Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT My Mini Garagemahal

[MrPink]

yeah we were quoted almost 5k to expand out our driveway 4" depth, and a 8x12 pad with a curve towards the road

 

[fouckhest]

Not much progress on things over the past week or so, overnight trip to TX killed a couple days last week, but was able to have a solid day in the shop Saturday, although, it was unconventional shop time, but I figured most of this crowd would appreciate....

Try to make a long story short, but over the last year or so my nephew has transitioned from this full of energy kid that was obsessed with anything/everything sports into a little engineer in the making, last year for his birthday I bought him a soldering iron kit, which I hear he still uses almost daily....so to build on that, this year for christmas, I bought him a welding helmet and told him we could build the next version of his "driveway cart" which the original version(s) were all built from old scooter parts and whatever else he could find.

So Saturday was finally the day that we got lined up, he came over around 10am, we spent ~1hr on welding 101, starting with how each type of machine works (MIG & TIG), did a little practice with both, then we started sketching on the white board, came up with a concept, then off to HF for some wheels and lowes for some bolts(axles).

This was 100% his concept with very little influence from me, probably my biggest contribution was guiding him on how to approach the sizes of things, but the steering was his idea, so that was how we went about it

After everything was cut/fitted/tacked, I grabbed a cold beer and sat back and watched him to make sure he was good, but I cannot express how proud and impressed I was, he was critiquing his welds, and fully welded the entire frame!

Maximum safety gear!
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Action shot of burning it in
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

We ran out of time to finish the seat properly, so some scrap wood worked so he could take it home, we will finish up the seat in a weekend to come....he was already talking about trying to mount a motor of some sort on it....started with an electric motor, by the end of the day he wanted to put a hellcat engine on it! LOL
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[MrPink]

That's awesome. My Son is showing signs of following in that path too, he wants to be in the garage with me all the time. He's only 19mo old lol, but I gave him his own wrench and every time he's in the garage he carries it around with him.

I am sure there will be revisions before adding a motor of any sort right?

 

[fouckhest]

That's awesome. My Son is showing signs of following in that path too, he wants to be in the garage with me all the time. He's only 19mo old lol, but I gave him his own wrench and every time he's in the garage he carries it around with him.

I am sure there will be revisions before adding a motor of any sort right?

That is awesome! My dad tells stories about when i was super young that my "babysitter" was a box/bucket of nuts & bolts that he would dump on on the garage floor that i would sit and put together while he was working.

oh yeah, for sure. the rear axle isn't live, just bolts welded to a section of square tube, I already told he we'd need to convert it, which shouldn't be too bad if we decide to keep evolving it.

 

[fouckhest]

In other news, finally got the last piece of the puzzle to finish up the trunk setup in my silver GTi. Very happy with how this turned out

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[MrPink]

That's clean, where did you find the OEM style fabric?

 

[fouckhest]

That's clean, where did you find the OEM style fabric?

Its real deal recaro fabric, I bought a bunch of it back when I started the whole project, plan would be to eventually redo the whole interior, IF, big if, I ever get around to trying to make the car nice lol

 

[fouckhest]

Finally close to being caught up on things from the weekend away for the car show....always a great time...took very few photos, drank very many beers lol

Here is one of the few photos I took from the last night there....as you can see, my buddies all have older VW's...so I am the odd man out!
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Got home Sunday, took it easy, then back to regularly scheduled programming....got caught up on yard work, got this weeks fertilizer put down then watered it in....just like a wet car, a wet lawn always looks good! LOL
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Hoping to get back on the widebody car soon, but need to get caught up on some house projects, which include finishing painting the outside from the paundry addition, then new deck and gate....really would like to remain optimistic that I could take the widebody car to that same show in 2025

 

[MrPink]

I too am one of a few MK4 people in my friends group, most are MK2 and Mk1 peeps. looks like the show was fun though.

 

[zmotorsports]

Both the car and the yard look great.

 

[fouckhest]

I too am one of a few MK4 people in my friends group, most are MK2 and Mk1 peeps. looks like the show was fun though.

Its a great show, lots of "micro-meets" throughout the week, well worth the trip!

Both the car and the yard look great.

Thanks Mike!

Time to start cutting the lawn in the opposite direction soon....I told myself I was going to start this year going 90° from how these are, but got lazy being busy with other things

 

[Nolift911]

Lawn looks awesome! I enjoy admiring other peoples...but must confess I don't missing have one for 20 years.

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks Mike!

Time to start cutting the lawn in the opposite direction soon....I told myself I was going to start this year going 90° from how these are, but got lazy being busy with other things

I really like the look of opposing directions in the lawn patterns. Been mowing my lawns that way for nearly 20 years now, changing direction with each mow.

I mow either east/west or north/south on Monday's, then northeast/southwest or northwest/southeast on Friday's then change it up the following week. I prefer the angled direction on Friday's so they look their best over the weekends. I also trim and edge on Friday's whereas on my Monday mowing I just mow.

WOW! In my head that seems pretty basic and simple, however, typing that out it may give the impression I'm a bit **** about my lawn.

 

[gearhead1960]

I'm a random mower. Try to vary the direction each time, but on the front I have a big maple that I then do the big spiral...SWMBO's favorite pattern....

Oh yeah...the lawn looks nice.

 

[fouckhest]

Jeff, I really like the look of opposing directions in the lawn patterns. Been mowing my lawns that way for nearly 20 years now, changing direction with each mow.

I mow either east/west or north/south on Monday's, then northeast/southwest or northwest/southeast on Friday's then change it up the following week. I prefer the angled direction on Friday's so they look their best over the weekends. I also trim and edge on Friday's whereas on my Monday mowing I just mow.

WOW! In my head that seems pretty basic and simple, however, typing that out it may give the impression I'm a bit **** about my lawn.

Mike....I'm a Mike as well....just dont likely put that out there unless someone from the VW calls that out specifically

Funny you say it that way, I fell off last year, but my plan was, one week in direction "A", then two weeks in direction "B", the vise versa....worked for a while until life got busy and reverted back to just following the predominate lines...

All that being said, I starting my, every 4 day mowing cycle for the front this week, so this makes up my mind, tomorrow night its is going to be opposite this direction Thursday/Monday, then next Thursday back to this direction




***Edit***
This was August, 2023....so maybe I held on for a while
August’23 by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike....I'm a Mike as well....just dont likely put that out there unless someone from the VW calls that out specifically

My sincerest apologizes, I saw Jeff post just above me and zoned in on his comment even after quoting yours. Sorry about that.

 

[fouckhest]

My sincerest apologizes, I saw Jeff post just above me and zoned in on his comment even after quoting yours. Sorry about that.

All good!

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

Its a great show, lots of "micro-meets" throughout the week, well worth the trip!



Thanks Mike!

Time to start cutting the lawn in the opposite direction soon....I told myself I was going to start this year going 90° from how these are, but got lazy being busy with other things

Alternating cuts I feel helped the lawn take the next step in the looks department. It helps the grass stand up more since it isn't always being brushed in the same direction.

 

[Metallitubby]

Helen?

 

[fouckhest]

Helen?

Yes'sir

 

[Metallitubby]

Yes'sir

Ah yes, the only time I've ever been pulled over for riding my motorcycle on a sidewalk (in Helen at SoWo 2009).

 

[fouckhest]

Was busy yesterday playing catch up from the much needed/appreciated long weekend, worked around the house a ton and split time between work and relaxing with friends.

Finally got the house all painted, between last week in the evenings and then putting in Mornings all weekend before the heat set in, I was able to get it all wrapped up Monday morning. I have to say, I am happy we decided to do the board and batten.

After finishing this up and talking about next project, new deck, I caved and finally decided to just have our builder come knock it out for us....I am just not feeling it at this point and dont want that project to drag on/out for weeks. Need to finalize our design/concept, but we are thinking a two tiered deck with some privacy partition on the driveway side to block the neighbors on that side

Now to decide trex or no trex???

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Slight delay of game Sunday morning, side story....I've been hunting a manual window, non-sunroof mk4 golf to pull some weight out of my project car, in my searches, last week, I came across a 2001, Golf GL, TDi, 5spd, slick top, manual window car, in WHITE, in the mk4 world, that is a unicorn of a car. Guy was asking $4k, way too much, then by Friday, he revised the listing to say, $3k or maybe I'll take $2500, so Sunday morning a buddy and I loaded up and took the 30min drive, needed a jumper box to get the car started, but it started, someone likely has cut the cat off it, but runs, drives shifts....so after some negotiation, its mine for $2200.....might just make a nice little daily for a while!

Needs a good bath, but all in all, I cant complain, put the battery on the trickle charger Sunday night, reinstalled Monday afternoon, started, went out last night, started again, even verified the AC blows cold. I'll take it as a small win in the car world for now

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

After a full day of work and catching up on emails, it was time to tend to the front lawn, continuing to come in rather nice, couple more weeks before the next fertilizer treatment, will likely raise the deck up around that time
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[MrPink]

Man i am jealous of the unicorn. Granted mine is kind of a unicorn too only because the color of mine was only offered for a couple years and mine is the only 1.8T that i have seen in my area, most were 2.0's or GLX VR6's.

But that would get me the chance at least to find all 4 manual doors in my color. My car being a GLS, it has Sunroof, PW/PL, Heated seats, ASR/ESP etc...

I have already "deleted" heated seats(took out the switches) LOL, I am debating deleting ASR/ESP which i can do with a hardware change and VCDS. And I wish someone made a manual steering conversion for the MK4.

I am also planning a 07K and a DSG(02E) swap if i blow up the 1.8T and 01M(but so far they both are functioning great)

 

[Metallitubby]

Man i am jealous of the unicorn. Granted mine is kind of a unicorn too only because the color of mine was only offered for a couple years and mine is the only 1.8T that i have seen in my area, most were 2.0's or GLX VR6's.

I was under the impression that VW never built a white 2dr GTI of any variation in the US as a mark four. I always wanted to see a white R32, which I know some folks have "built" themselves.

 

[MrPink]

I was under the impression that VW never built a white 2dr GTI of any variation in the US as a mark four. I always wanted to see a white R32, which I know some folks have "built" themselves.

I think you could special order a GTI in white. But as far as the R32 no they were only offered in a few colors(Reflex Silver, Tornado Red, BMP, and Deep Blue Pearl)

As for me i like the more odd ball colors, but never really owned them. My current mark four is LC6M(Bright Green Pearl), I have also owned many a Uni Black, Galactic Blue, Reflex Silver, Tornado Red, and an Stormbeige. Most mark 4's i've owned were parts cars except a handful. My current is #11 of just the mark four chassis.

 

[Metallitubby]

I think you could special order a GTI in white. But as far as the R32 no they were only offered in a few colors(Reflex Silver, Tornado Red, BMP, and Deep Blue Pearl)

As for me i like the more odd ball colors, but never really owned them. My current mark four is LC6M(Bright Green Pearl), I have also owned many a Uni Black, Galactic Blue, Reflex Silver, Tornado Red, and an Stormbeige. Most mark 4's i've owned were parts cars except a handful. My current is #11 of just the mark four chassis.

I owned the first Harlequin VR6, and went directly into a Tropic Orange GTI VR6. Colors don't really bother me.

 

[MrPink]

I owned the first Harlequin VR6, and went directly into a Tropic Orange GTI VR6. Colors don't really bother me.

I remember that car, that article was written a few years before me joining Vortex.

We however have taken over Mike's thread with a tiny tangent

 

[fouckhest]

I was under the impression that VW never built a white 2dr GTI of any variation in the US as a mark four. I always wanted to see a white R32, which I know some folks have "built" themselves.

VW never did a white "GTi" but Golfs they did, I have another buddy up in NY that has one that has a 20th kit on it, great looking car!

 

[Bodj Built]

In regards to the trex or no trex... I TOTALLY think trex is worth it. There is a cost increase, but it's not terrible when you consider how expensive wood still is. I just built a deck for our backyard (myself) and am in it around $2500.





The only issue with trex is being sure to only have a propane fire pit on it, if you choose to have one at all.

I just need to paint that bare 2x12 and it'll be done.

 

[smschriefer]

Agree on the composite decking. My deck has composite decking that was put on in 1986 and is just now starting to fail. I live on the Chesapeake Bay, this is in a marine environment where wood decks decay in less than 10 years ( a little longer if you use 2x6 PT lumber for decking) and any metal besides stainless steel dissolves in that same timeframe (galvanized 1/2" bolts last about 6 years). I'm pricing Trex and the expense is easily absorbed by only having to redo the deck once in my lifetime.

 

[fouckhest]

In regards to the trex or no trex... I TOTALLY think trex is worth it. There is a cost increase, but it's not terrible when you consider how expensive wood still is. I just built a deck for our backyard (myself) and am in it around $2500.


The only issue with trex is being sure to only have a propane fire pit on it, if you choose to have one at all.

I just need to paint that bare 2x12 and it'll be done.

That looks fantastic!! Thank you for sharing, appreciate it!

 

[fouckhest]

Agree on the composite decking. My deck has composite decking that was put on in 1986 and is just now starting to fail. I live on the Chesapeake Bay, this is in a marine environment where wood decks decay in less than 10 years ( a little longer if you use 2x6 PT lumber for decking) and any metal besides stainless steel dissolves in that same timeframe (galvanized 1/2" bolts last about 6 years). I'm pricing Trex and the expense is easily absorbed by only having to redo the deck once in my lifetime.

Thanks for sharing as well, the lifetime thing is big for us right now, we are planning for my MIL to move to town in the next couple years, so last thing I want is one more thing to have to maintain.

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

In regards to the trex or no trex... I TOTALLY think trex is worth it. There is a cost increase, but it's not terrible when you consider how expensive wood still is. I just built a deck for our backyard (myself) and am in it around $2500.





The only issue with trex is being sure to only have a propane fire pit on it, if you choose to have one at all.

I just need to paint that bare 2x12 and it'll be done.

That is a beautiful looking deck. Nice work. Which color is that it looks really good?

 

[Bodj Built]

That looks fantastic!! Thank you for sharing, appreciate it!

You bet! It wasn't terribly difficult. Granted it's a small, single level deck (12x10ft).

That is a beautiful looking deck. Nice work. Which color is that it looks really good?

I appreciate it! It is the Trex Enhance Toasted Sand. Lowes and HD both carry/are able to order it. It ends up being a few hundred dollars more than the Trex Basics colors, but well worth the cost since looks very real.

 

[Bob Heine]

I owned the first Harlequin VR6, and went directly into a Tropic Orange GTI VR6. Colors don't really bother me.

Andy, in kindergarten we were given crayons to color things in our workbooks. One of them was a car and I carefully colored inside the lines but made each body panel a different Crayola color. The teacher called my parents to tell them I was disturbed or some other such nonsense. It was the 1950s and two-tone cars were the rage. I thought six-tone cars were even cooler. Some things from childhood can scar you for life. I just wanted to know which car was my teacher's so I could Crayola the **** out of it.

 

[Swanny1953]

I'll put in another vote for Trex or a Trex-like product. We have somewhere around 2,500 sq ft of decking at our lake place, During the remodel, I had it all replaced with TAMKO's Evergrain Envision product. We have tons of pine trees and the decks are always filthy in the spring. The composite makes it much easier to clean with a pressure washer (I use a surface washer "whirly gig" attachment) when compared to regular wood. I always seemed to either leave gunk on the deck or gouge the paint off the old wood deck - don't have those problems any more!!
I like the Envision product as you don't see the composite materials in the surface of the board - they use a vinyl like overlay and it has a nice grain texture to it. Here's a link - https://envisionoutdoorliving.com/our-products/composite-decking/evergrain/

 

[111R]

If you go with a composite material like Trex, my experience has been to go with the best of the three options they may offer. Labor costs are about the same but it may look better and/or last longer.

 

[Xti04]

My covered porch has trex. My only issue with it was my wanted a color change and Sherwin Williams assured me the super expensive deck paint would bond to trex. Prepped and cleaned and painted it on. Paint does not stick to this stuff very well. Make sure you get the color you want the first time. Other than this minor issue trex is totally worth the premium. You also tend to get a stronger deck at there are more joists to support the trex so it doesnt sag in high temp weather.

 

[fouckhest]

Thanks guys, appreciate all the feedback!

 

[MrPink]

Mike,

For the new MK4 are you missing any tan interior parts? I have some extra stuff sitting around if you are.