What's everone doing for projects this offseason?

[dapgar]

Just wanted to get an idea of what everyone has planned for projects this summer.
My main income is from my building construction business, but I have been trying to grow my snow business too the last few years, realizing it's very good supplimental income when there isn't a big job going on through the winter. this year it really saved me.

I don't have any major home projects to do this summer, other than scrape and paint the exterior of our house. We bought it about a year and a half ago, went through and ripped out all the doors and trim, and baseboard trim, refinished the floors, crown molding in almost every room(due to the fact that the original builder just put quarter round molding at the top of the walls and it looked terrible, 1950s), painted every room, new floors where there wasn't hardwood. I'm just getting done this weekend with the last room to trim. Bathroom needs a makeover, but not this year. that's the only room we really didn't touch at all.
Then it's moving to the outside to scrape/paint. glad it's a small ranch house.
a near future project here will be to build a nice big garage, polebarn style i think to save on the cost. I'd rather have a nice big garage than replace my truck at this point.

[Ole JIM]

Just wanted to get an idea of what everyone has planned for projects this summer.
My main income is from my building construction business, but I have been trying to grow my snow business too the last few years, realizing it's very good supplimental income when there isn't a big job going on through the winter. this year it really saved me.

I don't have any major home projects to do this summer, other than scrape and paint the exterior of our house. We bought it about a year and a half ago, went through and ripped out all the doors and trim, and baseboard trim, refinished the floors, crown molding in almost every room(due to the fact that the original builder just put quarter round molding at the top of the walls and it looked terrible, 1950s), painted every room, new floors where there wasn't hardwood. I'm just getting done this weekend with the last room to trim. Bathroom needs a makeover, but not this year. that's the only room we really didn't touch at all.
Then it's moving to the outside to scrape/paint. glad it's a small ranch house.
a near future project here will be to build a nice big garage, polebarn style i think to save on the cost. I'd rather have a nice big garage than replace my truck at this point.
Here its Clean UP Equipment--Inspect--Repair--Paint--as most of its sits all Summer?--I DONO? where all the Crap comes from?--but--every Year its seems to get Worse?--like YOU I have the usual Stuff--repairing around the House!--Paint--Fix the Lawn--Driveway--trim broken Branches on our Trees!--& putting OFF cleaning UP the Garage--I guess? getting organized? is my main problem? Whehe to Put all this Stuff?--You know You keep Things for Years!--a Never have a Use for it?--throw It Away!--& BANG You need IT!--My yards Dirt!--& I guess? it wil never Dry Out?--still to Soft to really Use!--Three pick Up loads hauled to the Dump! & I still have another One to GO!--I fired UP my Ole Walters--but--If? I move It Now! I*ll have Ruts all over the Place!--so thats a NO NO!--wait a couple of more Weeks?--ICE in the Lake all ready to Go Out!--a few more Days?--I*M looking at lawn Mowers as Mines getting Tired--Push-mower--mothing Fancy--just a plain Jane!--W/ No extras!--small 18 inch Cut--as my Lawns an Obstcale Course?--Rocks & Tress!-- & I gotta Remove the Snow Treads on my CAR!--& I have plans to build a Head Board on my platform Dump body-- & a New set of front Steeps--Normal Stuff--How You Doing?--Building Any-Thing?--Ole JIM--

[Alan]

My spare time will be taken up building a new plow truck. New to me anyhow. Starting with a Blazer chassis which has had a pickup cab set on it and was being driven until the engine went west.

The eventual goal is to have a "Mini-Walter", vee and wing and the right stuff to put power to all four wheels.

First stage is to get it operational enough to prove the concept next winter. Cab has to come off so I can plate the frame so it will hold up with a sizeable spreader on the back. Then swap in 8 lug axles from an 83 K20. Do the cosmetics on the cab and run it for a season.

The eventual plan/hope/dream is to move the rear suspension under the frame and stick a shortened D70 under it so I can run duals without the wide track width of a normal dually. Go D60 up front at that point. I'm also thinking posi rear and lockable front so that when things get really rough I can go where no other snowplower dares to go.

I put myself under the gun on this as I have one truck getting retired this summer. There's too much body rot to spend time/money fixing. I have it sold with the current plow and spreader on it. With that one gone I MUST get this mutant running by late November.

[Pickering Snow]

I have a couple have to get the first one done in order to do my fleet change over for next winter. The first is doing the 4x4 converstion on the wrecker alot with that one is waiting on a donor truck to get wrecked i still need a transfer case and front drive shaft , the front diff i picked up out of state had 2k on the truck when it wrecked someone else got the other parts i needed anyway it has 410 gears in it and in order to match front and rear i bought a 410 rear set gonna dump the 488s which should help my mileage problem but still have plenty of power to tow with.

Project two is getting a rollback wrecker on the road i ordered a 5500 from gm and they pissed around and called me back last week and cant build what i need story in detail in another thread. Theres a 98 5500 out in ILL i want to go look at it has a cat engine and low miles but needs the deck repaired or replaced so i may buy that and have fallway build the back to my specs.

Last is earlyer this winter i sold my north town route and with that i sold both the 01 and 02 F250s so i need to get the wrecker set up for 4x4 and a low pro blizzard . Erie one is gonna go threw some transforming i want to put a sidewing on it but also need to have room for the hopefully blizzard spreader my goal is to make Erie 1 a snow only truck . If ness i will get a cheap 4x2 pick up for the spreader if Jerre cant stuff all that into one truck iam down to just the 97 350 with my airflow v box my tail gate units were on the f250s and honestly they were getting tired so i let them go with the deal .

[William B.]

Wow sounds like you guys are going to be busy. I look forward to seeing pics of the different projects everyone has planned. Me and dad have alot of stuff to do arund the house, alot of little things mostly. Build some new doors for our shed, do some repair to the decks, stuff like that.

William

[T-Zab]

Fred

Where is the wrecker in IL. Im in North East IL. , if you need someone to take a look see at it I may be able to help you out. The wife has a digital camera so I could snap pics for you if needed. I have been watching ebay for deals myself but allways wonder what the frig I might be bidding on. Its okay if your getting the deal of the century but for competitive priceing someones oppinion (not the sellers ) is also a little reasureing.
My old neighbors Dad owns a major Towing outfit up this way, they run 5500's with the Cats and they like them. Allthough Wally is switching too IH's now. Anyway let me know if you need a hand taking a look might save you trip if its a total P.O.S.
Todd

[wyldman]

Gotta get back on the "Veggie Oil" project,as fuel prices are outrageous.Will be nice to cruise around without paying a cent for fuel.

I have a 24 ft backplow in the works,just need to get started on it.Also have a Ford F250 to do a SFA conversion on,as well as install a plow.

[Ole JIM]

My spare time will be taken up building a new plow truck. New to me anyhow. Starting with a Blazer chassis which has had a pickup cab set on it and was being driven until the engine went west.

The eventual goal is to have a "Mini-Walter", vee and wing and the right stuff to put power to all four wheels.

First stage is to get it operational enough to prove the concept next winter. Cab has to come off so I can plate the frame so it will hold up with a sizeable spreader on the back. Then swap in 8 lug axles from an 83 K20. Do the cosmetics on the cab and run it for a season.

The eventual plan/hope/dream is to move the rear suspension under the frame and stick a shortened D70 under it so I can run duals without the wide track width of a normal dually. Go D60 up front at that point. I'm also thinking posi rear and lockable front so that when things get really rough I can go where no other snowplower dares to go.

I put myself under the gun on this as I have one truck getting retired this summer. There's too much body rot to spend time/money fixing. I have it sold with the current plow and spreader on it. With that one gone I MUST get this mutant running by late November.
I have Built just about every thing I have used--as I*m not into all this Shiny new overly high priced Equipment as theres Two things I really Beileive In?--Murphys LAW! & Necessity is the Mother of Invention!--I have seen Your Work! on the NET & You Do a Great JOB!--I remember yrs AGO! when I Bought my Ole Walters--how many Laughed!--& asked? What in Hell?--Do You intend to Do w/That?--well they Don*t Laugh any More!--Especially after a Pregnant Woman was in Labor & NO One could Ge to Her--as We were having a Nor-Easter--14 inches on the ground w/10 to 12 foot drifts w/ the wind blowing like MAD!--Her eldest SON called ME!--& I told Him I would give It my Best SHOT!--I was Srprised? as the Ole Walters Stated right UP!--& OFF I went--in aprox ten minutes I was in their Yard!--they Loaded Her in their CAR & Off to the Hospital We Went!--& w/No one else on the Road!--& w/Both Wings Down!--A She Plowed NICE! right down to the Tar!--One Big Drift!--12 or more Feet High & over 50 yds Long!--Snow came clear UP to the Windsheild!--& the Exhaust Pipe got to Steaming!--Fogging UP my Vision--as It was Red HOT!-but She never Missed a Beat!--& the Hospital was Ready & Waiting when We Arrived!--She had a BOY 10 minutes after We got There!--& now local People have some Respect for my Ole Ulgy Walters!--& I*M an Ole Softy?-as I Bought It mainly because the Town was Gonna Cut it up for Scrap!-- & spent several Summers re-building It!--I DONO? I had driven It many Miles as a young Man & just Couldn*t see it Cut UP!--Too OLD? & Not any Good any more?--like ME I guess?--its Kinda like an ole Pair of your Favorate Boots?--hard to throw Away?--ALAN Keep ME Posted On how Your Comming along on the Mini Walters!--as I LOVE the IDEA!--Ole JIM--

[snowjoker]

Well I have a plow truck to put together too :greenange Also plan on building 2 portable bbq rental pits, and a dump trailer. All the ideas but no time LOL

[Mick]

Gee, all this makes my project seem like nothing. I'm going to get my old Dodge pickup back in shape for next winter. Needs some body work and the transfer unit went out on the 4wd. I was going to turn it into a woods truck, but it just runs too good for that.

Maybe I'll just change my summer project into monitoring everybody else's progress. Alan's, Fred's, Wyldman's and snowjoker's sounds more interesting, anyway.

[Tileman]

As of typing this tonight no one has parked anything strange in the back yard ..............yet.

The boys are being very quiet so far this spring about projects. :evil

I did see something in the shop the other day that has me a little worried, Jim had an old International Cub Cadet lawn mower in there that he was stripping the motor off of. Plus he had pulled a motor out from under the bench (out of his old Yota. He trashed the trans and pulled the motor saying I stick that in something some day :weld .

Jim still has to get some newer sheet metal for his truck and get some paint on it.

And if I have my way and I can work it in this summer I may get to work on my house and get the wife a new kitchen (been tellling her this for 16 years)

But this is only spring so who knows what will happen before the snow flys this fall.

Rich

[Ole JIM]

Gee, all this makes my project seem like nothing. I'm going to get my old Dodge pickup back in shape for next winter. Needs some body work and the transfer unit went out on the 4wd. I was going to turn it into a woods truck, but it just runs too good for that.

Maybe I'll just change my summer project into monitoring everybody else's progress. Alan's, Fred's, Wyldman's and snowjoker's sounds more interesting, anyway.
HI MICK--Ole Jim here--don*t get Discouraged on other peoples projects!--as most are future Tinkering--as We all have things that need to be Done! & some thing allways comes UP? that puts what ever? on the bottom of the gotta be Done list!--I*M not far from YOU! & I*d like to drop by & Visit--as used to visit your area as I knew Clarance Dorr--but--Hes Divorced now & I dont run into Him all that Often any more--Mike send Me your Phone Number!--{OFF LIST**--BADCAR@WEBTV.NET & I*LL Call YOU! Take Care --Ole JIM--

[Fordhipo]

Now that the ice is gone, I have to get this project done soon :grinz

[Roger Dodger]

Awaiting the closing of my second home to net me about $15k cash. Will insulate the garage/shop of my new home. Install gas heater, lighting, air conditioning, workbench, cupboards, 220v (for welder), downdraft table (for sanding).

After that, finish off my hobby room in the basement. Will facilitate an electronics test/repair bench and a section with a bench for ammunition reloading and gunsmithing.

All that of course after I do the flower garden/plants for the wife first! :notworthy

[Ole JIM]

Awaiting the closing of my second home to net me about $15k cash. Will insulate the garage/shop of my new home. Install gas heater, lighting, air conditioning, workbench, cupboards, 220v (for welder), downdraft table (for sanding).

After that, finish off my hobby room in the basement. Will facilitate an electronics test/repair bench and a section with a bench for ammunition reloading and gunsmithing.

All that of course after I do the flower garden/plants for the wife first! :notworthy
Buy the WIFE a HOE-a Rake-a couple of Shovels-One Square point & a Beveled One-& a Good Book on GARDNING--& tell HER to GO for IT!--& YOU Do your Gaaage!--HE HE! & Buy yourself a pair of PANTS!--just so She will Knnow?Who wears the Pants in Your FAMILY?--just KIDDING? Not really!--Ole JIM--

[Pickering Snow]

ole Jim

Do you mean i have to sell my skirts there really comfortable just kidding i love to garden too may sound alittle gay but i find it really relaxing building water features is my hobbie. 4yrs ago i decided i wanted a pond in the back yard i had 10 yards of black dirt dumped some sand and i bought two pallets of retainer wall blocks had no idea what the hell i was gonna do just did it has i went made the blocks in the shape of jamica and bought a 400gal jamica shape pond insert built a walk way going to it and before long i had cust saying were did you get that i say huh i built it long story short i worked with my brother and showed him what i did i help him do between 3to4 water features a year for the landscape buss i love planting flowers and even have built a makeshift greenhouse for starting some of my flowers NO HERB GUYS . Its a fun hobbie my brother is always bugging me to make new designs i dont really have blueprints just look at the peoples yards and make suggestions . I have to say after last summer and me and my brothers little big falling out i got my fill of the green industry i had enough on my plate , and its really nice that after the dec crash and burn me and my brother have mended fences and are working has a team again!!!

[JCurtis]

RRRRRRRRRRGGHHHH!!

Gonna try and replace a few windows on the house, already did my spring cleanup, fertiled the yard, applied grubex, overseeded the entire lawn ( Now lets hope it rains just enough to get everything going)

May try and get the roof replaced and some house trim scraped and painted, although that new extruded polyurethane product looks awfully appealing (may replace the wood with that)

and if I have any time left, maybe get my K30 GMC on the road !!!

[T-Zab]

Im dieing to get the boat out of storage and cleaned up. I think the water out on the pond may be warming up just enough to go catch some tasty Coho's. Boy I can taste em now, slap em on the old barbie Q Yum! Also need to finish the yard ( new driveway and garage last year). Fix up soffett and fascia, paint and repair storms, cleanup and touchup plow ( probally selling it, I think I may switch over to one of them there fancy white ones) My better half thinks Im nuts to sell this truck so I think I will just up grade the plow. Grind down rust and repaint spreader frame, plus lots of honey do projects. Install new wood burner in basement, build firewood rack behind garage, repaint shed, find a decent used backup truck, sheezz plus lots of other stuff.
Todd

[snowplowjay]

KEN!!!

Send some more pics out of that Cigarette.......

Now thats what im talking about :D

Ill have to get some pics of my neighbors Cig.....


Jay

[ratlover]

11's :evil

[Ole JIM]

ole Jim

Do you mean i have to sell my skirts there really comfortable just kidding i love to garden too may sound alittle gay but i find it really relaxing building water features is my hobbie. 4yrs ago i decided i wanted a pond in the back yard i had 10 yards of black dirt dumped some sand and i bought two pallets of retainer wall blocks had no idea what the hell i was gonna do just did it has i went made the blocks in the shape of jamica and bought a 400gal jamica shape pond insert built a walk way going to it and before long i had cust saying were did you get that i say huh i built it long story short i worked with my brother and showed him what i did i help him do between 3to4 water features a year for the landscape buss i love planting flowers and even have built a makeshift greenhouse for starting some of my flowers NO HERB GUYS . Its a fun hobbie my brother is always bugging me to make new designs i dont really have blueprints just look at the peoples yards and make suggestions . I have to say after last summer and me and my brothers little big falling out i got my fill of the green industry i had enough on my plate , and its really nice that after the dec crash and burn me and my brother have mended fences and are working has a team again!!!
HI SKIRT--I*M Retired & Re-Tarded?--I spruce UP Homes that have been Negleced over the yrs--for a Realataor, speling?--I often wonder? why? people ne-Glect property? as its the largest investment most people make in thier Lifetime!--I compair a neglected Landscape to a dust pan Full of Dirt in a Beautiful Room--making that Room look like a Mess?--I enjoy working our side--especially asIt don*t have to be DONE by 5 PM!--I Wish YOU all the BEST! in All Your Projects---but--I had to Kid You--Our Family has a standard JOKE! yrs AGO when We burned WOOD I bought my Wife of 40 yrs a Brand New AX--for XMAS!--& every ONE Laughs! as Shes never Touched It!--She bought a New Rug shampooer which I took Back! & Exchanged it for a Better One!--as Iam the One Goona have to Use IT!--so I know! whre Your Coming from!--as were All in the same BOAT! GOOD LUCK!-& keep Me Posted on How Your Doing?--Ole JIM--

[Kentucky]

I'd like to work on my boat ,but we always just end up gettin drunk and taking it out wake boarding. This year will probably be the same. As you can see this was one of those days. :rockon