Half-fast eddie
Well-known member
Conduit is commonly available in 20 ft lengths.
******'s comeback from the setback
- Thread starter cretin
- Start date
BORING HOP YARD
Well-known member
So, of I understand the situation, the long-exposed pipe should be for the shop electrical. The pipe with the union may be water or something else. It looks like you found the point where two are beginning to go separate locations.
If I was tasked with this, I would keep exposing the long one until I found the 45-degree elbow that turns the pipe to the right.
After I found the elbow, I would expose enough pipe after the elbow to get a line of site to locate the pipe in the shop that may have been damaged during clean up. I had to do something very close to this, I drove a long spike next to the pipe fitting and another spike about 8 feet out from the fitting. I exposed the pipe moving away from the fitting for about 8 feet and put the stake next to it.
I tied a mason string on the spike next to the fitting and walked out to the location I wanted to locate. In your case I would go to the fence and swing a tight string left or right until the string barely touches the second spike while standing at the fence. This should give you a straight line from the fitting to the fence.
The pipe with the union looks to me to be put in the same trench as the other but now is going to a different location. Can you think of any area that had water behind the left side of the truck?
I would think renting a metal detector would be faster and easier to locate the pipe.
I would also use it on the property line to assure no pipe goes across it.
I also think you can buy pipe in 20-foot sections.
If this is way off the mark let me know so I can get the picture better, don't hold back.
If I was tasked with this, I would keep exposing the long one until I found the 45-degree elbow that turns the pipe to the right.
After I found the elbow, I would expose enough pipe after the elbow to get a line of site to locate the pipe in the shop that may have been damaged during clean up. I had to do something very close to this, I drove a long spike next to the pipe fitting and another spike about 8 feet out from the fitting. I exposed the pipe moving away from the fitting for about 8 feet and put the stake next to it.
I tied a mason string on the spike next to the fitting and walked out to the location I wanted to locate. In your case I would go to the fence and swing a tight string left or right until the string barely touches the second spike while standing at the fence. This should give you a straight line from the fitting to the fence.
The pipe with the union looks to me to be put in the same trench as the other but now is going to a different location. Can you think of any area that had water behind the left side of the truck?
I would think renting a metal detector would be faster and easier to locate the pipe.
I would also use it on the property line to assure no pipe goes across it.
I also think you can buy pipe in 20-foot sections.
If this is way off the mark let me know so I can get the picture better, don't hold back.
I didn't have the chance to dig last weekend, and only had a little bit of time this weekend. The ground there is so hard packed it's really tough to dig. I made it about 2 feet in 2 hours using a hammer shovel.
So, I need to figure something else out, as I simply don't have the time for that much of a project right now.
Maybe I can find someone to hire.
So, I need to figure something else out, as I simply don't have the time for that much of a project right now.
Maybe I can find someone to hire.
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
@******, when you say you're using a hammer shovel, do you mean one of these?
If not, this one comes in two versions: 2200 and 3600 watt with 4 or 6 chisel bits. Priced as low as $152 for the smaller one with 4 chisels and as high as $240 for the big one with 6 chisels. With as much demolition as you have to do, this might be worth a try. Your idea to hire someone makes sense but I suspect that person won't have power tools. If the Electric Demolition Hammer makes the job go faster, you might save the cost of the machine paying for fewer hours.
Vevor isn't a big name brand but I bought a tire bead breaker from them that's half the price of the Bead Buster and it worked perfectly.
Yes, I am using something like that, and it's still taking forever. (It was loaned to me, and I wasn't sure what to call it.)@******, when you say you're using a hammer shovel, do you mean one of these?
If not, this one comes in two versions: 2200 and 3600 watt with 4 or 6 chisel bits. Priced as low as $152 for the smaller one with 4 chisels and as high as $240 for the big one with 6 chisels. With as much demolition as you have to do, this might be worth a try. Your idea to hire someone makes sense but I suspect that person won't have power tools. If the Electric Demolition Hammer makes the job go faster, you might save the cost of the machine paying for fewer hours.
Vevor isn't a big name brand but I bought a tire bead breaker from them that's half the price of the Bead Buster and it worked perfectly.
I don't have any demolition to do, the state has already done a debris removal.
There is a local college kid who has a tiny little backhoe that does trenching and stuff. He has done a little bit of work for me. I may see if he can do it. If not, maybe someone else and let them use the Demo hammer.
BORING HOP YARD
Well-known member
If you have access to water, you may be able to help soften the trail of dirt you're trying to dig with a
soaker hose on the route you're digging.
soaker hose on the route you're digging.
I have been doing some other stuff and haven't been able to get around to digging. I also haven't been all that excited to get to digging in the heat. But, I did set up a temporary above ground pool so I can cool off a bit in-between working outside.
I hired the college kid with the backhoe to trench to where I want to put the temporary power, and to do some leveling I needed to do. I tried to have him dig along the conduit, but he didn't want to do it since I don't really know whats under there.
He told me to call DigAlert, but I tried to explain to him that they don't mark personal lines, and that these probably weren't permitted anyway, but he didn't want to do it. I'm not going to twist his arm, so I moved on.
While doing the other things I've been doing instead of digging, I had been thinking about my plan of attack. Then, oddly enough, I'm working out in the yard, and I walk by where my car is parked, and notice something that looks like conduit in the ground. I brush it off with my hand a little bit, and sure enough, conduit.
Then, I noticed on one end of it, there was some metal sticking out, and thought if it was a nail or something I needed to remove it so as not to get a flat tire. Brush off some more and realize that they are the wires, and I have stumbled upon the what's left of the wiring that went to the garage! So the end revealed itself, and now I know exactly where I have to dig to.
So, that mystery is solved, and I just have to dig to it. The other conduit is still a mystery, but I'll see if I get any clues when I dig up what I've found.
Now, up to this point, I have just shared a little bit about my current situation and pretty much just kept it about the garage. I was trying to stay on the topic of garages, but after reading a bunch of other threads, and seeing that there is much more posted than just garages, I thought maybe I should give a little bit more info about my story and what has gone on in the last few years.
The question becomes where to start I suppose.
I won't give you my life story, just some of the basics in relation to what I do in the garage.
Since I was a kid I was interested in hot rods and customs. But I didn't know anyone who knew how to build them that I could learn from.
I ended up going to Wyotech. I had never even touched a welder before I went there, so I got the basics there.
Soon after graduating there, I ended up getting a job at Hollywood Hot Rods, and have been there almost ever since.
I left for a few years, but went back. All in all I've been there probably about 13 years.
So, for quite a while hot rods and customs have been work and a hobby.
Before buying my current home, my only garage space I could work in was at my parents house. It was a small 2 car garage. I had some cars there along with parts and tools, and my dad had a couple cars as well. My grandfather lived down the street from my parents, and offered me some storage space, so I had a couple cars and parts there as well.
At my parents house we had a '33 Ford roadster that my dad and I built for my dad, a '36 Ford truck that we didn't build that my dad and I shared, my '54 Chevy 210, and my '30 Model A roadster. At grandpa's, I had my '36 Ford 3w coupe, and a '23 Model T roadster.
Here is dad's roadster. It's a bit street roddy for me, but dad loves it so that's what matters. It is a fiberglass body and powered by a ZZ4 350 with dual quads, and a 700R4.
This is the '36 truck we shared. It is powered by a 351 Windsor and a C4 trans. It now lives out of state with dad, and I think he plans to swap the engine with a 264 Nailhead that I gave him. It normally has a hood on it, but this photo was taken on a test drive after doing some work to it.
This was my '54 in it's most current version before it was destroyed. I had redone the chassis, and put in a new 350 and 4L60E trans. And was working on some subtle custom touches on the body.
And this was my Model A as I had it at my parents house. The plans for it have changed a bit from whats pictured here. This one went through the fire, but I think it is saveable. In this photo, it's on a custom Model A styled frame, with a '55 Cadillac 331 in it.
Once I start building it, it will go on a custom '32 chassis, and will run a 390 Cadillac. I also included a photo of it after the fire.
The other cars have a little bit of a story, so I'll post about them in the next post.
I hired the college kid with the backhoe to trench to where I want to put the temporary power, and to do some leveling I needed to do. I tried to have him dig along the conduit, but he didn't want to do it since I don't really know whats under there.
He told me to call DigAlert, but I tried to explain to him that they don't mark personal lines, and that these probably weren't permitted anyway, but he didn't want to do it. I'm not going to twist his arm, so I moved on.
While doing the other things I've been doing instead of digging, I had been thinking about my plan of attack. Then, oddly enough, I'm working out in the yard, and I walk by where my car is parked, and notice something that looks like conduit in the ground. I brush it off with my hand a little bit, and sure enough, conduit.
Then, I noticed on one end of it, there was some metal sticking out, and thought if it was a nail or something I needed to remove it so as not to get a flat tire. Brush off some more and realize that they are the wires, and I have stumbled upon the what's left of the wiring that went to the garage! So the end revealed itself, and now I know exactly where I have to dig to.
So, that mystery is solved, and I just have to dig to it. The other conduit is still a mystery, but I'll see if I get any clues when I dig up what I've found.
Now, up to this point, I have just shared a little bit about my current situation and pretty much just kept it about the garage. I was trying to stay on the topic of garages, but after reading a bunch of other threads, and seeing that there is much more posted than just garages, I thought maybe I should give a little bit more info about my story and what has gone on in the last few years.
The question becomes where to start I suppose.
I won't give you my life story, just some of the basics in relation to what I do in the garage.
Since I was a kid I was interested in hot rods and customs. But I didn't know anyone who knew how to build them that I could learn from.
I ended up going to Wyotech. I had never even touched a welder before I went there, so I got the basics there.
Soon after graduating there, I ended up getting a job at Hollywood Hot Rods, and have been there almost ever since.
I left for a few years, but went back. All in all I've been there probably about 13 years.
So, for quite a while hot rods and customs have been work and a hobby.
Before buying my current home, my only garage space I could work in was at my parents house. It was a small 2 car garage. I had some cars there along with parts and tools, and my dad had a couple cars as well. My grandfather lived down the street from my parents, and offered me some storage space, so I had a couple cars and parts there as well.
At my parents house we had a '33 Ford roadster that my dad and I built for my dad, a '36 Ford truck that we didn't build that my dad and I shared, my '54 Chevy 210, and my '30 Model A roadster. At grandpa's, I had my '36 Ford 3w coupe, and a '23 Model T roadster.
Here is dad's roadster. It's a bit street roddy for me, but dad loves it so that's what matters. It is a fiberglass body and powered by a ZZ4 350 with dual quads, and a 700R4.
This is the '36 truck we shared. It is powered by a 351 Windsor and a C4 trans. It now lives out of state with dad, and I think he plans to swap the engine with a 264 Nailhead that I gave him. It normally has a hood on it, but this photo was taken on a test drive after doing some work to it.
This was my '54 in it's most current version before it was destroyed. I had redone the chassis, and put in a new 350 and 4L60E trans. And was working on some subtle custom touches on the body.
And this was my Model A as I had it at my parents house. The plans for it have changed a bit from whats pictured here. This one went through the fire, but I think it is saveable. In this photo, it's on a custom Model A styled frame, with a '55 Cadillac 331 in it.
Once I start building it, it will go on a custom '32 chassis, and will run a 390 Cadillac. I also included a photo of it after the fire.
The other cars have a little bit of a story, so I'll post about them in the next post.
Attachments
As stated in the last post, the '23 Model T and the '36 3w have a bit of a story to them, So here it goes.
I was searching for an engine for the Model A project, and I knew I wanted a 331 Cadillac in it, so the search was on. I ended up finding the Model T roadster as a project on craigslist. It had a '55 331 in it and was priced well, so I scooped it up. I ended up with the Caddy engine and trans on a Model A frame with a late 40's suspension, one and a half Model T roadster bodies, two turtle decks, 6 wire wheels, a set of bomber seats, and a bunch of extra parts all for $500. Can't beat it.
So I pulled the Caddy out of it and put it in the Model A, sold the Caddy trans, and stored the rest of the parts away.
After a while, I decided I was going to take all the T parts and other extra parts I had ended up with and throw together a pretty budget Gow job style hot rod. The previous work on the frame was scary, so I cut out everything that was added to the frame, and basically started over.
I did a small Z in the rear of the frame, and made a new front spring mount, and got the car back to being a roller.
I ended up with a '37 flathead and trans for cheap, so I mounted that in, then rebuilt them. The body was a little rough and there were some small changes I wanted to make, so that,s what I was working on when the fire happened.
I was working on the body at the shop, so I still have that and it may live on in the future, but I lost the chassis and the rebuilt flathead and trans. Here are a couple photos of where I was going with the T.
Now onto the '36 3w. This was a bit of a roller coaster ride for me. One of my 2 dream customs is a '36 3w coupe, but they were just out of reach for me price-wise, so it was just a dream. Until, one day I'm speaking with another car builder friend of mine because we are both building '36 Ford roadsters for customers at the time. In the conversation, he mentions that he thinks he is going to build his '36 roadster as his next personal project instead of his 3w. To which I reply, "You have a 3w? I'm so jealous."
He then says if he decides to sell it, He'll call me. I didn't think much of it, and figured even if he sold it, it would be a while.
He then calls me a month later and says he'll sell the 3w. I say I really want it, but I have neither the space for it, nor the money. He says, no problem, I'll hold onto it till you have them. Well, How can I say no?
That is how I ended up storing things at grandpas. He offered up the space so that I could have a dream car.
It took a year to get the space and the money, and true to his word, he held onto the car for me.
Finally the day comes to pick it up, so my dad and I rented a Uhaul, and a trailer and head out to Palm Springs.
We get there, I do the deal, and load up the car. We use the normal straps over the front tires that the Uhaul trailer uses, and some extra straps that I bought on the way. The car is rough, but its a 3w and its mine. Awesome.
So, its about an hour into the drive home, and we are just starting to hit a bit of traffic. I'm driving the Uhaul, and my dad is following behind me. According to my dad, I hit a small bump, there is a puff of dirt that was knocked loose, and the car just backs right off the trailer!
In that moment, I looked in the side view mirror, and got a glimpse of some whitewalls, and thought, "that sure looked like my car"
Then I hear some crashing and crunching sounds.
Some how, the straps I added broke, and the straps came off the tires, and the car came off the trailer. It drifted into the lane to the left briefly before cutting right across 3 lanes of traffic. Miraculously, it didn't hit any cars on the road, then made it's way off the road, took out a sign, and crashed into a fence.
Luckily there was a huge shoulder there, so I got the Uhaul and trailer over there, assesed the damage, and got it loaded back up. The frame was trashed, and the sign had caved in the header panel. It was a task to get it back on the trailer.
The rest of the drive home was pretty nerve wracking!
Got it home without any more trouble, and I just put it away for a while. After a while, I ended up getting a new frame for it, and that's how it still sits currently.
Here in the car when I picked it up, and after it came off the trailer.
I was searching for an engine for the Model A project, and I knew I wanted a 331 Cadillac in it, so the search was on. I ended up finding the Model T roadster as a project on craigslist. It had a '55 331 in it and was priced well, so I scooped it up. I ended up with the Caddy engine and trans on a Model A frame with a late 40's suspension, one and a half Model T roadster bodies, two turtle decks, 6 wire wheels, a set of bomber seats, and a bunch of extra parts all for $500. Can't beat it.
So I pulled the Caddy out of it and put it in the Model A, sold the Caddy trans, and stored the rest of the parts away.
After a while, I decided I was going to take all the T parts and other extra parts I had ended up with and throw together a pretty budget Gow job style hot rod. The previous work on the frame was scary, so I cut out everything that was added to the frame, and basically started over.
I did a small Z in the rear of the frame, and made a new front spring mount, and got the car back to being a roller.
I ended up with a '37 flathead and trans for cheap, so I mounted that in, then rebuilt them. The body was a little rough and there were some small changes I wanted to make, so that,s what I was working on when the fire happened.
I was working on the body at the shop, so I still have that and it may live on in the future, but I lost the chassis and the rebuilt flathead and trans. Here are a couple photos of where I was going with the T.
Now onto the '36 3w. This was a bit of a roller coaster ride for me. One of my 2 dream customs is a '36 3w coupe, but they were just out of reach for me price-wise, so it was just a dream. Until, one day I'm speaking with another car builder friend of mine because we are both building '36 Ford roadsters for customers at the time. In the conversation, he mentions that he thinks he is going to build his '36 roadster as his next personal project instead of his 3w. To which I reply, "You have a 3w? I'm so jealous."
He then says if he decides to sell it, He'll call me. I didn't think much of it, and figured even if he sold it, it would be a while.
He then calls me a month later and says he'll sell the 3w. I say I really want it, but I have neither the space for it, nor the money. He says, no problem, I'll hold onto it till you have them. Well, How can I say no?
That is how I ended up storing things at grandpas. He offered up the space so that I could have a dream car.
It took a year to get the space and the money, and true to his word, he held onto the car for me.
Finally the day comes to pick it up, so my dad and I rented a Uhaul, and a trailer and head out to Palm Springs.
We get there, I do the deal, and load up the car. We use the normal straps over the front tires that the Uhaul trailer uses, and some extra straps that I bought on the way. The car is rough, but its a 3w and its mine. Awesome.
So, its about an hour into the drive home, and we are just starting to hit a bit of traffic. I'm driving the Uhaul, and my dad is following behind me. According to my dad, I hit a small bump, there is a puff of dirt that was knocked loose, and the car just backs right off the trailer!
In that moment, I looked in the side view mirror, and got a glimpse of some whitewalls, and thought, "that sure looked like my car"
Then I hear some crashing and crunching sounds.
Some how, the straps I added broke, and the straps came off the tires, and the car came off the trailer. It drifted into the lane to the left briefly before cutting right across 3 lanes of traffic. Miraculously, it didn't hit any cars on the road, then made it's way off the road, took out a sign, and crashed into a fence.
Luckily there was a huge shoulder there, so I got the Uhaul and trailer over there, assesed the damage, and got it loaded back up. The frame was trashed, and the sign had caved in the header panel. It was a task to get it back on the trailer.
The rest of the drive home was pretty nerve wracking!
Got it home without any more trouble, and I just put it away for a while. After a while, I ended up getting a new frame for it, and that's how it still sits currently.
Here in the car when I picked it up, and after it came off the trailer.
Uncle murph
Well-known member
Ugh that *****,you have lived my nightmare!As stated in the last post, the '23 Model T and the '36 3w have a bit of a story to them, So here it goes.
I was searching for an engine for the Model A project, and I knew I wanted a 331 Cadillac in it, so the search was on. I ended up finding the Model T roadster as a project on craigslist. It had a '55 331 in it and was priced well, so I scooped it up. I ended up with the Caddy engine and trans on a Model A frame with a late 40's suspension, one and a half Model T roadster bodies, two turtle decks, 6 wire wheels, a set of bomber seats, and a bunch of extra parts all for $500. Can't beat it.
So I pulled the Caddy out of it and put it in the Model A, sold the Caddy trans, and stored the rest of the parts away.
After a while, I decided I was going to take all the T parts and other extra parts I had ended up with and throw together a pretty budget Gow job style hot rod. The previous work on the frame was scary, so I cut out everything that was added to the frame, and basically started over.
I did a small Z in the rear of the frame, and made a new front spring mount, and got the car back to being a roller.
I ended up with a '37 flathead and trans for cheap, so I mounted that in, then rebuilt them. The body was a little rough and there were some small changes I wanted to make, so that,s what I was working on when the fire happened.
I was working on the body at the shop, so I still have that and it may live on in the future, but I lost the chassis and the rebuilt flathead and trans. Here are a couple photos of where I was going with the T.
Now onto the '36 3w. This was a bit of a roller coaster ride for me. One of my 2 dream customs is a '36 3w coupe, but they were just out of reach for me price-wise, so it was just a dream. Until, one day I'm speaking with another car builder friend of mine because we are both building '36 Ford roadsters for customers at the time. In the conversation, he mentions that he thinks he is going to build his '36 roadster as his next personal project instead of his 3w. To which I reply, "You have a 3w? I'm so jealous."
He then says if he decides to sell it, He'll call me. I didn't think much of it, and figured even if he sold it, it would be a while.
He then calls me a month later and says he'll sell the 3w. I say I really want it, but I have neither the space for it, nor the money. He says, no problem, I'll hold onto it till you have them. Well, How can I say no?
That is how I ended up storing things at grandpas. He offered up the space so that I could have a dream car.
It took a year to get the space and the money, and true to his word, he held onto the car for me.
Finally the day comes to pick it up, so my dad and I rented a Uhaul, and a trailer and head out to Palm Springs.
We get there, I do the deal, and load up the car. We use the normal straps over the front tires that the Uhaul trailer uses, and some extra straps that I bought on the way. The car is rough, but its a 3w and its mine. Awesome.
So, its about an hour into the drive home, and we are just starting to hit a bit of traffic. I'm driving the Uhaul, and my dad is following behind me. According to my dad, I hit a small bump, there is a puff of dirt that was knocked loose, and the car just backs right off the trailer!
In that moment, I looked in the side view mirror, and got a glimpse of some whitewalls, and thought, "that sure looked like my car"
Then I hear some crashing and crunching sounds.
Some how, the straps I added broke, and the straps came off the tires, and the car came off the trailer. It drifted into the lane to the left briefly before cutting right across 3 lanes of traffic. Miraculously, it didn't hit any cars on the road, then made it's way off the road, took out a sign, and crashed into a fence.
Luckily there was a huge shoulder there, so I got the Uhaul and trailer over there, assesed the damage, and got it loaded back up. The frame was trashed, and the sign had caved in the header panel. It was a task to get it back on the trailer.
The rest of the drive home was pretty nerve wracking!
Got it home without any more trouble, and I just put it away for a while. After a while, I ended up getting a new frame for it, and that's how it still sits currently.
Here in the car when I picked it up, and after it came off the trailer.
Some time passes, and grandpa is not doing so well. It is decided that he is going to go live out the remainder of his days with my Uncle in Texas. So, my grandpas house is going to be sold, and I need to get all my stuff out of there. The only place I have is my parents, so I buy a temporary garage to put up in their driveway, and I bring all my stuff and stuff it all in the temporary and regular garages.
I've got the Model T disassembled enough to fit under the '54 on the lift, the Model A in the temporary garage, and the '36 in front of the temporary garage. Everything is so packed in, that I have no room to work. I start looking for a shop to rent. The plan being to set up a small living space in the shop and just live there too since I'm single.
After months of no luck finding a shop, my dad suggests I look for a house.
Ended up finding the house I'm in, bought it and moved in.
Got the garage working well for me, and was working out there all the time. Had friends with cars there working too. It was working out great.
Then the fire came and took it all.
As shown earlier the Model A survived. And the '36 Survived. The whitewall in the photo that shows the Model A after the fire is on the '36. They were in a car port which came down, but not enough to hurt the cars.
A while after the fire, I was thinking about the future of my garage and projects. once I get a garage back, I'm back to square one on projects, so I realized I was looking at years before I was going to have a fun running vehicle for myself. So, I decided that I would take some of my insurance money and buy a running driving car to enjoy in the meantime.
I searched for months before finally striking a deal with a Gentleman in Louisiana on a '32 Ford roadster. It wasn't perfect, but had all the good bones. The parts I didn't like were easily changed. So, I could drive and enjoy it while making the small changes.
It had a '50 Merc Flahead, and a T5 trans, and a quickchange rear end.
He wanted to enjoy the car for a few more months before selling it, and I agreed.
A few months later the deal was done, and the car was on it's way to it's new home.
I got the car, and was enjoying the hell out of it, and making some of the small changes. It was a good release from the stresses of the fire.
Then tragedy strikes again. It was a friday morning, and I was driving the car to work, because I was going to stay late and work on it a little, and then take it to a show the next day. I'm cruising on the freeway at about 70 mph in the number 2 lane, and without warning, the engine suddenly blows, and immediately locks up. as a result, the rear wheels lock up and the car instantly starts going sideways, the front right frame horn takes out the right rear tire and bumber of the car to my left. It was morning traffic and the spin had already started, so I didn't press in the clutch yet. I wanted to try to steer the car a bit straighter before pressing in the clutch. I end up making a full 360 and getting the car back straight in the correct directions in the number 1 lane. I get the clutch pressed in, but hear the dreaded screech behind me, and I brace for impact.
I get rear ended and coast the car into the median.
Luckily, everyone is fine, and my car has surprisingly less damage than I expected. It seems the car went underneath the rear frame rail, and the right rear tire took the brunt of the impact.
The car that hit me didn't hold up as well.
This situation obviously sucked, but could have been much worse.
I've got the Model T disassembled enough to fit under the '54 on the lift, the Model A in the temporary garage, and the '36 in front of the temporary garage. Everything is so packed in, that I have no room to work. I start looking for a shop to rent. The plan being to set up a small living space in the shop and just live there too since I'm single.
After months of no luck finding a shop, my dad suggests I look for a house.
Ended up finding the house I'm in, bought it and moved in.
Got the garage working well for me, and was working out there all the time. Had friends with cars there working too. It was working out great.
Then the fire came and took it all.
As shown earlier the Model A survived. And the '36 Survived. The whitewall in the photo that shows the Model A after the fire is on the '36. They were in a car port which came down, but not enough to hurt the cars.
A while after the fire, I was thinking about the future of my garage and projects. once I get a garage back, I'm back to square one on projects, so I realized I was looking at years before I was going to have a fun running vehicle for myself. So, I decided that I would take some of my insurance money and buy a running driving car to enjoy in the meantime.
I searched for months before finally striking a deal with a Gentleman in Louisiana on a '32 Ford roadster. It wasn't perfect, but had all the good bones. The parts I didn't like were easily changed. So, I could drive and enjoy it while making the small changes.
It had a '50 Merc Flahead, and a T5 trans, and a quickchange rear end.
He wanted to enjoy the car for a few more months before selling it, and I agreed.
A few months later the deal was done, and the car was on it's way to it's new home.
I got the car, and was enjoying the hell out of it, and making some of the small changes. It was a good release from the stresses of the fire.
Then tragedy strikes again. It was a friday morning, and I was driving the car to work, because I was going to stay late and work on it a little, and then take it to a show the next day. I'm cruising on the freeway at about 70 mph in the number 2 lane, and without warning, the engine suddenly blows, and immediately locks up. as a result, the rear wheels lock up and the car instantly starts going sideways, the front right frame horn takes out the right rear tire and bumber of the car to my left. It was morning traffic and the spin had already started, so I didn't press in the clutch yet. I wanted to try to steer the car a bit straighter before pressing in the clutch. I end up making a full 360 and getting the car back straight in the correct directions in the number 1 lane. I get the clutch pressed in, but hear the dreaded screech behind me, and I brace for impact.
I get rear ended and coast the car into the median.
Luckily, everyone is fine, and my car has surprisingly less damage than I expected. It seems the car went underneath the rear frame rail, and the right rear tire took the brunt of the impact.
The car that hit me didn't hold up as well.
This situation obviously sucked, but could have been much worse.
So now, on top of dealing with the fire stuff I have another project, that was never supposed to be a project. But that's not all!
About a month before the '32 incident, I bought a '64 F100 4x4.
With my dad moving out of state and taking his truck with him, I no longer had access to a truck. I decided I needed one for the garage build, and the re-equip the shop after it was built. Not to mention pick up parts I'm sure to acquire.
I again didn't want a project, but the truck was a good deal, and apparently I'm a glutton for punishment.
So I bought the truck and started in on an engine and trans swap.
This isn't all that fun without a garage to work in, but I'm making it work.
I'm keeping this truck no frills, so it's a pretty easy project for me, and I'm already pretty close to firing it up.
This is what it looked like when I bought it.
The first thing I did was swap out wheels and tires. I like the original look, so I went with stock steel wheels.
I also have a regular bed to put on it, but I'll need to shorten it.
Then I moved onto the LS swap. I'm further along then this last picture shows, but I don't really have photos. I'll update that at a later time.
So, I have been splitting my time between the truck and the roadster projects. Not going as fast as I'd like, but that's how it goes when you are splitting time.
For the roadster, it is now getting fit with a '49 331 Cadillac with 390 heads and 4 Strombergs. I am keeping the T5.
Here is where that is at.
And that brings us up to the present.
Needless to say, I am looking forward to the garage being built and having my private shop back. And hoipefully some better luck will come along with it.
About a month before the '32 incident, I bought a '64 F100 4x4.
With my dad moving out of state and taking his truck with him, I no longer had access to a truck. I decided I needed one for the garage build, and the re-equip the shop after it was built. Not to mention pick up parts I'm sure to acquire.
I again didn't want a project, but the truck was a good deal, and apparently I'm a glutton for punishment.
So I bought the truck and started in on an engine and trans swap.
This isn't all that fun without a garage to work in, but I'm making it work.
I'm keeping this truck no frills, so it's a pretty easy project for me, and I'm already pretty close to firing it up.
This is what it looked like when I bought it.
The first thing I did was swap out wheels and tires. I like the original look, so I went with stock steel wheels.
I also have a regular bed to put on it, but I'll need to shorten it.
Then I moved onto the LS swap. I'm further along then this last picture shows, but I don't really have photos. I'll update that at a later time.
So, I have been splitting my time between the truck and the roadster projects. Not going as fast as I'd like, but that's how it goes when you are splitting time.
For the roadster, it is now getting fit with a '49 331 Cadillac with 390 heads and 4 Strombergs. I am keeping the T5.
Here is where that is at.
And that brings us up to the present.
Needless to say, I am looking forward to the garage being built and having my private shop back. And hoipefully some better luck will come along with it.
BORING HOP YARD
Well-known member
Man, you have had a bumpy stretch of road. Sounds like you have a good attitude moving forward.
Nice collection you have assembled, makes me want to help even more!
If you can think of anything we can contribute please let us know, I think we have enough braintrust here we have a pretty good chance of helping.
Seen a race car come off a trailer, car had chain binders holding it down. I was at a red light and the truck and trailer were going through the intersection on a 45-mph road. A hump in the road caused the race car to lift and then compress on the trailer. The chain binders popped when the car compressed and back off the trailer in the middle of the intersection. There was a guy in a turn lane that had no one behind him and could of easily back up and away from the oncoming race car but just sat there and watched it hit his car at about 20 mph. Not much damage was done. I also race and always think back to that race car whenever I put anything on a trailer.
Thanks for sharing
Nice collection you have assembled, makes me want to help even more!
If you can think of anything we can contribute please let us know, I think we have enough braintrust here we have a pretty good chance of helping.
Seen a race car come off a trailer, car had chain binders holding it down. I was at a red light and the truck and trailer were going through the intersection on a 45-mph road. A hump in the road caused the race car to lift and then compress on the trailer. The chain binders popped when the car compressed and back off the trailer in the middle of the intersection. There was a guy in a turn lane that had no one behind him and could of easily back up and away from the oncoming race car but just sat there and watched it hit his car at about 20 mph. Not much damage was done. I also race and always think back to that race car whenever I put anything on a trailer.
Thanks for sharing
Yea, I'm ready for some smooth road! The way I look at it is, there is nothing I can do to change it. All I can do is react to it. If I react poorly, all it does it make things harder on me. Nothing has changed either way, so just try to move forward. It isn't always easy, but what is?
Thank you, I will definetly have some questions, as I have some plans already which I am not sure how to pull off yet.
Man, just seeing a car come off a trailer is crazy. It's insane when it's yours! At least it wasn't a finished car in my case.
It wasn't quite as hot today as it has been, so I finally talked myself into getting out there and digging up the conduit.
As it turns out, that second conduit I found was the one that went to the old garage, and as you can see, the conduit wasn't a straight shot. I still have no Idea what the original conduit I found is, but that will be a problem for another day.
So, I got the old garage conduit dug up, excess conduit removed and wiring pulled out of the excess conduit.
One more day of digging to where I want the electrical to come out, and I'm ready for the new plugs to be installed.
As it turns out, that second conduit I found was the one that went to the old garage, and as you can see, the conduit wasn't a straight shot. I still have no Idea what the original conduit I found is, but that will be a problem for another day.
So, I got the old garage conduit dug up, excess conduit removed and wiring pulled out of the excess conduit.
One more day of digging to where I want the electrical to come out, and I'm ready for the new plugs to be installed.
Yesterday, I got the last of the digging done, and today ran the wires and some new conduit to the new location.
I need to pick up the plugs I need, and a box, and I can hook it up.
Then I can make some more progress on my truck and get that thing back on the road.
Yesterday, I also scored this awesome metal cabinet locally for free. It's unfortunately missing one drawer, so I'll have to make one, but it's cool and the price was right.
It looks like it had a tag in the top center that has broken off, so I'm unsure of manufacturer.
Does anyone recognize it?
I need to pick up the plugs I need, and a box, and I can hook it up.
Then I can make some more progress on my truck and get that thing back on the road.
Yesterday, I also scored this awesome metal cabinet locally for free. It's unfortunately missing one drawer, so I'll have to make one, but it's cool and the price was right.
It looks like it had a tag in the top center that has broken off, so I'm unsure of manufacturer.
Does anyone recognize it?
Good luck op. If you need any help PM me. I have a few resources for us CA folks. Initially my fire inspector told me that I needed to put in a above ground tank *that he couldn't provide me with the correct gallons* with a FDC hydrant. Lucky for me the hydrant in front of my house was replaced and met the fire flow.
Well, I finally have a permit. I also have ordered the building. So, I am now looking at concrete for the foundation. It appears that one of our customers from our shop is willing to give me a deal on doing the concrete work which is fantastic. Every penny helps!
I'm not sure when he'll be able to do it yet, but I'm realy hoping soon. It would be really nice to get the concrete work done before the colder weather.
Anyway, so I really hope that means that I can finally add some posts to this thread with some garage meat and potatoes in the very near future!
I'm not sure when he'll be able to do it yet, but I'm realy hoping soon. It would be really nice to get the concrete work done before the colder weather.
Anyway, so I really hope that means that I can finally add some posts to this thread with some garage meat and potatoes in the very near future!
BORING HOP YARD
Well-known member
Looking forward to the build, I hope it goes smooth!
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
I finally have a real update to this thread.
Sadly, my customer was not able to help me with the concrete. I was really hoping to be able to save money there, but it is what it is.
So, I pulled the trigger on another concrete guy.
They got started last week, and today we had the inspection on the forms and rebar. Inspection was passed, so they will be pouring next Friday. I'm so glad that something is finally actually happening! it's been over 2 years since the fire. It was starting to feel like it would never happen.
My building was also delivered last week, so once the concrete is ready, I'm ready to start erecting the building. So, that means I have to start buttering up my friends now to make it easier to recruit some help. Haha!
Sadly, my customer was not able to help me with the concrete. I was really hoping to be able to save money there, but it is what it is.
So, I pulled the trigger on another concrete guy.
They got started last week, and today we had the inspection on the forms and rebar. Inspection was passed, so they will be pouring next Friday. I'm so glad that something is finally actually happening! it's been over 2 years since the fire. It was starting to feel like it would never happen.
My building was also delivered last week, so once the concrete is ready, I'm ready to start erecting the building. So, that means I have to start buttering up my friends now to make it easier to recruit some help. Haha!
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Congratulations on getting started. Very nice looking prep for the slab.
BORING HOP YARD
Well-known member
Looking good, are you going to fish in some electrical conduit before the pour?
Sorry for the late reply, I was out of town for Christmas, and then my flight home got cancelled and I was stuck out of town for an additional 5 days, and I've been working since I came back.
I didn't run conduit in before the pour, I'm just going to run all the electrical inside the building.
They poured the slab for me while I was out of town, so it felt like I was gone forever because I was really excited to get back and see it.
I finally got back on the 2nd to see it, and I'm really happy with it. There was a mistake made, the bevel for the large sectional door was put on the wrong side, but it's not the end of the world.
I had him cut in the seams after so I wouldn't have large seams that were difficult to roll things like jacks over.
I also had him put in footings for a 2 post lift.
So, now I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row to start figuring out when I'm going to start putting up the building. I'm really excited for it!
I didn't run conduit in before the pour, I'm just going to run all the electrical inside the building.
They poured the slab for me while I was out of town, so it felt like I was gone forever because I was really excited to get back and see it.
I finally got back on the 2nd to see it, and I'm really happy with it. There was a mistake made, the bevel for the large sectional door was put on the wrong side, but it's not the end of the world.
I had him cut in the seams after so I wouldn't have large seams that were difficult to roll things like jacks over.
I also had him put in footings for a 2 post lift.
So, now I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row to start figuring out when I'm going to start putting up the building. I'm really excited for it!
BORING HOP YARD
Well-known member
Very nice progress! Are you getting excited the next part of the building process?
Its looking good, I hope you have enough support to finish in a good time frame.
Thanks for sharing
Its looking good, I hope you have enough support to finish in a good time frame.
Thanks for sharing
captain14
Well-known member
Thanks for the update. I know it’s been a difficult couple of years with everything happening.
I'm very excited! This is the longest I've ever gone without a garage, and it feels like it's taken so long to get to this point, so it feels really good to finally see some physical progress.
I'm also looking forward to not having to worry about the weather when I'm working on a project. The weather and lack of lighting have really limited me on alot of stuff I'm trying to get done.
Just yesterday I had to free my F100 project from the mud that the recent rain caused.
As far as support to get it done, I think I'm good there too. I have a few friends that keep asking me when we are going to get started, and I know all the guys at the shop will come help as well. Also, my dad wants to come in from Ohio to help as well. So, right now I'm just trying to get all my ducks in a row and have everythiung ready to go. I'll need to replace some tools I lost, and get some other stuff that will be helpful.
It has been a bit rough, but it fells good to be moving forward. It's so good to see physical progress, I feel like I've been working on this for so long, but with nothing to show for it.
captain14
Well-known member
You don’t realize what all the loss of a fire causes. There have been several members that have posted their loses and stories here as they slowly rebuilt their lives and shops.
I recently retired from the Fire service after a total of 43 years. I have seen Firsthand what fires do to people, families, homes and businesses.
How did you get the Ford out of the mud hole?
I recently retired from the Fire service after a total of 43 years. I have seen Firsthand what fires do to people, families, homes and businesses.
How did you get the Ford out of the mud hole?
gazza
Well-known member
Having the slab already in place makes it a lot easier to build the steel frame. I hired an electric scissor lift to help assemble all of the frame, purlins and girts (walls) makes it very easy, safe and quick.
Thank you for your service. The Fire service are true heroes. I have a friend who used to do wild-land fire, and I've grown up in Southern California, so I've always been around wildfires, but never directly effected by one. But, coming to my house during the fire, and seeing what was left after, really gave me an appreciation for what you guys do. It's incredible, and it takes a special person to do that. So, again, thank you.
Getting the Ford out ended up being easier than I expected. The mud was easier to dig than I thought it would be. I dug out around the wheels, and then my friend/neighbor came over with his 4wd Tahoe, and pulled it right out.
I've been going back and forth on what to do about a scissor lift. Costs have risen quite a bit since I got my insurance money, and I'm trying to save where I can. I was trying to avoid renting equipment, but I'm kind of thinking that having a scissor lift might be worth it as long as I can plan everything as efficient as possible.
gazza
Well-known member
If you can organize everything prior to hiring the scissor lift it make the job very easy and quick. I had all of the steel work on site, all of the posts, rafters purlins and girts, even had all the structural bolts in the concrete slab. Stood the posts up, (Not bolted down tightly) then using scissor lift bolted them together, the only issue was the centre join at to top of the rafters but I also had a mobile scaffold that I could use to hold the frame up until it was bolted together. Also using a scissor lift is a lot safer than hanging off a ladder. On another not to similar note back in September 2020 I fractured 5 ribs when I slipped getting out of my truck, and still have aches and pains.
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Thanks for the info, that's exactly what I've been doing, planning ahead. My dad is coming into town on March 3rd, and we are getting started on the 4th.
We are going to do all the prep work we can do on the ground for the first 2 days. I need an inspection when I drill and set the anchors for the columns, so I have that scheduled for the 6th, and I also have the scissor lift scheduled to be delivered on the 6th.
I'm just hoping the weather cooperates with me. Of course I'll post here when I get going.
As I stated in my last post, my dad is coming Friday March 3rd, and we are going to start the build on the 4th.
I really hope that the weather I’m having passes by then!
I’m stuck in the house today due to snow, and I’ve got no power, so I’m sitting here wishing I would have been able to get the ‘64 F100 4x4 on the road before now, so I could be out playing in that.
I’ve gotten about 16” so far and it’s still coming down. It’s beautiful, but I’m bored. Haha.
I really hope that the weather I’m having passes by then!
I’m stuck in the house today due to snow, and I’ve got no power, so I’m sitting here wishing I would have been able to get the ‘64 F100 4x4 on the road before now, so I could be out playing in that.
I’ve gotten about 16” so far and it’s still coming down. It’s beautiful, but I’m bored. Haha.
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ZRX61
Well-known member
All we got near AVC was drizzle... which is just about straight East of your place.
BORING HOP YARD
Well-known member
That was the storm that gave Portland a foot of snow before heading south to you.
I hope it melts without causing problems by the runoff.
I hope it melts without causing problems by the runoff.