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

Amazzen · Feb 12, 2014

Well, well, well... very illuminating!

I trust you've gassed the ladder for a scissor lift?

I love LED's, but trust me... they still attract bugs and 50W is blinding for a resi application. I decided to try one of the 60W first and it was nuts; subsequently settled on 40W and I think 30W would have been the ultimate way to go (unless you want to host a night ball game).

Coincidently, I was researching lights for several tennis courts recently (just trying to lend a hand to a local club) and came across LEP's!?! Light Emitting Plasma... I think these things are cranking it up another notch.

Probably not for the average Joe.....yet!

Glad to see you're still hard at it.

Best,

Paul

shopnut · Feb 13, 2014

Vernmotor - Yeah, I desperately need a new and exciting name to replace what I occasionally call it (the AFCP - Asylum Front Control Panel). We need Ompha back!

Amazzen - Yep, I barely ever climb a ladder anymore. I bought an old hydraulic lift (a telescopic mast type) and it will probably collapse someday and kill me. But I think it is STILL a step up in the safety department (no pun intended

)!

Those 30W LEDs seem about right for me. LEP's? I guess I better do some research (just for fun, because I probably can't afford them). Never heard of those. Thanks for stopping in and sharing some knowledge (and wit).

shopnut · Feb 17, 2014

FILLING THE LOFTS…

I’m trying to make room down on the shop floor for a big project coming up, so it was time to put the new loft into action. It’s not like any part of my shop is climate controlled, but I think the outside lofts will be more susceptible to climate changes. I decided it was better to consolidate anything squirrelled away in the other lofts that could take the higher humidity and move it out there.

I started re-arranging the rear inside loft, because I knew there were a couple of cabinets up there that needed to come down. While I was at it, I found my old parking meters. I’m still thinking these will look good out in front of the front columns so I tucked them away until I’m ready to tackle that project.

I put the rest of the windows in the outside loft along with a bunch of cabinet parts, old milk crates, and my old homemade snowmobile hood (just can’t seem to toss it out after spending countless hours molding it when I has 15).

At this point, I have one 36’ deep bay cleared out and both lofts inside are about half full.

tinbender 66 · Feb 17, 2014

Big project? Do tell.

Bob Heine · Feb 18, 2014

I would be very proud to have that much open space in my garage. Not sure why but my mind seems to abhor open space or bare workbenches. An empty cabinet seems to fill itself. I can clear space in the morning but by the end of the day it's covered with stuff. I spend an awful lot of time re-arranging things just to gain a little more space. Ever move a shelf down an inch to fit it closer to the tops of the paint cans?

At least I now give myself an hour to put tools away and clean up the project area at the end of the day.

Wingnut65 · Feb 18, 2014

I'm not sure what is more impressive, that you actually remember what you have stored in all your well hidden built in storage compartments, or that you can actually remember where all those storage compartments actually are!

The parking meters are probably only a 2 hour project, that is only when you finally decide that having something really cool outside is much better than in a cardboard box in the loft...

Congrats on finding all that acreage in the middle of your shop. Can't wait to see what new big project will go in there...

shopnut · Feb 19, 2014

tinbender_66 – Well, the ball is in motion anyway but it’s somewhat out of my control now. I’m not one to keep anyone in suspense (not intentionally anyway

), but sometimes it takes a little time to pull pictures together for a proper intro. Luckily this time, I have it all together so check out the next posting.

Bob Heine – You should see the other two bays, I barely have enough room to walk through them! But I have to make room to gain room and the next post might make sense of that statement.

What you describe is exactly what I go through all the time. My storage areas just keep getting more and more densely packed. I think I’ve become a master of packing things. I’ll rearrange thing five times until they nest together in the smallest space possible. Then two years later, I will do it again to find 3 square inches more shelf space and jump for joy. The problem is, I find it nearly impossible to throw things away. I still have boxes of scrap vinyl siding pieces from the beginning of this build just because there is a possibility I might need that little 12” chunk before I’m done with this place. And I would hate to cut into a full plank when I could use up the scraps.

And don’t even get me going on the cluttered workbench. Just ask my dad what a mess I made of his place in my early wrenching days. Come to think of it, maybe it’s HIS fault – maybe I just needed a little more workshop discipline in my early years.

Wingnut65 – Pictures have been my friend lately for remembering stuff. It’s almost better sometimes to have a well-organized filing method on your computer than on the actual stuff. (Maybe that’s a little drastic, but I do rely on pictures heavily for all sorts of stuff.) Thank God film is cheap these days!

It’s only a two hour parking meter project if I don’t Ompha-ify them!

His suggestion was to mount them on spring loaded posts, add a mercury switch with a light bulb circuit, and have them light up if someone bumps into them and makes them tilt. That way, they would be an early warning system so no one backs all the way into my front columns.

And so it goes around here – a 2 hour project can be turned into a 10 hour one in 3 seconds flat. Maybe I should just put some coins in the meter and try to finish the project before the time expires! :dunno:

akdiesel – I know you have one of these things. Please offer up any advice if you can think of it.

shopnut · Feb 19, 2014

I FINALLY PULLED THE TRIGGER ON A 4-POST LIFT…

I had my mind set on (and money earmarked for) a BendPak HD-9 for many years now and I have not read anything to sway my decision. I’ve been EXTEMELY patient in holding off installing one because I knew it would be in the way of finishing the ceiling. But now that all the high-altitude work is done, there was nothing stopping me from ordering one.

I will be doubling back to the side bay to add insulation in the ceiling and it would be nice to get the cars stacked up to gain some needed elbow room for that project. So I think the timing is perfect.

I’ll be getting a model HD-9XW which is the wide/tall version. Even though I have a dedicated 220V wall outlet for the lift in the wall adjacent to the apartment (where it will initially be going), I selected the 110V power unit so I could move it around without worrying about it. I read it’s a bit slower to lift on 110V power, but that isn’t a concern for me.

The HD-9’s are now offered in standard blue, or red and black for a nominal upcharge ($130). I opted for the black to better match my yellow/black/silver theme. I also think black will be easier to touch-up over the upcoming years without worrying about matching paint. Plus if I get a set of Max-Jax for a portable two post lift, they will match nicely.

2537-BendPak-HD-9-Example-02 (Black).jpg

Of course, I had to buy some accessories since shipping is free when ordered with the lift. I bought 4 trays to keep the car below free of dripping oil. A caster kit was a must since I will be building it under my jib crane and then wheeling it into position. I would really have loved to buy the RJ-45 rolling jack for it, but I opted for two of the manual jacking plates which together were still less than half the cost of the RJ. Lastly, I bought an oil drain. I will be building my own air bottle for the lock release because I have half the parts lying around already.

Unfortunately, the black colored lift was not in stock, so I will have to wait for them to produce more. I waited this many years, I guess and extra month isn’t going to kill me. Besides, I’m assured it will be their latest and greatest design since it will be fresh off the production line.

Wingnut65 · Feb 19, 2014

Wooohooo! A strong and sturdy 4 post vehicular elevator for the Asylum! :thumbup:

Congrats. Does this mean the C3 is getting stored up and out of the way?

BTW, for the meters, wouldn't a 4" post prevent people from backing into the columns?

akdiesel · Feb 20, 2014

shopnut

Congrats on the lift.
So, not sure if your question to me was about the parking meter or the lift, so I will answer both ways.
I think if you mount the parking meter on a 2" gal pipe on a heavy duty spring (atv spring) that sits just above the ground. Reason for this is as you described, if someone backs into it or bumps it it will not cause damage to the vehicle or the meter and if it is rigid to the flor / ground it could be ripped out as well as damaged so a new hole would need to be made for it.
For the lift, the HD-9XW works great even as a 110v unit. I have never used the 220v unit but from the listings it is not a show stopper for lifting time or power. It will lift my 7400# truck easily every time. And I have moved my lift three times not worrying about a plug in.
It is difficult to move so two people are better than one. I am sure we have all tried moving heavy items with four swivel casters. Not fun and they go where They Want To Go.
I don't have the air bottle. I simply use the yellow plastic coil air line to connect to my air drops. A hose reel is nice to have close for the locks as well as air tools.
I also do not have any of the other accessories, but I make shift my own jack system (bottle jack on a 4x4 settle tube.
I made my own floor for the middle section out of plywood and 2x4's. Strong enough to support an axle and my self, then I simply put a oil pan to catch any oils from the car.
The hydraulic ram will leak slightly when the lift is relaxed on the locks so be prepared for drips.

ihrescue · Feb 20, 2014

Reaction - shock and awe!

tinbender 66 · Feb 20, 2014

Very nice!!

shopnut · Feb 20, 2014

Wingnut65 – The Corvette will likely take up residence on the lift most of the time. I posted something regarding this waaaaaaay back in 2011 when I was dreaming about getting the lifts, but the plan is still valid. See this Reply#643 and look for the section heading:
A LITTLE DREAMING ABOUT VEHICLE PLACEMENT...

Regarding the column protection – 4x4’s or some of these could be the "direct" (and likely quick) approach:

But I still need to get those meters mounted on top so I can make some money (in the form of pocket change) from my visitors "feeding the meters" – I need beer money!!!

akdiesel - Haha. Sorry about that - I guess I should have inserted that comment at the bottom of my lift entry rather than with the rest of my responses to the members. BUT, I certainly welcome your advice on anything here at the Asylum as we most often think alike. I probably have some old dirt bike coil springs that could work for those meter posts. Time to dig through my bins.

I’ve been doing a little snooping around on the old BendPak discussions here on GJ, and IIRC, you used a trailer to get the lift home. Did they load the lift onto the trailer from the side or from the end? The trailers I’ve found for rent around here so far have a ramp gate, and it seems that wouldn’t let the forklift get close enough to load it from the rear. Just wondering how they loaded yours. Glad to hear the lift time with the 110V isn’t a big deal for you. And it’s not very likely I will have anything over 7000#, so that is also reassuring to know that isn’t an issue either.

I hear you on the casters – even my 500# scaffold with full swivels has a mind of its own and can be a handful to aim it where you want it to go. Luckily, I see about 3 or 4 moves in the lift’s stay at the Asylum.

Even though I have a hose reel within about 8’ of the air connect for the locks, the bottle looks just so darn easy to build. I couldn’t help myself – I already bought a suitable Bimba air reservoir on ebay. Another project begins! With any luck, I will have it all ready by the time the lift shows up.

Maybe the many drips BendPak shows in the color choice picture above are actually oil!!!

Seriously, I’m curious to see if the new Bendpak’s leak. It may have been a common problem in the past as they seem to be purposely advertising the contrary now:

My fingers are crossed for a troublefree lift.

ihrescue – It seems you and I share common reactions. I thought this day would never come!

tinbender_66 – Thanks. I can’t wait to get it up and running!

akdiesel · Feb 20, 2014

shopnut

The air bottle sounds like a great project for the lift. For myself I have too many other projects that are taking president.

The leak on the ram may be in part with some manufacture metal pieces left in the ram during installation. I try to change my axle oil after 500 miles on a new vehicle due to metal flakes from the gears wearing off. Too many seal leaks on those in the past.

As for the transport of the lift. I did rent a car trailer and they loaded it from the rear. They had to slide the rest of the way to get the weight correct. I would think if you have a good forklift operator they could loaded it either way. It did have a metal frame work instead of wood pallets.

JCQuick · Feb 21, 2014

when I was in the petroleum biz we made our own ballards 4" pipe placed where you wanted then fill with concrete paint and wala bollard. It was much cheaper than buying them

JeremyBurke · Feb 21, 2014

I like most people have been lurking around on Garage Journal looking for ideas for my own meager shop. Your thread is full of great ideas and I will definitely be stealing some especially of the storage variety. Thanks for the great thread and details documentation.

Cheers,
Jeremy

shopnut · Feb 24, 2014

akdiesel – I do the same thing with my new vehicles. I could see the metal bits in the gear oil on the last two trucks. Always makes me feel good to get that stuff out of there, and new Avalanche is probably overdue with about 700 miles on the clock. Thanks for the reminder.

Hey, maybe I can temporarily remove the ramp gate from a rented trailer (if that’s all I can find). I think the ramp will get in the way while unloading at the Asylum too.

JCQuick – Thanks. I’m still undecided on what to do. Here’s my current solution to the column bollards. I only tapped it once in the last 7 years.

Are you making any headway on that new shop? Haven't seen any updates lately.

JeremyBurke – Thanks and feel free to use any idea you want. You might also want to take a look at my 2-car city garage for a couple more ideas (link in sig line).

As much as I seem to document stuff in this thread, I probably STILL leave out 2/3rds of the details (wouldn’t want to put EVERYONE to sleep you know!

), so don’t be shy about asking any questions you might have. And a big welcome goes out to a fairly new member!

shopnut · Feb 25, 2014

MORE OUTDOOR LIGHTING TO THE BACK OF THE LOT…

The next light to go in was the one shining to the back of the lot and also lighting up my outdoor workbench. Here was the original light that blinded me right at eye level.

I chose a 3-head Lithonia fixture (model OFLR) for this location because one head could shine down directly on the bench while the other two could illuminate the yard. These LED's are so bright, I figured I better get some altitude on the fixture and chose the easy way out by routing some conduit exterior to the wall. Here are the fixture and conduit.

I wanted it to blend in a bit, some out came the matching tan paint.

Here it is installed.

shopnut · Feb 26, 2014

SOME REELS FOR THE FRONT WALL…

It was time to mount the front cord and light reels in their permanent spots. The power cord reel is an industrial 12ga Appleton unit that I'm sure will outlive me. I have a chance of outliving the Craftsman light reel since I've already have had issues will the ones installed previously. The ratchets tend to give out on them, but luckily there is an inexpensive and quick fix to breathe extra life into them. Soon I will find some nice LED heads to replace the old style bulb heads on all four in my shop.

Here's an overall shot showing air, light and power reels dangling just within reach over my head.

Here you see the power and light reel, along with the two door drive motors.

Another shot with the Reelcraft air hose reel in sight above.

And lastly, a shot looking down with the front control panel in sight far below..

Now, to finish it all off.

Wingnut65 · Feb 26, 2014

It is always great to have utilities close and accessible when needed, I guess yours are much more functional than mine... I have two power cord reels mounted, but the air hose reel is still in the box in the attic. Guess I got get it down and mount it now. Then later I will need to figure out how to get the air to it from the compressor! :thumbup:

Good idea on the adjustable lights instead of the jelly jar. Much more flexibility.

Your light selections are great, but I went with economy to see if the idea worked...
I just added a couple wireless motion sensor lights on the side of my house to light the path to the garbage and recycling dumpsters. In October, our county issued large rolling trash and recycling bins so their new trucks can grab-dump-drop, all in the name of progress. But, these things are H U G E and there is just no room inside the garage to store them. So, outside they went and it is dark out there! No chance to have anyone in my house even think of taking anything out to the can after dark, let alone taking the bins to the street at night. So, Sam's Club had these and I gave it a try.

The have a nice focused spot in the middle with some surrounding illumination, but not enough for a work light like you have. These did the job. There is enough light to have the family willing to walk outside after dark!

akdiesel · Feb 27, 2014

shopnut

Good work on the light. Have you noticed if your LED lights still attract the bugs?

shopnut · Feb 27, 2014

Wingnut65 – Thanks. I’m looking forward to my next late-night outdoor project so I can actually see what I’m doing out there. Many a crooked cut line have been made under the old dismal lighting.

Grabbing for one of those reels puts a smile on my face every time. They are just so darn convenient. And it’s even nicer when clean up time comes around – zip and its put away. I honestly don’t use my air reels that often – if you’re slacking on hanging one of them up, that’s the one to do last.

Wireless lights – that’s great. There's probably all kinds of places those could be handy!

akdiesel – We had some rain and warm weather lately so a fresh new crop of tiny mosquitos have hatched. Unfortunately, they seem to like the LEDs as much as the incandescents out there

. I guess it’s okay though, we Floridians wouldn’t feel at home if we weren’t swatting at bugs

Makes me wonder if your lights are somehow different than mine in the type of light put out. :dunno:

shopnut · Feb 27, 2014

PLANS FOR A NEW 6-CAR GARAGE…

I’m sick of being crammed in this place and need a little extra room. So my thoughts have turned to another building - a 6-car garage!!! I decided to make a scale model of it before committing to the real thing. Here is the start of the front wall.

So far, so good. I can almost hear the old Chevelle and Corvette cheering in the background as they dream of a little more elbow room.

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I'm sure none of you were buying my story. Truth is, this is the start of my fairlead panel that will trim out the bottom of the reel enclosure above the front control panel. This picture might make a little more sense. Two halves are being used for easy cord installation. The long slots on the ends are for the door chains.

And some black paint to match the others. Included is an old picture of the cord fairleads to the left side of the internal column.

Vernmotor · Feb 27, 2014

shopnut said:
PLANS FOR A NEW 6-CAR GARAGE…

So far, so good. I can almost hear the old Chevelle and Corvette cheering in the background as they dream of a little more elbow room.

No I would hear them crying because they never going to get work on !!

shopnut · Feb 27, 2014

Vernmotor said:
No I would hear them crying because they never going to get work on !!

Ouch! Those poor cars and bikes.

I'm getting closer every day (well, maybe every week is more appropriate at my slow pace)

shopnut · Feb 27, 2014

SOME INSULATION ON THE FRONT WALL…

I had the bag of insulation out to stuff a little in behind where the front reels where installed so I just kept going on the next section of wall over.

I dropped an electrical line into this area with plenty of cable to move it around later.

And the cabinets were rolled back into place.

There is still a fair amount of trim work to do here and the intention is to mount a cord reel above the cabinets to plug in that new outlet (hidden in an enclosure of course

).

akdiesel · Feb 27, 2014

shopnut

Well you tugged on my chain. Thought for a second you were going to compete against don long.
Not sure about the LED lights. We have 20+ hours of light in the mosquito season so the lights are not on very long. They are the warm white.
I just back home and the LED flood lights I ordered were in. They are a lot smaller then I expected. They are bright for their wattage though.

shopnut · Feb 28, 2014

akdiesel said:
shopnut

Well you tugged on my chain. Thought for a second you were going to compete against don long.
Not sure about the LED lights. We have 20+ hours of light in the mosquito season so the lights are not on very long. They are the warm white.
I just back home and the LED flood lights I ordered were in. They are a lot smaller then I expected. They are bright for their wattage though.

Gotcha!!! (for a second anyway)

There is NO competing with don long for littlle guys like me!!! His place is just over the top. It’s funny that you mention him though because if I would've had some Hot Wheels cars handy out at the shop, I was going to park them halfway sticking out of each tiny garage door like Don does with his real cars during his shows/parties. That looks so cool.

With only 4 hours of daylight, the mosquitos probably don’t even have a chance to decide what artificial light to gravitate to before the sun comes up again

All my lights are cool white (5000K+) so that is one difference that may be affecting the difference in attraction. Some models that I saw were produced in warm white, but I only found deals on the cool white versions.

akdiesel · Feb 28, 2014

shopnut

I found this article on the web. (It must be true).
It states that Led's do attract bugs but it also refers to the blue spectrum. So the 5000k + range is going to have some blue color.
The warm white I believe is in the 3000k range.
http://www.energycircle.com/blog/2011/08/17/correction-led-lights-do-attract-bugs
Just a bit of useless information.

Sunbimmer · Feb 28, 2014

shopnut said:
PLANS FOR A NEW 6-CAR GARAGE…

This scared the sh*t out of me for a second :lol_hitti

shopnut · Mar 2, 2014

akdiesel - Yep, we all know everything on the internet is true

. I prefer the cool whites for working in the shop, but for lighting up the yard, I suppose warm white would have worked just as well. Maybe I should have spent a few bucks more to not be a beacon for the bugs. Thanks for sharing.

Sunbimmer - I don't think I could survive another garage build. This one has already claimed a broken bone... and I'm not finished yet!

My next big build will be a retirement home next to the Asylum in about 5 years or so.

Wingnut65 · Mar 2, 2014

shopnut;3787921 [B said:
Sunbimmer[/B] - I don't think I could survive another garage build. This one has already claimed a broken bone... and I'm not finished yet!

My next big build will be a retirement home next to the Asylum in about 5 years or so.

I don't think we could take another build either!.

If you plan the retirement place as much as you have the Asylum, you may decide to move into the apartment or bring in a double wide to save the time!

shopnut · Mar 2, 2014

Wingnut65 said:
I don't think we could take another build either!.

If you plan the retirement place as much as you have the Asylum, you may decide to move into the apartment or bring in a double wide to save the time!

Now that would be easier on everyone, wouldn't it!

shopnut · Mar 2, 2014

SURPRISE, SURPRISE – THE LIFT ARRIVES EARLY…

When I ordered the BendPak lift, I was told there would be at least a two week wait for it to ship because of the special black color and then about another 10 days trucking time from CA. I also read on the BendPak website that there would be a tracking number so I can follow its progress along the way and prepare for its arrival. I figured I had plenty of time to line up a delivery method.

But the other morning, I just got out of a meeting at work and there a voicemail on my phone. It was the local trucking company telling me it's here and I should come and get it! :willy_nil

I freaked out for a while and the first thought that ran through my head was they shipped one of the standard blue colored lifts that they had in stock.

Luckily two things were working in favor - first, I have a cool boss that didn't have a problem with me skipping out a day without much notice and second, I found a trailer to rent relatively quickly.

That day of the call, I took my lunch hour to zip over there and survey the situation - didn't need any surprises on pick-up day. It was, in fact the correct color and later found out that they located a black one to ship almost immediately after I placed my order. Some quick measurements also assured me it was the correct HD-9 model (the XW). I didn't have list in front of me, but it appeared all accessories were there too. All systems GO!!!

So I picked up the trailer the next morning and headed to the freight terminal. Here’s what the packages looked like at the freight terminal. Apparently, BendPak ships the runways separately these days. I was expecting one big package.

Then it was loaded on the trailer. A few of the small boxes went in my truck. I rented a 7x20’ equipment trailer which was way overkill capacity-wise, but the alternative 6x16’ flatbed I think would have been too short.

Asylum, say hello to your new occupant.

Ready to back her in.

It was a pretty tight squeeze with that extra wide trailer. It’s nice to have 10’ wide doors though (but 12’ would even be better!)

And a shot out the window above from the stairway.

Time to unload!

Vernmotor · Mar 2, 2014

Cool ! sounds like you are Happy

shopnut · Mar 2, 2014

Vernmotor said:
Cool ! sounds like you are Happy

Happy x 10 is more like it!

I've been waiting a long time for this.

Wingnut65 · Mar 2, 2014

Congrats on the new toy!

Can't wait to see how you use itas you go from the build phase of The Asylum to the Restoration of the rides!

shopnut · Mar 3, 2014

Wingnut65 said:
Congrats on the new toy!

Can't wait to see how you use itas you go from the build phase of The Asylum to the Restoration of the rides!

Thanks. I've been doing the "building" part for so long, I hope I can make the transition to car/bike restorations. It might be like those ex-cons not being able to handle life on the "outside"!

I guess I have several months to prepare myself for it - this place isn't done yet!

akdiesel · Mar 3, 2014

shopnut

Congrats. Junkmangave me a lot of helpful hints for the installation of my lift. The engine also helped a lot as a third hand.
Was the shipping company able to load it from the side?

JCQuick · Mar 3, 2014

Ok I'm sure this install will be well documented. Just remember do not use impact wrench to tighted down the lift.
Also I have to ask didn't you mention that since you had to wait for the black you were going to get the latest updates? How did that work out

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

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