Mark's Monster Garage....3800 sq ft

[Hugo L.]

Well, after joining this board recently (and daydreaming since), it's only fitting that my first post is made in this thread.

Mark, congratulations for building a garage that is an inspiration, I'm sure, for many here. I love the South Florida architecture, and we've been spending seven of the last eight summers in Naples with our two kids (who are now teens) and they love it too.

When I saw the first pics, I thought, hmmm... it looks promising, but maybe this thing will end up being the garage equivalent of cars that are garage queens (a «car castle», then maybe - even the architectural styling seemed to say so), in other words, more of a showroom than a proper garage/shop.

Thankfully, you proved my fears wrong.

Nothing like a great-looking building being actually put to good use by someone who thoroughly enjoys wrenching on his toys.

It's also nice to see a guy enjoying the success that his hard work has brought him. «He who dies with the most toys win!»

Now, some requests for more info, if I may : you've documented the build, mainly as far as the actual building and its interior go and what you do with the finished product, and that's awesome.

However, for what little time I've been on this forum, it seems like the collective curiosity is never satisfied and I, like others I'm sure, would be very interested in getting more details about the mechanical aspects of it all.

You mentioned something about your security system that allows you to control/see your garage on your iPhone; I'd like to know more about that.

What about HVAC, electricals, any particular rules to ensure that a living space, surrounded by garage areas where carbon monoxyde emissions are bound to happen, is safe for its occupants? For instance, I know that here, by code, the door between an enclosed garage and any living space must be fitted with an automatic door-closing device.

The proof is in the details, they say, and I'm sure that for a project like this, a gazillion details have been through and through.

Cheers!

 

[IGO2XS]

Sounds like an Awesome idea. But if we only had a place to hang out...?

JC, I'll look ya up at Bug Jam.

I get the picture Wingnut Does it help that we have a 10' long smoker on site for parties.

 

[Wingnut65]

I get the picture Wingnut Does it help that we have a 10' long smoker on site for parties.

BTW, Welcome to GJ, Hugo. A great place to start you GJ adventures.

 

[IGO2XS]

Well, after joining this board recently (and daydreaming since), it's only fitting that my first post is made in this thread.

Mark, congratulations for building a garage that is an inspiration, I'm sure, for many here. I love the South Florida architecture, and we've been spending seven of the last eight summers in Naples with our two kids (who are now teens) and they love it too.

When I saw the first pics, I thought, hmmm... it looks promising, but maybe this thing will end up being the garage equivalent of cars that are garage queens (a «car castle», then maybe - even the architectural styling seemed to say so), in other words, more of a showroom than a proper garage/shop.


Nothing like a great-looking building being actually put to good use by someone who thoroughly enjoys wrenching on his toys.

You mentioned something about your security system that allows you to control/see your garage on your iPhone; I'd like to know more about that.

What about HVAC, electricals, any particular rules to ensure that a living space, surrounded by garage areas where carbon monoxyde emissions are bound to happen, is safe for its occupants? For instance, I know that here, by code, the door between an enclosed garage and any living space must be fitted with an automatic door-closing device.

The proof is in the details, they say, and I'm sure that for a project like this, a gazillion details have been through and through.

Cheers!

Thanks so much for the most excellent post and I feel honored to catch your attention and your first post. Most people like to spend their winters in Florida but summers are OK too........just a little hot.

I came from a pretty good sized garage at my last home and there was no question this was going to be a garage to work in. Once I put the lifts in my last garage it took on a whole new perspective. I must admit I never did think my garage activities would reach the level they have in the last 6 months in my new garage. As you know we are at the end of a frame off restoration and that is nothing to sneeze at. I think my personality is one that doesnt allow me the common sense to say "no I can't do that". It is fun though and I really love building. I dont have half the talent alot of guys have on this forum but I am giving it my best shot. Right now I have a concept in my head and I am considering selling my 41 Willys.........my pride and joy............to embark on this project. Not sure yet because I would have to top the Willys and it would be a tall order. It can be done but not sure I want to make the financial commitment.

I have a few hobbies but they are revolve around creativity. I love working with my hands. My music talent got me into electronics and I have built quite a few home theater rooms. With the electronics comes the gadgets as most of us guys like and I decided early on I wanted to incorporate as much into my home build as i could. Since the garage was the first to be built I started there building a network of lighting, A/C, security, and IP camera's.

The security system I have is an Elk M-1 Gold. Not only does it provide security but it also has many other capabilities. For example, the garage has two thermostats and they are HAI which interface with the ELK security system.
Now, combine this with an iPhone and the eKeypad app (http://blog.ekeypad.net) and you have control of your security system, your thermostats, and your garage doors through contact closures that are operated by your phone anywhere in the world. I will take a few pictures of some keypads and my equipment room in the garage and post later. I have two 2" conduits running over to my equipment room in the house so everything is connected. Another cool thing is I have 3 outside camera's on the garage and two camera's inside the garage and I can watch them on my iPhone or on any computer. I guess if I wanted to we could have a Monster Garage Reality TV show because you can pretty much see everything we are doing in the garage if I gave you a link.

To answer your question on the HVAC I do have two separate systems. One system is dedicated for the garage ONLY. The other system is just for the garage apartment. You are correct you would not want to mix the garage air with a living space. That regulation is clearly covered in the building code.

If you want to see any details let me know. I am happy to share.

 

[cobxd45]

I get the picture Wingnut Does it help that we have a 10' long smoker on site for parties.

Do tell more about the smoker? I have an addiction I currently own 4 in 3 different states. Trying to figure out how to get the Klose down to FL if/when our lake house sells.

BTW I have been following this thread since I joined GJ around a year ago. Now I never thought back then I would be close enough to want to come stalk you We moved down to Tampa last month and are just working on getting settled but I may look you up at one of the car shows you attend.

Nice building. I don't have any pictures of the one I left back in KS not nearly as nice as yours but I sure do miss it..

 

[Huxley]

Thank you for all the documentation and effort!!

Going to look you up in the Spring when we visit my folks in Punta Gorda. I assume you know all about Muscle Car City.? Rick's Corvette collection is pretty amazing.

 

[hotrodaddict]

All I can Say is WOW! The shop is incredible and the hot rods are awesome too. I somehow don't want you to stop posting. Keep it coming.

 

[IGO2XS]

Do tell more about the smoker? I have an addiction I currently own 4 in 3 different states. Trying to figure out how to get the Klose down to FL if/when our lake house sells.

BTW I have been following this thread since I joined GJ around a year ago. Now I never thought back then I would be close enough to want to come stalk you We moved down to Tampa last month and are just working on getting settled but I may look you up at one of the car shows you attend.

Nice building. I don't have any pictures of the one I left back in KS not nearly as nice as yours but I sure do miss it..

I thought about taking a picture of the smoker today. Its really nothing fantastic but my brother loves to cook on it. I have a buddy who paid $8000 to have one made It has a motorized chain driven racks that constantly turn. This thing has it all but thats a lot of money for a smoker.

Thank you for all the documentation and effort!!

Going to look you up in the Spring when we visit my folks in Punta Gorda. I assume you know all about Muscle Car City.? Rick's Corvette collection is pretty amazing.

We will be here and would love to have you stop in.

All I can Say is WOW! The shop is incredible and the hot rods are awesome too. I somehow don't want you to stop posting. Keep it coming.

I hope to keep posting pictures unless it starts getting boring around here.

 

[IGO2XS]

With all of the Florida GJ guys I think it might be cool to have a big GJ Jam here at the garage. I can provide the food and we could have a gathering..car show.....whatever. Maybe March or something.......

 

[IGO2XS]

Here is a little update on the Dart...........one dirty job right now. One thing for sure this car is solid. The floor and trunk pans are perfect so this is one nice car.......for a Dart

The first order of business is to make room in the rear fender wells for some bigger tires. We are looking at the Mickey Thompson 28 x 10.5 x 15 Street Radials. Mini tubs not available for these darts so Bob is making his own. To make all of this work the springs are getting moved inward.

Picture of existing fender well before modification............

The old fender well is cut out plus 2.5 inches to make room for some bigger rubber.................

This is Bob making his own front spring mounts..................

As you can see the front spring mounts are cut right in the frame. The welding isn't complete yet but you can see this is one heavy duty bracket. the holes in the front are where the spring will bolt in. there are two holes 2 inches apart in case of adjustment needed in ride height..................

The fender is moved inward almost 2.5 inches which gives us 14 inches of inner fenderwell. Remember the 69 Camaro, Bob took the old decklid and cut a 2.5 inch wide piece of metal out of it and will weld it to the inside of the fenderwell to close the gap. How is that for being a "Green" shop.......we recycle

 

[cobxd45]

With all of the Florida GJ guys I think it might be cool to have a big GJ Jam here at the garage. I can provide the food and we could have a gathering..car show.....whatever. Maybe March or something.......

I'd be up for it. Don't have a cool car or hell a cool shop any more well I am still pay in on it but I can work a smoker

 

[knotttty]

looks like you guys are off to a great start.... I for one will be watching for regular updates...like everyday...lol....

Roy

 

[Wingnut65]

Nice work, Bob and Mark. Thanks for posting progress shots and going Green.

cobxd45, Welcome to GJ and Tampa. We have quite a few members around here. Give it time to get your place in line and keep hitting GJ for more ideas. Start a thread when you get started.

Mark, Sounds like a plan is in motion. We can either start FL GJ thread to plan or PM so we don't fill up your build pages. December may be pushing to hard, so after the first of the year sounds better. Cool weather would be a bonus.

 

[cobxd45]

cobxd45, Welcome to GJ and Tampa. We have quite a few members around here. Give it time to get your place in line and keep hitting GJ for more ideas. Start a thread when you get started.

Thanks for the welcome. We have 2 houses to get sold back in the midwest so right now we are renting. Once we are able to buy I hope to have enough land to get close to the 50X50 I used to have.

 

[IGO2XS]

cobxd45, Welcome to GJ and Tampa. We have quite a few members around here. Give it time to get your place in line and keep hitting GJ for more ideas. Start a thread when you get started.

Mark, Sounds like a plan is in motion. We can either start FL GJ thread to plan or PM so we don't fill up your build pages. December may be pushing to hard, so after the first of the year sounds better. Cool weather would be a bonus.

Sounds good Wingnut......definitely push for cooler weather after the first of the year. The thread sounds like a cool idea once we get past December. Great idea!!!

 

[Homebody]

Camaro Status??

 

[IGO2XS]

Camaro Status??

We did get a good amount of parts in last week. We are still waiting for the top and the bumpers. We will spend a few days on it this coming week and I will post some pictures.

Working on a future project right now. A good friend of mine is trying real hard to buy a 1970 Chevelle Convertible for a project for us to do at the monster garage. We have found a good candidate but if anyone knows of anything like this send me a PM.

 

[parrot head]

p/m sent

 

[IGO2XS]

Checking in with the Camaro. We had a little set back last week. I delivered the Camaro to the top shop and we opened up the packages to find a glass rear window with a large silicon hinge in the middle. What the heck, the picture didnt show a folding window There is no way I could put that top on this car. It set us back the 10 days waiting for this top and we wanted to deliver the car this month. The new top with the vinyl rear window is on its way. I should know better than to not inspect parts upon arrival.

Otherwise just trying to solve some overheating problems with the Chevelle. They say the 502 likes to run 210 degrees but in time the temperature climbs a little higher. My clearance problems kept me from installing a shroud around the fan. Looks like the 16 " fan has to go and i will try a couple 12 inch fans after some radiator modifications. I just want this car to be done!!!

 

[Homebody]

Thanks for the update. That's bizarre, haven't ever seen a hinged window on a first gen!

 

[shopnut]

With all of the Florida GJ guys I think it might be cool to have a big GJ Jam here at the garage. I can provide the food and we could have a gathering..car show.....whatever. Maybe March or something.......

Feb/March/Apr - all good for a nice bike ride over to your neck of the woods.

Working on a future project right now. A good friend of mine is trying real hard to buy a 1970 Chevelle Convertible for a project for us to do at the monster garage. We have found a good candidate but if anyone knows of anything like this send me a PM.

Perfect! Buy it and get working on it soon so I will have someone to bounce questions off of when I finally get to mine

 

[IGO2XS]

Thanks for the update. That's bizarre, haven't ever seen a hinged window on a first gen!

I am no expert but wow I would never want one of those windows in a car of mine.

Feb/March/Apr - all good for a nice bike ride over to your neck of the woods.

That would be great. We can figure out a date just after the first of the year and plan the party!

 

[IGO2XS]

It has been a few days since I have posted. We had a great Thanksgiving Holiday as we spent it on Daytona Beach and enjoyed the Turkey Rod Run hosted at the Daytona 500 Speedway. There are a tremendous amount of cars there and it was alot of fun. We took the 41 Willys over there and I did put a little for sale sign in the window. Not that I intended to sell it but I guess of have planted the seed of marketing the car. I would imagine I will have my work cut out for me trying to sell the car.

We are stilling waiting for the top for the Camaro. I know the owner wants to deliver it to his wife on Christmas eve and we have to have the car done by then. All the stainless steel trim has been staightened, dents removed, sanded and polished and looks nearly new. I decided to take some underbelly shots of the car while on the lift. I hope the heck they dont drive this car in the rain. You may notice what looks to be white scuff marks on the left side of the picture of the frame but it is dirt.

Bob has been doing some heavy duty work on the Dodge Dart. I have withheld pictures of the Dart until I have something substantial to show you guys. I dont imagine there are too many people interested in a Dodge Dart but it should be a pretty cool street car.

I am currently working on another developing another project with a friend of mine. I have hung out with this guy each year at the Daytona Beach car show and we have become friends. He is a metal fabricator in Key West and he had the fortune to have his father give him his 1968 Dodge Charger. He has decided to do something a little different to the car and it is currently sitting on top of a Dodge Viper frame If this wasnt sick enough the v10 viper motor is twin turbo charged!!! You guys will get a chance to see it because it is coming to the Monster Garage for paint and body work.

Thanks for listening

 

[tinbender 66]

That Camaro is looking fantastic!!

 

[smsteve]

Hi IGO2XS,

Camaro is looking excellent...tick tock tick tock on the X-mas Eve reveal.

Not sure how the others feel about it, but I would definitely be interested in the progress on the Dodge Dart. I think they are great cars and I'm sure once this one is done it will be up there among them. Post up them pics! Please.

 

[IGO2XS]

Hi IGO2XS,

Camaro is looking excellent...tick tock tick tock on the X-mas Eve reveal.

Not sure how the others feel about it, but I would definitely be interested in the progress on the Dodge Dart. I think they are great cars and I'm sure once this one is done it will be up there among them. Post up them pics! Please.

yes on the tick tock..........convertible top did not arrive today I will put some progress photos together for the Dart





Here is a picture of the engine compartment of the 68 Charger I was talking about with the twin turbo V10 Viper motor in it. We hope to get this car then end of January.

 

[Toolfool]

Yikes !!!

 

[bluestripe67]

No new words here....WOW for everything. Your attention to detail is just fantastic. I'm maintaining my '67 Vette in a small two car garage, but it works for me. I did see one thing that I'm scratching my head about. The battery cable on the Camaro is a little sub-standard I think. Dennis

 

[xJoey Dubsx]

Interested in adopting a 26 year old?

 

[IGO2XS]

No new words here....WOW for everything. Your attention to detail is just fantastic. I'm maintaining my '67 Vette in a small two car garage, but it works for me. I did see one thing that I'm scratching my head about. The battery cable on the Camaro is a little sub-standard I think. Dennis

good point Dennis and well taken

Interested in adopting a 26 year old?

Ha, I am 55 and my wife is just barely getting me raised. I am not sure if she is willing to take on another project but I will ask.

 

[xJoey Dubsx]

Ha, I am 55 and my wife is just barely getting me raised. I am not sure if she is willing to take on another project but I will ask.

Ha.. I got a bagged, suicided, and shaved Dakota. I'll fit right in.

 

[IGO2XS]

Dart Update

I snapped a few photos of the Dart yesterday to bring the project up to date. I can tell you one thing they aren't like chevys..........just try to find parts. Bob drove over to the Turkey Rod Run and they had a HUGE swap meet. He spent the entire day walking the area and did not come up with a single part. We had originally planned on putting a 1970 front clip on our car but for now we are going to table this until we get the rest of the car together. So for now Bob did a little updating to the front end. He removed the bumperettes, moved the front bumper back 2 inches and painted the grill black. It was a significant change to the front end and at this point saves a few thousand bucks for now.

The 6 cylinder has been removed and the engine compartment is ready for the big block crossmember. We will still be working around the steering box and trying to get the BB pushed in there. Neither one of us are Mopar guys so we are checking out alot of Dodge forums.

We are back in our tent out behind the garage and Bob spent the good part of the day sandblasting the front end parts we are salvaging and the rear end. You can see the BB crossmember hanging in the tent. Today all of these parts were etch primed and painted black.

Here is the transition of the wheels tubs Bob made.......they were a tremendous amount of work. He added about 2.5 inches and the end result once painted will look completely factory. He really did an outstanding job on these.

And why wheels tubs..........this is what its about.........a lot of meat on the back. Here are some brand new Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/R tires...........28/ 12.50-15. I really wanted 18 inch wheels on the back but cost and the fact it would take an extra month nixed this idea. After seeing these tires I think the 15 inch tires fit right it. We have a nice set of Billet Specialty 15 x 10 aluminum wheels coming for the back and the only have a 3 1/2 inch backspace so they will have a lot of polished aluminum showing.

Its always nice to get parts in and we placed a pretty significant order with Summit this week. We had a few more boxes show up today and hopefully we can get his project off the ground.

 

[tskills10]

The camaro looks great. And the charger should be quite the badass. I'm even liking the look of the dart. I'd still take the camaro over any of them. I know that seeing the fedex truck and knowing that I've ordered from summit is always awesome to get that delivery. I can't only imagine what the fedex guy is thinking when he sees your address and the stack of boxes.

 

[RebelAlliance]

Nice work. I love this thread almost more for your car updates than the actual garage

I may have missed it, but what kind of blasting media are you using?

 

[e-tek]

Hard not to repeat what everyone else is saying, but what else can I say. The Camaro bottom looks totally show and I'm enjoying watching each project come together.


Sure wish I lived in one of the GJ mecca's so's to meet up with some of you gents!

Thanks for sharing!

 

[IGO2XS]

Hard not to repeat what everyone else is saying, but what else can I say. The Camaro bottom looks totally show and I'm enjoying watching each project come together.

Sure wish I lived in one of the GJ mecca's so's to meet up with some of you gents!

Thanks for sharing!

You are the master E-tek and wish we could network on a project. thanks

Nice work. I love this thread almost more for your car updates than the actual garage

I may have missed it, but what kind of blasting media are you using?

Funny you say this because I was thinking today I really wasn't contributing much to this forum in the way of garage info or improvements. I am glad you like the cars and appreciate it. I am not much on tutorials and how too's but I do like to show progress shots.

Believe it or not we are using Home Depot play sand and it works awesome. We just spread the sand out on the concrete to dry, filter it using window screen, and reuse it until it turns into powder. I will try to remember to get a picture of the sandblaster and my compressors tomorrow so you can see the backbone of the system.

The camaro looks great. And the charger should be quite the badass. I'm even liking the look of the dart. I'd still take the camaro over any of them. I know that seeing the fedex truck and knowing that I've ordered from summit is always awesome to get that delivery.

I am glad you like the Dart because it is starting to grow on me as well. Once we set the tires under the rear fenders I thought hmmmmm.....this might be cool. Bob talked to me today about going ahead and painting the engine bay. We are not building a show car but once the engine is done with all the new parts I agree the engine compartment needs to have a fresh look.

 

[mdbeck1]

....
Believe it or not we are using Home Depot play sand and it works awesome. We just spread the sand out on the concrete to dry, filter it using window screen, and reuse it until it turns into powder. ...

Sand isn't the best thing to use for sandblasting. Have you ever heard of silicosis (?sp)? Take a look at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicosis

I fear that you will be hearing from the safety nazi's REAL soon...

 

[IGO2XS]

Sand isn't the best thing to use for sandblasting. Have you ever heard of silicosis (?sp)? Take a look at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicosis

I fear that you will be hearing from the safety nazi's REAL soon...

We do wear a respirator but now that I see it referred to "Potter's Rot" I may think twice about using sand again. These are things that we sometimes dont think of in the normal everyday handling of chemicals, toxic material, and breathing fumes of paints, reducers, glue, etc...........not to mention all the chemicals I handled in the 70's if you know what i mean.....wink wink


Silicosis, (previously miner's phthisis, grinder's asthma, potter's rot and other occupation-related names)[1] is a form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust, and is marked by inflammation and scarring in forms of nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs. It is a type of pneumoconiosis.[2]

 

[fireman164]

so what would be safe and effective for sand blasting media then?

 

[IGO2XS]

so what would be safe and effective for sand blasting media then?

You can use walnut shells, glass bead, or aluminum oxide. Check out tptools.com and click on abrasives. It really depends what you are trying to sandblast as to the media you should use. Maybe someone else can chime in here.