Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT The 12-Gauge Garage

Andersen · Dec 31, 2014

Jack - what an amazing garage you got your self....!

I have spend some time during the holiday season to go through all pages to see the progress, and details you have put into it......what an inspiration!
You actually just costed me some [emoji383][emoji383][emoji383] - but thanks anyway - I've started to look into including a lift similar to yours in my garage build, starting in the spring when snow and frost has left us here in Scandinavia....

I also like the mix of garage and Porsche racing in the thread - keep that coming.

I'll keep following your progress!

Regards from Denmark
Frank

driver · Jan 2, 2015

Jack Olsen said:
Outlawmws, the first graph made me think I was getting great results. But the second one calls it into question -- in that the low-drag line starts out faster, but then ends up at the same (ultimate) top speed. By the logic of the previous graphic, the red top speed should have ended up higher than the blue in the second graph.

But I think this is such a limited data sample that it's practically useless. I could have had a headwind in one run or a tailwind in another. In order to get a real snapshot of this, I think I'd need to drive out to where I can do straight-line tests in a controlled environment, reversing direction to correct for prevailing wins. To do that, I'll need a free afternoon.

zkling, I have a pretty rudimentary data setup. Aside from GPS-measured speed, the thing's got accelerometers for lateral and longitudinal Gs, and it combines both to draw a picture of my driving path. The only inputs I've added are for front and rear ride height, although I discovered the rear one is disconnected.

When dealing with lap times low/high drag set-ups are always a compromise. In low drag you may get higher top speeds but downforce is reduced in the corners so overall lap time is not as good.
In your tests what were the lap time differences?

thoraudio · Jan 2, 2015

Jack Olsen said:
Germany's Auto Bild Television showed a short video about my car today. They're showing it again on Sunday. I'll be allowed to post the English-language version of it here on Monday.

This picture was taken by Justin Evidon during the filming of the clip. I don't think I've ever looked more German.

I think the proper term is 'frowning happily'.

Bearded Bastard · Jan 3, 2015

I replied to your website earlier, and figured I would do the same here, I haven't had the time to fully read 100 pages of comments, so I am hoping my idea for your welding table is a first time suggestion.

Anyways, your problem is access to the clamps with the table up, and probably while the car is in the garage, I suggest a pegboard, or similar mounting wall, hinged to the wall above where the welding table mounts to when it is against the wall, and have the clamp mounting wall hanging in front of the table.

To lower the table, you do need to lift the pegboard up, lower the table, then bring the pegboard back down, but for the benefit of unimpeded access to your tools at any time it seems like a small price to pay when you want to use the welding table.

This allows the option to mount stuff into the backside of the board as well, things that would easily hang on hooks when it's against the wall, and not fall when you lift the board up to lower the table.

alpinewhite · Jan 3, 2015

Bearded ******* said:
I replied to your website earlier, and figured I would do the same here, I haven't had the time to fully read 100 pages of comments, so I am hoping my idea for your welding table is a first time suggestion.

Anyways, your problem is access to the clamps with the table up, and probably while the car is in the garage, I suggest a pegboard, or similar mounting wall, hinged to the wall above where the welding table mounts to when it is against the wall, and have the clamp mounting wall hanging in front of the table.

To lower the table, you do need to lift the pegboard up, lower the table, then bring the pegboard back down, but for the benefit of unimpeded access to your tools at any time it seems like a small price to pay when you want to use the welding table.

This allows the option to mount stuff into the backside of the board as well, things that would easily hang on hooks when it's against the wall, and not fall when you lift the board up to lower the table.

That pegboard would be very heavy.

Bearded Bastard · Jan 3, 2015

alpinewhite said:
That pegboard would be very heavy.

It would need some mechanical assistance for the lifting and lowering, maybe a couple gas shocks or something for sure. Again, I feel the need to have it lifter out of the way to lower and raise the table is worth having access to the tools if they were needed, but the car was on the lift and not operational.

Jack Olsen · Jan 5, 2015

I like the idea. But I think simpler sometimes is better. The collection of clamps and such behind the fold-down table would all fit the description of 'stuff I need on larger fabrication jobs.' I have a drawer of different size C-clamps in my tool chest and also a bunch of vice grips elsewhere in the shop. So, I've never needed to reach back there to get something. But when I'm working on something that needs multiple clamping points, it's nice to have all that stuff within arm's reach.

propav8r · Jan 5, 2015

Nicely done on the car and garage. Aircooled 911 prices have shot through the roof in recent years it seems.

Also, stole your idea for my garage wall color. Just got it done this weekend, I'll snag some more true-to-life photos in a day or two.

BBChevro · Jan 7, 2015

I finally made it through to the end - a few questions popped into my head at various times throughout the thread, but I just kept reading and inevitably someone else would ask each question so I didn't have to ask any.

Your garage is a credit to your ability to "think outside the square" with so many innovative ideas for storage and various tasks.
Although it usually looks immaculate, I was very pleased to see some pics of it in "messy mode" (it casts a ray of hope to some of the more "orderliness challenged" individuals among us - like, er.... me. :lol:

).

That same creativity also became apparent in non-garage stuff such as the car, the deck and the various other projects.

Congratulations on all your many achievements too Jack, including the various magazine articles, photo shoots and videos and finally getting your name in the credits.

Thank-you Jack for sharing so much of what you do in your “spare” time with us mere mortals here on GJ and I’d like to wish you and your family all the best for 2015.

Colin Len · Jan 7, 2015

propav8r said:
Nicely done on the car and garage. Aircooled 911 prices have shot through the roof in recent years it seems.

That's a great graph, is this an online program you can get car sales data / values from?

Jack Olsen · Jan 7, 2015

Thanks very much, BBChevro! 201 pages is pretty daunting. But I think there's a lot of good information packed inside this thread (some of it is even from me).

I can't show my wife that chart, propav8r. And I don't much like what's happened to the values of these things, honestly. I hope the bubble bursts soon, since I'm pretty much screwed now if I put my car into a wall and have to find a new tub. The last time that happened was back in 2004, and I was able to get this car (without a drivetrain) for $3,500. Nowadays I'd have to add a zero, even for a rolling shell.

bazzateer · Jan 7, 2015

Jack,

I'm probably in the minority here but although your car looks great, I do feel it's a shame that gorgeous little silver beauty had to be sacrificed!

[/QUOTE]

rixtrix1 · Jan 7, 2015

Just watched the 1.26.88 video. To say it matches your dedication to functionality in your garage goes without saying. As said so many times before, truly inspirational. Thanks!

Jack Olsen · Jan 9, 2015

bazzateer said:
Jack, I'm probably in the minority here but although your car looks great, I do feel it's a shame that gorgeous little silver beauty had to be sacrificed!

I think you're in the majority -- with me included. Every time I see those pictures, there are pangs of regret. At the time, the goal of getting my crashed car back up and running in time for a week-long event was paramount. But even if values of the old cars hadn't gone through the roof, the skinny look of the early 911s is incredible. In hindsight, I should have gotten a 1976 or 1977 tub and built from there. But the '72 was relatively cheap and available. So it got chopped up and turned into a workhorse. :dunno:

* * *

Now, there are already too many pictures of me, my car, and my garage in the universe. No one's going to argue with that. But the guy who did all the photography for the two German pieces on my garage and car put together a bunch of pictures (many of which I hadn't seen) on his web page. So I'm going to put a link here, mostly because what the guy did was so nice.

Here's the link:

https://jevidon.exposure.co/jack-olsens-porsche

Or click on one of these pictures:

Boosted1 · Jan 9, 2015

Yeah it was a nice car, but I wouldn't worry about the transformation. You now have a fantastic track car like no other. Priceless.

Huxley · Jan 9, 2015

Mensch Mode.

Squankum · Jan 9, 2015

A thought about your wing in low drag position:

Is there a way to test, to the degree, or maybe even half a degree, what position is truly the lowest drag? I'm having trouble thinking of a way of figuring that out without a wind tunnel. I know the ecomodders out there have computer boxes that piggyback onto the engine management computer system and give them data about what's going on with fuel use, maybe a stretch of simple desert highway and repeated runs at certain speeds and a computer like that?

http://ecomodder.com/forum/fuel-economy-mpg-modifications.php#56

Anybody else? Other than Jack begging for a crowdsourcing-funded wind tunnel visit?

Also,with the money being flung about in Olde Porsche Land, what Jack has done to his car is nothin'. It's still a relic of the true cross, I mean, it has a VIN #, and everything can be rebuilt from there. Should the 911 bubble never pop, that is.

Keep in mind, this thing sold for $57K:
http://bringatrailer.com/2013/11/21/the-roosevelt-1957-porsche-speedster-racer-accident-basketcase/

Outlawmws · Jan 9, 2015

I mentionrf this a page or so back:

You might try this as a "test": get up to a reasonably high speed in your low drag position, and the hit the wing to high drag, and see what your accelerometer says... I'll bet you will even feel it in the seat of your pants (or helmet)

Heck, you could try that one on the freeway. (I am again driving a mouse power Samurai, and can tell a huge difference between "drafting " a semi rig, (even as much as 3 seconds behind them) and breaking the wind myself. And this is all at only 60-70 MPH generally... Air drag can things hugely, or in very subtle ways...)

Added thought: since thuds IS technically a "street car" does it have cruse control? st that and make the adjustments and see what the accelerometer says...

autoidiodyssey · Jan 10, 2015

Colin Len said:
That's a great graph, is this an online program you can get car sales data / values from?

That is from Haggerty Insurance's website. They have similar info for most classic cars.

sean Buick 76 · Jan 10, 2015

I think it is great that you modified your car to suite your needs, i would not worry at all!

Cars are meant to be drive, not just collecting dust to keep them pristine... I say have fun with it, and you are!

It is so cool to see all this publicity going to such a humble guy!

Ps. I was talking to an old retired engineer from Buick and he was ecstatic to hear that my 70 Skylark can go from zero to 130 mph in 10 seconds and still have a smooth idle... I think you made Porsche proud with your car and the wing is the icing on the cake!

rixtrix1 · Jan 10, 2015

Great piece Justin did for your car, Jack. I'll never tire of the umpteen million pics and stories of your car or garage, as it's always something new, interesting or useful. If I may ask, what tires do you use? They appear to be NT-01's. I do some NASA tracking in the Phoenix area with a friend's Mustang and we'll be needing new tires after the next two events. Totally different car, for sure, but tires seem to wear the same if the setup is OK. Something that lasts, as you said, is great for a hobby car. Thanks.

JustinS · Jan 12, 2015

Jack, you had a mention on Joe Rogan's podcast on 1/10 with Magnus Walker and Alex Ross. They really enjoyed your video.

Jack Olsen · Jan 12, 2015

Outlawmws said:
I mentionrf this a page or so back:

You might try this as a "test": get up to a reasonably high speed in your low drag position, and the hit the wing to high drag, and see what your accelerometer says... I'll bet you will even feel it in the seat of your pants (or helmet)

Heck, you could try that one on the freeway. (I am again driving a mouse power Samurai, and can tell a huge difference between "drafting " a semi rig, (even as much as 3 seconds behind them) and breaking the wind myself. And this is all at only 60-70 MPH generally... Air drag can things hugely, or in very subtle ways...)

Added thought: since thuds IS technically a "street car" does it have cruse control? st that and make the adjustments and see what the accelerometer says...

Squankum said:
A thought about your wing in low drag position:

Is there a way to test, to the degree, or maybe even half a degree, what position is truly the lowest drag? I'm having trouble thinking of a way of figuring that out without a wind tunnel. I know the ecomodders out there have computer boxes that piggyback onto the engine management computer system and give them data about what's going on with fuel use, maybe a stretch of simple desert highway and repeated runs at certain speeds and a computer like that?

http://ecomodder.com/forum/fuel-economy-mpg-modifications.php#56

Anybody else? Other than Jack begging for a crowdsourcing-funded wind tunnel visit?

Also,with the money being flung about in Olde Porsche Land, what Jack has done to his car is nothin'. It's still a relic of the true cross, I mean, it has a VIN #, and everything can be rebuilt from there. Should the 911 bubble never pop, that is.

Keep in mind, this thing sold for $57K:
http://bringatrailer.com/2013/11/21/the-roosevelt-1957-porsche-speedster-racer-accident-basketcase/

I think I could engineer some kind of drag test -- or at least get better results from straight-line tests. But until I do, I'm going to have to rely on lap times. Today I ran a wire off of the indicator light for the DRS to my data logger so I'll have both the speed data and the wing position data right next to each other in a graph, which I can overlay with laps where I leave the wing in the fixed position.

rixtrix1 said:
Great piece Justin did for your car, Jack. I'll never tire of the umpteen million pics and stories of your car or garage, as it's always something new, interesting or useful. If I may ask, what tires do you use? They appear to be NT-01's. I do some NASA tracking in the Phoenix area with a friend's Mustang and we'll be needing new tires after the next two events. Totally different car, for sure, but tires seem to wear the same if the setup is OK. Something that lasts, as you said, is great for a hobby car. Thanks.

I run Nitto NT01s, which are a mild enough R compound that I can run them around town and also on the track and not have them heat cycle to death right away. I run one set a year for all the driving I do, on track and off. But part of the reason they last so long on my car is the width of the tires and the weight of the car.

Jack Olsen · Jan 12, 2015

JustinS said:
Jack, you had a mention on Joe Rogan's podcast on 1/10 with Magnus Walker and Alex Ross. They really enjoyed your video.

Thanks for telling me that. I had no idea. I got contacted by Rogan a long while back about coming on the show, but then it looked like he had lost interest. From the sound of this clip, I might still be a guest on his show.

So that no one has to listen to three hours of Porsche talk. Here's a link (in case anyone's interested) to the exact moment when one of my videos comes up. Or click on the picture, and it should take you right to the 1h41,53s mark.

JustinS · Jan 12, 2015

3hrs of Porsche talk is a great time killer though. :3gears:

Squankum · Jan 15, 2015

Aha! I have an idea!

Electronic strain gauges on your wing uprights, and data logging.

I don't know any more than that. It's been a few years since I consumed mass quantities of race car magazines. I just know these neat little things exist. Hopefully somebody else here can take the idea further.

EDIT:
And now the simplest idea comes to me, and I don't know if this has been discussed. Coast-down testing -- the poor man's wind tunnel. Don't need data logging for this one, just your son with a stopwatch and a clipboard in the passenger seat. (He doesn't need to be involved, but it's a good way to teach him the scientific method. And the morality of why daddy can go 110 mph on desert roads if nobody else is around, vs. society's laws. OK, maybe don't bring him along.)

Great article in the new Road & Track magazine about Chip Ganassi Racing's very controlled environment for this: an old railroad tunnel in PA.

Wardy · Jan 15, 2015

JustinS said:
Jack, you had a mention on Joe Rogan's podcast on 1/10 with Magnus Walker and Alex Ross. They really enjoyed your video.

You beat me to it!

It was sort of like someone I "know" being mentioned. I was also turned on to the "Urban Outlaw" documentary with Magnus Walker - he's an interesting character.

Congrats Jack!

Jimbo.. · Jan 16, 2015

I listened to that entire show. Between the three of them, they know a lot about you and your car. Interesting stuff. So Jack, have you driven Magnus' 277, or the RS? Because if not, I think all you need to do is ask.

Jack Olsen · Jan 23, 2015

A minor upgrade to the garage today. I'd been keeping an eye out for a replacement for a fading Taiwan-made 6" bench grinder. I found a 1/2-hp Craftsman block grinder, which I'm probably going to repaint. Fortunately, it fits in the increasingly puzzle-like arrangement of what I call my 'Swiss Army Bench.'

Here's the exiting model.

Thanks to a guy I met online, I got a template for a replacement nameplate for the Craftsman. It lets me work the label out any way I'd like.

Here's where it stands:

SweetD · Jan 23, 2015

Nice score Jack - hope you got a decent deal on it (I'm sure you did!) - I have the Model #257.191401, 1/2hp, which looks almost identical to yours.

I found my tool rests, lamp shield, and eye shields here on GJ from a member. Nice that you have the quench tray intact...

:beer:

Dave

Jack Olsen · Jan 23, 2015

Thanks. I'm pretty sure I overpaid for it. But I'd been waiting a long time and finally just decided to get it.

It came with the rests and shields. But I think I'm going to go through it before I put everything together. It also came with the tool holder attachment, which I'm interested in learning more about. Here's a picture from the Ebay ad that shows it attached.

Strouty · Jan 23, 2015

It would **** to be blind.

Jack Olsen · Jan 24, 2015

Part of an effort to reach forward through time and get through to my kids before they do something stupid.

BBChevro · Jan 24, 2015

I can't say I've ever seen a tool holder attachment on a grinder before, but it looks like it could be useful.

shortykorte · Jan 24, 2015

Reading through your post, seeing what you have done, Just Outstanding. I really connected with your philosophy on being organized and being able to focus on the project at hand.

Using your inspiration, I would like to share the following. Most everything from the green counter went into the two cabinets which will be painted Texaco green at a later date. Today my work table went from mess to clean in under ten minutes. Having an accessible home for everything makes it easy.

Thank you :beer:

Grizz1963 · Jan 25, 2015

Seeing your linisher/belt sander reminded me that I do want one.

They are massively useful tools.

Also a vote for the new bench grinder, tool rest should work well for sharpening tools and chisels as well as anything else that needs gentle working.

Love the machine spec plate.

sean Buick 76 · Jan 25, 2015

Thanks for the update, your garage and car are inspirational.

Jack Olsen · Jan 25, 2015

Thanks, guys.

shortykorte, that looks great. It makes a huge difference in productivity (in my experience, at least) when the location of stuff gets burned in enough in your memory so that getting the tool/fastener/whatever that you need is more automatic than 'thought about.' I'm a sloppy worker, and there's probably not much I can do to fix that. But I can make my shop accommodate me better by keeping it better organized.

I painted the block grinder and put in the order for the replacement label (which I'm getting printed on aluminum).

Here is the original color scheme:

Since these things are two-toned, I used the color from my Milwaukee grinder for the body and the color of the old Craftsman bandsaw for the center plate. To get an idea of what it will look like, I Photoshopped the label onto it.

Outlawmws · Jan 25, 2015

Looks good Jack!

Have you considered a shop vac hookup for the big grinder so it doesn't bury the "little" Craftsman? you could use a PVC elbow and Tee and have it come out next to the Craftsman.

Denwood · Jan 25, 2015

Shopvac + grinder = fire :-( Don't try this without a water/quench system in place.

Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT The 12-Gauge Garage

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

New member

Well-known member

New member

Super Moderator

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Super Moderator

Well-known member

Well-known member

Super Moderator

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Super Moderator

Super Moderator

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Super Moderator

Well-known member

Super Moderator

Well-known member

Super Moderator

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Super Moderator

Well-known member

Well-known member