Above 1200 Sq/FT The ASYLUM - Happy 40th Birthday to Me! (Est. 2005)

shopnut · Jul 18, 2012

HAPPINESS IS…

... seeing some classic racecars ripping up the track like they did 40 years ago.
... the smell of unburned race fuel as the cars brake hard in Turn 5 at Road America
... a chance meeting with an old college roommate you haven't seen in 8 years.
... catching up with family members you haven’t seen in a year.
... being so busy that a computer wasn’t even touched for 5 days.
... and lastly ... oh never mind, this is a public forum

Well, that's certainly not all that defines happiness, but it was plenty for me this past weekend.

An opportunity to see some historic racing at Road America (in WI) presented itself so I hopped on a plane. Most of my immediate family is still living up in that area and some of my aunts and uncles were in town for the races, so it turned out to be an impromptu family reunion as well.

Normally a quiet little town, Elkhart Lake was packed with people for the off track activities. One really cool thing is the racecar parade on Friday night. The cars leave the track, run down some public roads, and end up parking downtown for a show. Compared to a normal parade, they go relatively fast so I had a tough time capturing them on film (sorry

). Lolas were the featured Marque for the weekend, but there were plenty of Porsches, McLarens, and the like running around. Of course, there were tons of old Camaros, Mustangs and Corvettes competing as well. Here are just a few as examples.

Racing takes place during the day, but the activity on Sat night is a car show. Lots of unique high dollar Ferraris, Porsches, Corvettes were viewed. I even spotted a Lamborghini and Rolls Royce. There were so many people crowning around the cars that I didn’t bother snapping any pictures (sorry again). The only thing I got a picture of was this 1912 Harley-Davidson during a short break in the crowd. I always thought it would be cool to own and restore one of these simple machines.

So that’s my excuse for being absent and I feel it’s a darn good one. Now it’s back to the craziness - this place isn’t going to build itself. And it looks like I need to get caught back up here at Garage Journal as well.

flybefree · Jul 18, 2012

Shopnut, so glad you had a good trip...reverse vacation, FL to WI.

Shaun

Wingnut65 · Jul 18, 2012

Sweet rides. I love seeing the vitage metal taken care of and still rolling. Glad you got a pass out of the Asylum for a litte break. We all need them once and a while!

SpeedinLemon · Jul 18, 2012

Sounds like a great and definitely well deserved break! Really like that Camaro. Looks like a good time. Cool that the family is into it also. I drug the wife to an SCCA road race before we had kids. She was a trooper, but not really her thing!

shopnut · Jul 19, 2012

I’m slowly getting caught up on things, this forum included.

HOTFR8 - 3 times the warmth - haha - so true! Good idea on the Charity for surplus wood. I never heard of any organization accepting it, but that doesn't mean one doesn’t. Time to do some searching. I might even toss up a sign at work to see if anyone could use it.

Wingnut65 - Welcome back from the Alaskan trip. Some of my riding buddies have made the trek up there on bikes and I’m thinking it might be a cool quest when I hit 50. I’ll need to buy my BMW R-GS before then, however. Glad you are back amongst the GJ’ers.

I found out there are a couple of BSA troops close to my city digs so I need to contact them and see how I can help out.

My personal apologizes go out to flybefree for not catching that Raiders reference. And I’ve seen the first movie probably 20 times. I'm glad someone was on the ball.

You are absolutely right about the collage since the heel injury accounted for about 1/3 of the past year. Perhaps one of the following pictures would be suitable. The zipper you see in the X-ray was added by the surgeon for easy bone tune-ups later on (j/k

). The other picture was taken just after the stitches were removed. I was surprised to find out the 6" pin in my arm and this new piece of titanium in my foot still didn’t trip the security scanners at the airport :dunno:

.

Painting fiberglass panels is a great idea for saving a bunch of time and avoiding having to stack my scaffold up to 3 tiers outside on the uneven ground. It felt okay at 2, but 3 might get pretty rickety even with plywood sitting on the grass. We will see how much ambition I have left over when I finish the loft.

Could you explain this OCD thing you mention in point B of your fridge comments - I have no idea what you are referring to

And regarding the ArachnAin't - I'm sure I would be considered armed and dangerous so I may just have to run him after I go to bed to be completely safe

.

mdbeck1 - There are very few months out of the year we can actually enjoy a fire-pit or bonfire. I use to have a monster burn pit right where the Asylum sits today, but we are down to just a little metal kettle type now for doing what Wingnut65 suggests. I probably have enough wood to burn through clear till 2020 in that little thing.

There's noooooo way I would give some of you access for "adjustments" on my stuff. I value my health too much for that

. Next thing you would want is a webcam so you can watch me being chased by some whacked-out robot

.

richtersrodz - Although there’s only one choice when it comes to the poisonous snakes and the loved ones, the choice is tougher for me in non-threatening conditions. I always have it in the back of my mind that if I let something live now, the next encounter could just as easy be a life threatening one if the critter comes back.

Thanks for sharing your stories and I’m glad to hear everyone is okay and that there’s not a new access point in your barn

.

mdbeck1 · Jul 19, 2012

shopnut said:
mdbeck1
There's noooooo way I would give some of you access for "adjustments" on my stuff. I value my health too much for that . Next thing you would want is a webcam so you can watch me being chased by some whacked-out robot .

Thanks for the idea. I'll have to start searching the internet for references to "The Asylum" so I can find that webcam... :evil:

...not that I would DO anything....

Wingnut65 · Jul 19, 2012

shopnut said:
... Next thing you would want is a webcam so you can watch me being chased by some whacked-out robot .

Darn, I think he's on to us...

By all means, that X-Ray would be perfect to add to the collage. It has a hi-tech look with that funky-looking bicycle chain and bent-over nails. At least, that is what I see. The stich-less heel is a little on the creepy side, but a lot better than having a zipper installed...

So titanium doesn't trigger metal detectors., ? Hmmmm...

BTW, OCD = Overflowingly Creative Details!

Omphaloskeptic · Jul 19, 2012

Shopnut, I guess you can't be too careful these days with all the high tech gadgets that are supposed to make our lives 'easier'. I'm sure mdbeck1's intentions are purely 'benign and beneficial' to assist you in your shop automation. (heh-heh)

ArachnAin't could be a real life-saver, especially in your case; you know, with your penchant for leaping at height from perfectly good ladders. lol ArachnAin't could probably do much more than spider patrol given the right appendages and coding... Then again, your friends here at GJ might just give you the modern day equivalent of 'Colossus: The Forbin Project' for '$hitsandgiggles'. :evil:

For a 70's Science Fiction 'B' movie, I always thought the premise of A.I. was pretty cool.

P.S. - Looking at the X-ray pic of your ankle repair reminds me of the weekly lead-in for the T.V. series 'The Six Million Dollar Man' -

"we have the technology to rebuild this man"

HOTFR8 · Jul 19, 2012

shopnut said:
HOTFR8 - 3 times the warmth - haha - so true! Good idea on the Charity for surplus wood. I never heard of any organization accepting it, but that doesn't mean one doesn’t. Time to do some searching. I might even toss up a sign at work to see if anyone could use it.

Here the local Lion Clubs often cut wood for the elderly so if you ask round I am sure some one would be greatful for some wood for some warmth. :thumbup:

shopnut · Jul 19, 2012

Sorry for the monster reply folks, but I wanted to keep all this straight.

flybefree said:
Shopnut, so glad you had a good trip...reverse vacation, FL to WI.

Shaun

Reverse vacation - funny, but true. I always get a kick out of the roundtrip flights. On the way up to WI, I fly with a bunch of worn out families at the end of their vacation - it almost depresses me when I’m just starting mine. But luckily on the flight back to FL, all the kids are just bursting with energy and it always boosts my spirits when I’m bumming about my vacation being over.

Wingnut65 said:
Sweet rides. I love seeing the vitage metal taken care of and still rolling. Glad you got a pass out of the Asylum for a litte break. We all need them once and a while!

I bet you feel the same way about the old planes still being flown. The weekend passes out of the Asylum don’t come easy, so I have to ****** and run when I get the chance.

SpeedinLemon said:
Sounds like a great and definitely well deserved break! Really like that Camaro. Looks like a good time. Cool that the family is into it also. I drug the wife to an SCCA road race before we had kids. She was a trooper, but not really her thing!

Although I took Mrs. Shopnut to a couple NASCAR races and she (honestly) enjoyed it, I’m positive she wouldn’t have made it much more than a few hours this time, much less a few days. She sat this one out. I think that’s why we’ve been together for more than 22 years now - we each go and do our own fun thing every now and then. I think I’ve been pushing it a little too much lately though with the Asylum build.

I really enjoyed watching the old Camaros and Mustangs battling it out on the track. Although many of the high dollar cars were pushing it pretty hard, it seemed these pony cars were racing just as competitively as they did in 1969.

mdbeck1 said:
Thanks for the idea. I'll have to start searching the internet for references to "The Asylum" so I can find that webcam...

...not that I would DO anything....

Oh ****, now I did it!

On the other hand - maybe with more of you watching, someone is bound to call 911 when they see me lying unconscious on the floor - cool!

Wingnut65 said:
Darn, I think he's on to us...

By all means, that X-Ray would be perfect to add to the collage. It has a hi-tech look with that funky-looking bicycle chain and bent-over nails. At least, that is what I see. The stich-less heel is a little on the creepy side, but a lot better than having a zipper installed...

So titanium doesn't trigger metal detectors., ? Hmmmm...

BTW, OCD = Overflowingly Creative Details!

If you think that picture was creepy, you REALLY don't want to look at the one in this post while surgery is taking place: GJ Injuries Thread :wtf:

. Actually, that particular one is not my foot, but it helps explains how that titanium plate is attached to the heel bone, better explaining the X-rays.

Your new acronym for OCD is definitely a disorder I can live with!!! :thumbup:

Thanks!

Omphaloskeptic said:
Shopnut, I guess you can't be too careful these days with all the high tech gadgets that are supposed to make our lives 'easier'. I'm sure mdbeck1's intentions are purely 'benign and beneficial' to assist you in your shop automation. (heh-heh)

ArachnAin't could be a real life-saver, especially in your case; you know, with your penchant for leaping at height from perfectly good ladders. lol ArachnAin't could probably do much more than spider patrol given the right appendages and coding... Then again, your friends here at GJ might just give you the modern day equivalent of 'Colossus: The Forbin Project' for '$hitsandgiggles'. For a 70's Science Fiction 'B' movie, I always thought the premise of A.I. was pretty cool.

P.S. - Looking at the X-ray pic of your ankle repair reminds me of the weekly lead-in for the T.V. series 'The Six Million Dollar Man' -

"we have the technology to rebuild this man"

Colossus - hmmm... I guess I better keep a close eye on the Asylum and monitor who or what it communicates with. Never can be too careful. It probably has many of the fine places here of GJ on speed-dial

. I need to watch the whole movie sometime - it may just save my life someday when the Asylum and all it's gizmos turn on me. :wtf:

"we have the technology to rebuild this man" - In my case, it cost me exactly $3,000 out-of-pocket and I think I'm quite a bit slower now. I guess you get what you paid for

. Man, I watched Steve Austin all the time.

HOTFR8 said:
Here the local Lion Clubs often cut wood for the elderly so if you aske round I am sure some one would be greatful for some wood for some warmth.

Thanks again for the great tips.

Omphaloskeptic · Jul 20, 2012

$3.000.00 out of pocket! Wow, the doc must have gone with 'used' hardware rather than NOS. Eewww, ack, gag, barf! :puke:

"it may just save my life someday when the Asylum and all it's gizmos turn on me."

Say, didn't the ladder already 'turn' on you?

If you ever power-up the VAUD and see on the screen this message -
"MISSILE LAUNCHED - TARGET USSR", it's too late; Colossus has taken over your shop. Grab the Mrs. and run for cover! :shocking:

shopnut · Jul 20, 2012

Ompha - The bad thing is that $3K more or less represents a Bend-Pak HD-9 lift, but all I got out of it was a small piece of metal and a limp - it's just not fair

. The good thing is insurance paid the other 90%.

I hope the surgeon didn't pull a fast one on me. The repair estimate stated only 100% Shopnut OEM parts were to be used. I was unconscious for the main event so who knows what's in there now :dunno:

Luckily, I got a lifetime warranty.

Oh man, you're right! It's already has begun with the ladder incident. I'M DOOMED!

Shoottx · Jul 21, 2012

Cool pic from Road America.

The highlight of my one trip to Road America (besides the cool racing) was staying at the Kohler Inn,

Glad you had a great time and the hardware in the heal did not hinder the fun.

shopnut · Jul 22, 2012

Shoottx - Glad you enjoyed some of my home state's hospitality.

My parents live pretty close to the track so there was no need for a hotel on this trip. My sister and BIL splurged and stayed in the Osthoff Resort, which is right in the thick of all the off-track activities in Elkhart Lake. Lucky devils.

shopnut · Jul 23, 2012

MY INNER PACKRAT IS STARTING TO SALIVATE…

With close to 300sf of new storage space on the way with this front loft, who could blame him? Granted, this will not be exactly easy space to get to since it is accessible via the library ladder, but the intentions are for long term storage of various items and luckily a light duty track hoist is nearby to help lift things up there. The loft planning is explained in Reply#513.

The first two pictures show what I started with and then after the first siding panel was removed. That opening will continue across the entire width and represents the eventual access to the loft.

A couple of the 2x6 floor joists were set in place. They initially were a test to see how they matched up, height-wise, with the library ladder support board inside. With the joists level, it was about 1/2” off so adjustments were made to it before proceeding.

This is how I'm tying the floor into the truss beam. Four lag screws and one 3/8" machine screw where used per joist.

IGO2XS · Jul 23, 2012

I hear you man. I love creating new storage. I don't know about you but I just like re-arranging stuff. The wife says I just move things from one side of the garage to the other.

Omphaloskeptic · Jul 24, 2012

Just think how much more room you'll have for 'S-s-h-h-i-i-t-t-t-u-u-f-f-f' once the loft is built and then you'll say to yourself "Self, I could gain even more storage space if I just move my roll-up doors outward to the new truss, inclose the sides of the roofed apron, and, and, and,....". It's the dreaded disease of the perennial pack rat who lives (and dies) with the mantra "Nature abhors a vacuum..., and so do I, I NEED MORE 'S-s-h-h-i-i-t-t-t-u-u-f-f-f'"! :willy_nil

shopnut · Jul 24, 2012

Omphaloskeptic - I have to be careful of that 'S-s-h-h-i-i-t-t-t-u-u-f-f-f' building up - I have enough of it already :wtf:

.

To my defense, I foresee a lot of room being needed for my upcoming car and bike resto projects. Storage spots for these in-process items have been on my want list from day one of this build and I’m just getting around to adding the last area now.

A disassembled car takes a LOT more room than a completed one, and of course you still need room to work on what’s left of the car. Since my projects are never quick and I will NOT be tripping over car parts, I picture my bulk storage lofts being filled with body panels, interior parts, and bagged/tagged small items.

I’ve toyed with the idea of moving that wall out to gain interior space. But my thoughts were on a much less grand scale as yours. Over the years, I have realized that I do like having the covered outdoor area in front for various projects, so I’m not willing to give it up completely. I also like being able to have those big doors open even when its a CPOAFRR.

This is the most likely plan someday. Although not nearly as much interior space would be gained, effort and cost would be minimal.

The red mods on the left depict moving the small 8x8' door 8 feet out (as you suggest with large doors) allowing another full car to fit in the side bay. The man-door would be moved from the left exterior wall to the new wall on the right so I can exit under roof and not get wet when it’s raining.

The blue mods on the right would be screened-in area allowing us to open the apartment French doors for a more roomy feel when the weather permits. I think screen room would also help preserve some of the building symmetry by matching the extension on the left side of the building.

Dang it, you got me side-tracked again! Stop that! (Well, I guess it's okay to keep dreaming

)

Omphaloskeptic · Jul 24, 2012

LOL - See what I mean about 'The Perennial Pack Rat's Disease'?

I am truly amazed by those individuals who can do a ground-up restoration of a big ole' American muscle car in a garage space that was sized for a single Ford Model T; how do they do it!?

In regard to your 'blue mods', I like the screened-in porch idea coming off your French doors. I jumped back to your collage on page 1 to see if I could quickly take a peek at the exterior of the long apartment side; couldn't find it. The reason I went looking was to see if you and the Mrs. had a veranda on that side with a view down to the lake and the Mrs.'s boat? Your updated drawing made me wonder if a 'wrap-around, screened-in, Southern-hospitality-type' of porch was in the offing? I can visualize the both of you lounging in your bentwood rockers gazing out over the lake while the hoards of insects make futile attempts to enter your screened shelter. She, blissfully strumming one of her many stringed instruments; he, keeping time (or trying to) by tapping his hand-carved cane across the arms of his rocker; both sipping Mint Juleps as you relax in the hazy, lazy days of your 'twilight' summers. lol Oh, by the by, the cane became necessary when the warranty ran out on your OEM ankle parts! :bounce:

shopnut · Jul 25, 2012

IGO2XS said:
I hear you man. I love creating new storage. I don't know about you but I just like re-arranging stuff. The wife says I just move things from one side of the garage to the other.

I've been so busy just trying to finish this place off that I haven't even had a chance to "arrange" anything to my liking. I'm talking about what's in the cabinets, mainly. I'm looking forward to getting everything in it final and "proper" place someday soon and maybe a sigh of relief will finally be heard.

shopnut · Jul 25, 2012

Disorders and diseases - I’ve got my share of ‘em

.

Here are some pictures, Ompha, to show the seldom discussed apartment side. It is basically a blank slate at this point. I’m considering hiring someone to remove the big wart-ridden oak tree that threatens to demolish the Asylum during every severe storm - I probably should have cut it down before the place was built, when it wasn’t a risky endeavor for me.

I like your idea about a wrap-around porch and the future retirement home down by the water will have a large one of some type. The master plan for the Asylum is upgrading the living space by adding a separate bedroom. This will allow us to live in it temporarily while the real house is being built on the lot adjacent to this one (which we own too). Here’s a rough layout:

The bedroom outline is shown in green, and the current window would be converted to a doorway. I picture the slab at a lower level than the main apartment so the roofline can be a continuation off the existing and hold the same pitch. One hurdle I’ll have to overcome is moving the water supply line which enters the apartment inside that wooden box (with the white hose by it).

The purple outline represents a large deck. Original thoughts were to build it around the big oak tree, but of course it will be easier to build without the tree there. Before the deck is built, a concrete retention wall would be poured to finally end my washing foundation issues. I would build a full length sitting bench to hide the wall somehow. I would love to screen in this entire area, but without a full roof over it, the screen wouldn’t fair well to falling debris from nearby trees. I might be able to extend the roof over the deck, much like what is planned for the bedroom, but I fear the roof will hang down too far and block the view out of the existing apartment windows. (I really need to do some quick layout work on the actual building to check this)

BTW, your vision of the future sounds nice! (all except the cane part, that is

)

shopnut · Jul 25, 2012

ABOUT 1/3 OF THE LOFT FLOOR JOISTS ARE IN…

With all looking good so far on the loft, I installed 5 more joists.

The following picture shows how the floor joists extend from the front truss beam back to cantilever over the door drums. I was glad to finally remove the temporary bracing for the shelf inside. It’s a bit deceptive from this angle because the loft floor only extends out past the drum about 5 inches.

This shot was taken from the second story office and the viewpoint was nearly level with the loft floor. I'm thinking it would be cool to add some windows in the outermost front wall so I could see the great outdoors in that direction from the office.

This shot was taken at loft floor height looking into the shop.

Since this project is going to take quite a few weeks, I decided to seal it up reasonably well with the existing sheet insulation. As long as a hurricane doesn't decide to come our way, I think it will be fine.

Sears had an awesome deal on their C3 lithium-ion batteries ($33/ea), so a purchased 3 more to support this construction effort. With over 10 tools that use them, a few extra charged spares ready for action will come in handy.

HOTFR8 · Jul 25, 2012

Watching the progress.

shopnut · Jul 25, 2012

HOTFR8 said:
Watching the progress.

Sometimes progress can be slow as molasses in January here in the Asylum. But it never, ever stops, and that is the key to it.

Glad to have you following along HOTFR8

HOTFR8 · Jul 25, 2012

shopnut said:
Glad to have you following along HOTFR8

I follow and enjoy many topics on the GJ. I do not comment on them all.

I am keen to see how you access the loft floor you are building.

shopnut · Jul 25, 2012

At a loft floor height of 15', I'm sure there are a few others wondering the same thing. My custom library ladder will provide the means to get me up there (as well as providing me with some much needed exercise

). My light duty hoist at the front of the main bay will help get "stuff" up there. I'm also hoping it will help get materials up there to build the loft in the first place (I'm getting close to lifting some 3/4" sheets of plywood decking up there).

The library ladder system is more or less ready to reinstall after being test-fitted last year. It's just waiting for the proper foundation above the roll-up door drums before going full circle around the shop main bay.

Of course, a forklift would really come in handy at times

(note to self - start looking for cheap forklift!)

HOTFR8 · Jul 25, 2012

I can see the hoist as perfect for that. Whilst on the Forklift idea look for an electric one and remove what you do not need so you can use it as a lift platform. I have seen it done before.

Omphaloskeptic · Jul 26, 2012

Food for thought (or 'How I Got Ptomaine of the Brain')....

Shopnut, played with M.S. Paint to throw out this idea for your future 'expansion'. By having the doorway out to a back hallway and down the steps to your expanded bedroom, you can further mitigate the slope problem at the back of the Asylum and provide a lowered bedroom area (and terrace) to allow the continuation of the existing pitch of the roof. The shed roof would have to be extended a bit to the rear, but you have to add to the roof over the bedroom (and terrace ?) anyway. Also, the concrete stairs might be mirrored at the front to accommodate terrace access from the French doors.

As far as potential loss of lake view from the apartment's living room, that could perhaps be solved by the addition of some eyebrow style dormer windows in the roof over the bedroom and the terrace roof.

Since I don't really have much of my own money, it is fun to help other people spend theirs! lol

e-tek · Jul 26, 2012

HOTFR8 said:
I follow and enjoy many topics on the GJ. I do not comment on them all.

.

As do many of us! And this one would be right at the the top of them!!!

mdbeck1 · Jul 26, 2012

Omphaloskeptic said:
Food for thought (or 'How I Got Ptomaine of the Brain')....

Shopnut, played with M.S. Paint to throw out this idea for your future 'expansion'. By having the doorway out to a back hallway and down the steps to your expanded bedroom, you can further mitigate the slope problem at the back of the Asylum and provide a lowered bedroom area (and terrace) to allow the continuation of the existing pitch of the roof. The shed roof would have to be extended a bit to the rear, but you have to add to the roof over the bedroom (and terrace ?) anyway. Also, the concrete stairs might be mirrored at the front to accommodate terrace access from the French doors.

As far as potential loss of lake view from the apartment's living room, that could perhaps be solved by the addition of some eyebrow style dormer windows in the roof over the bedroom and the terrace roof.

Since I don't really have much of my own money, it is fun to help other people spend theirs! lol

I see a major flaw with that picture.... "Her" closet is most definitely too small.

shopnut · Jul 26, 2012

HOTFR8 - I wish I could say the manual hoist was perfect for the lifting job, but that hand chain tends to beat up whatever you're lifting as it whizzes around. I foresee this hoist and the other manual version getting a power upgrade shortly with a couple of those surplus hospital bed motors I acquired a while back. I love my big Dayton, and it's no fun using these manual hoists anymore.

Although I’ve always been partial to internal combustion powered vehicles, I agree with you on an electric powered forklift for a small operation like mine. Then I just need to add some radio controlled servos and I can operate that sucker from anywhere, including the lift platform. (I'm starting to picture another ER visit in my future

)

Omphaloskeptic - We currently use some large oak armoires for his and hers “closets”, but it would be nice to have built-in versions if a real bedroom is added. I like the layout you presented because there isn’t a protruding stairway wasting precious bedroom space. But there is a slight snag with the concept in that I have the back wall of the building sitting right on the lot setback line (the split-rail fence represents the actual lot line). Expansion is not possible in that direction, unfortunately. But built-in closets just got added to the “want” list. I think I could work some in where the ceiling starts dipping down too low to be part of the main bedroom area.

I will keep that dormer trick in my back pocket, since a covered porch would be much more desirable to us than something open.

And thanks for attempting to spend more of my hard-earned cash. What the heck, it’s only money.

e-tek - Agreed. There are a lot of threads I watch and enjoy. I’m glad some of you find my antics entertaining (or at least somewhat interesting

)

mdbeck1 - LOL. Luckily, Mrs. Shopnut is pretty reasonable when it comes to clothes and shoes, so the 2:1 ratio Ompha depicted is probably not too far off.

IGO2XS · Jul 26, 2012

HOTFR8 said:
I can see the hoist as perfect for that. Whilst on the Forklift idea look for an electric one and remove what you do not need so you can use it as a lift platform. I have seen it done before.

I love my forklift and it has become an invaluable machine in the garage. Particularly lifting pallets up to the loft, pulling a motor, or just able to move pallets of stuff around the garage floor. I wouldn't trade mine for the world, however I am in the process of having to replace the batteries at around $3500.

I will probably start winning about it on my thread. It is a small unit with a single rear steering tire so it is highly maneuverable.

Vernmotor · Jul 26, 2012

I read this thread 2-3 times a week but only comment every 2-3 months. only to let him know that I do read

I don't think I ever been any help LOL

HOTFR8 · Jul 26, 2012

shopnut said:
HOTFR8 - I wish I could say the manual hoist was perfect for the lifting job, but that hand chain tends to beat up whatever you're lifting as it whizzes around. I foresee this hoist and the other manual version getting a power upgrade shortly with a couple of those surplus hospital bed motors I acquired a while back. I love my big Dayton, and it's no fun using these manual hoists anymore.

Although I’ve always been partial to internal combustion powered vehicles, I agree with you on an electric powered forklift for a small operation like mine. Then I just need to add some radio controlled servos and I can operate that sucker from anywhere, including the lift platform. (I'm starting to picture another ER visit in my future )

The set up I have seen just had the fork set up against the wall with a platform to get to the loft. All the other parts have been removed. So it was like an open plan elevator.

IGO2XS said:
I love my forklift and it has become an invaluable machine in the garage. Particularly lifting pallets up to the loft, pulling a motor, or just able to move pallets of stuff around the garage floor. I wouldn't trade mine for the world, however I am in the process of having to replace the batteries at around $3500. I will probably start winning about it on my thread. It is a small unit with a single rear steering tire so it is highly maneuverable.

That is a problem with the electric versions. I have seen many converted to small Diesels.

Omphaloskeptic · Jul 27, 2012

Well shoot Shopnut, when I saw the fence line, I wondered if that was the case; now you've got to go find a big-*** forklift and lift the Asylum over just a few feet. lol :3gears:

How's 'bout buying that sliver of land from the neighbor?

Or ...

Build the bedroom at the front corner of the building, where you have the terrace drawn now. Enclose the French door area with not screens, but a glassed atrium with the stone/concrete stairs leading down to a small continuation of the atrium and a door leading to the bedroom in the wall common with the French doors. The back area could still be a screened terrace, but might only be accessed via the bedroom's back door. The new retaining wall/bulkhead could be the base for short closet areas and still allow views from the existing windows.

I'm still trying to spend your money, but you've made it more expensive because you didn't leave me enough room at your property line! :bounce:

P.S. - With the above approach, you might not have to touch your water line; BONUS!

shopnut · Jul 27, 2012

IGO2XS - I could see a forklift being one of those things that would make you say “I don’t know what I did without it”. Yep, it’s time to start whining about that $3500 - I know I would - Ouch! At least the little guy will be back to full performance again.

Vernmotor - I always appreciate your visits. And at midday, with sweat dripping down my face from the extreme heat recently, and a seemingly full day’s work to do before turning in for the evening, I think of guys like you that are pulling for me, month after month. Somehow I find that extra burst of energy to keep going.

I remember you asking about the loft concept right before I tried to start the construction last time (See Reply #929) and I said to check back in a couple weeks to see it. Well those 2 weeks have finally passed, a mere 8 months later :wtf:

. I hope it’s starting to make sense to you now that it’s going up, and I’m very sorry for the long delay

HOTFR8 - Probably what I should have bought 6 years ago was a man-lift similar to the one shown below. It would have really saved some wear and tear on my body going up and down that ladder a zillion times.

Even though this place is almost finished and the cost would be harder to justify now, I’m sure I could still to put one to good use going forward.

Stealing the mast off of an old forklift and using it as a stationary elevator is a good idea. And then maybe use a 115V hydraulic power pack to lift the platform. Seems feasible. Thanks.

Omphaloskeptic - How about this to move the Asylum over a wee bit...

))

Buying the land could be an option (and probably cheaper than renting the gantry crane

).

Short closets that don’t block the view of the lake are another great idea. And I definitely like ideas that don’t touch that water inlet line. We’ll see what direction this all goes someday. Mrs. Shopnut brought it up the other day out of the blue, so I know she is getting somewhat serious about an upgrade. I think it’s mainly because she is ready to sleep on a regular mattress, rather than the sleeper sofa.

I’m going to have to reveal our concepts for the lake house so I can start getting more great ideas from you guys early on in the process. The power of GJ is staggering.

Omphaloskeptic · Jul 27, 2012

"Mrs. Shopnut brought it up the other day out of the blue, so I know she is getting somewhat serious about an upgrade." :scared:

Shopnut, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but anytime your significant other 'mentions something out of the blue', it can only mean one thing - you are definitely behind schedule on her to-do list! You are just one step away from having your Asylum privileges suspended! :shocking:

In other words, you had best re-order your priorities or suffer the consequences; forewarned is forearmed! :twak:

HOTFR8 · Jul 27, 2012

shopnut said:
HOTFR8 - Probably what I should have bought 6 years ago was a man-lift similar to the one shown below. It would have really saved some wear and tear on my body going up and down that ladder a zillion times.
Even though this place is almost finished and the cost would be harder to justify now, I’m sure I could still to put one to good use going forward.

Stealing the mast off of an old forklift and using it as a stationary elevator is a good idea. And then maybe use a 115V hydraulic power pack to lift the platform. Seems feasible. Thanks.

Would work well and you can move it. If the idea of 'stealing' the mast of an old fork lift is to expensive the man lift would be a great idea depending on what it can lift and how you get things from floor level onto it.

51rider · Jul 28, 2012

Shopnut you have been busy!!

Been a while since I logged on to GJ & my email notification on the various threads I subscribe to was well over 200-I think you, Jack Olsen & Red leader accounted for 80+% of them!

Spent a pleasant few hours watching the Olympics and reading this.

Keep up the good work :thumbup:

shopnut · Jul 29, 2012

Omphaloskeptic - Actually, I've been waiting for Mrs. Shopnut to get onboard with an Asylum expansion (since it was my idea from several years ago) and I'm glad she's giving it a little thought without me having to be a pest about it. She understands, however, it is not going to get started until the shop is done and I've had time to do a little work on the vehicles. I'm behind schedule on all of our to-do lists, so no big surprise there

. Thanks for the warning though. I think I have it under control (with "think" being the operative word

).

HOTFR8 - You got me thinking about a track system along the front wall that would utilize the existing hoist above for lifting power. I'm thinking a flip down platform and 2 parallel runs of Unistrut channels placed between my main doors could work nicely. This would tend to stabilize the load during lifting and provide the extended platform I need when it reaches loft height. The wheels are turning now in this crazy head (and the to-do list is growing). More to come.

51rider - Honestly, I can see the finish line and my pace is turning into a sprint. Although, my "sprint" pace is closer to the average person's long distance run :sad:

. But I will finish, nevertheless. Yes, the thread seems to have picked up momentum and I'm glad to have you all aboard on this crazy ride. Thanks for popping in.

Above 1200 Sq/FT The ASYLUM - Happy 40th Birthday to Me! (Est. 2005)

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