My Southeast Ohio 30 by 40

[jp828108]

That's a great idea on the pliers draw, now I *need* a shear.

That other sheet looks like it just has a zinc coating on it, we call it zincanneal.

GB

GB,

The pliers idea came from someone on the board. I can't for the life of me remember who. They used rulers I think. Seemed like a great solution, and it has really condensed my pliers into a nice neat area. before that would have taken up 3 drawers or so. Now I'm down to one with plenty of room to spare. If I ever run out of room, I will probably put the extra tin snips somewhere else and use them when the pair in the toolbox wear out.

As for the metal in question, I didn't have it pictured. The piece of 16 gauge pictured I thought to be just regular old mild steel. Is this zincanneal weldable without worry? It appears to be similar to stuff that we would cut and go to town on in tech school. I will snap a photo of the one I am wondering about and get it posted. Either way thanks for the info.

The easiest way to tell if something is stainless is to put a magnet up to it. If the magnet doesn't attract it then it is most likely a 300 series stainless 304 and 316 are the most common. One problem with the magnet trick is that 400 series stainless is attracted by a magnet though. Aluminum is easy because it is light and cleans up really shiny really easy. I'm with Grumble on the sheets on the left, they don't look galvanized to me.
JB

JB,

Like I said the sheet in question isn't pictured yet. Thanks for the magnet trick. I have tried that a few times in the past, but didn't know that there was a magnetic stainless until recently. I will upload a photo of the piece I am wondering about. I tried the grinder test and it threw sparks and it didn't, so if i remember correctly that eliminates aluminum. I just don't have a lot of experience with sheet metal yet. So I figure it's better safe than sorry. Thanks for the extra info on Stainless.

 

[WarrenJ]

Enjoyed reading about your progress. Will be checking back for updates.

 

[jp828108]

Enjoyed reading about your progress. Will be checking back for updates.

Warren,

Thanks for taking the time to read through and post. Do you have a build of your own?

Not much for updates in the garage. Hopefully this weekend will be an exciting one. Plan to clean up the back corner and work out a layout for the fab area. I am thinking of making an L or U shape with the different equipment, and being able to store the welding table in the middle. I want to be able to leave the shelving and everything that is back there in place. I am also going to try to pick up the brake, and bead roller from storage.

Here is the metal I was talking about. This one I am fairly confident is galvanized.




View media item 79141
Here is a picture of the one I am unsure of. I know the piece on top is aluminum, but the bottom piece is what I am trying to identify. I guess that is the downfall of buying from the scrap bin. I didn't look real closely and try to figure out what I was getting. I just bought based on gauge. I wanted some 16 gauge to try max capacity of the shear, and I wanted some a little thinner to play around with.
View media item 79142

 

[WarrenJ]

No build. Single car attached to house. No basement for storage, so garage needs to share household and tools. Plan to paint and do a new work bench this year.

 

[jp828108]

No build. Single car attached to house. No basement for storage, so garage needs to share household and tools. Plan to paint and do a new work bench this year.

If you look around there have been a few pretty awesome single car builds. I cant think of them off the top of my head. Great storage solutions and ways to make the space work. Hopefully you will put up some photos of the build when you do tge workbench.


Looks like the verdict from a buddy who is a pipefitter is I accidently picked up some stainless steel. Which might explain the cost of "scrap" i bought. I think i may still use it for some trays and pop rivet the corners or I may hold off and see i i come up with anytging else for it. Might go nice on top of my work bench with the paticle board top. Its not enough to cover compleltely. But it would be a start. I could pick up another piece sometime and do the entire thing. Decisions lol.

Also worked a little more on the rack for hammers. I couldn't locate the piece of all thread i thought i had left over. I will look again before buying another.

 

[jp828108]

The weather was beautiful in southeast Ohio today. Had a high of 77. I spent the evening after work in the garage with the doors open, and enjoying the fresh air. I determined the piece of sheet in question was in fact stainless. It is a 18 gauge 2 foot by 4 foot piece and I decided it made the most sense to use it on top of my workbench that has a particle board top. It is not quite a perfect fit, but the price was right on it even though I didn't realize I got stainless at the time. I just need another piece 2 foot by 2 foot, and I can finish of the top with stainless
View media item 79143
Also worked on the hammer drawer. Turns out the pieces I cut were way to tall. So I decided to cut them in half. This left me with more than enough pieces to accommodate all the hammers I currently have. Now just to finish filling up the drawer. I may put all the shorter hammers next to each other, and shorten the dividers. That would allow me to use the box pan brake to make some small containers to put in there. I'm just not sure what I would put in them. Now I need to go back to the metal supplier and get some more material to use.

 

[2fat2fly]

Nice work so far.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Stainless makes a great bench top! Very cool

 

[Grumblebum]

Cool, glad you worked out the sheets. Was a bit hard to see in the pics - all shiny and all.

Are the dividers just using 1/4" all thread or something close to that ? I think I'm going to try that in my pliers draw.

Cheers GB.

 

[jp828108]

Nice work so far.

Thanks

Stainless makes a great bench top! Very cool

That was what I thought. Like I said it was an accident, but it worked out pretty decent. Now to just actually get some mild steel to play with and find a piece to finish off the workbench.

Cool, glad you worked out the sheets. Was a bit hard to see in the pics - all shiny and all.

Are the dividers just using 1/4" all thread or something close to that ? I think I'm going to try that in my pliers draw.

Cheers GB.

GB

I used all thread and washer and nuts for each divider. It would be much quicker to use pieces of pex or pvc like the thread that I got the idea from suggests. Then you just need a couple nuts on each end, but I didnt have any pex or pvc handy. So i just used the nuts on each divider. The thread also linked to harbor freight for the rulers that guy used. Im guessing will be a little hard for you, but for anyone that has access. Would be a little easier especially without a shear to buy the dividers/rulers at harbor freight.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

My 8' bench has an 11ga sheet metal top. I used a full 4x8 sheet bent in a break where I used to work. I wish it was stainless though!

 

[jp828108]

My 8' bench has an 11ga sheet metal top. I used a full 4x8 sheet bent in a break where I used to work. I wish it was stainless though!

11 gauge is no joke! I looked up price on stainless my god that would be an expensive top. I bet the mild steel is nice too. Just keep it polished up, and im sure it works just fine. Must be a serious break to bend a full shee of 11 gauge.

 

[jp828108]

The beautiful weather didn't last. This weekend was highs in the mid 40s and lows in the high 20s to low 30s. Still got some things accomplished. Saturday was spent helping my dad out at the farm. We burnt some brush until one of the fourwheelers broke down. We pulled it back to the barn and pushed it onto the trailer and dropped it at my house. Going to start with some new plugs, and possibly take it to a guy who specializes in small engines to check the carb, and give it a good look over. This thing won't stop fowling plugs.
View media item 79144Hopefully it isn't anything too serious. We just got a plow blade installed on it. Haven't needed it much this winter, but next year could be more normal as far as snowfall.

Then Saturday night was spent helping a buddy put down some laminate floors. He wanted to get his dining room and living room done. But the floors fought us the entire way, and we only finished the dining room. I may be back out there next weekend to try to help him with the living room. If I can manage to move.

Today my dad and I worked on some of my projects after lunch (family gets together every Sunday for lunch). We split a trailer load of firewood and hauled it to my house. I still had a couple weeks worth left out here, and with this trailer load I should be up to 4 weeks if it's cold, and more if it continues to be mild. We also got a few more things out of storage.
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I'm not sure on the quality of the brake or bead roller. Depending on how well they work I may look into upgrading down the road if I ever get to where I am using them a lot or if they don't perform as needed. But the price was right. They are in the shop, and ready to be put to use. They are no in their final resting location though. I am going to work on a layout for that area and move things around as needed. Also snagged a few pieces of sheet metal from my dad. The old tools belonged to my grandfather. So I will get them cleaned up and decide what can be used, and what is just for sentimental purposes.

I have also been thinking about an official name for my shop, and posted it over on the recent thread. I decided to share the story here too. My grandpa's shop was called Gravel Hill Garage, and with my location up on the hill it seems fitting. I don't have an official title yet but it will be Gravel Hill ______________. I am leaning towards garage, but it might be called hobby shop. I have an easement across some folks, and they are still upset that the guy's dad sold off several parcels to people back in the 60s and 70s. They have indicated there are restrictions in the deed that would keep me from running a business. I work for my brother, who is an attorney, and we have looked into it and there are no restrictions. I want to pay tribute to my grandpa's old shop, but I don't want to rock the boat with the annoying neighbors. They would be irrelevant except I think I might eventually add a sign above the big garage door in the gable area. So I may go Hobby Shop to avoid conflict.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

If it's just a sign, call it whatever you want! If the neighbors give you any grief tell them to pound sand.

 

[jp828108]

Played around with the sheet metal brake a little this evening. I don't have anything thin enough to easily cut the material out by hand (to make some boxes for storage) other than a little bit of galvanized. Looks like I need to pick up some 22 gauge or so. The place I can get decent pieces of cutoff at scrap price doesn't deal with anything that thin. So I will have to fork over full price and order a whole sheet or see if there are any other places around.

Also the brake needs some serious adjusting.

It's cold out again, and I didn't build a fire in the wood burner so I didn't last long out there. Next project will be looking into adjusting the brake up.

 

[krcoomer]

GB,

The pliers idea came from someone on the board. I can't for the life of me remember who. They used rulers I think. Seemed like a great solution, and it has really condensed my pliers into a nice neat area. before that would have taken up 3 drawers or so. Now I'm down to one with plenty of room to spare. If I ever run out of room, I will probably put the extra tin snips somewhere else and use them when the pair in the toolbox wear out.

JP: I had subscribed to this thread and believe it is the one you found it on. Great work with the shear.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=208437

 

[jp828108]

JP: I had subscribed to this thread and believe it is the one you found it on. Great work with the shear.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=208437

That is the one. Thanks for posting the link. I had been wanting to replicate it for awhile, but somehow missed that harbor freight sold the rulers for 3 or 4 bucks. I used a sawzall to cut old aluminum signs before I got the shear. But the sawzall was a royal pain. So the shear made quick work, and the scrap sheet was a bit cheaper than buying a boatload of rulers to boot. So one project down, and already saved a little money lol.

 

[krcoomer]

That is the one. Thanks for posting the link. I had been wanting to replicate it for awhile, but somehow missed that harbor freight sold the rulers for 3 or 4 bucks. I used a sawzall to cut old aluminum signs before I got the shear. But the sawzall was a royal pain. So the shear made quick work, and the scrap sheet was a bit cheaper than buying a boatload of rulers to boot. So one project down, and already saved a little money lol.

Glad it was the right link. I subscribed to put it in my "someday" file. Sawzall sounds like a royal PITA for that work. I would hate to try to hold it still for that. I have cut both metal and vinyl siding with a circular saw with a steel blade turned backwards which works pretty good. I did use a sawzall and angle grinder to clean up some on the metal siding. The shear is definitely the way to go on it though. I am not sure about the HF rulers, but it sounds about like a WalMart price on an aluminum yard stick.

 

[jp828108]

Glad it was the right link. I subscribed to put it in my "someday" file. Sawzall sounds like a royal PITA for that work. I would hate to try to hold it still for that. I have cut both metal and vinyl siding with a circular saw with a steel blade turned backwards which works pretty good. I did use a sawzall and angle grinder to clean up some on the metal siding. The shear is definitely the way to go on it though. I am not sure about the HF rulers, but it sounds about like a WalMart price on an aluminum yard stick.

I haven't heard of the saw blade backwards trick. Will have to remember that. Any idea how thhick of material you could cut that way?

I put a piece of angle to protect the workbench it was prior to the plate top bench so it was particle board. then used a scrap 2x4 that was longer than the material. I clamped the aluminum down with the 2x4 and c clamps. And ran the sawzall along the top of the 2x4 using the edge of it and the angle as a guide. It worked alright, but not nearly as efficient as stomping on the shear.

 

[jsherid1]

You have made a lot of progress in a short time, makes me feel really lazy about not doing more to finish out my space (we moved in 2 and a half years ago). Keep it up!

 

[jp828108]

You have made a lot of progress in a short time, makes me feel really lazy about not doing more to finish out my space (we moved in 2 and a half years ago). Keep it up!

Thanks for the compliment. Looks are deceiving I have been here since July of 2015. Not to say a lot hasn't been accomplished, but am a long way from being done. Insulation and more lighting are hopefully next on my major projects. Gotta save up a little money and hope no too good to pass up deals on equipment come along. I will have to get over and check out your build.

 

[krcoomer]

I haven't heard of the saw blade backwards trick. Will have to remember that. Any idea how thhick of material you could cut that way?



I put a piece of angle to protect the workbench it was prior to the plate top bench so it was particle board. then used a scrap 2x4 that was longer than the material. I clamped the aluminum down with the 2x4 and c clamps. And ran the sawzall along the top of the 2x4 using the edge of it and the angle as a guide. It worked alright, but not nearly as efficient as stomping on the shear.

I am not sure what gauge it was. It was regular barn tin like a pole barn or shed roof would get. Next time I talk with my father in law I will ask if he remembers what we used on his building.

I will keep your sawzall jig in mind. I do a lot of work where I don't have all the tools I would like to have with me and that would be something I could cobble together with what is usually on my truck in the right situation.

 

[jp828108]

I am not sure what gauge it was. It was regular barn tin like a pole barn or shed roof would get. Next time I talk with my father in law I will ask if he remembers what we used on his building.

I will keep your sawzall jig in mind. I do a lot of work where I don't have all the tools I would like to have with me and that would be something I could cobble together with what is usually on my truck in the right situation.

Thanks for the info May need to use that trick one day.

 

[jp828108]

The weather was decent today, I had the day off, and decided to work in the garage. I lit the wood burner out there and kept it going most of the day. The garage doesn't get a lot of sunlight so it stays pretty cool. My first order of business was replacing the plugs in the ATV. Took longer than I care to admit, but I wasn't in a hurry. It fired, but isn't running correct. So if I can get ahold of him it will go to a local small engine guy. I also decided to fab up a bracket for a switch. The switch is to run a small electric motor on the snow plow.

View media item 79150It isn't perfect, but it gets the job done. I hope the snow is over for this year, but am happy to have it ready for next year. Hopefully the guy can get the thing running better soon.


I don't know much about anvils, but I got this one. It needs cleaned up a lot. I will have to read up and see if it's any good.
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Bought some pop rivets since I had a lot of galvanized sheet metal. I made a few small boxes. Here is one that has some of the smaller punches and chisels. Most of them need cleaned up, and the mushrooming ground down, but the box helps keep them all together.
View media item 79152Also made a small box to keep universal joints in.
View media item 79153
Started cleaning up some more of my grandpa's old tools
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I didn't accomplish as much as I would like, but it is a start. I talked to my dad, and his neighbor is selling a black max 60 gallon air compressor. I'm not sure if he is going to get it for his shop, or if I will get it for mine. I am crossing my fingers it finds a new home in my building. Then I will want to get some shop air plumbed in.

Also shopped some on amazon. I need to get some tips and welding wire. The trailer that hauls the mower and everything else is in need of some reinforcement and mending. Will probably work on that this weekend or next. I think its also going to get a new wooden floor. Right now it has plate down the center, and expanded metal on each side.

 

[bdbecker]

Great space you've got there! You know I dig that fireplace... there is actually one very similar to that at my local ReStore, but they're asking $600 for it. No thank you.

 

[jp828108]

Great space you've got there! You know I dig that fireplace... there is actually one very similar to that at my local ReStore, but they're asking $600 for it. No thank you.

Are you talking about the wood stove im the buildig?

If so I have seen them local to me asking anwhere from 50 bucks to 600. The opening in the top is a rectangle. I think just the adapter I found for sale online for close to 200 dollars. Mine was in the middle of the road for price, but needed a new door gasket (still does since I got the wrong size) and ended up needing a blower motor. None of the temp sensors were any good. So its just wired and plugs in to an outlet for the blower. Makes a cozy corner in the shop even when its cold with no insulation. Also I find it rewarding to stoke the fire and fill it up when working out there. Also have to remember 3 or 4 sections of ul rated pipe hurts. The outdoor unit will have at least 6 in its final placement. But I have plenty of trees so its cheap heat in the long run.

 

[bdbecker]

Yeah, I would expect that $600 would be a steal for your house furnace!

After reading that book, I was ran the numbers a few times on the cost of putting in a stove and can't justify the cost for my little space right now. Granted it was a warm winter, but I kept my place warm enough (for me at least) on less than $20 in kerosene. I also have natural gas service, so I'll probably eventually go that route.

 

[jp828108]

Yeah, I would expect that $600 would be a steal for your house furnace!

After reading that book, I was ran the numbers a few times on the cost of putting in a stove and can't justify the cost for my little space right now. Granted it was a warm winter, but I kept my place warm enough (for me at least) on less than $20 in kerosene. I also have natural gas service, so I'll probably eventually go that route.

I Understand the cost aspect. It is also takes a decent amount of space. I sacrifice a lot of square footage for it. The buck stoves are double walled so clearances are reduced, and with metal on the walls they can be reduced further. 20 bucks in kerosene isnt bad at all. If you have access to natural gas I wouldnt blame you for going that route. I want to add a propane furnace to my house so I dont have to worry about the outdoor wood burner and not being able to go somewhwere for a weekend. I would also like to eventually upgrade to a wood fired water boiler and heat the garage and house year round. I would just keep garage down low and turn it up if i was going to be working in there.

 

[jp828108]

New toys or I mean tools!

View media item 79155View media item 79157My dog wanted to be in the photos. I know many of us are animal lovers so here are a few more of Dane Dog.
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I even got a little work in the garage done this weekend. I welded up a couple supports on the trailer, I cut off the taillight bracket and moved it up closer to the fender. Hopefully this will save some taillights. The welds are ugly, but hopefully they hold. If not will just have to grind and re-weld. I think I will put a bolt or two for the taillight brackets for extra security. I may even fabricate up something to put around it to give it some extra protection.

I am just waiting for the boards for the floor. I may have to go help my dad saw them on the sawmill. He is getting older and can't get as much done by himself as he used to. Haven't decided if I will remove the old floor expanded metal or just put wood decking right on top of it. Also need some material to build a new gate. But at least it's one step closer to being fixed up. I think I will bolt in some hold downs for ratchet straps too when the floor gets finished.

The trailer is ugly as can be, but I may grab a couple photos anyway.

 

[jp828108]

No major work accomplished this weekend. on Saturday we visited the girlfriend's mom and her boyfriend in Columbus, Ohio. Sunday we had family lunch, and helped my brother and sister in law unload some new filing cabinets. After that I did get the rest of their stuff I was storing out of my building. So the front corner is one step closer to being cleaned up. I will count that as a win. now just to get the rest of my dad's stuff to his place.

 

[krcoomer]

Thanks for the info May need to use that trick one day.

We spent most of last week with my father in law in Florida where he snowbirded to this year. I did remember to ask him how heavy the metal on his building is and he could not remember but said it was the heaviest they carried for both the carport he had put up and the siding we put on it. When he ordered the carport he also ordered the siding cut to lengths we needed so our only cuts were for the gables and the filler pieces around the 16' door when we installed that.

 

[JbTech]

on Saturday we visited the girlfriend's mom and her boyfriend in Columbus, Ohio. Sunday we had family lunch, and helped my brother and sister in law unload some new filing cabinets.

Big trip to town!

Hate going there any more. Grew up in/around Columbus.

Now live south of Zanesville.
Wife and I joke about any big trip to "town" to visit family.

 

[jp828108]

We spent most of last week with my father in law in Florida where he snowbirded to this year. I did remember to ask him how heavy the metal on his building is and he could not remember but said it was the heaviest they carried for both the carport he had put up and the siding we put on it. When he ordered the carport he also ordered the siding cut to lengths we needed so our only cuts were for the gables and the filler pieces around the 16' door when we installed that.

Thanks for asking. Good to know the trick. I'm not sure how they cut it for the stuff put up at the farm, but I think they used 4.5 inch grinder with a cutoff wheel.

Big trip to town!

Hate going there any more. Grew up in/around Columbus.

Now live south of Zanesville.
Wife and I joke about any big trip to "town" to visit family.

Sounds like we live kind of close. I live near Athens, Ohio. I am the same way. Spent some time in Indianapolis, and grew tired of the big city. I pretty much hate going anywhere unless it is to Menards. I typically do my shopping online or through craigslist/facebook sales groups. The girlfriend really wanted to go see her mom and go to the new outlet mall. I was not impressed, but it made her happy. I did get to go to Cabelas so that was kind of worth it.

 

[jp828108]

So after reading through the Craftsman 150 thread, and getting my first one only to find out it may make a better donor machine I have been on the lookout. I ran across another one on facebook. I have the search radius maxed out (just in case the right deal comes across) so it was about an hour and a half drive to pick it up, but for 75 bucks I thought it was worth it.




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It also came with the vice. I can't find any markings at all on it, but hopefully it will make a decent enough vice to clamp stuff. I'm not sure the optimum speed for drilling steel, but I think the 150 may be a little fast for my liking. I may look into adding a third spindle on the post and see about slowing it down a little more, but that will be a project for a future date. I still have my dad's drill press and it is quite a bit slower. So no reason to rush additional projects

The verdict isn't out on the first 150, it may be salvageable. I am still waiting to hear from my cousin if he has any luck with the straightening the arbor out. He took a short term position at a power plant, so it will likely be a awhile before I hear for sure He has is own projects and things going on, and I have no reason to be in a hurry.

 

[jbmatth]

Congrats on the 150, and for $75 with a vise you have made a great score there. I know my 150 spins way too fast for metal and don't even try. I remember at some point finding someone who built a system for mounting a pulley on the post but can remember who that was now.
JB

*Edit* Found it in one of my files and the link still works, woo hoo
Low Speed Conversion

 

[jp828108]

Congrats on the 150, and for $75 with a vise you have made a great score there. I know my 150 spins way too fast for metal and don't even try. I remember at some point finding someone who built a system for mounting a pulley on the post but can remember who that was now.
JB

*Edit* Found it in one of my files and the link still works, woo hoo
Low Speed Conversion

Thanks JB. I was pretty pumped to find one complete especially for the price. Thanks for the link also. I may have to try that. There is a guy on this forum that makes batches and sells them. Someone over on FrankLee's post about the craftsman DP posted it.

Originally Posted by Shiftless View Post
jp828108:
Another member, jziggy makes a part that will accomplish that goal. An intermediate pulley that mounts on top of the column will get your speed way down.
They are quite well made...I have one myself.
Here is a link.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=317867

So multiple options for slowing these things down.

Also a link to FrankLee's post on them. There is a wealth of knowledge for anyone interested in them.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227480&highlight=franklee

 

[jbmatth]

Thanks for the info. I may have to buy one at some point for mine.
JB

 

[jp828108]

Thanks for the info. I may have to buy one at some point for mine.
JB

The link you posted appears to be a little cheaper way to accomplish it. The pulley they reference from granger is pretty expensive. I looked at the step pulleys on amazon for about 1/3 of the cost of the one from granger. I have two columns, and am seriously considering the DIY one you posted. I can always flip the column over if I mess it up too bad, and get a second chance. Just have to find a hole saw that can chew through some plate, and check the metal supply and see if they have any scrap plate that would fit the bill. I would love to have a lathe and make one with the bearings, but I don't currently own one. I really don't know much about machining either. Hopefully I my cousin gets a small machine shop set up soon. I will hang out there and see what I can learn

 

[jp828108]

Had another unproductive weekend for my garage. My brother and I checked out an estate sale Saturday morning. It was packed full of peoples with too much money burning a hole in their pockets. Saw quite a few items sell for more than it would cost to buy new. Then helped a buddy work on pulling an engine out of his Tundra on Saturday night. Today I picked up a vice, and took the girlfriend shopping.

I researched the brand a bit, and seemed to be a decent vice from England. It needs cleaned up, and possibly "restored", but hopefully it will be a solid addition to the garage. I really am going to have to start getting this place cleaned up and organized soon.

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[jbmatth]

That should be a solid addition to the shop, I say clean it enough to make it usable then put it to work, no need to polish it for hours on end. I have done that and then used them only to destory the fine finish.
JB