Jack, here's a suggestion: Go get some HF locking casters and attach them to the bottom of your work table at the front of the garage. then you can easily roll it to where you are working or out of the way. I did it to my welding table and love the mobility.
Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT The 12-Gauge Garage
- Thread starter Jack Olsen
- Start date
Workspaces sized between 265 and 485 squarefeet.
murph3204
Well-known member
NASTYZEN
Well-known member
LoanRebel
Well-known member
my little guys have the same ride on car
OP
Thanks, everyone.
Of course, the flip-side is that I'm going to be an old man when he's coming of age. I hope he doesn't decide to challenge me to fight. I'm sure I'll fall and break a hip.
Here's one more picture of the little guy. His favorite tool is a measuring tape -- he likes how it snaps around as it retracts.
I know. As someone who grew up in a small town, it's hard to imagine what his teenage years will be like in a big city like Los Angeles.He is absolutly adorable.
Enjoy it before he becomes a teenager.LOLL
Thanks. But I look at that picture and think that Norman Rockwell should have insisted that the model playing the dad run a comb through his hair and maybe get a shave. Compared to the youngster, I look a little unkempt.
Oddly, I think it might be one of the benefits of having waited so long before I had any kids. I didn't have a garage in my twenties, and I wouldn't have had the kind of time I do now to spend with him. I hope that turns out to be good for both of us.
Of course, the flip-side is that I'm going to be an old man when he's coming of age. I hope he doesn't decide to challenge me to fight. I'm sure I'll fall and break a hip.
His mother got him some play tools, which he likes. But he's already caught on to the fact that Dad's are better. No surprise, he likes to hammer on that big bench.
See, you got started at a reasonable age. When my guy is 30, I'll be... 75.
I'm glad that each generation takes safety a little more seriously. The research they've done about how much more vulnerable kids are to carcinogens and stuff is pretty shocking. My grandfather was a plumber, and some of the things my father got exposed to would make your jaw drop (fortunately, he's doing well and close to 80). But my hearing would be better today if there had been hearing protection when I was a kid. And a younger man.I am trying to break in my daughter. She is three. Tonight we sanded my new (to me) StrongHold cabinets. She is a good helper be struggles to be effective sanding with one hand and holding her ear protection with the other.
Ha! A year is fast. It took me four years of talk before I got anything done in my garage.I just thought I'd give you a little credit Jack... inspired by your recent updates, I finally got the cheapo kitchen cabinet uppers mounted on the walls. It only took me a year.
He insisted. He likes 'the race car,' and didn't feel his was in the same league until we'd found a Porsche sticker.
Get it now before the price goes up. It's called "Schylling's Silver Race Car Metal Speedster" and we got it through Amazon.
Thanks. But I'll still vote for 'MechanicNamedJohn's' girlfriend on his HF toolbox.
I've thought about it. But my garage is so small, and my floor is not very level. My solution has just been to put a bench wherever I might have a rolling one stop.
That is awesome! But one of the downsides to living in the city is that I'd need to trailer it to somewhere he could actually drive it. And then I'd need a place to keep a trailer. And the little Jeep. One of these days, I want to get a simple place out where there's some room for the kid to stretch his legs. But that day is still a long way off.
Here's one more picture of the little guy. His favorite tool is a measuring tape -- he likes how it snaps around as it retracts.
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Wow...thats a great picture Jack. I believe you should blow it up and frame it and make it place somewhere in the garage for it. I can tell you first hand...man they sure grow up fast!
I've got a Son who is 31 and a daughter who is 36. It seems like just the other day when they was that size of your Son. Both of mine raced karts when they were young, 6 or 7 and I always involved them in the build process on the karts. Back then I couldn't afford a store bought kart, so we bent the tubes and welded them together, put together engines out of parts some friends were going to throw away. Both won their division in their second year of racing.
They still talk about those days!
I've got a Son who is 31 and a daughter who is 36. It seems like just the other day when they was that size of your Son. Both of mine raced karts when they were young, 6 or 7 and I always involved them in the build process on the karts. Back then I couldn't afford a store bought kart, so we bent the tubes and welded them together, put together engines out of parts some friends were going to throw away. Both won their division in their second year of racing.
They still talk about those days!
lowbucktruck
Well-known member
Ditto, that's a good idea from 3bay. Darn kids grow so fast! He is a good looking boy, Jack. Thanks for sharing that moment with us.
QUOTE "Oddly, I think it might be one of the benefits of having waited so long before I had any kids. I didn't have a garage in my twenties, and I wouldn't have had the kind of time I do now to spend with him. I hope that turns out to be good for both of us."
I am in the same boat, I waited until much later in life before getting married, settling down and starting a family. My 2-year old daughter is a precious gift. I'm glad I waited... I had a bit of growing-up and hell-raising to get out of my system first. Thank goodness my daughter gets her good looks from her mother though!
QUOTE "Oddly, I think it might be one of the benefits of having waited so long before I had any kids. I didn't have a garage in my twenties, and I wouldn't have had the kind of time I do now to spend with him. I hope that turns out to be good for both of us."
I am in the same boat, I waited until much later in life before getting married, settling down and starting a family. My 2-year old daughter is a precious gift. I'm glad I waited... I had a bit of growing-up and hell-raising to get out of my system first. Thank goodness my daughter gets her good looks from her mother though!
See, you got started at a reasonable age. When my guy is 30, I'll be... 75.
He'll keep you young. Your age difference is about the same as between me and my dad (they got a late start too). My sister and I always said that we kept our parents younger. My dad still doesn't act "old" even at 82.
Great photos.
I know you have had your garage posted for some time now, but I have to compliment you and a fantastic and practical use of your space. You really know how to stretch a dollar and quite frankly, if more people utilized their money like you-I think this country would be in a whole lot better shape than it is currently in. Great Job and thanks for sharing your photos!
-Marc Schafler
Bend, Oregon
-Marc Schafler
Bend, Oregon
KenworthW900L
Member
Hi Jack
Some how I stumbled upon the Garage Journal in Nov 2010 and your garage came up and I said Holy %%%%. You have done an amazing job and I enjoy all of your posts. You and your garage are the reason I joined in late Nov and spend all my limited free time on this forum. Keep showing us the Masters Work.
Some how I stumbled upon the Garage Journal in Nov 2010 and your garage came up and I said Holy %%%%. You have done an amazing job and I enjoy all of your posts. You and your garage are the reason I joined in late Nov and spend all my limited free time on this forum. Keep showing us the Masters Work.
OT but something just struck me. I've been looking for bathroom mirrors at Home depot and Lowes. Those suckers are way overpriced, like 80-100. I bet Target has some good deals on decorative mirrors. I like the ledge on the mirror above your sink. You can store stuff on it.
abstamaria
Well-known member
The garage keeps getting better, Jack. It's difficult to see how else it can be improved, but you manage to find something.
And thank you for posting pictures of your son. It makes me feel we live just around the corner from you.
Andres
And thank you for posting pictures of your son. It makes me feel we live just around the corner from you.
Andres
OP
Thanks very much, guys.
That's a great idea. I've been thinking that when I insulate the garage door, I might come up with a way to display the magazine articles on the garage and the race car and the photo of me and my son would go well with that.
Absolutely. The one I'm using was only $19.
little d
Well-known member
I had to chuckle about the age difference thing, growing up with Dad at his age it was all about getting it done, as he grew older it changed to getting it done safely. Had he been a little older while he was teaching me I might have saved myself a few trips to the emergency room! Oh and by the way, at 75, i think he could have still taken me. Your son has a good teacher, I have a feeling that at 75 you will still be larger then life.
914tom
Member
hi jack,
as i saw the pictures of you and your 2year old, it all makes sens to me.
all the havy duty, bullet proof tool cabinets in your garage are to make your tools childproof ....
my 2year old takes EVERY chance to 'steal' tools and 'work' with them like daddy does.
So i find them everywhere in the garden, house and yard.
my old man says .... he's just like i was, i also 'sat on his hammer' as he worked.
good to see, all over the world it's all the same.
Let us enjoy.
as i saw the pictures of you and your 2year old, it all makes sens to me.
all the havy duty, bullet proof tool cabinets in your garage are to make your tools childproof ....
my 2year old takes EVERY chance to 'steal' tools and 'work' with them like daddy does.
So i find them everywhere in the garden, house and yard.
my old man says .... he's just like i was, i also 'sat on his hammer' as he worked.
good to see, all over the world it's all the same.
Let us enjoy.
ZTFab
Well-known member
Hey Jack...
I ran across a paper towel holder that looks like it was made for you!!!
Paper towel holder
I ran across a paper towel holder that looks like it was made for you!!!
Paper towel holder
Stunning craftsmanship and vision. It's great to see what being creative and thinking outside the box can yield. That's true in any area of life or business. If you just stop at "good enough", you would never know what the full potential could have been. I"m the guy who is combing over my epoxy floor with a Toothbrush and Razorblade in hand; and I work out of my Cave bringing cars back to life with "Detailing" techniques so to speak. It's actually taking a vehicle and restoring it to "Better than Factory Settings" without painting or pulling anything major out of the vehicle. I've been able to create my own little niche in the market of "Detailing" though and aquire a small cult-ish following by being borderline insanely obsessed with perfection and creativity. My point is everything has to be right, yet reletively very few people outside of these enthusiast forums have that mind-set. Anyway, my Lap-Top never leaves the shop, but for some reason I brought it inside for a bit today and saw a Reply you gave on Ferrari Chat about Lifts. I followed the link and have been reading since 12pm and it's 1:36am now and I just finished reading this thread. Thanks for even more visions in my head. I don't even know what to do next? I was researching the best way to sink my lift in the slab and how I wanted the flooring material around it to look(Tile, Marble, RaceDeck, Epoxy, etc etc,) I really liked the car story too and could go on about that forever. I have some P Cars in my signature albums but most of the rarer ones are not there because I feel it may scare some clients away(Might think I only do Rare Cars). Heres a Boxster(Not really my type of P-car) that I resurrected a few weeks ago. This is Black paint on an overcast day
From further away(I need a better camera)
993 Taped Up and going through Polishing and Burnishing Stages
A 356C about halfway thrrough the recondition
From further away(I need a better camera)
993 Taped Up and going through Polishing and Burnishing Stages
A 356C about halfway thrrough the recondition
OP
It's funny you should bring that up. I've got a stainless steel dispenser like that -- but when I held it up in place I decided I just didn't like the way it looked. So I picked up a paper towel roll holder, but I'm not crazy about that, either. I've tried it in three different positions, now.
I emailed the seller on the one you linked to -- but the deal killer was shipping charges from Canada. I figured I could paint my stainless one green if that's the way I end up going.
Wow. Your work is very impressive, Bullitt. I'm driven by a kind of OCD too (see the above comments on the paper towel dispenser), but I'm the opposite of a perfectionist. 'Good enough for a garage' drives a lot of my decisions out there.
That said, I had a great morning yesterday in the garage. I've got a track day on Wednesday, and I had a laundry list of little things to look at on the car.
First up, I decided to put the front splitter and wing on the car before I went to the track instead of after I got there. These are aero pieces I made myself (I still consider them the test mules for prettier ones I want to make down the line). Both the front attachments and the rear wing separate into two pieces, so they can all fit in the car and get bolted on once I'm at the track. But I'm glad I did it at home this time around since it turns out I'd lost one of the captive nuts in the underside of the front bumper. It took maybe half an hour to fix (since it's very tricky to access), but would have been a lot more frustrating if I was working on it while everyone else was getting their track time.
Then, there were the little things. My cylinder head temp sensor had gone dead, so I isolated a break in one of its wires. The old video camera I use to record in the car was refusing to record, saying that every SD card I put into it was locked. I ended up with a fix where it records if I push the card further into the slot and hold it there as it tries to push back -- duct tape to the rescue again. It's a strange fix, but it works. I also re-torqued the CV joints and half shafts I installed a couple of months ago, rotated the tires and checked the brake pads, brake fluid and oil. Then I changed the angle of the rear wing to a more aggressive setting and softened up the front shocks by two steps.
Nothing major at all, but it was a reminder of how nice it is not to be stepping over stuff and trying to find tools when you're working in the garage. As many hours as I've put into getting this place organized, it pays off when I'm able to get things done in less time than I thought it would take, not more.
In a lot of ways, I've got Garage Journal to thank for that.
darkbuddha
Well-known member
Exactly! I had a similar experience today while tweaking some stuff on my XR and test fitting a couple sets of wheels. It was (mostly) painless because of the time invested in organizing recently... totally inspired by your thread, right here on Garage Journal. And so it goes full circle.Nothing major at all, but it was a reminder of how nice it is not to be stepping over stuff and trying to find tools when you're working in the garage. As many hours as I've put into getting this place organized, it pays off when I'm able to get things done in less time than I thought it would take, not more.
In a lot of ways, I've got Garage Journal to thank for that.
Jack, Thanks for the comments on the photos; I just always enjoy a creative mind(wish I could find someone with my enthusiasm to be my right hand man. The business is taking off but I don't want to just hire employee's "so to speak" and lose the perfectionism aspect. I had a guy bring in a Ferrari 355 and even though he's having the rear skirt, spoiler, badging replaced; he still wants me to resurrect the one he has. Then he said something that sealed the deal as far as me staying a specialist and perfectionist; whichever way the my company takes me. HIS WORDS "Mike, I know your about to move into your new garage/shop and after you finish my car I'm going to keep the old rear that you reconditioned and have you sign it. Then I'll frame it and give it to you so a piece of my car will always be on display in your shop". I knew right then that all the frustrating days of obsessing, looking at a car from a 100 different angles, and scrubbing the epoxy floors with a toothbrush had paid off; and 90% of my clientele is like that in some form. I love it when people can appreciate an idea and the work/craftsmanship that go's into it.
1Garageman
Well-known member
Hey Jack question for you. I don't think I have ever seen your air compressor in any of your photos. Do you have one? If so whats the info on it? Just curious.
Rich
Rich
OP
Oddly, I have two compressors. But neither is in the garage.
The one I'm currently using is my small, loud, and old oil-less Craftsman. It's in an insulated and ventilated box in the crawl space under the house. I have a remote switch for it in the garage, and lines running the 15' or so from where it sits to the garage. I've only got the one outlet for it -- the reel under the main bench -- but I may add another one in the opposite corner when I switch over to my second compressor, which is sitting and waiting for me to get around to running a 220v circuit to the crawl space. That one is a 60-gallon oiled Husky Pro. And swapping it for the old one is on my to-do list. I'm sure it will get bumped up to the top of the list if the old compressor decides to give up the ghost.
The one I'm currently using is my small, loud, and old oil-less Craftsman. It's in an insulated and ventilated box in the crawl space under the house. I have a remote switch for it in the garage, and lines running the 15' or so from where it sits to the garage. I've only got the one outlet for it -- the reel under the main bench -- but I may add another one in the opposite corner when I switch over to my second compressor, which is sitting and waiting for me to get around to running a 220v circuit to the crawl space. That one is a 60-gallon oiled Husky Pro. And swapping it for the old one is on my to-do list. I'm sure it will get bumped up to the top of the list if the old compressor decides to give up the ghost.
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OP
I took a break and printed out some labels today. The thing holding me up had been the idea of coming up with a better place for everything. But I decided to just do the labels for where things had settled. I can always update them later.
For the Craftsman cabinet, I just made the labels black with white printing and stuck them to the drawers. They contrast with the door paint in these pictures, but in real life they blend in pretty well.
The Harbor Freight box came with labels and protective covers to slide into the handles.
A very generous Garage Journal member sent me inserts and covers for my second-hand Vidmar cabinets.
Some of the contents still seem way out of place. But I'll let my OCD simmer for a while and enjoy the fact that I'll be doing the 'multiple-open move' to find the right drawer less often now.
For the Craftsman cabinet, I just made the labels black with white printing and stuck them to the drawers. They contrast with the door paint in these pictures, but in real life they blend in pretty well.
The Harbor Freight box came with labels and protective covers to slide into the handles.
A very generous Garage Journal member sent me inserts and covers for my second-hand Vidmar cabinets.
Some of the contents still seem way out of place. But I'll let my OCD simmer for a while and enjoy the fact that I'll be doing the 'multiple-open move' to find the right drawer less often now.
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The best advice I can give to people adding labels to metal drawers is affix them onto small magnetic strips so it is easy to move them later as you rearrange the contents of your boxes. Maybe that's what you did here on your Craftsman box - I can't really tell. Recycle those old refrigerator magnets if you don't want to buy new sheet.For the Craftsman cabinet, I just made the labels black with white printing and stuck them to the drawers. They contrast with the door paint in these pictures, but in real life they blend in pretty well.
Also, consider photo labels created from downloaded images, as opposed to text, for those odd items. Just use adhesive-backed paper in your printer. Stick them on magnetic sheet too. It may not be quite as neat looking as text, but photos make it much quicker to scan for that desired tool.
mdbeck1
Well-known member
I was at Office Max (or was it one of the other office supply stores) a while back and they had those magnetic sheets cut to the size of business cards. They already have adhesive on one side. They might work good for labelling toolbox drawers. I hadn't thought about that.
Boosted1
Well-known member
A suggestion if you plan on moving the labels. I attached the labels to a sheet of magnet and cut them out. Now I can move the labels at will without having to remake.
I used an old magnetic sign base that sticks to your car. In this case they were for my autocross numbers.
I used an old magnetic sign base that sticks to your car. In this case they were for my autocross numbers.
1Garageman
Well-known member
That is a nice tip
This spring when it gets warmer I am going to redo my garage and lable stuff so I can EASILY find stuff. I like that idea
I love the great tips and ideas people share on this website!
OP
e-tek
Well-known member
You realize Jack.....this means WAR!
OP
Ha! Yours would be great for that blog, e-tek. I was going to start a post about it in the general forum to encourage other GJ guys to submit their shops, but thought it might irritate Ryan. I don't know if there's any overlap between a garage blog and a garage forum like this one, but I'd rather err on the side of not annoying our host.
Let me tell you that you have way more than 15 minutes of fame. I've spent the last 3 nights reading every post, checking out every photo, and following most of the links. Great work. You are an inspiration, and have me on the lookout for Strong Hold cases in my town. I've actually found a small stash, but not in my price range.
My question (which I know you will answer) is how did you get started in Motor Sports?
My question (which I know you will answer) is how did you get started in Motor Sports?
79maliburacer
Member
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2010
- Messages
- 10
I just got this month's issue of Car Craft and you're the feature garage of This Guy's Garage -Congrats it looks good as always
Chip C
Member
Jack,
I seem to remember a while back you built a rack for the Jeep. I am working on ideas to do something similar on my old Classic Range Rover. It has a reciever in the front and back as well as a wilderness rack on the roof, so it should'nt be a problem. Any thoughts and pictures of the build would be very much appreciated...thanks Chip
I seem to remember a while back you built a rack for the Jeep. I am working on ideas to do something similar on my old Classic Range Rover. It has a reciever in the front and back as well as a wilderness rack on the roof, so it should'nt be a problem. Any thoughts and pictures of the build would be very much appreciated...thanks Chip
OP
Thanks. Be patient with the cabinets. Most of them go for a lot of money, but deals do come up.
As a kid, I tagged along with my older brother who had a kart. It was a seasonal thing, since we lived near Chicago. And we couldn't afford the McCullough-powered two stroke karts that were popular at the time. Cut to about 25 years later, and I was looking for a fun second car for weekend use. I initially was looking at the Mercedes Benz 190s from the 1950s. But then I moved to first generation Camaros. Right before I closed a deal on one of those, I discovered 911s -- a car I'd never even really noticed. But the 'bang for the buck' was there, in terms of what you got for your money, and that led to further research online and stumbling on the air-cooled Porsche 911 community. By the time I'd picked up my car, I'd already booked my first track day. And as soon as I was out on the track with a straightforward, simple car (no power steering, no power brakes), my memories of racing karts came back in a heartbeat. I was hooked, and have been tracking, time-trialing and (occasionally) club racing for eleven years now.
I just got this month's issue of Car Craft and you're the feature garage of This Guy's Garage -Congrats it looks good as always
Thanks! I haven't seen it yet. But I've been told that there's a reference to this forum in it.
Here it is. But this thread about it will probably give you even more ideas about how to do yours. (This thread also has some good suggestions.)
Dirk Hollis
Member
While searching Ebay for stronghold cabinets I came across this discussion board (yep the 12 Gauge Garage). A few months ago I bought back issues of Excellence Magazine. Bam! There's Jack again (or at least Black Beauty). Tonight I'm leafing through my latest copy of Car Craft. Wammo! Again its Jack. Congrats on your recent magazine coverage. Thanks for the inspiration.
Chip C
Member
Jack...thanks for the links. I will keep you posted on the progress. Good luck with your racing this season. My first event of the new year will be The Wild Hare Run down at VIR...getting the car ready for a little Vintage racing over the next several weekends. Here is a link to my intro to the GJ Forums you might enjoy...thanks again Chip
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84545
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84545
AP2TUDE
Well-known member
My favorite thing about this garage is that no matter how many times I look at it, I see something new and creative every time.
The simple complexity of it really just blows me away. Its like looking at a really well detailed car, where there isn't one thing that stands out, every individual component simultaneously blends in and stands alone.
The simple complexity of it really just blows me away. Its like looking at a really well detailed car, where there isn't one thing that stands out, every individual component simultaneously blends in and stands alone.