Indeed it was a huge loss for me, both monetarily and emotional. The fire occurred December 20, 2020. Both the local Fire Marshall and my insurance company wouldn't give me a go ahead with any repairs, let alone entering the premise. Until all the investigating was finished, because of the expected legal ramifications to the computer company. Unknown to me, the particular model computer has a major issue of causing fires.
After three months of stalling me, I started in on the fire restoration on my own. Most told me I wasn't capable at my age to the task at hand. My thoughts were I built my garage complex on my own twenty years ago. Just because I'm approaching eighty years old, that's not going to stop me now! Ordered a huge dumpster,, actually four of them. Removed all the burned remains, and took out all the machines and stored them in my other garages or offsite. Then removed all the machinery wiring that was surface mounted in steel conduit. The wires were all melted as one from the high heat. Lastly I removed all the drywall and fiberglass insulation knowing the smoke smell would linger for years.
I took on the task without any outside contracting! And only the help of a single family member. Working seven days a week 10 to 14 hours a day.. Besides some minor details, I finished the massive project. The results are fantastic! Except for my 1914 Cadillac, all my other cars were safe from the fire. Note to BuickFarmer my 1910 Buick is fine.. Along with my six other Buicks and other mark cars... Here is a taste of the restoration today... I'll be posting more about my joinery soon.
Below is a shot looking down a row of my equipment. You'll notice on the far wall below my license plate collection is a neon sign,
“Grandpa's Toy Shop”. Maybe I should start a new thread naming it as such..
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