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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - No more crawling on concrete for these old bones

Need to make final adjustments, clean up and move the garage door track and opener. Bring your MG over and we'll take a look at what you can't normally see.


LED DOWNEY

WOW,what a great place to work!!!!!!!
Jim Merz

Where's the beer fridge? (not that I would in any way endorse drinking beer while working on an MG or any other form of conveyence.


Dave Braun

Led, do you have a special connection to santa ???
Congratulation it's a lovely piece of equippment.
Cheers,
Guenter
Guenter

Man, what a xmas present. I am so envious

tim
tw hager

Dave the fridge is the white thing behind the tool box not that I would indulge while working on an MG

As for Santa.. I've been married to her for 37 years this coming Thursday


LED DOWNEY

Very impressive indeed, and quite envious of your workshop. It would be interesting to view the "workshops" we've created in the spaces we've found available to us.

Cheers from the NorthWet -- John


John Brickell

As a relative newcoming observer of this forum and one who has less than casual knowledge of automobiles I, and probably others, wonder how in the heck can you people know so much about MG's! The images above reveal the answer. You gentlemen do not repair cars, work on cars or maintain cars...... you build MG's. It is certainly true that you have far more knowledge of MG's than the great majority of British who built them in the first place. My amazement of this is matched only by my admiration of your willingness to share your knowledge at the drop of a hat to any of us unwashed. You are remarkable.
With warm regards,
Dick Thomas
Wooster, Ohio
Dick Thomas

"Dave the fridge is the white thing behind the tool box not that I would indulge while working on an MG"

Well, in that case, it is a very, very nice lift!
Dave Braun

John I started out on dirt and worked my way up to gravel and finnally concrete. Wife said no more toys until I got a shop built when I took over the garage building my MGB about 13 years ago. She had it built for me. been making it mine over the last 5 years. She says I'd live in it if I had a couch and a TV. She's probably right.


LED DOWNEY

I am so envious...this old body complains more and more everytime I crawl under the TD! I am going to print out your comments ("John I started out on dirt and worked my way up to gravel and finnally concrete. Wife said no more toys until I got a shop built when I took over the garage building my MGB about 13 years ago. She had it built for me. been making it mine over the last 5 years. She says I'd live in it if I had a couch and a TV. She's probably right. ")...I'll leave it lying around and maybe my wife will see it and take the hint!!
Steven Tobias

Hi Laverne, that certainly marks a uge step in equipment. Congrats with such well equipped garage AND with your understanding wife! Greetings, Huib
Huib Bruijstens

Hey, I have no problem having a beer now and then while working on the MG. It's the beer & driving where I make myself draw the line...

Envious... I'll be crawling on the concrete for years to come... heck, I'm still using the original MG jack for all work...
Geoff Baker

Next will be some bleachers in the rafters for visitors to sit as they consume the beer ala the old tyme medical school theaters! Hey then great for filming some YouTube videos on restoration, fixups,...! WebCams,....
You can tell we all are jealous!
Randy
R Biallas

Really nice! Wish I was closer and could watch/help/borrow it. George
George Butz

Laverne,
Sweet... You beat me to it buddy! (Not suprising as I don't have a building or floor yet!)
Mind a few questions?
I'm looking at a 2 post 8k (around $1400)

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/HR8000-Base-Plate-Two-Post-Lift-p/tphr-8000.htm

So far I was planning 4" floor, but 8" where lift is going. Is this over-kill?
Had a couple people tell me 4" is enough.
Who made yours?
What size is yours?
How tall are you post?

One of the reasons I was looking at this one is I'm going with 10' walls ...they say this one will work in my low ceiling.

PS: I knew where the beer wuz!
David
David Sheward

Hahaha... you guys are all so spoiled.... due to house and lot sizes, I can't fit a garage on the lot (am in town) so sneaked an oversized garden shed into a corner of the lot...along with a smaller shed joined to it...I have 18" on the three sides and turn the car around depending on which side I'm working on....and believe me, its cold out there right now....

http://gblandco.com/gb/shed/shed.html


gblawson(gordon)

New's from Hootersville:
Your a class act pal!
After I sent that I saw the name on the post and found their site. $$$$!!!
Your lift will be nicer than mine...then again your car is nicer than mine....and I'm still wizzin' in a tide bottle nailed to the wall, (bet you got one of them fancy flush modles!)
Anything is better than what I have now (my rental)..have to cover the car when it rains (roof leaks), and then the floor fills up with mud once the river subsides.
David Sheward

Here's the stuff on the one I got Dave. Brother inlaw sells quite a few to repair shops here in town. It was $ 2300.00 and they set the posts and top plate. I had to finish it from there. There sheet says 4" floor but I would go with 6" minimum. 8" might be over kill but get what the manufacture calls for and don't go under it. I've got 10' side walls and a 4/12 pitch open roof. I'm still not sure how high I can get the wifes Yukon in the air before I run out of room. If your doing a flat ceiling at 10' I'm not sure your going to be happy. You have a garage door to contend with and that will steal another foot from you. Maybe you could make the lift bay at 12' or at 14'.

http://www.bendpak.com/bendpak-products/two-post-lifts/XPR-10ACX.aspx

PS: That explains the missing beer LOL
LED DOWNEY

WOW ...that's a monster!
I was surprised to learn most of these only require 4" ..I had quessed 8/10" when I spected my build. (on 12'x 14'of my pad...no tubing for radiant heat there so I have some room to adjust when I install) 6" would no doubt make my contractor happy. I am 4/12 pitch..but not open. Builder said we can make a few mods to some truss if we have to ..and we cheated walls up about 8" when we did block. Think I'll be ok ..post are only 9'3" and max lift 6'7". Door won't be an issue as I'll be well back from that. (30' deep and cheating the lift back from center if all goes acording to plan.)
David Sheward

"Wrecked" is a TV program on the Speed channel. Last night's episode featured a full sized van on a 2 post hoist that ripped the anchors out of the floor and dumped the van on the back bumper. A wrecker had to sneak a crane in above to pick up the van front end while they removed the arms. Not a pretty sight.
My 10k hoist (remember that 10,000lb) is reinforced with 6" x 3/8" plate welded to the steel columns about 4' away. Even with that extra stiffening, my pickup weighing around 7000 lbs loosened the 3/4" x 6" anchor bolts and threatened to slip the pads out from under the truck frame. I had to diagonally reinforce the columns with angle iron to further stabilize them vertically.
My 8800 lb box truck bends the arms horribly to where I hammer the risers (with channels to capture the frame) back to a semi-vertical attitude. Scarey! The lock on one side will not hold so the box has repeatedly slammed onto one hoist column. I have to use a 2-ton electric hoist on the back and 2 one-ton chainfalls in the front to safely hold it.
I would go as thick a pour under the bases as humanly practical, and then still not trust it. Actually, if I didn't have structural steel to reinforced the top with, I'd jack hammer the floor out and fabricate a welded anchor bolt cage and embed it in a new foundation.
FYI, the reason for the 6" flatstock reinforcement was not just for stability but because I routed the hose and cable assemblies out to the columns at the top of the hoist and then up and across through the 20' high roof. My box trucks are already 10' tall; it helps to get up about 6' to change a tranny.
jrn Northrup

Knew I should have built the roof of my shop taller. I would have to raise the rafters for a lift like that. Maybe for my next house.

Here is where I do all my work and store both MG's in the winter.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1208153422036619046xkdyfc

Lets see some of the other shops out there.
BEC Cunha

BEC -- Now that's impressive. MG logo on floor is very cool. What's the paint you would use on a floor like that?

Cheers -- John
John Brickell

Jim.
Point's well taken ..think I'll stick to my org plan of going 8" deep where the lift is going....if I don't run out of $ first.
Bruce ...Love the logo!
David Sheward

David
Since you are in construction stage with your floor, why don't you use 2 foot by 2 foot by 2 foot deep pier footings where the lift post will attach? The building code around here, Fairfax County, Virginia would not let you build this with out them. I’m also looking at a lift so as I can get another car in the garage, one under one over. John
John Hambleton

John,
you are looking for this one, right?
http://www.garage-apparatuur.com/208%20engels.htm#208 engels
It is very economic this side of the pont, may be you can find it in the US for a real good price.
Cheers,
Guenter
Guenter

LaVerne,
I see your refrigerator is larger than your toolbox. I think you can expect a lot of guests! Your garage is an inspiration. I've got an unheated garage with a concrete floor, but I'm a packrat, and it shows. You never know when you might need that left over stick or screw...


T. A. Sorensen

sorry the link will not work.
Please copy the line into your browser.

www.garage-apparatuur.com/208%20engels.htm#208

Sorry
Guenter
Guenter

I have been trying to cleanup a little. Took a 1098 Sprite motor, tranny and misc stuff over to a fellow thats doing a never ending resto on a bugeye. Told him it's either you or the scrap yard. I can't imagine working anymore without heat. Fridge was large enough for the two turkeys my wife had in there for Thanksgiving and still a 12 pack of Fat Tire. Wish I'd had all this stuff when I was younger. Somebody is going to wind up with a real nice shop when I croak.

Nice shop Bruce. Where is the Mini "T" at?

Dave , no flusher. I got cold water and a wash room sink that drains out to the pasture.... use your imagination. $ 15000.00 for a septic system... Maybe in my next life.

Gordons right. I'm spoiled but I think I payed my dues working with frozen fingers under the family auto on the gravel over the years.
LED DOWNEY

John,
If I caded my design like I do when I'm building TV remote trucks for others that would work!
I have a rough idea where I want the lift but trying to leave a little "fudge room" on exact location.
I'm also putting in radiant floor heat so leaving tubing out of a section about 12x14' so I don't go through a tube.
This is kind of a "design on the fly" project ...things are shifting daily according to what I find daily on Craigslist for materials!
(LaVerne is the man with the sugar mama...I'm on a budget! LOL)
Lot's of out of work contractors looking to cut their inventories and have some cash for Christmas so have found some great deals on materials. That is the nice thing about paying cash. Every $100 I can save that way gets me closer to being off the cold floor and "in the air"! (and getting the wife's Opel off the concreete blocks and 4x4's it is sitting on now)

T.A. Your garage is a dream compaired to "Abingdon Hootersville North" facility I'm in now! I'll have to post some before & after shots when the "anex" is done.
David Sheward

This town has gone nuts...they want $9.9k to tap into sewer line 40' from back of my garage...oh and they are going to dig it up anyway to replace the lines.
Not sure when they will finish that project as it is on hold pending lawsuit from neighbor that they dug a 75x40' hole in his front yard to install a pumping station. Building permit was $500 (was $50.00 2 years ago). Looks like I'll be running another garden hose off the "UR-A-PEEIN'TOILET" (tide bottle on wall). The funnest thing about that is right now the one I have drains into the parking lot at the zoning office!
Think they will notice if I run a new one across the road? LOL
David Sheward

By coincidence, I went to the library on Friday and picked up books on dream garages to get some ideas to put a garage on our very small lot. Not to threadjack, but I'm torn between running out the back of the 22x22 garage two more stalls and building a new purpose built building. Either way I need enough vertical for a lift and a Mezzanine office for my engineering consultancy. Since I'm also writing two books, a short one on tuning SU carburetors and a longer one on MG TD Restorations it has to be a very comfortable office. I would keep the one I have but it is samll, and eventually, I would like to turn it back into a bedroom.


Dave Braun

David S.
Don't get caught by "yellow snow" John
John Hambleton

Guenter
That is like the one I am look at only made in U.S. I need to modify my garage on "my” side to accommodate the lift. Haven't quite figured that out yet. John
John Hambleton

Did someone say yellow snow?
This was in my in box today.


David Sheward

The nerve of some people to send taste less e-mails like that!
LED DOWNEY

I like the concept ...but the engineer in me say's it needs a "mod".
Think I'll see if I can find an Easter bunny to stand under mine.
Wife just groanded ...afaid of a repeat with the local police ...they asked me to take my display down a few years ago after getting 911 calls about the guy falling off the old windmill.
David Sheward

Used to do the place all up before the kids moved out. Utility company loved us. Now nothing.


LED DOWNEY

This was when we toned it back a little. Think Griswald.


LED DOWNEY

Hahaha......


gblawson(gordon)

I realize that this thread is covering a bunch of topics, but a key announcement quietly was made almost in passing. Dave Braun - You may have mentioned this before, but this is the first time I have seen you mention that you are writing a book on restoring MGDs. Fantastic, I will be waiting anxiously to purchase your book. You are clearly an expert and you have a good writing style. Please keep us in the loop on your progress.

BTW - someone else suggested to start a thread where everyone would submit a write up and picture of his MG garage which is a great idea as well.

Thanks LaVerne again, for triggering a bunch of news and ideas
Mike Iandolo

....the 'book' comment wasn't missed I'll bet, by anyone....
gblawson(gordon)

I certainly did not miss that. Have several chapters printed already from Dave B's writings in my archives!
Can't wait to read it.
David Sheward

A lot of readers quietly said to themselves, hooray.

In Anticipation,
Jim
James Neel

Don't think I could work in any of the shops posted. There is one very important "tool" that is missing in all the post thats needed in old peoples shops. It's a LAY-Z-BOY. I have two, one for me and one for the dog. Would post a picture of my "shop- hanger" but don't know how.
Dave Rezin Wisc.
DL Rezin

Dave,
Try This
Just below the box that you add your comment in, find and click on the word Upload (underlined)
That will open another small window with a button called “Browse…”
Click on that Browse button, and find the folder with the picture that you want to upload. Click on the picture, (JPG’s Only) then click on “Open” and the location will appear in the box next to “Browse”
Click “Submit” and it should appear with your comments.

Hope this helps
SPW
Steve Wincze

Since I promised Dave B that I would never again mention his publishing a text on the restoration of his TD on this forum, although I had always thought it would be a very welcomed addition to such literature, I'm certainly please with his "quiet" announcement. Nice the way he just kinda snuck it in there.

Cheers -- John
John Brickell


Not much of a garage, but I do have 3 cars in it plus a climbing wall...

I would love to have the space for a 2-post but I need to store a car as well.

Scott



Scott Linn

Scott,
Curious...10' ceiling..and windscreen has to be down on you T before she goes up?
Can you crank start from the climbing wall?! LOL
Cheers,
David
David Sheward

Scott,

I have a setup like yours. I was so proud the week I put it in...until the very first time I put the Morgan up over the MG's brand new Stayfast top...

Regards,
Andy
TF0537
A.T. White


The ceiling is almost 10', 1". The garage door had to be "raised" from hanging ~18-24" below the ceiling to around 4-6". With the T windshield down, the lift can be raised full height. This allows me to walk under it nearly fully upright (around 5'9"). It's almost an exact match for my height. This made the lift much more acceptable for my wife, which is always a good thing...

For the midget, when the top is down and the windshield is in front of the garage door when it's up, the lift can again be all the way up. But the antenna must also be down a bit for that to occur.

The climbing wall is a bit too far away for cranking however... It only overhangs 2' in 10'.

Scott
Scott Linn

Andy, that's what the drip trays are for!
Scott Linn

You ba____tard! Wait till my wife sees this!!!!!! Damn!

Can I assume the paint booth will go in the third bay? I'll be there in the spring with a truck load of MG and some paint.

Jelous in the snow,
Ed
efh Ed

Abingdon Hootersville North
(soon to be "the old garage")
I won't miss it.


David Sheward

This thread was discussed between 30/11/2009 and 06/12/2009

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.