Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT ZMotorsports Home and 50x60x16 Shop/RV Garage

[Jeff Scott]

Your shop looks awesome and organized nicely. I'm sure it is well deserved and I wish you well in it.

 

[JCQuick]

Mike the shop is looking great congrats. Funny the other day after you posted you were not doing the bench till after you did some maintenance. Well Glad to see you changed your mind. First time I tried to do something in my shop with out the bench is when I realized I needed it bad.

 

[zmotorsports]

Your shop looks awesome and organized nicely. I'm sure it is well deserved and I wish you well in it.

Thanks Jeff, I appreciate the comments. Still more organizing to do but a couple of boxes a day and I am at least whittling away at it in between other things.

Thanks for checking in and commenting.

Mike


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[zmotorsports]

Mike the shop is looking great congrats. Funny the other day after you posted you were not doing the bench till after you did some maintenance. Well Glad to see you changed your mind. First time I tried to do something in my shop with out the bench is when I realized I needed it bad.

You're right JC. I was going to wait but opted to just spend a couple of late nights and pound out the benches. Glad I did as I was so used to my plentiful bench space at my old shop and not having any for the past couple of weeks has really sucked. Overall I will have about 10 feet more of bench space at this shop than my last so I am happy with how they are turning out.

Just need to get my tops ordered tomorrow and they need about two to three days to bend them up.

Thanks for following along JC.

Mike


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[zmotorsports]

I finally got around to uploading Part II of my shop build.

Here is a link.

Thanks for looking.

Mike

 

[JCQuick]

Mike I am watching the new video now and something caught my eye looks like a light that is mounted to your parts washer. its a problem I need to solve

 

[Scuderia-F1]

Awesome Mike, will check the new video as soon as I've closed the workshop for the day!

Regards,

Anders

 

[Thumper68]

Hey mike the shop looks great really enjoyed the Video!!

 

[Wanna Ride]

Haven't been on GJ in quite a while, but one of the first things I wanted to check up on, was your garage build. Looks very impressive, sir!

As I was reading through and catching up, I got to the pages where you were referring to your GC and his references of you being "****" about the door swing, and his most particular clients. I think my blood pressure actually started to climb as I read. Everyone I know says the same things about me, and they all seem to think it's something to mention often. I really try not to be difficult about it, but at the end of the day, I always find myself standing my ground. And, I look at it this way... is it my project? Is it my property? And is it my money? Yes, to all three. So therefore, I want my door to swing my way. I want my light switches at the height I want them. Period. And I can FULLY appreciate your position on how your keys can affect the door jamb, surface, etc.

Similar, little detail that I'm particular about; I have a Bakflip tonneau cover on my truck. It has three, folding panels that make up the majority portion of the bed covering. If you've ever seen one of these Bakflip tonneaus, you'll know that it has a rubber, flanged seal that goes across the rear panel, and seals on the top of the truck tailgate. Under that last panel, there's a manufacturer's decal that clearly states, "warning: close tailgate before lowering this panel, to prevent damaging the seal". And even if you don't notice that decal (you'd have to be blind), anyone can clearly see that if you lower the panel before closing the tailgate, that the tailgate pinches and distorts that seal, AND then the seal jams under the tailgate, completely defeating the purpose of the seal! Well, I was going on a roadtrip with a friend, and we had a large cooler and other items in the bed, that we'd be accessing often. So before we took off and were loading the truck, I pointed the tailgate/tonneau detail out to him, and asked him to "close the tailgate, like this because it does this...". "Ok, no problem", he says. Every damn time following that, he totally disregarded what I asked. Later, he said, "you're just being picky". WTH?

And I can cite a dozen other examples of similar details, that contractors have ignored with the few projects on my property, that I don't actually handle myself. The older I get, the fewer projects I'd like to do around my home and property, but I don't have much patience when someone you're paying, disregards your preferences.

Keep fighting the good fight. It's very clear why you have such a nice place! Some guys will just never get it.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike I am watching the new video now and something caught my eye looks like a light that is mounted to your parts washer. its a problem I need to solve

You will love having a light mounted on the parts washer JC. It was an option when I purchased the solvent tank but sure glad I went with it as it is a must now.

Thanks for following along and taking the time to watch the video.

Mike

 

[zmotorsports]

Awesome Mike, will check the new video as soon as I've closed the workshop for the day!

Regards,

Anders

Thanks for checking in Anders. I hope you find the video entertaining. It doesn't flow quite like I wanted it to because I had several smaller video segments and had to bounce back and forth a little but you will get the idea of the shop.

I hope to now be able to get back on making some more shorter videos of actual projects in the shop.

Thanks again for following along.

Mike

 

[zmotorsports]

Haven't been on GJ in quite a while, but one of the first things I wanted to check up on, was your garage build. Looks very impressive, sir!

As I was reading through and catching up, I got to the pages where you were referring to your GC and his references of you being "****" about the door swing, and his most particular clients. I think my blood pressure actually started to climb as I read. Everyone I know says the same things about me, and they all seem to think it's something to mention often. I really try not to be difficult about it, but at the end of the day, I always find myself standing my ground. And, I look at it this way... is it my project? Is it my property? And is it my money? Yes, to all three. So therefore, I want my door to swing my way. I want my light switches at the height I want them. Period. And I can FULLY appreciate your position on how your keys can affect the door jamb, surface, etc.

Similar, little detail that I'm particular about; I have a Bakflip tonneau cover on my truck. It has three, folding panels that make up the majority portion of the bed covering. If you've ever seen one of these Bakflip tonneaus, you'll know that it has a rubber, flanged seal that goes across the rear panel, and seals on the top of the truck tailgate. Under that last panel, there's a manufacturer's decal that clearly states, "warning: close tailgate before lowering this panel, to prevent damaging the seal". And even if you don't notice that decal (you'd have to be blind), anyone can clearly see that if you lower the panel before closing the tailgate, that the tailgate pinches and distorts that seal, AND then the seal jams under the tailgate, completely defeating the purpose of the seal! Well, I was going on a roadtrip with a friend, and we had a large cooler and other items in the bed, that we'd be accessing often. So before we took off and were loading the truck, I pointed the tailgate/tonneau detail out to him, and asked him to "close the tailgate, like this because it does this...". "Ok, no problem", he says. Every damn time following that, he totally disregarded what I asked. Later, he said, "you're just being picky". WTH?

And I can cite a dozen other examples of similar details, that contractors have ignored with the few projects on my property, that I don't actually handle myself. The older I get, the fewer projects I'd like to do around my home and property, but I don't have much patience when someone you're paying, disregards your preferences.

Keep fighting the good fight. It's very clear why you have such a nice place! Some guys will just never get it.

Thanks for your comments and for catching up on my thread.

I too hate it when I hear many, many times about how **** I am when I don't really ask for that much. I just want what I ask for and what I am paying for. This is probably why I generally do most things myself and don't hire things out. This shop build was the first thing I had hired out in a very long time and it reconfirmed why I don't hire things out, but it was simply too large a job for this point in my life.

As for the vehicles I too am picky about a couple of things. I hate it when people slam my doors, they don't need to be thrown off the hinges, just close them normally. I also hate it when people twist my seatbelts as they exit my vehicles. It really is not that difficult to release a seatbelt and let it retract before getting out and slamming the door on the freaking seatbelt because you twisted it and it can't retract.

I am also obsessed with people NOT throwing things over the bedsides of trucks, that is what a tailgate is for. I cringe when they do it with their own trucks as I see way too often they misjudge and catch the bed rail and ding the rail or scratch the paint. I am downright loud and vocal if someone even thinks about it with my own truck.

Saturday afternoon when I was servicing the wife's Acura I noticed she had a nail in her left rear tire. I removed it and ran it to the local shop to have repaired. When the guy finished it he started heading towards my truck. I ran out and stopped him and said to leave the tire there and I would put it in the back of the truck. He insisted that it was part of his job to put the tire in the back. I insisted back that I will do it and leave it leaning against the light pole and I would put it in the back after I paid for the repair. I turned around and he was lowering my tailgate and before I could stop him he grabbed the tire and swung it up into the back of my truck (my truck is lifted 6" with 36" tires so it is up there a bit) and sure enough he hit the tire on the tailgate bouncing the tailgate up and then dropping on the cables. At that point I reacted and went off on him. I shouted over "I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE THE F**KING TIRE THERE AND I WOULD PUT IT IN MY TRUCK!!"

I'm sure I acted like an *** and this kid who did a great job fixing the tire in a very timely fashion now had pissed me off because he didn't do the ONE thing I asked of him, don't put it in my truck, I would do it.

When I got there and made sure there was no damage on the tailgate and put it up there were two greasy hand prints on my nice white tailgate which just infuriated me more. I simply don't understand people, and I was the one who drove away feeling like an *******, which I am sure he thought I was.

When I arrived home my wife could tell I was pissed about something. I have really been trying to work on my temper the last several years but at times I seem to go off and I know it worries her.

So I know exactly what you are saying.

Thanks again for sharing your experience and catching up.

Mike

 

[polexican23]

great story Mike, and how would you have reacted if the warden was with you?

 

[zmotorsports]

great story Mike, and how would you have reacted if the warden was with you?

Unfortunately I probably would have reacted the same way and then have to apologize profusely afterwards.

I feel I am getting better but certain things just set me off and I resort back to my short fuse again.

I'm not proud of my short fuse and have been working diligently on it but I do stumble and fall on occasion. But I also get my point across as well, so maybe it isn't ALL bad.

Mike

 

[m5hor]

such nice work. very motivating seeing it all. thanks for sharing

 

[LXCam]

Man oh man is she coming together nicely Mike, very impressive bud!

Unfortunately I probably would have reacted the same way and then have to apologize profusely afterwards.

I feel I am getting better but certain things just set me off and I resort back to my short fuse again.

I'm not proud of my short fuse and have been working diligently on it but I do stumble and fall on occasion. But I also get my point across as well, so maybe it isn't ALL bad.

Mike

Now wheres that ******* thread at again? Believe it or not I'm a man of very few words. So when I ask something of someone it's short and sweet and very clear. Plus I rarely ever ask anything of anyone and just do it myself. But when **** like that happens I'm no different than you, I'll spit out something without a moments hesitation and it's never nice. But I've also gotten to an age where 5 minutes later normally I'll have let it go and not dewl on it........well at least I think I do, the wife would probably argue that point.

 

[krcoomer]

As for the vehicles I too am picky about a couple of things. I hate it when people slam my doors, they don't need to be thrown off the hinges, just close them normally. I also hate it when people twist my seatbelts as they exit my vehicles. It really is not that difficult to release a seatbelt and let it retract before getting out and slamming the door on the freaking seatbelt because you twisted it and it can't retract.

Mike: The shop is looking great and is truly something you should be proud of and happy to work in. I hope it pushes the bleak days of a few months ago further in the rearview mirror.

I am the same way about keeping our vehicles in good condition. My wife is a school librarian who has one day of professional development every year with the other librarians from the district where they get to go out for lunch rather than having it brought in and she usually is one who drives because her car does not have 73 fast food cups, ball gloves, month old gym clothes, etc in the seats. A couple of years ago she had a lady who made a comment about her lease must be close to being up. When she told her it was finally paid off the lady then started picking on her for having is so clean and the leather not having coffee stains on it. When they returned she told my wife that she left a present in there for her. My wife said she wished that she could have left because she didn't know what it was and worried more about it than what the speakers were saying for the afternoon session. The full soft drink cup was sitting up on the floor mat when she got back so it was not a tragedy. The next year, this lady asked her where she was going and my wife suggested she find another ride. In other words, I understand fully.

 

[LXCam]

You have got to be kidding, what a FN *****

 

[zmotorsports]

such nice work. very motivating seeing it all. thanks for sharing

Thank you for the comments and for following along.

Mike

 

[zmotorsports]

Man oh man is she coming together nicely Mike, very impressive bud!




Now wheres that ******* thread at again? Believe it or not I'm a man of very few words. So when I ask something of someone it's short and sweet and very clear. Plus I rarely ever ask anything of anyone and just do it myself. But when **** like that happens I'm no different than you, I'll spit out something without a moments hesitation and it's never nice. But I've also gotten to an age where 5 minutes later normally I'll have let it go and not dewl on it........well at least I think I do, the wife would probably argue that point.

Thanks Cam. I am very happy with the end result of the shop and I am glad I am not alone in my reaction. Although I am still trying to tame my temper.

Mike

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike: The shop is looking great and is truly something you should be proud of and happy to work in. I hope it pushes the bleak days of a few months ago further in the rearview mirror.

I am the same way about keeping our vehicles in good condition. My wife is a school librarian who has one day of professional development every year with the other librarians from the district where they get to go out for lunch rather than having it brought in and she usually is one who drives because her car does not have 73 fast food cups, ball gloves, month old gym clothes, etc in the seats. A couple of years ago she had a lady who made a comment about her lease must be close to being up. When she told her it was finally paid off the lady then started picking on her for having is so clean and the leather not having coffee stains on it. When they returned she told my wife that she left a present in there for her. My wife said she wished that she could have left because she didn't know what it was and worried more about it than what the speakers were saying for the afternoon session. The full soft drink cup was sitting up on the floor mat when she got back so it was not a tragedy. The next year, this lady asked her where she was going and my wife suggested she find another ride. In other words, I understand fully.

Thanks Kenny. Yes, the issues that I was having a couple of months ago are a distant memory and I will be glad to leave them behind now seeing what the result of the last 6+ months has turned out.

As for your wife's car, I would have told her to find another ride as well.

Mike

 

[zmotorsports]

I met with my GC tonight. It was the first time he had seen the shop and yard completely done. I gave him the nickel tour and then we sat down and settled up on the final payment. I am happy and I hope he is as well.

The last thing that needed to be done was they had shorted me the remote for the RV bay, which I don't know how much I will use it so it wasn't a big deal but I paid for it so I thought I may as well have it. Just when we were finalizing the bill and I was writing the last check they showed up with the remote and needed to program it so I had to pull the coach out of the bay.

Snapped a couple of pictures while it was out for a size perspective.




That pretty much concludes the actual building of our shop and RV garage. I want to thank all of my fellow forum members for all of the support and feedback I have gotten throughout the last six months of this build.

Thank you all very much.

Mike


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[bowtiguy]

Mike,

Love the shop! Got dialed into the thread about half way through the build. Look forward to seeing what comes out of it.

In a related story to your tire guy rant. I've learned NOT to trust the dealers. So much so that I wont allow my local MB dealer to service my wife's AMG Gl63 ( the most expensive car I've ever owned). At the end of the day it's still a car but I do the oil changes/brakes etc. even though it's under warranty.


"if" I bring it in for warranty service. There is a standing rule that they are not to wash it. Same thing I told the GMC dealer on her Denali xl. The sevice guy was shocked! When I purchased a set of take off OEM wheels on line to use for winter tires ( because the dealer wanted $1800/ea) the service manager asked my wife " I don't get it, why does your husband drive an H3 & install your wheels/ tires?" She replied: because he's a car guy & Not your normal customer. She's a keeper.

 

[readhead]

The build turned out great. I always enjoy building a nice new shop for someone and getting to share their excitement. The largest one was 80'x270'. He restored vintage aircraft.

On a side note. Every time I see the coach I wonder if your new nickname is "the hatchet man"? Enjoy, you deserve it.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike,

Love the shop! Got dialed into the thread about half way through the build. Look forward to seeing what comes out of it.

In a related story to your tire guy rant. I've learned NOT to trust the dealers. So much so that I wont allow my local MB dealer to service my wife's AMG Gl63 ( the most expensive car I've ever owned). At the end of the day it's still a car but I do the oil changes/brakes etc. even though it's under warranty.


"if" I bring it in for warranty service. There is a standing rule that they are not to wash it. Same thing I told the GMC dealer on her Denali xl. The sevice guy was shocked! When I purchased a set of take off OEM wheels on line to use for winter tires ( because the dealer wanted $1800/ea) the service manager asked my wife " I don't get it, why does your husband drive an H3 & install your wheels/ tires?" She replied: because he's a car guy & Not your normal customer. She's a keeper.

Thank you and thank you for taking the time to read through my build thread.

I couldn't agree more about having anything serviced. The guy at the tire store still can't understand why I bring tires in off the vehicles to have them repaired, balanced and even replaced. I explained that no one touches my vehicles and I think he is starting to get why.

Thanks again for following along and sharing your experiences as well.

Mike

 

[zmotorsports]

The build turned out great. I always enjoy building a nice new shop for someone and getting to share their excitement. The largest one was 80'x270'. He restored vintage aircraft.

On a side note. Every time I see the coach I wonder if your new nickname is "the hatchet man"? Enjoy, you deserve it.

Thank you. I appreciate that. I can relate to your excitement of building shops. Whenever I would complete a car or bike for someone and they would come by to pick it up I was the same way. My rush came from seeing their excitement and joy when they picked up whatever I built for them. I tell my wife whenever I have built a bike or car whether it is ours or not I feel like a part of me went into it. I still feel that way and hope that never changes.

Mike

 

[polexican23]

quick question Mike, Since they poured your little driveway and such in sections, have you noticed a big color variation between the different pours?

 

[zmotorsports]

quick question Mike, Since they poured your little driveway and such in sections, have you noticed a big color variation between the different pours?

No, nothing at all. They were all poured within three days of each other but no color differences at all. I do have a couple of sections that the broomed finish is just slightly different than others, but only slightly. That could have been merely by the timing of the brooming from one section to another or one section being shaded slightly more than another and thus allowing a little deeper broom mark than one in the sun, hard to tell.

Mike

 

[zmotorsports]

Well after being in our new home after exactly 7 months, it's officially DONE! We had the gates installed today and the final shop payment made yesterday. My wife and I stood in the street admiring it for the past ten minutes having a hard time believing it's actually ours.



My son and I went and picked up the 3/4" plywood for the workbenches and I received a call that my steel bench tops are done so over the next couple of nights I have my work cut out for me.

Thanks for looking.

Mike


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[JCQuick]

Mike that's very nice love it congrats well deserved

 

[Finallygotit]

Mike, you should be proud! Job (very) well done my friend!

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike that's very nice love it congrats well deserved

Thank you JC, I appreciate that.

Mike


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[zmotorsports]

Mike, you should be proud! Job (very) well done my friend!

Thank you Dan. I appreciate you taking the time to follow along and comment throughout the build.

I am happy with the way it turned out and still can't believe it is ours.

Mike


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[zmotorsports]

I had to work with this strange substance in my shop tonight called "wood".


Went and picked up my benchtops this afternoon.


Six foot top fell right into place. Just had to weld up the two corners and blend them a bit.


Test fit of the corner tops. Everything fit perfectly. Ready for welding.


I V'd the joint ever so slightly so the weld would sit flush then TIG welded the seam with cooling time to prevent warping.


Benches completed and vise even mounted before calling it quits for the night.




After I get some more items organized and put away in the shop I will fabricate a couple of doors for the storage compartments in the two benches.

Thanks for looking.

Mike


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[SiGmA_X]

Not like you need anyone to tell you, but you do great work, Mike! Nice job on the benches.

I can also share your annoyance with the general population and cars..hell, and following instruction or logic in general!

 

[-Brent-]

Benches completed and vise even mounted before calling it quits for the night.

Whoa! Awesome. Incredibly sharp. What gauge?

 

[shortykorte]

Having the coach out in front of the shop reinforces how well the scale of everything is spot on.

Darn Mike, you have wood. LOL. Counters look great. I was going to ask why they didn't put a backsplash on the end of the side bench but I see you had that covered. Also I had assumed stainless would be used but you used steel.
Great shop!!!


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[ryanp77]

That is some amazing work. I have always wanted to learn how to weld

 

[JCQuick]

love "Your" version of the Steve O Bench. How did you get the tops to match the painted frames?

 

[zmotorsports]

Not like you need anyone to tell you, but you do great work, Mike! Nice job on the benches.

I can also share your annoyance with the general population and cars..hell, and following instruction or logic in general!

Thank you Roman. I appreciate the comments.

I think I am going to love the benches. Kudos to Steevo for coming up with the design, I just followed his lead.

Mike