Projecting, tinkering, fiddle-farting around: whatcha building?

[PAToyota]

Production run to restock Berrien Buggy show bars...

Man! Just swinging ten foot lengths of 2"x0.120 tubing around gives you a workout!

 

[Rugy]

Formed, and poured concrete with two concrete mixers to make things faster. Walls were 8 to 10 tall and poured close to 6M.
Took 6 of us to make it happen. Three guys bringing the material via 5G buckets to the mixing station. One guy dumping navijack, one adding bucket of cement and me in charge of mixing.. Had a dump station to empty concrete into wheel barrel or into large wooden pa.
Took us 7 hrs including the clean up process.
So happy with my Tesla batteries and mini solar set up.
We are building off grid and didn't have to use the genny. No dino fuels...........batteries were down to 86% .
When we were leaving checked and we were back up to 98%
Should have done the solar years ago. We have close to 5300hrs on the Honda diesel generator.
That's a lot of fuel lugged up the hill to the genny.

 

[1911]

So happy with my Tesla batteries and mini solar set up.

Do you have more posts or info about this set-up somewhere? Very interested.

 

[Rugy]

My off grid set up on the Island is as follows.
Using 8 PV 320W panels, which is enough for us while we are still building. Bought 36 panels as I was going to overpanel my set up due the weather/lack of sunshine. We are just north of Seattle in Vancouver area.
Using 6 Tesla S batteries and have 2 more in my crawlspace. Each battery has 5.2Kw of energy stored and is 25.2V.
Have them configured to be in a 48V for my Inverters, capacity is 31.2Kw.
This capacity allows me to have 8 guys working, table saws, chopsaws, air compressors, jack hammers, vacuums etc and have two fridges and freezers working at all times. No issues what so ever. It's like we are on grid.
The PV charge controller is set up so that it wont overcharge the batteries. This is critical along with a BMS made specifically for the Tesla S model batteries. The Inverters are also set up to ensure any charging is limited to not overcharge the batteries.
By using the S batteries we can make them last much longer than was specified.
One charge cycle is typically 100% to zero then back up to 100%.
We are set up to charge up to 90% then down to 15% then back up to 90%.
What this does it allows more cycling of the batteries. Eg stock set up 3-4000 cycles, my set up over 10000 cycles.
Hope this wets your appetite.

 

[waiting for time]

I just installed 12 panels of 455W and a 10kW LiFePo battery. Should have done that years ago. We have not drawn power from the grid in about 3 weeks now. And sent 350kW back up the grid which can be used in wintertime.

 

[PAToyota]

I picked up one of the HF Hercules Breaker Hammers. They're somewhat awkward to move around as well as to store. However, I didn't care for the cart that they make (shown in final image). The short height and small wheels make it more difficult to get around a job site. So I picked up a hand truck and some scrap steel, spent some time welding, and made my own. I just need to work out a strap to secure things, although it stays pretty well put on the stake, and spray a coat of paint on it.

 

[Hack]

So.... I've been recovering from a nightmare flooring and staircase project:

 

[Hack]

Also re-did/organized my office:

I had a flooring company do the 3/4" oak floor. It's stained in 'gunstock' with multiple coats of polyurethane. They also did the stair treads and risers. I did all the baseboard/shoe moulding (over 600'), along with some detail trim around the staircase. Another company came in an did the handrail, new balusters/newell post, and all the paint work.

After two months of sleeping on couches and/or chairs, I finally got back on a bed.

 

[Hack]

Started to 'thin the herd' and gifted my 12yr old grandson a tool box 'stack'. I had bought a 7 drawer + bay lower back in March, but it needed a bit of cosmetic work. Then I found one in much better condition. I ended up sandblasting all the rusty areas, spraying on rust converter, self-etch primer, and hammertone paint. Added new casters to the bottom, along with cutting some 1/2" plywood for the bay. Topped it off with a piece of 1/8" plexiglass, and one of the 2 drawer boxes he selected:

I didn't have to paint the drawers (thank God - hard to match the color), as they were in very nice shape for being almost 50 years old.

 

[Hack]

Finally got around to cosmetically restoring the 3 drawer + bay tool box I had picked up on MarketPlace a while back:

I tried selling it, but no interest, so I was 'forced' to complete the resto. I had already done the drawers, and they were in pretty good condition, so I didn't need to paint them. Which is a relief, as I hate rattle canning red paint.

The casters were also in very good condition, only needing a thorough scrub and lube. I cut a piece of 1/2" plywood for the bay area, gave it three coats of poly, and topped it off with one of the two remaining 2 drawer upper boxes.

Don't know what I'll dedicate this box for, but I'm thinking it'll either be for my plumbing 'stuff', or perhaps, all my router 'stuff'

 

[firestopper]

A little more than tinkering on this one, but a fun one.
Main frame is .120” x 4” x 6”

Door frame and door 14 gauge 2” x 2”

14 gauge HR plate secured with 3/4” x 3/4” angle frame both sides. Faux rivets rosette welded to 1-1/2” flat strap.

Door frame as secured to main frame using 1”x 1” angle both sides. Door knob has a keypad or key option on knob face.

The door shares the same details on the inside and has a vault feel with those 8” hinges greased. The rust patina was done using hand pump with peroxide, vinegar, and salt.

 

[firestopper]

Same project got a rear gate.

14 gauge 1.5” x 1.5” square tubing with lock box.
14 gauge skins and secured with 3/4” x 3/4” angle. All angle notched at corners.

3/8” redhead anchors secure to gate and strike post.

Lock box detail.

8” hinge with zerk.

One rust treatment later.

 

[Waorani]

What door knobs/locks are those?

 

[firestopper]

What door knobs/locks are those?

Home - bothstar - https://bothstar.com/
Both the door and gate access a pool so this was the owners choice. I was surprised at the nice fit and finish considering the cost ($40 ish). I don’t believe I would use these for home security.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Really nice work @firestopper

 

[Waorani]

Home - bothstar - https://bothstar.com/
Both the door and gate access a pool so this was the owners choice. I was surprised at the nice fit and finish considering the cost ($40 ish). I don’t believe I would use these for home security.

Thanks. I figured they were more robust.

 

[NicksFJ40]

Very nice work! Looks awesome!

 

[firestopper]

Really nice work @firestopper

Very nice work! Looks awesome!

Thank you gentlemen!

 

[firestopper]

Spare tire mount for a new car hauler.
Laying out the hole pattern.

Tacked up for fitting.

I like using three studs minimum.

The new mount is primed prior to welding. The welding zone was taped off.

Welded in.

 

[firestopper]

The hole layout allows for the Schrader valve to be indexed at 12 O’clock for easy tire pressure check and also keeps it out out direct sunlight.

The spare tire profile matches the axels/fenders.