Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT Steven's Craftsman Space

[radrush]

Got inspired by the GJ guys and cleaned up and reorganized my Craftsman 2-car space.

1. Decided that no matter how well organized, long handled lawn & garden implements are incompatible with the new & improved Craftsman space so got a Craftsman shed to hide all that stuff in. These little sheds fit nicely along the side of the house. One is good and two is even better.

2. Repainted the walls with Sherwin-Williams® ‎Duration Home® Interior Acrylic Latex Paint.
Duration Home® Interior Acrylic Latex paint, has excellent durability and washability for an active garage. It is ideal for high traffic areas like garages and most stains wipe clean with water. This paint goes on smoothly and quickly and offers excellent hide.

3. Refinished the floor with the Rust-Oleum EpoxyShield 2-gal. Gray High-Gloss 2-Part Epoxy Garage Floor Coating Kit. EpoxyShield offers one-coat coverage and outstanding durability. EpoxyShield, a high-performance coating, excels on the most demanding surfaces—garage floors.

However, I found the colors of the decretive flakes supplied with the Rust-Oleum kit to be offensive, particularly the aqua-blue flakes. So I picked up 4 bags of the BEHR Premium Metallic Blend Decorative Color Flakes.

4. Reorganized the wall shelves so that the Craftsman tool storage unit and the Craftsman work benches could all fit along one wall.

5. Purchased two Craftsman 6-foot workbenches, and mated them with stainless steel tops, black pegboard back-walls with lights, and drawer modules.

6. Purchased five Craftsman wall cabinets and mounted them over the workbench back-wall. I'm 6' tall so they are within easy reach.

Was originally going to put the tool box between the workbenches but later decided to put the workbenches side-by-side. The toolbox and workbenches fit between the stairs and the garage door with only a 1/4" to spare.

More to come....

 

[Evan K.]

Nice and clean. Looks like you are off to the races.

 

[radrush]

Various random pics of garage transformation in-progress.

 

[radrush]

Got a screen door for the garage. I love this thing. Had it shipped up here from FL. Installed it myself with no problems.

The screen is in 4 sections which simply side back-and-forth in tracks that are mounted to the slab on the bottom and the underside of door header above.

I got the screen from the guys listed below. (Update: website s apparently defunct.) Sent them my dimensions and the screens and tracks arrived in perfect condition in about two-weeks. I just had to screw the tracks and side panels in place, pop the screen sections into the tracks, screw on some accessories (handles/stops), and it was done.

Update: (5-17-15) I can not longer recommend this type of screen. The threshold & track that the screen slides back & forth in was crushed under the weight of the vehicles. It was a huge PITA fixing it and it's a huge PITA keeping it from being damaged. again. If had to do it over again, I'd figure out how to make a trackless screen work.

Cool-Breeze Home and Patio Products
http://coolbreezeproducts.com/produc...oor-screens-2/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (941) 586-6147

Garage Slider Measuring video:

Garage Slider Installation video:

 

[venturesomerite]

Screen is cool! How does it store/ get out of the way to use the door?

 

[radrush]

Wife insist on keeping two of the captain's chairs from her Ford E350 SuperDuty van in "my" garage so I'm making mobile platforms for them so at least they will be useful.

I wonder how much trouble I'd get in if I spray painted the metal bases of those captains chairs red....

 

[radrush]

Was dissatisfied with the amount and quality of light at the workbench so I picked up some 4-foot 3-light fixtures at HD. I ran an additional row of Craftsman VersaTrack Trackwall along the top of the cabinets and fabricated some extensions for the shelf supports and hung the light fixtures from these.

HD had some aluminum square tubing that fit just perfectly in the shelf bracket. I simply cut the pieces to length, drilled two horizontal holes and one vertical hole and then spray painted the aluminum black.

Each of the light fixtures holds three 32-watt bulbs producing a lot of useful light. I don't use the light fixtures' pull-chains for on/off, but instead plugged them into one remote controlled three-way socket adapter.

 

[WarrenJ]

Great looking space. Love the Red/Black look.

 

[jaymz1967]

Fantastic looking set up.

I've been looking at those Craftsman work benches for my garage.

What do you think of them?

 

[55cadillacking]

Pretty awesome. What is the main benefit of the screen door? Bugs?

 

[radrush]

Wasn't happy with the visibility inside the toolbox so I picked up a 24" under-cabinet dimmable LED light fixture at HD. Didn't really need the dimming feature but this unt had a really high lumen output and that's what I wanted. Using some aluminum angle stock and some threaded rod that was laying around I fabricated and painted a little doohickey to hold the light fixture in place. On full bright this unit puts out 800+ lumens so visibility inside the drawers is no longer a problem.

Using some 2x2x1/8 aluminum angle and some threaded rod, I made this for my tool box.

I used this light fixture specifically because it's super-bright pumping out 812 lumens, and it's got full range dimming.

GE 24 in. Linkable LED Under Cabinet Light Fixture with Full Range Dimming
At HD - Model # 10449 Internet # 204663926 Store SKU # 1000024625

•8 non-replaceable LEDs
•24 in. fixture length
•812 Lumens
•Plug in and linkable

http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-24-in...xture-with-Full-Range-Dimming-10449/204663926

 

[radrush]

Painted the garage door rails, brackets, and motor cover to match the Craftsman cabinets. Found a piece of black split tube to put the operator cables in.

Not sure why, but the wife doesn't seem to grasp either the importance or the urgency of this project.

 

[radrush]

Pretty awesome. What is the main benefit of the screen door? Bugs?

Since the panels slide back and forth 25% of the opening is always covered. If one needed, for some reason, to use the entire opening at once the screen panels could be easily removed.

without screen = bugs

with screen = no bugs - life is good

This screen is fantastic at keeping the garage bug free. As a side benefit, it also keeps the field mice out.

Update: (5-17-15) I can not longer recommend this type of screen. The threshold & track that the screen slides back & forth in was crushed under the weight of the vehicles. It was huge PITA fixing it and it's a huge PITA keeping it from being damaged. again. If had to do it over again, I'd figure out how to make a trackless screen work.

 

[radrush]

Fantastic looking set up.

I've been looking at those Craftsman work benches for my garage.

What do you think of them?

Never use any Goof Off product on any of the Craftsman painted steel products as this will not only remove both the label/sticker and the paint This will surely make you very . I only use WD-40 for sticker/label removal.

What do I think of the benches? They are very sturdy and look great. The stainless steal tops are HEAVY and super tough. I keep each of my stainless steel tops covered and protected with a 1/2" piece of that military grade tool foam.

The back-board has a hood with two 32-watt 4' bulbs and a pegboard. I was pretty sure that peg-board was from a device sent from hell by Satan himself to mess with us until I found Talon pegboard hooks at http://www.talonhooks.com/ Even with the Talon hooks, I'm still not a pegboard guy; I like nearly everything to be put away in the drawers and/or the cabinets.

The addition of the back-board to the workbench frame pushes the stainless steel top (or whatever top) out front several additional inches because the top can no longer be centered front-to-back on the bench frame. If the home of your favorite thingamabob or whatever is in the top drawer this cold be a pain.

In my opinion the drawer modules on the workbench are not cut out for holding actual "tools". If I didn't already have a toolbox I'd be disappointed with these drawers. Just no way these drawers/slides are as tough as the ones on the toolbox. I use the drawer modules for storage of light weight stuff that is infrequently used. If the shelf modules had an option for double doors instead of a single door I'd probably have gotten shelf modules.

I read many reviews of this equipment before buying and geeezzz, some of them just got it wrong. Like all things made of sheet metal, it's a little flimsy until you get it together so you have to be careful with it. There were lots of negative reviews about the cabinets being out of square and/or the doors not working properly. Dang, even my little sister could tell you to assemble the cabinet, place it on the counter top, place a framing square on the top corner of the cabinet, adjust nuts/bolts until square and voilà the doors/locks work perfectly.

If you hang the cabinets from VersaTrack Trackwall you need to pay attention to where you place the connectors. I discovered that the hanger on the back of the cabinet isn't 100% compatible with the VersaTrack Trackwall connector; however, a certain amount of persuasion and finesse was applied and a suitable mating was eventually effected.

 

[kfainf]

Looks great! I am partial to the Craftsman red and black color scheme myself.

 

[radrush]

Built a matching rolling platform out of some scrap wood for the air compressor.

And the mechanic's stool was a must have for the repurposed Captain's chair as I think it has great potential as a foot stool.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Nice shop and attention to detail. Subscribed.

 

[JustinS]

Who makes those sheds you have?

 

[radrush]

Who makes those sheds you have?

Who makes them as in who manufactures them? Not sure on that.

Picked up the sheds at Sears; they are badged Craftsman.

The smaller of the two sheds I placed on an existing concrete pad. It was a breeze to snap it together and just place on the concrete slab.

The larger of the two was on the gravel area and that was a problem. Just no way to get the gravel level enough to make the doors open/close properly. So off to HD to get some PT lumber and spent a Saturday afternoon making a 4'x10' deck to place it on. They work great for their intended purpose.

 

[aps63]

Awesome job on your Craftsman garage. I have the same stainless steel workbenches. I love them too. Great job on the lighting, better to have too much light than not enough.

 

[Trey T]

Very nice setup

 

[1clean4runner]

Well obviously I like this one!

Looks great. Clever idea for hanging those shop lights!

I also really the screen door and the side-hang-on tool chests.

What's next?!

 

[dubber]

/\ that is definitely obvious hahaha.

Great job on your space OP.

 

[USAF_TRobertson]

Hey just wanted to say your garage looks great. I am doing the exact same thing only on a bit smaller scale (only one workbench). Would you mind taking a measurement to let me know how high off the floor the backwall sits while installed on the work bench? I am not putting together all my stuff until I do the floors this spring but wanted to hang some versatrack and the wall mounted cabinets. If you wouldn't mind also measuring how high off the floor your versa track is (to the top of the track from the floor) I would really appreciate it!! Looks like you got it perfect as your cabinet sits just off the top of the backwall.

 

[taumac]

Great place and attention to detail. Its funny more ppl don't have those screens. There are so common in Fl wonder why don't offer in other states. Keep up the good work.

 

[larry4406]

Nice garage.

Using the link provided, I watched the install video on the garage screen door and observed the bottom track is anchored to the concrete. Is the bottom track rated for vehicle drive over? The "fins" of the track look like they would bend over.

 

[kfainf]

What paint did you use on the tool box light mount? It looks like a perfect match for the Craftsman red.

 

[radrush]

Nice garage.

Using the link provided, I watched the install video on the garage screen door and observed the bottom track is anchored to the concrete. Is the bottom track rated for vehicle drive over? The "fins" of the track look like they would bend over.

Yes it is rated for vehicle traffic. We drive Ford E350 super-duty van and a 4x4 Chevy Tahoe in/out with no problems.

What they may not show in the install vid is that two aluminum ramps (one for each side of the bottom track) are also provided. So the truck tires don't really ride on the fins from the side.

After a year of use update: (5-17-15) I can not longer recommend this type of screen. The threshold & track that the screen slides back & forth in was crushed under the weight of the vehicles. It was huge PITA fixing it and it's a huge PITA keeping it from being damaged. again. If had to do it over again, I'd figure out how to make a trackless screen work.

If your floor is not level in the doorway install of these ramps can be a hassle. My bottom track and inside ramp are mounted on the garage floor but the outside ramp is (will be) on the driveway and it's a little sloped at one end. I have some non-shirk grout and some bonding agent but it's been too cold to finish it up. In the meantime I'm using a piece of 1x4 as a ramp.

 

[radrush]

What paint did you use on the tool box light mount? It looks like a perfect match for the Craftsman red.

Rust-oleum Protective Enamel Spray
Sunrise Red 7762830 - Spray

 

[RibsBrisket4me]

Rad,
Love your shop. I am also a Craftsman fan. That looks like a great place to hang out!

 

[radrush]

Here's my garage dog. The floor is apparently too cold for Liberty so she is taking over my newly repurposed captain's chair. That reminds me that I need to move that chair a couple inches to the right and a couple inches forward on the platform.

When it's raining she likes to run on one of the electric treadmills or on one of the slat-mills. Yesterday she ran 4.75 miles in 65 minutes. All 5 of y dogs are trained to run on the mills.

I built the slat-mills.

 

[radrush]

Finished up painting the garage door rails to match the theme. Painted them outside and hung them up inside to dry overnight.

Also finished up some high storage over the garage door. If it ever warms up I need to paint that trim board above the door.

Going to make a couple of additional ceiling hung storage racks to park a number empty airline type dog kennels. And still need to cut that last piece of red tool-foam up for the work bench drawers.

 

[radrush]

Some tool drawers shots...


I've collected up a number of Craftsman chrome sockets:

 

[radrush]

A couple more tool shots...

Got a few Klein and Knipex tools infiltrating the Craftsman space. Wish I had acquired the Craftsman professional pliers back when they were available.

 

[SupremeAutomotive]

man this looks fantastic!!! makes me want to do the same to mine

 

[longlivepunk]

Geez, I better go buy stock in Sears!

The garage looks great, I like the use of space and how tidy it is.

 

[radrush]

Hey just wanted to say your garage looks great. I am doing the exact same thing only on a bit smaller scale (only one workbench). Would you mind taking a measurement to let me know how high off the floor the backwall sits while installed on the work bench? I am not putting together all my stuff until I do the floors this spring but wanted to hang some VersaTrack and the wall mounted cabinets. If you wouldn't mind also measuring how high off the floor your VersaTrack is (to the top of the track from the floor) I would really appreciate it!! Looks like you got it perfect as your cabinet sits just off the top of the backwall.

That was tricky. From the high end got 91" from floor to bottom of VersaTrack that the cabinets are hanging on. The work-bench on the high end (left end)has the leg levelers screwed all the way up. I advise NOT to mount the VersaTrack without first having assembled the work-bench with back-wall, leveled the table, and then test fit.

Reasons:
1. Residential concrete floors can be wildly out-of-level. (Frickin' concrete finishers ) Mine appears to be more than 1" out of level in the 12' run of the table. So if I had measured up from the floor to place the VersaTrack and I had picked the low end to measure from I would have been screwed.

You could use a laser and yard-stick to figure out your floor's levelness and measure up 91" from the highest end.

2. The lights are attached to the underside of the back-wall hood with tiny acorn nuts that stick up about 1/4".

 

[metal1313]

any more info on the slat mill? i think it would be good for my guys and a family members beagle/boxer mix who needs more time to run than he'll ever get with them

 

[radrush]

K

any more info on the slat mill? i think it would be good for my guys and a family members beagle/boxer mix who needs more time to run than he'll ever get with them

There are some guys around that manufacture slat-mills. They mostly work at or own welding shops, they own pit-bulls, and they build on their own schedule.

I built 6 and sold off 4 to various friends. Getting all those wood slats to go in the same direction in a perfect line was tough. I screwed the wood slats to rubber belts that have a V-guide on the back. I built a full length jig to lay out the belts and slats in.

Don't waste your time effort on a carpet-mill.

We have this place called Play It Again Sports in town where used/discontinued sports equipment is sold. This is good place to get electric treadmills. Just look for the longest human treadmill you can find.

Jog-A-Dog makes treadmills specifically for dogs but the last I read they don't have any electronics for time/distance etc. The Jog-A-Dog faces uphill and I don't prefer this.

I heard that slat-mills were illegal in CA, but I'm not sure how what amounts to short conveyor belt can be illegal.

 

[radrush]

Great place and attention to detail. Its funny more ppl don't have those screens. There are so common in Fl wonder why don't offer in other states. Keep up the good work.

They are in fact so common in FL that you can get one installed in under 24-hours. I called all over Atlanta and NO ONE could/would do it. So those guys in FL made one and shipped it up.