Above 1200 Sq/FT Overcoming Good-Deal-Itis One Project at a Time
- Thread starter SilverJimmy
- Start date
Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
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SilverJimmy
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Got all my parts in, only things I need now are coolant and oil.
This is has been quite the project, never thought I’d be working on a forklift at this level.
This is has been quite the project, never thought I’d be working on a forklift at this level.
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SilverJimmy
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More progress on the forklift, got the head back together after installing new guide seals.
Cleaned up the pistons and the block, it’s as good as it’s going to be without a full rebuild. Following the professional advice and just getting it going.
Got the head on and all fasteners torqued to spec, then got the rocker shaft and pushrods installed and tightened down. Grateful for the help my wife gave me cuz this was a 4 ********. I’m sure there’s some trick to getting that together solo, hopefully I’ll never find out!
Cleaned up the pistons and the block, it’s as good as it’s going to be without a full rebuild. Following the professional advice and just getting it going.
Got the head on and all fasteners torqued to spec, then got the rocker shaft and pushrods installed and tightened down. Grateful for the help my wife gave me cuz this was a 4 ********. I’m sure there’s some trick to getting that together solo, hopefully I’ll never find out!
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SilverJimmy
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Little too quick on the post button! Here’s the picture of the top end all buttoned up! Also got the intake/exhaust manifold installed. Just need to get the cooling system reinstalled and pressure tested and still need to pull the starter and look into it’s issues. Then the fuel system and turn the key!
bimmer1980
Well-known member
It's been awhile since I had looked at this thread, and then wow, all sorts of good stuff happening! Nice work! The forklift project is interesting. I hope it runs decent after you get the head work all buttoned up.
I had to do a three-stage ram rebuild on my older clark forklift the other year... It's documented on here. Based on what I have seen of your work so far, if you have a ram that is leaking majorly, order the seal kit and dive in! If it's just a small amount of seepage, they make a "diaper" that hooks to the bottom of the forklift. A few magnetic hooks, a good piece of rubber EPDM material and some oil mats could do something similar if you wanted to avoid oil spots and a ram rebuild for awhile.....
I had to do a three-stage ram rebuild on my older clark forklift the other year... It's documented on here. Based on what I have seen of your work so far, if you have a ram that is leaking majorly, order the seal kit and dive in! If it's just a small amount of seepage, they make a "diaper" that hooks to the bottom of the forklift. A few magnetic hooks, a good piece of rubber EPDM material and some oil mats could do something similar if you wanted to avoid oil spots and a ram rebuild for awhile.....
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SilverJimmy
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Been down at the new place and have been contemplating the new shop, how big, where to place it, how’s it going to look in the scheme of things, stuff like that! After the county put the kibosh on my first preferred location (Thou Shall Not Build in a Drainage Easement!) I think I have it situated where I avoid all easements and setbacks. To make sure that it was going to work where I thought it would I wanted to stake it out first. But to be able to see all the lines and be able to visualize it I first needed to clear the sight lines of these thickets of sumacs and scrub oak like tangles! Took about 4 hours to clear the lines, but I can now see it! Looking South…
Looking North….
Looking North along where the edge of the concrete apron will land…
Just outside of existing driveway. Now I need a burn permit!
There’s a pile 4X bigger on the other side of the growth! Very glad I can now visualize the building footprint! Seems that this project is moving forward, finally!
Looking North….
Looking North along where the edge of the concrete apron will land…
Just outside of existing driveway. Now I need a burn permit!
There’s a pile 4X bigger on the other side of the growth! Very glad I can now visualize the building footprint! Seems that this project is moving forward, finally!
Old Man Roger
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Jeezuz, if you get a permit for any kind of burn I’ll be surprised. The whole lot looks like a tinder box.
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SilverJimmy
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Actually with how much snow and rain we’ve had in the last week it’s going to take a few weeks to dry out and then a gallon of Boy Scout in a Can to get that stuff lit! Lol!
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SilverJimmy
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What we’ve come up with so far with the metal building company. Now need the engineered drawings and a quote.
I‘m liking it so far, makes my head hurt thinking about all aspects of getting a design and plan right. Need to get it correct cuz this one is the last one!
I‘m liking it so far, makes my head hurt thinking about all aspects of getting a design and plan right. Need to get it correct cuz this one is the last one!
I hope that's large enough!! Larger than most houses. Am I seeing 14' ceiling height?What we’ve come up with so far with the metal building company. Now need the engineered drawings and a quote.
I‘m liking it so far, makes my head hurt thinking about all aspects of getting a design and plan right. Need to get it correct cuz this one is the last one!
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SilverJimmy
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16’6” eave height to clear the 14’ doors. Trying really hard to not have a big giant box sitting on my lot. That is why I’m putting the awning over the first 40’ on the right, I’m hoping that will soften the boxiness of this large a shop/out building.
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SilverJimmy
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Got the Toyota Forklift done tonight, seems to run great! After I can run it for an hour or two more I’ll change the oil since it still has a bunch of coolant left in the oil side. Ran it for almost an hour tonight trying to get enough heat in it to get the t-stat to open. Need to find my exhaust hoses if I’m going to run it more than that cuz it was getting a little CO rich even though it’s a propane powered lift. I’d hate to end up with X’s for eyes! Lol! Very encouraged that it isn’t smoking oil out the exhaust with how bad that one cylinder looked from coolant being in it. After I shovel all the snow off my driveway I’ll see how it drives and lifts.
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SilverJimmy
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I changed to oil today, got the engine cover back on with the help of the wife, and got it back down off the blocks I’ve had it on. Fired it up and tried to drive it forwards and reverse, not moving! After a bit of troubleshooting, I discovered that the driver side park brake cable is seized. I’m thinking that the couple years of sitting out in the weather with the brake applied allowed moisture into the cable and stuck it on. Sprayed the cable with Kroil and tapped on the exposed cable ferrel with a punch and hammer. Hopefully the penetrating oil will work its way down to where it’s stuck and I won’t have to try to take apart a stuck brake system cuz that’s really not what I want to try!
Old Man Roger
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You tease.lol
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SilverJimmy
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Pulled the stuck parking brake cable out of the handle and then stuck a length of fuel line with a hose clamp on the end. Filled the hose with PB Blaster, going to let it soak for a few days and see if that will free up the stuck brake cable. I’m thinking that even if the lubricant gets down onto the brake shoes it just a slow speed forklift for my use, not something trying to move stuff as quickly as possible. It should stop fine for my application!
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SilverJimmy
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PB Blaster didn’t get the brake cable free, so I tried the internet champ, 50/50 acetone and ATF. That didn’t work either, so now I’m tearing the whole driver side brake assembly apart. Was really tough getting the brakes to release enough to get the drum off, now I need an 84 mm 8 pt axle nut socket. As soon as I get it apart I’ll get some pictures here.
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SilverJimmy
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Got the axle out…
Kinda a different locknut setup, the 8 pt nut had a shoulder bolt that went into a lock plate. Got that all apart and then the drum/hub came right off. Most full float axles I’ve dealt with the gearlube in the differential also lubed the axle bearings, this setup, the gear lube was separated from the bearing, those are packed in grease.
After I got this all apart, the stuck parking brake cable is exposed….
The special tool I made to release the automatic brake adjuster is pointing to the seized cable…
I’ve decided to order a new cable. I probably could have gotten the old cable to free up, but this has been a ton of work to get to this point and I’m thinking a new cable would be wise.
Kinda a different locknut setup, the 8 pt nut had a shoulder bolt that went into a lock plate. Got that all apart and then the drum/hub came right off. Most full float axles I’ve dealt with the gearlube in the differential also lubed the axle bearings, this setup, the gear lube was separated from the bearing, those are packed in grease.
After I got this all apart, the stuck parking brake cable is exposed….
The special tool I made to release the automatic brake adjuster is pointing to the seized cable…
I’ve decided to order a new cable. I probably could have gotten the old cable to free up, but this has been a ton of work to get to this point and I’m thinking a new cable would be wise.
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SilverJimmy
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Finally getting some progress on the new shop build. Over the weekend contractor got the soil test holes dug for the shop and the septic system.
Track hoe was able to get down to 10’ before soil turned into almost solid concrete. First 2‘ is beautiful topsoil, then the rest was decomposed granite.
Was very interesting talking to the soil engineer, guy is 84 years old and works in the field doing inspections 6 days a week! He declined going into the hole after it was deeper than 2 feet, said it’s the getting out that was the hard part! Best thing was his opinion that my build site was “Perfect!” Now that the contractor has the soil/site evaluation he can now get the foundation and slab engineered and then submit those for permitting. I know that In hindsight it’ll seem like this went quickly, but for now it sure seems to be crawling along!
Track hoe was able to get down to 10’ before soil turned into almost solid concrete. First 2‘ is beautiful topsoil, then the rest was decomposed granite.
Was very interesting talking to the soil engineer, guy is 84 years old and works in the field doing inspections 6 days a week! He declined going into the hole after it was deeper than 2 feet, said it’s the getting out that was the hard part! Best thing was his opinion that my build site was “Perfect!” Now that the contractor has the soil/site evaluation he can now get the foundation and slab engineered and then submit those for permitting. I know that In hindsight it’ll seem like this went quickly, but for now it sure seems to be crawling along!
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SilverJimmy
Well-known member
Got the new parking brake cable installed on the forklift, reassembled the left side brake/wheel, adjusted the brakes. Success! Moves and stops. No pictures, but it did happen! Has a few hydraulic leaks, but it’ll do for what I need it to do.
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SilverJimmy
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Over the weekend my wife and I did more cleanup around the new house, trimmed trees, cut and stacked firewood, and finally got a burn day so we could finish all the piles of scrub brush we had cut last month. Took most of Saturday to burn all of it, the piles were huge!
Wife was a super-trooper, stay out of her way, coming thru!
After the fires burned down, she wrapped some taters in foil and buried them in the coals, a couple hours later, perfect baked potatoes!
Wife was a super-trooper, stay out of her way, coming thru!
After the fires burned down, she wrapped some taters in foil and buried them in the coals, a couple hours later, perfect baked potatoes!
bcoke
Well-known member
Back in the day [I am an old person now] we called those potatoes "Mickies" as in Irish.....delish!
don long
Well-known member
Thanks for sharing your organizing of the old shop. I have a workshop that is just a bit smaller than yours if I don't count the storage shed that is attached. It's 36' wide and 52' deep with a 12'x12' shed on the back wall and a 25'x40' tin shed on the right side. I have gathered a lot of the same stuff you have. I love the rack skinning and your metal storage ideas. Had to chuckle about the forklift work because I just dropped 5G to have mine reworked. I do restoration work on old automotive signs and memorabilia my moto is I can't make um run but I do make um look good. I spent 35 years in the collision industry and have a good vintage car collection.
Wishing you good luck with your new tin building
Don
Wishing you good luck with your new tin building
Don
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SilverJimmy
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Thanks Don, I’ve poked about on your thread, very impressive! I hope to get this shop built and organized as soon as possible so I can start working IN it, not ON it!
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SilverJimmy
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Today is a sad day. My friend and mentor that I got all the machinist stuff from passed this morning. Smartest person I’ve ever known. Another friend of mine equated it to almost like the Library of Congress is burning and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. All that knowledge just gone. I miss him terribly already.
Old Man Roger
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Sorry to hear it Jimmy, just be happy you got to know him.
RickP
Well-known member
I'm sorry your friend passed away, and I'm sure you'll miss seeing him and talking with him. I'll bet you remember him every time you use the lathe and the mill.
Good luck with the new shop build.
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SilverJimmy
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Thank you, and yes I will remember him.
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SilverJimmy
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Finally something is happening on the shop build, this got delivered this morning…
Building is scheduled to be delivered Monday!
Building is scheduled to be delivered Monday!
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SilverJimmy
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Just got real! Three Semi’s showed up yesterday @ 7:30 AM, took till noon to unload all this…
The guys unloading the building made my wife’s day when they move a down tree for her.
Now it looks like it fell there and she can plant stuff around it. Happy Wife, Happy Life!
The guys unloading the building made my wife’s day when they move a down tree for her.
Now it looks like it fell there and she can plant stuff around it. Happy Wife, Happy Life!
rattle_snake
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Guess I missed this thread for awhile. Another shop? I'm jealous.
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SilverJimmy
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Over the last week my wife and I decided to clear the shop pad area of all the native brush growing on it. Mostly Arizona Olive and some kind of non-poisonous Sumac. These bushes grow into a tangled mass that you can’t walk thru, and grow over 12 feet high, so it was a chore to cut it all down. Took about 4 days hand cutting it with a Milwaukee branch trimmer and cordless Hatchet chainsaw. The piles were huge, one was about 30’ x 40’, 5 piles in all.
Did find one artifact from the past, an old Coors Banquet Beer can.
Wife looked it up on the innertube, those pop top cans were made from 1974-1979, cool cuz I graduated from HS in ‘79! (Popped a few of those tops too!)
Then after a couple days of the brush drying out I got a burn permit and lit it up! Took over 8 hours of constant burning to get it done.
The pad area now just needs all the roots grubbed out, contractor said he will get a backhoe out sometime this week to dig all them out and get the pad semi level! Progress!
Did find one artifact from the past, an old Coors Banquet Beer can.
Wife looked it up on the innertube, those pop top cans were made from 1974-1979, cool cuz I graduated from HS in ‘79! (Popped a few of those tops too!)
Then after a couple days of the brush drying out I got a burn permit and lit it up! Took over 8 hours of constant burning to get it done.
The pad area now just needs all the roots grubbed out, contractor said he will get a backhoe out sometime this week to dig all them out and get the pad semi level! Progress!
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SilverJimmy
Well-known member
Got home from Taco Tuesday Lunch and my contractor’s son was in my driveway unloading his excavator so he could grub all the roots out! He made pretty quick work of it, even though some of the root balls were like pulling wisdom teeth! 
After he got them pulled, I asked him to push them into a pile so they could dry out.
Now I just need the hot Arizona sun to do its trick, hopefully in a week or two I can get this stuff burned and cleaned up. Talking with the excavator operator he said by doing all this work myself I’ve probably saved about $500.00 because of trucking and landfill fees being as high as they are nowadays. Happy to hear that and now my shop pad is ready for the real work to begin!
After he got them pulled, I asked him to push them into a pile so they could dry out.
Now I just need the hot Arizona sun to do its trick, hopefully in a week or two I can get this stuff burned and cleaned up. Talking with the excavator operator he said by doing all this work myself I’ve probably saved about $500.00 because of trucking and landfill fees being as high as they are nowadays. Happy to hear that and now my shop pad is ready for the real work to begin!
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SilverJimmy
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Yesterday the County allowed burning again so we got burning!
After about 6 hours it looks like this…
Now it really is ready for the real work to begin!
After about 6 hours it looks like this…
Now it really is ready for the real work to begin!
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SilverJimmy
Well-known member
This was back on February 5th….
This today, same viewpoint!
A ton of work but worth it, and in a sick way, it was fun!
This today, same viewpoint!
A ton of work but worth it, and in a sick way, it was fun!
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SilverJimmy
Well-known member
Wife took me to an Estate Sale this morning, should be something for a sufferer of “Good Deal-Itis”!
NPT Taps up to 2” and taps and dies the same. A Rigid pipe threader too. The cool thing is the die handle to the left for the large square dies, never seen one of those before. Don’t know if I’ll ever use much of these, but you never know!
NPT Taps up to 2” and taps and dies the same. A Rigid pipe threader too. The cool thing is the die handle to the left for the large square dies, never seen one of those before. Don’t know if I’ll ever use much of these, but you never know!
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SilverJimmy
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Contractor sent his son over yesterday to clear the shop pad area of the remaining vegetation and topsoil. Pad area all cleared and ready to go!
Had him pile the topsoil so my wife and I can do a garden next summer. We might have enough for a small farm, the pile is over 7’ tall!
This morning the concrete contractor came over and started moving in truck loads of decomposed granite for the initial fill before the AB fill.
Very excited, it’s finally beginning for real!
Had him pile the topsoil so my wife and I can do a garden next summer. We might have enough for a small farm, the pile is over 7’ tall!
This morning the concrete contractor came over and started moving in truck loads of decomposed granite for the initial fill before the AB fill.
Very excited, it’s finally beginning for real!
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SilverJimmy
Well-known member
Shop pad area slopes over 3’ front to back so the trucks never seemed to stop…
Talked to the driver, he said there was more coming! Concrete will be about 4’ above the natural elevation on the backside! This thing is going to be huge, good thing the trees around it are taller. Shouldn’t be able to really see it from outside of our property.
Talked to the driver, he said there was more coming! Concrete will be about 4’ above the natural elevation on the backside! This thing is going to be huge, good thing the trees around it are taller. Shouldn’t be able to really see it from outside of our property.
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SilverJimmy
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The last load of fill just got dumped…
17 loads @ 20 tons each, 340 tons total!
I’m actually afraid my shop is going to be 10’ above my driveway!
17 loads @ 20 tons each, 340 tons total!
I’m actually afraid my shop is going to be 10’ above my driveway!