Adriel,
My youngest is 9. I offered her to my eldest first. He just turned 16. “I’ll think about it Dad.” �� Kids...

And the table saw... HEHE! Yeah I’ve been trying to dig that out all summer, fall, and now into winter. I should have been a junket I suppose. I’m not a hoarder per se but everyone I need to fabricate something I have the material or parts on hand. It just takes most of the day to find it.

Now... did I need four doors, a hood, and a boot lid today? No I did not but my doors all have rot in the bottom and both lids are rusted. The stuff I brought home is spotless inside and out like it had been garaged mist of its life. I stripped everything that wasn’t welded on topside, exhaust, all the glass, and Fuel lines. I really would like the differential but ran out of time. One things for certain, I’m set for fasteners.

Going by what I remember, the nine year old is too young to be set on a decision regarding Sadie, however, the oldest seems to have made her mind up. Man, I would have totally lost it if Dad had even offered to let me drive Ruby around the block, just sitting in the driver seat when 13 years old was huge, never let anyone sit in that seat. I guess if only mildly interested, maybe for the better since might not get treated as well as Sadie should be treated.


Have you seen Adam Savage's YouTube channel? We all agree we are not hoarders, rather collectors of useful bits. Lately, he has been doing more shop organization and building things to help with this. https://www.youtube.com/c/tested/videos

The house has a back patio, say about fifteen by twenty eight feet, I got most of it cleared off so could put the two fire proof file cabinets, steel bookcase, and the table saw out there. On the other side there is a work bench, a two drawer dresser, and a nice large patio table that needs stuff cleared off. I know what most of it is, I just didn't know what to do with it. Like the shelf of the workbench has all those plastic interior panels from the 1979 wagen. My hope is to have it so plenty of room to safely use the rest for woodworking when cool enough to do so, no room for a conditioned shop.


I totally get this, though I was worse as bought the 1979 to flip, either getting running or parting out. I didn't need any of the parts, so I would say you are ahead. If I was in your place, I at least swap the doors and lids to get more shop space.

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Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

I'm working to finish my projects 1) so I can enjoy them. I'm cheap and get good deals on things that need to be fixed then can't get around to fixing them. I gave myself a 2 yr deadline and extended it 1 year because I'm making progress. I'm also thankful that health and usually cash are not a problem. That said, I don't want to extend another year and have to hurry because selling would be painful but so are unfinished projects.

and 2) because I don't want my wife to have to deal with them. She has already promised to call 1 800 junk be gone. To even the threat, I told her that I'm hiding lots of cash in my junk and she has to go through it carefully or she will lose a fortune

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Have you ever watched American Pickers? They have the coolest job in the world but they flip everything they sell. The things they come across in a dead mans barn is both amazing and sad but they do a pretty good job underling the importance and personal significance to collecting. They just don’t get attached.

Unfortunately I don’t have the time to swap them out s I will likely give them away or sell dirt cheap.

Great advice to set a reasonable deadline, in that if progress is being made, can be extended. I will have to try this, I loathe deadlines, however, now see a great benefit and can be adjusted.

Too funny about saying the stuff needs to be gone though to find money.

By the way, sent a reply to your email.

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

I have an antenna only when home, however, when in hospital, I watch it, I love the show in part because of the interesting stories, stuff, and history. It is also been a huge encouragement not to collect as we can see how quickly it gets out of hand and becomes detrimental, especially those who later have to deal with it.

Hmmm, bummer your that busy, that's a drag after all that work saving them unable to utilize them on Sadie. Seems we both have time and space at a limit.

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

I guess I'm just lazy....

I already up fixed everything mechanical and electrical when first I bought the car, this included a full brake job ($!) and all the little detail things except the dead 6 volt radio .

I'm sure I have a working Bendix Sapphire I 6 volt radio in my stash bit this one it has is one of the myriad off brand cheapo radios so popular then, I'd like to see if I can coax it back to life as I've never seen one quite like it before, always neat to have something entirely different, right ? .

Sadly, after having spent serious time assembling un damaged engine tins, then cleaning them and sand blasting & re painting them (BTW : yes, VW engine tin is supposed to be glossy black, not satin/matte finish) including repairing the dead "stale air" heater boxes,I installed the $1,600.00 'rebuilt' 36HP engine I bought on 'The SAMBA' and it had piston slap and a faint rod knock when first started and it failed catastrophically in the Panamint Valley in less than 200 miles .

The transmission is slightly newer (AB series full synchromesh) so I knew that once removed it'd be a simple thing to replace the front cover with one that included a reverse light switch, in time I found this part in a junkyard (1968 Typ III Squareback) and brought it home, now I'm afraid if I pull the engine and tranny it'll never hit the road again and I'm loathe to simply yank the engine and swap all the tin and so on to the re built 36HP engine I have shrink wrapped and waiting for four years now and never get the correct vintage HELLA backup lamps I hunted up working...

That's my sad and pathetic story, no excuses .

You're Autistic so I imagine you understand this .

BTW : I love thrift . junk shops and have to avoid them as I always find the most incredible things for cheap...

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

What if part of it is the social aspect, as right now unable to share with others your progress?

I had a thought, since I can post pictures, what about sending a few to me now and then to post onto your build thread?


That I know was a lot of work, similar to what I have gotten done, and yes, I know how expensive replacing brakes are, especially when you snap the brand new main brake line (which turned out to be a benefit as did a much better job the second time).


I agree, there is something interesting and fun about variety, hopefully something simple is all that needs to get it working again.

How advanced are you at radio diagnostics and repairs?


What a bummer! Anything useable after the catastrophic failure?


I forget when the reverse light on the transmission became available, I'm thinking 1967. I know certainly the 1964 doesn't have an option, it be nice to have, maybe one day buy one of those which mounts to the speedometer. However, I don't myself see it as a must, not like anyone is paying attention to even if there is a reverse light on, right?


I wouldn't say pathetic, life can be really cruel. Look how I got started on the Squareback all those ages ago and never went back.


More for me is knowing what is priority and to get done what is. This can change, Ruby was priority over the Squareback as better candidate for a reliable and safe driver, however, now my priority is simply to get well.


Interesting, maybe part of the collecting mindset? I don't know of any junk shops, however, are a few antique and thrift shops I like to just walk around in. The only time I walked out with something from an antique shop was last Fall, bio "mother" bought me a high quality Mid Century Modern coffee table, which was in an uncommon square, the only shape that work, for an amazing price. After I outgrew and wore out my clothes, I go to thrift shops looking for quality clothes at a good price, I have had great success to where I had to stop going.

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Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

@Adriel, the deadline for fixed or sold seemed like it would fix the problem. Jury is still out. Trying to decide between working on cars or building a shop. Shop postpones working but I've always wanted a lift and could theoretically move back to the country (likely by myself) and work better with a shop.It will be really hard to sell some stuff but that may be best. September is the deadline but only the boat costs money just sitting in the slip. Everything else sits and possibly rusts but doesn't eat dollars.

I'm considering hiring a contractor to replace the tin but am already leery because contractors generally want to slap it and go. This house isn't built normal and I want the damned thing fixed the way I want it.

There are 3 distinct completely independent roof sections and the contractor's approach is to strip all of the existing tin, then remove the old slats, then install all of the plywood, then the paper, then the new tin. This leaves the house exposed to the weather unnecessarily.

My approach would be to complete an entire section then move to the next. Having a contractor would help speed things along and there is one section that I'm not willing to climb onto. The decision will probably be determined by labor price and my gut feeling after talking more. I'll definitely have to be there during the process.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

I guess I'll join in on the collecting aspect of the discussion. Over the years I've gravitated toward minimalism. I don't like having a lot of clutter and stuff that isn't used. But, I think my roommate is the opposite; he likes to collect and have multiple versions of things.

I'd be happy with having only one car, but the one car I want to keep isn't remotely close to being roadworthy. The fintail wagon I have is beyond saving, so I have to cut off the wagon-specific sheet metal and weld it onto the non-rusty fintail sedan I have.

Otherwise, I'd sell my 300SD daily driver. In fact, I'd sell it now if I could get decent money for it, but I don't think anyone would be willing to pay what it's worth to me as a reliable driver which has had almost everything mechanical gone through.

And, it would be nice if I could sell it because then I could get rid of all the spare W116 parts I have and then only have spares for the W110/W111 chassis and I could focus all of my time and finances on one car. Having spares is important, too.

But, I've been known to accept free parts when given to me, and will still buy parts at wrecking yards if there is money to be made. I haven't had a job in years and my sleeping disorder and current living arrangement make it impossible for me to have a job. And since I don't get disability, either, any expendable income I get comes from things I sell.

But in summary, I really dislike clutter and am definitely not a collector. I just want to have one nice car that is reliable and I can be proud of, and just things that I use regularly. I do like shopping at thrift stores and swap meets, but that's because I like vintage items and don't like having more than I need.

When I was a kid, I had hundreds of vintage bicycles, and lament wasting my youth messing around with bicycles and cars when I should have been focusing on art and music and making a career out of them before I became an adult and ended up starving, nearly homeless, and not able to keep a job. I thought I was just lazy, but found out later that I have idiopathic hypersomnia (since birth) and generally have trouble interacting with human beings.

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Stop paying for animal enslavement, cruelty, and slaughter. Save your health and the planet. Go vegan! I did 18 years ago. https://challenge22.com/

DON'T MESS WITH MY MERCEDES!


1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles

Okay, well first things first, got to get my energy and mental clarity back, thankfully OT agreed to coming twice a week starting Monday next week. I am hoping by mid January to be able to get outside and get the fan belt replaced on Ruby.


I would defiantly say shop because then make it far more easier, quicker, and comfortable to work on vehicles and projects. Plus, a fresh beginning and can evaluate what will be saved and go into the new space.

By the way, I almost got a Master's in Architecture (long story involving some health setbacks) so have design knowledge and know how to use SketchUp and AutoCAD (also ArchiCAD which is better, however, unnecessary complexity for a shop).


I totally understand this, especially as I have seen it first hand. I do have a feeling there has to be one great contractor in your area, the trick is finding this person.


On the house I grew up in, they left the skip sheathing and put the OSB over it. Of course adds extra thickness, however, maybe save time and cost not removing it.


Wonder if a contractor be willing to work with you, I certainly agree one has to at least be watching when doing the flashing. Do wonder if explained your concern if be willing to do the roofing in sections, if not, guess you would have to do the work yourself. Of course, not doing what you don't feel comfortable doing, no sense getting into trouble.

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Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

Wow, time sure has gone by quickly, seems not all that long ago we learned of your condition. I am surprised you didn't qualify for disability. Glad you have figured out how to still have a means of income to cover expenses.

It seems we are headed in a similar direction. I used to be a big collector, now trying to minimize, maybe not to only a few positions, though at least keep only those which bring great joy and can be enjoyed because there is room for them to be seen (or at least know where they are). Same with vehicles, I adore the 280TE, however, now that I inherited the Beetle, that means two drivers. I'm thinking get the Beetle reliable, registered, finish the 280TE, register for a year to enjoy and say goodbye, then sell it.

I agree, and bet a lot of folks who look back, regret their time spent as youth. Hindsight is 20-20. Now we need to accept our mistakes, learn from them, and use the experience to move forward. For example, working on those bicycles taught how to work with your hands.

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

I do think that the social aspect of mechanical works is strong ~ back when I was a working Journeyman mechanic I'd bang out more jobs than anyone else in the shop and no comebacks either .

Brake works are more effort than expen$ive these days, I look up the part numbers and inter changes then I can hunt up the correct parts for serious discounts ~ I was a parts man off and on for many years .

I know bupkis about radio repairs but 1950's technology is pretty basic if not crude, most of the time you need to replace all the capacitors and the speaker, I always match the correct impedance and these days there are better quality speakers available, the trick is finding the correct size and mounting then you're pretty much golden .

I just did this in my truck and am loving listening to music clear as a bell =8-) .

I can often take the volume potentiometer apart, clean it and make it work as new again, I can clean the breaker points in vibrators but prefer to replace them with modern solid state ones .

A lot of fixing older things is simply taking them apart, cleaning and making very simple repairs then re assemble, lubricate and adjust and you're good to go .

Radios not so much because one you've replaced much there's a whole deal of adjusting that I don't really understand very well .

Variety is good, as they say : just don't let your paramour find out .

The 36HP engine case is kaput as a connecting rod came through it but I'm sure the heads are O.K., I already have too many old 36HP engines, I should try to sell them I think .

An old friend from back when I had the VW shop and he was in high school recently gave me a bunch of 36HP parts including an complete 1954 (I think) engine, I selected a really nice flywheel and used it on the rebuilt engine I need to install .

Yeah, life is a bee-otch, if I told my entire pathetic life story you'd use up boxes of Kleenex (or, not ) but I choose to look forward, life is to be enjoyed, not tolerated or suffered .

I'm very, VERY lucky to be alive so I don't want to waste a minute feeling sorry for my self, I have things to do while I'm still ambulatory .


Reverse lamps were a factory / dealer VW accessory from the early 1950's, yes they became standard in the 1967 model year (thanx U.S. government) I do like them and use them....

I suppose I could hunt up one of those old early typ III speedo cable activated reverse light switches, I just prefer to do things a particular way is all .

There are certainly junk shops near you ! they're everywhere, maybe the sign says 'antiques' but the stuff inside is what's critical and I find lots of really good tools and things when an 'antique' store doesn't know what the hell it is...

My psycho-beech ex girlfriend was a black belt thrift store shopper , she'd always find new and near new clothes in her size, I have no idea how she managed but we'd hit up thrift stores every time we traveled .

Of course, she was also crazier than the proverbial shytehouse rat and violet to boot so eventually I had to give her the gate in spite and hands down the best sex I've ever experienced .

I saw her in traffic in South Central Los Angeles a few weeks ago, still cute as a button, not a lot or 60 year old women can do that .

Sigh .

Anyway, life goes on apace, that's the way it should be, just learn to not have so many things they own you instead of the other way 'round

-Nate

I love it! You have a pure style of communication Nate. It speaks volumes.
It’s almost a natural law: Bombshells are bat**** crazy. What’s that all about?!