The Derelict Garage rides again!!!

[ODIS]

Fergus! You are my Hero! Keep it coming and enjoy seeing all that you are doing in your garage. Your efforts give me the motivation to keep my back side in gear.

Thanks for adding to your thread.

Ody.

 

[fergus]

Yay! More bench space!

Not quite...

Fergus! You are my Hero! Keep it coming and enjoy seeing all that you are doing in your garage. Your efforts give me the motivation to keep my back side in gear.

Thanks for adding to your thread.

Ody.

Thanks Ody...but I think it should be the other way around!

After much lag time - the holidays and all...I got back to it. Guess what it is now?




How about now?






Or now?






Say hello to my french cleat wall!

This one has been in the works for a long time. I visited a lumber wholesale yard back in July. Found they had a bunch of plywood strips for $0.50 each. Guess what I found there?






I knew what I was gonna do right then and there. I bought all they had of these strips with miters already cut plus a whole bunch of 3/4 plywood strips...100 in total. Now I've got more than enough material to do the whole back wall up.

So basically, I've got less than $50 in the whole shebang. Got lots more shelves and hooks to build...

 

[fergus]

Made a little hook for my tie downs.

 

[fergus]

Tonight I finished my fishing pole rack... Which I had started a month ago. Sometimes little things take forever.

 

[N0tt0N]

Its my coffee grinder...see above posts

Saw this and all I could think of was, "Poor old Grandma.... I'll miss her." No, DO NOT TURN THAT ON!

 

[quadrcr87]

Just read the whole thread, keep it up your doing a great job!

 

[d money]

,,,Is that it ,, I'm knew here and was soaked by this read , can't wait for more GREAT JOB

 

[fergus]

d money,

NO, that's not it. I've taken a long break from a lot of my projects. Mostly because I've been seriously depressed.

I've debated for a long time about whether to say anything here on the board, but I'm just gonna go for it. :

Depression *****. Big time. I hadn't been able to get myself to do hardly anything that I wanted to do - even fun stuff. Coupled with chronic pain from a a bad old ankle injury and a job where I'm on my feet most of the time, I was really down for the count.

It was all I could do to just hobble to the couch after work each night and pop some ibuprofen chased with a few beers just waiting for the pain to go away. But it just got worse.

I'd finally had enough, so I went to see a specialist for the ankle. He strongly recommended exercise...since the joint is arthritic. What I didn't know is that movement is the best therapy for arthritis. I might still need surgery later...yet to be determined. Anyway...

So I got back on my bicycle. I started riding everyday for the last month and I feel worlds better!!! It's ironic - I broke my ankle on my bike 20 years ago and it's now how I'm healing myself.

At the same time I started a regimen of supplements and certain foods for depression and I'm really starting to feel like my old self again. I chose this route after a decent amount of reading...I found that many herbal (and dietary) remedies were just as effective as prescription meds...without any side effects. PM me if you want more information.

Sorry if I'm getting too personal here...I know most of you don't really know me very well, but I felt that if by posting this here I might be able to help someone, it would be worth it.

Anyway, I'm getting back to projects around here and will have some updates very soon.

 

[Gizmosity]

Ride that bike!

While I didn't get on mine for an ankle injury, I did use it for physical therapy after breaking all my ribs on my right side and perforating a lung into Swiss cheese.

It's addictive. One year after starting to ride I took off on an 1800 mile tour and had an absolute blast.

Good for you man. Best mental and physical activity I know of.

 

[ODIS]

So pleased to read your posts again!

Whatever you need to do to get back on track, we will be here to offer support and it looks like you are well on your way! Congratulations!

Please do let us all know of what you did to overcome the issues and in what you did in diet, as well as, enhancing your positive mental attitude.

With warm wishes,

Ody.

 

[tinbender 66]

Good to see you back at it Fergus!! Congrats for meeting your challenges head on and not going the medicated route. Been there and weened myself off that stuff. There are better ways to go and it looks like you've got a handle on it. Looking forward to more from the "derelict"!! Later man.

 

[xtremek]

I expect to hear Gene Aughtry breaking out "I'm back in the Saddle Again" about now. I can't speak to others, but letting us know why you've been out is a good thing. To me, we're kind of a big, weird family here, and it's good to know what's going on in the family. Keep us informed.

 

[Mavawreck]

Glad you are back! Living with chronic pain is no joke, it will have an emotional impact on you. Props for finding positive ways to deal with it.

 

[64 lane]

Fergus, sorry to hear your pain and depression. Many of us understand. I have missed your posts as well. My brother in law has just gone through something similar. Look for a lace up brace you can wear under your shoe. This could possibly help. I think your low impact movement is a great therapy. Good for you, looking at all options for healing. Please realize that you are not alone. People that you have never met, do care. This is a great way to share a small peace of life together. The good and the sad. Best wishes.

 

[madoc1]

so glad you have found some relief for the arthro..my uncle Arthur hit me out of the blue in 2008. took them two months to figure out I had ra.

jim

 

[fergus]

Thanks for all the kind words guys. Makes it worthwhile to "put it out there". I seriously do appreciate it.

 

[fergus]

Fixing the diet part of things is pretty simple. Cashews, bananas and turkey are all foods that help promote good mood/proper serotonin levels. That's pretty easy since I like all those things.

Supplements include St. John's Wort, SAMe, B12 GABA and 5HTP. All are naturally occurring compounds and fairly easy/affordable to obtain. I take most of those twice a day.

Also, I've read that regular exposure to sunlight helps as well, so I typically go sit out in the sun for 20-30 minutes during lunch and read. Sunlight lets our bodies convert Vitamin D to hormone D, which is also important for mental health.

Add in the exercise and you've got a four pronged attack. So far it's working well, I've still got a ways to go though.

 

[Amitygravel]

Fergus !!

Good to have you update us !
Very interesting facts on the diet and supplements , keep that info coming as you go.
Hang in there brother and keep feeding our curiosity as you can.

 

[fergus]

So a neat little surprise my wife found for me. She nabbed it when helping the family clean out one of the old sheds on the property:



That's a blacksmith's vice, or leg vice. Pretty cool right? Trying to figure out where to install it after I get it cleaned up.

 

[fergus]

Oops, forgot she also nabbed this for me:







It's a hand crank blower for a forge...a blacksmith's forge. Its frozen up, but the casting is in good shape. I hit it with some PB Blaster every time I walk by. The way I figure, I'm like 35% of the way towards being able to start practicing blacksmithing! All I need now is the forge and and an anvil. And hammers, and tongs, and a shed to put it all in. Sigh. Okay, maybe like 18% of the way there...

 

[Amitygravel]

Nice scores Fergus.

Keep digging , the anvil may be shoved under something and there's bound to be hammers in the mix too.

 

[rxbert]

Hello Fergus! I am following along with your really awesome project and want to add my kudos to those of others that encouraged you to repair that garage and not to tear it down, I wish I had done the same myself with a previous home that we sold three years back. I'm squarely in the repair it camp with you, instead of the alternative (which I know in some cases is the right way to go).
Anyway I was content to to lurk and all until you stepped up and told us how you've been feeling lately. Which finally motivated me to get off the sidelines and join the conversation, we certainly are a weird little community here on the GJ aren't we?
But a community nevertheless. And we ALL care when one of our brothers is hurting, so keep up the good work (riding). Stay off the big pharma path and take it easy on yourself. After all we are all God's creatures.

 

[timbitca]

So a neat little surprise my wife found for me. She nabbed it when helping the family clean out one of the old sheds on the property:



That's a blacksmith's vice, or leg vice. Pretty cool right? Trying to figure out where to install it after I get it cleaned up.

Nice vice!

Any markings on it? I have a similar one that I'm having trouble identifying

 

[fergus]

Timbitca,

I'll have to look when I get home. It needs cleaned up for sure. Is that a Ford or Massey in your avatar?

Rxbert,
Thanks for the kind words...Its encouraging to hear from strangers and first timers on the thread...its greatly appreciated.

I rode this morning btw...I've noticed time seems to stand still while I"m out on the rides. It's a nice break from "the real world".

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hey Fergus,

I haven't been back to this thread in awhile but I was sorry to hear about your depression issues. I have no magical words of wisdom, I just hope you're feeling better and hell, if some stranger, a few hundred miles away from you can wish you well just because he likes your garage and a few words you've written on the internet, how bad can things be?

When I went through my divorce from my childhood sweetheart and wife of 20 years I spent a couple years being unbelievably down. No, not true clinical depression.. I know there's a difference.

I printed out in large letters a sign that said, "I'm having a WONDERFUL day!" and put it on the wall of my office. It was SO far from true that it would ALMOST make me chuckle in irony. I guess that falls under the "fake it to make it" strategy. Eventually, the fake becomes your habit, your reality. Hope you feel better, Dan

 

[fergus]

Thanks Dan. Sometimes I have to remember that most of life is just about your attitude... What's going on on your head.

I am feeling better. Im at the point where i really want to take all my supplements - its not a chore or a duty - I WANT to feel better.

I've gotten a few things done around the house which have been bugging me.

Added some more French cleat to the garage:

Had to sister some studs

Just an 8 foot section, but I figure I can get all my wood stock up there when I build some hooks and shelves plus all remaining small items up off the floor.

Small victory, but sure looks better.

 

[tinbender 66]

Yay. Good to see you back at it!

 

[xtremek]

Looks great. Keep pushing it.

 

[y'sguy]

Oops, forgot she also nabbed this for me:







It's a hand crank blower for a forge...a blacksmith's forge. Its frozen up, but the casting is in good shape. I hit it with some PB Blaster every time I walk by. The way I figure, I'm like 35% of the way towards being able to start practicing blacksmithing! All I need now is the forge and and an anvil. And hammers, and tongs, and a shed to put it all in. Sigh. Okay, maybe like 18% of the way there...

Fergus So glad to see you back at it again.
I know well of your troubles. It sounds to me that you have taken great action in your favor. Well done my friend. This has been one of my favorite threads from it's beginning, I knew that you could get that garage upright,and look at all that has happened now.

Can't hardley wait to see that Forge come back to life, too. Seems like you might want to try the electrolysis method on that one.
That things gonna be cool! Or I meant hot!

 

[Duct Tape Man]

Just read through all 20 pages and love the progress you've made on your garage. Subscribed, can't wait to see more progress!

 

[timbitca]

Timbitca,

I'll have to look when I get home. It needs cleaned up for sure. Is that a Ford or Massey in your avatar?

Neither

It's a 1964 IH B414 gas powered. Pretty much all original. My grandfather bought it in the early 70's from a farmer who said the engine was dead. Changed the points and it's been running A-1 since then. Has just a little over 3100 original hours on it. Had about 1,000 when my Grandfather bought it so it's lead a pretty simple and easy life blowing snow, tending to our garden and some logging. I expect to have it running for another 50 years or more.

 

[fergus]

Thanks Duct Tape Man.

Timbitca - Cool! I work at an CaseIH dealership, but I've ever seen a 414 before...though I sold a few parts for em. The old tractors were just really good for the most part...they just keep going and going.

 

[fergus]

So I found some more "material" today..,

Remember way back here?

Well I finally figured out what I needed to build with this stuff.

Entertainment center pic by Derelict Garage, on Flickr

I had a stashed a few of these old irrigation gates, or screw gates, as they're called, away a couple years ago.


Entertainment center pic by Derelict Garage, on Flickr

Pulled them all apart

Entertainment center pic by Derelict Garage, on Flickr

Started mocking up


Entertainment center pic by Derelict Garage, on Flickr


Found some more suitable material from some 2x10s I had used before while straightening the garage up.

And...

Entertainment center pic by Derelict Garage, on Flickr

Entertainment center pic by Derelict Garage, on Flickr

BAM! New entertainment center!


Entertainment center pic by Derelict Garage, on Flickr

 

[BuickFarmer]

Gotta admit, when I first saw the gate being torn apart my first thought was "Oh no, what is this dude doing?!!! But when I saw it going together and the final product. AWESOME. That is so cool Fergus!!!!! And for some reason I just know you will find a use for the the other parts, especially the gate itself with the molded in lettering.
again GREAT JOB!!!! thanks for sharing

 

[fergus]

Thanks Buick...
I felt the same way when I started tearing it apart...but it had sat in a field for 30 years.
And I couldn't think of anything even halfway practical to make out of the gate keeping it whole so...

And you're right...I'm already planning what to do with the gate...I"ve got three of them!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Great work on the gate/table it looks fantastic.

 

[tinbender 66]

Good stuff! Your pics have gone missing but I saw them yesterday. Perfect use for that stuff.

 

[fergus]

Ah ****. Think I hit my bandwidth limit on photobucket. Anybody tell me what the next free option is? I already have Flikr.

 

[HOTFR8]

Ah ****. Think I hit my bandwidth limit on photobucket. Anybody tell me what the next free option is? I already have Flikr.

Host a few here on the forum.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Ah ****. Think I hit my bandwidth limit on photobucket. Anybody tell me what the next free option is? I already have Flikr.

I just had the same issue with my photobucket account and I just bucked up and paid the $20 a year to get unlimited.... The good news is that people are looking at your pictures so you are getting a lot of use out of the photobucket... I have been using photobucket for about 10 years now so I do not mind paying a bit as it was free up till now.

Or if you want you can setup another photobucket account and use that one for free.