Above 1200 Sq/FT The Salvage Garage

[PelicanPines]

Ok... I like a good deal but 34 tape measures... for 170ish dollars... I'm worried.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Ok... I like a good deal but 34 tape measures... for 170ish dollars... I'm worried.

One to go in each truck. Right? and a few for each shop. and maybe for every conex...

oh and each lista!

 

[PelicanPines]

One to go in each truck. Right? and a few for each shop. and maybe for every conex...

oh and each lista!

He will need more...

 

[pi_guy]

Ok... I like a good deal but 34 tape measures... for 170ish dollars... I'm worried.

I just bought 4 pairs of ski boots, started out with two at flew 150 and 175 and then bought two more 150 flex boots for the liners. But I paid $500 for four pairs 1/2 the price of the boots when I bought them 5 years ago. The liners went soft the boot or shell is fine and it been fitted to my feet and stance. New liners are 290 so I think I am ahead of the game and should have enough boots for the rest of my ski career.

 

[Strouty]

Any shop I have ever owned always has a tape measure gnome, he hides them, no matter how many you have or home many “homes” you have for them. I usually have 10 floating around at any given time. S&A is also correct, every truck and box will get one, that way you always have one.

 

[steaks&anvils]

every truck and box will get one, that way you always have one.

Good plan. My thing is scissors. Upstairs scissors, downstairs scissors, basement scissors, garage scissors, garden scissors, kitchen scissors, desk scissors, hobby scissors.

Big, little, slant, straight, curved.

I hate having to "go find" a pair...

and maybe hammers. uuuummm pliers too. yeah pliers.

 

[PelicanPines]

Ok... I'm utility knives. The folding kind... has to be five in my Subaru within reach.

Tape measures... have a drawer... and a bin on the cart.. magnetic one on the saw... oh... one in every car... a few in my office.

Then there are the screwdrivers. Hundreds. Everywhere... not cheap ones either.

Pliers. Son of a *****...

 

[Strouty]

So are you now thinking 34 tape measures is too few? I can go get more.

I started writing out the things I want to change or upgrade on Perk, I broke it down to important things, wants, and “if everything could be perfect”. It was slightly eye opening and looks like I will be working on Perk for the next ten years.

Seriously, I have to set priorities and I need to be able to use Perk soon, so just going to fix the important things for now. I will post my list when I get it in digital form, right now it is just scratch paper. I am sure I will find things that need to be done as I go, but the plan is to stick with the things that make the truck useful, not the things that I want to do, at least not yet, those will be for next winter.

 

[PelicanPines]

I fell in love with these tape measures. Only 12feet but that is fine for me... I have the 25, 35, 50, 100 footers in my dedicated drawer.

As you can see... it has a magnet on the tip for grabbing things you dropped... the tip is also oversized... won't slip off... double sided is a godsend... and I need both Imperical and Metric for things.

I have 2... one on my go bag... the other on my "medical" bag which travels where I do... 24/7. Get old... be sickly... be prepared...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VYS6QZP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Strouty]

I had to order supplies and safety gear for the Hill, also some more duplicate tools, I think in the next month I will be swapping the bigger toolbox from the SG to TH as that is where my primary work is going on. Good news is that last month my fuel consumption went down almost $300, TH is much closer than the SG and even when I need to do errands it is less driving due to the location. I still need to order a bunch of hardware for my stock, but I am going to wait a bit so the wallet can take a breather.

 

[Strouty]

One of the things on my short list is a new stereo, probably be nice to have a GPS and back up camera, dash cam too. I found that Kenwood makes a unit aimed at RVs and commercial trucks, but it is $1500 and doesn’t come with any cameras. I am sure I can get things separately and it would be cheaper, but it might be cluttered too. I am going to see if I can define some people with actual experience. I am sure it shares lots of features with a standard unit, so I can find one local to mess around with. I feel like the last time I bought a GPS unit specific to a truck, it was over $500, the dash cam I bought was about $200 and the stereo was $250, this also would play DVDs and works with both apple and android phones. For right now I am going to stuff in an older one that I have in my stash, it seems really easy to get to the area where the stereo goes for future upgrading.

 

[PelicanPines]

My BIL has a lot of trucks... he made a "crate" stereo with rather nice plug setup in each truck... he doesn't drive with passengers ever so it works for him to just sit it on that seat. I bet it could be adapted to fit most wells right under the dash...

Just a thought... plug and play... buy one... adapt...

 

[Strouty]

I have done that in the past, but at this point I will only really have two trucks on the road, the second one might not be for a year or more. I want a permanent, clean looking solution, most likely will add subwoofers as well so you can actually get to feel the music. Nowadays if I was jumping from truck to truck, I would just use a decent Bluetooth speaker and my phone.

Just got to the SG, had to walk on the ice to get the old toolbox from Perk, then I decided to take it a step further and find the butcher block top that I had put somewhere out in the back, it was the furthest from normal ground, had to carry it over my head so I could get between things. So now I have a top for the new office desk at TH and I am thinking about grabbing the vise and stand to bring up there too. At this point I have been to the SG about four times in the last month, not once did I do any work, just came over to pick things up. I am sure there will be a tipping point and I will regret bringing some stuff to TH, but I am not there yet, in fact I am the other way so badly that it hurts. I think I will need to bring another Lista cabinet or two up there soon, going to take some measurements tomorrow. The big thing will be when I get Dad’s tool boxes out, that will open up some serious space for my stuff.

 

[mybigwarwagon]

Every time I clean the shop I find 347 tape measures. When I need one I can find exactly 0.

 

[BORING HOP YARD]

Here is a practice I have adopted when I cant find a tool.
It used to piss me off to no end but since I have started cleaning the shop while looking for the tool it has helped me. I cant find my wire stripers I start picking up all the tools around the location I looked for the stripers. This process will make you look around as you move from work bench to tool box. Sounds stupid but it works.

 

[Strouty]

Here is a practice I have adopted when I cant find a tool.
It used to piss me off to no end but since I have started cleaning the shop while looking for the tool it has helped me. I cant find my wire stripers I start picking up all the tools around the location I looked for the stripers. This process will make you look around as you move from work bench to tool box. Sounds stupid but it works.

Not stupid at all, kind of like when you put your keys on your lunch in the fridge, kind of hard to go anywhere without the keys, this way I don't forget my lunch. Our brains work in weird ways, these little tricks work well.

I got word last night that the trailer I wanted is still available, so tomorrow morning I have to drive a couple hours to go and get it. I am working on putting Perk back together, just put new bulbs in the tail lights, still have a ground issue, blinkers and brake lights work, but once you turn on the running lights, they don't. I am going to see where the grounds are, if there are any, I am not overlooking the craziness of how the grounds have been.

 

[Strouty]

The power wire for the running lights has ground when the lights are off and power when they are on. I have traced it back halfway down the truck, so it may be another in the cab thing. We have had lots of things apart, so I may have to check over a few things to find it. I am going to start at the switch. I hate wiring issues.

 

[86turbodsl]

Here is a practice I have adopted when I cant find a tool.
It used to piss me off to no end but since I have started cleaning the shop while looking for the tool it has helped me. I cant find my wire stripers I start picking up all the tools around the location I looked for the stripers. This process will make you look around as you move from work bench to tool box. Sounds stupid but it works.

THIS. I do it too. I always find things when i start cleaning.

 

[mybigwarwagon]

Here is a practice I have adopted when I cant find a tool.
It used to piss me off to no end but since I have started cleaning the shop while looking for the tool it has helped me. I cant find my wire stripers I start picking up all the tools around the location I looked for the stripers. This process will make you look around as you move from work bench to tool box. Sounds stupid but it works.

I have a wife and an 8 year old who seem to have no idea how to put tools back where they got them. Once I made the horrible mistake of allowing a nephew to work on a school project in my shop. I still haven't found some things. Now everyone is banned from the shop.

 

[PelicanPines]

I have an opposite issue. Someone I live with tends to take the work surface clutter... no matter what it is... and put it in an unlabeled bin... and stacking it someplace. Only to be found a year later.

 

[casmurbax]

Ok, I have been away for awhile....
So a new trailer is coming.
Did you get the horse trailer?
What is going with PP(propane) truck?
I misplaced my reference chart.

OH I learned that you are tape hoarder now or have you always been and you just decided to admit it to all of us.

PelicanPines, mine complains about the disorganized(mess) my work area is.... If I happen to clear a flat surface any area of the house garage/cellar within a day there is something there replacing that clean surface.... Apparently my spouse can't stand to see a surface without anything on it.

 

[F451]

I have a wife and an 8 year old who seem to have no idea how to put tools back where they got them. Once I made the horrible mistake of allowing a nephew to work on a school project in my shop. I still haven't found some things. Now everyone is banned from the shop.

Had an old timer, Capt Earl, check out my new to me '88 Porsche 928 that I picked up in 2006 on the east coast, was driving it home cross country. He was a retired engineer and well known 928 guru. He let me "help" check it over before the big trip at his place near Philly.

His only real rule in his shop, DO NOT put away any tools in his many tool boxes. If I needed a tool, he could tell me where it was, but he didn't want me putting his tools back in the wrong tool box as he'd never find them again.

At first I was thinking, crazy old man, then when he explained the logic, I was like "Oh...I get it now."

Not so crazy old man. And he did a shite ton of work on my rig for a very reasonable price and declared it fit for a cross country run. Great guy.

And his engineer logic. We notice the brake pads are dangerously worn. I'm concerned because its the weekend and they would not be easy to get. He tells me now to worry about it and just drive it home ~4000 miles. I'm like "What?!"

He explains, 99% of the trip will be on interstates, minimal braking happening there. You've probably got 1 or 2 good emergency stops in these pads, so just take it easy on the brakes for the trip and you'll be fine. Again, I was like "Oh....makes sense."

Lol, good old Capt Earl. He was right, made it home no problem.

 

[steaks&anvils]

My ex-wife would complain the house was a mess, but then get mad at me for putting "her" stuff away. I put it in the correct place too. But then she would think it was out somewhere and not first look where it was supposed to be, so didn't find it.

One time as I picked up, she got mad at me and angrily demanded that I pick up my stuff. I stood there quietly and looked around the kitchen/dining room/living room area, then didn't move, not a thing out was mine. She looked around too, it dawned on her that it was all hers and she proceeded to have a fit and blame me.

WTF?!?!?

 

[PelicanPines]

Steaks, I'm sorry... but... she sounds bat **** crazy. Which can be good. Congratulation.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Steaks, I'm sorry... but... she sounds bat **** crazy. Which can be good. Congratulation.

Thanks.

She actually is not too crazy and one the smartest and most qualified people in her career field that I have ever known (we are in the same industry). That said, she is on her 3rd husband...

I will readily admit, my workshop (basement area) is always a mess. BUT that is MY area, no one else's.

 

[mybigwarwagon]

My ex-wife would complain the house was a mess, but then get mad at me for putting "her" stuff away. I put it in the correct place too. But then she would think it was out somewhere and not first look where it was supposed to be, so didn't find it.

One time as I picked up, she got mad at me and angrily demanded that I pick up my stuff. I stood there quietly and looked around the kitchen/dining room/living room area, then didn't move, not a thing out was mine. She looked around too, it dawned on her that it was all hers and she proceeded to have a fit and blame me.

WTF?!?!?

You were married to my ex wife too??? That woman got around.


I have designated every flat area in the house as a **** catcher. Because that is exactly what it does. Even if there is no **** on it, there is a cat on it, so same thing.

I have one shelf and table in the living room, and one table in the bedroom that no one is allowed to touch no matter how bad they get. I know where things are. Drives Steph batty.

 

[Strouty]

Got Perk finally figured out, it was a combination of two things, plus I was misinterpreting the readings that I got on the meter. I had help, no way would I have figured it out myself, at least I can admit that. I am going to get something to eat, then I have to finish putting the truck back together, make a cord for the trailer, reinstall the interior, fix the hoses and wires that are everywhere, and I am sure there is more.

I am glad I got things to this point, should be interesting driving with the seat back and the steering wheel where I want it.

 

[xtremek]

Looking forward to a review of the Perk's new status.

 

[Strouty]

I almost can’t believe it, we got the tool box mounted, hydraulic tank, air dryer, fixed up some lines, and installed the final spacers so the boom could be bolted down, went to go get diesel fuel and the headlights work, but no marker lights, basically, you get one or the other. I am not sure what is going on, it is like someone went in and messed with all the wiring, but no one did, and the all the lights worked fine up until a couple weeks ago. I am not messing with it, until I get back from the trailer pick up. I don’t need headlights during the day and all the turn signals and brakes work fine.

 

[jakemac]

Have you tested trailer lights with it yet ?


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[PelicanPines]

Nothing like turning on a light... it works... you're filled with joy... then you touch another switch and it all goes to ****. That sick feeling overwhelms you... you puke...

 

[Strouty]

We did test the trailer lights and they work fine, I am pretty sure this issue is just a relay as the master switch for the lights is a three position one, middle is off, down is marker lights and dash, up is headlights, then a relay gets engaged to turn on the marker and dash lights from the original circuit. Still not dealing with it today.

 

[Strouty]

Almost made it back, ran out of daylight, pesky headlights. Parked Perk and the trailer at the SG, will have to start working on the trailer soon, will be very useful. I don’t want to tip it, took all we could to get it back down and locked, that is something I am pretty sure can be fixed with a couple hydraulic valves.

 

[Strouty]

Forgot to post earlier, here is the toolbox and air dryer installed, looks and fits really well.

 

[xtremek]

THe Perk looks like a stubby beast.

 

[Strouty]

Technically, too short for the boom, supposed to be 12 feet between the back of the cab and the center of the axle, I only have 9 feet. Going to have to do some test lifts and see what happens.

 

[Seagoon]

How did Perk drive after all the mods?

 

[Strouty]

Funny you asked that, it was better to drive than my burb, until you top out at 62MPH. The tilt column made all the difference and was worth every cent I paid to upgrade it. Next thing is the seats, the driver's side is awful uncomfortable, going to probably pull the one from Bev, the crappy part is that they match the interior beautifully, so I may need to talk to someone about upholstering them to match, if even possible. For now I can at least see if it will fit, might not due to width. I think I could live with the standard transmission too, just need some serious time behind the wheel, downshifting turns into grind em until you find em a good portion of the time. The last standard transmission trucks I drove were higher RPM and lower power, so you had to rev things up more and I need to get used to shifting at lower RPMs, even my upshifts can get a bit louder than they should. In my defense, the transmission has very few miles on it, so it still shifts hard and will eventually wear in. My Dad's truck has an 18 speed and it shifts like butter, almost falls into gear.

 

[ttpete]

Funny you asked that, it was better to drive than my burb, until you top out at 62MPH. The tilt column made all the difference and was worth every cent I paid to upgrade it. Next thing is the seats, the driver's side is awful uncomfortable, going to probably pull the one from Bev, the crappy part is that they match the interior beautifully, so I may need to talk to someone about upholstering them to match, if even possible. For now I can at least see if it will fit, might not due to width. I think I could live with the standard transmission too, just need some serious time behind the wheel, downshifting turns into grind em until you find em a good portion of the time. The last standard transmission trucks I drove were higher RPM and lower power, so you had to rev things up more and I need to get used to shifting at lower RPMs, even my upshifts can get a bit louder than they should. In my defense, the transmission has very few miles on it, so it still shifts hard and will eventually wear in. My Dad's truck has an 18 speed and it shifts like butter, almost falls into gear.

You might do better with an air seat.

 

[Strouty]

Both seats are air, they just don’t have bolsters and air lumbar support, or massage, the seat in Bev does and that is what I was used to sitting in for long periods of time.