The Old 'Arn Barn

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

OK you have done it now!! I am going to start following you around to see where you shop for all the great tools!!! I will be the guy in the unmarked car you see behind you!!

I love your full array of buildings!!! I would have them ALL converted to shops of one kind or another--mechanic shop, woodworking shop, blacksmith shop, paint and body shop, a smoke house, brewery, whatever I wanted!! LOL

Your a genius on getting those old tools!!

Looking Good!!

Best Regards
Herb

Haha thanks, Herb! I've found that all you have to do is say, "I'm done searching for tools on Craigslist, and I will never buy anything else on Craigslist again." Then ****** the next day (when you get on Craigslist just for the heck of it) there will be a great deal on some kind of tool you just have to have. At least that's how it happened with me!

I like your idea on the different shops. For now, the mechanic and woodworking shop are going to be in the main barn. I've been wanting to do a little blacksmithing and aluminum sand casting, and those would be perfect to do in the smaller shed. Now you've got me thinking! Haha!

I love your old 'arn barn. I am jealous for the nostalgic feel of an older place, and the antique tools and equipment are awesome. Unfortunately I've had to start a new 'arn barn thread.

Thanks! It looks like you've got a great start on yours. I'll be keeping an eye on it to see your progress. I'm liking that little JD and woods mower...I bet that is pretty nice combo.

 

[Mr. 360]

Man, how many buildings do you have? this place is the business! Seems you and I are cut from the same cloth on, well pretty much everything I've seen on here so far. Having grown up on a farm too I've always loved poking around for old tools, cars, iron, etc. Seems almost every farm has a collection of old cars, trucks, tools, and equipment.

I really like that open shed that runs along the side of the main building. I've been thinking of building something similar for a few old jeeps on my family's farm. Mill up a few heavier posts and beams with a gravel floor, then side it with slab wood and some salvaged steel roofing.

I think you could fit a lift in there, I've seen loads of guys here pop up a section of the ceiling for low roofs, etc. I dont know about down your way, but I've watched for a few years now for used lifts. Seems around here a decent used unit can be had for $1-2k. I've always thought a lift is one of those pieces of equipment that really sets a place apart from the rest of us who lie on our backs on the driveway.

Great space(s), I'll be watching this one for sure, so much cool stuff going on here. And good call on naming the place, kinda gives it a personality.

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

Man, how many buildings do you have? this place is the business! Seems you and I are cut from the same cloth on, well pretty much everything I've seen on here so far. Having grown up on a farm too I've always loved poking around for old tools, cars, iron, etc. Seems almost every farm has a collection of old cars, trucks, tools, and equipment.

I really like that open shed that runs along the side of the main building. I've been thinking of building something similar for a few old jeeps on my family's farm. Mill up a few heavier posts and beams with a gravel floor, then side it with slab wood and some salvaged steel roofing.

I think you could fit a lift in there, I've seen loads of guys here pop up a section of the ceiling for low roofs, etc. I dont know about down your way, but I've watched for a few years now for used lifts. Seems around here a decent used unit can be had for $1-2k. I've always thought a lift is one of those pieces of equipment that really sets a place apart from the rest of us who lie on our backs on the driveway.

Great space(s), I'll be watching this one for sure, so much cool stuff going on here. And good call on naming the place, kinda gives it a personality.

Haha thanks for your comments! Well I've only got three separate buildings. The main 30 x 40 barn with the attached lean-to, then the open shed along the side of the barn, and finally the smaller galvanized tin shed. I was so glad to get the property. It's only on about 1.5 acres, so it's too small for people who want to have animals, but it's got too many buildings for people who just want a house in the country. It's perfect for me though. Yeah, when I started going through your thread a long time ago ago, i thought we shared a lot of the same ideas and interests, not to mention a similar background. You're like a Canadian version of me and I'm the American version of you.

That would be awesome to have a bandsaw mill like yours to make your own posts for a shed on the farm. My grandpa bought an old mill at an auction but never got it completely put together. That's a project a ways down on my list. Lol but yeah, an open shed like that it's great for storing vehicles. The guy who built my house and all the sheds built that shed around a huge oak tree. I'm not sure if you can see it in the pics or not. I've had to trim some tin around it on the roof, but it works. He used some heavy timbers that I imagine he salvaged from somewhere. You can see tenons cut into a few of the beams.

Yeah a lift does make a shop even better. Once I get more into building cars, it'll be high on my list of tools to get. Are you and your wife planning on moving to the country or even back to the farm sometime?

I'm glad you like it, and I'll be keeping an eye on your shop and jeep build too.

 

[Tarnished]

FB: Great post. You have a great shop, and I envy you all your space. Old barn's are where it's at!!! Been working out of my old "Sheep Shed Shop" for a lot of years and I enjoy it more and more each year!
You have a great start on the Old 'Arn, but you must be very careful as the acquisition of this stuff can be VERY addictive!!!
If your a member of OWWM, then your aware of this and I won't warn you any more.
Been picking up a piece or two of this ol 'arn myself. Don't see me stopping anytime soon, even if the rat hole does overflows.
Look forward to following your progress.
Couple shots of just some of the arn at the "SSS"

 

[L84ARACE]

Haha that's awesome! How do you have the bottom of it attached? That workbench is really cool too.

Thanks. I just have mine clamped to the work bench leg with a metal plumbing strap.

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

FB: Great post. You have a great shop, and I envy you all your space. Old barn's are where it's at!!! Been working out of my old "Sheep Shed Shop" for a lot of years and I enjoy it more and more each year!
You have a great start on the Old 'Arn, but you must be very careful as the acquisition of this stuff can be VERY addictive!!!
If your a member of OWWM, then your aware of this and I won't warn you any more.
Been picking up a piece or two of this ol 'arn myself. Don't see me stopping anytime soon, even if the rat hole does overflows.
Look forward to following your progress.
Couple shots of just some of the arn at the "SSS"

Thanks! Haha I know what you mean about the addiction...I told my wife that I'd practically bought every piece of equipment in the Delta Milwaukee catalog, so I should be good to go. But that doesn't stop me from mindlessly searching CL for good deals. You've got some great old 'arn! I have never seen any with the cast iron bases over in my neck of the woods. For now I'm content with the open leg stands, but yours look so good.

Thanks. I just have mine clamped to the work bench leg with a metal plumbing strap.

Oh that probably works pretty good...especially if you move your bench around at all.

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

So after looking at the tanker desk thread, I got a hankering for one for the shop. I found one on CL for $40 a few weeks ago. Long story short, do not buy anything off craigslist after dark. Ever. Anyways, after quite the adventure, I got this home.

It's made by a company called Invincible. Let me tell you, the name is quite fitting. This thing is heavy! I'm pretty sure it was made in 1954.

 

[Bob Hall]

Great to see more old machine guys! That's a nice bunch of Arn. Of course it's an incurable disease but the symptoms aren't all that bad, and the companies good. Delta is my preference too. Someday I'll show my old saws here, I'm already very active over on OWWM.

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

Great to see more old machine guys! That's a nice bunch of Arn. Of course it's an incurable disease but the symptoms aren't all that bad, and the companies good. Delta is my preference too. Someday I'll show my old saws here, I'm already very active over on OWWM.

Thank you! Haha yeah the 7 stages of OWWMery is, so far, quite accurate. Yeah, I like my assortment of different machines, but it would be nice to have the complete Delta Milwaukee catalog with all the rare attachments. It is a disease for sure! I should post more on OWWM, but I'm afraid the disease will worsen.

 

[bj383ss]

Very cool Desk!

 

[midnite kid]

I have a big ol green metal desk like this one,to move it I put a 2x6 on a floor jack to roll it around

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

Very cool Desk!

I have a big ol green metal desk like this one,to move it I put a 2x6 on a floor jack to roll it around

Thanks guys! Yeah to move it, I got my transmission jack under it and rolled it around.

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

I've been pretty busy, so I haven't had a whole lot of time to spend in the shop. Last weekend, I did rearrange and clean the shop up.

Before (looking towards the west side of the shop):

And after:

I moved the dirtbike over to this side and lined all of 'em up. The nice thing about bikes is that they take up less room.

Which leaves me room for my next project that is hopefully coming soon...

 

[Kevin54]

Fly....great place? I wish my space was that size. Hopefully this year. Do you plan on eventually insulating and finishing off the inside? Not only will it help in the winter, it will also keep it cooler in the summer. Looking forward to some more updates, and possibly a few pics of the '66 project. I had a '66 Impala years back and loved it.

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

Fly....great place? I wish my space was that size. Hopefully this year. Do you plan on eventually insulating and finishing off the inside? Not only will it help in the winter, it will also keep it cooler in the summer. Looking forward to some more updates, and possibly a few pics of the '66 project. I had a '66 Impala years back and loved it.

Thanks, Kevin! Someday, I'd like to have some of the equipment like you have...especially your cnc. Yeah, eventually I would like to insulate it, though that project may be a ways off. I'd love to do the spray foam, but it's pretty expensive.

Here's a few more pics of the '66 Bel Air. It's been in our family since new I believe. It's got the 250 straight six and three on the tree.

 

[Kevin54]

Thanks, Kevin! Someday, I'd like to have some of the equipment like you have...especially your cnc. Yeah, eventually I would like to insulate it, though that project may be a ways off. I'd love to do the spray foam, but it's pretty expensive.

Here's a few more pics of the '66 Bel Air. It's been in our family since new I believe. It's got the 250 straight six and three on the tree.

CL is your friend when it comes to a lot of things my friend. Sweet looking Belair!!!! It doesn't look like it has any rust at all on it. A nice small block in there along the lines of a 350 stroked to a 383, some dog dish hubcaps, would do that car some decent justice.

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

CL is your friend when it comes to a lot of things my friend. Sweet looking Belair!!!! It doesn't look like it has any rust at all on it. A nice small block in there along the lines of a 350 stroked to a 383, some dog dish hubcaps, would do that car some decent justice.

Haha I have a love/hate relationship with CL. I love it when there are good deals and I have money, but I hate it when there are good deals and I have no money.

Thanks! It's pretty clean, but there are a few small rust areas. I'm really wanting to swap in a V8, but my dad is wanting to keep it stock for now. If I go with a V8, I'd either:
1. Find a 427/4 speed and make an L72 clone or
2. Go with an LSx/t56 and make a pro-touring car out of it or
3. Like you said, go with the easier and cheaper route of a 350 or 383.

I'll probably go with number 3, but either way, I'm going to keep three pedals.

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

Got a little work done in the shop the other day. Got some pictures up on the wall.

Then cleaned up and hammered some dents out of my "new" trash can.

 

[bj383ss]

Love the Bel Air and the new trash can.

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

Things have been busy here with the weather starting to finally warm up. I haven't had much time to work in the shop with farm work and other house projects taking up most of my time, but I do have an addition to the Old 'Arn Barn...some old Chevy metal - a 1966 Chevy Bel-Air.

A couple Saturdays ago, Dad and I loaded up the old girl from my Grandma's garage where it has sat for the last 10 years or so. It's been in the family since new and was my Dad's car in college.

For being a 2-door, it's no small car.

I haven't had time to work on it yet. The plan is to get it running and driving without touching the interior or exterior yet. I need to:
1. drop the gas tank to drain and clean it
2. redo the brakes
3. clean the points & plugs and get it running again
4. new tires
I'd like to eventually do a disc brake conversion and dropped front spindles, but we'll see what time and money allows for.

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

Love the Bel Air and the new trash can.

Thanks! I've got a long way to go on the Bel Air before it looks as good as your C10. I'll be picking your brain for advice when I eventually get to the point of painting it.

 

[jbmatth]

Congrats on the little plot of land you have there. I'm in a similar situation being an ME from Missouri-Rolla, grew up on farms though we didn't do the farming ourselves, and now have a house and shed in the middle of nowhere which is exactly where I want to be. You have your work cut out for you on all of those vehicles, I'll be tagging along for the ride.

 

[Mr. 360]

That Bel-Air is a nice rig, always liked that body style and it's a 2-door to boot. That's cool as well that it's been in the family so long, I'm sure a lot of us guys would love to have the cars our dad's and grand-dad's drove.

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

Congrats on the little plot of land you have there. I'm in a similar situation being an ME from Missouri-Rolla, grew up on farms though we didn't do the farming ourselves, and now have a house and shed in the middle of nowhere which is exactly where I want to be. You have your work cut out for you on all of those vehicles, I'll be tagging along for the ride.

Thanks! Your place is looking great too. I always liked the Quonset hut look, but I wouldn't want to deal with the curved walls. If you ever make it up around the Topeka area, let me know, and I can show you around. I'll have to get some pictures of the other cars on the farm that are waiting for me to fix up.

That Bel-Air is a nice rig, always liked that body style and it's a 2-door to boot. That's cool as well that it's been in the family so long, I'm sure a lot of us guys would love to have the cars our dad's and grand-dad's drove.

Thanks! Yeah, ever since I was a kid, I loved this car. I almost wish it was an Impala instead because the Impala's back glass is more of a fastback than the Bel-Air. But the Bel-Airs seem rarer. I've seen a few '66 Imps around, but no '66 Bel-Airs. I'm excited to get her up and driving again, so the wife and I can hit up some car shows this summer.

 

[jbmatth]

Yeah those Quonset Hot walls are making me angry, but I'm slowly overcoming them. I make it up there about once every couple of years and it probably won't be this year, but if I do I'll let you know. It looks like you will have lots of fun with all of those vehicles in the near and long term future.

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

It's been a while since I last posted, so an update is in order.

In April, I spent a few weeks in China for a business trip. It was my second trip to China, and this time went much smoother with no trips to the hospital. We visited a bunch of the factories we use and worked with them on quality issues. Here's some random pics.

Spline cutting machine:

Non-Harbor Fright Chinese drill press:

Balancing machine:

Assortment of presses:

Pagoda:

Apple store packed with people:

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

I also snapped pics of a few funny signs that got lost in translation:

I thought this was a neat idea at a Harley shop over there. An I-beam with the bar & shield cut out in it for a handrail.

Speaking of Harleys, talk about sticker shock...that's over $57k USD!

 

[jbmatth]

Looks like you had a fun trip. If you'd have known that you could have taken your bike over and made a killing. It could have been a carry on right?
JB

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

Looks like you had a fun trip. If you'd have known that you could have taken your bike over and made a killing. It could have been a carry on right?
JB

Haha it's funny that you mention that. My boss has a friend over there that is in to old Chinese BMW sidecar knock-offs and has a small shop. We entertained the business idea of buying used Harleys here in the US, partially dismantling them to get through gov't regs, and shipping them to China. He would reassemble them and sell them through his shop. We decided it was too much trouble though.

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

Between farm work and a bunch of random projects around the house, I haven't got much shop time. One of the projects was a path from the shop to the house. With all the rain we've been getting, I quickly grew tired of walking in the mud and wet grass. Back in '52 the old high school in my hometown burned down, so my grandpa managed to get all of the brick from it dumped at the old farm. He cleaned and stacked most of the good bricks, but since there are a bunch of broken half bricks, I decided to use them turned on their side to create my pathway.

The pond area that still needs a little work. Yes, the water trickling over the waterfall is nice and relaxing, but if I had it to do over again, I think I would have dozed it in. It's just a lot of work. Plus I saw a snake swimming in it once...I hate snakes.

Looking towards the shop, lean-to, and the oak shed.

At the end, I decided to use some flat rocks and some gravel in case I have to drive over it.

Looking back towards the house.

 

[86turbodsl]

When i saw the 'arn part, i figured owwm was your game, but then you added bikes to the mix. Cool! Keep the pics coming!

 

[west_perf]

Nice project. Love the square body chevy trucks, I have my eyes open for a 78ish K10 to restore. That will likely be my next car purchase. We had a JD 60 when I was younger, (grandpa) used it on the farm. Never drove it because I was scared of the pull clutch.

My last grandfather just passed away. Unfortunately all of his old tools were sold years ago, and the stuff he made HF tools look good, so I'm just a CL hound looking for a deal here and there.

 

[Vette60]

Hi There.

Really enjoyed your thread and love of old 'arn. The '66 looks great - We have my late Father-in-Law's '65 Impala SS that his Dad bought new in '65. It's been warmed over quite a bit from stock. Great collection of bikes too and awesome that you have the space for them!

The Apple Store caught my eye. We made all the motorized shades that are installed in those windows at the manufacturing facility where I work - over 40 feet of fabric in each shade. Lots of fun getting those cut squarely! Cool stuff.

Take care,
Randy

Apple store packed with people:

[/QUOTE]

 

[jbmatth]

The path came out great, and I hear you on the rain, I'm really getting tired of it and the mowing it causes. As for the Harley idea, it could work but I'd assume there would be a rule/law about at least the frame as at some point it would have to be considered a motorcycle rather than just random parts. You don't want to sneak around laws and get caught by the man. Key words are "and get caught".
JB

 

[army]

What it really needs is a 427 with a 4 speed Muncie and dog dish hubcaps. (should actually be a Biscayne but only to a purist).

Here's a few more pics of the '66 Bel Air. It's been in our family since new I believe. It's got the 250 straight six and three on the tree.

 

[HSpencer]

Good to see your thread again. Everything is looking good. Home and grounds look really nice. Hope to see some more shop work and tricks soon!

Best Regards
Herb

 

[BUGTHUG]

Don't kill the snakes they are your friend. They eat mice and mice aren't good around cars or houses etc.

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

Wow, it's been way too long since I last posted. There hasn't been a whole lot of progress on the shop, but after getting back on here, I have renewed ambition to get stuff done.

When i saw the 'arn part, i figured owwm was your game, but then you added bikes to the mix. Cool! Keep the pics coming!

Thanks! Your shop is coming along great. The lean-to addition will be nice, and I'd love to find some cheap pallet racking to put up.

Nice project. Love the square body chevy trucks, I have my eyes open for a 78ish K10 to restore. That will likely be my next car purchase. We had a JD 60 when I was younger, (grandpa) used it on the farm. Never drove it because I was scared of the pull clutch.

My last grandfather just passed away. Unfortunately all of his old tools were sold years ago, and the stuff he made HF tools look good, so I'm just a CL hound looking for a deal here and there.

Yeah, I want to build the 78 k10 we have too. They don't make trucks like that anymore. I started driving tractors at a very young age while dad and grandpa loaded bales of hay. Slowly push the clutch lever forward and away you go. To stop, yank it back. At 6 years old, 1st gear seemed fast.
That's a shame you didn't get any of your grandpa's tools. The nice thing is there are a lot of good tools on CL that can be had for cheap.

Really enjoyed your thread and love of old 'arn. The '66 looks great - We have my late Father-in-Law's '65 Impala SS that his Dad bought new in '65. It's been warmed over quite a bit from stock. Great collection of bikes too and awesome that you have the space for them!

The Apple Store caught my eye. We made all the motorized shades that are installed in those windows at the manufacturing facility where I work - over 40 feet of fabric in each shade. Lots of fun getting those cut squarely! Cool stuff.

Take care,
Randy

I always loved the way the back window of the Impalas laid down more than the Bel-Air. And being an SS, too? That's awesome. I bet it's a nice car.

That's really cool that you made those shades. That is a lot of fabric and weight I imagine.

The path came out great, and I hear you on the rain, I'm really getting tired of it and the mowing it causes. As for the Harley idea, it could work but I'd assume there would be a rule/law about at least the frame as at some point it would have to be considered a motorcycle rather than just random parts. You don't want to sneak around laws and get caught by the man. Key words are "and get caught".
JB

Thanks, JB. Haha yeah, I'm sure there's probably a few gray area rules that would have had to be worked around. I'm not sure how thorough they check things that come into China. I know US customs is pretty tough.

What it really needs is a 427 with a 4 speed Muncie and dog dish hubcaps. (should actually be a Biscayne but only to a purist).

I would love to do that. I've got quite a few pictures of L72 Biscaynes on my computer and love looking at them. The dog dish hubcaps are really growing on me too. Very much a sleeper look to them.

Good to see your thread again. Everything is looking good. Home and grounds look really nice. Hope to see some more shop work and tricks soon!

Best Regards
Herb

Thanks Herb. I do apologize for the long wait on an update. Life gets in the way sometimes.

Don't kill the snakes they are your friend. They eat mice and mice aren't good around cars or houses etc.

Haha I know this in theory, but they give me the willies. I did allow the one I saw in the pond to live.

 

[FlyOverStateFarmboy]

Not a big update, but I just wanted to show what the shop currently looks like.

Made some changes to the workbench tool wall. Added a few more tools and took down the old HAMB calendar to put up the Harley sign my brother got me for my birthday.

And scored this '57 Chevy V from fleabay. I know the Chevrolet script doesn't match, but it's close enough.

I haven't had any time to work on the Bel-Air, as I've been working on a bunch of smaller woodworking and leather projects. My problem is that I have too many irons in the fire. I start one project, get nearly finished, then start another. I'm getting better though, and have vowed to finish all open projects before starting anything else. We'll see how that goes...

 

[jbmatth]

Too many irons in the fire, HA, that never happens to me. My problem is when I vow to do just that something comes up that has to be done right now. Or I look at something and think ok, 10 minutes of time and this will make my next project that much easier. After a few days and untold dollars over "budget" I have it done.

I like the look of your bench, it is cluttered but clean at the same time. Share some of the woodworking/leather projects you have if you don't mind?
JB