hello from chicago!

[asilker]

Hey folks, I'm new here, but you can find me on a number of hifi and audio forums. My interests include cycling, building amplifiers and speakers, DIY renovations at home, watches, cameras... few other things -- and I really enjoy reading.

Last year we moved, and the new property had a detached garage that was in abysmal condition. We tore it down and had a new 22x22' structure built with a single gable roof, rising about 4' at the apex.

I am just finishing putting up r15 and OSB along the walls, and next I am aiming for some type of insulation for the ceiling and a minisplit. So right off the bat, I will be spending some time in the heating and cooling subforum.

Anyway -- Even though I am in an urban environment, I do like woodworking and performing my own repairs on as much as I can. Nice to meet you all.

 

[loganb]

Welcome! Spent 5 years in Chicago-land(Downers Grove) but moved out in 2020. Lots of members around in similar situations with urban garages...check out this thread if you haven't found it for another Chicago(proper not suburb) build!

The Mary Kay Garage

Hey guys. Long time lerker and very infrequent poster here. I've been using this forum for years to mentally design my dream garage and I am finally able to start that project. I am calling this the Mary Kay Garage for reasons that I will make clear in a subsequent post. Mine will not...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[nadogail]

Welcome to the Forum from Southwestern California, I was a Cyclist until my legs got too weak. That came as a result of Cardio Vascular problems, I am Life Member 254 of the League Of American Wheelmen; now called the League of American Bicyclists.

Are you building tube or transistor amplifiers?

 

[billconner]

Welcome! Spent 30 years in Oak Park, but fled to rural NY for retitement. Post some pics of your garage.

 

[RoninB4]

Welcome to TGF from SE Tennessee. I lived in Chicago (north side) and several of the surrounding suburbs for 20+ years, left in 2007. Pull up a chair and join the discussion.

 

[GrayFlattop]

Welcome! There is a wealth of experience and resources on GJ. At times I am humbled by the knowledge base here. Avoid discussions of politics here - nothing good ever comes of it and I believe it is strictly forbidden on GJ.

I only have a few suggestions to start. Before you move a bunch of stuff in your new garage, paint the darn OSB. Paint it white to reflect / amplify light and if you are worried about it getting dirty, then paint the lower 3-4' with a darker color. Plain OSB just looks unfinished, IMO. Paint is cheap and it's not like you'll need 200 gallons to paint the interior of your pole barn.

Drywall is cheap - drywall the ceiling as well. It will help keep the heat in during the winter by serving as a "floor" for your insulation. Paint that white also. Install plenty of LED lighting and you can start filling it up with 3 of everything!

Other than that, your garage is YOUR space - make it your own and you can make it work for your needs. It's kind of impractical for everyone to have an 1800 square foot garage with 12' ceilings, a lift, radiant in-floor heat and 400 amp 3-phase service. Truth is it's what everyone here needs, but remains elusive for many...

Shameless plug: LMK if you would be interested in a 6" Powermatic Jointer Model 50 with mobile base. Wired for 240v single phase with magnetic starter.

 

[asilker]

Welcome! Spent 5 years in Chicago-land(Downers Grove) but moved out in 2020. Lots of members around in similar situations with urban garages...check out this thread if you haven't found it for another Chicago(proper not suburb) build!

The Mary Kay Garage

Hey guys. Long time lerker and very infrequent poster here. I've been using this forum for years to mentally design my dream garage and I am finally able to start that project. I am calling this the Mary Kay Garage for reasons that I will make clear in a subsequent post. Mine will not...

www.garagejournal.com

Thanks! That thread is very cool. I work in that neighborhood. Wonder if I've ever walked past that garage.

Welcome to the Forum from Southwestern California, I was a Cyclist until my legs got too weak. That came as a result of Cardio Vascular problems, I am Life Member 254 of the League Of American Wheelmen; now called the League of American Bicyclists.

Are you building tube or transistor amplifiers?

Very cool! I am not quite that invested, it's challenging to carve out the hours, especially with little kids

I build a little bit of both. I've done a lot of kits and restoration, old Fender amps, Firstwatt circuits, Dynaco ultralinear, single ended triodes, some digital to analog conversion stuff. I am just a hobbyist so it's a bit of a journey to get into circuit design, but that's where I am heading. Thanks for asking -- do you build amps too?

Welcome! Spent 30 years in Oak Park, but fled to rural NY for retitement. Post some pics of your garage.

Will do!

Welcome! There is a wealth of experience and resources on GJ. At times I am humbled by the knowledge base here. Avoid discussions of politics here - nothing good ever comes of it and I believe it is strictly forbidden on GJ.

I only have a few suggestions to start. Before you move a bunch of stuff in your new garage, paint the darn OSB. Paint it white to reflect / amplify light and if you are worried about it getting dirty, then paint the lower 3-4' with a darker color. Plain OSB just looks unfinished, IMO. Paint is cheap and it's not like you'll need 200 gallons to paint the interior of your pole barn.

Drywall is cheap - drywall the ceiling as well. It will help keep the heat in during the winter by serving as a "floor" for your insulation. Paint that white also. Install plenty of LED lighting and you can start filling it up with 3 of everything!

Other than that, your garage is YOUR space - make it your own and you can make it work for your needs. It's kind of impractical for everyone to have an 1800 square foot garage with 12' ceilings, a lift, radiant in-floor heat and 400 amp 3-phase service. Truth is it's what everyone here needs, but remains elusive for many...

Shameless plug: LMK if you would be interested in a 6" Powermatic Jointer Model 50 with mobile base. Wired for 240v single phase with magnetic starter.

Yup, no politics. I try and get it all out by just screaming and berating my neighbors and family, so not too much need to air things out here

Roger that, I will consider the paint.

And yes, please feel free to PM me about that jointer -- maybe you have a sale ad up somewhere?

 

[nadogail]

Thanks! That thread is very cool. I work in that neighborhood. Wonder if I've ever walked past that garage.

Very cool! I am not quite that invested, it's challenging to carve out the hours, especially with little kids

I build a little bit of both. I've done a lot of kits and restoration, old Fender amps, Firstwatt circuits, Dynaco ultralinear, single ended triodes, some digital to analog conversion stuff. I am just a hobbyist so it's a bit of a journey to get into circuit design, but that's where I am heading. Thanks for asking -- do you build amps too?

Will do!

Yup, no politics. I try and get it all out by just screaming and berating my neighbors and family, so not too much need to air things out here

Roger that, I will consider the paint.

And yes, please feel free to PM me about that jointer -- maybe you have a sale ad up somewhere?

Because of budgetary constraints I never built the Williamson Circuit of my fantasies.

 

[asilker]

Because of budgetary constraints I never built the Williamson Circuit of my fantasies.

oooh very interesting. I am not particularly familiar with the Williamson (obv I can google and see that its 4 stage, etc etc). I ran 45 and 2a3 SET amplifiers for a while -- wonder how close those are. The one I really liked was oriented around an old RCA promo schematic for the 2a3 I believe