Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT The 12-Gauge Garage
- Thread starter Jack Olsen
- Start date
Workspaces sized between 265 and 485 squarefeet.
Red Leader
Well-known member
WOW! Congrats! Popular Mechanics!
ChristopherLutz
Well-known member
Jack - at the risk of asking something completely inappropriate - would you be willing to estimate how much money you have "invested" in your garage?
I REALLY think there is a message for folks out there. If I'm guessing correctly - you've spent no more than the average joe could afford.....and you're being recognized by one magazine after another.
Excellence doesn't come with money and means...but, rather ingeniuty and tenacity.
I REALLY think there is a message for folks out there. If I'm guessing correctly - you've spent no more than the average joe could afford.....and you're being recognized by one magazine after another.
Excellence doesn't come with money and means...but, rather ingeniuty and tenacity.
OP
Thanks. There are a lot of things in the garage that I was very patient in waiting for second-hand deals, and at least one thing (the inch-thick bench top) that I just paid full price for because I was celebrating a work thing I'd finished.
But I'm cheap, there's no denying that. Here's a rough accounting:
300 - for that big steel bench top
1000 - for the Strong Hold, Vidmar and Lyon cabinets (some as low as $60, some over $200)
600 - for the fold-down benches, solid-core door bench, lighting, the lumber for the soffit cabinets -- and the paint.
270 - for the Harbor Freight toolbox (I'll count it, since it's now part of the bench)
200 - for the two butcher block tops
450 - for the floor tiles, thinset and grout
670 - for the lift and the cement, rentals and stuff to install it
I'm not including the Craftsman toolboxes or tools -- just the fixed-in-place furnishing-type stuff that makes up the garage.
But that puts me in for $3,500. I'm sure there are things I'm missing, and I'm also sure I could have done it for less if I bargain hunted more. But that's the ballpark.
But I'm cheap, there's no denying that. Here's a rough accounting:
300 - for that big steel bench top
1000 - for the Strong Hold, Vidmar and Lyon cabinets (some as low as $60, some over $200)
600 - for the fold-down benches, solid-core door bench, lighting, the lumber for the soffit cabinets -- and the paint.
270 - for the Harbor Freight toolbox (I'll count it, since it's now part of the bench)
200 - for the two butcher block tops
450 - for the floor tiles, thinset and grout
670 - for the lift and the cement, rentals and stuff to install it
I'm not including the Craftsman toolboxes or tools -- just the fixed-in-place furnishing-type stuff that makes up the garage.
But that puts me in for $3,500. I'm sure there are things I'm missing, and I'm also sure I could have done it for less if I bargain hunted more. But that's the ballpark.
z28snksknr
Well-known member
I initially read this as "Congrats Popular Mechanics!!" as in "wow, Popular Mechanics got Jack Olsen's Garage!!"
What an honor Jack. You should be proud of yourself and your accomplishments - not becasue you made it into a magazine, but because you made a place that is 100% your creation and you did it without opening a catalog and your wallet - you did it yourself, and did such a good job that thousands of other people have taken notice.
-Z
1Garageman
Well-known member
I initially read this as "Congrats Popular Mechanics!!" as in "wow, Popular Mechanics got Jack Olsen's Garage!!"
What an honor Jack. You should be proud of yourself and your accomplishments - not becasue you made it into a magazine, but because you made a place that is 100% your creation and you did it without opening a catalog and your wallet - you did it yourself, and did such a good job that thousands of other people have taken notice.
-Z
That's one hell of a good point
!
rockchucker
Well-known member
Good show Jack! Your shop is very well planned and laid out. Kudos!
OP
Thanks very much, guys.
Zengineer
Well-known member
I'd argue that you've probably constructed the best bang-for-your-buck garage on this board... if not anywhere. That's a hell of an accomplishment in my books.
onemore
Well-known member
I have been telling my wife that your garage should be on TV or in a Magazine. Once again I'm right!!! Congrats big accomplishment
Jack, your Garage Is the tops in my book. Its so German looking! Although I like vintage nick naks I like this clean and functional approach much better. There is no need for the clutter of usless ornament in a perfect space like that.
pgray
Well-known member
Great job, now I'm off to the store to locate a copy.
woody 73
Well-known member
Super Job your garage looks fantastic, maybe one day the name of Garage Journal will be mentioned in some article.
ranger302
Well-known member
congrats!!!!!
914forme
Well-known member
$3500 really Jack, you just put the Snap-on truck out of business. Glad to see your garage hit a mainstream publication, your hard work deserves this notoriety. I know I come here and look at your garage almost everyday. I only hope to make mine 1:25th of yours I would be happy. Even at twice the budget.
Dennis Cavallino
Well-known member
I'm with all the above. Thanks to Jack's garage I visited GJ for the first time and I still like his garage most. It even made me change my garage project from minimalistic to retro (including some green paint). It's good to see it in magazines and at other sites, we are proud of you Jack. You make guys like me look stupid and your approach gives us hope at the same time 
Enjoy these memorable moments Jack.
Enjoy these memorable moments Jack.
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texasguy
Well-known member
I've seen this garage enough that it wouldn't shock me the least if one day I opened my garage door and saw it there in all it's green glory.
That wouldn't be a bad thing. Congrats JO.
That wouldn't be a bad thing. Congrats JO.
Alfa Ron
Active member
Jack: I, too, am inspired by your garage and the many other projects you have shown us in this thread. I really appreciate the time you’ve spent putting your posts together and the patience you’ve had with all of our questions. I would like to know a little more about your shade canopy, if you don’t mind.
(edit)
Well, with a little searching, I found your build thread for the shade canopy and my questions have been substantially answered.
Thanks again!
(edit)
Well, with a little searching, I found your build thread for the shade canopy and my questions have been substantially answered.
Thanks again!
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THEFIX
Well-known member
Jack,
Great to see your garage in a prestigious magazine! Congratulations, that is quite an honor. When I saw it I was all confused trying to remember if I was online at GJ or reading a magazine! Way to go!
Great to see your garage in a prestigious magazine! Congratulations, that is quite an honor. When I saw it I was all confused trying to remember if I was online at GJ or reading a magazine! Way to go!
Grizz1963
Well-known member
In a word : Gorgeous. (Envy could hae been the word too)
Well done.
Well done.
OP
Thanks very much, guys.
Alfa Ron, I apologize for not getting you that information. This thread dropped out of sight and out of mind. But the square tubing I used was 5/8" and 16 gauge. (20' lengths were $3.85 each when I bought them.)
I bent it with a Harbor Freight roll bender. The fabric is Coolaroo Sandstone 70% UV Block Shade Fabric (it was the big expense at $219.00 for the pair of rolls). The furniture down below is covered with Sunbrella fabric, so it's okay with water. Enough gets through so that I wouldn't say the canopy is waterproof.
I assumed that my use of spray-painted binder clips around the perimeter would be temporary, but it's still holding just fine all this time later. I haven't had to adjust anything or do any maintenance at all. But then, I think part of the reason it's held up so well has to do with the particular aerodynamics of the two roof surfaces adjacent to the canopy. I think they significantly reduce the velocity of the wind moving above the thing.
Here's a thread on it, in case you want more info.
• • •
And Grizz1963, your new outdoor grill and other landscape architecture is an ongoing inspiration to me. I've got a small back yard that's currently just a junk yard. I plan on re-doing it some time in the next year.
I think we share a willingness to jump into projects where we can work things out creatively on the fly -- as we also pick up some new skills. I still want to build a teardrop trailer, even though I've got no place to store it.
• • •
Well, the garage showed its face in one more magazine. Great Garage Makeovers did a short article about my collection of second-hand cabinets. They contacted me long before Popular Mechanics, but have a longer publication lead time. Oddly, their pictures are more up to date than the main one Popular Mechanics used.
Still, it's odd to see my garage without the new sink area or the lift.
Alfa Ron, I apologize for not getting you that information. This thread dropped out of sight and out of mind. But the square tubing I used was 5/8" and 16 gauge. (20' lengths were $3.85 each when I bought them.)
I bent it with a Harbor Freight roll bender. The fabric is Coolaroo Sandstone 70% UV Block Shade Fabric (it was the big expense at $219.00 for the pair of rolls). The furniture down below is covered with Sunbrella fabric, so it's okay with water. Enough gets through so that I wouldn't say the canopy is waterproof.
I assumed that my use of spray-painted binder clips around the perimeter would be temporary, but it's still holding just fine all this time later. I haven't had to adjust anything or do any maintenance at all. But then, I think part of the reason it's held up so well has to do with the particular aerodynamics of the two roof surfaces adjacent to the canopy. I think they significantly reduce the velocity of the wind moving above the thing.
Here's a thread on it, in case you want more info.
• • •
And Grizz1963, your new outdoor grill and other landscape architecture is an ongoing inspiration to me. I've got a small back yard that's currently just a junk yard. I plan on re-doing it some time in the next year.
I think we share a willingness to jump into projects where we can work things out creatively on the fly -- as we also pick up some new skills. I still want to build a teardrop trailer, even though I've got no place to store it.
• • •
Well, the garage showed its face in one more magazine. Great Garage Makeovers did a short article about my collection of second-hand cabinets. They contacted me long before Popular Mechanics, but have a longer publication lead time. Oddly, their pictures are more up to date than the main one Popular Mechanics used.
Still, it's odd to see my garage without the new sink area or the lift.
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JMcFly
Well-known member
I have to go buy that issue now and frame it. One day I will have a garage that will be in a magazine. Your garage is perfect.
FlyBeFree's Wife
Active member
Great space, Mr. Olsen! My husband has been telling me about your garage and your thread for quite a while now. It is, in fact, all that he said it was. Thanks for the inspiration that is directly affecting our build right now.
51rider
Well-known member
Can any one post a link to this recent magazine? The search I came up with only got me to the 2010 issue
OP
Thanks, guys (and FlyBeFree's Wife).
51rider, you can get the whole magazine -- including that weird shot where my feet look too big or my head looks too small -- at this link:
Watch out, though. With shipping, it's right around ten bucks for the magazine. It's only (only?) $6.99 if you can find it at your local Lowe's or Home Depot.
51rider, you can get the whole magazine -- including that weird shot where my feet look too big or my head looks too small -- at this link:
Watch out, though. With shipping, it's right around ten bucks for the magazine. It's only (only?) $6.99 if you can find it at your local Lowe's or Home Depot.
Wingnut65
Well-known member
Right after your post yesterday I hit our HD and they don't have it yet.
BTW, Congrats on the new publication. Some of us hope for maybe a thumbnail shot in at least a teh back page of a neighborhood newspaper sometime. But, your shop just keeps on shining! And you deserve it!
BTW, Congrats on the new publication. Some of us hope for maybe a thumbnail shot in at least a teh back page of a neighborhood newspaper sometime. But, your shop just keeps on shining! And you deserve it!
51rider
Well-known member
Thanks, guys (and FlyBeFree's Wife).
51rider, you can get the whole magazine -- including that weird shot where my feet look too big or my head looks too small -- at this link:
Watch out, though. With shipping, it's right around ten bucks for the magazine. It's only (only?) $6.99 if you can find it at your local Lowe's or Home Depot.
Thanks Jack although linky no worky!
No HD or Lowe's over here in Blighty!
OP
That's odd. It works when I click on it. I wonder if the link won't work outside of the US? Maybe a different distributor for other countries?
http://www.woodstore.net/grgama20.html
http://www.woodstore.net/grgama20.html
Dennis Cavallino
Well-known member
Both links work well here.
Jack, please do not take this the wrong way.
Your garage has so many awesome ideas, and all executed to perfection. Of course there is one of the worlds most beautiful cars adhorning it too but since I joined GJ your garage is by far the most talked about and I dont think I have posted in your thread yet because there is something I just dont like about it. I cant put my finger on it, no matter how long I study the pics for I just cant figure out why it doesnt light my fire as an overall package.
Anyway, just thought I would throw it up as a contrasting thought compared to the rest. And you have my upmost respect for your ability to maximise the space you have.
Keep up the good work, and please, more pics of the Porsche
Pete
Your garage has so many awesome ideas, and all executed to perfection. Of course there is one of the worlds most beautiful cars adhorning it too but since I joined GJ your garage is by far the most talked about and I dont think I have posted in your thread yet because there is something I just dont like about it. I cant put my finger on it, no matter how long I study the pics for I just cant figure out why it doesnt light my fire as an overall package.
Anyway, just thought I would throw it up as a contrasting thought compared to the rest. And you have my upmost respect for your ability to maximise the space you have.
Keep up the good work, and please, more pics of the Porsche
Pete
kngkong
Well-known member
Hey Jack
Well done on yet another article and all the attention.
Your place has been a source for many ideas and inspiration.
Cheers!
Well done on yet another article and all the attention.
Your place has been a source for many ideas and inspiration.
Cheers!
OP
Pete, I appreciate the input. If you don't like it, then you don't like it. I'm not going to try and talk you out of your reaction -- and I don't have much reason to. I appreciate your candor.
And here's a picture of the car:
And kngkong, thanks.
And here's a picture of the car:
And kngkong, thanks.
PUREVIL
Well-known member
Cool garage and cool car!
illmatyk
Well-known member
Thanks, guys (and FlyBeFree's Wife).
51rider, you can get the whole magazine -- including that weird shot where my feet look too big or my head looks too small -- at this link:
Watch out, though. With shipping, it's right around ten bucks for the magazine. It's only (only?) $6.99 if you can find it at your local Lowe's or Home Depot.
*****! I just tried to order a copy and it won't let me/ they don't recognize my area
motorbreath53
Well-known member
...some people don'e like sunshine, puppy dogs or beer either...
Jack, thanks for the ideas. I'll be borrowing a couple for my modest little two car happy place. Oh, and cool car.
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