My new garage

[MackMan]

Been pondering this for a while
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=217640

Just got back from closing, now I just need to get done with work so I can start the clean-up and then set-up! P.O. was closing shop and I got all the "stuff" you see inside for an extra $500, seemed pretty reasonable. There is also a Snap-On tire mounter next to the balancer but it's behind some spare wood so I couldn't get a good pic..

Now begins the process of naming, any thoughts?

Will be used to store/maintain a 73 Porsche, 55 Jag, and 79 RX-7 race car.

 

[kmcphee]

That shop has so much potential and it looks like you have most of the big ticket items included already. Congrats on your purchase, you ****!

I'm in for the re-model thread !!

 

[LoanRebel]

good luck man seems like a great find

 

[MackMan]

I'm excited for sure. Won't be much of a "remodel" right away, but will be moving the bulk of my tools and accessories from my 2 car attached over there, doing a good cleaning and reorganizing. Gotta get the compressor plumbed... the building has hard-line air with mounted reels, but the air source was originally mounted outside. I guess that compressor died so the PO bought the Kobalt, but never hooked it into the hard-lines. I need to cap off the inlet from outside and run a line from the compressor to the hard-lines.

Doors need new bottom seals, and one of the windows is broken, also needs to be re-roofed. Overall my total investment is going to be less than what I was looking at to build just a shell (slab, 4 walls and roof) on my lot next to the house. No shiny new building, but the included extras are well beyond what I would have had otherwise.

Main things I need to find are a drill press and bench vise, other than that I've got most of the equipment I expect to need. Well I need a welder too, but more importantly I need to learn how to weld.

 

[Jawn]

Great looking shop! I think the "stuff" inside is a "you ****" level of deal for $500.

 

[MackMan]

Great looking shop! I think the "stuff" inside is a "you ****" level of deal for $500.

Me too, though to be fair I wouldn't have paid much more for any of it... the P.O. had no use for it and really didn't want to move it. The press and compressor were in the original sale agreement, but the tire mount/balance, parts washers, spare mower, weed-eater, low-pro jacks etc were all last minute additions. I'm happy!

 

[MackMan]

That shop has so much potential and it looks like you have most of the big ticket items included already. Congrats on your purchase, you ****!

I'm in for the re-model thread !!

It should also be noted that below that vinyl siding this building is 100% concrete block exterior walls, no wood framing except the roof. I don't wanna know what it would cost to build this new, but I'm guessing a LOT more than I paid

 

[polexican23]

If you have issues with with the tire equipment call E.M. Hoehler Company Inc. (502) 584-0278

They service our equipment in louisville, since we closed shop in Lexington recently I cant look up the service techs in that area.

 

[-Brent-]

Congrats! I wish we could find deals like that out here.

 

[Disney]

I'm excited for sure. Won't be much of a "remodel" right away, but will be moving the bulk of my tools and accessories from my 2 car attached over there, doing a good cleaning and reorganizing. Gotta get the compressor plumbed... the building has hard-line air with mounted reels, but the air source was originally mounted outside. I guess that compressor died so the PO bought the Kobalt, but never hooked it into the hard-lines. I need to cap off the inlet from outside and run a line from the compressor to the hard-lines.

Doors need new bottom seals, and one of the windows is broken, also needs to be re-roofed. Overall my total investment is going to be less than what I was looking at to build just a shell (slab, 4 walls and roof) on my lot next to the house. No shiny new building, but the included extras are well beyond what I would have had otherwise.

Main things I need to find are a drill press and bench vise, other than that I've got most of the equipment I expect to need. Well I need a welder too, but more importantly I need to learn how to weld.

I would take the time to move the compressor outside and plumb it in out there. I moved mine outside and an SOOOOoooo thankful every time it fires up and i'm not anywhere near it. You'll thank me later.

 

[MackMan]

I would take the time to move the compressor outside and plumb it in out there. I moved mine outside and an SOOOOoooo thankful every time it fires up and i'm not anywhere near it. You'll thank me later.

I would love to do this, but what are the particulars of shielding it from the weather, etc? Might be more of a long term goal, but I do like the idea.

Did a little cleaning and sorting tonight

 

[rixtrix1]

Quote (Originally Posted by Disney View Post
I would take the time to move the compressor outside and plumb it in out there. I moved mine outside and an SOOOOoooo thankful every time it fires up and i'm not anywhere near it. You'll thank me later)

If you mount it outside, please make sure it can't walk away. Put it inside a ventilated enclosure. Will make it easier on your insurance claim. We had 2-100 gallon Champion compressors stolen from behind a wall outside our shop last year. No sort of roof on the area, though. Gate was still locked and 1/2" chains routed through compressor bodies were cut with a torch. Assuming someone using a service truck with a boom crane got them. Otherwise, sounds like a smoking deal.

Does Bank of Dad want to adopt me, please?

 

[MackMan]

Quote (Originally Posted by Disney View Post
I would take the time to move the compressor outside and plumb it in out there. I moved mine outside and an SOOOOoooo thankful every time it fires up and i'm not anywhere near it. You'll thank me later)

If you mount it outside, please make sure it can't walk away. Put it inside a ventilated enclosure. Will make it easier on your insurance claim. We had 2-100 gallon Champion compressors stolen from behind a wall outside our shop last year. No sort of roof on the area, though. Gate was still locked and 1/2" chains routed through compressor bodies were cut with a torch. Assuming someone using a service truck with a boom crane got them. Otherwise, sounds like a smoking deal.

Does Bank of Dad want to adopt me, please?

Yes, this was another thing I was concerned with mounting outside. Normally I'd think air compressors would be at a low risk for theft, but this is a big automotive area. If someone takes that 15HP Champion I have outside they may be doing me a favor (no 3-phase power), but would want to figure out how to enclose the Kobalt..

 

[dubber]

Congrats, thats an awesome acquisition, especially so close to your place. That extra $500 really went a long way to save you thousands.

 

[MackMan]

Yes, the extra $500 was great, it's nice when someone doesn't have a use for something that I do

 

[Bib Overalls]

They will get your compressor if they want it bad enough. Mine is bolted down and a long carry .

If you are in a high crime area building a cage around it.

All you really need is a shed roof to cover the pump and electric motor.

If you have mud daubers in your area you need to check the motor periodically because they like to nest inside. Mine is elevated about 4" and fitted with a ball valve drain. The butterfly valves are hard to open and particularly so when you can not fit your hand underneath the tank.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Nice place!!! They has my name written all over it!! That looks like you could paint it if you wanted to and it would clean up nice!!
I would so love to have a shop that size. Good luck!!

 

[MackMan]

Nice place!!! They has my name written all over it!! That looks like you could paint it if you wanted to and it would clean up nice!!
I would so love to have a shop that size. Good luck!!

Thanks! Paint maybe eventually, lots of other projects before going to purely cosmetic stuff.

So how 'bout some of the naming ideas, any thoughts on that? I'm not too creative on that type of stuff.

 

[Jawn]

So how 'bout some of the naming ideas, any thoughts on that? I'm not too creative on that type of stuff.

Something to do with BBQ? Between those places and the biscuit king, I'd say it's a good thing I don't live there anymore.

 

[MackMan]

Something to do with BBQ? Between those places and the biscuit king, I'd say it's a good thing I don't live there anymore.

Well... my favorite of the BBQ places is Speedy's, and the garage will be housing 3 sports cars, one of which is a dedicated race car... You might be onto something here.

Also, when I was in college they were running an ad campaign that involved the term "Alpha Gearhead", always been a fan of that too..

Spent most of today in the "office" area cleaning up the years of gunk, I don't think it's ever been cleaned. Now it's back to looking just plain ol dirty like a garage should rather than feeling like I may contract an unknown disease just by touching something.

Don't ask about the decor in the "kitchen" area... no idea

 

[sunsation288]

Wow congrat on your new aquisition , Awesome shop!

keep the picture coming , you know we love picture

 

[BarnFab]

Damn that is AWESOME you should be very pleased. Around here $40k would buy you hmmmm maybe a wheelie bin

 

[captain14]

How far away is the new shop from home?

You got a great deal.

Congrats

 

[MackMan]

How far away is the new shop from home?

You got a great deal.

Congrats

About 6 miles, not too bad.

 

[N0tt0N]

Well with those kitchen colors you kind of have to call it.... MackDunno's

 

[MackMan]

Well with those kitchen colors you kind of have to call it.... MackDunno's

Ouch! Well one of these days the colors in there will be changing!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Dale Leeds]

I like it. You did a great job. Good luck.

 

[N0tt0N]

Ouch! Well one of these days the colors in there will be changing!

Just bustin' your chops, of course!

You could stencil Porsche in silver on the red doors! Great catch on the property. You have a lot of folks jealous for the space and possibilities. Congratulations and have fun with that Targa!

 

[MackMan]

I like that stencil idea... might have to give that a try!

 

[Jawn]

What kind of racing do you do with the RX7? In the late 90s I hung out with some guys that ran a limited late model at Caraway. I came in a hair of throwing together a cheap racer for the "U-Car" series they had. I did eventually take my daily driver up to W-S for an autox once... had a blast, but never had time to do that regularly.

 

[MackMan]

What kind of racing do you do with the RX7? In the late 90s I hung out with some guys that ran a limited late model at Caraway. I came in a hair of throwing together a cheap racer for the "U-Car" series they had. I did eventually take my daily driver up to W-S for an autox once... had a blast, but never had time to do that regularly.

SCCA improved touring.. There is a class that is specific to first gen 7s. Not real good at it so far, but haven't had the time or place to really prep the car. my dad has had it, but it's about 8 hrs drive to his place so I've never been able to take enough time to really go work in it. Since he's retired he thought it would make more sense for me to have the car so he can take time to come up here to work in it with me.



Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[MackMan]

So I recently discovered the brake washer the PO left for me sells for $1400 new
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HI0B0E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This may seem like a stupid question but what is the purpose of a "brake washer" as opposed to a standard parts washer (I have both)? Is it just a chemical that doesn't eat away the rubber seals/boots etc, or something more profound?

Strangely the previous owner also had no idea what a brake washer was for, and had no idea that he even had one until he started cleaning out the garage for selling..

 

[dubber]

So I recently discovered the brake washer the PO left for me sells for $1400 new
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HI0B0E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Quite the savings on that one lol... 99% off.

 

[MackMan]

For the watchers out there, a question on air-line plumbing
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3533321#post3533321

Thoughts appreciated!

 

[MackMan]

Here is my thinking for a floorplan at the moment. One of the things I *really* want to be able to do is keep the lift-bay clear so that I can pull one of our "normal" cars in for service without moving something else outside. The Mazda is a non street-legal race car so I am thinking I can put it on casters and move it from side to side, so I can store it out of the way of the Jag and Porsche which may be driven, but push it out of the way of the lift if I need to bring something else in without moving anything outside. Question on those lines is what are some quality casters that will allow me to move a ~2500lb car by myself?

The thought for this layout is to keep the tools closest to the lift bay, so the bench makes sense where it is today. I thought the Press would make sense near the bench since if I'm using the press I will probably be working on something on the bench as well. Next over are tire mounting and balancing to keep near the lift. Parts washers are the farthest away as I anticipate they will be the least utilized of the equipment in there.

Ideas/thoughts/reactions?

 

[alberto]

Congratulations. Did you say how many square feet you bought?

 

[MackMan]

Congratulations. Did you say how many square feet you bought?

Total is 50x29, office portion is about 400 of that

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[MackMan]

Got my toolbox moved over today, so now it can be a "working garage". Also showing my black Friday purchases, a bluetooth speaker from Wal-Mart for $35, and the $50 Shop-Vac from Lowes.

Also first time one of my vehicles has been inside!

 

[Xtremetalworks2]

Nice garage ! Lots of potential mackman I like the height of the inside and the cinderblock walls ! If there was one thing I would change about my shop it would be the ceiling height ! You also scored huge on the extras...And rather then hoping a crack head steals the 15HP 3 phase compressor list and sell on Craigslist, Compressors sell pretty quick on there atleast in my area !

 

[MackMan]

Talked to a friend today who works for one of the big-name NASCAR shops and he's gonna check and see if anyone wants it that he knows of.