The little one car that could

[c4e]

Well I know I just made my introduction not 5 minutes before I started typing this out but here is my garage. I’ve just started moving some of my attention to it as we’ve been in our first house since May now and it’s been neglected too long. Silly things like having hot water and pipes that don’t leak in the rest of the house, oh and that getting married thing, have delayed my getting some quality garage time. I hope no one is getting all excited about this since my entire house is smaller than most garages I have seen being built and presented on this site, but here she is as she was on Friday night (sorry for the crappy pictures, they were taken with a phone).

I decided the first thing I should do is finish the walls. Here is some of that in progress...

I didn't quite get as much done this weekend as I would have hoped but here is how it stands as of this morning after a little cleanup so the wife can actually put her car in there.

Thanks for looking. I know most of you have much more experience with this kind of stuff than I do so please let me know if you have any tips or ideas that I may not have thought of. More to come...

 

[robertgreen79]

Nice space man. Nothing wrong with a one car garage. I'm rockin one too!

 

[c4e]

Step 2: Find a better place to host the pictures so that you can actually see them...

 

[FatFenderBowTie]

Step 2: Find a better place to host the pictures so that you can actually see them...

Try this http://photobucket.com/ or http://imageshack.us/

 

[c4e]

Fixed. Today I'll be playing the role of FNG.

 

[Finley]

cant wait to see more progress!

 

[Scout Driver]

Welcome c4e. Your garage is looking better already.

Scott

 

[spongerich]

Looks nice. Reminds me of my 1st garage in Pasadena. It was built in the 1920's and was so short that someone bumped out a 4 foot tall nook to fit the hood of some long forgotten car.

I managed to build some pretty nice furniture in that little space. I definitely learned how to maximize every inch. There are some benefits to having a small space. It forces you to be organized and clean up frequently. The house I'm in now has a 3000 sq ft barn and it's always a mess because there's always room for one more thing.

 

[sscustom]

looking good so far keep it up

 

[c4e]

Well this has already had more views and replies than I ever expected it to. Thanks everyone so far for the support and encouragement.

I like the garage since it is so long but I keep finding myself in a bind, design wise, just because it is so narrow, and finishing the single wall has actually made it seem even more narrow. I think the only space I will really have to work with is the 6-8 feet at the end with the man door to the back yard. I don't worry though because with everyone here and all your expertise and experience I’m sure I can get some great ideas. I'm excited for the long weekend, family time, good food, and lots of time spent in my little garage!

 

[will2002]

If not for a "one car" garage, all my "stuff" would be out under a tree.

 

[aqr81]

You are off to a great start, big improvement already. I'm looking forward to your continued work and updates. Good job c4e.

 

[c4e]

Well here are some updates from work I did over this last weekend. Finished some more drywall and added a storage cabinet to contain the clutter. I didn't realize how slow-going this would be when I'm doing all the work by myself. I was at times, quite a few times actually, wishing for a third arm for Christmas this year.

Next up I think will be a few small work benches.

 

[c4e]

I don't have nearly as many tools or as much space as the rest of you and I was thinking of picking up one of these rolling bench/tool carts. Does anyone have any experience with any of the Waterloo products?

 

[Josh B]

Congrats on the marriage and the house! I like your cabinet, nice use of space. I'm not big on tool boxes, so I will leave that one for somebody else.

A few suggestions I have:

Overhead cabinets:
Build down one side maybe? Deep enough to fit some storage totes into. I have most of my power tools piled in a couple totes.
Check out - http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45022

Fold down workbench:
Looks like you don't have much workspace up front. You could always make a folding one on a side wall.
Check out - http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55006

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

A One car beats working out in the cold!!
keep up the progress

 

[Finley]

cabinets are your friend! im in the same boat!

 

[51rider]

Nice start!

A bit late now but I would perhaps have used the recessed space for the work bench with roll cab storage underneath. Peg board above would give you hanging space for frequently used items or some shorter but deep wall cabinets above if you don't like peg board.

You could use shallower wall cabinets on the L/H wall due to the boxed off corner-remember to leave space for access if required.

Looking at the pictures again, I think this is the only space for benching in an L shape, going around the boxed section-I m sure with your new found woodwork skills this would be an easy mod to the storage cabinet already made.

I actually have an old Waterloo tool box and roll cab. I got it in a deal with someone I used to know & it works great. I find the storage drawers hold a fairt bit of stuff & the smaller drawers cope with loose screwdrivers etc. I use a mixture of Teng & Snap-on tools. The Teng stuff in their premoulded cases fits straight in to the deeper drawer once the lids are off.
The only issue I have had is the handle on the side of the roll cab coming off! It was only fixed with a screw and expanding nylon plug. To be honest I have left it as the cab sat permanently under the bench right next to the work area & never had to be moved.

 

[ct96ek]

Congrats on the wedding and the new garage!

Looks like adding more lighting will be easy since you have easy access to your wiring. I spy some overhead storage area as well! I agree that a work bench that folds flat against the wall could be very helpful when you need to work on a project. Maybe even frame it into the wall so that it does not take up some of that width. A narrow rolling tool cabinet would work nicely between your framed in cabinets and the white door. Maybe with a couple shelves above it and a under-cabinet light attached to the bottom shelf to light up the top of your rolling tool unit. Can you fit anything on the left wall in front of the car? If you don't want to take up floor space there maybe just go with a pegboard wall or some type of slatwall on the left. I would also add an outlet strip on the back wall above your rolling tool unit.

 

[D.J.]

I jumped forward from post #13 but where are all your electrical recepticles on the left wall facing the man door and to the left front on that wall?
________
IOLITE COMFORT CARE PACKAGE

 

[c4e]

Nice start!

A bit late now but I would perhaps have used the recessed space for the work bench with roll cab storage underneath. Peg board above would give you hanging space for frequently used items or some shorter but deep wall cabinets above if you don't like peg board.

In a perfect world that is what I would have done. Unfortunately you can see in the picture below that the floor is uneven up there (there was a second garage door going out into the back yard at one time) which makes rolling anything in and out of that space unlikely. I knew the only way to get some decent storage up there would be to custom build a cabinet. I plan on building a small, sturdy work bench to the right of the cabinets, left of the man door, that I can mount my vise on and do the "heavy" work on. Like Josh Bess and ct96ek have brought up I want to build a fold down bench on the left wall in front of the cabinet that I can use for lighter work. That way if we were ever to get a longer car we could still fold up the bench and fit it in there.

Thanks for the help guys, it is greatly appreciated!

 

[c4e]

I jumped forward from post #13 but where are all your electrical recepticles on the left wall facing the man door and to the left front on that wall?

There aren't any. Yet.

 

[Call me the Breeze]

My first garage was a one car... It was so narrow when you pulled a car in, you couldn't open the door to get out. Thus it became a workshop mostly, Had to roll the hot rod out side to work on it, then roll it back in at night. Check out Jack Olson's place. He is probably the best out of organizing/utilizing small spaces to get the most out of them. Good Luck on your adventure!

 

[UN4GTBL]

Looks good!

How long is the garage?

I have a one car garage as well. Storage, storage, storage is your friend. and make sure its organized as well!

 

[Tjc]

I don't have nearly as many tools or as much space as the rest of you and I was thinking of picking up one of these rolling bench/tool carts. Does anyone have any experience with any of the Waterloo products?

If i were you, looking at that 250$ price I would go to lowes and pick up a task force 5 drawer tool box for 86$ they are pretty sturdy and if there isnt enough room, just buy another for that price.

 

[posaune]

If i were you, looking at that 250$ price I would go to lowes and pick up a task force 5 drawer tool box for 86$ they are pretty sturdy and if there isnt enough room, just buy another for that price.

I agree. $250 seems pretty dear for that. I have a Craftsman box with the same top. It isn't a ball bearing box, so maybe it is lower quality overall, but it is pretty flimsy for any real use. And mine was $89.

 

[Tjc]

I agree. $250 seems pretty dear for that. I have a Craftsman box with the same top. It isn't a ball bearing box, so maybe it is lower quality overall, but it is pretty flimsy for any real use. And mine was $89.

The one I saw didnt have a top but had 5 drawers on the bottom, hell if i were him buy 3 of em instead of spendin 250 for one

 

[51rider]

In a perfect world that is what I would have done. Unfortunately you can see in the picture below that the floor is uneven up there (there was a second garage door going out into the back yard at one time) which makes rolling anything in and out of that space unlikely. Thanks for the help guys, it is greatly appreciated!

Do you know I completely missed that stem wall?

Think carefully before mounting the vice on what will be a short work top. If it will fit your needs & you do small work, great! Otherwise you will find yourself limited on space for any oversize pieces.
You might consider mounting it on top of the roll cab if you get one with a wood worktop on it-again another idea for your limited space.

The other thought on the vice is to have it de-mountable from the folding 'Jack Olsen 'bench. This does make it a bit of a pain to use as it will need to be set up each time, but does allow the option of larger work pieces.

 

[AndrewBigA]

what are the dimensions of your garage? looks like its about 12-14ft wide & 20-22ft deep. how accurate is my guess lol?

i would put a nice shelf right above the garage door. kind of like a small loft area. make it come out 18"-24" & that can be used for some good storage for things you dont use or need often.

get a 6ft ladder & put a hook on the wall & hang it up so its off the floor & out of the way.

you have to be creative with a small space but you can do it.

i have a 2 car garage so ive had to deal with similar problems.

def put up a peg board wall to hang as much tools as you can. the trick is using as much wall space as you can.

look on the bright side, it wont cost much to heat or ac the garage lol.

 

[c4e]

How long is the garage?

what are the dimensions of your garage? looks like its about 12-14ft wide & 20-22ft deep. how accurate is my guess lol?

12'-14'? I wish! It's 10'x25'.

 

[c4e]

Think carefully before mounting the vice on what will be a short work top. If it will fit your needs & you do small work, great! Otherwise you will find yourself limited on space for any oversize pieces.
You might consider mounting it on top of the roll cab if you get one with a wood worktop on it-again another idea for your limited space.
.

This may sound a bit silly but I figured I could mount the vise on the right side of the short work top. That way if I were working on something longer I could just swivel the vise a bit and feed whatever I was working on out the door (the door on the back wall, not the one going in the house, the wife can't make me a sammich with a 2x4 in her face ). I actually planned on flipping that door anyway, it's always in the way.

And now that I typed that out it sounds a little inconvient... ehh, cross that bridge when I get there I guess.

 

[AndrewBigA]

12'-14'? I wish! It's 10'x25'.

dam thats narrow but at least youve got enough length to make a work area in front of the car =)

did you measure the length of the car your going to park in there?

also, how tall is the ceiling?

doesnt look like a bad little space at all.

 

[c4e]

dam thats narrow but at least youve got enough length to make a work area in front of the car =)

did you measure the length of the car your going to park in there?

also, how tall is the ceiling?

doesnt look like a bad little space at all.

Yeah it is narrow, that's my least favorite thing about it. I don't have room to go straight under a car from the side with a floor jack. Even if the car is all the way against the other wall.

Both of our cars fit with plenty or room to spare but one of these days I intend to get a pickup which will be a little longer hence the fold up workbench on the wall that i have planned.

I'll measure to the ceiling when I get home, if i remember after my plumbing project.

 

[c4e]

Well I got around to making some benches this weekend. A little one that’s built pretty hefty where my vise will eventually end up, and a larger, lighter duty, fold-up variety on the other wall. I altered my original design for the fold up so that if I wanted to keep something below it (like a tool cart or compressor) I could still put it down without having to move stuff out from under it first. It’s been slow going but it’s getting there. Now that I have some place to work it’s starting to feel like a garage.

Up next I think will be some electrical outlets and decent lighting.

 

[nate379]

Don't you just love it when you see the shows on TV that make it seem like weeks/months of work is done in a few hrs?!

I didn't realize how slow-going this would be when I'm doing all the work by myself.

 

[c4e]

Don't you just love it when you see the shows on TV that make it seem like weeks/months of work is done in a few hrs?!

Yeah, and I can't find the FF button on any of my power tools either. I must have cheaped out on them and missed the time-lapse option...

 

[lupinsea]

Don't you just love it when you see the shows on TV that make it seem like weeks/months of work is done in a few hrs?!

I hate those shows. . . they give my wife unrealistic expectations of how quickly I "should" get projects done.

 

[HarleyArley]

Nice job! You are off to a great start. Develop a game plan for the overall space, then just take it one thing at a time. You'll have a great space in no time!

 

[frank_c]

I hate those shows. . . they give my wife unrealistic expectations of how quickly I "should" get projects done.

product packaging that says "easy one hour installation!" doesn't help, either.

 

[c4e]

Is there a good way to get those oil stains out of the floor? I don't plan on doing an epoxy floor but I guess it would be nice to know i have the option.