We got about 8 inches snow last night. Was only couple inches when I went to bed. I texted the guy with the range hood I bought, he was like if you cant make it I understand. I replied, "Sir, I have a Toyota 4runner. Ill be there". So I got to go on a fun snow adventure dodging idiots in cars sliding off the road everywhere.

The new Coopers at3's on the 99 did awesome.

So I have the fan.

Gonna hibernate the rest of the day.

 

Good job, I aboslutely love driving in the snow, the more chaotic it is the better, what sucks is other people driving 20 mph with their hazards on in the overtaking lane on the highway, everytime it snows it's always like if it was the first time they see it.
I hope you don't screw up your back even more by trying to do things when you're not supposed to, but I have respect for you not quitting even if the pain is always there, even if I don't know you and will never see your truck I sure am glad you didn't sell it and that you are keeping up the good work!

 

Thanks man. It's a trade off between pain or going crazy. I have to try and do something everyday. Have to keep my blood moving around...lol. Im actually in less pain than I thought I would be. Im walking as fast as a 70 year old today. lol.

Cant wait to get all this stuff setup and going...but I dont want to rush it..I want stuff all set up legit.

Here is the range hood I was talking about. I gave 35 bucks for it. Was pretty pricey new. You can see why I snapped it up. Be perfect for bolting to back of my oven and running a duct up to basement window....then out through a dryer exhaust port to the outside. Should really keep fumes down. There is a layer of activated carbon inside the screeens I can replace and really absorb some stink.

 

Someone knocked on the door and gave me my new Hobart 140, my welding table, and my powder coating kit from Eastwood. Second best UPS day ever!!
(Best one was when My d1 procharger showed up for the Mach1).

Ill get some pictures up tomorrow.

So...need to frame a wall. (bribe friend)
Plumb air lines
Run some outlets. One 220.


Should be to a point in the next couple weeks to start making things on the Trekker look pretty.

Bought the wifey a welding helmet, gloves, and jacket since she claimed a couple weeks ago she wanted to try welding.

Thanks Kawasaki636 (Dave) for talking me back into the Hobart.

 

My friend Phil came by today and we discussed the Airline plumbing and framing a wall in the basement "finishing" area. He seemed pretty motivated to frame the wall up for me. I think he's pretty jazzed about coating stuff. He's had Toyota's and Rolls Honda's now.

I have 3 water separator/regulators for the air system on the way. Those combined with the line setup...should provide some nice dry air. Will be servicing my compressor as well. Oil change and filter change. Adding a cheap auto drain set up as well.

Have had mind on a setup for a powder coating booth type, and I think I found the perfect thing. I was going to build one of plywood...but I saw this
old communications cabinet on Craigslist nearby and called the lady up. Im picking this up in the morning (her son will load it for me)







Its 60 inches high 31 wide 23 deep. Im going to raise it up on some concrete blocks...add a light..some tabs to hold oven racks...hole in back for ventilation fan. Should make a nice powder coat cabinet. $75

And she had this...which will be good flamables storage cabinet. Been wanting a metal cabinet for awhile to store thinner...spray paint..etc.
The fact its so retro is even better.






I promise trekker stuff soon. This is looking like a tool thread...but its all for the Trekker.

 

Had a Dr. Appointment today. Bad news. I have to get a lower back fusion. Crap.
This is gonna suck.

 

That is some bad news man, sorry to hear about your back. They have any idea when it will happen and how long your down and out for?

 

I have to get a "discogram" first so they can "scout" out how it will be done.
Everything has been dragging along so, I prolly got a few weeks till they do it.

I know last time I had a lamenectomy. that took 5 months to get over.


Im more than likely going to loose some mobility. Kinda bummed.

 

Thats terrible. I know a little bit about how you feel about loss of mobility. I recently had surgery on my shoulder. Had to rebuild it and relocate my bicep to the front of my shoulder so i no longer can reach behind my back with my left arm. Never realised how much i reached back there until that happened.

 

hey, Peyton Manning had a couple vertebrae fused and look at him now - he's working on breaking NFL records. All you have to do is restore a truck so suck it up buttercup! Just kidding. I hope it goes well for you.

I tore my labrum playing baseball in the spring and I also have a hooked acromion putting pressure on my bursa. I'm slated to eventually have shoulder surgery and will be on the shelf for about 6 months. It can be hella painful at times, but there is no way that I'll be able to sit around during recovery and look at my half built truck just sitting there waiting to be finished so I'm pushing back the surgery until my truck is finished. Obviously my wife has been giving me a bunch of flack about not doing the surgery right away and keeps saying "I wish that damn truck would disappear" but she just doesn't get it. It's a labor of love, or perhaps a love of labor... haven't figured out which yet!

 

The Payton Manning thing gave me hope...lol.

Lets see. Wall in basement going up tomorrow. Freinds coming to do it.
Floor all painted. All parts for blasting/powdercoating system secured.
All stuff for airline system secure. Ill get pics up tomorrow.


Popped the Weber on the trekker. Have to adjust it a little bit. Also I think a cap/rotor/wires are a good idea. Will order those up tomorrow.

Nothing else too exciting. Waiting on a call from Dr. Office to set up "discogram" which I learned is a precursor to a fusion operation. The discogram is supposedly very painful. The fusion is brutal beyond belief.
Trying to scramble...get done what I can. I know once the surgery path is chosen, stuff will happen quickly an I will be down for a month or two from any activity other than a little walking.

Didnt like the welding cart I bought. Too small. Trying to keep things ergonomic. I found a cool av cart Im going to modify that will put welders at chest level and keep bending over to a minimum.

Otherwise. Merry Christmas guys. Been reading alot of garage journal website lately. Infinite source of great ideas.

Peace.

 

looks like you got a lot to keep you busy. Hope the back operation goes ok for you. Teh range hood looks like it would do some heat for you. In my old hose, I had an electric dryer and found on the internet on how to make a box that held water with fly screen over it. Then routed the exhaust vent into the box to catch the lint and more free heat in the shop. We are just as cold down here as well. Sooo ready for spring.

 

The range hood will be venting oven outside though. But hell...its an oven. Should be a little warmer down there. My basement actually stays really nice all year. Warm in winter...cool in summer. Its def tshirtable. New word?

They didnt get wall up today. We ran up and got lumber. They made me come with them. To dust me off. lol.

They didnt book work between the holidays so they are coming back tomorrow to knock it out. I'm actually alot more patient lately since I havent had work stress. It was always go go go. Nice to take my time on this.

Thanks for the well wishes Terry. I expect to see you up here soon sometime.
Mauser misses you. Zues too. And The licky shepherd Elsa.

Little wiring. Little plumbing. Then showtime! Prolly get it done and have to get surgery the next day...and not be able to play for a couple months.

 

Not exactley trekker stuff....but the powder coat area is getting closer...

 

Still have to run light circuit and 220 for the oven. Then I can get the airlines run. Thanks to stlrunner and freind Phil and Andrew for helping.

 

C'mon man, what's taking so long?? Your friends must be doing some serious slacking! It only took me a month to finish off my basement man cave and I was flying solo:










Yes, there are 3 TVs on that wall - 2 32" and a 55" Each with their own DirecTV box (wired through the wall to the closet), 7.2 Onkyo surround sound and Sunday Ticket - We take football very serious around here...

I did the job start to finish by myself because quite frankly I work better alone and I like to have the pride in saying that I did it all on my own. I know you're a little banged up these days, but hopefully this gets your motivation and inspiration up to get those guys' asses in gear!! LOL Keep at it!

 

sorry to hear of your troubles my brutha ... trekkers are forever , and your gonna be just fine !!
looks like a great seat for the big game



.

 

The really cool finished basement....is kawasakis

Mine is all storage and workshop. Ill finish a few rooms eventually.
There is a possibility I could sell and get a place with a few acres and
a large shop. Depends on how good they put me back together.

Hopefully Ill be tinkering with stuff on the trekker soon. I kinda hiberbated for a few days because of the weather. I also took a break from my pain meds for a few days to make sure I could still do it without too many side effects.
Bad idea. Next cycle Ill just dose down easily.

Im going to get the lights up down there tomorrow. Need to get off my butt and order the rest of the trekker tune up stuff.

I have plans of a demo run to see how the rest of the drivetrain is pretty soon. Shift through all the gears...check transfer case in all ranges etc..

 

All the wiring is done. I have lights on a switch. I have 3 outlets on a 20 amp circuit. I have 220 on a 40 amp circuit.

Test firing of the pc oven.

 

Nice! That's a better oven than mine!