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

[milner351]

I understand as well, we recently made the tough choice to give our dog away as she got aggressive one too many times with our 14 month old son.

Loosing a pet is indeed loosing part of the family.

 

[bczygan]

Sorry Jack. The hard part of having dogs is losing them. Just remember the good times and maybe get another one (Or two!). Animals are great to have around. Our house would be a tomb without their presence. My wife says "I have a husband and 3 dogs. I sure love my dogs!" For those that have to give up their dogs to others. Please know that you have provided us years of happiness and companionship. All our dogs are rescues.

 

[Gunpilot]

That last photo has to be my favourite of your shop

I particularly like the bench with the curved metal frame. It all blends in so well & looks absolutely fantastic.

I agree with this post. Maybe you describe it later, or maybe I missed it earlier. Any construction details on this table? Top material and of course how did you get that consistent bend in the arched part of the frame? Looks fantastic.

All looks remarkable. BTW, I recently got a Miller 211 also, love it.

 

[Gunpilot]

Oops, I just found a subsequent post on the table. Thanks so much for the details and inspiration. Posting the link here for others. Thanks again.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=749532

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks to everyone for the very kind words about the loss of our family's dog. I particularly like the idea of 'being the person your dog already thinks you are.' There's a hole around here with Spot and Lefty gone -- but our son is only two, so he's not feeling it the way he would if it happened a few years from now.

I'm sure it won't be too long before we get some more four-footed roommates here. Life is less fun without them. And if you've never seen a whippet moving at speed, you've missed out on something that's really awe-inspiring. This isn't a picture one of ours, but it'll give you the idea. They're the fastest-accelerating breed in existence. And they've got a great temperament.

And thanks for the compliment on the bench, Gunpilot. That front area was a tricky place to come up with the right bench -- for a couple of reasons. One was that if I put a solid bench there it would 'crowd' the garage more, blocking light and no doubt filling up with stuff stored underneath it. But a simple open-framed workbench was also going to be kind of ugly in such a visible spot. Another issue was that there are some not-quite-level tiles underneath where that bench is. With a fixed object above the irregular spots, it's not a problem. But there was a potential tripping issue if I left it open.

This picture will illustrate what I'm talking about:

Here's a more complete discussion of the bench that took place on the Miller welding forum.

And here's the initial drawing I did to see what the idea in my head would look like:

 

[rickey1013]

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.

I like that put up with customers all day and come home and he don't care I can't even get by him till I give him is pats, scratches and rubs. Jack sorry for the loss ones heavy enough. My Mother just put her 2 down and she has a replacement already said it was to quiet I think I understand.

 

[PDACPA]

Sorry to hear about you loss. Our son was young too when our Shelties went to doggy heaven. We waited till he was older and let him pick "his" dog and glad we did. The dog loves all of us and wants attention from everyone, but his #1 is our son.

 

[Bullitt21]

You're in all our prayers Jack. Really hits home for me and I couldn't imagine losing my best friend. My Sam just looked at me and I felt guilty. I love my pup, but your story: although I spoil my dog, I shouldn't take him for granted as much as I do. All the best Jack.

 

[murph3204]

sorry for your loss Jack.

 

[Texas Aggie]

So sorry to hear of your loss, Jack. I'm sure Spot is running like hell in dog heaven. I've got a slightly larger version of the whippet - a retired racing greyhound. Both great breeds and well-engineered for speed, with wonderful temperaments.

 

[abstamaria]

So sorry to hear about Spot, Jack. As you might recall from my thread (Modern Garage in Far East), we lost our 13-year-old Rottweiller Chewbakka just a few months ago. Since we have always had dogs, we have had to go through the pain of losing them many times, but each time hurts as badly as the first. When you have time and if you haven't already, read the last will and testament of Siverdene O'Neill, the Dalmatian of the writer Eugene O'Neill. It is at this link. It will tell you to get another Spot quickly. Condolences, Andres

http://www.eoneill.com/texts/blemie/contents.htm

 

[ol55]

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.

Me too. Sorry about your dog too.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks again, guys. It was quite a week, as it turned out.

First we lost Spot. Then I had the track day, which went really well -- right up until the last session when something in the engine... went wrong. I haven't even taken a look at it, yet. But there's a knock.

The next day, my wife and I found out we've got a healthy baby ******* the way, due in September.

Ups and downs. Highs and lows.

I'm going to have to get started on the room for the new baby (or a new room for the three-year-old if that ends up making more sense). And the car will get fixed, before too long. And for that, I'll need to stay on track with the lift. It'd be stupid to fix the car with jack stands and then put in a lift.

Which brings me back to the garage, which just got featured in a Swedish blog devoted to "Lowriders, Gasser, VIP, JDM, Ol Skool Customs and Time Attack cars." I don't know what half of those things are, honestly -- but I'm flattered to see the garage featured.

Here's a link:

http://jjizzle.henrikssonmedia.se/archives/5161

 

[cool50]

WOW Jack your international.

 

[GarageEnvy]

Very sorry to hear about the loss of your dog and I'm sure the car problem is just a good reason to spend more time in the garage but huge congratulations on the baby girl! As the father of 3 daughters, there is something special about the father/daughter relationship. Basically you''ve got 5 months to re-do a room, fix the Porsche and install that in floor lift. You are going to be busy.

 

[kesslerbmw]

Is this you? If so, Im so jealous you get to drive that Coupe....

http://axisofoversteer.blogspot.com/2011/03/axis-1-lap-its-here-and-its-nuts.html

 

[lowbucktruck]

Jack, I'm really sorry to hear about the loss of Spot. A dog can be such a part of your family and a constant companion. Gets you where you breathe. But congrats on the coming of a baby girl this fall!
Ain't that just life, the ups and downs, good and the bad?

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hey Jack, HUGE congrats on the impending birth of your daughter. I have my first grand daughter coming in mid April...so I guess that reveals how FAR apart you and I are in age, ha ha.

Also, congratualtions on the international recognition. Well deserved.

 

[Hemihead2]

Jack -
So sorry to hear about the loss of your dogs. Been through it myself and I know how it leaves a hole in ones heart.
And now there's a young lady on the way, congrats. I now have a granddaughter and with her Mom, my first born, it makes for a wonderful extended family. Those ladies can steal your heart like no other and never give it back.
Mike

 

[markviii]

Congratulations on the upcoming birth! So much to do and so little time - but it all seems to get done if it's important. Sorry about the car; just makes you want to get that lift in even sooner!

Chris

 

[billscamaros]

Jack - I didn't see you mention specifics on the lift anywhere .... perhaps I just missed them. Based on your drawing, it appears that you're considering something like a Bend Pak scissor lift (roughly $2500)? I believe that I saw one garage installation somewhere on GJ where the owner built ramps from 2x12's so that he could drive the car up onto the lift without actually insetting the lift into the concrete floor. One advantage for that would be that you could move the lift outside should you have the desire. Plus you wouldn't have to cut up that awesome tile floor!! Admittedly though, wooden ramps on the floor doesn't quite match the "finished quality" of the rest of your garage. Did you consider, and discard, this idea for specific reasons?

 

[1Garageman]

CONGRATULATIONS on having another baby!
One of the most important things in life is being a great daddy

(Hope I get that chance some day!)

 

[abrahamfh]

I'm sure your trying to get over the loss, but I could't help but extend my condolences to you and the family on the loss of your pups.

Congratulations on the little girl, and wish you and the growing family the best.

As they say, strap in, put your arms up and enjoy the rollercoaster we call life.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thank you, guys. We miss the dog like crazy and also are very excited about the impending arrival of the little girl.

Jack - I didn't see you mention specifics on the lift anywhere .... perhaps I just missed them. Based on your drawing, it appears that you're considering something like a Bend Pak scissor lift (roughly $2500)? I believe that I saw one garage installation somewhere on GJ where the owner built ramps from 2x12's so that he could drive the car up onto the lift without actually insetting the lift into the concrete floor. One advantage for that would be that you could move the lift outside should you have the desire. Plus you wouldn't have to cut up that awesome tile floor!! Admittedly though, wooden ramps on the floor doesn't quite match the "finished quality" of the rest of your garage. Did you consider, and discard, this idea for specific reasons?

It's a kind of unconventional lift. It's going to be set into the floor, which is going to mean cutting into the tiles and pouring some new concrete that ties into the old concrete.

Because of that, I decided to check the thickness of my pad yesterday. This gave me the opportunity to abuse the tile in ways I wouldn't, normally. This video shows what it looks like when you hit one of them with a 4-lb sledge. I also used a 16-lb sledge, with similar results. It took a lot to break them.

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF HITTING THE TILE

Edit:
LONGER VIDEO OF HITTING THE TILE HERE - INCLUDING THE 16lb SLEDGE

Here's a picture of the hole. It turns out the slab is going to be pretty easy. It's 4" thick. I don't believe there's any rebar in it. 1925 construction was pretty straightforward.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

The short video link works but the longer one tells me its a private video and I need your permission to access it.

I would have thought those 5 hits with the smaller sledge would have shattered the tile. Makes me feel better about eventually doing my garage with it. I think my slab is so damaged that I'll have to replace it....but frankly, how? Mine is as old as yours and there is no perimeter foundation upon which the walls bear. Its just one giant slab and it has several bad cracks with one portion heaved upward about 3/4" due to the outer edge of the slab bordering the neighbor's yard having been undermined by water over the decades.

Maybe I missed it in an earlier post but are you totally removing the area defined by tape? If so and you're planning to do the concrete work yourself, I have a fairly large mixer I can loan to you. Let me know if this applies

 

[Jack Olsen]

The link should be fixed, now. Sorry about that.

(And I'll send a PM about the mixer.)

 

[wormwood]

The link should be fixed, now. Sorry about that.

(And I'll send a PM about the mixer.)

Still private.

 

[xcgates]

Both links are working for me, the only thing I can think of is that I'm logged into my Gmaill account.

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

The long one worked for me.

 

[xcgates]

Perhaps cookies need to be enabled for Youtube.com?

 

[427cobra]

Jack,

You are right about the ups and the downs. Anyone on this earth long enough will go through them. As a fellow dog owner I am sorry for your loss. As a father of a daughter congrats to you and your wife. As some one that does open track, I feel your pain.

Take care,
Morgan

 

[bchee]

Both videos worked for me.

Jack, is your SDS drill only one speed?
Does it seem too fast for concrete?

 

[ct71rr]

Jack, thanks for posting those videos. Makes me feel a lot better about going with porcelain. Congrats on the new baby!

 

[BLUBAYOU]

Congrats on the coming addition to the family, Jack!

 

[Squankum]

Phew! I can't believe I read whole thread!

Just like everybody else, Jack, I'm inspired. Inspired to work harder, work smarter, spend less, and plan more. Heck, I might even pick up a paintbrush once in a while!

And that you balance all this with work, family, and motorsports also inspires me. I don't put a whole lot of time into those, and it makes me realize I could re-enter autox again, hopefully not at the previous addiction levels.

Bought some clamp-on trouble lights for my dark basement shop. I'd never had one before. $7, wot a bar-gain! Very handy, what with all of these exposed joists I've got within easy reach.

 

[ac/jc]

Wow! Just finished this whole thread. Great inspiration. The one thing I was looking for I either couldn't find or overlooked. What is the exterior/interior dimensions of your garage? I'm guessing from the pictures it's around 24x24 or 22x24? Curious. Thanks for the posts.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks, guys.

Jack, is your SDS drill only one speed?
Does it seem too fast for concrete?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the switch is on/off and not variable. But it's worked fine for everything I've used it for. It went through the 4" pad pretty quickly in the hammer-drill mode.

Phew! I can't believe I read whole thread!

Just like everybody else, Jack, I'm inspired. Inspired to work harder, work smarter, spend less, and plan more. Heck, I might even pick up a paintbrush once in a while!

And that you balance all this with work, family, and motorsports also inspires me. I don't put a whole lot of time into those, and it makes me realize I could re-enter autox again, hopefully not at the previous addiction levels.

Bought some clamp-on trouble lights for my dark basement shop. I'd never had one before. $7, wot a bar-gain! Very handy, what with all of these exposed joists I've got within easy reach.

Thanks -- and good luck with the project. And good luck on keeping the racing impulse under control -- it can get out of hand.

Wow! Just finished this whole thread. Great inspiration. The one thing I was looking for I either couldn't find or overlooked. What is the exterior/interior dimensions of your garage? I'm guessing from the pictures it's around 24x24 or 22x24? Curious. Thanks for the posts.

The interior is 22W and 20D. Then there's the little alcove area around the sink. Each tile is one foot, once you account for the gap between them. The exterior measurement is different because there's also a small office and bathroom that are part of the freestanding structure.

 

[illmatyk]

Congrats on the upcoming baby girl!

Man, I've been looking through this thread on/off or when I see updates and just when you think nothing much can be added, BAM! something is added!

Regarding your Porsche, do you do all the repairs yourself? How hard is it to work on them?

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks. I don't do all of the work on the Porsche, but I've been taking over more and more of it over the past few years. The lift will make that easier.

In the early 1970s, the engineers at Porsche had more influence than probably any time since. This means the cars are pretty straightforward to work on, but also idiosyncratic in a lot of ways. If you have the chance to work with or learn from someone familiar with the 911, then you stand a good chance of picking up the skills you need. Starting from square one, though, might be kind of intimidating.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Well, today was fun.

My neighbors are great people, but getting older -- the wife is limited to her bedroom most of the time. So when I learned they were going to visit their kids this week, I decided I had to jump on cutting the concrete for where the lift is going to go. Their bedroom is literally about 20' from where I was cutting, so I thought now would be the most considerate time to make all this noise.

I'd never cut concrete before, and I knew this was probably going to be the most expensive step in installing the lift. The rental on the gas-powered saw and blade set me back $85. But I'll tell you, having a big saw for this is worth it. I was able to attach a garden hose to keep the dust to a minimum. In preparation, I used some duct tape and lumber to make a channel/guide around where I was going to be working so the water would flow out rather than underneath everything. This was a good idea, since the dust and water mix is not easy to clean up.

Still, it beats breathing concrete dust all day.

Here's the little water guide and approximate area I was going to cut. I ended up making it slightly larger than the tape indicates.

It only took about an hour to do the cutting. Picking up and dropping off the saw took more time than that. A 14" blade means a 4" pad can be cut pretty cleanly.

Here's the hole. It was funny to find a few live roots underneath it. It's got to be the driest part of the property down underneath there, and the pad has been in place since Calvin Coolidge was President.

I would also like to offer a huge THANK YOU to the workers of 1925 who were happy to not use rebar in pouring this basement pad. It made my life much easier.

I cut a small channel for the control and power cords. I had to move my center island cabinets to make this cut.

Surprisingly, since the hole is a full foot bigger than the lift in each direction, the car is still just able to roll into its parking space. This is good, since it might not be until next month that I get to finish this up and pour the new concrete.

After I dropped the cutter off, I picked up the rebar I'll need for the new concrete. (My apologies to anyone who ever cuts into the newer concrete -- it will have both mesh and rebar.) Home Depot also had the same tile as I used three years ago on sale for .68 a piece, so I grabbed another box. My outlay on this project is still pretty modest: $445 for the lift, $85 for the saw rental, $20 for the rebar and new box of tiles. So the current total is $550, but the cost of the concrete itself is going to add to that.