Aussie Man Land.

[David Walter]

Well a long time stalker first time poster. I have been stealing ideas and lessons from you all and think it is time I return the favour.
My Wife and I pulled down a old house in a suburb we loved, and had a investment property, and started our dream build we have been work to for over 10yrs.
The place included a two story house out the front with an attached 2 car garage for the every day cars.....
But out the back next to the pool will be man land. An 8m x 10m area where I can build cars, build and experiment ideas, and have an area to contemplate the world issues with mates.
I had a lot of trouble with permits and approval, and after many ...many renditions of the design. The end result was not a logical design. We had to cut a corner out of the shed (due to some silly rule about building on a boundary), and had to bore and pour concrete pylons down 2.5m (13' in the old measurement). And resulted in a 150mm slab (6inch) with two layers of R12 reo, including cage beams...... needless to say I sacked the engineer used and initiate formal investigations to those generating council rules......
Anyway enough of stories I am sure you are more interested in what it is.
Reo in and forming done.


Starting the pour.


Slab done


And From the second story of the house, during the build.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Welcome and thanks for sharing your build.

Next door to us built some units in the property and because it was near a sewerage easement, had to bore and concrete holes as well for the foundations.

What neck of the woods are you from?

Cheers

 

[panthersteve]

Hi David

Welcome to the land of posters
I look forward to the rest of your build.

Like Steve I was wondering where you are ?

Cheers
Steve

 

[David Walter]

I am from west Melbourne. And, yes the authorities justification is because we are near an easement.
I am actually further along in the build, and over the next couple of posts I bring it up to where I am today. Whilst, I had some one else complete the slab the rest of the shed I have completed myself.

The construction was limited to 3m high so it has a flat roof that is supported on filled concrete block walls at the boundary, and timber frame on the remaining.

So first attempt at brick work, so used interlocking concrete bricks.


Now at 3m with reo installed internally.


Timber frame

Now ready for the purlins

 

[panthersteve]

I have seen those concrete blocks before but didn't realise they interlock, how do they do this ?

 

[kamlung]

that looks like an amazing space... we have a place on the west side of Melbourne too... hope to come back for a visit next year... maybe i can stop by with a few cold ones to help contemplate manly things with you...

 

[metalhead140]

Looks like it'll be good!

 

[G McKay]

Welcome!! The place is looking great!! Keep us updated, please.

 

[David Walter]

Bit of a leap forward. But missed some parts for you. Walls are up roof is one and the place is now weather tight. Just trying to get the permit cleared, and will do the power and remaining stuff after that. All this is being done while the house is finished. We did a knock down and rebuild. And that can be seen here.
But the current photos.
I put bi-fold doors in instead of a roller, to satisfy the wife's want for the shed to look right from the outside.


Now it is weather tight I started to move in (dump) my stuff. Bad idea. Now can't find a thing and it is impossible to make the cupboards and benches to put things away....let alone find them.

 

[Bib Overalls]

If you missed the link to the overall project blog you need to check it out.

http://mainvue-thecullenbuild.blogspot.com.au/

Reminds me (favorably) of several high end projects documented in other threads on the Garage Journal.

 

[1/2 Cup]

If you missed the link to the overall project blog you need to check it out.

http://mainvue-thecullenbuild.blogspot.com.au/

Reminds me (favorably) of several high end projects documented in other threads on the Garage Journal.

Thanks for the link it looks fantastic.

 

[HOTFR8]

Enjoying this.

 

[Giddyup]

Gday from So Aus..... I to am enjoying this. Block sheds are great.

 

[David Walter]

I'll wind the clock back a little and show you the final parts of the construction. (because I found the photos,). I am a little proud of the work as this is the first time I have built a building of any sort.
I even filled the concrete block wall by hand, as it would have cost close to $6k to have the concrete pumped passed the house that was now almost complete. That is what the ramp is for. Back breaking work.


A you can see from the framing I may have gone a little over board. However, after the grief I had with the slab it made little sense to fight the engineer (I am a mechanical/marine engineer, and I questioned his calculations a lot) after the shenanigans with the slab.

The roof is a clip lock type which allows for the 1.8degree fall. This enabled me to have the highest shed I could seeing I was on the boundary which limited the construction height to 3m.

Fully wrapped. Yes there are no windows. Part of the landscaping /architectural design, so there is going to be lots of LED lighting.

Blue boards up.

Had to wait until the house was finished before I could run the 3 phase to the shed. due to the location of the house and all the down pipes it had to be dug by hand, all 45m worth. I was wrecked after that weekend, as funny enough no one wanted to come around and help.

And finally where it is now.

Just had the solar heating for the pool installed last week too.

 

[Sunbimmer]

Very interesting this one, looking good so far

Please keep us posted!

 

[anth]

Love the all dark grey look. I tried to go with something similar but was limited to what I could spec through the shed company. Keen to see more.

 

[metalhead140]

Looks great! I really like the look of the dark grey colourbond you and anth have used. Interested by the door arrangement. You mentioned building cars in there, do all those doors fold to one side to allow a car to go through or what's the plan? Keen to see what you do inside.

 

[1/2 Cup]

One real nice build, thanks for posting.

 

[David Walter]

Thanks for the kind words. Still more work to be done inside before I start building cars again, and yes the doors open to one side. It doesn't look it but there is enough room to get my enclosed car trailer in.
Started on the welding bay making it out of steel so I can earth to the enclosure. Also it should keep most of the dust segregated from the clean sections
and the chassis for some of the cupboards.


Have started running the air and power lines. Am using these LPG tanks to increase the capacity of my air compressor, when used in anger it cycles on and off to often for my liking. And by putting them here they don't take up any floor space.

 

[1/2 Cup]

You have some great ideas there, the welding bay and the extra air tanks using LPG cylinders, well done.

 

[David Walter]

Right so I had a couple of weeks off over christmas, after a pretty hectic year away from home. So once clear of christmas I got stuck into the shed. It needed a clean up, but I got the TV working and electrical and air lines finished first.



Now for the clean up. It is amazing what you find you have been storing... still good too.

And, then empty a box out to find this.


Getting cleaner


I see a floor



And that will do.


I have always wanted and had a need for a sturdy bench. So I made this one up 100x100mm 3mm RHS and a 8mm plate top. ****** heavy to flip too. Dyna bolted in position now.



Also, from my previous sheds, I hated plasterboard or dry wall in high use areas they just end up with dints and holes. So I chip boarded them, at 19mm thick it allows me to hang almost any thing any where without having to ensure there is a stud.

Got a free set of cupboards and draws from beauty salon doing a reno. I plan to use most of it for just material.
And that is what most of the chip bard that you see stacked up.
Also Found a old metal filing cabinet on the side of the road so I cleaned it up pained it in Indian Motorcycle red, put it on a frame and made it my tig welding trolley.



The indian Red is a favourite of mine, it reminds me an old friends father who had an Indian motorcycle. I am going to use it as a colour for all the cupboards and keep the walls white with some black on the kick plates.

Got a compacts too, so that is getting a coat in the indian red. but the base is ready to go in. That will help with a lot of the storage issues, until I get all the cupboards done.

Anyway more cleaning, and I am done. Put the car trailer in the shed for the first time and it fits with room. Just like on the plans, so that is a good thing. Oh well back to work.

 

[sandmanracing]

Didn't see this one previously, great to see another Western boy around here. Guessing you are more inner Sunshine area with the surrounding house designs and ages?

If the chip board you used is the yellow tongue (or green/white/red/blue/pink/etc) then good move, I use it in most situations and it is great at being able to take a load anywhere on the wall. Did you insulate behind it, for both noise and temperature comfort?

 

[1/2 Cup]

Looking great. I really like the compactus idea, they are a fantastic use of space.

Thanks for the update..

 

[David Walter]

Altona/Williamstown boarder, but definitely west based. Yeah used a collection of yellow and green tongue. Basically what ever I could get for free or a cheap price. A lot of development work going on in area and most builders are happy to take their excess, save filling a skip.
I insulated behind I have R4.0 in the walls and r6.0 in the roof. Definitely needed of late, considering putting a split cycle, and solar power if I can afford it.
Compacts fully constructed now.

 

[David Walter]

Well it has been a long time between posts for me. I have attempted to stay in contact over the recent months, however, once I have got myself back up to date with what everyone is doing I find I have run out of time to update what I am doing. Especially noting I have had a growing family, and committed heavily my time to building and bringing into service this;




As the commission engineer and senior engineer it took every spare moment of my time, and really stressed the family time. There were significant late nights, then longer times away from home. But, I did have some cool tools to play with;








Also, got to hang out with some pretty interesting people.








In the interim periods Peta and I had a little girl and have another one on the way.... Actually any day now.

The house, shed and importantly the cars have all stalled recently due to the work on the HMAS CANBERRA, and I am sometimes a little amazed we had time to ....... You know... Make children..... We I am assuming the kids are mine they sort of look like me
Anyway I am back into it. The shed is the first job on the list after I pull the covers back of my cars.


Now for the shed. It is a stacked mess and needs to be finished so I can get stuck into the projects that are begging for me to finish them.


< Shed internals>

 

[1/2 Cup]

Just awesome, many thanks for the update.

Rubbing shoulders with the PM , impressive.

All the best for your impending arrival.

Regards

 

[HOTFR8]

Sounds like and looks like you have been busy. Nice to see your topic active again.

 

[David Walter]

Well got stuck into it the shed over the last couple of days. Just focused on cleaning it out, and finishing off some of the half completed jobs.
The problem with building a house at the same time SWMBO wants you to focus on the house first and the tools, material, and waste just ends up in the shed.
So this it cleaned.



Then I got stuck into finishing off the welding/grinding bay.



And, finally the toy is unloaded from car trailer then quickly covered up.

I have this old gem from the parents farm before it was sold. I have fond memories of using it for hours on end. So I positioned it at the right height for my children (in the future).

 

[David Walter]

Well it has been a little while between updates as I became a father again, in July 2015. Here I am giving the little one her first bath.

But all was not well after we got home and had to rush back in to ER. She had a very rare heart condition that required open heart surgery and a long stay in ICU. I have seen and served with some pretty tough characters, but nothing compares to this little one, such a fighter.


But I am pleased to say she is on the mend and getting a personality.


Now how is the shed going?
Well got back in and gave it a good clean. Does it show??



Then I positioned all the tools I use regularly on the bench ready for making the tool wall.


I then thought I needed a rack to store all of these sheets.


So I cut up the left over of the engine crane I dismantled to make my scissor lift table.


Then while that cooled I gave the floor a sweep and decided to start sealing it.



That was all I could do for now until it dried. As you can tell I have no plan when working in the shed at the moment just enjoying the chance to get back into it between ducking back inside to check on the family, especially my little one.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Firstly a big congratulations on the birth of your daughter, that is always a special moment.

And many thanks for the update.

Regards

 

[LCG]

Congrats on the addition to the family, hope she is doing well!

Just read the thread, interesting approach with the aluminum doors.

 

[David Walter]

Been pondering how to mount my pliers. I have most of my tools in the tool chest, but I have no room to place these the way I like.... Not keen to put them on the tool wall.
Any ideas?

 

[sandmanracing]

I tend to keep mine in the drawers of my tool chests, or in tool bags I regularly take with me - but I also tend to throw in a silica packet to absorb any moisture within the air.

The Supercheap Auto items tend to get surface rust on them quickly otherwise...

 

[1/2 Cup]

That's easy, buy another tool chest.

Regards

 

[David Walter]

Thanks 1/2Cup, I would love to have another tool box. But, in case you haven't noticed the build has gone from a higher level of financed activity to a...... well... zero budget. We have had to tighten our belts a lot since the little one arrived and her medical expenses, coupled with the wife stopping work. Most of the activities I execute now days are materials I already have or have traded for services or got for free.
I think I will make a counter and mount then on the side of my existing tool box.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Thanks 1/2Cup, I would love to have another tool box. But, in case you haven't noticed the build has gone from a higher level of financed activity to a...... well... zero budget. We have had to tighten our belts a lot since the little one arrived and her medical expenses, coupled with the wife stopping work. Most of the activities I execute now days are materials I already have or have traded for services or got for free.
I think I will make a counter and mount then on the side of my existing tool box.

David, understand completely and you have my sincere apology if my suggestion was in any way offensive.

I like you and many others here make do with what we can in our sheds. I tend to recycle, reuse and repurpose stuff in many of our projects.

I have seen a few that have made similar to what you are proposing with your existing tool box and they work well.

Regards

 

[David Walter]

1/2 cup no offense taken at all. Just wishing I could get another tool box

I'm going to give making it a go this weekend. Will post my successes/failure.

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2 cup no offense taken at all. Just wishing I could get another tool box

I'm going to give making it a go this weekend. Will post my successes/failure.

Looking forward to it.

 

[David Walter]

Made the pliers holder up. Think this will work.


Also, the Sheet metal holder. With my assistant showing how the divider peg works.

Also started laying the rubber matts around the scissor lift table.

 

[1/2 Cup]

You have done well with the pliers rack David

It great to see the young ones involved in your garage as well.

Regards