Summer's "fun"

  What a summer.   Getting the fence installed that took a massive chunk out of my summer's free time.  Wile at at one of the few Solos i was able to make it to, i started to have some issues with my Forester XT (turbo issues) so i stopped racing it and hung out for the rest of the event.  Wile at the event i found that the lower suspension arm was rusting really bad!  So i parked the car and dove into that project.  Wile working on removing the lower control arm i had a slight brain fart and went after the pinch bolt for the lower ball joint not the retainer nut...  And snapped it clean off!  YAY time to take the whole front end apart!  So i took the knuckle off, LCA off.  I got the LCA repaired but the LBJ was being very, VERY difficult to get out of the knuckle.  I ended up having to fab a custom tool to be able to pull out the LBJ that took a week between trying some heat and penetrating oil and patience, then brute force.  Now that the LBJ was out i had to drill out the bolt.   That went ok.

Wile working on the knuckle i had it clamped in the bench vise and i was clamping it down and it "broke!"  Turns out the retainer nut for the lead screw on the vise.  The screw was loose, and im SURE that didn't help, but being crappy steel that was not that strong and poorly design.  So i have yet something else to repair.  I got the car done and back together. 

Time for the Vise fix.
Busted vise part.  Wile its a cheap Harbor Freight vise it seams wasteful to throw it out for a "simple fix"

The new fix and so far its holding.  A new M20 ACME nut from Mcmaster Carr.

Then the Turbo on the Forester went south!  I tried to rebuild it, but it was too far gone and i had to source a used turbo.  I got that fixed also.  Wile working on the Turbo fix the floor jack started to leak oil.  "GREAT" yet something else to fix.  So i took it all apart and measured and ordered a slew of new O-rings from Mcmaster Carr.  I put it all back together, threw some oil in it and jacked up the Locost (see i am not totally neglecting it).  It would not go all the way up, but i figured it was low on oil.  I locked the piston and left it overnight to see if the repair holds.  I came back the next day and the Locost was still in the air!  Yay another tool fixed.  I took it back to the work bench to fill it up.  I started filling it with oil, and not knowing how much i took out of it...  I just put a bunch of oil in it.  I put it on the floor and was going to varify it was still working and i had enough oil in it.  Well i had enough oil in it....  A bit too much and i blew out the fill plug!!  Lol (one of those stupid moments).  So a new plug in on order then i can be done with the floor jack. 

Now the Air compressor will not turn on...  YIPPIE!  any other tools want to stop working also?!  GEEZ!  So that is the next thing to fix.  

Electric finally turned on!

I FINALLY got around to having the new service in the garage connected to the main panel in the house.  I went down a few weeks ago to make the connection, i got the main panel off and froze.  SO i figured that wile a simple job the potential for injury was too high and that i would see if i can find someone else to make the connection for me. 

NOW i can get all the tools re-positioned to there proper places and use all those outlets that i added!  And have access to my 220v outlets! 

Now onto the gas line for the heater.

Updated Garage pics

  Its been quite the spring and summer.  I've been working on the fence and other projects when the time allows.  I've almost got all 300' of the fence up.  I focused on getting the dog run, before July as we had 2 vacation in July and needed to leave the dogs at the house.  It will feel good when that project is completed.

  I've also been fighting with the Subaru, its coming close to 100k miles and it needs some attention.   Man i miss working on the Locost!  :'( 

One of them was to continue to get the garage in some sort or working shape.  I feel that im about there.  I just need to turn on the electric in the garage.   I've added some cabinets and hung the TV.  Now i just need to make it work!

Im working, just not on the car :(

 Well it seams that spring has FINALLY sprung!  So when better to build a fence?  So im running about 300' of fence to contain the dogs and kid.  I swear i will work on the locost again... Some day.

Clean, Clean, Clean

We are getting there.  I have been plugging away at getting it cleaned up.  I still need some cabinets to finish taking care of all the tools and supplies. I have a friend locating for a set for me.  Hopefully that will be enough to finish up the needed storage?


Look there is a FLOOR!

Cleaning and organising

 I was able to get to the garage for a few hours on sunday to clean up and pick up.  I cleaned out about 10bags of trash, pushed back a few cabinets, hung the rest of the ceiling speakers and got them working.  its getting there...

Moved in

Well everything is moved into the garage.  Its a good feeling, but its a BIG MESS!

I still need to mount the speakers in the ceiling and finishing painting 1/2 the ceiling.   But at least its all in there.  Now where to put it all?!

More Painting

I've gotten most of the painting done.  All the walls, and 1/2 the ceiling, the rest of the ceiling will have to wait until i unload the storage into the garage and set up the garage.  I need to return the storage container. 

It will be nice to see the Locost out of storage and back to sitting idle (haha) in the garage, also having my tools where i can get to them will be NICE!  man i miss having them at my fingertips.

Painting

I took the day off work so that i could make some good progress in the garage.  I got the last of the OSB up in the garage, and then i started to paint.  I got 2 coats of primer up, on all the walls and the ceiling and that took me up until 9:30pm.  13.5hr day...

  I also had a friend stop over to pull the trailer out of the yard to infront of the garage so when i was ready I can unload it.  Well a brand new Dodge 1500 could not figure itself out to put any real power down to pull the 18' trailer out of the yard?  I never really hunkered down and dug... It thought about it but it seamed like the traction control would kick in and not let it dig...  I guess its time to get the real HD trucks over there and pull it out.

Wall Board

  Ben and I worked last night and got the back wall up and 2 sheets up on the ceiling.  Its coming together, slowly but it will get there.  Having the insulation in there makes a HUGE difference.  Its up to temp and hot in there in no time.  We even turned off the heater for over a hour.  Here are a few crappy Cell phone pics.  I will take better ones before i start tonight.

Backwall

 

You can see all the outlets :)

 

Front wall

Wiring, Insulation & Sheeting

  I got the rough wiring inspection done and it didn't pass, i had the grounds and the neutrals backwards in the box so i had to swap them, he also wanted the main power feed encased in PVC in the walls, so i had to also do that.  I also needed "Tamper resistant" outlets...  So i had to swap out 18 outlets.  I got all of those changes made by last Wednesday and i was waiting for the inspector to OK it so that i could insulate and put up the sheeting.  I didn't get a response Thursday and i called until i got a hold of him on Friday and he gave me the ok to insulate and put up the wall sheeting.

  My father came and helped me insulate Saturday and we got it all up on Saturday.  Sunday i was only able to work for about 3.5hrs, but Ben and I got both of the sidewall sheeting up.  Ill be out there again tonight trying to get the back wall done along with starting the ceiling.  Its defently getting there. 

Wiring

  I had a good weekend working on the garage.  Saturday I was able to get out to the garage for a few hours, working on making the connection in the main service box.  Sunday i spent 8hrs in the garage with the help of a friend Ben.  We were able to get all 6 lights up and wired, fix some incorrectly run wires, finish all the connection in the service panel, and nailed down the service wire in the house.  I'm FINALLY ready for the rough in inspection!  Lets hope that it goes well and i can get this project finished up and start using the garage as a garage! 

Wiring in the garage

 

  I'm slowly getting the garage wired, and when i get that done i can insulate and put up the wallboard.  And then do some ACTUAL work on the locost.  Man this moving stuff stinks!


Panorama  (yea its a big pic)

Moving

Well we got moved in.  We are at the new house and unpacking.   Now I need to figure out how to dig the trench from the house to the garage in the middle of January in the Northeast?  I'm already missing my garage time, i've got to get going on this.