44 Bikes Frame Shop
- Thread starter fortyfour
- Start date
mellephants
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- Feb 11, 2010
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- 1
I love the shop, looks like you have a nice life going here 
@Paredown: Early on I found this Flickr set to be incredibly inspirational. The integration of natural surroundings with the structure in Japanese Architecture is something I have always admired. It's a bit controlled at times, but I like their open floor plans and studio like feel. Thanks for the kind words on the build out.
smsteve
Well-known member
Hi Fourtyfour, I've posted your thread before, still subscribed and enjoying every one of your posts.
Looking at this picture and knowing your floor issues had me thinking of another thread on GJ.
Why not, put down a raised wood floor? You could install it to deal with the 1" down on that side, good in the middle and 3" down on the other side. As others have said apparently the NH winter can make a cement floor hell, well that would no longer be as major a concern.
Linked below is one of my other favorite threads as the OP, Wbrian63, is so good at detailing his work and is also quite detail oriented, but in the wood world. He is running a wood shop and wanted the ability for under floor dust collection as well as some of the natural flex for comfort that the raised wood floor offers.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60859
I'm not sure if it is even a good idea for what your work entails, but you seem to be as good at building with wood as you are with metals, so I just thought maybe it could solve multiple issues with your older building. Perhaps you could even lay down some interesting hardwood and just richen that already sweet workspace even more. I think with your eye it could be an amazing addition.
Looking at this picture and knowing your floor issues had me thinking of another thread on GJ.
Why not, put down a raised wood floor? You could install it to deal with the 1" down on that side, good in the middle and 3" down on the other side. As others have said apparently the NH winter can make a cement floor hell, well that would no longer be as major a concern.
Linked below is one of my other favorite threads as the OP, Wbrian63, is so good at detailing his work and is also quite detail oriented, but in the wood world. He is running a wood shop and wanted the ability for under floor dust collection as well as some of the natural flex for comfort that the raised wood floor offers.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60859
I'm not sure if it is even a good idea for what your work entails, but you seem to be as good at building with wood as you are with metals, so I just thought maybe it could solve multiple issues with your older building. Perhaps you could even lay down some interesting hardwood and just richen that already sweet workspace even more. I think with your eye it could be an amazing addition.
Red Leader
Well-known member
Haven't stopped by for a while but I wanted to congratulate you on your shop hitting the front pages of GJ
Things are looking just as beautiful as ever. Keep it up!
Things are looking just as beautiful as ever. Keep it up!
smsteve: That's a great thread and a great suggestion. I have indeed considered raising the south facing half of the shop as there will not be any machines on that side for a while. But I believe in the end I will have the shop side poured. Proper surface prep is essential as I understand it and I will not go on the cheap for that. But a great option in the meantime to consider.
Since I have been working the space for a bit I've become accustomed to the nuances of the heaves and holes.
Using the drywall lift however was an exercise in patience...
On another note, been going through some old photos lately. From the archive: Manually milling a hub shell on a South Bend Heavy 10 and 4 jaw chuck:
I had just finished boring the center out and was preparing to start in on the bearing faces. I left those long ends on the shell so I could hold it (They were later parted off one at a time after the holes for the spokes were drilled on an indexing head).
Makes me want a lathe sooner than later and will be nice to make round parts. That will most definitely be my big purchase sometime in 2012...
Since I have been working the space for a bit I've become accustomed to the nuances of the heaves and holes.
Using the drywall lift however was an exercise in patience...
On another note, been going through some old photos lately. From the archive: Manually milling a hub shell on a South Bend Heavy 10 and 4 jaw chuck:
I had just finished boring the center out and was preparing to start in on the bearing faces. I left those long ends on the shell so I could hold it (They were later parted off one at a time after the holes for the spokes were drilled on an indexing head).
Makes me want a lathe sooner than later and will be nice to make round parts. That will most definitely be my big purchase sometime in 2012...
Looks like winter has finally decided to show up with it's game face on:
Tentatively have scheduled to finish the lighting this weekend with a buddy. May have to put it off if the weather report turns out to be high of 5 deg. Don't want to put my friend through a frozen hell just to put these up. Going to be putting up some nice pendants I found at a farm supply shop:
The temporary florescent didn't have the 'glow' I was after. With the right bulbs I think I can get some nice light when the switch needs to be turned on.
Also finally got myself a rolling tool chest from the good folks at Boston Industrial. Great service and wonderful to work with. Had a nice chat with the freight company fellow who delivered them. Apparently he was a machinist in the late 80's. These are made by Excel. I have to say I did a bunch of research as I wanted a reliable set but something that wasn't going to burn a hole in my pocket. For the price, these are incredibly well built:
Step 1 was to unpack. Step two was put the wheels and handle on. Step 3 was to peel off the logos.
And last but not least, the Officially Unofficial Shop Rules supplied by my good pal Elise:
Tentatively have scheduled to finish the lighting this weekend with a buddy. May have to put it off if the weather report turns out to be high of 5 deg. Don't want to put my friend through a frozen hell just to put these up. Going to be putting up some nice pendants I found at a farm supply shop:
The temporary florescent didn't have the 'glow' I was after. With the right bulbs I think I can get some nice light when the switch needs to be turned on.
Also finally got myself a rolling tool chest from the good folks at Boston Industrial. Great service and wonderful to work with. Had a nice chat with the freight company fellow who delivered them. Apparently he was a machinist in the late 80's. These are made by Excel. I have to say I did a bunch of research as I wanted a reliable set but something that wasn't going to burn a hole in my pocket. For the price, these are incredibly well built:
Step 1 was to unpack. Step two was put the wheels and handle on. Step 3 was to peel off the logos.
And last but not least, the Officially Unofficial Shop Rules supplied by my good pal Elise:
scootermcrad
Well-known member
Really great shop space and transformation. I dig it for sure! And pretty inspirational business you have there! Keep the updates coming on your work space. Great pictures!
smsteve
Well-known member
Wow, just breathtaking! It probably looks colder than it really is right?
Love those "Unofficail Shop Rules".
Sorry to say, but it's sunny and 73 degrees here in Glendale, CA right now. I'll be taking the ZRX1200R out tomorrow for a ride up Angeles Crest Highway with some friends. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
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smsteve: When winter happens here, it is pretty breathtaking indeed. When I took that shot it was about 25-30 deg. out. By the end of February I'm ready for things to melt though. I can't complain-we've had a pretty mild fall/winter thus far. 73 sounds nice though.
I spoke with my buddy this evening. Sunday's on for getting the lights hung and wired. He's ready to "wire the sh*t out of that place" if I may quote him... Gotta love devoted friends.
I spoke with my buddy this evening. Sunday's on for getting the lights hung and wired. He's ready to "wire the sh*t out of that place" if I may quote him... Gotta love devoted friends.
mixxmstrmike
Well-known member
I love how the blue doors "pop" in that snow picture.
I read through all of the pages thus far and have to commend you on your great can-do attitude. Tenacious is a word I would describe you, and your workshop reflects your hardworking persona.
I would post this on mtbr, but I believe someone may have done that already.
If you ever make it to northern California, I'll have to get you in touch with Francis, aka Mr. MTBR. I'm sure he can gather up some riders and give you a tour of our local spots.
Continued success,
Mike
I read through all of the pages thus far and have to commend you on your great can-do attitude. Tenacious is a word I would describe you, and your workshop reflects your hardworking persona.
I would post this on mtbr, but I believe someone may have done that already.
If you ever make it to northern California, I'll have to get you in touch with Francis, aka Mr. MTBR. I'm sure he can gather up some riders and give you a tour of our local spots.
Continued success,
Mike
paredown
Well-known member
Lovely photos--thanks--bookmarked and noted. I swear you can see the direct influence of some of those techniques on Frank Lloyd Wright--but even in Charles and Ray Eames, although they were using more metal...
The house we are working on is a 1960s contemporary--post and beam center section (tulip poplar--not sure it if was site cut or not), designed by Ferdinand Gottleib for a family whose paterfamilias was a well-known architectural photographer. It's been a labor of love, since it went through some hard years--neglect, water damage etc. But it definitely was well sited and has some of that natural, open but grounded feel to it.
I'm currently finishing up a new door rough-in, laundry (in the former darkroom space) and master bath/bedroom.
Then it will be garage time.
motorbreath53
Well-known member
I thought about this thread yesterday morning while trucking around on my mtn bike. There is a home visible from one of my often visited single track spots that looks very similar to your shop.
Anyway, I dig your shop, and am beyond impressed with your machine/fab work. Your giving me something to aspire to for sure.
Anyway, I dig your shop, and am beyond impressed with your machine/fab work. Your giving me something to aspire to for sure.
ct71rr
Well-known member
Very nice. You definitely have some serious skills with bike fab! Like many have stated, the doors came out awesome and I like the color. That floor would drive me nuts. Any plans to bust it out and repour? I live in MA. (dont laugh) and we havent had any snow, well, except from that freak storm back in October.
Just finished up the lighting with my buddy early this evening. I'll take another shot in the day time so you can see the fixtures. I had some florescent lights installed temporarily but just did not like the light and the buzz. Going to try out a bunch of different bulbs to fine tune the light quality. We set up the two pairs of lights so I could turn the two pairs on/off separately and I can add another pair of them to the center boxes in the future if I need more light:
Things are also prepped for running receptacles down the south facing wall too. I picked up the conduit for that when I got all the parts for this phase.
And a little "upgrade" for my tool chest: My Grandpop's business name plate. I've got a bunch of these and they go on choice places to add that little extra something:
Things are also prepped for running receptacles down the south facing wall too. I picked up the conduit for that when I got all the parts for this phase.
And a little "upgrade" for my tool chest: My Grandpop's business name plate. I've got a bunch of these and they go on choice places to add that little extra something:
superspec
Well-known member
love the name plate ! im also following you on FB 44 bikes is def on my short list of bikes to own!
44 bikes is def on my short list of bikes to own!LoRollinLS
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- Joined
- Dec 23, 2006
- Messages
- 211
Nice lighting. Those fixtures really give the place a nice aura. More of an "at-home" feel if you will. Florescent fixtures never seem to put out enough light for me and yes that "buzz" is annoying. Looking good man, keep it up. Beautiful pic of the shop in the snow!
Just a quick shot of the lighting during the day with some natural light so you can see the fixtures. Going to get some different bulbs and see what kind of light is cast - the color of the walls will definitely alter this too... I believe I'll be painting the walls a nice bright yellow and clear the ceiling while leaving the conduit it's natural galvanized color. Finishing up the last bit of the ceiling this afternoon:
I'm setting a personal limitation over myself: I am not allowed to purchase argon until the shop is officially closed up. That's motivation for me as once I get argon it's going to be Weld-Fest 2012...
I've got a little treasure chest from my grandfathers business. Going through the paperwork, blueprints, etc., I'm learning Henry (my grandfather) and his brother Ed did a lot of tanks and structural work. They also did a lot of work for the War Department. I like how the formalities are a bit different from way back when and Mr. R.W. Erdman refers to the Malasky brothers as "Gentleman". This one was for Mack:
Not exactly gold but it's Solid Gold to my eyes:
I'm setting a personal limitation over myself: I am not allowed to purchase argon until the shop is officially closed up. That's motivation for me as once I get argon it's going to be Weld-Fest 2012...
I've got a little treasure chest from my grandfathers business. Going through the paperwork, blueprints, etc., I'm learning Henry (my grandfather) and his brother Ed did a lot of tanks and structural work. They also did a lot of work for the War Department. I like how the formalities are a bit different from way back when and Mr. R.W. Erdman refers to the Malasky brothers as "Gentleman". This one was for Mack:
Not exactly gold but it's Solid Gold to my eyes:
kippieland
Well-known member
Why did you decide to run the electric outside of the OSB? Looks great...very classy!
the_art_of_design
Member
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2009
- Messages
- 19
Ill be doing the same in my shop... If he's anything like me, its a PAIN to have to take down the OSB, vapour barrier and insulation to run a few lengths of conduit... Plus, on a white ceiling you won't really notice it OR it's intended to add that industrial 'look'.
A lot of people have asked me this recently. My reasoning for running the electric outside of the wall has a few reasons both aesthetic and practical: First and most obvious is I want an industrial look inside the shop. This will be my shop and my studio space so I'm after a certain 'look'. Being that it is my studio, you're going to be looking at a lot of my personal work/projects when you enter the space. So it seemed fitting to expose the "guts" too.
The practical side of putting it outside of the wall is it will make the space a bit more versatile as I add equipment. I can choose to move or add features as I see fit and as the space takes shape. Budget is tight so I want to be able to slowly layer on options. I tend to work with a vision and a plan to a certain point, but much of the result is open ended. Kind of "I'll do x and y and when I get to z we'll figure that out..." I also don't know where everything will be and as I work, I will start to know where things 'should' be in the space. So the space is a bit organic in nature.
The largest factor that ties into all of this was when I insulated the space, I was dealing with a 3" foam board that was free. It did all 4 walls almost to the last cut. To drill/route wire through this would have been a pain making the decision to put the electric outside of the walls a quick one.
The practical side of putting it outside of the wall is it will make the space a bit more versatile as I add equipment. I can choose to move or add features as I see fit and as the space takes shape. Budget is tight so I want to be able to slowly layer on options. I tend to work with a vision and a plan to a certain point, but much of the result is open ended. Kind of "I'll do x and y and when I get to z we'll figure that out..." I also don't know where everything will be and as I work, I will start to know where things 'should' be in the space. So the space is a bit organic in nature.
The largest factor that ties into all of this was when I insulated the space, I was dealing with a 3" foam board that was free. It did all 4 walls almost to the last cut. To drill/route wire through this would have been a pain making the decision to put the electric outside of the walls a quick one.
supra90turbo
Well-known member
Outside the board is definitely a great idea both in user-friendliness and it achieves "the look" that we all drool over in big industrial buildings... well, I do anyway!
Thinking back, nothing to do with "the look" that your parent's posess, that's a whole other topic entirely.
I have a similar vision that I can't wait to implement with dark colored ceilings and bright orange painted cast piping all over with backlit corners. The words don't sound right, now that they're typed out but in my mind, it's all there.
It appears that you are only about an hour from me, I'd love to take a ride up in the spring/summer and check it out if you wouldn't mind having a looky-loo for a visit!
-Kurt
Thinking back, nothing to do with "the look" that your parent's posess, that's a whole other topic entirely.
I have a similar vision that I can't wait to implement with dark colored ceilings and bright orange painted cast piping all over with backlit corners. The words don't sound right, now that they're typed out but in my mind, it's all there.
It appears that you are only about an hour from me, I'd love to take a ride up in the spring/summer and check it out if you wouldn't mind having a looky-loo for a visit!
-Kurt
Vette60
Well-known member
Hi.
First time posting in your thread and have been admiring for quite some time. What prompted me to post were the great photos of your shop overall, but I especially keyed in on the shots from your Grandfather's business.
I went to college at Lehigh U which is close by to Emmaus and am familar the town. Got a big kick out of the Mack truck order. Don't forget the "Brass Balls". Sadly, Mack has been cutting back what they are doing in the Lehigh Valley. Don't think there is a whole lot of assembly work there any longer. Cousin's on my mom's side owned hauling business and used Mack trucks exclusively. They were the Makovsky Brothers, not to be confused with your grandfather the Malasky's! Who knows, maybe your grandfather welded up some stuff for them at one point.
As for the bikes, I have a old Cannondale Mtn. Bike from '89 that I still tool around on...the craftmanship in your frames and bikes is making me think that it might be time for an upgrade!
Great work overall - I've enjoyed reading through your thread.
Randy
First time posting in your thread and have been admiring for quite some time. What prompted me to post were the great photos of your shop overall, but I especially keyed in on the shots from your Grandfather's business.
I went to college at Lehigh U which is close by to Emmaus and am familar the town. Got a big kick out of the Mack truck order. Don't forget the "Brass Balls". Sadly, Mack has been cutting back what they are doing in the Lehigh Valley. Don't think there is a whole lot of assembly work there any longer. Cousin's on my mom's side owned hauling business and used Mack trucks exclusively. They were the Makovsky Brothers, not to be confused with your grandfather the Malasky's! Who knows, maybe your grandfather welded up some stuff for them at one point.
As for the bikes, I have a old Cannondale Mtn. Bike from '89 that I still tool around on...the craftmanship in your frames and bikes is making me think that it might be time for an upgrade!
Great work overall - I've enjoyed reading through your thread.
Randy
JMcFly
Well-known member
This shop is awesome. I hope one day to have something as spectacular.
@Kurt: I can see that black pipe with orange fittings! Give a shout in the spring/summer if you'd like to come up and see the shop.
@Vette60: Yes, definitely DO NOT forget the "brass balls". I got a kick out of that one. Downtown Emmaus has really come a long way since I moved up to New England in '99. Cool little town and a great bike shop/coffee shop at South Mtn. Cycles. Not to mention great riding just up the street. Next time I'm down to visit my family I need to see if I can find the spot where my grandfathers business was. Somewhere on Jubilee Street. Sorry to hear about Mack / cutting back.
Sincerely my thanks to all for the kind words. I'm inching closer to being finished. Just got back in now from finishing the ceiling. Now to reassemble some doors and close this place up!
@Vette60: Yes, definitely DO NOT forget the "brass balls". I got a kick out of that one. Downtown Emmaus has really come a long way since I moved up to New England in '99. Cool little town and a great bike shop/coffee shop at South Mtn. Cycles. Not to mention great riding just up the street. Next time I'm down to visit my family I need to see if I can find the spot where my grandfathers business was. Somewhere on Jubilee Street. Sorry to hear about Mack / cutting back.
Sincerely my thanks to all for the kind words. I'm inching closer to being finished. Just got back in now from finishing the ceiling. Now to reassemble some doors and close this place up!
Bib Overalls
Well-known member
I really enjoy reading about your progress. Your mill acquisition spurred me into action and I recently acquired an ACRA (Bridgeport clone). Like you, I run my electrical conduit out where it can be seen. It is a very practical arrangement.
kippieland
Well-known member
I was just curious about the electric being outside the walls. It does look really cool and goes well with your shop. It makes a lot of sense to put out in a machine shop....very easy to add or change. Keep up the cool posts and can't wait to see what the place looks like with those lights on!
Inspiring. From the graphic design, to the shop build, to the bikes, to the linkage to the past.
I tip my hat to you and the many others who are tapping into their creative sides, rolling up their sleeves and building businesses.
Wow.
Later,
Jon D.
I tip my hat to you and the many others who are tapping into their creative sides, rolling up their sleeves and building businesses.
Wow.
Later,
Jon D.
No worries! Just wanted to give you a good explanation as I've been thinking things through.
Inching my way to being done till the spring 'finishing work' commences. Starting to shift focus to thinkin' about heat and options. So far some sort of propane option sounds like a plan. The Rinnai's sound like a good piece of equipment and are frequently for sale on the NH Craigslist listings. We shall see. First things first: Finish inside doors...
Then we can start torching things:
Vette60
Well-known member
I'll have to swing by South Mountain Cycles the next time I am up that way - corporate main office is in Coopersburg, so I am up every couple months for a few days. Thanks for the tip.
Good luck with your shop and getting things buttoned up.
Randy
Pavement SuX
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- Joined
- Nov 16, 2007
- Messages
- 65
I have to agree with everything stated above. I ran my electrical in conduit in my shop and it has saved me at least three times in the last year. Once when I had to upgrade one of my 220 outlets to 60 amps, and another time when I needed to add an outlet for my tv.
Plus it just looks awesome!!!!
Plus it just looks awesome!!!!
Omphaloskeptic
Well-known member
Industrial Grade Cool; gotta luv'it!
