the 63 Corvette. I followed up with sanding down to the bare fiberglass. The white you see is bare fiberglass. I have a long way to go!!!
We couldn't quite fit this one in the garage
. This RV belongs to the guy we did the boat for. He hit a deer and smashed up the front end so we are fixing it along with some other misc repairs.
I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. Like most days I spent a lot of time working in the garage. isn't that what holidays are for???
The last few days I have been scraping undercoating from under the 63 Corvette. I followed up with sanding down to the bare fiberglass. The white you see is bare fiberglass. I have a long way to go!!!
We couldn't quite fit this one in the garage
. This RV belongs to the guy we did the boat for. He hit a deer and smashed up the front end so we are fixing it along with some other misc repairs.
I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. Like most days I spent a lot of time working in the garage.
isn't that what holidays are for???Mark,
I also just finished reading through the entire thread and love the shop and builds! I came here to get some ideas for my own build as I am about halfway through my "little" 40x50 shop build just north of you in the Tampa area.
Thanks for some great ideas from your build!
Steve
I also just finished reading through the entire thread and love the shop and builds! I came here to get some ideas for my own build as I am about halfway through my "little" 40x50 shop build just north of you in the Tampa area.
Thanks for some great ideas from your build!
Steve
e-tek
Well-known member
Too cool. Every time I check in I get a little closer to selling everything and moving to Florida.
Fastphil
Well-known member
I'm curious, what does a front end panel for an RV cost??
Would you not be able to put the RV in the RV bay? What do you have going on or parked in there? We haven't heard anything about that bay in a while. Is it strictly for parking and washing?
Would you not be able to put the RV in the RV bay? What do you have going on or parked in there? We haven't heard anything about that bay in a while. Is it strictly for parking and washing?
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Fastphil,
I could be wrong (and according to my wife, usually am) but Mark has a good size rig that might be in there...
This makes the trip to Texas a piece of cake. Here is our tow rig........
Fastphil
Well-known member
That's what I figured was in there. I suppose the RV bay may just be a clean parking spot as opposed to a dirty shop bay. And also, it may be easier to work on the RV if it's parked outdoors nosed up to the shop doors as opposed to being in the RV bay on the other end of the building away from the tools etc.
"We couldn't quite fit this one in the garage."
See, you always get bit when you under build...
Boy isn't that the truth!! I don't care how big one builds a garage, there is never enough room.
Thanks Steve. There is a wealth of information on shops on this forum. It is a great place to get ideas. Maybe we should have a sticky thread on points to consider when building a garage. 40 by 50 is a perfect size of garage. Do you have a thread going here on the GJ?
Come on down. Today I was working in the garage with all the doors open. It is perfect garage weather here in Florida right now for working.
A new front nose for the RV was about $2800 but we ended up fixing this one. I had the bus up to the garage to fix the two cameras in the front and a mirror. The weather is so nice right now it was very comfortable to work in front of the shop.
As Bob Heine pointed out I keep my trailer in the RV Garage. I have a big oak tree out in front of the RV garage and this is where we wash cars.
I guess I didn't show you guys this picture because I thought you would laugh at me. As pointed out way to big for the garage and the owner wanted the graphics touched up on this bus like we did his boat. Taped it up outside and sprayed it. Looks awesome for a front yard job.
Wingnut65
Well-known member
The amazing talents at the Monster Garage just keep coming out. Nice work on the RV.
So, is there any special process to fix a plastic bumper wrap to make it look brand new? Or, isn't that the same type of plastic that we get on our average cars?
So, is there any special process to fix a plastic bumper wrap to make it look brand new? Or, isn't that the same type of plastic that we get on our average cars?
Tinkerinmatt
Member
Just read all 85 pages. That garage....
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The amazing talents at the Monster Garage just keep coming out. Nice work on the RV.
So, is there any special process to fix a plastic bumper wrap to make it look brand new? Or, isn't that the same type of plastic that we get on our average cars?
t looks plastic but it is pure fiberglass. We added some layers of matt to the back and the front of the bumper because it had some stress fractures in it. We finally installed it yesterday. The guy who does the invisible bra came by today and covered the front of the bumper in plastic film for $1200......ouch that was expensive.
Why is this on page 6?
sorry friend I don't understand. I am a little slow though!!
thank you thank you
crazy image man, how did you do it??
We got another project in the garage over the weekend. It is a 41 Willys with a big block blower motor. We will be installing the front hood and then Jason will be applying some ghost flames on the hood and back through the two side doors. I should have taken a picture of the hinge they used for the hood. It actually looks like a chrome interior house door hinge.
The owner took the interior apart and now we are going to have to clean it up. Check on the woodgrain dash.....it almost looks like contact paper but it is actually a wood veneer. The gold trimmed gauges have to go to. Has any of you guys messed with carbon fiber? I didn't know if we could apply some carbon fiber to the dash and then install some auto meter gauges. He wants A/C in the car. The dash is so small we will have to install the A/C condensing unit behind the seats and run the ductwork up to the front. We are suppose to build a center console and do some wiring as well. He got a pretty good deal on the car but wants to do all of this work on a budget. I told him we were probably looking at $15,000 to do A/C, ghost flames, center console, new fuse panel, and other interior work. I normally don't talk about pricing but I know a lot of you guys have cars. Even at this kind of money it is really cutting it close as far as making any money. 
The owner bought some bucket seats and had them recovered. They had never been in the car. In my opinion way too big for the car. The seat frames need dropped and the headrest would have to be removed. I like the size of the original drivers seat. It would have been much better to recover them because they fit the car.
Check out the Blazer. We got some color on it today and it looks pretty cool. Tomorrow the hood and top part of the truck gets the satin black treatment. Should look pretty cool.
Fastphil
Well-known member
Mark, a thought just occurred to me. I've seen some of those big Class A RV's that have a plexiglas shield covering the whole front of the RV below the windshield. The plexi looks to be 1/2" or more in thickness. I don't know if it's a factory-installed deal or if it can be added on afterwards, but that could be an option to protect the front end of the bus. Don't know if it's made for deer strikes, more for rock chips and insects. Maybe worth looking into?
Now that you've done so much fiberglass work on the BatmoVette, doing a CF dash should be a piece of cake for your guys. I'm sure with a bit of research on the web, you'll find a step-by-step how-to for laying up CF. And yes, the seat definitely does look too big. I'm no expert, but I feel it shouldn't come up any higher than the bottom of the rear window, unless safety is an issue. Oh, and drop that front suspension an inch or two (or raise it up a like amount for a more gasser look)!
The Blazer looks sweet! Can't wait to see more on that one!
Now that you've done so much fiberglass work on the BatmoVette, doing a CF dash should be a piece of cake for your guys. I'm sure with a bit of research on the web, you'll find a step-by-step how-to for laying up CF. And yes, the seat definitely does look too big. I'm no expert, but I feel it shouldn't come up any higher than the bottom of the rear window, unless safety is an issue. Oh, and drop that front suspension an inch or two (or raise it up a like amount for a more gasser look)!
The Blazer looks sweet! Can't wait to see more on that one!
I had the front of the RV covered in the invisible bra so that will take care of the protection. The dash is going to be a little tricky to do it right. The carbon fiber will be easy........its just a matter of how to trim the outside so you can't see the bare edge.
Agree on the suspension. It does need to drop if the owner will let us.
mdkingsley
Well-known member
As always very cool stuff going on in the Monster garage.
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Mark,
You have probably already figured out how to squeeze an A/C compressor into that tiny engine bay with that huge engine and blower drive but it's beyond me. Anyway, I know many of today's hybrids use electric compressors that don't need to be stuffed into the engine compartment. You probably need a beefy alternator but there must already be some kind of alternator in the Willys to swap out. Found a few electric compressors on eBay that are in the same ballpark as a chrome or polished Sanden.
I found a few others as well:
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/electric-ac-compressor
A side benefit of that kind of compressor is that you could run the A/C with just a little gasoline generator. Nice thing for a Florida summer parking lot car show. Beats sitting in a beach chair frying your brain.
And I think you are right about the seats. The big one might be right for an autocross car but that would mean a bunch of other changes. That car is meant to go fast in a straight line so a couch has about all the lateral support you need.
rixtrix1
Well-known member
Most of the electric compressors run off the high voltage of the hybrid system, so wouldn't it be pretty hard to utilize?
Great thread, Mark. Had you always planned to use the garage as a restoration business? Maybe I missed that over reading the thread. Thanks for sharing.
Great thread, Mark. Had you always planned to use the garage as a restoration business? Maybe I missed that over reading the thread. Thanks for sharing.
Mark,
For the dash update on the Willys, (and new console to match), you need to look into "Hydro dipping" otherwise known as Water Transfer Printing. You can utilize the existing panel, have the carbon fiber look, and save tons of time, money, and mess. The transfer will wrap around edges and corners. This is all the craze in high-end street cars and performance boats. Google it, it's pretty awesome and surely there are shops in your area doing it.
Maybe this is old news to you, but just a thought.
I totally agree on the seats, and the Blazer looks freaking sweet! I saw it on FB and had to come check it out - more pics!
As always, awesome work Sir!
Tyler
For the dash update on the Willys, (and new console to match), you need to look into "Hydro dipping" otherwise known as Water Transfer Printing. You can utilize the existing panel, have the carbon fiber look, and save tons of time, money, and mess. The transfer will wrap around edges and corners. This is all the craze in high-end street cars and performance boats. Google it, it's pretty awesome and surely there are shops in your area doing it.
Maybe this is old news to you, but just a thought.
I totally agree on the seats, and the Blazer looks freaking sweet! I saw it on FB and had to come check it out - more pics!
As always, awesome work Sir!
Tyler
Exactly right, the orange tubing and connector housing on the electric compressors of hybrid cars signifies high voltage current. The compressor above is from a Ford, but similar to the Prius, which runs on a 205 volt system! Not impossible, but definitely a serious electrical challenge.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Mark....that Blazer is looking great. I love the color!!!
As far as the Willy's....I agree on the seat. THe driver seat looks way better than the passenger seat. Maybe you can talk him into going with a proper sized seat.
Any idea what the color is on the Willy's? On my monitor, it looks to be a dark burnt orange. What my monitor shows, I really like the color of it. I'm looking forward to seeing it out in the sunlight with the ghost flames. No doubt by the time you are completed with it, the owner will be very very happy.
As far as the Willy's....I agree on the seat. THe driver seat looks way better than the passenger seat. Maybe you can talk him into going with a proper sized seat.
Any idea what the color is on the Willy's? On my monitor, it looks to be a dark burnt orange. What my monitor shows, I really like the color of it. I'm looking forward to seeing it out in the sunlight with the ghost flames. No doubt by the time you are completed with it, the owner will be very very happy.
There was never a thought of any of this happening in the garage. I just like garages and thought it would be a fun place to play. I guess things just got a little bit out of hand around here!
Mark,
For the dash update on the Willys, (and new console to match), you need to look into "Hydro dipping" otherwise known as Water Transfer Printing. You can utilize the existing panel, have the carbon fiber look, and save tons of time, money, and mess. The transfer will wrap around edges and corners.
I totally agree on the seats, and the Blazer looks freaking sweet! I saw it on FB and had to come check it out - more pics!
Thanks for the heads up on the hydro dipping. I have seen it before and have wanted to try it out on something. the only problem in this situation is the dash will not come out and as I understand the pieces are submerged in water. I am thinking the easiest thing to do is to removed the woodgrain panel from the dash and paint the dash the color of the car. Not really sure yet as right now just throwing darts trying to figure out the right thing to do.
Thanks for the clarification. Bob had a great idea though.
It is more of a copper metallic color and it is attractive. I am looking forward to getting the flames on as well.
seat update I talked to the owner of the Willys and he really wanted these seats in the car. Yesterday I had just picked up one of the seats and stuck it in the car without much thought. I got home this afternoon and after further inspection I noticed two things. First on the back of the seat track there was a mounting bracket that held the seat up 2 inches so I cut it off and put the drivers seat in. The drivers seat was so much shorter than the passenger seat and at first could figure out why. I then felt like an idiot because I realized the power seat was it the full elevated position.
I hooked power up to seat and lowered it and all of a sudden they fit better. The headrests would have to be removed.What do you think?
You were talking about carbon fiber and it got me thinking...have you looked into water print aka hydro graphics? do a search on you tube, you can put one in the shop and do all kinds of small parts with it! Even wheels and body panels if you have a big enough tank!
I have no personal experience with it, but I am told it is as tough or tougher than paint.
I have no personal experience with it, but I am told it is as tough or tougher than paint.
tskills10
Well-known member
And the projects just keep coming. The blazer is looking great. I love the Willys, I'm more of gasser look kind of guy. So for me the front needs a straight axle. The blown big block is perfect. As for the seats, it does look better without the head rest and in the lowered position. They still seem a bit big for the small cockpit of a willys.
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Apologies to all for my earlier post on electric compressors. Getting old is no fun. I had a vague memory of a 12v electric a/c compressor being used in a hot rodded car. It has taken me two days to unlock the brain cells that held that memory.
With the new "no idle" laws, many big rigs are using battery power to run the cab A/C. A very talented Corvette owner is in the process of installing a BMW V12 in his Corvette and there is barely room for an alternator, let alone a belt-driven compressor. He has installed an electric compressor under the hood of the Corvette. The electric compressor runs on 12- or 24-volt power and the company that sells them is Cool-It (http://www.cool-it.ca/). If you type in the name, notice that it isn't a DOT COM, its a DOT CA (Canada). Here's a picture of the compressor and controller...
...and here's a picture of them installed in the fenderwell of the C3 Corvette to give you an idea of size. That spot used to house the coolant canister and the blower motor for the stock heater and A/C. Using a Vintage Air system, the blower motor is inside the passenger compartment.
The whole Corvette BMW V12 thread is on the Corvette Forum.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-tech-performance/2576520-corvette-v12.html
With the new "no idle" laws, many big rigs are using battery power to run the cab A/C. A very talented Corvette owner is in the process of installing a BMW V12 in his Corvette and there is barely room for an alternator, let alone a belt-driven compressor. He has installed an electric compressor under the hood of the Corvette. The electric compressor runs on 12- or 24-volt power and the company that sells them is Cool-It (http://www.cool-it.ca/). If you type in the name, notice that it isn't a DOT COM, its a DOT CA (Canada). Here's a picture of the compressor and controller...
...and here's a picture of them installed in the fenderwell of the C3 Corvette to give you an idea of size. That spot used to house the coolant canister and the blower motor for the stock heater and A/C. Using a Vintage Air system, the blower motor is inside the passenger compartment.
The whole Corvette BMW V12 thread is on the Corvette Forum.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-tech-performance/2576520-corvette-v12.html
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HOTFR8
Banned
The idea of Electric Air Con is not new. Here many trucks run a smaller Diesel usally a Kubota to charge the batteries running a separate Alternator and run the Air Con.
Engine powered > http://www.customair.net.au/
Electric > http://www.castleauto.com.au/air-condition.html
or this one you fill with water >
http://www.transcool.info/product/transcool-ec2-evaporative-air-cooler/
Engine powered > http://www.customair.net.au/
Electric > http://www.castleauto.com.au/air-condition.html
or this one you fill with water >
http://www.transcool.info/product/transcool-ec2-evaporative-air-cooler/
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I have a few more surprises coming in the next 30 days for you guys.
I will have a really cool car here by Friday you guys are going to love.2 days is that all!???......****, sometimes it take me a whole week
Nice share and I will check this company out. We are currently working with some different combinations of brackets to see if we can make one work out but your compressor idea is one to at least keep as an option.I have some friends from England as they use the term Air Con too when they are talking about A/C. That looked like a pretty nice semi tractor in your picture.
The Alloway Corvette picture you shared is the picture my buddy brought in we used to pattern the black 66 bette we just did. We got pretty close to this. The only part I couldn't copy was the red line tires. Because we went with such a low profile tire we couldn't get the red lines done. It is a very cool car. I like Alloway's stuff primarily because he likes the big tires in the back of the car and small on the front. I love that look!!
We stripped a lot of the interior of the Willys. We figured out the dash was removable so out it went. It made mounting the Vintage Air compact unit pretty easy. The wiring was a mess in this car and we will get it straightened out in time.
HOTFR8
Banned
Just a sample photo I found on the Custom Air web site.
They have this truck set up with about 4 or 5 different systems as a display vehicle.
motofool33
Well-known member
subscribed
The new project arrived quicker than I thought. This 58 Corvette was started by Backdraft Racing. As some of you guys know they are famous for building AC Cobra's. This Corvette was being built by a good customer of theirs and it ended up being more than they bargained for. There has been a great start already. It has a custom frame, coil over suspension, LS3 power, frameless windshield that has been laid back, many smoothed body mods, and a great many other modifications to come. This car is way less than half way done. This is going to be a great one off resto mod.
rixtrix1
Well-known member
(This 58 Corvette was started by Backdraft Racing)
Funny thing. Until today, I had never heard of Backdraft Racing, but today a customer brought in a '65 Cobra replicar built by them to fix a leaking brake light switch. Guess they're not brand conscious . M3 suspension and rear end witha Mercedes booster and master cylinder, Ford Racing( Roush?)302 and an automatic 'cuz it's his wife's toy.
Vette looks like an interesting build! Firebird and S10 wheels? Anything, as long as it rolls, I guess, lol. Lot of work ahead.
Funny thing. Until today, I had never heard of Backdraft Racing, but today a customer brought in a '65 Cobra replicar built by them to fix a leaking brake light switch. Guess they're not brand conscious . M3 suspension and rear end witha Mercedes booster and master cylinder, Ford Racing( Roush?)302 and an automatic 'cuz it's his wife's toy.
Vette looks like an interesting build! Firebird and S10 wheels? Anything, as long as it rolls, I guess, lol. Lot of work ahead.
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