Got a few things done before the wind flipped from the north.. 60 degrees at 11 when it switched and now 39 at 2:30. Ugly stumps everywhere. Tried to fix a come along that got bunched up by tying it to a tree, broke the cable instead. HF replacement are cheap and I think this one was 20 years back.
What are you working on today?
- Thread starter Amkeer
- Start date
Built a bracket to hold my baler monitor, CB radio and a backup camera monitor for my new White tractor today while waiting around at work today. It’s much heavier than necessary but the price of the material was right…free. I cut up a damaged forklift back rest for it. I have it primed but will wait to paint it until I have everything laid out the way I want it.
I use a socket to find a radius I like when it’s not a critical item.
I’ll add more pics later on when it’s assembled and installed
I use a socket to find a radius I like when it’s not a critical item.
I’ll add more pics later on when it’s assembled and installed
Now that's a well used vise! Love it!!
All these pretty boy vises make me sad, like the latest Corvette driven by an 85 year old grandma who can barely see over the wheel
Dehumidifier in the crawlspace failed today. House has been feeling off, so I crawled down there and found it a complete block of ice. The defrost cycle isn’t working, and it appears that half of the evaporator is clogged, causing the working half to over cool(?), This was a pro-sumer unit, an alorair HD55. Nice metal case, ducted, terminals for HVAC integration, set me back $450 2.5 years ago. Crying shame. It’s very well built but nobody can service these things. That said, it ran solid, good and hard for 2.5 years. Our water table is 16” below surface right now - everything here is wet.
Going to try a different brand - this house had a lot of mold, sagging floors and other water issues when we bought it. There’s only two fully made in the USA brands, Santa Fe and something else - aprilaire? The numbers make a lump in my throat, but the webs are saying that these are the best (only) bets at a long life appliance. Sigh. They absolutely make a difference both under the house and in the house.
*****
Finished hanging 440 lb hoist in the garage. I added additional rope points around the perimeter for storing items once lifted. May or may not use the additional points, as they aren’t receiving the better home and gardens wife award.
-m
Going to try a different brand - this house had a lot of mold, sagging floors and other water issues when we bought it. There’s only two fully made in the USA brands, Santa Fe and something else - aprilaire? The numbers make a lump in my throat, but the webs are saying that these are the best (only) bets at a long life appliance. Sigh. They absolutely make a difference both under the house and in the house.
*****
Finished hanging 440 lb hoist in the garage. I added additional rope points around the perimeter for storing items once lifted. May or may not use the additional points, as they aren’t receiving the better home and gardens wife award.
-m
Built a 8 foot x 18 inch x 14 inch planter out of 2x6s, a few vine plants will go in it to cover a lattice wall.
Also humoring an idea i've been toying with. My outdoor welding/workshop needs space, so i'm going to try putting the air compressor and generator onto a dump garden trailer that has been useless until (maybe) now. Welded the dump feature shut. Cut off one wall and rewelded it flat as a workspace using a few bedframe L channel pieces. Its pretty solid. A truck side toolbox seems to fit pretty good. Not sure how balanced its going to be, I might add a 2nd axle from wheel barrow wheels and foam fill all 4 tires. Waiting on a 2 inch ball coupler from Amazon. In theory I'll be able to tow it all around the property and weld or plasma cut. If I like it, i'll add a roof with tin panels, it will mostly sit parked next to the workshop and be outside where it belongs.
Also humoring an idea i've been toying with. My outdoor welding/workshop needs space, so i'm going to try putting the air compressor and generator onto a dump garden trailer that has been useless until (maybe) now. Welded the dump feature shut. Cut off one wall and rewelded it flat as a workspace using a few bedframe L channel pieces. Its pretty solid. A truck side toolbox seems to fit pretty good. Not sure how balanced its going to be, I might add a 2nd axle from wheel barrow wheels and foam fill all 4 tires. Waiting on a 2 inch ball coupler from Amazon. In theory I'll be able to tow it all around the property and weld or plasma cut. If I like it, i'll add a roof with tin panels, it will mostly sit parked next to the workshop and be outside where it belongs.
Been smoking over an '18 F150/5.0 with 109k freedom.
I just happened to notice this on the Rzeppa flange at front pinion, WTH?
Four of six are backed out. The remaining two not visible are fully seated as they should be. He's had the truck for several years, says he uses 4wd regularly and has done nothing but oil changes.
Says nothing has ever been done during his possession that would require the front d/s be touched. However on the 5.0 does the front d/s need to be disco'd for transmission svc? I think so? I know the 5.0 is the most difficult for the transmission on these trucks.
Also my Spidey-sense told me the LF brake was dragging. Turns out I was right -- I had to use my air hammer to drive this lower pin out
Remaining pad at 109k:
I just happened to notice this on the Rzeppa flange at front pinion, WTH?
Four of six are backed out. The remaining two not visible are fully seated as they should be. He's had the truck for several years, says he uses 4wd regularly and has done nothing but oil changes.
Says nothing has ever been done during his possession that would require the front d/s be touched. However on the 5.0 does the front d/s need to be disco'd for transmission svc? I think so? I know the 5.0 is the most difficult for the transmission on these trucks.
Also my Spidey-sense told me the LF brake was dragging. Turns out I was right -- I had to use my air hammer to drive this lower pin out
Remaining pad at 109k:
That vice has been around my entire career. They're pretty hard on it. I kept mine in good shape-kept the grinder off it and jaws in good shape. Since I'm part time now someone else uses my workbench now and it's getting pretty beat up. This vice is on the "community" workbench/welding table that everyone in the shop uses.Now that's a well used vise! Love it!!
All these pretty boy vises make me sad, like the latest Corvette driven by an 85 year old grandma who can barely see over the wheel
Dunno what happened to zip tie prices but a pack of T&B 11.5" is now $33. Wow.
Just ordered a pack of 11.5 and 13.5 from Zoro with 10% code. About $66 all in. Oh well. I can't stand cheap zip ties because they just can't be trusted, if the tooth doesn't break during installation.
Just ordered a pack of 11.5 and 13.5 from Zoro with 10% code. About $66 all in. Oh well. I can't stand cheap zip ties because they just can't be trusted, if the tooth doesn't break during installation.
Finished my first application of Tuff Toe on my favorite pair of worn out boots. I discovered this at Red Wing while having a couple pairs cleaned and conditioned. I have been wearing this pair for years and they are still comfortable but I had worn the toe down to the steel cap. I filled the worn area with Shoe Goo and let it cure about a week and then applied this coating. It was a little challenging but I will be able to do better if I ever do it again. Hopefully this will buy some more life out of them.
This boot turned out pretty good but the other one has some pin holes where I somehow managed to trap air in the coating
This boot turned out pretty good but the other one has some pin holes where I somehow managed to trap air in the coating
If you have a Peterbilt, Kenworth or TRP dealer nearby you can try CT05512 and CT05317. I believe they are both around 12-14" long but the 17 is a 100 pack of narrow zip ties and the 12 is a 50 pack of wide. We used bags and bags of them doing chassis harness replacements on Peterbilt trucks. They are "warranty approved" parts for what it's worth.
2018 F150: this is a "mobile office" for a gas patch consultant who needs to boondock. I reserve all opinions on whether this is an effective solution -- it's not my circus and I just do what I'm asked.
It was riding on the bumpstops with this camper. He ordered an airbag kit from maxpeedingrods.com (I know -- I dunno!!) and then realized he had no interest in installing it without a lift.
He had accidentally ordered a kit for a 2wd, but in his defense their site is terrible (as were the provided instructions). He said, "If you can modify it to work, just do it."
I believe 2wd didn't get the factory ~1.25" lift block, so I needed to raise the axle mount about 1.25" to clear the leaf pack at bottom of airbag
Ground off the paint and got to it:
Didn't have any blue rattle cans so it got Rustoleum Safety Red.
I know people often do the license plate bolts for Schrader valves but this is quite impractical when the tailgate is lowered with a camper on it. I opted for this location and it's quite slick -- unless you get rear-ended
I don't have a before shot but here's after at ~45psi in the rear bags. She's got a proper truck rake again
It was riding on the bumpstops with this camper. He ordered an airbag kit from maxpeedingrods.com (I know -- I dunno!!) and then realized he had no interest in installing it without a lift.
He had accidentally ordered a kit for a 2wd, but in his defense their site is terrible (as were the provided instructions). He said, "If you can modify it to work, just do it."
I believe 2wd didn't get the factory ~1.25" lift block, so I needed to raise the axle mount about 1.25" to clear the leaf pack at bottom of airbag
Ground off the paint and got to it:
Didn't have any blue rattle cans so it got Rustoleum Safety Red.
I know people often do the license plate bolts for Schrader valves but this is quite impractical when the tailgate is lowered with a camper on it. I opted for this location and it's quite slick -- unless you get rear-ended
I don't have a before shot but here's after at ~45psi in the rear bags. She's got a proper truck rake again
Making my hotel reservations for an upcoming week in Italy.
I am taking a cruise from Brooklyn to Naples Italy, arriving May 9 I fly back to the USA from Milan a week later May 16. I always like to have a hotel booked for the night before the flight near the airport.
Before I get to Milan, want to spend a couple of nights in Bologna and Modena. Modena has some interesting car museums. Will be traveling in Italy by train between cities.
I am taking a cruise from Brooklyn to Naples Italy, arriving May 9 I fly back to the USA from Milan a week later May 16. I always like to have a hotel booked for the night before the flight near the airport.
Before I get to Milan, want to spend a couple of nights in Bologna and Modena. Modena has some interesting car museums. Will be traveling in Italy by train between cities.
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
Installed new passenger seat belts in the Mercedes. Will have to follow up with calibration.
Also installed the cleared Airbag control unit.
After clearing codes the Pre-safe message is gone and the passenger seat belt passes the auto-retract test. Now I need to recalibrate the weight sensors for that seat. Ugh. That one is a real pain without the special tool which is a mold of a buttocks with weights. I will proceed with weights from my home gym thingy.
Also installed the cleared Airbag control unit.
After clearing codes the Pre-safe message is gone and the passenger seat belt passes the auto-retract test. Now I need to recalibrate the weight sensors for that seat. Ugh. That one is a real pain without the special tool which is a mold of a buttocks with weights. I will proceed with weights from my home gym thingy.
Nice work and really nice welding, but boy that is a lot of camper for a 1/2 ton truck. Pity the next owner of it.2018 F150: this is a "mobile office" for a gas patch consultant who needs to boondock. I reserve all opinions on whether this is an effective solution -- it's not my circus and I just do what I'm asked.
It was riding on the bumpstops with this camper. He ordered an airbag kit from maxpeedingrods.com (I know -- I dunno!!) and then realized he had no interest in installing it without a lift.
He had accidentally ordered a kit for a 2wd, but in his defense their site is terrible (as were the provided instructions). He said, "If you can modify it to work, just do it."
I believe 2wd didn't get the factory ~1.25" lift block, so I needed to raise the axle mount about 1.25" to clear the leaf pack at bottom of airbag
View attachment 328694
Ground off the paint and got to it:
View attachment 328695View attachment 328696
Didn't have any blue rattle cans so it got Rustoleum Safety Red.
View attachment 328697View attachment 328698
I know people often do the license plate bolts for Schrader valves but this is quite impractical when the tailgate is lowered with a camper on it. I opted for this location and it's quite slick -- unless you get rear-ended
View attachment 328699
I don't have a before shot but here's after at ~45psi in the rear bags. She's got a proper truck rake againView attachment 328700
Aren't the '18 beds aluminum, too? I guess it doesn't matter if the camper is properly anchored? I don't know....
Man that’s a tough call. It’s too much weight for the 150, though the 150 certainly has the power and brakes to manage it. It comes down to suspension I’d suspect -a hellwig rear anti-sway would be a game changer for this setup. The frame on the 150 is beefy enough. The aluminum body has thin sheet metal but the underpinnings are solid. I had an 18 and IMO they got the chassis right on that truck.
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2025
- Messages
- 138
Excellllient......(dang it, I need a Mr Burns Smiley) In my opinion, you made a very wise choice. I will say that at least that transmission choice was a real Allison. The Allison 1000 series 5 and 6 speed transmissions were pretty darn reliable.
