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

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks!

Well, the labeling frenzy is over. Everything has a decal on it now, including those little drawers up on top of the bench.

All of my shears? In one place for the first time.

I actually found I still have a little bit of space left over. It won't last for long, but it's better than not having enough.

One thing I hadn't bothered to measure was the height of my 1/2" deep sockets on their Hansen tray. The drawer I'd designated was just a little bit too short for them. So once again, my lack of foresight led to a fix. First thing to do was to cut the tray in half.

Then I just bolted the tall piece to two of the drawer dividers.

Here it is in use.

Next up, new uprights for the track car wing. The last set I made collapsed, teaching me I'd gone to too thin a stock for them.

The next set of uprights will be thicker, obviously but will also have a curve, as this comparison of my old plywood template and a new paper version show.

To get a smooth curve, I brought in a curved cap-piece for an outdoor table we have. It's not a constant radius curve, but it works just fine.

 

[luvit]

like the socket solution, jack!
i'm still using my husky blow case with the lid removed in my drawer. lol.
.

 

[Exceller8]

Jack, that was a really slick socket idea.

 

[BigAl62]

Jack, the shop looks great. Really like the "new" tool box. I agree that red and black was the way to go (I wasn't able to chime in before it was done, I was out of town and had no internet access). Someone commented about the height, I measured my Craftsman stack and it's taller than your finished box and it's still usable (of course I'm tall). If your comfortable with it, then that's all that matters. BTW, cool work around with the clearance issue with the work bench, that's just the kind of thinking that makes your garage/shop so cool.

 

[oldmerc]

WOW that was a good read . Nice shop sir .

 

[djm999]

Since joining, Jack has become my inspiration. Now I find that I must over- organize. This one is not in my nature; it's going to be a challenge.

 

[Exceller8]

Since joining, Jack has become my inspiration. Now I find that I must over- organize. This one is not in my nature; it's going to be a challenge.

Same here... Before I joined GJ I was happy working in slop. Now my shop is much more organized thanks to Jack.

 

[redintex]

This is a little late, but outstanding pick on the red/black on the new cabinet. Definitely my choice. Now I have to get on top of my wrench/socket organization...

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks!

Today I got a little time, and did two things in the garage -- one for the shop and one for the car. The quick project was to shorten a broom. That's right, I got a push broom back during the group buy at Harry Epstein, and I wanted to take it from being 24" wide down to about 20". Why? So I could store it inside the garage -- without sticking out from the cabinet it would sit next to.

Why not buy a shorter broom? I tried. I couldn't find one that I liked as much as the Harry Epstein one. So...

Not really precision surgery, but -- you know -- it's a broom.

And now it fits:

And then for the car, I made a new set of uprights for the wing I bolt on when I'm at the track. The last set I made collapsed, and I'd had to go back to using a pretty primitive set I had on hand. I wanted to make them lighter, and also add a curve.

I made a model out of paper, then traced it onto wood, and cut it out. Then I cut two rough approximations of the wood shape out with a jig saw.

Then, the slightly-oversized aluminum version is taped to the piece of wood.

And I use a router to match the shape of the wood to the aluminum with more precision than I'd be able to manage with a jig saw.

A little more work, and some paint, and I had a new set of uprights. The whole wing assembly is not easy on the eyes -- even with these new pieces. But it's lighter, and it will do the job.

Here are the two new uprights set next to the wood model and also one of the old, heavier, uprights.

There's no way to make this pretty. But remember, it only bolts onto the car when I'm actually at the track. And the advantage it provides on my local track (one of the faster road courses in the country, if not the fastest) is considerable. As these pictures show, the goal is usually to get the wing as far back as possible.

 

[lowbucktruck]

That's a clever fix for the 1/2 inch Hansen socket tray, Jack! Love that workbench, by the way. I'll bet you are happy to have it all labeled and organized now.

Okay... put the label printer down and step away...

 

[Exceller8]

Jack, love that broom idea.

 

[slik560]

12 Gauge Garage Rule #1: if it does not fit...make it fit. Well done - very clever ideas. If that wing was any farther back, you'd have to put a red light on it.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Nice work Jack!

What kind of a router bit can you use on aluminum? Excellent idea, I just wouldn't have thought of it!

Curious, and non of my "beeswax" but has your wife made any noises yet about you continuing to race now that you've got two children, etc? She a one-in-a-million already for being understanding about all you have done to your garage!!

 

[redintex]

Nice fab skills on the wing! I am excited to see how it works for you. I would not have thought to use a router on it, but it worked well, obviously!!!

 

[mharmon]

Jack,

Love the garage. I've read the whole thing. I've been lurking for a while and usually check on your thread. The biggest downfall of your garage that I can see is mine no longer suffices. I was okay with a messy dimly lit space before garagejournal and your thread. Now I have a cleaner more presentable garage, lit like mid-day, and less money in my pocket. I'm even considering tiling, painting it green, and buying a porsche.

 

[HOTFR8]

The broom offcut would make a great bench cleaner.

 

[bad_idea]

Or a sweeper for drill shavings while using the drill press.

 

[Chucktown]

Envy. I have a severe case of it. Awesome garage Jack_Olsen.

 

[WhiteTrash]

Jack, I have been following this thread for almost 2 years now. You still seem to amaze me with your ingenuity and simple, yet effective approach to things. You are truly a great inspiration to a lot of us. Thank you.

 

[uke73]

Hi Jack

Finally the weather, time and a helpful buddy came together and I managed to attache the GoPro to a kite to do some arial video from the UK. Not as impressive as your smooth balloon flight though!

I've uploaded the footage to YouTube (

) I hope your little one enjoys it as much as I enjoyed his film!

If he is interested in knowing where we flew the kite you can check out https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Go...ring-by-Sea,+West+Sussex,+United+Kingdom&z=16 for a Google Map sat image.

Cheers

Neil

 

[alpinewhite]

Jack,

I might've missed it but where do you store your MIG welder?

 

[Zengineer]

He's probably got a teleporter hidden in there somewhere, its normally in the attic and when he needs it he just pushes a button and it appears next to the lift.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks very much for the kind words, guys. I appreciate it.

What kind of a router bit can you use on aluminum? Excellent idea, I just wouldn't have thought of it!

Curious, and non of my "beeswax" but has your wife made any noises yet about you continuing to race now that you've got two children, etc? She a one-in-a-million already for being understanding about all you have done to your garage!!

It's an ordinary router bit, Dan. I think I'm probably shortening its lifespan. But it's like any aluminum work: extra caution and woodworking blades/tools are usually the way to cut it.

Of course, it's something I learned about on this board. Here's the thread.

The broom offcut would make a great bench cleaner.

Or a sweeper for drill shavings while using the drill press.

That's a good idea, although it's too late now. The scraps are long gone.

Hi Jack

Finally the weather, time and a helpful buddy came together and I managed to attache the GoPro to a kite to do some arial video from the UK. Not as impressive as your smooth balloon flight though!

I've uploaded the footage to YouTube (

) I hope your little one enjoys it as much as I enjoyed his film!

If he is interested in knowing where we flew the kite you can check out https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Go...ring-by-Sea,+West+Sussex,+United+Kingdom&z=16 for a Google Map sat image.

Cheers

Neil

My son watched that and LOVED it. He flew a kite for the first time about a month ago when we visited my parents in Chicago -- so he knew what was going on with it. Thanks for posting it.

My camera rolled around much more than yours. I just slowed the footage down to a crawl in the video. I'm sure there's a way to make the camera more stable -- to anchor it to the kite/balloon.

Jack,

I might've missed it but where do you store your MIG welder?

The welder goes next to my press brake and some other stuff in the first section of the shed (the one closest to the garage). When I need it, I roll it out and over.

 

[HOTFR8]

That's a good idea, although it's too late now. The scraps are long gone.

You should never be to hasty to throw anything out as once it has gone that is (as in this case) when you get ideas for something as to how you could have reused (recyled ) that something that has been tossed out.

 

[txsupra71]

Very nice, a lot of good ideas.

 

[Wingnut65]

Throwing things out???? Wow! Maybe that is one of the keys to keeping a shop as clean as this! No wonder my shop can't compare to Jack's yet.

 

[luvit]

hey, jack. i couldn't put my finger on it last week, but now i know.
when I store my broom on it's bristles like that the bristles lose their shape.. kinda shapes to the pressure of resting on the floor.
This may not affect the broom's performance, but in my head, it feels like the loss of fluffiness pushes a little less dirt. -- none the less, i broom the same spot twice and move forward whether or not the bristles are malformed.
just saying.. i have to force myself to not to think about it, but maybe you have an opinion on the bristle shape. i guess, my fear has been, if i would store it there for it's life, but provide normal use, would it eventually form a bristle point?
once I put this much thought into it, i start storing the bristles upward..
like i said, i may have too much thought into a basic push broom.

 

[alpinewhite]

I store my pushbroom bristles up. Takes the same amount of room.

 

[Wingnut65]

Or put a hook/nail/holder thingy on the cabinet and get it off the floor.

 

[pwschuh]

And thus began the great "How Should I Store A Pushbroom Debate of '12." I'll be able to say to my grandchildren, "I remember where I was when it all started..."

 

[Jack Olsen]

Okay. It just took one hole and a little bit of on-hand hardware.

The bolt fits into the gap where the left-side bristles meet the right-side bristles, and keeps the broom about half an inch above ground. The last picture shows how there wouldn't be a way to store the broom brush-side-up.

As my father says, 'no task too great, no job too small.'

 

[Motorhead Extraordinaire]

I store my pushbroom bristles up. Takes the same amount of room.

I was visiting a customer of mine and he was showing me his new restored Ferrari. I don't remember the model other than it was a very rare old one worth a LOT of money. In the corner was an upside down push broom against the wall.

We were on the floor looking under the car when he accidentally kicked the handle of the broom. Wouldn't you know it that broom came down on the Ferrari and put a small ding in the front fender. Yikes!!!

I know this can happen with a broom either way but to have the heavy head of a push broom land on a freshly restored Ferrari is not a good thing.

I'll never forget that day and probably will never store a broom upside down because of it. I am scared for life. Haha!!

 

[Zeke]

And thus began the great "How Should I Store A Pushbroom Debate of '12." I'll be able to say to my grandchildren, "I remember where I was when it all started..."

Too funny. Well, Jack has the idea. No dents in the Ferrari and no bent bristles. Life don't get much better.

But, I can't believe there is a gap anywhere in that garage! I would have thought the broom would have slid out of a custom cubby hole designed only for the broom.

But, alas, the broom for Jack is a German telescoping model:

Complete with squeegee and available at Girot's for surprisingly only 25 bucks. Not a commercial, and I may have to get one of these.

 

[plain2car]

zeke,
i have a very similar model broom & it does work great..... but it does not seem to want to do large areas (atleast with me behind it! !!) i use it for "detail" work in a small section...

just fyi.... 0.02 cents

 

[HOTFR8]

I was going to suggest a clip on the wall or even easier a large cup hook that the broom head would sit on when you hang the broom up. I have a couple of handle clips for my brooms.

 

[bad_idea]

If you dissassemble the broom head from the handle, then you can tuck the broom head on it's side standing up in the back of the cubby to keep the weight off of the bristles. Then attach a small piece of velcro around the handle and the other side to the cabinet to keep the handle from falling on your Ferrari, errr, Porsche.

Or you could get 3 ratchet straps and mount eyebolts to the cabinet and ratchet the broom to the cabinet bristles up at the top, bottom, and middle. Make sure to suspend the broom 1-2" off the floor.

Or......... fugit, it's a broom.














(comments intended to be light humor, not hateful internet bickering)













Seriously though, I love that you thought outside of the box and provided a kick stand for the broom to protect the bristles from distortion. How do you find time for all of these knick-knack projects in the shop and still spend time with your family? I find myself struggling to maintain the garage, the vehicles, the projects, the house, and still spend quality time with my wife.

 

[alpinewhite]

Old Cabinets: 11 + 6 drawers

New Stacker: 9 + 6 drawers

What did you do with the two leftover drawers, Jack? There's gotta be something brewing where you plan to use them.

 

[akdiesel]

Jack, just saw the picture above of your cabinet stacked and noticed your garage ceiling, or is that a storage shelf?
Do you have living quarters above your garage? If so how is the noise and fumes controlled?

 

[Huxley]

I always thought that the arched table should have a thin drawer or two under it.

 

[Revolutionary]

Absolutely beautiful workspace.