Above 1200 Sq/FT The Salvage Garage
- Thread starter Strouty
- Start date
Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
If you pass through NY I can see Manhattan from my back yard.
Nice shop it was fun to chat with you a while today. Turns out my wife could not get the internet to connect when we were there otherwise she would have been busy and let us talk longer.
We are at the Harraseeket Inn we are going to wander over to LL Bean since they are open 24 hours.
thanks again it was fun....
Nice shop it was fun to chat with you a while today. Turns out my wife could not get the internet to connect when we were there otherwise she would have been busy and let us talk longer.
We are at the Harraseeket Inn we are going to wander over to LL Bean since they are open 24 hours.
thanks again it was fun....
86turbodsl
Well-known member
Good plan. Store what you can and focus on current projects.
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Ultimately I need to have a home for things, right now the amount of things is overwhelming, so by removing some of the stuff from the main shop, I hope to be able to concentrate on getting specific tasks done. It is my way of putting blinders on.
I used to take my brother with me.
I used to take my brother with me.
I got in early, made a mess, now off to finish something that should have been done a year ago. Can’t figure out why the customer has beaten me to death yet. They even want me to install another tower at some point. Will feel good to be done, plus I won’t be tripping over the supplies for the job, heck they got frozen into the conex this past winter.
RacerRick
Well-known member
A working shop will always be a little messy, so don't worry about that. Worry about it getting out of hand where it impacts your ability to work. You are light years ahead of where you were at the beginning of this thread, so celebrate the victories.
While the other shop and employee issue are annoying, you can continue on your existing plans in the meantime. Worst case scenario is your existing shop gets better, which helps long term as a rental if you see fit to do that, and short term as a better shop. It sounds like it is more in your Dad and his employees court than yours, anyways.
I found what helps me is becoming a list maker. For each project I write out a list and stick it on the project. Then I try to get one thing done on it each time I am working in the shop. Because the list has taks that take a few hours, and tasks that take a few minutes, I choose one depending on how I feel and how much time is available. The list is a living document that is always getting things crossed off as they are completed, or found to not be needed, and things added that are required to complete the project as they are discovered. You know you are on the final stretch when the list is only getting things crossed off.
Looking at a list that is regularly getting things crossed off, I find is a great motivator. Especially when the project looks like nothing has been done because it was all fiddly stuff.
While the other shop and employee issue are annoying, you can continue on your existing plans in the meantime. Worst case scenario is your existing shop gets better, which helps long term as a rental if you see fit to do that, and short term as a better shop. It sounds like it is more in your Dad and his employees court than yours, anyways.
I found what helps me is becoming a list maker. For each project I write out a list and stick it on the project. Then I try to get one thing done on it each time I am working in the shop. Because the list has taks that take a few hours, and tasks that take a few minutes, I choose one depending on how I feel and how much time is available. The list is a living document that is always getting things crossed off as they are completed, or found to not be needed, and things added that are required to complete the project as they are discovered. You know you are on the final stretch when the list is only getting things crossed off.
Looking at a list that is regularly getting things crossed off, I find is a great motivator. Especially when the project looks like nothing has been done because it was all fiddly stuff.
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86turbodsl
Well-known member
Sometimes it's good to have your hand forced. Now you can concentrate on what you've been doing and get that done.
casmurbax
Well-known member
That is great, that you have 2 forklifts in there, but can you get them out?
All kidding aside, I am always amazed on what you do inside your work area.
How soon before the clear floor space will be occupied by something?
All kidding aside, I am always amazed on what you do inside your work area.
How soon before the clear floor space will be occupied by something?
I hope the clear floor space expands...........
I always seem to have my hand forced, sometimes I am the one forcing it though.......
I need another white board, then I can make some lists of the projects, checked one off today and it felt great, even got paid to finish that one!
The Diesel Yukon that I bought has been in a bit of limbo, the kid stopped responding to my texts and his voicemail is full. I wasn't sure what to do, I had a signed bill of sale, so I figured I would call the New Hampshire state police and see what they suggest. I figured they would tell me it is a civil matter, sorry....... Anyways the dispatcher told me to call the local PD, so I did, they got an officer to call me back, then he went to the house on my behalf. It turns out that the kid was in a really bad motorcycle accident a couple weeks ago and is in a coma, lost his foot, and has permanent brain damage...... I felt terrible, kid was a really nice guy, probably 22 or 23 years old. Officer told me to contact his Aunt and gave me her info, I spoke to her and she was glad I got in touch with them, they were afraid the truck was never going to leave. Anyways I told her what had been discussed and what I still needed to pick up, she says no problem. Crazy situation, I feel awful for the mother, she is down at Mass General sitting with a vegetable. Motorcycles scare the **** out of me, you couldn't pay me to ride one on the street. So I will be picking up that truck next weekend, then going to Virginia to get the other burb the weekend after that.
I always seem to have my hand forced, sometimes I am the one forcing it though.......
I need another white board, then I can make some lists of the projects, checked one off today and it felt great, even got paid to finish that one!
The Diesel Yukon that I bought has been in a bit of limbo, the kid stopped responding to my texts and his voicemail is full. I wasn't sure what to do, I had a signed bill of sale, so I figured I would call the New Hampshire state police and see what they suggest. I figured they would tell me it is a civil matter, sorry....... Anyways the dispatcher told me to call the local PD, so I did, they got an officer to call me back, then he went to the house on my behalf. It turns out that the kid was in a really bad motorcycle accident a couple weeks ago and is in a coma, lost his foot, and has permanent brain damage...... I felt terrible, kid was a really nice guy, probably 22 or 23 years old. Officer told me to contact his Aunt and gave me her info, I spoke to her and she was glad I got in touch with them, they were afraid the truck was never going to leave. Anyways I told her what had been discussed and what I still needed to pick up, she says no problem. Crazy situation, I feel awful for the mother, she is down at Mass General sitting with a vegetable. Motorcycles scare the **** out of me, you couldn't pay me to ride one on the street. So I will be picking up that truck next weekend, then going to Virginia to get the other burb the weekend after that.
Craptain
Well-known member
That situation can make you feel guilty, even though it's totally unrelated to you. I've been in a similar situation and it's hard to shake off the feeling. Glad it's working out for you.
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86turbodsl
Well-known member
Wow, what a horrible story. I would feel guilty too in your place. Sounds like they are not holding anything against you though. Can't say i agree on the motorcycles though. I've been riding since i was 7. Had a cycle endorsement for almost 30 years. There are safe riders, and there are squids. Decide what kind of rider you want to be. ANYBODY riding without a helmet is just asking for trouble. As we say, dress for the slide, not the ride.
Higgins
Well-known member
86, Ya, those folks not wearing a Helmet are called "Organ Donors". Rode a bike as a kid. Wouldn't be caught on a bike these days...........
Down here in TN, when you hear about a Bike Accident, the news is not good!!!!
AL
Down here in TN, when you hear about a Bike Accident, the news is not good!!!!
AL
The kid was wearing a helmet and had a protective suit on, they said a car crossed in front of him.
As for the motorcycle comment, I should have qualified that better. Since there are so many idiots driving cars these days, getting in an accident with a motorcycle is a huge risk. You can have the best motorcyclist in the world get cleaned out in a second by a car. If I am in a car/truck I have a much better chance of surviving an accident with one of those idiots than being on a motorcycle. A few weeks ago seven motorcyclists were killed by a driver with a trailer and it seems like I hear about another fatal motorcycle accident every week. I wish everyone that rides luck, but you won't catch me on a motorcycle.
As for the motorcycle comment, I should have qualified that better. Since there are so many idiots driving cars these days, getting in an accident with a motorcycle is a huge risk. You can have the best motorcyclist in the world get cleaned out in a second by a car. If I am in a car/truck I have a much better chance of surviving an accident with one of those idiots than being on a motorcycle. A few weeks ago seven motorcyclists were killed by a driver with a trailer and it seems like I hear about another fatal motorcycle accident every week. I wish everyone that rides luck, but you won't catch me on a motorcycle.
I had order a small wire stripper, probably could have made it myself, but I didn't have the time and I wanted to try and strip wire quick. It works very well, I am currently just using a cordless drill with the stripper mounted in my vice. I can definitely see this being useful in the future, it does fairly small wire up to probably 2/0 or so, I can easily start feeding the wire and then just run the drill as I guide the wire into the unit. I will eventually make a motor setup with a foot pedal switch and then it would be a bit more ergonomic and speed up production for sure.
Had a long discussion with a buddy today, I think I am starting to come out of the fog, things are a bit clearer with what I really want to accomplish outside of running the family business. This winter the priority will be to have a truck with the knuckle boom fully operational and to have a tilt bed trailer to go with it. I still haven't decided if I want a tag trailer or if I want a gooseneck style. The gooseneck style would be more maneuverable, but getting the GVW that I need and the tilt bed for a reasonable cost is probably not an option. I might need to fabricate my own, I would love to make an all aluminum trailer, but in reality I am just not setup to weld thick aluminum (I could, but wouldn't trust my welds). If I make it out of steel, I know I can handle that and then it could be galvanized.
My Dad has a tractor trailer with a knuckle boom, but I do not think I want a dedicated tractor yet, I feel that having a flatbed truck with the boom is better for me, then the tilt trailer would essentially be like a ramp truck so I can retrieve my treasures. I figure I need at least 10 ton carrying capacity to be safe, I know this is borderline for a gooseneck trailer hitch assembly, that is what is making me think tag trailer, then I could easily find a 20 ton. Lots of ideas floating around, I looked at the possibility of buying a 14k GVW tilt deceiver, but it just isn't heavy duty enough for the bigger things and it would be too heavy for the regular stuff. In the end, I probably need a 12k tilt equipment trailer that can be hauled by a suburban and the 10 or 20 ton trailer for the bigger truck.
I didn't get too much done at the shop, just put a few things away, then charged some batteries, and stripped some wire, but I got to think and reflect on things. I am sure my directions will change and morph as I go, I am ready for that, but the big picture is still the same, I want to be able to go and get my treasures without having to borrow a truck or trailer and be capable of loading and unloading things alone if needed. This would make things much better, no more scheduling this or waiting for that. Now all I need to do is get to the point where I can concentrate on those goals, everything I am doing right now is about prepping the shop so I can create the vehicle and trailer I want. I guess that means I am headed in the right direction, even if I go sideways from time to time.
Had a long discussion with a buddy today, I think I am starting to come out of the fog, things are a bit clearer with what I really want to accomplish outside of running the family business. This winter the priority will be to have a truck with the knuckle boom fully operational and to have a tilt bed trailer to go with it. I still haven't decided if I want a tag trailer or if I want a gooseneck style. The gooseneck style would be more maneuverable, but getting the GVW that I need and the tilt bed for a reasonable cost is probably not an option. I might need to fabricate my own, I would love to make an all aluminum trailer, but in reality I am just not setup to weld thick aluminum (I could, but wouldn't trust my welds). If I make it out of steel, I know I can handle that and then it could be galvanized.
My Dad has a tractor trailer with a knuckle boom, but I do not think I want a dedicated tractor yet, I feel that having a flatbed truck with the boom is better for me, then the tilt trailer would essentially be like a ramp truck so I can retrieve my treasures. I figure I need at least 10 ton carrying capacity to be safe, I know this is borderline for a gooseneck trailer hitch assembly, that is what is making me think tag trailer, then I could easily find a 20 ton. Lots of ideas floating around, I looked at the possibility of buying a 14k GVW tilt deceiver, but it just isn't heavy duty enough for the bigger things and it would be too heavy for the regular stuff. In the end, I probably need a 12k tilt equipment trailer that can be hauled by a suburban and the 10 or 20 ton trailer for the bigger truck.
I didn't get too much done at the shop, just put a few things away, then charged some batteries, and stripped some wire, but I got to think and reflect on things. I am sure my directions will change and morph as I go, I am ready for that, but the big picture is still the same, I want to be able to go and get my treasures without having to borrow a truck or trailer and be capable of loading and unloading things alone if needed. This would make things much better, no more scheduling this or waiting for that. Now all I need to do is get to the point where I can concentrate on those goals, everything I am doing right now is about prepping the shop so I can create the vehicle and trailer I want. I guess that means I am headed in the right direction, even if I go sideways from time to time.
Stripping wire today, cleaning up the shop a bit more, every little bit helps.
Still need to change the oil in the burb, also check tire pressures. I fixed the portable bandsaw last night before leaving, wasn't as bad as I had figured, took about 20 minutes. That will be a nice tool to have again.
Still need to change the oil in the burb, also check tire pressures. I fixed the portable bandsaw last night before leaving, wasn't as bad as I had figured, took about 20 minutes. That will be a nice tool to have again.
F451
Well-known member
Good job man. We all rarely travel in a straight line to get to our destinations. Think of piloting a ship, or an airplane, constant corrections, always moving this way and that. Changing tides, changing winds, change, change, change, but the destination is the same.
And of course changing destinations "mid-stream" is ok too. Sometimes the change in destination is by choice, other times its not. What was a worthy goal 5 years ago may not be worth it, or desirable now. And that is ok.
Most important thing for all of us is to have goals (destinations) in mind and work towards them, rather then constantly reacting to the latest happenings in our lives and letting those events throw us off track. I think this is a big challenge for most people, I know it is for me.
And glad you got to talk things over with your buddy, always great to have a trusted friend to listen and talk things over with. -Ed
I will post a picture of the unit I bought. It worked very well, we stripped close to 300 pounds of wire in about 3 hours. Must have been a mile of cable, in the end I have about 170 pounds of bare bright copper and another 50 pounds of #2 copper. I will be making a dedicated motor setup for it, things would have been much easier with a foot pedal control, rather than using a cordless drill.
We also assembled some shelving in the new conex, I still need to install some braces, but I should be in business soon, then I can start bringing things out there and making some serious room in the shop. I am still working on breaking down some more copper and brass, I want it all done so I can take it to the scrap yard tomorrow and just stop tripping over it.
Also made what I think is the final decision on the inside duplicate forklift situation, I think that I will use the orange one for the time being, then start refurbishing the original white one, it has almost no hours on it compared to the orange one and it really just needs some hoses replaced (someone used the wrong type of hose and it looks awful) and the side shift needs to be plumbed up. I also have a cool attachment that may be worth digging out, it allows for an extended reach hydraulically. In the end, the white forklift will get new paint and hoses, then I can swap in the good battery from the orange lift. I will also sell a set of the forks, then keep a few more goodies from he orange one, then send it to the scrap yard. I think in the end, I will have spent only a few hundred dollars to upgrade my battery, normally those batteries are about $1500 to $2000. Since the forklifts are the same model, a lot of the pieces and parts will interchange, so I will end up with a good amount of spares for the future, nothing like having a 30 year old electric forklift that you can't use because the parts aren't available.
We also assembled some shelving in the new conex, I still need to install some braces, but I should be in business soon, then I can start bringing things out there and making some serious room in the shop. I am still working on breaking down some more copper and brass, I want it all done so I can take it to the scrap yard tomorrow and just stop tripping over it.
Also made what I think is the final decision on the inside duplicate forklift situation, I think that I will use the orange one for the time being, then start refurbishing the original white one, it has almost no hours on it compared to the orange one and it really just needs some hoses replaced (someone used the wrong type of hose and it looks awful) and the side shift needs to be plumbed up. I also have a cool attachment that may be worth digging out, it allows for an extended reach hydraulically. In the end, the white forklift will get new paint and hoses, then I can swap in the good battery from the orange lift. I will also sell a set of the forks, then keep a few more goodies from he orange one, then send it to the scrap yard. I think in the end, I will have spent only a few hundred dollars to upgrade my battery, normally those batteries are about $1500 to $2000. Since the forklifts are the same model, a lot of the pieces and parts will interchange, so I will end up with a good amount of spares for the future, nothing like having a 30 year old electric forklift that you can't use because the parts aren't available.
Plastikosmd
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2016
- Messages
- 1,254
Thx for pics
My shop truck is a lot smaller than your stuff but it works well
Flatbed, liftgate and boom. Sometimes I toss a dump insert on it sideways for a quick and dirty small dump. It can’t do everything but is a nice compromise
My shop truck is a lot smaller than your stuff but it works well
Flatbed, liftgate and boom. Sometimes I toss a dump insert on it sideways for a quick and dirty small dump. It can’t do everything but is a nice compromise
Very handy for sure, the lift gate is a nice addition too. Someday I will have a truck ready to go, just not this someday. 
I have been messing with little pieces of scrap, I am sure I spent more time than it was worth, but I couldn't just toss them into the regular scrap. Had a bunch of pieces that had copper tube pressed onto a brass chunk, then the bras had stainless welded to it. I separated all the parts and now I am going to work on this big hunk of copper that came from an FM radio antenna. Not sure what I am going to find yet.
I have been messing with little pieces of scrap, I am sure I spent more time than it was worth, but I couldn't just toss them into the regular scrap. Had a bunch of pieces that had copper tube pressed onto a brass chunk, then the bras had stainless welded to it. I separated all the parts and now I am going to work on this big hunk of copper that came from an FM radio antenna. Not sure what I am going to find yet.
Plastikosmd
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2016
- Messages
- 1,254
I have trouble selling “scrap”
Not quite a hoarder but I am amazed how much stuff I pick out of my “absolutely scrap, never gonna use it pile”
In 10 yrs I have sold at the scrapyard once
Not quite a hoarder but I am amazed how much stuff I pick out of my “absolutely scrap, never gonna use it pile”
In 10 yrs I have sold at the scrapyard once
I have spent so much on PC's and wear them out. The amount of cash is not going to be returned, the data on hard drives from my self and customer are destroyed by me scrappping the drives and PC's for the gold scrap in them. I am close to 5lbs of gold scrap. Minor satisfaction from all I have spent.
I have a few barrels of wire to strip.
thanks for the picture Strouty...
I have a few barrels of wire to strip.
thanks for the picture Strouty...
If I kept all the cool scrap that I came across, I would need another couple acres of land and probable twenty shipping containers. I still have a lot, but it is the "cool stuff" and I just can't seem to part with it. I just cut off some good chunks of solid copper and a couple brass hex pieces that seem like they would be useful someday.
I am about ready to head out, unfortunately I did not even get to finish everything. There are a couple things left, but I will probably end up holding onto them for the time being. I can always scrap them later. I feel bad, but I am leaving a huge mess, just can't find the ambition to pick it all up tonight.
Have a good night, I will update with a few pictures later, sometime after I eat lunch (yes I said lunch).
I am about ready to head out, unfortunately I did not even get to finish everything. There are a couple things left, but I will probably end up holding onto them for the time being. I can always scrap them later. I feel bad, but I am leaving a huge mess, just can't find the ambition to pick it all up tonight.
Have a good night, I will update with a few pictures later, sometime after I eat lunch (yes I said lunch).
Forgot to post the picture of the mess I made. The mess I made was worth it, got $890 in scrap, better than last weeks haul for sure.
Also found a picture of the accident scene from the “kid” who must look younger than I thought, the article said he was 33, definitely thought he was younger.
Also found a picture of the accident scene from the “kid” who must look younger than I thought, the article said he was 33, definitely thought he was younger.
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steaks&anvils
Well-known member
After looking at them again, they may actually work for a hammer. I have three that are larger than I remembered. For now, I have set them aside with some of the other cool things I saved, someday I will find the time to use them, someday.
Trying to rearrange the shop to fit the burb, then I can change the oil and do a few more things to it.
I found out how bad the price is for batteries, so my forklift scrapping idea is probably borderline not worth it, I guess I could try selling it as a battery, it does hold a charge pretty well, it just isn't really the proper size for my forklift. Either way I will move forward with the clean up and painting of the white forklift. It will give me an excuse to buy a bigger air compressor and sandblasting setup, I think having those things will be a huge asset to my overall shop goals anyways. I will be able to sandblast truck frames and parts, then paint them in house and that will make some more dollars when it comes time to sell them. I hope in the next couple of years, I can start actually making some money by selling a couple refurbished trucks.
Trying to rearrange the shop to fit the burb, then I can change the oil and do a few more things to it.
I found out how bad the price is for batteries, so my forklift scrapping idea is probably borderline not worth it, I guess I could try selling it as a battery, it does hold a charge pretty well, it just isn't really the proper size for my forklift. Either way I will move forward with the clean up and painting of the white forklift. It will give me an excuse to buy a bigger air compressor and sandblasting setup, I think having those things will be a huge asset to my overall shop goals anyways. I will be able to sandblast truck frames and parts, then paint them in house and that will make some more dollars when it comes time to sell them. I hope in the next couple of years, I can start actually making some money by selling a couple refurbished trucks.
Power is on!
Just in time, it was starting to get really warm inside with the door open. Almost done picking things up, probably going to wait until tomorrow to do the burb repairs, I will just finish making room today. Then in the morning I will be able to roll in and start doing the repairs. I may even get an earlier start, it is supposed to be really hot tomorrow.
Just in time, it was starting to get really warm inside with the door open. Almost done picking things up, probably going to wait until tomorrow to do the burb repairs, I will just finish making room today. Then in the morning I will be able to roll in and start doing the repairs. I may even get an earlier start, it is supposed to be really hot tomorrow.
bimmer1980
Well-known member
After looking at them again, they may actually work for a hammer. I have three that are larger than I remembered. For now, I have set them aside with some of the other cool things I saved, someday I will find the time to use them, someday.
Trying to rearrange the shop to fit the burb, then I can change the oil and do a few more things to it.
I found out how bad the price is for batteries, so my forklift scrapping idea is probably borderline not worth it, I guess I could try selling it as a battery, it does hold a charge pretty well, it just isn't really the proper size for my forklift. Either way I will move forward with the clean up and painting of the white forklift. It will give me an excuse to buy a bigger air compressor and sandblasting setup, I think having those things will be a huge asset to my overall shop goals anyways. I will be able to sandblast truck frames and parts, then paint them in house and that will make some more dollars when it comes time to sell them. I hope in the next couple of years, I can start actually making some money by selling a couple refurbished trucks.
Rather than going to the work of sandblasting..... How about just swapping the necessary parts to get it to work, and work well. If the paint really bothers you that much, just degrease it well, wipe down with acetone or paint thinner and paint it.... By the time you deal with sandblasting, cleaning all the grit out, prepping for paint, painting it, then reassembly, you might as well just go buy a brand new forklift and call it a day. It is just a forklift, not a rare model Bugatti that needs to be shown at the Con Cours....
In the mean time, you will have a forklift with pieces all over, tying up shop space, etc. then you'll end up buying another forklift to have in the interim that will have more issues to deal with......
Trust me, I get why you want it fixed up, but it doesn't have to be Instagram or Pinterest perfect..... It just needs to work so that you can use it.
I saw a guy post some pictures in a different thread about a Clark forklift that was beautifully fixed up. It's the same model as mine.... I need to replace the mast cylinder seals on mine. As much as I would like to paint it all up, I have other things that are a much higher priority....
Just some casual observations....
xtremek
Well-known member
Sandblasting is a ton of nasty, sweaty, dirty work. I hit stuff with the powerwasher, then a flap disc, some Rust Stop, and a coat of paint for industrial/work stuff. My cars are USUALLY a different story.
I don’t think I will be sandblasting every inch of the forklift, there are parts that need it, I was more thinking of future truck frames and bodies, just using the forklift as an excuse to buy it sooner. A nice Pinterest photo shoot would be a great idea though.
I have done a bunch of sandblasting, so I understand the nasty mess it makes, the end results are usually worth it.
Today I did something dumb, I opened a door that I my ears told me not to open, but it was too late. You know those beware of dog signs? Well, the barking should have warned me, but I thought I saw the owner inside, nope. I sure as heck wasn’t being menacing, once I realized what was happening I tried to shut the door and that is when the dog bit my hand. Had to grab the door from the top and kind of slam the dog’s head in the door to get him to back off, got the door closed and considered myself lucky it just hurt, no blood. I am not a dog person and I probably never will be, totally my fault.
I have done a bunch of sandblasting, so I understand the nasty mess it makes, the end results are usually worth it.
Today I did something dumb, I opened a door that I my ears told me not to open, but it was too late. You know those beware of dog signs? Well, the barking should have warned me, but I thought I saw the owner inside, nope. I sure as heck wasn’t being menacing, once I realized what was happening I tried to shut the door and that is when the dog bit my hand. Had to grab the door from the top and kind of slam the dog’s head in the door to get him to back off, got the door closed and considered myself lucky it just hurt, no blood. I am not a dog person and I probably never will be, totally my fault.