Below 265 SQ/FT "you should knock it down" single car garage rescue

[old_smokey]

Make sure you mount it so it hangs over the edge, wouldn't want to limit yourself on grabbing things that hang lower than your tabletop.

speaking of your workbench, I am super impressed with how you built your workbench.


I know its just 2x4s but you made it like it was made from super nice furniture grade hardwoods. Every time I scroll past the series of photos where you built it I am impressed all over again.

Thanks very much! That bench was a point of pride for me in many ways. Before starting this garage project I essentially had zero experience working with wood or construction. Nothing that really counted anyway. So after working with my dad over the summer on the building, I was able to pick up a lot of pointers and improve my own abilities. I showed him my plans first, got a few suggestions, then gave it a go. I’m very happy with it.

Last night I spent six hours in the shop. It was -25c outside, +18 inside. I was working on some electrical repairs on my 1982 xl125s I got for my wife. New signals, cleaning all the connections and grounds, fixing some broken wires and so on. New chain and sprockets as well. I think the fact I got lost in time and didn’t realize I was in there till 1am is a testament to how this shop has turned out.




The lift is a HUGE improvement for me. Working at eye level on finicky wiring is so much better than on my knees.




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[xtremek]

No matter how much storage you have, it's never enough.

 

[Growlertdi]

That bike lift seems a little top heavy and like it could tip over sideways easily. I would have expected the feet to be wider than they seem to be. Is it bolted to the floor at all?

 

[old_smokey]

I agree that it definitely looks tippy in this photo. But it doesn't rock or feel like it could tip at all in real life. This is a small bike though, just a 125cc around 200lbs. If you had a 500lb bike on there I would look at sliding a pipe through the two hollow steel 'feet' to widen the footprint.

 

[1953mercury]

I think your shop has come out great, and I can relate to getting "lost in time" in the shop. I'm thinking if your lift was any wider at the base you would be tripping over it more often than not. It's obviously built for lighter machines, but I think you would really have to be trying to tip it over for that to happen. Here's wishing you many more happy hrs in your new space, and I like many of us here have learned a thing or two from our dads. Cheers, Mike

 

[PhantomEB]

Hello from Calgary!

Just read all 9 pages after I found out it was a fellow Canadian garage. And quite impressed!

Some days I wish I was only still into bikes instead of the big trucks and muscle cars, would be just fine with a little garage like yours!

 

[skelley9404]

I appreciate your attention to detail on this build. The work bench is top notch

 

[old_smokey]

"you should knock it down" single car garage rescue

Thanks for the kind words everyone, I appreciate it!

I’ve been spending a lot of time in here this week. As you might guess, when you have a heated workshop in a city experiencing a prolonged deep freeze, friends come knocking. Currently have a cr250 on the lift for a carb swap.



At the same time I setup a little ‘paint booth’ on the bench with vapor barrier. I painted my xt500 engine cases over the weekend. I had to crank the ceiling heater to max AND run a baseboard heater to keep the ambient temp around 23C. It was -25C outside. I used the oven to pre heat the cases a bit, as well as cure the paint afterward in three progressively hotter bakes. That thing has been so useful.






Paint fumes were bad but the ceiling fan made a massive difference. I wore a mask and would leave after spraying each coat. I won’t paint in here in winter again though. In summer I can make a booth outside or at least open windows and have a much safer ventilation system.

This week the oven goes to work again to heat and expand the cases to accept the bearings.


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[driftpin]

A good job in the garage, doing the bikes. My wife would kill me if I tried to use her Wolf oven for baking painted parts. I've thought about using one free-standing, encased in a cabinet, but I really don't use one enough to justify it. Maybe if I decide to do some powder coating.

I love my Handy-Lift. I'll never be without it. Actually, I find I often use it for a workbench too. I just used it this morning to install a new circuitboard in a 50" Panasonic HDTV that developed a bad power supply board after a brief power outage.

Do you have a metal tray under the stand to catch all the overspray from carb cleaner and other fluids, like brake fluid? You wouldn't want to ruin the basketball court surface.

 

[old_smokey]

A good job in the garage, doing the bikes. My wife would kill me if I tried to use her Wolf oven for baking painted parts. I've thought about using one free-standing, encased in a cabinet, but I really don't use one enough to justify it. Maybe if I decide to do some powder coating.

I love my Handy-Lift. I'll never be without it. Actually, I find I often use it for a workbench too. I just used it this morning to install a new circuitboard in a 50" Panasonic HDTV that developed a bad power supply board after a brief power outage.

Do you have a metal tray under the stand to catch all the overspray from carb cleaner and other fluids, like brake fluid? You wouldn't want to ruin the basketball court surface.

Yeah I would NEVER use my house oven to do this. I know some do but I cannot imagine it not permanently smelling like paint and motor after. Plus the house itself... I’m really happy to have this in my shop. It takes a huge amount of my limited space, but it’s worth it.

I don’t have a metal try, but have a rubber mat I put under the lift. The wood floor is destined to get beat up pretty quickly. I’m doing my best to keep the snow out with door mats and such, but it’s just a matter of time. That said, it’s got a real tough clear coat on top so I’m curious how well it’ll stand up.


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[sublime68charger]

Holy smokers that lace has come a long way that is for sure!

 

[old_smokey]

Re: "you should knock it down" single car garage rescue

Seriously this oven is so useful. Heated up the cases a second time and was able to drop the new bearings in by hand. No hammering or pounding required.




Later I snagged this snap on pneumatic shop stool for a few bucks. Matches my tool box and lifts to the perfect height at the work bench, then drops to a good height for working on bikes.




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[RickP]

Nice job on your shop! That's a pretty amazing transformation from the original building. And you were able to get it done very fast - I'm sure the approaching winter was a huge motivator.

I really like your oven idea. I'm going to try that with a large toaster oven we're not using anymore. I was surprised that your bearings dropped right in to the hot cases.

 

[old_smokey]

Yeah the oven is great. Some of the smaller bearings did not drop in so nicely as they warmed up much quicker upon contact. But the six large ones definitely did. Hot aluminum block expands + cold steel bearings makes things pretty easy. Check it out on youtube, lots of great videos showing the bearings dropping in.


-5C by the end of the week. Spring is starting to become something I'm letting myself think about. It sure will be nice to stop dragging snow into the garage.

I'm mostly hoping that the ground settles back down under the man-door. It still binds pretty hard at the bottom corner. Hopefully the frost heave melts down and the door returns to normal. Then I can figure out a way to manage it for next winter.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I love your garage, love that you took it on and “won”. But I have to tell you that seeing the diagonal reinforcement cable on the green wall “pings” my OCD. I understand you have to leave it but would there be any way you could camouflage it with matching paint or peg board over it?

PS OUTSTANDING work bench workmanship.

 

[old_smokey]

I love your garage, love that you took it on and “won”. But I have to tell you that seeing the diagonal reinforcement cable on the green wall “pings” my OCD. I understand you have to leave it but would there be any way you could camouflage it with matching paint or peg board over it?

PS OUTSTANDING work bench workmanship.

Haha! Oh no now it’s going to bug me too!! Alright...I’ll give it some thought.


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[rixtrix1]

No matter how much storage you have, it's never enough.

Ha! Sometimes I think I live in storage.


Workshop is fantastic! The ability to keep it comfortably warm in the dead of winter is great for getting stuff done.

 

[rixtrix1]

Just went back over the entire thread. Very nice, and a great selection of tools in that Snap-On box, too.

 

[xtremek]

I dropped by to check the latest progress and while scrolling down the page, I looked back over the shot with the Cr250 on the lift. I like the curtains on the windows. Nice touch. I'd do it to my shop, but they'd never stay clean.

 

[old_smokey]

"you should knock it down" single car garage rescue

I dropped by to check the latest progress and while scrolling down the page, I looked back over the shot with the Cr250 on the lift. I like the curtains on the windows. Nice touch. I'd do it to my shop, but they'd never stay clean.

Thanks, gotta keep prying eyes out! My mom sewed them up for me from some spare fabric.


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[xtremek]

What caught my eye was that they were open. But I completely agree.

 

[F451]

I'm not going to be happy until I see pics of a coffee pot and some bacon sizzling away on that stove top with a pile of just cooked but now warming up french toast in the oven. And lots of that spendy real maple syrup.

Other then that, nicely done man, great to see you out there enjoying the shop after all the hard work.

 

[old_smokey]

I'm not going to be happy until I see pics of a coffee pot and some bacon sizzling away on that stove top with a pile of just cooked but now warming up french toast in the oven. And lots of that spendy real maple syrup.

Other then that, nicely done man, great to see you out there enjoying the shop after all the hard work.

Ahaha!! Well shoot why not I guess?? I’ll add it to the list


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[Farmerjonathan]

The previous owner of my garage (which started life as a one car garage) split it down the middle, moved the outer walls out, continued the rafters to the new peak, built the new parts of the ends. So yes, the East frame of the East door is the original frame and the West frame of the West door is the original door frame and everything in the middle built new. Worked out well for him and me.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Haha! Oh no now it’s going to bug me too!! Alright...I’ll give it some thought.


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I apologize, I sincerely do. One thing about those of us that post on these threads, we make suggestions that end up causing someone to spend time and money. I’ve been the recipient of plenty of “ideas” too over the years I’ve been here.

 

[xtremek]

I finally got caught up on this. What a nice save and incredible space.

 

[Lwel9226]

I love your garage, love that you took it on and “won”. But I have to tell you that seeing the diagonal reinforcement cable on the green wall “pings” my OCD. I understand you have to leave it but would there be any way you could camouflage it with matching paint or peg board over it?

PS OUTSTANDING work bench workmanship.

I think it adds character, and it is a reminder of how much of a mess your garage was before you started and how much you have accomplished...
Shop really looks good.... Great job...

LynnW

 

[old_smokey]

Re: "you should knock it down" single car garage rescue

Hit up the habitat for humanity ReStore yesterday. Looks like they had a shipment of some really heavy duty steel cabinets from an art department of some kind. $30 each, so I picked one up. Weighs a ton. It fits perfectly under my big window, like it was made for it.

It has some built in organizers too. Top drawer will be great for spare gaskets and random parts. Mid drawer is just right for oil filters and batteries. Bottom will fit my oil jugs.




Back to work on the XT and made a proper mess on the bench finally.




Bottom end pretty much done. A few minutes of clean up, with a Rubbermaid “dust protector” over it till I can finish it up.




I ordered prints of some Yamaha XT factory service diagrams they sent to their service centers yesterday. Should look good on the walls!


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[old_smokey]

Re: "you should knock it down" single car garage rescue

The snow is finally melting and I had my first day since November where the heater reads “0 KWh” on the energy monitor. Works for me.

I spent ten hours in the shop on Saturday, finishing up my XT500 engine.




Felt good to have all the tools out and get the workbench properly used again.

Of course, always good to clean up after.



Then today I picked up this nice old Beach toolbox. I’m going to keep this loaded up with general tools for around the house jobs, so I don’t have to always run into the shop for small tasks. The box is in nice shape, though I had to remove a posh spice sticker first.





It’s a good sized, solid and heavy old toolbox.

With the snow rapidly melting, I’ll need to pick up my overhead door lock project I left unfinished in fall.


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[winnipegtibook]

Can you tell me a bit more about the kw LCD meter? I'd love to integrate this into my setup. YOu know, there might have to be a "Prairie GJ meet up" at some point. Great work

 

[old_smokey]

Can you tell me a bit more about the kw LCD meter? I'd love to integrate this into my setup. YOu know, there might have to be a "Prairie GJ meet up" at some point. Great work

I picked it up off eBay or Amazon for maybe $10. However mine isn't working properly at the moment, due to my own error. The way I have it hooked up now, it thinks everything is running at 240V. I need to modify it so it can identify when current draw is 120V vs 240V.

It's basically one of these:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/AC-80-300V-...119693?hash=item2833e1accd:g:3L4AAOSweZJaQiKM

My heater is controlled by a Stelpro Maestro thermostat, which has its own power meter. That reads only power consumed by the heater, and sends a daily and monthly total to the Stelpro app on my phone.

 

[old_smokey]

"you should knock it down" single car garage rescue

Haven't updated in a while but I've been busy with a few projects. I tore down an old shed next to the garage in winter, making room for three 4.5'x8.5' raised garden beds outside the workshop. I finished putting those in this week, which will give me a nice view out the workbench window come summer. Oh and I scored a nice wall-mounted tire rack on Kijiji for $15, which helped clear out some floor space.

This week I picked up a second tool cabinet. I bought a 52" Husky 9-drawer on sale from Home Depot. It's nowhere near as robust as the Snap On, but only cost a couple hundred bucks. I wasn't sure I could fit it inside at first, but now that it's loaded up with tools and equipment, I think I actually have MORE room in the shop! Plus an additional work surface. I actually got ride of four boxes taking up space as a result. Win!




Also put up a simple lumber shelf along the opposite wall using some cheap brackets from Home Depot. I have a stash of 2x4s from the shed I tore down. Rather than leaving them out in the rain, I've got them up and out of the way for some future project..



Now that motorcycle season is in full swing, I'm turning my attention to some 'quick release' overhead door locks, which I've mentioned a few times in this thread. Finally getting to it. I'll tackle that on Monday and post some pictures of the design once they're up.

 

[xtremek]

Don't you just love it when things go the right way? Were you able to sell them old boxes for a decent price?

 

[old_smokey]

Don't you just love it when things go the right way? Were you able to sell them old boxes for a decent price?

Oh I didn’t sell any old boxes. I meant I had stuff in cardboard boxes and so on haphazardly thrown around. Not it’s all nice and organized.

Got another sweet score today. An old university library index card cabinet. This thing is HEAVY. Best part is it’s modular. The legs/base are removable, and the body breaks into a few sections. Two sections of 3x6 and the top is a 1x6 bank. And if this isn’t a sign it was meant to be... the 3x6 banks fit EXACTLY into my workbench shelves. So I’m going to have to try that out. It would be sweet having a bank of small parts/tools drawers in half the bench, and use the remaining drawer banks and wooden top as a stand-alone storage unit. Pumped on this score!





Right now it’s assembled as one complete cabinet. I didn’t have time to experiment with it as I fixed up my dads old log splitter and put it to work.




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[old_smokey]

Hey guys, been 1.5 years since I updated my thread and much has been going on in my little shop.

I bought a tig welder and have been practicing a lot on steel and aluminum. I built this table as a first project, which included some experimenting with 'tig flame straightening' to get my 1/2" steel top flat. It was out 1/2" when I picked it up from the shop that cut the holes. Now it's within 1/64". My tig welds started out just brutal, with a tungsten rod lasting maybe 20 seconds before I'd dip, but I'm finally starting to get into the rhythm now.





Also acquired a few tool boxes for cheap, including a matching Snap On box and a few Beach stacks, which are my personal favourites. So many drawers! However it's starting to get a bit absurd in this little shop. I think I need to put a moratorium on tool boxes for a while.



That XT500 I posted about a while back, well that is wrapped up and on the trail. It's been a hoot!





Now that winter is a week or two away up here, I'm starting on a new project. I bought-back my first motorcycle, a 1974 CB750, and will be doing a full restoration and engine rebuild over the winter. let the fun begin!

 

[xtremek]

That is a ton of tool boxes. Why are Beaches your fav?

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Smokey, I read through the whole thread yesterday. Nice work saving this building, you did an awesome job! Looks like a great little workshop, though I'd agree you may have lost the plot a tiny bit with the toolboxes haha! Regardless it's a great looking workshop. Well done!

I want to watch that CB750 come together! I'm a big fan of the cafe style and UJMs in general, so I'm stoked to see what you do with it.

 

[old_smokey]

Haha lost the plot, well said.

I like these Beach boxes because they have so many shallow drawers. They're not the best for storing tools, but they're amazing for parts storage. I picked up a bunch of cheap Husky organizers and use one of the stacks just for keeping hardware organized, particularly when working on multiple engines. Funny enough, when I bought the last stack, I actually gained 2 square feet of floor space by using it as my hardware storage vs the shelves I had before.

The small upper drawers fit the medium Husky boxes perfectly. The full size drawers fit two large containers and two small ones.




The second box is for tools. The low profile drawers aren't good for things like pliers, anything in a blow-molded case, hammers, anything tall. But its great for stuff like this



@xtremek Reason I like these so much is partly the aesthetics - they have a beautiful rich paint and nice handles. But more-so its because when I was in school working a summer job, I was a shop hand at a trucking garage. It was a landscape company that had a fleet of semi trucks for hauling dirt and gravel, along with a few 3 and 5 ton end dumps and a bunch of 3/4 tons trucks. I didn't even own a vehicle at that time, and sure didn't know a single thing about maintaining cars.

One of the old timers there helped me out a lot. He taught me how to change oil, wire trailers, replaced a radiator, drum brake jobs, even mig welded some trailer panels. The guy was very crass and rough around the edges hah, but I liked him. He had a Beach stack just like this, jam packed with all kinds of tools I'd never seen before. It oozed character much like he did. Fast forward 15 years and these two boxes came up for sale close to the same time, and the price was right. One is super clean, the other a bit rough and a good 'working box'.

 

[BSAschields]

Enjoying reading this thread ... Although Im a Brit bike guy I like anything on two wheels ... And we both saved a building that everyone said to tear down... So good for you... Great minds think alike

 

[cool50]

Super nice shop great attention to detail