Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT My Mini Garagemahal

[fouckhest]

Watching this. Nice R32!

Thanks, I see the 1.8t reference, do you still have a VW?

Wahoo!!!!

Got home to a little progress last night, looked like the builder and been there to finish grading and done all the compacting around the foundation and wet it down (since its not likely to rain "much" here in the next few days), he said he likes that to help get the floor as solid as possible. I also ran to lowes and grabbed some 4" sewer pipe to bury against that uphill wall for gutter drain

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

One last photo showing the grade from down below the garage and the apron area we will have...oh and he got the grading done on the down hill side of the garage

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[zjohnson1]

Love the vehicles and garage is progressing very fast! Can't wait to see how it turns out

 

[Jagmandave]

How are they coming? Making progress?

 

[fouckhest]

Love the vehicles and garage is progressing very fast! Can't wait to see how it turns out

Thanks!

How are they coming? Making progress?

not much has happened in the past few days, later last week we were hoping for rain to help solidify the dirt, so spent a couple days with the sprinkler on it, and now its rained the past couple days and supposed to rain a bunch this week, so seems like we are in a viscous cycle trying to get concrete poured...

But, we are basically ready to pour concrete, then just need to wait for the trusses to arrive and then it will go up quickly I hope

 

[redisthefastestcolour]

"My Mini Garagemahal" - Great idea for the name of your garage!

 

[JMURiz]

Another vortex’er checking in. Good progress, it’s gonna be great.

 

[fouckhest]

"My Mini Garagemahal" - Great idea for the name of your garage!

Thanks! I love your garage and collection!!

Another vortex’er checking in. Good progress, it’s gonna be great.

Thank you! This place is a great escape from the vortex, LOL!

 

[Craig Balzer]

"My Mini Garagemahal" - Great idea for the name of your garage!

I fixed it for "My Mini Garaj Mahal"

=========
Jagmandave -- weren't you on Jag-Lovers for a while?
AND
Shouldn't you change your handle if you are now into mini's?

Craig

 

[Metallitubby]

This place is a great escape from the vortex, LOL!

Too many arguments. This place is much better for the mature-types.

 

[Arclitgold]

I do miss the glory days of vortex though. So many threads and builds to follow. Seems everyone moved to Facebook now which is awful


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jagmandave]

I fixed it for "My Mini Garaj Mahal"

=========
Jagmandave -- weren't you on Jag-Lovers for a while?
AND
Shouldn't you change your handle if you are now into mini's?

Craig

Hi Craig, yes I was....sold my E Type a year and a half ago but I've been building Minis since the late 60's......

I probably should change - I'm Minidave all over the rest of the forum scape, but starting all over here.....seems like a lot of work!

I was supposed to have a guy come by today to look at building my shop addition which will be eerily similar to this build, but after a promising few phone calls he seems to have ghosted me.....

 

[Craig Balzer]

Dave -- good luck with your build.

I was extremely fortunate to find a conscientious, honest, and hard working GC for my build. I'm nearly done -- have already ordered air compressor and will order 2-post lift on Monday.

Craig

 

[fouckhest]

Too many arguments. This place is much better for the mature-types.

Exactly, everyone is/was a keyboard warrior, I pretty much stick to hiding in TCL, MkIV R32 forum and browsing the classifieds for the occasional good deal

I do miss the glory days of vortex though. So many threads and builds to follow. Seems everyone moved to Facebook now which is awful

The glory days of vortex were great, so much fun waking up and scrolling thru pages of build threads, now its just silly questions and broken photobucket photo links

Dave -- good luck with your build.

I was extremely fortunate to find a conscientious, honest, and hard working GC for my build. I'm nearly done -- have already ordered air compressor and will order 2-post lift on Monday.

Craig

I feel very fortunate myself, my builder has been great, especially given the state of the world and building materials are going through the roof. Luckily we settled on price before things got crazy and he purchased the lions share of the materials.



Back to the garage, not much to report, we got ~4" of rain last Thursday due to the hurricane, which was good for helping solidify the floor base, he was able to come out Monday and grade the small section of the back yard and spend some time packing the garage floor more with the skid steer.

Here is how things sit as of now, I measured out for my lift posts Monday night, following the Rotary directions, the center line is 7ft off the wall, I didn't follow their advise exactly on the distance from the back wall, I made that distance 13ft, whereas they specify 15ft. Reason being, I spoke with several lift owners, shop owners, mechanics and reading in the lift thread, it seems the consensus is this distance is to allow for lifting of particularly long vehicles. So with that in mind, I don't seem myself with a quad cab long bed anytime soon, so the space up by the window, which will be more valuable to me. If I do end up with said big a$$ truck sooner than later, I do have a buddy that owns a shop where I could certainly barter for some lift time if needed...

Always open to any feedback if anyone has strong opinions/experience with lift placement

Onto a couple photos...

Small yard area graded by block wall, under there is a drain tube for downspout and french drain under that:
9-23-20 by fouckhest, on Flickr

View of grading going into the garage and general slope(tracks are from backing my R32 out last night):
9-23-20 by fouckhest, on Flickr

Looking in from standing on the skid steer track, you can see the lift post placement marked with the pavers:
9-23-20 by fouckhest, on Flickr

This view is from the front corner of the garage looking back
9-23-20 by fouckhest, on Flickr

Same standing point, but looking more to where my work area will be:
9-23-20 by fouckhest, on Flickr

Here is standing at the front (garage door end) corner looking at the lift/work area:
9-23-20 by fouckhest, on Flickr

Finally, standing on my back porch looking down, this view really reinforced to me that this lift placement will be great and allow enough space that I could still squeeze another car in front of the lift if needed
9-23-20 by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[chrismenke]

Since you haven't poured yet, I'm gonna suggest a space saving car lift that might be useful if you ever get another bike as a motorcycle lift and also works as one or two workbenches:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=383717&highlight=scissor

When the lift is retracted, you have no impediments to parking, access, etc. If you put the master table close to the wall, you can probably use the master table as a bench with the slave lowered and squeeze two cars inside of the bench.

A more complex install? Yes. More versatile than a two post? I think so. One table solo is a workbench. Add some threads at the front for a motorcycle chuck and you've got a full blown MC lift. Park an ATV perpendicular across the tables, set it to your table saw's height for outfeed, etc. Cleaner? Yup...hides in the floor when not in use and no static posts (also, doors never hit the posts). The only disadvantage I see is you can't park a car under a car on the two post, but I've always seen cars upstairs on two posts as abandoned projects which are now hijacking both shop space and a lift.

You are in the ideal situation to install one of these in the simplet and most efficient way, and have all the options for hose and control box placement.

EDIT: Looking back through your photos, it looks like you've already bought a two post, so it may be a moot point.

 

[fouckhest]

You are in the ideal situation to install one of these in the simplet and most efficient way, and have all the options for hose and control box placement.

Hey Chris, thanks for the suggestion, but good/bad, I already picked up a Rotary 2 post lift, so at this point going to stay the course with that route. Also, this garage likely will not be my final shop, it is more like a stop gap shop while I decide if I/we (me and lady) stay in this house long term.

Do appreciate the suggestion!

 

[Jagmandave]

Not to hijack your thread, but my guy showed up today and we had a good convo on my shop, later in the day he brought in his concrete guy and we came up with a pretty good plan. I'm going to show him the pics you posted but my shop will be a very close copy to what you're doing.

One difference in mine is that the lift will be 90* to yours, as my access is coming from the door on the house rather than the outside....I have to go thru the existing garage to get to mine as I don't have access from the back yard. Also, I'm working with 10 ft long Mini Coopers, so I think I can make the turn with no issues!

Do you think you have enough room between the post and the wall? You need to be able to walk thru there easily so you don't have to walk all the way around the car to set the lift arms. Also, there may be times when you need to work inside the car from that side of the lift.

 

[Morio]

Awesome progress!

 

[fouckhest]

Do you think you have enough room between the post and the wall? You need to be able to walk thru there easily so you don't have to walk all the way around the car to set the lift arms. Also, there may be times when you need to work inside the car from that side of the lift.

No worries at all, happy to have this be a collaborative thread!

In regards to the lift placement as it relates to the wall, it is positioned per the installation manual from rotary, such that the center line of the lift is 7ft off the wall, looking at how the lift arms are placed there should be ~1.5ft between the wall and that lift post, so I will certainly be able to walk around, some of my healthier buddies may not be able too, but its my lift!

as far as working inside the car, I'm sure that will happen, but guessing that will be the exception, not the rule, so I'll just make due if/when that time comes.

Awesome progress!

Thanks buddy!

 

[Jagmandave]

Any new updates? Excited to see the slab poured and the walls go up.

My deal fell apart completely as the cost was just not tenable - they're averaging $70 sq ft for an empty shell, no electrical no insulation no paint - I'm doing all that.

 

[fouckhest]

Any new updates? Excited to see the slab poured and the walls go up.

My deal fell apart completely as the cost was just not tenable - they're averaging $70 sq ft for an empty shell, no electrical no insulation no paint - I'm doing all that.

Hey Dave - no new updates right now, weather has been problematic here in the south, we got the 1-2 punch from the remnant hurricanes 2 & 3 weeks ago respectively....I spoke with the builder Tuesday evening and he was going to see if we could get it pour tomorrow (Friday) before the next storm hits us, but seeing that its Thursday afternoon, I am guessing that isn't going to happen....

Bummer on your build, I actually have been following a builder on YouTube (Kens Karpentry) and he had an episode last night talking about how lumber prices are thru the roof. He actually found a cool loophole at his local lumber yard buying up 14ft boards that were still priced based on when the yard bought them, so he stocked up! Lucky for me, my builder did the same, so I am locked in at ~$45.5/sqft (also in the dry)

Hope to have some updates soon!

 

[Jagmandave]

Good luck on your pour!

$45-50 would fit my budget - $70 doesn't.....

I've actually discussed with my wife about going ahead with the concrete part of the build, if it has to sit all winter it won't hurt anything, then maybe if things are better in the spring I go ahead. Or maybe in the spring I gather a bunch of my friends and we have an old fashioned garage raising!

 

[greyghost18t]

Thanks, I see the 1.8t reference, do you still have a VW?

The 1.8t was when I had my mkvi jetta and was on the tex every minute of the day it felt like. I still have a Mkvi 2012 GTI. Hanging onto it right now until i figure out what to do next. It has sat in the garage mostly because the back seat is so small with a kid and we have a Dodge Rebel which has plenty of leg room. I am not sure if I am going to stay with VW or Audi or look at something else. But that will be another year or so.

 

[fouckhest]

Good luck on your pour!

$45-50 would fit my budget - $70 doesn't.....

I've actually discussed with my wife about going ahead with the concrete part of the build, if it has to sit all winter it won't hurt anything, then maybe if things are better in the spring I go ahead. Or maybe in the spring I gather a bunch of my friends and we have an old fashioned garage raising!

Honestly, if it were me, I would wait and have the concrete work done when you are building, that way you don't have to worry about it getting stained or dirtied in any way that will effect floor coating adhesion

In other news, we are scheduled to pour on Thursday! Fingers crossed that holds....

 

[fouckhest]

Well, the big day is here, concrete!

Came home at lunch just to make sure all was looking good (and put the dogs feet in the side door pad) Here are a couple in process photo, will certainly take more once things are finished up.

Also, the builder is checking to make sure lumber will be delivered Monday, so there is a chance (weather permitting) it will be mostly in the dry next week

Pretty much settled on doing the Coversheild U140 sealer, anyone have any strong opinions on that product? Likely going to get that on order next week.

https://www.covertecproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/COVERSHIELD_U140_MATTE_TDS.pdf


Concrete! by fouckhest, on Flickr

Concrete! by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[Metallitubby]

Dat Honda-powered power trowel tho'

 

[Metal-Marc]

Dat Honda-powered power trowel tho'

 

[Jagmandave]

I was just going to seal it and leave it be.....not going to be any epoxy or paint on it - I prefer smooth, clean concrete. To me it's a shop, not a showroom.....not saying anything against anyone who wants to put down tile, paint, carpet or whatever - to each his own.

I'm jealous of yours of course!

 

[fouckhest]

Dat Honda-powered power trowel tho'

I was just going to seal it and leave it be.....not going to be any epoxy or paint on it - I prefer smooth, clean concrete. To me it's a shop, not a showroom.....not saying anything against anyone who wants to put down tile, paint, carpet or whatever - to each his own.

I'm jealous of yours of course!

Yeah, I'm doing the same, I like the idea of it being more of a show room, but in actuality its just a shop, maybe someday I'll build a detached that can be more of a showroom

 

[fouckhest]

Photobomb day, if it's not apparent, I'm beyond stoked!

Can't wait to see it fully cured and then get some sealer on it

Concrete by fouckhest, on Flickr

Concrete by fouckhest, on Flickr

Concrete by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[amkluttz]

Looking great! Congratulations on the concrete pour.


Are you planning on keeping the current garage as a garage? If so do you plan on keeping the garage door up between the two spaces or will you remove it?

 

[fouckhest]

Looking great! Congratulations on the concrete pour.


Are you planning on keeping the current garage as a garage? If so do you plan on keeping the garage door up between the two spaces or will you remove it?

Thanks, I'm beyond excited!

I am keeping that door, and/or a door in some regards, the space that is my current garage will become "dog world" and my warehouse, I'd like to put some kind of cool barn door or something in there, but that isn't really priority right now. But, yes, a door will be necessary for when the doggo's live downstairs during the day, I don't want them in the garage when I'm not there.

Once my garage is in the dry this thread will become focused on getting the old garage reorganized so my spare bedroom that is now my parts room can become a real bedroom, I've got some cool plans in my head, now that its getting dark early I need to sit down with a cold beer and some graph paper and start planning things out

 

[Jagmandave]

Just curious, was there a reason you stepped it over to the left side a little instead of having it line up with the side of the house?

 

[fouckhest]

Just curious, was there a reason you stepped it over to the left side a little instead of having it line up with the side of the house?

Couple things, lining up the left side would have made a very long/continuous wall, when speaking with the builder he suggested an offset of some amount for aesthetics.

Originally we were going to build more to the right, but thought that is where the septic tank lived in that small lawn area, so we discussed the current layout, then when we found that septic was in the far left, but rather than revert back to the original plan, I'd already begun to think I like this config better b/c it saves my little back yard area and on the other side it will allow me to build a nice little shed roof off the side of the house to cover my A/C unit, I'm going to put my air compressor out there and my lawn mower, weedeater, etc...

 

[fouckhest]

Yesterday was a big day, things are really starting to take shape now, they got walls all framed up, should have trusses up today. The builder mentioned the garage door should be installed this week also!

There will be 3x 3ft x 1ft windows on the uphill wall, they are all framed in, but not cut out.

We have walls by fouckhest, on Flickr

View from my deck, I am hopeful the windows will provide the look I want, then will need to decide how to finish off the landscaping on this side since it will be what I see walking out my back door.
We have walls by fouckhest, on Flickr

Not a great photo due to the elevation change, normally when I've take a photo from this angle the builders bobcat was there that I could stand on.
We have walls by fouckhest, on Flickr

Some Inside Photos....garage door, looking towards house
We have walls by fouckhest, on Flickr

House garage door looking out
We have walls by fouckhest, on Flickr

From house big window looking out
We have walls by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[Morio]

Looking great my friend!

 

[fouckhest]

Looking great my friend!

Thanks buddy.

Unfortunately didn't get home from work till late yesterday and missed my window for light/photos, snapped these this morning. Turns out the 1ft x 3ft windows were not in stock as promised, but the builder was able to find some 2ft x 3ft, which I think ended up looking much better. They got the roof on yesterday, will be doing shingles today and maybe even install the roll up door and get an inspection

Not the best photos, but wanted to have some record of this step/stage

Roof by fouckhest, on Flickr

Roof by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[Craig Balzer]

That is coming along just fine.
You are gonna have hours of enjoyment in your new play room.
I'll bet you can't wait to get on there!

 

[Jagmandave]

Wow, you are just smoking along now... those windows are exactly what I wanted to do too....I see his point about the "long wall" esthetic. I think he/you may be right that this looks better - it would work better on my layout too, now that I think about it. I don't know if I have a setback issue on that side tho.....I might.

Is your siding going to match the rest of the house or something different?

Is that vinyl siding over shingles?

They decided not to pull the shingles off?

Is the new shop actually attached to the house or free standing?

 

[OOBER]

Looking good! Congrats on the build.

 

[111R]

My guess is that the shingles are possibly asbestos, which is why they may not have been dealt with when the siding went on. It can be done, but is costly as ACM removal companies use specialized protective measures and charge according. Old materials must be bagged and disposed of in a hazardous material landfill. If they're cedar or other type of wood, this isn't an issue.