Above 1200 Sq/FT The Cow Pasture Garage - Australia

[Bob Heine]

IMO the prices I paid were fair and reasonable.

Joel, using a US inflation calculator, had that Sidchrome set cost $48.20 in 1966, it should cost $483.19 (902.5% increase) today.

 

[Bob Heine]

Joel, our first house was built in 1952 and we purchased it in 1966. The seller had just lowered the price from $16,500 to $15,500 so we offered $14,500. Turns out that was the price of the home when it was built so not everyone makes money on real estate. They raised 5 kids in this 3-bedroom, 1-bath, 1-car garage. The light from the bulb in the basement under the kitchen made an interesting lighting effect through underlayment and linoleum. They had the oak floors refinished to make the house salable. They cared for the outside the same way as the inside.

In the attic, there were inch thick kraft paper covered bats of rockwool that was apparently installed by your sub. There were many gaps between bats and narrow bays were empty. I remedied that problem in our first year of ownership. As I made renovations inside, I found the same inch thick bats in the walls and most had large gaps at the ceiling. Cut our heating bill in half the first year and managed to keep it low until we moved nine years later (1975). My neighbors thought I was crazy putting all that insulation in the house -- until the first oil embargol hit in 1973. Talk about a mad scramble to insulate.

 

[kitdoctor]

Uh oh. My blood pressure would have risen just a little.

@zanyah when the first invoice came in for AUD3200 I thought that would be the first and only invoice, so good riddance. Then I received another invoice forAUD8777 Then another for AUD992

 

[kitdoctor]

You shouldn't have to do this, of course, but its a very worthwhile investment of your time.

@Geoff289 I know the benefits are already paying off. We had this terrible 38+ degrees Celsius day a couple of week ago. Inside the main part of the shed it was just uncomfortable but inside the workshop it felt noticeably cooler

 

[colmal]

@Bob Heine sounds like the 80/20 rule coming into play.

I can turn my hand at most tasks but I'm as slow as ever, particularly when it's the first time doing something.

On Friday I disconnected the brush hog/slasher from our compact tractor and despite having watched a few YouTube videos and phoning a friend it took me two hours. I was looking in the wrong place for the release mechanism that releases the PTO shaft from the PTO spline. Anyway, lesson learnt.

We have been a bit busy over the last few weeks, switching house sits, driving far afield to collect items purchased on Facebook Marketplace for a man cave display etc. Below is an old Rota carpenter's tool box which we collected last week. It was only $50 but it was a seven hour drive to collect it, involving an overnight stay in a motel and a restaurant dinner...













I'm not sure of its age but I'd say it must be 40+ years old. It weighs a tonne and how anyone carried it when loaded with tools I'll never know.

I've just binge read from the start- not sure what to say - hmmm, definitely like the attention to detail, and doing things your way, congrats on keeping your sanity, the constant progress and very nice results.

I can pass on the Rota info when I dip into my files soon, have some Rotas being dropped off including one the same as yours so want to nail it down better myself.
I have more Sidchrome sets/boxes/chests than Rota but getting into them a bit lately, moved on from Sidchrome unless something takes my fancy- mainly Dawn, Aus/ UK/ US vices and a Rota- lust good to bring stuff back while having some quiet/peaceful time.

 

[kitdoctor]

That's rough....you should fully document this and back charge the general contractor for your time.$60 per hour would be appropriate in these parts. This is a lousy sub and the general needs to know that IMHO.

@Mr onetwo I alerted my builder/general contractor to the problems. He was surprised, as he'd been using the company for quite a while. He put in a few phone calls that resulted in them returning but they only put in a token effort fixing the problems.

I think the issues are these sub-contractors are only as good as the people they employ and the basis on which they are paid. Any basis for payment that inadvertently rewards cutting corners is a problem.

 

[kitdoctor]

Joel, using a US inflation calculator, had that Sidchrome set cost $48.20 in 1966, it should cost $483.19 (902.5% increase) today.

@Bob Heine interesting.

Here is the current equivalent set. It typically retails for AUD700-750. I ran an Australian CPI calculator and the 1966 set was expected to cost $775 in 2024, so not too far off the current price.

 

[kitdoctor]

Joel, our first house was built in 1952 and we purchased it in 1966.

@Bob Heine a great era in many ways (music, muscle cars, the space race etc.). Being a car enthusiast, what's parked in the driveway (assuming they were your cars)?

The seller had just lowered the price from $16,500 to $15,500 so we offered $14,500. Turns out that was the price of the home when it was built so not everyone makes money on real estate.

Yes, making a profit is not a certainty. Some markets can just remain stagnant for years but I'm betting you caught the upswing.

They raised 5 kids in this 3-bedroom, 1-bath, 1-car garage.

In today's day and age a lot of home owners want to start with all the bells and whistles. A 10 square home wouldn't cut it.

In the attic, there were inch thick kraft paper covered bats of rockwool that was apparently installed by your sub.

Yes, must have been my subs grandfather who migrated Down Under after being run out of town and the country by the United States Insulation Council !

I found the same inch thick bats in the walls and most had large gaps at the ceiling. Cut our heating bill in half the first year and managed to keep it low until we moved nine years later (1975). My neighbors thought I was crazy putting all that insulation in the house

It just shows how important it is to address/minimise the gaps. That's an enormous saving. When you think about it, your understanding of sealing the gaps and increasing the thermal efficiency of your home was light years ahead of building codes/standards/current thinking.

My neighbors thought I was crazy putting all that insulation in the house -- until the first oil embargol hit in 1973. Talk about a mad scramble to insulate.

Nothing like a crisis to get people into action but you were already relaxing comfortably on the lounge!

 

[kitdoctor]

I've just binge read from the start- not sure what to say - hmmm, definitely like the attention to detail, and doing things your way, congrats on keeping your sanity, the constant progress and very nice results.

@colmal thanks for bingeing the whole thread and the positive comments. It's been a process that's now passed the four and half year mark but the completion of this first stage is within sight.

I can pass on the Rota info when I dip into my files soon,

Those two Rota boxes will be sufficient for my man cave display but I'd certainly like to know more about them and Rota in general.

I have more Sidchrome sets/boxes/chests than Rota but getting into them a bit lately, moved on from Sidchrome unless something takes my fancy

On the other hand, putting together a modest Sidchrome tool collection and learning more about the tools, history of Sidchrome etc. is something I'd like to do as funds permit. I'm watching eBay and Facebook/Marketplace to see what pops up and what items sell for. Maybe as I free up some time, going to some garage sales might be a possibility.

Anyway, I hope to see you visiting the thread again.

 

[Geoff289]

I won't swear to it but I'm about 80% sure this is the factory that Rota toolboxes were manufactured in until the company, Sinclair and Powell, finished up in 1994. It's at 18 Manton Road, Clayton (due to rezoning or something it was Huntingdale back in the in early '70's when I briefly worked there).



The warehouse where I worked was on the other side of the street and a bit further along but doesn't seem to be there now.

Our working day would start with the loading the previous day's production which was stacked just inside that roller door - the production line beginning at the rear of the factory and progressing towards boxing at the front - onto a clapped-out old Bedford flatbed which the warehouse foreman then slowly drove up the street to the warehouse where we'd unload it onto the correct racking for each particular product line. Anything that was going out in the next day or so was kept aside near the loading bay to avoid double handling. the foreman guy had a quite sophisticated system involving a big whiteboard for keeping track of stock and in and out flows.

This first task of the day was pretty frenzied as it had to be completed before the third-party delivery trucks started rolling up to collect orders for distribution to retail outlets and to freight depots to go to regional and interstate destinations. Once all the day's orders had gone out the foreman would update his whiteboard (and/or study the form guide) and myself and the other kid working there would be sent over to the factory to be given whatever dogbody tasks were found for us. Usually this involved a broom but sometimes we'd be washing the General Managers and other senior people's cars. Chatting to the girls in the office was, unfortunately, not regarded as productive use of our time.

Anyway, you can tell it's a cold, wet day here in Melbourne by my taking up your time and this thread with this trivia. You know where the delete key is.

 

[kitdoctor]

I won't swear to it but I'm about 80% sure this is the factory that Rota toolboxes were manufactured

@Geoff289 I can't believe it It's such a modest factory. The roller door is a typical single vehicle residential door which can't even accommodate a small truck using it.

the foreman guy had a quite sophisticated system involving a big whiteboard for keeping track of stock and in and out flows.

How things were done before computers!

Usually this involved a broom but sometimes we'd be washing the General Managers and other senior people's cars.

I did my fair share of washing our trailer-sailer as a kid. My parents couldn't understand why I didn't like sailing

Chatting to the girls in the office was, unfortunately, not regarded as productive use of our time.

My father once organised a Xmas/New Year's job for me working for an earth moving company in North Queensland. I used to try to chat up the office girl, a teenage, blonde Italian girl. No success there...

Anyway, you can tell it's a cold, wet day here in Melbourne by my taking up your time and this thread with this trivia. You know where the delete key is.

The thought didn't cross my mind. I always enjoy the input/comments. It was a stinker here. We were on rock collection duty but at least we had the tractor to move the rocks to the piles we've established.

 

[colmal]

I won't swear to it but I'm about 80% sure this is the factory that Rota toolboxes were manufactured in until the company, Sinclair and Powell, finished up in 1994. It's at 18 Manton Road, Clayton (due to rezoning or something it was Huntingdale back in the in early '70's when I briefly worked there).



The warehouse where I worked was on the other side of the street and a bit further along but doesn't seem to be there now.

Our working day would start with the loading the previous day's production which was stacked just inside that roller door - the production line beginning at the rear of the factory and progressing towards boxing at the front - onto a clapped-out old Bedford flatbed which the warehouse foreman then slowly drove up the street to the warehouse where we'd unload it onto the correct racking for each particular product line. Anything that was going out in the next day or so was kept aside near the loading bay to avoid double handling. the foreman guy had a quite sophisticated system involving a big whiteboard for keeping track of stock and in and out flows.

This first task of the day was pretty frenzied as it had to be completed before the third-party delivery trucks started rolling up to collect orders for distribution to retail outlets and to freight depots to go to regional and interstate destinations. Once all the day's orders had gone out the foreman would update his whiteboard (and/or study the form guide) and myself and the other kid working there would be sent over to the factory to be given whatever dogbody tasks were found for us. Usually this involved a broom but sometimes we'd be washing the General Managers and other senior people's cars. Chatting to the girls in the office was, unfortunately, not regarded as productive use of our time.

Anyway, you can tell it's a cold, wet day here in Melbourne by my taking up your time and this thread with this trivia. You know where the delete key is.

Head office/Factory was in Huntingdale, They also had a factory in Wangaratta which did Sidchrome Toolboxes as well as the Rota.

 

[colmal]

Always learning, never seen a Rota rolling chest before, something else to look out for now.

 

[kitdoctor]

Always learning, never seen a Rota rolling chest before, something else to look out for now.

Me too, enjoy learning and increasing my understanding of many things/disciplines/areas etc. It would be interesting to see how the Rota roll cabinets measure up in terms of quality.

In 1985 I was in the last year of my university studies in Rockhampton. The sole interest I had then was cars (and girls), specifically GT Falcons. It would have been a great time to stash away some Sidchrome tools but realistically they would have been purchased to use.

 

[Geoff289]

I can tell you from first-hand experience they were still manufacturing in Huntingdale in 1972. I don't remember loading anything as big as a rolling tool chest there, though, so probably only doing the smaller boxes.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Incredible build/thread. This evening only had a chance to check out the pics. The cars, rain/water issues were interesting as well. Will come back and do a little reading next time.

 

[kitdoctor]

I can tell you from first-hand experience they were still manufacturing in Huntingdale in 1972.

@Geoff289 don't doubt it but what a modest building. It's a weird coincidence that you worked there.

Like what's the chance of this set of circumstances that has led to finding out that you worked there coming together ????

 

[kitdoctor]

Incredible build/thread.

@Miss the Pontiacs thanks my friend (a greeting only reserved for Canadians and New Zealanders).

This evening only had a chance to check out the pics.

Apologies in advance, my writing *****.

I really understood this during one house sit, when I picked up a book of short stories written by the home owner (who's a lovely lady of 91). My sentence construction and creating interest need lots of work. I've stumbled on some great, well written threads on The Garage Journal and only wish I could rise to that level.

The cars, rain/water issues were interesting as well.

Did you check out my one and only YouTube video? I don't know what I was thinking that I'd have time to develop that.

Between this build, our other interstate home, the house sits that we do to be local, the cars and collector cars in general, a new tractor and other gear, my interest in the stock market, rediscovering Sidchrome tools, this thread etc. I need to run myself through a photocopier like Michael Keaton did in the 1996 movie Multiplicity.

Will come back and do a little reading next time.

Feel free to ask questions about any aspect, even if I haven't covered it. I'm not worried about sharing my biggest mistakes, challenges, set backs etc.

 

[Geoff289]

@Geoff289 don't doubt it but what a modest building. It's a weird coincidence that you worked there.

Like what's the chance of this set of circumstances that has led to finding out that you worked there coming together ????

Yeah, bit spooky. It was only over the Summer holidays between Form 5 and 6 (year 11 and 12 these days).

 

[colmal]

Me too, enjoy learning and increasing my understanding of many things/disciplines/areas etc. It would be interesting to see how the Rota roll cabinets measure up in terms of quality.

In 1985 I was in the last year of my university studies in Rockhampton. The sole interest I had then was cars (and girls), specifically GT Falcons. It would have been a great time to stash away some Sidchrome tools but realistically they would have been purchased to use.

Start of covid/lockdowns I was replacing my tools people had borrowed/damaged/stolen, had enough of being annoyed about it, replaced some Sidchrome. Then All the cheap crappy houses in the middle of nowhere ( wanted something with one good room to live in while I restored the house) had vanished by the time lockdown ended, people buying sight unseen which I wasn't prepared to do - that was an error.
Money in the bank was pointless, close to zilch return from interest, and I somehow ended up investing in Sidchrome,
That was one of my few good decisions,
Already have my return on that, enjoy bringing stuff back to life, restoring, like delving into the history, just having something to do so I can push some pain issues aside is so worthwhile and much cheaper/more beneficial than doc's.
Sidchrome progressed into vices (mainly Dawn) which I really enjoy doing up,
Have majority of the Sidchrome/Vices I want now - Rota seems to be the next up-pre 80's does it for me, and one day I might even sell some stuff to make room- Vices I'll lose money on, but again been really good and already have my return from them, Sidchrome I'll get somewhere b/w 3-5 times what I paid, but hmmm, house prices.

 

[kitdoctor]

but hmmm, house prices.

@colmal a quick response before I head off.

I'll send you my email address via a PM, send me an email and I'll send you some information on house prices which will help with understanding the bigger picture/context. At a practical level, it will help with what to do and when to act.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

@Miss the Pontiacs thanks my friend (a greeting only reserved for Canadians and New Zealanders).


Apologies in advance, my writing *****.

I really understood this during one house sit, when I picked up a book of short stories written by the home owner (who's a lovely lady of 91). My sentence construction and creating interest need lots of work. I've stumbled on some great, well written threads on The Garage Journal and only wish I could rise to that level.


Did you check out my one and only YouTube video? I don't know what I was thinking that I'd have time to develop that.

Between this build, our other interstate home, the house sits that we do to be local, the cars and collector cars in general, a new tractor and other gear, my interest in the stock market, rediscovering Sidchrome tools, this thread etc. I need to run myself through a photocopier like Michael Keaton did in the 1996 movie Multiplicity.

Feel free to ask questions about any aspect, even if I haven't covered it. I'm not worried about sharing my biggest mistakes, challenges, set backs etc.

Hello my friend. I have had a chance to spend about 3 weeks a few years back in Australia. Would do it again but the flight is a killer on the way back we stopped in Rarotonga for a few days. Australia was great we did all the tourist stops in Brisbane ,Adelaide, Hamilton Island and Sydney. I know there is much more to offer but who knows maybe another time. The hospitality, food, people were great and weather was a might warm.
I wouldn’t worry about your prose, you get your point across. That Keaton movie might work for me as I’ve always said I have to live to 150 years old to get my projects done and then only if I don’t take anymore on.
Maybe our next visit we can kick back and I’ll buy the first round of 150 Lashes.

 

[kitdoctor]

@colmal I'm hoping you saw my second PM. That will get you started.

 

[kitdoctor]

Hello my friend.

Greeting to you too Yes, you should come back and have a stay in our neck of the woods. There's plenty to see and do, and we have some local breweries , distilleries , plus a pub and wine bar . Except for a few hills, most are within walking distance!

I wouldn’t worry about your prose, you get your point across.

I'd better get drafting the next few updates, as I've fallen behind, having added vintage Sidchrome tools as another interest to pursue...

That Keaton movie might work for me as I’ve always said I have to live to 150 years old to get my projects done and then only if I don’t take anymore on.

I need something, after another busy week. After doing lots of research and thinking we put a deposit on a Cub Cadet zero turn ride-on-mower. So, I just have to set a date for delivery and do a deep dive into how to operate it.

Maybe our next visit we can kick back and I’ll buy the first round of 150 Lashes.

That's one I look forward to trying!

 

[kitdoctor]

Post #0056c - Construction work continues - Insulation batt installation continued - Part LI

This is the final post covering the insulation installation.

Shown below is a large gap in the R5 insulation in the mezzanine storage room’s ceiling. Why? Well, that’s how much insulation had to be robbed to finish off the insulation install in the ceiling of the bedroom.



What’s that saying? Measure twice, cut once. This is one of the walls of the mezzanine storage room. Not exactly gap free.



I lifted the triangular piece to the left just to check, and it was an okay fit.



Shown below in the next two photos are the walls of the bathroom. All the batts I have pulled out are only half thickness. There is also no insulation in the king studs located either side of the SHS column located where the two walls meet.



I spent six hours reworking the wall shown below and the adjacent wall of the laundrette to the right. This was after the subcontractor had apparently fixed it. They spent an hour on it.



Here’s the workshop. Again, all the batts I’ve pulled out are only half thickness. In the corner shown in the background, there’s no insulation material installed in the C-column.





Meanwhile, look at the scraps. We were left with 6+ bags/boxes and managed to use all but one bag of scraps. By this stage the carpenters had commenced installing the Class 4 vapour barrier and strips of thermal break material. These walls that face into the shed have been built as if they were to be exterior walls. They’ll be clad with weatherboards.



In this next photo I’ve filled the C-columns in the foreground and the one in the corner. According to the insulation installer, these don’t count as being part of a wall. What a load of rubbish!



If you’re interested, the Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand have an insulation installation handbook. It’s really quite simple and no specialist tools are required, which makes me think next time around we could do this ourselves.

Well, that’s three posts about an exercise that I learnt a lot from. All a distant memory now, a small glitch in a process where challenges and problems arose.

Next up, the plasterers install the wall and ceiling sheets and cornices.

 

[roger440]

Looks like builders inability to understand insulation extends beyond the UK!!

Hopless. I mean, how hard is it to understand insulation needs to be a continous layer?

If air can circulate freely both sides, its not insulation anymore.

And dont ever start mentioing dew points and condensation. Their eyes glaze over.

 

[Geoff289]

Geez, that job by the so called professionals is really poor, isn't it? While as I noted above I had to spend a couple of full days addressing gaps etc. in ours and it was the only significant issue I had to go crook about with our builder, when I see what you've had to deal with I feel like we got off lightly.

 

[kitdoctor]

Hopless. I mean, how hard is it to understand insulation needs to be a continous layer?

If air can circulate freely both sides, its not insulation anymore.

@roger440 that's gold! I wish I could have thought of those exact words at the time.

 

[kitdoctor]

when I see what you've had to deal with I feel like we got off lightly.

@Geoff289 to be fair, the insulation subcontractor was sourced by the builder doing the internal fit out and the disappointing vehicle access door subcontractor was sourced by the shed contractor. So, they each had one bad dud lol

On another matter, the subcontractor who installed all the underground electrical and communications services (who I thought was honest, reliable etc.) has left me in the lurch with finalising the electricity supply to the wastewater treatment plant.

After two months of chasing him and having him say he'd return, he's now ghosting me. No working treatment plant, means no working toilet, means can't move in, means no street Xmas party at the BFS. These contractors really know how to ruin a new comer's reputation in town

 

[Mr onetwo]

And here I thought this BS only occurs in Maine

 

[kitdoctor]

And here I thought this BS only occurs in Maine

@Mr onetwo , the world is unfortunately the same all over.

Fortunately, I'm not quite at the stage shown in that caricature!

 

[Mr onetwo]

I love that meme, but life's too short to get that upset.....except in the moment. I have been going thru something as frustrating as your situation all summer, but I am training myself to not get too worked up about things I just can't control. My problem stems from subs not showing up mostly, not so much quality of workmanship (although there was 1 huge disaster). All will be revealed this winter when I have more time.Best of luck moving forward!

 

[hewey]

So frustrating dealing with poor tradies, particularly when as a non trained lay person you can literally see the gaps they're leaving behind. At least the good news is that you've picked up on it before the sheeting goes on. Overall progress looks good though!

 

[kitdoctor]

I love that meme, but life's too short to get that upset.....except in the moment.

@Mr onetwo I'm noticing that my patience is getting shorter...

One often deals with so many challenges in any given week/fortnight, that must be and are solved, my patience for someone who doesn't have a CAN DO attitude tends to be short. I do need to go easier on my better half , she supports me in many ways.

My problem stems from subs not showing up mostly

That gets to you because it drags out your schedule.

not so much quality of workmanship

The good thing was it was straightforward to undo and fix. Imagine it is was tiling, cabinetry etc. something that was really a backward step to rectify

All will be revealed this winter when I have more time

Best of luck moving forward!

Keep chipping away at it (your project). The good thing is the building process does come to an end

 

[kitdoctor]

particularly when as a non trained lay person you can literally see the gaps they're leaving behind

@hewey yeah, very disappointing to witness such poor workmanship but better to see it and have an opportunity to rectify it. Most home owners (who build) would be none the wiser if a good or bad job was done.

 

[Mr onetwo]

@Mr onetwoKeep chipping away at it (your project). The good thing is the building process does come to an end

After the last 2 days, I am beginning to think that may not be so.

 

[kitdoctor]

Here we go again.

So, we still have our home in Darwin. 36 years and now this! Tropical Cyclone Fina.

 

[Bob Heine]

@Bob Heine a great era in many ways (music, muscle cars, the space race etc.). Being a car enthusiast, what's parked in the driveway (assuming they were your cars)?

Joel, I feel truly blessed to have lived from the next to last year of World War II to today but the cars of the '50s and '60s were the best decades of my car life life. Of course 1962 was the absolute best year because it was the year Liane said YES.

The car on the left was my parents' 1965 Buick LeSabre. They flew from New York to Wisconsin so my uncle (Mom's BIL) could negotiate a great deal at the dealership. On his own, my father would pay the sticker price plus every available dealer up-sell (undercoating, floor mats, seat covers, etc.). The car on the left was their previous car, a 1962 Rambler Classic station wagon, which they gifted to us.

Ten days before my run-in with the train, Dad and I drove the new Buick to IBM's Sands Point Country Club to play our first round of golf together. Eighteen days later my parents came to the hospital to celebrate my 21st birthday. Mom had to go home to start dinner so Liane drove Dad home in our 1956 Chevy 210 sedan. She showed him where to put his feet on the rubber floor mat because there was a football size hole in the actual floor of the car. Because the 3-speed manual transmission no longer stayed in third gear without help, she asked him to pull back on the floor shifter once she had the car in third gear. I installed the Foxcraft floor shifter because I thought the linkage in the column shift mechanism was the cause of the third gear problem. The next morning Dad dropped off the Rambler.

By 1975, when we moved to Florida, our fleet was a bit better. The family car was a 1968 Pontiac GTO we bought new at the end of 1967 and my commuter was a 1971 Chevy Vega GT we bought new in 1971 (it was the first GT delivered to our local dealer). The GTO was kinda bare bones but the Vega was equipped with a 4-speed, posi and the beefier GT engine. We also had a Century Raven 19-foot sppedboat with a Ford 302 V8 (188 hp) and Mercruiser outdrive.

 

[Coolabah]

Here we go again.

So, we still have our home in Darwin. 36 years and now this! Tropical Cyclone Fina.

Yikes ! Fingers crossed for minimal damage to people and property in Darwin. A friend of mine was there for Tracy in '74, hopefully nothing like that this time.
FWIW Pretty sure you could have the same storm at your new shed and it wouldn't flinch

 

[Geoff289]

the cars of the '50s and '60s were the best decades of my car life life.

Amen!