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What's on your Work Bench?

Finished the insulated room inside the shop this weekend. Still working on/needing suggestions on the door options. Thinking of using 30mil clear vinyl tarp as a simple roll up...? Gotta stay warmer this winter.

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Thanks for the suggestion. I have been kicking those around. Even thought of using simple 2x12 clear vinyl hallway runners in the same way. Decided I would like it to seal and be easy to roll up or remove. Even semi-rigid insulated panels would work, just don't want a traditional overhead. Analysis paralysis has set in.
 
There were on/off the bench all day... stripped, cleaned, hand polished and then mothers ball... came out really nice from where I started.
All while watching the Jets on the tablet in the garage, fridge full of IPA's... pretty good day if I say so myself.

cb

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Workbench and extended Scrambler 001.jpgWorkbench and extended Scrambler 002.jpgWorkbench and extended Scrambler 003.jpg Today I finished stitching the leather on the black wheel I started yesterday. I had just finished the nutmeg wheel earlier. Lots of grab bars I finished previously. I use the bed in the shop as a work area when it isn't being used by family. This is my first attempt at posting pictures. If this works, then you'll see more.
 
Looking good... at least it is leather on the bed and not engines... I have seen some crazy things that would lead to not being allowed to sleep in said bed...

cb
 
Those look Awesome Kim!

Thanks. I've done seven steering wheels for Jeeps now. Some leather is more stretchy and some more stiff. Dimensions I use are different for different colors. I'm getting it dialed in. I made a jig to hold the wheel while I hand stitch and that saves some time. The CJ Laredo horn buttons are costly if you don't have one. There are two on ebay right now. A NOS nutmeg one for $383 and a nice black one for $200. Wish I had some of those on my workbench.
 
Finished the insulated room inside the shop this weekend. Still working on/needing suggestions on the door options. Thinking of using 30mil clear vinyl tarp as a simple roll up...? Gotta stay warmer this winter.

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I built a similar room when I built my shop a few years ago and also use it for a paint room. I used a Roll up door for it.
 

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Thanks. I've done seven steering wheels for Jeeps now. Some leather is more stretchy and some more stiff. Dimensions I use are different for different colors. I'm getting it dialed in. I made a jig to hold the wheel while I hand stitch and that saves some time. The CJ Laredo horn buttons are costly if you don't have one. There are two on ebay right now. A NOS nutmeg one for $383 and a nice black one for $200. Wish I had some of those on my workbench.

I have a NOS that I bought to put on Dad's Scrambler. Not correct, but I like it and will keep his original base wheel and button. I actually picked up two NOS horn buttons from the same seller. Believe it or not, $25 each but was several years ago before prices on such stuff jumped through the roof.

Traded one of them off for a really nice, almost mint Laredo steering wheel.

As of right now both horn button and wheel are on a shelf awaiting installation.
 
Picked these up over the weekend... got them dismounted in the brutal weather yesterday and started to clean one of them up before I ran out of time..

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cb
 
I forgot how much aluminum takes time where the chrome ones and stripper makes it that much quicker...

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I am still in the cleaning phase right now... polishing will come later.

cb
 
Makes me glad I found these 15x8's. Thanks Errik. BTW the rock guard is wrapped in vinyl matching the other decals.
 

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Before cleaning

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After cleaning

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Next up, polishing...

For those who want to know

#00 steel wool
#0000 steel wool
600 grit wet sand
1200 grit wet sand
2000 grit wet sand

and that is where we are at.
 
The centers of those rims were really gunked up with road grime and took a lot of elbow grease to get down to where they look presentable.
Wet sanding rims in 9 degree weather is no fun either... been chilly up here the last few nights.

cb
 
The centers of those rims were really gunked up with road grime and took a lot of elbow grease to get down to where they look presentable.
They're definitely coming along. :woot:

Wet sanding rims in 9 degree weather is no fun either... been chilly up here the last few nights.
cb
When you say "wet sanding", do you use vinegar?
I've had good luck using vinegar with steel wool, just never in 9 degree temps.
More like 99 and sunny. :rolleyes:

Then again, besides the "elbow grease", there may have been some sweat literally added to the mix.
 
last night I was using water and windex for the most part... never did the vinegar thing, pretty interesting idea.

cb
 
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