Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

[BB767]

Are you sure you're gonna have room for us this summer. That McKee is really big!

Roland, it fit out there before ...



...and by golly it'll fit again!



The Lincoln and Chevy pickup can be moved.



After all, that scaffolding is gone so you won't have to work around it this time and ...



... if you haven't heard I've also got some swell benches out in the barn now so when Norm puts the McKee on the lift he'll have a much easier time of it. But the best part is...



...when Norm uses the John Deere as prop for the McKee nose piece, the loader will look soooooo much better now that it's all been powder coated!

I got your race schedule for the summer and see several midwest events. The barn is yours once again to headquarter out of should you need it.

Thomas

 

[rjcsandiego]

Now Vince and Danny will be upset over lack of coverage!

 

[markviii]

Definitely not meaning to slight Danny and Vince! Can't wait to see the whole "family". We'll be out in San Diego in mid-March for the SDRC event, so hopefully we'll get to see some of you then.

Enjoy your warmth while we're mired in cold and blowing snow. Not fun here, for sure! (and imagining the cold isn't the same as the reality of it)

Chris

 

[LittleKalle]

Hello to everybody!

Thomas I'll have to say WoW this is amazing. All that passion and hard work I'll have to salute you and of course Chris.

I'm from Finland and it took me about an week to read ALL the pages and messages (full time job). Time to time when I was reading and looking the pictures I stop breathing because I was so amazed.
It has been such an pleasure to see all this project. Keep it coming I will read all of your project and know that you two will amaze me many times.

My favourite of course are those ald carparts/tools you find
Like those hood ornaments. You cannot EVER find those kind of things in here.

Pictures are priceless threats like these the old and the new ones. they always tell more than 1000 words.

Maybe now I can sleep when I got this finnish so far

Kalle

 

[jeffmoss26]

Do you happen to have a picture of it Jeff? Just curious, I've never seen another one.

Thomas

Here you go. Mine is a model 5264. About the only information I found about them was some listings in very old Sears catalogs. I got my vise a few years ago at a garage sale for 35 bucks.

 

[steevie]

I kinda like , how it was,the before pics

 

[Shoottx]

Thomas and Chris

After reading about the elevator concepts and the neccesary reach, the height of the basement ceiling begn niggling at me. Since you are still in the planning stages, you might want to re-think an eight foot clear ceiling. We had a nine foot clear ceiling in our Atlanta house basement, It was great and since this is going to be a working shop 9 feet adds a little cushion for working on 8 foot material.

Depending on the site it may or may not be a big deal.

And since it is only a foot it can't cost that much

I wish I had that space here in Texas, since the basement is now a spare space in the garage.

 

[BB767]

Hello to everybody!

Thomas I'll have to say WoW this is amazing. All that passion and hard work I'll have to salute you and of course Chris.

I'm from Finland and it took me about an week to read ALL the pages and messages (full time job). Time to time when I was reading and looking the pictures I stop breathing because I was so amazed.
It has been such an pleasure to see all this project. Keep it coming I will read all of your project and know that you two will amaze me many times.

My favourite of course are those ald carparts/tools you find
Like those hood ornaments. You cannot EVER find those kind of things in here.

Pictures are priceless threats like these the old and the new ones. they always tell more than 1000 words.

Maybe now I can sleep when I got this finnish so far

Kalle

Greetings to you Kalle and welcome. Finland is a bit distant from Philo, but it's nice you have such appreciation for old cars, parts and tools. As you point out I do like pictures, in fact a lot of pictures because I agree...



...they tell so much. For example here is the lift room in 2005...



...and here is the lift room two years later in 2007; the very same room from the same angle. Those two pictures tell so much. After all that reading you deserve some sleep.

Kiitos vielä ystävällisistä sanoista ja kiinnostusta.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Here you go. Mine is a model 5264. About the only information I found about them was some listings in very old Sears catalogs. I got my vise a few years ago at a garage sale for 35 bucks.

Terrific Jeff, thank you for posting that picture of your Samson vise. As I said, I've never seen another until now. I can't find anything about them either.





Yours sure looks like a dead ringer for mine except for the model designation. It appears to in excellent condition as well. I don't know what Dad paid for his but you did extremely well with yours for $35.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Thomas and Chris

After reading about the elevator concepts and the neccesary reach, the height of the basement ceiling begn niggling at me. Since you are still in the planning stages, you might want to re-think an eight foot clear ceiling. We had a nine foot clear ceiling in our Atlanta house basement, It was great and since this is going to be a working shop 9 feet adds a little cushion for working on 8 foot material.

Depending on the site it may or may not be a big deal.

And since it is only a foot it can't cost that much

I wish I had that space here in Texas, since the basement is now a spare space in the garage.

Good thought Shoottx. Maybe I should float that by the architect. After all, how much extra could a measly 12" (30.5 cm) possibly cost?

Thomas

 

[cork426]

really great rehab. Loved the pics!

 

[LittleKalle]

Greetings to you Kalle and welcome. Finland is a bit distant from Philo, but it's nice you have such appreciation for old cars, parts and tools. As you point out I do like pictures, in fact a lot of pictures because I agree...

...they tell so much. For example here is the lift room in 2005...

...and here is the lift room two years later in 2007; the very same room from the same angle. Those two pictures tell so much. After all that reading you deserve some sleep.

Kiitos vielä ystävällisistä sanoista ja kiinnostusta.

Thomas

Of course I'm interest in this. Here is everything that I want. Something old somethin new and passion to work

Those two pictures just tell that amouth of work you have done to to full fill this project. Just keep on good work we all love your work!!

Kalle

 

[Hugo L.]

Good thought Shoottx. Maybe I should float that by the architect. After all, how much extra could a measly 12" (30.5 cm) possibly cost?

Thomas

You're talking elevators, and architects. So the answer is "a lot more than expected. A LOT."

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

The second question is what is it going to be worth to you! That also might be A LOT!

 

[hobbitss]

Good thought Shoottx. Maybe I should float that by the architect. After all, how much extra could a measly 12" (30.5 cm) possibly cost?

Thomas

The real question is: How much clearance do you need?? 9, 10 or 12 feet?
How long are those planks you have aging up-right in the new barn?
Will you be working with them full length or cutting them down before moving them to the workshop?
Do you want to excavate deeper, raise the 1st floor elevation or a combination of both? What will be the impact on the surrounding vegetation if the grades change significantly from current?
Do you have a Plot Plan with Elevations? I checked the posted Plans on page 374 and didn't see any...

 

[jeffmoss26]

Terrific Jeff, thank you for posting that picture of your Samson vise. As I said, I've never seen another until now. I can't find anything about them either.





Yours sure looks like a dead ringer for mine except for the model designation. It appears to in excellent condition as well. I don't know what Dad paid for his but you did extremely well with yours for $35.

Thomas

I originally wanted to clean and repaint mine, but the more I thought about it, I decided to just leave it as is

 

[hobbitss]

It must be my fault for reminding Thomas about his anvil.. So while he is out walking in the cold clear moonlight we will give this thread a little bounce back to the front page from waaaayyy back here on page 6....

 

[BB767]

The real question is: How much clearance do you need?? 9, 10 or 12 feet?
How long are those planks you have aging up-right in the new barn?
Will you be working with them full length or cutting them down before moving them to the workshop?
Do you want to excavate deeper, raise the 1st floor elevation or a combination of both? What will be the impact on the surrounding vegetation if the grades change significantly from current?
Do you have a Plot Plan with Elevations? I checked the posted Plans on page 374 and didn't see any...

It must be my fault for reminding Thomas about his anvil.. So while he is out walking in the cold clear moonlight we will give this thread a little bounce back to the front page from waaaayyy back here on page 6....

Thanks Joe for the thought. You are correct about the site elevation. I'm limited by how high I can construct the house on the site with the grade elevation of all those large trees nearby.



There are 8' (2.4 m) ceilings in the wood shop, (even less under the radiator heat pipes) and Dad and I have always managed. My longest boards are 14' (4.3 m) but rarely do I work with lumber that long.



The total height of the dust colector was a little over 8' high and since I couldn't lower the floor...



...I raised the ceiling. I just cut a hole in the ceiling, framed it in and gave the motor the extra clearance it needed.

A 9' ceiling in the house would be nice but I'll compromise at 8' I'm sure.

Thomas

 

[gasgas17]

Just watch they don't use an 8 foot form for the wall then pour the slab and leave you with a 7'-8" ceiling. It happens all the time. If your not flipping sheets of plywood around all the time then it's not the end of the world to live with the 8" ceiling. My shop has a ceiling height of 8'-2" and just those 2 inches make a difference with sheets.

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

It must be my fault for reminding Thomas about his anvil.. So while he is out walking in the cold clear moonlight we will give this thread a little bounce back to the front page from waaaayyy back here on page 6....

With the winds we have been having I would not want to be walking without the anvil.

 

[Seagoon]

Aha, I see and no need FredR, got it..........

...............who comes up with this stuff anyway???

Perplexed Thomas

Hi Chris and Thomas
First post here as I plough through this mammoth thread. I ended up here after posting a request for a chuck key for a Ferm pillar drill that I bought on eBay. Amazing where the twists and turns of the Internet take you
You asked who comes up with this stuff and I can answer this small piece. The phrase originated in a book turned into a TV series here in Britain called "Rumpole of the Bailey" about a curmudgeonly Barrister who worked at the Old Bailey(the most well-known of the British courts) It was his description for his frosty and disdainful wife. I have no idea who translated it to the acronym but at least a pilot would recognize the value of doing so
Thanks for the interesting read - it is now one of my few bits of required reading.
Vaughan
BTW this is a reply to post 1164 just so you don't scratch your head too hard.

 

[THIRDY]

Woohoo! Have finally made to the next ATP! What can I say that hasn't already been said!
Many thanks to Thomas and Chris for sharing this journey with us, and to all who have contributed to this epic thread.
Like many, I have been waiting until I was 'up to date' to post - and my first post although I've been on GJ for a while - took a while to read the lot, but it was well worth it!
Thanks again!
THIRDY (David)

 

[Seagoon]

Shoot! I'm only up to Page 100 and it will be a while till I get any further
'cos I HAVE to get out and DO things instead of reading about them.
Thanks for the thread though - it is just so interesting

 

[Laro13]

Thanks a lot Thomas!!

Now look what you made me buy.


Sorry for the crappy photo, tomorrow I will take some better ones.

It's a Walker 882 series C or O floor jack.
It's painted yellow now, but I see red beneath it in some places.
Sadly it is missing it's cover plate and its leaking fluids.

This will be a nice project!

 

[machineryman]

With a garage like that you need the Green hinge system on your overhead doors, seals and quiets your shop like no other sealing system. I have them on my doors and they are the best, very innovative idea for not a lot of money.

 

[BB767]

Just watch they don't use an 8 foot form for the wall then pour the slab and leave you with a 7'-8" ceiling. It happens all the time. If your not flipping sheets of plywood around all the time then it's not the end of the world to live with the 8" ceiling. My shop has a ceiling height of 8'-2" and just those 2 inches make a difference with sheets.

You make a good point gasgas17, and something I've seen happen before. I've got extremely competent folks involved on this project and feel very confident it won't be an issue, but still something to watch for.

Thomas

Woohoo! Have finally made to the next ATP! What can I say that hasn't already been said!
Many thanks to Thomas and Chris for sharing this journey with us, and to all who have contributed to this epic thread.
Like many, I have been waiting until I was 'up to date' to post - and my first post although I've been on GJ for a while - took a while to read the lot, but it was well worth it!
Thanks again!
THIRDY (David)

Congratulations and welcome David! That's a worthy accomplishment. I'm not sure I would want to tackle reading a 350+ page post but I'm glad you decided to stick with it and catch up. More importantly I'm happy you felt it was worth the effort. Never know what those crazy Yanks will be up to next do you?! Well done! Take a break and stand by for more.

Thomas

Shoot! I'm only up to Page 100 and it will be a while till I get any further
'cos I HAVE to get out and DO things instead of reading about them.
Thanks for the thread though - it is just so interesting

May I add my welcome to you Seagoon to our corner of the internet. If you haven't come to it yet, you'll see my family background is partially from Scotland and I have a Scottish middle name, both of which I'm enormously proud of.
You'll note I haven't posted all that much lately 'cause like you, I'm out in the shop doing work! Just keep at it and you'll get to the next ATP before you know it. Enjoy the read it's different.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Thanks a lot Thomas!!

Now look what you made me buy.

It's a Walker 882 series C or O floor jack.
It's painted yellow now, but I see red beneath it in some places.
Sadly it is missing it's cover plate and its leaking fluids.

This will be a nice project!

Well done Laro that's got lots of potential, you won't regret it I'm sure. Not too many Walkers of that vintage in The Netherlands are there? The fluid leaks are to be expected and with proper refurbishment seals and parts that can be fixed. Contacting GJ board member HiBall for parts would be good start. Finding a replacement cover plate will take effort but they are out there. Living overseas will make it a little more challenging for you but then look what you'll have when you're done!
Enjoy the project, you've got nice material to work with.
Congratulations again and keep us posted with your progress.

Very proud Thomas

 

[56vette461]

THIRDY

Check your in box for a PM (message)

 

[Vernmotor]

http://www.greenhingeofamerica.com/ In case anyone wants to know

 

[BB767]

With a garage like that you need the Green hinge system on your overhead doors, seals and quiets your shop like no other sealing system. I have them on my doors and they are the best, very innovative idea for not a lot of money.

http://www.greenhingeofamerica.com/ In case anyone wants to know

Gentlemen, I hadn't had time to look at these hinges until a moment ago. This looks like it has great merit! I've thought of something similar before. If any of our friends here have actually has used these I'd like to hear from you.

Many thanks for the information.

Thomas

 

[Kalamath]

Posting my greetings, hello! I've been slowly making my way through this awesome thread for a couple weeks now, and figured I'd say "Hi" sooner than later, since it may be months before I reach the end. I had to start skimming a bit after page 50, and am up to page 77 this morning as I finish a late breakfast. I have to thank Scooteraug02 from the ADVRider forums for posting the link to this. I'd come across GJ before, but this thread is what got me to register.

Simply great stuff, thanks so much for sharing your project, and your lives, really! It's all inspiring, in so many ways.

ps. how's that switch cover thing going? You still OKAY with it? From someone who has spent hours...days even, leaving and coming back to a stubborn set of switches or outlets to get them JUST SO, I can relate. Perhaps we can all start a "Cover-plate-screw clocker's support group."

 

[markviii]

No time for support groups here! Thanks (not really) for the reminder about those "tendencies"; other projects are taking up our time these days between the weather events. Another is on the way, starting by late morning. Gotta go!

Chris

P.S. Hated the Ground Hog's bad news on Sunday.
P.P.S. Oh, and Welcome to the vortex!

 

[mister honey]

Beltsville Shell is ready to go out to the next reader!

Please PM your address and I'll get it in the mail to you.

Mike

 

[Chem1]

I did it!
I just finished reading all 7716 posts! What a thread. There is so much useful information in these pages, I don't remember how many things I have bookmarked for later use. The Green Hinge product is just the latest example. Thanks Thomas and everyone else for sharing!

 

[TractorJeff]

Well?
What can a person say?
WOW WOW AMAZING!
Thanks for sharing!!!!

 

[BB767]

Beltsville Shell is ready to go out to the next reader!

Please PM your address and I'll get it in the mail to you.

Mike

Great Mike, thanks for the quick turn around. This would be a good time to make a suggestion about "The Book". With all the signatures it's starting to receive it's become somewhat irreplaceable. When the next reader is selected, Mike will announce their Garage Journal name here on the thread. We don't publicly need their name or address but I would request Mike retain that information (along with a contact phone number) for a while.

To ship it to the next reader I might suggest using...



...Untied States Postal Service priority mail. The box is free from the post office, just fold the box up, address it and mail it off. Using priority mail gives tracking information making it much less likely it might become lost in the mail. For our Canadian readers I leave it to your best judgement as to how best ship it.

This all came about when the book went missing in action for about 6 weeks. It eventually surfaced and is again making the rounds. Chris, Lou, I and others have arranged a book signing lunch with author Cary Thomas next month at his home so I'd like to have it back by the end of February or early, early March please. Details of our get-together will be posted later but in the meantime please keep reading and circulating it. You'll be glad you did.

My thanks to Brian R, Mike and Fred Carlton for their patience and help tracking the book down. Now I'm off to dig out from the latest storm! Thanks everyone.

Thomas

 

[JeremyBurke]

Thomas and Chris,
I just made to to the end. I must admit I didn't read every word. Mostly just your replies and every post with pictures. I have been truly sucked in and am so looking forward to the home construction phase of the project. Congratulations on living your bliss and all the fun you seem to be having and for sticking together all these years. I am very much on a different end of the journey than you but hope to have as much fun following my dreams. Best of luck and best wishes on what the future holds.

Also I too must echo Joe, I wanna know what else is in that tool shed.

 

[hobbitss]

Thomas and Chris,
Also I too must echo Joe, I wanna know what else is in that tool shed.

Impatiently waiting for more Tool Shed Photos!!

 

[busted knuckle]

Thomas and Chris,
I just made to to the end. I must admit I didn't read every word. Mostly just your replies and every post with pictures. I have been truly sucked in and am so looking forward to the home construction phase of the project.

Jeremy you are by all means nowhere near the end. Thomas and Chris I am sure will keep us all involved as to what is going on in the center of the universe. This has been so much fun for me the past few years. Hang in there and enjoy!

 

[JeremyBurke]

Jeremy you are by all means nowhere near the end. Thomas and Chris I am sure will keep us all involved as to what is going on in the center of the universe. This has been so much fun for me the past few years. Hang in there and enjoy!

You're of course right. I should have said I made it too the middle looking forward to what comes next.