SnookSniper's Seminole Shanty of Sheninigans

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

Greetings from sunny Seminole, Florida! After moving into my new home, for the first time I have a garage. After the move, the garage was completely impassable. “Don’t know what to do with that. Throw it in the garage.” Fortunately, I never took any pictures of this phase. After quite a bit of sweat equity, I’m beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Everything you’ll witness is done (1) on a very tight budget, and (2) to maximize a very limited amount of space. Since I doubt I’m the only one, I’ll try to share for those following along my ideas and the costs associated. I’ve been in the house for eight months, and I’m just getting started on the garage. It’s very much a work in progress, but watching progress is half the fun!

I recently discovered (quite by accident) that there’s this here forum for garages, so I figured I’d share my journey.

hnsy · Jul 6, 2016

Looking forward to following this thread!

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

It’s your standard-issue attached 2 car garage. The house was built in 1974. I recently bought the house in a very deteriorated condition. The place is a serious fixer-upper, and the garage is going to be ground zero for most of the work. I’m excited to make the place an amazing home again. Without further ado, on to the garage! (I apologize in advance for iPhone pics.)

This wall features the shelving/workbench combination brought from my old shed. I miss that shed. The shelving was given to me by a friend who was moving out of state. Gotta love free. I’m still working on obtaining more plastic storage bins. Eventually I hope to have everything organized and labeled.

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

This is the small workbench. I’m just getting started on the pegboard. I have a bunch of the wimpy 1/8” hooks that constantly fall out – rookie mistake. I’ll have to go all medieval with the zip ties if I want anything to stay put.

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

For years you think you have a full set of wrenches. Then you organize them and discover the blood-chilling truth! Needless to say, I’m in the market for more wrenches. You can also see my PVC drill and driver holsters. I can’t claim credit for the idea; instructions are readily available online. If I were to do it again, I’d use beefier PVC. The thin-walled stuff I used seems to bend when the tools are hung with the batteries attached.

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

This cabinet is (I believe) from Ikea. Storage of paper towels, TP, paper plates, things like that. I added two magnetic strips (Harbor Freight, about $4 each) for convenient storage. The top one is currently tasked with all of the QD bits for my impact driver. The second one is just random tools I want to keep handy. I’ll probably add a third next time I go to HFT.

Next to the cabinet, I’d like to fabricate or find some kind of shelf to store all of the Dewalt boxes, etc. The idea is that it would take up little more room than if they were all stacked vertically, but without the resultant injuries.

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

Here is my charging shelf. I took an old Ikea floating shelf my wife had and mounted a surge protector on the underside. It took some adjustment on the mounting screws, but I finally got it to sit tight against the cords. A few zip ties for the power cords later, we’re in business. I also found that I always needed more power outlets right by the door, so I wall-mounted another surge protector next to it. I may try to come up with a more elegant solution, but for now it works.

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

This little plastic fastener organizer is handy, but it had a nasty tendency to get knocked over. Getting everything back where it needed to be wasn’t fun. Solution: screw it to something. I’ve been buying similar organizers at garage and estate sales. I need to update the labels and maybe add a few more organizers.

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

Next to the water heater I found a perfect place to stick my ladder. On the other side of the utility sink is the tailgate tent (works great for backyard projects too).

Another recent project, the pallet shelf. I came across a few free pallets on CL. They’re old, battered, weathered, and (badly) repaired. This is the first one, modified and repurposed as a shelf. The old wood is so hard that I had to predrill the holes for nails - seriously. It stores spray paint cans, caulk tubes, and oil bottles beautifully. It also allows you to discover things like “Wow, how many freaking cans of WD-40 do I actually own?” If I’m ever immensely bored, I could sand, stain, and seal it. Honestly, I kinda like it the way it is.

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

This is a recently completed project. I found a rolling clothes rack (the kind they use in department stores) at a garage sale for $5. I used an impact driver and an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel to remove one of the vertical braces, resulting in an open side. I then used old cabinet doors for bases, with various pieces of scrap metal and 2x4 for bracing. It probably would have come out better if I knew how to weld. It’s not pretty, but it holds two recycling bins and has a flat work surface on top. I even left two of the clothing arms on so it can be used as a painting or drying rack. The casters are currently pretty wimpy; I may upgrade them. The beauty of the rack is that it can sit in front of the utility sink. Whenever I need to use the sink, I just roll the rack out of the way. As they failed to pick up recycling on the 4th of July, it's currently near full capacity.

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

My Craftsman rolling tool chest could probably use an upgrade. There are only five drawers – without increasing the size of the chest, they could have included ten drawers. They didn’t. The chest was a gift, so I can’t be too annoyed.

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

My new-to-me beer fridge is currently pulling triple duty after its predecessor died in the line of duty. Large materials are leaned against it, and the top is the current home of the third row seating from my 4Runner. The interior keeps my liquid garage restoration fuel cold.

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

This is the pile o’ paint. I’m trying to convince my wife to get rid of what she doesn’t need, but diplomatic efforts have stalled. In the meantime, I stacked it all here.

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

I scored the workbench from a moving sale for $10. A few of the 2x4s are warped; when I have some time I’ll try to plane it flat. I may try to get it on locking casters, too; it would be nice to be able to move it around for big projects. You may notice three woodworking vises; I got them from an estate sale. I’m in the process of trying to figure out where to mount them. The central vac is shot, and I haven’t figured out what to do with it yet. Another planned project is interchangeable mounting boards for bench tools like a bench grinder, drill press, large vise, etc. You can also see the fastener organizers waiting to be sorted and reorganized. I’d also like to build a shelf for 1 lb screw boxes.

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

This window is just BEGGING for a window AC unit. Since the garage is finished, it’s feasible. AC is more than a luxury in FL, it’s a necessity.

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

Next we have a couple of filing cabinets. I may paint them all Craftsman red/black/silver (shout out to sdavis622, whose thread introduced me to this forum). The filing cabinets set me back a princely $5 each (CL). They’re mostly empty right now, but I’ll get them filled and organized soon. The first drawer is saws, the second is sanders. The storage possibilities are endless. I may put these on casters too.

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

This is a modified and repurposed old particle board filing cabinet. I needed a place to keep scrap lumber, etc., as it was taking over the floor of the garage. I may add some additional dividers and (you guessed it) casters. I like casters. I’ll probably have to beef up the bottom with some 2x4s or something.

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

The bikes need to move. I’m thinking some kind of pulley system on the ceiling. I’d like to get the strollers up there too. I’m also toying with the idea of ceiling mounting the weed whacker, edger, and blower. We’ll see. I may also try to ceiling-mount my shop fans; they take up a lot of floor/bench space. Ceiling space is currently plentiful, wall and floor space is not.

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

These are most of the closet doors in the house. They are filthy and nicotine-stained. I plan to thoroughly clean them before painting them. Once they’re clean and painted, I can banish them from the garage back whence they came.

SnookSniper · Jul 6, 2016

These shelves were put up by the previous master of the garage. I’ll probably replace them eventually with something else. Maybe more steel shelving, a French cleat system, or a Wall of Craftsman (Taumac, I just found your thread a few days ago. Slow clap.) In the meantime the shelves make for great storage of full length materials.

captain14 · Jul 6, 2016

SnookSniper said:
I scored the workbench from a moving sale for $10. A few of the 2x4s are warped; when I have some time I’ll try to plane it flat. I may try to get it on locking casters, too; it would be nice to be able to move it around for big projects. You may notice three woodworking vises; I got them from an estate sale. I’m in the process of trying to figure out where to mount them. The central vac is shot, and I haven’t figured out what to do with it yet. Another planned project is interchangeable mounting boards for bench tools like a bench grinder, drill press, large vise, etc. You can also see the fastener organizers waiting to be sorted and reorganized. I’d also like to build a shelf for 1 lb screw boxes.

The bags of Sacrete will wick moisture from your floor and you will have solid bags of Sacrete Put some wood or elelvate them somehow.

Ask me how I know.

Good introduction and excellent photos. Welcome to GJ. We like lots of photos here.

SnookSniper · Jul 7, 2016

captain14 said:
The bags of Sacrete will wick moisture from your floor and you will have solid bags of Sacrete Put some wood or elelvate them somehow.

Ask me how I know.

Good introduction and excellent photos. Welcome to GJ. We like lots of photos here.

Thanks for the tip!

JCQuick · Jul 7, 2016

Welcome to the GJ from a fellow Floridian. Garage is looking good HF has some decent bike hangers I have 1 in my attached Garage

RedVise · Jul 7, 2016

Snooksniper, Welcome, looks like you are across the county from me.

Let me invite you to the Florida Chapter of the Garage Journal. Florida Garage Life .

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=282974

Brian

SnookSniper · Jul 8, 2016

Thanks guys! Went to HF yesterday for some bike hangers, but eventually determined that they'd cause too much obstruction no matter where I placed them - the ceiling just isn't high enough. They'll be returned. Maybe they can go in the shed where my push mower currently is - but that means the mower will have to go back in the garage. I'll have to see if I can find a good place for the mower.

SnookSniper · Jul 8, 2016

A shed is kind of a garage, right? This is the shed that came with the house. Turns out the thing has five doors, which can each be used or screwed shut. Once I unscrewed a second door, it became much more useful. I was very happy to get all of this stuff out of the garage; it's starting to get somewhat organized. The unused wall next to the riding mower is the other storage possibility for the weed whacker, edger, and blower. The wall is plastic, so I’ll have to get creative if I want to store them there. Just switched the push mower's shed spot for the bikes.

SnookSniper · Jul 8, 2016

Here we have the table saw and miter saw, both hand-me-downs. Neither is anything spectacular, but they work. I recently retrofitted the table saw with better casters (one of the factory casters had been broken off for decades) so it can be moved with relative ease. The casters are clear of the ground unless the saw is tilted, so there’s no sacrificed stability. I may try to think of a way to add handles (like on a wheelbarrow) to further assist mobility.

SnookSniper · Jul 8, 2016

Hung the levels and some broom-type objects in the dead space behind the door to the laundry room.

SnookSniper · Jul 8, 2016

Hung the third magnetic strip and my two favorite hammers. Zip ties seem to secure the pegs pretty well. I'm actually not sure what else to put on the peg board. I guess this is a good sign - I have room to grow!

SnookSniper · Jul 8, 2016

Hung some spearguns. You can also see the peeling popcorn here.

SnookSniper · Jul 8, 2016

I wanted a central location for tape. I was thinking about one of the dowel rod methods, but the wife asked for something where she could access each roll without moving others. Here's what I came up with. All reclaimed wood, some from an old shelf and some from a pallet.

My woodworking is generally made up on the spot, and I'm a bit rusty. Mistakes made: (1) I didn't immediately start predrilling, so the back plank split a bit. (2) Forgot how awful Gorilla Glue is - expansion all over the place, white finish. I like the result, so I'll fill the cracks and sand the glue before hanging.

SnookSniper · Jul 8, 2016

This is where the mower wound up, at least until I think of something better. Also got the Sakrete up off the floor!

Zeke · Jul 8, 2016

Some good ideas there. I like the cordless tool holders but don't see how they are attached. I like the tape cabinet. I may steal that idea.

SnookSniper · Jul 8, 2016

Thank you for the kind words! I just predrilled and used nuts and bolts up through the PVC and particle board for the tool holders. I think Taumac may have the earliest iteration of the idea I've seen, but I originally found plans on Instructables.

Bob Heine · Jul 9, 2016

SnookSniper said:
This window is just BEGGING for a window AC unit. Since the garage is finished, it’s feasible. AC is more than a luxury in FL, it’s a necessity.

First of all SnookSniper, welcome to the Garage Journal and I too invite you to join the "Florida Chapter of the Garage Journal. Florida Garage Life."

I'm with you on the necessity of A/C in Florida. If your ceiling/attic space is well insulated (R-19) and you have a wood or insulated steel garage door you don't need a very big unit to cool a Florida two-car garage. Mine is a 3-car and a 12,000 btu (115V) unit keeps it cool all day long. It does take quite a while to drop the temperature from 90 down to 79 so it's wise not to wait until the end of the day to turn it on. For that reason I normally turn it on in the morning and by the time I finish my second cup of coffee it's comfortably cool and dry. My workbench runs across the back wall and the wall-mounted unit blows from the far corner across the garage, with a ceiling fan in the middle of the garage helping to spread out the cool air.

I would start with a small unit (from a garage sale or ReStore) in the window and go from there. My first Florida home was CBS and had no window in the garage so I cut blocks out and framed in the opening for the A/C. If you decide to do that, stay away from the reinforcing pillars and headers -- that's a lot of extra work (no need to ask me how I know).

SnookSniper · Jul 14, 2016

Did some CL shopping yesterday and picked up some much needed items; pics to follow. On my way out saw this out at the curb. I asked the guy, and he said I could have it.

I think you guys can guess where I'm going with this. Got it home, and it was the perfect size for two 18" segments.

[/URL][/IMG]

SnookSniper · Jul 15, 2016

The completed pliers rack. I wound up having another one left over, which I may use when I get a larger toolbox.

[/URL][/IMG]

SnookSniper · Jul 15, 2016

The pliers needed a deeper drawer, so the screwdrivers got the boot. Figured I might as well organize them a bit while I was at it.

SnookSniper · Jul 15, 2016

As promised, my other recent acquisitions. I went to buy a bandsaw. However, a scroll saw, clamp, and some various pliers, screwdrivers, etc wound up following me home. Not bad for $45 for everything.

SnookSniper · Jul 15, 2016

Also finished sealing the tape shelf/cabinet last night. Now I just need to figure out where to hang it. I sealed it so it could be hung inside (I think the tape might last better out of the heat). Turns out my polyurethane dried up at some point during the move, but I found some polycrylic. It seems to have done the trick.

SnookSniper's Seminole Shanty of Sheninigans

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member