Winter Wonderland...... Gearheads share your rides and custom work

[DGBAMA]

When the skies get dark and tobacco quits growing, I recluse myself to the garage. The winter projects begin to keep my sanity.

How many fellow gearheads lurk here? Show off your projects.

This week, a set of etched glass t-tops for a 1989 camaro.

 

[webmost]

When the skies get dark and tobacco quits growing, I recluse myself to the garage. The winter projects begin to keep my sanity.

How many fellow gearheads lurk here? Show off your projects.

This week, a set of etched glass t-tops for a 1989 camaro.
View attachment 17116
View attachment 17117
View attachment 17118

All my projects are motorcycles.
Does that count?

 

[Smokin Harley]

All of my projects aren't necessarily projects but they consist of the new motorcycle(not much of a project ,more like getting and installing the new Willie G Skull accessories to replace the plain covers and such), leather working, I bought cordura last year to try to make some holsters and other stuff like that. Theres always woodworking and oh yeah, tobacco . I still need to clean the 2015 crop load of seed heads and kiln/cure the rest of the leaf. I wish I had a place or two to hunt or that would take up some time ,while I wait for conditions for ice fishing.

 

[DGBAMA]

Thanks Bob! Your cozy can has inspired an impromptu powder curing oven for less than $80. 31 gallon can takes about 20 minutes to reach curing temp, but I can live with that considering it's only 900w 110v hearing element.

 

[DGBAMA]

First run going

 

[DGBAMA]

First run cooling...

 

[Chicken]

First run cooling...
View attachment 17321

is that a powder coating your doing,???

my winter projects are finishing my troy bilt tiller... and im still waiting for one of my 2 trucks to make it to the yard... so i can start '' THE BUILD ''.

 

[Brown Thumb]

Thanks Bob! Your cozy can has inspired an impromptu powder curing oven for less than $80. 31 gallon can takes about 20 minutes to reach curing temp, but I can live with that considering it's only 900w 110v hearing element.View attachment 17318

That is one hell of a Idea.
I have been on delay powder coating the sides of the shredder since they won't fit in my big toaster oven.
I have spare heating element from the Chamber that will work.
There are lots of metal cans out on garbage day, I'll have to grab one
Nice looking T tops Too.
Thanks Again.

 

[SmokesAhoy]

That powder coating trash can gives me all kinds of ideas, up till now my only use for my powder coating setup is for coating bullets.

 

[DGBAMA]

Chicken, yes.... Powder coat.

BT..... It's working well, but I need to up the heating element to 1500 and add a layer more insulation to cut down on heating times.

Smokes, I got the harbor freight kit, originally for bullets. Did a set of brake calipers (biggest thing that would fit in toaster oven) and seeing quality of finish, decided I needed capability to do larger parts.

Like any type of painting, there is a bit of a learning curve.

Did a couple practice valve covers tonight, with the accents cut on my milling machine...... Really pleased.

 

[Chicken]

Those valve covers do look good..( your giving me ideas )

 

[DIY Pete]

I'm not really a gear head but I have some winter work lined up. This year I am starting to reload for my 9mm. This is my first step into the reloading world so I have lots to learn but the fun is in the challenge. I've got most of the bits and pieces purchased and am going to start working up some loads in the near future.

Pete

 

[DGBAMA]

I'm not really a gear head but I have some winter work lined up. This year I am starting to reload for my 9mm. This is my first step into the reloading world so I have lots to learn but the fun is in the challenge. I've got most of the bits and pieces purchased and am going to start working up some loads in the near future.

Pete

9mm is a good place to start. Economical and a small enough case that it is nearly impossible to overcharge to a dangerous level.

With a little learning curve you can set yourself up to cast your own bullets, the most expensive part of a reload. About $50 in equipment and a pile of old wheel weights.

My 9mm with cast bullets costs about the same as shooting 22lr.

1lb Hurcules RedDot or Hodgdon Universal Clays, 38$. 3.5 grains=2000 rnds/lb.

Primers $40/1000.

2000 loaded rounds for $118 + my time.

If you need brass, let me know, I have a bucket full more than o will ever use.

BEWARE....... The variables and control possible by reloading can be addictive in the same way rolling cigars can be more addictive than smoking them.

 

[DIY Pete]

9mm is a good place to start. Economical and a small enough case that it is nearly impossible to overcharge to a dangerous level.

With a little learning curve you can set yourself up to cast your own bullets, the most expensive part of a reload. About $50 in equipment and a pile of old wheel weights.

My 9mm with cast bullets costs about the same as shooting 22lr.

1lb Hurcules RedDot or Hodgdon Universal Clays, 38$. 3.5 grains=2000 rnds/lb.

Primers $40/1000.

2000 loaded rounds for $118 + my time.

If you need brass, let me know, I have a bucket full more than o will ever use.

BEWARE....... The variables and control possible by reloading can be addictive in the same way rolling cigars can be more addictive than smoking them.

I am really excited about the process. So far I have about 600 Pcs of brass that has been de-primed and wet tumbled clean. I have resized about 300 pcs.

I have a Lee single stage press and Lee carbide dies so not a high production set up. The first task is to develop a target load for my bulls eye league.

I am going to use 124 grain plated Berry's bullets with VV 3N37 powder and Magtech primers. I still need to research the overall case length with the bullets I am going to use and build some dummy rounds to make sure they cycle through my mags and pistol.

I am lucky in that I live close enough to Brownells to pick up my orders from them so I don't have to have stuff shipped to me. Saves a lot on the hazmat fees. I'll send you a PM about that brass sometime.

Pete.

 

[DIY Pete]

Thanks Bob! Your cozy can has inspired an impromptu powder curing oven for less than $80. 31 gallon can takes about 20 minutes to reach curing temp, but I can live with that considering it's only 900w 110v hearing element.View attachment 17318

I wish I would have known you could DIY powder coating when I still had my Harley. I could have saved a ton of money.

Pete

 

[DGBAMA]

Pete, I would be forever $BROKE$ if I lived that close to a Brownells. Lol.

I have done MANY thousands of rounds on a single stage press. It doesn't have to be slow. I work batches of brass, using 2 buckets. 250 -500 rnds at a time. Size, put in other bucket, till done. Prime, move to other bucket.... Etc. I don't use a loading tray until it's time for powder. Put the charges cases in a loading tray and do a full 50 at a time. With a flashlight you can quickly check uniformity of the powder charges.

A hand priming tool is much faster than using the presses and affords better feel of seating the primer.

For paper targets in 9mm I like the TC (truncated-cone) design, cleaner holes than a round nose but still feed perfectly.

 

[DIY Pete]

It is kind of like living next to the candy store.

I am sure I will get comfortable with the system at some point and improve my throughput but for now I am being extra diligent to avoid rookie mistakes. I have a hand primer and plan on using it. It would be different if I was going to run 10 thousand rounds a year on a progressive press.

Over the thanksgiving weekend I just couldn't resist and put a deposit down on a new target pistol for league shooting next year. It will be about 8 months before I can take delivery and if the wife finds out how much it costs I'm a dead man walking. I guess that's what keeps life interesting.

Pete

https://www.volquartsen.com/products/524-stingray