Attic lights on, thought it'd be a neat picture.
You need a little lighted Christmas tree to put up in that attic window for the season. See how many of your neighbors notice it.
My Garage Refurb
- Thread starter IONH
- Start date
You need a little lighted Christmas tree to put up in that attic window for the season. See how many of your neighbors notice it.
You need a little lighted Christmas tree to put up in that attic window for the season. See how many of your neighbors notice it.
Hah! My wife would love that! Or a wreath. Hmm, if LED, I may not mind the power usage.
The lights were just starting to flicker off this morning from the photo cell. I'm hoping that's normal for a photo cell to blink off and on as the day/night transition happens. Probably another good reason to go with LED over CFL.
So the photo cell seemed to be turning off my outside lights this morning because it was turning on and off every 10 seconds or so. Not cycling regularly, but not just on or off. I thought at first that maybe that was just how photo cells work when it is near dawn or dusk. However, when I got home from work, they were still doing it.
Looking this up on the net, it appears that if they blink during the day, the photo cell is probably bad.
If they flicker at night (which they don't), it is probably either the light output is so bright it turns off the photo cell or there is a nearby reflection of the lights (e.g. a street sign) back causing it to shut off.
Looking this up on the net, it appears that if they blink during the day, the photo cell is probably bad.
If they flicker at night (which they don't), it is probably either the light output is so bright it turns off the photo cell or there is a nearby reflection of the lights (e.g. a street sign) back causing it to shut off.
Does anybody make a good photo eye anymore ? I had probably with one, a friend had problems, you are and who else ?
I've known a couple people with good luck.
Actually, my gable light has a motion detector which only acts as a dusk to dawn.. I could steal it since I'm no longer using the gable light at night, but I'm honestly a little too lazy for that right now.
I'm going to extend the existing photo cell wiring to put the new sensor in the window to try out as it is ~1/3" larger diameter than the existing one so I don't want a larger hole in the siding if it is not going to work out.
The current sensor location can be seen in this picture just below and to the right of the gable light.
Actually, my gable light has a motion detector which only acts as a dusk to dawn.. I could steal it since I'm no longer using the gable light at night, but I'm honestly a little too lazy for that right now.
I'm going to extend the existing photo cell wiring to put the new sensor in the window to try out as it is ~1/3" larger diameter than the existing one so I don't want a larger hole in the siding if it is not going to work out.
The current sensor location can be seen in this picture just below and to the right of the gable light.
And the final result!
xtremek
Well-known member
Looking good. Love the coach lights and octagon window.
dubber
Well-known member
Great job on that facelift. That night shot is awesome!
You need a little lighted Christmas tree to put up in that attic window for the season. See how many of your neighbors notice it.
Okay, I just confirmed it. Your idea was a hit!
I'm going to swap out the switch I have up there with a switch/outlet combo so whatever is plugged in will turn on when the photo cell calls for power.
Thanks to you both.
Since the front wall project has come to an end, I dug up some old pictures from 2008 when I replaced the rear wall.
I may have already stated this, but as this is clearly pre-existing, my home inspector was horrible and did not catch that the rear wall was pretty much internally non-existent. Completely gutted by termites. The front wall, as you just saw in this thread, wasn't much better. It didn't help that the roof was done incorrectly by the prior owner and the shingles didn't overhang the edges of the roof so water literally went right into the wall. Back then, the roof didn't have any overhang on the gable ends like it does now (to better match the house).
Anyway, here are the pictures I could find. There were some metal racks on the rear wall which I decided to remove mid-summer of my first year in the house. I found out the bolts weren't in contact with wood within the wall. I pushed gently on the wall once the racks were down and the wall could sway a couple inches in or out. The drywall was removed and here is what I found.
Because the asphalt apron around the garage was nearly at the top of the foundation so I (with my Dad's help) added a course of cinder blocks to help raise the new wood off the ground.
Gotta christen the fill cement in case anyone ever takes the wall down.
New wall studded up! The lower sheathing I used was pressure treated as I wasn't sure how I was going to handle the termites. I later got the structures chemically treated.
Originally there was a single 30" rear door. Since I was replacing the wall, I decided to put in a 36" door instead. The 30" door was eventually reinstalled at the front of the garage on the side toward the house.
This little 40k BTU propane heater is the only reason we didn't get frost bite as the project ended in the second week of DECEMBER in the Northeast!
I planned on having more than the 6 circuits (4 of which are dedicated to two 220V breakers) so I wired up 3 twin duplex boxes on the bench and two single duplex boxes below the bench and ran those up to the attic. They eventually got joined and run to the same 20A 110V breaker. This breaker is also now being used for the 3 twin duplex boxes on the front wall.
Built-in cabinets for the front wall, here's one progress picture.
Built a floor to ceiling shelving unit, very sturdy ending up with 3/4" OSB shelving.
Bench frame designed to fit totes you see later.
End result when the stuff which was shoved to the front of the garage was shoved back to the back so I could fit a car.
I may have already stated this, but as this is clearly pre-existing, my home inspector was horrible and did not catch that the rear wall was pretty much internally non-existent. Completely gutted by termites. The front wall, as you just saw in this thread, wasn't much better. It didn't help that the roof was done incorrectly by the prior owner and the shingles didn't overhang the edges of the roof so water literally went right into the wall. Back then, the roof didn't have any overhang on the gable ends like it does now (to better match the house).
Anyway, here are the pictures I could find. There were some metal racks on the rear wall which I decided to remove mid-summer of my first year in the house. I found out the bolts weren't in contact with wood within the wall. I pushed gently on the wall once the racks were down and the wall could sway a couple inches in or out. The drywall was removed and here is what I found.
Because the asphalt apron around the garage was nearly at the top of the foundation so I (with my Dad's help) added a course of cinder blocks to help raise the new wood off the ground.
Gotta christen the fill cement in case anyone ever takes the wall down.
New wall studded up! The lower sheathing I used was pressure treated as I wasn't sure how I was going to handle the termites. I later got the structures chemically treated.
Originally there was a single 30" rear door. Since I was replacing the wall, I decided to put in a 36" door instead. The 30" door was eventually reinstalled at the front of the garage on the side toward the house.
This little 40k BTU propane heater is the only reason we didn't get frost bite as the project ended in the second week of DECEMBER in the Northeast!
I planned on having more than the 6 circuits (4 of which are dedicated to two 220V breakers) so I wired up 3 twin duplex boxes on the bench and two single duplex boxes below the bench and ran those up to the attic. They eventually got joined and run to the same 20A 110V breaker. This breaker is also now being used for the 3 twin duplex boxes on the front wall.
Built-in cabinets for the front wall, here's one progress picture.
Built a floor to ceiling shelving unit, very sturdy ending up with 3/4" OSB shelving.
Bench frame designed to fit totes you see later.
End result when the stuff which was shoved to the front of the garage was shoved back to the back so I could fit a car.
Somebody put that stud in the wrong place ?
BTW, glad the wife liked the idea, maybe you should carry it out for all the seasons. Got a lighted turkey ?
The stud does look off, doesn't it.
I'm sure it's in the right place though. That was my first time framing a wall so I'd probably marked it 16" on center of the inside of the first stud instead of the outside or something along those lines. I'm sure it's right now and I doubt anyone will ever see my wrong marks.Framing a wall or building a 4 wall tied together structure is old hat to me now. Amazing what 4 years of home ownership can do.
Okay, lets not get crazy with a lighted turkey!
The stud does look off, doesn't it.
Framing a wall or building a 4 wall tied together structure is old hat to me now. Amazing what 4 years of home ownership can do.
Okay, lets not get crazy with a lighted turkey!
No one will ever see it, too late man, it's on the internet.
If one chooses to work on their own stuff, home ownership can force you to learn "a lot"
Hey now, what's wrong with a lighted turkey ?
Did this tonight. Lights are on now, it's dark. Hoping for them to work normally tomorrow during the day, being consistently off. If they do, I'll put the new cell in the siding and see how that works.
If it works out then, great. If not, I'll repurpose my gable eye as that does work really well.
And the lights were blinking this morning when I left for work.
Because the new photo cell is on the window sill inside, there in no way the LEDs are hitting it. Regardless, daytime = no light so that couldn't be it.
Worked fine overnight though.
Damn, guess I need to rework the gable light so I can use its eye. At least I put it on one of those siding mount blocks so it'll be easier to work with.
This weekend I built a couple of pedestals for the new washer/dryer. Came out good enough to make me happy I didn't spend $400-500 for the manufactured pair.
My wife has now mastered the Kreg Jig.
100# ball bearing slides.
Still need to put on the edge banding around the drawers and buy some hardware.
My wife has now mastered the Kreg Jig.
100# ball bearing slides.
Still need to put on the edge banding around the drawers and buy some hardware.
AHotRod
Well-known member
WOW! You have put a ton of work into this garage, well done.
Stole someone's idea on here and made a couple of zip tie holders out of some PVC pipe.
Also put edge banding on one of the pedestals I made last weekend. Makes a world of difference! I used a heat gun on around 230 degrees and those cheap (usually free) HF black handle scissors to press the adhesive against the wood.
Also put edge banding on one of the pedestals I made last weekend. Makes a world of difference! I used a heat gun on around 230 degrees and those cheap (usually free) HF black handle scissors to press the adhesive against the wood.
Okay, not in the garage, but it involved some fire so I thought it was worth posting. It's related to the new washer/dryer pedestal I built.
Here's my old washing machine shutoffs. I had already cut them off at this point. The hot side was off for the last couple years as I had to turn it off once and it started to leak so I never turned it back on.
Pipes cut off. They're even, but the left had drooped while the right was held in place by where it goes outside.
All sweat up.
No leaks, first try. I knew I could do it, and did it all on my own, but I had my dad over for moral support as he's done a lot more sweating of pipes than I have.
Here's my old washing machine shutoffs. I had already cut them off at this point. The hot side was off for the last couple years as I had to turn it off once and it started to leak so I never turned it back on.
Pipes cut off. They're even, but the left had drooped while the right was held in place by where it goes outside.
All sweat up.
No leaks, first try. I knew I could do it, and did it all on my own, but I had my dad over for moral support as he's done a lot more sweating of pipes than I have.
Okay, I got the old washer and dryer out of the basement tonight with the help of a friend. Brought the pedestals down and decided to turn them both sideways as it freed up a substantial amount of room. I don't have any before pictures because the room is in such poor shape, but here's a couple progress ones.
I need to move the dryer electrical as the dryer will be on the "right" and I'll have to put a new hole in the side of the house for the dryer vent as this is too far away.
Painted the recumbent frame I was working on a couple months ago. Now to reassemble.
I need to move the dryer electrical as the dryer will be on the "right" and I'll have to put a new hole in the side of the house for the dryer vent as this is too far away.
Painted the recumbent frame I was working on a couple months ago. Now to reassemble.
I like your washer/dryer pedestals, that came out great. It's even better that the wife helped too.
Thanks Eric, means a lot coming from someone who has done the work you did in your refurb.
I haven't touched the washer/dryer since the last picture. I picked up a new thru-wall vent for it last night and plan on using a 4" HF hole saw to get through my shake siding and then the sheathing to install it on Saturday.
I haven't touched the washer/dryer since the last picture. I picked up a new thru-wall vent for it last night and plan on using a 4" HF hole saw to get through my shake siding and then the sheathing to install it on Saturday.
Thanks Eric, means a lot coming from someone who has done the work you did in your refurb.
I haven't touched the washer/dryer since the last picture. I picked up a new thru-wall vent for it last night and plan on using a 4" HF hole saw to get through my shake siding and then the sheathing to install it on Saturday.
No problem, you've put plenty of hard work into your garage too.
When you drill through the wall, do you have a long small bit to make a pilot hole ? Smaller than the arbor bit on the hole saw. Making a small pilot hole through the wall will allow to you to drill from both sides, keeping the hole saw from splintering when it comes through the wall.
Finished putting the recumbent back together again! I hope to test ride it tomorrow, time permitting. Also got a speedometer for it in the mail today which I want to slap on.
Using a small bit for a pilot hole is exactly what I planned on. I have to work from 7-10 tomorrow morning but should be able to start this shortly after.
Using a small bit for a pilot hole is exactly what I planned on. I have to work from 7-10 tomorrow morning but should be able to start this shortly after.
With that much slack in the chain, are you worried about it easily coming off ?
Test rides went well before the paint job so I think it'll be ok.
I bought a 7 speed freewheel for the rear, not realizing that the rear is not already a freewheel assembly. So now I need to buy a freehub to go with it. Once I get that, I'll be able to knock a link or three off the chain to help reduce the slack.
If I have the chain in the smallest gear on the back and spin the pedals backward, the chain does fall off as it is being pushed a bit to the side on the rear arm. I'll just not do that.
The day was spent finally hooking up that washer and dryer. Too way longer than I was expecting.
New dryer vent.
Had to move the pedestals forward and couldn't take the washing machine off so I had to move it back and forth a couple times to stagger the pedestals up.
Couple things to note in this picture.
First, the Y is because the dryer I got apparently requires water because it can steam dry or something. Since I had already bought braided lines, I had to go get some more along with a brass Y fitting from the big box store instead of using the rubber lines and plastic Y fitting that came with the dryer.
Second, I moved the dryer plug to the side wall from the foundation wall. Definitely 10 gauge, but I noticed the breaker is only a 20A. I looked in the manual and the dryer says 30A. Okay, not a problem having over sized wire to the breaker. If it starts popping the 20A breaker, I'll pull the panel and make sure the 10 gauge was run all the way to the panel as a downsize to 12 gauge would explain the 20A 220V breaker. Won't surprise me if it only needs the 30A for the steam feature which I'm not sure we'll ever use, but never say never.
Okay, just the pregnant wife and I today, so that let the lifting to me. The dryer's light enough to get into the laundry room, but 12 inches is still a bit thigh to dead lift that thing! Used some more blocks to rock its way up and then some creative pulling to finally bump it up onto the pedestal.
Fast forward about 2 hours to get the duct work screwed in place, it's done! Also put the water on while I was back there and had not a single leak!
New dryer vent in action.
New washer in action!
New dryer vent.
Had to move the pedestals forward and couldn't take the washing machine off so I had to move it back and forth a couple times to stagger the pedestals up.
Couple things to note in this picture.
First, the Y is because the dryer I got apparently requires water because it can steam dry or something. Since I had already bought braided lines, I had to go get some more along with a brass Y fitting from the big box store instead of using the rubber lines and plastic Y fitting that came with the dryer.
Second, I moved the dryer plug to the side wall from the foundation wall. Definitely 10 gauge, but I noticed the breaker is only a 20A. I looked in the manual and the dryer says 30A. Okay, not a problem having over sized wire to the breaker. If it starts popping the 20A breaker, I'll pull the panel and make sure the 10 gauge was run all the way to the panel as a downsize to 12 gauge would explain the 20A 220V breaker. Won't surprise me if it only needs the 30A for the steam feature which I'm not sure we'll ever use, but never say never.
Okay, just the pregnant wife and I today, so that let the lifting to me. The dryer's light enough to get into the laundry room, but 12 inches is still a bit thigh to dead lift that thing! Used some more blocks to rock its way up and then some creative pulling to finally bump it up onto the pedestal.
Fast forward about 2 hours to get the duct work screwed in place, it's done! Also put the water on while I was back there and had not a single leak!
New dryer vent in action.
New washer in action!
Do you think the wife is going to let you wash shop towels in there ? Tell her you want to see how well they work.
#93245: 30" Magnetic Sweeper With Wheels - PASS
Bought it many months ago but didn't have enough of a use for it to actually put it together. Finally did today. Picked up some loose nails from the dirt/sparse grass next to my garage which was very useful.
http://www.harborfreight.com/30-inch-magnetic-sweeper-with-wheels-93245.html
Bought it many months ago but didn't have enough of a use for it to actually put it together. Finally did today. Picked up some loose nails from the dirt/sparse grass next to my garage which was very useful.
http://www.harborfreight.com/30-inch-magnetic-sweeper-with-wheels-93245.html
Attached a speedometer to the recumbent project. Took it for a short test ride and went 0.282 miles it says and only 26 degrees outside. Due to the dragging rear brake (now fixed), I was more than happy to get it back inside.
Had built up some ramps a few years ago when I had a scissor lift so my lower vehicles (basically anything smaller than a full sized sedan) could ride on. Well, scissor lift left a couple years ago and these have been taking up way too much space since. Time to put them up on Craigslist.
Had built up some ramps a few years ago when I had a scissor lift so my lower vehicles (basically anything smaller than a full sized sedan) could ride on. Well, scissor lift left a couple years ago and these have been taking up way too much space since. Time to put them up on Craigslist.
Nice rolling seat but I hope nobody had a stash saved in that drawer. 
Sorry guys, been MIA for a couple months. My wife had twins almost a month ago at just 33 weeks. They're doing great and are out of the hospital already. Not sleeping through the night so we're not getting much done during the day.
I've gotten a lot done though and need to upload some pictures at some point.
I've gotten a lot done though and need to upload some pictures at some point.