What's your 2025 Shop/Project Outlook?

[dbhost]

So far I have gotten diddly / squat done in the shop aside from putting tools where they belong, sort of. Working inside the house for now.

[capncarl]

The one big shop project that I put off last year still needs doing, that is to pull the engine out of my 1990 Mazda Miata and give it a refresh. It still runs like new but it has an aggravating front main seal oil leak. I don’t take long trips in it so the oil level doesn’t dip down dangerously low but it does make a mess on the garage floor, and it needs fixing. I caused the oil leak in 2023 when I replaced the timing belt/water pump/belt tensioner and decided to replace the front main seal while I hade it torn down. The seal puller that I used has a screw that penetrates the seal while the slide hammer snatches the seal out, but due to the lack of room (meaning there is none) I was unable to get a straight pull and the screw gouged the crankshaft. I thought I had the scratch polished out but after reassembled it leaked. This time I’ll pull the engine out and disassemble the engine and let the machine shop regrind the crank, bore the cylinders and grind the valves. I’ll replace all the other car engine stuff and clean the engine compartment and stuff it back together. Before I start this project I’ll have to build up enough Tiny Trees, Mushrooms and Tables to hold my 2 stores till I get finished! Probably after the machine shop gets the engine I’ll have to roll the car out and build more Trees and Mushrooms before I get to put the car back together. Im not sure what the operating life of the HEPA air filters on my ClearVue dust collector is but I bet I have exceded it and they need replacement. Hopefully I can get that done this year too.

[dbhost]

Getting more done not exactly shop, but bathroom reno done. Need to edge the walls / ceiling next, and build a mirror surround... My paint edging pad fell apart though.

[leehljp]

I am rebuilding some yard carts, yard trailers, and wagons. I have a yard cart that is about 40 years old and the wood all rotted out. The frame is still good but the 4 prong T-Nuts and bolts were all rusted so much I couldn't save but about 5 or 6 sets. It is much like the picture below. I will post a picture of it as soon as I finish the tail gate. I changed out the air pressure tires for solid ones, which I love.



I also am working on a large wagon that had air pressure tires which I hate. They have to be aired up every year and need replacing about every 3 years. SO I bought solid tires & wheels from HF, but discovered after getting them home, that the wheels, while they fit the 5/8" axle, the wheels at the axle are wider than the axle space. The axle needs about 1/2 inch length for the wheels to fit. I found a good 5/8" round bar and cut 4 pieces 1 inch long and drilled them out to to near size of the axle threads and then used a tap to put a thread on the inside to accept a 1 inch long threaded bar. I have bolts the same size as the end threads on the axle and will cut them to size for the nut to hold each wheel on. In essence, I have extended the axles by 1 inch while it only needs 1/2 inch. I will add a 1/2" spacer on the inside of the wheel to take up the extra space. I will post a picture of the work when I finish it in a couple of days.
Same trailer as this HF Trailer except mine is from Northern Tools: https://www.harborfreight.com/1200-l...des-58473.html


I also added solid tires on an old Sears yard trailer made for their LT1000 yard tractor. I should be through with all my trailer fixer uppers, by the weekend and will photograph each. along with the work.

[Jim Frye]

The next shop project (after clearing up after the bowl turning project) is to clean the shop of several years of accumulated dust. This involves turning the ambient air up to 11, firing up the air compressor with a blast nozzle mounted, and running the shop vac while I work my way around the shop following the air flow of the air filter.

[twistsol]

I've accomplished almost nothing on my 2025 shop list except replacing my shop computer. I picked up a Mac Mini M4 so that ought to hold for a computer in the shop for a decade or so.

I started the mortising jig and ordered the Microjig Matchfit bit and accessories, but haven't had any shop time to finish it.

[dbhost]

Build new cabinets for the camper van kitchen. Going to flip sides of the fridge so I can fit a 65L 12v fridge, finish the butcher block counter top. Remove the dinette since I never have it in seating mode, Improve storage under the bed and add a proper memory foam mattress...

Finish the master bath remodel.

Build new bed frames for the master bedroom, and guest room.

Install the mini split into the shop finally...

Anything else after that is just gravy...

[twistsol]

The Kapex dust collection is far better than most saws and is still the worst offender in my shop. I still haven't figure out how to get really good dust collection for it.

[capncarl]

Must everything in the chop have to be moved or relocated every time I start a project?
1. Santa was good to me, now I must convert my miter saw station from a Hitachi to a Festool Kapex. I want to retain the lexan hood and its duct piping from the ClearVue cyclone even though the Kapex isn’t suppose to spew dust everywhere like the Hitachi does. It can be done but I’m not sure how.

2. I Spent the rest of my tool budget on a Shop Fox 20” helical cutter head planer so I could build a new built in entertainment center. ( everyone gets new tools for each home improvement project? Right?) The planer table raises and lowers so now my table saw and its outfeed table won’t work as for a planer outfeed table, so I have to rearrange more stuff.

3. Sell a lot of shop stuff I don’t use to recoup some of my tool budget.

[Jim Frye]

SWMBO just came up with a laundry room remodel. She wants overhead cabinets with a shelf to eliminate a little rolling shelf thing that fits between the machines. And then replace the current utility sink with a cabinet sink. If I can talk her into getting the cabinets from the same place that did the kitchen cabinets, my work will be much easier. As far as woodworking, I'm finally going to learn bowl turning. I hauled my little used lathe out and set it up. it is set up as a gap bed lathe to turn the bottom of the bowl. Note the black tube. The lathe has a 2 1/2" vac port on the end panel and the tubing connects with it for faceplate turning. Taking it slowly and planning each step. Also hauled my turning books out to reference what I'm doing.

[jacobs]

The Murphy bed project for your daughter is such a nice touch too! As for the shop computer, investing in a new one sounds like the right move, especially with the display issues. On a related note, I'm also thinking about upgrading the windows in my home. I plan to explore Windows USA reviews to help me make a more informed choice before I buy. Their site offers a lot of insights that could guide me toward a good decision for the installation.

[JeffG78]

I haven't visited or posted here for a long time. I'm currently finishing up a bathroom vanity. I just need to paint the door/drawer fronts and finish the top. I made the vanity top from Arizona Ash and created planks from the wood so I could mix up the boards and give it a more random look. My plan is to distress/age the boards to mimic my shower tiles. I debated whether to use a vessel sink, but I decided to use a regular undermount sink. Once I have that, I will make a template and cut the opening.

[LCHIEN]

I completed the easel and step stool for the Grand daughter for the Holidays.

I don't have any concrete plan for anything... out of ideas.

Repairs needing attention:





The header for the garage door opener rail split after 30 years... have to get up there and fix that, kind of awkward with all the junk I have in the way. Yes it split and the bracket shifted 8 inches to the right. Should have used 3 screws originally in retrospect!

I'm afraid to use the opener... the trolley's been manually disconnected for a while.

Oh, yeah, probably have to help grandson#2 with Pinewood derby for scouts.

Update: fixed. Got branded, too. Had to treat my grandson #1 who helped to Pho.
Note the metal bracket now has all three screws!

[Slik Geek]

I just started to fabricate 38 kitchen and pantry cabinet doors today (Hard maple frames, baltic birch inner panels), and then 18 drawer faces. I also plan to build the permanent version of my drill press table. Then I need to finish topping my interior windows and doors with crown molding trim.

[leehljp]

I put everything off until after full knee replacement in two weeks. Doc said I won't rehab as fast as most. I had full knee surgery 45 years ago reattaching 3 ligaments - before laparoscopic surgery. That will make for a different set of cuts for knee replacement.

That said, I had a dozen projects for the spring and summer lined up. But I need to replace and rewire the attic lights first for LOML to find lost items and help her clean out the attic; Then remodel a bathroom. That will get me started for the year - probably in April or May.