Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT My Mini Garagemahal

[fouckhest]

Siding on the house side is almost done
More siding and dirt by fouckhest, on Flickr

Got another load of dirt dropped off on Friday

More siding and dirt by fouckhest, on Flickr

Builder came out and spread it yesterday before the rain set in last night, we are going to get one more load of this nice red dirt, this should give me a nice approach area to turn into the garage, need it to come up 12-18" right where the front of the bobcat is sitting

by fouckhest, on Flickr

In "other projects" updates....

Got my air over hydraulic jack installed on my press this weekend, then decided to bit the bullet and finally build/assemble my SWAG offroad Finger Brake kit. This was a fun little welding project, mild steel is forgiving, but I am used to welding stainless, which is challenging, but is much cleaner, so some of the welds don't really look all that "great."

Excited for a first project

by fouckhest, on Flickr

by fouckhest, on Flickr

Also finished up my girlfriends gift, we said we weren't buying gifts, soooo, I decided to make her something out of scrap steel I had laying around, she loves Hippo's, so this is what I came up with

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[Bigblockyeti]

It's looking great and coming along quickly. Be sure to let everyone know the builder as some of us are close enough to potentially use him!

 

[fouckhest]

It's looking great and coming along quickly. Be sure to let everyone know the builder as some of us are close enough to potentially use him!

Hey Yeti, Thanks!

Just sent you a private message

 

[Jagmandave]

Still waiting for the lights on the inside to come on!

Shop is looking great, but I want to see a car go up on the lift now.....

 

[fouckhest]

Still waiting for the lights on the inside to come on!

Shop is looking great, but I want to see a car go up on the lift now.....

You and me both Dave!

Hopefully soon!

 

[Metallitubby]

Wait a minute. Is that Audi V8 going into a Mk4? It also looks like it has a roll bar/cage in that one picture.

 

[fouckhest]

Wait a minute. Is that Audi V8 going into a Mk4? It also looks like it has a roll bar/cage in that one picture.

Mayyyybe

That is my old play/show car that has been through many different phases, interior is fully gutted, caged, buckets, etc...might end up with a bit of interior in it this go around, but the "VW Scene" has really changed, so going to shows and chasing magazine features isnt as fun as it once was when I was younger...

Here is an interior photo...
Houcks_Mk4_GTI_Twin-_opt3 by fouckhest, on Flickr

This was its last official photoshoot before this engine gave up the ghost, it was a compound turbo diesel, was super fun, but a science project to say the least

Houck's Mk4 VW GTI Widebody TDI on BBS RS Wheels - -¬ Sam Dobbins 2015 - 1028 by fouckhest, on Flickr
Houck's Mk4 VW GTI Widebody TDI on BBS RS Wheels - -¬ Sam Dobbins 2015 - 1005 by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[Metallitubby]

As a former owner of multiple turbo VR6 iterations (and the first Harlequin VR6), I salute you sir.

 

[fouckhest]

As a former owner of multiple turbo VR6 iterations (and the first Harlequin VR6), I salute you sir.

haha, thanks man, I have one of those as well, my R32 is boosted, I want this thing to be some different

 

[Arclitgold]

Mayyyybe

That is my old play/show car that has been through many different phases, interior is fully gutted, caged, buckets, etc...might end up with a bit of interior in it this go around, but the "VW Scene" has really changed, so going to shows and chasing magazine features isnt as fun as it once was when I was younger...

Here is an interior photo...
Houcks_Mk4_GTI_Twin-_opt3 by fouckhest, on Flickr

This was its last official photoshoot before this engine gave up the ghost, it was a compound turbo diesel, was super fun, but a science project to say the least

Houck's Mk4 VW GTI Widebody TDI on BBS RS Wheels - -¬ Sam Dobbins 2015 - 1028 by fouckhest, on Flickr
Houck's Mk4 VW GTI Widebody TDI on BBS RS Wheels - -¬ Sam Dobbins 2015 - 1005 by fouckhest, on Flickr

Just gorgeous


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fouckhest]

Just gorgeous

Thanks man!


Got my next load of dirt spread out over the weekend, really leveled things out in front of the garage door quite nicely, should make for a decent approach into the garage, need to get some gravel in here sooner than later

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[sean Buick 76]

Looking amazing

 

[Jmbeebe0722]

Diggin the VW! Such a great project!

 

[Metal-Marc]

Looks great!

 

[fouckhest]

Looking amazing

Diggin the VW! Such a great project!

Looks great!

Thanks guys, not much for updates, but i have been working on the VW a bunch, but trying to keep that build on the low key for right now...

Been bitter cold (for SC), and been raining almost every other day, so the guys havent been able to get much work done, since they are working on siding, but did get a little work done yesterday.

Got some siding going back up, and I put down some straw over the new dirt we moved a couple weeks a go since we are supposed to get another 2-3" of rain over the next few days.

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[The J]

Making great progress and good to see the builder is willing to work with you to make sure you’re happy. That’s a huge new space and seeing some hints of your projects is exciting. There is just so much talent on this board.


Can you explain the site layout? The new build is the back of the house - is there a driveway in the back and front? Is the existing under-house garage accessible from both sides? Trying to figure out how this is accessible.

 

[fouckhest]

Making great progress and good to see the builder is willing to work with you to make sure you’re happy. That’s a huge new space and seeing some hints of your projects is exciting. There is just so much talent on this board.

Can you explain the site layout? The new build is the back of the house - is there a driveway in the back and front? Is the existing under-house garage accessible from both sides? Trying to figure out how this is accessible.

Thanks J, it has been nice to know the builder is honest.

Below is an overhead view of my lot, there is a driveway that goes around back, if you look at early photos in the thread, you'll see where there used to be a carport behind the house, outside of the old basement garage door. My new addition is where that carport used to be, the old garage door is still there, not sure it will stay long term, but there will always be some type of door there. It is not a perfectly ideal layout, but I really like this lot and trying to get a comparable size lot would be very difficult given the convenience of where I live.

205 Overhead by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[jctaylor]

Great build! I really like the shop area you already have with the added garage to the back. very cool setup, are you sticking with the two post?

 

[The J]

That clears up a lot. Thanks. I couldn’t figure out if the original garage passed through the house and you’d be able to drive through to the new one. Your layout is certainly unique but it’s a good chunk of land and you’ll just have to do a cool paver drive as you landscape the back. There’s a lot of potential for landscape details with the gentle slope.

I envision using the gray pavers that are all over European parking lots with grass growing in them. Goes with the Euro theme!

Nice collection too. Makes me miss my MK4 GTI and diesel wagon!

Keep it up - look forward to interior updates in the new year!

 

[fouckhest]

Great build! I really like the shop area you already have with the added garage to the back. very cool setup, are you sticking with the two post?

Thanks, yes keeping the 2-post, been thinking about getting a 4-post in the future, but need to see how the layout works out once I get settled in the new garage. I've got plans to utilize the existing basement/shop mostly for storage, but I don't want to block access to the that space in case I ever need to get a car in there.

That clears up a lot. Thanks. I couldn’t figure out if the original garage passed through the house and you’d be able to drive through to the new one. Your layout is certainly unique but it’s a good chunk of land and you’ll just have to do a cool paver drive as you landscape the back. There’s a lot of potential for landscape details with the gentle slope.

I envision using the gray pavers that are all over European parking lots with grass growing in them. Goes with the Euro theme!

Nice collection too. Makes me miss my MK4 GTI and diesel wagon!

Keep it up - look forward to interior updates in the new year!

Thanks J. I am excited to get moved in and see how the landscape works out, I envision a nice block fire pit in the back yard that will hopefully (somehow) tie into a step down from the area outside the garage door. We shall see how it plays out once the builder gets done and I start my build out process.

 

[Jagmandave]

when is the 2 post being installed?

Did you get the lights in yet?

 

[fouckhest]

when is the 2 post being installed?

Did you get the lights in yet?

should be putting the lift in a few weeks when the builder brings his bobcat back to the house, its been so wet here that I would be able to get them moved with out that.

No lights yet either, once the builder is done he is going to help me wire the place as part of settling up for the concrete debacle, we need to wait until he gets his final inspection before we do any wiring.

 

[fouckhest]

Not a huge update, however, got my final inspection, and we passed, they weren't super thrilled about the glass window in between the new/old garage, but since the house was built in 1967, it was grandfathered.

As part of builder making right for the 'messed up' concrete, he has agreed to wire the garage for me (I buy materials of course). Spoke with him yesterday and seeing that we are going to have some less than great weather over the next week or so, he is anxious to get that done (certainly so he can get final payment also). Another part of that is either pouring the apron outside the garage door, or hauling in gravel for me, so I need to think on that and come to a decision.

The not so huge update is, they finished up all the trim/fascia and siding, both on garage and existing house.

Also, since he is ready to get electric done, I needed to put some thoughts on paper for outlets, switches, etc., so I sat down and did that last night. Here is a quick layout, I used the Visual Interior Tool on AcuityBrands (saw it over in lighting forum) for how to layout my shop, it recommended 3 rows of 6 ft LED lights. I think I am going to go with these from amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D2N7629/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Here is my lighting and electrical layout, as always, welcome to any and all feedback. My play is to have a switch by the man door that will control the center row of lights, plus exterior lights (flood light and beside garage door). There will be a switch in the existing basement (I think thats the best spot) that will control all 3 row independently, plus the exterior lights and the flood light.

Here it is, of course in excel lol, any feed back is welcome!
Lighting Layout by fouckhest, on Flickr

Garage and House all trimmed
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[amkluttz]

My play is to have a switch by the man door that will control the center row of lights, plus exterior lights (flood light and beside garage door). There will be a switch in the existing basement (I think thats the best spot) that will control all 3 row independently, plus the exterior lights and the flood light.

Everything looks good. You can never have too many outlets, outdoors or indoors.

Are you only putting exterior outlets on the front of the building and none on either side?

If you are going to the trouble of 3 waying one set of lights why not just do all 3 so you can have control from either the basement or the man door?

 

[fouckhest]

Everything looks good. You can never have too many outlets, outdoors or indoors.

Are you only putting exterior outlets on the front of the building and none on either side?

If you are going to the trouble of 3 waying one set of lights why not just do all 3 so you can have control from either the basement or the man door?

Good question on the exterior on either side, I had thought about that, but I haven't been able to come up with any reason why I would need them there...but something for me to noodle on some more.

As far as 3-way switches at both doors, well, when it comes to electrical things, I am dense, so I was just trying to limit number of switches, I am supposed to meet with my builder tomorrow to go over the layout and discuss option, he is good about questioning things like this too, I would love to do that for sure, so if it is possible, I certainly will.

Appreciate the feedback amkluttz!

 

[LVIIIR]

Awesome thread! Thanks for sharing the progress!

 

[amkluttz]

Appreciate the feedback amkluttz!

No problem! I have a good friend I bounce ideas off of all the time because a fresh pair of eyes on a problem never hurts.

The only other thing I thought about after I wrote that was an occupancy sensor. We started installing them at work for things like break rooms. Initially I thought they were silly but I have started noticing benefits to using one. In this instance I thought of installing one for a small bank of lights or maybe even a couple of can lights in the garage. It would function similar to the garage opener light when you open the door but you could program how long you want that light to stay on for. Once you get used to them you just start walking in to rooms and the lights come on for you. Personally I thought this might be useful if you had to run in to the garage and grab something or for someone like my wife who might be pulling in to a dark garage at night with our 3 kids and unloading two hands full of groceries.


Also, remind me why you chose a roll up door over a conventional garage door? I'm assuming it had to do with the lift.

 

[C91x]

Looks great

I don't have nearly that amount of lights in my shop and it lights up really nice and I have no complaints. I think you'll have zero issues with lighting

 

[fouckhest]

Awesome thread! Thanks for sharing the progress!

Thanks LVIIIR, appreciate you stopping by!

The only other thing I thought about after I wrote that was an occupancy sensor.

Thanks amkluttz, I didnt think about those, we have those at my work all over the place, actually have some on the overhead lights as well so when you walk into and out of a zone light go on/off, thanks again!

Looks great
I don't have nearly that amount of lights in my shop and it lights up really nice and I have no complaints. I think you'll have zero issues with lighting

Thanks C91x, that great to hear, I figure if i have too much light, i can always take some down and keep them for spares!

 

[fouckhest]

Not a huge update, but the builder did come get most of the electrical roughed in last week. We did all of the 110v outlets 50" off the floor (this will make sense when I finish the inside), currently have 2x 110v in the ceiling for the drop cords, 3x 110v in the ceiling specifically for the overhead lighting, and 2x 220v (50amp) for the welder, I am also thinking about adding a couple more 220v 30amp for future possible machine purchases.

By nothing other than availability, ended up with a 22position breaker box, running 100amp service from the main 200amp panel located in the basement.

Powah by fouckhest, on Flickr

Outlets on outlets!

Powah by fouckhest, on Flickr

Powah by fouckhest, on Flickr


In order to know where to drill for the exterior lights, he needed the lights. Found these at Lowes, for the cost, they were nice looking, so went for it, then got them installed over the weekend.

Powah by fouckhest, on Flickr


And a matching one for the people door:
Powah by fouckhest, on Flickr


Really ready for our weather to start getting a little warmer so I can get the outside painted and start working on the inside and make the workspace usable.

 

[Magneto]

I been following your build. Great job! You should definitely add the extra 220v for future use. I made that mistake in my similar build a few years back. Do it now to avoid opening up walls. Retirement is approaching next year and looking at Travelers Rest, SC area close to you. How hot are those summers?

 

[fouckhest]

Thanks Magneto

Yeah, I am thinking I will do a minimum of 2 more in the shop, maybe even 2 more on the non-lift wall specifically .

Travelers Rest is a great little town, they have done a TON to fix it up in the ~13yrs I've lived here. Summers and Winters have the same bi-polar'ness, they both typically have a few weeks of their own brutality, either hot or cold (cold is relative to the south). In general, summers have a few days over a few weeks that might get into the high 90's, winters you may have a few days in a couple week stretch were it gets down into the 20s. All in all, its tough to beat b/c you still get the 4 seasons, occasionally get a little snow, but have fantastic fall/spring weather!

 

[fouckhest]

when is the 2 post being installed?

Did you get the lights in yet?

Not a huge update, but an exciting one, lights arrived today, 18x Sunco 5k LEDs

I am currently debating having the ceiling dry walled before I install lights, just to know its all done and don't have to worry about taking them all down again later...

Let there be light by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[Magneto]

Don't debate sheetrocking the ceiling just do it. Trust me, you don't want to take those lights down later. I installed sheetrock and slapped on a mop(stomp) texture, went quick and hid my sheetrock mudding mistakes. You're going to be happy with the LEDs. I initially installed T8 lights and when T8 LED replacement bulbs became available I installed them. You'll have enough light to perform mechanical surgery. lol.

 

[fouckhest]

Thanks, I am 99% sure that is what I am going to do, need to catch up with my builder and see if he has a crew that could come in an knock it out in a couple days.

Been thinking the next steps will be:
1 - sheet rock ceiling
2 - install lights
3 - coat the floor (weather/temperature dependent)
4 - install lift
5 - start working in the shop
5a - finalize any unforeseen electrical needs
5b - start finishing walls
6 - paint/finish exterior (weather/temperature dependent)


BTW - you asking about TR and our winters recently, we are currently into one of our few cold snaps.....Highs in the mid 40s, lows in the 30s, been kinda windy and damp, not motivating to work in an unheated space

 

[Magneto]

I'd take those temps! Earlier in the week it was -8 degrees here. Speaking of unheated space, do you plan on installing a heat source? I may have missed it in one of your earlier posts. I have this Modine Hot Dawg "closed combustion" unit that does a great job. I could have gotten away with the cheaper open combustion unit since I'm not working with any flammables.

 

[loganb]

I'll echo the "rock the ceiling now" vote. Rock it, tin it, but finish it as you want now otherwise it won't happen and it's a huge improvement in lighting and just general "feel". Plus if you're going to rock it, drywall dust gets everywhere and will be cleaning it up for years unless you totally empty the space when you do it. I did the ceiling in my previous garage last and it should have been the very first project

Otherwise great work and enjoyed following along on this one!

Sent from The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[fouckhest]

I'd take those temps! Earlier in the week it was -8 degrees here. Speaking of unheated space, do you plan on installing a heat source? I may have missed it in one of your earlier posts. I have this Modine Hot Dawg "closed combustion" unit that does a great job. I could have gotten away with the cheaper open combustion unit since I'm not working with any flammables.

Woof! That is way to cold for me!!

I do plan to heat, at a minimum, I have a little heater like this in my basement now, I may end up doing a mini-split that will heat/cool both the current basement and the new shop, but that is TBD.

This is what I have now, it works great for the current basement and it works great, so in the short term I may move it out to the new garage till mother nature heats it for me (not mine but same unit)

Otherwise great work and enjoyed following along on this one!

Thanks, that was a huge concern of mine, I don't know i'll be able to sheet rock the whole space before I move in, but I definitely will do the ceiling first, to your point, mainly to avoid dealing with the lights

Thanks for following along

 

[loganb]

Thanks, that was a huge concern of mine, I don't know i'll be able to sheet rock the whole space before I move in, but I definitely will do the ceiling first, to your point, mainly to avoid dealing with the lights

Thanks for following along

Your other option and don't recall if you've commented on it is to do metal liner panel on the ceiling. It saves some steps in that you put it up and it's done...no tape, mud, finishing painting etc and unless you're skilled or have buddies who are in finishing ceilings is probably faster to complete. It will may make things echo a bit more inside but in the spaces i've worked in wasn't a big deal. Buy the sheets cut to your desired length from the local big box or lumber yard and zip up with your trusty impact driver and washer head screws and move on...plus you then have your joists marked for you for future mounting of electric, lights and airlines!

If you were concerned about getting it all done before moving in, hanging liner panel in the ceiling after moving in but before lighting gets crazy would be something I could consider just because I wouldn't feel like I had to move the world out to deal with the mess of mud/tape/sanding a drywall ceiling.

 

[fouckhest]

Your other option and don't recall if you've commented on it is to do metal liner panel on the ceiling. It saves some steps in that you put it up and it's done...no tape, mud, finishing painting etc and unless you're skilled or have buddies who are in finishing ceilings is probably faster to complete. It will may make things echo a bit more inside but in the spaces i've worked in wasn't a big deal. Buy the sheets cut to your desired length from the local big box or lumber yard and zip up with your trusty impact driver and washer head screws and move on...plus you then have your joists marked for you for future mounting of electric, lights and airlines!

If you were concerned about getting it all done before moving in, hanging liner panel in the ceiling after moving in but before lighting gets crazy would be something I could consider just because I wouldn't feel like I had to move the world out to deal with the mess of mud/tape/sanding a drywall ceiling.

I have thought about the metal ceiling, not sure if I mentioned it in here before, but it definitely has been an option i have thought of. You bringing that up definitely has it back on the tip of my mind.

I definitely want the ceiling done, in whatever form, before moving in. I need to run to Lowes tomorrow, I need to take a run down the roofing isle and see what the going rate on that stuff is, that might be a good option.

Thanks again!!