Above 1200 Sq/FT Re-Purposed Machine Shop

[ZRX61]

Am I seeing this right? Are the hinge bolts located on the OUTSIDE of the door? Doesn't that make it very easy to pop the hinge bolts and remove the door to break in?

Yup, Local shop owner here locked herself out of her shop. I went over there with a punch & hammer, knocked the pins out, removed the door so she could get the key, reinstalled door & then locked it again from the inside while she cleaned my pipework for helping her out

 

[hoyt]

The 54 Desoto finally left the shop in mid-September. It's being sent to long-term storage.

Which is just as well since the coupe broke again. Those worthless Seville rear brakes needed adjusting and the rear ladder bar broke. I'm waiting on some special rod to weld the chrome-moly tubing.

Once repaired, I might sell it. I hate to see it go after 10 years, but I need the money to finish the Auburn. (Note: Never sold the car. Only a few interested buyers and a they just wanted to steal it.)

 

[hoyt]

I finally got around to patching a hole in the floor caused by the previous tenant allowing battery acid to leak from stored batteries. I have just been walking around the crater, but it's right next to the lift and my son-in-law is coming next weekend to work on my granddaughter's car, so a little housekeeping was in order.

I'm not going to be piping the air compressor by then, so he'll have to rough it with the portable unit.

Note that I also fabricated a bracket to hang the fire extinguisher (the bottom of which is just visible in the shot), one of four in the shop. I've been on the lookout for a fire-rated storage cabinet to store lacquer thinner and other combustibles in.

 

[hoyt]

The Desoto was back in the shop for a while and is now running well and parked back in the owner's parking garage. One place wanted $200 a month for storage.

I have the coupe back in to fix some sticky door latches and a few loose wires.

I also finished work on a new shop truck purchased non-running from a police auction. Among other things, I had to fix a hole in the driver's floor pan and repair the seat springs and took the opportunity to add a little sound insulation before the new carpet went in. My oldest daughter helped me with some of the repairs just because she's a good daughter.

 

[hoyt]

I used some salvaged lumber to build some more storage shelves for the shop.

BTW, that door is sealed and never used. I should have filled the hole with concrete block when I had the chance.

About 72 sq. feet of additional storage is always welcome.

Between fixing the cars that keep breaking and my seasonal business, I'm still trying to get the shop more organized. I can see a need to get the air compressor installed and piped. The existing piping is not done "right", but it will suffice util I get the time and money to re-do it.

Here are some links to information I have found useful.
Keeping Your Compressor Quiet
What Pipe to Use for Your Shop's Compressed Air?
The Science Behind Piping Your Air Compressor
Keeping You Air Dry

 

[rubberrodder]

I liked the aerial shot from 1967. Do you have a currant picture? Google earth perhaps? The shop looks to be amazing. That '54 Desoto is sweet. I like the Plymouth coupe too. My dad had a Plymouth PICK-UP the same year. It ended up with coupe sheet metal on it as the original farm truck stuff lost several arguments with a bull.

 

[Honest Bob]

Nice progress!

 

[hoyt]

I liked the aerial shot from 1967. Do you have a currant picture? Google earth perhaps? The shop looks to be amazing. That '54 Desoto is sweet.

Since I only use Linux and not Microsoft Windows, using Google Earth is problematic since they don't support Linux any more. If do I get access to it, I'll add a more recent image. It looks much different 50 years later.

Thanks for the compliment. I'm having lots of fun with the shop.

" ... arguments with a bull." LOL

 

[hoyt]

Who Can't Use More Storage

I salvaged some plywood and 2x4's and thought I would add additional shelving and work benches.

Here is a re-cycled 6' kitchen counter on top of some filing cabinets; it makes a nice desk. There's a spacer under the right-hand end because the floor slopes and a level desk is usually thought to be superior to one that your pencils and coffee fall off of.

It looks short because of the perspective and clutter, but past the 6-foot "desk" in the foreground is 14 feet of workbench. Also, you can see part of the 4'x44' wall of pegboard that comes in handy.

Then the bench turns left and runs for 12 feet. As you can see, it is already accumulating things after being less than 24 hours old. I need to add some electrical outlets and pegboard for tools. I have almost 80 linear feet of 2-foot deep workbenches in the shop (it is 3,000 sq. feet, remember, and you can never have enough workbenches/clutter holders). You can see that 5-gallon buckets are a preferred "storage" solution.

This is the right-hand side of the shelf I showed the beginnings of in a previous post. The top shelf is 8 feet high. Also visible is part of my collection of Marx "Big Red" T-buckets. The very top shelf (at 8 feet high) is dedicated to storing some of my granddaughter's toys until the soon-to-arrive great-granddaughter arrives and can use them.

I added a "helper" shelf when I realized that I had so many spray cans when I began to consolidate them; they would just waste a "normal" 30"-height shelf. This one is made from 1x2 stock, but I think 2x2 would be better. It's 6 feet long to fit between two of the the posts of the 12-foot shelf. I'll do a few more of these in the other shelves to store short items.

I have enough salvaged material left now for a battery charging station. In the first photo, you can just see the corner of the temporary table that holds the chargers; the batteries sit on a pallet on the floor so they don't come in contact with concrete. I'll post pictures of that when I get it built.

I am waiting for some car parts to be delivered and had the shelving material on hand, so I thought now would be a good time to get this stuff built until I can get back to wrenching.

 

[hoyt]

Shelf Construction Techniques

My construction techniques are simple. I've been building them for so long, I have forgotten where I learned to do it this way.

Shelf/bench tops are sheets of 4'x8' plywood ripped into two 2'x'8 pieces. I use what I can salvage (usually 3/8-1/2"), but I prefer 3/4" thickness for heavy-duty shelves and work benches. Bench/shelf frames are made of 2x4s in a ladder frame in lengths of 4, 8 or 12 feet as needed. Waste is minimal.

Alternatively, the sheet of plywood is ripped into three 18" pieces. For lighter-duty helves, I use thinner plywood and 2x3s. Vertical spacing is adjusted for whatever I plan to put on them.

Everything is fastened using 2-1/2" drywall screws. Most of the strength needed from them is in shear and two per joint seems adequate. I've had to re-locate the shop before and being able to easily disassemble the shelves and re-install them elsewhere is a benefit and $$$-saver.

There are no back legs; the 2x4 frame is attached directly to the wall using drywall screws or nails shot with a Duo-Fast gun as appropriate. The legs are double 2x4s; construction differs slightly between shelves and workbenches. I have in past years made a few stand-alone 8-foot work benches with front and back legs and a lower shelf using the same techniques.

I'll post additional details if anybody wants, but they are simply constructed and easy to replicate and can be built and installed by a single person.

 

[hoyt]

Nice progress!

Thanks, I own a seasonal summertime business, so summer is usually when I get nothing done and just drive the cars. This past winter was just too damn cold to get much done, however, so little work on the shop and less on the hotrods. None are currently running and I'm waiting on repair parts.I spent the winter working on the shop truck -- which now has a leak in the fuel tank . . . grrrr. (UPDATE: 8/22 Finally fixed; it was a wrong-size O-ring used when the pump was replaced by a previous owner.)

 

[hoyt]

Sharing is Caring

With so much space, I can share some with my wife, who has some kind of silk flower project going on (I don't ask for fear of being recruited). She's occupying the space of roughly a one-car garage.

It's only fair to share. After all, she puts up with and even encourages this garage.

 

[metalhead140]

Great space and taste in cars! I actually really like that it's all segmented into rooms for different purposes, and you've done a great job rejuvenating the old buildings. I look forward to watching your progress.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Great looking shop, what a pleasure to work in

 

[hoyt]

A New Broom Sweeps Clean

My wife is "visiting" the shop to work on a silk flower project of hers. This sink had not been cleaned in 8 years (really, what's the point?) But it sparkles now!

BTW, I installed a brand-new toilet when I moved in and keep that clean, so she's very happy with that. She's a little upset that the restroom lacks a door.

 

[hoyt]

Great space and taste in cars! I actually really like that it's all segmented into rooms for different purposes, and you've done a great job rejuvenating the old buildings. I look forward to watching your progress.

Thanks. When I first moved in, I was concerned about it being all chopped up, but my buddy said "You can put up so much pegboard, you'll never fill it up!" Challenge accepted.

 

[hoyt]

Great looking shop, what a pleasure to work in

It is, but it's still disorganized so I am constantly moving things around and still can't find things easily. I hate searching for 30 minutes for something I know I had ... right ... here ... comma ... dammit ...

Just like the cars, it's a work in progress; never done, always fun. Otherwise, what's the point?

 

[hoyt]

Battery Workbench

Here's the battery workbench, not quite as big as I wanted, but it used up all the remaining material I had (the top shelf was re-cycled from an earlier project; it would have been a shame not to use it).

Now it's time tomorrow to re-organize stuff and unpack some boxes, maybe throw some stuff away (but probably not). A friend is coming by on Saturday to help me work on the radiator fan issue; the part should be here by then. If not, we can always find something else to do.

 

[hoyt]

Finished Workbenches

A panoramic view of the area of the shop where I just installed all the new workbenches and straightened things up.



For whatever reason, the panorama images will not display, but if you want to see them, copy and paste the link above into a new browser window should display them.

 

[hoyt]

Not too much work on the shop since it's summertime and my actual livelihood takes up most of my time.

I did have some downtime, however, and my son-in-law Matt helped bead-blast some tools that were rusting. After blasting, we wiped them with Kroil and re-lined the toolbox with that liner that inhibits corrosion.

And I painted some more of the red stripe in the "red room". I need to put the tool-board back up and hang up my metal-working tools.

 

[hoho98925]

Wow that place is cool. Must be tough having so much room you got to color code areas! Looking forward to updates.

 

[Kevin54]

I need to move. All the cool places are somewhere else. I'd love to have some neighbors that are into anything other than sitting doing nothing.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Good job adding all the storage shelves and work benches! I also like your car projects!

 

[hoyt]

Work is never done -- and then you get more.

For the past two weeks, I've had the benefit of extra help in the shop, son-in-law Matthew and nephew CJ, so I have been able to get to some long-neglected jobs.

First, we added an additional fluorescent light to the main work bay. That will make it easier to work without a drop-light.

Next, we installed three exterior security lights. I had prepped them almost two years ago, but they go about 10 feet high and it takes two people to install them. The first one, cousin Daniel helped with (he helped with most of the interior lights), but he had to go back to school). CJ was the inside man and Matt climbed the ladder outside.

Earlier, Matt helped me rebuild the alternator for the '37 coupe and install a new battery, the guys got the Kikker 5150 motorcycle running (it's been in storage for 5 years). they rode it around the parking lot since I've never registered it (I have the MSO). It has an oil leak from a shaft seal. The next owner can fix that; now that it runs, it's up for sale.

Matt and CJ helped fix the leak in the '99 S-10 fuel tank; someone had used the wrong size O-ring when they replaced the fuel pump. We fixed their mistake. Hopefully. this is the last repair for the pickup fo a while, but the state inspection is due next month . . . so we'll see.

Just when we thought we could move on to some of the older projects, my daughter showed up in her Isuzu Trooper. The driver's seat springs had failed.

So we worked on that. I got replacement springs from a furniture upholstery shop and glued the ratty seat foam back together (Pick & Pull did not have a seat; the bottom foam is the same for both sides -- would have been an easy fix). We serviced the vehicle while we had it in the bay. We also cleaned the interior while we had the seats out and found $30 in rolled quarters, so we made money today! The seats go back in tomorrow.

Finally, as we were ready to leave today, Matt's starter quit, so we put a 5-gallon bucket in the Trooper to drive it out (seat's not finished yet) and pulled his car into the bay. Breakdown to completed repair was only an hour. It's sooo handy to have a shop.

It's been a busy few weeks with plenty of projects left to do, but I feel good about the progress we've made. Having a large family in the area helps a lot.

 

[hoyt]

The guys finished the seats today. Wow, just like new. We replaced filters, changed fluids, put new wipers on it and fixed a few other problems while we had it and filled up the tank. I mean, it's my daughter's truck and she can't afford a new one.

I suppose my wife's car will need to wait until next week . . .

 

[hoyt]

I just found these photos on an older laptop I was installing Linux on to give to a friend.
They show the installation of two concrete pads for the Benwill lift back in November 2011.

When we first tried to install the lift, it was discovered that the existing concrete floor was only two inches thick, not enough for the lift to be safely installed.

So we dug two 4'x4'x2' holes, tied the footing into the existing floor with rebar and poured 3,000 psi concrete. The gray material is clay; the lighter material is sand.

Here's the initial effort to bolt the lift to the floor. You can see the damaged concrete where the bolts pulled loose from the floor when we simply rocked the columns. At the time (mid-60s), they probably poured the least and cheapest concrete they could.

It has served me well so far.

 

[hoyt]

Today, we found a better place to store the TR3 frame than in the middle of the floor in front of the front door where I had to walk around it every time I entered the shop.

I wanted to fabricate an elaborate chain suspension contraption, when my son-in-law asked "Why can't we just stand it on end over in the corner by the other Triumphs?"

And so we did. I'll keep him around.

We then wired up the newest light in the Green Room; it's bright in there now. I wish I had painted the ceilings white when the shop was empty; they'll never get done now.

And we finally got to work on the '39 Plymouth, installing the floor shifter, adjusting the neutral safety switch and backup lights and discovering why the starter would not work. It's now at the alternator/starter repair shop (there are some things I get the pros to do).

 

[pitterpat]

Nice job! My dad did mechanical work but usually didn't let me do much more than hold flashlights etc. He was from the old school of "girls don't do that kind of work" so he didn't let me do much. But I learn quickly and have been wrenching a long time. I'm glad you let or ask your girls to help. I too have 3 VW's and as soon as I get the VW garage (16 x 22) finished I will be wrenching in there to make 3 cars into 2.

 

[hoyt]

Nice job! My dad did mechanical work but usually didn't let me do much more than hold flashlights etc. He was from the old school of "girls don't do that kind of work" so he didn't let me do much. But I learn quickly and have been wrenching a long time. I'm glad you let or ask your girls to help. I too have 3 VW's and as soon as I get the VW garage (16 x 22) finished I will be wrenching in there to make 3 cars into 2.

My oldest daughter has done several house re-model projects with me and, of course the Bug and the truck. My youngest daughter is just not interested in that stuff and her daughter has the girly gene big time, but I'll make a mechanic out of her yet. Have fun!

 

[bgarrett]

a closed radiator business I had with my nephew. .

Hi, will you please tell me what torch to use for radiator repair, the pressure needed and brand names for the flux and solder and where to get all thats needed to repair my radiators? thanks

 

[hoyt]

Son-in-law Matt helped me build some new storage shelves

A 12-foot shelf ready to go in the Triumph parts room.

Plywood ripped tp 2-foot width and ready.

Additional shelving for the Dark Room.

 

[hoyt]

Hi, will you please tell me what torch to use for radiator repair, the pressure needed and brand names for the flux and solder and where to get all thats needed to repair my radiators? thanks

He did all the work. I was the silent partner, so I can't help you out.

You can just stop by any radiator repair shop and ask.

 

[hoyt]

We removed a lot of "old work" wiring from the Dark Room, raised the flourescent light to better illuminate the room, and wired the final two exterior security lights. You can see that I have to store more than just car parts.

Also accomplished today was repairing an exit door threshold and replacing missing gutter downspouts.

We angled this one to dump in the adjacent parking lot instead of right next to the building where it was keeping things damp. We also cleaned the gutters; that will help a lot. There are now 5 of these 250-Watt lights on the perimeter of the building.

It used to be very dark at the back door. Not any more.

 

[hoyt]

After a Labor Day Weekend break, Matt and I added some additional shelving to the Dark Room.

Essentially, we went up one shelve on two of the existing shelves. It was little complicated since the new shelves were 24" deep and the old ones were 18" deep. The old shelves were brought over from the old shop and were sized to fit in a narrow room. But it's just the ugly storage room, so who cares?

Eventually, we'll get the air compressors hooked up. The large one on the right leaks a lot of oil but is not economically repairable (so says everyone, even Ingersoll-Rand). I'll probably just replace the pump itself.

 

[hoyt]

First thing up for today was to add one shelf to the Triumph Parts Room.

I wanted to add it on top, but it was easier to put it in the middle. We'll add one up top later if needed.

I have a T-shirt press that is used for heat transfer decals for T-shirts I use in my business. It's heavy and awkward to move, so a cheepie rolling cart serves as an excellent base. We put this together today.

We got the Dark Room better organized with the new shelving and moved the Auto Twirler there for storage.

Which freed up space in what will be the Crafts Room to be used by my wife and her cousin. They make those wreaths out of vines over the winter and we sell them in the summer when we are open at our "real" business.

We're getting a lot done while waiting on repairs to the starters for the '54 Desoto and the '39 Plymouth, but I want to get back to working on the cars.

 

[hoyt]

It took two days to get the room wired up with three circuits and a restroom light. Why three? We've got a toaster oven, a microwave and a coffee maker plus hot glue guns and whatever my wife and her cousin might think to plug in. Some extra circuits are easy to put in now.

Here's the restroom light. Not a big deal, but I've been here three years using a bare bulb on an extension cord in there. I remembered I had a 24" door in the attic at home, so I'll trim the opening and hang the door . . . eventually.

It doesn't look much different from a few days ago, but it's coming along.

Here's what it looked like 18 months ago:

 

[motorbreath53]

Outstanding shop sir. I dig the old buildings.

Thanks for the pics of your lift "re-install" too. Food for thought with my hopes to put a lift on my existing slab.

 

[hoyt]

Outstanding shop sir. I dig the old buildings.

Thanks for the pics of your lift "re-install" too. Food for thought with my hopes to put a lift on my existing slab.

And old codger once told me "If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, you'll be made to find the time to go back later and fix it."

Damn, those old guys are usually right . . .

 

[hoyt]

More progress on the Crafts Room for my wife.

And we roughed in the wiring in for the ceiling fans in the Red room. We'll hang them tomorow.

 

[Bib Overalls]

Why three? We've got a toaster oven, a microwave and a coffee maker plus hot glue guns and whatever my wife and her cousin might think to plug in.

Smart man.

Women, at least the ones I know, haven't got a clue when it comes to electricity. The big water pipe, little water pipe analogy does not register. You either have it or you don't. And if you don't have a place to plug something in, a quick trip to the Dollar Store can fix that. After all, the government wouldn't let stores sell those add on pluggy things if they were dangerous (A near quote of something my late MIL said).