Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT The 12-Gauge Garage

[bursty]

is that top secured to the chest at all? or is it secured to the side cabinets and the chest just slides underneath?

if its mounted to the toolchest, how is it secured?

 

[Jack Olsen]

I took the casters off, then cut a simple set of wood strips from 2x4a for the boxes to sit on. I also cut strips for the top of the boxes to support the weight of the bench top and keep it level. There's also some 2x4 framing to support the top and also attach the whole thing to the wall. The undercarriage isn't very pretty, but it's sturdy. The HF box would probably support a work surface by itself without any issue, although you'd still need some wood sections on top to keep it level. The edging that extends above the box is cut away in front.

 

[Jack Olsen]

All right. It looks like my month of being the garage poster child for Car Craft has come to an end. So, since I don't think this is going to pull anyone away from buying it on the newsstand, here's a link to a higher resolution (and almost legible) version of the story.

Or click on this lower-resolution image.



And since there's also a version of the article archived on the Car Craft web site, you can click on their logo to see that version.

​

And then -- since it's the next change to the garage -- here's the drawing from today's final agonizing about how to situate the new lift. This picture shows my car with it's balancing point indicated in red, then two green arrows that show the extremes of how that balancing point will change if the front suspension is removed or the rear engine is dropped out. You can also see the old concrete and the new planned concrete. And there's also a graphic of a human-sized mechanic cartoon guy to show some perspective. Lots of agonizing on this one, but I think it's going to work out pretty nicely.

 

[abstamaria]

Jack, instead of pictures on your recent posts, I am getting a frog in an ice cube with the message "domain unregistered. To view, register at bit.ly/imageshack." I wonder why this is so.

 

[Jack Olsen]

That's odd, Andres. I logged out of imageshack, and they're still all visible to me. I sent an email to their support department. But if anyone else is having trouble viewing the image-shack hosted pictures, please note it here or PM me.

 

[rickairmedic]

Jack I can see them just fine . Actually opened your highres pic earlier and read the whole thing .


Rick

 

[abstamaria]

Hmm. Very strange. I still keep getting the frog. Perhaps one has to be registered with Imageshack to view them.

 

[rickairmedic]

I'm not an image shack member I do have a photo bucket account but not imageshack.


Rick

 

[abstamaria]

I did a random run through your thread, Jack. I can see the pictures in your posts 364, 609, 670, and, strangely, only one picture (the otrher is the frog) in post 405.

I can see pictures posted by others on your thread (e.g., post 658).

I did not have this problem before. I used an iPad last night with the same problem. Quite strange. I wonder if others are having the same problem. Could this be a firewall attached to my email address? But, anyway, you have a very unique, enjoyable, instructive, and inspiring thread, Jack. I hope to fix this soon.

Andres

 

[abstamaria]

Jack, I haven't done anything,but your pictures are visible to me now. No more frogs! I wonder what caused that. My best, Andres

 

[1Garageman]

I just read that article myself, VERY NICE!
You have given me and I am sure so many others great ideas on things to do in our own garage!

 

[michel]

This is very cool Jack, your garage sure deserve to be in there.

 

[harrisor]

I like your quote Jack, "I learned to do all this stuff through the University of Trial and Error."

I am still currently enrolled, lol.

Great garage!

 

[bchee]

I thought there would be more pictures. Is that all they took? You have some cool stuff on the ceiling above the garage doors that they should have shown.

What is directly opposite your garage?

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks, guys.

Bchee, the feature in Car Craft has always been a single picture, as I understand it. However, I think the next one up is the Illinois 1930s Shop Restoration (by Thomas and Chris) and -- appropriately -- that one has been expanded from the usual format. (I haven't seen it yet.)

My garage has more to it than their picture and text shows, but it is small enough so that a single photograph can capture the gist of it.

 

[Matt M PA]

Jack...all I can say is that my hat is off to you for the awesome job in your garage. I am a bit of a neat freak...so I can truly appreciate your forethought in this design.

 

[E46M3]

I only have a few bookmarked sites I regularly frequent. Garage Journal is one, but I have Axis of Oversteer stickers on my car, as I am a longtime poster and reader, and the authors frequent Watkins Glen on many of my track days. So it was an interesting convergence of the two normally separate worlds when your garage was the masthead this morning. axisofoversteer.blogspot.com/
Cheers Jack.
E46M3

 

[Jack Olsen]

That's cool! Somebody spent some time with Photoshop to get those letters on my tiles. I like it.



Thanks for mentioning it here. I might never have seen it.

 

[redlinetoys]

Really enjoyed seeing your shop in Car Craft but glad I got to see ALL of the details here FIRST! Congrats, love the place.

 

[nkachur]

An other inspiration. I have been lurking on your treads for a long time now. Just realized that I have never even complimented you on your shop. Thanks for keeping all of us junkies informed on your progress.

 

[Bullitt21]

In one form or another I've read every post on this thread and replied a few times. Congrats on the article! Love the fold down benches that can be placed back on the wall when the P-Car is not in the garage. All the Best

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks, guys. I've been getting the car ready for a track day this coming week, and it's really got me chomping at the bit for getting the lift installed. But now it's looking like work stuff is going to keep the project pushed back until at least April.

And on a sad note, this weekend we had to put down my garage dog 'Spot' after some sort of neurological event (stroke? brain cancer? we never found out) tweaked something so that she suddenly could not tell up from down and lost the ability to stand up or move anywhere or do anything other than constantly roll and twist to try and right herself. It was really heartbreaking to watch her, and we tried five days of different medications and a few days of home care to try and see if there was a way to bring her out of it. But the problem kept getting worse, and now she's gone. I'll really miss her.

We lost her brother 11 months ago. So here's to Spot (1999-2011) and Lefty (1999-2010).

May they both rest in peace. And get to run like hell, wherever they are. It's what they loved the most.

 

[rcayot]

Aw jack, I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[02hawk]

Oh man ...that's tough....part of the family...I feel for you man...have been through it more than once, but having pets, makes it all worth while. Hope the rest of the family is doing well

 

[Magic Mike]

sorry for your lost man. Dealing with that right now with my cat. $1300 later and still not sure if he will make it. Atleast you'll get to vent while your race in your porsche.

 

[Qtip]

My condolences, sorry for your loss.

 

[UncleJoe]

Sorry for your loss Jack. Two years ago my daughter's schedule at Nursing school was too busy so we "adopted" her puppy, a Puggle named Maggie, she got along well with our Lab< Buck. When we had to put Buck down I was sure glad we had Maggie. I told my wife that I don't ever want to not have a dog in the home, they add so much to our lives.

My advice would be to get another dog soon. Take a look at Puggles they are great dogs around the family.

 

[28HopUp]

Oh man ...that's tough....part of the family...I feel for you man...have been through it more than once, but having pets, makes it all worth while. Hope the rest of the family is doing well

That was my first thought as well. The loss of a beloved pet (plural in your case) is hard enough on adults, but it's even tougher for little ones to handle. Wishing you the best...

 

[BLUBAYOU]

Sorry to hear about your loss(es) Jack. It's never easy! Hopefully the rest of the family is doing okay.

As someone else said, go take it out on the Porsche. Spot and Lefty would want it that way!

 

[ct71rr]

Jack, sorry to hear about your losses, as well. It's not an easy thing. Growing up with Great Danes and seeing them put down was tough. I know how you feel.

 

[PAToyota]

Sorry to hear about Spot, Jack. You have my condolences.

Lost my black lab three years ago and I still have my wistful moments about him.

Last spring my spaniel had a situation similar to what you describe. Fine the night before, but in the morning could not stand up, was totally disoriented, and would just spasm and twitch. Took her to the vet and they basically said three possibilities - brain tumor, stroke, or a small chance it was a severe inner ear infection. They said they could do a lot of expensive tests or try antibiotics first. If she came around, it was the inner ear infection. If not, something more serious.

Fortunately for her I could see some change in a day from the antibiotics. But it took about three days before she was able to get up on her own and about two weeks before she was able to get around. A year later and she is still a bit wobbly compared to before. But she manages and has a good personality. I say her theme song is Chumbawamba's "I Get Knocked Down"...

 

[Scuderia-F1]

I´m SO sorry for your losses!

 

[1Garageman]

Sorry about your loss. They truly become part of the family and you miss them just like a CLOSE family member has left you. SAD!

 

[Mgroome]

I'm very sorry for your losses. My feeling is that if there is a heaven, the dogs will be there. Otherwise it wouldn't be a heaven. I agree that you should get another dog, not as a replacement, but to ease the pain. Dogs always greet you when you come and are always happy to see you. Hang in there!

 

[Thruxton]

I am very sad to read this, but you did what many of us are faced with sooner or later, and you have to believe it was the very best thing you could do for your animal. It's terrible, but rest easier knowing you have been faithful to your friend.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Really sad to hear this Jack.

Pets; dogs in particular for me, just own a piece of my heart and take it with them when they go. Condolences, man, condolences.

 

[markviii]

Jack (and family),

We're so sorry for your loss. Though we missed not meeting you at Willow Springs, you were definitely where you needed to be. Best wishes. We still miss our Toby (and it's been 20 years!).

Chris and Tom

 

[Bunk]

Sorry Jack.
I think some of the greatest words to live by:
"Be the person your dog thinks you are"
No one will ever love you as unconditionally as your dog.

 

[Nighttrain]

I hope Lefty and Spot have an unlimited amount of rabbits to chase in their new life. Sorry to hear of your loss.

 

[terabyte]

Jack as an animal lover I understand. I am sorry for your loss. Hope Spot is happy now running like hell.