In and Out Buildings - Thoughts and Research

LarryG

Western Thunderer
The only thing that strikes me about sheds is the gloominess. I was able to give the builders of mine a sketch showing an unbloken row of glazing along the front, nevertheless, there is never enough natural light.

In a case of live & learn concerning summer heat, I bought some round fencing posts from a farm supplies depot and used them as rollers to move the 14' shed across the garden and turned it with its back to direct sunlight.

I expect your thoughts will turn to a new layout before next winter descends on us. I would suggest something manageable. Not my business of course, but I say this because you will doubtless want to be out in your restored cars and persue other interests in summer.

Larry
 

Focalplane

Western Thunderer
Larry, if I choose to put this thread up on WT, then it is your business!

Anyway, about light. The Railway Room in France has no windows at all (it was a home cinema) so I installed 9 LED strip lights in the ceiling. I have measured the Motor House and it will need 10. These are low power rating lamps that look like fluorescent lights.

The windows face west so get the evening sun in winter. I am not too worried about that as with good lighting and also portable lights (there are so many types available these days that run on rechargeable batteries) I can service a car easily, whatever the time of day. The wooden walls are important for controlling the humidity. I could have added more windows but decided against it for that reason.

As to juggling between model railways and post vintage cars, both can be all year round hobbies. I quite like the railway room with no lights in France for diving into on very hot summer afternoons as much as during dreary windy cold winter days. Ultimately (i.e. in several years time) I will probably think about a small LMS garden layout but for now that is a distant priority. I haven't touched a model now for several months. I am sure that visiting France (hopefully soon) will re-ignite the mojo for Moor Street.

As to the cars, this winter will see a lot of cosmetic work begin on the 1935 Kestrel. It will then be put up for sale when ready. Why? Well, another Riley will soon be entering the stable and it has to be paid for and needs premium garage space. Eventually that Riley will be stored each winter in the Motor House, coming out to be exercised each summer.
 

LarryG

Western Thunderer
It must be a great feeling driving your old motors. Perhaps you could post a view from the driving seat. I was brought up on pre-war cars and loved the view down their long bonnets with wings and headlamps on each side. Designers these day mostly give a bonet-free view forward.

I well remember being driven around Huddersfield in 1950 in an elderly Rolls. That car really did have a long bonnet with the spare wheel mounted within the long sweeping front wings. The fun went out of motoring for me years ago and I am only happy driving ½-cab buses and high-up SUV's. Even the latter are shrinking lower and lower until they'll eventually be cars again!

Oops, diversion. Back to the soldering iron!
 

simond

Western Thunderer
Designers these day mostly give a bonet-free view forward.

true, and avoid anything else that might eviscerate an errant pedestrian/cyclist/etc, or indeed anything that represents a "hard point" on which head injuries may occur.

I don't have figures to hand, but recall a study into windscreen wipers many years ago. The spindles are now always tucked away under the bonnet, but back in the good old days, were responsible for all sorts of unpleasantness, as they are roughly placed where your head lands if the car hits your legs. Door handles are no longer able to hook into clothes and drag the unsuspecting off the pavement. Motorcycles no longer have a vertical razor edge front numberplate to castrate pedestrians (if aligned with the wheel) or shave the rider from the chin downwards (if cross-ways over the headlight). And I don't think many of use rue the passing of the Bull-Bar-adorned 4x4 - (bulls are such a hassle on the urban school run, I find).

And so on.

It's true that we have lost much of the style of classic vehicles nowadays, but as an Engineer, I'd find it hard to justify a potential injury for the sake of appearance.

Happily we can still enjoy our classic cars and bikes - they are a tiny minority of the vehicles on the road, and are generally driven with care by those who lovingly restore them.

atb
Simon
 

Focalplane

Western Thunderer
Here you are, Larry!

3D1D0724-3561-4B2D-AE48-D5C6592E6FC7.jpeg

Taken from the passenger seat and not specifically for this purpose, a wider view would have been better. But the lamps are there. No mascot or hood ornament which was not unusual in the interwar years. In fact the radiator cap is original and Bakelite!

I have to agree with Simon on modern car design being safer but with most cars looking very similar to each other the street scene can be very monotonous.
 

LarryG

Western Thunderer
Paul, Thanks for the windscreen view. Great view forward and just how I like it.
 
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Yorkshire Dave

Western Thunderer
Pictures!

Very nice Paul, looks like the fridge, carpet, sofa, kettle and music system are missing :). Also the space above the garage door looks useful for storage if shelved/floored.

Out of curiousity did you consider having a pit and/or hydraulic ramps to raise the cars off the floor to make them easier to work under? Then on the other hand if you are working on non-monocoque cars then I presume the coach/body work is removed leaving the chassis.
 

Focalplane

Western Thunderer
Thanks, Dave. Yes, a few home comforts can be added but best not to make it too comfortable!

The idea of a pit was considered but the work involved really didn't make sense at the time. Also, looking back I would have put it in the wrong place! A lift makes more sense but I would have had to raise the walls which would involve potential planning permission issues. Coach built cars do allow the body to be removed, but “been there done that” and I would rather not repeat the process at this stage of my life. I am told that a four post lift is necessary for a more flexible ladder frame chassis, the two post are fine for monocoque cars only.

The alternative is a decent jack with well made axle stands using large blocks of wood as secondary security. Beware many Chinese made products with poor welding. The better ones are those with good quality control oversight. You pays your money. . . .

Comfort is also a consideration, matting has already been discussed in the entries above but another “luxury” would be a rolling car creeper board with padding where most needed. American railway modellers have the option of a “cherry picker” type of assistant to reach over layouts, an idea derived from the automotive workshop, but these don’t seem to be available in the UK.

So my option includes a trolley jack rated at 2,5 tons and with 4x4 extension to get a good lift together with axle stands. Large square offcuts of treated lumber will provide the added security should a weld fail or a jack slip.

Three IKEA wall cabinets were delivered yesterday to add to the storage capability. That will be enough for the time being.
 

Osgood

Western Thunderer
Beware many Chinese made products with poor welding. The better ones are those with good quality control oversight. You pays your money. . . .

Beware also those tall, slender, but very tough white axle stands used to keep the Green Goddess (no - not that Green Goddess Diana Moran.jpg ) off the ground during long-term storage.
The top axle support channel is offset considerably from the centre of the three closely-spaced legs, to allow room to get the stands in behind the wheels on the front drive axle - in fact one side is not far off vertical but it is barely noticeable.

Certainly had a few near misses and one direct hit with these jokers - used them a fair few times before I even noticed the offset.
They're o.k.-ish when used in pairs with the offset mirrored, but anything else is well dodgy :oops:

And to think they were only £4 each.......:shit:
 
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Mike W

Western Thunderer
I built a pit whilst extending the garage at my previous house. Shallow, so ideal for sitting down at work. The pin hole water leak was cured after about 3 years and in all it was used about three times only. I hadn't appreciated as I got older how much less I'd do under the cars! When I do, a simple trolley or jack and stands is just fine. Also, pre-War cars tend to have a lot more room under there.

Mike
 

LarryG

Western Thunderer
Your shed looks a sight more comfy than my 2-up~2-down terraced house in 1961!

Messing around under the bonnet and going undernieth to grease around 32 nipples was one of the joys of motoring ha ha. Taking the rotary arm out when parking was routine to stop the car being stolen. As for vacuum activated wipers, ugh. I believe these wipers were still being fitted to late 1950's Ford Zephyrs.
 

simond

Western Thunderer
in my "industrial experience" days on the shipyard, there were some very simple but tough supports. They comprised roughly 2x4" (or 4x6") timbers about a foot (or two feet) long, in pairs, two north-south, two east-west on top, nailed in a square. nail two more on top, and repeat till desired height achieved. The timber for dryliner walling would probably be ideal if you wanted to make some.

looks like they're all over the www! This kind of thing;

upload_2021-8-5_13-5-41.jpeg
 

Focalplane

Western Thunderer
Simon

I have had the very same idea and have offcuts that will be perfect. Cheaper than 300x300mm offcuts to be sure and possibly safer as well in that the wheel is cradled. Not quite so good, perhaps, if the wheels are removed, which I plan to do to gain access behind.
 
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paulc

Western Thunderer
Simon

I have had the very same idea and have offcuts that will be perfect. Cheaper than 300x300mm offcuts to be sure and possibly safer as well in that the wheel is cradled. Not quite so good, perhaps, if the wheels are removed, which I plan to do to gain access behind.
Hi Paul , if you look under the front of the vehicle they have used the 'Jenga' but have axle stands on top so you could take the wheels off , i presume a flat plate has been mounted so the wheel sits in on one side but if you flip it over the stand can sit on the other . I have also seen them with castors fitted so the car can be moved around .
Another alternative is a jacking system called a Quik Jack which hydraulically lifts the car up and locks in place . If you Google it they will come up .
Cheers Paul
 
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