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My first garage (recent homeowner)

jackylcrackyl

Active member
Joined
Dec 3, 2011
Messages
40
Location
Minnesota
Great cabinet and bench build! :thumbup: The garage is really starting to come together. Don't spend too much time worrying about your floor. Mine looks the same. It's something to get to, but I'd concentrate on storage and maybe finishing off the ceiling. Don't know where you live, but winter is upon us and it will help keep the space warmer.
 
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Tripp P.

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Jan 6, 2011
Messages
117
Location
G.R. Michigan
Coming along nicely. Don't worry about the tool box they tend to fill themselves. I'm up to 6 boxes just trying to keep track now. Thats why my screwdrivers are over the bench.

What's the plan for the ceiling? Not sure where your at but its cold in my neck of the woods. Glad I got it insulated before it got to cold. A friend of mine just puts foam sheets between his rafters. Its not pretty but it helps keep the heat down.

Keep up the good work.
 
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onesight1

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Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Messages
55
Location
Erie, PA
Thanks guys!!!

As far as the flooring goes... I fixed what probably caused the crack (no gutters on that side of garage)

I'm going to grind the crack down and get some self leveling cement/ or epoxy mortar w.e and lay it over it, then go from there (not the best way to go about it, but I'm not striving for perfection)

As far as the ceiling goes... Im going to add molding.

I want to cover the ceiling, without losing all that awesome ceiling height.

When my Dad came over last summer, He mentioned that the horizontal support beams were really not even holding the roof up. I forgot where he was getting at but I wonder what methods can I take to finish the ceiling? ideas?


EDIT: As far was " What do you do in the winter in that garage?" I wear a sweater and turn on that worklight for heat haha..... BURRRRRRRR
 

Red Leader

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Joined
May 15, 2011
Messages
2,689
Location
Denver, CO
Man, everybody's gettin' workbenches...I'm so jealous haha:)

Looks great. I really like what you've done so far. Your garage started out much like mine - little in the way of light and electrical.

Keep up the great work:thumbup:
 

M. Blue 240

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Nov 8, 2011
Messages
261
Location
Beaverton, OR
I would put drywall on the ceiling. It will have a more finished looked, it will make you garage brighter and you can lay insulation over it. In the end you'll have a brighter and warmer garage.

If its in your budget I would jump on the floor now. When I moved into my house I planned on laying epoxy in the garage, but life had other plans for my garage money. Now 2 years later I have so much junk in the garage I don't know where I could clear it out for a weekend while I do the floor.
 
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onesight1

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Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Messages
55
Location
Erie, PA
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awwww yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
 

Dragster Racer

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Feb 9, 2008
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1,891
Location
Morrison, IL
For a guy who said he can't drive a nail straight, you sure did a nice job on that cabinet!! Bench as well. I build everything with too much lumber. I'm not easy on my stuff, so it all has to be stout! LOL.
Heating will be much easier when you get a ceiling in there. Steel or drywall probably good choices. Put up a vapor barrier first, and of course the ceiling goes under the horizontal joists. You can blow in insulation up there later if you need to. I didn't see where you were from, so I don't know how cold.
 

jreaper

Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2010
Messages
5
congrats on the home and your doing a nice job especially on that built in wall cab. on a side note being an electrician for 10 years now you should never backstab the wires in the back of a receptacle its not a code violation in anyway and the plugs are rated as such but i can't tell you how many times ive seen that fail. the problem is especially in a garage your typically going to be pluging in things that draw a large load and that wire is only being held in by a spring tab and everytime you draw a load on that it heats then cools times that by how evermany times it gets used it will cause a bad connection. what i would recommend is making loops on your wires and placing the loop around the terminals on the side making the loop go with the way the screw tightens.

not trying to bust balls just trying to save a headache later on
 
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onesight1

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Aug 25, 2011
Messages
55
Location
Erie, PA
congrats on the home and your doing a nice job especially on that built in wall cab. on a side note being an electrician for 10 years now you should never backstab the wires in the back of a receptacle its not a code violation in anyway and the plugs are rated as such but i can't tell you how many times ive seen that fail. the problem is especially in a garage your typically going to be pluging in things that draw a large load and that wire is only being held in by a spring tab and everytime you draw a load on that it heats then cools times that by how evermany times it gets used it will cause a bad connection. what i would recommend is making loops on your wires and placing the loop around the terminals on the side making the loop go with the way the screw tightens.

not trying to bust balls just trying to save a headache later on

Not busting my balls at all! in fact, I appreciate the moment you took to point of some flaws!

I will correct the issue at a later date :thumbup:
 
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onesight1

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Aug 25, 2011
Messages
55
Location
Erie, PA
Also, I thought about closing the ceiling up and insulating it, but whats the point? There is no heating in the garage, and the walls are not insulated either :(
 

marcello7x

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Dec 22, 2011
Messages
61
do it anyways, then you can even get a cheap propane heater with a vent to outside or something. Im planning the work on my new garage now. although i still haven't passed papers on the house.

Once you feel the difference of just having the ceiling closed and insulated you'll be glad you did it. As for the walls you can put a hole in the wall, and fill with the expanding foam.
 
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onesight1

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Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Messages
55
Location
Erie, PA
do it anyways, then you can even get a cheap propane heater with a vent to outside or something. Im planning the work on my new garage now. although i still haven't passed papers on the house.

Once you feel the difference of just having the ceiling closed and insulated you'll be glad you did it. As for the walls you can put a hole in the wall, and fill with the expanding foam.

Good idea about the foam
 

D.J.

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Joined
Sep 16, 2009
Messages
1,116
Location
New Haven IL
onesight1: nice job so far, but please put a region at least in your avatar line so everyone will at least know about where in the world you are located, so we can give recomendations for the area due to temp, humidity, etc. Also you could cut the 2" holes in your walls and blow in celluose in. Just my $ .02
D.J.
 

rquackenbush

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Joined
Sep 18, 2010
Messages
162
Location
Raleigh, NC
Wow - looks great! I just picked up an old metal cabinet and a metal table. You've inspired me to do them up right and take a bunch of pictures. I'll post when I do!
 
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onesight1

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Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Messages
55
Location
Erie, PA
onesight1: nice job so far, but please put a region at least in your avatar line so everyone will at least know about where in the world you are located, so we can give recomendations for the area due to temp, humidity, etc. Also you could cut the 2" holes in your walls and blow in celluose in. Just my $ .02
D.J.

it has been done master, updated location

also, yes .. i thought about a way to use cellulose... got a quote from lowes for all the supplies.. around 250$ i'd say
 

JC23

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Joined
Dec 31, 2009
Messages
11,718
Location
Northcoast
Great work and welcome from down I-90.

Two things to throw out atcha. You said that big cabinet is too low. How bout making a new base to go under it. That could get it where you want it.

Two, when you do put that ceiling in and paint it white, you will be amazed how much brighter it will be in there.

Bonus tip. Wait until better weather for fixing that floor. Too cold, now.

Oh yeah, diggin that metal cabinet - you ****!
 
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PECVD2

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Oct 30, 2009
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1,380
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Onesight1,
Your place is looking great.
I too agree that you should insulate your roof/ceiling. A roll of R13 and a couple of sheets of 5/8" a weekend will go a long way in no time without the big $ hit. If you include 2 or more attic access ports you can come back later and add more insulation, wiring, compressed air line etc without too much trouble.
Looks like your getting your tool box filled, picked up a shop vac and compressor.
Great job on the place.
 
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onesight1

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Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Messages
55
Location
Erie, PA
Onesight1,
Your place is looking great.
I too agree that you should insulate your roof/ceiling. A roll of R13 and a couple of sheets of 5/8" a weekend will go a long way in no time without the big $ hit. If you include 2 or more attic access ports you can come back later and add more insulation, wiring, compressed air line etc without too much trouble.
Looks like your getting your tool box filled, picked up a shop vac and compressor.
Great job on the place.
Yeah, got the porter cable nail gun set + compressor (good eye!) .. I originally was storing them in this bag they came in, inside that metal cabinet on a shelf... then I realized they fit in the tool box drawer..but! they arent really automotive tools and I dont want to start mixing my wood tools with auto tools...
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sheets of 5/8 being wood? or sheet rock for the ceiling?

mehhh.... put em back in teh bag... going to leave tool box for just car stuff.
 
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onesight1

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Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Messages
55
Location
Erie, PA
never taking my car out in the winter again.

just got it back from the body shop after someone reversed into me.

drove it for 4 days, now this happens.

;(

Ji7Ln.jpg
 

rmckee

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Jan 2, 2012
Messages
457
Location
Wake Forest, NC
Hope you're alright from the car accident. Congrats on the age/homeownership! I lived in FL for a few years recently, and I know that the home prices are beneficial to the buyer! Garage looks great.
 

cderalow

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Joined
Nov 13, 2011
Messages
1,326
Location
Potomac, MD
The key to cars is to understand that eventually someone will hit them. Be it with their door, or entire car, it will eventually happen.

They can be fixed, and modified and changed in thousands of ways. But take my wisdom, it is significantly cheaper and easier to replace parts on a car or the entire car, than it is to replace body parts or bones.

So any time you're in a car accident and you walk away with minimal or no injuries, consider yourself lucky.
 
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onesight1

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Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Messages
55
Location
Erie, PA
The key to cars is to understand that eventually someone will hit them. Be it with their door, or entire car, it will eventually happen.

They can be fixed, and modified and changed in thousands of ways. But take my wisdom, it is significantly cheaper and easier to replace parts on a car or the entire car, than it is to replace body parts or bones.

So any time you're in a car accident and you walk away with minimal or no injuries, consider yourself lucky.

very true.
 
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onesight1

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Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Messages
55
Location
Erie, PA
UPDATES!.... aside from acquiring new tools... like a floor jack/jack stands, air tools etc (all harbor freight for now) I also made a tool cart! I still need to bolt on the casters (2 are swivel wheels + brakes), but man is this thing rigid. Very strong. I also need to paint it to match my work bench you can kind of see in the background This is also built with the same interchangeble melamine top

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onesight1

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Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Messages
55
Location
Erie, PA
Okay, here is the finished product... a tool cart.

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again.... i just followed directions via Skype that my dad (the talent) gave hahaha
 
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onesight1

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Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Messages
55
Location
Erie, PA
added a diamond plated shop light I found at lowes.

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still gotta figure out how I plan to put up some white pegboard

and my VICE!.. every work bench needs a vice clamp, lol

urgh... i need to finish the ceiling or at the very least add crown molding...
 
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clarkebd

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Joined
Mar 21, 2012
Messages
183
Man, great job on the garage. You are so far ahead of probably 90% of 21-year olds. Take some time to sit back and really think about what you have done with your time and pat yourself on the back.
 

KeithMcL

New member
Joined
Oct 8, 2012
Messages
1
Really like the way the garage was progressing. How has it turned out in the end?
 

Omphaloskeptic

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Oct 11, 2008
Messages
2,346
Location
Ultima Ratio, Wa.
onesight1, CONGRATULATIONS on your new home! At age 21 to boot, your family should be proud of your accomplishments. Speaking of your family, the fact that you Skype with your dad is great; the fact that you two use it to confer about your house projects is just fantastic! What a great use of technology. Your dad is probably busting with pride over your progress (under his tutelage, of course - lol).

In regard to your ceiling, I know it gets pretty frosty in 'Dreary Erie', but adding 5/8" sheet rock to the ceiling and blown-in insulation on top of the vapor barrier will make a HUGE difference in the winter's shop temperature, unless you work with the garage door in the open position - ha! Even without a heater, you will appreciate warmer temperatures out there. Get a buddy to help feed the insulation hopper and get to it; it could be a weekend job that pays big dividends in the coming months.

Nice job on the roller cart. Does the top surface height match that of the workbench? Having them at equal height makes for a convenient expansion table for large/cumbersome workpieces.

Again, KUDOS to you!
 
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