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Omphaloskeptic

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 11, 2008
Messages
2,346
Location
Ultima Ratio, Wa.
"But I have also started to clean out the Bus"

Pictures please. We want to see 'The Transformation' of the bus from the start of the 'Discovery and Evaluation' phase to the 'Best of Show Trophy' phase!

Kids may be back in school, but it is you that has a TON of homework to do; and we here at GJ get to correct, critique, and grade that homework.:evil: Better get busy with those pics, we can't wait till the end of the semester! lol
 

JCQuick

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2008
Messages
4,932
Location
Apopka Fla.
Very nice Pics Wingnut I received a D3100 for x-mas from my family still in the learning mode. would like to know more about that lens you used.
On the bus I'm back working part time or a VW parts house the owners son is really into bus's and have good connections on good sheet metal. the green stuff.
 
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Wingnut65

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Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
3,170
Location
Tampa Bay, FL
wmchurch, I should have announced I was leaving, but that is not the safest thing to publish on line. We were in town about 48 hours from Monday 6/18 to Wednesday 6/20. A quick trip, but it sure beat flying in and driving straight to Vancouver to get straight on the ship. We have relatives in town, so we will be back sometime.

O and IGO2XS, I knew you would catch my comment on the Bus. Now that my cabinets have been built, I've filled them with stuff from the sliding door cabinet. Now I have space to put stuff when I get it out of the bus. (you know how one thing leads to another, to another, to another... The Bus can't be emptied without places to put the contents) Pix will come soon of the clean-out and then on to the Bus, or the holidays, or the Honey Do's, but homework is homework... I am ready to hit some rust and get some new green parts on there. But, be gentle on the critiques, I'm a little rusty as well.

JCQuick, I think the D3100 is very comparable to the D5000. There are a lot of features on mine that I really need to learn about and how to use better. It has been years since I really used my old Minolta SLR and my rememberer is a little rusty. Take small steps and try different features on yours and you will get the hang of it. For the lens, check out the Tamron 18-270 mm website for info and dpreview.com for a thorough review. Or Google it.

I'll have to get in touch with you on the VW parts. I have Gerson on speed dial and I try to make deals with him when he comes here in November for Bug Jam and Bulli Brigade. I've got his whole front floorboard and front windshield frame piece and a bunch of small interior pieces. Now I need to learn how my welder works on some hidden parts before tackling the exterior sheet metal.
 

JCQuick

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2008
Messages
4,932
Location
Apopka Fla.
JCQuick, I think the D3100 is very comparable to the D5000. There are a lot of features on mine that I really need to learn about and how to use better. It has been years since I really used my old Minolta SLR and my rememberer is a little rusty. Take small steps and try different features on yours and you will get the hang of it. For the lens, check out the Tamron 18-270 mm website for info and dpreview.com for a thorough review. Or Google it.

I'll have to get in touch with you on the VW parts. I have Gerson on speed dial and I try to make deals with him when he comes here in November for Bug Jam and Bulli Brigade. I've got his whole front floorboard and front windshield frame piece and a bunch of small interior pieces. Now I need to learn how my welder works on some hidden parts before tackling the exterior sheet metal.

Thanks for the links :D I have a funny VW related story on my camera I was at a race in July in SC . after the race is a get together for food and beer. as I'm standing around waiting to get in line for food this big guy grabs my camera which was hanging around my neck :shocking: says let me see that. and proceded to show me things I never knew the thing would do :D.
He was a fellow racer that I had put on the trailer earlier in the day.
he said he had the 5100 and it did more than what he felt he needed and wished he had purchaced the 3100.
Sorry to hijack the thread just had to share :bounce: :3gears:
 
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Wingnut65

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
3,170
Location
Tampa Bay, FL
Ya gotta watch out for those VW People... But they are always willing to help someone out. :thumbup: I know my D5000 is more than I am used to, but I hope to take advantage of most all the features. I also have a Coolpix pocket camera for for point-n-shoot shots I want. I take that one to weekly construction meetings, but take the big one at the end for the money shots. What sold me was on the D5000 was the tilting screen. It comes in handy, but most shots are thru the viewfinder. I also took full advantage of the 4 frames-per-second Continuous Shooting mode for the whales. But another tourist was smoking me on the shots... she said hers was at 12 shots per second. :shocking: I am sure her camera was professional grade and way out of my price range.

No problem on the hijack. Cameras and VW's fit well in the Hideout. :3gears:
 

Bob Heine

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Oct 24, 2009
Messages
10,703
Location
Boca Raton, Florida
...Hope you didn't have any problems from the squall line and all the rain from Isaac on Monday....
A few palm fronds and pumping four inches of water out of the pool was the extent of the damage. Statistics show that more injuries are sustained during the cleanup after a storm than during the storm itself,

We have a large Ficus in the back yard and the power cable passes though its branches. All the rain we've been getting made even the thin branches droop and several were touching the power line. The tree trimming service we usually hire won't cut branches that close to the power line so I got out the manual pole saw yesterday and started cutting them off myself. Standing on the ground, using my full reach and the 14-foot pole, I was able to reach the clump of branches and had successfully cut down six heavy branches that were in the way (not touching the power line, just blocking a clean drop for the ones that were).

In the 99% humidity my safety glasses fogged up so bad I took them off -- I was concerned not being able to see the pole saw flopping around within a foot or two of the power cable. I cut through one of the small branches that was touching the line but instead of falling straight down a few feet from where I was standing, it caught on the TV cable below the power line and the inch-diameter limb did a half gainer with the fat end coming down first and spearing me in my left eye. A few hours with three doctors at the eye specialist group and they were optimistic that the eye would heal without invasive surgery.

I'm mastering the sitting-up sleeping technique the doctors prescribed and after only 24 hours I can see much better. Still looks like everything is coated in Vaseline.

I wiped off most of the blood and changed my clothes before I asked my bride to take me to the doctor. She took care of the blood on my chin before we left -- so I wouldn't scare the receptionist.
EyeShot.jpg
 
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Wingnut65

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Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
3,170
Location
Tampa Bay, FL
Oooouuuuchhhh! That looks like it hurts. I'll say a prayer for full healing and a quick recovery. Those safety glasses are there for a reason. But I'm sure you are kicking yourself over that already, so I won't add any salt to the wound. I have several pairs of glasses in my shop so I can be sure to find one and in case one gets too fogged up from our famous humidity.

I am on our Disaster Relief Team at Church and on our chainsaw crew. We won't go near a tree with a power line though it. There a companies with bucket trucks or other equipment that can go up and thin a tree out and tie off branches as they cut them. It might be worth the investment to have that tree thinned before the next one blows our way.


I know that more injuries happen after a storm than during one. And I will take this as a reminder to myself to be very careful.


On the bright side, I'm glad to hear that palm fronds and excess pool water is all the damage you had. I really feel for those in Louisiana right now.
 

IGO2XS

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Joined
Apr 24, 2012
Messages
1,415
Location
Sarasota, FL
Nice Bus...Now get that thing on the road. I am in Bradenton, FL (just south of you). My bus is in my pic <--------.

WINGNUT.....now you are getting ganged up on by two Florida guys wanted to see a bus project take shape. I know there are guys from all over the US and abroad waiting for you to get started.:lol_hitti
 

shopnut

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2006
Messages
4,237
Location
Florida
/snip/

In the 99% humidity my safety glasses fogged up so bad I took them off

/snip/
Bob - I've been doing that all too often lately, but your post is a good reminder for all of us to take a moment the deal with the foggy glasses rather than go without them. The eyes are too precious to be risking their safety.

And Wingnut - Peer pressure can be tough. Get out and show us some progress on that Bus! Just a little something, at least ;).
 
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Wingnut65

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Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
3,170
Location
Tampa Bay, FL
OK, I hear you guys pounding on my door! :eyecrazy: I have dug down to the Bus and have started to clean it out. I now have all the front cabinets fully loaded and the sliding door cabinets emptied enough to put some of the stuff from the VW storage unit.

dirtylawnchair, I am honored that your first post is to kick my procrastinating **** into gear. Welcome to GJ! :thumbup:. I love your Bus. I'll have to talk with ya at Bulli Brigade if you are going this year. I love the patina on yours. I've been told I should keep mine as it is, but I really like to keep my stuff dry when I drive or camp. Too many holes in my body to feel comfortable going rustic. Thanks for posting and keep pushing me.

Bob, I hope your eye is healing well and you are taking time to relax. There are plenty more storms to come...

dirtylawnchair, IGO2XS and shopnut, The Florida Krewe of GJ has spoken loudly. :shocking: I have a field trip to Dallas tomorrow, but will have this weekend to get working on emptying the Bus and taking pictures. I know Omph will be looking for the pix soon...

BTW, I haven't been slacking in the Hideout. My Lathe is operational. OK, I mean it is back together and the motor works. Still need to mount the milling attachment to the top after I get some clarification from the factory. That is for another post.

Also, I have been repainting the inside of the Hideout with new colors and a Gloss Black racing stripe. Here it is almost done. I did replace the sliding doors and painted them as well, but no pix of that yet...
attachment.php

342

Till this weekend, thanks for the motivational talk. We all need that once and a while. :thumbup:
 
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criby1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 30, 2012
Messages
62
Location
kelmscott western Australia
A few palm fronds and pumping four inches of water out of the pool was the extent of the damage. Statistics show that more injuries are sustained during the cleanup after a storm than during the storm itself,

We have a large Ficus in the back yard and the power cable passes though its branches. All the rain we've been getting made even the thin branches droop and several were touching the power line. The tree trimming service we usually hire won't cut branches that close to the power line so I got out the manual pole saw yesterday and started cutting them off myself. Standing on the ground, using my full reach and the 14-foot pole, I was able to reach the clump of branches and had successfully cut down six heavy branches that were in the way (not touching the power line, just blocking a clean drop for the ones that were).

In the 99% humidity my safety glasses fogged up so bad I took them off -- I was concerned not being able to see the pole saw flopping around within a foot or two of the power cable. I cut through one of the small branches that was touching the line but instead of falling straight down a few feet from where I was standing, it caught on the TV cable below the power line and the inch-diameter limb did a half gainer with the fat end coming down first and spearing me in my left eye. A few hours with three doctors at the eye specialist group and they were optimistic that the eye would heal without invasive surgery.

I'm mastering the sitting-up sleeping technique the doctors prescribed and after only 24 hours I can see much better. Still looks like everything is coated in Vaseline.

I wiped off most of the blood and changed my clothes before I asked my bride to take me to the doctor. She took care of the blood on my chin before we left -- so I wouldn't scare the receptionist.
EyeShot.jpg
Gee u were lucky there hope it gets better fast ,,
heres a link to dewalt anti fog glasses ,, i have bought two of them still awaiting there arrival
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RKQ1NI/?tag=atomicindus08-20
 
Joined
Sep 12, 2012
Messages
5
Location
Bradenton, FL
.

dirtylawnchair, I am honored that your first post is to kick my procrastinating **** into gear. Welcome to GJ! :thumbup:. I love your Bus. I'll have to talk with ya at Bulli Brigade if you are going this year. I love the patina on yours. I've been told I should keep mine as it is, but I really like to keep my stuff dry when I drive or camp. Too many holes in my body to feel comfortable going rustic. Thanks for posting and keep pushing me.


Also, I have been repainting the inside of the Hideout with new colors and a Gloss Black racing stripe. Here it is almost done. I did replace the sliding doors and painted them as well, but no pix of that yet...
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=208145&d=1347452751[ /IMG]

Till this weekend, thanks for the motivational talk. We all need that once and a while. :thumbup:[/QUOTE]

Your garage is looking nice. You have inspired me to get my shop and home garage up to par so to speak. I will be doing my home work and lurking around GJ before I make any decisions.
No inside pics but here is our "area" 2 bays each 30x30x11 each with a bathroom. Will be done on a budget!
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/dirtylawnchair/November%2055%20Panel/shopday.jpg

Yes, keep the bus as it is patina wise. Just spot fix and paint blend. Once buffed that thing will look incredible. If you want something more "solid" post up on thesamba.com for a trade...you will have people lining up. OG paint is HOT right now. If you are looking to sell PM me. I always have cash for such things;)

I dig the Black and Tan....I love Black and Tans:beer2:
 
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JCQuick

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2008
Messages
4,932
Location
Apopka Fla.
Wingnut notice i was not pushing you on the Bus. BTW go ahead and paint it pay no attention to those patina nuts :lol:
Welcome to the board Dirty :D
 

Shoottx

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2011
Messages
314
Location
Plano Tx
What a no notice trip to DFW? And of course you did not schedule any time for a Dallas area GJ get together. :headscrat

What the heck is up with this, while you may be a Floridian, they still don't understand Southern Hospitality rules. Well bless your heart. (Kinda tongue in cheek)
 
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Wingnut65

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Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
3,170
Location
Tampa Bay, FL
criby1, thanks for the reminder. Safety is always a concern. I like those glasses and the price is right.

dirtylawnchair, 1,800sf shop with TWO bathrooms!? That is the way to get started, Feel free to get lost in the vacuum of GJ as you surf these pages. Do yourself a favor and copy pictures you like to a word document and copy the name of the poster or the thread so you can find it again. I started to 'save as' many of the shots I like, but now I have no idea where I stole them from to get more info. Good luck and feel free to ask as many questions as you want. I might have to come over the Skyway and track you down to ask some technical VW questions. As for my Bus, my parents bought it brand new in June of 1965. So this is still considered a one family owner and I think my brothers may like a chance before I sell it. But I'd rather have it drivable first.

Thanks JCQuick for not pushing, but there are other motivational typers here that will stay on my case. As for the paint VS patina, no decisions yet. I'd really like to preserve it and remove all rust, but a patina finish could be done a lot faster. Then I could work on the body.... mind is still thinking on that one...

ShootTx, sorry for the FlyBy, but it was a quick one for me too. Client bought me airfare, picked me up at the airport at 8am, inspected two ALF's and dropped me off at DFW at 3 pm. Lunch was even in the car between the buildings. My relatives didn't even know I was in town, so don't take it personally. I need to plan a longer visit to meet the Dallas GJers. We try, but I think the Southern Hospitality stays in Georgia. We have more of the Latin Influence in these parts of Florida.
 

flybefree

Well-known member
Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
1,111
Location
Ohio/Kentucky
Jeff,

I am excited to see work start on the bus, should be epic.

Bob, some guys read this stuff over breakfast...wow, bet that stung. Hope your eye is going to be ok.

Shaun
 
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Shoottx

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Joined
Jan 30, 2011
Messages
314
Location
Plano Tx
Well, I just had to get the appropriate jab in, I was thinking about a trip to see FiFi in here home. The invitation stands for the next trip. Of course Texas hospitality is just a little different than Georgia's we always add Mesquite smoke and Jalapenos :eyecrazy:
 

Omphaloskeptic

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 11, 2008
Messages
2,346
Location
Ultima Ratio, Wa.
WingNut65, considering that you've been 'assigned' a $hitload of 'homework' on the VW by your friendly fellow GJ members, it's only fair to you that you should be allowed to indulge in a shop related field trip! :rocker:

You are hereby authorized to travel to the next Bulli Brigade gathering. There will be no bus transportation provided (unless you buy one while there, heh:D-heh:D). A (VW) box lunch will not be provided, but you are encouraged to imbibe your favorite beverage while roaming the grounds in order to maintain adequate hydration.

Upon returning from said field trip, we here at GJ fully expect a finely detailed written report (ne: Post), replete with pictures of the flora and fauna (female) found at the event.

P.S. - If you are questioned by your 'Guidance Counselor' as to the wisdom of this trip, just tell her that this trip is quite necessary in order to do the proper RESEARCH for your school year project - 'THE REBIRTH OF KOOL' or as an alternate working title, 'What I did AFTER My Summer Vacation'! :bounce:
 

Bob Heine

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Oct 24, 2009
Messages
10,703
Location
Boca Raton, Florida
Thanks to all for the wishes for a speedy recovery.
Oooouuuuchhhh! That looks like it hurts. I'll say a prayer for full healing and a quick recovery. Those safety glasses are there for a reason. But I'm sure you are kicking yourself over that already, so I won't add any salt to the wound. I have several pairs of glasses in my shop so I can be sure to find one and in case one gets too fogged up from our famous humidity.

I am on our Disaster Relief Team at Church and on our chainsaw crew. We won't go near a tree with a power line though it. There a companies with bucket trucks or other equipment that can go up and thin a tree out and tie off branches as they cut them. It might be worth the investment to have that tree thinned before the next one blows our way.


I know that more injuries happen after a storm than during one. And I will take this as a reminder to myself to be very careful.


On the bright side, I'm glad to hear that palm fronds and excess pool water is all the damage you had. I really feel for those in Louisiana right now.

Wingnut65: Thanks for the prayer. I think the adrenaline masked the initial pain -- the worst pain came later. I made a bad decision and it looks like I’ll pay a price. Considering I’ve already invested $5,000 for multiple trimmings of this particular tree, it was a penny-wise choice.

Bob - I've been doing that all too often lately, but your post is a good reminder for all of us to take a moment the deal with the foggy glasses rather than go without them. The eyes are too precious to be risking their safety.
Shopnut: According to my wife I’m hyperactive. I hope the longer than expected recovery will slow me down a bit. When I get in that zone where a little job is standing in the way of the more fun or larger job, I seem to mess up. I commend you for farming out your tree removal.

Bob, I hope your eye is healing well and you are taking time to relax. There are plenty more storms to come...
attachment.php
Wingnut65: Looking forward to the storms -- cleanups will be more leisurely and thoughtful. I see your new paint theme is carried over to your storm shutters. Nice touch on an ugly necessity in Florida.

Gee u were lucky there hope it gets better fast ,,
heres a link to dewalt anti fog glasses ,, i have bought two of them still awaiting there arrival
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RKQ1NI/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Criby1: Thanks for the link. I’ve ordered two pair of those goggles, along with three pair of tinted safety glasses for better outdoor safety. They will replace some of the scratched ones in my collection. I probably need to get some plastic polish to clean up the four face shields as well.

Bob, some guys read this stuff over breakfast...wow, bet that stung. Hope your eye is going to be ok.
Flybefree: Sorry about the photo. My middle-aged daughter is framing the picture for the guys in the materials lab she manages. I suggested the caption: “Has anybody seen my safety glasses?”

Update: Just got back from two more eye doctor visits. This last one is the fifth doctor to look at the eye. He’s a very young Harvard graduate (he could pass for one of my grandkids) with experience surgically treating injuries like mine. The impact from the branch cut the outer membrane on the eye but that’s healed up nicely. The impact also dislodged the artificial lens implant in the eye. It also caused a tear in the wall separating the lens capsule from the main part of the eye, allowing vitreous fluid to leak into the front area around the lens, causing some haziness in my vision. In addition, the impact tore some of the muscle that controls the size of the pupil, which is now constantly dilated. When the doctor told me it was a sphincter muscle, I told him it was no surprise that I was a bigger than average *******. Note to self – do not say stuff like that to someone whose finger is real close to your eyeball.

My vision is improving and even though all five doctors are surgeons, none of them want to whip out their scalpels yet. It has only been two weeks and a couple of days and I can see well enough to drive again so it’s going to be steroid drops for another two weeks and then another round of tests. Apparently the young surgeon can open the eye up, sew the lens back in place and put some sutures though the sphincter muscle to force additional contraction – if eye drops don’t work. I’m rooting for the drops.
 

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don long

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 31, 2012
Messages
8,841
Location
southern california
Wingnut

I found your thread last nite and finished reading up on you and your place today
What a transformation the garage is looking very good, your use of space is a mind blower for me.
like everyone else I will be watching for the bus pic's

Don

ps spent my honeymoon in alaska several years ago, beautiful!!!
 
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Wingnut65

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Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
3,170
Location
Tampa Bay, FL
Thanks, Don for taking the time catching up on the Salt Life Hideout. Hope it wasn't a wasted weekend. I still haven't been able to catch up on your incredible shop with all your cool toys of all sizes. :bowdown: Those street scenes are amazing and very well done. :thumbup: The reason I have to be so creative with all cabinets is that I have a hard time throwing things away and now I need to find places to store everything. But I also like it to look clean. That is why I created those cabinets to cover the water heater, A/C and ductwork and use some otherwise dead space. The rest of the shop will be a little tricky to get everything in.

As for progress on the Bus, well, it didn't go far this weekend. Mrs W. reminded me of a seminar at church on Saturday that we had signed up for and got home around 3, first driving lesson with the twins then out to dinner and we Saturday was gone. I did get to repaint the stripe on the sliding cabinet doors. Sunday was a service project for church which resulted in me bringing home a wooden sliding rocker that was broken and I spent all afternoon rebuilding it. Second driving lesson and dinner and the weekend is gone. Now I have to make up the lost time this week in the evenings. Progress must be made!

Bob, Not sure if I ever knew a Poster Child before, but having your daughter make one for her work sounds like making lemonade out of your lemon. Glad to see and hear that you are healing well. Keep resting and get better.

ADD...
And thanks, Bob, for noticing the paint continuation on the hurricane panels. When I finished the rest of the stripe, that wide strip of aluminum with the ladders next it really broke up the view I was looking for. That, and the fact that those panels are all that is visible when we have two cars in the garage, so they needed something to bring the paint and stripe to the door. Mrs. Wingnut thinks I'm crazy for wasting that much time painting the panel, but she agrees it looks nice. I'm still deciding if I want to paint the other bigger panel or put a cover over them...
 
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Red Leader

Well-known member
Joined
May 15, 2011
Messages
2,688
Location
Denver, CO
Jeff,

Just wanted to stop by and say hi:) Hope all is well at the Hideout. I'm slowly trying to get back in the game and get caught up to speed on everyone's garages but its going to take a little time.

I'm sending you good wishes, warm thoughts and happy garage fairies (lol) your way for your next adventure!

:thumbup:

-Dave
 
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Wingnut65

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Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
3,170
Location
Tampa Bay, FL
Thanks, Dave for checking in and rattling my cage. I know you and everyone else here can't wait to see your floor finished with the wood trim in place. That 4-way miter will look perfect. Take your time catching up with GJ. We will be here, but time spent with family is more important.

Thanks for the thought's, O! The gray hair has been getting thicker the past couple years, but mainly due to a couple projects with a high maintenance client committee. The girls are doing well with Driving 101. They are getting some drive time in Driver's Ed and have noted that some of our time practicing has helped them in class. No cones down with the serpentine course!

I just went through all my photos that I still need to post and realize how far behind I am with updates. So, I guess it is time for a teaser...

Hideout Update...
(As I type this, I realize how many photos that I don't have to show yet, so use your imagination...)

- The Smithy Lathe is back together and in working order. No project has been started yet.

- Sliding door cabinet has been cleaned out by filling to capacity the two newly built cabinets at the A/C and Water Heater.

- Additional Above-Door shelves have been built over both garage doors (24' long for stuff!)

- With storage available, the Bus has been cleaned out and most things put away. Some went to a garage sale and the remainder went to Goodwill.

- I spent last week cleaning my 1999 Craftsman 6-1/8" Planer to sell at the neighborhood garage sale on Saturday. I realized that I have not used it in over 3 years and I could really use the space. I cleaned it up to perfect condition, but it didn't sell. I'm thinking Craig's List now.

And now for the Bus Update...

I had a Revelation a couple weeks ago about the undertaking of a complete restoration and the time and expenses needed. I do want to get this back into show-quality condition, but right now, I just want to drive it. And this would be a good start to get the girls to learn stick shift.

So, I have reversed my focus on the Bus. Now it is
#1 - Get it Drivable.
#2 - Drive it and enjoy it (during non-rainy days)
and then time and money permits,
#3 - Work on the rust and interior restoration.

I'd like to have the the suspension lowered during the 'Get it Drivable' if the expense isn't that much. The new engine and transaxle will need to be future wish-list items. Which means Step 1 will include an engine rebuild. Front floor board replacement will be part of Step 1 as well since the Swiss Cheese floor won't last long.

So, with that, here is the teaser photo from last night


Also, I did not make it to the NSRA SE Nationals in Tampa this weekend due to a sick spouse and having to staff the grage sale. But since IGO2XS wan't planning on being there, I didn't push the issues with the Mrs. I guess my daughter and I will have to hit the Monster Garage to meet up with Mark.
 
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Foxxtrot

Well-known member
Joined
May 23, 2011
Messages
100
Location
Huntersville, NC
Just realized I had never commented in your thread, although I have lurked here from time to time. Looking good!:thumbup: I really like the floor and the "Shopnut" way of creating storage space in areas that most people don't pay attention to. I really like the cabinet space around the a/c and water heater. Did you ever add vent holes to the water heater cabinet? I know here in NC we have to add a fresh air inlet if the WH ends up in a closet.
Also, I feel for you with the twins driving....I have a 19yo and 18yo, and the insurance hike was a shock.:shocking: They share a Volvo and I would have thought it would have been cheaper with the "safest car in the world".:)
Keep at it! Can't wait to see pics of the bus driving around!
 

JCQuick

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Joined
Nov 29, 2008
Messages
4,932
Location
Apopka Fla.
Hey wingnut let me know when your going to jump on that motor. I'll tell you a few things about lots of junk out there these days. Can't be to carefull
 
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Wingnut65

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Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
3,170
Location
Tampa Bay, FL
Foxxtrot, thanks for jumping into the Hideout. If you are lurking on the sidewalk, you should feel free to come on in. No, I haven't added any additional vents yet since I haven't closed in the bottom and the top still has a 1" gap to the ceiling. So the current 27 square inch net free area should work fine for now. Any louver I put on would be less than that. As for the new twin drivers, I hear you on the insurance. My girls don't understand the higher rates. We may ask them to pay some of it so they can appreciate the driving privilege.

Thanks for the offer JCQuick. I will definitely be in touch. I thought I knew exactly where I wanted to get one until I read the reviews on Samba. I figure I need to ask a lot more questions before deciding. Same goes for the ******. Till then, I have an existing engine and ****** that will get a good going over. It has been 25 years at least since I tore a VW engine down, but I'm ready to try it again. I did hook up a 6V battery charger and got most of the lights to work. No noise from the starter, so I have some work ahead of me. BTW, you coming to the Bug Jam?
 

JCQuick

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2008
Messages
4,932
Location
Apopka Fla.
Thanks for the offer [B said:
JCQuick[/B]. I will definitely be in touch. I thought I knew exactly where I wanted to get one until I read the reviews on Samba. I figure I need to ask a lot more questions before deciding. Same goes for the ******. Till then, I have an existing engine and ****** that will get a good going over. It has been 25 years at least since I tore a VW engine down, but I'm ready to try it again. I did hook up a 6V battery charger and got most of the lights to work. No noise from the starter, so I have some work ahead of me. BTW, you coming to the Bug Jam?

I'm not much of a samba person. but I do know the VW yes I will be at Bug Jam ina working capacity sell **** I would really not want to sell.:lol_hitti
I'll send you a pm with more info
 

shopnut

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2006
Messages
4,237
Location
Florida
So, I have reversed my focus on the Bus. Now it is
#1 - Get it Drivable.
#2 - Drive it and enjoy it (during non-rainy days)
and then time and money permits,
#3 - Work on the rust and interior restoration.
Now you're talking :thumbup: It all starts with a plan. Getting it drivable will get you psyched up about it and then the desire to make it better will come soon after (along with that time and money, hopefully :)). Good luck with it.
 

IGO2XS

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2012
Messages
1,415
Location
Sarasota, FL
OnStands.jpg


Also, I did not make it to the NSRA SE Nationals in Tampa this weekend due to a sick spouse and having to staff the grage sale. But since IGO2XS wan't planning on being there, I didn't push the issues with the Mrs. I guess my daughter and I will have to hit the Monster Garage to meet up with Mark.


Yes you will have to hit the Monster Garage!! Oh, by the way I dont know if you noticed but you really have a flat tire:lol:
 
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Wingnut65

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
3,170
Location
Tampa Bay, FL
Yes you will have to hit the Monster Garage!! Oh, by the way I don't know if you noticed but you really have a flat tire:lol:

Thanks Mark! I soon realized that they all were flat as I started to drag the bus onto the trailer and all I could think was that the song was wrong... The wheels on the Bus DON'T go round and round! They are rusted solid and all are flat. And, I will take you up on the visit before too long.

I was thinking of you shopnut as I made my abbreviated To-Do List. I now have all four flattened wheels off the Bus! I started on the right front brake drum to find it is rusted solid to the brakes. It is getting too late tonight to pound on a brake drum. The steering is loose. It looks like the front end won't take too much to get back into shape. But I did find an 8d cotter pin in one of the rear wheels! :lol:

JCQuick, I will get in touch beforehand and look you up at the Jam. When I changed my focus, I got into the research mode. First finding out what I have on my Bus, and, Second, on the web what parts I need to replace or want to upgrade. I've been on Samba as a resource and the members have strong opinions over certain products and engine builders. I've been a member of Samba since for over five years, but I've only posted maybe 5 times. (GJ keeps me too busy) Ultimately, I want a 3-1/2" dropped spindles and dropped spring plates, new engine, possible a 2010 cc and a ****** with freeway flyer gear to keep up with traffic. There was one single cab at the Bulli Brigade last year that had a Type 4 engine with a Porsche ****** and he said he was holding 80 all the way down here from NY. I'm interested in anything that won't slow down going over a bridge. :thumbup:
 

dittle fart around

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 9, 2011
Messages
2,455
Location
Vancouver, Washington, USA
I thought I knew exactly where I wanted to get one until I read the reviews on Samba. I figure I need to ask a lot more questions before deciding. Same goes for the ******. Till then, I have an existing engine and ****** that will get a good going over.

As far as being addictive, the only site worse than here is the Samba.
Here's my thread on Samba if your interested.
 

machine_punk

Well-known member
Joined
May 14, 2011
Messages
2,540
Location
Napa Valley, California
Yay! Happy to see you updating us on projects again!

I've always sort of wanted a volkswagon bus, or at least some sort of 'forward control' van. I finally got one while I was in Japan (just outside of Tokyo) for 3 years. Got myself an old Toyota van. They have the raised-roof versions there. I really enjoyed that little van. Drove well, you could put a pile of people and things in there, lotsa fun to drive.

View media item 24747
Are you planning to keep the same colors (red & white?)

BTW, I agree with your current plan...every year your van sits in the garage is another year you are not driving it...'perfect' looks are great, but there is more to this adventure on planet Earth than perfect objects. I'll bet the time learning to drive in the van will be treasured memories for the girls.

Kev
 
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don long

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 31, 2012
Messages
8,841
Location
southern california
Hey Wingnut
Heres a note for you
Ever since I read thru your thread I am seeing v.w. busses every where and always reflect back to yours sitting in the corner in some of your early posts

Just thought I'd share
Don
 
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Wingnut65

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
3,170
Location
Tampa Bay, FL
d.f.a., thanks for the link. I will be referencing your experiences as I work on mine. I agree for you to keep the truck and enjoy it. (I guess I hadn't posted 5 times yet. Post 1 is up.)

m_p, thanks Kev. A friend of mine in college had the same Toyota van and we could pack them in. Glad you liked the 'up front' driving experience. It is hard to explain to my wife and kids and I look forward to showing it to them.

As for the color, I believe it will be red and white. The actual color of my Bus is 'Sealing Wax Red' and 'Beige Grey', but I really like the way the brighter reds look. More like this:


Instead of this original Sealing Wax Red restoration:


Thanks Don for thinking of me. VW Busses are classics and really stand out on the road. I just look forward to having this one back on the road. (And I only found one empty mouse nest in the engine compartment during tear down...)
 
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Joined
Sep 12, 2012
Messages
5
Location
Bradenton, FL
Instead of this original Sealing Wax Red restoration:
DSC_0716.jpg

I know the gentleman who owns this bus in Ohio (Brad) and this is not original sealing wax red. The bus is a very rare model camper and very complete but it has been resprayed through the years. This bus is often referred to as the pink bus.

This is my bus and original paint Sealing Wax Red:
IMG_2656.jpg

IMG_2787.jpg


Stay original colors....original NEVER goes out of style and will hold more value.
 
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