Circle 41

[PASSMORE]

No, no... no inheritance spending spree although if you know where I can come across some inheritance to spree with I would be much obliged!

Frankly, my wife and I had always wanted 'some elbow room' so rather than continuing to step up in houses as the CA housing boom exploded, we stayed in our modest home that we had gotten for a song before the wild increases. We got lucky and found this landand were able to sell our home near the peak of the market. We came out pretty well which is what gave us the big jump on being able to afford this.

The rest, well... We are buckling down in order to put our resources into things on our property to set ourselves up so that the property pays for itself. So far, so good....

 

[C_F]

I have no idea how I missed this thread before, but I'm sure enjoying it now!

You're building the garage I've always dreamed of, looks GREAT! Thanks for posting your pics & updates.

 

[cyclopsblown34]

Your pond started off one acre larger than my property. I bow in your presence. Unbelievable build.

 

[Mr. Welsh]

Wow how did I miss this one? Awesome project. Looking at the site plan, what's the turn around for?

You mentioned you wanted this place to pay for itself? What do you (or will you) do?

And why do you need 900 gallons of water storage? Judging from the large lake, it appears that water scarcity isn't the issue.

I am a computer dummy sometimes so I am not aware of how to take shots from my screen (AutoCad) and convert them to something I can host, then post .

I've never tried to post drawings online, but you can plot to pdf and then go from there. You might need to convert the pdf to an image file like jpg or gif with Photoshop.

[edit] Ok I tried it, you can plot to pdf from AutoCad, then export to jpg using Acrobat. I don't know why you can't plot right into an image format like jpg.

And, off subject:

But my drive way is now two thin strips and my neighbor is a few thousand $ richer after he sold me impervious surface credits off his empty lot.

Did you consider permeable concrete (#8s and Portland cement rolled)? It wouldn't be my first choice, but it beats "two thin strips."

 

[PASSMORE]

Turn around (if you are referring to the one nearest to the entrance) was for another home that has since been abandoned. It is not a service path of sorts.

Property paying for itself - we are well on our way to this goal via the development of the property for fish farming and we will be putting in an orchard as well.

There are two 900 gallon tanks. Not exactly 1800 gallons of water as they do not operate at 100% capacity when factor in the pressure. This is purely a domestic water source and designed to handle both this structure and another future one.

I do not recall (but could have) referring to our drive as two thin strips as it is 20' wide of compacted AB.

Glad you are enjoying the build...

 

[PASSMORE]

Kitchen area w/pantry to the right (I will see if I can figure out how to post the renderings of the cabinets)

Living area w/the 'center' being where the fireplace and rock will go up to the ceiling. We are considering doing some rock all over that wall incorporating the tv cabinetry :scratch

Opposite from the kitchen area photo. Left window is guest room, middle is office, and to the right is a slider going out to the deck

Same shot moved over to the right a bit. Guys standing there are in the 'front door' leading out to the deck and stairs

Footing for stairs and slab for under stair storage. also, the dogwash/outdoor shower.

 

[PASSMORE]

Deck is going up and some more shots for some firther perspective of what's going on...

From the backside or our property

Another side showing some progress

In other news, plumbing starts this saturday, roofing Monday, and window order will go in Monday as well. Still working out some details on the garage doors. Otherwise, we are looking good to be good for the weather by the time the rains come. :thumb

 

[Mr. Welsh]

nice house/garage. who would lift their work truck as high as that super duty?

At 5'-8" or so, I agree. I'd be way too short to reach over the side and into the tool box.

 

[PAToyota]

At 5'-8" or so, I agree. I'd be way too short to reach over the side and into the tool box.

Have to laugh a bit at everyone thinking that truck is lifted so much... To me it just looks like a typical contractor's truck...

 

[PASSMORE]

Garage kingdom - we sure hope to not 'have' to sell either! However, if we did I would market the property just that way most likely. Everything we did here is to accomodate 'large' things (if necessary) such as 18 wheelers, RV's, large horse trailers, etc, etc. I think such a person would appreciate the thought put into it and the access. In the vein, we are doing some more dirt work here and the D8 was being delivered by a gazillion wheeled rig which was at the limits of what CA allows on road. I took it as quite the compliment when the driver said thanks for such an easy entry off the road as well as the nice turn around. If we can accomodate him, then I think we have achieved our goal for easy access.

PA - Chris, the fella who drives the truck is into show/go and also does custom boats and bikes. While the truck is a bit cumbersome for contracting, it works OK for him as a framer since his tools mostly come out once for the day - not too much in and out like a plumbing or electrical service truck. I agree with you, we see all kinds here as well especially given the proximity to the fun stuff for wheeled toys!

Another update and something for others to think about as they plan their garages. Originally, I thought I was limited to a 12' header height for my main garage doors due to my plate height and the radius I would need for smooth garage door operation (yes plate height could have been raised but we wanted it where it was and yes, other garage doors could be used be we wanted a 'residential' looking door to reduce the shop feel to it). Turns out with a bit more research I was able to find a door that functions smoothly w/less of a radius so i was able to bring the header up to 13'. Costly change but worth it in my opinion. Ideally, I think a 14.5' height is best, but 13' should accomodte 99% of what I want to put in there.

 

[Mr. Welsh]

Have to laugh a bit at everyone thinking that truck is lifted so much... To me it just looks like a typical contractor's truck...

I laugh at the contractors who drive Honda Elements. But you know what? They can reach all their tools with ease. I've also seen surveying crews using the Element as a "work truck."

 

[C_F]

Have to laugh a bit at everyone thinking that truck is lifted so much... To me it just looks like a typical contractor's truck...

Same here. That's about the average look of probably every third truck on the road around here, although most of them aren't contractors...that's just an average truck.
The contractors who do use lifted trucks, usually pull a utility trailer behind them.

 

[Mr. Welsh]

Any updates?

 

[PASSMORE]

Here ya go Mr. Welsh...


Hola amigo/as :wave

Roofing has started and we are knocking out the front gate first to make sure we are on the right track... We are definitely pleased w/it and are looking forward to the roof going up on the casa now :thumb Thomas is an artist when it comes to tile roofing.

http://passmore.smugmug.com/photos/197525083-M.jpg[img]

Trying to give a sense of scale... This represents about almost a quarter of the shop bay.

[img]http://passmore.smugmug.com/photos/197528592-M.jpg

This one is facing the metal/mechanical shop area on the left and the woodshop (may become the motorcycle shop:evil )

PS - the plumbing will be enclosed in a soffit which will also house some addtional plumbing, HVAC vents, upstairs built ins, etc).

Deck area is begining to take shape. Stairs start tomorrow.

 

[Mr. Welsh]

The front gate looks like it'll be impressive. It'll take quite a gate to cross that wide drive. I like the stone exterior & tile roof.

What goes on top of the deck to finish it/seal it?

 

[PASSMORE]

The entrance is growing on me... It became a bit too 'impressive' for our taste, but after the stone, the roof, and when some trees and landscaping go in to scale it down a bit I think it will be fine. right now it is a bit ostentatious for our taste.

here is the gate itself

As for the deck, I am debating using a nice large spanish tile or replicating that in some fashion w/a thincrete which will be stamped/stained.

 

[cdrewferd]

Extremely nice progress. That's the ultimate house/garage combo that I've ever seen. Hope that I can do something this amazing some day.

 

[sr71]

You are certainly building a dream property. I'm gald you are sharing.... for me your ideas are very original and executed to perfection. Given what I have seen so far.... your gates are not ostentatious - they are a glimpse of what is to come - guests will certainly not be disappointed.

Really, really impressive job!

 

[wilbilt]

The entrance is growing on me... It became a bit too 'impressive' for our taste, but after the stone, the roof, and when some trees and landscaping go in to scale it down a bit I think it will be fine. right now it is a bit ostentatious for our taste.

I think, considering the scale of your project, the entrance gate fits very well. It looks great!

 

[kenfath]

I have a really important question concerning the co-pilot of the water truck. How do you get him/her into the cab?

I'm also very impressed with your project!

 

[PASSMORE]

You are certainly building a dream property. I'm gald you are sharing.... for me your ideas are very original and executed to perfection. Given what I have seen so far.... your gates are not ostentatious - they are a glimpse of what is to come - guests will certainly not be disappointed.

Really, really impressive job!

Very kind of you and high praise considering the source... I poured over your Cobra build last night. No so much nice (it is!) as the quality of work and attention to detail that really impressed me. Thanks for sharing yours.

 

[PASSMORE]

I think, considering the scale of your project, the entrance gate fits very well. It looks great!

Thanks

I am getting more and more used to it as well. We are doing some additional work here that has led us to set aside an 80 foot 'buffer' space along the road leading to our place. We will use this (as well as other acreage) to install orchard trees. I am even considering utilizing the 4 acres on the other side of the gate (was planned for pasture) for orchard planting as well. Give these plantings a few years of growth and I am starting to think the scale will be just about right.

 

[PASSMORE]

I have a really important question concerning the co-pilot of the water truck. How do you get him/her into the cab?

I'm also very impressed with your project!

Thank you for the kind words.

Now to your question...

I run a rigorous co-pilot program. All candidates have to pass series of difficult tests. Let me just give you a peak into our canidate testing program

"All candidates will be able to perform the following: 1) Jump into co-pilot seat and if co-pilot chair is not available, then be able to arrange oneself in another suitable are (e.g. - floorboard). 2) Must be able to open coolers, take off dash, and generally figure out how to get to/and eat the tamale fixin's of new/unsuspecting work crews - further, must be able to ingest said delicacies w/out crapping all over that night. 3) Should be proficient in stealth rearrangement of tools, building supplies, or what ever else will fit in your mouth. 4) Should also be competent in managing your own climate (read - lay in pond if you are hot)."

The above is just a peek into the kind of rigor we put our apps through here before 'hiring'

 

[Mr. Welsh]

Does the water truck pilot have his CDL, or was he just driving off-highway?

 

[PASSMORE]

No CDL for the pup...

However, I am sure the fellas who delivered the tile for the roof today did. In came 2 and 1/2 truck loads of tile which was then loaded on the roof. I forgot to count how many palets there were, but I think it would be fair to estimate it at - a whole bunch.

We'll let 'em set up there for a spell and let everything settle with the weight up there.

 

[PASSMORE]

This truck (and three others like it) arrived last week

Then all the tiles magically flew up and landed up on the roof!:huh

Rough plumbing is close to complete

Plumbed for grill, sink, etc on the deck

I took some time last night to just walk around and soak in what was going on as well yesterday evening - take some photos too. I have been so wrapped up w/the financing debacle that I had not been able to be as involved w/the progress, nor enjoy it... Some shots/descriptions...

Fromt the garage looking to the shop side

Metal/mechanical side of the shop (and the framer's bike:lol3 )

From the metal/mech shop space into the garage - opposite perspective from the first pic above

Underneath the front deck

Up on the front deck

More from the deck - algae anyone?:lol3

Opening on the left is front door

Looking the other way

Looking through the kitchen window

 

[PAToyota]

Now I know who I want to be when I grow up!!

 

[C_F]

I'd gladly donate the left nut to have that much elbow room on my property. I'd donate the right one to have that garage!

 

[PASSMORE]

I can't claim it all to be mine... There are some fences in some of those photos

Thanks for the compliment though.

Interesting comment about space. Seems relative and you never feel like you have enough, eh?

 

[brad d]

Wow, i gotta keep my eye on this build.

 

[PASSMORE]

Howdy.

I think after much discussion that I will not be seeting up a dedicated woodworking area. In the original plan it would have seen a fair amount of use, but as we adapt our master plan, the usage for dedicated wood shop has decreased. I have no use for useless spaces...

Sooo, I am considering turning this space into the 'motorcycle shop'. It will be a 'clean' are seperated from the main space by a man door and a glass paneled garage door. It is approximatey 20x20' square.

I see it as a space for:
1. Gear hanging storage - bench to get suited up
2. Bike toolset?
3. Lift/s
4. Bike parking - daily rider would reside out in the main bay though I think for ease of use?
5. ?
6. ?
Other items such as parts washing, machining tools would be outside this space I think.

This space is the opening to the far right

Thoughts?

 

[bmwpower]

I wish I had a dedicated room for:

a) an office
b) a compressor
c) a machinst room (lathe, hyd. press, drill press, mill, etc. etc)

Not sure if any of these will fit the bill for that extra space...

 

[PASSMORE]

Here are some thoughts and concrete plans for what you mentioned Beamer...

Office - 2 fold here... Upstairs will be the office for wifey and I - paperwork, financials, etc - that kinda stuff. Downstairs somewhere in the shopspace will be the 'shop office' - a desk area for drawin', vehicle records/service records, laptop for research while wrenching, etc. - white board for scribblin' Wher does it go though?

Compressor goes into the aux storage seperate from the main garage/storage area so as not to be too noisy. Vac and hotsy will go beside it there. This is plumbed for and for sure at this point.

The machinist room... Space to the left - I am inclined to put it there? I think so. the wall with the higher opening I envision as material storage up the wall with my material saw below (I will try to take more photos). I see a welding table in the center of the 'U' and machines being the perimeter of the 'U' in this space.

What say you?

PS - really like your build. In many respects, my space will mimic yours. Just think yours with tractors and dirt in it (between cleaning) in addition to cars/bikes

 

[bmwpower]

Here are some thoughts and concrete plans for what you mentioned Beamer...

Office - 2 fold here... Upstairs will be the office for wifey and I - paperwork, financials, etc - that kinda stuff. Downstairs somewhere in the shopspace will be the 'shop office' - a desk area for drawin', vehicle records/service records, laptop for research while wrenching, etc. - white board for scribblin' Wher does it go though?

Compressor goes into the aux storage seperate from the main garage/storage area so as not to be too noisy. Vac and hotsy will go beside it there. This is plumbed for and for sure at this point.

The machinist room... Space to the left - I am inclined to put it there? I think so. the wall with the higher opening I envision as material storage up the wall with my material saw below (I will try to take more photos). I see a welding table in the center of the 'U' and machines being the perimeter of the 'U' in this space.

What say you?

PS - really like your build. In many respects, my space will mimic yours. Just think yours with tractors and dirt in it (between cleaning) in addition to cars/bikes

I forgot you had so much room! Hmmm... not sure wat you could use in the extra space. I might have to think about it a little more.

Thanks for the compliment. Still on the road to "finish", but is it really ever done? Not sure...

Congrats on making the front page!

< edit >

Forgot to ask...is ABS pipe code in CA?

 

[PASSMORE]

ABS pipe - apparently so as it is passing inspection!

 

[Red Car Garage]

wow just wow...

 

[toms73novass]

Wowsers!!!!

 

[wilbilt]

Forgot to ask...is ABS pipe code in CA?

It is code for DWV on just about any project here...what do you use in NJ?

 

[bmwpower]

It is code for DWV on just about any project here...what do you use in NJ?

I only see the typical white PVC. Not sure if it's a price thing or if it just ain't allowed here.

 

[PASSMORE]

Front deck is on now and once the windows/doors come in we'll be ready to wrap and get to the stucco:clap

Deck seems to (IMO) take some of the 'slabbish/boxish' appearance away from it...

Gutters started going up today as well - roofing will not be far behind:clap

Also, if anyone has any ideas on the chimney or workspace planning (questions in above posts), I