Project: Durty Souf Racin Organization

[Drewstang]

Several years ago I had 2 project cars in the driveway by my one car attached garage. A friend had a very nice 2 car garage that I borrowed one bay of when the weather was too bad to work on one of my cars. We jokingly called my house Durty Souf Racing and his was DSR West well, because he was actually east of me and things are a bit backwards in the Durty Souf, lol. I sold my projects to fund my garage build, lost my job, and then lost my dad and thought I would never have a respectable garage to work on projects with my boys. My dad gave me the best gift he could, he left me a life insurance policy. I wisely drew up plans to build a 24x30 garage and convert the old one car attached garage into a family room. The garage was completed in October of 2009. Fully drywalled, insulated, and heat and A/C via a small zoneline. I had 2 220 outlets wired in and the attic is stick built for max storage space. Almost right after it was complete I had to start working on my old daily driver a 2003 Mercury Marauder with a super charger that blew the engine. I had planned on coating the floor and organizing this thing a little better but project after project got in the way. Now that everything is complete and the floor is stained, I want to clean this place up and make it organized. I've been reading through threads for the last few days and I don't know where to start. So here it is GJ, your chance to help me figure out where to start and how to make this better.













The cabinets are full of random parts and bins with parts. I bought them off craigslist when the garage was under construction. I know I need a heavy duty cabinet to replace the plastic one that's full of oils and chemicals.

 

[Drewstang]

I would like to get a lot of the stuff off the floor and fill up the empty walls. The ladders, broom, ext cord, and airhose will be hung on the right wall. I have brackets and tracks from various companies but haven't had the time to install them. I have two work benches I covered in galvanized metal a couple years ago that need to be reinstalled on 2x4 bases. I had old cabinets in the garage that were not holding up to the weight of tool storage so I moved them into the basement workroom for my gunsmithing and model building.

I've been reading threads for the last few days and I have some decent ideas but I am open to suggestions. I'm planning on cleaning and throwing away alot of unused or old stuff to empty this thing out even more this weekend.

 

[Drewstang]

I, or we I should say, started cleaning the oil stains tonight to prepare for the epoxy coating later this year. I've spilled every fluid from a vehicle and then some on this floor in various spots.








Here is the stain from the 12 foot long oil slick I walked into one morning:








And while we were cleaning I found this, not sure what I can do about it:


It looks like the water is running under the block in a few places. Can this be repaired?

 

[Rui Duarte]

Here in Portugal we use a special paint to seal up roof tops and rain ducts. Its very fine and goes trow every pore that concrete has. Too bad only has in brick red.
Good luck

 

[Drewstang]

The inside surface of the block was coated with a water proof sealer and then painted over with the latex wall paint. We went as far down to the floor as we could.

 

[Drewstang]

I'm going to sit down in the next few days and draw up some storage ideas. I like the soffit cabinets others have done but not sure if I want to use a ladder everytime I need to get into it. I cleaned a couple more stains tonight, but need to get some stuff off the floor this weekend and get more of the drywall mud off the floor.

 

[Drewstang]

Nice weather and a day off lead to more work in the garage. Got some stuff put up in the attic and off the floor. Threw away old **** I won't use anymore. I still have a long way to go before its ready for coating and putting back together.

Something that bugs me is how nice this thing is and how I let it get so dirty and cluttered. Project after project then repair after repair and owning my own business in there left little time to care for this the way I feel it needs to be. Now that I have a "normal" job I have more time to look after it.

Enough rambling, a couple pics of the progress no matter how small it is.

 

[Drewstang]

I took down the temp workbench I installed last year so we could prep the floor and get rid of some clutter for now. Here's my youngest helper scraping drywall mud off the floor:

 

[Drewstang]

Well, it's quiet in here lol.

 

[Drewstang]

Looks like the floor coating project is going to be side lined. I have 2 cars lined up for work over the next 2-3 weeks. I also went out to clean up over the weekend and did some measuring. I think my best bet is to build an 8'x12' shed and get some of the yard tools and kids power wheels out of the way. I found some pics in my photobucket from when the garage was built, but I'm trying to get them sorted in order.

 

[JustinS]

Your upper cabinets are pretty nice, did you make those yourself?

 

[Drewstang]

No, they were a Craigslist find. They are made of 3/4" plywood with adjustable shelves inside. The grab handles are chinese made 9mm wrenches.

 

[Drewstang]

I guess its time for an update. I finished the two customer cars and now have a ton more oil stains in the garage thanks to them. Also had another oil container split and make a 6 foot long oil slick.

I need some opinions. I'm thinking of taking down the cabinets between the garage door and entry door to be replaced with 2 of these:
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...p-00915341000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

I'll move the three cabinets to the back wall somewhere, probably to store fasteners and misc hardware. This spring I'm expecting a layoff around May, I will more than likely have to wait until then to decide what to do with the floor. I like the finished look of epoxy and the ability to roll heavy stuff with little resistance.

I'm still open to ideas on storage and organization. My plan this winter is to gather materials to build a small shed to house the "outdoor" stuff that has collected in the garage. I have also purchased a new project car that will be a long term build and I'd like the garage to be "done" before pulling it in.

 

[evildky]

Howdy Neighbor!
I know where you got those cabinets, RIP Rob.

 

[Drewstang]

I got them when one of the import shops closed up, not sure if it was Tachyon or not. I bought them from one of the owners who had a ton of stuff left over. They are heavy duty for sure and whoever built them did one hell of a job.

 

[evildky]

Tachyon is still open, Those were from Kaos, Rob was the owner. I can't remember who built them but I remember when Jamey added the wrench handles.

 

[Drewstang]

I bought them from a guy off Bardstown Rd in Fern Creek. I don't remember his name but I think he was the owner. I didn't know he had passed away, that *****. I have the pics from Craigslist somewhere showing them in the shop. I'd love to make some roller base cabinets to match, but it seems very pricey.

 

[Drewstang]

Part of my New Years resolution is to get the garage organized, cleaned, and coat the floor. Step 1 was building new bases for the counter tops so that I can slide rolling cabinets underneath.

I started with this on Saturday morning:


Into this:






Added some paint:




Mounted the counter tops:


And plugged in all the battery chargers:


I also cleaned up that hideous cabinet to prepare for the new one in a few weeks:


I'm going to build some shelves behind the entry door this week to store my table saw, chop saw, and other tools that don't get used very often.

 

[kyle@hcb]

Great looking space! I like the color scheme.

 

[Drewstang]

Thanks. It took me a while to pick out the colors when the drywall guys were done. The stripe is actually a dark midnight blue but it shows up black in pics.

 

[Drewstang]

I did some measuring last night to build some shelves to go behind the entry door. I also starting going through the cabinets because when I cleared the benches last year I just through everything into the cabinets. I found a sign that I bought in Gatlinburg from a vendor who made custom signs on site. It had fallen apart because the silicon glue seperated so I tossed it into the cabinet to be repaired another day. The guy misspelled "Durty" and I didn't catch it that day because we were rushing to get on the road.

I got it out and cleaned it up and remembered I had bough some simulated diamond plate vinyl a few years back to cover the electrical panel. I slid some under the front lighted portion of the sign:


And this is what it looks like without the vinyl:


I'm leaning towards the Diamond Plate, what do you guys think?

 

[Dinasaurkiller]

I vote for the Diamond plate-
Nice benches btw.

 

[Drewstang]

Thanks, I'm thinking the Diamond Plate is going to win too.

 

[Drewstang]

Its been a very busy few months here. 3 new project cars moved in and will be taking much of my time and space. The garage is a wreck and I'm doing what I can to store parts in the attic and off the floor but its filling up quick. Here's what I'm working on:
86 GT T-top car that needs rust repair


04 Mercury Marauder that had an engine noise; replaced the timing chain guides and good to go


And my long term "Street Rod / Pro touring" 86 Thunderbird


This winter has been the year that all my light ballasts have given up. I've replaced 2 of the 4 and now have another one out as of this past week. Good thing the replacement GE ballasts are not expensive, looks like I'll be grabbing 2 more this weekend and change the surviving one before it gives up.
I'm facing a layoff in 3 weeks for 3 months at the least. I'll have plenty of time to work out there but not much cash to work with. I'd like to pull everything out and finally epoxy the floor but I'm not betting on it. I also scored a nice late 80's model Campbell Hausfeld 60 gallon compressor for $150 that will need to be installed and plumbed.

 

[taumac]

I just finding your place. Its coming out real nice. I like that color scheme you got going. Keep up the good work.



Have a good one, Gerard

Florida GJers ( FGJ)
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

The 5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899

 

[Drewstang]

Thanks. Its a work in progress, at a snail's pace.

 

[Jagmandave]

A little late to the party but....

Drew, the best advice I can give is to agree with your earlier idea - and that's to get all the non-garage stuff out of there - all the yard equipment, kid's toys, Xmas decorations etc - anything that has nothing to do with working on cars needs to find another home. Basement, attic (but not in the garage attic) or a shed in the backyard.

Once you've done that, next you need to get all the unused shop equipment either into a cabinet or into the attic or someplace out of the active work area. Once that's done, it becomes easier to organize the rest.

You built the workbench to house a couple of roller cabinets, did you change your mind on those?

Reason I ask was that I had a similar tool storage situation as you, I have that same SS box and I also had two smaller roll cabinets like you - I built a nice bench and put two Harbor Freight 44's under it and got rid of the two smaller roll cabs and that really helped.

Lastly, as hard as it is, get rid of anything you don't use. Once that's done, the rest go into cabinets or on shelves and before long you'll be amazed how much more room you have to work, and how much easier it is. However, it's an ongoing battle - you have to dedicate yourself to keeping it that way.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Drewstang]

A little late to the party but....

Drew, the best advice I can give is to agree with your earlier idea - and that's to get all the non-garage stuff out of there - all the yard equipment, kid's toys, Xmas decorations etc - anything that has nothing to do with working on cars needs to find another home. Basement, attic (but not in the garage attic) or a shed in the backyard.

Once you've done that, next you need to get all the unused shop equipment either into a cabinet or into the attic or someplace out of the active work area. Once that's done, it becomes easier to organize the rest.

You built the workbench to house a couple of roller cabinets, did you change your mind on those?

Reason I ask was that I had a similar tool storage situation as you, I have that same SS box and I also had two smaller roll cabinets like you - I built a nice bench and put two Harbor Freight 44's under it and got rid of the two smaller roll cabs and that really helped.

Lastly, as hard as it is, get rid of anything you don't use. Once that's done, the rest go into cabinets or on shelves and before long you'll be amazed how much more room you have to work, and how much easier it is. However, it's an ongoing battle - you have to dedicate yourself to keeping it that way.

Good luck and keep us posted!

The plan right now is to build a shed to house "non garage" items and possibly an air compressor. That will free up a ton of room in there and make things flow a little easier. I had planned to pick up a couple roller cabinets but funds have been low with the addition of the new projects. As time and funds allow I will be picking those up. I've looked at the HF 44's in detail and I'm not sure they will work for what I had in mind under those workbenches. I'm starting to lean towards the idea of selling my SS 42" HF box and ordering a 72" HF or simalar box. I rarely get into the very top of my box and I need better socket organization.

 

[Drewstang]

After some long thought and many more projects I decided to pull the custom cabinets down and purchase 2 or 3 of these:
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-prem...p-00904663000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

I made about 10-12 trips to 2-3 different cabinets and one workbench while doing a radio install. I realized how much wasted time and effort I had going on. I'm going to pick back up on the building / organizing after I finish working on a 88 GT Mustang for a friend.

Any thoughts on those metal cabinets?

 

[Drewstang]

Dropped by Sears after work yesterday to check out a floor model and I'm definitely going with those cabinets. Pretty sturdy and decent room inside. The only thing I think it will need is some LED strip lights. I'll update more in the next few weeks.

 

[Drewstang]

Quick 3d rendering using Sketchup on what I want it to look like.

 

[Jagmandave]

I think a lot of how you organize your shop depends on what you intend to do in it. If it's just a place to store stuff, you go one way. However if it's a place to do some serious shop work, you need to take another tack.

The way you have yours drawn looks like it's more for storage than work.....which is perfectly OK, don't take me wrong.....

When I'm working on a project what I don't need are a lot of cabinets and such in my way. What I do need is plenty of room around the car.....

So. If you really need them I'd see about moving those right side cabinets up to the front wall and leave more room on the sides of both cars......

Here' how I did mine.....I gained a lot of tool storage and a bench top at the same time!

View media item 34315

 

[Drewstang]

I currently have two project cars so yes its a working garage. I should have labeled the items on the right, but they are actually my parts washer, blast cabinet, and hoist. I just squared off the dimensions and colored them in. I do alot of mechanical and electrical work and all my supplies are spread out through my wall cabinets currently. My plan was to consolidate them into the 3 36" x 72" cabinets along with all the other odds and ends.

I have a similar stainless box like yours, I'm planning to sell it to fund the 44" HF setup with a side cabinet and side drawers. The workbench on the left of my drawing is high enough to fit 2 of the 44" rollers like yours but I left it open in the drawing. I don't plan on working on more than one car at once, I can only afford so many Mustang parts at one time lol.

 

[Drewstang]

After a very busy summer I'm trying to turn my focus for this winter into cleaning up, organizing, and making the garage "flow" a little better. I've had several customer cars in the garage over the summer and had little time to work on my own projects.
This is the current state of one project:


And because I was tired of not having something to take to car shows, and the timing of a friend wanting to sell, I bought this 1991 SSP Mustang:


I've got a couple more heater core jobs lined up, then I'll have a break for a while. My plans are to take down all the wall cabinets and hopefully sell them. I still want to buy 3 of the Craftsman Premium floor cabinets and build an enclosure for my 80 gal Husky compressor. I really need to focus on cord management so a retractable cord reel is on the Christmas list. Once the compressor is in its place, air hose management is next. The pictures don't show it, but I constantly have cords and airlines running all over the shop.

On a side note. My employer has been implementing the 5S program in our labs. I took a solid look at my own workspace and I would like to bring those habits home with me. My worst habit is turning any horizontal space into a storage space. All of my workbenches, sides of tool boxes, hood of my project car, roof of my project car, etc become storage spaces. Having a place to put things I plan to keep is going to be key to keeping the area clutter free. Then I'll be getting rid of things I don't need or use.

 

[Drewstang]

Finally I might get somewhere. I had my cabinets on Craigslist for several months and bumped the ad last week. Within hours I had a legitimate response and after inspecting the cabinets, they were sold. I've been watching Sears' website waiting for the Premium floor cabinets to go on sale and early yesterday morning they dropped.


They were $449 on Saturday. So I bought 3 of them which should be enough to put everything away. Old cabinets coming down:












I've been slowly transferring hardware into the HF 20 bin storage cases. I've got 3 done, and many more to go.
http://www.harborfreight.com/19-bin-portable-parts-storage-case-93928.html

I've also been gathering some plastic shoe boxes for switches, relays, etc.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-12-Quart-Storage-Box-White-Case-of-15/44785793

Once all the cabinets arrive, I'll be able to start putting things away and moving everything around. I still plan to make an enclosure for the compressor but I may wait until summer and build a shed.

 

[Drewstang]

I picked up two of the three cabinets on Saturday, the third won't arrive until March. Both had some slight damage and both were discounted accordingly by the store management. This was the worst one:






I got $50 back on that unit and I'm very happy with it. I went from this mess:


To this:


I moved my inherited Craftsman box over and put the second cabinet front and center. This on will hold hardware, electrical components, and other items I use frequently:


This week I'll be gathering more shoebox bins and more 20 bin trays from HF to organize hardware. I'm also going to purchase this storage rack for the larger items I have laying around (transmissions, wheels, bumpers, etc)
http://www.sears.com/gladiator-77in...p-00959093000P?prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=G6

And since I signed up with the "Shop your way" program, I have around $120 in points I can use towards that shelf unit.

 

[Drewstang]

This weekend I tackled the new shelving unit and it quickly filled up. There's a mix of parts for 3 cars on that unit. Bottom shelf is holding 2 transmissions (AOD and TR3650) and 4 wheels to my SSP Mustang. Most of the stuff belongs to my 92 Coupe project and will go back together piece by piece.


My next project was to find new homes for my bench grinder and vise. The bench they occupied was built when we bought our hose 10 years ago and hastily built with a reciprocating saw and MDF work surface. Its showing its age and lack of carpentry skills so it will move to the basement for my wife's fish tanks after a coat of fresh paint on the MDF to protect from water.
Went from this:


To this:


I'm going to pick up some more of the plastic shoe boxes this week and a few more 20 bin trays from HF. Next major move is to build the corner enclosure for the compressor and move the other Craftsman cabinet next to the other ones. Oh, and fill the beer fridge because its empty after this weekend's work.

 

[Drewstang]

I was digging through some old photos on photobucket and at some point I uploaded most of the pics of the construction. This was started around August 2009 and completed in October.