Above 1200 Sq/FT The ASYLUM - Happy 40th Birthday to Me! (Est. 2005)

[shopnut]

Omphaloskeptic - Clocking the screws? You must have me confused with someone that has OCD . Now if I could actually see them from down on the ground, I might have considered it .

Wingnut65 - It’s nice finally getting to meet some of these GJ members - haven’t met a bad one yet!

akdiesel - Major roadtrip! Be sure check the functioning of the park brake before you leave (referring to the movie “RV” with Robin Williams) . I bet you will have a great time. The INSTEON system may come a bit later. I’m just sticking to the basic switches right now, but maybe smartphone control is in my future. Doing things from an offsite location would be pretty cool. Especially security cameras. Have a great trip!

 

[mytimeyet]

I found a web page where you can figure out your LED brightness issue.
http://alan-parekh.com/led_resistor_calculator.html
This will give you R values for different supply voltages and brightness values.

 

[shopnut]

mytimeyet - Thanks for the link. It looks pretty handy and should make easy work of it (and keep me from pulling out my old electrnics textbook )

 

[shopnut]

MORE LIGHTING ON THE CENTER RAFTER…

Here is a shot with just the 4 can lights on at night. I'd say it's about equal to just having the garage opener lights on in my 2-car garage so just about perfect for what they are intended for.



And a couple shots during the day with the lights on and off.



The last of the 3 lighting circuits up on the rafter powers the Asylum sign LED pin spots, which have highly focused beams.



One from each end of the rafter shines over to it.



This picture shows things a bit brighter than they really are, but I'm showing it because I'm getting a unique reflection on the ceiling off the yellow ASYLUM letters.

 

[Vernmotor]

Yea we have lights..Very nice..

 

[akdiesel]

shopnut

Those are great mood lights, and the spot lights show it off just to remind you that your still under the careful watch of the "Asylum".

 

[shopnut]

Vernmotor - Thanks. With the exception of 2 more can lights on the rear rafter, that should be the last of the new lights being added inside. I still need to replace the T12 fluorescent fixtures in the side bay with some of my surplus T8’s, but that should be relatively easy.

Also notice that I said "inside" .

akdiesel - We all need someone (or something) watching over us! That sign was one of my "recovery" projects after the foot injury and it serves a good reminder just how crazy things can get with a blink of an eye

Did you set off on your journey yet? What route are you taking? I must say, that sounds like a great adventure. Wish you good luck with everything.

 

[akdiesel]

shopnut

Thanks
Well, a sort of long story but short is FedEx F'ed up the shipping of the new Alaska plates and we just got them today. Staying at a KOA tonight and then off along the lower states due to the Midwest storms. Now fires in the west states. Hmmm. Oh well it should be good.

 

[shopnut]

akdiesel - Well, I guess not everything goes exactly as planned, but it sounds like the adventure is just beginning. Enjoy!

 

[shopnut]

BACK TO THE FRONT LOFT…

I wish I could say I was finished with the loft, but I'm not. There are a bunch of little details to take care of, starting with the rafter. I'm standing inside the loft taking this picture so show you one area that still needed some attention.



Marching across with the white vinyl. I had to space out the electrical outlet to match. Don't mind that mess of wires to the right - that's wiring for future porch fixtures if I end up needing them.



All done with the rafter gusset section covered in soffit material.



Next was the rafter beams. They had the same problem the center rafter had - the 4x6 stuck down below the surface and I had to “mill“ them off. It created quite a pile of fine sawdust beneath each one.



Here the beam is all covered in white fascia material.

 

[Wingnut65]

Icing on the cake!

But, only you would be the one to know if the inside of the loft truss had vinyl siding or not. Unless that would be seen on the 50 cent tour!

And you can never have enough outlets. But you really need to remember where you hid them all...

 

[Vernmotor]

White Icing !!

 

[RPageOne]

I am no longer lurking after the motivation this forum has now delivered.
I am one amazed dude, checking in after ten days or so of reading about you, your family, life and The Asylum.

My own frustration with losing control of my four car garage, led me via research to the GJ. As indicated, I have been lurking around and seen some amazing builds, decorations, transformation, etc. Still new but have been entertained and educated by the creativity witnessed on this site. People like Jack Olsen, TinBender, Red Leader, E.rodz, IGO2XS and you have simultaneously been shaming and amazing me.

Most importantly, I see some really talented, hardworking & basically great people. I note that income levels are frequently a curiosity of someone new to the site who is amazed at what he is seeing but that rapidly falls away into respect I expect. Creativity is rampant and in the lead over humor, but Omph does his part. My associates are little worried about the laughter emanating from my office in an abnormal volume.

I feel this site showcases the very heart of the human condition and the strength of people in many ways. I look forward to your continued story and sidetracks (which I have not consumed as yet). Your style makes one feel very comfortable thinking of you as a friend even if the paths never cross.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

"Creativity is rampant and in the lead over humor, but Omph does his part. My associates are little worried about the laughter emanating from my office in an abnormal volume."

 

[shopnut]

Wingnut65 - Hey, you never know where those crazy tour guides are going to take you - got to be prepared, you know!

I’m pretty sure I will never use all the outlets I’ve installed. But knowing which ones not to install in the first place is the hard part

Vernmotor - I like that term! You and Wingnut65 may have started something.

RPageOne - Good, I finally shamed someone into getting their garage back into shape! My job is done here .

Wow, thanks for the kinds words. Welcome aboard the GJ. Yes I agree - lots of fine folks here and I'm glad you decided to become an active part of it. Be sure to check out all the build threads - the ideas are endless. And lots of good solid advice being given on all the various forums. If you start a thread about your endeavors, you will be amazed at the support offered here and how much it keeps you motivated to see the project through to the end.

Although the construction phase of this project will be winding down shortly, there's plenty of story left to write about here. At the very least, I need to show you folks that I do actually plan to enjoy using this place someday

Thanks again for stopping in. I'm certain I have made yet another friend on this great website.

Omphaloskeptic - If you’re not careful, you’ll create a reputation for yourself! Never mind - too late!

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

" My associates are little worried about the laughter emanating from my office in an abnormal volume."

RPageOne - Tell your associates not to worry about your laughter during business hours on company time. Just tell them that it's not job related and that there is nothing to laugh about the workplace, your co-workers, the work your office does, or even your company's management; you'll have them rolling in the aisles if you can say all that with a straight face!


"Omphaloskeptic - If you’re not careful, you’ll create a reputation for yourself! Never mind - too late! "

Shopnut - well dang, looks like I've caught a 'rep'; now what do I do? Will a shot of penicillin get rid of it? If it's something like my cooties, I can let them duke it out and see which comes out on top.

Now, if a 'reputation' is a good thing, then I can look on the 'bright side' and say to one and all that the pain of the lobotomy was worth it!



Okay Shopnut, back to reality (sort of). The vinyl truly is 'icing on the cake'! I'm looking forward to another series of nighttime/mood-lit shop shots with the ceiling done.

 

[shopnut]

Omphaloskeptic - I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone that considers your rep “bad”. I’d say the lobotomy was worth every penny! In fact, I might even contribute for some more alterations to guarantee the ideas and jokes keep coming!

Re: the shop shots. Mrs. Shopnut just bought a Nikon D7100 so maybe once she gets a few photos under her belt, I can convince her to take some glamour shots of the Asylum. The only bad thing is, it would force me to clean up

 

[Backwoods Boy]

Well, i just spent the better part of two weeks reading this build from start to finish. (wish i had that much motivation to study for my finals ) I would like to say that this is hands down the most amazing shop i have ever seen. I hope that when i graduate and go to build my dream shop it is half as amazing as yours. I look forward to watching this build continue. Best of luck on your continuing projects

 

[JCQuick]

I am no longer lurking after the motivation this forum has now delivered.
I am one amazed dude, checking in after ten days or so of reading about you, your family, life and The Asylum.

My own frustration with losing control of my four car garage, led me via research to the GJ. As indicated, I have been lurking around and seen some amazing builds, decorations, transformation, etc. Still new but have been entertained and educated by the creativity witnessed on this site. People like Jack Olsen, TinBender, Red Leader, E.rodz, IGO2XS and you have simultaneously been shaming and amazing me.

Most importantly, I see some really talented, hardworking & basically great people. I note that income levels are frequently a curiosity of someone new to the site who is amazed at what he is seeing but that rapidly falls away into respect I expect. Creativity is rampant and in the lead over humor, but Omph does his part. My associates are little worried about the laughter emanating from my office in an abnormal volume.

I feel this site showcases the very heart of the human condition and the strength of people in many ways. I look forward to your continued story and sidetracks (which I have not consumed as yet). Your style makes one feel very comfortable thinking of you as a friend even if the paths never cross.

welcome to the club I just sit a drool

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

"Re: the shop shots. Mrs. Shopnut just bought a Nikon D7100 so maybe once she gets a few photos under her belt, I can convince her to take some glamour shots of the Asylum. The only bad thing is, I would force me to clean up "


Hey, that's definitely incentive to tidy up the shop! Maybe if you promise to give her a round-trip ride on the WOmanlift, she'll capture the 'nighttime mood' of the Asylum for all at TGJ to enjoy (and envy). Get cracking on the clean-up Shopnut and maybe we'll even see some evidence in the pics of the projects to be completed in the Asylum; we're all anxiously awaiting you to get off your **** and do some real work there!

 

[Vernmotor]

He had what 8 years now to get the shop done ? and he still needs to clean it up LOL

 

[shopnut]

Backwoods Boy - Finals? Its been a loooooong time, but I still remember the fear that they could instill in us poor students. I do remember going into them thinking "no matter what the outcome, it will all be over soon" and it always seem to work out fine. Studying throughout the semester and being prepared was the key though. When I was a freshman in college, I broke my right arm in a motorcycle accident (one of my other blunders ) and I remember taking all those finals trying to write with my left hand (I'm a right-hander and there weren't many computers back then). No mercy from the professors though - I had to finish when everyone else did.

Good luck with your formal education, it will help open the doors for you as it did me. But also keep your eyes and ears open for those informal modes of education. I learned so much from people willing to pass on their knowledge earned through experience and this is another great source for supplemental education to fill in the gaps books will never teach you.

Thanks so much for stopping by and voicing your sediments. By the looks of your join date, you are new to the site so let me say "Welcome" to the GJ. As you explore this site more, I'm sure you will find many shops that will just blow your mind away. Please check them all out because there is something to learn from each and every one as you dream about what your shop will be like.

JCQuick - I think you need to stop drooling and get that shop started! (At least I haven't heard about any ground being broke yet.)

You know I'm just yanking your chain - thanks for stopping in.

Omphaloskeptic - With all the rust on the manlift, it might be a challenge to get her to ride up there. She does like the high pitched whine of hydraulics though, so maybe

Yeah, I know - it's time for me to get off my lazy ****. I just need someone to poke and prod me a little .

Vernmotor - I guess maybe I should have been doing some cleaning as I went along all these years, huh? It's going to be one heck of a challenge. That is not one of my strong points

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

poke, poke, poke, poke, poke.... lol


P.S. - prod, prod, prod, prod....

consider yourself poked and prodded!

 

[Vernmotor]

Poke him flew more times for me LOL... By the way my shop is a mess at all times... you know there a reason I don't post pic of mine LOL

 

[Red Leader]

Shopnut I'm amazed that your still at it with what seems like and endless supply of little projects out there. It is really amazing, considering the 'pretty much completed' state that your pictures seem to give off. All these little touches are really setting your place apart.

Your dedication is outstanding. I wish I had the time that you've got out there.

 

[shopnut]

Omphaloskeptic - Ouch. Hey, watch it! I can only take one or two of those at a time.

Vernmotor - Fine, have O do your dirty work for you.

I seem to recall a picture or two of your shop in a thread somewhere. I think there are dirty corners of my shop that have you beat (mess-wise, that is). Of course, I don't show those spots very often (if ever!) .

Red Leader - I'm definitely on the downhill side of this project, but my list of little tasks still seems to be a mile long! Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by. It's good to see you back at it in the 1950s C'man Garage - even if you are just "chilling out" over there .

 

[shopnut]

MORE "WHITE ICING" ON THE ASYLUM CAKE…

I filled in the bottom of the rafter gusset with soffit material to finish it off. All this material pops out without tools for easy access to wiring.



The short section of column also got covered up with some scraps of fascia material.



Here’s a shot from below with the current progress. Sorry about the scaffold blocking the view. You can see I still have the right side of the rafter beam to cover up yet. I have to save some fun for the next visit, don’t I?



Actually, there a number of small spots around the railing mounts that need to be covered up too, so I probably have another day or two of work left on the loft.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Okay Shopnut, I'll retract a couple of those 'P.A.P.A.'s (Poke And Prod Attack) just because I'm such a nice guy (wouldn't want to sully my 'reputation'), and I would feel really guilty if one too many P.A.P.A.'s pushed you off the scaffold!

 

[shopnut]

Ompha - Thanks buddy - Lord knows I can handle the falling off stuff all by myself

 

[shopnut]

SOME DECAL MATERIAL APPLIED TO THE CONTROL PANEL…

This picture shows how I created the outline for each decal in pencil. This was used to define the exact size of each piece.



All these strips were cut from scraps of material left over from other projects.



I cut each one to length to match the pencil outlines. I taped each one to the panel after cutting and here is the panel mounted in the door to check final alignment.



Then I started applying each strip, one-by-one, starting with the outer perimeter.



All but the bottom squares are affixed in this picture.



And here is a comparison back to the original template. I made a couple of “adjustments” as I went along. It looks much nicer with its real aluminum background glossy sheen. Also, I omitted the blocks for future switches - I will add those later when the actual system is installed.



Next is cutting out the holes and adding the switches.

 

[tinbender 66]

Details, details, details! Stellar work as usual.

 

[Red Leader]

It's good to see you back at it in the 1950s C'man Garage - even if you are just "chilling out" over there .

All things currently considered, it sure beats "lukewarming out"

 

[shopnut]

tinbender_66 - Those details, details, details are killing me, killing me, killing me! But I will stick it out until the end. Thanks a bunch.

Red Leader - I have to agree with that

 

[shopnut]

ANOTHER “TEST FIT” FOR THE PANEL SWITCHES…

An X-acto knife did a good job of cutting out the switch holes.



It’s starting to look like the original template.



And now for some switches to see if I got the spacing correct. This must be the 4th time I’ve test fitted them in the panel. I think I need to paint the round cork gaskets on the big garage door switches to hide them better.



And a quick look at the panel mounted in the door. So far, so good. Yellow door paint should really spruce it up.



Next is adding the switch labels. Now where did I put that Brother label maker .

 

[Wingnut65]

The ol' No 11 blade comes out again. It is amazing how many times I use mine in my shop.

Don't paint the cork, use a Sharpie. Quicker, less time to dry, and might be possible if you just loosen the switch and don't have to remove it.

 

[shopnut]

Wingnut65 - Sharpie, the indispensable indelible ink pen - Definitely the quickest way to go. Thanks.

 

[shopnut]

ONE STEP BACK ON THE ELECTRICAL…

I’m not sure why I didn’t just do this wiring before I covered it up, but luckily it only took a few seconds to pop the vinyl off. I added a small junction box to connect up the future porch light wiring. If I don’t end up using both switched circuits, one of them could be used for something up in the loft via this box. It’s nice to have options.



I labeled the cover plate just in case I forget what the heck it is for in a few years.



Next up was finishing off the other rafter. Before I could do this, I had to tidy up all those MC cables running down there. I used some blocks of wood to "persuade" them to stay on the "straight and narrow". I will finish covering them up a little later.



Then the rafter got covered up. First the bottom with just a few screws to temporarily hold it in place.



And then the sides.



THE STEREO IS POSSESSED…

I don’t know if HAL is starting to fight back (or just get my attention), but my receiver freaked out the other day. I was up in the front loft working and suddenly the volume cranks up to maximum on its own. I made a mad dash to the volume control, but it was too late - all 4 speakers blown within about 20 seconds! I could smell burnt electronics so I knew they were toast. I normally listen to music fairly load at 30 on the volume control, but this weird occurrence shot it up to 70 and held it there.

I’m not sure, but I think the heat and humidity made the receiver go batty. It's nestled up in a tight spot where it doesn’t get much ventilation. I remember it doing something similar in the past, but I was right there and just turned it down before anything happened.



Six new speakers (4 replacements and 2 extras) are already on order - I gotta have my tunes. I intend to run the system on only 2 speakers for a while in case the receiver decides to act up again and fry some of the new ones. Three strikes and the it is outta there!

 

[akdiesel]

shopnut

The panel looks great and I believe music makes things better. The surround sound will get things moving.
Finally made it home after 6021 miles of road. Canada needs to improve their roads on the last 200 miles. All I can say is 4 letter words and this is a PG rated site. Great sites though.

Oh and I had my oldest son (the one you met) pick me up a fuel pump I found at a local craiglist (Palmer). It looks like it is a late 40's or early 50's modle National with the pump and the meter in it. The glass is broken but still in great shape for the age.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

"I’m not sure, but I think the heat and humidity made the receiver go batty."


Well, it is being used in the Asylum; makes sense it would go crazy eventually! Of course, the stereo could have gone 'buggy' instead of 'batty'; the 'bugs' you've been battling in the Asylum are going on the offensive. They were trying to blast you with sound waves trying to knock you off the loft. lol

I hope your new stereo comes with a remote so you can kill the power whether you're on the loft, under a car, or wherever. It might very well be an overheat situation considering the tight area the unit is located.

J.A.W.I.F.O. ALERT! J.A.W.I.F.O. ALERT! J.A.W.I.F.O. ALERT!
​

If you have any more of those puck light bezels that are on the underside of the shelf, you might consider using one (or two) as a decorative finish to the muffin fan(s) installed on the back underside of the shelf. The muffin fan(s) running off 110 volts could be plugged into the back of the new unit's 'switched' outlets so they turn on whenever you have the stereo going, and thus provide forced cooling air up through the holes drilled into the underside of the shelf where the muffin fan(s) mounts.

 

[HOTFR8]

I have a cheap clock radio in my place. If it kills itself I just replace it with another. If I need to listen to something else I do it on the computer.

So why did it suddenly crank up the volume ?