My new garage project

[Down Under Bloke]

Looks good, must be satisfying to see it taking shape.

 

[Morrisman]

Looks good, must be satisfying to see it taking shape.

I must admit, even thought it is just a relatively tiny garage by averages on this forum, there is a hell of a good feeling about putting together a building yourself. Maybe some sort of hunter gatherer provider instinct flashback from caveman days

I can't wait to get the roof together and have it looking more like a building than a bombsite.

 

[Morrisman]

I've done a bit of work on the garage over the last two weeks. Most of the blockwork for the walls is done and I've started building the roof. I made some windows out of glass blocks, to let a bit of daylight in without having expanses of flat glass everywhere.

The roof is a sort of home brewed mix of trusses and 'cut' roof. I learn as I go along, ask questions, surf the net, find the answers or make it up as I go along. I put all the joists up first, but took the two end ones down to build the trusses on the ground, then hauled them up into place. They aren't too heavy. Ask my wife

Great fun

 

[Bib Overalls]

Coming along very nicely.

 

[Down Under Bloke]

Hay, keep an eye on that outdoor furniture, it looks like it’s making a move on the garage.

 

[JMURiz]

Cool, was wondering how the project was going. The glass block is a nice touch, lets some light in without letting prying eyes see what's inside.

Keep up the good work!

 

[Morrisman]

Got a bit further now, though I really wish I'd gone for ready made trusses, as it would have saved a hell of a lot of climbing up and down, cutting timber, and hammering a gazillion nails in by hand.

 

[ersatzs2]

Nice. What are the dimensions of those ceiling joists? They appear a good bit heavier than what we use in the US.

 

[cyclopsblown34]

It is a little late now. When we blocked a car wash twenty years ago we poured in some sort of dry insulation in the hollows of the blocks. The place holds heat very well and is cool in the summer. That shop looks hell for stout. Awesome work.

 

[Morrisman]

Nice. What are the dimensions of those ceiling joists? They appear a good bit heavier than what we use in the US.

They're 2 x 6, which is heavier than I would have use personally, but I got a quote from a truss maker and with it was the blueprint if what they were going to use, so I copied the design. The centre of the attic area is open, for storage, no support or timber in there. I'm using real tile too, which is kinda heavy per sq yard, so I wanted to make sure the whole lot didn't come crashing down around my head some windy day.

It is a little late now. When we blocked a car wash twenty years ago we poured in some sort of dry insulation in the hollows of the blocks. The place holds heat very well and is cool in the summer. That shop looks hell for stout. Awesome work.

Thanks for the praise. Those blocks are actually solid concrete, no holes or open core. They weigh something like 30 lbs each

It could probably double as a nuclear fallout station.

 

[JMURiz]

Cool details, must be stout! At least with those rafters you can get an attic ladder and store some small things up in the attic...always a plus.

 

[Morrisman]

A bit more done today.

This morning:

This afternoon:

 

[1320stang]

Looks nice. Does your 'handle' mean you have a Morris Minor as your hobby car? If so, I'd guess the garage is rather spacious. Looks Great!!!

 

[cdrewferd]

Great progress on the garage. Coming along nicely.

 

[Morrisman]

Looks nice. Does your 'handle' mean you have a Morris Minor as your hobby car? If so, I'd guess the garage is rather spacious. Looks Great!!!

Morris Eight actually, 1934, but still a tiny car

 

[Morrisman]

Great progress on the garage. Coming along nicely.

Bit more progress, finished all the roof battens and built a ladder to access the loft space, when I get the floor in:

The ladder/stairs should fold up and away when space is required. It's heavier than originally planned, so may need a pulley system, or even an air or electric winch maybe.

 

[rotus7]

Morris Eight actually, 1934, but still a tiny car

Your 8 looks pretty sweet! Did a quick google search. Yours looks a bit different. Did you chop the top? I think that would make a great looking street-rod/rat-rod, slammed to the ground with a little bit wider wheel/tire combo. What kind of power you have in there. One site said the 8's had an 8hp 4-cyl.

 

[Morrisman]

Your 8 looks pretty sweet! Did a quick google search. Yours looks a bit different. Did you chop the top? I think that would make a great looking street-rod/rat-rod, slammed to the ground with a little bit wider wheel/tire combo. What kind of power you have in there. One site said the 8's had an 8hp 4-cyl.

Thanks for the kind words. I took three inches out of the roof, built a box section chassis, swapped out all the running gear, fitted a Rover 3.5 litre motor, which you guys would know as the aluminum Buick 215cu in.

It was built as a sort of 60's style hot rod, but I basically let the flow go and used what was available. There's a whole lot of things I'd like to change, like you say, lower, bigger rubber etc.

 

[Down Under Bloke]

That’s the first time I have seen the Eight out of the shed; it looks like a lot of fun. I’m guessing it must be a handful on a wet road!

Back to the thread:
Nice looking ladder. I’m guessing by your skills with timber, you don’t make many mistakes, or have you figured out how to weld timber “There's no such thing as a mistake, only more welding”

 

[cyclopsblown34]

Nice work there Morrisman, you appear to be one heck of a craftsman.

 

[Morrisman]

....Nice looking ladder. I’m guessing by your skills with timber, you don’t make many mistakes, or have you figured out how to weld timber “There's no such thing as a mistake, only more welding”

See all them bits of wood in the background, that's the first eleven ladders I made before I got this one right

Nice work there Morrisman, you appear to be one heck of a craftsman.

Thanks mate. I'll have a go at anything, I learn by my mistakes, jack of all trades really. I'm not sure if I'm actually an 'expert' at any one thing though, which is a bit disappointing sometimes. You see guys all around who are are great musicians, great painters, great bricklayers, etc but I seem to bumble along doing a bit of this and that and never quite excelling at anything.



Still, I have great fun trying

 

[shocksystems]

Morrisman, any updates on your garage project? New pictures maybe? This is one of my favorite projects to follow.

Cheers!

Jim M

 

[Morrisman]

Morrisman, any updates on your garage project? New pictures maybe? This is one of my favorite projects to follow.

Cheers!

Jim M

Nothing for the last three weeks Jim, as I'm on a ship in the Gulf of Mexico as we speak. I'll be home in another two weeks and should be getting roof tiles laid and other stuff.

Glad you like the buildup.

Thanks, Paul

Here's a few more older piccies, not sure if I've posted them already.

Here was the garden just after we moved in, overgrown and un-used:

 

[Morrisman]

I've been out of touch for a while, been busting my **** in the back yard carrying tiles and stuff. A bit of progress has been made though:

Still got a long way to go before it is finished.

 

[Itzkwik]

That roof looks great.

I've been out of touch for a while, been busting my **** in the back yard carrying tiles and stuff.

Fess up. You've been busting your **** playing on that little blue slide. Should have made it bigger.

 

[Morrisman]

A few latest pics:

 

[PAToyota]

Good to see the progress coming along! That looks sturdily built in all respects and a fine place for a sweet little Morris.

 

[Itzkwik]

Great job on the brickwork for the drive. Looks great.
Are you going to insulate the inside? From what I remember of my two visits over there, it gets kinda chilly.

 

[shocksystems]

I love the bench/cabinets and the swing up stairs. Great job. I think the whole garage is a classy job. It just keeps looking better.

Cheers!

Jim

 

[Morrisman]

I don't plan to line the walls, as it will only be heated when I'm in there, small electric blower probably. I may put drywall on the roof downstairs, more to tidy it up and as a bit of a fire restriction though.

Must admit, I didn't do the brick drive myself, but it is the only part of the job I farmed out, as it would have taken me so long to dig and fill and level and all. I doubt I would have saved any moey either, as the price was fairly good, about US$5000 for some 50 square yards. That included all materials, all digging and removal of stuff, and laying the drain in front of the door, plus the low capped wall at the far side.

I decided the bench would be as strong as I could make it, no more flimsy stick stuff wobbling and bouncing when I pound on things

 

[Matt2point4]

It's turned out really well!
I wish I had the land to build a garage/workshop.

 

[DynoDave]

That looks great. The details are outstanding...doors, drive, roof. Very nice.

 

[Morrisman]

Not been in here for a while, seem to have been so busy working on and in the garage.

I still haven't got the outside finished, but have splashed a little paint around inside, thrown some lights up too.

I've now sold the Morris, for some reason I'm still not sure of. But I have another project going on to replace it:

 

[Morrisman]

Been ages since I last updated. A little paint on the outside, looks a bit tidier. I still haven't finished off the cladding in the gable ends. Too busy enjoying myself inside to get it finished.

 

[Kevin54]

wow!!! Old thread, great pics. Glad to see the update. This is one great "rodder" pic

Driveway looks fantastic. A lot of work, thought, and "sore" knees in that

 

[shocksystems]

Wow, it really looks fantastic. Were those pictures taken recently? It doesn't look like winter!

Cheers!

Jim

 

[chaingang]

Hows the 5 window coming? Drivetrain? Etc... Details man, details! Got a 40 Deluxe Coupe myself but sure do like the 5 window bodies.

 

[naki kid]

that would be one of your local glass body's wouldn't it.It looks a bit different around the front screen.I have seen photo's of your old morry8 on UK hotrodding site.The shed looks well built and I like the pavers.
Ray.

 

[Morrisman]

that would be one of your local glass body's wouldn't it.It looks a bit different around the front screen.I have seen photo's of your old morry8 on UK hotrodding site.The shed looks well built and I like the pavers.
Ray.

She's a bit of a hybrid, sprung from a mould put together by Geoff Jago in the eighties, from a roadster and something else if I remember rightly.

 

[akdiesel]

It looks great. Nice touch on the driveway and good use of your space