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Post Recession Shop Rehabilitation Project

Joe13

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Chris,

Garage looks great! I love the beetle kill wall, breaks up the place a bit. you are one hell of a craftsman. Looking forward to more progress.
 
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nine4gmc

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Awesome job, I get more done at night personally so welcome to "my time"!


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Mike.ASC

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I just discovered your thread. All I have done so far is take a quick glance and look at the pictures, I will go back as time permits and read about all the details. Very nice work on your renovation.
 

bj383ss

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Great build thread. Love your shop. Great tool collection you have. Would love to have your Powermatic stuff. Looking forward to seeing how you run all your dust collection stuff. I really would like to line all the walls of my new shop with wood. Crazy how late you are staying up to finish things.
 

taumac

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Brooksville, Fl
Just read all through your thread... The shop came out great. I'm not a wood worker but seeing your shop is sure inspiration for me to do some.
 
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NedNorton

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fergus – Thanks. You far surpass me in the “Wildman” category. I looked at the challenges you have gotten through in your threads and I am in awe. Makes my build seem like a cakewalk. I appreciate the encouragement. :thumbup:

Joe13 – I can’t tell you how much it helps in the motivation department knowing that folks are checking in. Thanks for reading. There is more, a lot more, to come.

Don (dhubbard442) – Yep, a bunch of progress! That only took 12+ hours! (Can you hear the sarcasm?) :lol_hitti

nine4gmc - Thanks for the welcome to the “night shift”!

Mike.ASC – Welcome! I can be a little long winded sometimes so feel free to approach the thread like a picture book. :lol:

bj383 – The tools have been great. I wouldn’t know what to do without them. The dust collection is next on the “major projects” list. All these great tools… spitting dust everywhere! Seriously, the DC control and ducting is next on the list so I can get control of the chips. It was running for all those years I just got used to having it. Building the cabinets, hell… just ripping a piece of trim without it causes a dust pile. I checked out your shop thread… You have a great space going and do some very cool detail model work. Can’t wait to see the new shop once you move in. By the way… the Cutlass is great! A buddy growing up had one and I have a bunch of fond memories of that car. You could fit him, his girlfriend, me, my girlfriend and another 2-3 people and head to the eastern shore of Maryland with all our stuff packed in the trunk. All with the top down! Thanks for reading.

taumac - I appreciate the good words. I like building stuff. The shop keeps me out of trouble! Thanks for getting through the entire thread. I will say it again, the fact some folks are reading is a big motivator and I can't tell you what a difference it makes!
 
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rmalkow2

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Just read the entire thread. Just an awesome job getting your shop to this state of completion. That wood wall looks amazing. I'm subscribed and will look forward to future updates.
 
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NedNorton

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Just a quick update before I go pass out… (Words cannot convey how tired I am after last night):eyecrazy:

Now that there is some room, I got to move my toolboxes in from the garage. These have been with me since the late 80’s when I was working in a garage turning wrenches during high school.
IMG_7493-L.jpg


I think this is one of the few pictures taken during daylight!
IMG_7490-L.jpg


This weekend I’ll button up a few things and organize. Plus, this came today…:rocker:
IMG_7462-L.jpg


So, maybe I will start wiring up the dust collection control. (wiring up stuff sounds like fun and... It isn't sanding drywall! :beer:)

As always… Thanks for reading.

Cheers,
Chris
 
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Scav

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May 10, 2014
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I wanna go back to the wall of shame/beetle kill memorial. Why did you do it in three parts instead of staggering the wood panels?
 

dhubbard422

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Texas Hill Country
Nice set of red boxes! I have a similar, albeit smaller set from the early '80s; my set from the '70s was stolen by some low-life pond scum (I still sound bitter, don't I...)

Anyway, seeing the pic of the Norton you restored, your lathe, the great job you are doing on your shop and now what I assume are boxes full of tools... it all confirms my suspicions that you are armed and dangerous. ;) I expect that your gonna' do some cool projects in this space!
 
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NedNorton

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rmalkow2 – Thanks for making through the thread and subscribing! There is a bunch more to come. Less major construction and more systems install. It should be fun!

Scav- I went with the three sections for esthetics mostly. There is still a 2.5” wide piece of steel that will go from floor to ceiling to cover the joint. The staggered joints in pine, due to the large rate of movement in the material, tend to show more over time (more expansion and contraction from one board to the next). This avoids that.

Don – Sorry to hear about the boxes. There is a special place in hell for tool thieves. Or if you are Buddhist, you spend your next life as a dung beetle. I bought these off the truck one at a time, as I needed more storage. Back when Snap-On went to roller slides guys were getting rid of the old friction boxes left and right so I bought the trade-ins for cheap (Snap-On cheap, relative term). They were bolted together I think in ’91 and have been that way ever since. Over the years I find myself looking for the matching top boxes but then the reality sets in that I’m only 5-7 and I wouldn’t be able to see in half the drawers! The old boxes are built like tanks and have held up great. They live a relatively pampered life now. And yes, they are filled to gills.

Working on the shop has been fun but I am really looking forward to getting going on some projects in the shop vs for the shop. There are “need to do now” car projects that will get done soon but the shop won’t be ready for action until December. There are still lots of things to get done before it gets to a functioning state. It does look a ton better! I’m working from home today and may go and have a beer in the shop during lunch!

1949 caddyman – Here are the details for the brackets. Just an FYI… The “engineering” for them consisted of my 220lb neighbor standing on a test piece, so use at own risk. I can say that they are holding a bunch of material and are showing no signs of deflection. I helped another buddy install the same set-up in his shop. His is floor to ceiling and working great.

Close-up…
wood%20rack%20detail_zpswftz9dye-L.jpg


2x4 – 40” long
¾ EMT conduit cut to 23.5”, 21” exposed.
Holes drilled 9” on center at 5 degrees
Timberlock screws in pre-drilled holes to anchor to the wall.

I looked online at what other guys had come up with and some had used 2x6 with galvanized pipe. After the stand and bounce test it seemed like overkill to go that route. The EMT was much cheaper and the 2x4 takes up less space. Hope that this helps.

Cheers,
Chris
 
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NedNorton

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CodeRedZ- Thanks for the compliment on the WOS. I'm happy with the three panels. It will all come together once the metal trim is up. Kind of a more modern look. I missed my metal supplier today, they close at 3 on Fridays, so it will have to be next week. You will have to let me know what you think when it is done!

Cheers,
Chris
 
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NedNorton

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Dust Collection Control…

I have been looking forward to this part of the “rebuild” for quite some time. Guys here have said that the painted sheet goods cabinet speaks to there OCD… This will scream to it. It does to mine!

This may be a bit of overkill but it goes to what I always look at; this needs to be reliable and serviceable. Something that the commercially available controls had failed to provide me in the past. Using terminal blocks, HVAC relays, HVAC transformers and NEMA enclosures ensures that if something does fail it can be replaced with little hassle or downtime. Plus, all in, the system will cost about the same as one of those less reliable off the shelf products.

Rough layout for the panel…
IMG_7496-L.jpg


Measured…
IMG_7497-L.jpg


There are a bunch of ways to make clean holes in sheet metal. I think that for this gauge and for these size holes (22mm) using a knockout punch makes the most sense. One caution, the good punches are very good and the cheap ones are terrible. You get what you pay for here.

3/8 holes drilled and the punch set…
IMG_7501-X2.jpg


Crank it down…
IMG_7499-L.jpg


You get these…
IMG_7502-L.jpg


And more importantly this; All the holes are round and clean…
IMG_7503-L.jpg


Indicator lights and switch mounted…
IMG_7506-L.jpg


Wired. These will all run to DTM connectors so that the panel can be easily removed.
IMG_7510-L.jpg


Terminal blocks and relay…
IMG_7514-L.jpg


Interior layout… (24VAC transformer, 30a 240VAC relay, terminal block on DIN rail)
IMG_7517-L.jpg


I am waiting on a few things to come in the mail so I can finish-up.

This is how the panel will look with the main disconnect + one of the push button switches that will be mounted next to the gates (They light up blue once the system is energized.:thumbup:). I also have engraved labels coming to finish it off.
IMG_7509-X2.jpg


I hope some folks find this part of the project as cool as I do. :pimpflash

As always… Thanks for reading.

Cheers,
Chris
 
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nine4gmc

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Love it Chris! Coming from competition 12v car audio I appreciate the thought and planning that goes in to creating a panel like that. Can't wait to see it finished!


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dittle fart around

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Dust Collection Control…



I hope some folks find this part of the project as cool as I do. :pimpflash

As always… Thanks for reading.

Cheers,
Chris

This is the kind of work I did for Bonneville Power Administration. Computer server racks, relay, control and alarm panels that were 7 feet tall. Some of the racks used 2 to 3 thousand feet of wire.

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:
 
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bj383ss

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Going to be a super high tech DC. Mine will only have manually operated gates. I assume you are going to use metal ducting if your blast gates are this fancy. Looking forward to progress report.
 
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NedNorton

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nine4gmc – Thanks for the recognition of the planning. This project falls into the “fun to do” category for sure!

dittle fart around – I can’t imagine building up those huge panels. Keeping 200 feet of wire straight is tough, 2000 must have been very interesting.

bj383ss – The gates are still manually operated. When you boil it down, this is all just a very fancy set of on/off switches. I can’t wait to get it up and running again. This is just the first part!

jeffmoss26 – Thanks. It has been a fun project and good distraction from cleaning/organizing.
 
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NedNorton

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Wiring continued…

The box is as complete as I can get it until the mail guy delivers the last of the supplies. I’m waiting on the DTM connectors as well as 2 sets of jumpers for the terminal bocks. I ordered the wrong ones the first time around. :mad: The nameplates should be here by the end of the week as should the current sensors for the tablesaw/jointer/planer and radial arm/chop saw switch boxes. :thumbup:

Updated schematic...
DC-10-18-15-4_zpsjcnkku8n-M.jpg


Here is how she sits…
IMG_7529-L.jpg


IMG_7527-L.jpg


The wires will get a final organizing before it’s all done. They are run long now before the connectors.

By weeks end, I hope to have a bunch of little projects done and maybe the mill moved into the shop. Here is to hoping! :beer:

Thanks as always for reading…

Cheers,
Chris
 
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Mr. Roboto

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I finally had a chance to come in and check out your thread, I'm not sure how I haven't come across it all this time. Great progress for sure! You are very detail oriented, which I can appreciate. Thanks for sharing all the pictures and progress with all of us, I will be following along as this move forward from here!
 
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NedNorton

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Chilly_moose – I appreciate the kind words. I hope that some folks take something from all this. Thanks for reading!

Mr. Roboto- Thanks. Keep cranking on your project. It’s looking great.
:bowdown:
 
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NedNorton

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Waiting... Waiting… Waiting… Waiting for Dust Collection parts…

I have to keep busy so I went down to the shop and did a little cleaning and organizing. Oh yah, I put up the last of the beetle kill! To top it off tonight, it rained and my shop was dry (no waterfall, the failed flashing and waterfall was what started all this) so the WOS is a little less shameful and a far cry from where it started.

I was putting supplies away in the cabinet and decided that the interior shelves could use some carpet. I had a bunch left over from the sheet goods storage cart so, I figured why not? (small project, for sure). So, before I put stuff on a shelf it was carpeted. It should keep the shelves looking good (no scratched paint)
IMG_7537-L.jpg

IMG_7541-X2.jpg


Fabulous build. I think this shot sums it up for me:

a82d3c8b-65ad-4f65-9d9e-52cfaaa5814a_zpsaweqrfgf.jpg

Classic, timeless color scheme.
Attention to detail and vision for execution.
Work to do on the wall of shame.

I'll be following for future updates...

IMG_7534-X2.jpg

Classic, timeless color scheme. - Check
Attention to detail and vision for execution. – I’m giving it my best.
Work to do on the wall of shame. – It’s getting there!

It feels like progress... If only a little. I hope you guys approve. I couldn't of gotten here without the support.

Before…
be1b3bbe-ae0f-444c-b652-6c654531b884_zps1ctyxvn1-M.jpg

Now…
IMG_7548-L.jpg

Here is how the shop sits…
IMG_7543-L.jpg

Stuff still to do…
Chop saw, Radial arm station.
IMG_7544-L.jpg

More storage for this stuff…
IMG_7546-L.jpg

Thanks alway for reading... I appreciate folks following along.

Cheers,
Chris
 
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rodsnratfinks

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Stunning! I love the walls, particularly the WOS, the panel, the material storage, the shop equipment, etc. It's a very streamlined and efficient, yet inviting place. My shop aspires to be like your shop when it grows up.

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Crown

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Jan 21, 2014
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FLat land
This is so inspiring. If my garage would look half as good when I'm done I would allready be proud.
 

Mustang302

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Nov 10, 2014
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Jutland, Denmark
Must say this is an awesome project.
Wondering what hinges do you use in your cabinets and are they mounted directly into the face of the cabinet.
Keep up the god Work.
 

npstone

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Dec 6, 2013
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W. Montana
Home Depot run and a bit of work later, my wife and “her” project. Sorry the pictures are dark, the sun had gone down behind the divide just as we finished.


The two ladies of the house checking my work…


Any chance I can get you to share some info on how you built those raised beds and how they are working out? I've been building raised beds out of wood for years. Pine/fir I have to replace every 5-6 years, and the redwood/cedar ones are only lasting a few years longer.
 

amx1041

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Oct 29, 2012
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Mt Solon Virginia
I love the build so far and can’t wait to see how it progresses. You had my admiration with the Norton and the Australian Shepherd but then you went and bought an FJ60. All three are my favorites. :drool:
Had an Australian and he was best dog I ever had. I don’t think I’ll find another one with his personality. Still waiting/wishing/dreaming on the Norton and FJ. Maybe one day the lottery will come through. I guess I should really start buying those tickets for that to happen.
Anyway, keep up the good work.
 

karlhungus

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Niwot, Colorado
Can we get some pictures of the exterior of the garage and the house? It would help set the stage. You mentioned a flat roof, seems an unusual choice for the mountains of Colorado. I have really been enjoying your creativity and craftsmanship.
 

rodsnratfinks

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Can we get some pictures of the exterior of the garage and the house? It would help set the stage. You mentioned a flat roof, seems an unusual choice for the mountains of Colorado. I have really been enjoying your creativity and craftsmanship.
Seconded. Looking at your garage doors, I'd wager you might have a nice modern, since those doors typically don't see a lot of use on traditional buildings. A flat roof is another possible indicator. Also, considering you're aesthetic, I'm sure it's quite tasteful. Please share your home, so we can collectively salivate!
 
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NedNorton

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Jyzze – In my case it is a glass of wine and 2 of man’s best friends. This has been challenging and fun at the same time. Fun to see it as it comes together, challenging working on it after work. Sometimes I feel like I have 2 jobs. Thanks for reading!

rodsnratfinks –If you end up using beetle kill, feel free to post the results on this thread. Get a set of good knockout punches and you will be doing what I did… Making holes in metal just cause ya can! :evil:

Crown - It means a lot that other folks are taking something from the build whether its ideas, motivation or just entertainment. I know that there are a bunch of shops here that did that for me. I appreciate you taking the time to read through this.

Mustang302 – I use Blum hinges. ¾ overlay that attach to the face-frame.
Part number numbers: Standard 38C0355-01, Blumoition (soft close) 38C355-B102. Hope that info helps.

amx1041 – The Norton was something that fell into my hands from a buddy. He had it sitting in his garage for 15 years as a project, “he was eventually going to get to.” For all those years I kept asking him when was he going to get around to putting her back together? Finally, the last time I asked, he offered it to me for a price I couldn’t refuse. One thing about getting a cheap Norton, there is no such thing! I had to go through the entire bike. One year, and a good bit of cash later, she rides great. The FJ will get the same treatment just over a longer period. It should be fun.

Sorry to hear about your dog. We lost our oldest Aussie this spring. He had been with me for 14 years coming to work every day. He is missed.

karlhungus- I would like to post a few pictures, but the one request from my better half is that we maintain a bit of privacy and keep the pictures to the shop. I will ask though and hope for the best. I can say that the place does trend to the “mountain modern” end of the spectrum. I see that you are in Niwot. We are just up the hill! Snow flurries today!

npstone – I have been getting PM’s about the garden box so I guess it is time to do a quick post (sorta quick).

I have used this design in a community garden and they are holding up well.

The one I posted here was built to keep the dogs off the raspberries the only changes that I make for raised beds are: epdm to cover the corner joints and supports are 2’ on center. I usually make them 5’x10’.

Corners are 2x4 screwed together. They are run 6” longer than the width of the tin. So they act as stakes.
IMG_7275-X2.jpg


I build the corners first and attach the metal for the long sides using pro-panel screws. For raised beds, this is the joint I cover with the epdm to keep the moister away from the joint.
IMG_7277-X2.jpg


Then the short side metal pieces are screwed on. At this point I set the box with the metal several (4+) inches below grade. Now you screw on the secondary supports (4-6” below grade) to prevent the metal from bowing once filled.
IMG_7278-L.jpg


Support attached from the back with more pro-panel screws.
IMG_7279-X2.jpg


Lastly I cap it with another 2x4. Two screws at each corner and on each support, plus one screw through the miter to keep them from opening up.
IMG_7276-X2.jpg


Fill with dirt. Done. Pretty easy and all the parts work to add strength to the unit. Let me know if there are any other questions or if I can elaborate on any of it.

Cheers,
Chris
 
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NedNorton

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Wiring…
Some stuff did show-up today. The jumpers and DTM connectors so I took some time tonight and got them installed.
Jumpers… Cut to the right number and screwed down.
IMG_7550-L.jpg

DTM connectors to connect the front panel…
IMG_7552-X2.jpg

Must have tools for the job. Good wire stripers, side cutters and the CORRECT crimping tool.
IMG_7554-L.jpg

I have used DT and DTM connectors in everything from custom motorcycle harnesses to running automation on heavy machines. They are great connectors but you have to have the correct crimping tool. It makes short work of attaching the pins.
IMG_7556-L.jpg

All the wire runs cleaned up and DTM connectors in. I think sometimes that it’s too bad that all this work gets covered up.
IMG_7557-L.jpg

One more close-up because this speaks to my over active attention to detail and it was fun to design and put together!
IMG_7558-L.jpg

Done for tonight. Just waiting on the last few things and I can test the system.
IMG_7559-X2.jpg

Thanks as always for following along.

Cheers,
Chris
 
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rodsnratfinks

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Mountain modern... even better! I know what you mean about the wife. Mine has a similar rule. Even though the garage contains only my stuff, my wife questioned why I was posting pictures of 'our stuff' when she saw my garage thread today.

Great work on that panel. I definitely know that feeling about covering up great wiring.
 

dittle fart around

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Wiring…

One more close-up because this speaks to my over active attention to detail and it was fun to design and put together!


Looks good. Pick up a tye wrap gun, you can find them at electrical supply stores. Nice to have, they cut tye wraps flush and adjust for tension. Those little chunks of extra wrap sticking out will cut your hands pretty easily.

View media item 12099
At the shipyard I worked at, those sharp tie wrap ends would keep other trades from cutting into our temporary services.

:beer:
 
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