What happens when you don't have a plan.

smedly · Jan 24, 2012

Digging through old photos I began to realize how much my garage has changed over the years. I had/have no plan and a small budget. Lots of Craigslist and freebies got me to where I am today. These photos span about 10 years- and if I knew about a resource like this in the beginning, things likely would have been done a bit differently, but I am pretty happy with where things are today.

I guess I could be thrown into the group where messing around with the garage is one of my hobbies. More work on the garage than in the garage these days, though that was not always the case.

Oldest pic I could find. Project car is gone sorry to say.
Sink base for workbench. Random shelves all around. Huge speakers. **** everywhere.

New bench from a solid core door. Old sink base put on casters and made into a mobile bench. Cabinets moved around, more random shelves, first lateral file cabinet for storage. New hanging lights. Door replaced with one that has a window.

Beginning of painting. No mudding- just paint to brighten it up a bit.

Always darkest before the dawn. Huge mess.

Paint complete, now I can see.

Scored some file cabinets.

Work area (putzing around area) getting there. Sink base gone. Cabinets added.

Nice and clean.

Last photo with the project car

- new lights/

At least I still work on bikes. Ubiquitous harbor freight toolbox added. Cabinets cut to fit box with lid open. (looks awkward I know)

French cleat wall organizer added. Too much mis-matched stuff. Work bench is too small for the projects I do work on.

Craigslist to the rescue. Lateral files made into a 12' workbench. (check out the slope in the floor)

Where it is today.

I did intentionally remove some shelves. Best thing about having tons of storage is you have a place to put everything. Worst is you don't think before keeping something. This way I have less space and less ****. That is my theory at least.

What's next? Not sure, but I have some ideas......

psychobillycadillac · Jan 24, 2012

Looks like you've made quite a few changes over time. Diggin the file cabinets/work bench. I also like that positional lamp above the work bench and of course the datsun.
What made you get rid of it?

smedly · Jan 25, 2012

psychobillycadillac said:
Looks like you've made quite a few changes over time. Diggin the file cabinets/work bench. I also like that positional lamp above the work bench and of course the datsun.
What made you get rid of it?

A few reasons. 3 kids was a big part of it. If I were to spend a time hours away from them doing something only for me, riding bikes has a health benefit the car did not. I did enjoy it though.
Also helps to focus money to a single hobby. In the photos, 10 different bikes (mine) are shown and I think there were more.

Omphaloskeptic · Jan 25, 2012

10 years of 'evolutionary' changes shows in the pics. What's next? How about sharing those ideas. Maybe it's time for a new project to replace the Datsun 2000; did you ever get it back on the road?

Many years ago I had the same model in a light yellow and black removable hardtop. I wish I still had that little beast; it was one hell of a lot of fun (when it was running). lol

Tbucit · Jan 25, 2012

I really like the "evolution" of the garage and I noticed that the TV got bigger as time went on! Just shows that all one has to do is continue and it will get done. Keep us posted on any new progress.
Randall

justinmc · Jan 25, 2012

What year is that roadster?? 68?? I can't tell if that's a low windshield or not? Datsun projects rule. Lemme know if you need to part ways with it.

smedly · Jan 25, 2012

Ah yes the car. I think it was titled as a 69, but the vin matched 68. A 1600 with the U20/SU carbed motor. Sold it a few years back after having it about 10 years. Worked on it a lot, learned a lot. Drove it a bit. Created a site for it. http://webspace.webring.com/people/it/tuckerb/

Wrote an article on converting to a GM alternator- geared towards the newb mechanic. (like what I wanted to read when researching stuff)
http://www.311s.org/pmwiki-311/pmwiki.php?n=TechSection.LateThreeWire

Finally I tore the headgasket when putting the front timing cover back on. 4 years later having not fixed it I thought it was time to go. Kids were little- no time.
Miss it for sure.

If I get a new toy car, I'm thinking jeep, bronco, miata or MG. Something where parts are easier to come by. I liked having a car so few had heard of, but did not like looking at prices for timing chains and the tensioners.

For the garage, better upper cabinets, enclosing the perimeter shelves into cabinets, wainscoting of some material, corrugated plastic roof panels or steel. Generally borrowing/stealing ideas from the gallery section.

HSpencer · Jan 25, 2012

I like the idea of the re purpose office file cabinets into shop storage. I do that myself a lot. Everything is looking great!

JMcFly · Jan 25, 2012

What do you keep in the lateral files?

smedly · Jan 25, 2012

joe.gravelle said:
What do you keep in the lateral files?

+

Power tools mostly- nail guns, air hoses, sawsall, skill saw, circular saw, anything that I keep in its plastic case, extension cords, bike parts etc...

smedly · Feb 23, 2012

Been using up my leftover pile of french cleat parts.

I may have gone a bit overboard.

A few painting projects in the house and the kids kept bugging me to help, so I let them loose using up old paint in the garage.

I now have the cleat running the perimeter like a chair rail which made a nice break for the paint line. Paint was old left over stuff I was going to take to the hazardous waste facility, but this was a pretty good use for it.

Fury5 · Feb 23, 2012

I don't think you went overboard on the french cleats at all! The lamps and pencil holder are very ingenious. I have the worst habit of misplacing pencils and tape measures and waste so much time trying to find them in the middle of measuring and marking this or that. Might have to steal those ideas. Well done!

Cheers.

softailgarage · Feb 23, 2012

Whats up with the sloping floor and any intentions of fixing it ?

smedly · Feb 23, 2012

Floor is sloped to the center drain. It is "supposed" to be that way. Not sure what the builder was thinking. it doesn't have to flow like Niagara falls. my builder didnt impress me in a lot of areas.

onething · Feb 23, 2012

More info on the french cleats, please. Dimensional lumber or plywood?

smedly · Feb 23, 2012

onething said:
More info on the french cleats, please. Dimensional lumber or plywood?

There are a few french cleat ideas in this thread.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1844166#post1844166

Its Fairly nice plywood recycled from a large tradeshow display/storage cabinet. It was 6'x4'x3', but not really meant for daily use so I cut it into strips with one side at a 45 degree angle.

These pictures more or less explain it, but if you want more details I would be happy to provide them.

For things like the pencil holder I did not put the bottom block on so it would be easy to move. The bottom block is attached so you can lift the whole thing off but you do need to angle it just right.

Its pretty nice as you can rearrange things easily.

smedly · Feb 23, 2012

Fury5 said:
I don't think you went overboard on the french cleats at all! The lamps and pencil holder are very ingenious. I have the worst habit of misplacing pencils and tape measures and waste so much time trying to find them in the middle of measuring and marking this or that. Might have to steal those ideas. Well done!

Cheers.

Yep- I'm going to make more pencil holders and other holders for tape measures and safety glasses so there is always some handy.

I have a pile of little pieces of the plywood left over- so why not use them up?

onething · Feb 23, 2012

Thanks for the quick reply and link. I knew how french cleats work, but couldn't tell from the picture if they were plywood. Now I know and will probably borrow the technique somewhere.

PECVD2 · Feb 24, 2012

SMEDLY,

Your place has aged perfectly. I was the opposite. I planned and planned and changed plans while they were building my 1st home in the early 80's. I spent a small fortune (for me anyway) on plywood and built in a work bench, cabinets, drawers, cubby holes etc. I had taken some drafting (yeah drafting) classes in college and spent hours drawing all this up well in advance. I got it all built and put in the first week I was in the garage. It lasted about a month before my old craftsman compressor (hand me down) gave out and I bought a horizontal Quincy out of classifieds and had to change everything and continued to make changes over the seven years I lived there. Your method made sense at the time and fit your needs. Goals, hobbies and needs change and you have done a great job adapting. I like your garage and can't wait until you paint them laterals to match your US Gen tool chest.

ckadams00 · Feb 24, 2012

Really great clean up. Of course you'll find that you're only beginning . . . have fun!

onething · Feb 24, 2012

I am sorry. I was so focused on the cleats that I forgot to mention how well I like the whole thing. Being able to adapt when needs arise and opportunities present themselves is a great characteristic. There is no real plan that we can control and going with the real plan is what we're supposed to do.

Again, thanks for the quick reply.

rquackenbush · Feb 24, 2012

Wow - I just stumbled upon this thread. Great looking space! I'm going to borrow a number those ideas!

smedly · Feb 25, 2012

rquackenbush said:
Wow - I just stumbled upon this thread. Great looking space! I'm going to borrow a number those ideas!

Thanks. Plenty of good ideas and inspiration all around this site. I have borrowed a few myself.

NUTTSGT · Feb 26, 2012

The french cleat hanging system works nicely.

ChristopherLutz · Feb 26, 2012

Smedly -

thanks for sharing the evolution of your garage. I think the french cleats are great - I've not seen them as a border before...cool idea.

I'm curious about the leg set up you engineered to level the cabinets/workbench. How are you keeping the legs from sliding? Any other close up pics?

smedly · Feb 26, 2012

ChristopherLutz said:
Smedly -

thanks for sharing the evolution of your garage. I think the french cleats are great - I've not seen them as a border before...cool idea.

I'm curious about the leg set up you engineered to level the cabinets/workbench. How are you keeping the legs from sliding? Any other close up pics?

That took some head scratching in the hardware areas of Menards.
I was going for this, but did not need anything as heavy as dock hardware.

So I used conduit pipe joints, drilled out the nub that kept the pipe from sliding all the way through. It has two set screws. The joints are strapped to the 2x4 base with conduit clamps. It's not very strong, but it is just temporary.

When doing this I realized if I could weld I could make exactly what I needed. That is my goal for this summer- to get a 110v welder and learn how do little stuff like this.

smedly · Mar 6, 2012

Not much in the way of changes, but I found my new cell phone has an auto-stitching function.

ckadams00 · Mar 6, 2012

smedly said:
Ah yes the car. I think it was titled as a 69, but the vin matched 68. A 1600 with the U20/SU carbed motor. Sold it a few years back after having it about 10 years. Worked on it a lot, learned a lot. Drove it a bit. Created a site for it. http://webspace.webring.com/people/it/tuckerb/

Wrote an article on converting to a GM alternator- geared towards the newb mechanic. (like what I wanted to read when researching stuff)
http://www.311s.org/pmwiki-311/pmwiki.php?n=TechSection.LateThreeWire

Finally I tore the headgasket when putting the front timing cover back on. 4 years later having not fixed it I thought it was time to go. Kids were little- no time.
Miss it for sure.

QUOTE]

That's OK . . .I see a Klein in the rafters!

smedly · May 8, 2012

Gotta love Ikea sometimes. Been looking for something cheap for easy to grab handles for the lateral file drawers. $1.99 each.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

smedly · Dec 7, 2012

Helping a buddy at work with a project, I tools some artsy (fartsy?) shots of my shop.

I had originally planned for the fire extinguisher box to be in the basement with a wall mounted beer tap inside with some LED lighting, but unfortunately that didn't work out. For now it contains safety glasses and ear protection. It's mounted on the French cleats so it can be moved anywhere.

CNGsaves · Dec 7, 2012

Love the french cleats for their flexibility and low budget. Having that swing-arm light along with swing-arm magnifying light mounted on french cleats is great McGiver solution.

Love the look of those old Datsuns. Back in high school passed on chance to buy Triumph TR6 convertible. Would like to relive that day again.

Nice work.

smedly · Dec 26, 2012

Had a few minutes and a hankering to tinker in the shop. No extra funds for anything big- just a quick no-cost solution to a nagging problem.

Table saw is stored in the cabinet. It has horizontal space, so naturally things get piled on it, and getting it out for a job becomes a job on its own. This is a very clean view. Normally there is a bunch more on top of it.

Some spare wood, 2 cuts and viola. Problem solved.

Now the saw is easy to get in and out without moving a bunch of ****.

Thinking about doing the same with the grinder, but under my workbench.

HSpencer · Dec 26, 2012

This garage is the story of all of us here. Evolution if you will. I could recount nearly the same with my own garage. I am still, and probably will until I take my last horizontal ride in a caddy, "RE DOING" my garage! Yep, this thread is the story of us all, and it is VERY well done!! Thanks for posting it. This is what GJ is all about.

smedly · Dec 26, 2012

Thanks for the comments. Lots of little ideas in my shop.

More tinkering today.

Magnetic tool drawer organizers. Keeps things from sliding around and allows for flexibility in arranging things (and buying more)

You know those wrenches that come with Ikea furniture?

onething · Dec 26, 2012

smedly, why was I not already subscribed to this thread?

I'll fix that as soon as submit this confession

mdkingsley · Dec 27, 2012

What a transformation from junk room to useable space garage. I will be stealing the light and magnifying glass ideal as soon as I can find one. The saw ideal is awsome I have been thinking about something like that for under my bench. A+++

smedly · Jan 13, 2013

More uses for ikea magnetic knife holders.

The small pliers don't slide around anymore.

smedly · Jan 13, 2013

I posted this in another thread.

smedly · Jan 13, 2013

Deeper drawers. Use the sides for storage and organization.

Only problem is poking the ends of my fingers when getting the spade bits out.

my68spit · Jul 29, 2013

**Subscribed**

I love the french cleat/chair rail idea. Where i do work in my garage varies from project to project so having that kind of flexibility around the entire garage would be nice. What kind of wood did you use for your cleats? (I started typing "how thick is your wood..." but didn't think that would go over so well.).

What happens when you don't have a plan.

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