Recent content by JKinAK

I grew up with a surgeon neighbor and his kids had a bunch of OR tools that they retired after showing some sign of wear or damage... they have to be perfect to stay in the OR. Hey medical people: how do mere mortals get access to the rejects?

Heated slab with floor drains is ideal in an environment that sees snow/slush. Ice/snow/slush clear off of the vehicle relatively quickly (even more quickly if you run a fan blowing under the car) - you can work under a vehicle without it dripping on you hours after pulling it in (as opposed to...

How far is the garage from the wood shop? It would be nice to save the space and not add another noisy piece of equipment in the wood shop. If logistically feasible, spend the money on plumbing in air from your existing compressor.

Because he was multi-talented; wise in mechanical ways but also in the ways of humans. He would have never won all those lunches if he just came in and fixed it. (Also it probably took him two hours to remember where he put the ultrasonic electric razor)

Your structure probably isn’t big enough to accommodate a dormer but if you have the space build a small shed dormer starting at the ridge with an opening window. Roof access for the life of the structure and adds a lot of natural light. It’s more work but it may be worth it just for the light...

I appreciate it’s ability to melt snow and dry things out. Don’t forget to install a floor drain when you build it. Changing shocks or doing brakes in the middle of winter? Just bring the vehicle in the night before and it’s dry and warm in the morning. No more dealing with ice chunks in the...

One option (but it’s battery powered) that’s versatile is from Ubiquiti. It’s a multipurpose sensor (but if configured for water sensing it looses other capabilities). Unfortunately the water sensor is only available as one of the three sensors in a 3-pack. The advantage is that you can check...

These look efficient. What brand/model are they? How are they to use (easy in/out, stay in place, work with all/most pliers up to a certain size)?

Check out https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/led-shop-light-calculation-confusing-myself.544622/ Additionally: there was a lightning engineer at the place I worked (20 years ago) when I was figuring out my garage. He had software that was able to provide layout that met my requirements...

What’s the climate like where you are doing this? Hi/low temps, how many months below freezing, general humidity?

Not a structural engineer so if someone qualified tells you otherwise then listen to them. Yes this is a bit Rube Goldberg but if you aren’t going to invest in a commercial rated unit this may work for this situation. I’d try a simple box frame - plywood rectangular bottom platform larger than...

On a gas grill with SS round stock grates: get it hot hot hot then wipe down the grates with a clean wet cotton rag - use tongs and stand back from the blast of steam. Rinse the rag in a bowl of water. Repeat until clean. Supplement as necessary with a scraper. Toss your wire brush in the trash...

You can hire a structural engineer to answer the question for less than the cost of one trip to the ER (even if they just give you a bandaid!)

Don’t forget to do the sides too. You are isolating your expensive materials from the native dirt. And for those who describe rock rutting/tracking: use more rock, use crushed rock, and compact in lifts under 2’. The type and amount of rock vary based on underlying soils and depth of...

I recall in Fine Hombuilding (or Fine Woodworking) maybe 25+ years ago there was a guy who built a house on the lot next to him but didn’t install all of the interior walls, kitchen appliances and cabinets, plumbing fixtures, flooring, etc. All the rough in plumbing and electrical were there. I...