Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT A Garage Rehabbed
- Thread starter -Brent-
- Start date
Workspaces between 485 and 705 squarefeet.
xtremek
Well-known member
Nice score on the sign.
jollygreengiant
Well-known member
Well its taken me a couple weeks but I've eventually read through your entire thread. Your garage is a very nice space and I really like what you've done with it! The combination of old wood and sheet metal gives it that rustic vibe that really works with how you've set it up. It looks great. 
Thanks, man!
I love hearing this! I hear you on stuff making you anxious. I was back east a couple weeks back helping a family member with their house and they had stuff stacked more than half way to the ceiling in the garage, bins of trash and such, every room was loaded and blocking and work needing to be done.
I took over a ton and a half of junk to the dump. I came home and did another deep clean on the shop and our utility room. Haha.
Thank you!
Well its taken me a couple weeks but I've eventually read through your entire thread. Your garage is a very nice space and I really like what you've done with it! The combination of old wood and sheet metal gives it that rustic vibe that really works with how you've set it up. It looks great.
I really appreciate the kind words. I certainly enjoy this little space.
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Progress continues.
Putting a walkway on the side of the shop had not been much of a priority. I'd wear the grass down in the summers but it always rebounded. Now that shop has heat and I'm out there daily, there is a lot more traffic. Just in the last couple of months, the tamped-down grass is noticeable. It was definitely on the way to being a dirt path.
I came across a "deal" locally and picked up enough cement pavers to knock out a few projects.
I keep an old Honda 4-wheeler to plow snow and it stays parked most of the year. So, the first thing I did was scrape the spot it's parked and did my best to relevel it. I can do a lot of things but setting pavers seems to be a weakness of mine. Haha. It took me a while and it's still just "okay" which is definitely good enough. I can get really nitpicky and I have to remind myself, "perfect is the enemy of good."
Then, I put some pavers under the outside unit of the minisplit. This was just to make it easier when I'm mowing.
As luck would have it, my neighbor and friend decided he was going to tear out his lawn and resod, so he rented a sod cutter the weekend I was getting after this. I had texted him for a tamper and ended up with the tamper and a sod cutter to cut in the walkway.
So, that Sunday morning, the kids and I went over to his house and tossed half of his old lawn into a trailer. We had a bunch of laughs and wore the kids out. Then it was back onto the walkway project and I worked on it every free moment until it was done.
Today I wrapped it up. I had some sprinklers to repair and an extra paver to use so I put it under the hose hanger, which is another place that's annoying to mow. Spread some seed, ran the newly repaired sprinklers that hadn't worked right for a couple years and took a moment to reflect on why I won't be going into the paver business... hahaha.
Actually, I'm happy with the completed project. Getting the walkway done forced me to get several other things done. I used the dirt to fill some problem areas around the yard, repaired a bunch of irrigation, and the work I did now will hopefully save me some time and look better.
It's nice when a useful project can be done in a few days. Usually, each summer I take on a big yard/house project. This year, I'd like to do a couple more smaller/quick ones.
Putting a walkway on the side of the shop had not been much of a priority. I'd wear the grass down in the summers but it always rebounded. Now that shop has heat and I'm out there daily, there is a lot more traffic. Just in the last couple of months, the tamped-down grass is noticeable. It was definitely on the way to being a dirt path.
I came across a "deal" locally and picked up enough cement pavers to knock out a few projects.
I keep an old Honda 4-wheeler to plow snow and it stays parked most of the year. So, the first thing I did was scrape the spot it's parked and did my best to relevel it. I can do a lot of things but setting pavers seems to be a weakness of mine. Haha. It took me a while and it's still just "okay" which is definitely good enough. I can get really nitpicky and I have to remind myself, "perfect is the enemy of good."
Then, I put some pavers under the outside unit of the minisplit. This was just to make it easier when I'm mowing.
As luck would have it, my neighbor and friend decided he was going to tear out his lawn and resod, so he rented a sod cutter the weekend I was getting after this. I had texted him for a tamper and ended up with the tamper and a sod cutter to cut in the walkway.
So, that Sunday morning, the kids and I went over to his house and tossed half of his old lawn into a trailer. We had a bunch of laughs and wore the kids out. Then it was back onto the walkway project and I worked on it every free moment until it was done.
Today I wrapped it up. I had some sprinklers to repair and an extra paver to use so I put it under the hose hanger, which is another place that's annoying to mow. Spread some seed, ran the newly repaired sprinklers that hadn't worked right for a couple years and took a moment to reflect on why I won't be going into the paver business... hahaha.
Actually, I'm happy with the completed project. Getting the walkway done forced me to get several other things done. I used the dirt to fill some problem areas around the yard, repaired a bunch of irrigation, and the work I did now will hopefully save me some time and look better.
It's nice when a useful project can be done in a few days. Usually, each summer I take on a big yard/house project. This year, I'd like to do a couple more smaller/quick ones.
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xtremek
Well-known member
"Aim for perfection, and be happy and satisfied if everything is functional and not ugly". Kirkism 296. Nice job. You can actually get grass to grow between the house and the shop?
xtremek
Well-known member
"Aim for perfection, but be happy and satisfied if it's functional and not ugly." Kirkism 296 The job looks nice. Can you actually get grass to grow between the shop and the house?
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
That looks great Brent. Love the nice clean edges of walkways and even under the mini-split unit. I like those kinds of details in a yard.
I'll admit some of my fondest memories were working side by side with my dad doing manual labor, which was mostly what he did. I also remember decades later spending time with my son removing bark from the flower beds then again digging holes for trees and both times were in a complete downpour. We were working our asses off but had some good laughs at the same time.
Even over the past several weeks of working long Saturday's in the shop on a couple of projects with my son we seemed to have a few more laughs than normal. I think it is good to work alongside our children for many reasons and it will be things they remember, after they are rested of course.
I'll admit some of my fondest memories were working side by side with my dad doing manual labor, which was mostly what he did. I also remember decades later spending time with my son removing bark from the flower beds then again digging holes for trees and both times were in a complete downpour. We were working our asses off but had some good laughs at the same time.
Even over the past several weeks of working long Saturday's in the shop on a couple of projects with my son we seemed to have a few more laughs than normal. I think it is good to work alongside our children for many reasons and it will be things they remember, after they are rested of course.
All sorts of things grow between the shop and house. My specialty is dandelions. Hahaha.
Really though, it's always been pretty green in that area except for where the sprinklers weren't functioning correctly.
I like Kirkism 296. I need that book.
That looks great Brent. Love the nice clean edges of walkways and even under the mini-split unit. I like those kinds of details in a yard.
I'll admit some of my fondest memories were working side by side with my dad doing manual labor, which was mostly what he did. I also remember decades later spending time with my son removing bark from the flower beds then again digging holes for trees and both times were in a complete downpour. We were working our asses off but had some good laughs at the same time.
Even over the past several weeks of working long Saturday's in the shop on a couple of projects with my son we seemed to have a few more laughs than normal. I think it is good to work alongside our children for many reasons and it will be things they remember, after they are rested of course.
I love everything you wrote, Mike!
I am with them so much that I catch myself trying to get them to do kid stuff when I am in the elbow deep in the middle of work. I'm getting better at having them do something that helps because it actually helps me and my mood too. They are truly good people and I like having them around.
xtremek
Well-known member
I hear you, I'm really good at growing weeds. The book is called "How to Fail at Everything, and Look Good Doing It"
Monza Harry
Well-known member
I just finished reading the whole thread [about a week in my misappropriated moments] and I too think you've done yourself proud! Towards the beginning BMF I believe suggested a collage of pics' and you did the thread version. Now might I suggest that you do an actual collage of the progress, in say a 24" X 36" for the shop, and perhaps with the "helpers" [your son with the vacuum and your daughter cleaning] front and center with a caption like "My SuperHeroes making Daddies Dream Come True" you certainly have the vision to make it fit your situation perfectly. And I am disappointed to see the C'Man boxes go, I've added my "work box" pic and I'll try and make enough room to take a pic of my home box to visually express my disappointment. 
[ work is 50/51 drawers (1 not quite finished yet) with three side cabinets and home is 33 drawers and one side cabinet and a lone floating around the shop 7 drawer side cab. Harry
One side cab as well as the unfinished add a drawer not shown P.S. If you do decide to get rid of that mini drawer cab let me know I'm interested
Towards the beginning BMF I believe suggested a collage of pics' and you did the thread version. Now might I suggest that you do an actual collage of the progress, in say a 24" X 36" for the shop, and perhaps with the "helpers" [your son with the vacuum and your daughter cleaning] front and center with a caption like "My SuperHeroes making Daddies Dream Come True" you certainly have the vision to make it fit your situation perfectly. And I am disappointed to see the C'Man boxes go, I've added my "work box" pic and I'll try and make enough room to take a pic of my home box to visually express my disappointment. [ work is 50/51 drawers (1 not quite finished yet) with three side cabinets and home is 33 drawers and one side cabinet and a lone floating around the shop 7 drawer side cab. HarryOne side cab as well as the unfinished add a drawer not shown P.S. If you do decide to get rid of that mini drawer cab let me know I'm interested
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And I am disappointed to see the C'Man boxes go, I've added my "work box" pic and I'll try and make enough room to take a pic of my home box to visually express my disappointment.
Thanks so much for the compliments, Harry. The kids are always bopping in and out, especially my daughter. She likes hanging out in here.
As for the C'mans, I really thought I'd miss the look but the heat, ball bearing slides and organization all helped me settle into really enjoying working out here more.
I figured that after the boxes and such, that would be that but the shop is finding new things for me to fix. One of the 48" LEDs is on the way out, ants have found their way in, and one speaker doesn't like loud music.
I've dealt with the ants, the other two items are on the list.
Thanks again for going through this whole thread. I've looked back on it a time or two, it feels like a different person and a lifetime ago.
xtremek
Well-known member
Are you saying that if you had the room, people would pay you for your work? Sorry, I had to go there. 
Are you saying that if you had the room, people would pay you for your work? Sorry, I had to go there.
Ha! I can say if I didn't work so much (on other people's stuff), at least one of these projects would be done and out.
xtremek
Well-known member
Preach that. If it weren't for other peoples projects, the shop would be finished and the 52' would be well on its way.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The grass is coming in great amongst the steps Brent.
Another little project check off (almost).
Usually, each summer I take on a big project that has me working outside well past dark for a couple weeks but I am loving these smaller garage-related projects that make a big difference.
A shed ramp is been something I've wanted since I got the shed. I put it off and wrestled the big mower in and out because with all my searches, I'd never found anything like this.
Here's the shed before:
I removed the original threshold and cut the new one to match. I transferred the face-mounting holes to the galvanized frame and drilled and inserted rivet nuts. The paint-looking stuff is zinc to limit corrosion.
I got fancy and chamfered the holes because I found some tapered hardware in the shop.
Here's how the ramp sits in the threshold piece. It's really slick. This stuff is from Top Shed. I had to drive way up to Logan, Utah to pick it up, only because I wanted it today. Otherwise, I could have met a salesperson in the valley and avoided a 2.5 hr trip.
Here it is all mounted up. I need to figure out what I want to do with the area beneath and around the ramp. At the very least, I have to adjust the ground so the ramps sit right.
Next up is shed organization so I am not fighting with outside toys every time I need to pull out something for the yard.
Usually, each summer I take on a big project that has me working outside well past dark for a couple weeks but I am loving these smaller garage-related projects that make a big difference.
A shed ramp is been something I've wanted since I got the shed. I put it off and wrestled the big mower in and out because with all my searches, I'd never found anything like this.
Here's the shed before:
I removed the original threshold and cut the new one to match. I transferred the face-mounting holes to the galvanized frame and drilled and inserted rivet nuts. The paint-looking stuff is zinc to limit corrosion.
I got fancy and chamfered the holes because I found some tapered hardware in the shop.
Here's how the ramp sits in the threshold piece. It's really slick. This stuff is from Top Shed. I had to drive way up to Logan, Utah to pick it up, only because I wanted it today. Otherwise, I could have met a salesperson in the valley and avoided a 2.5 hr trip.
Here it is all mounted up. I need to figure out what I want to do with the area beneath and around the ramp. At the very least, I have to adjust the ground so the ramps sit right.
Next up is shed organization so I am not fighting with outside toys every time I need to pull out something for the yard.
xtremek
Well-known member
I like the way the ramp is adjustable, very cool. When you get everything organized, feel free to drop by the Princess Palace/Hack Shack. It's in dire need of organizing.
Organizing the Shed:
I didn't spend any money on new hangers or bins or organization-related doo-dads. Instead, I went to my old go-to's, getting rid of stuff we don't use or need and putting stuff back where it belongs.
Tossing a rake in instead of hanging it up, jamming a bicycle in, or launching some toys toward the back because it's dinner time is how the mess starts. It's a constant battle to get what I need every time I open the door. I'm glad it's an issue relegated to the shed especially when I see other folk's garages that are overtaken with stuff. Whenever I see a garage bay (or a whole garage) that's like that, I want to go in there and sell them some racks or a shed or a dumpster or all 3. Haha.
This shed has been pretty vital to keeping the garage better organized.
There's still more I can pull out and there's some better organization to be done. I need to install a vent (that's next) and grab a couple pieces of lumber from my warehouse space (which is also pretty messy...) so I can put some hangers up to hang the rest of the chairs and free up some floor space, not so I can put more stuff in but just so it's easier to get bikes out and put them back in (same with the mowers).
All that said, I know it's boring stuff but here's the shed:
It's all pretty simple, nails as hangers and plywood strips to hold stuff in between the studs holds most of the shed's contents. A galvanized metal pegboard and few hangers to hold specific items are about all I use. I keep it simple, which helps make putting things back quick and easy. Though not as easy as opening the door and leaning a rake on the mower or launching some soccer balls in from twenty feet away. Haha.
I didn't spend any money on new hangers or bins or organization-related doo-dads. Instead, I went to my old go-to's, getting rid of stuff we don't use or need and putting stuff back where it belongs.
Tossing a rake in instead of hanging it up, jamming a bicycle in, or launching some toys toward the back because it's dinner time is how the mess starts. It's a constant battle to get what I need every time I open the door. I'm glad it's an issue relegated to the shed especially when I see other folk's garages that are overtaken with stuff. Whenever I see a garage bay (or a whole garage) that's like that, I want to go in there and sell them some racks or a shed or a dumpster or all 3. Haha.
This shed has been pretty vital to keeping the garage better organized.
There's still more I can pull out and there's some better organization to be done. I need to install a vent (that's next) and grab a couple pieces of lumber from my warehouse space (which is also pretty messy...) so I can put some hangers up to hang the rest of the chairs and free up some floor space, not so I can put more stuff in but just so it's easier to get bikes out and put them back in (same with the mowers).
All that said, I know it's boring stuff but here's the shed:
It's all pretty simple, nails as hangers and plywood strips to hold stuff in between the studs holds most of the shed's contents. A galvanized metal pegboard and few hangers to hold specific items are about all I use. I keep it simple, which helps make putting things back quick and easy. Though not as easy as opening the door and leaning a rake on the mower or launching some soccer balls in from twenty feet away. Haha.
xtremek
Well-known member
What do you have against mud dobbers?
What do you have against mud dobbers?
I'm the problem, not them. If they want to live, that is... haha.
It's an older 32" SnapperPro commercial mower with a 15hp Kawasaki. When we got our house I wanted a mower that I could "stripe" the lawn with. I always thought the plaid lawns looked so sophisticated but never lived in a place with a lawn worthy of it... haha.
Latest little project: Shed Door Drop Rod
The shed door would never stay all the way open. To combat the forever-closing-door I'd do this thing when I would start the mower where I'd keep one leg extended back to keep the door propped with every pull of the starter cord. And, when I would load the mower, I'd have to open the door and then bump it back open with the mower.
I picked up a gate drop rod (Home Depot) and rummaged through my steel and wood stock and found some hat channel left over from the hotrod. I grabbed some 1/4" rivnuts, some 1/4" threaded inserts for the wood panel and a hook (Lowes).
It's been fun to get these little inexpensive projects done, especially when everything construction-related is crazy.
The shed door would never stay all the way open. To combat the forever-closing-door I'd do this thing when I would start the mower where I'd keep one leg extended back to keep the door propped with every pull of the starter cord. And, when I would load the mower, I'd have to open the door and then bump it back open with the mower.
I picked up a gate drop rod (Home Depot) and rummaged through my steel and wood stock and found some hat channel left over from the hotrod. I grabbed some 1/4" rivnuts, some 1/4" threaded inserts for the wood panel and a hook (Lowes).
It's been fun to get these little inexpensive projects done, especially when everything construction-related is crazy.
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BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Nice garage. I especially like the hot rod. I hope I will get to build a garage one day. It’s been my dream to have a garage.
Nice garage. I especially like the hot rod. I hope I will get to build a garage one day. It’s been my dream to have a garage.
Keep after that dream and you'll get it!
xtremek
Well-known member
I'm fighting the same fight. Seeing this post was like my Old Man hitting up the backside of my head,....duh. Thanks for the wake up call.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Nice job on the drop rod Brent. I love doing little projects like that. They seem to bring a smile to my face each time I use something that I have designed and built, especially knowing they're unique. Keep up the great work.
XJSuperman
Well-known member
Clean, simple, effective. Well done.
Nice! I think those commercial walk behinds are bad ***.
Looks like you did a really nice job with the lean-to shed (and everything else in this thread). How did you seal the horizontal seams where it meets with the rest of the garage?
Thanks!
I purchased the shed from Tuff Shed. It's not connected to the building. I had them build it to spec so we could make it fit and look right.
All I did was dig out the base, compact, add some stone and compact it level again. They came in an assembled it. They build most of it off-site.
Oh, and I closed in a garage window prior to the shed coming in. Other than that it's just been use and maintenance.
Edit: just thinking, now that you mentioned that gap. It's pretty small but we did have some critters living under the shed, so I put expanded metal around the bottom and a foot or so up in that gap. Other than that it's probably a space around and inch. The roof overhang keeps water and such out.
Hey All,
It's been a while since I posted any shop stuff.
Recently, I refinished a 20-year-old Kennedy 5-drawer side cabinet to hang on my HF 44" box. The height is shorter, the depth is less and it looked rough - still it was in decent shape. The price was right and since they still make this box, I could modernize the slides and such.
Since it's going to hang on a shiny HF box, I wanted it to somewhat match.
Here's what I started with. Among the dings, scratches, and mild rust, a previous owner painted the front of the drawers black.
I took my time. Patience isn't usually my thing but I was able to do some work and let it sit and come back a day or two later. This is mostly why the paint came out as well as it did. Haha.
The drawer pulls are from an older Mac. They fasten on the same way, they just needed to be narrowed.
The color is pretty close. It's Seymour Industrial High Solids Safety Red.
It went on well and looks very close to the original finish after wet-sanding and a cut/buff.
It's been a while since I posted any shop stuff.
Recently, I refinished a 20-year-old Kennedy 5-drawer side cabinet to hang on my HF 44" box. The height is shorter, the depth is less and it looked rough - still it was in decent shape. The price was right and since they still make this box, I could modernize the slides and such.
Since it's going to hang on a shiny HF box, I wanted it to somewhat match.
Here's what I started with. Among the dings, scratches, and mild rust, a previous owner painted the front of the drawers black.
I took my time. Patience isn't usually my thing but I was able to do some work and let it sit and come back a day or two later. This is mostly why the paint came out as well as it did. Haha.
The drawer pulls are from an older Mac. They fasten on the same way, they just needed to be narrowed.
The color is pretty close. It's Seymour Industrial High Solids Safety Red.
It went on well and looks very close to the original finish after wet-sanding and a cut/buff.
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PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Nice work on the side cabinet- and good to see you're back posting again.