Clean Slate Garage
- Thread starter LSVLance
- Start date
rattle_snake
Well-known member
Looks very nice and clean, but I think you need a Ford or 2.
You may have to buy a nice new mop to go with the nice new garage floor.
You may have to buy a nice new mop to go with the nice new garage floor.
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C_F
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Man, those floors turned out amazing! If it wasn't so much stinkin' work to pull everything out of my garage, I would like to do that to my floor. But my laziness prevails.
Looks very nice and clean, but I think you need a Ford or 2.
You may have to buy a nice new mop to go with the nice new garage floor.
Thanks... There's an E-450 Super Duty in the long side of the shop now. And trust me when I say how much it psined me to buy it.
And I'm thinking you are right about the mop deal.
rixtrix1
Well-known member
Barney sure looks good in his new slot!
2 Sweet
Active member
Very nice!
That garage floor looks fantastic. Beautiful MCSS as well!
That garage floor looks fantastic. Beautiful MCSS as well!
bmwerkezhp
Member
The clear coat floor looks awesome. I assume you picked this over epoxy for looks and better durability?
Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app
I really dig your garage set up that you have. You also have a 3 car attached garge too. How awesome is that. Your house being a 1 story house is really nice to have. What can I say you have a really wonderful looking place.
69bigblok
Well-known member
WOW! This looks incredible! Love the Monte Carlo too!
Thanks, I think so too!
Thanks!!
Thanks... I chose this method for a couple of reasons but mainly to be a bit different than the norm with also the ability to patch easily if I happen to screw it up since I will use it as a working shop. This basically is still an epoxy coating, it's just clear.
Thanks... We are really starting to settle in and get used to it. Moving was a year long process, actually over a year if you count the looking part and we've only been in the new place a touch over 3 weeks. Already feels like home...
I guess it's time for a bit on an update on the shop's progress. I'm starting to get things put away and a bit more organized, starting with my tools.
I knew I wanted a 72" rolling chest for storage and finally found this Trinity on sale for $675 on Wayfair so I snatched it up. Once it got here and I did the final assembly, I went back inside and tried to order a couple more...but alas they were back to regular price of $991. They are REALLY nice for the money. Not Snap-On or MAC tools nice but still dang stout.
It's already full and the top covered and I still have stuff in bins...so I'll need at least one more if not 2.
I'm liking the chests lined up down the center of the shop so far, still need to tweak things but so far the plan is working.
It's a bit easier to work out in the shop now that the AC has been installed. It is so nice when you find a contractor that does a job neat and tidy as I would do it myself and Cactus Mechanical here in Phoenix did just that with this install.
I took the 50 AMP RV plug the builder installed in the wall out and extended the 6\3 WG into this surface mount distribution panel and then ran another piece of 6\3 out to a disconnect directly outside for the condensor.
While I was at it I ran a 30 amp 230v plug right under the box for my welder and a 20 amp 230v circuit for the inside air handler. I then called Greg at Cactus Mechanical and told him I was ready. Couple of days later they installed this 5 ton Heat pump including the pre-built return base and extended feed out the top.
It was 92 degrees inside the shop at 4 in the afternoon when they fired it off and when I came back about an hour and a half later it was down to 80 and comfortable everywhere inside the shop. You can feel the breeze from the feed all the way at the front end of the shop and the walls, floors and even the ceiling are all within 1-2 degrees of each other everywhere. I think it's going to work out just fine.
I knew I wanted a 72" rolling chest for storage and finally found this Trinity on sale for $675 on Wayfair so I snatched it up. Once it got here and I did the final assembly, I went back inside and tried to order a couple more...but alas they were back to regular price of $991. They are REALLY nice for the money. Not Snap-On or MAC tools nice but still dang stout.
It's already full and the top covered and I still have stuff in bins...so I'll need at least one more if not 2.
I'm liking the chests lined up down the center of the shop so far, still need to tweak things but so far the plan is working.
It's a bit easier to work out in the shop now that the AC has been installed. It is so nice when you find a contractor that does a job neat and tidy as I would do it myself and Cactus Mechanical here in Phoenix did just that with this install.
I took the 50 AMP RV plug the builder installed in the wall out and extended the 6\3 WG into this surface mount distribution panel and then ran another piece of 6\3 out to a disconnect directly outside for the condensor.
While I was at it I ran a 30 amp 230v plug right under the box for my welder and a 20 amp 230v circuit for the inside air handler. I then called Greg at Cactus Mechanical and told him I was ready. Couple of days later they installed this 5 ton Heat pump including the pre-built return base and extended feed out the top.
It was 92 degrees inside the shop at 4 in the afternoon when they fired it off and when I came back about an hour and a half later it was down to 80 and comfortable everywhere inside the shop. You can feel the breeze from the feed all the way at the front end of the shop and the walls, floors and even the ceiling are all within 1-2 degrees of each other everywhere. I think it's going to work out just fine.
rattle_snake
Well-known member
Nice AC install. Enjoyed my new A/C system this weekend too.
Another milestone for the Clean Slate garage reached today...I just ordered my lift.
I've taped where the posts and ramps will be out on the floor and I'm pretty settled this is the best fit. I went with the Advantage 9000 XLT with two manual rolling jacks.
https://advantagelifts.us/4-post-lifts/SS-9000XLT-Extra-Long-Tall-Four-Post-Lift
It won't be the two post I had before, but it should do just about everything I need it to do just as easily.
Now I just have to procure an engine hoist and some car dollies to help with the install...might need to recruit a few extra set of hands on install day as well.
I've taped where the posts and ramps will be out on the floor and I'm pretty settled this is the best fit. I went with the Advantage 9000 XLT with two manual rolling jacks.
https://advantagelifts.us/4-post-lifts/SS-9000XLT-Extra-Long-Tall-Four-Post-Lift
It won't be the two post I had before, but it should do just about everything I need it to do just as easily.
Now I just have to procure an engine hoist and some car dollies to help with the install...might need to recruit a few extra set of hands on install day as well.
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C_F
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Actually, that's not a bad idea...I imagine it's so the hot cars don't heat up the attached garage & also the house? I could see myself doing something like that, for that reason.Thanks! I've gotten to where we pull the daily drivers into the AC cooled shop to cool them down before moving them over to the non-climate controlled garage on the house. Is this strange behavior?
rattle_snake
Well-known member
Thanks! I've gotten to where we pull the daily drivers into the AC cooled shop to cool them down before moving them over to the non-climate controlled garage on the house. Is this strange behavior?
Not really, but it will raise your electric bill. I park outside and let vehicle cool before pulling it into A/C'd shop cause I'm cheap.
Consider an exhaust fan for your attached garage. Can be on a timer as well. Have one in my shop and barn, attached garage is next.
So, I've been studying my "hourly electric usage chart" that also includes my "peak time" charges. Not running the AC in the shop from 3-8 pm yesterday (actually 3 pm - 8 am) made a significant drop in peak usage with very little temp gain inside the shop. I'm usually done at my desk by 3 pm anyway so I think I'll work this into the plan to save $$. Also won't be pulling any hot vehicles into the shop during peak hours.
I need to find an exhaust fan for the house garage, it's on my list for sure. I have these two vents in a perfect spot to put an exhaust fan in the upper one, but there is no electricity anywhere close. Plus, not sure if one comes in a size anywhere close to that.
Venting up into the attic would be the next logical choice I guess?
I need to find an exhaust fan for the house garage, it's on my list for sure. I have these two vents in a perfect spot to put an exhaust fan in the upper one, but there is no electricity anywhere close. Plus, not sure if one comes in a size anywhere close to that.
Venting up into the attic would be the next logical choice I guess?
rattle_snake
Well-known member
What is make/model of the A/C? Is that the thermostat right on it? Any plans for wifi 'stat?
It's an American Standard
Condenser M# 4A6H4060G1000AA
Air handler M# TEM4A0C60S51SAA
SEER- 14.00
EER- 12.00
Because the return is right there, they said the best spot for the thermostat was right there as well. Made for a very clean install and works pretty well. I have the T-stat set at 78 and it keeps the whole shop at around 80-81 degrees. The body of the air handler is around 76 degrees if it's been running so I think the stat picks up on that and reads lower than room temp. It's all good though as it stays consistent and cycles perfectly.
I don't plan on doing WiFi stats as I plan on keeping it a pretty constant temp year round since my office is out here. The two stats in the house are WiFi and frankly I haven't looked at them online since setting them up...
Condenser M# 4A6H4060G1000AA
Air handler M# TEM4A0C60S51SAA
SEER- 14.00
EER- 12.00
Because the return is right there, they said the best spot for the thermostat was right there as well. Made for a very clean install and works pretty well. I have the T-stat set at 78 and it keeps the whole shop at around 80-81 degrees. The body of the air handler is around 76 degrees if it's been running so I think the stat picks up on that and reads lower than room temp. It's all good though as it stays consistent and cycles perfectly.
I don't plan on doing WiFi stats as I plan on keeping it a pretty constant temp year round since my office is out here. The two stats in the house are WiFi and frankly I haven't looked at them online since setting them up...
bmwerkezhp
Member
What software are you using for your garage design graphics that are shown in some of the earlier posts? I have heard a lot off good things about the Chief Architect Home Designer software and was wondering if that is what you are using.
That was done with the free 30 day trial version of Sketch up.
https://www.sketchup.com/products/sketchup-pro/new-in-2018?ds_rl=1257435
My brother is pretty adept at the software and got me started by doing the initial layout of the building. I figured out pretty quickly how to add or modify things inside on my own. Getting used to looking at something in 3D vs 2D was the hardest part.
This should make doing jobs inside the shop a lot easier once finished....
Picked this up about noon today. It's a Advantage lifts 9000 XLT 4 post drive on lift with 2 manual rolling jacks.
In the Air Conditioned shop ready to unload.
Most likely not OSHA approved method of lifting the 400# jacks off the trailer, but it worked...
Getting the lift itself off was not bad. I put a car dolly under the front of it when loading it on trailer so all I did was lift the back of lift with engine hoist and drive the trailer out from under it. Once the dolly was near the end of the trailer I set the back end down on another dolly, lifted the front up with hoist then drove the trailer the rest of the way out.
Here it is partially unpacked.
About 2 hours total got me this far.
.
I've recruited the neighbors kid to help me stand up the ends tomorrow then putting the rest of it together shouldn't be that big of a deal. Can't wait to be able to work on cars and trucks once again without laying on the ground...
Picked this up about noon today. It's a Advantage lifts 9000 XLT 4 post drive on lift with 2 manual rolling jacks.
In the Air Conditioned shop ready to unload.
Most likely not OSHA approved method of lifting the 400# jacks off the trailer, but it worked...
Getting the lift itself off was not bad. I put a car dolly under the front of it when loading it on trailer so all I did was lift the back of lift with engine hoist and drive the trailer out from under it. Once the dolly was near the end of the trailer I set the back end down on another dolly, lifted the front up with hoist then drove the trailer the rest of the way out.
Here it is partially unpacked.
About 2 hours total got me this far.
I've recruited the neighbors kid to help me stand up the ends tomorrow then putting the rest of it together shouldn't be that big of a deal. Can't wait to be able to work on cars and trucks once again without laying on the ground...
rattle_snake
Well-known member
Looks like your having fun putting toys together in your nice cool shop.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Sweeeeet.
So, Barney fits on the lift also...
The rolling jack fits under the lower control arms but I do have to put the little jack pad extensions under pads so they contact the frame before the jack itself hits the exhaust. With the extension in place, they will not go past the lower control arms. Not a big deal...
There is plenty of room on the wall side of the lift. Here is Barney's door opened all the way up.
I am going to hang my nut and bolt bins and steel peg board for all of my hanging tools and supplies along the wall in between the posts. They'll be 6-8" out from the wall so it seems like a perfect place to me.
Pretty much all of this on the worlds most expensive workbench will be hanging on the wall next to it in a day or so.
The rolling jack fits under the lower control arms but I do have to put the little jack pad extensions under pads so they contact the frame before the jack itself hits the exhaust. With the extension in place, they will not go past the lower control arms. Not a big deal...
There is plenty of room on the wall side of the lift. Here is Barney's door opened all the way up.
I am going to hang my nut and bolt bins and steel peg board for all of my hanging tools and supplies along the wall in between the posts. They'll be 6-8" out from the wall so it seems like a perfect place to me.
Pretty much all of this on the worlds most expensive workbench will be hanging on the wall next to it in a day or so.
I guess it's time for a little bit of a shop update.
I've been working on unpacking the little things and finding ways to put them away in an organized manner. My OCD might be kicking in just a bit here but I can't help it.
I picked up some louvered panels that the Akro bins hang on and have sorted all of my hardware out by size and type. These will hang on the wall by the lift, out of the way but still easily accessible.
Here is a picture with Barney's door wide open while on the lift. This shows the room available between the lift and the wall.
Everything getting sorted out on the worlds most expensive workbench...
You can also see there that I've moved the tool boxes up to the front of the lift. I picked up a second 72" rolling bench which is on the back side toward my office area.
It's a mess in this picture but I'm starting to get it pretty workable... I'll pretty it up and put things in the permanent place once I finish the shop area.
A bit of the OCD madness...
I liked the panels and bin setup so well that I ordered a few more which will be here this week. These should let me finish putting up everything on the "bench" in a way to keep it neat and tidy but still very easily accessible.
I also ordered some steel Locboard and hangers to hang some of my tools and such that just won't fit into the benches. I haven't decided yet if I'll hang those under the LocBins or somewhere on the opposite wall.
I re-purposed a steel office supply cabinet I brought with us into a storage cabinet for cleaners, paints, and oils and such. It fit on the wall right in between the two overhead doors.
The AC has been working great. Typically I've been coming out and opening up the back door of the shop and turning the fan on when I get up and letting mother nature cool the shop down then about 7:30 am or so I'll shut it up and turn the AC on about 78-80 degrees. It hardly runs at all until about 11 am or so then cycles for about 5 minutes or so every 30-40 minutes. Our electricity gets expensive at peak times 3-8 pm so I've been shutting the AC off at 3 pm and leaving it off the rest of the day. The shop actually stays pretty comfortable for a few hours after event with temps in high 90s outside. I'm impressed with how well it is insulated for sure.
Saturday I put roller solar screens up on the (6) 48" x 48" windows on East and West side of shop and they have helped a TON!. Today is my first day back in the shop with them installed and so far can tell a big difference in heat soak. They still let light in but almost zero heat.
This picture shows where the morning sun is shining in thru the solar screened window. Before the part with the sun shining on it would be 15 degrees hotter than the shaded part...now...they are the exact same temp.
That's about it for now, once I get the rest of the bins in and up and everything put back away I'll post some more "finished" looking pics...
I've been working on unpacking the little things and finding ways to put them away in an organized manner. My OCD might be kicking in just a bit here but I can't help it.
I picked up some louvered panels that the Akro bins hang on and have sorted all of my hardware out by size and type. These will hang on the wall by the lift, out of the way but still easily accessible.
Here is a picture with Barney's door wide open while on the lift. This shows the room available between the lift and the wall.
Everything getting sorted out on the worlds most expensive workbench...
You can also see there that I've moved the tool boxes up to the front of the lift. I picked up a second 72" rolling bench which is on the back side toward my office area.
It's a mess in this picture but I'm starting to get it pretty workable... I'll pretty it up and put things in the permanent place once I finish the shop area.
A bit of the OCD madness...
I liked the panels and bin setup so well that I ordered a few more which will be here this week. These should let me finish putting up everything on the "bench" in a way to keep it neat and tidy but still very easily accessible.
I also ordered some steel Locboard and hangers to hang some of my tools and such that just won't fit into the benches. I haven't decided yet if I'll hang those under the LocBins or somewhere on the opposite wall.
I re-purposed a steel office supply cabinet I brought with us into a storage cabinet for cleaners, paints, and oils and such. It fit on the wall right in between the two overhead doors.
The AC has been working great. Typically I've been coming out and opening up the back door of the shop and turning the fan on when I get up and letting mother nature cool the shop down then about 7:30 am or so I'll shut it up and turn the AC on about 78-80 degrees. It hardly runs at all until about 11 am or so then cycles for about 5 minutes or so every 30-40 minutes. Our electricity gets expensive at peak times 3-8 pm so I've been shutting the AC off at 3 pm and leaving it off the rest of the day. The shop actually stays pretty comfortable for a few hours after event with temps in high 90s outside. I'm impressed with how well it is insulated for sure.
Saturday I put roller solar screens up on the (6) 48" x 48" windows on East and West side of shop and they have helped a TON!. Today is my first day back in the shop with them installed and so far can tell a big difference in heat soak. They still let light in but almost zero heat.
This picture shows where the morning sun is shining in thru the solar screened window. Before the part with the sun shining on it would be 15 degrees hotter than the shaded part...now...they are the exact same temp.
That's about it for now, once I get the rest of the bins in and up and everything put back away I'll post some more "finished" looking pics...
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Nice. I like that wall mounted bin system.
polexican23
Banned
nice updates and the lift looks great. do you HAVE to anchor it?
C_F
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You're giving me a wee bit of lift envy, that one looks great! 
That's pretty neat that your window solar screens work as well as they do, I have often wondered if they work as well as the ads lead you to believe.
That's pretty neat that your window solar screens work as well as they do, I have often wondered if they work as well as the ads lead you to believe.
Thanks... I just finished filling the 114th little one up. I've got 12 11x11x5 bins still to go for the bigger stuff.
Thanks... You do not have to anchor a 4 post lift, that's why I have it instead of a two post. This one is a lot sturdier than others I've been around, the outside collars around the posts seem to be a better design than the cartridges that ride inside C-Channel posts.
You're giving me a wee bit of lift envy, that one looks great!
That's pretty neat that your window solar screens work as well as they do, I have often wondered if they work as well as the ads lead you to believe.
Thanks...I'm happy with it so far. We have shade screen blinds coming for the windows on the back of the house which should be here in a few days, if they work as good as these, I'll really be pleased.
So after my initial trial run with the louvered panels and bins...I decided I needed more of them. I also decided that the center of the panels needed an additional 2 screws to compliment the 10 screws around the perimeter of the panels. When really loaded down the center of the 48x24 panel would pull away from the wall a bit.
Before
After
I did this on all 4 panels now in my possession.
I also decided that trying hard to line the holes up on the studs wasn't necessary as the mollys held just fine in the sheetrock. So since I had the first two panels down, I rearranged how they hung to be a bit more eye appealing. Here they are hung along with the 2 Locboard (pegboard) panels I also picked up.
I picked up Triton's 63 piece assortment of pegs because I have no idea what all I'll need but I needed to start somewhere. Here they are hanging on (2) 18x36 panels.
I'm sure I'll need more and different pegs as I go along but this was a good start.
And here we are with (145) 5x5 bins and (12) 11x11 bins full and on the wall...
I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. It makes use of the wall space there where not much else could go, is very organized which will make finding the hardware in the bins super easy and should help keeping the rest of the shop neat and tidy.
Before
After
I did this on all 4 panels now in my possession.
I also decided that trying hard to line the holes up on the studs wasn't necessary as the mollys held just fine in the sheetrock. So since I had the first two panels down, I rearranged how they hung to be a bit more eye appealing. Here they are hung along with the 2 Locboard (pegboard) panels I also picked up.
I picked up Triton's 63 piece assortment of pegs because I have no idea what all I'll need but I needed to start somewhere. Here they are hanging on (2) 18x36 panels.
I'm sure I'll need more and different pegs as I go along but this was a good start.
And here we are with (145) 5x5 bins and (12) 11x11 bins full and on the wall...
I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. It makes use of the wall space there where not much else could go, is very organized which will make finding the hardware in the bins super easy and should help keeping the rest of the shop neat and tidy.
Had the first "customer" in the new shop yesterday for an oil change...
Felt good to be wrenching once again in a real shop...even if it was just an oil change.
It went so well in fact that I decided to maintain my other driver as well...
Oil changes for EVERYONE!!!!
Working on the drive-on lift is different than the 2 post I'm used too but so far everything is just fine. It's nice to have a "shelf" nearby to put things and with a little bit of finagling was able to get to everything needed just fine. Next job is pulling the third member out of the rear axle on Barney for inspection so that'll be a bit more involved... Will update how that goes once it happens.
Felt good to be wrenching once again in a real shop...even if it was just an oil change.
It went so well in fact that I decided to maintain my other driver as well...
Oil changes for EVERYONE!!!!
Working on the drive-on lift is different than the 2 post I'm used too but so far everything is just fine. It's nice to have a "shelf" nearby to put things and with a little bit of finagling was able to get to everything needed just fine. Next job is pulling the third member out of the rear axle on Barney for inspection so that'll be a bit more involved... Will update how that goes once it happens.
C_F
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I'll be right there! It looks like I'm about 650 miles from you...by the time I get there, my car will be due for it's next oil change. Perfect!!Oil changes for EVERYONE!!!!
JC23
Well-known member
Looking good! That cabinet between the doors is crying out for those kitchen sliding drawers to really utilize that space. I hate having to dig thru everything to find what I want.