Garage suggestions needed

[Matthew3901]

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads out there...
I am in a dilemma with my garage. It is a small two car that I would like to use for cars, and maximize the usefulness for projects. On one side I have HVAC, and water heater, then I have two walls that I can really use. see attached pics.
I built a small bench and peg board but I do not like it. A friend is going to give me two kitchen/bathroom cabinets, and a 6 foot counter (formica?? over MDF)top to use in my garage. I also have a small stainless sink that I can add for hand washing etc.
I am just not sure of how to set things up. I will get pics of the counter and cabinets when I get them.

 

[Zeke]

You to work with what you have. In a line would be best and instead of the kitchen uppers at +18" over the counter, I'd go 24.

 

[bczygan]

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads out there...
I am in a dilemma with my garage. It is a small two car that I would like to use for cars, and maximize the usefulness for projects. On one side I have HVAC, and water heater, then I have two walls that I can really use. see attached pics.
I built a samll bench and peg board but I do not like it. A friend is going to give me two kitchen/bathroom cabinets, and a 6 foot counter (formica?? over MDF)top to use in my garage. I also have a small stainless sink that I can add for hand washing etc.
I am just not sure of how to set things up. I will get pics of the counter and cabinets when I get them.

What kinds of projects?

What tools and equipment and supplies will go in it?

What cars?

What other storage options are there? Basement? Shed? Spare rooms or porches?

The more completely you define what you will use it for, the more complete the answer will be, that will tell you how to proceed.

Bill

 

[bczygan]

In general, the higher up the walls, that you can put things, especially seldom used things, the better.

Get all kids toys, yard implements and storage items like Christmas decorations out of the garage/work space.

Layout depends on the kind of work you will do. Simply minor automotive maintenance or full blown shop?

Bill

 

[Matthew3901]

So to answer questions:
1. I do have a shed for yard stuff
2. My plan would be to set aside one side of the garage for a project car
3. Tools to go in, engine lift, compressor, welder, tool box
4. the possible project car is about the size of a BMW E325
Matt

 

[bczygan]

If it was me, I would kick any operable vehicles out of the garage, at least during the spring, summer and fall.

That would give you space to work, space to lay things out and paint and weld etc..

If the project is going deep enough for engine work, then body work is probably on the ticket, so the more work space the better.

Storage though, can happen anywhere. In the shed, basement, spare room, etc.



I would build a little lean to outside the garage for the compressor, to keep the ambiance in the work space better for work.

Good insulation.

Good heat and AC.

Simple, well organized tool setups with everything arranged for efficient work.

Look around this forum for ideas.

Bill

 

[a52-830]

1) throw out all the **** that hasn't been touched in two years. find somewhere else to store the things that are worth keeping, but dont belong in the shop.

2) move everything worth keeping to the middle

3) plywood over the walls. ⅜'s is adequate, ½ would be better.

4) audit what you have, what you plan to get, and what you plan to do. decide how it all lays out.

5) bring power down along the walls. for a shop area i like it about 4 feet off the floor. if you do it yourself, find out what code is and follow those rules. if you burn the house down, and you didnt, the insurance company will not pay. if you are running new lines from the fuse box, use double gang boxes (4 plugs, 2X2), each on a separate circuit. if this will overwhelm the existing box, get an electrician, and talk to him about installing a sub panel (btw, this is a great way to make sure the kids can't play with anything, you can turn it all off from the sub panel master switch when you leave.)

6) consider a grid of power boxes in the ceiling. see #7 as well as for pull down extension cords.

7) lights. those windows will help, but you need both overhead lights and movable lights (and likely places to plug them all in).

that should get you started.

 

[crewchief888]

If it was me, I would kick any operable vehicles out of the garage, at least during the spring, summer and fall.

That would give you space to work, space to lay things out and paint and weld etc..

If the project is going deep enough for engine work, then body work is probably on the ticket, so the more work space the better.

Storage though, can happen anywhere. In the shed, basement, spare room, etc.

Look around this forum for ideas.

Bill

the wifes car stays in the driveway until the snow flies, and last fall my s-10 blazer got moved out in back of the garage to make more room inside the garage. my harley stays in the garage, the rest of the space is "reserved" for tool boxes and equipment.
i did a spring "purge" and tossed out a lot of stuff i hadnt needed in several years, and got rid of 2500 lbs of scrap i'd been accumulating.
i rarely work on a vehicle inside the garage, i'm usually out in the driveway, the longest anything has sat in the garage was when i was building the blazer, and that was 6 months time over the winter, and a month or so when i got rid of the IFS front suspension and swapped in a straight axle/leaf springs.

 

[WWShop]

I would start by emptying the garage completely and decide where to put things that are the most often used in the most convenient locations and go down from there. Anything not needed in the garage would go in the shed or basement. Put up shelving that is above head height and hang as much stuff as possible, but still organized, on the walls to keep as much stuff off the floor as possible.

 

[Matthew3901]

So here is the other side

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[petee_c]

You're allowed to have your furnace on the garage in the US?

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[a52-830]

You're allowed to have your furnace on the garage in the US?

the garage, the basement, even the attic.

mine are in the basement.

in condos (which are like owning an apartment) i have seen them in a closet on an outside wall.