My workbench/ garage dilemma

[RalloZ35]

Hey guys, Im gonna post some pics of my bench and tell me what you think. But main reason for this is I need your help with a decision. Ive been thinking about moving my bench and all my tools into a 6'x13' (roughly) shed, un-insulated, no electricity, no walls. However, I would put the foil covered sheet insulation with 3/4'' board as walls. Electricity would be tapped from a post right next to it. Lighting would be 1? flourescent light. The pros are that if the insulation worked out well, heating it would be quick and easy. And I would have my OWN small shop with out may dad whining about me taking his garage space.

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Thanks

 

[RalloZ35]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

Bump?

 

[Zeke]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

I think it would be way cool to have your own little cave. Listen to your music, chill and do whatever it is that you do. Tell the old man that you gave him back his space so stay out of yours.

 

[garboui]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

I think it would be way cool to have your own little cave. Listen to your music, chill and do whatever it is that you do. Tell the old man that you gave him back his space so stay out of yours.

+1

If its your own, you have that extra pride in that its your space and you can enjoy it how you want.

Its not the size of the space but its how you use it!

 

[mitusa]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

6x13 is really small....I would stay where you're at, keep your part neat and clean. As long as you comply with your dad's wishes, I don't see a problem.

 

[Shoottx]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

And I would have my OWN small shop with out may dad whining about me taking his garage space.

I think you answered your own question in this thread!

Move!

 

[RalloZ35]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

I agree with moving over to the shed, but I feel like it would be way to small to do any thing what so ever, and in the winter a lawnmower would be in my way all the time unless I can talk him into parking that else where... What would be really cool is if he'd let me (and if I had the money) put down a 20'x20' slab in the machine shed and its got power to it, cut a hol ein the tin for a window and make my own little room. But Ill see what I can come up with for money to see about the shed so he can have his space back.

 

[tyjoja]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

doesn't look like you take up to much space where your at. I like your workbench, looks nice. He should like to use it also. good luck

 

[RalloZ35]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

I try to make it as compact as possible, He does enjoy it lol. Took me 3 years to get the bench there Other downside to moving is that all my tool swould be out there not in the garage connected to the house.

 

[e30bradley]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

Nice work bench ! what do you work on?

 

[Outlawmws]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

All things being equal, I'd make the move in your place. Nice re-purpose of the old linoleum top reference table!

 

[Kevin54]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

I think we need pictures to see how much room dad is taking up vs. that small bench and toolbox.

BTW...tell dad that as soon as you're old enough (if you aren't already) and financially stable, you'll move all of that stuff into a garage of your own and he'll be sorry.

 

[RalloZ35]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

Okay Ill see what I can do about the shed.. I realized a problem with it though. Ill Have to make the walls different because the shed isnt standard 2x4 framing...I would have to make 2x4 framing and that would take more room out :/

Nice work bench ! what do you work on?

As for what I work on.. Its all wierd stuff like that paper towel holder in pic 1 I make anything I can think of, work on my truck the lawnmowers, chainsaws etc.

Nice re-purpose of the old linoleum top reference table!

Thanks! I didnt have the money to make a nice one, and while working on a soil finisher over at my grandparents, I saw a 4' one sitting in the barn and asked if hes using it, he said no, but you dont want that one, you want this one. Look over there a 5'6'' one sittin over there, so we cleaned it up painted it, then brought it home and he gave me his old drill

 

[Everett]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

one thing , if you do move out , make sure you buy a water machine that takes the water out the air or your goodees will rust up faster then you can blink a eye, ruining everything, i got lot's tool in storage and this what happen to them , my drill press is bench, is pretty much gone bought new in 1999 , wasnt rusted the shaft that holds the head on, now i have too figure how too clean that with out ruining it, id stay put myself , tell you get a job and build up the money and lease a small part of the yard from your parents, put down a good slab , start building and you will learn a few trades along the way

 

[RalloZ35]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

I think we need pictures to see how much room dad is taking up vs. that small bench and toolbox.

BTW...tell dad that as soon as you're old enough (if you aren't already) and financially stable, you'll move all of that stuff into a garage of your own and he'll be sorry.

Well hes not taking up room so much but he say I am taking up room, its annoying that he has his harley in the garage though. He just complains that Im taking up too much room. But I take up 6' in there?

Once Im able to move out, Hopefully Ill be able to buy a house in the country with a 1 or 2 car garage for me

 

[RalloZ35]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

Next year my construction class is building a shed... hmmm lol. Thats my hope that I can build like a 10x15 shed thats insulated has electricity heat, maybe AC That would be my cave probably have a tv out there and I wouldnt be in my house all night!

 

[Zeke]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

By the looks of the disorder on either side, it would seem there is some more "room" to claim. Sounds to me that your dad is generally annoyed that you're in the garage at all.

Too bad.

 

[KPSquared]

Not sure why it's an "ordeal". . . I mean, I understand wanting your own space but you didn't pay for the garage or the shed. . .your dad did. That means he can do whatever the hell he wants. You're not entitled to anything.

That being said, why does he not want you in the shop? Do you keep all your stuff clean and organized? Do you put away his tools after you use them? Just curious why a dad wouldn't want his son involved in the garage. I would think it's a helluva lot better idea than a son wasting his life sitting on the couch playing video games.

How old are you?

Just trying to get all the details to offer you a good solution.

 

[BD1]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

You a full time farm family ? you need a shop ! Suggest to pa how nice it would be for servicing and working on equipment. How many acres do you work ?

 

[lowbucktruck]

Re: My workbench/ garage ordeal

I agree with moving over to the shed, but I feel like it would be way to small to do any thing what so ever, and in the winter a lawnmower would be in my way all the time unless I can talk him into parking that else where... What would be really cool is if he'd let me (and if I had the money) put down a 20'x20' slab in the machine shed and its got power to it, cut a hol ein the tin for a window and make my own little room. But Ill see what I can come up with for money to see about the shed so he can have his space back.

Are you on a farm? I like the machine shed idea, since it already has power. If your father wants to have you move your cool workbench elsewhere, suggest adding on to the machine shed (a "bump-out") to create your own workspace. Ask your father's permission, and tell him you would like to do the construction work yourself. Its a win-win for him. Depending on the size, you could build an addition onto the machine shed which would probably be bigger than a stand-alone structure.

Post up a pic of the machine shed, when you have time.

 

[RalloZ35]

Weve got a full shop concrete floor, with a mill, metal band saw, lathe, bench grinder and most things needed in another machine shed. He is just a pain in the **** about that stuff, he always wants me to clean it though.

Zeke, He made me clean up the area just big enough to fit my bench and nothing extra.

KPSquared, As you should be able to see, I am really organized.. more so than him. He just seems to not want me involved I guess. And the boxes/tool sin the pictures are all mine, his are in the shop. And Im 16 With my first truck.

BD1, Were not, but all together I think were at.. 180 acres, thats with my grand fathers farm which me and my dad work quite a bit of.

LowbuckTruck, Ill see what I can do.

 

[BD1]

I feel sorry for you. A full shop setup and pa won't let you play with his toys. He must have his reasons. Do you have brothers and sisters ? It could be that pa is just afraid that his little boy is becoming a man that knows whats happening. To help you feel a little better, I'm 61 and have been a welder fitter for 41 years along with my two younger brothers. My dad who is 86 Still thinks his little boys don't know anything. All of us have been in supervisory capacity since we all started in the trade. It must be a male thing. I was a little different with my son. I bought him his own tool set when he was 15 just to keep my set intact and to save me time trying to find where he left whatever. I told him I'll help with whatever but I'm not doing. I'm here if needed.
It must be tougher for some people .When our daughter went off to college it was a concerning moment . My son, drive by, open door ,and push out while in motion. It will get better , be patient.

 

[RalloZ35]

BD1,
I do have 1 older brother, he is in the army and out of the house most of the time. My dad bought most of my set, its HF but I was working for him at the time, and had good grades so He got me that. And Ive just been adding too it. But Im deffinantly MUCH more organized than he is. My dad hates when I ask for help then once I finally get him out there, he ends up doing it all and doesnt let me do anything. So Im in the course teaching my self everything, typically I do things when hes not home

Maybe He doesnt want me in the shop cause I will move things to get it organized and he wont be able to find it? lol I mean he leaves wrenches everywhere but.. maybe to him thats organized? lol

 

[FunkyfullWidth]

Well.... I've been collecting tools/junk since I was about 16. Started out with a little tool box and a few things. My dad was cool with me using the garage here and there. Needless to say, it may have gotten out of control. I'm 25 now, in the process of buying my own place with a nice garage to it. In the next month or two, my old man will be much happier since all of my junk will be leaving with me...
Before and afters:







It gets out of hand very fast.... this was many years in the making, and trust me... The old man was not easy the whole way through it. maybe yours will come around if you start "inching out" little by little.

 

[BD1]

RalloZ35, check this out. It may help .

http://www.millerwelds.com/resource...owthread.php?28229-How-do-you-not-lose-things

 

[RalloZ35]

Haha, BD1 maybe thats it hah.

FunkyFullWidth, If I had that much stuff, my dad would kill me or kick me out.

 

[Zeke]

Haha, BD1 maybe thats it hah.

FunkyFullWidth, If I had that much stuff, my dad would kill me or kick me out.

Sounds like a benefit to both of you (not being killed, of course).

 

[RalloZ35]

Being kicked out of the house would not be a benefit! lol

 

[FunkyfullWidth]

Ya, I got a little out of control. But it was allowed because i was the one fixing the family cars and other gas powered tools. Maybe see if you can make a deal for a little more room. Like a, "I'll do this or that if I can use this space or that space..." type of deal. Offer up help on more projects and seem as interested as possible in the things your father does or fixes.

Plus, in my case it went from me borrowing dads tools to the other way around. Things change.... sometimes.

 

[RalloZ35]

I help in everything I can. And trust me he's already borrowing my tools when he works on stuff at the house. Doesn't put them back either. :/

 

[mdbeck1]

Stay in the garage. It's harder on him than you could possibly believe. My son doesn't work in the garage much but now that he has his first car... It's hard for me to NOT be out there "helping". However I have told him that I will only help him when he tells me he needs help or when I note a safety problem. It's been going good so far. I go out and straighten or work on something small but always end up playing "tool pusher" for him. He works on the car and doesn't seem to get upset but I have to watch myself.

You might ask your Dad for specific help on a project. Tell him that you want to do the project by yourself but want his advice/help with this ONE aspect. After it's done thank him and move to take charge. It might not work the first time but maybe he'll get the idea after a short time.

However you also need to think about what you are REALLY wanting. Do you want to learn or do you want to spend time with your Dad? There is not a wrong answer. You just need to think about it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

At your age, I would try to get your own spot. Do you have a actual job, working for someone esle ? I'd make the move to the shed and possibly try to upgrade a spot in the machine shed as your cash flow allowed. . . . along with parental permission.

 

[Doctor_Ink]

I help in everything I can. And trust me he's already borrowing my tools when he works on stuff at the house. Doesn't put them back either. :/

Get a locking toolbox! Tell him when he stops whining about you taking up space he can borrow tools, and ONLY if he puts them back!

I'm in your shoes though! I take up 1/3 of my dad's garage! I'm 17 years old... I have a full time job and a lot nicer tools than he does. Air compressor, welder, huge tool box, grinder, other power tools. He uses them too. but he always, ALWAYS asks because he knows I'll get really po'ed at him for taking without asking.

 

[RalloZ35]

He just walks out and takes em.. and if its locked he'll be po'ed and call me and ask where the keys at to my box I got after him about putting my tools back because he used to leave all of them out lol Now he puts some back but they still arent in the right spot!

 

[Brad54]

I'm 42 and went through this kind of **** with my dad.
Dad's philosophy--and he told us this often--was "If you can survive me, you'll be able to survive whatever the rest of the world throws at you."
It's a ****** way to grow up. "You can't do that/you'll fail"-prove-him-wrong *****.
"You can do anything you set your mind to if you work for it and want it bad enough" is a hell of a lot better way to do things.

Sounds like your dad might have the same ideas on parenting as mine. Never outright throwing me under the bus, but damn sure didn't mind throwing obstacles in my way. He's 64, and we can't work together on anything.

If I were you, this is exactly what I would do:
Fit that "little" shed of yours out exactly like you want it. Sounds like Grandad might be of some help, too.
Insulate it if you can... there are cheap ways to do that.
6x13-- you can light it with a pair of 100-watt bulbs. just keep them on in the winter, and your insulated shed will be remarkably warm from the heat of the lighbulbs. Keep them on year-round, and it'll cut down on the humidity in there too.
Point out to your father that with your bench and tools out of the garage, the lawnmower will fit in that area, with room to spare.
Put a padlock on the door to the shed... if he asks about it, tell him you're obviously worried about someone breaking in and stealing your tools.
Maybe there's some work you can do for your grandfather to earn a little money for insulation and white pegboard. Wallpaper that shed with white pegboard. You'll love it.

Don't forget to maximize the space in the roof--storage, shelves whatever.

Go online and look for small woodworking shops... it's amazing what some guys fit in very, very small spaces.
After you get a job and earn some money, you might be able to build yourself a one-car garage, or a one-car addition on the machine shed.

for now, move out to the little shed.

heck, if it were me, I think I'd set up a radio, a little fridge and sling a hammock across one corner!

-Brad

 

[FunkyfullWidth]

this really is a classic thread. It's the age old arguement of dad vs. sons tools/work space. Most men have probably gone through some aspect of this dilema right here. There really isn't any right answer or solution to this problem. sometimes father and son just clash about certain things.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Get your own space going. It increases respect both ways. As far as size, I built custom motorcycles in a 8 X 8 building, and used the profits to build a 28 X 50 when I could. I kept my welder on a hand cart and rolled it outside to weld by plugging it into a temporary electrical service I had installed to be able to plug the building into. A rather large 5 foot diameter chunk of a felled oak tree trunk standing on end with a vise attached was my beating bench and welding table. This would be a first mental separation from your Dad's controlling nature for you, by exerting your relative independence.

 

[RalloZ35]

Well Let me get some income, and tires on my truck.. And then Ill see where Im at money wise cause he wont wanna pay for any of it. I think what I would do is plywood the floor, put 2x4 walls up so I have room for insulation then ply wood over that then mayybe pegboard infront of my bench. Im just worried about bugs getting in there..

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you post up some pics of the shed, the guys here can offer some very good advice of setting it up.

 

[RalloZ35]

I will but gotta talk to my dad first then ill get pics and be able to start if I get permission.