Welcome, Eric. I have several SK brand tools that have helped me make a living and served me well for 30+ years. I'd also like to thank you and Ideal for the commitment to continued US production.
I use Durhams rock hard water putty instead of plaster for making molds. It seems stronger and is easier to seal the pores. I have also used fiberglass resin to create some molds with. Take a look at the Alumilite products this stuff works really well for molds also...
I don't see why you're all down on these vintage tools with the awesome patina. He just didn't describe them correctly. With the right wording they are worth twice that.
I have one very similar to that Dayton in my 20'x20' in central Iowa. I don't continually heat my garage but use it only when working in there. If it is real cold out I fire up my torpedo heater to bring it up to temp and then the electric heat does a great job of maintaining. I have 10'...
I may have shown this before on a thread about fishing gear storage but it would work for clubs as well and makes use of a space otherwise ignored. Berkley rod holders mounted to overhead door and I use bungee cords to keep them in place when opened.
Or they just pull a gun and rob you. This just happened here recently.
http://www.kcci.com/news/central-iowa/Man-pulls-out-gun-during-Craigslist-meeting/-/9357080/17082050/-/10g9qtc/-/index.html
Simple rack I threw together for the rod building area in the basement.
Rod storage in garage for extra rods. All others are in the boat ready to go at any time.
Mine are a little older but this is what I had my oldest and youngest boys doing this weekend. Their grandma's garage needed roofed so I volunteered them. I was sitting on the porch supervising.