Converting my tiny shed into a single car garage with lift!

julesmt · Apr 18, 2017

After years of lurking around here its finally time to start my own thread.
I am converting my tiny storage unit (2x3m) into a one car garage wich will be 7x3 m. Thats about 23x10ft still small for you Americans but over here (Holland) this is considered a decent size garage.

Main focus of the garage will be to work on my motorcycles and cars, store 2 bikes and gear/parts, be my KTM themed man-cave. A lot to ask for such a small place but I`ll try to make it work.

I already bought a Autec single scissor lift witch will be mounted flush in the floor. It can be used as a motorcycle lift and to lift cars.

This is the front of the shed it will be extended forward sacrificing a bit of driveway

The back and side walls will remain in place, a brick wall will be build around it for insulation. Hence foundation.

Removed the front wall

My KTM 950 Adventure in its new home

More to come...

forAK · Apr 18, 2017

Looks like a great start.

ajohno · Apr 18, 2017

Great start.

gabriele82 · Apr 18, 2017

Great work!

marty_p · Apr 19, 2017

Great start out the gate!

Keep us posted...

julesmt · Apr 19, 2017

Update time:

After 2 days of laying bricks this is the result

I also inserted a sketchup model to give you guys a better understanding of how the situation is. The dotted line is where the shed used to end. Everything in front of it is the new part. The model is to low. In reality the garage will be 3m (9.8ft) high, giving me the ability to lift a normal size car about 1m (3.2 ft)

julesmt · Aug 19, 2017

After a long time finally a update. Been busy enjoying summer and riding my bikes, so the progress has been slower than I`d like.

But still got some stuff done. Build a casing were the lift will sit

Then poured the concrete floor

Wall insulation

julesmt · Aug 19, 2017

Painted one wall and coated the floor with a 2k epoxy coating, looks like a swimming pool now.

Started building a workbench. There will be drawers on the sides and it will house the lift operation panel.

This is where I`m at now, painted the workbench in KTM orange offcourse.

More updates to come. Next week will be about getting the lift functioning and installed in the hole.

gabriele82 · Aug 21, 2017

Great work. And very nice bike

Hostyle · Aug 21, 2017

Great work! Having a garage to the side of the house is a big plus in Holland!

Sadly, I have to make do with a shed in the garden as we're in the middle of a row of houses. Would still love to have a bike lift one day.

ETA: what's up with the pipe in the picture with the foundation on the outside wall?

julesmt · Aug 22, 2017

gabriele82 said:
Great work. And very nice bike

Thanks! I really love that bike, just does everything so well. All the newer stuff doesnt do it for me. This one just has the magic combo of dirt worthyness, hooligan street use, touring ability and classic dakar bike looks.

julesmt · Aug 22, 2017

Hostyle said:
Great work! Having a garage to the side of the house is a big plus in Holland!

Sadly, I have to make do with a shed in the garden as we're in the middle of a row of houses. Would still love to have a bike lift one day.

ETA: what's up with the pipe in the picture with the foundation on the outside wall?

You mean the pipe in the third pic? The rain drainage is in the ground there. I just stuck a old piece of pipe in there to stop the concrete flowing in the drainage. Now the rain pipe from the roof is connected properly to the drainage.

gabriele82 · Aug 22, 2017

I absolutely agree. The latest outputs are too road-switched, shaping the brand.

Hostyle · Aug 23, 2017

I've never ridden a KTM, but I've got good experience on all Multistrada's and a day riding a new DCT Honda Africa Twin. I can see my next bike being an allroad. Shame the Multistrada Enduro is still so expensive, what a beast of a bike (not really Dakar worthy though

).

julesmt · Aug 24, 2017

Got the lift working today. Now I can clean it up / paint it and drop it in the floor. The hydraulic pump and lift control panel will be integrated in the workbench so they wont take up any valuable space. So I`ll have to build a hydraulic line from the bench to the pit.

The lift is designed to run 3 phase 380v but my house doesnt have a 380v connection. So I used a frequency modulator to make 3 x 220V at 120 degr. Works like a charm.

Accidently bought another orange toy yesterdag :eyecrazy:

Garage is allready getting crowded. Wish I had room to build it twice as big.

julesmt · Aug 24, 2017

Hostyle said:
I've never ridden a KTM, but I've got good experience on all Multistrada's and a day riding a new DCT Honda Africa Twin. I can see my next bike being an allroad. Shame the Multistrada Enduro is still so expensive, what a beast of a bike (not really Dakar worthy though ).

Yeah the mutli enduro is a cool bike. Maybe a bit bulky for serious offroad, and no 21" front wheel. You should try the new KTM 1090R along with Africa Twin the only real allroad on sale today. Its also a lot cheaper compared to a Multi

julesmt · Sep 16, 2017

Got some more stuff done. Lift installed in its hole. Finished all the painting, looks more & more like labratory.

First project, fixing my Husaberg. Broken rocker arm bearing, luckily I found al the pieces of metal so an easy fix.

Bought and istalled some metal cabinets and peg board above the workbench.

Looking at this pic I just realised how ugly those drawers in the workbench are. Really need to get those painted.

stamanti · Sep 18, 2017

Great project.

julesmt · Sep 20, 2017

stamanti said:
Great project.

Thanks!

Tried lifting a car for the first time today. Works like a charm! I can lift it about 1m / 3.3ft before I run out of height. Enough to work on wheels suspension brakes and stuff. To get underneath a car I`ll have to get one of those small chairs on casters.
There is also just enough room to walk and work around a car. Although this is not a very big car.

Mr_P · Sep 20, 2017

Is the lift holding the car up or the wood?

C_F · Sep 20, 2017

Nice and bright in there, it looks good! :thumbup:

julesmt · Sep 21, 2017

Mr_P said:
Is the lift holding the car up or the wood?

The lift table itself doesn't touch the car. There are extendable cross beams slotted over the table that pick the car up under the jacking points. Look at one of the first pics in this thread of the lift.

Just need to get some decent rubber blocks instead of those pieces of wood.

gabriele82 · Sep 22, 2017

Great!

julesmt · Oct 5, 2017

Update time!

Installed a light above the workbench, made a metal worktop and started hanging tools on the pegboard. Still need to get a vice.

Really love having the lift, been using it for al kinds of projects. Just really nice to have an extra height adjustable workspace. With really bright led lights above it.

Taking an engine apart is just easier on the lift compared to the workbench because you have almost 360degr. access

Also comes in handy for some woodwork

Tried lifting a big heavy car for the first time today. No problems, even with this big 5 series touring there`s just enough room around the car to walk / work on it. Still have about 1,5m of room in front of the car to the workbench.

(this pic. is not at full height)

jeremy_cherokee · Oct 5, 2017

I love reading the threads of the small garages. When you have limited space it forces innovation - it's necessary to utilize every square inch (cm??) available to maximize its usefulness to you. Great job and keep the updates coming!

dfiler2 · Oct 8, 2017

Love the garage and I thought when you apologized for not working on the garage because you were spending too much time riding your bike, that on your death I'll bet you don't say "I should have spent more time working on my garage and less time on the bike".

julesmt · Oct 15, 2017

dfiler2 said:
Love the garage and I thought when you apologized for not working on the garage because you were spending too much time riding your bike, that on your death I'll bet you don't say "I should have spent more time working on my garage and less time on the bike".

Haha good point. But I have a drive to get things done so when they get done slower I tend to get frustrated.

julesmt · Nov 13, 2017

Been busy fixing cars and bikes in my garage. Still got some stuff done so time for an update.

Made a shelf above the door to store some riding gear.

Installed the hydraulic pump and cicruits for the lift all beneath the workbench so it doesnt take up any valuable floorspace. Also made a stainless panel to mount the controls for the lift.

Got the drawers painted and assembled the workbench for the last time. Installed a nice refurbished Heuer Brockhaus vice. Really happy with the way it looks and functions.

Next project is to take this Honda VTX engine apart, gearbox failed after 120000 km.

Trey T · Nov 13, 2017

very utilitarian garage

focusd313 · Dec 8, 2017

very nice garage

Farmall450 · Dec 8, 2017

Wow, looks good. Do you have any more pictures of the construction along the way?

Jyzze · Dec 8, 2017

Workbench is great!

70datsun · Dec 8, 2017

Great garage space. Very innovative and nicely executed! :beer:

julesmt · Dec 10, 2017

Farmall450 said:
Wow, looks good. Do you have any more pictures of the construction along the way?

I have a few. These are the back walls being build around the old walls.

Wall under construction.

Brick work done.

julesmt · Dec 10, 2017

70datsun said:
Great garage space. Very innovative and nicely executed!

Thanks for the kind words! More updates to come soon.

julesmt · Dec 17, 2017

Update time!

Made some deviders in the drawers to store tools in a efficient way.

Started building a shelf / box to house my air compressor so that is doesnt take up any floor space and to quiet it down a bit.

The end result, also mounted an air reel to the wall. Still need to hook it up.

Added some small parts storage on the wall

Thats it for now.

Some projects I worked on recently, found the problem with Honda gearbox.

Again the lift proved to be an excellent workbench to rebuild a cilinderhead.

My little nephew checking out the underside of his mothers car.

Bogdan M. · Dec 17, 2017

Love the garage!
Workbench looks very cool and it's very nice how you hid the controls for the lift and the compressor.
Being organized is the most important thing in a garage.
Good job!

BoilermakerFan · Dec 20, 2017

The remote controls and HPU for the lift was a great idea!

Came over here from the motorcycle garage thread... now following along.

Chevy-SS · Dec 20, 2017

Very nice project. Congratulations!

Stay safe. The lift doesn't look all that heavy duty with cars up on it.....

Brian R · Dec 21, 2017

The transformation is stunning - great job!

Converting my tiny shed into a single car garage with lift!

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