Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT 1950s Craftsman Garage retro remodel

widerberg · Jul 22, 2011

Red Leader said:
Do you mean me? Or 48James?

RL, my bad, I was actually thinking of yours, not 48James. His reminded me of your older Craftsman so I thought it was yours (didn't bother to check the name of the actual person posting, oops

). But, yes, your '50s model was what I was thinking of. I love that design--the bulkiness of it and how the quench tray slides into the unit, rather than just hanging off the front. Nice stuff.

mdbeck1 · Jul 22, 2011

Red Leader said:
Alright, here is a nicer sketch of the workbench idea. Let me know what you guys think:

By daveamy at 2011-07-22

You probably noticed that big hole in the middle of the sliding bench. I saw this AWESOME idea for a workbench and totally wanted to incorporate it:

This way, I can incorporate some more modern tools (i.e. miter saw, ridgid sander, dedicated router setup, etc.) and keep them under the workbench table in their respective 'cubbies', attached to their own module board that would slide into that cutout. I should be able to find a way to latch them down as well to prevent vibration.

There are probably some other cool workbench ideas that I haven't seen yet. I will be using all this planning time to study and research more ideas, including the T-slot woodworking ideas and others that posters here have mentioned.

Getting more and more excited...

Nice sketch.

I've seen several variations of the "mounting plate" idea. If you decide to go that way you need to put some cleats inside the base of the cabinet to store the different tools. However this system does have a flaw. Every time you swap tools you lose the settings from the previous tool so you have to make SURE that you are done with the first tool before the swap.

Also if you go this way you should probably recess some T-Tracks in the top so you can arrange an alignment fence. You can also use them for tiedowns for the tools that you want to swap in. They also make T-Tracks that are used with table saw miter gauges. Those would be a litte bit more versatile.

Don't forget to make an empty blank for the times when you want to have a flat table.

Nightshift · Jul 23, 2011

Red Leader said:
By daveamy at 2011-07-22

So, what I'm thinking for the bench dimensions are 8ft by 6ft (including top piece).

Now the main question is...how high does the bench go? And typically, how far does a workbench stick out? I'm average size...5'10", so probably a good average size would do. What has worked for you all?

RL, workbench height is pretty subjective due to personal preference. That said, MY rule is 40" ... which I have found over 35 years that I can work at a bench that height all day. Anything lower and my back will let me know it's not good! Now I'm 6'2", but that doesn't necessarily mean you just need to subtract 4" and build it 36". Here's why. Some people have bigger torso's ... or longer arms, etc. ... so I would highly recommend that before you go to a ton of work creating your vintage masterpiece at 36", I would set up an old table or bench of some sort at 36" and try it. Then stick a couple 2x4s under the legs and try it at 37.5" to see if that makes it better or worse.

On depth, again, it will depend largely on what you primarily anticipate using that bench for. Are you welding? Rebuilding engines? Building wood projects? Electronics? You see what I mean? They all have different space considerations depth-wise. Personally, I like my benches to be fairly narrow ... between 24" and 30" deep.

On tops, the best (IMHO) is stainless steel on top of thick plywood (2 layers of 3/4" plywood is superior). You need the wood thickness underneath to absorb pounding stuff with a hammer. Otherwise everything will be bouncing off the bench with every blow (ask me how I know this!). Formica, as you show in your sketch is also a good solution if you can't afford the sheet of SS. You still need the wood thickness underneath. The bench in my machine shop I use the most has a formica top ... much more durable than a plain plywood top, and it's very easy to clean up spills, etc. I periodically take lacquer thinners on a rag and wipe it down to clean up stains from grease, oil, paint, etc. and (other than the scratches) it makes it look new again.

That's my $0.02 worth for your consideration. Cheers, Bill

PECVD2 · Jul 23, 2011

RedLeader,

I love what you have done with your garage, amazing.

FWIW, I have used a similar plug and play system in my bench for many years. I originally had this bench in my first garage. I think I stole it from popular science or Home and Gardens shop ideas??? It was great for my first garage (10x18) and allowed me to use one tool at at time on the bench while storing the others under and over bench. I think you will really enjoy using that idea.

Red Leader · Jul 23, 2011

PECVD2 said:
RedLeader,

I love what you have done with your garage, amazing.

FWIW, I have used a similar plug and play system in my bench for many years. I originally had this bench in my first garage. I think I stole it from popular science or Home and Gardens shop ideas??? It was great for my first garage (10x18) and allowed me to use one tool at at time on the bench while storing the others under and over bench. I think you will really enjoy using that idea.

Thanks for your kind words and pictures of your setup! That looks great!

Grandad · Jul 23, 2011

Nightshift said:
RL, workbench height is pretty subjective due to personal preference.............................
................That's just my $0.02 worth for your consideration.
Cheers,
Bill

And that Bill, is probably one of the simplest and yet detailed summary of the considerations to make when dimensioning a workbench I have read anywhere.
I reckon you've just about covered everything. :thumbup:

Red Leader · Jul 23, 2011

Quick update:

1. No baby yet
2. Touched up the white paint all around the shelving
3. Painted the inside of the door white

Next steps:

1. Now I need to touch up the teal shelving again
2. I'll need to touch up the white paint AGAIN (stupid peeling latex paint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

All for now

ChristopherLutz · Jul 24, 2011

Thanks for documenting your progress and sharing.

For a guy who doesn't consider himself a carpenter - you sure take on some ambitious projects.

I'm hooked - it looks great, your attention to detail is impressive.

fergus · Jul 24, 2011

RL,

The way I've read to measure the "correct" bench height for any individual is as follows:

Stand with your elbows at your sides and your forearms straight out in front of you (kind of like sitting in front of a computer/typing/etc) and parallel to the ground. Then measure the distance from the ground to the bottom of your hands/forearms. That measurement will be your ideal workbench height. It has worked well for me.

shopnut · Jul 24, 2011

Hey Red Leader,

Just another idea for your roll-out bench...

If you're going to operate corded power tools at it, you may want to have outlets built into it for convenience. But with the bench able to move around, you will still need to figure out a way to plug into main power somewhere.

There are reels already set up with males plugs on the end for this type of application. Of course, you can alway rig up your own by swapping the female with a male end on a standard cord reel. The one with the aluminum housing was used (I'm guessing) to go from a boat to shore power. The other two were salvaged out of industrial vacuum cleaners.

I suggest you hide a reel inside the roll-out cabinet to keep its clean looks (nice job on the new sketch, by the way). Then have an outlet under the main bench where the rolling bench docks. For use out in the center of the shop, the cord reel plug could connect to a drop cord hanging just within reach from the ceiling. That way you're not tripping on floor cords and sweeping up sawdust is easier without cords in the way.

Keep up the good work.

Red Leader · Jul 24, 2011

fergus said:
RL,

The way I've read to measure the "correct" bench height for any individual is as follows:

Stand with your elbows at your sides and your forearms straight out in front of you (kind of like sitting in front of a computer/typing/etc) and parallel to the ground. Then measure the distance from the ground to the bottom of your hands/forearms. That measurement will be your ideal workbench height. It has worked well for me.

Hmm, never heard of that. I think I will start there then play around with the height. With the roll out bench being slightly lower than the wall bench, I'll be working with different heights anyhow. Good suggestion.

Red Leader · Jul 24, 2011

ChristopherLutz said:
Thanks for documenting your progress and sharing.

For a guy who doesn't consider himself a carpenter - you sure take on some ambitious projects.

I'm hooked - it looks great, your attention to detail is impressive.

Yep, I think I got in way over my head with some of this stuff

But I promise, I didn't plan to get in over my head. Actually, most of this stuff never had a plan. I'm not a very good 'planner'. But! I have been blessed with the recent forethought to actually draw up some plans :lol_hitti

Thank your for your comments :thumbup:

Red Leader · Jul 24, 2011

shopnut said:
Hey Red Leader,

Just another idea for your roll-out bench...

If you're going to operate corded power tools at it, you may want to have outlets built into it for convenience. But with the bench able to move around, you will still need to figure out a way to plug into main power somewhere.

There are reels already set up with males plugs on the end for this type of application. Of course, you can alway rig up your own by swapping the female with a male end on a standard cord reel. The one with the aluminum housing was used (I'm guessing) to go from a boat to shore power. The other two were salvaged out of industrial vacuum cleaners.

I suggest you hide a reel inside the roll-out cabinet to keep its clean looks (nice job on the new sketch, by the way). Then have an outlet under the main bench where the rolling bench docks. For use out in the center of the shop, the cord reel plug could connect to a drop cord hanging just within reach from the ceiling. That way you're not tripping on floor cords and sweeping up sawdust is easier without cords in the way.

Keep up the good work.

This is an awesome idea. It was kinda floating in the back of my head to either have one in the workbench (roll out type) or several outlets here and there in it. Sure enough, if I want to have a tool dock, I'll have to have an outlet there at least.

I'm glad you mentioned it, because I probably would have forgotten about it :lol_hitti

I like that aluminum one you posted! Has a 'vintage' look to it! I'll have to keep an eye out for one of those.

One of the other ideas that I had (aka stole from one of the other threads here) was to keep an air compressor under there and keep a coiled hose in a length of large PVC pipe. I still love that idea, but I'm just not sure if I want to have it in the workbench, or maybe have an air hose hooked up to the ceiling and a little bit closer to the garage door so I can pull it out to do stuff on cars. Course, if I combine the ideas of your extension cord reel and the compressor, maybe its a match made in heaven!

Red Leader · Jul 24, 2011

So...

What do you do with some old....

By daveamy at 2011-07-24

Nasty....

By daveamy at 2011-07-24

Yicky....

By daveamy at 2011-07-24

Crappy...

By daveamy at 2011-07-24

Wood? Why, use it for your next workbench, of course!!!

I've had this wood sitting in the backyard for almost a year. Honestly, that was probably kinda dumb of me, since it has had a year to get more decrepit, but! I figure I would have been more dumb if I just let it sit out there another year, so I got it all together (aka pulling out TONS of nails, lag bolts etc.) and storing it in the garage for the future work bench! Nothing like recycling!

Some of the wood is showing its age with cracks and stuff, but I'm going to have some fun with it. The plan is to saw it into 1.5 strips (like if you were to saw a 2x4 lengthwise in half) and flip it on its end to expose the good, nice wood and glue/screw that down to a plywood backing, and that will become the new bench top. For the bench going across the wall, I'm actually thinking of just doing a bare wood top, then of course the metal stripping on the edge. I feel like the natural wood top will give a nice contrast to the pull out bench with the formica top. Plus, in a woodworking shop, ya gotta have a nice wood bench, right?

I'm sure I'll have to trim some ends and gut out some of the wood that has just gotten too far, but I think I'll be able to save most of it. I'm actually hoping its 'oldness' may add some patina to it. I've also got some salvaged 4x4s that will be the bottom cabinet legs, naturally finished. I'm also hoping for an 'old' look on those - I think it will look pretty cool when I sand them down, but still leave some of the patina on them. Anyway, that's what I'm banking on!

Also have been working on the real, legitimate plans for how this thing will actually go together:

By daveamy at 2011-07-24

I've gone though a few design phases and I feel like I'm starting to finally hammer it out. One of the few things left will be the plan dimensions and actually getting the wood ready to go.

Sorry, but I don't think anyone will see the completed bench for a while. We are hoping this kid comes either tonight or tomorrow. Tuesday he will 'have' to be out

So its all going to happen really, really soon! Hopefully sooner than later! Keep your fingers crossed! :fingersx:

tinbender 66 · Jul 25, 2011

Red Leader · Jul 25, 2011

Just for the heck of it...

Here is the touch up to the shelves.

Before:

By daveamy at 2011-07-17

After:

By daveamy at 2011-07-24

Door...

Before:

By daveamy at 2011-07-17

After:

By daveamy at 2011-07-24

What do you guys think? I think it looks a lot better with the paint on there, but I'm kinda leaning towards doing the stripe on the door as well!

Also...what should I do about this hideousness?

By daveamy at 2011-07-24

I don't have the $$ to replace with a steel door or anything, but even if I got a new door, this wouldn't change. What is a better, more secure solution? I was kinda thinking a custom made 1/8" metal plate that had both holes in it. Thoughts? Is there a good standard solution to strengthen these wood framing systems? What would be an eventual upgrade?

Okay, just one more picture

Here is my woodpile for the bench project:

By daveamy at 2011-07-24

Back behind all the old wood (bench top) I have new 2x4s (bench framing).
Should be a fun project, whenever I'll get the time for it!

Grandad · Jul 25, 2011

Red Leader said:
Also...what should I do about this hideousness?

I have to be careful with terminology. Not 100% certain what you guys call it.
But, a quick, neat fix would be what we call Builders Bog.
A two part epoxy putty.
Once dry you can drill it, chisel it, sand it and paint it.
You could have it looking brand new again.
If security is an issue, the steel plate idea is a good one. Recessed into the jamb could look very professional and strong

Okay, just one more picture Here is my woodpile for the bench project:

Again, problem with the terminology.
If you wet those old grey boards down and then scrub them with a oxalic acid solution, or even domestic nappy cleaner (active ingredient Sodium Percarbonate - We call it Napisan in Australia), and give it a good scrub and hose down, you'll find all the grey weathering washes away.

gatewaysysop · Jul 25, 2011

Red Leader said:
Also...what should I do about this hideousness?

By daveamy at 2011-07-24

I don't have the $$ to replace with a steel door or anything, but even if I got a new door, this wouldn't change. What is a better, more secure solution? I was kinda thinking a custom made 1/8" metal plate that had both holes in it. Thoughts? Is there a good standard solution to strengthen these wood framing systems? What would be an eventual upgrade?

I've been pretty happy with the "strikemaster" product that I installed to strengthen some door jambs. If you're looking to beef them up, they're not too badly priced. If nothing else, google them and check the pictures out, may give you some ideas on something you can fabricate on your own that would be more suitable (cheaper?) if you don't want an off-the-shelf solution.

:beer:

LeonardY · Jul 25, 2011

Red Leader said:
By daveamy at 2011-07-24

What do you guys think? I think it looks a lot better with the paint on there, but I'm kinda leaning towards doing the stripe on the door as well!

Also...what should I do about this hideousness?

By daveamy at 2011-07-24

I don't have the $$ to replace with a steel door or anything, but even if I got a new door, this wouldn't change. What is a better, more secure solution? I was kinda thinking a custom made 1/8" metal plate that had both holes in it. Thoughts? Is there a good standard solution to strengthen these wood framing systems? What would be an eventual upgrade?

Red Leader,

I like the stripe. You could just attach a sheet of galvanized sheet to the door. Just for looks and magnets.

On the door jamb. I would dig out all the rotted wood and fill with an epoxy wood filler and re-drill. Or you can chisel out the old wood and replace it with a dutchman patch. I would use gorilla glue to bond the patch in.

Hope the baby comes soon. Great job.

Leonard

ngk22r · Jul 25, 2011

48James said:
Well finished the grinder, and thought you'd be interested in seeing how it turned out!

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Thanks for telling me where to get that color, but I found you can special order it anywhere they sell Rustoleum

What color is that??

Wingnut65 · Jul 25, 2011

PHP:

ngk22r said:
What color is that??

Its Rustoleum Hammered paint, in "Verde Green". Go back to Post 227 where the color discussion starts and post 239 to a Home Depot Link (both are on page 12)

RL, Sounds like you have ideas of how to find the height of the new workbench. But for the size, depth, etc, it really depends on how much stuff you want to store. From my experience and many others on GJ, it seems a workbench is just a place to store stuff. "Space Creates Vacuum!" Once there is a space on the empty workbench, items will be found to fill just that space. If no space is available, the stuff will just get stacked higher and deeper... I sure hope my renovated workshop doesn't live up to this tradition. Seriously, 24" is usually a good workbench depth. Anything deeper and its that much further to reach past to the wall or the upper cabinets.

For the door, I didn't realize that was the outside door at first. It should eventually be changed to a exterior grade door to prevent water damage. Preferably a hollow metal, which also adds security to the shop. But, teh light paint looks much better than bare wood.

For the latch, if the wood behind is still good, epoxy puddy could fill in the voids, but a stikemaster or home made plate would also work. If the wood is rotted, consider replacing that piece, preferably full height. I also strongly recommend using 2 - 3" long screws into those latch plates. The 1" screws that comes with the door knob are just not secure. Use a longer screw to go deeper into additional wood blocking.

flybefree · Jul 25, 2011

Red Leader I love what you have done sofar...the art deco shelves are awesome...no doubt will be a focal point for the finished project. Stopped by after you commented on my thread, so glad I did. Subscribed.

Shaun

zip95864 · Jul 26, 2011

another source: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001UE7MTW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Rich · Jul 26, 2011

Very impressive! Those shelves look like they belong in an old Airstream. Looking forward to more updates.

Red Leader · Jul 29, 2011

Well, its been a while since I posted, and for good reason...

We have a new baby boy on our hands!!!!! :beer:

Mom and son are doing great - couldn't ask for anything more. I am seriously blessed :thumbup:

I have zero free time right now, except to write this post. As we fall into a good routine, you might see a little more of me in the future, but for now, he is keeping us pretty busy

Dennis Cavallino · Jul 29, 2011

Congratulations!!

lonestarky · Jul 29, 2011

Wonderful News! Enjoy your time with your new son!

omr · Jul 29, 2011

congrats, glad all went well

fatboy99 · Jul 29, 2011

Congratulations My youngest just graduated college !! Just seems like yesterday he was born. Glad mother and baby are doing well

Yonnee · Jul 29, 2011

Congrat's all the way from Australia.

It won't be long til he's out there tinkering with you.

flybefree · Jul 29, 2011

Congrats to you and your entire family!

shopnut · Jul 29, 2011

Congratulations!

Don't worry, that shop isn't going anywhere and can certainly wait. The design work, however, can continue in your head anytime there's a free minute.

51rider · Jul 29, 2011

Congratulations!

Get that routine in place & you'll soon be back in the shop :thumbup:

mdbeck1 · Jul 29, 2011

Congratulations.

Wingnut65 · Jul 29, 2011

Congrats, RL, Mrs. Red Leader and RL Jr. Enjoy this time and the first one only comes once.

We will still be here when you can scrape some time together.

Buffalot · Jul 29, 2011

Congrats!~!~!~!~!

ambenz · Jul 29, 2011

Congrats on your new son, very cool!!!!!!

Got every right to leave us on the lurch!
Sure, you hooked us with the style, challenged our imagination, and guided us through the process....now this.
How are we suppose to cope, not seeing your progress and the process?
Like drug addicts, we're Checking our subscription, awaiting another picture, a morsel of info, a desire to see it in person!

...Oh...I gotta find me a new thread!

We can "ONLY" hope those dirty diapers, constant crying, and midnight feedings will make you want to get back to our favorite subject, the Garage.....Ho...Hummmmmm........

tinbender 66 · Jul 29, 2011

Congrats Red!! That's a lucky little guy!! Seems like only yesterday that our two boys arrived. Now they are 25 and 28. It was a lot of work but worth every minute. You'll be able to carve out a wee bit of time for yourself.

Jack Olsen · Jul 29, 2011

Great news! Congratulations!

PECVD2 · Jul 29, 2011

Congradulations to you and great to hear that Mom and son are doing good.

Now lets see some pictures of the young man.

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