Above 1200 Sq/FT Shorty's Shed

[taumac]

I have another rule about 3's. On any project I quit for the day after the second blood-letting 'cause the third one almost always involves stitches. Stitching me up wastes the rest of the day.

You have had some of those.

 

[shortykorte]

Lol Bob. For me stitches are usually the first incident.

 

[taumac]

I'm lucky to only have gotta 5 in all my time of working the garage. LOL

 

[xtremek]

So was it the toilet? Sounds like no fun.

 

[shortykorte]

So was it the toilet? Sounds like no fun.

I think it might be a combination of a partially clogged line and the flapper not dropping back down. I know what is causing the flapper issue but I need to run a snake to ensure line is clear.

 

[shortykorte]

Not much happening here. I did finally get the MaxJax lift filled with fluid and I'm testing/bleeding it. Works really well but it is left lifts a little low. I guess more bleeding. I need to put a vehicle on it to see if the added pressure will bleed the air out.

 

[shopnut]

I'm still thinking about the MaxJax for a semi-permanant lift solution in my center bay. Keep us updated.

Sorry to hear about the water problem, btw. Makes me want to go home and check on the toilet!

 

[shortykorte]

Thanks Shopnut. I thought I would try waterfront property like you.

With the 3 day weekend, I hope to have the MaxJax fully tested.

 

[shortykorte]

It's been awhile but with some prodding I though I should post some updates.

Since my last post was on testing my MaxJax, here are the results. This is the post that I mentioned earlier that might fail. Sure enough the hole was too big and the epoxy wasn't spread well enough. I'm glad I found this prior to using. I'm going to move the lift closer to the door and make sure the holes are right and use epoxy. The other side is fine. Oh well, another project done, another project back on the list.

 

[1/2 Cup]

That's a shame that the fixing didn't work out for you shorty. As you say better now than later.

Regards

 

[shortykorte]

The great news is with inspiration from you and my other GJ friends, I'm motivated to get it right.

 

[shortykorte]

Since June, I've been to Orlando three times, Texas twice, and San Diego. I've also started cleaning out my ol' bachelor pad. For the last couple of years I've been using it for my storage shed. I'm trying to get it ready to sell. One thing I hated to sale was my 20ft shipping container. This thing made a great little shop. But hey, more tools right?

 

[shortykorte]

Like they say "Two steps forward, one step back". After replacing my water pump last year, guess who gets to replace it again. The back plate rusted through on that one, and so did this one. My fault for not giving the system a good flush. I would say the metal in the new pumps must really be prone to rusting. Since the old one was so ate up, I painted (w/ caliper paint) the inside of the new plate for longer life.

 

[shortykorte]

A little shop time. I was using several found items to store my fluids, oil, etc. The Texaco cabinet is from our Texaco station (73-78) and was used in my last shop to store paint. Since I have 3 more of the grey cabinets like I posted earlier, I thought I would clean up this corner. Also, repurposed my old floor mats as liners inside the cabinet.

 

[shortykorte]

When I was moving the cabinet from the loft, some of the shelves slipped out and crashed to the floor. (Remember 2F-1B ) As a blessing in disguise, I used this opportunity to try some simple metalworking. Out came the new HF hammer and dolly set. I think I will enjoy metal shaping.

 

[shortykorte]

Since I'm on a roll, here is a peak at my new toy. The radiator blew on the way home. Good news is I needed a radiator. Bad news, looks like I also cracked a head or blew a head gasket getting it home. (2F-1B)

It is called an order picker and I'm going to use it primarily as an elevator and to service my high bay lights. Since it is rated for 3000lbs, I can use it for numerous things. Since I didn't know about the brake release, you can call me and my friend Dumb and Dumber.

 

[shortykorte]

To help drag 4000 lb hunk of metal off the trailer, I used the wife's mule. Surprisingly after a couple of tugs, we got it almost off, then used the poor Tahoe to pull the trailer out the rest of the way. The dead battery pack weighs 770 lbs so I put the mule to work again. I've figured out the battery setup (24v) and got it charged but I'm having issues with getting the picker to work. It is flashing an error code but I have no manuals.

 

[shortykorte]

….and on a side note, guess who figured out how to release the drive wheel brake after all this fun.

 

[taumac]

Wow, it's good thing you caught that problem with the lift. That could have been a really bad day. Sounds like you have had a few exciting months. All forward progress even though 2 steps forward and one back. It's gets F@cCKING HOT outside and try to do way to much in short matter of time and tend to make mistakes. I'm just guilty as everyone else. All are lessons learned and as long you didn't lose limbs and permanent marks to show for it you /me get to do this whole garage/ shed addiction we all love to do.

 

[jbmatth]

Great to see you reporting on your progress again, that stinks about the head issues, perhaps you'll get it figured out and it won't be too bad. Good news is that Chevy engine is about the most common engine you could have so there are plenty of them out there if you have to replace the whole thing.
JB

 

[xtremek]

I may steal the used floor mat idea, very good idea. And I love that you used a Benz as a tow vehicle. I find that hilarious and cool.

 

[shortykorte]

Thanks all for stopping by.
Gerard, it's a right of passage to have permanent marks. Shows you're doing something. Totally agree on not giving up limbs. Yes it's been hot, damn hot.

JBMatth. True there are a lot of options. Repair, replace with remanf. or swap in a LS. I bet a AC Cobra engine would fit.

xtremek I just had to share the mule. You gotta do what you gotta do, right? At least I have something to drive while Tahoe and Valkyrie get repaired.

 

[jbmatth]

Shorty,
Getting an AC Cobra engine is just a phone call away, just think of how much "fun" it would be getting all of the GM stuff to work on the Ford engine.
JB

 

[shopnut]

That order picker is going to be handy. Man and Material lift in one. I could think of 1001 uses. Great find! Did you find some manuals for it yet?

 

[shortykorte]

Most definitely a lot of uses.

Yes I did find manuals. Very generous individual on a forklift forum hooked me up. Definitely need them since I have an error code. I think one of the bidders might have tamper with the unit. I got it inside so I can plug in the battery pack and start tracing the wiring. Hopefully it will be an unplugged connectors like some I've found already.

 

[joe--h]

I was going to buy new tin and age it chemically. When I went to get some j-channel for the tin, then had a pile of used corrugated tin so time for a little decor enhancement. I used the degreaser in the purple bottle to age the j-channel. It is corrosive like the Lysol cleaner and worked like a charm. No rust but it looks old and used.

Shorty, I have a question re the galvanized. That is the strip behind the signal light? And you squirted it with degreaser which ate the finish?

What kind of degreaser and any tricks to getting that old look?

Thanks, Joe H

 

[shortykorte]

Joe--h
The 16" tall strip is old weathered galvanized tin roofing that I brought from a local metal roofing company. While there I had them make new 10' sticks of galv. J-channel. I used Super Clean undiluted to age the j-channel. It's really up to you how you apply it. I sprayed the entire piece, hitting it heavy in spots. Let that sit until you see it start etching. Then I used a brush to spread it evenly and let it set until I liked it. Once done, I used Simple Green and water to wash away the Super Clean. Super Clean like some Lysol cleaners, states corrosive on the label and that's what you need. If you have any additional questions let me know

 

[joe--h]

Joe--h
The 16" tall strip is old weathered galvanized tin roofing that I brought from a local metal roofing company. While there I had them make new 10' sticks of galv. J-channel. I used Super Clean undiluted to age the j-channel. It's really up to you how you apply it. I sprayed the entire piece, hitting it heavy in spots. Let that sit until you see it start etching. Then I used a brush to spread it evenly and let it set until I liked it. Once done, I used Simple Green and water to wash away the Super Clean. Super Clean like some Lysol cleaners, states corrosive on the label and that's what you need. If you have any additional questions let me know

I mistook the corrugated rust as what the degreaser had done. But still, worth a shot to try for that look.

Unfortunately doesn't appear to be available locally, I'm in the land of can't get that. Alamogordo NM. If Walmart doesn't have it it's unobtanium.

Joe H

 

[shortykorte]

For Super Clean, try auto parts stores. It is also a decent degreaser. If you can't that, check grocery stores/Walmart for Lysol toilet or tile cleaner that has corrosive on the warning label.

 

[shortykorte]

Besides working, nursing the sick Tahoe, trying to get my old property clean up to sale, I'm still trying to get the order picker operational. The manuals have been invaluable since it has help id other things that have been sabotaged (unplugged). Right now trying to figure out why the limit switches for steering aren't talking to the control board.

 

[shortykorte]

I have been busy clearing out the ol' bachelor pad. Boy I have a lot of stuff. First photo is about a year ago. The second is last weekend. I still have a 7x12 enclosed trailer to empty out.

If you see something you want to buy, I'm having a clearance sale.

 

[shortykorte]

I've decided to move the office upstairs (one day). I have a portable AC which will work better upstairs (exhaust) and I can have a larger office/hang out/man cave. I want to set my futon up and it won't fit in the current office.

I decided to use the first floor office as a clean room and storage. I also put in a re-used wood shelving unit I was going to trash to hold all my small restoration projects and parts.

Here are the before and after photos. The base cabinet will come out this weekend and the frig will come out when the loft office is completed. The counter will be used for wiring/soldering projects or clean work. The white drawers are just set in at the moment. I would like to give them the 1/2 Cup treatment and add SS faces to match the counter top. The blue cabinet will be used elsewhere.

 

[shortykorte]

Here is the wood project holding shelf with some of the items that need some TLC. There's still the coke machine, frig, a matching grinder, signs and a floor DP out in the garage area that needs restoration.

The Lance jar is full of matches my dad collected in the early 70's. Mine are in a box up in the loft. It will be interesting to look through these on day.

 

[taumac]

I like the idea of the office on top and clean room below. Best garage I never seen was a small 2 car but what made it the greatest is that in was super clean. His design was he used main area as a clean area to build cars and behind the main area was a closet or room to store all the unsightly stuff. Ever since then I like the idea of a tool room or storage room to store stuff.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Here is the wood project holding shelf with some of the items that need some TLC. There's still the coke machine, frig, a matching grinder, signs and a floor DP out in the garage area that needs restoration.

The Lance jar is full of matches my dad collected in the early 70's. Mine are in a box up in the loft. It will be interesting to look through these on day.

There is some real nice gear there Shorty.

As Taumac said thats a top idea.

 

[shortykorte]

Spent the weekend getting rid of the crappy factory fence that was on my 80's Craftsman table saw. I got a Vega fence and wow what an upgrade. This thing is nice, solid and I think I can cut something 36" to the right.

On a sour note, I had the same basic saw 5 years ago that I got for free. It too had the **** fence and was on the newer thin metal legs. Because the saw was way to heavy for the legs and the bad fence, I sold it for $30 .

The one above cost me $150 plus the new fence but I'm happy because I can build the Mrs. a nice big shoe rack.

 

[shopnut]

It was great meeting you the other day Shorty. And from a 6 footer who had to look up to you... now I know why they call you Shorty!

I had forgotten your affinity to the antiques until we were in the Garlit's museum and you kept pointing to stuff saying you have of these and one of those. It sounds like you will never run out of projects (just like me!)

Have fun with it all!

 

[shortykorte]

Definitely great to meet you Mark and look forward to a visit to the Asylum.

Yep a lot of projects and no time.

 

[cbacres]

That's some shed there Shorty, can't wait to see when the shop is built.
Enjoyed meeting with you at the museum.
I'm also not use to looking up when speaking to someone ( except from years ago while on my back).

Nice shop, I like the lofts and office space.

Craig

 

[shortykorte]

Thanks. A lot more work to do. I really enjoyed meeting everyone. Still like the idea of a garage tour for those that are in close proximity of each other.

Maybe when you get back to KY you can takes us to the Corvette Museum.