Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT The 12-Gauge Garage

[Jack Olsen]

Snuck out to a movie and lunch with the wife today, so not much more progress. I was able to pick up a mirror from Target.

The backsplash is up and the base for the upper cabinets is welded into place.

Everything above the bench will be painted the wall color, which will make it less 'imposing' looking than it is right now. And the upper shelf will be enclosed somehow (still working that out), so you won't see there the steel ends when this thing is finished.

The back piece of steel is from an old table and is 1/8" thick -- which is what happened to the phone. Moving the steel into place, I accidentally hit the old phone and the Bakelite cracked.

My other frustration is the adhesive on the aluminum trim. It's kicking my ****. It keeps working lose -- I think because it has to bend in two opposite directions. I'm probably going to have to add fasteners of some sort -- maybe rivets.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Jack, sorry the phone got in the way...ouch!
I was thinking the upper shelf would have a curve to it too, with a similar aluminum wrap along its face to hide the open cuts.
Is it possible to braze the aluminum fascia to the steel lip?

Keep up the great work!

 

[Stuart in MN]

Moving the steel into place, I accidentally hit the old phone and the Bakelite cracked.

You must have really given it a whack...I have a couple telephones of similar vintage, and those things are nearly bulletproof. I've always figured if someone breaks into the house, I'll just hit them with the handset and they'll be out cold.

 

[Topper]

Looks great. Can not wait to see the final appearance of this project.

Sorry to hear about the phone. Check this web site for repair parts, they might have some. www.phonecoinc.com

 

[Mike B26]

My other frustration is the adhesive on the aluminum trim. It's kicking my ****. It keeps working lose -- I think because it has to bend in two opposite directions. I'm probably going to have to add fasteners of some sort -- maybe rivets.

Try 3M VHB tape: http://www.mcmaster.com/#vhb-tape/=ackdxg
At a previous job we used it to repair 53 foot trailers and certain Pace trailers are built using it instead of screws or rivets. It's very strong stuff.

 

[4StarCstms]

Some Evenly spaced rivets wouldnt look bad.

Jack ya never cease to amaze me. You are always coming up with new cool ideas to improve your workspace.

 

[thdewey]

Looks great. Can not wait to see the final appearance of this project.

Sorry to hear about the phone. Check this web site for repair parts, they might have some. www.phonecoinc.com

Aww.. ****. Now I need to add an old phone to my shop. I spent half an hour looking that website for ideas. I might even make my own.

Thanks Topper! no really thanks.

Jack

The sink is coming along great! I hope that the phone is an easy fix.

Tom

 

[PhantomEB]

I absolutely hate cordless house phones, probably since no one really calls the house so why not just have central locations up and down, maybe in the shop... now for the shop... I want a bakelite jukebox! Wonder if they got one for hearin impaired folks.

 

[modernbeat]

You're not concerned with the seam between the countertop and the trim? I'd worry about debris getting in there, or knocking off the trim when I'm working with parts.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Jack, sorry the phone got in the way...ouch!
I was thinking the upper shelf would have a curve to it too, with a similar aluminum wrap along its face to hide the open cuts.
Is it possible to braze the aluminum fascia to the steel lip?

Keep up the great work!

I thought about that -- curving both the cabinets down below and the ones up above. But the time it was going to eat up was intimidating. So I'm just going to have the one piece that's curved.

You must have really given it a whack...I have a couple telephones of similar vintage, and those things are nearly bulletproof. I've always figured if someone breaks into the house, I'll just hit them with the handset and they'll be out cold.

I could glue it, too -- but the wires are embedded in solid Bakelite, so I doubt I'd get a very good connection. It's not the end of the world -- I see the F1 handsets on ebay for $12-20. I'll probably buy one as a part and wire it in.

You're not concerned with the seam between the countertop and the trim? I'd worry about debris getting in there, or knocking off the trim when I'm working with parts.

It will be filled with bondo.

Today I got the top cabinets in place and the first coat of paint on. The top cabinets were thrown together in the fastest way I could manage. We lose the babysitter for five days starting tomorrow, so there's going to be a lot less time for this. The hinges for the upper cabinets are above -- so the doors swing up kind of like an old apartment mailbox. Right now, the welds on the hinges are just plain ugly (I suspect the alloy in these hinges caused me the problems. I may pull them out at some point, or I may mask the ugliness somehow before the next coat of paint, or I might just think about it for a while.

There will also be another aluminum strip (1" though, not 3") along the lower edge of the upper cabinets. But here's a picture that'll give you an idea of where I am right now.

You can see, painting the black steel to match the walls 'softens' the look of the whole thing.

There's still a lot to do. I'm going to enclose the area above it with a soffit-style cabinet like the rest of the garage, and the lighting will be changed for the new configuration, and of course the countertop itself still needs to be painted and the trim cleaned (and scuffed) up. But now you can get an idea of what the end result will look like.

As a refresher, here's where it started.

It used to be a little bit too ugly, compared to the rest of the garage. Now it might be a little too pretty.

And here's the starting point. The cabinet that got re-configured to look more like a kitchen.

I think the only piece of steel that didn't come from this cabinet is the section I used along the back wall as a backsplash.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Looks excellent. Will you be incorporating the red accents used elsewhere in the garage in this area? Where are the paper towels and the fire extinguishers now?

 

[Jack Olsen]

The fire extinguishers will give it some red. I'm going to put two to the side along with the first aid kit.

I got an industrial-type paper towel dispenser, but now I'm thinking of using one that uses a conventional roll of towels, since it would be smaller and might fit under the small cabinet on the right -- mounted vertically (can paper towels do that?).

Today was another day where I only got a little bit of time out there. I bent the pieces of trim for the base of the upper cabinets, then did a quick second coat on the green and tan areas. I did the initial coat of the black for the countertop (benchtop?) itself. But the tan is overlapping what will be the final edge between the two. The second coat on the bench surface will clean that up.

Also, the swinging upper doors are propped open in this picture because the paint is drying.

I still have all the carpentry part to do up above, which will also involve moving the light and a few more minor things. But you've got to keep moving the ball forward, even when the gain is small.

You can see the more-complicated piece of trim as in inset in the picture.

I also cleaned up some of the crazy welds on those upper hinges with a grinder. I don't know if it was the alloy the hinges were made of, or if the steel was hardened or coated or something, but they welded very sloppily.

 

[Hylke]

Because I'm on the internet to check to see if I've won the lottery (which I haven't, so no new garage for me yet.), let me be the first to wish you and all the others following this thread a very happy, healthy and great New Year! (And all others on the board too ofcourse!)

(As I'm writing this it's 00:33 GMT +1 in the Netherlands)

 

[NJHandyGuy]

jack i have no words for this you inspire me to work smarter

 

[AndrewBigA]

looks great jack. i love how you build everything from scratch. you are a madman!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I got an industrial-type paper towel dispenser, but now I'm thinking of using one that uses a conventional roll of towels, since it would be smaller and might fit under the small cabinet on the right -- mounted vertically (can paper towels do that?)...

Yeah, someone gave me one of those industrial ones with the ratcheting handle that you use to roll out the GIANT roll of brown paper towels. Problem is I've not been able to find a source for single rolls of those towels. Smart and Final only sells cases. Besides taking up waay too much room, one case would be a lifetime supply of towels. Anyone know where I can get single rolls?

As for hanging conventional towel rolls vertically?
It works, theyll just want to constantly unroll themselves.

Jack, It's looking very very nice. Are you just painting the countertop so it can be easily touched up? If I can make a suggestion? Regular oil based Rustoleum in a dark brown would kinda-sorta give you the look of your wood bench tops, be easy to touch up and much tougher than a latex paint. Maybe go to a boat supply for an even tougher paint? But Rustoleum is cheap by the quart and readily available.

BTW, HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!

 

[e-tek]

The back piece of steel is from an old table and is 1/8" thick -- which is what happened to the phone. Moving the steel into place, I accidentally hit the old phone and the Bakelite cracked.

My other frustration is the adhesive on the aluminum trim. It's kicking my ****. It keeps working lose -- I think because it has to bend in two opposite directions. I'm probably going to have to add fasteners of some sort -- maybe rivets.

Jack - kitty hair (short-strand fibreglass filler) will hold the trim AND repair the phone. You can get it anywhere bodyfillers are sold. Just grind the back of the trim and the counter edge with 36-60grit, wipe down with acetone or Wax&Grease remover, then mix and apply the kitty hair. WAY better than any glues out there.

Looks great!

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks, guys.

E-tek, I ended up using rivets on both the upper and the lower aluminum. Since their aluminum, it's hard to even see. With the phone, there are two thin copper wires embedded in the Bakelite. I just don't think I'd get a good connection there no matter what adhesive I tried. But I'll try it.

I worked on other things today, but was able to put a second coat of paint (Rustoleum semigloss enamel) on the top, and also install the vertical paper towel holder I found. It ratchets so you can tear a sheet away and it doesn't let the roll come undone.

I still need to buff out the aluminum, plumb the sink and do all the cabinetry and electric/lighting stuff up above. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get some time.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Jack,
Amazing fab work! Nice, clean design.

Now, about that shop door... are you going to fab up some 'vault doors'?

Happy New Year to you and yours!

 

[reinhardt]

nice work. when i run short on projects around the house i browse your thread for ideas in the garage. i have a question tho. i am looking to start painting my garage walls, wood cabinets and steel work bench. what kind of paint and prep are you doing? i clueless on paintwork.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Now, about that shop door... are you going to fab up some 'vault doors'?

Thanks. Do you mean for the car door or the man door? I've thought about cooler doors for the car, but it's hard to beat the space-effectiveness (and cost-effectiveness) of the standard roll-up. I've thought about a good steel door for the walking entrance -- maybe with a window. But one thing at a time.

nice work. when i run short on projects around the house i browse your thread for ideas in the garage. i have a question tho. i am looking to start painting my garage walls, wood cabinets and steel work bench. what kind of paint and prep are you doing? i clueless on paintwork.

I'm pretty low-tech with painting. For walls, I just do two coats after a quick cleaning. For steel, I'll prime the bare metal, scuff the old paint up, and then wipe it down with acetone before the paint goes on. Usually it's an exterior semigloss latex -- because that's cheap.

I plumbed the sink today. It was interesting, because I've never done anything like it before. No leaks, so I guess it's working.

The second-hand sink I had only came with one hole, so I had to drill two more. I used an ordinary hole saw.

I haven't done anything to the interior of the main cabinet, yet. So it's ugly. But you can see here that the presence of the sink and the drain don't compromise the storage very much at all. When I'm convinced none of my low-budget connections are going to leak, I'll clean it up and start filling it up.

Based on a recent Garage Journal thread, I decided to put two fire extunguishers right by the exit/entrance. I'll have three more inside the garage.

Here's where it stands. Still have the cabinet above, the ceiling piece, and the lights to do. But I'm beginning to feel lie it will be done soon.

Still working on sourcing a new handset for the phone.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Jack,

It's really a pleasure to see the results of your design skills! Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

Not to push any ideas upon you, but I'm kinda expecting the shop door to be fab'd out of a couple of those stout cabinet doors (painted 'Jack Green' of course)! I mean just for continuity's sake - and Black Beauty would be as safe as being parked in Fort Knox!

Jack, I posted the above just after you positioned the sink cabinets; I thought your man door would get the same treatment. Now if you did the car door in the same vein, that would be AMAZING, not to mention heavy and secure! lol

 

[HotRodKush]

Awesome garage! You may have mentioned this previously but I missed it if you did - what methods did you use to form the aluminum trim? Are the edges rounded, sanded, etc.? Any polishing?

 

[Jack Olsen]

Jack, I posted the above just after you positioned the sink cabinets; I thought your man door would get the same treatment. Now if you did the car door in the same vein, that would be AMAZING, not to mention heavy and secure! lol

Agreed. I like to tell myself this is the end of the road for fixing up this garage, but both doors could stand a little attention. But the list of things I've been putting off had gotten pretty long. The wife wants some minor changes in the kitchen and I've been wanting to do a deck and pergola in the back yard for a couple of years now.

But you've got me thinking.

Awesome garage! You may have mentioned this previously but I missed it if you did - what methods did you use to form the aluminum trim? Are the edges rounded, sanded, etc.? Any polishing?

Thanks. For the two curves on this bench, I used a Harbor Freight roll bender to pre-set the curve before I attached the aluminum piece to the steel edge. It's 1/8" 6061 and it has some pretty good spring to it if you don't overbend it a little and then let it come back. I like it to have a buffed sort of polished look -- not shiny, but not all cut up. For the pieces so far, I've just taken a piece of Scotchbrite and pressed an orbital sander over it to put a slight scuff in the surface. It's quick and simple. And if the aluminum gets scratched, you can buff it back with a Scotchbrite pad very quickly.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Jack,
After the 'honey-do' list is complete and you're sitting out on the deck gazing out across at the garage/shop, the thought of those doors will bug you. The alternative is to knock them out now while you are on a roll, and than later, you can really relax on the deck with a cold one, sit back and ... smile!
Consider it 'curb appeal' for the homeowner.

 

[HSpencer]

One of my favorites of all time. Outstanding workmanship and careful and thoughtful use of available space. Put it in "Better Homes and Garages" next issue!! Great job!!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

...Now I've got to come up with a new place to store those upright cans I use frequently. I had thought it would be possible to attach one of those old swing-out cabinet doors from the old island to one side of the new cabinets, but I tried it and didn't like the way it looked. I've got some ideas, though.

One more little project.

Sorry to bring up old stuff, but you this back on post #342 and I was wondering if you put those rattle cans in the shallow cabinet below the sink or if that area is too far removed from the work bench where you tend to use them?

 

[reinhardt]

Based on a recent Garage Journal thread, I decided to put two fire extunguishers right by the exit/entrance. I'll have three more inside the garage.

what is this recent thread? i was trained in firewatch training if one extinguisher wont put it out to run away and call the fire dept. it would seem to me 5 extinguishers worth of fire is a hell of a lot of fire! btw... i work in ship repair on navy ships, fire is a big deal on board ship.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Sorry to bring up old stuff, but you this back on post #342 and I was wondering if you put those rattle cans in the shallow cabinet below the sink or if that area is too far removed from the work bench where you tend to use them?

That's what I originally thought. I have a smaller cabinet for my 'most-used' spray cans, but this would be the bigger storage area. However, I've got a second idea I'm considering about using the shallower cabinet for a reel area for a 220v outlet and extension cord.

what is this recent thread? i was trained in firewatch training if one extinguisher wont put it out to run away and call the fire dept. it would seem to me 5 extinguishers worth of fire is a hell of a lot of fire! btw... i work in ship repair on navy ships, fire is a big deal on board ship.

It's funny. My father was Navy and also got his degree in Fire Safety engineering. Not much rubbed off on me, unfortunately. But my double-tank theory was more along the lines of 'if one doesn't discharge, the other might.' I bought these used, and they're probably not going to get as regular a service cycle as extinguishers used in a commercial setting.

Here's the carpentry work from today. As you can see, there's no finishing or paint, and the garage itself is a mess.

Looking up at the expanded cabinet:

You can see how it will fit in with the rest of the garage (if you can look past the mess):

Closer in. Almost done with it:

 

[gasgas17]

Jack, is that duct tape wrapped all around the drain from your sink? lol Does that drain have a propper vent in the wall ?

 

[Jack Olsen]

I'm pretty sure it is vented. It's not what I would consider no-compromise plumbing, but there are four vents up on the roof -- and the structure has a bathtub, toilet and sink elsewhere, and this sink.

The tape is a flexible rubber plumbing repair tape that I put on as insurance when I found out my PVC cement had not been closed properly and was no good. It's a sleeve fit for that long extension, and I suspect it would hold a seal just fine if I didn't do anything at all. But I plan on getting the right cement for it pretty soon.

 

[toranaback]

jack, awsome job in showing what can be done in a small garage, love your work

 

[oldschool914]

Jack I found this site through my reg. 914world site I hang out at.....this site rocks.you rock dude.
And when I saw the Porsche wow, I was hook.Just like you the strike set me back,But I almost lost my home.Thank God I was able to keep my place.
So now I can do the things that I have been wanting to do with the man cave.
as you can see I need a lot of help.
BTW the 911S is out side right now,I have a one owner 1973 1.7 914 in that spot, I hope tp make more room very soon.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks, guys. I did some quick painting this morning. It's almost done.

Here's another picture I found of where it was previously:

And here's the newer version:

(And that's a gorgeous early coupe, oldschool914.)

 

[Jack Olsen]

Okay. It's done. And the thing about my garage that I really like is that it cleans up so easily, even when every flat surface is covered with stuff. Everything has a place to go, and then it's just a matter of sweeping it out.

I got some help with that part.

But here's the sink and steel counter/cabinets in the context of the whole garage. And because it's my wildly-overphotographed garage, you'll get a couple of different views.

 

[Noisy Nova]

You make me afraid to show the inside of my garage.
I might get banned.

 

[HotRodKush]

Crazy to think that it's all in a 2-car garage - amazing use of space.

 

[e-tek]

OK - which one of you guys want to marry Jack?

Come on, you'll get to use the garage.....




All kidding aside - where do you get those heavy-duty cabinets? I've been looking for a while and just cannot find (used) stuff like that....I've been watching the classifieds, the auctions....

 

[fringeofinsanity]

As always, nicely Done Jack.

 

[gsport]

Jack Jack Jack.... you NEED a bigger garage