Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT A Garage Rehabbed

[-Brent-]

I finished wiring all the speakers and got them all in place. I went back to the receiver and tested the sound after each speaker was wired. Wow, two speakers sounded pretty good. Then, three was better. And, finally, with four I felt like it sounded a bit too nice for a garage.

All the components came with good reviews online. The online reputation and price were what I based my choices on. All together, it cost me a little less than $400 for everything. I used some gift cards from work and another gift card I got as a gift, so money out of my pocket was about $200. I shopped around and right around the holidays were the best prices. I haven't seen them as low since.

Anyway, to the pics:

Here's what I was using, mostly. It has only sat in that spot over the last couple weeks... I don't want you guys thinking I had it sitting behind that pad/wheel shooting **** into it.



Here are 3 of the 7 sets made, tonight.





I don't know how some garage owners function without a vise. Really. It's probably one of my most used tools in the garage.

Here's a look behind one of the shelf speakers:



And then from the front:



This was the third speaker I got up and after testing it, I zoned out and enjoyed it for a song or two. I'm really impressed by those Elac B6 shelf speakers. I'm no audiophile, but if they sound this good in a tin ceiling garage, they've got to be pretty impressive in a better environment.



Finally, I got the other corner bracket up and the speaker mounted.



Lastly, here's the receiver. I"m concerned about dust with is sitting out in the open, like that, but the required ventilation was pretty absurd and building a small box/cabinet was out of the question. If anyone has suggestions, I'm all ears. I saw a canvas cover that I could use when I'm being particularly dusty. I'd have to keep it off while it's covered.





I wouldn't call it 100% done because I want to paint the shelf red to match the boxes. But it's done enough to scratch it off the list.

More progress, soon.

 

[zmotorsports]

Great job on the sound system Brent. I'll have to stop by and take a listen.

You are correct about the vise though, mine is buried in a pile somewhere and I can't tell you how many times over the past several months I have wished I had it for even some of the stupidest things, but it would have been handy.

I like your Yamaha receiver. I have an old stereo system from when I was growing up that has a Yamaha receiver and JBL speakers and I was contemplating using the receiver for the new shop. It is an older unit though and long before CD's and/or Bluetooth were even thought of.

Mike

 

[mbryson]

good stuff!

 

[-Brent-]

Great job on the sound system Brent. I'll have to stop by and take a listen.

You are correct about the vise though, mine is buried in a pile somewhere and I can't tell you how many times over the past several months I have wished I had it for even some of the stupidest things, but it would have been handy.

I like your Yamaha receiver. I have an old stereo system from when I was growing up that has a Yamaha receiver and JBL speakers and I was contemplating using the receiver for the new shop. It is an older unit though and long before CD's and/or Bluetooth were even thought of.

Mike

Thanks, Mike! And, the old receivers are the ones that are worth big money! I had a couple receivers in mind but they are so collectable, now, because they're a lot more powerful and higher quality. Some of them that were middle of the line back then are like 10x what they cost, new.

This one (RS202) is pretty simple. It's the most basic of their receiver models. I had assumed it would be underpowered and that I'd need an amp down the road. But, it sounds decent enough that I'm satisfied.

good stuff!

Hey Marc! Thanks!

 

[-Brent-]

Today the family ventured down to Utah's largest auto-related swap meet. There were probably 2 dozen vendors. It's a far cry from Hershey, Carlisle, Pomona, Turlock, Pate, etc., and it seems to have gotten worse over the last few years. But, still, my opinions aside, it was a nice day to see some cars and parts.

Here's some of what I saw (I'll spare you the lip stick vendor and car insurance tents ):

A decent, early Craftsman bottom box.



This big old sign. If I had my truck, it may have come home with me.





I would have loved this as a kid! My kids weren't so into it... still too young.

My wife and I were recently talking about the color I plan on painting my Model A Coupe and I showed her a pic of nearly the same car. Of course, a pic (even this one ) never really captures the true color but I assured her it was a great color. Then, this beauty was sitting right in one of the aisles. This color is going to look perfect for my 60s inspired gas class coupe.



These 3 were really well done.



They're slow, uncomfortable, noisy and you'll get wet when it's raining but I'd love to have another one. Maybe someday I'll get a flatty, they're worse at every attribute mentioned. Haha.



This was pretty cool. An older gentleman built this diorama of a drive in in the trunk of his car. It's got a tablet as the movie screen. My son loved it. The guy had one vehicle that wasn't glued down and had him place it wherever he wanted.



For as much as this event has flaws, the people whom attend (like this guy and another that gave my son an old gauge because he was interested in it) rule. They're the ones that help get kids hooked on cars.



Then, my better half found a car she could enjoy. She does have good taste. What's Andy (Old Iron Farmer) say? "The only fault I can find in her is her taste in men."



At the end of the day I got some time to knock some more off the list. I gathered the last big pieces of scrap that were sitting by my trailer and trimmed them to fit on the attic shelf.



The pieces were short by about 5".



Luckily, I had a couple nearly perfect pieces.



Trimmed and dropped in:



Ready to store some tools and such.



Then, as I was cleaning up a bit. I thought about this item that my Garage Journal Secret Santa got me this past Christmas.



I stole that bracket off the side cabinet, which was slated to be used on the side shelf that I just put in. No modifications needed, the holes lined up perfectly.



This is actually going to be really handy. I'm thankful for getting it.

At the swap I picked these flap discs up. I can't find any info on them online. I'm really interested to see how they perform. I have a raw steel axle housing that needs to be reprepped before paint. That should be a good test to see if they're junk or not.





I've used a removal pad like the one on the left. But I've never used a set-up like these other three.

Tomorrow I'll be able to get a little more done. I'm rounding the corner and the finish line is in sight.

 

[krcoomer]

I love those flap sanders for sharpening my mower blades, shovels and other garden tools. It doesn't take as much material as a grinding wheel but it dresses them up pretty nice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bj383ss]

Brent love all the recent progress. I agree with you on the "old" amps. I had a JVC cheapie in the garage that I had from my teenage years and it finally bit the ghost. At the time I was short on cash and my dad gave me his 1981 Realistic "Stereo receiver" (from Radio Shack) he had in the closet. He bought it new. It has been in the garage for 6 years now and still going strong. I have it paired to a set of Polk Audio bookshelf speakers and it rocks the garage.

I love the heat shrink on the wires. Don't know why just adds some professional touch to your work.

Bret

 

[taumac]

I love those flap sanders for sharpening my mower blades, shovels and other garden tools. It doesn't take as much material as a grinding wheel but it dresses them up pretty nice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would agree. I saw a friend of mine sharpening a blade with a similar idea and I was hooked. Gone are the old days of using a standard bench grinder and a file.

 

[-Brent-]

I love those flap sanders for sharpening my mower blades, shovels and other garden tools. It doesn't take as much material as a grinding wheel but it dresses them up pretty nice.

Kenny, for the life of me I cannot find these type of flap wheels. They're like Scotchbrite pads impregnated with something to make the harder and stacked like the sandpaper flap wheels.

If any of you come across them online, post up a link.

 

[-Brent-]

Brent love all the recent progress. I agree with you on the "old" amps. I had a JVC cheapie in the garage that I had from my teenage years and it finally bit the ghost. At the time I was short on cash and my dad gave me his 1981 Realistic "Stereo receiver" (from Radio Shack) he had in the closet. He bought it new. It has been in the garage for 6 years now and still going strong. I have it paired to a set of Polk Audio bookshelf speakers and it rocks the garage.

I love the heat shrink on the wires. Don't know why just adds some professional touch to your work.

Bret

Thanks, Bret.

Some of those older ones have a lot more power than even the higher-priced modern units. That's neat that you've got something that's repairable in a more simple fashion than the modern versions.

 

[krcoomer]

Kenny, for the life of me I cannot find these type of flap wheels. They're like Scotchbrite pads impregnated with something to make the harder and stacked like the sandpaper flap wheels.

If any of you come across them online, post up a link.

I saw the comment and checked it out on the laptop. I thought they were the sandpaper style ones. I see what you have now. I will keep my eyes open. Is there a number on the arbor to reference?

 

[thursday]

Kenny, for the life of me I cannot find these type of flap wheels. They're like Scotchbrite pads impregnated with something to make the harder and stacked like the sandpaper flap wheels.

If any of you come across them online, post up a link.

The brand I use is Norton Blaze Rapid Strip. I've never used the flap disc variety but I know they have them. The generic term to search for is "non-woven flap disc".

 

[-Brent-]

The brand I use is Norton Blaze Rapid Strip. I've never used the flap disc variety but I know they have them. The generic term to search for is "non-woven flap disc".

And there it is! Awesome, thank you!

 

[-Brent-]

I got the side cabinet off the floor and up into the attic.

I assume it's a cabinet made for Craftsman. The nice thing about these is that it's pretty versatile in the way it can me mounted.





I had this piece mounted on the old shelving to hang the side box. I cleaned it up and popped two more holes to mount the box.



I made another for the bottom, not knowing if the outer holes would land on holes in the uprights. If not, just sitting against the upright would at least keep the cabinet sitting straight. Luckily, the hole matched the top and landed on mounting holes.





I got some more tools up into the attic. I've got some more to go but the space is really opening up. Pretty soon I'll be the most organized I've ever been.

 

[Grumblebum]

Looking great here Brent.

I use the flap discs all the time now in lieu of the grinder disc, can't beat them. Haven't tried the scotchbrite type ones you have pictured above but we seem to call them poly-flap discs here. Will have to grab a couple to try next time I see them.

The pics of the little drill press I think would look good printed in black and white.

Cheers GB.

 

[Finallygotit]

Boy that has to feel good!!

 

[-Brent-]

Looking great here Brent.

I use the flap discs all the time now in lieu of the grinder disc, can't beat them. Haven't tried the scotchbrite type ones you have pictured above but we seem to call them poly-flap discs here. Will have to grab a couple to try next time I see them.

The pics of the little drill press I think would look good printed in black and white.

Cheers GB.

Thanks, GB! There's a local photographer whom does a lot of hot rod and motorcycle stuff who is going to take pics of my finished shop (before I get to messing it all up). I've seen some of his work of vehicles in shops/garages and I think he could do some neat work in my shop. I'm pretty excited to have him come in and shoot some pics. It'll be interesting to see what he focuses on and such. However, I want to get some more finish work done before I have him come in.

Boy that has to feel good!!

Feeling good an understatement. I'm actually having a hard time putting the feeling of having a workable and organized space into words. I told my wife it's like "I grew up over the past year."

The thing that gets me when I'm in there, even when it's a mess like it's been the last week or two, is that something would have to go really wrong in life for it to end up the way it was. It seems almost impossible, actually.

As I was getting some tools up into the attic and thinking about the one last shelf I'm going to install, I realized that I have more shelf space than stuff. And... with adapting a new mentality about the garage and its use I think it could remain that way, easily.

One thing I haven't really talked about is some of the tools I've gotten rid of. Some of my duplicates were actually worn out. I've tossed out snips, strippers, a couple worn-out tape measures, and a pair of side cutters that I've used to the point where they're now frustrating to use.

As well, I've sold and given away some tools. This past month it was a Baldor buffer, a Dewalt table saw stand and a couple power strips. They were items I didn't need and if I don't need them I don't want them in the space.

Lastly, I have been removing duplicates (or triplicates) that are in good shape and passing them onto others. I still have a way to go with this one because some tools you need duplicates of and some don't make sense to. I'm at the point of figuring that out.

In doing this, I'm now using my higher quality hand tools and it's an absolute pleasure to use some of them vs the well-worn items I'd been grabbing first for some unknown reasoning.

I thought that paring down the tools would allow me to condense tool boxes and maybe get rid of a stack but I'm nowhere close to that.

 

[zjrog]

Great to have your kids out there helping you. My son when he was little used to come out and I would stick him doing something and he was just happy to be hangin' with pop. Now that he is 25 years old he still enjoys coming out to the shop to work (well back when we had a shop ) but I think I enjoy it now more than he does.
Mike.

My son is 29 and when he needs help on his vehicles, he still comes where the tools are. And the conversation. He may do more of the work now than I do, but I admit, I still appreciate spending time with him in the garage. I have a small bag of tools to give HIS boy soon... I know he spends time with my son on his projects already...

 

[zjrog]

Brent, this is an awesome build. All I did to mine this weekend was ad another 26" wide toolbox on my bench... WHere was that car show, and is there a list of shows in the area?

 

[-Brent-]

Brent, this is an awesome build. All I did to mine this weekend was ad another 26" wide toolbox on my bench... WHere was that car show, and is there a list of shows in the area?

Thanks, Rog! I appreciate it.

The car show and swap was at UVU. It used to be at Thanksgiving point and now it's back to UVU. The swap is dismal and the car show has diminished over the years, too.

I've always heard that big show in Logan is a good one to go to, though we've never made it up there.

I'm sure there's a list of shows somewhere and actually, I should look into it. We like going to them and walking around.

 

[-Brent-]

You know what? I should have finished the attic before putting the shelf together and I certainly should have finished it before loading that shelf with tools but - I didn't - and that's actually okay with me. Most of these tools were down in the shop. Bringing them up has made a big difference.



I think I'll settle for vacuuming up here. However, my shop vac is too big to fit through the entry, so I'll have to borrow one.

The second shelf is all woodworking tools. Having it in one place is new for me.

Then, I loaded up the cabinet with screws and nails. I grabbed a few nails and screws out of about half of the boxes and will toss them into my hardware storage on the bench. Pretty much, though, this leftover stuff isn't likely to be used for a while.



I do like having hardware on hand. I've used so much over the course of this project that I'm pretty much out of 1/4-20. It was all estate sale stuff, too. I may have to buy some bulk since I found all that stuff on a whim.

 

[-Brent-]

Here's our humble little home, as of today, right after I applied some weed and feed. I'm still fighting the sprinkler "war." I'm close to being done. Yesterday, I thought I was down to just needing to replace one sprinkler by the kid's swings since the set now blocks the spray. Changing it to a different type of head is all I need to do as I've adjusted a different sprinkler to cover the area the blocked one cannot reach.

But, I'm not down to one. I think I had some dirt in the line that I didn't get out when I repaired the two broken lines because now I have two heads that pop up but no water comes out. I hope it's as simple as taking it apart but with my luck I'll be swapping those two out.

Yesterday after some frustration rebuilding the valves in place (and being soaked by testing and retesting and being sprayed by the sprinklers behind my back) I came in and announced to the children that if they're ever REALLY YaiYai (the Chinese word for naughty) that they're going to have to work on sprinklers. They thought this was funny. they won't think it's funny when I'm drinking a ginger ale on the back stoop and they're doing "prison labor" err, I mean "timeout labor." Hahaha.

The weeds have been dastardly this season, too. I've found the best way to combat this is to crush up $50 at a time into tiny granules and spread it around the yard. Seriously, we live in the desert. Why do we need grass?

As you can see from the pic, the roof needs replacing. The south face is considerably worse than the north. That's a summer project we're having someone else do. I'll likely tackle the replacement windows, though.

 

[bj383ss]

The house looks great Brent. Thanks for sharing with us. I love to see how everyone's house and garage layout on their property. I assume the garage is to left and back. Your grass looks like carpet!

Bret

 

[-Brent-]

The house looks great Brent. Thanks for sharing with us. I love to see how everyone's house and garage layout on their property. I assume the garage is to left and back. Your grass looks like carpet!

Bret

Thank you, Bret! The garage is directly behind the house and to the right (if facing the house).

Don't let the picture fool you, it's got it's share of weeds. I've been fighting all sorts of lawn-related issues since the snow melted.

I've learned a ton from some local guys on a different forum (RME4x4.com). These guys have lawns that are of a quality I cannot comprehend. And, they make it look so simple. Maybe they don't have a neighbor with a dandelion farm, like I do? Still, I'm hesitant to make excuses, like that, because these are regular guys (like you and me) whom have their share of issues and their properties still look incredible.

 

[zmotorsports]

The house and yard look great Brent!! Your lawn is amazing how green and plush it is. I am "green" with envy my friend.

Mike

 

[-Brent-]

Thanks Mike, but you won't be green with envy if I post a mid-August photo. Every year, sometime around the mid-to-end of July, I start feeling wasteful because of the amount of water I consume, so I dial it back and so goes the lawn.

I usually lessen the watering amount in the areas we don't use, so the curb appeal suffers. But, every spring I'm drawn right back to wanting a lush weed free lawn. It's a vicious cycle. Last year I had a broken system in the early summer so I used very little water, comparatively. I didn't like having it that way, either.

 

[-Brent-]

Oh, and I almost forgot! Here's an image of the valve set-up of my first 4 zones. As you can see there are no unions and no way to remove the valves.




I can rebuild the valves in place. So, I am going to stock up on valves at the end of the season. I'm hoping I can get a better deal, then. That way I'll have solenoids, diaphragms, etc., on hand since nobody carries these, locally, anymore.

 

[-Brent-]

Put a few minutes in the shop, tonight. I got this latch from a blacksmith in Israel. When I saw it, online, I felt that it would be perfect for these well-worn doors.







The last thing to mount up are a really old pair of handles that I grabbed off an early Model T roadster that was sitting in a farmer's scrap pile up on a farm in Nampa, Idaho. Unfortunately, I left them in storage and NOT in my trusty handle collection. After I get them mounted, I'll be ready to tear the doors down and get to finishing.

 

[taumac]

That door looks awesome. Great work on that. I like what you said in a earlier post about not being able to put into words the feeling you have in the garage now. Its a great feeling and I totally agree. I felt that not to long ago when things started to click out here. Sure your not done but its like your finally turning a corner in your project. Keep up the good work.

 

[-Brent-]

Thanks, Gerard. That means a lot, man!

 

[-Brent-]

More small stuff. I grabbed the handles. They're funky little things.



I took them over to the wire wheel. Before:



One done.



After. I hit them with the ScotchBrite wheel, too.



I picked up some threaded inserts.



I laid out the holes. It was weird drilling the holes, knowing they weren't centered, perfectly, because the holes weren't centered in the end tabs. I set the handles as centered as possible.



One thing I love about these inserts is how they're flush when inserted.



I marked the depth with some electrical tape. The screws will get aged and the handles painted.






And they're installed. Like I said, small stuff. But you couldn't tell by the amount of pictures in this post.

 

[Grumblebum]

That looks might fine Brent. The clocked screw police will be out soon

Cheers GB

 

[Lyndon]

That looks might fine Brent. The clocked screw police will be out soon



Cheers GB

Ooooooooh!

Cutting!!!

In his defense, they aren't painted and polished yet.....?

Lyndon
Clocking crew on point.


Oh oh, I'm using Tapatalk again......

 

[zmotorsports]

Looks AWESOME Brent. I love it.

As to your lawn, I understand. Our last house had what I always referred to as a spring and fall yard. The lawn looked like carpet during those two seasons but I had to spot water and really nurse it along during the hottest part of the summer.

I am trying to make our new one a little more year round worthy.

Mike

 

[slodat]

Years ago I bought a large box of quite old wood screws. I have some plain steel wood screws that would look perfect in that latch. I'd be happy to put some in the mail for you if you want them!

 

[-Brent-]

That looks might fine Brent. The clocked screw police will be out soon

Cheers GB

Haha! Thanks, GB. I was quietly going the outlaw route and now you out me! Every outlet and switch cover in the house is clocked and I have gotten grief for that by visitors. What's the opposite of clocked screw police?

Ooooooooh!

Cutting!!!

In his defense, they aren't painted and polished yet.....?

Lyndon
Clocking crew on point.

Lyndon, thanks for the defense but whoa whoa WHOA - POLISHED?

Here's the dilemma, Lyndon. Now that I'm thinking about it, I'd almost rather go un-clocked on purposed. I mean, I sprayed down perfectly new galvanized to make it look old, if I start making things matchy where does it end? I've really gotten into this laid-back approach of making things look worn out. I'm getting good at it!

I remember probably 7 or 8 years ago I was at the LA Roadster show and I took a pic of Chris Casny's Model A coupe he'd finished that year and posted it to the on-going thread about the show, on the HAMB. The thing was/is killer. He had a HAMB Alliance tag on the firewall (behind a beautifully detailed Buick nailhead) and did not clock the screws on the tag on purpose. Some HAMB members were in a dizzy over it. His explanation was that it was "imperfect perfection." That stayed with me (obviously, I'm retelling it ten years later) because Chris has impeccable skills, style and taste. It didn't keep me from clocking all the cover screws in the house but in this old-looking shop, it just might.

Looks AWESOME Brent. I love it.

As to your lawn, I understand. Our last house had what I always referred to as a spring and fall yard. The lawn looked like carpet during those two seasons but I had to spot water and really nurse it along during the hottest part of the summer.

I am trying to make our new one a little more year round worthy.

Mike

That's pretty much what this is. I'll be interested in the details of how you achieve yours. There's got to be some tips and tricks I'll get from seeing one set up from the beginning.

Years ago I bought a large box of quite old wood screws. I have some plain steel wood screws that would look perfect in that latch. I'd be happy to put some in the mail for you if you want them!

That's awesome, I'd love that! I'll message you my info.


Seriously, though, folks. Thanks for the commentary, support, comic relief, offers like above, etc. I really appreciate it.

 

[-Brent-]

quick86 was my GJ Secret Santa this past year. One of the items he gave me was a Lisle air tool holder. I've mentioned mounting the holder in a previous update but an outside conversation about this thread and me trying to do things so I'm forced to be orderly had me wanting to expand, a bit.

Anyway, here's the Lisle mount attached to a Craftsman side cabinet bracket. They worked together perfectly.



And here's what I didn't show... the location of the hanger.



Hanging these here made sense for me because I found myself always wanting to hang them on the unistrut after using them. All my other air tools are in a drawer. And it makes more sense for them to be there. Since I have been running the tools off the hose on the reel. Plus, dust and such can't really foul up these cheapo tools so I don't mind them being exposed.

Here's the thing, I didn't even know a hanger like this Lisle one even existed. So, thanks again to quick86 for the gift. It's a neat/helpful addition to the shop.

 

[Grumblebum]

sorry I think that came across opposite of what I meant, I'm happy for unclocked screws, you won't find any clocked screws around here (at least not yet).

I was merely suggesting that some of the others (hence clocked screw police) might point it out but it seems I managed to do that anyway.

But Lyndon did report in pretty quick after me...just sayin.

All in good fun.

GB

 

[-Brent-]

All in good fun.

I feel like I need to issue a statement.

Dear members of the Clocking Police and their parent organization - The OCD. I'm sorry for making you and and . Should you ever find yourself a visitor in my shop, let's have first so there's no and only as you're looking around the place.


Unfortunately this statement is buried in page 30-something. I fear the damage is done.

 

[taumac]

I feel like I need to issue a statement.

Dear members of the Clocking Police and their parent organization - The OCD. I'm sorry for making you and and . Should you ever find yourself a visitor in my shop, let's have first so there's no and only as you're looking around the place.


Unfortunately this statement is buried in page 30-something. I fear the damage is done.

LMFAO, I might my some OCD tendencies but that's only about things being same height, symmetrical, and drawers lining up. That's at far as is goes. Hey just be glad there screws in the plate. Even through I like my personal shop a certain way I go by the rule your shop your rules.