Sky Top Shop

05/29/2026

😜😜😜

05/24/2026

NEW TOOL ALERT redux. Mag (magnetic) drill and a set of annular cutters. I put the replacement drill from Amazon to the test today. Everything worked as it should. The cutter drilled perfectly round 9/16” holes in both single and double layers of 3/8” thick steel.

The vise now has a new mounting location on the recently shortened work bench.

My only complaint about the drill is the placement of the switches. It is VERY easy to accidentally press the switch to reverse the motor rotation instead of the power switch. I believe this is what may have damaged the first drill. I will have to be extra careful in the future to not press the wrong switch. 🤦🏻‍♂️

05/09/2026

NEW TOOL ALERT - I have been looking for a better band saw for the shop for a long time. One of my saved searches paid off recently and I was able to buy a used saw with all the features I wanted for a fraction of the price of new saw.
This saw has two speeds, has a coolant system and also makes miter cuts without having to relocate the stock.
- It was filthy dirty and needed a few repairs. With a ton of elbow grease it’s looking much better now.
- I removed about 10 pounds of metal shavings from the coolant tank.
- I added casters / levelers to the stand.
- I was able to fix everything with one exception. It’s a cast part. I am still deliberating if I should attempt to weld a repair.

The sample cuts I have made justify everything…
- It’s quick.
- It cuts very accurately & repeatably.
- It doesn’t heat up the stock.

05/05/2026

NEW TOOL ALERT - I need some fixturing clamps & accessories for the new fixture table but they’re crazy expensive. I saw this hack on the internet so I decided to build a few of these clamps. Average retail for a fixture clamp is $30-50 each. I built these for about $8 each.

If you have any suggestions, or know of some ‘must-have’ fixture table accessories, let me know. I am new to the fixture table gang.

04/27/2026

Stacey is a great guy. I loved watching Gearz. Jared, Annette & I were fortunate enough to meet him at SEMA one year. Series showcased awesome skills combined with quality, honesty & integrity… Not to mention a few guitar licks thrown in for good measure. 🎸

04/27/2026

New tool alert. Mag (magnetic) drill and a set of annular cutters. This will work perfectly with the recently acquired fixture table. (Which is still waiting for me to make the legs. 🤦🏻‍♂️)

04/26/2026

If only we could go back in time…

04/21/2026

Replacing the steering gearbox in the 356 coupe project. Can you believe this worn out & leaking unit was installed in a new build! WTF!?!

04/20/2026

The difference is in the details. Follow along in the video series appropriately named 'Dissecting The Details' as I uncover issues with this newly built replica.

Dissecting the details #1 - Taking a closer look at a recently built Porsche 356 coupe replica.

04/14/2026

Stepping up our fabrication game. 😜

04/14/2026

Stepping up our fabrication with a new fixture table. We will be using two of these in tandem to build the Speedster chassis.