Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT Welcome......To Odd Acres

[drivesitfar]

FGI: is your new vinyl product a wood grain or do you have a link or pictures of it? nice to have a wife that isn't afraid to tell people to do their job. not only do you have a cool car, cool place, but you've got an even COOLER BRIDE.

Just an FYI. my wife bought these cushioned floor mats for our kitchen that really helped her foot issues a while back. i think we've had them for maybe 10 or 15 years now and we've had a couple sets. i also put down horse mats in my garage that are 3/4 inch thick 4x6 foot rubber and then i bought some 1.5 inch thick 2x2 foot rubber gym mats to put in my 9x15 portion of my garage where i stand a lot. these and my inversion table really help my old feet and back.

cheers

 

[Finallygotit]

Blimey Dan , that's some job you've just undertaken, good luck with that.
The red and white tiles will be no great loss though.

In a previous house I put down a cushioned vinyl it was warm under foot and stood up well to two dogs, I did have to tack down 1/4 ply to take out any discrepancies in the timber floor boards. I don't know what sub floor you have but this is often good practice in any event.

Regards
Steve.

Hi Steve

Our entire home is on a concrete slab, hence the cold feet. If we were on anything else, this wouldn't be an issue. Most of the homes built out here are on concrete slabs.

Thanks for stopping by!

FGI: is your new vinyl product a wood grain or do you have a link or pictures of it? nice to have a wife that isn't afraid to tell people to do their job. not only do you have a cool car, cool place, but you've got an even COOLER BRIDE.

Just an FYI. my wife bought these cushioned floor mats for our kitchen that really helped her foot issues a while back. i think we've had them for maybe 10 or 15 years now and we've had a couple sets. i also put down horse mats in my garage that are 3/4 inch thick 4x6 foot rubber and then i bought some 1.5 inch thick 2x2 foot rubber gym mats to put in my 9x15 portion of my garage where i stand a lot. these and my inversion table really help my old feet and back.

cheers

Hi Drives

My wife is very cool!!

The vinyl will look a lot like the ceramic floor tile that is coming out. The color seems to be perfect for hiding the dust out here between vacuuming and mopping.

Funny coincidence, I just put down a cushioned mat in my shop in front of my one bench. I will have my wife stand on it for a while when she does a little project she will be doing out there. This will tell her is she wants a similar product in the kitchen. I have seen some very nice kitchen mats.

We'll see!


OH! I just bought a new (to me) mig welder. It's a flux core type to see if I want to expand my tool collection later on to include a gas mig. Got the welder and two spools of wire for $49. Had to buy a welding helmet and gloves. Also got a roll around stand. I did a couple of test welds and it seems to work fine. Next will be to fix the bodge on the rolling gate sections. Have never welded before so I'm looking forward to this.

More to come!

 

[drivesitfar]

FGI: make sure you read the SAFETY 101 thread about welding before you start cause there are some good tips there. also ASK if you have questions on one of the many welding threads. i think some of these guys can weld in their sleep and maybe started welding before they were out of diapers.

a few safety tips:
1) wear ear plugs (yes welds can pop and jump in your ear and burn a hole in your ear drum)
2) either wear welding pants that go to the floor and/or tuck your pants in your socks and try not to get a piece of hot weld/slag in your shoe
3) eye protection, arm and hand protection
4) PAY ATTENTION!!

i've only done a few welds with my neighbor's huge welder and i'm hoping to start welding myself so i'm trying to read up as much as i can not only on the techniches, but maybe the safety stuff more.

be careful with your hand grinders when cleaning up prior to welding too.

good luck and i hear once you learn to weld the world is yours for the taking or so THEY SAY.

good for you getting a mat in your shop. do you own an inversion table and if you do, do you hang 5 minutes each day? i love mine!!

 

[Finallygotit]

Drives,

Thank you very much for that welding information and tips. I never thought that my ears could be vulnerable. Whodathunk?!?!? I have ear plugs as well as a set of sound deadening ear muffs. I have a couple of long shop aprons that I can use as well for protection.

I guess I'm going to really have to read up on those welding threads, and soon.

Much appreciated!!

That inversion contraption, what the heck is that for?? I have never seen or heard about those before.

 

[drivesitfar]

FIG: you might not have had or ever had any back issues, but i was and probably still am a PRO GOLFER and a sore back comes with the game. i was on the long drive tour and my only Dr. at the time was a Shiatsu, but he passed so i went to a few Chiros (bone crackers) and they always did the same adjustment every week or two before i started hanging on my inversion table 9 years ago.

here's a thread that tells more and i haven't taken an Advil for back pain in 9 years and i used to take 100-150 per month.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319308&highlight=upside+world

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=293736&highlight=upside+world

if you have any questions just post on either of these threads, or this one or PM or email me.

cheers

welding on your back under a car is where you really need ear plugs, but since that stuff can pop and fly probably wouldn't hurt to wear ear protection or plugs all the time.

good luck

 

[donnie]

I had go back and look at the floor in the bathroom. It looks good vinyl has come a long ways in looks over the years.
BUT What is this that you shot! You dropped that in and....

 

[Finallygotit]

I had go back and look at the floor in the bathroom. It looks good vinyl has come a long ways in looks over the years.
BUT What is this that you shot! You dropped that in and....

Yeah.......it was one of those times that one will never forget and also makes one appreciate what one has all that much more.

It was a work place violence situation. Six were shot; two were DOA. I highly recommend not trying that experience. Funny thing, still to this day, I don't remember most of what happened in fluid motion. It just seems like snapshots to me.

 

[sawduststeve]

Yeah.......it was one of those times that one will never forget and also makes one appreciate what one has all that much more.

It was a work place violence situation. Six were shot; two were DOA. I highly recommend not trying that experience. Funny thing, still to this day, I don't remember most of what happened in fluid motion. It just seems like snapshots to me.

Holy cow, that sounds terrible, glad you made it out, prayers for the others.
Gun crime here is virtually non existent, work place gun crime I cannot recall a reported case in my lifetime. There is plenty wrong here as anywhere, no where's perfect, just no guns or contact with guns in daily life.

 

[drivesitfar]

FGI: i must have missed the part about all the shooting. sounds horrible and glad you survived. did you get a chance to read any of the inversion table threads? it works and as i mentioned i don't and haven't taken Advil for back pain in about 9 years now. i also helped many friends and clients avoid scheduled back surgeries just by using it.

good luck with the trip and hope your bride has everything going well at home while you are gone. must be nice and i know i'd be ok if i left and my bride was in charge around here too.

 

[drivesitfar]

FIO: i see you posting, but nothing on ODD ACRES. are you still out of town and having your bride run the show at home or are you just giving the story time to gather up information so you can write some more good stories?

have you ever hung on an inversion table? like we say it's too bad we all don't live closer to each other some days. i'd have you over here to give you a HANGING LESSON.

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/for/6038330060.html

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/hsh/6031989573.html

Costco sold these for about $220 9 years ago and when they sold out their portion of that year's supply that Teeter up allowed these sold for up to $450 online. i see one is firm at $129 which isn't a bad deal at all if it's supports and padding are in great shape. the other one for $175 i'd offer $75 for and see if the person wants to sell it or counter offer.

these are the first inversion tables i used and i never felt like i was in danger or going to fall off so you should like either of them if you don't want to spend about $300 for a new one that has a plastic back.

good luck and have fun feeling better after hanging. limit your hanging time to 5 minutes a day and you might have to build up to that if you get dizzy or have some ankle pain which i don't anymore after 10 years even with a week or two break now and then.

 

[Finallygotit]

Hello Drives!

Well between being slammed at work, traveling for work, out of state for training and reassembling our house when I am home, I just don't have the time right now to post on this thread. I have been lurking on GJ though; mostly to give me some calm while away. It's an addiction.

I do have updates though. The new flooring is installed and looking good and my wife is very happy with it on many fronts. But boy there was thin-set dust everywhere from the demo. We left two head rails installed for the vertical blinds that we now have to replace. The dust destroyed the gear mechanisms. And that's with me trying to rinse them out, blow them out and soak them with WD-40. ugh

I will give a better update in the not-too-distant future with pictures.

BTW, I tried one of those inversion thingies at one of the hotels where I was staying. Interesting contraption. I would have to get used to it as I was getting quite dizzy after a couple of minutes. Don't really know how I could tell the difference from normal life.

 

[drivesitfar]

FGI: it's normal to feel a bit dizzy and maybe even have some ankle pain. also to not think hanging for 5 minutes isn't doing you any good, but it is.

once you build up to 5 minutes every day i bet your back won't hurt and ache much at all.

best of luck with all the remodeling and the excess thinset.

cheers

 

[Finallygotit]

Hi there!

Things are still happening at Odd Acres but life has intervened yet once again.

But......I really needed to do some stress relieving this past weekend.

Cheers!

 

[sawduststeve]

Evening mate

When life raises it's ugly head, there's very little that can't be overcome, keep on keeping on.

The drag strip looked fun,is it local to you, but like most stress relieving things it's over all to soon

Regards Steve.

 

[C_F]

Looks like you practically had the track to yourself, no lines! Perfect stress reliever.

 

[Bob Heine]

Hi there!

Things are still happening at Odd Acres but life has intervened yet once again.

But......I really needed to do some stress relieving this past weekend.

Cheers!

FGI, I really appreciate you sharing the videos. I have a wonderful sympathetic crick in my neck from watching and hearing.

 

[Finallygotit]

Evening mate

When life raises it's ugly head, there's very little that can't be overcome, keep on keeping on.

The drag strip looked fun,is it local to you, but like most stress relieving things it's over all to soon

Regards Steve.

Hi Steve! As I keep telling myself, this too shall pass.

It's funny, for whatever reason I run scenario's in my head on possible outcomes in life. Funny thing, more often than not, it's never one of those scenario's.

Looks like you practically had the track to yourself, no lines! Perfect stress reliever.

C_F, for the first part of the event, I did! OH BABY that was a stress reliever.

FGI, I really appreciate you sharing the videos. I have a wonderful sympathetic crick in my neck from watching and hearing.

You are quite welcome Bob.

Thank you all for stopping in!

 

[-Brent-]

Dan, did they let you run against someone after some practice? Looks like fun. It's odd how the camera facing you makes it appear that you're going much slower than the camera facing down track.

 

[Finallygotit]

Hey Brent

We had one 1/8th mile run (camera in the cockpit) to prove to the folks running the show if we could handle the dragsters. (unfortunately a couple could not) After that we had two solo 1/4 mile runs. (camera on the bug catcher)

After everyone finished their solo 1/4 mile runs we went into competition mode.

 

[jbmatth]

That is very cool and something I'll have to do at some point. What were the specs on the car and what sort of times did you run?
Jealous,
JB

 

[drivesitfar]

FGI: so is that a pay for ride type of deal or did you know the people that own the dragsters? it did look a bit slick at the start and i saw you slip a bit. was there any wrecks or damage done by the guys that couldn't HANDLE the dragsters and any pictures or videos of those?

all in all looks like fun and since you already own a quick car how did the dragster compare?

glad to have you back posting on your own thread cause i for one missed your ongoing story at ODD ACRES. hope all is well with you and your bride and have you had a chance to hang on an inversion table yet?

cheers

 

[-Brent-]

Hey, just checking in Dan. I don't think I saw the results of the new flooring. Do you still have the red/white Bob's Big Boy flooring or did you get it toned down and back to some semblance of normalcy?

 

[Finallygotit]

Well, one of those "life got in the way" things I had to deal with recently were my folks. Without getting into the gory details, thankfully things seem to be OK now.

While there and talking to my dad (92 years old) he says that he really doesn't go out into his little shed/shop and work on stuff any more. Then says, "Why don't you go out there and take what you want." Ummmmmm....Okaaaaaaay. I really felt odd about doing that. But I thought I would see if there was something I could use. To say the Florida weather was unkind to his tools would be a gross understatement. I did find a mini-lathe and a flex shaft rotary tool that were in OK shape but need some TLC. OK, I'll take those......still felt odd. So I run to the store to pick up some packing material, bring it back and start packing those. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted this little gem.

Now I already have three bench grinders so I certainly don't need another one. Plus I don't have any more room for a third item in my packaging. I'm thinking I will get this one shipped back the next time I'm over there. The only thing missing from the grinder is the left wheel guard.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Dan, I do understand your apprehension in regards to your Dads tools but I look at it this way that it was a kind gesture on your Dads behalf as I am sure he knows that they will be well cared for many years to come.

Regards

 

[Knyte Tyne]

I agree with 1/2 Cup... If your pops was into his workshop as much as you are then its the continuation of his hobby into your space... Sometimes our "Old Man" has some real treasure worth passing down through the generations stashed away in their old setups... I'm incredibly thankful for everything that was given to me by my pops, he helped equip me in tools and machines I'd be years off in affording myself. I know with my dad I a thing where I brought all the tools out and we went through them again... He was super stoked to go through a story or two or provide some advice on proper use etc... It made it a great experience for him especially seeing as he couldn't even get to his workshop in his later days. Even if its something you never use, it will always be great passing it onto future generations that might.

 

[Finallygotit]

1/2 - Knyte

You two are correct and I am in 100% agreement and I will take care of these for many years to come. Funny thing, I found a couple of cheap tools that came in a wooden toolbox he gave me for Christmas when I was about 10 in his collection.

My dad always encouraged me to tinker. Sometimes he regretted that decision when he got home from work and I showed him my latest creation. He even watched over me when I did my first brake job on his '64 Buick Lesabre at the ripe old age of 12. Man those drums were heavy.

Thanks for stopping by guys!

 

[Finallygotit]

Hey, just checking in Dan. I don't think I saw the results of the new flooring. Do you still have the red/white Bob's Big Boy flooring or did you get it toned down and back to some semblance of normalcy?

Brent, I busted out loud laughing at this because that was the perfect description for that flooring.

Yes, we have new floors.

Before.....


After......




This floor is soooooo much nicer and warmer to walk on. And, true to form, the previous floor was not installed correctly and would sound hollow if something hard was dropped on it. I no longer sound like a Clydesdale walking across the floor.

The whole house is completed floor-wise. Little by little the house is getting reassembled. We're not to far from calling this one done and dusted.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

[Finallygotit]

So I finally got around to replace that wheel kluge that was attached to one of driveway gates. This is my first real attempt at welding. I have practiced on a couple of scrap pieces but by the looks of this work, I need a LOT more practice. It's fugly.

Anyway, I started with this....

Once I had that **** removed, I cleaned up the surface to mount the new 1" x 2".

Clamped new piece to old piece....

Go and get my buddy, Mr. Rat Fink.....

And wa-la!

See?? I told you it was fugly. But it is surprisingly solid. That new wheel is also a cast iron wheel and not rubber with a zirk fitting. Those wheels should last a few years.

I need to slink back to the shop and practice a whole heck of a lot more.

 

[Finallygotit]

I got call from a very good friend of mine yesterday and he informed me that he knows of a lathe that is for sale. He sends me a few pictures and tells me what the owner wants for it. Needless to say, it's in my shop today.

It's an Atlas 618.....

It is in surprisingly very good condition.

It came with all kinds of attachments......

Besides what is shown in the picture, there are collets, all kinds of bits, all of the gears required to turn just about any thread pitch a spare motor, a spare drive screw, a spare machine bed and more "stuff." There is very little backlash in any of the screws. The main feed handle is the only area I can see right now that needs some attention. It's a bit sloppy and probably needs a new bushing. Besides that, I have to clean it and repaint it. That mint green paint is not going to cut it for me. I was thinking more on the lines of a hammer tone gray.

This little beauty should serve me well for a few years.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

[jbmatth]

Congrats on the lathe, and you are correct you need to practice a lot more on the welding! But I have very little room to talk.
JB

 

[-Brent-]

Aw man, I love that mint green. It's great that you got so much with it, too. That's a great size for a small shop, I'm envious!

 

[Finallygotit]

.........and you are correct you need to practice a lot more on the welding!

I know.......

 

[Finallygotit]

Well earlier I mentioned that I picked up a couple of items from my Dad. One of them was this Sherline mini lathe. It needed a little TLC but nothing serious. The Florida humidity did it no favors. And the fine folks at UPS certainly didn't help matters......buggers.....

I had that box packed solid like you would not believe and they still managed to bust it up! Grrrrrrrr.......

This is how it came out of the box.


The bracket that holds the motor is a die cast piece which is no longer available so I will have to make a new piece from billet. No biggie....



And of course they busted up a handle which turns out to be a good thing. The manufacturer now makes handles with reset-able dials. So I cleaned up the good handles and re-positioned them and put the new handle where it will do the most good.


The chuck was also froze due to the rust. I was finally able to get it moving, disassembled and cleaned up.



So after hitting it with some India stones and some mild Scotch-Brite, it went from this


To where it stands right now


Got one more machine purchase that is due to arrive on the 8th. I'm really excited about this one.

After it arrives, I will start making the bracket for this little guy.

More to come and thanks for stopping by!

 

[C_F]

Nice work on the little lathe, it almost looks new! That was pretty lucky that they still make replacement adjustment knobs.

 

[Finallygotit]

It was lucky indeed C_F. I was amazed that the company was still in business. That little lathe is almost 40 years old. It was manufactured in 12/1977.

 

[sawduststeve]

Evening Dan,

The slimline/compact lathe looks like a great buy,but the work on the little lathe is just beautiful.
Good work fella.

Steve.

 

[ASHMAN_AZ]

Good to see a shop from the neighborhood improved.
Haven't driven by in awhile didn't even notice the new 2nd garage.

 

[Finallygotit]

Evening Dan,

The slimline/compact lathe looks like a great buy,but the work on the little lathe is just beautiful.
Good work fella.

Steve.

Hello Steve and thank you! I'm anxious to use the mini lathe. I want to make some handles for the feed wheels that swivel. The handles that are on it right now are stationary. Thanks for stopping by again!

Good to see a shop from the neighborhood improved.
Haven't driven by in awhile didn't even notice the new 2nd garage.

Hello ASHMAN_AZ and thanks for stopping by our Odd little space. There seems to be a small revival of sorts in this neighborhood and I'm very glad to see it. I also have some very nice neighbors that are in the process of upgrading their properties.

 

[Finallygotit]

Aw man, I love that mint green. It's great that you got so much with it, too. That's a great size for a small shop, I'm envious!

Brent, I'll tell you what, I will save a piece of that mint green paint just for you.

This new (to me) lathe is a bit smaller than what I had wanted but this thing has all the goodies, is in great shape and it has that vintage character about it that I really like. I have not seen one of these with the cast iron machine base either. Most of them are bench mounted. I'm getting giddy about fixing this up.

More to come!

 

[cash68]

Very cool mini lathe, what powers it?