Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

[BB767]

Thomas and all, I have been following This thread more like rope, for a few years and just wanted to say I am in awe of it all, and the documentation of the journey. Your attention to detail is unbelievable. I hope some day to be able to swing by the COTU and take it in.

Thanks for the hours of inspiration and education.

And thank you Flatland Dave for your interest all these years. As I've mentioned a time or two, if I hadn't detected all the interest there seems to be about the shop and the story surrounding it, this thread would have played out many years ago! But clearly some of you aren't burned out yet so posts like yours just wind me and I'll keep putting information out here....for better or worse. I have done a few things lately to the old shop but haven't posted them yet and there is other activity going on here as well. If you don't mind, check back, I think you'll find some of it is pretty cool.

Thanks again and remember the welcome mat is always out.

Thomas

 

[Kevin54]

Thomas.....Glad to hear your get together went well and many showed up.

Now I have a question, how does the bucket level indicator work? On my Cub, I have a rod that extends up the arm, through a tube. There is a piece of red tape on the rod and when it is level with the top of the tube, the bucket is level. But that is only when it is an inch or so off of the ground. The higher you go, the bucket is tipping with the arm going up. So I'm wondering if JD is different and made where you can see level no matter what the arm height is?

 

[Steve V.]

What would Mr Johnson think of it all.......

Thomas

Oh he was there. Over in a corner smiling at how well you were taking care of his shop.



Steve

 

[BB767]

Now I have a question, how does the bucket level indicator work? On my Cub, I have a rod that extends up the arm, through a tube. There is a piece of red tape on the rod and when it is level with the top of the tube, the bucket is level. But that is only when it is an inch or so off of the ground. The higher you go, the bucket is tipping with the arm going up. So I'm wondering if JD is different and made where you can see level no matter what the arm height is?

Kevin, your question caught me out of the country but I'm back now. I'm familiar with the type of level indicator you're talking about. In fact, later 70A loaders had a similar one. Mine is just that little pad which is a level surface. With the bucket level the pad is level - you just "eye ball" it level from the operators seat. Not perfect but with practice it does a credible job. About the only time I'm looking for level on the bucket is when I'm scooping near the ground and I don't want to "gouge" the ground when doing so. Works good and lasts a long time. Thanks for the question, I'm sure others were wondering about it also.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Oh he was there. Over in a corner smiling at how well you were taking care of his shop.



Steve

Steve, after finding his name tag in the back yard all those years ago I'm pretty confident you are right, he's hanging around. One thing I really don't know and family members can't say is if he'd think was too clean and organized. He never was real big on those concepts. I'm doing different type of work out there than he was, the shop has a different "mission" right now if you will. What will happen to the shop after I'm done out there is anyone's guess. It might very well revert back to the "before" pictures that I first posted. Be that as it may, he has to be pleased it has survived after being near the brink and is still in use along with some wonderful memories. Thanks.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

sorry for off Topic but this pic looks like a car meeting called Fladungen Classics in Germany. I was there with my ´69 Dart

Hi juergen, no worries about off Topic here. I don't really think it's possible to be off Topic. We've gone several different directions since the start of this thread but it's all good don't you think? Is the Fladungen Classics an annual event in Germany and where is it held? Do you have any pictures of your Dart at that show? I might try to attend the next one.

Thiomas

 

[BB767]

Excellent read and I must say very detailed story.This restoration project was forwarded to me 2 years ago I read part of it then forgot about it picked it up again a few months back.When the first pictures of the old over grown workshop where shown who would of thought it was going to end up showing pictures of a powder coated John Deere project?
but that is Ok any details are great it was nice to see the progression from start to now(as we know it is never finished)You both seem very down to earth people and it would be a pleasure to meet you both I am sure.
Ed

Hello Ed and an "official" welcome to the vortex here. As noted you started reading it 2 years ago, left, but then came back. Resistance is futile after all. I myself didn't realize when I started all this where it was going to go and we're still a long way from being done. Describing Chris and myself as "down to earth people" is one of the nicest compliments you could give us. Thank you for that as that's definitely how we see ourselves. We look forward to making your acquaintance at some point. Thanks for picking up the read where you left off.

Thomas

 

[BMWFatherFigure]

Inspireing to the max!!!!

 

[Vernmotor]

I was thinking you could put a magnetic level on that pad ?? That what came to my mind anyhow when I seen it..I did indeed think about what it was for.

 

[fxr rider]

Hello Ed and an "official" welcome to the vortex here. As noted you started reading it 2 years ago, left, but then came back. Resistance is futile after all. I myself didn't realize when I started all this where it was going to go and we're still a long way from being done. Describing Chris and myself as "down to earth people" is one of the nicest compliments you could give us. Thank you for that as that's definitely how we see ourselves. We look forward to making your acquaintance at some point. Thanks for picking up the read where you left off.

Thomas

Why thank you for the "Official" Welcome! Thomas
I would love to travel down that way some day. I dont get a chance to travel very much any more. I have spent a good deal of my Spare time with my Daughter and her love of Soccer travelling all over western Canada I told her those trips for Soccer where our holidays.She is all grown up now and half way through her Masters degree in University So any spare cash is used to help her out. She still plays soccer and is a certified personal trainer Maybe once her schooling is done I may get to travel a bit And when I do your "centre of the Universe" Is high on my list of places to see
Ed

 

[guss013]

Just caught up again! BGLM... Simply Stunning!!

 

[charlief1]

You've got to keep up with the posts or you'll spend a ton of time trying to catch up, believe me. I didn't check for almost a month one time and I was 7 or 8 pages behind.

 

[juergen]

Hi juergen, no worries about off Topic here. I don't really think it's possible to be off Topic. We've gone several different directions since the start of this thread but it's all good don't you think? Is the Fladungen Classics an annual event in Germany and where is it held? Do you have any pictures of your Dart at that show? I might try to attend the next one.

Thiomas

Thomas, yes it´s an annual Event in a small town called Fladungen, here´s a link: http://www.fladungen-rhoen.de/fladungen-classics.html for you. Here´s a pic of my Dart, it´s a ´69 model with 340 engine, Ford 8.8 rear with suregrip and makes a lot of fun on the quartermile. This pic was made in Hockenheim at the public race days last year, this year i´m out of order with my car because the house and garden and last but not least the Garage make a lot of work but next year i´m back on track and my Dart will have one Color , have to weld some things and paint the Body.

 

[BB767]

I know we have several pilots who frequent this thread. This story just came to my attention and I think it's very noteworthy for them and I believe will be of general interest to others. For anyone who likes a good story, loves WWII aircraft, take a look at this. Make sure your speakers are on:

Thomas

 

[930dreamer]

I know we have several pilots who frequent this thread. This story just came to my attention and I think it's very noteworthy for them and I believe will be of general interest to others. For anyone who likes a good story, loves WWII aircraft, take a look at this. Make sure your speakers are on:

Thomas

What a great story.

 

[Bob Heine]

That crash landing took place on my brother's 2nd birthday and 6 days before I was born (6 blocks north of the Mexican border).

 

[e-tek]

And thank you Flatland Dave for your interest all these years. As I've mentioned a time or two, if I hadn't detected all the interest there seems to be about the shop and the story surrounding it, this thread would have played out many years ago! But clearly some of you aren't burned out yet so posts like yours just wind me and I'll keep putting information out here....for better or worse.

I'm quite sure Thomas that there's MANY of us who have been following since DAY 1. The overall theme of restoring a landmark and a piece of history is appealing to so many of us, as is honouring Mr Johnson. With so many high points over the years it's hard to pick just one, but your mention of finding his name tag in the grass will certainly live on in my mind!

Of the handful of shops I'd like to visit one day, this would certainly rank right up there. It may never happen, so we are lucky to have the internet!

 

[Jim C.]

I know we have several pilots who frequent this thread. This story just came to my attention and I think it's very noteworthy for them and I believe will be of general interest to others. For anyone who likes a good story, loves WWII aircraft, take a look at this. Make sure your speakers are on:

Thomas

I REALLY enjoyed that video!

 

[wog]

I know we have several pilots who frequent this thread. This story just came to my attention and I think it's very noteworthy for them and I believe will be of general interest to others. For anyone who likes a good story, loves WWII aircraft, take a look at this. Make sure your speakers are on:

Thomas

That was great! Thanks for sharing.

If any of you travel through southwest Ohio, a must stop is the Wright-Patterson Air Force museum near Dayton. Interstates 70 & 75.
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/

 

[hobbitss]

Here's a little peak at what was going on Saturday out at the shop...



The local MG club parked these 3 MGs by the barn and all of them had Ford 302 V8 engines installed. They produced 400+ horse power in a car weighing about 2,200 Lbs. (1,000 kg) and they really scoot right on down the road. The fellow with the white MG is Pete Mantell of Mantell Motorsport

http://mantellmotorsport.com/

He makes the conversion kits to do the engine swaps. I was suitable impressed. His shop is less than 7 miles away so I expect you'll see a bit more about him. He's close to the Center Of The Universe but not quite there. Better luck next time Pete!

I'll get pictures of more cars out there in another post.


What would Mr Johnson think of it all.......

Thomas

Looks like the White Roadster is a 69 or earlier and other is a 1970 through 1974... Hard to tell which year since some of the trim details have been removed.. I expect that they are now about 2200lbs with the cast iron V-8s and suitably strong drive trains in them.. Pre 68 MGs had about 90HP and the Smog controls added after that lowered the HP level into the mid 70 range... They were fun cars...

Tool Shed!! oppssss, couldn't help my self...

 

[markviii]

I was actually in the Tool Shed yesterday. My new plumber is a "car guy", so I gave him a mini-tour of the auto shop and shed. It's been a while since I was in the shed - lots of organizing and sorting has been done and there's some room to walk among the piles of items. He started pointing out and identifying all the old car parts (radiator, door, etc.). And he was suitably impressed by the 1937 Hudson Terraplane out in the yard, complete with the tree growing up through the steering column.

Chris

 

[skyfright]

I know we have several pilots who frequent this thread. This story just came to my attention and I think it's very noteworthy for them and I believe will be of general interest to others. For anyone who likes a good story, loves WWII aircraft, take a look at this. Make sure your speakers are on:

Thomas

Terrific! Thanks for that link, Thomas.

Ron

 

[SiGmA_X]

That collector car meeting looks like a grand time! As does your JD, you really know how to do a proper restoration Thomas! I don't have much to add to your thread, but I check it frequently to see what awesome projects you've been up to. I always look forward to see what you do next! And I am sure I will be looking back at your thread for various things when I wind up building a shop, such as your electrical mounting in the barn. Form AND function is always welcome.

Roman

 

[155'Ringman]

That Spitfire film was great, thanks for sharing the link!

 

[Kevin54]

That was great! Thanks for sharing.

If any of you travel through southwest Ohio, a must stop is the Wright-Patterson Air Force museum near Dayton. Interstates 70 & 75.
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/

WOG......do you live around there? If you would, could you put your state in your profile? It just makes it easier to answer questions at times.

I think the wife and I is going to the museum this summer. It's been probably 15+ years since we've been there. I used to work at Grimes Manufacturing which makes aircraft lighting, power supplies, interior lighting, exterior lighting. Most of those planes at the museum have our lights on them somewhere. It makes one feel proud to see them.

On a side note, I was sure hoping that Wright-Pat would have gotten the Space Shuttle there. I would have liked to seen it up close.

Thomas.....next time you're flying in your big boy Boeing. Look for the Honeywell items. That's who we finally became. At one time, although quite a few years back, they used my wife's voice for the Voice Recorders or Aural Warning Units on the Boeings. I guess it was because when she speaks, people listen, or at least I have to I started out in the Model Shop building prototypes and she worked in a department wiring and assembling the prototypes. Fantastic jobs and actually fun jobs. A lot of the gauges on the Boeings are Honeywell's. Honeywell also came up with the Ground Proximity Warning system or at least I think that's what it's called. Plus your Wingtip lights, Landing Lights, Logo lights, Cargo lights on your bird are also ours.

Funny thing is, her and I together have a total of around 72 years working for Grimes / Honeywell, and neither her or I have ever flown on a plane.

 

[wog]

WOG......do you live around there? If you would, could you put your state in your profile? It just makes it easier to answer questions at times.

I think the wife and I is going to the museum this summer. It's been probably 15+ years since we've been there. I

I'm in Florida now but grew up in the Cincinnati/Dayton area.

If you haven't been to the museum in 15 years, it's going to blow you away with what they've done. All the missiles that were out front are now in a gallery. If you can get there early in the day, sign up for the tour of the Presidential and Research & Development/Flight Test Galleries. They're on the actual base, so you need an ID, etc. to go back.

I take a "father and son" trip every year back up to Ohio for a family reunion and we always plan a visit to the museum.

Sorry, Thomas and Chris, for rambling on about this on your thread. I'm hoping the two of you have visited there.

 

[Bumpy55]

They are adding a new wing starting construction in 2014. Outsatnding museum to vist !

 

[gordyy]

fantastic video Thomas great link
I toured the museum at Palm Springs last year, spent a day borrowed a wheel chair so I could spend even more time there got a tour from an old navy fighter pilot there was a fantatstic time. Got to see even more stuff up front and personal when they guys there found out I worked for one of the benefactors of the joint they named the restoration wing after him he owned the pop bottling plant I worked for here in Jamestown those old war birds are so cool. the day after we were there they were taking vets up in their DC-3 I think it was we were sitting in the pool at our friends condo watching them fly around and listening I can't imagine the noise of a hundred of those old rotaries taking off in formation must have made they make the modern jets seem silent

 

[tkbowman]

I know we have several pilots who frequent this thread. This story just came to my attention and I think it's very noteworthy for them and I believe will be of general interest to others. For anyone who likes a good story, loves WWII aircraft, take a look at this. Make sure your speakers are on:

Thomas

Thomas,

That was amazing!! The pilot actually now lives in the same town as I do. Thanks for posting the link.

Tim Bowman
Burien, WA

 

[BB767]

Here's a few more pictures from our picnic out at the shop...







...you can see GUS standing tall and proud in the background.

About 8 years ago when looking at the area that would be the lane leading to the barn we went from this...







...to be able to get to see this...






It's hard now to remember that it ever looked that bad. How soon we forget.

Thomas

 

[HOTFR8]

Now they are great photos to share. Thank you for posting.

 

[santagary]

That Spitfire film was great, thanks for sharing the link!

Ditto

 

[BB767]

Thomas, yes it´s an annual Event in a small town called Fladungen, here´s a link: http://www.fladungen-rhoen.de/fladungen-classics.html for you. Here´s a pic of my Dart, it´s a ´69 model with 340 engine, Ford 8.8 rear with suregrip and makes a lot of fun on the quartermile. This pic was made in Hockenheim at the public race days last year, this year i´m out of order with my car because the house and garden and last but not least the Garage make a lot of work but next year i´m back on track and my Dart will have one Color , have to weld some things and paint the Body.

Thanks juergen for posting that picture. I had no idea your Dart was that kind of Dart, WOW nice job! That picture could have been taken at any drag strip in the USA and you'd never know it wasn't except for the German license plates. I didn't realize drag racing was so popular in Germany. I know in the UK it's very active but I don't hear much from the Continent. I've learned something.

My first race of the year is next weekend in Martin, MI. I've been prepping the Chevy II for the last two weeks getting it ready to uphold the honor of Johnson's Welding and Repair.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

....

Of the handful of shops I'd like to visit one day, this would certainly rank right up there. It may never happen, so we are lucky to have the internet!

It would be my honor to have you visit. However if you can't make it, Mrs. e-tek is more than welcome to come visit by herself.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

...

Tool Shed!! oppssss, couldn't help my self...

Joe, believe it or not the problem I'm running into cleaning out the Tool Shed is finding a place to put or store what I recover from there. Of the items I'm not keeping from there I've been selling a few of them, giving most of them away but I was recovering them faster than I can dispose of them so I have to slow down or stop until I can catch up. The Philo Exchange Bank vault can only hold so much stuff after all.

Thanks for your patience.........again.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

...

Thomas.....next time you're flying in your big boy Boeing. Look for the Honeywell items. That's who we finally became. At one time, although quite a few years back, they used my wife's voice for the Voice Recorders or Aural Warning Units on the Boeings. I guess it was because when she speaks, people listen, or at least I have to ..... Honeywell also came up with the Ground Proximity Warning system or at least I think that's what it's called.

Funny thing is, her and I together have a total of around 72 years working for Grimes / Honeywell, and neither her or I have ever flown on a plane.

Kevin, do you know specifically what Aural Warning Systems she did the voice over for? The flaps, gear, wind shear, bank angle, Ground Proximity Warning System- GPWS, and the Traffic Collision Avoidance System- TCAS are all male voices on the 767-200 and 400's.

Do you mean you haven't ever flown on a Boeing plane or haven't flown on an aircraft of any type? If not, we need to get that corrected. I'm flying tonight and will check out the Honeywell gear, thanks.

Thomas

 

[hobbitss]

Joe, believe it or not the problem I'm running into cleaning out the Tool Shed is finding a place to put or store what I recover from there. Of the items I'm not keeping from there I've been selling a few of them, giving most of them away but I was recovering them faster than I can dispose of them so I have to slow down or stop until I can catch up. The Philo Exchange Bank vault can only hold so much stuff after all.

Thanks for your patience.........again.

Thomas

Show me the Tool Shed Pictures...

PS>> The Black MGB Roadster in the background is a 1975 or later model.. Sadly from 75 on the engine was pretty badly choked by emissions controls and the new Bumpers added extra weight to a car that had to be raised for national government bumper height requirements.. All this created an underpowered, heavy, poor handling, non sports car...

 

[gordyy]

A few pages back we had a short discussion on young people and hanging around and learning things.
A humorous story to come about.
I spent this morning with 2 neighborhood kids, I caught them trying to steal gas from my mowers ( I won't get started but I know when younger a hose or two was in my mouth trying to start a siphon going) problem being my mowers all have Diesels in them. When I came out all 6' 1" and 250lbs of me in my skivvies yelling they all tried to kick over their quads and escape problem being 2 of the 3 had already filled their almost empty 1.5 gallon tanks with diesel, these 2 made it a block. Remembering my own misguided times at that age (when gas was a full $.40 per gallon I tried to keep a stern face as I took these delinquents to their respective parents. I told them they would have to leave their machines at my house as it was going to be work to get them rrunning and they should be taught a lesson the parents agreed. Today these two came over we took apart fuels systems drained tanks cleaned one carb and one injection system. Then I made them mow my lawn and trim it filled with their quads with gas and went out with them on my sons for a ride. The parents still are punishing them in their own way, they both said they were scared to come over today , but are wondering if they can come back on sunday afternoon when I service my mowers so they can help. I believe I made a couple young friends today LOL hope to get some pics of them helping me in the garage tomorrow they were amazed at all the tools I had and that they could fix their own rides without having to ask mom or dad to pay the shop to do it.

 

[MetalMangler]

A few pages back we had a short discussion on young people and hanging around and learning things.
A humorous story to come about.
I spent this morning with 2 neighborhood kids, I caught them trying to steal gas from my mowers ( I won't get started but I know when younger a hose or two was in my mouth trying to start a siphon going) problem being my mowers all have Diesels in them. When I came out all 6' 1" and 250lbs of me in my skivvies yelling they all tried to kick over their quads and escape problem being 2 of the 3 had already filled their almost empty 1.5 gallon tanks with diesel, these 2 made it a block. Remembering my own misguided times at that age (when gas was a full $.40 per gallon I tried to keep a stern face as I took these delinquents to their respective parents. I told them they would have to leave their machines at my house as it was going to be work to get them rrunning and they should be taught a lesson the parents agreed. Today these two came over we took apart fuels systems drained tanks cleaned one carb and one injection system. Then I made them mow my lawn and trim it filled with their quads with gas and went out with them on my sons for a ride. The parents still are punishing them in their own way, they both said they were scared to come over today , but are wondering if they can come back on sunday afternoon when I service my mowers so they can help. I believe I made a couple young friends today LOL hope to get some pics of them helping me in the garage tomorrow they were amazed at all the tools I had and that they could fix their own rides without having to ask mom or dad to pay the shop to do it.

Great job gordyy! Those are lessons that will stick with them for life! (How to fix things themselves, how to man up and do the punishment our actions earn us, and even that things that look like the end of the world can turn out a lot better than we expect)

MM

 

[bull_duck]

Wonderful. Brings nostalgic tears to my eyes.
Agreed, your town should heap on appreciation - but don't be disappointed if not.