Mike's Plumbing shop build thread

[mikesplumbing]

Hello everybody!

I really like your forum and can't believe other people are crazy about garages like I am and have an actual forum.

I'm the owner of Mike’s Plumbing a very small plumbing company with no employees. Basically it’s just me. Anyhow, I’m working out of my home garage right now and it just doesn’t make sense anymore.

My plan it to build a very small plumbing shop that also allows me to inventory some parts, hang out with customers, and tinker with my hobby when the family thinks I’m working.

Like I said I’m a one man plumbing shop and I have no desire to every have employees so the garage is going to be small……very small and cute.

For the style I want it to be an exact duplicate of a 1920’s to 1950’s type building….not sure yet but something very vintage and very exact.

For the materials I’m pretty sure it’s going to be all brick or block, nothing residential about it. It’s actually hard to explain because most people have a vision of a gas station but back in the day even the little plumbing shops had a ton of charm just like the gas stations. Overall, however it’s pretty close to being the same.

I’m fortunate to know all the inspectors in town so they are willing to work with me and my crazy idea.

My goal is to create a landmark for the town, something unique enough that people don’t forget it, something that when they drive by they hit the brakes and take a picture. It’s not going to be easy to pull it off but I want it to be perfect. I figure I’m going to set up a shop that needs to last another 20 years for me personally so I want something I’m going to enjoy for the rest of my career.

Here is the catch…….

I’m having a hard time finding a chunk of property to build it on but I’m still working hard to come up with something on one of the main drags in town.

For now this thread is just going to be where I can post some of my photos for ideas etc. If any of you folks have any ideas feel free to give advice because I have never planned a project quite like this before.

Mike

 

[e-tek]

Sounds like fun!!! Please start posting pics as soon as you're able!

(of course it also sounds like you're adding a mortgage and a place to spend your money, while lowering your income at the same time!! Kidding of course!

 

[mikevango]

Sounds like it is going to be cool. Keep us posted.

 

[mikesplumbing]

Ya know, after reading what I wrote I'm not happy about it because it makes me sound like I have a ton of money....and I don't, this will be a real challenge.

This is going to be hard to afford, keep in mind I'm just a small plumbing shop.

Most of the materials are going to be recycled like bricks etc. I have some of the materials like old vintage round top interior doors. I do have to follow some regulations for fire rating so this is all being worked into the plan.

Below are two pictures I have so far of an old service station. I took these because I love the clock and I will have one just like it on the outside. I also like the steep roof. It's just for idea purposes only. I'm pretty sure the exterior is going to be cream city brick and all the trim including the soffits will be gloss black inside and out.

Below are two photos I have so far.

 

[lilredex]

These used to be Toronto landmarks, operated by the Joy Oil Co. Do a Google image search for "old gas stations Toronto" lots more stuff out there.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2365/2074853626_68aafe0aeb.jpg

http://img141.imageshack.us/i/westwaterfront2june9092.jpg/

http://www.agilitynut.com/10/1/saskagas.jpg

If you like that kind of stuff look up "Casa Loma" Toronto for the real thing.

http://www.agilitynut.com/gas/can.html

 

[red baron]

Like I said I’m a one man plumbing shop and I have no desire to every have employees so the garage is going to be small……very small and cute.

sounds like a lot of fun, but did you really say you wanted it to be "cute"?

I can see it being small, vintage, eclectic, lots of character, etc... but never cute!! i dont know what I would do if someone called my space cute

 

[mikesplumbing]

Geez yeah, your right, that's not really a "Tim Allen" type word to describe it.

How about "Enchanting"? That's a bit borderline but I have to market to the ladies also. LOL



I'm out taking pictures today and collecting ideas. I ran accross some old steel framed windows for free out of an old factory. These are the type that were glazed 6" panels. Very cool looking and very authentic, which is my goal. My design is set by the componants I find rather than trying to find the componants to fit a certain design. I would like to have arch tops on all openings so it's a bit of a challenge.

Mike

 

[mikesplumbing]

Found some cream city bricks

I just got a call from a guy who has 53,000 cream city bricks. It's a factory chimeny that's still assembled and was built in 1887. The bricks are perfect!

I would have to pay somebody to dismantel and then haul it 67 miles. He doesn't now what he wants for it so he told me to make an offer. I have a feeling it's not worth it because I would rather buy them in a pile and not have to dismantel a big chimney...but, it's amazing what you can find when you just get the word out. I would like to use as much recycled material from that era as I can. That, in itself, would be worth the effort.

Anyhow.......the search goes on!

Mike

 

[IdahoJoe]

Take a look at this. You need a good sign...

http://www.agilitynut.com/sca/plumbing.html

 

[mikesplumbing]

Joe...Buddy!......What a great find!

I just love the sign examples you posted a link to. That's exactly what I'm looking for.

Businesses just don't do that kind of stuff anymore. I can't wait until I get to that point.

I did a rough sketch of the basic idea for what I'm after. I have a seperate area for plumbing pipe and supplies, my hobby area (homebuilt open cockpit airplane construction), a lounge connected to the office with couches, tv etc.

I also got another call today from a guy who has 680 cement blocks 8x8x16 for .25 each. Pretty good deal if I go that route. He says they are perfect...but I have not looked at them.

Mike