Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT A Garage Rehabbed

[Old-Soul]

Garage is looking great man, won't be long till you're back on that T and the A.

Just a question, not sure if it's been asked, but do you actively collect Cman boxes or did you come across a deal or what? Awful lot of boxes for one guy haha.

 

[-Brent-]

Garage is looking great man, won't be long till you're back on that T and the A.

Just a question, not sure if it's been asked, but do you actively collect Cman boxes or did you come across a deal or what? Awful lot of boxes for one guy haha.

Thank you.

The comments and questions about the tool boxes is probably the most-asked question I get. Haha. They're all in use. I bought the 4 matching bottoms/tops and the grey/red stack NOS. They'd been purchased for a motorcycle shop in Las Vegas that never got off the ground and sat in storage until I got them. The paperwork and casters were still in the packages when I opened them up.

I've got a lot of tools, from industry-specific items to auto-specific, like Toyota, early Ford, etc. I have about the cubic inches of a pretty large Snap-On with a hutch, but I have right around $600 into all the boxes, including the ones I use as bases.

Then, as far as the drill press and grinders, I chose to run boxes for consumables and other odd-ball tools like a heat gun or hand drills and sanders and such.

I am the type that wants some continuity aesthetically. So, when I found these boxes it made sense to grab them. The plan was never to have all these boxes but the tools dictated what stayed and here I am with them.

 

[Scout3918]

Thank you.

It did take me a while to get the larger one. I kept looking for them, albeit sporadically. I pretty much lucked into the small one without looking for it. The large one I found on a local classified. We're fortunate out here to have a classified site that blows Craigslist out of the water and lots of folks use it.

They are certainly out there. I'd think that Indiana, which is evolving like all the rest of the states should have these kicking around. Stuff like this is easy to grab when a building is being torn down. Be patient, you'll find one. If not, you could always hit up eBay. Not a fan of them but they are still a decent way to connect folks/items.

Thank you, I'll keep looking lol

 

[Growlertdi]

Thanks, man! "The Disaster" sounds like a place I could be right at home in! I don't know about you, but for me, I had to dive in and pretty much make this my only project/priority. Obviously my family is number one but due to the focus on the garage, the lawn went to hell and now I'm battling getting it back into shape, the driveway became so cluttered because of the materials outside (like roofing metal and pallets and such) that for the first time in my life I was that guy with the eyesore property, at least to the neighbor to the west of me. They were the only ones that could see the mess. Well, not true, every passerby could see the lawn debacle.

I say just dig in. You know the disaster is going to get worse before it gets better. Haha. Whatever you do, post it here. We love a good comeback story! Let me know, too, I'd love to check it out.

You asked, Link to the Disaster is in my signature... don't be too cruel.

 

[-Brent-]

Hey all, I got some time over the last two days to get back at it. After putting in a few hours at work on Saturday, I headed out to a local Pick-n-Pull to find something to act as a snubber/stop for the outer hangers to contact.



I post this view because I truly saw something I'd never expect to see at a junk yard. It's an attempt to drive that horrible image from my head, haha. As I was wandering around looking for some adjustable hood bumper/stops I spotted a couple that were in the middle of foreplay. I saw them out of the corner of my eye and I was sorry to turn and my head only to lock eyes with the guy. It was weird. I quickly moved down the aisle.

Since they don't have a SKU for the rubber stops, the woman didn't charge me. So, they cost me the $1 entry fee, total.

At home, I chopped some 2" strap hangers and put some holes in them for the bumpers/stops.



Also, I got the rail spaced out nearly a 1/4".



Today (Sunday), I finished off the trim on the outside of the door.



I'm looking forward, now, to getting it all prepped and painted.

Getting a few little things done in a day is a nice compared to the slow slog of the big projects.

The flexible conduit on the south wall is all set.




(Looks wonky but it is strait up and down.)

And, cleaning finally took place!



Obviously, this isn't final but it's nice to not have the engine and hoist there. Man, there was a pile of junk remaining after I moved the engine and hoist.



Once the engine is back into the rails of the roadster, the hoist will go back into storage and that wall will be clear/clean and remain so (that's the plan, anyway ). That's import to me to keep that wall empty so there's room to move around a vehicle parked on that side.

That's about it. Now for another busy work week!

 

[Meleon]

Hey Brent, Your shop's looking amazing! I used those same meat hook hangers for my barn doors back in 2010. Your fit and finish is much nicer than mine though. (all I could junk at the junk yard was round stock) Seeing yours makes me think its worth while redoing mine.

I still have about 20 of them rusting away in the woods. :s

 

[-Brent-]

Hey, that looks pretty good! Great minds think alike. Seriously, I wondered why others hadn't done this before. Thanks for sharing that pic. From what I can see, it looks pretty good.

You should pull those out of the woods, you're probably sitting on four or five hundred bucks.


Edit: I should feel honored, too, I'm your first post here on the GJ. What took you so long? Thanks, again!

 

[Meleon]

just really impressed with how your shops turning out.

Don't have much value to add, really more of a lurker lol.

 

[-Brent-]

The before & after shots are a nice display of your perseverance. Thanks for sharing and providing inspiration. Do you have some extra motivation laying around?!

Rick

Hey Rick, I missed this comment, somehow. Thanks for the complements and for following along. I've got all sorts of motivation laying around. For a long time I was tripping over the motivation because there was so much of it.

Really though, more than motivation I just refuse to give up. There are days when I don't want to do anything but I force myself to get something small done. That adds up over time.

I've been putting off getting the attic finished and getting some tools up there and organized. However, I gave myself to the 28th to be pretty much done, so I'll spend a little time up there over the next few nights and get it into better shape. I know there are benefits of getting the attic set-up but I have been avoiding it. So, putting a deadline on it forces me to be "motivated" even if it's something I don't want to be doing.

 

[54earl]

When I saw the junk yard photo my mind questioned if that was Utah, so quick look under photo for info confirms. Garage is looking spiffy and nice bumper stop solution for the barn doors.

 

[-Brent-]

When I saw the junk yard photo my mind questioned if that was Utah, so quick look under photo for info confirms. Garage is looking spiffy and nice bumper stop solution for the barn doors.

Yes, sir. It is a pretty unique range of mountains. And it was a nice clear, inversion-free day.

Thanks for the compliments, I appreciate them.

 

[-Brent-]

Picked up an extinguisher and a mount out of the local classifieds, today, both coming from different sellers. The sign I've had for a bit and thought it would be a neat addition.

I learned something interesting, it's recommended by safety professionals that you want your extinguisher accessible within 6 seconds. I don't think there's a spot in this garage that I couldn't get to (and back) in more than six seconds.

I wanted a CO2 extinguisher, but for $10 (just removed from a closed business) I couldn't resist.

The ridiculousness of the sign is not lost on me. I am the only one in this place most of the time. I am like a kid, danger and industrial signs are cool to me.

 

[taumac]

Nice work sir. I knew I recognize those Craftsman cabinets. [emoji482]

 

[jerseywild]

They did a nice job with the block work

 

[-Brent-]

Nice work sir. I knew I recognize those Craftsman cabinets. [emoji482]

Thanks! You ever miss yours? What did you replace them with?

They did a nice job with the block work

I was happy with, Sean. He was a nice guy who took pride in his work. The only mason I've ever seen roll up to the job in an Escalade work vehicle!

 

[-Brent-]

My little people turn 5 and 3, respectively, over the next 7 days. They both wanted a swing set, so I did what I do and sourced a $200 set (which has a whole odd, frustrating story attached to buying it) and between my wife and my neighbor we got this thing into really good shape. A nice perk was being able to go in to the shop and get whatever tool I needed, find it easily, and be out using it in a moment.





Over a couple weekends, Linh (my better half) sanded the set down.



My neighbor used to assemble these as a side business went to town correcting issues/mistakes by the previous owner/assembler. This Sunday he and I got it mostly done and Linh and I stained until it was dark. I took the following day off so that it would be finished before the first of the kids’ birthdays. Needless to say, they were thrilled.






In total, so far, we have about $400 into it. It took a little time but I am thrilled with it and it’s a lot easier on the wallet than the 2k these sets go for.





Our babysitter has a 1 year old, so I made some repairs to the baby swing (the old clip was broken and the webbing was frayed).

 

[-Brent-]

Here's my $5 Saturday score:



It's a UTiCa tools TS-35 torque limiting driver. I've wanted a torque screwdriver for a while but I never thought I'd have a fancy, high-end one like this - especially for five dollars. It was recently calibrated, too!

Now that the swing set is completed, I'll have some time to update on the shop. Updates will be coming this week.

 

[Finallygotit]

Nice job on the play set. I'm sure your kids will have many hours of memorable time on it.

 

[JustinS]

I just realized i follow you on IG. Good work on the swingset!

 

[-Brent-]

Nice job on the play set. I'm sure your kids will have many hours of memorable time on it.

Thanks, Dan. My daughter is very excited about the set. A moment after seeing it, yesterday, she yelled, "I Love it! Thank you!" And first thing this morning she asked to go outside and play on it. Had I not had to leave to work, I would've gone out with her and played.

I just realized i follow you on IG. Good work on the swingset!

Cool! What's your name over there? I love IG.

 

[JustinS]

@justin.scherr is me

 

[taumac]

Brent, that's like asking a parent do you miss the kids after they move out? LOL. I do miss them but with them gone it's allowed me to do so many other things in my garage. It was a fun project but time to move on to other things so I basically downsized. I just bought 2 more 44's and a side cabinet. Eventually I'll line them all up on one wall and do butcher block tops for a workbench.

 

[Duker]

Those kids are adorable and look quite content on that swing! Nicely done!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[jbmatth]

Your swing set looks great and a nice score for the price! Your two are the same age as mine and they certainly love their swing set and slide I built for them a few years back. It does need refinished though, that would be a good winter project as they beg to use it every dry day we've had lately.
JB

 

[-Brent-]

@justin.scherr is me

Cool! I'm following you, now.

Brent, that's like asking a parent do you miss the kids after they move out? LOL. I do miss them but with them gone it's allowed me to do so many other things in my garage. It was a fun project but time to move on to other things so I basically downsized. I just bought 2 more 44's and a side cabinet. Eventually I'll line them all up on one wall and do butcher block tops for a workbench.

While those red/gray boxes are the coolest looking, I think the 44s win, especially when built into a bench.

Those kids are adorable and look quite content on that swing! Nicely done!

Thanks, Duker. I figured this kid project would tide them over before I took on any other kid projects, like the workbench I am planning for them. But, the in-laws brought Lil Bob (my 5 y.o.'s nick name is Bob Racecar or Lil Bob for short... it's also the name I use for him online ) home from his birthday dinner with a new bicycle. So that's the plan for after work, today. I can only imagine what they're going to bring his little sister, next Tuesday. These are some lucky kids!

Your swing set looks great and a nice score for the price! Your two are the same age as mine and they certainly love their swing set and slide I built for them a few years back. It does need refinished though, that would be a good winter project as they beg to use it every dry day we've had lately.
JB

Thanks, JB. We put it in a spot where we could see them from the kitchen and back door so they could play on their own but it looks like the only one that'll see them from there is my wife. I'm the designated swing pusher and and the one they want to watch when they perform some stunt. It's a job a take pride in, haha.

My hope is that this Saturday when it's just me and them, I'll be able to get a couple shop projects done while they play. We'll see.

 

[zmotorsports]

Great score on the play set and kudos to teaming up and bringing it back to life. It turned out fantastic Brent.

Mike.

 

[-Brent-]

Great score on the play set and kudos to teaming up and bringing it back to life. It turned out fantastic Brent.

Mike.

Thanks, Mike, I appreciate it. I use my mother in-law as the barometer on this kind of stuff because she's the first to question why when I buy something used or needing work. She is the type of person that would rather buy new to get the look she wants, so she doesn't often understand my desire to buy old or used things like this set or an old house, play with old cars, etc. Nothing wrong her wanting that, in my book, but I know the questions are around the corner whenever a project like this pops up.

So, she sees it yesterday and she was like "Wow, it looks new, this is nicer than so-and-so's," etc., and now I know it's done as a talking point and I'm safe until the next project, haha.

 

[Tonellin]

Just finished the whole thread...incredible transformation. Kudos on the persistence

 

[-Brent-]

Just finished the whole thread...incredible transformation. Kudos on the persistence

Wow, thanks Tonellin! There's more progress, coming. But, I can't lie, this spring weather has me sidetracked!

 

[DJL1967]

Brent I just came across your build and I'm speechless. I love the mix of reclaimed wood and galvanized metal. I was intrigued and found myself going through each of the 500+ posts today. So much for getting things done in my garage I have neglected my 20x20 garage for the past 16 years and have finally made it a priority this year. I've had a lot of time to dream of what I want and how I want it to look. Last week I found a great deal on some barn wood so this is going to be my theme for my garage. I am so glad I came upon your thread as it has given me great inspiration to get moving. Thanks for sharing your build and all your experiences along the way.
Don

 

[-Brent-]

Brent I just came across your build and I'm speechless. I love the mix of reclaimed wood and galvanized metal. I was intrigued and found myself going through each of the 500+ posts today. So much for getting things done in my garage I have neglected my 20x20 garage for the past 16 years and have finally made it a priority this year. I've had a lot of time to dream of what I want and how I want it to look. Last week I found a great deal on some barn wood so this is going to be my theme for my garage. I am so glad I came upon your thread as it has given me great inspiration to get moving. Thanks for sharing your build and all your experiences along the way.
Don

Thanks, so much, Don. I appreciate it.

Barn wood is bringing in some CRAZY money so scoop that stuff up if it's a bargain. Whatever you don't use will likely sell, easily.

 

[Mk3Mike]

Just finished reading through your thread (over multiple nights during my recent bout of waking up at 2am and not being able to get back to sleep). Great transformation so far! When I saw the pile of corrogated steel in the picture in your driveway, I never would have imagined that's what it would be used for or that it would look so amazing!

I don't know how you let alone find the time to work on your garage, but also keep this thread so updated. I've been plugging away a bit at a time on my divided double and keep taking photos of the progress, but can't seem to find the time to get a thread started. Kudos to you. We just moved into our new home less than a year ago so until I finigh my upper shelves and loft, I'll be playing the game where you need to make a picture by sliding the different tiles around with only one usable tile space. I can see the picture even though everything is all mixed up. I just need to keep playing the game.

Definitely copying that air dryer setup

 

[-Brent-]

Just finished reading through your thread (over multiple nights during my recent bout of waking up at 2am and not being able to get back to sleep). Great transformation so far! When I saw the pile of corrogated steel in the picture in your driveway, I never would have imagined that's what it would be used for or that it would look so amazing!

I don't know how you let alone find the time to work on your garage, but also keep this thread so updated. I've been plugging away a bit at a time on my divided double and keep taking photos of the progress, but can't seem to find the time to get a thread started. Kudos to you. We just moved into our new home less than a year ago so until I finigh my upper shelves and loft, I'll be playing the game where you need to make a picture by sliding the different tiles around with only one usable tile space. I can see the picture even though everything is all mixed up. I just need to keep playing the game.

Definitely copying that air dryer setup

Mike, thanks for delving through the whole thread! I appreciate it.

For the little extra effort it takes to knock off the shine of the galvanized, I think it's worth it, especially if you're going for a worn or old look.

As far as time to work, it's two things: 1) I work when everyone is asleep. When I get home from work, the phone is put down and I completely focus on my wife and kids. I don't watch the games that folks are talking about in the office or the news or much else, actually. And, 2), maybe the biggest help, is that there were lots of weekends when my wife or in-laws spent time with the kids while I got some big stuff done. Really though, it's staying committed to seeing the whole project through. I am one of those people that seems to have a couple hours more per day than the norm, which is odd because I am a terrible multitasker but in reality, I just try not to waste time. It's funny, after I typed that I thought about it a bit and it's crazy how much that's true in all areas of my life.

As far as creating a thread, I was exactly like you! I didn't want to spend the time so I took pics and kept working. I'd post a pic here-and-there and a few members kept prodding me and eventually I caved. I'm glad I did, too. It doesn't take as long as I thought. Although, there are times when Photobucket complicates that.

That tile puzzle game is the perfect example of what many of us become pros at. But, I will say that it's way better to have a mostly clutter free shop where I no longer have to do the tile puzzle dance anymore. Now, my shed is a different story. I've got to move 5 kid items just to get the mower out. That's something that needs to be addressed this summer.

Anyway, Mike, let me be the first to start prodding you to get a thread going. And, let me know when you do. I'd love to see what you have going on.

Thanks again! I appreciate it.

 

[NedNorton]

Brent,
Just a quick post/pat on the back. Great job on the play-set! Super cool that your lady helped out. Jen and I work on stuff together and the it makes the end product better somehow.

Now, get that engine set!

Cheers,
Chris

 

[-Brent-]

Brent,
Just a quick post/pat on the back. Great job on the play-set! Super cool that your lady helped out. Jen and I work on stuff together and the it makes the end product better somehow.

Now, get that engine set!

Cheers,
Chris

I love it when we work together, truly! I'm going to try to get her to turn some wrenches on the upcoming auto projects, too. We'll see about that.

As always, thanks for the kind words. I enjoy your point of view.

 

[-Brent-]

I've been working outdoors, well past dark over the last few evenings. First on the swing set and then on these D@MN#D sprinklers.

Last year when digging the trench to run power to the shop two irrigation lines were broken. As I was fully concentrated on the shop, I ignored them until it was too late for my lawn. Utah shouldn't have these grassy lawns, they have no chance of survival without watering... lots of watering.

As I'm wrapping things up on the shop, I still had these sprinklers to deal with. Every year there's a weeks worth of evenings after work where I stream cuss words together while I deal with these things. This year is no different.

So, last night, as I was wrapping up a repair with the half moon and a Harbor Freight flashlight as my only sources of support I realized this is bad habit related. I'll stop here and snap some pics, tomorrow.





As you can see these weren't easy to get at. Also, when I cut into the PVC with the long repair piece, I nicked the pipe next to it. So, even though it doesn't leak, I am going to patch that, as well.

Then, once it's buried, I've got seed to put down. And, I'm already behind with that as far as mother nature is concerned. Even if the seed doesn't take, it will be nice to get rid of the dirt piles sitting by that last part of the trench.

 

[-Brent-]

I posted this in another thread about a member's conundrum of Working on or In Your Shop because this is MY reality of what's left after nearly a year of working on the shop rather than the "in" it.

If I got all those things done, there will still be lists to be made and stuff I'd like to do but when that list is done, the remodel is done. All the extra stuff will be just that, new, extra stuff.

 

[Duker]

Whoa.... do I see "SELL A BALDOR BUFFER" on that list? Did we (I) miss the sale of this item? You are not hiding the good stuff from your friends on the GJ now are you Brent! [emoji3]


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[-Brent-]

Whoa.... do I see "SELL A BALDOR BUFFER" on that list? Did we (I) miss the sale of this item? You are not hiding the good stuff from your friends on the GJ now are you Brent! [emoji3]

I have had this 1/3 hp buffer for a few years and I have only used it a time or two. It's not powerful enough for the larger stuff and I end up sending that out to a great place in town.



If it doesn't get used, there's no reason for it to occupy precious real-estate.

It's going to hit the classifieds over the next couple days.


And, Duker, I wouldn't hold out on y'all! Do you need a toy buffer? If so, let's work out a trade.

 

[-Brent-]

I didn't spend much time on the shop, today. I ended up having to work a couple hours and then the kids and I had some adventure time.

After dinner I took a few minutes to button up the trench and irrigation repairs.



These are pretty much all the hardware store solutions you can find. I want the next person to be amazed and inspired when they dig this up. Hahaha.



This is as far as it got before I ran out of light. Tomorrow, Lil Bob wants to plant grass seed. I have a little clean up to do first and then I'll put the little ones to work.

Tomorrow we have a birthday party for both kids. I should have a bit of time at the end of the day to get a couple more things done.