DIY junkies, post yer pics

[notfarnow]

I am an obsessive DIYer. Car, boat and home projects are almost always done with tools in one hand, and book or printed off instructions in the other.

One of the reasons I love Pelican is to troll in tech and look at the DIY projects.
rcecale's transmission rebuild and quaz's The tale of 2 911-Ts are particular favorites. IMO, they embody the spirit of the bold, fearless DIYer.

I think it would be tons of fun to see what projects some of you have taken on. Homes, planes, cars.... whatever.

Here's my absolute best DIY project ever:

Bought ~400 sq ft of salvaged maple wall boards from a 220 yr old church:


After pulling out all the nails & staples, had them milled:


Then laid them in the kitchen:


They are screwed down with 826 screw. Each screw hole is plugged and sanded flush. Also had to raise the kitchen cabinets 1", otherwise we would have lost the "toe kick". Decided to re-plumb the kitchen "while I was in there".

Restored a wooden boat? Built a deck? Gave yourself stitches?
Lets see yours!

[widebody911]

One of my bigger projects I did a couple summers ago - a 15' cantilevered gate

[notfarnow]

Impressive gate, but some before & after Ghia pics would also be appreciated. I still think you need to start a thread dedicated to your KG restoration.

[widebody911]

[widebody911]

[widebody911]

Installing a reduction box trans in a baja bug - how's this for ground clearance? It actually came up another inch once the shocks were hooked up.

[Tim Hancock]

D@mn Thom, you are making some definite progress!

I could fill the server with DIY stuff as it is what I live for.

I don't have all the pics on this computer and I have posted many before. (apologies to all who are sick of seeing them)

Noteworthy items: Scratchbuilt from plans Minimax airplane
90% completed DR-107 aerobatic scratchbuilt from plans plane. Numerous self designed RC planes
Violin from scratch
small rowboats of my own design
built all special tools required to rebuild a 911 engine
installed KX 250 engine on go-cart
built three-wheeler from dirtbike
built sandrail dunebuggy
rebuilt numerous engines
restored/repainted numerous cars/planes

[notfarnow]

Impressive Tim! My brother in law is an emergency Dr, and he builds guitars to "unwind". The precision is incredible. Most of the stuff I work on can be "tweaked" with a hammer.

Row boats: Carvel, lapstrake or stitch & glue?

[Tim Hancock]

Originally posted by notfarnow
Impressive Tim! My brother in law is an emergency Dr, and he builds guitars to "unwind". The precision is incredible. Most of the stuff I work on can be "tweaked" with a hammer.

Row boats: Carvel, lapstrake or stitch & glue?

Stitch and glue out of 1/4 luan ply for my kids to use on our pond and another for my nephew to use on his pond. Someday I will restore a pre-war Chris craft or equivalent mahogany runabout. I also may build a small runabout replica powered by a Jet Ski drive package. Too many projects not enough time. The violin consumed nearly 250 hrs !

[notfarnow]

I had a 23' wooden sailboat back in 95-97. The only water it ever saw was rain and spilt beer. Sold it just to get it out of my sight. I love wooden boats but would prefer my neighbor buys one, so I could go over and watch but not have the responsibility of maintaining it.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally posted by notfarnow
I had a 23' wooden sailboat back in 95-97. The only water it ever saw was rain and spilt beer. Sold it just to get it out of my sight. I love wooden boats but would prefer my neighbor buys one, so I could go over and watch but not have the responsibility of maintaining it.

A couple years ago I considered buying this Dart from the '20s but it would have consumed me (it was barely a pattern boat).
They are super rare and were built in Toledo for a few years by a company owned by Rutherford B. Haye's grandson. They were often used as "rumrunners" on Lake Erie during prohibition.



Here is a restored one. Due to the rarity, they are worth a fortune.

[JeremyD]

ohhhh I love the Darts...

I'll post a few of the more noteable...

Old boat



redone


old

[JeremyD]

[JeremyD]

Before Triumph


after ( the top one obviously

[JeremyD]

[notfarnow]

Hey Jeremy, you painted the san juan with Awl grip, correct? Did you roll it on and then buff?

[Christien]

Ah yes, Canada's proud naval tradition: providing booze to dry yanks during prohibition!

Tim, how did the violin end up sounding? I know it's only your first crack at it. Do you play, or was it just something to try? If so, what did you think of the tone? If not, has anyone offerred an opinion on it? (I'm a violinist, which is why I'm curious)

Chris

[JeremyD]

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by notfarnow
Hey Jeremy, you painted the san juan with Awl grip, correct? Did you roll it on and then buff?

Roll then tip - no buff. It looks almost EXACTLY like it did 10 years ago - awlgrip is awesome.



Let me know if you are interested in doing this - somewhere in my house I have the video from Awlgrip on how to do it...

[pookie]

Wow you guys have done some truly amazing work.

I once cleared my backyard. Took me forever, ended up doing it three different times. No pictures though.

Jeremy I love the boats. I missed out on a 21 foot San Jaun for $700 over the weekend. New rigging, sails, and had the trailer. O well too slow on my part.