Greetings From a California Garage

[Dandro]

My name is Dan, a network engineer for 911. in my 30's and love customizing, tinkering on just about everything. That is, when I am not being put to work by the wife on other projects.


So, I here is the garage as it sits now:

The table, unfortunately won't be staying in there. I had to sand it down and re-stain/poly it for the kitchen. The weather was too cold and it didn't cure right, so waiting to redo it.. I like the idea so a table may be in the future.

I recently traded a guy in the neighborhood some old PVC and some halloween web shooter thing for this awesome 3.5' tall, wooden raptor puzzle that was sprayed with green, fluorescent paint which looks awesome under black light.

Since I have a 3 and an almost 8 year old pair of boys, this place is pretty fun for all. The fridge is a 1952 Philco Automatic and of course, houses all the beer.

The garage stores the 2008 Acura TL, the 2000 TL and the 2004 Ford Expedition stay outside in the driveway. Where I live the garage must be able to have a vehicle parked in it, which is fine with me as, hell, that is where they get worked on anyway. I'll shoot some photos of the opposite side, which has the Air Comp. and the 2 rolling tool chests as well. It is a functional garage, after-all.

 

[mgoug]

Cool! I dig the fridge - very nice.

 

[55cadillacking]

Very fun looking space. You said:

Where I live the garage must be able to have a vehicle parked in it.

I like that rule! How is something like that enforced? My neighborhood has some restrictive covenants, but there is no body or organization that is charged with the responsibility of enforcing them. Anyway, you've got a great place and I can imagine the kids and you have a ball hanging out and doing things in there.

 

[Dandro]

Very fun looking space. You said: I like that rule! How is something like that enforced? My neighborhood has some restrictive covenants, but there is no body or organization that is charged with the responsibility of enforcing them. Anyway, you've got a great place and I can imagine the kids and you have a ball hanging out and doing things in there.

The rules are set by the Master Restrictions. Basically they are not really enforced unless a resident makes a formal complaint. So if you have a nighbor that uses the garage for storage and parks their vehicles in the street, or in front of your house, etc.. You can file a complaint and they district will issue warnings, fines, etc. They can be very good or very bad.. LOL they have rules about satellite dishes, etc.. very oddball stuff.

The space is great, only moved in 5 months ago so just getting around to starting the process of mancave transformation.

 

[55cadillacking]

My neighborhood has a similar list of "rules" such as the maximum size of satellite dishes, placement of recycling and garbage cans but there is no "district" to complain to. It basically means you have to take a violator on person-to-person which is awkward. I tried to involve the "Community Association" but they just want their $200/year to prune the juniper bushes on the boulevard. I agree though, some of the rules can be ridiculous. There is one member on here who lives in a condo complex that bans people from using their garages as social areas.

Looking forward to more updates on your transformation. Can you divulge any of your big plans or are you keeping it a surprise?

 

[djgcue]

Yup, my HOA has similar rules. You have to park you cars in the garage and you can't leave your garage door open.

 

[Sludge Puppy]

Dan what area are you in in Cali? I am a network type as well (and mid 30's ) in the bay area. I absolutely love that fridge! I am a huge gamer, but have never played that Arcade game.... Invasion>?

 

[Dandro]

Here is a brief project list, in no particular order:

* TV, basically I have most of the components to create a 2x2 wall of 4 monitors, connected to a 4 port video card on a PC. All I am missing is a steel frame and a hydraulic ram that I want to use to conceal the setup behind the cabinets. There is about an 8" gap between the back of the cabinets and the wall, it's begging to house this. I have the PC, monitors, 4 port video card, sliding rails, etc.. the ram cost is holding this up.

* The table you see in the pictures is our kitchen table that I was refinishing. After it has been in the garage, I realize I need a pub style table,.. must acquire one.

* Air Compressor, which is a Craftsman 26 gallon compressor, needs to have a line ran to the ceiling, connected to a retractable real. I also like the idea of enclosing the AC for noise reduction, they are incredibly loud.

* Dart board - need to move it over and since the 8 year old likes to play, I will be getting a sheet of plywood to cut, sand and paint, which will be mounted to the wall and DB mounted to it. This way when he under throws it hits the wood, not the wall...

That's all I can think of right now..

 

[Dandro]

Dan what area are you in in Cali? I am a network type as well (and mid 30's ) in the bay area. I absolutely love that fridge! I am a huge gamer, but have never played that Arcade game.... Invasion>?

I am in Mountain House. The arcade is Midway's Invasion the Abductors. The cabinet is a Jamma PCB and wouldn't mind getting the Police Trainer board or Area 51 to switch it up. My son and I have beat it too many times it got boring.

 

[jlmotox]

nice garage! diggin the fridge! where did you get it?

another cali guy here...45min N of LA...

Don't get me started on HOA's....arrrrgh! can't get away from them here in Cali, atleast where I live in subs.

 

[Dandro]

the fridge came with a house I bought 5 years ago and since sold. It has stayed with me since. It is double hinged and opens from either side, in fact you can see the exact fridge in the movie "XMen First Class", professor X has one in his kitchen. I have had offers to buy it, which to me have all been low. Funny thing, I haven't been trying to sell it, so I thank the wife for that.. LOL

 

[Dandro]

This is what the game room looked like before, at my old house.. it was the garage, but previous owners rocked the wall in and converted the garage into another room. Hard times fell upon and most of the stuff went in the mass liquidation of 2009 Fridge, arcade and a few signs survived.

 

[Sludge Puppy]

Ok - Hello Neighbor. I am in Livermore off Vasco, and drive thru MH regularly I have two jeeper buddies over there that regularly are having wrenching get togethers.

 

[bknudtsen]

Ok - Hello Neighbor. I am in Livermore off Vasco, and drive thru MH regularly I have two jeeper buddies over there that regularly are having wrenching get togethers.

I have a good buddy who lives in Livermore! He has a '99 TJ that is all built. Small world.

 

[Sludge Puppy]

He did not by chance just buy that TJ did he? Last summer? ( I have learned that this world is a lot smaller then anyone can ever imagine)

Dan, hit me up we can meet up

 

[bknudtsen]

He did not by chance just buy that TJ did he? Last summer? ( I have learned that this world is a lot smaller then anyone can ever imagine)

Negative.

BTW.. Nice work Dando. Sorry 'bout the minor hijack!

 

[DrBobOh]

Freaking cool! My name is Dan, too. Lol?

Love that fridge- any more plans for the garage?

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Ok, ALL the Dan's are here now, lol.

I LOVE the fridge. Wish I could find a true oldie like that....but they're hard to come across, expensive to buy AND to operate or so I hear.

Good on you for keeping your garage a fun place for the little guys with the green dinosaur! May I offer an opinion? I like the garage just the way it is except I'd suggest adding color. Maybe the walls, maybe something else.

 

[marty_p]

Nice space to hang out, Dan!

And hello to all the other Dan wrenchers among us!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Nice space to hang out, Dan!

And hello to all the other Dan wrenchers among us!

It's a Dan-nation!

 

[Robert L]

I live in the Springtown section of Livermore, Ca.
I diddnt think so many locals here!

 

[Sludge Puppy]

Sounds like we need to get a local gathering together like the Virginia crew does The Dan's have spoken. ha

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

The Dan's have spoken. ha

Dan straight!

 

[Dandro]

Ok, ALL the Dan's are here now, lol.

I LOVE the fridge. Wish I could find a true oldie like that....but they're hard to come across, expensive to buy AND to operate or so I hear.

Good on you for keeping your garage a fun place for the little guys with the green dinosaur! May I offer an opinion? I like the garage just the way it is except I'd suggest adding color. Maybe the walls, maybe something else.

Yes it looks a little to industrial for my liking as well.. Will have to play around with color options... good idea!

 

[Dandro]

yeah holy **** the Dan's and all being local!! LOL

 

[Tucko]

Don't get me started on HOA's....arrrrgh! can't get away from them here in Cali, atleast where I live in subs.[/QUOTE]

You aren't trying very hard. Admit it, you LOVE being told what to do....LOL

 

[DrBobOh]

I'm in Thousand Oaks... but work in Pasadena 2 nights a week- lol.

 

[Dandro]

Any suggestions for paint? After seeing Rick's 2 car garage paint scheme I am highly motivated! LOL

 

[Sludge Puppy]

That is all personal preference. I had a Green/Gray/White combo picked out for mine and last minute changed it. My wife and I decided since my house is rustic looking the modern garage colors would throw it off so we made it more fluid with the rest of the house, more an extension then separate. With everything else you have going on, more modern you could definitely have some fun with the colors and striping.

 

[55cadillacking]

Any suggestions for paint? After seeing Rick's 2 car garage paint scheme I am highly motivated! LOL

I'm partial to my scheme, but if I had to choose a different theme, I'd go with either The Red Room or EMC2's Porsche Panamera Garage.

 

[dubber]

I'm partial to my scheme, but if I had to choose a different theme, I'd go with either The Red Room or EMC2's Porsche Panamera Garage.

I agree with this, or a subtle grey all around (except ceiling) and do a stronger colour on one of the walls.

 

[Karl Fields]

My names's not Dan, but I do live in Livermore!
(well, really 11 miles up Mines Road)

I live in the Springtown section of Livermore, Ca.
I diddnt think so many locals here!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

My names's not Dan, but I do live in Livermore!
(well, really 11 miles up Mines Road)

Well then, you don't count do 'ya Karl?! Lol

Kidding....but it was too good a lead-in line.

To me the white/gray/red scheme is getting played out. I have it too - not a red line but red tool boxes. I'm thinking one of you artistic guys has to come up with something new all us other hacks (by that I mean me) can copy and claim we came up with on our own!

 

[Sludge Puppy]

Well then, you don't count do 'ya Karl?! Lol


What a meanie Dan! ha

Karl, are you close to the Turbines?

I love the usage of colors in the garage and having them layered thru-out. I am still trying to decide how to add to mine. EMC2 did a good job with his, and I have already mentioned that I love the others Rick mentioned