Above 1200 Sq/FT Speed Metal Garage - rattle_snake’s 34x40 shop build in AZ

1/2 Cup · Sep 16, 2016

Justin, just checking in on your progress.

You have one sweet setup there, well done. :thumbup:

Regards

rattle_snake · Sep 16, 2016

1/2 Cup said:
Justin, just checking in on your progress.
You have one sweet setup there, well done.
Regards

Thanks 1/2 cup. I still haven't been able to make through your whole thread... love the drum stove!

pinkerton said:
I dig the blower

just the factory Eaton but pulley'd up so it makes the right noises. Hard on tires but good for smiles.
:3gears:

rattle_snake · Sep 16, 2016

Phase B wiring is going in this week;
-220/50A welder
-220/30A air compressor (beginning of Air Comp relocation project)
-220/30A 2 post lift
-110/20A Lift receptacles
-decent garage door opener wiring for both doors.
-East wall conduit -> romex, exterior lighting, ect.

These runs are going in the attic, then it will be insulated and drywalled. Access after drywall will be minimal at best so whatever I am going to do up there has to happen now.
Not sure about lighting itself or speaker wiring. Air pipe will stay on surface.

On the fence with lighting, the conduit is re-configurable, but rattles badly when the speakers start moving some air. NM stapled down would b much quieter.

AZpilot · Sep 17, 2016

MesaAZguy said:
Hi Justin, I spent about 1hr going through your build! Nice job and attention to details.
We moved out of South Chandler (Gilbert & Riggs) two years ago for a 1.1acre property in East Mesa. (Southern and Ellsworth) I started a thread on my garage (attached) 32x34 build back then. I guess I need to update it. Certainly not as organized as yours!

I am East Mesa myself. Link to garage thread?

AZpilot · Sep 17, 2016

rattle_snake said:
Phase B wiring is going in this week;
-220/50A welder
-220/30A air compressor (beginning of Air Comp relocation project)
-220/30A 2 post lift
-110/20A Lift receptacles
-decent garage door opener wiring for both doors.
-East wall conduit -> romex, exterior lighting, ect.

These runs are going in the attic, then it will be insulated and drywalled. Access after drywall will be minimal at best so whatever I am going to do up there has to happen now.
Not sure about lighting itself or speaker wiring. Air pipe will stay on surface.

On the fence with lighting, the conduit is re-configurable, but rattles badly when the speakers start moving some air. NM stapled down would b much quieter.

I like all of that! Going to be extra nice. Going is phases is great for the bank account!

shade · Sep 20, 2016

From the pictures you've posted of the house and garage there is very similar house right on Greenfield in Gilbert.
At first I thought it might be your place but you said i think you're in Chandler or something

rattle_snake · Sep 23, 2016

Because I am 'frugal' I made a 19" equipment rack out of scrap and a pair of rack rails. Went 4U extra for expansion room, and filled with blanks. I refrained from using OSB this time.

This 100lb (amps are HEAVY) beast is mounted in the corner. Still waiting on 2nd amp, and haven't started on any of the speakers yet.

rattle_snake · Sep 28, 2016

Long story short I have the opportunity to use a few pieces of equipment for awhile. They belong to my neighbor who is a few years away from building his own shop. Rather than sitting in a shipping container, they are plugged in and functional in my shop.

The items are a HF Mill, a Jet lathe, a giant Miller TIG, a solvent/parts washer

and a 8k lift

Timing isn't ideal, I had to push out ceiling insulation/drywall until November. Since I will need to move all the stuff more than once I chose to put the mill and lathe on casters. I know this isn't ideal, I plan to make a brakes for swivel wheels or just put on blocks.

The lift has been narrowed 15" specifically for Vee-dubya's, so it needs new cables and a hydraulic line to return to full width.

I'm pretty happy about the whole deal as I can defer theses purchases for awhile and spend the money on the ceiling and my newest wheeled money pit.
:beer:

rattle_snake · Sep 28, 2016

Somehow I ended up buying this truck before I was really ready for it. I have too many things going on, specifically trying to get ceiling done so I can move forward with other items.
Its a 1972 F250 Explorer with a 390/c6/PS/PB w/ factory A/C. It's fairly complete and hasn't been trashed and rebuild 3 times like most of the **** out there. It's got a whole laundry list of issues, but runs and drives.

So far I have replaced brake booster and master cylinder, and have a rebuild steering box waiting to go in. Short term plan is to fix most of the minor issues, buy a few items for the almost complete interior, and enjoy it. Maybe some CL motor parts.
Long term plan is to convert to 4WD with 2005+ (radius arm) superduty axles, HP D60/Sterling 10.5". Need stout disc brakes for large rubber.
I chose to start with a 2WD as they are cheaper, can be found in decent shape, and can have the 390/c6. The 250 4wd came only with 360/np435/drum d44 which I don't want.

rattle_snake · Oct 11, 2016

Lift installed

Got the lift installed and functional. Big milestone for me. :beer:

Xporter · Oct 11, 2016

Great looking truck!

west_perf · Oct 11, 2016

That's a great looking truck. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

rattle_snake · Oct 17, 2016

rattle_snake · Nov 9, 2016

Made some progress on my modest audio system. Still a ways to go with it but semi-functional at this point. One channel of one amp needs repair. :sad:

Overall I have $650 into everything including materials, which is pretty cheap. The only new items are the subs, but I get a smokin' deal on RF stuff.

Built some main speaker enclosures for a set of component speakers I had sitting in a box for a few years.

I went with a Helmholtz resonator assisted alignment (aka ported box)

Used 1-1/2 sheets of MDF to build the 4 boxes

Still need to tune boxes and apply some sort of finish. Not sure what direction to go here. skinning with aluminum/rivets and going with an aviator style is one option but expensive.

My ebay purchased QSC 400 has an issue with current limiting circuit and will only operate at low volume. Should be repairable, just need time.

4cruizn · Nov 9, 2016

Enjoying following this build. That 72 pickup is in nice shape! Fellow Arizonan here.

rattle_snake · Nov 9, 2016

4cruizn said:
Enjoying following this build. That 72 pickup is in nice shape! Fellow Arizonan here.

Thanks phase 1 is to get it in what I deem 'acceptable condition to drive'. Interior is pretty much complete, I only had to add a few missing items. It has a long laundry list of small items to address. Next project is to swap out the in-cab fuel tank and install a sub/amp in its place.

rattle_snake · Nov 15, 2016

Shop is cleared out for next big item of phase 2: enclose/insulate attic. This is both good and bad.
Good: bank account rebounded quicker than I thought.
Bad: I am undoing work that is only 6 months old to redo it slightly different.

I chose to stick to my budget knowing it would be extra work and cost in the end. Wish I had known that lighting electrical could have been done in NM above 5'6". Not knowing I did conduit, and now moving lights around slightly for the lift and going with NM/plastic boxes.
Life got too busy so I moved dates out to now, which is fine as kids grow up fast and it's final not 100 degrees outside.
After pricing insulation, I got a quote to have it installed for the same price. So I did and went with a glass membrane and blow-in.
Unfortunately drywall is now delayed a week+ (was supposed to start tomorrow am) but not the end of the world. I hope this is the last trade I have to use and be dependent on there schedule. I plan to do the wall insulation and sheathing myself as time and cash allows.

rattle_snake · Nov 17, 2016

Insulation is in. The acoustics of the room are very different w/o any reflections from above. I was wondering if the space would look smaller with the ceiling at 12' instead of seeing roof deck at 14'. For the room size, the ceiling still seem high.
Its pink! Not sure how they got the material level/evenly dispersed and I am not going to try to find out.

BORING HOP YARD · Nov 18, 2016

Happy Friday!
I have a question, what media are you going to use?
MP3, CD, DVD, I-pod?
I use a cheap DVD player with MP3 DVD disk that I build, gives me about 8 hours worth of music in the shop on each disc.
I find changing CD's to much of an interruption while working, long periods of silence after the CD is over.

Are you going to cover your system to keep the dust out?
I like your set up.
Crank it up!

rattle_snake · Nov 18, 2016

BORING HOP YARD said:
Happy Friday!
I have a question, what media are you going to use?
MP3, CD, DVD, I-pod?
I use a cheap DVD player with MP3 DVD disk that I build, gives me about 8 hours worth of music in the shop on each disc.
I find changing CD's to much of an interruption while working, long periods of silence after the CD is over.

Are you going to cover your system to keep the dust out?
I like your set up.
Crank it up!

I had been using a disconnected cell phone as a source. It has an mp3 library on it. Unfortunately the wifi signal isn't enough to reliably steam music (slacker, Pandora, ect) and it has been absconded by my oldest... So I need to find another cheap solution. Plan B is an old laptop and a power line converter/wifi clone. This should allow hardwire plus wifi for my cell. Also looking at preamp/tuner, to have a handy knob, input selection mux and old school radio. I left 4U spaces for expansion.
I do need some type of removable covers for the top and front of the equipment rack. Don't need to see thru the front so any material would be OK maybe old sheet metal, something cool...

I tuned the sub boxes with Sine inputs, at full power they are quite impressive! With music they scoot across the floor. Still contemplating location and mounting solutions.

rattle_snake · Nov 28, 2016

Ceiling drywall is complete. Next steps PVA primer and paint.

I made provisions for a 12'1' overhead lift (bendpak) plus room to actually assemble it. In the recessed area I installed a 30a/230v circuit for the lift pump and a 20a/115v circuit for outlets on the driver side post.

4cruizn · Nov 28, 2016

Looking great!

mikes02ls1 · Nov 28, 2016

rattle_snake said:
Ceiling drywall is complete. Next steps PVA primer and paint.

I made provisions for a 12'1' overhead lift (bendpak) plus room to actually assemble it. In the recessed area I installed a 30a/230v circuit for the lift pump and a 20a/115v circuit for outlets on the driver side post.

How high is your ceiling..

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

rattle_snake · Nov 28, 2016

mikes02ls1 said:
How high is your ceiling..

12'. Top of the top plate really measures about 12'1".

I'm planning on building a shelf on the wall opposite the doors, that spans the whole 34'. If you have been down this path and have ideas let me know. thinking 2' deep, and 2 or 3 feet from the ceiling, with doors of some sort. heavy enough for tires and random stuff but not engine blocks or transmissions. Will have additional lighting on the bottom. Could either use a ply I-beam, or regular 2x6s and additional supports to ceiling/braces on wall.

mikes02ls1 · Nov 28, 2016

Whats the peak of your garage roof at?

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rattle_snake · Nov 29, 2016

Well there isn't a 'peak' as it is a flat roof. roof deck is ~14' and top of parapet wall is 17'

rattle_snake · Nov 29, 2016

Primed, top coat in progress.

1/2 Cup · Nov 29, 2016

Justin, great progress.. :thumbup:

Regards

AZpilot · Nov 29, 2016

Looking great! Can I bring the 81 Cherokee over? LOL.

rattle_snake · Nov 29, 2016

1/2 Cup said:
Justin, great progress..
Regards

Thanks trying to keep things moving along...

AZpilot said:
Looking great! Can I bring the 81 Cherokee over? LOL.

Sure that's what neighbors are for!

nsula_country · Nov 30, 2016

Only engineers would build a 12' ceiling and get a 12' 1" lift. Then, build a tray ceiling for it to nest into. Then, place electrical junction boxes in a practical area for said lift!

Looking awesome! More progress than I have made!

CT

rattle_snake · Dec 5, 2016

Finished painting and got the light fixtures installed. OCD mandated preventive vibration reduction of these cheap fixtures. I added a few dabs of silicon in the right places, taped down loose wires and added some gaskets to isolate the fixture from the drywall. I bough 4 more fixtures and installed the 4th row under the doors.
I added an outlet on constant power for the garage door open light to one of the fixtures.
Overall it is a little brighter due to the reflections off the white ceiling as expected. Still need to build shelving on West wall and hang 4 more fixtures under it.
I also rewired the entire East wall. Removed all the conduit and completed recessed boxes/NM in prep for sheathing.
Still need to hard wire lift power, and install 110v lift outlets. I've got lots of leftover conduit now...

rattle_snake · Dec 5, 2016

After pondering for hours on what to do with my incomplete speaker system, I made a decision to whip together a temporary shelf. I wish I had time to finish the enclosures and build a unique mounting system, but I just needed to get them off the floor at this point. Too many projects....

Since I like fire, I used the torch to make some custom supports out of rebar.

After several hours of listening I am pleased with the results of this location. Low frequency response is fairly uniform, better than expected. The system pounds out deep bass at high SPL. I bough a calibrated mic and did a rough tune with the octave/3 EQ. There was a fair amount of energy around 3-4khz which gave a 'harsh' sound. Now it's improved, less fatiguing to listen to, worth the $ spent. I really like the configurability of the active x-over and the ability to tweak over time. I think I have found the sweep spot for the filters.
Been listening to the new Metallica album, which I'm quite impressed with. The system cranks out the powerful riffs and drums with ease, it's quite a combination. I'd describe the sound as 'having big @#$%'n balls!' :scared:

rattle_snake · Dec 12, 2016

Worked on some more pavers this weekend. Still ended up 1' short of the gate. There were plenty of spiders and scorpions lurking in the brick pile, so also a benefit to not have it around anymore either.
It was also an excuse to get a 7" diamond blade, and a grinder that would run it. Only had to cut a few on the main path, but also did around the pipes and a few other items. They cut like butter, just very dusty.
I can get more similar bricks but not the exact same, so I think I will expand my garden and steal from that area. Just need to trench water to said garden or find the elusive existing pipe that has been thwarting my efforts.

AZpilot · Dec 12, 2016

That is looking great. Are you going to have to remove wall stuff to insulate and sheet rock the walls? when can I bring the Cherokee over?

klieber · Dec 13, 2016

Just ran across this thread -- great to see another Arizonian. Really nice looking shop so far!

IMXCITD · Dec 16, 2016

Great build! Keep up the good work!

rixtrix1 · Dec 17, 2016

Nice, clean build, Justin. Ran through the whole thread tonight. It appears you utilized a lot of forethought and research to have it turn out so well. I do remember seeing the "OZ?" gate build a while ago. Thanks for sharing.

rattle_snake · Dec 20, 2016

AZpilot said:
That is looking great. Are you going to have to remove wall stuff to insulate and sheet rock the walls? when can I bring the Cherokee over?

Yes everything will have to come down for sheathing. At this point in time I am leaning towards a combination of drywall and sheet metal, and doing sections at a time.

klieber said:
Just ran across this thread -- great to see another Arizonian. Really nice looking shop so far!

Thanks it has been quite a journey to get things where they are today.

IMXCITD said:
Great build! Keep up the good work!

Thanks, have a long ways to go still but trying to enjoy the process.

rixtrix1 said:
Nice, clean build, Justin. Ran through the whole thread tonight. It appears you utilized a lot of forethought and research to have it turn out so well. I do remember seeing the "OZ?" gate build a while ago. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, I try to plan and think things out as best as possible, but it's a slippery slope as committing to a particular implementation can be difficult (aka analysis paralysis). And with most things I find fault and a better way immediately afterwards...
The gate build is in my garage thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5314936&postcount=11
I had to cut off the hinges and raise it up a few inches to clear the new grade level. Even with deep double 2-1/2" posts it sagged and the latch drags, so I added a tension cable to the block wall foundation to counter the force of gravity. This gate gets a lot of use.

rattle_snake · Dec 20, 2016

Back to wiring projects after a week of working on my old Ford. As with any vehicle, it is required to have a LOUD audio system, so to make room the in-cab fuel tank came out and a new mid ship aux tank installed. In it's place I installed some leftover equipment ($0).

Finally got outlets installed on the left lift post. Handy location. I think the air hose reel will go on the forward side of the lift post, should I ever commit to a piping scheme and have time to install it. Still need to replace lift hydraulic pump power cord with conduit and THHN.

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