The Almost 10 by Almost 15

[Squashfest81]

Came upon this 70’s Schwinn Speedster. I would have passed on it, but check out the cool speedo! Yup, that’s going on the new tandem.
The Speedster is in great shape for her age, so I guess I’ll keep her around. She’s a Sturmey Archer 3 speed rear, which is cool. Original tires too.

 

[Squashfest81]

Messed with the speedo after sucking leaves with the mower for a couple hours.
Got her cleaned up enough to figure out the mounting. Had to drill out the center to accommodate the larger axle from the newer aluminum wheels.
Next is to pry the fork apart enough to mount the speedo gear mechanism!

 

[340wedge]

I had that exact speedometer on my 1979 Ross Apollo 5 speed. Nice find!

 

[Squashfest81]

Very cool 340! Where’s the Apollo now?
Got her out on the bike path. She’s quite the looker, but I obviously need a friend!

 

[Squashfest81]

Look who’s doing almost 9 miles per hour!

 

[Strouty]

Speed demon!

 

[Squashfest81]

Strouty, just imagine the speeds we could reach together? Like 70, I bet!
The kiddos have been watching this YouTube artist guy Bobby Duke. Highly recommended.
Anyway, we made some cats. Yes, cats.

 

[Strouty]

I bet we could hit 88 MPH and visit the future.

What is the middle cat made of?

 

[Squashfest81]

Middle cat is PVC trim.
Finally got the generator back together. She spins, now for the next stages of getting her running and making electricity.
Saved this sweet Croquet caddy today. Finally the set can escape the confines of the bag and be enjoyed!

 

[Squashfest81]

I’ve had this 4in thick tree slice for years. Last year I decided to toss it up on the bandsaw, broke the blade. Just too big and hard for my machine.
This year I’m making another attempt. Going for a Christmas Tree for the wife. Tried a few test cuts with the jigsaw and some new longer blades. Nope, too much drift. Decided to stick with straight cuts and the skil saw. 5 cuts on one side and 2 on the other at 1/2in depth. Next up is to work the stem of this 21in tall 4in thick tree.

 

[Strouty]

Looks like a nice chunk of wood, will be a cool Christmas Tree when you get done.

 

[Squashfest81]

Making progress on the tree. Dragged the kiddos to Harbor Freight to pick up some sanding supplies. I’ve been meaning to pick up a sanding setup for the grinder, which I did, but I just had to treat myself to one of these. Anyone tried it? It’s oddly smooth and will be a fine addition to the grinder tools.

 

[HotWire]

I came for the shed, but stayed for the bike projects!

I’ve worked as a professional bike mechanic on multiple occasions and my wife and I have many bikes and bike projects.

I’ll be checking back regularly. Cheers!


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Squashfest81]

That chainsaw grinder is highly recommended. Not nearly as rough as I expected. Used it to quickly remove material to flatten the tree sides and then smooth with the sander. Seriously, I’m thinking it’s the gift of the season!
Here she is all sanded. Look at that grain and cracking!

 

[Strouty]

Very cool for sure.

 

[Squashfest81]

The wife has planned an ornament swap for Christmas. If you are coming to Christmas, you need to bring an ornament.
I was thinking something oceany and the wife was rattling off sea creatures last night for ideas.
The start of the traditional reclaimed southern yellow pine shark ornament.

 

[BoilermakerFan]

That's a BIG ornament!

 

[Squashfest81]

I obviously struggle with scale. Tiny shed, oversized shark ornament.

 

[Squashfest81]

I really need to get back on the generator. The old starter, that I thought was good, was not up to the task. The new starter has arrived. Also ordered a carb as they are silly cheap. Decided to go with a duel fuel unit. I’ve got 2 30lb propane tanks on the camper, 2 20lb tanks for the grill, and a tall 90? on the house. Hopefully that all works out.
Anyone with experience or thoughts on going duel fuel? Will I regret it?

 

[Squashfest81]

Grabbed the blow molded drawers out of a Craftsman 240 piece socket set that I thought would be a good way to organize and consolidate my socket sets.
I am aware that I am far from a “complete” set, but wow, there are a ton of empty spots. Need to make a list of Craftsman USA sizes to order.

 

[Strouty]

PM me the list, I can probably fill a bunch of it for you.

 

[Squashfest81]

Got the new starter in the genny. She spins and sputters! Had to stop to get my wings in for the game.
Next is to toss on the duel fuel carb....
Strout, thanks for the offer. I’ll get that list together. No rush.

 

[Strouty]

Sounds good, glad the starter seems like it will work.

 

[Squashfest81]

Pulled the old carb off and started to clean and prep for the new. Things were looking good until I slid the new carb over the posts and clunk. Propane deal hits the coolant line. Little head scratching and we clock that propane thing over on it’s bracket. All clear. Hmmm? That governor linkage won’t just hook up. After consulting with a buddy I’ll modify the mount. Hopefully tomorrow.

 

[captain14]

Did you ever finish the Xmas tree for your wife?’

I remember those speedometers. Had one on my one speed Huffy. Bought it at Sears.

 

[Squashfest81]

Finished for XMass, Captain. The tree was a score! Here it is. 4 coats of poly with a final coating of wax. The grain and checking give a great look.
The speedo just looks so right on the yellow tandem.

 

[Farmall450]

Post your list, I probably can help out with the sockets too

 

[Squashfest81]

Farmall, thanks for the offer! I think Strout is helping out with a few and then I’ll update and post a wanted list.
Brought in a buddy with some more knowledge to mess with the genny. Worked through some issues and determined we needed to adjust the timing. Not sure why it was so off... I’ll talk to my father. Little YouTubing to figure out the timing issue and she runs. Like runs nice! Even makes power. I’m excited.

 

[Strouty]

I haven't shipped them yet, they are sitting on my coffee table waiting for me to get to the Post Office, I promise I will ship them this month...

 

[Squashfest81]

Not worried Strout, thanks.
Need to drop my skis off to get tuned tomorrow and hopefully get over to the electric supply place to talk genny cord ends.
Should be close to 60 degrees, so the kiddos and I plan to go magnet fishing with the magnet lines I put together for Christmas. Anyone magnet fish?

 

[Strouty]

OK, what is magnet fishing?

 

[Squashfest81]

Magnet fishing is just another thing that YouTube has shown me really exists. The kiddos have found these dudes, on YouTube, that magnet fish. Huge following, so it’s an actual thing. They pull up all kinds of cool stuff.
Here are ours. About 65ft of paracord and a decent magnet. Fingers crossed for that pic of us pulling up some sweet plomb pebble adjustable wrench...

 

[captain14]

Is the attachment point of the magnet glued to the round eyelet?

Post pics of the catches or it didn’t happen!

 

[Squashfest81]

The eyes are threaded in. The cord is tied and a couple zip ties for security.
Not sure how this will all turn out! Definitely pics of our catches.

 

[driftpin]

You never-know what you're gonna find. I think it was Car and Driver, years ago, wrote an article about a NYC area tow truck who did something similar with a grappling hook. He hooked a Ferrari! I suppose it was stolen and then dumped in the water. Depending on what model it was, that could be a very lucrative endeavor, even if it was for parts. Of course, the duration of immersion would have something to do w/it.

 

[Strouty]

That was my first thought, but then I figured there was something else that was going to happen. Good luck, hope you catch some Plomb or Proto Los Angeles fish.

 

[Squashfest81]

Look what the boy pulled in!

 

[Strouty]

You’re on fire!

 

[Squashfest81]

Driftpin. Heard a story in town, before we moved in and started this thread, that a large sailboat came in to dock and ripped open its keel right off the wharf. Divers were sent down to assess the damage. The divers also located the cause. A tow truck was called in to pull the 80’s Porsche 944 out. No one knew it was there.

 

[Squashfest81]

Tweaked the socket drawer. Used some red foam that came out of a different box I had which matches the red craftsman organizers really well. Added the area for 3/8 drive tools, small spot for 1/2, and filled in a couple of those big empty spots in the organizers.
This leaves 2ft of drawer off to the left to get the rest of the socket stuff figured out.
Next up is the wrench drawer.