Thread: Project Updates - or Status Check

Hello All,

For those of you who follow my posts you may be aware that I have a number of projects on the hop. I suppose I am attempting to make up for lost time that occurred when I was studying that three letter degree. During those studies I would take some time off out a day occasionally and look out for things like tool sales and the odd thing like two-for-the-price-of-one deals for spare parts Series Land Rovers. These would be purchased and set aside for when my studies were over and I had spare time again.

So now that my studies are all over I can use my spare time doing stuff that I had planned for years ago. Also, as I work more in the shed and the shipping container I am starting to find shortfalls. These shortfalls bring on thinking about how to improve the situation. One of which is the effectively wasted space above the two trucks' trays. Sitting against the back wall behind each truck is a set of pallet racking. Hmmm ... project the pallet racking over the truck's trays and the racking could become a mini mezzanine floor. Some of the things like my sheet metal brake could then be relocated from chewing up floor space - in front of some shelves - to the mezzanine floor. It was an easy project because each time I go into the shed I can see the trucks and the pallet racking in the background. I had to clear off all the detritus of the back of the trucks so the electricians could place their ladders on the trucks to access the roof trusses to fix run power and fix the lights. Since both truck's trays have highly compromised timber decks I arranged a series of pallets and fixed off cut yellow tongue flooring to the pallets. I am thinking of just beefing this up a bit and just using the truck trays instead of the mezzanine floor. Well until a structural engineer comes along. I have been toying with the idea of contacting their professional body and finding out if they have a regular publication. I could pay to put a notice in it requesting an expression of interest. I have also found a list of registered Structural Engineers online. I could start randomly picking people to contact until someone puts their hand up to get paid to do a small design job. So yes - the mezzanine floor is a project on hold. Timing for recommencement - very uncertain.

Well since I have contacted multiple structural engineers who could confirm that my idea has structural merit and none of them have bother to reply - that project is on hold.

The winch arrangement to get unserviceable vehicles into and out of the shed is also on hold. This is mostly due to my going on a Queensland-based version of the 10CC song Dreadlock Holiday. Not so much of the Jamaican or Rasta influence unfortunately - more a focus on the 'dread' aspect. It is going to be pretty much exclusively an "in-law's" based trip that will include two clan gatherings. Another - bit of dread can be linked to the said clan gatherings causing the timing of the holidays - that are linked to a significant birthday number being marked for Leeann's - my wife's parents. These dates fall short of the one year anniversary at my work. This means some of the break will be classified as unpaid leave - which is fair enough. Half-way through the holidays my current work contract expires. While I have heard unofficial feedback that my contract will be renewed nothing will be certain until I sign my name on a piece of paper. So there is some dread about going on holidays and not being certain of being able to come back to a job. This means that the newly acquired winch can find a nice home in the shed until I return from the Dreadlock Holiday. The Winch Project time-frame unless something unforeseen raises its head during my holidays - the winch project will be the first cab off the rank.

So, now that I have entered the official list of jobs to do before we leave on the wonderful jaunt, my spare time is no longer my own. A self-imposed moratorium on project spending is also now in place. I am hoping to be able to sneak back into the shed and finish the battery recharging station before I go. I have plenty of time to cogitate over the fold down bench top for the shipping container while on the Dreadlock Holiday.

With the winch project done - Snowy my Defender will be skull-dragged into the shed so I can replace all the clutch hydraulics and he will be mobile again. Snowy's current parking spot will be taken up by the International van so all the rust can be cut out and new metal welded into repair the area. This is the principal reason for needing the winch. The van will need to be moved in and out of the shed each time it is worked on and it will takes months to complete. I do not want my daily driver sitting out in all the weather while a dead project vehicle occupies its space. Been there done that before. The engine that I bought to be able to dropped straight into the van for various reasons now needs extensive work done to it - which is being done in the shipping container - or I suppose it could be classified as my 'dirty' workspace. After the van is back under its own power my 2A Army Ambulance 'Lazarus' is next on the priorities list. By the time the International van is fixed I will have more than enough skills to work on Lazarus at a competent level. Okay - there may be a hot rod shimmying in somewhere in the queue. All my other work is 'restoration'. I got interested in motor vehicles because I wanted to drop a big block Chevy into something that was a bit different that I could just have some fun with. I am still itching for that fun. Which reminds me ..

I can begin to console myself about rapidly approaching events by substituting in my version of words to the original lyrics of Dreadlock Holiday.I do like these lyrics in the original song too...

I saw four faces, one mad, a brother from the gutter
They looked me up and down a bit and turned to each other ...
.................................................. ..............
And you'll be sorry you crossed me
You better understand that you're alone"
(A long way from home)


Accessed 3rd of June 2023 from, 10cc - Dreadlock Holiday Lyrics | SongMeanings and to see the Youtube clip of the song 10cc - Dreadlock Holiday (Original Video Clip) HD [ HIGH QUALITY SOUND - HD 1080p ] - YouTubeI will be leaving my silver chain at home :0)

I don't like my in-laws... no, no ...

... In-law holiday ... In-law holiday ... In-law holiday

Kind regards
Lionel

Enjoy getting back into your hobbies mate.
Workshop time is good for the soul.