Above 1200 Sq/FT The Salvage Garage
- Thread starter Strouty
- Start date
Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
Last night, I only slept for 6.75 hours, not enough, I am dragging already. I guess I will have to try closer to 8 hours and see how that feels.
I had to go to a tower site this morning to discuss layout for propane tank slabs, now I am being harassed about lease language, after lunch I am going to shut off the distractions and get to work on the important stuff.
I had to go to a tower site this morning to discuss layout for propane tank slabs, now I am being harassed about lease language, after lunch I am going to shut off the distractions and get to work on the important stuff.
Is it possible to stop self defeating? I feel like everything I try, I find a way to either undo or break any confidence/ambition for the project. I know this is not just a simple thing, I am having serious issues completing any tasks and as my thread shows, I combat this on a regular basis. Sometimes I appear productive, but it doesn't really keep my motivated, it used to be that I could get motivation for the next thing, by getting one done. I am at a loss, the last month has been very bad, I feel like I am lying to myself about what I want to do. Does that even make sense? I don't feel depressed, I do feel overly tired, I can explain this away by the bed and even that is getting better. I have been trying to clean things up, but it is not really working, too much stuff in the way, things that dredge up lots of feelings, good, bad, and ugly, but all distracting from what is in front of me. Do I just hide it all, do I toss it all, I do not have the time to start cleaning it as I am supposed to leave for Virginia on Saturday and I still don't have trailer brakes on the Burb.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
If you feel you're circling the drain... just keep swimming ... if you stop... somebody is gonna flush. Just stop adding **** to your pool.
I will advise... do less... really... not kidding...
I will advise... do less... really... not kidding...
Perrorojo
Well-known member
What is something you really enjoy or used to enjoy? If you have something sitting around that used to put a smile on your face, fix it or get it out and use it.
I've had that stupid 454SS for a month. I've put about 3500 miles or 350 gallons of fuel through it. I bet I've done 300 little burnouts like an idiot high school kid. I took my wife out to dinner a couple days ago and did a big obnoxious burnout leaving a stoplight. She looked at me and said "you really love this ************* don't you!" I said "hell yes". Then she told me to get a mullet wig.
Point is, it's put me in a way better mood and I've actually got back to working on the Galaxie and finishing the Willys.
I've had that stupid 454SS for a month. I've put about 3500 miles or 350 gallons of fuel through it. I bet I've done 300 little burnouts like an idiot high school kid. I took my wife out to dinner a couple days ago and did a big obnoxious burnout leaving a stoplight. She looked at me and said "you really love this ************* don't you!" I said "hell yes". Then she told me to get a mullet wig.
Point is, it's put me in a way better mood and I've actually got back to working on the Galaxie and finishing the Willys.
Last edited:
Everything that makes me "happy" seems to have changed, almost can't even figure out something that does make me happy. I know I can hide myself in the "high" of finding a deal. In the last month, I have bought more projects, making things more overwhelming. I think I even told myself that there would be no more purchases, of course the latest truck (my original burb) was way too easy to rationalize. I think I may be circling the drain, but when I go to grab something that I think is a good flotation device, it turns out to be a piece of ****. I texted the lady with the house behind my shop today, told her I am having the power disconnected so that I don't have to pay the bill anymore, I am not asking her to pay me anything, she totally took advantage of the situation, I was willing to bet on it, but in the end I lost big time. To top it all off, I am willing to bet I will watch the house fall apart until it is worth nothing.
Then with the other house/shop ordeal, I am now sour on traveling to my shop, all I see is wasting over an hour driving, it makes things feel terrible, especially when I don't appear to get anything done, that compounds things.
Anyways, I am trying to dig out some space so I can work in my fully air conditioned space (yes it is air conditioned and being wasted), instead I feel like a drunk trying to walk down railroad tracks in the dark, stumbling over each railroad tie instead of stepping on them.
Then with the other house/shop ordeal, I am now sour on traveling to my shop, all I see is wasting over an hour driving, it makes things feel terrible, especially when I don't appear to get anything done, that compounds things.
Anyways, I am trying to dig out some space so I can work in my fully air conditioned space (yes it is air conditioned and being wasted), instead I feel like a drunk trying to walk down railroad tracks in the dark, stumbling over each railroad tie instead of stepping on them.
I definitely need to do something, this **** ain't workin'.
I am trying to setup my miller 211 for welding steel, I have only used it with the spool gun so far, I have now (after an hour of looking) found the accessories that I knew I had. Still trying to figure out what the liner that comes with it is from the factory. I want to run .035 wire, but I think it is set with .030, of course the liners I have vary and the factory one could be for sizes up to .030 or from .030 wire, doesn't seem like there is a way to tell them apart other than eyeball. I guess I am going to try the factory one, the .035 slipped in and fed nicely. I now can go outside to weld so I don't have all the fumes and smoke inside, so I guess I am almost ready to get something done. Funny thing is that I hadn't welded any steel in a while and last time I welded was to make the brackets for the rollers that went under the arbor press, apparently I never swapped gas, so I used straight argon, at least this time I am swapping to the mix, should make for a better weld.
I am pretty well convinced that I am going to need one more conex to help offload the stuff from the shop, then again, I should price out my storage wall components, that might be more productive in the end. I don't feel like anything is really clear right now, time is marching on and it seems like I am being left behind. Poor me..................
Thanks for the thoughts and listening to me whine a bit.
I am trying to setup my miller 211 for welding steel, I have only used it with the spool gun so far, I have now (after an hour of looking) found the accessories that I knew I had. Still trying to figure out what the liner that comes with it is from the factory. I want to run .035 wire, but I think it is set with .030, of course the liners I have vary and the factory one could be for sizes up to .030 or from .030 wire, doesn't seem like there is a way to tell them apart other than eyeball. I guess I am going to try the factory one, the .035 slipped in and fed nicely. I now can go outside to weld so I don't have all the fumes and smoke inside, so I guess I am almost ready to get something done. Funny thing is that I hadn't welded any steel in a while and last time I welded was to make the brackets for the rollers that went under the arbor press, apparently I never swapped gas, so I used straight argon, at least this time I am swapping to the mix, should make for a better weld.
I am pretty well convinced that I am going to need one more conex to help offload the stuff from the shop, then again, I should price out my storage wall components, that might be more productive in the end. I don't feel like anything is really clear right now, time is marching on and it seems like I am being left behind. Poor me..................
Thanks for the thoughts and listening to me whine a bit.
You guys got me motivated and I thank you for that, then just as I am getting ready to setup the welder outside, it starts raining go figure. I am going to clean up a bit more and see if it stops, kind of looks like it is passing over, but I have dinner plans, so might not be enough time. At least tomorrow I do not have anything pressing, was I mean is that there is nothing business related that I have to do, so I should be able to get here early, beat the heat a bit and get the shop cleared out. My brake controller should arrive tomorrow afternoon so I will have it for Friday morning, I have a spare cheap that works if for some reason the Prodigy 2 doesn't work or doesn't arrive. At this point I still need to get some tires mounted and I would like to get a spare that matches my new ones so I have it for the road trip. I am taking out the trash and recycling now, that way I don't have to do it tomorrow.
go figure. I am going to clean up a bit more and see if it stops, kind of looks like it is passing over, but I have dinner plans, so might not be enough time. At least tomorrow I do not have anything pressing, was I mean is that there is nothing business related that I have to do, so I should be able to get here early, beat the heat a bit and get the shop cleared out. My brake controller should arrive tomorrow afternoon so I will have it for Friday morning, I have a spare cheap that works if for some reason the Prodigy 2 doesn't work or doesn't arrive. At this point I still need to get some tires mounted and I would like to get a spare that matches my new ones so I have it for the road trip. I am taking out the trash and recycling now, that way I don't have to do it tomorrow.Which way you going to VA?
Tire place opens at 7:30 AM, so I guess I won't be at the shop quite as early, I figure drop them off tomorrow and pick them up Friday morning.
This is important as the chassis I am going to pick up is not rolling without them.
I just hope I can make the next couple days more productive than the last couple weeks.
This is important as the chassis I am going to pick up is not rolling without them.
I just hope I can make the next couple days more productive than the last couple weeks.
Passing NYC what are you taking?
Looks like the burb and an 18' trailer. I honestly haven't picked a route yet, but it looks like I will be going by the city. I tentatively told a guy in Connecticut that I would look at a truck sometime around 5 or 6 depending on the auction in Massachusetts, may stay til the end or may split early. I think that would put me there around 9 or 10? I figure the later the better for traffic. I am supposed to be in Chesapeake around 10 to 12 on Sunday. I can say google definitely takes traffic into consideration, last time I looked at the route it was about 12.5 hours, right now it is a touch over 11, so I may get it down to 10 and a half.
Dinner plans are no longer, I just couldn't see wasting the motivation. Going to try and tack weld up the seat for the forklift, I wanted to make brackets for it, but I don't have time for that ****
Dinner plans are no longer, I just couldn't see wasting the motivation. Going to try and tack weld up the seat for the forklift, I wanted to make brackets for it, but I don't have time for that ****
I will definitely be coming down 84, the truck I would be looking at is close to 84 and I will be at the auction in Shrewsbury, so 84 is easy access. Thanks for the tip, I can remember having to drive through NYC in a truck with a trailer, it sucked. Then you get all the freaking parkways that don't allow anything larger than a miata.
jakemac
Well-known member
Yup.
95 (ME,NH,MA) - 495 (MA) - 90 (MA) - 84 (MA,CT) - 684 (CT,NY) - 287 (NY,NJ) - 87 (NJ) - 95/Jersey Turnpike
It’s a long drive, but anything closer to NYC will **** the will to live out of you.
Hmmmmm, I wonder if the Fishkill Cafe in Fishkill, NY is still open ?
It’s right off the highway.
Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app
Last edited:
Got the seat installed, tires and rims loaded for the morning. The seat is a bit more forward than I wanted it, but I would have had to notch the cab or cut the seat frame to fit better and I didn’t have the time to do that. It actually makes visibility better, but it may make running the clutch tougher. Only time will tell.
Attachments
No Stay on 278 do not do 87 this takes you across GW Bridge If you take 287 further south it is easy to cross over to 95 around Newark. It is a little more out of way but you avoid NYC traffic.
Would you loop all the way following 287 until it hits 95 again? I know Jersey has a lot of parkways as well, not sure what is friendly to trucks or not and I would prefer not having to reroute due to a no commercial vehicle policy. It doesn't look too bad as far as extra time and it would definitely be easier than jumping over a few different roads to get back to 95, probably adds 15 or 20 miles in the end.
xtremek
Well-known member
Sorry I didn't see your tumble down the rabbit hole last night. I have two bits of advice that I'm TRYING to follow myself. NO MORE NEW PROJECTS. (the caps is for me) Even if it's a rocking hot deal. One squirms it's way in once in a while, but I've throttled way back. Start finishing projects. Ticked one off last night (finished treating the deck). I'm not doing great, but I'm doing better. Next up for me is finish powerwashing the barn and then paint it. I keep telling myself, finish the job. Finish the garden fence. Get the dump truck usable again. Then move on. I'm glad you brought this up, I needed the reminder. NO NEW PROJECTS (do you think it'll sink in?)
xtremek
Well-known member
BTW, the seat looks good, one off the list. 
bimmer1980
Well-known member
And the voice of reason says, what is all this driving and road hassle for? To pick up another project?
Just remember the total cost involved for a "cheap" up front project cost....
What do you value your time at?
I get your struggle....
I find that going on a business trip does wonders for me. Its a change of scenery, a fresh look at other things, etc.
Just remember the total cost involved for a "cheap" up front project cost....
What do you value your time at?
I get your struggle....
I find that going on a business trip does wonders for me. Its a change of scenery, a fresh look at other things, etc.
In the end, I will have probably $40k into the suburban(s) project, maybe even $50k, but this will net me a very good daily driver (my original new burb), a snow plow, and one perfect (I hate to say that) vehicle. Depending on how things go, I may try and galvanize a couple frames at the same time, the price difference is negligible as most of the money is in the prep and transportation. Lucky for me, I have to get some steel galvanized for a job that I am doing, so it will be really easy to sneak the new frame in that load. Once that is done, I will start assembling the running gear, then all I need is the body, will be looking for another black burb to go with my maroon interior. Once I start working with rust free parts, I am pretty sure things will be fun again, the rust just ruins it for me. I can't justify all the effort knowing that the truck will still end up rotted due to the rust I can't see.
I dropped off the tires and rims, should be able to pick them up tomorrow morning, new matching spare mounted and balanced and four mounted tires to use for the chassis I am picking up. Also looked under the hood of the maroon burb and it has the orange and blue wires already run for the trailer brakes, just need to add a few things and get that wired up. After that, everything else is just would like to do items, so if I can't get them done, they won't make or break me. The one that I would really like to do is the mirrors, it would be nice to get the towing mirrors installed, but I know I can manage without them if need be.
I dropped off the tires and rims, should be able to pick them up tomorrow morning, new matching spare mounted and balanced and four mounted tires to use for the chassis I am picking up. Also looked under the hood of the maroon burb and it has the orange and blue wires already run for the trailer brakes, just need to add a few things and get that wired up. After that, everything else is just would like to do items, so if I can't get them done, they won't make or break me. The one that I would really like to do is the mirrors, it would be nice to get the towing mirrors installed, but I know I can manage without them if need be.
287 is a truck route. Should be one road to get back to 95.
Many of the NE racing guys will not drive near metro NY as it often turns in to a CF any time of day or night.
95 on weekends is worse. I will check tomorrows paper to see if they are doing construction anywhere near.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Best way to navigate north and south in New Jersey... is to do so in Pennsylvania.
I too try to take on too many projects and am way too optimistic with the time frame for finishing them. My best method for not bringing anything on I shouldn't = or for getting rid of something that at one point I thought was going to be cool and fun is this question: When the hell will I get to this? If I have 14 other cool projects that I want to do first I can more easily say - not going to pick this one up.
I still have too much stuff (you haven't seen my other property yet ) but I have less than I would have and have gotten better at hiring things out at times (gutters) or doing things that kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Like when I agreed to be the GC for my in-laws apartment build on the 2nd floor of a my garage BUT got my garage area fully insulated, wired AND now have water access too it at little cost to me BUT A LOT of my time last year.
Not saying that I have it all figured out - far from it, but I feel and understand your struggle.
I still have too much stuff (you haven't seen my other property yet ) but I have less than I would have and have gotten better at hiring things out at times (gutters) or doing things that kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Like when I agreed to be the GC for my in-laws apartment build on the 2nd floor of a my garage BUT got my garage area fully insulated, wired AND now have water access too it at little cost to me BUT A LOT of my time last year.
Not saying that I have it all figured out - far from it, but I feel and understand your struggle.
The struggle is real!
The time you invested was definitely worth it, may take a bit to be obvious, but it was worth the effort. At some point we have to get together and do shop tours.
I have said this from the start, having too much space gets me into trouble, I can store lots of projects before the **** hits the fan. I think right now I am a bit stressed as I have never hauled a trailer with this burb and I really wanted to take Bev, but it is clear that the burb is the better and safer way to go. I just hope nothing funky goes down, it will make a fun trip into an expensive regret, no guarantees with anything I guess. If I waited for everything to be perfect, I would never get to do anything, just need to keep reminding myself that.
The time you invested was definitely worth it, may take a bit to be obvious, but it was worth the effort. At some point we have to get together and do shop tours.
I have said this from the start, having too much space gets me into trouble, I can store lots of projects before the **** hits the fan. I think right now I am a bit stressed as I have never hauled a trailer with this burb and I really wanted to take Bev, but it is clear that the burb is the better and safer way to go. I just hope nothing funky goes down, it will make a fun trip into an expensive regret, no guarantees with anything I guess. If I waited for everything to be perfect, I would never get to do anything, just need to keep reminding myself that.
F451
Well-known member
NO NEW PROJECTS - YES! (caps emphasis for me - as someone mentioned above. I can't be reminded of this enough).
I've struggled with uncompleted projects for years, feeling like I never have enough time and energy...for anything. I would say my projects, both in number, and scope, are way smaller then what you have been up to, but for me, they're often overwhelming.
When we moved about 1.5 yrs ago it was a great opportunity to do "The Great Boyd Family Purge of 2017", and I'm still at it today. I sold, donated, and threw out tons of stuff, and even a number of tools and equipment that I don't really use. Lots of it was really valuable stuff and I'm realizing I'm not missing most of it at all. Quite the opposite actually.
And it feels great.
I had, I think 7 or 8 motorcycles, 2 of which were running at any one time. The rest sat and were just in the way. I also have an old Porsche project, its been sitting for 10 years. 10 years! I finally called a local Porsche friend and talked things over with him, we both agreed, its time to **** or get off the pot.
Not long ago, I spotted an old Suzuki GS1100, mint condition, priced so low I couldn't afford not to buy it. Mentioned it to a friend, he flat out told me, DO NOT BUY THAT. Would not give in to all my justifications. I didn't buy it and once it was gone from CL I actually felt relief. Called my buddy back and thanked him for being forceful with me.
That was a good lesson.
Ultimately, I had to decide what and how I spend my time. Its the only thing I can control. I'd rather ride motorcycles then restore/maintain them. I'd rather relax with family then (fill in x). I'd rather spend more on something newer that actually works, then spend less on another project.
Making lists and checking them daily has helped me prioritize. I don't always stick to the list, I regularly revise them, sometimes I ignore them. Its all good.
But my impulsive purchases and time ***** have almost been eliminated completely, its like a new way to live for me. Its not perfect by any means, but its way better then it was.
Good luck on your journey, I think its helpful that you're considering how you're spending your precious time and money, and what makes you happy, etc. So many people blindly run around without really considering what makes them happy.
I've struggled with uncompleted projects for years, feeling like I never have enough time and energy...for anything. I would say my projects, both in number, and scope, are way smaller then what you have been up to, but for me, they're often overwhelming.
When we moved about 1.5 yrs ago it was a great opportunity to do "The Great Boyd Family Purge of 2017", and I'm still at it today. I sold, donated, and threw out tons of stuff, and even a number of tools and equipment that I don't really use. Lots of it was really valuable stuff and I'm realizing I'm not missing most of it at all. Quite the opposite actually.
And it feels great.
I had, I think 7 or 8 motorcycles, 2 of which were running at any one time. The rest sat and were just in the way. I also have an old Porsche project, its been sitting for 10 years. 10 years! I finally called a local Porsche friend and talked things over with him, we both agreed, its time to **** or get off the pot.
Not long ago, I spotted an old Suzuki GS1100, mint condition, priced so low I couldn't afford not to buy it. Mentioned it to a friend, he flat out told me, DO NOT BUY THAT. Would not give in to all my justifications. I didn't buy it and once it was gone from CL I actually felt relief. Called my buddy back and thanked him for being forceful with me.
That was a good lesson.
Ultimately, I had to decide what and how I spend my time. Its the only thing I can control. I'd rather ride motorcycles then restore/maintain them. I'd rather relax with family then (fill in x). I'd rather spend more on something newer that actually works, then spend less on another project.
Making lists and checking them daily has helped me prioritize. I don't always stick to the list, I regularly revise them, sometimes I ignore them. Its all good.
But my impulsive purchases and time ***** have almost been eliminated completely, its like a new way to live for me. Its not perfect by any means, but its way better then it was.
Good luck on your journey, I think its helpful that you're considering how you're spending your precious time and money, and what makes you happy, etc. So many people blindly run around without really considering what makes them happy.
86turbodsl
Well-known member
Wow, and i drove an 86 F250 pulling a trailer THRU Manhattan. With a stickshift.
You guys are soft.
F451
Well-known member
Lol!
Do they still have those abandoned car carcasses on that stretch of the Cross Bronx Expressway? Always amazed me and freaked me out at the same time.
It's not a great deal if it stresses you out and you have to buy stuff to store it for years until it ends up rusting away. There's a reason people go buy new 250/2500 trucks instead of fixing 20 year old Suburbans.
Best of luck on your travels, both to VA and finding whatever it is you're looking for.
F451
Well-known member
Yes, of course. Did not mean to imply that you are personally doing that, just a general statement. And which happened to apply to myself more then I knew until I was forced to consider all my stuff and projects when we moved.
This is so true. Its the main reason why we sold my wife's old car and got her a new one. Yes I can keep fixing it, but it's stressing me out and could interfere with our jobs when it's broken. Same reason why we have someone come clean our house once in a while. We'd rather spend the time with our little kids before they're not little anymore.
I still fix most of the stuff around the house but I'll try to include my 4 year old daughter to make it more enjoyable. She can already fix more then my brother in law!
Really, I am running around blindly, I was just trying to make it sound better.
As for the older burbs, I have a soft spot for the diesels, I figure after I get my fill of these, I will start building a newer one with a duramax engine and allison transmission. Some people collect stamps, some people collect women, some people collect drugs, I collect suburbans. There must be worse things than that? Right?
Don't think that I don't appreciate all the comments, even the ones that singe, sometimes things need to be said. The way I look at things is I created the situation, I will have to decide to make changes so that it will be better long term. Sometimes those changes are harder than expected, it is always easier to eat the ice cream instead of losing the weight, before you know it, you are over 300 pounds and still want more ice cream.
As for the older burbs, I have a soft spot for the diesels, I figure after I get my fill of these, I will start building a newer one with a duramax engine and allison transmission. Some people collect stamps, some people collect women, some people collect drugs, I collect suburbans. There must be worse things than that? Right?
Don't think that I don't appreciate all the comments, even the ones that singe, sometimes things need to be said. The way I look at things is I created the situation, I will have to decide to make changes so that it will be better long term. Sometimes those changes are harder than expected, it is always easier to eat the ice cream instead of losing the weight, before you know it, you are over 300 pounds and still want more ice cream.
I am guessing I won't have anything done for more than a week, but I have started to do some videos, pretty crappy quality so far, but I am learning. It is a bit of a reality check to see myself, kind of embarrassing to be honest. I want to start a YouTube channel, well try, I have enough of the computer background that I think doing the digital editing should be OK and I am sure I will learn as I go, just want to try it out and have fun. Not that I need more projects, but documenting some things is cool and I figure some of the tower work will be really interesting to people, or make them lose their lunch, whatever. I have recorded a good 2 hours of video so far and I can tell that if I want to do a decent job, I will need more cameras. I also would like to setup a few cheap ones that do time-lapse stills, then I can piece things together and make some video clips out of it as well. I had played around with this way back in 2012 with some GoPro hero 2s, but they are far from adequate now. GoPro is also offering $100 discount if you trade them in, so I may jump on that bandwagon as well. I may even dig out the old time-lapse stuff and edit it better, there was a lot of footage I never even used, could be some cool stuff for sure.
Maybe the camera will make me lose some weight, so I can impress my viewers.....
Maybe the camera will make me lose some weight, so I can impress my viewers.....
jakemac
Well-known member
No, I just punish myself in a different way.
For years I commuted all the way around the 128 loop (around Boston) in stop-n-go traffic, every day. I drove an old GMC cargo van with a standard 3-speed stick that was positioned halfway behind the seat. Try doing that with a broken clutch ankle !
There comes a time when you just don’t have an interest in those things anymore. Now I punish myself by driving 5hrs into Maine, spending 3hrs mowing a lawn, then loading up and driving back to MA. Going up tomorrow.
Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app
86turbodsl
Well-known member
I don't remember seeing any. It was kinda dusk when i was doing this. Glad the wife was half asleep. I am a bit of a crazy driver.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
My daily driver into Park Ave office 95 Silverado stepside with tires two sizes up. Did it for seven years.
Last edited:
xtremek
Well-known member
So I'm sorry you're stumbling, but your timing is incredible. As you know, I have a '52 COE I want to start, but told myself I have to take care of the home first. I almost went out this evening to start another new project and I thought of my advice. It can wait. Thanks for the inadvertent poke.