Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT 1950s Craftsman Garage retro remodel

[SpeedinLemon]

Whoohoo! Haha at least it got someone!!!


You guys are good sports.

I really want to get the floor done before the cold sets in. That is the new goal. From there, just seeing it done will be enough to recharge me. We still have lots of nice weekends left out here.

I can work on the drop ceiling or the workbench anytime this winter.

Make that two of us (at least two that will admit it)!!

Take some of the advice given and spend time with junior and the wifey. As others have said, GJ will be here....although there would be a huge vacuum of tool knowledge and general inspiration if you really did desert us! So take all the time you need, but hurry back!!

 

[JasonW]

Ok, I bought it too. Was getting a bit worried about you as it was. Everybody needs to change gears from time to time in order to keep the journey interesting. Your dedication to this project over the past year and a half has been an inspiration. Glad the wife wasn't getting (too) jealous.

 

[TireTracks]

Wow, okay so you are the man for the job! When I was working on this thing I didn't have access to my camera but now that I do I'm going to have to get down there and take some pictures of how the wiring is run. I think it is pretty simple, but I am a little bit 'unschooled' when it comes to electrical, and that is being reserved haha.

I'll try working on it soon!

Dont worry, it will probably be very simple, no electronics to fuhtz with.

Good news, if the compressor/refer system still functions, if any electrical parts neet fixing, they can probably be replaced with available parts fairly cheeply.

 

[bluebolt]

Don't worry Red Leader, I have not done much on the Craftsman Crown garage lately either except fill it up with more junk. Except since I am currently un-attached and my son is going to college in California I have no family excuses. I do have too many cars and picked up two new projects, a Paxton Novi supercharged 1993 Mustang LX hatch and a 1978 F150 4x4 I am putting a 1966 cab on.

I did pick up a "quest" item for the Crown garage but it's not Craftsman LOL.

 

[flybefree]

Dave...YOU RAT! I just read your fake retirement post and started to get a little sad...then you pulled a Micheal Jordon on us and came right back. Hah. Glad you have a life full of worthy endeavors...garage related and otherwise. Sounds like a good place to be.

Shaun

 

[bluebolt]

Don't worry Red Leader, I have not done much on the Craftsman Crown garage lately either except fill it up with more junk. Except since I am currently un-attached and my son is going to college in California I have no family excuses. I do have too many cars and picked up two new projects, a Paxton Novi supercharged 1993 Mustang LX hatch and a 1978 F150 4x4 I am putting a 1966 cab on.

I did pick up a "quest" item for the Crown garage but it's not Craftsman LOL.

Let me re-phrase that "family excuses" bit, your family is an important REASON to not work in the garage, not an excuse.

 

[Nighttrain]

Nice try! I too have been lacking in my post, still check out others builds but have not done much with mine besides buying some tools to install this winter. My side job is going 12 hrs + a day (a good thing) . Glad your back.

 

[fergus]

Hey Dave,

Check out what I picked up. Thanks to you, I have been slightly obsessed with finding more vintage equipment. I just had to have this one. Just wanted to let you know...I hold YOU responsible

 

[TireTracks]

Why can't we ever have stuff like that for sale here.

I swear It's like a parade of Harbor fright tools on my Craigslist, for 2x what they cost new?!?!

I can find Old tools for free on the west side of Wa, but nuthin within 100 miles of me most of the time.

Not really possible to drive 3 hours to seattle each way to buy tools when a deal pops up.

 

[Red Leader]

Hey Dave,

Check out what I picked up. Thanks to you, I have been slightly obsessed with finding more vintage equipment. I just had to have this one. Just wanted to let you know...I hold YOU responsible

Very nice! Early to mid 1960s 12" band saw. Looks like you have the speed reducer and is that the belt cover I spy in the background? If so...extremely nice and complete purchase! Excellent save!!!

 

[Red Leader]

Why can't we ever have stuff like that for sale here.

I swear It's like a parade of Harbor fright tools on my Craigslist, for 2x what they cost new?!?!

I can find Old tools for free on the west side of Wa, but nuthin within 100 miles of me most of the time.

Not really possible to drive 3 hours to seattle each way to buy tools when a deal pops up.

Keep looking, its out there! Also, go to estate sales if possible...where I have found some of my best deals!




Also, just a general update - not much in the way of garage work done at all. We've been trying to work on our front walkway and porch slab, which has had about a 12" void underneath it from either settling or erosion. It is taking a lot of time (and dirt!) to get that built back up and have our front area regraded. Since I love doing things the hard way, of course we are DIY'ing ourselves. A big shout out to the wife who has probably been out there more than I have working on it.

I really want to get the floor epoxied but the weather is changing and I have zero time in-between the front yard project and our son. Anyone knows the shelf life of Epoxy-Coat? I may give them a call to see. Definitely don't want the stuff going bad on me!

I know, lame update. But! We are all doing well and the reprieve has been nice. I haven't forgotten about GJ and I know soon I'll be out there dishing out more punishment for myself!

 

[TireTracks]

Keep looking, its out there! Also, go to estate sales if possible...where I have found some of my best deals!

I know, I should start going to estate sales. But every time I think about it, I get the willies and think " thats going to happen to me someday!?!?!".

I've gotten a few decent deals ( from my POV) lately.
A 4" craftsman industreal belt sander for $20 and a Craftsman Auto Scroller jigsaw( the best one they made) for $20. got my eye on a few things on ebay right now.

I'm half *** looking for a RAS( even though I don't really have anywhere to put one). They are uber common and cheap here, but i'd like one that hasent sat out side or been used to cut metal( seems to be a common use here???)

 

[Jeff Ivers]

RL

Glad to see you are still posting. I just last week finished going through this entire thread. When I got near the end, I came upon the post that sounded like a retirement notice - had me worried. I really admire your sense of style with your garage remodel. Your tool restorations rock. I appreciate you posting the tips and techniques you have used. As a life-long DIYer, I have often had to put one project or interest on hold in preference to family or other needs. Keep us posted on what is going on with you until we can see that next great garage/tool update!

Keep looking, its out there! Also, go to estate sales if possible...where I have found some of my best deals!




Also, just a general update - not much in the way of garage work done at all. We've been trying to work on our front walkway and porch slab, which has had about a 12" void underneath it from either settling or erosion. It is taking a lot of time (and dirt!) to get that built back up and have our front area regraded. Since I love doing things the hard way, of course we are DIY'ing ourselves. A big shout out to the wife who has probably been out there more than I have working on it.

I really want to get the floor epoxied but the weather is changing and I have zero time in-between the front yard project and our son. Anyone knows the shelf life of Epoxy-Coat? I may give them a call to see. Definitely don't want the stuff going bad on me!

I know, lame update. But! We are all doing well and the reprieve has been nice. I haven't forgotten about GJ and I know soon I'll be out there dishing out more punishment for myself!

 

[BillZ260]

Finally finished catching up with this thread, very impressive work. Every project comes to a point where you just want to let it set. The goal is to find aspects of it that will keep you going. Thanks for all the knowledge sharing and inspiration for my garage.

Bill

 

[Red Leader]

Thanks guys!

BTW I found out that the epoxy coat that I won has a MUCH shorter shelf life than I thought. I received it last November. I sure hope it is still good.

That being said, the epoxy floor project has been significantly bumped up on the priority chain. I finally got a beater circular saw to cut some slots in the concrete floor. Now I just need to swallow hard and get some flexible epoxy crack filler to fill the cracks in the floor and we should be good to go.

At $75-$100 a gallon, I'm really hoping I won't need more than that!

 

[TireTracks]

Thanks guys!

BTW I found out that the epoxy coat that I won has a MUCH shorter shelf life than I thought. I received it last November. I sure hope it is still good.

That being said, the epoxy floor project has been significantly bumped up on the priority chain. I finally got a beater circular saw to cut some slots in the concrete floor. Now I just need to swallow hard and get some flexible epoxy crack filler to fill the cracks in the floor and we should be good to go.

At $75-$100 a gallon, I'm really hoping I won't need more than that!

I gotta ask, why do you need the crack filler??? Your the only person I've ever heard mention it.

 

[tinbender 66]

Go get it RL!!!!

 

[4th-stooge]

Hello Red Leader:

For those folks losing faith in eBay, I watched each week until I found the 6" Craftsman jointer shown within 7 miles of my house for the starting bid ($56.) so it CAN be done.

In the background you will see a Craftsman scroll saw (big heavy cast iron ******) that I got for FREE from a guy that sold me a Delta shaper. Bargains do exist if you are patient.

4th-stooge

 

[Climb On!]

Hey Dave,

Check out what I picked up. Thanks to you, I have been slightly obsessed with finding more vintage equipment. I just had to have this one. Just wanted to let you know...I hold YOU responsible

Fergus, awesome snag! You got quite a few extras on that saw. I'd love to see several photos of the speed reducer. I've only seen it in the catalogs and not out in the wild yet. Let me know if you're interested selling it!

Chuck

 

[Red Leader]

Fergus, awesome snag! You got quite a few extras on that saw. I'd love to see several photos of the speed reducer. I've only seen it in the catalogs and not out in the wild yet. Let me know if you're interested selling it!

Chuck

Wow, I didn't even see the fence rails on there! Fergus, did you get the fence with it???

 

[fergus]

Yep, got the fence with it too. Need to get a new blade on it and some guide blocks. Got too much other stuff going on right now, but I WILL get this guy going as soon as my doors are finished.

Here's the link to a few more (crummy) pictures back in my thread: http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2592784&postcount=222

 

[Red Leader]

Well, gonna try to get some epoxy down this weekend!!!

And then we remember that there are two sides to every coin:

And then when I look at the Epoxy Coat bucket, I see a 'Sept 05' [2011] ship out date and a nice sticker on the top that says '1 year shelf life'

I hope I'm not totally screwed! Fortunately Colorado is nice and dry and they have been stored all year in the basement where the avg temp is about 70-ish degrees. Keep your fingers crossed for me guys!!!

I need to quickly make a set of spike shoes, grab a few more squeegees, order some epoxy crack filler for the cracks in the lower 2 pads, and hope things don't go horribly wrong along the way.

Wish me luck

 

[fergus]

Go go go!

 

[machine_punk]

Hey! Great to hear from you and great to see you are moving ahead with the floor!

Woohoo. Looking forward to pics soon.

M_P

 

[tinbender 66]

Got my fingers crossed!

 

[Wingnut65]

Well, gonna try to get some epoxy down this weekend!!!

Wish me luck

Good Luck! We are watching and will wait anxiously for updates...

 

[smschriefer]

I think it should be fine, but best wishes on a successful installation!

 

[slickgt1]

Good luck. Hope all goes well.

 

[TireTracks]

Hey RL, I think I found the snow blower and the rideing lawn mower you need-

from Ebay.

 

[shopnut]

Fingers crossed here too, but I bet the epoxy will be just fine. Just don't wait another year.

 

[Red Leader]

What I'm dealing with:

How I planned to deal with it:

Progress:

In that last picture, it shows a U-channel cut about 1/2" deep. I only wish it was that easy. On the other side the crack was so big and I decided to go 1 3/4" deep. That was a little...hard on the blade. Had to stop when I realized the blade was warping about 1/4" from being so hot. I think I will cut the other ones 1/2".



More shots of the fun:

Now, as any normal person might be inclined to reason, you may be thinking "Why the &$%# is he cutting channels in his concrete? I though he was going to do epoxy or something."

It is because this individual is thrifty, and without the $$ to go all out on filling those bad-boys with $75-$100-per-gallon epoxy crack filler, I did what any logical person would do: torture myself with several more hours down on my hands and knees cutting concrete so I can stuff wood into there.

Honestly I think it will actually look pretty good once it is done. However, we are only half way there.

This song sums up well how the garage and I are doing right now:

 

[Wingnut65]

I thought you were trying to clean the place up, not make all that extra dust...?

I hear you on the cracks. You did it the right way to clean out the old. I've been looking for some Dow Corning 890, a one-part self-leveling commercial grade silicone sealant for some of my cracks, but haven't found a source yet. I never thought about the what the price of it might be...

 

[Thruxton]

Ah ha! The solution to the big ugly irregular joint between the 1950's half and the 1990's half of my garage floor. Perfect!

 

[JasonW]

Wow, no wonder that got put on the back burner, that's a lot of work, but I bet it is going to look great with the wood strips. How are you going to treat them? Clear coat or accent color? I know, another color decision . . .

 

[Red Leader]

Alright...



And so begins my 'hell week' of sorts.

Tonight's goal: Finish the channels, then clean them out. Sweep out the garage. Make spike shoes (nails + plywood + string). Mix flakes together.

Tomorrow's goal: Cut all wood strips for the U-channels. Glue them in with liquid nails (just on bottom surface). Hopefully have them stick up about 1/16-1/8" above ground level, then take belt sander and sand even to floor. Remove dust. Fit won't be perfect. (rest of the steps come later).

Sunday's goal. Clean the pad (scrub hard!) and let dry at least 6 hours. Prep materials and begin epoxy. Epoxy late at night (10-12 midnight)

Monday: Let epoxy on 1st pad cure for at least 16 hours. Get home and lay down the clear coat within a 16-24 hour period. Prep the next pad. Lay down epoxy on pad (10-12 midnight)

Tuesday. Let epoxy on 2nd pad cure for 16 hours. Get home, lay down clear on 2nd pad. Prep 3rd pad. Epoxy 3rd pad (10-12 midnight)

Wenesday: Clear on 3rd pad. Move everything from 4th pad over back to 1st pad. Prep 4th pad. Epoxy 4th pad (10-12midnight)

Thursday: Clear coat on 4th pad. Let cure.

End of hell week.


Its gonna be interesting. This is basically my last chance to do it this year. We are getting a steak of decent weather starting Sunday and lasting at least 4 days. No matter where I am come Sunday, epoxy has to go down. Any moral support for this endeavor is appreciated.

I cannot let up!!!! Okay - time to go to work.

 

[Wingnut65]

Sounds like a well detailed schedule. I am behind you the whole way. Just wish I could be closer to help.

I'll see if I can keep the snow away this week. Who would think of scheduling snow the first week of October? When do you get Fall?

 

[Red Leader]

Thanks for your support Jeff. It really means a lot.

I got 99% of the cutting done now. I just need to finish the cut on the crack that leads up to where the garage door sits, but need to do that during the day since the saw makes a lot of noise and the garage door would need to be open.

I wasn't able to get the spike shoes made yet - I was doing enough pounding on the saw cuts that I thought it might be wise to hold back just a bit - the kiddo's room is adjacent to the garage's back wall. Don't even ask me how he slept through me cutting concrete!

I did spend a LOT of time sweeping and hopefully getting most of the dust out of there. Tomorrow, I'll be mainly playing around with the wooden filler strips. I think once I get them to fit and sanded level to the floor, I'll put them out, finish them, then install once the epoxy is already down. Then I am planning to caulk the joints between the wood and then concrete/epoxy.

I didn't take any pictures of today's work since I'm beat, but I better get used to it and cowboy up...I have 6 days ahead of me

 

[tinbender 66]

You da man!! I'll bet it turns out awesome!!

 

[Red Leader]

Thanks Paul!!! BTW I need to get all caught up with yours, Jeff's, and Shopnut's thready. I bet you guys have been leaving me in the dust.



Haha, actually...that is true, quite literally....

 

[Climb On!]

Sending positive thoughts your way!