Small Two Car Operation

[HSpencer]

Decided to post my small two car. It is a 20 X 30' building with the garage area being 20' X 20' and the office/tool room on back being 10' X 20'. I am space constrained, but thankful for what I have. In the garage, I try and keep one bay open for a car or truck, but on the truck or wife's Tahoe, we have to fold the mirrors to get either one in. This first photo is of the outside. The building has all utilities and both areas are heated with natural gas heaters. I am showing a few shots of the inside of the garage area here as well:

 

[HSpencer]

These photos are of the tool room/office. It is towards the back. By having the wall between the garage and tool room, I get an extra 32' of wall space for items like cabinets, ref, etc.

 

[HSpencer]

This one shows my office area. I have phone and internet there.

 

[HSpencer]

I have plans for upgraded subpanel from 100 amps to 150 amps. I also plan to uptick my lighting to the new energy efficient model of T8/4 bulb. And I also wish to install a window Air Conditioner in the office part this spring. A little paint brush work on some fixtures and ceilings and I should be good to go.

 

[Kevin54]

Looks great, but one question....why do you only have a short piece of gutter above the man door and not all the way down the full length? I know you don't want water dripping or running down above the door, but I'd think you would want the water away from the whole foundation.

 

[Sunbimmer]

Love the atmosphere in that place, I bet it even smells good in there
Nice place man, thanks for sharing

 

[HSpencer]

Hi Kevin, thanks for your question! On guttering the house, I "had that much left", and I have never gotten around to buying more to do the whole garage. I have that on my "to do it" list for this spring. Wife was happy as it waters her flower bed by the garage door.
We also are going to install a spout to our two rain barrels that are by the side of the garage. She likes to use rainwater for her flowers. But you are very correct in my needing to do the entire building. I put on siding in 2011, and you know how long the list can go.
Thanks for your comments!

 

[Steevo]

That is a nice looking work space, and you have made very efficient use of the space too.

 

[HSpencer]

Love the atmosphere in that place, I bet it even smells good in there
Nice place man, thanks for sharing

Thanks for your kind comments! I like the "old school" feel. I have nothing special, and I build all my own benches, fixtures or find something I can repurpose like this:

 

[Vernmotor]

Very nice ! I would feel right at home there

 

[HSpencer]

Thanks for your comments Steevo. I try and juggle between woodworking (messy) and other general maintenance work, so I have to move a lot of stuff. I have gotten all my woodworking tools on casters which is a big help.

 

[HSpencer]

Thanks Vernmotor for your comments. I try and keep my shop comfy and pleasant to work in. It does at times look like a nightmare on Elm Street. I have an 8'X16' shed with double doors on each end (it's new, filled with stuff I don't want in the garage.) I may calculate moving all woodworking to the shed.

 

[HSpencer]

I built this building on my deck in 2003. I had thoughts of putting a woodworking shop (only) in it to move those tools from my garage. Wife vetoed, and we settled on putting a hot tub in it. So, why does a 68 year old guy need a hot tub? Well, mostly for ease of the old bones, but it is still fun at 68, and the grand kids love it!
I still think it would have made a good woodworking shop.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Your shop looks downright inviting! Well organized, neat and clean. Great place just to go out to while away the day or do some serious crafting.

 

[patent pending]

Nice place...you've done well. Lots of things in there my garage wishes it had!

 

[HSpencer]

Your shop looks downright inviting! Well organized, neat and clean. Great place just to go out to while away the day or do some serious crafting.

Thanks for the comments!! Wife does join me as she does a lot of woodcrafting with the Scroll Saw. She makes seasonal decorations, and home decor. BUT, we are NOT traveling craft show junkies. Nothing wrong with that however.
Problem is: Wife always has me running to change blades, hunt for this or that paint color, cut big boards into small ones for her. But 45 years into it, we are still in love!!

 

[HSpencer]

Nice place...you've done well. Lots of things in there my garage wishes it had!

Thank you very much. My shop is a collection of many years. Grandfather was painting contractor, dad was property manager (slum lord---LOL) just kidding.
I grew up putting on new counter tops and painting window frames. And that spinning skill saw was the background music all my life.

 

[HSpencer]

Last summer I was honored to do a new gas line to the shop. I had originally used the old steel yellow gas pipe of the late 1970's. I began to smell gas at the side of the garage.
We had to re run the new orange gas line out there, doing a coupling at the house entrance. Digger and plumber and inspection, $1,250.00. Safety and continued heat in the shop: Priceless!!!!!

We titled this photo "Our Summer Vacation Money"

 

[patent pending]

Looks great, but one question....why do you only have a short piece of gutter above the man door and not all the way down the full length? I know you don't want water dripping or running down above the door, but I'd think you would want the water away from the whole foundation.

None of the houses in my neighborhood (Charleston, SC) have gutters on them. It was new to me when we moved down. Anybody know the rationale behind this? Too many hurricanes rip them off so people don't bother putting them on?



That looks like vacation money well spent on the gas lines!!!

 

[HSpencer]

I think gutters are a necessary PIA. You have to keep them open, nailed up, and cleaned.
Most homes here have them. Often, a new house without them will soon get brick stain from the water falling into mud and splashing on the brick, before the grass sets. Also, here it is important to direct the fall away from the foundation. We have most of ours directed into flower beds. I have plenty of slope on my place so I have little trouble with water problems. Many new houses were built during the boom with little thought to run off.

 

[Kevin54]

Very nice!!! Any inside pics of it? And yes, it would have made a great shop But I know how goes

 

[HSpencer]

Thanks Kevin. I will find a photo of the inside, and the Sundance Spa.

I had envisioned a table saw in the center, double doors, tool walls on each wall, five recep's on each wall, a swiss woodworker's bench---ahhh well, When the Sundance burns out in several years, all the 220V service in there will allow me to buy that Unisaw? But by then I will be doing woodworking in the Sleepy Manor Home for the Elderly----nawwwww!

 

[HSpencer]

Today I got in the new Delta 8" Bench Grinder I had ordered. I think I am going to mount it on the VA Hospital cart that I re-did. I had originally been saving this cart for my smaller drill press which is crowding my bench in the garage. On that bench I also have an 8" grinder (yellow--cheapo) with a rough stone and wire wheel for general this and that work.
On my other bench, I have a 6" Delta grinder, which is a good one for it's size. I have decided to use the VA cart for my new grinder as it is a perfect height to work at, and provides room for me to set up a sharpening station with tool holders, etc. Hopefully I can get another VA cart for the drill press, later. I especially like the white wheel of the new grinder, and it will do fine for plane irons and chisels.

 

[HSpencer]

These photos which I am a little shy to show due to conditions inside, show my 8X16' shed at the side of my garage. I put it there with thought of running a subpanel into it, which has not been yet done. I am going to upgrade electrical this spring. In here I have everything I don't want in my garage/shop. I have bounce around plans for a woodworking shop in here ---if I can fit it all. I prefer to move tools outside anyway when I woodwork. This mess right now contains a big degree of "shed orphans". But, it's gotta have it stuff and I know you got it too!

 

[Tarnished]

Spencer: you've done a lot with a small space. Looking good. Like the comment about "shed orphans". Your so very right, Gota have them, and they are too good to throw out, so what ya gonna do....

 

[RalphInCA]

None of the houses in my neighborhood (Charleston, SC) have gutters on them. It was new to me when we moved down. Anybody know the rationale behind this? Too many hurricanes rip them off so people don't bother putting them on?

In the south, basements are not as common as in other areas, so it's not quite as critical to direct water away from the foundation.

Also, many older southern houses had wider overhangs, to shade the house and keep it cooler in the summer.

 

[HSpencer]

Spencer: you've done a lot with a small space. Looking good. Like the comment about "shed orphans". Your so very right, Gota have them, and they are too good to throw out, so what ya gonna do....

@Tarnished----
When I bought that shed and had it delivered, I had visions of it holding everything that was underfoot in my garage. Not so! I am trying to train myself to avoid keeping cut off's, extra tile, left over paint, and things I will need "someday soon". In there I can recount my paint sprayer, radial arm saw (which is too dangerous to use---(Ryobi), and a Delta Miter Saw to trim lumber to size, plus boxes of old tools that could be revamped and used, and, and,and------
Plus lawn and garden, wife's cast off's, how can you win???????

BTW: I saw an article in wood magazine where a guy put a whole woodworking shop in a 8'X12' shed. Surely I can do it with an extra four feet?

 

[HSpencer]

In reference to putting a shop in a shed, I found these interesting photos thru google:
These are contractors trailers, but would be even better in a shed---

Sure sounds like a summer project for one HSpencer!!! I really like the one with the table saw and miter saw and bench.

 

[HSpencer]

Did some re-org in the shop today. I wanted to corral my woodworking stuff, giving it a corner all of it's own. I re-did a wall cabinet, and also made a "poor man's" cord holder as I can't afford a roboreel. I was able to fit most frequently used WW machines in, and about half of my machines now have casters. Also photo of wife's outside plants "wintering" in the shop, and YES guys I am glad to do it (cough). A little Miracle Grow and trimming the dormant plants and we have a First Strike on spring each year.

 

[samthedog]

Spencer, you and I would get along really well. I can tell that you have a "work" shop. I mean you actually build, repair and maintain things there. Like mine it aint the prettiest, but it does what you need and is a functional space.

I keep getting told I am an old man trapped in a 33 year old body. Apparently my approach to my workspace, garage and tool acquisitions are "old school". At least that's what all my 60 + year old friends tell me

Good job and keep them pictures coming.

Paul.

 

[dubber]

Awesome spot, loved the wife Veto'd comment regarding some of your plans. The things we have to "put up with" haha.

 

[SlowPoke-Canada]

At my last house (single garage), I created a bench tool 'system'.

Bench tools were mounted to 30"x24" sheets of plywood and stored in a rack. When in use, simply slide them out of the rack and onto the dedicated bench with a top recessed to accept the plywood. No bolting or clamping necessary.

I moved before completing what I had planned...
The dedicated bench would house my shop vac for a dust collection system and have be wired for plugging in bench tools.

This might be a good space saver for you. Store your bench tools on a rack and eliminate a few of those tool stands by the door.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=232872&d=1358367107

 

[HSpencer]

Spencer, you and I would get along really well. I can tell that you have a "work" shop. I mean you actually build, repair and maintain things there. Like mine it aint the prettiest, but it does what you need and is a functional space.

I keep getting told I am an old man trapped in a 33 year old body. Apparently my approach to my workspace, garage and tool acquisitions are "old school". At least that's what all my 60 + year old friends tell me

Good job and keep them pictures coming.

Paul.

Hey thanks!! I was pretty impressed with your shop. I am 68 myself and I have retired to the shop. I spent 30 years in US Army, and another ten years in Property Management. I get a lot of enjoyment out of my shop. I used to think I wanted a larger space, but I am heavily now into downsizing my life, stuff, and worries. Thanks for looking!!

 

[HSpencer]

Awesome spot, loved the wife Veto'd comment regarding some of your plans. The things we have to "put up with" haha.

Thanks dubber, I am always impressed by your space and what you have done with it. Yours is looking great, and I have watched your entire thread from its beginning. You one car guys and there are several of you are really doing a great job, making me envious.

 

[HSpencer]

Wife has had shoulder surgery so I have been busy taking care of her. However here are some recent bits from the shop which includes mounting my new grinder on my bench and obtaining a set of vintage auto body screws in it's original box. Also, here is my 1955 Craftsman Drill which may be of interest to some. Finally, I used a set of the metal Wall Control panels to make tool hangers, and I put a frame around them for better looks. Also got a new satchel pouch for my electrical tools which I really like.
I do like the @Wall Control panels but they are a tad pricey maybe, and the accessory packs are costly too. I am a "sticker shock" person on just about everything. I much prefer the method of "find it, restore it, and use it" for the magic word of F R E E.

 

[HSpencer]

The vintage auto body screws: Champ Items was an offshoot of Dorman Products. My dad had a shop years ago and this was something that I kept. Dad was a salesman for a while for a company known as "Bowman Products" which was an automotive/industrial supply house and I got a lot of freebies and give aways from his role as a salesman. Some of my bolt and nut bins were from that source. Also, dad had a part interest in a body shop, and I have quite a few body and fender tools from that source.

 

[HSpencer]

At my last house (single garage), I created a bench tool 'system'.

Bench tools were mounted to 30"x24" sheets of plywood and stored in a rack. When in use, simply slide them out of the rack and onto the dedicated bench with a top recessed to accept the plywood. No bolting or clamping necessary.

I moved before completing what I had planned...
The dedicated bench would house my shop vac for a dust collection system and have be wired for plugging in bench tools.

This might be a good space saver for you. Store your bench tools on a rack and eliminate a few of those tool stands by the door.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=232872&d=1358367107

Thanks and that is a great idea. Except for my larger table saw, I like to roll out my woodworking machines outside and eliminate the mess they make inside the shop. My poor man's dust collector (broom and dustpan) comes in handy for rainy days!!

 

[KSB]

Very nice space, looks like you are well organized. I like it!!

 

[HSpencer]

Very nice space, looks like you are well organized. I like it!!

Thanks for your kind remarks. The shop/garage works well for me, and if and when I replace my Silverado (not likely) and wife's Tahoe (not likely) I will have a small something or other (not likely) to actually park "in" the bay I keep open for a vehicle!!! (In truth, I have been thinking of a Subaru Outback or Forester now that I am getting old(er).

 

[HSpencer]

Another inheritance from my great uncle was this box of tools. These tools were his personal set and he ran Copeland home and hardware circa 1925-1940. Uncle Ed would have come to your house to hang a door, fix your hand operated well pump, wire some electrical knob and tube work, or paint the house and fix the shutters. Sort of a jack of all trades. The tool box was hand made, and the tote tray in it was ruined, so I simply made a new wooden one to fit it. I tried to refinish and repair the tools and they are all usable even though they are nearing 100 years old. These were the tools I found in the box. The level holder on the side of his box was an original thing he did, and it has his name on the level "Ed Copeland".