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Decided to take a few pics of my 1257, touched up a few spots and tried to clean it a little. Also added a few things since last time I posted pics of her. Ordered a few decals from "redoyourhorse." Looking forward to those. Got more to do to her.

So as I said in a previous post my wife taught early grades in same school room for over 35 years and when we are out we constantly get stopped by former students . Again today at airport going to California someone is screaming her name. A TSA officer that recognized her and left her post running after her. It’s nice to have made a difference.

For those of us that have dedicated spaces in our homes that are used as a work shop regardless of what kind of work we do in it, is that area just that? A work area? Comments have been made regarding that space here by people which makes me bring this up and think about it. Probably the comment that mostly makes me think about it is the one “ you have put a lot of yourself into this place”. Thinking about it it is absolutely true. Speaking only of the shop now, although it applies to the property in general the possibility or necessity of moving or having to move which has surfaced several times through the years has really stressed me out . So it’s just a place some would say. It is not. Even a bigger better, more convenient place would not substitute it. I have evolved and matured here in this 400 square foot shop space for 39 years now.Those attributes are clearly evidenced here by those who can recognize it specially those that know me. It is indeed part of me and probably cannot be duplicated elsewhere. There is a certain “ soul” to it that cannot just be started somewhere else.There would not be enough time and I would be trying to duplicate something that happened naturally as part of my life.Without it I just would not feel complete. I spend quite a lot of time in it. Even if I have nothing to do in it I find myself there and just sit and think. In there I am surrounded by generations of objects most of them personally handed down to me by family or others. There is always a voice or an image associated with most tools used. I felt that “soul” at a very young age in my grandfather’s place . Out of my control that place was lost for ever. I know my children have that same feeling about this place where they were raised from birth , grew up, and learned most of the skills they have today. The grandchildren constantly sneak into the shop and love being here. They remind me of my very same feelings and curiosity at their age in my grandfathers place. Its a place I find myself in it during times of stress or grief. It calms me down and gives me solice. To leave it I feel like I would leave a large part of me behind . I would always be thinking about it. Perhaps I am nuts. Am I alone feeling like this?

A few neighbors joined me to watch the grain harvest today.

At 80 years of age, we have been faced with a decision as to whether to move to a much smaller house in a 'continuing care facility'. I've told my wife that I would take one or two of my tractors with me, but I would still lose my 36' x 36' pole barn workshop. I've always been a hands-on person, and have remodeled or renovated five homes (and 30 Wheel Horses). The workshop is part of what makes me 'ME'. Giving up my workshop would be like giving up my right arm, or part of my soul. I'd be completely bored and lost. The day may come when we have to give up, but I'm fighting it 'tooth and nail'. Jim

I have a wood shop and a stable for the and both are far enough from the house that my wife isn't disturbed by the noise. Our little piece of paradise is situated on seven acres of North Carolina mountain side with a creek running through it. When we bought it sixteen years ago it had a one bedroom two story house (now a rental), a shop building that had been converted into a guest house and a small horse barn with a dirt floor. At the time we knew the house would not fit our needs as we aged but we love the location. Prior to moving from Florida I had a workshop built to house my street rods and the wife's sport car; they have since been sold making room for more . In 2011 we began construction of our new house, one level living, curb-less showers and other consideration that should allow us to live here the rest of our lives. We subcontracted the foundation, framing, insulation, drywall and roofing but did the rest ourselves. My wife had never been around a construction project before so it was quite an adventure for her. She quickly learned that lots of work had to be done from scaffolding when you build on a mountain side. Much to my amazement she even went out on a few of the scaffolds while painting the siding. Next the guest house became my wood working shop so I could cabinets for the new house. I've also done some furniture building, a lot of projects for the church and little things for my wife. It is a great retreat for just sitting and reflecting on life. I can pick up a piece of a project and do some hand sanding while I remines. The shop has an office, wife calls it my Man Cave, and some days I spend as much time solving the world's problems and planning projects as I do working. I know the day will come when I can't get much work done, but knowing I can go out to either of the shops and give my wife some peace and quiet is good for both of us.

It's taken 22 years to build what I have here. A 2 story 24x28 garage/workshop for carpentry work for me, and a 2nd floor craft room for the wife. It also has a 3/4 bathroom and a kitchenette. There's a garden shed for the little lady, and attached to that is a 18x20 tractor shed for the 's. The place is a 1/4 mile off the main highway, so it's nice and peaceful here. Most people don't even know it exists, except for the ones I tell. I just finished putting in a kitchen and last year a bathroom. I would dread the thought of having to leave this place at this stage of life. I call it, "GOD's half acre". In my mind right now, there's only one way I'm leaving here. In an urn

It’s been a while so here are a few.

My shop is more like my den. A place to escape. A place to be creative, A place to think, A place to pray. it has provided solence.....yet filled with inanimate objects that just plain support the soul. time has a way to make change, but it can't change the soul.

I find work shops similar to houses. It’s not the space that gives the space a feeling. (Only nature and the most special buildings can do that for me - a magnificent church or historic building for example) It’s the time spent within and around it, and more then that whom that time was spent with. And what was happening in your life at that time. I recently bought a new place. Primarily to expand my workshop and outdoor space. I owned this place for 2 years before moving in, because we wanted to update it. As a hard working pipefitter, I was fortunate enough to have just enough money combined with what I had saved to be able to maintain 2 mortgages while also paying for the remodeling as I went. When my wife and I first got married we lived in the last home during the remodel of that house. It was a trying time to say the least, and living in it made the remodeling process that much more difficult and time consuming. The first thing I did here was move into my new shop, as it was the center of action for the remodel. Built new work benches (much of which was repurposed materials from the new house) and arranged all the hardware, built lumber and pipe storage systems, etc… During that process and the subsequent remodeling and cabinet making, and so forth, I made a great deal of memories in the new place, with my young son whom would often help me with whatever the task of the day was. So by the time we moved in, I already had a connection to the shop and the property as a whole. So I guess my point is that a new shop is just a new chapter in your life. Something to enjoy, rather than endure.

Well I recommend you never park one of your rigs in my garage…you won’t like what happens.

We currently have 2 shops split between the basement workshop and outdoor workshop. Some tools duplicated in both spaces, some not. If all goes according to plan we'll be combining both areas to the new building soon but that too will be ... 2 shops. Upstairs and down. Louis Lamour has written about the struggles of a man without a "home". In his case he was referring to the constant movement of some humans be it the product of upbringing or current circumstances. I had that same set of struggles for a few years. I was born n raised in an area I missed and dislike greatly and equally. Over the last few years Southern Maine has become my home. ... But even as the economy grows and thereby the population, this area is eventually to be a former home as well. The BBT and I are VERY much quiet country loving folk. North is where that happens. I tell you all that to state this: Your safe happy place is where you make it. Yes we have memories of certain people places things attached to a particular area. Those memories are just that no matter where we are physically. I am happiest and most relaxed in The Great Northern Maine Woods. I am happiest and most productive around my own acreage. You are who you are and have become not because of the place. You are who you are. No matter the place.

Cas, you are a quite the romantic. I have a small basement workshop for woodworking. I’ve made a lot of stuff down there but I’ve never really developed an attachment to it. I think it will come in time. Part of that is probably because it is a landing zone for all the detritus of our household that needs to find a permanent home. It’s the quick fix for hiding things when company comes over and the most convenient storage place for surplus groceries and supplies. Having to relocate other people’s stuff each time I want to do something reduces the desire to spend time there. yet once in a while I do just sit on a stool and dream and remember that this came from grandpa, this from my father in law, this from dad… steve

@SPINJIM Im in the almost identical situation -- I'm 82 and still in pretty decent health, but I'm only TOO aware that could change quickly. I've been here 50 yrs and as several others have said, I contracted out the main house construction and did the rest myself, including a 24x32 stick built shop that over the years has got full insulation with sheet rock and heat & air. As @953 nut sez, its my 'man cave! I dont fish, golf, bar hop, etc, etc, I head to my shop!! Now, my eldest is putting a bit of pressure on me to sell before my health goes (and move to Mich -- yikes!) And, he has a valid point! One minute I'm tempted and the next - several - I say I dont know if I could leave my shop, I could care less about the house having lost my little bride a couple years ago. but .... Bout 10 yrs ago I sprung for a full sized Milling machine and a 13" metal lathe (YEA, love them things!) one of my buddies sez wasnt that a lot of money to put into tools? - I promptly asked him 'what did you pay for that bass boat you bought couple years ago' That was the last of that conversation! I knew what he paid and it was was a bit more that double what my 'tools' cost

Can be addicting???

I've been here about a month and you'll definitely see the benefit in short order if you care to. I browsed the site to get a grasp of the etiquette, made a stop in the introductions forum and then to the store to subscribe. A few minutes and $ well spent. Fair warning though, it can be addicting

Here’s a few!

About 40 years ago I was working at a large Chrysler dealer in Rochester N.Y. about 20 bays. They built a new dealership down the street (30 Bays) Guess who moved everything? WE DID!!! I always say, you never know what you have until you move! My main task was moving the parts dept. We had a 1 ton Dodge window van to do it. And if anybody had driven a Dodge van, let's just say they don't steer the greatest. We laid the bins down with all the parts in them in the van @Pullstart style and that back end was sagging. I didn't dare go over 20 MPH on the double lane. If you have a shop and thinking about moving start early. Get your new place bought before the old one is sold otherwise your gonna move everything twice.

I added some decking, soffit and facia, shingles which were brutal on a 12/12 pitch, and got some paint on it.

Hmmm. Maybe if I attach it rather than paste it in the body?..

@formariz agree and can relate , as we all get steadily older , you fefinetly look at and see things in a different light , THE IRONY OF AGING IS THAT YOU GET TO ENJOY IT , having my own reflections , pete

This boy has three lawns that he cuts each week. He loves gardening. Video games are not that important to him. He wants to learn.

For the first time in several years went and watched tractorpulling at a little village called 'Eext'. Was a fun day with plenty of sun and a nice breeze, perfect conditions. Didn't take a lot of pictures unfortunately but here's one of a supersport 3,5t tractor. 4 cyl. 1 turbocharger, diesel fuel.

Some of you might remember that I posted my B80-8 with hydraulic lift add on for sale due to a stuffed dog that got amputated when it abruptly fell off when running.... it wasn't a pretty sight. The misses insisted I put it up for sale and I did just at a price I figured wouldn't sell.. so after it sit for a month hidden. I took this belt guard from a MF deck and did some trimming. And here i black is the final piece that i have after trimming. Tomorrow i will show a picture or two with it mounted

I wouldn't recommend trenching by hand in NC in July, but that's what I had to do. I can't get large equipment into my back yard but needed to bury a couple downspouts and run power from the main panel in the garage so it was time to knock the rust off of the pick axe. 18" wide, 24" deep, but thankfully only about 80' long. I buried 6 gauge wire in 1 1/2" conduit so I could run 50 amps of 240v out to a sub panel in the shed.

Here are a couple pics from 2009 I believe the year was. My dad use to work on small engines, mower, blowers, etc. He repaired a mower for my uncles friend and my dad had his eye on this 1257 stashed in the back of his barn/shed. Instead of taking cash, he took the tractor. He took it all apart and worked on it whenever he had the time. He cleaned it up and sanded down all the rust and painted all the parts. Then never had a chance to put it back together or make it run. In 2016, he moved in a building where he couldn't have anything except his car (like a retirement place.) So I got the tractor. I downloaded the manuals for it and put it back together. Then got it running, new fluids, greased up, etc. Then found a plow attachment 2 hours away from my house so bought that, was it really rough shape so I painted and restored that to match the tractor. Bought accessories like the hubcaps, stack, headlights, etc to made it nicer. Then I saw they had sickle bars, which I'm obsessed with just how they look on a tractor. I posted on here in wanted section. Gentleman named Walt messaged me who lived 3 hours away from my house, said he had one he wanted to get rid of. So for a good price I drove out and bought that. Same situation, old and rough shape. BUT, everything was there. So restored that. Was actually fun, I find things like this interesting. I kick myself in the butt tho, because when my dad got the tractor, he got the dump cart with it. So when he moved, I didn't have room for the WH dump cart. Plus I was younger so I really didn't care so he gave it away to someone else. So I could've had the cart too! I'll find another one someday. I apologize for the long post, just a little history of the ol 1257.

Oh, you are not at all alone in feeling like this.

Nice to hear there are still a few kids that like to do and learn real things and skills. Give him all he can absorb to keep the interest up!

8ntruck asked about this in another forum but I didn't want to derail that one so thought I would start a new thread here. This was last year's project while we were locked down for COVID. I had about 40 sheets of 5/8" plywood and a bunch of recovered 2x4s and really needed something to help decompress the garage a bit. I have an HOA and not a lot of yard to work with and on top of that whatever I decided on needed to match the architecture and satisfy the bureaucracy...and the wife! I was pretty much relegated to a 10 x 16 footprint so I poured 6 footings with Simpson ties for the 4x6 posts so the wood and concrete would be separated. I laid two layers of 5/8 plywood on 2x8 on 16" centers. Stick built trusses to allow overhead access and an eave for aesthetics. Plywood gusset plates with construction adhesive and about 120 8d nails per truss. I framed it up on the deck and numbered everything so it could be disassembled and then reassembled more easily than doing all of that fitting up on ladders.

Good evening just picked up my first wheel horse after going back and forth for a couple years. It’s a c-81 that I’m looking to fit up a mower deck to. Are any other models that use a 36 inch deck that could be fitted to the c-81

With the fees those places charge I figure we can have someone cut the grass, pick up our groceries, take us to appointments and have money to spare. We are blessed to be debt free and live in a county that has a very good senior citizen program that encourages independent living. They have wheel chair accusable vans to take you shopping or to appointments and the cost is quite reasonable. When my wife was recuperating from her broken ankle and unable to get into our SUV they picked her up at the door, took us to the doctor's office (about fifteen miles away) and brought us home for $ 20.00. They have meals on wheels, volunteers that will take turns giving people that want it a phone call to do a wellness check and lots of social events every week. They also have visiting nurses that will check on you every couple of weeks if desired, fees for this are very reasonable. In short they are doing everything a continuing care facility would do and you are at home. @pacer and @SPINJIM have a couple of years on us but at 77 my wife and I have made it clear to our daughter-in-law that we are not at all interested in moving back to Florida and going into an assisted living facility so she can be near to us.

That exactly what I did. The last step I did the week of the move was make a shed for all my sons bulky toys that I knew would drive me up a wall being in my shop. Bad enough my wifes car is in there. So as part of the move, my wife wanted a new bed. A metal one this time, and I know if I built it, it would have been so heavy, it never would have left the shop. So I bought one instead. The previous bed I made 15 or so years ago from cedar and pine. So I dismantled that bed, took all the parts and reworked them into a shed. Only new parts I bought were the roof shingles, and 2 sheets of 4x8 siding.

I've told my kids that I want to be cremated, then they need to deposit some of my ashes in locations ranging from Copper Harbor to Daytona beach. I doubt that will happen, though. My brother in law's wife owns and runs a funeral parlor. She got kind of flustered when she heard that plan.

Can I toss some ashes onto your neighbor's property so you can Haunt him?

I hadn't ever done much with Hardy plank siding but I have a 4" wet saw and bought a pair of electric shears which are the ticket! My neighbor convinced me to try his battery powered Milwaukee framing nailer and I was really surprised how well it did. It was nice to not deal with air hoses everywhere.

I got it all dried in and wrapped. I thought I would be able to buy louvers but ended up having to build a jig and make them myself. They turned out really nice and provide the right airflow to protect the shingles. At this point I was waiting on the large door so I installed the vinyl windows, pulled interior wiring and that goes with that.

I went back and forth about the wall height. I wanted as much as possible but with the steep roof pitch I didn't want it to look like a tower. I considered a roll-up door but decided on a 5' outswing double door. Here it is framed up and ready for the roof sheathing. I was delayed a bit getting to this point because OSB was in short supply and up to $55/sheet and I just hadn't planned on lumber prices doing what they did. It was interesting adding the eave on the long side. It was all framed up and fitted so I ended up leaning an extension ladder and sliding it up the ladder into place. My wife was a little skeptical but she helped and it went on without any issues.

I was thinking that Cas. My Father-in-Law had it in there house back in the 60's. I am not sure if he bought it or got it from one of the relatives. Here are the legs and the pieces that go on the legs to the bottom of the table. 2 of those pieces were broke and I had to cut 2 new ones...on the right.

My shop has recently been co-opted for storage. I have a full 2-car garage that is supposed to be my work shop. More recently it has become storage for the kids' toys, and I barely have room to get the tractor in.

$250.00 would have tried to negotiate, but the man I bought it from was handicapped and living with his parents. Finds things in the trash to sell. So, I figured his family needed the money more then me, and I thought 250 was fair to begin with considering a bargain basement new rider is 2k, and pretty much every used one regardless of age is no less then 400 if it runs. Didnt set out to buy a wheelhorse, but when I saw the picture, it felt right. Reminded me of the International my uncle used to have when I was a kid. That was a full size tractor (don’t know the model) but I’d bet it was from the 50’s and he would mow the entire block with it every weekend just cause he loved driving the tractor

Mounted rear tires and rims on the new-to-me Auto 12 and hooked up the new-to-me cart. Neighbors are moving and offered some dry firewood so I made a few trips to restock the wood for the fire pit. Our front yard is a fairly steep grade and I didn't lose any pull running for 45 minutes or so, so I'm confident in the hydro now which is something I really wanted to test Forgot to attach the pic:

I replaced the connection when I found it. Not the same connector, but I keep insulated male and female spades in stock, so I used those. The rest of the wiring looks good. Took the tractor for the first spin around the yard. Kinda surprised how peppy this old girl is with only 8 HP. Has as much Getty up as the modern John deer that came with the house (which I sold to the neighbor 2 years ago) I never liked it much. Worked well enough, but too much plastic. And I was (is) using a mowing service. And at the time was remodeling the house, so I didn’t have time to mow anyways. Probably gonna take the mower deck back off and tear it down, replace belts, sharpen the blades, etc… kinda a shame we’re in a drought can’t really see how well in mows or not. Either way pretty satisfied with my purchase. Probably could’ve negotiated down from $250.00, but the seller was a handicapped adult son living at home, whom takes things he finds on the road, gets em working enough to sell to help pay the expenses for his parents. So I figured his family needed the money more then me, and I still think it was a heck of a deal considering a junky plastic bottom of the line new riding mower is right around 2k. Once I get this machine performing tip top, gonna tell the mowing service to take a break.

Been surfing the interweb the last couple of days to find the proper PTO bell for Clyde. Lucked out and stumbled on to a couple. One used and the other new. I've ordered the used one. If I had a lathe like @Pullstart has in his magic barn, I could repair the bell that I have.

Thanks everyone , I do my best to make sure they are the highest quality , but if something ever goes wrong all you have to do is let me know and i will always make it right no matter what , again thank you all Jim Kemp

Thanks guys, For many years I could never afford to pay anyone to do anything for me around the property so I acquired tools as I could and learned how to do it myself. I insulated, drywalled, and trimmed the inside. I didn't insulate the floor figuring that critters would just tear it up from underneath. I had a couple pallets of commercial carpet tiles so those went in to help keep the chill off in winter. I'm able to keep it warm with just a small electric heater. I had a spare resin-top bench at work (weighs a ton!) so that went in with a couple cabinets and a small fridge so I'm in business! I wish it could have been bigger but just have to be efficient with the space. My extension ladder usually hangs over the door but it's out right now. You can see in this pic that there are sliding access doors to the overhead storage which really helps. The lighting is all LED to conserve power but I can run my compressor and saws without issue. I was able to distribute some GFCI power to the back yard while I was at it so it's really been a valuable project.

This is what Tung Oil looks like on an old kitchen table I cleaned up.

That 520 looks good. If the Onan is junk, why not repower it with the C-160s K-341? It would be much easier to move the K engine to the 520 than moving the steering gear, axle, and Eaton 1100 to the C-160. Or, leave the 160 as is and find a new engine for the 520. @ericj probably has P220s for sale.

We lived in the Philippines for 15 years. It seems every town has a MacArthur Street or Avenue. On the Island of Leyte there is a Memorial to MacArthur and Wainwright honoring their return to the Philippines. Corregidor Island is in the Manila bay. It was a small tadpole shaped island that was an American military base before WWII using guns from the 1920's. Unfortunately, it was built to defend against ships and pretty much defenseless against airplanes. I took several trips there and it is very humbling and sobering place to visit. The Philippinos have done a great job keeping it as an important piece of history. One of our Philipino pastors served in World War II. He has a small "shoe shop" in the City of Davao that was used to pass information to from the locals to American soldiers. A local scout would bring in a pair of shoes that contained a note and another would pick it up to get into American hands. Pastor Celso Navalis was an interesting gentleman to spend time with. He like many of his generation have passed on. For a couple of years, our place of ministry, (we were missionaries) took us down the road that basically went where the Bataan Death March went. Along the road are small parks or pull-offs that have bill boards showing the interaction of different countries. The Japanese would have bill board signs showing their troop movements then further down the road Americans would show our troops movements. Interesting to say the least There is a huge cross with some 400 steps leading to the cross arms where folks can climb up and from windows on the sides of the cross arms overlook Corregidor island then back to Bataan and the small mountains of the death march. God has Blessed America and I hope we appreciate what He has given us.

The question is " can you get a 13 year away from the video game " to teacher him how to use the sprayer ?