1080 Workshop: 1 Car, 1 Bike, Some Fab

jbmatth · Oct 14, 2015

I do really like the S1, that looks like a blast and at 1,400 pounds it would be a hoot to toss around. Do you have any future plans for the car as far as building it up more? Also what trans are you using to make it rear wheel drive? I have a zetec in my daily driver and they are just fun little engines, I've owned 6 engines in 5 cars over the years and until recently I've never had a problem with them. I'm with you on the miles driven I've only put a little over 2,500 miles on my cobra in the 5.5 years I've owned it but some of those have come from 500 mile road trips and the rest are just around town. Post some more pictures of the car if you don't mind sharing with us.
JB

dhubbard422 · Oct 14, 2015

JB,

Here's a larger version of the image used for the avatar

This is a pic leaving Los Angeles heading to Big Bear on the fly-n-drive-it-home trip. Yes, I am somewhat crazy to drive a low mileage kit car from California to Texas... :lol:

but hey, life is supposed to be an adventure!

I hit as many twisty two lane blacktop highways "on the way" home as possible. There were some great roads leaving LA and central AZ was fabulous. It was a good trip. Even though the rarely driven kit car had some issues on the trip, it did get me all the way back to Texas without too much drama.

jbmatth · Oct 15, 2015

That is a good looking car, I'm sure any of the twisty roads you can find make for a great time. I did something similar when I bought my cobra back in 2010, picked it up in central Missouri and drove it back here to northern Oklahoma. The interesting part was during the test drive the previous owner was driving and snapped the pin on the distributor gear. That is the only time it has been on a tow truck since I've owned it. It overheated once in rush hour OKC traffic but otherwise has been bulletproof. Sorry to get off subject, but back to the show at hand.
JB

NedNorton · Oct 29, 2015

Hey Don, how are thing progressing?

dhubbard422 · Oct 29, 2015

NedNorton said:
Hey Don, how are thing progressing?

Hi Chris, Does going into the shop and imagining the next steps count as progress? :lol:

A charity event, bad weather... and too much work have conspired against making progress on the workshop. Last weekend was our 12th Charity Trials Event and Friday I marked 7 of the 8 of the trials sections in a dry creek bed. Saturday morning I woke to a raging creek... Hurricane Patricia dumped +5" of rain overnight and washed all of our obstacles down the creek... :sad:

It was the first time I have had to cancel a trials event.

My shop progress has been limited to deciding to stagger the plywood wall panels (unlike your WOF; BTW, I like your metal trim), but then I realized that I'll need to add more blocking to support the staggered edges... :headscrat

Anyway, I plan to do my walls similar to this ceiling:

Plywood%20Ceiling%20Strips_zpscw3vcgwn.jpg

So, if all goes well, I'll add more blocking this weekend and actually finish the wall framing.

NedNorton · Nov 16, 2015

Don,
Sorry to hear about the trails event. I hope you guys weathered the storm OK and things are settling back in. The staggered will look great!

Keep us posted.

Cheers,
Chris

dhubbard422 · Dec 19, 2015

So progress on the shop has been slow - events, rain, holidays, a couple of weekends of other work on the property and my job has been a bit crazy of late. Regardless, I have made some progress inside. I have also spent (too much) time fiddling with lighting layouts.

Here's the latest plan:

Any thoughts? Too much light? Too little? Would you put each of the primary rows on their own switch?

Oh, I also started this thread (on lighting guidelines):
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314093

Thanks for reading!
Don

DUSTIN@STI · Dec 19, 2015

Don the place looks really nice great job on planning.

I just built a 24 x30 with 14.5ft high ceiling to the inside peak. I have 4ea 8ft t8 lights at around 13.5 ft high. It is plenty bright. I will prolly add two more in the future over my welding table and work bench just to have a little extra.

dhubbard422 · Dec 19, 2015

^^^^^^^
Dustin,

Thanks for the comments! You've made great progress on your shop. Mine is moving a little more slowly... FWIW, I'm guessing that you're maybe half an hour or so north of me (I'm a short drive west of Georgetown).

I also expect that you'll really like the extra lights over your work bench and welding table. I have a roughly 26'x26' attached garage that has (16) 4' T8 bulbs and I have 4 over my workbench... given the state of my eyes, the light on the workbench is adequate. Anyway, the pics of your garage at night look like your garage is pretty well lit.

Thanks for stopping by!
Don

DUSTIN@STI · Dec 20, 2015

Don,
I really wish it was going faster on my end. The new baby slowed up progress, but it's worth it.
I live north of Georgetown outside of Salado.
I don't really think one can have to much light. If you put them on a couple switches you can use what you need and save power?

Bronson · Dec 20, 2015

The building is coming along nicely, if a little slowly.
Looks like a great place to work and play! :thumbup:

dhubbard422 · Dec 20, 2015

DUSTIN@STI said:
Don,
I really wish it was going faster on my end. The new baby slowed up progress, but it's worth it.
I live north of Georgetown outside of Salado.
I don't really think one can have to much light. If you put them on a couple switches you can use what you need and save power?

Dustin,
Enjoy your time with the new baby. I know it is a cliche, but they do grow up quickly. My youngest should have her last semester of grad school this spring...

I've been thinking that I should put each of the main rows on their own switch. Primarily as a way to vary the amount of light as needed, where needed.
Thanks for the comments!

Bronson said:
The building is coming along nicely, if a little slowly.
Looks like a great place to work and play!

Thanks Bronson! Someday... I'll be working in it. But, I'm kinda' enjoying working on it for now, just wish I had more time...
Thanks for stopping by!

NedNorton · Dec 21, 2015

Don,
The progress isn't slow, it's just deliberate! All in how you look at it!

On the lighting, I'm with Dustin... A few more couldn't hurt above the work tables, motorcycle lift and car lift. If you think it will be too much light out them on another switch. Easy to do with the walls and ceiling still open.

Have a great holiday.

Cheers,
Chris

NedNorton · Dec 26, 2015

Don,
Happy New year from Nederland. I hope the coming year brings all good things to you and yours. Including... NEW MOTORCYCLE PROJECTS!

Cheers,
Chris

dhubbard422 · Dec 29, 2015

Chris,

Thanks for stopping by! Maybe the New Year will see progress accelerate a bit on my shop, it certainly needs a bit of a swift kick...

I'm looking forward to a new motorcycle project. I may have sold my GSPD; a fair offer was made and a deposit should be received within a week or so. If that sale goes through this spring, I'll need a new project and something new to ride!

Happy New Year!
Don

cybrdyke · Jan 2, 2016

Hey Don,
What are the two spaces between the motorcycle table and the back wall?
CD

dhubbard422 · Jan 2, 2016

CD,

The space between the motorcycle lift and the "dirty room", i.e. the closet in the top left corner, is a simple "office" and sitting space. Primarily, the desk will be a computer space for design tasks (I am a UX Designer), programming and surfing the net. There will be a large monitor/TV on the closet wall above the desk. I might watch "some" football, motoGP or F1 from the chair closest to the motorcycle lift... I plan to put some sound deadening material in that wall. The entrance I use most often is between the chair and the "desk".

The dirty room will house an air compressor, blast cabinet, oven (powder coating), parts washer and sink. I'll also store stuff like an engine lift and stand in there.

I'll use the other corner as a fabricating space. I have a (tiny) Benchmaster mill and an old Southbend 9 lathe that will go in the opposite corner. Under the back window will be a workbench for fabrication/assembly. There will also be a welding table in the center of that space.

Thanks for stopping by. Your input on lighting is appreciated!
Don

cleason · Feb 16, 2016

u can always add more lights. im an electrician so i pipe everything. safer, mice dont eat conduit. looks nice ,good luck.next house will have my 3rd dream shop. yes ive had 2 already. in sub division now. wont last forever.

dhubbard422 · Mar 14, 2016

cleason, sorry for the long delay... and thanks for the suggestion. I'm wrestling with whether to run conduit between all of the outlets on top of the plywood walls or just run romex in the wall and cut holes in the ply for the outlets. I like the look of both. But the best shop I've had, which was decades ago, simply had conduit and metal boxes running around the interior walls - and that feels right to me. Plus, it's simple to do and I need to do more things simply.

Hope you can start that 3rd dream shop sooner rather than later! I know I put this one off for far too long.

dhubbard422 · Mar 14, 2016

So, "some" small amount of progress has finally been made on the shop... many of the electrical runs have been pulled, the closet has been framed and the ceiling joists are in.

Wiring circuits are gathering around the main panel. Each circuit will (eventually) be neatly attached to the plywood sheet that the panel is mount to... I have been a bit surprised at the price of copper... it almost seems like copper is the new gold!

Here's the plan, maybe the number of outlets will be sufficient.

dhubbard422 · Mar 14, 2016

The "Dirty Room". A closet for the compressor, parts washer, bead blast cabinet, powder coat oven, etc. has been framed. A computer desk will be on this face of the closet. Ceiling joists are in place too! White metal R-panel will be attached to these joists. I also stretched vapor barrier over some wire and stapled it to the outside wall framing, hopefully that will keep the soffit vent free and clear of insulation so that it can properly vent to the attic. Rough framing for the attic stairs is also in, I had to place an order for the 12' attic ladder, I couldn't find anyone that stocked a 12 footer.

I think my dog (Riley) is trying to do his best Vanna White impression... (pointing his nose at the closet)

Double barn doors for the opening. I need to acquire the hardware for the doors and then add additional blocking for the rail.

Obligatory shop dog photo. This is Riley. He was adopted almost 2 years ago when he had trouble accepting his (newly) blended family - irreconcilable incompatibility. However, he got along well with our old retriever, who has since passed

Jlopez1 · Mar 14, 2016

Very nice bro!!

dhubbard422 · Mar 14, 2016

Jlopez1 said:
Very nice bro!!

Thanks Jlopez1, It's moving along at a glacial pace, but it is moving! Thanks for taking a look.

jbmatth · Mar 15, 2016

That is a good looking dog, I'm sure he keeps you company and helps all he can too. Just like what I work on, it can take a lot more time than you want but in the end it'll still get there if you keep plugging away.
JB

dhubbard422 · Mar 15, 2016

JB, Thanks for stopping by. Riley enjoys following me to the shop, but after a while he's ready to go check on my wife... I've made good progress with him, but he's her dog. I need to redo a section of the fence so that he can move freely between the house and the shop - just another project on the list!

Looking forward to see your Cobra come together with its new rear end!

Don

jbmatth · Mar 16, 2016

I'm excited as well, it looks like I may get to pick it up next week depending on how things shake out. It is getting really warm out and I'd love to be able to take it for a spin sooner rather than later.
JB

NedNorton · Mar 19, 2016

Don,

Tons of progress and it's looking great. Any bit of progress is just that, progress. It is already a terrific work space that just needs a "few" finishing touches. (It's how I think of my shop. Give it a try, it's freeing! :lol:

)

Just so you know, every time I do drywall and I'm feeling sorry for my self I remember that I'm not polishing super hard concrete like my buddy in Texas. :evil:

The floors are awesome!

dhubbard422 said:

Keep plugging away!

Cheers,
Chris

dhubbard422 · Mar 21, 2016

Hey Chris,

It has felt like progress! And yes, it needs just a *few* finishing touches... :beer:

Thanks for stopping by!
Don

sakurama · Apr 2, 2016

I put in double the number of outlets I thought I'd need and that turned out to be almost enough. I wish I had put in maybe a few more, especially 220v.

Gregor

dhubbard422 · Apr 2, 2016

sakurama said:
I put in double the number of outlets I thought I'd need and that turned out to be almost enough. I wish I had put in maybe a few more, especially 220v.

Gregor

I upped the number of 120v outlets over what I had planned. I've roughed-in a 120v duplex outlet no more than every 4 feet. I hadn't planned on "extra" 220v outlets... however, your comment has me thinking that I should add at least one more outlet for the welder; it'd be trivially easy to add another on the wall near the panel. I also plan to have a 220v outlet near where I'd put a lift, just in case I ever decide to add a 2-post.

Nearly all of my equipment is light duty and 120v, even my old Benchmaster mill and Southbend 9 lathe are 120v. I've only planned 220v for the air compressor, AC mini-split, oven (for powder coating) and the welder (a Diversion 180 from craigslist that did actually turn out to be like new).

If you check back on this thread, I'm curious - what equipment consumes your 220v outlets? It's probably just stuff I haven't yet figured out that I need!

Thanks for dropping by!

dhubbard422 · Apr 8, 2016

Electrical Progress.

Nearly finished the electrical rough-in last Saturday... Took today off from work. Had an electrician come over to help me finish it. The panel is done. Probably put in a silly number of outlets... (33) 120V 20A duplex outlets. 1 outlet, roughly, every 4 feet. (1) 220V 50A outlet for the welder on each side of the building. (2) "extra" 220v 30A outlets just to have. 220 pulled for the air compressor, oven and AC (this is Texas...)

Pic of completed panel.

Tomorrow I run air line. I had thought I'd run black pipe... but, after working up a cost sheet, I just didn't see that big of a difference between it and 3/4" Maxline. I think/hope that the Maxline will be easier to install. I will run it in the attic and in the walls. I hope to finish it this weekend...

dhubbard422 · Apr 9, 2016

Craigslist. It usually doesn't work all that well for me. But, I think I found a "find" last weekend.

Owner/seller claimed that he used it very little. The welder looks to be pretty close to "like new". Came with the cart, foot pedal, a bottle of argon, several boxes of tungstens and tubes of filler rod.

It's been decades since I Tig welded... looking forward to re-learning that skill.

TexZ · Apr 10, 2016

Electrical looks great, I'm on board with all the outlets. And great score on the welder, looks to be in great shape.

NedNorton · Apr 10, 2016

Don,
Congratulations on getting the electrical done! It's a huge milestone. :thumbup:

I'm with you on the outlets, you can never have too many.

Plus, just so you know, you're killing me... I've been looking at welders lately as I dig into the FJ60 project. The 180 you scored on CL looks brand new. My brother in-law assured me that TIG is just like riding a bike. It all comes back, you just need to spend a little time laying down some practice beads. (I'm not sure I believe him completely but it sounds good. :lol:

) Also, with TIG you won't have to worry about getting a bunch of splatter on that shinny floor! :evil:

After the air is in, are you starting the plywood install for the walls? Summer is coming and you need to get going on the next moto project!

Cheers,
Chris

dhubbard422 · Apr 10, 2016

TexZ, I was pleasantly surprised by the welder. The seller was asking $1300 for everything and I just handed the cash over - no haggling. All I did before taking that pic was wipe off some dust. BTW, I really like your gate! I hope you are able to pick back up on your garage project before long, but it's often better to be patient! It also sounds like you have some interesting projects planned/in work - what are you doing to the CB350?

Thanks for stopping by!
Don

dhubbard422 · Apr 11, 2016

Hey Chris, I'm really happy to be (mostly) done with the electrical! I still have to hang the interior lights, but I need to finish the air, walls and ceilings before I can get around to the lights... I did hang the outside lights; I guess I need to take and post a pic.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to do diddly on the air lines for the shop yesterday or use my MotoGP tickets for today's race. My Mom checked into the hospital yesterday morning and I ran up to DFW to be with her and help my sister who had several commitments today; it doesn't appear critical, just slightly scary and she should be fine in a few days.

Anyway, the air line should go pretty quick. Then I need to insulate. I'm also thinking' about changing the wall plan... :dunno:

yeah, I'm probably nuts. Anyway, I've priced materials and I was surprised by the modest differences between birch ply and pine shiplap; even R-panel wasn't hugely different. Maybe naively... but I am thinkin' that it'll be a lot easier to hang shiplap than either of the other options, especially since I expect to do most of it solo. Positioning a 4 x 8 sheet of 1/2" ply 12' off the ground by myself seems like it might be a bit tough for this old man... Do you see any negatives with 1 x 8 #2 pine shiplap? Walls and ceiling.

I'm looking forward to using the welder; it'll also mean that I'm finished with the shop interior! I'll have to see if it's like riding a bike! :willy_nil

I'll definitely have to lay down some, probably a whole bunch of... practice beads; I use to think Tig welding steel was like cheating, maybe it'll still feel that way. I will start with mild steel and see how it goes.

Great start to the FJ! I'm guessing you've had some Chinook winds (snow eaters) blow through! I was always amazed how quickly snow could disappear this time of year!

Thanks for stopping by!
Don

TexZ · Apr 12, 2016

dhubbard422 said:
TexZ, I was pleasantly surprised by the welder. The seller was asking $1300 for everything and I just handed the cash over - no haggling. All I did before taking that pic was wipe off some dust. BTW, I really like your gate! I hope you are able to pick back up on your garage project before long, but it's often better to be patient! It also sounds like you have some interesting projects planned/in work - what are you doing to the CB350?

Thanks for stopping by!
Don

My Tig experience is limited but its high on the list for when my garage gets built. Thanks for the kind words on the gate, we've really enjoyed it so far. I didn't want to post an update until I had actually started demo but we are planning to get started on the garage again as soon as I can wrap up a piece of furniture I'm building for the old lady...also had a project for my sister in law. Anyways, keep up the motivational work...looking forward to seeing yours get finished!

The CB 350 is currently hacked up but will get a refresh on the motor, new carbs, digital ignition, GSX 600 forks, Cognito Moto wheels laced to a disc front hub and stock drum rear hub, and maybe a set of Fox rear shocks plus some MotoGadget bits and bobs. I also have a BMW E30 325 that needs to get built for Chump Car/etc.

Hope your mom gets to feeling better soon!

dhubbard422 · Apr 12, 2016

TexZ said:
My Tig experience is limited but its high on the list for when my garage gets built. Thanks for the kind words on the gate, we've really enjoyed it so far. I didn't want to post an update until I had actually started demo but we are planning to get started on the garage again as soon as I can wrap up a piece of furniture I'm building for the old lady...also had a project for my sister in law. Anyways, keep up the motivational work...looking forward to seeing yours get finished!

The CB 350 is currently hacked up but will get a refresh on the motor, new carbs, digital ignition, GSX 600 forks, Cognito Moto wheels laced to a disc front hub and stock drum rear hub, and maybe a set of Fox rear shocks plus some MotoGadget bits and bobs. I also have a BMW E30 325 that needs to get built for Chump Car/etc.

Hope your mom gets to feeling better soon!

TexZ,

Thanks for the note. I hope you are able to start the demo for your project - soon! It sounds like you have some cool projects for your shop. Both the CB350 and the E30 Chump/LeMons sound like fun projects. When my shop is mostly finished, I plan to start a scrambler project, probably a Triumph or BMW twin, but I keep looking at the Honda twins and thinking that would be a fun, lightweight vintage alternative. And if the E30 M3's hadn't become such collector items, I'd have one. Anyway, I hope you post some pics of your projects at some point.

Thanks for stopping by,
Don

ODIS · Aug 17, 2016

Don,

Great results on your shop space. Beautiful floors and certainly they will look good for years to come. Since you are doing the work solo, think your progress is right on time. Have you master the welder yet? Want to add this skill set too. Bet there will be more holes than beads by my hands.

Great Shop!

Ody.

dhubbard422 · Aug 17, 2016

Ody,

An update on this thread is overdue... Progress has been so slow that I thought it best to wait until the interior was done, but maybe I'll get my act together, collect some pics and post an update, maybe.... Since the last update, I have:

wired/installed all of the electrical outlets 110 & 220v
run all of the air compressor piping (Maxline) in attic and in walls
decked the attic above the closet
installed a folding attic staircase
insulated the walls
insulated under the attic deck
run lines (refrigerant,condensate drain, power, etc) in the wall for the mini-split ac/heat pump
dug, framed and poured a concrete pad for "outdoor unit" (the heat index was ridiculous that day...)
completed the plumbing rough-in for a wall sink in the closet

I still have a (somewhat) long-ish list to "finish" the interior:

install wall panelling (plywood or shiplap, tbd)
install metal ceiling
hang (42) 2-bulb 4' T8 light fixtures
insulate attic (blow-in fiberglass fill)
install sink
trim windows and doors
build desk on face of closet
stain/seal walls
paint trim

I haven't yet worked on my welding skills. I have a small pile of equipment to move to the workshop as soon as the interior is "done". My welding skills will get their first real test building a welding table, several workbenches, a motorcycle "lift" table, etc.

I've also managed to get the 7 (Superformance clone) running again, although the 7 project list feels a bit like I'm playing whack-a-mole... Anyway, I'm looking forward to cooler weather so that I can enjoy driving it!

Thanks for checking in! I'll try to post an updates with pictures - soon.
Don

1080 Workshop: 1 Car, 1 Bike, Some Fab

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