Other kinds of shop work

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robinson46176
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Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:00 pm
Location: Central Indiana (Shelbyville)

Other kinds of shop work

Post by robinson46176 »

From time to time I mention my "Farm / Mechanic shop. Actually it is far more than that. Yeah, it's a bit of a disaster but I am gaining ground on it this month. Last month you couldn't have put a bicycle in there but over the last few weeks I have been moving one of my trucks, both vans and a couple of tractors in and out for work. While my official "woodshop" is in the basement I do still keep some wood stuff in there. Generally more in the nature of rough carpentry tools where I do work on farm buildings and stuff like gates etc. I also keep my masonry tools there, my sheet metal tools, plumbing stuff, electrical tools and I can do some machining work. Those fit in around a lot of auto mechanics tools, my blacksmiths shop (and welding equipment) and my tire and battery shop.
Somehow this month has become brake month. I just finished rebuilding the front disk brakes on my oldest pickup truck (1983 F-150) and changing and balancing all 4 tires, which included cleaning down the wheels and painting all of them. I also did a fluid and filter change on its AOD transmission and a throttle rod adjustment.
Then the newest Chrysler T&C brakes started making noise. Just the little depth warning squeaking thingy. I bought a set of pads and put it on the job list. I decided to drive the older T&C until I got the brakes installed on the other one. We headed to town for lunch and as I came up over the top of a railroad overpass where you can't see the other side until you crest the top there was a line of cars stopped in the oncoming lane and headed for my lane was a small confused dog. :eek: I didn't want to hit the dog and I especially didn't want to hit him with a whole line of cars watching. :rolleyes:
Now you have to understand here that a half mile back I had just bragged to my wife about how well that old van was running and driving and about how little I had ever had to do to it. You really should know to never brag on one... :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: I hit the brakes hard and while it did quickly slow the car by the time I reached the small dog the brake pedal was hitting the floor. Fortunately at this point the dog thought out the situation better and spun back toward the proper sidewalk. :) We were just a couple of blocks from the place where we most often eat lunch so I proceeded slowly on with my foot over the emergency brake pedal (those work well). My wife made a couple of calls and found a family member that could give us a ride home after lunch. At home I loaded in a few extra tools and supplies in addition to the big box of tools I keep in the vehicles along with a floor jack and some jack stands. We were within about a half mile of a batch of auto parts stores. I figured I would find out what was causing that big puddle of brake fluid and go get the parts. We moved the van to another spot that didn't have a puddle :) and got under with a light and said OH! Crap! (or something in that neighborhood)... Yes, of course the leak was in a tiny space up above the fuel tank. Pulling the tank was going to be required and I had no desire to do it in that parking lot. We called our son and made arrangements for him to trailer the van home that evening. I still have not fixed it yet, too many other things going on this past week. I had an antique tractor show to set up at this weekend and my shop dance card was full. Today I was resting up from a busy week and weekend. Tomorrow I'll put it in the shop and drop the tank to see what it needs. I will also install a new small relay that controls the cooling fans that I have been putting off for a while.
BTW, I did sneak in the newer van and install the new brake pads. :cool: :)


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farmer
Francis Robinson
I did not equip with Shopsmiths in spite of the setups but because of them.
1 1988 - Mark V 510 (bought new), 4 Poly vee 1 1/8th HP Mark V's, Mark VII, 1 Mark V Mini, 1 Frankensmith, 1 10-ER, 1 Mark V Push-me-Pull-me Drillpress, SS bandsaw, belt sander, jointer, jigsaw, shaper attach, mortising attach, TS-3650 Rigid tablesaw, RAS, 6" long bed jointer, Foley/Belsaw Planer/molder/ripsaw, 1" sander, oscillating spindle/belt sander, Scroll saw, Woodmizer sawmill
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