Newbee question.

[Kalstar]

First post, took a few weeks reading many of the threads. Great forum you folks have here.

Plan to redue my "nursery" I mean garage. Time for my babies to have a better sleeping spot. My budget is $5000.00. It is 26x22 with 12 foot ceilings. In the plans is a 4 post lift, high lift garage doors, new flooring, new lighting, in-wall electric heaters, 20' x 8' wall of tool/storage cabinets, wall mounted tire racks, small flat screen, internet computer, a better work bench, full paint job, refrig.....ect.

My budget might be a little too short.

OK the question. In the new Family Handyman, they have a garage cab that is built with MDF. For slightly more $$ wouldn't cabinet grade plywood be better? 3/4 MDF and 5/8 cab grade plywood is nearly the same price. Is there a reason to use the MDF over the plywood that I might be missing. Does it finsh better for paint or better for ease of use? I know it is not particle board but wouldn't liquids have their way with the MDF?

I am looking forward to this project.

 

[NitroPress]

Yeah, I'd say that budget is going to need to be extended by some careful scrounging and second-hand buying. If you keep your eye out, you might be able to get a lot of that into some very small cost.

MDF is great stuff except that (1) it's heavy as hell and (2) it hates moisture as much as vampires hate garlic. If you put it in an exposed atmosphere like a garage, be sure you seal the bejazus out of it. I'd go with plywood, myself.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

I personally like working with MDF. It takes paint beautifully- I've done some small projects that were finished with lacquer paint- high gloss.
It's almost as strong as regular plywood but, as you mentioned- water is it's enemy. Oils don't do it well either- unless it's got a really good paint job.

 

[dittle fart around]

Lots of companies make garage storage cabinets out of MDF. The MDF is covered by the finish coat of paint and unless you damage the finish you shouldn't have to worry about the moisture problem. They will probably take a beating in the garage thought, I know my cabinet's do. You should be able to move into metal storage cabinets for around the same price. Check out the products from Sandusky. about half way down the web page.

 

[Kalstar]

Well I guess it has it positives.

Purchased a four post, 9000lbs XL. Basically unused with 2 sets of ramps and 6 oil catch trays, off Craigslist from a widow. She said it was less than a year old. She included a matching workbench and misc items like a roller oil change set up, 8 wheel chalks and buffing wheels for the grinder. All for $1700. She said she was asking 50% of the cost new ($2999 plus $450 shipping). The decals say Superlift XL and has the 220v motor. I did not haggle and agreed to her asking price, she threw the other stuff in for free.

I am thinking of going with the Seville stainless steel cabinets from Sam's club. For $722 I can get all the cabs I would need.

 

[Neuswede]

Well I guess it has it positives.

Purchased the four post, 9000lbs XL. Basically unused with 2 sets of ramps and 6 oil catch trays, off Craigslist from a widow. She said it was less than a year old. She included a matching workbench and misc items like a roller oil change set up, 8 wheel chalks and buffing wheels for the grinder. All for $1700. She said she was asking 50% of the new cost of the lift. I did not haggle and agreed to her asking price so she through the other stuff in for free.

I am thinking of going with the Seville stainless steel cabinets from Sam's club. For $722 I can get all the cabs I would need.

Welcome to GJ.

Very nice score, but I'll say what everyone else is thinking: Without some pics it didn't happen.

Before buying the Sam's club cabinets, have a good look around. $722 is a big chunk out of your budget, so take your time and be careful with your money.

 

[NitroPress]

Purchased a four post, 9000lbs XL. Basically unused with 2 sets of ramps and 6 oil catch trays, off Craigslist from a widow.

"Needs some cleaning of the underside."

 

[Kalstar]

"Needs some cleaning of the underside."

Funny. Ha ha.

Though I did check.

 

[hobie1dog]

Welcome to the forum, and be sure to post up pics of everything for us.

 

[clkimmel]

Ahhh, I see your plans are bigger than your budget. Nobody else here has that problem

Seriously, keep us up to date with your project, it sounds interesting.

 

[Kalstar]

Spent the weekend putting the high lift tracks in and installing the lift.....1:02 am and there are both up and working. Took a break today to go purchase floor epoxy, epoxy chips, bonding/cleaner/etcher, accent paint and wall paints. So far I have spent $1958.00, $3042.00 left in my budget. Pictures to come.

 

[ibedayank]

 

[Kevin54]

6 postings, a couple of big purchases and no pics yet? WE NEED PICS!!!! Like it was already stated....Pics or it didn't happen

 

[Falcon67]

I haven't have any issues with painted MDF. I have used both plywood and MDF for bench tops. I used a Lowes house brand "garage floor" paint on them and both have had greasy engine parts, transmission rebuilds, etc on top with no delamination problems. Given an "unlimited" bench budget of nearly $100, I would (will here in a short) use 3/4 MDF on the bottom with a 3/4 ply on top. The bottom MDF would provide a very flat and stable platform with enough thickness for screwing on a replaceable ply top from the underside.

 

[Kalstar]

Here are the photos, first of the high lift tracks (what a PITA those were) and a few shots of the lift. I only need 39" for the GTM and all the way up I have 70" with about 3" to spare before the car would hit the garage door opener.

Last photo is before I started the clean up.

I was able to etch the floor for the paint this morning before work (yes I never sleep). The floors will be two tone gray/charcoal with a thin red border. The lower part of the walls will be painted to match the floor and the upper wall and ceiling getting painted semi-gloss white.

 

[Falcon67]

>I was able to etch the floor for the paint this morning before work
It's all I can do to make coffee before work

 

[gsport]

nice start..... i like your C6

 

[Kalstar]

Re: Newbee question/garage reno.

nice start..... i like your C6

Thx, if you like that what untill you see my other toy. Here is a hint.....

 

[NitroPress]

Looks like something with GT-40 in its DNA.

 

[Kalstar]

Looks like something with GT-40 in its DNA.

The car is a Factory Five GTM. I have been plinking away at it since November 2008. It will be done and ready for the summer 2012.

Here is a few finished shots of the GTM built by other car nuts like me.

 

[NitroPress]

Ah.

I was running my fingertips over an ERA GT last time I was at their shop. Sooo pretty.

 

[Kalstar]

So far so good, lift is in, high lift door track done, floor is epoxy, next is the HF electric hoist and install electrical stuff. I dropped 425.00 yesterday at Lowes for lights, fans ect. Boy is Romex expensive. Anyway.......

I had read through a few posts wondering about jet ski storage. I have two skis I want to store using up as little floor space as possible. Space is tight in a 26x20 garage with 3 cars, two skis, a motorcycle, two work benches, a large floor standing tool chest and a wall of storage cabinets. What I have come up with is 4'x4'x10 mason staging (will hold up to 1900 lbs) on wheels. Both of my skis are roughly 9'6" by 48" wide. I will build bunks an the top of the staging top rail, which is flush with the raised walking surface I will use the HF hoist to lift the ski into place. Once in place, I will wheel it aginst the wall then roll the other ski (on furniture dollies) under the open lower part of the staging. I will sand/paint staging to match color sceme of the garage. It would work equally well with ATV or any heavy bulky item needing long term storage. The best part, all will be less than $325 including the HF 1300lbs lift at $179.00 and the $139.00 heavy duty mason staging. I will post photos when done.

 

[4Tigers]

Hi Kalstar,
That maroon GTM looks vaguely familiar, would it be from Portland,Oregon by chance?
Look forward to more pics

Chris

 

[Kalstar]

Yes it is from Oregon. I have not meet the builder and he was not active on the GTM forums but Wow what an execution. I was planning to go with the same color until I saw it had already been used, I want to be original with my GTM. Are you the builder/owner? Do you know him/her? I would love to see more photos of that car.

 

[Falcon67]

The car is a Factory Five GTM. I have been plinking away at it since November 2008. It will be done and ready for the summer 2012.

Nice. I'd hit that ... accelerator.

 

[Kalstar]

Nice. I'd hit that ... accelerator.

Car weights roughly 2300lbs.....650hp at 10psi.....Should be a fun street car. If I feel the need for more, I can turn the wick up on the turbo for another 200 or so HP/TQ.

 

[NitroPress]

Car weights roughly 2300lbs.....650hp at 10psi.....Should be a fun street car. If I feel the need for more, I can turn the wick up on the turbo for another 200 or so HP/TQ.

The difference between 400 at the rear wheel and 600 at the rear wheel is the pitch of the tires when you spin them.

 

[Kalstar]

My budget garage Refurb.

As an update.......

Heater is in (Powerhouse 5000 watt) 15,135. BTU works great.
Floor has been epoxy-ed looks good but durability is questionable.
4 Post Lift is in and leveled.
High lift garage door track installed (home made).
Electrical outlets installed every where (16 in total).
Wired the lift and heater for 240 and put in a spare 240 on other wall.
Installed 4 overhead florescent double bulb work lights.
Two shop ceiling fans to push the heat back down
Harbor freight for Weilder, grinders, work bench Vise and misc small stuff
Installed TV and bracket (waiting on comcast now)
Installed fold down desk with Internet laptop.
Purchased the paint needed to do all ceiling and walls.

So far............$2864.15 (adds up fast)

Currently working on scrubbing all the walls/ceilings and prepping for paint (spent 4hrs last night and only about 1/3 done with the scrubbing.

Pix to come after fresh paint.