ThriftyGarage 1940s SLOW Renovation

ThrifyGarage · Mar 3, 2016

Bought our house (my garage) in the summer of 2014. This is the progress I have made since then.

blank canvas

Shelving Solutions

Starting to take shape

First Garage Project - Friend's Bumper

Finding a use for shelves left behind

4Runner in the garage

Progress Photos

One of my favorite parts, it has a heater!

Driveway improvements, re-setting concrete slabs

Caution: LOW CLEARANCE! I need this sign in my garage

Attic Access, hand-built ladder

ThrifyGarage · Mar 3, 2016

Garage Addition/Shed Build

I needed to free up some garage space. The lawn mower and other bulky yard tools were taking too much of my valuable working garage space

Old Greenhouse/Shed

New sub-floor

Walls up

Finished (until I add a door)

ThrifyGarage · Mar 3, 2016

Most Current Photo

ThrifyGarage · Mar 3, 2016

AND.... My favorite improvement to date..... PALLET WOOD WALL(Free) and Insulation (from '85; FREE!)

captain14 · Mar 4, 2016

Nice progress with the garage. Have you cleaned the chimney yet from the wood burner?

Your GR has gotten bigger in the photos. Looks like mine. Post him
In the garage dog thread . He will fit in. The members here consider them the security team.

Post your best garage at night photo in the "garages at night thread"

taumac · Mar 4, 2016

I like your style. I like your repurposing and that wall came out great. Keep up the great work.

andyaus · Mar 4, 2016

Seriously, I wish I had had a space with that much potential when we bought our home! love the pallet wall

sean Buick 76 · Mar 4, 2016

Really nice ideas and progress, I am sticking around to see this one come together!

ThrifyGarage · Mar 8, 2016

captain14 said:
Nice progress with the garage. Have you cleaned the chimney yet from the wood burner?

Stove is actually powered by natural gas. It puts out a lot of heat. And now that all my walls have at least 2 layers and some insulation (in parts) it actually warms up pretty quickly.

ThrifyGarage · Apr 1, 2016

Added some shelf brackets and a rod.

Plywood installed

Ratchet straps hung up

2x4 shelf lip installed.

It turned out perfect. Exactly how I wanted it. Minimal protrusion into the garage and above head height.

ThrifyGarage · Apr 1, 2016

Whipped this project out in about 45 min.

Hole saw and skill saw cut on a 45° angle.

3 screws connect bracket to the wall

2nd bracket installed

Pipe stored on rack

Overall look at garage wall with shelf and pipe rack.

Close up

View from a different angle.

Again, I am very happy with how this turned out. Keeping floor space to a maximum.

ThrifyGarage · Apr 1, 2016

Not much yet. But here is a start on SketchUp of my garage. It's pretty accurate so far. Trying to decide if I want to make the plywood/2x4 storage rack slimmer. However it's already bursting at the seams. It just makes since to me to keep this whole wall lean due to the fact that the garage door starts only about 1' from the corner.

BuickFarmer · Apr 1, 2016

The pallet wall is looking good, as well as the shelves and pipe rack. What's the pipe for? Good job on the drawing in Sketchup, didn't realize you could get so detailed. I played with it for about 20 minutes and got frustrated and gave up figuring I can just draw it in my head. I may take another shot at it though as I am about to start the interior walls of my build.
Lookin good TG, keep us posted!

ThrifyGarage · Apr 2, 2016

BuickFarmer said:
The pallet wall is looking good, as well as the shelves and pipe rack. What's the pipe for? Good job on the drawing in Sketchup, didn't realize you could get so detailed. I played with it for about 20 minutes and got frustrated and gave up figuring I can just draw it in my head. I may take another shot at it though as I am about to start the interior walls of my build.
Lookin good TG, keep us posted!

Pipe was about 1/2" in size. It was just some thin walled pipe that was in my garage attic when we moved in.

I learned a lot about how to use SketchUp on YouTube videos. There are lots of things you can learn that helps make things quicker.

Richard Cranium · Apr 2, 2016

First of all Welcome to the group.
Over all I really like your garage.
The electric outlet In the floor, I would be tripping on all the time
Your wooden ladder scares me, It looks to be on its last legs.
I hate post in the middle of garages, I would put a beam up and get rid of it.
I really liked the pallet wall, and though that that would be a great place to use a air gun to nail up the wood then saw you were drilling and hand nailing the boards up. Turned out great. I feel you should of added extra out lets before closing up the wall. As to painting the out lets, be careful the paint gets into the outlet and you don't get a good contact any more. Replacement out lets are cheap. Please don't think I am being negative, I am meaning to be. Looking forwards to more info on your shop. As said before it is coming together great. Milk crates on the wall for storage. That is a first that I have seen them used that away, neat ideal.

ThrifyGarage · Apr 10, 2016

Richard Cranium said:
First of all Welcome to the group.
Over all I really like your garage.
The electric outlet In the floor, I would be tripping on all the time
Your wooden ladder scares me, It looks to be on its last legs.
I hate post in the middle of garages, I would put a beam up and get rid of it.
I really liked the pallet wall, and though that that would be a great place to use a air gun to nail up the wood then saw you were drilling and hand nailing the boards up. Turned out great. I feel you should of added extra out lets before closing up the wall. As to painting the out lets, be careful the paint gets into the outlet and you don't get a good contact any more. Replacement out lets are cheap. Please don't think I am being negative, I am meaning to be. Looking forwards to more info on your shop. As said before it is coming together great. Milk crates on the wall for storage. That is a first that I have seen them used that away, neat ideal.

Most of these suggestions are on my to do list. Nearly all outlets are 2 prong and simply need upgraded so they will fit 3 prong.

ThrifyGarage · Apr 10, 2016

Well I have debated back and forth on whether this is too much information for this project. And my final decision was: "I am a landscaper and a perfectionist so I will include it ALL." So I hope somebody can enjoy the excessive photos on this project which is only slightly connected to the garage.

IRRIGATION CONTROLLER INSTALLATION

Used a pocket hold jog to connect some 2x4s

Completed mount

Installed mount

Installed controller. I pulled power from a nearby switch

Now for routing the irrigation wire

Pulled off some interior wall panels (cardboard) installed by previous homeowner. These crack me up! They are even painted. I am surprised how well the insulate. That dead air space works decently well in the winter when I am running the heater.

Before

After

Here is a piece of history for you. A gem that only comes with owning an old home.

Hole to outside

External junction box installed

Multi-strand wire installation

Trenching

Root removal

Wire in trench

Wire in walls

Valves wired

Controller wired

Re-install sod

Sod Installed, watered and compacted (Inspector Sammy is unsure if it passes)

Garage walls all buttoned up to previous condition. Cardboard walls as well.

This project was pretty extensive and kept getting more and more involved as time went on. All in all I completed everything within a one week period of time.

99blaze · Apr 10, 2016

Nice work so far. Love the pallet wall

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Jon In Tucson · Apr 10, 2016

Amazing use for pallet wood! Don't skimp on the pictures. God bless.
Jon In Tucson

Red Leader · Apr 10, 2016

This looks GREAT and I agree with the above poster - keep posting photos!

ThrifyGarage · Sep 14, 2016

It's been a while since I have updated photos. Here are some photos from the past few months:

4/6
Garage at Night

4/9
New 2015 Silverado 1500 Work Truck

4/26
Hanging BMX Bike on Wall

4/28
Truck barely fits

5/1
Garage at Night with Vehicles

5/7
Garage Organization

5/25
4Runner brake inspection and air filter change.

6/6
I think the 4Runner looks good with a canoe!

6/20
Garage Photos with 4Runner inside

7/20
Pallet Wood Fence Project

7/2
Painting Heater Vent Covers

7/30
Painting Trim for Living Room

8/8
Removing wild rose bush that is too close to the driveway (scratches cars)

NTCRS · Sep 14, 2016

Love the new silverado!!

ThrifyGarage · Sep 24, 2016

NTCRS said:
Love the new silverado!!

Thanks! I have enjoyed it as well.

ThrifyGarage · Oct 25, 2016

Filmed this a little while back but figured I would share the link here.

Tour of Thrifty Garage

ThrifyGarage · Dec 5, 2016

Here is a video of my single single pane window glass repair. I had 2 cracked panes and our kids broke 1 pane. Overall it was a much easier repair than I expected.

Garage Window Glazing

-Brent- · Dec 6, 2016

I'm impressed with how neat your trench was dug and refilled. I've never EVER dug anything that neatly.

Keep up the good work.

madoc1 · Dec 6, 2016

your place is looking very nice!

jim

Crazyjake8493 · Dec 6, 2016

Looks great! I love the pallet wall, I don't have the patience for that.

Only thing I would change: Unless you're going for nostalgia, I would replace that outlet with a modern one.

JMURiz · Dec 6, 2016

Cool project!

What'd you use to get the old paint off the vents before painting?
I've been trying to figure out how to attack mine (1940 house with tons of paint layers)

Bookworm · Dec 6, 2016

I don't know what the OP used, but back in the early 80's, when I had an automotive machine shop I had a glass-brad blaster. Folks would bring in all sorts of things for me to clean - from old tin toys to air vents. Worked very well.

Find a machine shop with a blast cabinet. See if they can fit in odd work for you.

ThrifyGarage · Dec 7, 2016

Crazyjake8493 said:
Looks great! I love the pallet wall, I don't have the patience for that.

Only thing I would change: Unless you're going for nostalgia, I would replace that outlet with a modern one.

It's on the to-do list. That outlet never gets used though so it will be last. I want to install all 3 prong outlets in the entire garage. If I re-do the walls behind the work bench areas I will also be adding more outlets.

ThrifyGarage · Dec 7, 2016

JMURiz said:
Cool project!

What'd you use to get the old paint off the vents before painting?
I've been trying to figure out how to attack mine (1940 house with tons of paint layers)

It was a lot of work. We stripped down 2 vents in our living room and they look amazing with new white appliance epoxy spray paint. To strip we used a Rust-Oleum gel stripper. For the quality hands down the best way to go. For amount of labor not so much. For the bathroom vent that is hidden behind the door I just added another layer of paint (well appliance epoxy). It looks okay, but it's not all smooth and shiny like the ones that received a full on restoration.

May I also suggest stripping the outer cover and then not stripping the vent portion. It's the little fins that are difficult to clean between. Any mostly flat surfaces will quickly strip paint off with that Rust-Oleum product. My wife has also used it on an old wooden dresser.

HSpencer · Dec 7, 2016

I just love the whole setup. I like the look and feel of the "age" of the garage and it seems so comfortable to use and work in. You have done a great job and we love this type of restoration on the Garage Journal. That place speaks "Garage" louder than any new building!!

Best Regards
Herb Spencer

ThrifyGarage · Dec 9, 2016

I have been doing quite a few wood working projects in the garage as of recent. Well, they are house projects but I have been making quite the saw dust pile in the garage as that's where I do all the cuts to keep the dust out of the house.

My welder has been collecting some dust due to the wood projects. But I did manage to put together a 5-year review on my Lincoln Electric 140HD:

TG Lincoln Mig Welder 140 Long Term Review (5 Year)

ThrifyGarage · Dec 30, 2016

Spent some time working in the garage the other night. Decided to film a video on the little details of what goes into a routine oil change for me. I think it turned out well even though the videography my be a little unique to some.

TG No Music

, Just a Routine Oil Change

ThrifyGarage · Oct 23, 2017

I made a 5 year review video on my Napa Floor Jack. This jack is Napa Part # NLE 7916420.

ThrifyGarage · Oct 23, 2017

I made a 10 year review video on my Craftsman Tool Box.

ThrifyGarage · Nov 23, 2017

Garage Update: I'm working on installing a vertical palelt wood wall on my main workbench garage wall.

Also, check out my most recent YouTube upload:

ThrifyGarage · Feb 24, 2020

Garage Update: I've neglected this page. I'll try to get everyone up to date.

Here is a video showing a progress update on one of the last big upgrades I made to this garage.

ThrifyGarage · Feb 24, 2020

At the end of October 2018 we sold our first home for a large profit. We moved left the Rocky Mountains where I had grown up and moved to the Midwest to start a business. It has been hard to be so far away from family.

I will always have fond memories of my first garage. I spend so much time making thrifty improvements. Luckily the buyer appreciated most of our modifications.

These photos are after we moved our storage room from our basement to the garage for staging.

This was my first pallet wall project. I was very happy with how it turned out. I never did finish the top row.

I had big plans to install these lights on the wall. I ran wires and everything.

ThriftyGarage 1940s SLOW Renovation

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