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

[G20-Budo]

Red, while reading through your posts on the Frigidaire, I got excited. looking at some of the items you have restored makes me think of a 1940's-50's radio that my parents put in my room when I was just a child (what a DUMB thing for them to do!!). I did NOT appreciate it and chipped it in a number of places, etc. I wish the heck I could get a hold of it now, but it's long gone. I'd love to restore it.

I've enjoyed reading through your thread, and happy belated birthday!

 

[tinbender 66]

It's good to see ya poke your head out once in while Dave! I know how that "life gets busy" stuff goes.

I've acquired a couple of Craftsman goodies that you may not have seen.

A 1956 floor model drill press that I paid too much for 'cuz I got tired of waiting:



And a 1961 (I think) Craftsman 100 table saw with the original motor and both extensions that I got for $60. All that either one needed was cleanup and paint.

 

[Red Leader]

Red, while reading through your posts on the Frigidaire, I got excited. looking at some of the items you have restored makes me think of a 1940's-50's radio that my parents put in my room when I was just a child (what a DUMB thing for them to do!!). I did NOT appreciate it and chipped it in a number of places, etc. I wish the heck I could get a hold of it now, but it's long gone. I'd love to restore it.

I've enjoyed reading through your thread, and happy belated birthday!

I got excited too...knowing that I didn't just buy a fancy 1934 shelf

It has been running now like a champ for a couple of days. I need to get a new seal for the door - it is 'okay', but a new seal would be more efficient. I'm hoping to put some drinks in there soon and get it back into action. My little cup of water is still out there and is a little ice ball now

I have things like that too...that you had as a kid, didn't quite appreciate, and wish you had now. Do you happen to remember what kind of radio it was? I'm sure there are others of the same model out there, waiting for a resto...

 

[Red Leader]

It's good to see ya poke your head out once in while Dave! I know how that "life gets busy" stuff goes.

I've acquired a couple of Craftsman goodies that you may not have seen.

A 1956 floor model drill press that I paid too much for 'cuz I got tired of waiting:



And a 1961 (I think) Craftsman 100 table saw with the original motor and both extensions that I got for $60. All that either one needed was cleanup and paint.

Wow Paul those look awesome. Everyone seems to be beating me to the punch with the Craftsman drill press haha. That's okay, I've got time to wait. The little Atlas will take care of things in the meantime.

Those are both beautiful tools. Did you do a resto on both? They look fantastic. I really dig the 1957-1960 power bronze tools.

I never get tired of seeing too much old Craftsman! Great work

 

[G20-Budo]

I have things like that too...that you had as a kid, didn't quite appreciate, and wish you had now. Do you happen to remember what kind of radio it was? I'm sure there are others of the same model out there, waiting for a resto...

Congrats on that frig still working! That's so cool.

As for the radio, no idea..? I'll ask my mother to see if she remembers?

 

[Red Leader]

Guys, I just got some pretty bad news.

Right now Colorado is dealing with some pretty bad wildfires, so much so that they have been putting a dense gray cloud/fog over the entire metro area.

I just learned today that a good friend, local OWWM and GJ member has lost his house, barn, and all his tools in a wildfire

Here is the news story on it:

http://www.9news.com/news/article/340716/339/More-evacs-due-to-Black-Forest-Fire

The good news is that he, his family, and their animals were able to be evacuated so they are safe, but everything else is gone.

Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. We are receiving updates from him and I am hoping to figure out a way that our local tool and garage group can get some support coming his way. More to come later.

 

[G20-Budo]

Sorry to hear about the situation..but so happy he, his family and their animals were evacuated.

 

[Wingnut65]

Sorry to hear, Dave. Please post if there is anything we can do.

I've been following it since my Nephew is in Colorado Springs and his in-laws have had to evacuate and are staying with him. I've been watching the rain in the area and hope there is enough to help.

 

[HSpencer]

Oh my that is terrible on the fires and the losses of homes and property. I stay updated on the news and net each day. My prayers will most certainly be for your friend and the others in that situation. It seems 2013 has brought it's share of grief everywhere.

Best Regards
Herb Spencer

 

[bluebolt]

Red Leader, sorry to hear about the wildfire damage, keep us informed. You may not have seen it but I picked up a Power Bronze belt/disc crown label sander identical to yours, mine is on the open frame stand.

 

[Kevin54]

Red Leader...that you for posting that and making us aware of the tragedy of a fellow member. Things sort of hit home a little harder when it happens to someone that we have spoke with many times on the site and not just some random stranger we read or hear about. But member or not, God Bless all of them in the wake of these fires. Buildings, barns, and material things can be replaced, but people, pets, and animals is a different story. Hopefully they will get this fire contained and put out.

 

[Kevin54]

Red Leader.....I ran across this today and instantly thought of you. This has a cool retro space look to it http://dayton.craigslist.org/tls/3880576796.html

 

[HSpencer]

Not sure I have ever seen a jointer set up like that on a single pole stand. Of course it would be intended to be bolted down, but wondering if that would be very practical. Otherwise, it is a great cool Craftsman jointer indeed!!! We used to see these type jointers as married to the left side of a table saw on a grid style stand. There was one on this thread earlier. I would certainly like to have it!!!!!! Looks in great shape, and the motor and belt drive is keen and unusual. This set up is a first time see for me.

 

[-Brent-]

The 4 inchers got a single post stand.

 

[carbons4]

Last year I bought one of those bronze "40's". Still looking for the correct stand.

 

[Red Leader]

Quick Update -


I received word from my friend Keith today who sent out some pictures of the devastation that recently happened from the Black Forest fire (see this post if you are just catching up).

Looks like just about everything is a total loss. The pictures were pretty shocking. A lot of ash and foundations. You have seen things like it before, but when it is your own place, it's different.

To be sensitive to him and the situation and to respect privacy, I'm waiting for his permission before posting pictures up, but you can be sure that some type of help/donation initiative is coming at some point. We are all very motivated to help him. Right now, however, the main focus is on clean up and working through insurance. It sounds like a work party is forming to go out there next weekend to help him sift through some things. If there are any local Coloradans on this board that are interested in coming to help - please contact me.



Thank you for your thoughts, encouragement, and prayers. Keep them coming.

 

[Red Leader]

In a rare moment of I-have-nothing-to-do, I decided to tackle a little bit on the workbench. I wanted to get the art deco lines on there and the do some finish work on the cabinet facings since the plywood is really rough. I could skip 90% of this part if I just used higher quality plywood, but hey, you can't argue with free, right?

First things first. I wanted to put a coat on the wood to seal it up. I'm going old school and using lacquer. The stuff smells strong and is pretty volatile (solvent-based nitrocellulose), so work with some fresh air.

After a coat:

I'm partially happy with how they came out. The color is more rich, but some of the tones and variation (especially the grays) got lost and now they just look black in those parts. Oh well! They still do show a lot of character up close. I'll still have several more coats to do, as well as the back posts.


Next up, making the art deco strips. I bought 1/4" dowel rods and sanded them down in half. I've been meaning to do this for-ev-er, but just now getting around to it. Once cut to size and the tops rounded, here is what the overall pattern looks like:

And here's where they'll be going:

First set glued on:

Showing the separation:

Here are the lines completed:

Now, here is what I have to tackle next:

A very rough cabinet plywood face. I also want the art deco lines to blend in a bit with the front, so we'll kill two birds with one stone here.


Here is the setup (don't tell the wife, that's a plate from the kitchen):

Here is one side done:

And both sides done:

This is where I currently stand. Once the caulk dries, I'll be able to paint. I'm going with the same teal on the walls for the cabinet facings. It should contrast nicely with the wood color on the posts. I don't have to be too much of a perfectionist on the cabinet bottoms since it is just latex paint that is going on and it will be either rolled/brushed on. I just didn't want it to look obviously bad like I could have cared less. I do care. Probably about 60%. I learned a little trick over on the OWWM forums about caulking/bondo-ing around the art deco lines to blend them in. If you study the cast iron/aluminum or any other substance that art deco lines were cast into (except stamped metal and bakelite, but those were mainly non-industrial indoor items), many times they are pretty rough once you get up close, and not a perfect transition from the line to the face. This blending will give it a more authentic look once the paint is on there. Some guys will even go great lengths to 'rough up' the blending to make it look exactly like cast iron, but again...I 60% care here.


Maybe even tomorrow I'll get some paint on. Once I get the bottoms done, I really, really want to start working on the overhead piece - the design is going to be way cool and I'm excited to start on it.


That's all for now.

-RL

 

[Red Leader]

Red Leader.....I ran across this today and instantly thought of you. This has a cool retro space look to it http://dayton.craigslist.org/tls/3880576796.html

Thats a great little 1960s 4" jointer on original style pedestal base. Even the motor and mount look correct. For a 4" jointer, that is a nice little setup. But watch one, those pedestal bases can bet tipsy!

 

[Red Leader]

Last year I bought one of those bronze "40's". Still looking for the correct stand.

The stands come around every now and then. To be honest, you'll probably get a 'free' jointer when you find the correct stand for yours

 

[Red Leader]

Red Leader, sorry to hear about the wildfire damage, keep us informed. You may not have seen it but I picked up a Power Bronze belt/disc crown label sander identical to yours, mine is on the open frame stand.

I might be picking up something very, very similar soon. Or not soon. We'll see

 

[Red Leader]

Folks,

I just made a post detailing the situation with my friend and fellow forum member who lost his house/shop/barn in the Black Forest Fire.

I don't want to double post, so please click here to view the story, along with the accompanying photos.

If you think about it, please send some encouragement his way.

Thanks all.

 

[bluebolt]

I might be picking up something very, very similar soon. Or not soon. We'll see

You are talking about the one you got from OWWM right?

 

[Red Leader]

You are talking about the one you got from OWWM right?

I am

 

[Red Leader]

Guys sorry it has taken so long to get another update...I've been pretty busy with other stuff, but things have been happening out in the garage!


Lately I've been feeling like my arrangement out in the shop just isn't very efficient or productive. The tool chest is way off in the far corner and every time I want to use the work bench I have to stumble over all kinds of stuff to get to the other side of the garage to use it (not really the shop layout's fault). I figured it was time for a change.

I started studying shot layouts and pictures of small woodshops to get some ideas. Then, I found a very nifty tool:

http://www.grizzly.com/workshopplanner

It is the Grizzly online workshop planner. It was very handy for re-sizing things, moving things around, etc. I'm not sure if they want you to sign in to save it, but I just saved a screenshot so I could save mine:

This is how I started imagining my shop, with a few new details added in -

1. A mini table set up in the upper left corner
2. a belt sander and 3rd table saw set up underneath an RAS bench on the left hand side
3. My oscillating belt sander and a smaller planer built into a rolling worktop bench that slides underneath the center section of the existing workbench


A lot of dreamy ideas, but even without them, I feel like it was going to make a difference in the shop. Turns out I was on to something!


Check it out!


Old:

New:

It may look like the same old messy shop (okay, it kind of is), but if you look closely there are a lot of changes...

That being said, it isn't perfect, but I feel it is a lot better than how it used to be. The biggest difference is in the workbench area. Sadly, this means I cannot build a header over the workbench...but don't worry, I'm thinking about incorporating something similar over in the table seating area.


Also, I have been making progress on the workbench:

I couldn't build it out further because the art deco handles were still drying and I didn't have enough screws to go around AND I realized that with the paint on the door the tolerances were so tight before the paint that now the door won't close (D'oh!). I'll take care of that in good time.

So, all in all, some progress made. The doors faces are not quite as smooth as I wanted, but at this point I'll take progress over perfection.


More to come later!

Thanks for sticking by this project!

 

[softailgarage]

Those cabinet doors look pretty good to me, damn fine job.

 

[GGB]

Looking good, Red Leader!

GGB

 

[Wingnut65]

Rearranging the shop can be motivational for more progress. Looks great!

Nice work on the workbench. But I just shuttered when I saw the spray painting on the new floor. Looks like you did good!

 

[onething]

Finally! Pics of the shop. Old tools are ok but the shop is what got me hooked. Good work, and again, thanks for sharing.

 

[Red Leader]

Thanks guys for your support!


I had some free time after work as the wifey and kiddo were visiting the in-laws, so I got some things done-


Finished up the workbench doors and installed:

Having fun with white balance:

The front is still a little dirty from the install, but I think things are going A-ok!

AND!!!! I finally got rolling on some ceiling work!!! I didn't get any construction shots since the wife had the camera today, but there wasn't much to show as it is still just a bare frame, but it is a start!

Now, imagine those box frames as the same retro, art deco curved pieces as the main shelving, then add some checkerboard ceiling with chrome framing and we'll have it goin' on!



And now, just for fun, I grabbed some artsy shots of the garage. I can't wait to get some nice rope lighting up and around those shelves!

That Atlas press just begs to be photographed. That logo has to be one of the coolest I've ever seen on a tool.

That's all for now!

 

[-Brent-]

Awesome.

 

[DynoDave]

That Atlas press just begs to be photographed. That logo has to be one of the coolest I've ever seen on a tool.

That looks familiar. I wish mine was in the shape yours is. But when I saw it for sale, I had to have it.

 

[7th Kahuna]

That Atlas press just begs to be photographed.

I was thinking the same thing. I'm pretty happy with my 1950's Craftsman DP but I have to say that Atlas is sweet, especially with the back lighting.

 

[tinbender 66]

Looks great as usual Dave. Can't wait to see that ceiling evolve! Thanks to you and some others I'm slowly getting motivated to move forward on mine. Been in a bit of a slump for quite a while. I'm about set to finish the office. Got a PM from a magazine ed the other day about maybe putting the garage in his book. That alone is pretty motivating! CYA

 

[Red Leader]

That looks familiar. I wish mine was in the shape yours is. But when I saw it for sale, I had to have it.

I was thinking the same thing. I'm pretty happy with my 1950's Craftsman DP but I have to say that Atlas is sweet, especially with the back lighting.

Thanks guys. That Atlas was one of the first pieces of arn I ever had, back when I got it in 2010.

Its come a long way...but I'd still like to get a quill lock, a return spring cover, and a proper Atlas motor for it. All in good time!

 

[Red Leader]

***UPDATE!***


The 1950s Craftsman Garage will be having a special guest this evening!

No it is not a tool...its a real person!


And no, its not Bob Vila...but close





More to come later!

 

[Red Leader]

That looks familiar. I wish mine was in the shape yours is. But when I saw it for sale, I had to have it.

Ya know...I just noticed...did the former owner paint around the SKF bearing decal? It looks in surprising intact.

 

[Red Leader]

Looks great as usual Dave. Can't wait to see that ceiling evolve! Thanks to you and some others I'm slowly getting motivated to move forward on mine. Been in a bit of a slump for quite a while. I'm about set to finish the office. Got a PM from a magazine ed the other day about maybe putting the garage in his book. That alone is pretty motivating! CYA

NICE! Yes, that always gets the juices going again! Congrats on that! You're shop is truly a masterpiece and it is getting better each time I see an update.

Whats next on your list?

 

[DynoDave]

Ya know...I just noticed...did the former owner paint around the SKF bearing decal? It looks in surprising intact.

Yes, it would appear so. The paint job(s) on it are interesting in a way. I'm assuming now, having seen yours, that the grey is the original color. But there are two different reds, neither one well applied at all....so hastily slapped on, that they don't consistently cover any portion of the machine. Very strange that someone would do paint work this sloppy, yet so neatly edge around the SKF decal, and somewhat neatly edge around the ATLAS name plate. But, it's part of what gives the old gal character.

 

[american3.14guy]

I too cannot wait to see what you do with the ceiling! I'll be watching!

 

[Wingnut65]

Ceiling ideas sound promising. Keep us posted.

BTW, I can vouch that Red Leader's vintage refrigerator is running well and can really chill a cream soda.