cc_rider
06-22-2006, 04:30 PM
Hello fellow Garagers,
I've been in the midst of outfitting my garage for a couple years now; I had it built with certain things in mind but it's taken ages. Some details about the structure: 700sqft first floor, divided into 400 sqft 'garage' space on one side, with the rest 'workshop' space including a 'powder room' and shop sink. 'Powder room' is a ridiculous name for a shop bathroom, but what else do you call it, without being graphic? Shop sink is just a stainless kitchen sink salvaged from the junk pile. Plumbed everything into the stubouts myself, and surprisingly enough, no leaks!
Garage door is an 'Overhead Door' roll-up door, which keeps almost all the ceiling clear. $$$$ but a VERY nice door. Needed the clear overhead for the LIFT, which I still haven't gotten. YET. I've about decided on a Rotary 7,000 pounder; they are a reputable brand with high quality. Comments and suggestions welcome; I had no idea there were so many different brands...
Currently trying to get my air compressor working right. Aargh! It's a 5 Hp 60 gal. Campbell Hausfeld (groan) that used to be at my office (it was free. If you can call lugging the freakin' thing out of there 'free'). Can't seem to get one of the reed valves on the tank side to seal properly; it leaks air out the crankcase vent. Tried making a new valve out of a strip of beryllium copper (don't ask), but no dice. Just ordered a new valve plate; hopefully that'll fix it.
Tools? I got 'em. A close friend passed away and left me all his stuff. He was a mechanic for 30+ years including Toyota Factory training. Snap-On everything, including some tools I can't figure out AT ALL. Most are held in two toolboxes, one an old Craftsman stack, the other a new stainless job. Lots of other stuff strewn hither and yon however.
Next step (hopefully) is a flooring surface, which is why I ended up here in the first place. The garage floor has a brushed finish, the workshop is smooth. Nothing is sealed. After reading about flooring here (THANK YOU EVERYONE!), I'm leaning toward the Rustoleum stuff. My biggest concern is 'hot tire pickup', the bane of most floor finishes. I'll be interested to see how the Rusto' holds up.
I have a floor 'surfacer', the thing that looks like a giant orbital sander with a handle, and a lifetime supply of sandpaper discs for it. I bought a retiring floor finisher's gear and supplies, for reasons that elude me now; what the heck am I going to do with a drum sander and 50 gallons of wood stain?! Regardless, I am planning to smooth the brushed finish with the surfacer, then let some other poor schmuck do all the nasty chemicals; I've killed enough brain cells with carb cleaner and beer already. Try it sometime: a shot of carb cleaner, a sip of beer...
So, that's me and my garage project in a nutshell (?) Once the garage reaches steady-state, I can get back to the OTHER projects: fixing up cars, building speakers, woodworking, etc. etc. etc.
chris
I've been in the midst of outfitting my garage for a couple years now; I had it built with certain things in mind but it's taken ages. Some details about the structure: 700sqft first floor, divided into 400 sqft 'garage' space on one side, with the rest 'workshop' space including a 'powder room' and shop sink. 'Powder room' is a ridiculous name for a shop bathroom, but what else do you call it, without being graphic? Shop sink is just a stainless kitchen sink salvaged from the junk pile. Plumbed everything into the stubouts myself, and surprisingly enough, no leaks!
Garage door is an 'Overhead Door' roll-up door, which keeps almost all the ceiling clear. $$$$ but a VERY nice door. Needed the clear overhead for the LIFT, which I still haven't gotten. YET. I've about decided on a Rotary 7,000 pounder; they are a reputable brand with high quality. Comments and suggestions welcome; I had no idea there were so many different brands...
Currently trying to get my air compressor working right. Aargh! It's a 5 Hp 60 gal. Campbell Hausfeld (groan) that used to be at my office (it was free. If you can call lugging the freakin' thing out of there 'free'). Can't seem to get one of the reed valves on the tank side to seal properly; it leaks air out the crankcase vent. Tried making a new valve out of a strip of beryllium copper (don't ask), but no dice. Just ordered a new valve plate; hopefully that'll fix it.
Tools? I got 'em. A close friend passed away and left me all his stuff. He was a mechanic for 30+ years including Toyota Factory training. Snap-On everything, including some tools I can't figure out AT ALL. Most are held in two toolboxes, one an old Craftsman stack, the other a new stainless job. Lots of other stuff strewn hither and yon however.
Next step (hopefully) is a flooring surface, which is why I ended up here in the first place. The garage floor has a brushed finish, the workshop is smooth. Nothing is sealed. After reading about flooring here (THANK YOU EVERYONE!), I'm leaning toward the Rustoleum stuff. My biggest concern is 'hot tire pickup', the bane of most floor finishes. I'll be interested to see how the Rusto' holds up.
I have a floor 'surfacer', the thing that looks like a giant orbital sander with a handle, and a lifetime supply of sandpaper discs for it. I bought a retiring floor finisher's gear and supplies, for reasons that elude me now; what the heck am I going to do with a drum sander and 50 gallons of wood stain?! Regardless, I am planning to smooth the brushed finish with the surfacer, then let some other poor schmuck do all the nasty chemicals; I've killed enough brain cells with carb cleaner and beer already. Try it sometime: a shot of carb cleaner, a sip of beer...
So, that's me and my garage project in a nutshell (?) Once the garage reaches steady-state, I can get back to the OTHER projects: fixing up cars, building speakers, woodworking, etc. etc. etc.
chris