Post Recession Shop Rehabilitation Project

[aggierailroad]

Haven't seen the idea of dipping them in used oil after doing the cold blue treatment. That really gives them that dark look that everyone wants without the hassle.

Did you by chance dip them in hot or just room temperature?

 

[BBChevro]

Great finish on the adjusters Chris, like many of the others here I hadn't seen it before - but I like it.

I've got way too much used oil in the shed, every now and then I give my father in-law a 20 litre drum of it (he pours it on fence posts as a wood preservative).

Cheers.

 

[AZpilot]

Dang. So much skill displayed. Learning a lot here to. Looking for one of those lathes.

 

[dhubbard422]

Chris,

Nice parts! Nice finish! And thanks for the tutorial on the finish technique. The Index and its base is gonna' be sweet when it all comes together.

Don

 

[NedNorton]

Steve (1/2 Cup) - Thanks. The finish came out far better than I expected it to. I hope that the post gives the next guy an option that he may not have thought about before. It really was easy and relatively inexpensive.

They came up trumps (not the political variety)

And the answer to you 5 gal bucket of oil question is yes.

Is the oxide treatment rust proof once it's done ? Just wondering if you can do any parts on the 60 series that way.

Grumblembum - I wouldn't say rust proof but, it will offer up a level of protection beyond bare steel. Here in Colorado rust isn't a huge issue but I'll do a follow-up later on and let you guys know how it is holding up.

That black oxide treatment came out looking fantastic. Great write up on how to do this. I had never seen that process before and as said above we've all learned from your experience. I'm guessing this is similar to maybe a cold, gun blueing process?

rmalkow2 - I think you are correct. It is very similar to blueing.

Andy (oldironfarmer) - Used motor oil. At least it sounds like you find uses for the stuff. Me, it piles up and I end up taking 2 or 3-5 gallon buckets to the auto parts store. In fact, that reminds me... I haven't emptied the oil drain that came with the MaxJax yet. There's probably another 12-14 qts from the last round of oil changes.

Lyndon - Thanks. I was hoping that they would come out OK. Normally I would have sent them off for a hot dipped process. I'll see if the finish holds up as well.

JB (jbmatth) - Glad to hear that I'm not the only one with too much of the stuff laying around. I did see on your thread that the lift is home. Have you had a chance to get the sucker set-up?

Haven't seen the idea of dipping them in used oil after doing the cold blue treatment. That really gives them that dark look that everyone wants without the hassle.

Did you by chance dip them in hot or just room temperature?

aggierailroad - The entire process was done at room temp. I have read that some guys have had success heating the parts before but to be honest, the cold process did so well I don't think I'll mess with trying the heat.

Mark (BBChevro) - Thanks for stopping in. At least you guys are putting the used oil to use. I think my wife would blow a gasket if I told her that I was using on the fence posts!

AZpilot - Thanks. I'm glad folks are enjoying the read. My skills on the lathe are limited at best but its fun making chips. If you are in the market for a lathe, there is an EMCO V13 (bigger brother to the one I have) on eBay right now. Or if you subscribe to the do it once, do it right ethos... There is an American Pacemaker that looks to be in good shape on eBay too!

Don (dhubbard422) - The mill project is getting there but its been slow going. I'm really looking forward to finishing it up and making something with it. Hell, at this point, I'd be happy just taking a block of hot-rolled and squaring/sizing it up. Soon. I hope.

Thanks guys for chiming in. I always appreciate it.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[NedNorton]

Quick update on the Mill…
Nothing… Nadda… Zip… Zilch… How is that for quick?

But, I have not just been sitting on my hands idle. There have been some happenings at the house. To the tune of 40 yards of 4000psi with commercial fiber goodness! After being in the house for 13 years and riding out the recession, we finally are getting a concrete driveway! Plus, the side yard to the shop also got done too!

Getting ready for the concrete translated into a lot of trenching for the drains on the side and front of the house so there was no energy left for the mill. I’m not as strong running a jackhammer and pick as I used to be. Getting old ***** sometimes.

My agreement with my better half at the start of this thread was that pictures stay focused on the shop and the shop projects so as to keep some level of privacy. Here are some shots of the side of the house going back to the shop door. It kinda qualifies, right?



This conveyer truck is just awesome…


I felt strange taking pictures as other guys did the work... (I did end-up grabbing my boots and running a wheel barrow. I need help.)


Done! Yah baby!(Can't you picture the FJ60 rolling out the shop door and down the concrete all done... Maybe its just me.)


My buddy AJ’s crew also got 2/3 of the driveway done in the front of the house. I wish I could post up pictures. They did a fantastic job. It is going to be so nice on so many levels. We will finish up next month when my wallet has had a little time to heal. It's going to be 65 yards in total. Ouch.

Thanks for checking in. Hopefully I’ll have some more parts ready for paint soon and I can get this mill project back on the rails.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[BBChevro]

The new driveway looks great Chris.

 

[bj383ss]

Some great updates Chris. I love how the feet came out. I am trying to think of something I can use that process on as an excuse to try it out. Looking forward to the paint pictures of the mill.

Bret

 

[jbmatth]

When I saw the concrete picture I automatically assumed you'd decided to build a big ol' shop to expand into. I do have the lift and it is even unloaded, but sadly no more progress on it. You'll see why in the next week or two, but it is all part of the process.
JB

 

[Bob Heine]

I’m not as strong running a jackhammer and pick as I used to be. Getting old ***** sometimes.

I felt strange taking pictures as other guys did the work... (I did gab end up grabbing my boots and running a wheel barrow. I need help.)

Cheers,
Chris

Chris, getting old ***** but still beats the alternative. I bought a lighter pick.

The backbreaking work of pouring concrete has a strange attraction for me. I don't do wheelbarrows but even on my small job I had to grab a rake and trowel to help. Probably slowed the job down.

 

[ODIS]

Beautiful rock walls too. Concrete driveway looks great. Going to seal it?

 

[1/2 Cup]

Love it, the rocks look fantastic..

Regards

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Chris,

I totally understand why you don't want to share them, but I wish we could see the photos of the rest of your property! It looks like you have a beautiful spot with a great view, from some of the other pictures you've shared. How much land do you have there? I get the impression you're at a fairly high elevation, too.

The concrete looks spectacular. I'd get into trouble having that much parking space, more room for toys

 

[accordfreak]

your thread inspired me to clean up my sheet scrap pile. Now I need to paint and make the scrap bin/cubby.


before

after

 

[dhubbard422]

Driveway looks great!

 

[AZpilot]

I don't want to scare your wife, privacy is a pipe dream today. I think the last guy off grid was the unabomber. And they found him to. I guess not knowing that you are known to all is comforting. As a airline mechanic and ex-military I gave up being off grid and have embraced the inevitable.

But to show a shot of the driveway do it from the house side away from the house.

I can see the FJ out there all purdy and ready for camping. What I cannot see is any progress on it. (sorry, had to say it).

 

[Huxley]

Congratulations!! That is a big project. You are going to appreciate it every time you step on it.

 

[shortykorte]

Nice upgrade. Only problem is since the driveway is now paved, do you need the FJ.

Bob, smaller pick. Good one.

 

[NedNorton]

Mark (BBChevro) - Thanks. The driveway is something that I have wanted for a long time. We have another 2 pours to go (11 yards each) and then it will be complete!

Bret (bj383ss) - I appreciate you stopping in. How is the shop coming along? I've been watching the bodywork progress on the truck and it looks great. I'll be picking your brain once the LC project gets going again. It needs quite a bit of exterior sheetmetal work.

When I saw the concrete picture I automatically assumed you'd decided to build a big ol' shop to expand into.
JB

JB- I did decide to build a bigger shop! Then, my wife decided "We" were just fine with the current one.

I have dreams of 6 bays and dedicated separate spaces for woodworking and machining. Maybe once I retire in 25-30 years. That should put me around 70+ years old. With the way I feel now, better add a crane and fork lift to the list too!

Nice job cutting the concrete! Can't wait to see the lift installed.

Bob (Bob Heine) - My helping on the concrete was strictly limited to grunt work. The old joke about labor rates applies to me and flatwork. You know the one... Labor rate is $50 and hour, $75 an hour if you watch, $100 an hour if you worked on it it before. $125 an hour if you help.
And yes... Lighter pick is a great idea!

Ody (ODIS) - Thanks. I did the rock walls the first year I was in the house. All the rock was a product of the excavation for the foundation. We are planning to seal the concrete but with what I haven't decided. It needs to cure for a bit before so I have some time. Any recommendations?

Steve (1/2 Cup) - Appreciate the good words on the rock walls. I built them so long ago I've almost forgotten how much work they were. Almost. I owned a Bobcat at the time. Unfortunately, it was working on a job site so all the rocks in the walls were moved by wheelbarrow.

Mr. Roboto - We are up here at 8,800 feet above sea level on a little over 2 acres. It's a wonderful spot, for sure. Just this last week you could feel the weather start to turn. Fall is on the way. On the additional toys... My wife is a good reality check and keeps things on a reasonable level. Left to my own devices (back when I was a bachelor) there were several motorcycles, a rally-X car, mountain and road bicycles, climbing gear and the shop.

accordfreak - Yah Man! Nice work on the sheet goods cart! It looks great. I'm really excited to see that someone is getting/taking something away from all this. If/when you get around to building the cut-off cart, post that up too. It would be terrific to see it. It looks like you have a good shop space there. Keep up the good work!

Don (dhubbard422) - I'm sure you of all people can appreciate the driveway. It should cut down on the mud coming into the garage. Plus... With the old gravel driveway I was buying shear pins for the snowblower by the 100 pack. Every little 3/4 rock seemed to lodge in and shear one off. I'm hoping that this changes that situation.

Huxley - We are loving it already. Came back from camping at Winter Park yesterday. It rained a bit before we packed up and left. It was sunny here so I set-up the tent and dried it out on the new concrete drive. So nice!

Shorty (shortykorte) - Yes... We still "need" the FJ. The wife wants a camping vehicle. Gotta make the lady happy!

Thanks guys for checking in. Work has been crazy lately but I'm hoping to have some time to spend in the shop this week and get something done.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[NedNorton]

Getting something done… One little bit at a time…

Well, shop time has been scarce as of late and consequently, work on the mill has been very slow and I appreciate folks hanging in there. Last night, once my wife went to bed, I went into the shop and got back to filling and sanding. I’m using this stuff…

It goes on smoother than standard filler and is ready to sand 5 min after I mix it.

In addition I picked-up some high build primer to try and give that a shot.


The smaller castings are filled with lots of little hard to reach areas that I was hoping to address with the high build. So after working the head angle adjuster bracket with the Metal Glaze as best I could, I shot it with a few coats of the high build.


It’s working well. I almost ordered a gallon of polyester filler primer today to skip using rattle cans but for the few pieces I have left that will need it, the stuff from HD should do. I will however be following up with a sealer coat of 2K epoxy before shooting the color coat.

The mid-pulleys for the mill also got a little attention…


Now for the feel good part… Some assembly! (Some=Very Little) I really needed to assemble something on this project to keep what is left of my sanity.

The intermediate pulleys for the drive were running (Running is a loose term. More like hobbling along) on these when I pulled it apart…


I ordered new sealed bearings and cleaned up the shaft. I also stripped, cleaned and repainted the bracket they ride in.

Preassembly…


I used my vise and a piece of one of my “oops” parts from the leveling feet to press them onto the shaft.


Another piece of tube to press the assembly into the bracket and the other bearing onto the shaft… BOOM!


Ya Baby!!!!! (Sad that I’m this excited for such a little thing)

I’m waiting on the pulleys to finish drying and then this will be the first “assembly” back together.

Here is an example of one of the finished pulleys.


Maybe I can get into the shop tonight and finish filling and sanding the head. Right now it’s sitting like this…

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Winter is coming and I need to clear the space so I can get the FJ60 frame inside. Man I'm looking forward to working on that thing. The mill has defiantly dragged on. I need to learn how to sand faster or care less.


Sand faster it is!

Thanks for reading along. There will be more assembly posts, I hope, and less never ending sanding posts to come.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[Understr]

Just read your thread from start to finish. Great job on the shop! I admire your attention to detail but I'm almost convinced you're planning on taking that mill on a date. How pretty do you want it to be? LOL
Get to work on that FJ already!

 

[don long]

Hi Chris
Thought I'd catch up a little tonight and found my last post 6 pages back.
So I'm caught up again. I love to see your close ups of the lathe work
But your bondo work could use a little help Lol. The smoother you put it on the easier it comes off. I use my finger to apply the putty on the radius of the parts

Your Mill is coming along just fine
Thanks for sharing your fun with us want a bees.

Don

 

[djones1a]

Have you tried spray on body filler. It would work nice on all those small parts you are doing. Evercoat makes one that works good.

 

[E12-535iTurbo]

I admire your attention to detail but I'm almost convinced you're planning on taking that mill on a date. How pretty do you want it to be? LOL

I'd say they are way past going on dates. He jizzed all over this part:

[/URL]

 

[bj383ss]

Hello Chris. Just some advice on the Rustoleum filler. Make sure you wet sand it. If you don't it will gum up your paper. Also if there are parts you are not using filler on Rustoleum makes an etching primer as well for bare metal that works really well. I have been using from the start on my 64.

Looking good my friend. You might be the only person doing bodywork on a mill. It will be a "Custom Mill". HA.

Bret

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Wow, 8800 feet huh? Highest point around her is Mt. Washington, which is only a mere 6300 feet! Consider me jealous.

 

[jon_beer]

Chris

How does that glaze coat work? It looks like its going on as thick as shaving cream -seems like a ton to sand it down and risk 'finding' the original surface through all that crud. Are you using a die grinder or something or hand sanding?

 

[dhubbard422]

Don (dhubbard422) - I'm sure you of all people can appreciate the driveway. It should cut down on the mud coming into the garage. Plus... With the old gravel driveway I was buying shear pins for the snowblower by the 100 pack. Every little 3/4 rock seemed to lodge in and shear one off. I'm hoping that this changes that situation.
...
Thanks guys for checking in. Work has been crazy lately but I'm hoping to have some time to spend in the shop this week and get something done.

Cheers,
Chris

Chris,

A paved driveway would have been wonderful!We had a dirt road in front of the house and a gravel driveway; we did have a small concrete pad in front of the garage door tho. Luckily, my driveway off Ridge Rd was of reasonable length, flat and south facing. I tried to keep it shoveled, but if it got packed down before I could get around to clearing it, it was gonna' be there a while!

The mill is looking great and it had to feel great to start re-assembling some of the restored parts!

Don

 

[250]

The mill has defiantly dragged on. I need to learn how to sand faster or care less.

I know all about that. The table saw resto last winter which I though would take a few weeks ended up taking a few months instead. I finally decided that the OCD only needed to run out of control on the areas that I saw every times I used it (and you're body work on the lathe didn't help that at all) and the rough spots on a casting that I never see might not be worth delaying the project for another couple weeks.

 

[shortykorte]

need to learn how to sand faster or care less.

Sand faster it is!

I knew you had a secret sanding fetish.

 

[Lyndon]

Chris

Been meaning to post this for days.....

Where are you sport?

We are waiting for updates on those projects of yours...... Especially the fine and dandy Mill......

Lyndon
Looking, looking????

 

[1/2 Cup]

Yep me too.

Regards

 

[E12-535iTurbo]

And I was thinking: Yeah! Update!

 

[Guster]

Don't distract Chris now... he is still sanding.

 

[NedNorton]

Understr - Thanks for making it through the ramblings. You and my brother-in-law. Nag, nag, nag! The FJ frame will be coming inside ASAP so I can get going. I promise!

Hi Chris
Thought I'd catch up a little tonight and found my last post 6 pages back.
So I'm caught up again. I love to see your close ups of the lathe work
But your bondo work could use a little help Lol. The smoother you put it on the easier it comes off. I use my finger to apply the putty on the radius of the parts

Your Mill is coming along just fine
Thanks for sharing your fun with us want a bees.

Don

Don (don_long) - I know. I'm working on it! The FJ60 panels will be a much different story. I'm hoping that the spray body filler makes getting this thing done easier. Any other ideas? I'm all ears. How is the Vette coming along?

Have you tried spray on body filler. It would work nice on all those small parts you are doing. Evercoat makes one that works good.

djones1a - On it. Where where you at the start of this thing?

Bret (bj383ss) - On wet sanding the Rustoleum... Yep. Need to do it while it is wet. I figured that one out the hard way. I think the next thing on the list is to order some proper spray filler. Eastwood has a free shipping deal going right now that I may need to take advantage of.

Mr. Roboto - My wife and i both came out to Colorado from the east coast after college and wouldn't live anywhere else now. We do however miss seeing the colors in the fall.

john_beer - Glaze coat... It's much more fluid going on and cures at a very fast rate. No die grinder on the castings just filling them in and sanding them down.

Don (dhubbard422) - Concrete is great. We have had to put the remainder on a temporary hold. I'll explain in the next post. Hope it's cooling off down there.

250 - I decided during the WOS era of this thing that the projects in the shop would be done my way. Unfortunately; that dictates a certain, shall we say, over abundance of attention to detail (OCD at it's finest). At times I stare at a project when I am in the thick of it and the thought of taking a path that requires less time crosses my mind. Then I think about all those days that I would be kicking myself for not doing it "right". Glad I could be of "help" on the saw!

I knew you had a secret sanding fetish.

My precious........

Sorry guys that this took so long to respond to. I'll fill you in on all the details the next post...

Cheers,
Chris

 

[NedNorton]

Having to go to the Hospital *****. The folks who work there are AWESOME.

Lyndon, Steve, E12-535iTurbo and Guster,

Thanks for checking in, guys. The last 6 weeks have been a bit of a rollercoaster family wise. Not to overshare in the internet but she posted to Facebook so it's out there. Hell... I correspond with some of you more than most of the folks on Facebook so...

Here goes...
On 9/6 my wife suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage from an aneurysm on her right interior carotid artery that decided to bleed . After dinner Monday night she was complaining of a severe headache, then nausea, and then she became unresponsive. Even with my little medical training (I was an EMT and climbing ranger on Denali for a few seasons in my 20's, i.e. I know when to call the helicopter) Even I know, unresponsive is bad. I rushed her to the ER in Boulder (30 min away), two surgeries and 20 days in the ICU later we are home. Good news, great news, is that she won't have any longterm or permanent deficits. We got help quick enough. The ER Doctors and Nurses, as well as the ICU Doctors and Nurses, are amazing wonderful people. My wife's life has been given back to us (she flat lined at one point). Words just cannot convey. She does have some short term memory stuff going on and will probably be out of work until after the first of the year. I spent 3 weeks in the ICU sleeping there and am now spending all my available energy helping with her recovery. She is in rehab every other day and is making huge strides. We are lucky.

Her work has been terrific and has said her job is secure. I own the construction management firm that employs me so, I was able to take off while my guys kept cranking. Most of my clients have been great. We have good health insurance so financially we will come out OK. Total cost to us will be less than a new Laguna bandsaw. I'll say it again, we have been lucky. We have such a great support system with family and friends, some flying cross country to help. My buddy (best man at our wedding) came up from Denver and split wood so we would be taken care of for the winter. That is just one example and it's been amazing to see. I hope that I can repay all the kindness someday.

So... Now that we are home and off work for the forceable future (plus her aunt is coming into town to help)... It's shop time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gotta stay positive here and I could use the mental health break, for sure.

Too bad that the material budget has been curtailed. Oh well, sanding don't cost nothin' and the paint is already bought! (nothin'? Blame the Virginian in me What is the saying? Take the boy out of Virginia but you can't take the Virginia out of the boy. )

Oh ya, and I had just bought a Hobart 210 off Craig's List before all this mess started, so now looks like a wonderful opportunity to get some much needed welding practice time in. I've always wanted a custom welding cart.

I'll try to keep this as sap free as possible but I thought it should be said because life is too short...

As always everyone, thanks for checking in. At times like this, I appreciate being a part of this wonderful community.


I think its time for a quick scotch and to catchup on a few guy's threads and progress before hitting the rack.

Cheers,
Chris

PS. Life is too short so; To my friends down under... We have a bunch of airline miles to cash in. What is the weather there like in Feb? And, does anyone know a good place to rent a bike while we are there?

 

[Lyndon]

Chris

Wow - that's a heck of a good excuse. . . I/we are all glad to hear the wife is doing well now. Sounds like she got awfully close to shuffling off her mortal coil. I'd use emoticons here, but I'm on the phone, sitting in a queue at a government service area, so can't! But you get the idea.

And Feb here would be close to our hottest month. If you are coming you have to let us know!!!!

Now - no shillyshallying around - you've got projects to do.

Lyndon
Glad you're back on line.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rusty1161]

Thank God your wife is recovering so well.

You and your family are in my prayers.

Rusty

 

[Grumblebum]

Chris, sorry to hear about you wife mate, glad she is ok.

Like Lyndon said it is pretty hot during Feb, but all depends on where you want to travel. Certainly let us know your plans.

Enjoy that scotch.

Cheers GB

 

[Huxley]

That is awful. Sorry you both had to go through it. Please reach out if you need anything.