A long time coming

[squarles67]

I've wanted a shop to work in for a long time and it's finally coming to fruition. Wife and I bought the current house in late 2006 and I bought the lot next door to build on.

Didn't get started right away because there were things that needed to be done on the house. Tile floors and other updates so by the time I was able the economy took the nosedive in late 2007 and I was afraid to spend the money.

Finally got started in 2008 with clearing

http://i421.photobucket.com/albums/pp293/squarles67/Shop/IMG_0522.jpg

Then was sidelined for a while being too busy at work (not a bad problem to have I know)

Had to clear the last bits by hand. I'm actually a paraplegic confined to a wheelchair so it took me some time.

I had cut myself into a pocket with no way out and my son took a picture before he would help me clear a path.....

 

[squarles67]

Had to take down a few more trees and then get some dirt......25 loads worth. I was finally ready to get them started with my pole barn but the weather wasn't cooperating. Texas had been in drought conditions for a few years and all it took to end it in our part of Texas was me trying to build something.

The day they were supposed to start we had 7 inches of rain in just a few hours.

Day one poles up

Day two

Day three, these guys are quick

Day four the build crew was done

Then the bad weather showed up again

 

[squarles67]

Building is 30' x 50' with 14' walls, there is a 12' x 50' lean too on one side for the camper. 12' x 50' on the other side is enclosed with the 30' x 50'. There is also a 20' x 30' gable out front.

Took a while before the concrete could be poured, in the meantime we ran water, sewer and electrical(conduit)

Also converted the house from 200 amp overhead to 320 amp underground so I could run 150 amp sub panel in shop.

Finally......

 

[squarles67]

Now working to finish out the inside. I'm enclosing part of the inside to insulate and add air and heat with a bathroom. 12' x 30' framed

I had some guys from church helping me and they said they had some plywood for free for the wall behind the back bench.

Before

After, they thought it was funny to leave the old Vacation Bible School displays visible. You can see them on the wall behind the cars.

Lots of shelves to store my parts (and more free plywood)

 

[squarles67]

No pictures but I've also sealed the concrete with RadonSeal http://www.radonseal.com/radonseal-mitigation.htm

Plumbed my air lines with 3/4 max line by Rapid Air. Hooked up my free compressor (had to fix the motor)

Put OSB on the lower walls to protect the insulation.

Ready to start with sheetrock next

 

[stikman56]

Very nice, I like it. Looks huge. Hoping our construction loan will come through and I'll have a bigger shop and garage.

 

[sean Buick 76]

I love it!! The Camaro looks nice too!

 

[ADSR]

Good size building!

 

[squarles67]

I love it!! The Camaro looks nice too!

Same goes for that twin turbo Buick of yours

Scaffold builder huh....same here although I haven't actually built any in the last 15 years lol

 

[sean Buick 76]

Same goes for that twin turbo Buick of yours

Scaffold builder huh....same here although I haven't actually built any in the last 15 years lol

Yes, I rarely have to "work" much myself lately. Here is some scaffolding we recently did, a little ways up there Starts at post 230:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238537&page=12

 

[squarles67]

Came home to the sounds of running water......had a fitting burst on my new plumbing and flood the place.

Hellava mess but got it cleaned up. Don't have all that much stuff in there yet so nothing ruined.

I hate plumbing, I have much more respect for the guys that do it for a living after this little job.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Sir, I take my hat off to you. You are an inspiration doing so much work while confined to a wheel chair. You're what this country is at its best.

PS: Congratulations on your new garage.

 

[squarles67]

Being hard headed helps (although my wife doesn't see it so much as a virtue)

 

[sean Buick 76]

Holly I did not notice the wheelchair, my goodness you certainly don't let that slow you down. Hats off to you sir, keep up the great work!

 

[waterss]

Have you made anymore progress? Like the layout and progress so far.