The 3M Garage (minimalist, multipurpose, modular)

[rodsnratfinks]

Short story: My wife and I bought a modestly sized 53 ranch home with an attached 21' x 16' 2 car garage in early spring of last year. All of my tools and shop equipment along with my other belongings had been in a 10x10 storage for the three years prior. Coming from a 3/2 with 30' x 25' detached shop, I made many sacrifices to be where I am today, and I kept only the essentials. No 50 ton press, no 5 ton cherry picker, or table saw. Most of my tools were in cardboard boxes for that whole time since I sold my rollaways to conserve space. /story

Well, the first year of homeownership took a lot of my time, but from about the first of the year, I've been busy (time and weather permitting) getting my garage cleaned up so I can have a shop. Here's what it looks like right now:



My goals for it are pretty simple/complex (simple in theory, complex in execution):

- A flexible and modular shop environment where I do home repairs, electronics, automotive repair and hot rodding, musical instrument restoration, bicycle building, furniture restoration, mild woodworking/furniture building, mild fab work, general tinkering.
- Clean! Little to no clutter.
- I want to be able to park two cars in the garage. One of the stalls will be my wife's designated space, the other will be mine and will be flexible: I can park my car in there, or if I'm working on a big project, it can occupy the stall. The workplace stall will have a fold out bench and other movable shop furniture.
- The work bench will be modular. I plan on 12- 15 foot bench hinged in the middle that will pivot out from the wall giving me a ~7' x 4' island.
- Multiple instances of nesting, convertible, and stow-away storage for effective space utilization.
- Nothing kept in the shop that doesn't need to be kept there.
- Hoping to confine all hand tools and most other types of tools to the tool box, making it a kind of one stop shop.
- As often as possible, use repuposed, used, and found supplies for shop fixtures to keep costs down for a high WAF and thriftiness factor. Besides, the less I spend on shop fixtures, the more I can spend on my projects.

More to come.










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[CodeRedZ]

Will be watching ;-)

 

[MagicMarker]

In for pics.

 

[DrBobOh]

Good luck! Organizing feels so good.

 

[ryanp77]

Looking forward to this

 

[taumac]

Very interested in your approach and goal for this garage. I'm looking forward to seeing how you do.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

I hope it doesn't disappoint the crowd here, Haha. I'm used to doing a lot with a little, so it may end up being quite modest in appearance with an emphasis on function.

Do people normally post about their toolbox and projects in garage threads, or do they save that for other threads?

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[taumac]

I hope it doesn't disappoint the crowd here, Haha. I'm used to doing a lot with a little, so it may end up being quite modest in appearance with an emphasis on function.

Do people normally post about their toolbox and projects in garage threads, or do they save that for other threads?

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I used to post separate threads but now I just post everything in my garage thread. I do post or share items in other threads. If I have a specific question that a existing thread doesn't fit I will create a new thread. IMO I find it's easier just to have one ongoing thread for my stuff.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Not really an update, but I was tinkering today and came up with a repair to fix the chuck on this flex shaft I got at a yard sale when I was a child:

Top is the old chuck. The pawls(?) Wouldn't line up for reasons unknown and build quality was poor, so I robbed a Jacobs chuck from a dead Makita and modified it to fit the shaft. Does a good job.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Here's one of the more extensive projects I'm working on right now. I thought it would be better to give it it's own thread so all the parts are in the same place: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306647

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[VictorBravo]

Last photo in the first post shows what looks like a pedalboard from a Baldwin Cinema Organ. Am I close?

I rebuilt a Baldwin Cinema III and converted it to a MIDI instrument.

Edit to add: I just clicked your link above and saw what the pedalboard is to. I like those kinds of projects.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Very cool. Are you using it with Hauptwerk or Miditzer?
I used to have an Allen I used for that.

 

[nine4gmc]

The pawls(?) more than likely don't line up because someone had the thing apart at some point. They should have a certain order to them, 1-3 with threads from shortest to longest so that when threaded together they line up. Since you already have it off, try taking it apart and see if you can rearrange them to line up.
Someone here just restored a drill press chuck and posted real good pics and info but showed his *** towards another member and the site owner so Ryan locked the thread. Sad because it was really great info...


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[VictorBravo]

Very cool. Are you using it with Hauptwerk or Miditzer?
I used to have an Allen I used for that.

Miditzer, Grande Orgue, and jOrgan. I've got a Cavaillé-Coll sample set I obtained through open source jOrgan sharing in 2009 that I won't ever let go.

I finished the conversion in 2010 and I still enjoy playing it. I was working on custom sound samples for Grande Orgue, but that project got set aside when we moved and remodeled in 2010.

Just fiddling on organs can consume all your time. Practice time is another chapter altogether.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Very cool. I've owned dozens of organs. For practical reasons, I sold off most of them with the intent of building a home (pipe) organ in the future. I'd like about 7-10 ranks. Maybe a Moller or a Wicks, but if that never comes to fruition, another nice Allen would be great. Not having a proper classical/liturgical instrument in my home is kicking my ****. I'm substitute organist at my place of worship, but I miss improvised late night fugues before bed. I used to use jOrgan, Miditzer, and Hauptwerk, but my old computer is sitting in a closet somewhere. Since I play in several different styles, I always seem to miss the types I currently do not possess, (classical, theatre, Hammond, synth, etc).

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[rodsnratfinks]

Since I don't have much garage content to share yet, I thought I would do a little tour starting with my rollaway. The toolbox isn't real fancy, but it fits my storage/organizational needs and holds nearly all my tools (something I expect from a box since I like to keep all my tools in one place. ...a place for everything and everything in its place is one of my main organizational rules. I prefer a box with lots of smaller drawers to make it easier to compartmentalize things.

The box is an early Mac MB 1700.


Left bank, from top to bottom:
Socket drawer. I'm missing a few necessary sizes that I will replace, but surprisingly, the sizes I have will do nearly anything. I learned from my mentor as a tech that any tools you buy beyond the ones you use is for the benefit of tool dealers, not you.

Wrenches. Missing a few here as well, but nothing I use with any regularity

Ratchets and extensions.

This is sort of a miscellaneous drawer. I don't have enough of any of these things to give them their own drawer, but since I use a lot of these fairly often, I keep them closer to the top.

Pliers/cutting/prying

Hammers mostly.

Automotive service tools.

Some power tools, pullers, and the soldering station.

The long drawer is mostly comprised of plumbing tools and miscellaneous larger items.


Right bank, from top to bottom:
Air tools.

My main screwdrivers.

Punches/chisels and precision measurement tools

Electrical tools.

Electronics tools.

A few construction tools mostly of the measuring variety.

Testers and other large items


The box is almost at capacity, but luckily, I lack little in hand tools. I tried to keep my power and woodworking tools in there, but those really need their own place. Maybe one day I will get a Snap On 1023 and be able to organize a little bit better. I'm still refining things a bit to maximize this box and need to do drawer liners and a few more organizational aides (racks, dividers, shadowing, etc.)

 

[nine4gmc]

Nice organized box!

 

[xtremek]

I hope it doesn't disappoint the crowd here, Haha. I'm used to doing a lot with a little, so it may end up being quite modest in appearance with an emphasis on function.

Do people normally post about their toolbox and projects in garage threads, or do they save that for other threads?

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I have everything posted in my thread, from driveway repairs, to car repairs, to finally, working in and on the barn. All under one thread. Personally like to see it all in one place so it's easier for me to follow along. Which I will now be doing here. A very nice start.

 

[metalhead140]

Looks like this will be a great thread to follow. Loved the organ rebuild, I play with guitars and amps, but cool to see the complexity involved in the organ.

 

[Carbonblk46]

Love seeing threads like this, looks like a solid start and I have to say your box is alot more organized than mine.

 

[Hugo L.]

That is one organized tool box.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Looks like you flipped the box putting the single wide drawer at the bottom.

Why the 3 identical (looks like) Klein wire strippers ?

 

[bj383ss]

Nice Tool ****.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

I have everything posted in my thread, from driveway repairs, to car repairs, to finally, working in and on the barn. All under one thread. Personally like to see it all in one place so it's easier for me to follow along. Which I will now be doing here. A very nice start.

I think that is what I'll do with all the smaller projects, but the big ones need their own thread. I'd like to keep my posts in this thread fairly on topic so that the thread doesn't get unnecessarily long.

Looks like this will be a great thread to follow. Loved the organ rebuild, I play with guitars and amps, but cool to see the complexity involved in the organ.

Thanks! Look for other projects of that ilk after the Hammond is completed, as I have an amp or two that need work as well.

Looks like you flipped the box putting the single wide drawer at the bottom.

Why the 3 identical (looks like) Klein wire strippers ?

The earlier boxes have the full width drawer on the bottom. One thing I did do, though, is restack the drawers to give a pair of 4" deep drawers on the top. You will notice that I ordered the contents of the drawers in a way that makes everything ready to identify on the fly. I am tall and have poor eyesight, so be able to see my sockets and wrenches was paramount. I also organized by frequency of use, size, etc. Everything was grouped based on type of tool, type of job, frequency of use and in a way that made items easy to grab and easy to put away.
As for the strippers, I used to be an electrician and I still keep the extras around for those times when I'm working with friends and what have you.

Love seeing threads like this, looks like a solid start and I have to say your box is alot more organized than mine.

That is one organized tool box.

Nice Tool ****.

Thanks guys. I appreciate it.

 

[ambenz]

Need pictures of the outside of the garage and surrounding area....even a birdseye view to get the feel of your concept of the 3M garage...I like minimalist, tossing it if you don't need it in a year, multipurpose is a must when a jack of all trades, and modular ....hmmmm ...that has me very curious...pull a module out and walla, wood working stuff, another for welding, another for machining. One for gardening, one for plumbing...all able to be stowed and "invisible".
So got a mock up or drawing of the concepts defined in your title? Very interesting.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Need pictures of the outside of the garage and surrounding area....even a birdseye view to get the feel of your concept of the 3M garage...I like minimalist, tossing it if you don't need it in a year, multipurpose is a must when a jack of all trades, and modular ....hmmmm ...that has me very curious...pull a module out and walla, wood working stuff, another for welding, another for machining. One for gardening, one for plumbing...all able to be stowed and "invisible".
So got a mock up or drawing of the concepts defined in your title? Very interesting.

It's a work in progress. I'm still working on the sketches of the work bench. The garage is a two car with two single car doors. I plan on arranging things in such a way that frequently used equipment can be accessed with one, maybe two cars parked inside, but perhaps have stations that can be expanded when necessary to achieve full functionality (a table saw would be am example of this). Permanent fixtures will be located based on the best compromise of flow between the working and car related spaces. Steps will be taken ensure that the workshop can be used in three configurations:
Both cars in
One car in
Both cars out

One stall will be for the wife's car and occupied frequently, the second stall will be a flex area where projects and workspace expansions can occupy some or all of my stall on a temporary basis, or more more permanently if need be, and I can simply park outside; which will probably be the norm if and when I get another project car. More to come.

 

[shortykorte]

Family Handyman had a project where various-use cabinets all fit under the counter. It was very 3M and was in a two car garage.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Well, it's a new year. The 3M Garage has seen only incremental progress so far, but my Hammond organ restoration is going pretty well and should be finished inside of the next three months. Check it out here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306647

Once that is out of the way, the garage should see substantial progress. In the meantime, I've been refining my box and my tool arsenal. I've acquired several new tools for soldering and electronics work as well as more/higher quality pliers. I've also been nesting into the box even further with some new drawer liners and and tool organizational aides. Here's a little preview of what I'm talking about:


I'll do a comprehensive toolbox tour after everything is situated. I have some reorganizing of some of the drawers to do to and I need to do some paring back on some tools as my newer acquisitions have in some cases displaced previous inventory. My tool box is near its functional capacity and I don't want to justify large tool storage for some time yet.

 

[moto367]

nice. I'm interested in the bicycle leaning against the garage door. Looks classically sweet.

 

[Tron]

You sure fit a lot in that box. It gives me hope. I really need to change up my tool storage.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

nice. I'm interested in the bicycle leaning against the garage door. Looks classically sweet.

Thanks. That bicycle is something special. It's a Colnago Super built circa 1978. It has an interesting mix of Shimano Dura Ace components with a custom built wheelset based on 10 speed Dura Ace hubs. The crankset is a Zipp carbon fibre model and the handlebar, seat post, and saddle are also CF. I am in no way a purist. This bike was built for the best handling and ride experience it could muster (at least I think so). The ride is truly magical.

You sure fit a lot in that box. It gives me hope. I really need to change up my tool storage.

Yeah, I try to be pragmatic in my approach to things like this. As much as I would like to eventually get a Snap On KR 1003 or KRL 1023 for my ideal tool storage (I hope that will be enough), there are so many things I'd rather spend my limited money on right now than a fancy toolbox. I paid $500 for this one last year, and I'm just grateful that it holds as much as it does. I'm planning on stretching it until the perfect box falls into my lap. I've been slowly filling in and refining my tool arsenal and I'm actually very close to the point where I have every tool I actually need/use (a point that most people on here don't believe exists). Once I reach that point, my tool purchasing will drop precipitously, leaving room in the budget for more project related expenses.

 

[rubberrodder]

As much as I would like to eventually get a Snap On KR 1003 or KRL 1023 for my ideal tool storage (I hope that will be enough), there are so many things I'd rather spend my limited money on right now than a fancy toolbox. I paid $500 for this one last year, and I'm just grateful that it holds as much as it does.

It starts with a $500 used box... The next thing you know...It's Gerstner.com...or Lista... And the devil has you in his pliers!!!
A used tool box is the gateway drug!
You have been warned!

Small but cool space, looking forward to updates.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

So, people post about their projects in these threads, right?

Today, I was working on my Volvo sedan. The rear door's power lock actuators had become intermittent, especially on hot days, leaving my kids in the heat while I fumble with the manual locks. No bueno. At about $200 a poop, I wasn't keen on buying new ones from the dealer either. So, after consulting the internet, I discovered that the common failure mode for these lock actuators was a thermal resistor that goes out of tolerance over time. The purpose of said resistor is to prevent the lock motors from overheating if your kid gets a hold of the fob and locks the car fifty times in a row.

But, being that it now fails to unlock on hot days, I decided to take it apart and modify the motor so that there's no longer a resistor in there mucking things up.

First, I removed the door panel.


Then the latch/actuator assembly.

Next, I removed the cover piece exposing the motor.

And removed the motor.

I removed the motor casing and cleaned the armature and brushes.

The resistor is that thin black line in the plastic toward the bottom of the pic.

Here you can see the square thermal resistor that I pried partially out.

To replace the resistor and bridge the contacts, I flattened a small bit of solid copper wire and jammed it into the spot previously occupied by the resistor. (Old on the right, new on the left)

After that, as Chiltons manuals say: assembly is reverse of disassembly.

 

[metalhead140]

Nice fix!

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Nice fix!

Thanks. I also repaired the door panels a while back. The glue dries up and they are known for coming apart.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Giving my garage a little love today: new door springs. After one of the springs broke last week:

We finally got a new set of springs for one of the doors. The other one will have to wait a little longer.