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Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
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ironnut

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Aug 11, 2012
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Location
Boise, Idaho
A hearty welcome to you gordon. I see you accepted your fate once you stepped into the vortex and embraced it, a very sensible thing to do. You have created wonderful mental images of Mr Hansen and his shop to go along with a great downtown photograph that could be of any small town in this country. Yup, we're "flyover country" around here and don't mind that one bit. :) The painting is a treasure. I'd love to have something like that done of Mr Johnson's shop back when he was operating it. You just know there were, and still are, lots of shops like that, but they're most likely in obscure locations. You and I are privileged to have experienced them first hand.

Now to your question of interior materials and the associated acoustics of each. In the old shop, 100% of the ceiling in there is FRP, Fiberglass Reinforced Panel, the very same material that was used on the walls there.


I also installed 6 speakers on the ceiling...

IMG_4106.jpg


... for my sound system out there and I find the acoustics are excellent. The main room dimensions are 72' long by 48' wide with 16' high ceilings and a concrete floor. Surprisingly it doesn't echo. Perhaps all the ribbing on the walls and ceiling reflect or deflect sound or the fact that the ceiling is slightly pitched in the center and not flat, I don't know. I might be a bit of an aeronautical engineer but an acoustical one..........well, not so much. :dunno:

Don't know if that helped or not but that's been my experience. Perhaps you should just come for a visit and see or rather hear for yourself. :D

Thanks for checking in, I've got more in store.

Thomas

Thomas,

Your response is most helpful.

I am glad you liked the image of the painting of Jim's shop. I have not seen the actual painting but apparently it is on display in a small museum in Kearney, Nebraska which I may have to take time to visit on my next visit to relatives in Nebraska. Way back in the corner near a window is Jim Hansen himself sitting at his desk writing out billing invoices to farmer customers.

The "tin" for my ceiling would in fact be similar to the ribbed steel panels you used in your shop and barn. The lack of "echoing" in your buildings is encouraging, and I think I will pursue using the material for my ceiling. I like the fact that I can get it cut to the required length so I would not have any obvious seams to deal with. That and it being essentially water proof in the case of a leak in my deck makes it a leading candidate for the ceiling material.

Thanks again and keep the posts coming. I certainly enjoy seeing the progression of your projects, your approach and methodology. Besides some really neat and wonderful exchanges from all who read and post in this thread, some genuinely useful how-to information flows quite frequently.

gordon
 

wrigh003

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Joined
Mar 27, 2006
Messages
783
Location
Birmingham, AL
Hi all. I took a break from the Garage Journal for a while, then came back and thought I'd check in with this thread, but couldn't figure out where I'd left off. I thought "surely somebody's made an index of 275 pages of posts by now" but no- so I did.

Thread Index

Couple side notes:

  • There are twists and turns over the last 4500ish posts that necessarily don't get covered- everything didn't make the index. This is just a list of the major photo-heavy posts focused on the shop, and it's already immense at that. My feeling was that would get folks close enough to find what they were after.
  • I also didn't necessarily index Tom's (occasionally quite detailed) answers to specific questions, leaving those out as well. Mostly, this just provides a meandering chronicle of the thread's highlights as I saw them.
  • I'll go back to my usual activity level now, too. I imagine there may come a time in a couple thousand posts when the index needs to be updated, at that point I'll come back and do that (and I'll also figure out how to give Tom access to the google doc so he can edit it as needed - his thread, I'm just the librarian here...).

Tom and Chris- I've really had a lot of fun looking through this thread over the last week or so, hope this is useful to you both and the community here. Everybody have fun- I sure did.
 

hobbitss

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Joined
May 31, 2010
Messages
341
Location
Southestern Massachusetts
Hi all. I took a break from the Garage Journal for a while, then came back and thought I'd check in with this thread, but couldn't figure out where I'd left off. I thought "surely somebody's made an index of 275 pages of posts by now" but no- so I did.

Thread Index

Couple side notes:

  • There are twists and turns over the last 4500ish posts that necessarily don't get covered- everything didn't make the index. This is just a list of the major photo-heavy posts focused on the shop, and it's already immense at that. My feeling was that would get folks close enough to find what they were after.
  • I also didn't necessarily index Tom's (occasionally quite detailed) answers to specific questions, leaving those out as well. Mostly, this just provides a meandering chronicle of the thread's highlights as I saw them.
  • I'll go back to my usual activity level now, too. I imagine there may come a time in a couple thousand posts when the index needs to be updated, at that point I'll come back and do that (and I'll also figure out how to give Tom access to the google doc so he can edit it as needed - his thread, I'm just the librarian here...).

Tom and Chris- I've really had a lot of fun looking through this thread over the last week or so, hope this is useful to you both and the community here. Everybody have fun- I sure did.

Wo Ho!!!... http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=840400&postcount=888
Tool Shed Photos.... :willy_nil

Sorry, its been a while and I needed a fix.... :dunno:

Already found a use for your index... :lol_hitti

Good Show.. :thumbup:
 
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BB767

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Philo, IL
Thomas,

Your response is most helpful.

Thanks again and keep the posts coming. I certainly enjoy seeing the progression of your projects...... Besides ........some some genuinely useful how-to information flows quite frequently.

gordon

Such as how NOT to transport a dead possum in your shiny sports car. You mean that kind of "genuinely useful how-to information" gordon? :dunno:

Good luck with your ceiling project. :thumbup:

Thomas
 
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BB767

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Dec 24, 2009
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Philo, IL
Hi all. I took a break from the Garage Journal for a while, then came back and thought I'd check in with this thread, but couldn't figure out where I'd left off. I thought "surely somebody's made an index of 275 pages of posts by now" but no- so I did.

Thread Index

Couple side notes:

  • There are twists and turns over the last 4500ish posts that necessarily don't get covered- everything didn't make the index. This is just a list of the major photo-heavy posts focused on the shop, and it's already immense at that. My feeling was that would get folks close enough to find what they were after.
  • I also didn't necessarily index Tom's (occasionally quite detailed) answers to specific questions, leaving those out as well. Mostly, this just provides a meandering chronicle of the thread's highlights as I saw them.
  • I'll go back to my usual activity level now, too. I imagine there may come a time in a couple thousand posts when the index needs to be updated, at that point I'll come back and do that (and I'll also figure out how to give Tom access to the google doc so he can edit it as needed - his thread, I'm just the librarian here...).

Tom and Chris- I've really had a lot of fun looking through this thread over the last week or so, hope this is useful to you both and the community here. Everybody have fun- I sure did.

For anyone who hasn't had a chance, take a look at Jake's index, He has put together a wonderful tool for all of us here who read/post/skim/picture browse etc. this thread. The best part for me has been his humorous comments in the caption summaries which captures the essence of the post he's referring to. It was a big job and the results are outstanding. I'm sure I speak for everyone here with a big Thank You for taking the time, energy and effort to do this project and do it so well. I am in your debt sir. :bowdown:

Thomas
 
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BB767

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Wo Ho!!!... http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=840400&postcount=888
Tool Shed Photos.... :willy_nil

Sorry, its been a while and I needed a fix.... :dunno:

Already found a use for your index... :lol_hitti

Good Show.. :thumbup:

If it helps Joe, Lou and I have scheduled time tomorrow in the tool shed. (Right after we get the distributor done and installed in the '62) He hasn't been out there in quite a while and I've just been sorting out scrap material out there. We're planning on digging in a little to find some new, unseen material. Weather forecast; sunny with temps in the low 90's. Perfect. :thumbup:

Thomas
 

Sweet Old Bill

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Joined
Mar 20, 2009
Messages
362
Location
N. California
Thomas just said: "Send him on over this way! I'll "let" him experience the joy of helping clean out the tool shed."

I think that I just heard Joe's car door slamming shut, on his way to help out, too!
 

Vernmotor

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Jan 12, 2008
Messages
1,318
Location
Mt.vernon oh
Wow did't dawn on me that I been reading this thread for 4 years till I look at that index !
Not sure I remember everything I learned ..but it been a hell of a ride LOL
 
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BB767

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I'm slowly getting behind posting here......again. With the long days out at the shop it's been hard when I get home to get everything sorted, resized and then posted in a somewhat intelligent fashion. Hope you've been taking notes 'cause here we go.

I needed the pallet forks to unload the PDR from the van without hurting the fine powder coat work of Rick and his crew so...

IMG_9554.jpg


...FedEx finally made it to the shop...

IMG_9557.jpg



...with......... 3 of the 4 parts for the pallet forks. :sad: Couple of phone calls, a little texting to drivers and the 4th package finally arrived as well.

IMG_9559.jpg


Minimal assembly was required...

IMG_9558.jpg


so it wasn't bad at all.

IMG_9560.jpg


With everything unpacked and inspected...

IMG_9561.jpg


...it was installed on the tractor in all it's powder coated John Deere green glory!

IMG_9594.jpg


The fork tines are manufactured by Cascade, arguably the finest fork tines made.

IMG_9597.jpg


Overall the whole Artillian pallet fork set up is an extremely well made piece of equipment and should give long, useful service life. I want to thank babaluba from Norway for being the first to suggest this type of set up which I wasn't familiar with and GGB for posting about Artillian. (full disclosure; no promotional discount for me, I paid full retail) :eek:

IMG_9563.jpg


The grade box didn't happen to be on the tractor at the time and I was a bit concerned about not having a rear counter weight but...

IMG_9564.jpg


...it was stable enough...

IMG_9565.jpg


IMG_9567.jpg


...though I did need my front wheel drive engaged...

IMG_9569.jpg


...since the rear tires were pretty lightly loaded.

IMG_9573.jpg


So with the PDR safely on the ground the next challenge was how to turn it over without damage to that wonderful finish.

IMG_9574.jpg


Cameron and I discussed different ideas and finally settled on placing a 4'X8' sheet of 3/4" OSB (Oriented Strand Board) next to the table. We decided to call in a neighbor to lend an extra helping hand. Then the table was turned onto its side for the first step and the the forks lifted the pallet under the table edge and tipped it on its feet. Plenty of cardboard and towels were used to protect the table finish and in the end it was pretty easy with no damage anywhere. Because of the heavy weight (about 700 lbs) while this was going on I did not pause to take pictures unfortunately. Once the process was started we kept it going till it was upright. To install the casters, the forks were padded with cardboard and towels and then just lifted the table from the side while they were installed on the bottom of the legs.

IMG_9577.jpg


The top was left bare metal as welding will be done on it so Rick had to mask that off to keep it from getting coated.

IMG_9579.jpg


He used aluminum foil and 2 different types of tape.

IMG_9578.jpg


On the very edge to get a clean line he used a heat resistant, clear tape. I'll have to ask him what kind of tape it was. It didn't let any coating creep under the tape.

IMG_9582.jpg


The top now needs to be polished a bit to knock off the light surface rust it got from moisture being held under the foil for a couple of weeks till I picked it up, but that is very easily done. And now that it has those wonderful casters, moving it outside is easy and will keep the shop much cleaner.

IMG_9593.jpg


I've got some assembly work to do yet...

IMG_9590.jpg


...and you'll see what this plate is for...

IMG_9584.jpg


...but the hard part is over. In some photographs the top appears to droop but that's just camera lens distortion, it's flat, straight and square. ;)

IMG_9586.jpg


With the Blickle casters it rolls so easily my neighbor commented...

IMG_9589.jpg


..."even my grandkids could move it". :thumbup: It really does roll smoothy and seems to just glide across the shop floor.

More on the PDR is coming this way.

Thomas
 
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Omphaloskeptic

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Joined
Oct 11, 2008
Messages
2,346
Location
Ultima Ratio, Wa.
PDR = Pretty Dang Red!

I've got a hunch that table top is going to get the full treatment polish job, all the way up to and including Jeweler's Rouge! lol

Thomas, did you prepare a storage spot with the other JD implements for the Artillian pallet fork set up? OOPs, I forgot whom I was addressing for a moment; of course you did.;)
 

hobbitss

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Joined
May 31, 2010
Messages
341
Location
Southestern Massachusetts
Thomas just said: "Send him on over this way! I'll "let" him experience the joy of helping clean out the tool shed."

I think that I just heard Joe's car door slamming shut, on his way to help out, too!

That was my car door you heard but I was just going back to work... :(

Working the Tool Shed Archeological Dig can only be a dream for me so I must live vicariously through the photos and stories... :sad:

Back to priming trim and splashing paint on myself before going to work tonight...
 
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BB767

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Lou and I did make it out to the tool shed after the distributor was all squared away. Joe, you often mention the Tool Shed Archeological Dig, take a look at what we "dug" up out there.

IMG_9666.jpg


Lou is over 6' (1.82 m) tall and that shovel handle is waaaaaay over his head. I didn't get a tape measurement of it yet but I'm guessing it's 10' long easy. My assumption is it's a well diggers shovel, but that's just a guess. Never seen one before and this one is pretty old.

IMG_9669.jpg


Then there was this mysterious electrical devise. It had 2 unlabeled toggle switches, a red light and...

IMG_9670.jpg


...this meter which read...OK, Partial Ground or Grounded-No.... and I couldn't make the rest out. I'll get back to this one later. Any clues out there as to what it would be used for? :dunno:

IMG_9668.jpg


Here's another odd item, a manual tire pump that has 2 cylinders, one large and one smaller. Clearly it was manufactured this way. I've never seen one of these before either, how about you guys? And if you have seen one, why the 2 different diameter cylinders?

IMG_9634.jpg


This is an aluminum bell housing I didn't recognize.

IMG_9635.jpg


The cast in starter housing...

IMG_9636.jpg


...should help someone to identify it.

IMG_9637.jpg


It appeared in excellent condition, just dirty. Rang like a bell.

IMG_9661.jpg


This Bendix carburator was one of two used on the tank manifold I'm pretty sure.

IMG_9660.jpg



Stromberg Carburator, Bendix Aviation Corp., Eclipse Machine Div, Elmira, NY. Model NA-YSG3.


IMG_9663.jpg


The bores were pretty large in diameter and the whole thing was physically big. Rick, you might have come across one of these in your work.

IMG_9644.jpg


There were a few more items that broke the light of day that I'll get on here later, including a closer look those ancient Mc Culloch chain saws. I'm going to have to weight them on a scale, one especially was a brute and I'm curious how heavy it really is! :wtf:

Coming this way, more on completing the PDR, plus another powder coat project done, see the distributor machine put to good use, the search for gold bars continues and more tool shed items come out of the dark. I'll be back! ;)

Thomas
 

Spareparts

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Lansing Ks.
I believe the shovel is used for utility poles, usually come in a set of 2, the other one has a 90degree bend to scoop the dirt out. The post hole digger would not work unless the hole is 3 to 4' around at that depth. Sure enjoy this thread and all the pictures you post, wish I had your energy. Thanks for saving all that history.
 

charlief1

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Joined
Dec 1, 2010
Messages
248
That's a political shovel Thomas. It's used to shovel all the BS that politicians are throwing at us this year, and we all know it's getting really deep already.:scared::D

The pump is a 2 stage high pressure unit. It's fairly old and the large cylinder pumps into the small chamber. Then the small chamber increases the pressure.;)
 

GGB

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Joined
Oct 26, 2011
Messages
388
It's good to hear the new forks are working well. I think you'll soon find a lot of uses for them, and you'll ask yourself how you ever got along without them!

Now let me suggest getting a John Deere or Land Pride quick hitch so you can hook up your rear attachments quickly for stability when using the forks. It's well worth it for both the convince and safety factor. Very handy, especially when time is short, which seems to be most of the time these days.

I'm still enjoying the new pictures and looking to seeing the next history lesson from your buildings! Thanks again for taking time to share with us.

GGB
 

RCStocker

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Joined
Aug 12, 2012
Messages
1,266
Location
Indiana, California, Australia
You did a wonderful Job.
I would have hated to through anything away and now that you have it better than new I would hate to work in your shop and get it dirty.

Thanks for the great post. It made my day.:beer:
 

onewaydave

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Sep 28, 2009
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961
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Down the road from Dorothy and Toto
+1 on the shovel. I've watched the utility company put in a pole in my yard with one. And they did use long handled post hole diggers with equally long handles for a hole that was about 2' diameter.

I'll guess a fence charger on the electrical device. But maybe not.

Dave.
 

timbitca

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Aug 7, 2012
Messages
966
Location
Moncton, NB, Canada
I'm gonna go with a fence charger on that other device too. We use a Shur-Shock branded one on our farm, and I threw out two old ones, wanted to keep one of them but my mother vetoed that. Wish I'd have taken a picture of it but it had a similar 'eye' on it and a somewhat similar gauge. Mine were the type that you could put a car battery (an old 6-volt) in them so it could run without electricity I assume.
 
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BB767

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I believe the shovel is used for utility poles, usually come in a set of 2, the other one has a 90degree bend to scoop the dirt out. The post hole digger would not work unless the hole is 3 to 4' around at that depth. Sure enjoy this thread and all the pictures you post, wish I had your energy. Thanks for saving all that history.

+1 on the shovel. I've watched the utility company put in a pole in my yard with one. And they did use long handled post hole diggers with equally long handles for a hole that was about 2' diameter.

I'll guess a fence charger on the electrical device. But maybe not.

Dave.

I didn't think of utility poles when I saw it but why not, especially if onewaydave saw one in use. What a tough way to earn a living. I'll stick with being a heavy equipment operator! :thumbup:

Thanks for the information.

Thomas
 
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BB767

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That's a political shovel Thomas. It's used to shovel all the BS that politicians are throwing at us this year, and we all know it's getting really deep already.:scared::D

The pump is a 2 stage high pressure unit. It's fairly old and the large cylinder pumps into the small chamber. Then the small chamber increases the pressure.;)

You are soooooo right charlief1 but don't get me started!

Any idea what kind of pressure could be generated by a pump such as that? Neat idea. That looks like a restoration candidate to me. :)

Thomas
 
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BB767

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It's good to hear the new forks are working well. I think you'll soon find a lot of uses for them, and you'll ask yourself how you ever got along without them!

Now let me suggest getting a John Deere or Land Pride quick hitch so you can hook up your rear attachments quickly for stability when using the forks. It's well worth it for both the convince and safety factor. Very handy, especially when time is short, which seems to be most of the time these days.

I'm still enjoying the new pictures and looking to seeing the next history lesson from your buildings! Thanks again for taking time to share with us.

GGB

GGB, I know a good thing when I see it (that's why I married Miss Chris after all :thumbup:) so the fork attachment made great sense to me. When we build our house out there I expect they will more than pay for themselves. Your idea of a rear quick hitch is a good one also though the grade box is what I use 95% of the time. Thanks again.

Thomas
 
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BB767

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You did a wonderful Job.
I would have hated to through anything away and now that you have it better than new I would hate to work in your shop and get it dirty.

Thanks for the great post. It made my day.:beer:

Hi there RCStocker, Mr Johnson clearly had a problem throwing anything away also! It's a tough call but after doing all that clean up, my inclination is to remove it from the property if I don't see an immediate need for something.

BTW, I had a visit last week to the shop from some of your fellow countrymen, my first visitors from Australia. They were from Adelaide and reportedly as soon as they were in the area the first thing they wanted to see was "that old shop that the crazy pilot restored" What can I say? :dunno: Super nice folks.

Thomas
 
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BB767

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+1 on the shovel. I've watched the utility company put in a pole in my yard with one. And they did use long handled post hole diggers with equally long handles for a hole that was about 2' diameter.

I'll guess a fence charger on the electrical device. But maybe not.

Dave.

I'm gonna go with a fence charger on that other device too. We use a Shur-Shock branded one on our farm, and I threw out two old ones, wanted to keep one of them but my mother vetoed that. Wish I'd have taken a picture of it but it had a similar 'eye' on it and a somewhat similar gauge. Mine were the type that you could put a car battery (an old 6-volt) in them so it could run without electricity I assume.

Now that you mention it I'll bet you're correct. It seemed a very simple devise. When I clean it up a bit I'll see if I can find a name. Thank you for tanking the time to make that suggestion. Now about that bell housing............

Thomas
 

charlief1

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You are soooooo right charlief1 but don't get me started!

Any idea what kind of pressure could be generated by a pump such as that? Neat idea. That looks like a restoration candidate to me. :)

Thomas

It should be able to go to 100 PSI but I think it was used back when you could change the tires on your car by yourself. Most likely in the 30's to 50's. I would do some cleaning on it and see if you can find a name. That might give you some clue to it's origin.
 
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BB767

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It should be able to go to 100 PSI but I think it was used back when you could change the tires on your car by yourself. Most likely in the 30's to 50's. I would do some cleaning on it and see if you can find a name. That might give you some clue to it's origin.

I had no idea it would be capable of that kind of pressure. Pretty impressive for a hand pump I'd say. No distinctive manufactures marks could be seen with a cursory glance at it. I'll clean it and see what I can find. The wide range of material found out there continues to amaze me. Thanks.

Thomas
 

hobbitss

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I believe that the low pressure side fed the high pressure side on the up stroke and the down stroke fed the high pressure air out through the hose...
More efficient and higher pressures...

More photos please..... :bounce:
 

charlief1

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248
I believe that the low pressure side fed the high pressure side on the up stroke and the down stroke fed the high pressure air out through the hose...
More efficient and higher pressures...

More photos please..... :bounce:

Lithium might help some Joe.:D
 

Shoottx

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Jan 30, 2011
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Plano Tx
IMG_9669.jpg


Then there was this mysterious electrical devise. It had 2 unlabeled toggle switches, a red light and...

IMG_9670.jpg


...this meter which read...OK, Partial Ground or Grounded-No.... and I couldn't make the rest out. I'll get back to this one later. Any clues out there as to what it would be used for? :dunno:

Thomas

Yup

That looks like an old IH weed eater better known as a kick .... electric fence charger. They have enough of a jolt to really knock you down. Lets just say I have some experience being on the grounding end of one of those. Well it is a long story and some of it may not be proper for this site.
 
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BB767

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Yup

That looks like an old IH weed eater better known as a kick .... electric fence charger. They have enough of a jolt to really knock you down. Lets just say I have some experience being on the grounding end of one of those. Well it is a long story and some of it may not be proper for this site.

That reminds me of a buddy, back in his teen years, who was out prowling in the middle of the night out in the dark countryside. He stopped his car out in the middle of nowhere to relieve himself and I guess he found an electric fence while doing that. :scared: He was extremely careful from then on where he "watered the flowers", so to speak. Yowser! Thanks Shoottx.

Thomas
 
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