Mark's Monster Garage....3800 sq ft

[casmurbax]

You must have a great deal going on in your head that you forgot you poured 7 yards of concrete.

Slab looks great, as does your fence.

Looking forward to see your cabinets being done.

 

[IGO2XS]

You must have a great deal going on in your head that you forgot you poured 7 yards of concrete.

Slab looks great, as does your fence.

Looking forward to see your cabinets being done.

Yes my head is a dangerous place to be!!

I am not sure how I got my mind set on purchasing an old radio but this past week I purchased a Pioneed TP-8000 8 track player. This is the same unit I put in my van in 1973. I still have the original manual that came with my radio back then. There is one positive lead they say goes directly to the battery then you ground the radio chassis to the vehicle. I guess so you can party with the radio on and not have to turn on accessory. Both left and right speakers share the same ground so there are only 5 wires to connect this unit up. I am going to hook it up on my workbench and see how it works. I still have a case of my 8 tracks from the 70's.




I was able to move my dust vac out to the main garage under the stairs that lead up to the storage room. I cut through the stucco, plywood and drywall and made a 7" in diameter hole. I removed the control box from the dust vac and mounted it inside my woodshop on the wall. As I mentioned on an earlier post I love the remote key fob to turn it on and off. I am still using some flexible ducting until I can permanently install some hard pipe.





I have 24 drawers I need to make for my cabinets I built in the wood shop. That is a lot of drawers but I am sure I will be able to put them to good use. I am using the Blum Metabox system. They have powder coated sides and I ordered the full extension hinges. They are rated for up to 100 Lbs so they should be durable. I cut the bottom and back of the drawer out of 5/8 white melamine. They require a drilling jig so the 6 holes can be drilled for the slides to snap in. The nice part is my new saw has two blades so the first one scores the bottom side of the board and it makes for a nice clean cut with you have formica on both sides of the board. I am making all 24 drawers at once using the assembly line production method. I take each step in the process and complete the necessary action on all the drawers before I move on to the next step.





I am working on a project for my wife. It is going to be a chandelier to be hung in our dining room. There will be 8 individual light bulbs that will hang from this 4' square box. I built it out of cypress and it came out great. The table saw is really making my life easy. I used a gel stain and then came back and sanded it to make it look distressed. I will take a picture of it once it is hanging so you can see the final product.

 

[Kevkx125]

Chandelier looks and sounds like it is going to be cool, can't wait to see final pics.

 

[IGO2XS]

Photobucket has been upgrading their site so I havnt been able to post pics for a few weeks. Also, you will probably see a few of my recent pictures that dont have images as a consequence of this "upgrade". I have a lot to catch up on. I have the Corvette and have my drawers finished in the shop. I will start out though by posting pictures of my chandelier project. I was really happy with the finish I managed to put on the cypress wood. I had 10 lights to install in the chandelier and I hung them at different levels. The wife purchased some "greenery" which she directed me to place on top of the chandelier. I used chain to hang it because we have an industrial theme going on in the house. I am really happy with the way it turned out.

 

[Boosted1]

Chandelier is beautiful
Nice work

 

[IGO2XS]

The woodworking room ended up being a lot more work than I thought. Between the remodel I have going on in my house, the van, and other misc projects I have fit it in the best I can. I still have temporary hoses running from my dust vac to the equipment but I wanted to get the cabinets done first. If you have every made drawers before you understand what kind of time they take. I used the Blum Metabox drawer sides because they are premade and have a load carrying capacity of 100lbs. I also got the full extension slides so they are perfect for shop drawers. I used 5/8 melamine for the drawer bottoms and back. The new sliding table saw with the extra scoring blade really makes cutting the two sided laminate a dream as it makes a smooth cut every time. The drawer fronts take most of the work because I covered them in formica to match the rest of my cabinets in the garage. I did all of my work in assembly line projection techniques to maximize my time. I am quite pleased with the outcome. I am going to have to put labels on the drawers as I have 24 and I will never remember what is in each one of them.

 

[IGO2XS]

Chandelier is beautiful
Nice work

thank you!!

 

[Bighead38]

I want to see what you do with that split window.

 

[Toolfool]

Cabinets came out great, Mark ! Any idea how much money you have invested in the cabinets ? Curious compared to purchasing from a garage cabinet supplier.

 

[IGO2XS]

I want to see what you do with that split window.

I have some special plans for it. Working on some major details right now. I will post pics of the car tomorrow.

 

[Bighead38]

I have some special plans for it. Working on some major details right now. I will post pics of the car tomorrow.

Sounds good.

 

[IGO2XS]

Cabinets came out great, Mark ! Any idea how much money you have invested in the cabinets ? Curious compared to purchasing from a garage cabinet supplier.

lets say $40 per cabinet in milamine, $80 a cabinet for the slides, and I over spent on the drawer pulls. they were $56 per cab and $60 per cabinet in formica, glue etc. So lets say a around $250 per cabinet plus your time. I feel what I built was higher quality than what you can buy.

 

[Terrick down Under]

Those draw units worked out well.

 

[IGO2XS]

Here is my next project car. I have had the 1963 split window a few weeks now and working on the details of the build. I am looking at a custom built chassis by RothSpeed. I am also trying to determine what motor I will be using. Most likely I am going to go with a GM LT-1 or LT-4 supercharged motor. I am also thinking about going with the new GM 8 speed automatic transmissions. I have quite a bit of fiberglass parts ordered to finish out the engine compartment and widen the rear quarters. I am really looking forward to this build. I should have a rendering of the build in a few weeks.

 

[Bob Heine]

Mark, love to see what you plan to build this time. Looks like you have some original hubcaps and I see a set of four selling for close to a thousand dollars. Just about enough to pay for a piece of corner molding on the back glass. I assume you have the trim pieces locked up in a safe deposit box somewhere.

 

[ODIS]

Great cabinets! Looking forward to the build of the SWC. Know that “toolfool” also likes the ‘63 Coupe. Have had mine now for 18 years this next week. Holy Smokes, does time ever fly! Bought it for my 50th BD present to myself.

Greatly enjoy your thread!

Odis.

 

[ODIS]

Mark, love to see what you plan to build this time. Looks like you have some original hubcaps and I see a set of four selling for close to a thousand dollars. Just about enough to pay for a piece of corner molding on the back glass. I assume you have the trim pieces locked up in a safe deposit box somewhere.

As Bob has said, all the SS trim is one year only and like hens teeth to find in reasonable condition.

Oops....... See in a previous post you have all the ss trim.. You are lucky!

Again, really looking forward to see you work the magic on this car!

 

[Boosted1]

Looks like you got the van back from paint and haven't shared that yet?

 

[IGO2XS]

Mark, love to see what you plan to build this time. Looks like you have some original hubcaps and I see a set of four selling for close to a thousand dollars. Just about enough to pay for a piece of corner molding on the back glass. I assume you have the trim pieces locked up in a safe deposit box somewhere.

You are so correct Bob. I hear a full set of window trim is going for around $12,000. That is one of the main reasons why I bought this one. There are some good parts on this car I do plan on selling. As you can see someone put a nose on this car. We have to take it back off because they used panel bond and it didnt bond very well. Yesterday I ordered a ton of parts from Corvette Dynamics. When we did my 63 we had to hand lay glass to build the smooth firewall and smooth out the inner fenders. Now they sell the smooth firewall and a inner fender package to do all that work. They even have it made to accept the Detroit Speed electric wiper kit and Vintage air unit.

 

[LutzTD]

great to see you back and through the accident and better, I have been lurking but am stoked to watch the vette build.

 

[plain2car]

Mark, first off glad to hear that you are back on your feet really glad to see you back at it and outta your "funk" I can relate.... maybe a late midlife hiccup! also very cool to see some of your new toys! I think that you should find a place to log the van build on the "other" site (67-72chevytrucks) as well.... I look foward to seeing you work your magic on the vette a very good friend (member on here too) is restoring a '67 vette so I will make sure he checks in as well. Please be safe during all this junk going around and I anxiously awaiting updates!!
as always... thank you for your time on entertaining us...

 

[IGO2XS]

Looks like you got the van back from paint and haven't shared that yet?

Oh yes I guess I havnt posted any pictures. I will make a point to post a few tonight. Lots of stuff happening with the van.

great to see you back and through the accident and better, I have been lurking but am stoked to watch the vette build.

Thank you so much. I am really looking forward to this build as well. I am working on the rendering which I will share when we get finished with it.

Mark, first off glad to hear that you are back on your feet really glad to see you back at it and outta your "funk" I can relate.... maybe a late midlife hiccup! also very cool to see some of your new toys! I think that you should find a place to log the van build on the "other" site (67-72chevytrucks) as well.... I look foward to seeing you work your magic on the vette a very good friend (member on here too) is restoring a '67 vette so I will make sure he checks in as well. Please be safe during all this junk going around and I anxiously awaiting updates!!
as always... thank you for your time on entertaining us...

Thank you so much. It was a real bump in the road for me and I am glad I made it to the other side. Right now I am the happiest I have been in my whole life. Spend every day out in the garage and lovin every minute of it.

 

[Bob Heine]

Mark, I know you aren't fully retired but I'm glad you are enjoying the version you are living.

 

[IGO2XS]

The van made it as far as my garage after I picked it up from the body shop. I pretty much backed it up in the garage and put it on the lift. I decided I want to do a few upgrades to it. First, I wanted some wide tires on the back so I cut out the factory wheel tubs and cut the floor over to the frame in essence doing a mini tub. After measuring this would allow me to use a 335/30-20 in the rear with a 20 x 14 wheel.....that is a pretty wide wheel and tire combo. I will be using a 18 x 7 wheel with a 205/49-18 tire in the front. The wheels are billet and currently on order and are built by Coddington. We fabricated a pretty aggress "c-notch" because the second phase is lowering the van. I am looking for a 6" ride height which is prety low. I plan on using coilovers as I dont want to mess around with an air ride system. I also have on order some narrowed tubular upper and lower control arms for the front. I also have a crossmember being built that will handle my suspension needs for the front. I will have to change the steering up a bit once we get the front end installed. Today I recieved my "Zoomies". I am pretty excited about these bad boys. They are old school but I think will look pretty cool on the van.

 

[IGO2XS]

Mark, I know you aren't fully retired but I'm glad you are enjoying the version you are living.

Thanks Bob!!

 

[radio2000]

All I can say is WOW WOW WOW & WOW !!

I tip my hat to you sir, that is one amazing build

I've been keeping up with this thread & also your HT thread over on AVS & I just can't find words to pay proper compliment to what you've created.

I'm very much a fan of Tuscan style architecture & love the use of Earth tones & natural stone in buildings, so this to me is perfection. Please do share more pictures of the home & property, if you feel it appropriate to do so. I do realise that this is a garage forum, so perhaps house pictures would be too OT for here, but I do keep a watchful eye over on AVS for any updates there too.

If there was ever inspiration to hold on to our dreams & believe that they can come true, this is it. I've had many dreams in my life, which sadly have never come to fruition. The one remaining one I have, is to some day design & build my own home. I'm saving your two threads in my "Inspiration Folder"

Thank you for sharing

Anyone have a link to the AVS forum with the HT build?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Boosted1]

The van is going to be cool(er).

 

[shopnut]

I have been very quiet on the GJ forum for the last few years, just popping in from time to time to reply to my thread comments and such, and not really having much time to explore what everyone else was up to. So I had no idea you had been checked out too for roughly that same period of time until reading through your thread a couple days ago.

Wow is all I can say. My own business would surely do me in and that's why I have never ventured down that road. So my hat's off to anyone that tries it and especially to those who manage to turn it into a success. It's sad the new owner(s) couldn't continue that success and keep the customers satisfied. And geez the whole story on the leg... what a fluke thing. Glad to see you make a seemingly full recovery from that. It shows what a fighter you are.

I wanted to stop in and say Hi and wish you well in the future. As with the rest of the folks on this forum, I'm glad to see you back in the Monster Garage doing your thing, with new found enthusiasm. Looking forward to future updates in your "retirement".

 

[IGO2XS]

I have been very quiet on the GJ forum for the last few years, just popping in from time to time to reply to my thread comments and such, and not really having much time to explore what everyone else was up to. So I had no idea you had been checked out too for roughly that same period of time until reading through your thread a couple................I wanted to stop in and say Hi and wish you well in the future. As with the rest of the folks on this forum, I'm glad to see you back in the Monster Garage doing your thing, with new found enthusiasm. Looking forward to future updates in your "retirement".

Glad to see you back. You used to be very active. Thank you for the well wishes!!!

Anyone have a link to the AVS forum with the HT build?

Here is the home theater build......

https://www.avsforum.com/forum/19-d...on/1280500-mark-s-ground-up-cinema-build.html


My buddy Max spent about 8 hours over the weekend working on the C-notch. He is a very precise metal worker so he takes his time and makes it right. I didnt realize but he made the c-notch out of stainless steel. Wow and I was worrying about it rusting. He got the notch welded in and then cut out the frame in the middle. Tomorrow I am going to put the axle back in for a test fitting. I will need to cut out a section of the floor between the notches and then Max will bend a piece of sheet metal to close it in........if my description makes sense. We will have to relocate the upper coilover mounts, make brackets for the sway bar, determine whether the fuel tank can be used etc etc. Many little obstacles to figure out to finish the job. Obstacles is what makes the projects fun and challenging.

You guys have seen many of the cars I have built and I like to black out the trim. Other than polished wheels I am not a fan of chrome. Carbon fiber is popular in European cars and I plan on using it on the Corvette build and I decided to experiment with it it on the van. Although the van is in excellent shape many of the trim pieces look a little aged so I dropped of some parts to be hydro dipped. I have a picture below of the dash, marker light housings, and the rear view mirror. I am really excited to get these pieces installed.

 

[Toolfool]

Black goes well with orange, but I'm still a fan of chrome on dark vehicles. The CF stuff looks good.

 

[xViViDx]

I found your home theatre thread on AVS from back in 2011. I’m really enjoying it and laughing to myself as the readers there begin to learn who you are and realize you really do go to extremes. They have no idea. I’m only on page two or three.

How’s the wood shop and kitchen cabinets coming along? That van is going to be awesome. I can’t wait to see it bagged and on the ground.

- David

 

[IGO2XS]

I found your home theatre thread on AVS from back in 2011. I’m really enjoying it and laughing to myself as the readers there begin to learn who you are and realize you really do go to extremes. They have no idea. I’m only on page two or three.

How’s the wood shop and kitchen cabinets coming along? That van is going to be awesome. I can’t wait to see it bagged and on the ground.

- David

David thanks for the kind words. I have spent my lifetime building something. It really has given me lots of enjoyment and self satisfaction.

Today is Sunday and it is no different than any other day as I am out in the garage. I do play drums and play every morning at our church. We do the service live and stream it live on the church's Facebook page. I have really been pushing myself lately and I have to stop. I am having a blast but it keeps me from sitting down and joining in with the fun you guys have on the garage journal. I did work on and off on the dust vacuum piping this week. It comes out of my Grizzly dust vac on a 7" line. When it gets to the first wye I branched off two 6" galvanized duct lines. As recommended I keep it 6" as long as I can until I reduce it down to 4". I am taping all the joints with the silver tape so I can seal it as much as possible. I know I have more vacuum than I need but it does an efficient job. We have also been spending time on the van suspension. When we finish up today I will get some shots of what we are doing. I did pick up a little plasma cutter and I have been having lots of fun with it. I am cutting off all of the leaf spring brackets we are no longer using and its a wiz. I to make sure not to get carried away.

Next week we start the demo on the inside of the house for the remodeling. I will do a good updated tonight and make sure to show you the before pictures. Thanks for all of your friendships!!

 

[IGO2XS]

I have been working on my wife's new pantry project along with the garage stuff. She wanted our kitchen and living area more open. The problem was her pantry is right in the middle of both areas. The first picture shows the pantry from the kitchen side and the 2nd picture shows it from the living room view. Unfortunately the pantry walls have some major structural support beams that carry part of the second floor and the roof. I did hire our original architect to come up with a plan for us to accomplish this. He had our plans on his computer so he was able to submit them to an engineer and they came up with a new plan. There will still be about 4 feet of the pantry wall that will remain as it will provide bearing to some steel beams we have to add. Along with this we will be cutting holes in a few areas of the existing floor to pour new footers. The walls will have to be temporarily shored so that the walls can be removed and new supports installed. It was more than I wanted to tackle myself so I have a few of the original contractors who worked on the house hired to do some of the work. I am doing a lot of the initial demo and then I will be doing the finish work once the new supports are in place. Luckily I still have 400 sq feet of extra ceramic tile from the original build to use for the floor.




The new pantry will take up part of the garage space. The house has a 2 1/2 car garage so we will be taking part of this space for the new pantry leaving us a 2 car garage plus some space. Hopefully I havnt confused everyone with this explanations.

 

[bmw57isetta]

Mark:

Gotta ask. Where did you get those killer leather/aluminum side chairs in post 3313, second pic down? Brand, style name, model number if you have it. Looks like you're off to another great start. Looking forward to this one.

 

[IGO2XS]

Mark:

Gotta ask. Where did you get those killer leather/aluminum side chairs in post 3313, second pic down? Brand, style name, model number if you have it. Looks like you're off to another great start. Looking forward to this one.

We purchased those chairs as well as other furniture at Restoration Hardware. These chairs are part of their Aviator series. We have some desks, tables and a few other items from the Aviator series. I just love the design of them and they really ar unique.

 

[IGO2XS]

Here are some of the final pictures of the 1965 vette we built with the new LT-1 motor and 6L80 transmission.

 

[Horror Business]

That ‘65 came out sooooo nice! The professional photos are stunning. Is this the one that went to auction but did not meet the reserve? What happened after that? Did you sell it?

 

[IGO2XS]

That ‘65 came out sooooo nice! The professional photos are stunning. Is this the one that went to auction but did not meet the reserve? What happened after that? Did you sell it?

This build was for a customer. Unfortunately he passed just before completion of the build. His son had it and I saw it recently on ebay for sale.

 

[bluestripe67]

I just got caught up on things, so to speak. Glad you made good recovery and everything that has followed just about takes my breath away. Enjoy the continued good times! Dennis

 

[Horror Business]

This build was for a customer. Unfortunately he passed just before completion of the build. His son had it and I saw it recently on ebay for sale.

Wow, how sad he did not get to enjoy his custom creation. I bet he had fun with you and your team designing it. It is really, ridiculously nice. Red is not my favorite vette color, (I know, all Corvettes are red), but it really works here. How awesome was it when you were test driving it?