Above 1200 Sq/FT The Salvage Garage

[steaks&anvils]

S&A, as for the chairs, I had two, bought a third yesterday. Can’t find one of the original ones, so I may only have two, but I did have another one. As far as I can remember, they are all a bit different.

Bummer. I am sure the missing one will turn up.

It is hard to find matching vintage furniture. So I just just embrace the mis-matched look.

I loaned a bar height aluminium bar stool to my sister. It was newer, not anything too valuable. We have an agreement that she asks me if I want something back before she gets rid of it. But this time her roommate moved out and took it. I wasn't happy. Her reply was: "but you only paid $8 for it". Yeah but to replace it new will be pricey.

I lucked out and got restaurant grade aluminum dining chairs from Wahoo's Fish Tacos. They changed the decor of the restaurant and were selling the old chairs. LOL they had 75 of them. I think I paid $45 a piece, good price and I got 4 matching at one time. As I know you are well aware, sometimes you have to grab a deal.

Not sure if I confessed this, but I have a thing for modern office side chairs to use as dining chairs. I have the aluminum ones, steel tanker style ones, Bertoia wire ones (knock offs) and a set of steelcase-ish newer/modern-ish ones. And a bunch of just ones that I can't find matches for. I keep meaning to sell off the loners, but I never get motivated to do that.

 

[Strouty]

There is something cool about that old furniture, it is timeless.

 

[steaks&anvils]

There is something cool about that old furniture, it is timeless.

I was toying with painting the steel tanker chairs and then use paint for vinyl upholstery to do the seats.

Alas, for me, there is always another shiny object that allows me to justify to myself the need to do something else at the moment.

Along those lines, I like this painted aluminum chair. Almost 1980s post modern. More so if a set was done in red and black.

 

[Strouty]

I have very eclectic tastes when it comes to furniture, but sometimes I don’t care as long as it is comfortable. Some of the coolest pieces of furniture I have had are actually very uncomfortable, I don’t keep them around very long if they make my back hurt. I have some of the Herman Miller Aeron chairs that I really like, but they aren’t vintage at all.

 

[steaks&anvils]

I have very eclectic tastes when it comes to furniture, but sometimes I don’t care as long as it is comfortable. Some of the coolest pieces of furniture I have had are actually very uncomfortable, I don’t keep them around very long if they make my back hurt. I have some of the Herman Miller Aeron chairs that I really like, but they aren’t vintage at all.

I totally get that. I have a lower back and shoulder issue. I once sat in every piece of furniture in the Scandinavian design store. Not one piece felt good.

My sectional now is a mid grade piece from a "Furniture Row" store. It was the only one that felt good. It took years to find it.

My ex-wife used to get mad at me for bringing a dining chair into the living room to sit in to watch TV. It was the only chair that didn't hurt my back. She thought I needn't to just "**** it up" and get over it.

Until you have an issue like that, you cannot ever understand.

 

[Strouty]

Yes, back problems, ****.

Finishing up some paperwork, then headed to bed. Tomorrow I am picking up the metal shelving units, they have nine of them and they are 84" tall, 36" wide, and 12" deep, the guy says there are 8 adjustable shelves per unit, these are the first ones that are 12" deep I have been able to find, most are 18" deep and as far as I am concerned, that is too deep to store my supplies on. I found that 12" didn't allow extra space that turned into a catch all for junk.

Hopefully I will hear something about the F-550 tomorrow too. I would love to take that just to test it out, but I don't think it will be ready. The rest of this week should be a good mix of productivity and dreaming......

 

[Strouty]

Well that *****, the shelving was not what was anticipated, so I am doing something I don’t usually do, going home empty handed. It was all like a pallet rack and when he told me there were 9 units, it was 9 only if you put them side by side in a row. He had a picture from a catalog showing a bookcase style unit, I figured he was trying to show how much they were new, but in the end he want double the price if I wanted 9 stand alone units.

 

[casmurbax]

that *****...

 

[Strouty]

It wasn’t a total loss, there was a “tent sale” mostly junk, but I found another cool chair, the seat is partly disconnected, but no issue to sit in it, just a problem if you tip it upside down.

 

[steaks&anvils]

It wasn’t a total loss, there was a “tent sale” mostly junk, but I found another cool chair, the seat is partly disconnected, but no issue to sit in it, just a problem if you tip it upside down.

Bummer about the shelves. Better to walk away than to buy them and try to get them to work for what you wanted.

Nice chair. Again, great upholstery. There are clips that hold the seat onto the frame. These of course get lost over the years and are no long available. The clips are different for every manufacturer and even by different years made.

You have fixed and fabricated enough things to knows this, but I'll sum up some of what I know:

I suggest you make a clip to replace any that are missing on your new chair. Mine all only have four clips total per chair. Just look at the other chair to get the general idea of the shape needed. There should also be wear spots that show where the original clips were.

FYI, I found that most of these chairs are pretty grungy on the underneath of the chair. But regular "soap-n-water" type cleaners work well. The aluminum will scratch if you use too abrasive cleaner.

The arm chair of mine is 1950 and the side chair like yours is 1972. It's amazing that this style chair was first designed by EMECO for the Navy during WWII. Good design, fine workmanship and simple materials will last lifetimes. FYI, a new from EMECO "Navy chair" is $575.

This modern furniture store sells upholstered EMECO chairs for $1095. LOL looks like what you just got for I'm sure a lot less!

https://www.2modern.com/products/navy-semi-upholstered-chair-1

 

[Strouty]

Yup, I paid $5.

I remember reading something about how those chairs were picked by the Navy. The story was the owner thought he wasn’t going to get the contract and decided to show how durable they were, he tossed one out the fifth floor window and it just bounced, the higher ups were impressed and gave him the contract. I don’t know how much of that is fiction, but it makes a good story.

All my plans were messed up today, I think I am going to start demo on the chimney at the house on the Hill. I have a pop up tent thingy that should help keep the sun off me.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Yup, I paid $5.

I remember reading something about how those chairs were picked by the Navy. The story was the owner thought he wasn’t going to get the contract and decided to show how durable they were, he tossed one out the fifth floor window and it just bounced, the higher ups were impressed and gave him the contract. I don’t know how much of that is fiction, but it makes a good story.

All my plans were messed up today, I think I am going to start demo on the chimney at the house on the Hill. I have a pop up tent thingy that should help keep the sun off me.

$5 is good! I love a bargain. I believe that story is correct.

Demo involving a sledgehammer is always therapeutic. Chimney removal is a big deal isn't it? You said you rent the house, but hope to buy it. Do you get any "credit" for fixing it up? You wouldn't want to pay to improve the property just to have to pay more to buy it...

 

[Strouty]

The chimney removal was part of the deal, Dad is going to pay to fix the roof and bathroom, I have to fix the hallway and bedroom ceilings. It leaked for years and the ex tenant (also ex employee) didn’t fix it or really tell anyone about it. Really made a mess of things.

As for buying it, who knows what will happen, Dad goes on tangents all the time, so he could give it to someone. I plan on trying to buy it, but we need a written document, he won’t fully sell it because he wants to keep the wood shop and Quonset hut until he dies, then those would be “willed” to me. That is what complicates things a lot.

 

[steaks&anvils]

The chimney removal was part of the deal, Dad is going to pay to fix the roof and bathroom, I have to fix the hallway and bedroom ceilings. It leaked for years and the ex tenant (also ex employee) didn’t fix it or really tell anyone about it. Really made a mess of things.

As for buying it, who knows what will happen, Dad goes on tangents all the time, so he could give it to someone. I plan on trying to buy it, but we need a written document, he won’t fully sell it because he wants to keep the wood shop and Quonset hut until he dies, then those would be “willed” to me. That is what complicates things a lot.

Makes sense now. Just visualize the ex-employees face every time you swing that sledge. It'll make the work go faster.

Yes, it does sound complicated. Good luck.

 

[jakemac]

Just don’t use the method that my uncle did to remove a chimney at the old family house.
He didn’t want to climb on the roof, so he tried to remove it from inside. It worked .................... somewhat.
He went into the attic and removed most of the bricks except a few to hold things up. The plan was to knock out the last bricks and have the chimney fall into the attic to clean it up.
To keep himself safe while knocking out the last bricks, he stood on a ladder with only his head and shoulders sticking out of the hatch. He swung the sledgehammer and knocked out the bricks.
The chimney shot down into the attic, and a stray brick hit him in the forehead. The ladder shifted and he fell off, tumbled down the staircase, out the back door, and into the bushes.
One of his brothers heard the noise and ran up to investigate.
He found my uncle Sherbie out cold, sprawled in the bushes, with a big knot in the middle of his forehead.
Thereafter, the only thing Sherbie would ever say about the “incident” was that the bats didn’t want anyone in the attic.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Strouty]

I plan on starting at the top, the roof is almost flat, should be fairly easy. I am planning on using a hammer drill to break things up, should be more controllable that way.

I needed the ramp truck to pick up the new forklift tomorrow, of course I have to unload it, just some old mushroom anchors.

 

[dr_clyde]

It wasn’t a total loss, there was a “tent sale” mostly junk, but I found another cool chair, the seat is partly disconnected, but no issue to sit in it, just a problem if you tip it upside down.

I'm reasonably sure my dad had a chair identical to that one in his office when I was a kid. Seeing that one sticks out in my mind.

I use a Herman Miller Aeron in my office. I love this chair, probably the most comfortable office chair I've ever sat in.

Furniture is a cool thing to collect.

I would love an Eames lounger with the ottoman, but I have a hard time with how much of a price premium they bring. I do have a vintage Sleepy Hollow chair that I sit in here at the shop when we have a whiskey or something.

Herman Miller is headquartered in the next town over, and with Steelcase in GR, you'd think there would be a ton of vintage office furniture floating around here, but it gets snapped up quick or tossed.

I'm still on the hunt for a Wilkhahn Stitz 2 stool, or "leaning aid" as they're officially called. They're the bomb for a welding stool, but I can't stomach the $800 or whatever they want for one.

 

[Strouty]

I had never seen one of those stools, really looks cool, but the base is rubber, I would be afraid it would get damaged in a fab shop. Seems like it would be simple enough to make one, but it always seems that way u til you actually try.

 

[dr_clyde]

I had never seen one of those stools, really looks cool, but the base is rubber, I would be afraid it would get damaged in a fab shop. Seems like it would be simple enough to make one, but it always seems that way u til you actually try.

My uncle has a couple, I've used them his shop tons. They're surprisingly durable. He also won't sell me one...

And while seemingly simple, good designs are always deceptively complex. I've thought about making one on several occasions, and my costs in time and effort always exceed the purchase price.

 

[Strouty]

You just have to omit labor and materials and it is always cheaper to build it yourself.

Here is the inside damage from years of leaking.









When I finally got to do the walk through of the house (while employee was living there) I was so pissed off. Before the employee quit I at least got to tell him how I felt about him destroying the house. I had some expletives thrown in to reinforce my disgust.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Here is the inside damage from years of leaking.

When I finally got to do the walk through of the house (while employee was living there) I was so pissed off. Before the employee quit I at least got to tell him how I felt about him destroying the house. I had some expletives thrown in to reinforce my disgust.

uuuggg.

The chimney isn't structural is it? Just asking before you tear into it.

 

[Strouty]

Not part of the house structure.





Got the anchors unloaded and the forklift up to the top of the Hill, scheduled to pick up the new one (looks almost identical to this one) tomorrow afternoon.



Thursday I have help and we will take the last of the heavy stuff down from the office.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Furniture is a cool thing to collect.

I would love an Eames lounger with the ottoman, but I have a hard time with how much of a price premium they bring. I do have a vintage Sleepy Hollow chair that I sit in here at the shop when we have a whiskey or something.

I'm still on the hunt for a Wilkhahn Stitz 2 stool, or "leaning aid" as they're officially called. They're the bomb for a welding stool, but I can't stomach the $800 or whatever they want for one.

Cool stool. I think I would fall off it all the time though...

Yeah Eames loungers are nice.

I have a Le Corbusier LC4 Chaise. Pretty sure it is the real deal. I bought it used, well before all the knock offs started to appear on the market. I think it was made by Cassina furniture. The only identifier I could find on it is a "made in Italy" mark. I paid $425, probably saved $4k on it. It is in storage right now, in the basement, no room for it.. Got to love Black Italian leather.

Funny story. Had an unplanned date over. There was a pile of clean laundry on the this chaise. She said: "Cool chair, it'd be cooler without the socks". LOL That sure taught me to fold and put away my laundry.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Not part of the house structure.

That's good. Little house I used to own, the chimney was in the middle of the house and the main beam rested on part of it. It had no fire box, just a flue for the old combination heating/kitchen wood stove. They had taken out the stove, knocked down the chimney where it exited the roof, but left the brick alone in the livingroom/diningroom. It was old house weird.

 

[Strouty]

Guido (the forklift formerly known as Smokey, previously named Guido) has a brand new muffler and a new radiator, kind of hard to tell from the pic, but someone spent some money on this unit.





I am trying to get a power cord up to the roof, my cordless SDS hammer drill has no chisel bits here, they are all over at the SG. The big hammer drill is here and it has all the right bits, so I guess that is what I am using. At least it is cooling off nicely.

 

[Strouty]

Chimney above the roof is gone.



















The chimney was junk anyways, the liner was cracked and soot was getting in between it and the bricks.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Chimney above the roof is gone.

Wow! Cool. Power tools rule.

 

[mybigwarwagon]

Funny story. Had an unplanned date over. There was a pile of clean laundry on the this chaise. She said: "Cool chair, it'd be cooler without the socks". LOL That sure taught me to fold and put away my laundry.

Did you tell her to get to work on them?

 

[Strouty]

Setup the ramp truck to get the bricks out somewhat easier.



Finished up the main portion of the chimney, now I need to clean things up a bit, probably do that in the morning, going to be tearing out the ceilings and bathroom too.





Going to feel much roomier without the chimney and wood stove in there. Probably do so rearranging of the kitchen, was going to do a fairly quick remodel anyways before we move in. New flooring, new kitchen sink, probably new front door, then we will adjust the layout of things a bit, pretty much just the kitchen, the rest is open concept.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Did you tell her to get to work on them?

That would not have gone over well. Later, as it turns out, I made an off the cuff joke that she didn't think was funny. Things went down hill fast after that. Oh well, had fun before that, live and learn. Such is life.

Besides, woman just don't know how to fold underwear properly.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Setup the ramp truck to get the bricks out somewhat easier.



Finished up the main portion of the chimney, now I need to clean things up a bit, probably do that in the morning, going to be tearing out the ceilings and bathroom too.





Going to feel much roomier without the chimney and wood stove in there. Probably do so rearranging of the kitchen, was going to do a fairly quick remodel anyways before we move in. New flooring, new kitchen sink, probably new front door, then we will adjust the layout of things a bit, pretty much just the kitchen, the rest is open concept.

That was sure quick! Definitely opens up the room.

Does the house have that brick anywhere else? If so, you may want to save some for future repairs?

When did you get a ramp truck?

 

[Strouty]

Ramp truck is borrowed.

No brick anywhere else, thankfully.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Ramp truck is borrowed.

No brick anywhere else, thankfully.

Good on the brick.

Great job getting that down so fast and I don't even see where anyone stepped through the roof or made any unneeded holes in anything!

Kitchen is nice and open, a quick rehab and you will be move in ready. Those cabinets look a lot like what I have now, 1982 build. I still like the honey oak, it's what I grew up with and says "home" to me.

The floor. Needs to go. Just saying.

Also, any sink you get, make sure the LARGEST pan you have will fit in it. Cake pan, roasting pan, cookie sheet etc. And spring for the deep sink. You won't regret any of those things, even if the rehab is not a final remodel but a "live with it" for a few years kind of thing. "Making do" with things has a way of dragging out longer than planned, so you might as well make it so you enjoy it while you have to.

 

[Strouty]

The borrowed ramp truck almost left me stranded on the side of the road, think it might be the fuel pump, 5 mph up the hills to get to the bottom part of the driveway for the real Hill. Not messing with it tonight, no fun. This is why I hate to borrow things.

 

[mybigwarwagon]

The borrowed ramp truck almost left me stranded on the side of the road, think it might be the fuel pump, 5 mph up the hills to get to the bottom part of the driveway for the real Hill. Not messing with it tonight, no fun. This is why I hate to borrow things.

Nothing better than fixing someone else's stuff.

 

[Strouty]

Or worse, not being able to fix it and wasting an entire day effing with it. It is costing me an extra hour and a half tonight swapping vehicles out.

 

[Kev442]

Didn't need anything except a hammer to take the chimney down at my old house. Mortar is surprisingly weak after 50 years of heat cycles. Mine was not structural either, it was anti-structural. It had been built on the regular floor and was over 2 stories tall. it was slowly tilting and taking the house with it. South part of the house was plumb, North side was off almost 3/4" in 8'
Thought it would take days to take down, me and my Dad were done with the whole thing in about an hour and a half.

 

[Strouty]

This one took me about 2.5 hours. I still need to take a bit more out in the morning and clean up the mess, I will probably be into 3 hours. A hammer would have probably worked for this as well, but I felt the power tool would allow me to have a bit more control over the bricks and where they fell. I didn't get to eat dinner, but it is too late and I am too tired now, guess I will have to have some dinner for breakfast.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Your chimney removal takes me back 50 years, to my first house. Took down two huge chimneys, all the way to the basement floor. They were structural. It took me a week to get them out and repairs made. The bricks alone, would have filled a 40yd dumpster, if stacked neatly. I cleaned and stacked all the bricks in my off hours, then found suckers for them. I made enough to pay for a single new chimney and a modern boiler.

 

[Strouty]

Kay, that doesn’t sound like it was fun, but at least you got some value out of the effort.