Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT Mid-Century Moto Mecca Makeover

[smschriefer]

For the lighting, what about using the existing box and building a narrow led strip light? I'd thing you could keep it no thicker than the drywall (so you can inset it to the studs) with a black frame and a frosted, or white, glass panel covering it. The frame would be black and you would make it the same length as the two under mount lights, aligning it with their outer edges. Does that make sense?

Everything looks great and I'm glad to see you are still moving forward!

 

[shirk]

What about running suspended wire lighting from the bulkhead out to your beam?

 

[lilscorpion]

Gregor,

I've been away for quite some time now (I fully blame you BTW but I won't sidetrack your thread) and I've thoroughly enjoyed catching up.

B.E.A.U.tiful closet doors. Man...

You seriously made the pulls?! Now I feel guilty for buying mine (nearly exactly the same but not nearly as cool). Nice job.

So questions - I now have a TS55 but I noticed you have the larger TS75. I've noticed that the 55 struggles with denser material (like 3/4 Baltic birch). What do you think of the 75? Can you compare by experience?

You're using ply for your drawer boxes (which is the approach I've decided to take with the drawers in a bathroom vanity). How did you break the edges of the visible edge of the drawer boxes? Radius, chamfer, etc?

 

[sakurama]

Gregor,

I've been away for quite some time now (I fully blame you BTW but I won't sidetrack your thread) and I've thoroughly enjoyed catching up.

B.E.A.U.tiful closet doors. Man...

You seriously made the pulls?! Now I feel guilty for buying mine (nearly exactly the same but not nearly as cool). Nice job.

So questions - I now have a TS55 but I noticed you have the larger TS75. I've noticed that the 55 struggles with denser material (like 3/4 Baltic birch). What do you think of the 75? Can you compare by experience?

You're using ply for your drawer boxes (which is the approach I've decided to take with the drawers in a bathroom vanity). How did you break the edges of the visible edge of the drawer boxes? Radius, chamfer, etc?

What the what? Are you kidding me? You're asking me? Dude, I learned about breaking the edge in your thread. You started me down this rabbit hole. Remember me asking you about cabinets two years ago?

It ain't right I tell you. You are the man! But, wow, thanks!

But, since you asked, I used a 2mm radius round over bit in the MFK700. I think I ended up at that because it was close to the 1/8" that you used. You taught me that it was a nice detail - I appreciate that, and it is. I'm still using the roundover but I'm starting to play with a chamfer bit some. It's pretty slick but without a bearing it's strictly for the router table.

As for the TS75. I had an older 55, traded up to the new REQ and when the recall happened I bumped up to the 75. The 75 was a beast and sailed through 3/4 like butter. The REQ I had struggled on occasion. After a year I was getting tired of the weight. I missed how small and light the 55 was and when they did the recon sale I snagged one for less than I sold the 75 for. Maybe my first one had an issue because this one glides through 3/4 with ease. I also love how light it is. I think you need to choose the right blades with the 55 and keep them sharp whereas the 75 will just plow through regardless.

In conclusion (I love that phrase - so high school debate club) I prefer the TS55REQ over the 75. It suits the whole rail thing better. The 75 is like driving a pickup at a track day. Possible - not fun.

I'm subscribed to your thread but haven't seen an update. You got a new one? When I get lost here it's usuall in the tools section. Looking at some of the garages in the gallery can be too much sometimes. I'm on an organizational kick right now just trying to make space.

Gregor

 

[lilscorpion]

Remember me asking you about cabinets two years ago?

<deep thought face> Nope! I'm losing it...

...but I'm starting to play with a chamfer bit some.

This is why I was asking. Though I like the round over I've considered trying to use a chamfer for a project I'm working on thats a little more modern in nature. With the round over we get that subtle transition in the corners that's not perfect. I'm thinking the chamfer would eliminate that and I thought maybe you'd arrived at a similar conclusion. Couldn't see for sure in the pics.

I'm subscribed to your thread but haven't seen an update. You got a new one (TS)?

I've been watching along as you're house remodel has been progressing in awe. Sometime late last fall I was sitting in my office reading your thread when I must have experienced a mental-misfire in my unusable cluttered office. You had commented to me at one point about looking into Festool...the office remodel began the day (11/30/2014) a Domino and a CT MIDI came home with me

So far that first purchase has led to "acquiring" a TS55, RO90, ETS125, CTL26, Carvex, Kapex, UG+wings, and an MFT3. With them I learned to build face frame cabinets the right way (which was on my list of things to learn). Since then I've built two vanities and two built-ins for the master and kids bathrooms both of which were complete remodels. I built 7 upper cabinets, 4 lowers, and 18 linear feet of countertop/work surface for the office. I'm now in the door/drawer phase for all of those rooms which should keep me busy for months.

I've haven't taken as many pics as I should have and the ones I have shared have ended up on FOG (which is where I've spent most of my time learning in recent months). I hope to get a breath and put some time in on my thread where I'll have to share what I've been doing and the Systainer thing to our fellow GJ members. It's a paradigm shift and just as addictive as the tools.

 

[Modern Jess]

When I get lost here it's usuall in the tools section. Looking at some of the garages in the gallery can be too much sometimes.

I know this feeling well. I try hard to keep up with the gallery threads and (ideally) to provide some feedback. There are so many gallery threads, though, that I really have to pick and choose. Just keeping track of which one is which (with a lot of really similar titles) has become a huge challenge. It's overwhelming.

I'm on an organizational kick right now just trying to make space.

Ditto, but maybe at a different stage. I can't expand the shop, so I have to use it more effectively. For me, that often means making the hard choices of what to get rid of. I'm hoping to eventually move on from this stage and get to the OCD arrangement stage.

 

[Modern Jess]

So far that first purchase has led to "acquiring" a TS55, RO90, ETS125, CTL26, Carvex, Kapex, UG+wings, and an MFT3. With them I learned to build face frame cabinets the right way (which was on my list of things to learn). Since then I've built two vanities and two built-ins for the master and kids bathrooms both of which were complete remodels. I built 7 upper cabinets, 4 lowers, and 18 linear feet of countertop/work surface for the office. I'm now in the door/drawer phase for all of those rooms which should keep me busy for months.

Whoa, talk about jumping into the green kool-aid with both feet! Great to hear you've put them to good use.

 

[sakurama]

Yeah, seriously! I need to talk to Festool about a commission or something! Ha. That's some serious tooling up.

I know what you mean about the inside corners never quite being perfect. I'll usually just touch them up by hand with sandpaper. A while back I bought a lock miter bit and haven't used it but I think that it with a chamfer bit would be drawer making perfection. I need a test project.

Oh, and I bumped your thread to refresh your memory

French cleats, round over bits, and maniacal organization are all things I learned over in your thread before I even closed on this house. So thank you and... I'm sorry? Nah, no one regrets good tool purchases!

Gregor

 

[Stan1966]

Spending hours on this thread, so subscribing! Great job! As the owner of a barn find R90/6, am most envious of your Boxer.

 

[sakurama]

Spending hours on this thread, so subscribing! Great job! As the owner of a barn find R90/6, am most envious of your Boxer.

Thanks Stan. My boxer was a barn find too. I didn't realize the significance when I bought it, or the value of it as a collectable but it was the 4th R90S ever made. I wish I'd kept the parts to make a second one...

Oh well. I'm never selling it anyway.

Thanks for reading and know that eventually the boxer will get a refresh. Or a twin.

Gregor

 

[TimRaleigh]

I've haven't taken as many pics as I should have and the ones I have shared have ended up on FOG (which is where I've spent most of my time learning in recent months).

That explains the tool purchases...

I hope to get a breath and put some time in on my thread where I'll have to share what I've been doing and the Systainer thing to our fellow GJ members.

or post a link in your signature to your Fog thread/post(s)

It's a paradigm shift and just as addictive as the tools.

[/QUOTE]

unfortunately you are right about that...

 

[Denwood]

Gregor, the cabinet work is looking awesome. Can't believe you tig'd your own door pulls..

The discussion here is very timely as my shop is done (and now am working in, instead of on it), and the house will be getting a kitchen reno, new porch, upper story shakes, and rear deck. In other words all hell is about to break loose.

I'm thinking long and hard about not making cabinets, but the quality of particle board base cabinets I've looked at is not good. 3/4 birch is my goto (all of our Cinevate millwork was done with it..about 100 sheets!) so the idea of doing my own base cabinets and just buying the cabinet fronts appeals to me at this point. Time is a challenge.

Now that you've done so much of it, what are your thoughts if you had to rewind a year?

 

[westoz]

Only my second post.. I'm in awe, just like everyone else. Ive just read all 71 pages in one hit. Lucky I'm the only one stuck at work due to the Easter break and being overseas on rotation!

I'll be taken what I've learnt here an applying it to my workshop fit-out. I was planning on buying cheap steel cabinets, but this thread has totally changed my direction. The green coolaid is also taking affect. I have a carpenter mate from Nantucket ( now lives in Australia ) an whilst helping build a deck with my cheap Makita tools kept on at me how precise Festools are, and that I should invest, Now I'm convinced. Anyway thanks for a very enjoyable 6hrs of knowledge sharing!

One quick question, earlier on when using your TS75 you had a board to cut the sheets birch ply on to protect the blade. What actually is that, it looks like some kind of soft plastic?

True inspiration thanks Gregor!

Cheers, Lyndsay

 

[rvieceli]

Lyndsay - I'm not Gregor, but it was a sheet of extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) insulation board. Here in the US if it's pink it's made by OwensCorning and if blue then Dow.

you want the extruded foam not the expanded foam board that looks like a rice cake . the extruded is denser and holds up longer. the foam does two things, as you mention is gives the blade something to cut into that isn't hazardous. If you use a thicker piece is gives some support to what you are cutting (maybe)

Having a surface under the piece you are cutting also helps the vacuum capture more of the sawdust.

You can also just throw it down on the floor and cut on it there, making sure your blade is set to just barely cut through the work piece.

 

[sakurama]

Now that you've done so much of it, what are your thoughts if you had to rewind a year?

Yeah, don't use stain.

Seriously, my main regret and the thing that I'd want to change now is to redo the kitchen and not stain the walnut. And I'd do Sapelle instead of walnut. Early on I was really trying to get my wife on board so was including her in finish decisions and that was one I regret. She can't visualize a final result but I'm very good at that and in the end she's come to trust my choices about process and finish and is much happier to just let me make them.

It's a win win but it took a while to get there. Now that I've gotten her on board with the finished closet she's asking that I build out ones in the rest of the house and is coming up with other ideas of things I can build.

When I build the banquet in the kitchen it will all be baltic birch with bare edges as that's my favorite way to work now. I'll laminate some formica on it to make it easy to clean and modern looking but the edges will be sanded and finished and not edge banded.

One quick question, earlier on when using your TS75 you had a board to cut the sheets birch ply on to protect the blade. What actually is that, it looks like some kind of soft plastic?

Thanks. That's some dedication to read the whole thing in one sitting.

It's just a piece of insulation foam. It's good for supporting material and also helps prevent chipping on the back side when you make rips. I need a new one as my old one lasted a year but fell apart recently.

Gregor

 

[TimRaleigh]

Yeah, don't use stain.
I'll laminate some formica on it to make it easy to clean and modern looking but the edges will be sanded and finished and not edge banded.

I think you might be happier with the look of a coat or 2 of Conversion Varnish or even a couple coats of a good quality polyurethane over some shellac.
That's just a guess.
Formica is OK, and it's a good, fast solution which is why it's used, but I think the birch ply looks great with a clear coat but it's extra work so that's why it's not often used.
Tim

 

[lilscorpion]

...Early on I was really trying to get my wife on board so was including her in finish decisions and that was one I regret. She can't visualize a final result but I'm very good at that and in the end she's come to trust my choices about process and finish and is much happier to just let me make them.



It's a win win but it took a while to get there. Now that I've gotten her on board with the finished closet she's asking that I build out ones in the rest of the house and is coming up with other ideas of things I can build.



Gregor

Wow. That's exactly how it went down for me as well almost to a T. Once the trust was established the marital controls were lifted and now it's just work. Lol

Her understanding my taste and abilities makes it much easier to get through the design phase. In many cases I know now not to try to explain, to instead figure out a way to show her. That has transformed to, like you said, her feeding me with the ideas that input the twist on has been much easier. Now we discuss color or style instead of the bigger design. We're having fun doing it together too. Makes getting time in the garage much easier.

 

[Choirboy]

I must be lucky, as my wife readily admitted right away that visualizing a finished project is not her strong suit, and trusts me to make tasteful decisions in the house. I earned her trust with my taste when she realized she got more compliments on her outfits when I did the shopping rather than when she did We talk about how we want the space to function, and then I figure out how to make it look appropriate to the house architecture. It helps that I'm an antiques guy, so I can often find similar looks to what I'm going for in old house books, vintage ads, etc, that I can show her when she doesn't see where we are 'going' aesthetically.

 

[timm95]

Had to laugh the other night while putting outlet and switch covers back on after painting a few rooms we ended up talking about how the slot on the screw should be orientated in its final resting place. I guess I have this thread to thank for that.

As it were my ocd side beat out the visual side and they all got screwed in to roughly the same ft lbs haha

 

[G20-Budo]

Great projects (bike(s), house and garage)! Subscribed for updates!

 

[desmodab]

Well, my first GJ Post!

I just spent the last 2 days with a cold reading through this whole thing and loved it.

Gregor - I have followed your stuff on ADV then decided to pop over here and see what this was all about and I have to say great work, great imagination and thanks for haring so much with us all. All of us make mistakes and "gotchas" when building/restoring, but we don't all share them with the world!

I am amazed at the similarities between myself and so many of you on this forum - I am the only person I know who builds his own anything. Like you guys, I would rather not do it then do it incorrectly and have a great sense of satisfaction in doing things myself with my own two hands. I guess the downside is when you do make a mistake to not fixate on it forever after!

Gregor - like you I have a Ducati (Multistrada 1200) and a shop full of tools and have done many similar projects, but not nearly as many as you and not as extensive. I tend to focus mainly on woodworking and don;t have a lathe, mill or welding equipment but after reading this I'll say "yet"!

For the last year or so I've been working too much and have stalled on the projects - your posts give me the gas to get moving again - thanks!

I live up in BC in Victoria - if you ever get up this way mi casa et su casa, be sure to let me know if you're in the area!

Many thanks,
David aka Desmodab

p.s. Now off to read many of the other great threads on here, starting with lilscorpion!

 

[DonTomas5150]

Been following this thread for a while now and I am amazed at your attention to detail on all of your projects. I also like that your daughter is getting involved. Keep up the great job and look forward to the updates.

 

[lilscorpion]

In a post a couple pages back you mentioned making your own pants hangers using the domino on its widest setting. You teased with a couple of pictures but never really went into detail how it turned out. If you're taking requests I'd like to see what you came up with.

I'm interested because I have been considering knocking off the design I found looking through Google images. I'm guessing this is the way you were going.

With the tenants being made out to Baltic Birch how are you planning on finishing them? Like a lacquer?

 

[sakurama]

After trying the closet for a few weeks I've come to the conclusion that the pants rack isn't very efficient and that the solution was somewhat unexpected but certainly freeing.

I've decided to give up pants altogether.

Okay, maybe not but the last few years of working on the house and wearing Mascot and Blaklader work pants has converted me to wearing them pretty much all the time. I love all the pockets but they're bulky - too bulky to hang. My post NYC life demands practically no dressing up so I don't know if it's going to be worth the trouble.

The parts are still there so I can still make one to test but I'm working on a linen closet while my wife is traveling this week. And dealing with a crazy work project. And trying to clean the garage. And prep my bike for a trip in a month. And take care of the kids. And, well, you get the idea.

Gregor

 

[JS4]

It's been a while since I made an update. The Revit bike kicked my ***. The last week before the shoot was a whirlwind of work and we put in a series of 20 hour days to get the bike finished enough that I could then switch hats and photograph it.

Anyway, when I got back to Portland I slept. For like a week. Seriously, as you get older pulling those sort of hours just kills you. As I was pretty wiped out I didn't really feel like dealing with the house and I just wanted to relax by working on something mindless.

That of course meant something in the garage and since space was becoming more and more of an issue I thought I'd try to kill a couple of birds with one project and that would be making a smaller stand for the notcher that was taking up so much damn floor space.

I realized that I don't really have a "before" photo of the thing save for that. Mostly because I didn't plan too much - I just thought that I had a bunch of steel that was taking up space and rusting outside, the notcher was too big on it's table and I felt like welding. A perfect storm of distraction!

The problem was that the base was just too wide and the handle was just too long. It was also low. I figured that I could consolidate by making a table that was the same height as my Diacro shear and brake and could fit between them.

At first I thought I'd just cut the one it came on down but I quickly realized that 1/2" was the outside limit of my plasma cutter and it was a mess. I also realized that plasma is a filthy, filthy process that should be done as far outside as you're extension cord can reach. Which wasn't far so I needed a longer extension cord.

One of the neat things I learned a while back is that 220v is composed of two 110v legs and a neutral and that you can split off 110v by using only one of the legs. So I decided to make an extension cord that was both 220 and 110.

Since there's no such outlet cover I made one on the lathe from a stock switch/outlet cover.

I also made my own stress relief/compression fitting for the giant 14ga cord.

And there you have it. Now one extension cord can run my welder on 220 and my water cooler for the torch on 110. Or the plasma on 220 and a grinder on 110. It's a small thing but it works great and simplifies the clutter.

Okay, back to the notcher.

So I started cutting and welding steel and relaxing. It was nice. This is why I have a shop.

So when I finished welding it I realized I'd have to paint it and while I was testing the fit I thought to myself, "Self, you might as well paint the notcher too..."

You can see where this is going right?

So I took the whole thing apart and decided if I was going to paint it I better get the rust off. This is what I use for rust in the shop: phosphoric acid. It's cheap, works great and leaves things with a black finish that seems to inhibit further rust. Above I used a gallon in a tray for the table.

The bubbles means it's working and I like the patterns they make. Pretty!

I also keep a 5 gallon bucket with about 3 gallons of the stuff in it and a smaller bucket inside that with holes cut in as my basket. This allows me to put a whole mess of parts, bolts, nuts and whatever in and leave them overnight.

In an effort to not go over the top in this project (like that would ever happen) I decided to brush the paint on. One because it's easier and two because the paint lays on thicker and it ends up looking more like the way machine tools are painted anyway and covers up small scratches and stuff.

It turned out great and has created a place for medium sized aluminum stock which was leaning in a corner near the compressor. I also lopped off about a foot of the crazy long handle and have left space at the back for another tool down the road.

I love when people paint tools bright colors but for me machine tools are gray. It's just a tradition that I like. To keep things a little sassy I like to add red details for "safety" but also for contrast. Some day I'll build a new welding table and it will be red.

The final detail was to have the blades ground by Oregon Carbide Saw and it now cuts like butter and looks good doing it! Small project accomplished!

Once that was done I felt like a new man with the energy of a professional wrestler (the dramatic kind) and was ready to tackle the house again.

Next update - closets!

Gregor

Gregor, what brand and model is the knife in your picture?

 

[bdking]

Gregor, what brand and model is the knife in your picture?

Benchmade Osborne (470?)

 

[ODIS]

Have a friend that is a consummate furniture builder and an advocate of the Domino. Says the time in construction is greatly reduced and the strength of the joint is very good and believes it is the same as traditional mortise and tenon.

Building some interior doors out of 8/4 black walnut. Would the Domino solution be strong enough for this application? Have seen the video on the use of this tool and looks pretty neat.

Appreciate your advice/input.

Ody.

 

[Woodtick]

Ody,
I have the Domino XL, which uses the larger sized tenons. I have built a couple doors with this. My stile and rail layout allowed me to use a total of 32 of the 14mm x 140mm tenons. I can assure you that this makes for a rock solid door assembly. It also makes for an anxiety filled glue up session as you try to clamp all of those together before the glue starts to bind up. I can recommend this highly for your door project.
Rich

 

[lilscorpion]

Ody,

You may enjoy watching this Festool video of a door assembly using the Domino XL.

My neighbor actually builds and sells doors out of his garage and builds them almost exactly like in the video. I've not personally built one yet however seeing him do so combined with my experiences with my Domino 500 has interior and exterior doors on the project list.

 

[sakurama]

Gregor, what brand and model is the knife in your picture?

Benchmade Osborne (470?)

And Ben should know as he's the one that showed me his which is how I got mine. In Oregon we're allowed to own automatic knives (switchblades) and after moving here and owning several the novelty wore off and I've come to like the assisted opening knives better - which this is. It's certainly the nicest knife I've owned and I carry it every day. Glad I live somewhere where a pocket knife isn't a crime but an essential tool. I'm looking at you NYC! In NYC I've had about 3-4 pocket knives stolen by cops either on the street or the subway - they see the clip and the stop you and tell you to either hand it over or get a ticket. Ah, the justice of the legal shakedown...

I'll try to get a photo of it later - nice knife.

Would the Domino solution be strong enough for this application? Have seen the video on the use of this tool and looks pretty neat.

Appreciate your advice/input.

Ody.

I can't say regarding 8/4 but certainly the Domino XL would do the job and well. As you've already gotten some good pointers I'd suggest you follow those links. I love my Domino and am always finding new uses for it but you should check out LilScorpion's thread as he's domino crazy right now. Actually Festool crazy. He's buying green coolade by the gallon!

I'm trying very hard to finish up a linen closet this week and it's simplicity is kicking my ***. I'm out of practice on my cabinets and I'm also learning some lessons - as always.

Update this weekend...

Gregor

 

[ODIS]

Guys,

Appreciate the information and the advice. Really motivated to get this going. Great tips on using the router too.

Love buying tools!

Best,

Ody.

 

[Bob Heine]

In Oregon we're allowed to own automatic knives (switchblades) and after moving here and owning several the novelty wore off and I've come to like the assisted opening knives better - which this is. It's certainly the nicest knife I've owned and I carry it every day. Glad I live somewhere where a pocket knife isn't a crime but an essential tool. I'm looking at you NYC! In NYC I've had about 3-4 pocket knives stolen by cops either on the street or the subway - they see the clip and the stop you and tell you to either hand it over or get a ticket. Ah, the justice of the legal shakedown...

Although one-armed people don't qualify for handicapped parking, the federal government allows them to carry switchblades. There is even a US Customs exception for one-armed people to bring switchblades home from overseas (https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...aveling-with-and-bringing-back-personal-knife). Of course local regulations can override US Customs regulations but quite a few states have adopted the switchblade exception.

I bought two switchblades in Spain and brought them home but they tended to open unexpectedly in my pocket. Like you I prefer the assisted opening knives.

 

[VMX42]

I've decided to give up pants altogether...

 

[smschriefer]

Have you looked at Fangit's garage thread? The Guzzi he is working on screams Sakurama.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4805033#post4805033

 

[elvee]

Gregor's other projects get some press - http://www.bikeexif.com/2-wheel-drive-motorcycle

That bike is very cool. Little scary, but very cool.

 

[Airframer]

Made it through 72 pages. Amazing work. Inspiring.

 

[Huxley]

Tremendous stuff! Keep it up, looking forward to updates and a road trip for the big party.

Not to add to your neurosis but....
Why did you go with Wide, Wide, Narrow, Narrow, Narrow on the closet carcass layout? It jumps out at me because there are several more symmetric choices. Yeah, I have issues too.

Viva Jorge' !!

 

[sakurama]

Not sure if you're married but it's actually; HERS, HERS, mine, mine ,mine. I was lucky to have so much.

I've been caught up in other aspects of life but I'm hoping to have an update this weekend, which I said last weekend too, which I'm hoping puts this stupid linen closet to bed. What a colossal pain it's been...

Gregor

 

[Huxley]

Yes I am and that makes a lot more sense now.

Here is another random question for you.... What do you use for a stereo in the shop?

 

[sakurama]

Yes I am and that makes a lot more sense now.

Here is another random question for you.... What do you use for a stereo in the shop?

I used to be a bit of a hifi geek. When I was in college I was indoctrinated into the world of high end audio and worked at a very cool little shop that sold mostly British gear - Linn, Naim, and Rega - and little by little I acquired a very nice system which I still have today - minus the turn table.

While we were installing systems that cost $20k-100k for customers who built custom rooms just for their hifi's it was also a group of people for whom the music was paramount. The owner had a collection of about 30,000 records and it was all about the sound. That said they were always on the prowl for gear that "punched above it's weight" so to speak.

One of those gems was the AR Powered Partners or Advent AR-570's:

They used to cost a few hundred bucks but sounded better than they had any right to. Everyone in the shop had a pair and typically paired them with the Sony TC-D5M tape deck (we greatly opposed early CD's so we made tapes off LP's on Linn LP-12's that were hopped up beyond belief).

Obviously the tape deck has long since disappeared (I still love it as an object) but the Powered Partners are still around. I've had several pairs over the years and they sound amazing given the cost. Discontinued now but still pretty easy to find on ebay as they were so prolific. I hook them up to an Airport Express and use the Apple Remote app to play my entire music catalog in the garage. The one pair is more than enough to fill the garage with sound and they're forgiving enough that placement is super flexible. I typically put them on my bench so they give a good image when I'm sitting.

I can't recommend them enough for a garage or small office or computer.

Gregor