Shop Talk

Update on grandson Nic's shop.

Roof is on. Doors are in place!

Regards,

 Chris and Cheryl

Well as I pulled the rear axles to replace the seals I found the old wheel cylinders were frozen and or really rusty. So new NAPA wheel cylinders were installed on the rear. Bleed the rear brakes again. Checked the vent of the rear end while we were in there.

Several test rides: The brakes work really well with good pedal, not power for sure but confident of the stopping ability. Drivability is much better! Maybe 80 % better. Can't wait to see if the alignment makes additional improvements. 

Now thinking there rear springs may need some help as its now a little soft in the rear.

Regards,

 Chris and Cheryl

Putting new front suspension, steering components, and disc brakes with dual master cylinder on it. 60 years, it's time for a upgrade!. Just set it down on the new coils and the front is 2 inches higher than it was. Car is level with the air shocks in the back now. Still have the master cylinder to install, and a rear brake hose. Then can start to bleed the system. Should be fun! Then to the alignment shop!

 Regards,

 Chris and Cheryl

 This small change to allow some actual work area near the lift has been wonderful! We have the front of the Comet apart and it is being reassembled. The work surfaces provide the space for new and old parts and help that antique car project to move along easily.

Thanks for checking in on me. 

Regards,

 Chris and Cheryl

 Thanks! The Ash lumber for all the window trim came from the front yard. It was nice to work with!

Regards,

Chris and Cheryl

 A little update on the shop. A big change for me. The shop is a big box i really did not design any specific work spaces or storage areas. So i had this idea of providing a work and storage area in front of the lift area. My grandson Mike and I had scheduled a project on the 65 Comet and having a good work area would make this go much easier.

first step was to prototype the design. I was going to put my sandblaster where the tool boxes are in this picture. I did not like that and the double old Craftsman tool boxes find a home.

The countertops were free from the neighbor before I started building the shop. They have kicked around here for 4 years. Now will become useful. Yea I don't throw enough stuff away! I set one of the work surfaces in place to check out the concept. 

Next get some 2x4's for the frame work supports and shelves. So far have about $100 invested. No this is not going to be high end fancy cabinets. It's a low budget get it done and have an area to work and store some of my clutter!

Structure designed and built:

Build the frame and set up the second counter top in the corner. These are free standing so can be trashed after someone else owns the place!:)

The rest of the work area was to take my old rolling work bench and make it into a better looking more functional island in the work zone:

Off with the old top and spent a few dollars for a new 3/4 inch plywood top. Three coats of poly. 

The work area comes together just in time! Kind of like a kitchen with 24 feet of counter, 24 feet of shelves and the work island. Tool boxes are close by. I like it so far, A nice improvement to the shop!

Added another 24 linear feet of shelving under the work island. just scraps that were setting around. Painted the YOST vice that was my Uncle Jacks vice in his shop!

Clear plastic totes will be the storage containers for most of my junk. More organized but able to see what's in them too. Those are not cheap. Several hundred dollars in containers of various sizes.

We started on the Comet front suspension rebuild last night and the new work area was awesome. 

Thanks for checking on me! On the Allis side of the forum we are taking 4 Allis WD series tractors to the local Albion fair today!

Regards,

 Chris and Cheryl

The "Pioneer Steam and Gas Engine Society", ln North West PA. Near Sagertown. Just off I-79 and rt 198. The Allis featured show will be in mid to late July 2025. Great grounds, lots of room for camping. 

Yea I do need to get the clutch and pressure plate pulled off the CA engine. and get it on the engine stand for clean up and evaluation soon!

Thanks for the gentle kick!

Regards,

 Chris and Cheryl

Interesting way to repurpose the refrigerator drawers!

Not sure how we will pick what to drive?:) 

I fired up the D14 and plowed the drive today. We have about a foot of new snow.

Regards,

 Chris and Cheryl

 Thanks! Our new "lil red" (as in, little red riding hood) should be a nice alternative to the 32 Ford truck this summer. Worked on it most of the afternoon, like a kid with a new toy.

Changed plugs, bought new tires, worked on tidying up the trunk. Yea the heated shop is the ticket when the temps are in single digits!

Regards,

 Chris and Cheryl