Thisistimm
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Very cool! Love having the window right above it
Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT The Time Machine: Rebuilding a PNW 1.5 car garage from 1946
- Thread starter Tim_with_a_T
- Start date
Workspaces sized between 265 and 485 squarefeet.
Dave G in Gansevoort
Well-known member
Windows are overrated! They take up valuable wall space that can have shelves or other things that would block a window, or worse, put something through tha window. Like when you forget to remove the chuck key and start the drill press anyway. And you are lucky to not wear the key. But then you have to go out to the back yard and find it, but it’s 1 o’clock in the morning and there’s no moon, it’s raining, and you really have to find that darn chuck key, because you have to be at the track the following day by 6 pm to get teched, and your helpers all went home at 11, and they aren’t expected back until lunchtime, and you still need parts from the parts house, but it’s a 45 minute round trip and you probably won’t have time for a shower, so a change of clothes is going to have to do, but you forgot to put your wallet in the clean jeans, so it’s back to home to get it and drive back to the parts house to pick up the things you need, and then running low on gasoline, so a side trip to the gasoline station, where you realize that you need oil and filters for the race car, so back to the parts house, then finally get to the garage and finish up on the car, which by now it’s 4:30, and you’ve still got to load the car up and get everything else on the truck, so you still don’t get a shower, and lunch, well you skipped breakfast AND lunch, so maybe you can get a hotdog or something at the track, but then you finally get to the track and start unloading, and realize you still have to get new tires mounted, so no hotdog before the car is on the track for warmups, and then finally check and setup for heat races, so you send the car out, and sit down on the trailer and miss what happened in the heat race, and now it’s a hustle to adjust the car for the feature, and that just gets done as they are calling the cars for the lineup, so you push it up to the front stretch gate and get it started and warming up, because it’s running on methanol, and takes a little fussing with before the race, which gets started, and you run good, but the car finishes in 5th, so good payout, but not a win, and you go to the clubhouse for the payout and grab a beer, when you realize that you have to race again tomorrow!
Oh $#!t!
Don’t ask me how I know that
OP
Tim_with_a_T
Well-known member
Speaking of windows, I finally got brave and started on the final two windows for the rear wall. Because this is the gable end, I put them all the way to the top plate, to allow as much light in as possible, as well as give me space for a shelf above the workbench going on this wall. My brother and his wife did this to their dining room table window, and I really like it. Tomorrow I’ll fix a couple whoopsies and get it trimmed in. Ideally, I’ll get the other one in as well- time will tell!
M.Brane
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Lookin good!
My 20x20 originally had a 4x4 window on the N side. Some PO plywooded it over at some point, but the outer frame is still there inside. Been thinking about doing a 4x1 or so above the bench for the natural light in the daytime.
My 20x20 originally had a 4x4 window on the N side. Some PO plywooded it over at some point, but the outer frame is still there inside. Been thinking about doing a 4x1 or so above the bench for the natural light in the daytime.
OP
Tim_with_a_T
Well-known member
Natural light is important! I think it makes a huge difference in productivity. Maybe not for deranged Dave in the middle of the night working on his race car, but in general, I think a few windows will go a long way.
OP
Tim_with_a_T
Well-known member
Windows are just set in there to plug the holes, and I need to plug the old window hole, but got it framed and ready to do that. It’s been pouring here, so I’m getting the inside work done while I wait for it to clear up outside. The windows make a huge difference in the vibe of the shop! I’m stoked!
OP
Tim_with_a_T
Well-known member
Outside- I’ve got some siding to touch up. Also, a squirrel has chewed through our outdoor lights multiple times now…. I think they may be for special occasions only lol.
OP
Tim_with_a_T
Well-known member
Switching gears a little bit- I wanna take advantage of the cooler weather we’ve got this week, so my gf and I pressure washed and crack filled the last 1/3 of the driveway. Today on lunch and after work, I began pressure washing the middle 1/3 of the driveway, then doing the Portland cement treatment like we did on the garage. Plan is to probably do 2+ coats across the entire driveway, rent a sander for a day, then spray a sealer. Hopefully that will smooth out the surface and make it look more presentable. Time will tell!
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Tynee
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Lot of work, but that should make for a vastly superior surface for working on. It'll be worth it.
Thisistimm
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Man if it can make rolling a cherry picker across it even a little easier it will have been worth it lol
OP
Tim_with_a_T
Well-known member
Thanks guys- exactly what I’m thinking- if I can roll a cherry picker across the driveway without dumping the engine, this will be a success. If I can skate in the driveway after all this, it will be a massive success.
Lunch break progress- got the last 1/3 of the driveway brushed in with Portland and the next large crack filled in with mortar.
As an aside, Home Depot carries QuickCrete products, while Lowe’s carries Sakrete. The garage and first bit of the driveway was done with QuickCrete Portland cement, while the next sections of the driveway were done with Sakrete Portland. I was at Lowe’s last night after a local car show picking up insulation, so I grabbed a bag of Portland, not thinking much of it. The QuickCrete dries uniformly creamy white, while the Sakrete dries blotchy gray/white. Because the driveway will require multiple layers of Portland to fill in all the voids, I’ll make sure to use the QuickCrete Portland once I’ve used up this bag of Sakrete. Lesson learned.
OP
Tim_with_a_T
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A bit further with the pressure wash, mortar in cracks, and brushing Portland. I went through a 94lb bag of concrete today, between lunch break and after work.
OP
Tim_with_a_T
Well-known member
Last night, my gf and I got the remaining cracks filled with mortar, as well as painted the remainder of the driveway with Portland cement. I had some left to use up, so I began the second coat up at the garage side last night. This morning, I completed the remainder of the second coat. It definitely took less cement on the 2nd coat, so I know it’s filling in all the low spots. Right now, about 3/4 of the 3rd 94lb bag is used up. I’m not sure if it will take 3 coats or more, but I’ll see what it’s like after the 3rd coat and make the call.
larry4406
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Are you using any sort of binder/primer between the old concrete and the topping?
OP
Tim_with_a_T
Well-known member
Yes- using a bonding agent when mixing the cement. Surprisingly, it sticks really good- held up to two rounds of a floor sander with multiple passes.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Looks great. I hope it holds up and lasts for a good long while. Only time will tell but it’s a great improvement both inside and outside.
Well done and nice to see your maybe dream girl helped out. My dream girl going on 40 years now still pulls concrete out of wheelbarrow and does most of my finish work. I’m blessed!!
Well done and nice to see your maybe dream girl helped out. My dream girl going on 40 years now still pulls concrete out of wheelbarrow and does most of my finish work. I’m blessed!!
Dave G in Gansevoort
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New nick name, Deranged Dave! Not as bad as some I’ve been called. But we won’t get into that…
That driveway is looking good. I’ve never had a concrete driveway, only dirt or asphalt. Neither of those are optimal for rolling cherry pickers or engine stands on. Or using floor jacks, jack stands, finding dropped little bits or bobs.
That driveway is looking good. I’ve never had a concrete driveway, only dirt or asphalt. Neither of those are optimal for rolling cherry pickers or engine stands on. Or using floor jacks, jack stands, finding dropped little bits or bobs.
OP
Tim_with_a_T
Well-known member
Just teasing ya! You’re far from deranged, and I enjoy reading your posts! You’ve done some amazing things with a dirt or asphalt driveway and unfinished concrete floors!
OP
Tim_with_a_T
Well-known member
Thank you- she’s pretty awesome! So far the girlfriend test has been- can she put up with me and my shenanigans, not the other way around. And she’s doing great! I’ve never felt more cared for in a relationship- keeps me fed, actively shows interest in what I’m up to, entertains my endless scheming, knows when I’m taking on too much and lets me know it- she’s a keeper for sure!
OP
Tim_with_a_T
Well-known member
I got the third coat on this evening- I’m not sure if I will put on a 4th- I guess I’ll figure that out tomorrow. My thinking was to use up the rest of the 4th bag and call it good, maybe leaving a little left for touch up later.
larry4406
Well-known member
Looking very nice.
Interesting shingle ends on the house and garage; cap shingle turns down. Not familiar with this detail.
Interesting shingle ends on the house and garage; cap shingle turns down. Not familiar with this detail.
OP
Tim_with_a_T
Well-known member
Thanks!
The ridge cap shingles on the gable end rakes was new to me as well - a few houses in the neighborhood had them and I thought they looked nice. Both garage and house have no soffits, and when planning to do the roof, adding soffits would have made a couple areas of the roof look pretty awkward, so I decided against it. The high profile shingles add a little more protection by covering the fascia at the ends. I’m not completely sure what this detail is called- one neighbor called it a French curl.
OP
Tim_with_a_T
Well-known member
Welp, lonnnnnnngggg day today. I woke up and after looking at the driveway, decided to just go straight to sanding instead of doing another coat. My reasoning was I had about a half bag left, with a full unopened bag, and I knew the half bag wouldn’t do the whole driveway, while the unopened bag would only get maybe 1/4 used.
I made a giant mess in the sanding process, which took just as long to clean up as the sanding process…. I also think I may have killed/maimed the rented sander…. Sigh. I let the guy know, who said, well good thing there’s damage protection!
The driveway is definitely smoother! It’s not quite skateable, but definitely smoother rolling a cherry picker across. I guess you can skate down the driveway, like one push will take you to the street, but it’s a little lumpy, so doing tricks would be a bit annoying. Previously, one push would get you about 4 inches. Anyway, worth the effort I think. Either tonight after it cools down or tomorrow morning, I’ll spray a sealer and call it good.
Edit: just wanted to add, previously walking barefoot on the driveway felt like broken glass- now it feels smooth, but still textured. I don’t know how many coats it would take to totally fill up the voids, and at what point would it just chip and crack out etc. Overall a massive improvement- I’m happy with the results but pretty wiped out. I’ve been on my hands and knees the last 4 days and my body is ready to take a break lol.
I made a giant mess in the sanding process, which took just as long to clean up as the sanding process…. I also think I may have killed/maimed the rented sander…. Sigh. I let the guy know, who said, well good thing there’s damage protection!
The driveway is definitely smoother! It’s not quite skateable, but definitely smoother rolling a cherry picker across. I guess you can skate down the driveway, like one push will take you to the street, but it’s a little lumpy, so doing tricks would be a bit annoying. Previously, one push would get you about 4 inches. Anyway, worth the effort I think. Either tonight after it cools down or tomorrow morning, I’ll spray a sealer and call it good.
Edit: just wanted to add, previously walking barefoot on the driveway felt like broken glass- now it feels smooth, but still textured. I don’t know how many coats it would take to totally fill up the voids, and at what point would it just chip and crack out etc. Overall a massive improvement- I’m happy with the results but pretty wiped out. I’ve been on my hands and knees the last 4 days and my body is ready to take a break lol.
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Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
That driveway looks DRAMATICALLY better. Maybe I missed it but why doesn't it extend to the curb?
OP
Tim_with_a_T
Well-known member
lol. Good question- I didn’t do that part because then I’d end up doing the sidewalk on both sides and it would never end lol. Additionally, the city has been pouring new sidewalks in patches here and there, so I’m optimistic they’ll eventually just pour the whole block… I was also trying to keep my mess contained and out of the street (storm drains), although today was an absolute massacre. I ended up scraping mud off my neighbor’s sidewalk and driveway curb for a good half hour and it doesn’t look like I even tried to clean it up…
OP
Tim_with_a_T
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Getting the insulation in. Only one wall but noticeably quieter in here.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
It looks amazing and I’ll bet it will make a huge difference in temps and noise in the future. Nice work on the driveway and garage floor too!!
M.Brane
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Rockwool FTW!
OP
Tim_with_a_T
Well-known member
Very slow progress with the increase in temperature, but I’m getting it done. The walls are 95% insulated- I just need to finish up some last minute wiring before I can complete the wall insulation. The ceiling is officially half done, and I’m hoping to get further tomorrow as I’ve got the day off work.
OP
Tim_with_a_T
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Ceiling is done and hole cut for air handler. Feels good!
Tynee
Well-known member
That's a smart solution for holding your rockwool up on the ceiling. I was getting ready to start cutting narrow strips of scrap OSB I've got laying around to nail between the floor joists in my crawlspace, I've got a punch of pink fiberglass that I'm having trouble keeping up down there. This looks like it would save me quite a bit of time.
Agreed! Is that just twine stapled to the joists?
OP
Tim_with_a_T
Well-known member
Yes; twine stapled across the joists. Someone had done this in my crawlspace, so I just copied the idea. I'd definitely recommend a pneumatic stapler unless you're new construction/green, soft wood.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
That looks like a ton of work but makes a huge difference. Well done!!
Consider yourself maybe a bit lucky since we both have very old wood in our homes but in mine most of the walls are concrete block cause a mason who owned it in the 50’s and late 60’s added on extra rooms so most of my interior walls now are concrete block too. Staples aren’t really happening on my walls. It I feel your pain if you hand stapled all those beams.
Have you turned the music up in garage and shut all doors and windows and stepped outside to see how you improved the noise leaving the inside of the garage?
I’m sure you’ll be able to work a few late nights if you’d like to in the future without waking up the neighbors.
Consider yourself maybe a bit lucky since we both have very old wood in our homes but in mine most of the walls are concrete block cause a mason who owned it in the 50’s and late 60’s added on extra rooms so most of my interior walls now are concrete block too. Staples aren’t really happening on my walls. It I feel your pain if you hand stapled all those beams.
Have you turned the music up in garage and shut all doors and windows and stepped outside to see how you improved the noise leaving the inside of the garage?
I’m sure you’ll be able to work a few late nights if you’d like to in the future without waking up the neighbors.
OP
Tim_with_a_T
Well-known member
Concrete block walls definitely have their challenges! Every old home has its quirks and previous owner’s ideas/problems/etc.
I didn’t hand staple any of it- there were a couple spots I had trouble getting the gun in there, and tried to hand staple, with colossal failure, so I found a way to get the gun in there lol.
It’s definitely quieter (and cooler) in the garage- there’s still about 12’ of wall width that is uninsulated until I can get the various projects wrapped up in those areas. Once the walls are insulated, and closed up, it’s going to be game changing for sure. I’ll need to attempt to quiet down my compressor and shop vac after that, to truly be able to get stuff done at night!
Tonight, my gf helped me after dinner- got the back half of the garage walls in plastic (moisture barrier). Tomorrow I’ll try to get the workshop side of the ceiling done, and optimistically the back half of the bay side ceiling as well. Then I’ll be ready for drywall! It will take awhile to be ready for drywall on the front half of the bay side, because I need to make the carriage doors and get rid of the overhead door track. But if I can get the back half of the bay built out, and the workshop side built out, that’s where a lot of the tools are going so I can get them out of the house and off the back patio etc. Gonna try to keep the momentum going! I’ve been experimenting with sugar, soda, and energy drink substitutes, and I think I finally found a solution that’s girlfriend approved and keeps me moving! This is a good feeling!
xtremek
Well-known member
I used the plastic to hold up my ceiling insulation. I cut 1" squares out of cereal boxes to shoot the staples through. That way the plastic can't pull through the staples.
Thisistimm
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- Jun 3, 2021
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That’s gonna be great for holding a consistent temp. Get some good functional shutters to cover the windows from the outside on those hot days and it’ll realy stay cooler
yhprum
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That has come a long way, well done!
Dave G in Gansevoort
Well-known member
Nice work as always Tim. And good help is hard to get. She sounds like a keeper to me