GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project~”

[Grizz1963]

Been here 8 years.

My deck even longer.

Never maintained before I got here.

Needed help.

Maybe too late for the product below.


https://youtu.be/i6c4Nupnup0


So ordered a load of decking, 2x4’s and screws etc.

Tool Station, only one tub available per branch, not able to transfer between branches.

Bought these.



Weirdly, even called the company, to find out where I can get more bits...l

Ermmmmmm.... nope, they do not know WT actiual F ??

Seriously

Weird head and weird bits..l.l.



Wood Delivery Saturday morning

In the mean time, Sally and I stripped the boards tonight after work

Frame left as a reference for Saturday when @CagRK and Woodsie arecoming over to give a hand, and advice.


Deceptive angle. Already had front panel off.



Sally, straight in.





Security.





Rotten boards and bearers

[Grizz1963]

Bought the M10 x 75mm lightening bolts and some screw plates today.

No instructions as to drill bit size. Shaft is 10mm between threads.

Tip is 7mm but not sure thats relevant.

What is the concensus on SDS drill bit size??

8mm ?

[Grizz1963]

Got a phone call late this afternoon from the guy I ordered the wood from..

“Is there any chance of delivering your order on Friday morning?”

Of course, thankfully I am stuck on a Skype call, so need to leave later.

This means we can start earlier, or at least on time.

Due to a family upheaval Henry had to withdraw from the fun, but it should still be a fun day.

[Grizz1963]

Well....

We are on.



08.35 the doorbell rang. I was on a Skype teleconference and training. So just opened the side gate.

Half an hour later.

Magically there is a pile of wood.

A deck in there somewhere.



Next step.

Buy lunch stuff on the way home tonight from work.

Then Sleep. Get up. Get tools out. Wait. Or knowing them both Craig and Woodsie will be here before 08.00 all excited to get started.

Fingers crossed for a good day and completion tomorrow.

Sally is working till 3pm or else we would be guaranteed of an endless barage of whip snapping and being told to get on with it, between cups of tea and biccies.

Later.

[Grizz1963]

A pic Craig took last night before we finished up,

Kinda dark already.

I am knackered tonight.

Will do update tomorrow evening




Night.

[Grizz1963]

Sunday morning I woke by 05.00 due to my unfit body objecting.

Down in the garden by 07.00 I started to prepare for the step off the deck that I had decided to extend by 150mm

Some bags of sharp sand and pavers brought around from behind the garage and put on standby.





Dug a shallow strip down into which to lay the pavers.

Unfit......





This strip of slabs allows the front legs of the bottom step that takes a load of heavy traffic to sit on a solid, dry base.



In the mean time, Mickey came around to have a nose around at what I was doing, checking up on Kevin who had advised that I change the lay of the triangulated section deck boards.





Getting on with it.

The redesign meant more legs, a noggin and strengthening so that I can continue to ride my 1200 GS on there when needed.



Being the clever old stick he is, Kevin created depth spacers, and we pre-screwed all the riser supports, got the levels right and then fixed them in.





Started to put the supports for the stair risers in as well, screwing them into the sides of the deck support legs, of course as per usual Catscan inspection and investigation carried on, despite the rain and miserable weather.





All in place



Next step would be to do the final deck board next to the house.

But a cuppa and some biccies that Sally made, first.

[Grizz1963]

Having lived here since September 2010, yes, time certainly flies and the world has changed somewhat, there has been a procession of used deck furniture, chairs, tables etc.

And when we rebuilt the deck, I carried the chairs and table down to the bottom of the garden, in order for them to be out therapy.

The table, which I got from Mickey two years ago as a cast off, started to self destruct.

Fortunately I had a plan.

@CraigRK had found me a wooden garden gate plus one that was cut up, when he went to buy some wooden garage doors last year, or was it this year? Yes, last year.

Delivered them and I stored them knowing the deck needed replacing.

So yesterday I started off by cleaning up some more of the old decking timbers, angle grinder on hand to cut back some of the embedded nails as there were some weird galvanised nails used that one just will not shift despite all sorts of encouragement.

Carried the gate up to the house followed by the wood and all the tools.



Hail and rain and a freezing breeze saw me in 5 layers again till about midday.



Cleaned up wood.

Amazingly, this stuff looks like new, except for old stains and water marks.



Bit of trimming here and there.



The biggest problem was actually what style of legs and support I was going to add.

A-Frame shaped trestle legs, straight with jointed sections or what.

As I tend to use furniture as load bearing tools.

In the end I decided to not go with the loose trestle style, but to attach it all, with cross braces and then again, braced diagonally and attached to the table.

I had o relocate some of the gate bracing in order to move the legs inboard from the sides so one can seat 8 people comfortably around it, this is what happens when you have a group BBQ here.

Sally had a day with friends, and Bear her dog, so I was alone, and able to get on with the job, with the occasional chat to Mickey next door who needed some tools, and was fitting cut bricks to his newly decorated and recessed electric fireplace.

We also agreed to remove 25 foot of the hedge between our homes and replace it with concrete posts and gravel boards plus 6 foot panels in order to regain about a meter of my property next to the deck.

Won’t look good till my eyes get used to it, but needs to be done.

Legs, cross braces in position.



Diagonal braces in position too.

Table looking skinny.



Done.......!!


Well, it was meant to be done.

Then realised it looked pretty rubbish.



So went to the pile of good decking and pulled a board out, they are 35mm thick.

Screwed one to the table top and ran the circular saw down the length, guided by the centre groove, and made some sides to screw on and tidy it all up.



Screwed the sides on and then fetched the belt sander because it’s never really done, is it.

I had planned a simple, rustic table to use on thendeck.

Wrong.....!!

It was turning into a bigger job again.




And finished.




Or was it finished??


Errrrrmmmm.......??


Nope.


More to come.

[Grizz1963]

Then something big came along.

Real big.







loads of carpark,chat.





And a couple more that I enjoyed taking.





I think that’s the lot.

After this, around 11.00am we headed out as we both had stuff to deal with.

Me.... a garage and piles of steel.

Kevin, T6 build.

Thanks for looking in.

[rgunlock]

Thanks for taking us to the show. I also am partial to the square stepside. It is the right color

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

Thanks for taking us to the show. I also am partial to the square stepside. It is the right color

Pleasure.

Yes, the colour is lovely in the sunshine.

[Grizz1963]

Weirdly, after some time of inactivity, things are coming alive at Chez Grizz.

Certainly, playing a part in it all is Sally.

She took all the pics below, sneakily while I was busy, to me it shows a certain interest

She continues to send me pics of old cars and animals and chases me to the garage when she can.

Sunday afternoon, she came over and made me clear up outside the garage, moving stuff, sweeping and to be honest, being one of the nicest pains in the butt, I have had there for a long time. This does not include @PaulY who is always welcome.

With all the plastic pallets already removed by Prozac, the trailer needed it’s wheels pumped up and moved with stuff on top of it.

The steel work bench also needed to be moved temporarily, as did the trolley I used to move theC10chassis in and out when I was doing all the work on it.



Much more to be cleared, but headed in the right direction



Job done, trust me.

Now I can weld and cut and grind out in front of the garage again, thanks to some good motivation



There are a few tasks to do before I get going on the Chevy Resto Reboot, including removing the existing deck, rebuilding a new one and some other random tasks.

But it will be gotten back to.

[Grizz1963]

Well, one photo would not really tell the story.

But the rear seats in these unbolt real easy.



Especially if you have help or supervision in the shape of a fur ball.



But why would I be needing to liberate 2.0 meters of longitudinal space??



Totally related, but not easy to see till this all progresses a lot further “down the road” was Mickey next door’s old sofa that had a tear in the one seat leather......



But the back panel was very good, undamaged.....

So harvested.




Colour may need some editing at some point.

And distressing too.




Answers on a postcard.

[Grizz1963]

Love this sort of thing


One ride, one visit to A&E


OWNERS BUILD THREAD.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=767315







I wanted to build one just for fun, then @CraigRK offered me a free pile of bits he has owned for 13 years.


At least we know it will, should fit in the back of Prozac......


Fetching early on Saturday.

[Grizz1963]

Sorry for the delay.

Had a visitor, much more important than updates.

So once I got home from Craig’s and dropping off some 8” caster wheels for mate Martin to fit to his rotisserie to make it mobile, I had a cuppa tea, then went down to where Prozac was parked and started to unload some stuff, getting to this point, I realised the size of the task ahead.



Unloading actually allowed both wheels to free up a bit as this has been stored indoors and outside for many years.

Sally was possibly not overly impressed with my filling the space we cleared last weekend for the Red C10’s bodywork to be started and done in with another silly project...... but she has two petrol head sons, so totally gets it.
The older one, Luke at 26 seems to have the same mentality as I do regarding this sort of thing and approved.

VIDEO LINK. https://youtu.be/M-uHwMpdTA0



Not very big.



Minute carburettor on this two stroke 50cc scooter.

No idea how dirty it all is.



Got the gas tank open, dry, but added a bit of fuel in.



Got the Blazers battery out to try start it.

Only got a bunch of relay clicks, and the horn making contact, but no noise.

Guess next step will be to clean all the electrical contacts because 12 years can play havoc with it all.

Sally had come over with her dog, Bear that she had taken for a long walk too, and of course though no contact, Harley was not impressed and chose the high ground till she had left. After supervising my unloading and moving the scooter about.



After Sally left, Harley was straight in to inspect and approve the new item.

Always makes me laugh how she takes charge of stuff down at the garage





Once I had failed to coax any life out of the motor, I tidied up and parked it under one of the old bike covers Craig had given me.




So next step today will be to go back and start again, this time disconnecting every electrical connector and cleaning them with an abrasive to ensure complete contact.

Then try start it again.

Fingers crossed.

[Palf70Step]

Seeks like you guys earned your beer this weekend. Looks like the supervisor Harley even approves

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Seeks like you guys earned your beer this weekend. Looks like the supervisor Harley even approves

Thank you Bill,

Yes, Harley certainly loves the new deck.

Her nose was out of joint when I removed the old one.


Next job was to get a long cut to get the sliver off the last deck board.

Amazed that these boards are not all the some width, funny how modern technology claims to be more accurate but there is not pride in product.



Then a funny kinked cut at the end to fit the driveway and the end of the deck.



In place.




LAST JOB.

THE STEP........

BY NOW IT WAS RAINING A LOT MORE THAN WE WANTED IT TO.

And 220 Volts out in the rain would make for interesting work.

So not photos at all, of the individual legs on each riser support.

We decided to add two 35mm x 145 mm legs to each, screwed in from both sides of the support as there is a slope to the ground and each was to be a different height by a few mm.

Then the front face plate again needed tome trimming so not contact with the paving blocks under the legs or the grass, which should never get to it.

Lastly, three boards wide step, is 150mm wider than the one it replaces, as it makes for another nice place to sit while the fire is going for the BBQ.

SO DECK COMPLETED BY 17.00 on SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

NEXT UP WILL BE MAKING A LARGE TABLE, AND A DECENT BENCH, USING THE TAILGATE I RECENTLY BOUGHT AS A BACKREST.















A MASSIVE THANK YOU TO CRAIG AND KEVIN, AND ALL THE REST OF YOU WHO INPUT WITH ADVICE, MOTIVATION AND COMMENTS.

ANOTHER GREAT JOB DONE THANKS TO MOJO RETURN.





(Craig was not available for the team photo)


Laters.

[Grizz1963]

One more pic.

Final underside assembly.

I suspect you could put a V8 engine on there now (carefully)





Off to the Kent American car meeting in Prozac in a bit as the Blazer is stuck behind a pile of wood down the bottom of the garden.

[Palf70Step]

Very nice Rian. I have trouble just making firewood as a wood working project, let alone nice stuff like this..

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Very nice Rian. I have trouble just making firewood as a wood working project, let alone nice stuff like this..

Gives me a thrill.

Was out for most of the day, home by 2.30pm

Flipped the table over and gave it two coats.



Then another good thick coat on top and dragged it onto the deck.





Also tested the tailgate that will be cackrest to the bench I plan to build.




Next job will be to build the framework for the bench.

And then get it completed.

[Grizz1963]

Yesterday was the Kent American car Breakfast Meeting so Sally joined me and we went to Sevenoaks but had to use the Berlingo as the Blazer was parked down at the bottom of the garden, with all the decking boards and furniture blocking it in.

While we were there I was having conversations with @Disasterbus and mate Martin on Messenger.

Disasterbus was a car conversation, nothing unusual there.

Martin, conversely was trying to spend some of the money in my wallet.

He sent a message about an engine hoist for sale.

And it is one of those things I do not own, but have access to, Martin’s is 15 miles away, in the back of a garage behind his house, with bikes, a truck and various other bits blocking it, and @CraigRK has his stored 80 miles from here, so neither ideal.

I will need one to lift the engine and trans back into the frame of the C10 as well as lifting the cab on and off when the time comes to remove it, paint, cut, weld and paint it.

At £70.00 and an hour long back road “road trip” as Sally said, coming back via the Isle of Sheppey and a couple of shops, finally getting an overpriced take away shop coffee that tasted great 😉 it was a fair deal imho.


Also saw these guys on the way back.




And the hoist, used for one job by its owners whe was building a boat, and needed to manage the motor into the hull at some point.

Looks like new.



I also managed to build a large BBQ table to go on the new deck

http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...building-table

So a great weekend all in all.

Just waiting for summer now.

[Grizz1963]

A quote from a Garage Journal member.

Easier to copy and paste.

Originally Posted by Bob Heine

Rian, is that one of those new "Self Driving" carts I've been hearing about?

The table is a great addition to the new deck and looks right at home. I do need one of those engine cranes but it would end up being stored outside. I have filled my 5-pound sack with 10 kilos of you know what.

The toy is a great score. Our daughter-in-law was a little disgusted when Liane gifted our grandchildren with thrift-store finds 20+ years ago. Learned recently that in her new grandmother role, things have changed. She was thrilled to find a high-end car seat for a fraction of retail and couldn't wait to tell us. Liane smiled and said nothing!

Morning Bob,

Those Self Driving carts are very goood at dividing communities.

Table is great, had a friend around to collect my sledge hammer yesterday morning early as she has concrete to break (does not need me) and we had a coffee and chat at the table, it feels really good.

I actually increased the leg height by 30mm as 99% of visitors will be full sized adults, and the patio table it replaced was always a touch low.

Regarding the toy score, I think partly it’s a mindset, and so many people fall foul to advertising, opinions and nonsensical false pride.

How often do kids prefer the box an item comes in, wonder why.....?

Anyway, this girl knows the value of her pounds that she works incredibly hard for, so anyone giving her or her son free £50.00 toy, is putting £50.00 back into the kitty.

I could just imagine what went on inside Liane’s head (well, as a man we never really know, do we?)


Sally has also opted to take the small two seater bench that was on the deck the last three years for her garden. I had inherited it from Mickey next door, and the new one I will be building will be bigger and more robust.

Painted it for her on Monday evening after work.




She was very pleased.

Now to find time to build a bench.

It’s WHEELS DAY on Friday so my time is allocated.

[68Timber]

You have an eye for the aesthetic. Am I the only one that's following your adventures and watching the blood mark move to the end of your thumbnail? Sorry, my mind doesn't always track straight. Nice work on the Blazer, deck, and nice catch.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by 68Timber

You have an eye for the aesthetic. Am I the only one that's following your adventures and watching the blood mark move to the end of your thumbnail? Sorry, my mind doesn't always track straight. Nice work on the Blazer, deck, and nice catch.

Morning John

Thank you very much for your reply


You certainly are not the only one watching the blood blister, added in November, move along.

Its like a watermark on photos

The deck, table etc are all just ways to keep busy and also save cash.

It releases cash for other incidental stuff

Like:


Off to Wheels Day tomorrow.

Picking up a windsurfer to go on the Blazers roof if I can find a decent set of fitted roofracks somewhere



As per what one should do, I checked over the tyres etc. last night and found the rear tyres both with some side wall cracking.
Tread depth is almost like new but I suspect they have been there 10 years or more.



So early in to spend £86.00 on two Chinese Ditchfinders for the rear.

Again, I have to say, This car has cost peanuts to run the last three years.

What a pleasure.

And these guys in Strood are both helpful and friendly and matched any prices I brought.

Win Win.

[Grizz1963]

Quickly after work.

Varnish.



Halfway



Done. Happy.

[Grizz1963]

Wheels Day 2019

Used the Berlingo as the Blazer was stuck behind piles of wood down the driveway, and I was not going to move it all about.
Also neededto use the Berlingo to collect a windsurfer board to use as added decoration for the Blazer.

What a great day out.

Met up with Craig.

Saw loads of stuff. Took over 150 photos but won’t be posting them all up, takes forever

One of @CraigRK dogs watching him leave from the camp site to go to Wheels day.




Board just fitted in, 100mm so spare.



Of course there was Swapmeet and traders stands....

First stop.

Craig bought me a non functioning (the light works) Makita Impact driver for £3.00 so if a bit of fettling gets it going, bargain.

If not, the high power battery is good, so still a great buy.

Two scale faces, one to be used for the next dummy Visible gas pump build. At 50p each, a bargain.



Two license plates, free from a trader, smaller one for my collection as it’s an illegal plate, and the larger one headed to Russia as soon as I manage to find a modern motorcycle plate to add to it for Vladimir to put up in his garage. He sent me a modern Russian plate for my collection.

Spirit level and square from Craig’s collection to add to my tools.




Russia bound



Very smelly Meerschaum pipe was £7.00 including case, a good price.

Imp badge, given free by a trader and is for Mr Tiki to add to his badgeless Imp.



Sally got a Hoody that pleased her no end.



Prozac’s main job for the day, retrieve the board for the Blazer.



Looks like it is bit (lot) too big.