Leeroy254
Well-known member
There's a great abundance of c clamps in your garage. I like it.
Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT The 12-Gauge Garage
- Thread starter Jack Olsen
- Start date
Workspaces sized between 265 and 485 squarefeet.
Nighttrain
Well-known member
Well if Jr does not like speed maybe Molly will. That's the first, that I’ve seen, kids bunk bed that can withstand an earthquake. I imagine that will be around for your kids grandkids.
santagary
Well-known member
I think I recognize the color around the edges of the Molly sign!
Did you make the letters for the sign?
I didn't know you had a little ******* the way; that is the best news, ever. Congratulations.
What I like so much about your garage, that mine does not and never will have, is the thorough planning, specific task-based stations, and maximum use of available space all while maintaining an appealing aesthetic. I think your brain is better than mine. I have a larger garage than you do, but am 100% certain that my space is about 95% less well organized, and other than the bench top I made, looks like a cheap, dirty **** in comparison.
Rock on.
I didn't know you had a little ******* the way; that is the best news, ever. Congratulations.
What I like so much about your garage, that mine does not and never will have, is the thorough planning, specific task-based stations, and maximum use of available space all while maintaining an appealing aesthetic. I think your brain is better than mine. I have a larger garage than you do, but am 100% certain that my space is about 95% less well organized, and other than the bench top I made, looks like a cheap, dirty **** in comparison.
Rock on.
couchmechanic
Well-known member
Congratulations on the new addition. Children are a blessing.
OP
Thanks, guys. I didn't make the letters for the sign. (I wanted to; the wife vetoed it -- baby's due any day.) And you're right, Gary. I wanted to add some green, and I just happened to have some in the garage with a shade I liked. 
Today, I put the second coat of paint on the bunk and -- once it was dry -- mated it to the existing bed. It's probably overbuilt, but I'm fine with that. Then again, if anyone sees something I clearly did wrong, let me know. I've never made a bed before.
Here's a snapshot of it, and also one with the new owner testing it out.
The race car light is a thing my wife bought thinking it would be about eight inches long. When it showed up, we couldn't find any place to put it. But now it does a great job of providing some light to the lower bunk.
Today, I put the second coat of paint on the bunk and -- once it was dry -- mated it to the existing bed. It's probably overbuilt, but I'm fine with that. Then again, if anyone sees something I clearly did wrong, let me know. I've never made a bed before.
Here's a snapshot of it, and also one with the new owner testing it out.
The race car light is a thing my wife bought thinking it would be about eight inches long. When it showed up, we couldn't find any place to put it. But now it does a great job of providing some light to the lower bunk.
Wingnut65
Well-known member
Jack, The bed looks awesome. And the approval from the fan club goes to show you it will be used and enjoyed! Beautiful work! And that lamp it cool...
Zengineer
Well-known member
Jack, first off it looks great, so please don't take this minor criticism as a reflection on the whole thing... it looks fantastic, and I don't doubt it will serve your family for decades if you ask it to.
Only concern I would have is the bar at the foot of the lower bed, from side to side at mattress level. After watching my 2 year old daughter play and bounce on her bed, I'd be concerned about her falling over and hitting her head on the cross bar. If that bar was 3"-4" below the mattress height it would be less of a concern.
Just noticed we have the same toy bins... we've lost a small green one somehow (no idea, these things never leave the house but we've looked top to bottom, and it's not a big house) so if your big green garage turns up one, let me know.
Only concern I would have is the bar at the foot of the lower bed, from side to side at mattress level. After watching my 2 year old daughter play and bounce on her bed, I'd be concerned about her falling over and hitting her head on the cross bar. If that bar was 3"-4" below the mattress height it would be less of a concern.
Just noticed we have the same toy bins... we've lost a small green one somehow (no idea, these things never leave the house but we've looked top to bottom, and it's not a big house) so if your big green garage turns up one, let me know.
OP
Thanks. The girl is due any day now.
Zengineer, the part you're talking about is part of the original bed that I built the new layer on top of. But I agree with you about the danger. I think the bed was designed with a box springs and mattress combination in mind, although we prefer the amount of space we get by just using mattresses. The one factor that makes it somewhat safer is that the mattresses were positioned at heights that make jumping less viable. Also, the mattresses are that memory foam stuff, so they're kind of lousy for jumping in the first place.
Still, I could pull that piece, cut out the cross member and weld it in four inches lower. I might do that.
Zengineer, the part you're talking about is part of the original bed that I built the new layer on top of. But I agree with you about the danger. I think the bed was designed with a box springs and mattress combination in mind, although we prefer the amount of space we get by just using mattresses. The one factor that makes it somewhat safer is that the mattresses were positioned at heights that make jumping less viable. Also, the mattresses are that memory foam stuff, so they're kind of lousy for jumping in the first place.
Still, I could pull that piece, cut out the cross member and weld it in four inches lower. I might do that.
1Garageman
Well-known member
Thanks, guys. I didn't make the letters for the sign. (I wanted to; the wife vetoed it -- baby's due any day.) And you're right, Gary. I wanted to add some green, and I just happened to have some in the garage with a shade I liked.
Today, I put the second coat of paint on the bunk and -- once it was dry -- mated it to the existing bed. It's probably overbuilt, but I'm fine with that. Then again, if anyone sees something I clearly did wrong, let me know. I've never made a bed before.
Here's a snapshot of it, and also one with the new owner testing it out.
The race car light is a thing my wife bought thinking it would be about eight inches long. When it showed up, we couldn't find any place to put it. But now it does a great job of providing some light to the lower bunk.
That is a GREAT PICTURE! It speaks for itself!
Great job, as usual Jack!
ALL of the steel worries me, soft young noggin-wise. I'd be putting some thick foam roll bar padding on all of it, with zip ties. Can't snip the ends, either, those stubs can cut.
You're thinking like an adult, to think that the type of mattress is going to stop the monkeys from leaping up and down.
Hmm... thinwall aluminum tubing, something that can deform...
You're thinking like an adult, to think that the type of mattress is going to stop the monkeys from leaping up and down.
Hmm... thinwall aluminum tubing, something that can deform...
OP
Well, he's been in the steel bed since very early on -- so he's gotten used to the hazards of getting too rambunctious there. But the advantage to making your own furniture is that you can round off every single corner in the thing, so there's never an actual hard angle to concentrate that force. It doesn't make steel safe. But it does make it slightly less dangerous.
The same goes for that little side table thing by his bed. As soon as it got put together, I took the top and rounded off the corner that faces the bed.
It's an odd challenge for parents. You need to let them take a few little bumps so their brains can map out what will hurt them and what won't. You just do your best to manage those lessons so the important ones get learned early and the kid doesn't think he's invulnerable when he's out of your safe world and in leaping headlong around the real one.
The same goes for that little side table thing by his bed. As soon as it got put together, I took the top and rounded off the corner that faces the bed.
It's an odd challenge for parents. You need to let them take a few little bumps so their brains can map out what will hurt them and what won't. You just do your best to manage those lessons so the important ones get learned early and the kid doesn't think he's invulnerable when he's out of your safe world and in leaping headlong around the real one.
ChristopherLutz
Well-known member
A fine job. You've once again succeeded in making me feel inadequate. No cool garage, no cool Porsche and no fab skills. I hope you're happy.
In all seriousness - it looks great - just like it belongs. On the "injury" topic, your comment above is spot on. Bumps and bruises are a great (maybe the best?) way to learn. But, we certainly don't want permanent damage.
I think of all the bike riding without a helmet....all the suspect "jumps" we made out of discarded trash, playing "bike tag"....we had some scrapes and bruises for sure....but made it just fine.
I'm sure if you take the time to show him how he can really hurt himself...all will be well.
PS: Does the kid ALREADY have surround sound? Looks like a fat speaker hanging from the ceiling
In all seriousness - it looks great - just like it belongs. On the "injury" topic, your comment above is spot on. Bumps and bruises are a great (maybe the best?) way to learn. But, we certainly don't want permanent damage.
I think of all the bike riding without a helmet....all the suspect "jumps" we made out of discarded trash, playing "bike tag"....we had some scrapes and bruises for sure....but made it just fine.
I'm sure if you take the time to show him how he can really hurt himself...all will be well.
PS: Does the kid ALREADY have surround sound? Looks like a fat speaker hanging from the ceiling
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Nice looking bed!
This is sort of off topic, but it reminds me of when I was living in the dorm in college - my roommate and I had a steel bunk bed in our dorm room, I was in the upper bunk and he was in the lower one. There was a steel crossbar right under the middle of the upper bunk that was right about at forehead level for my roommate; when the alarm clock went off in the morning he had a habit of suddenly sitting bolt upright, I think before he even woke up.
Once or twice a week, the alarm would go off and I'd hear this big CLANG followed by a grunt. I don't know why he didn't have a permanent dent in his forehead.
This is sort of off topic, but it reminds me of when I was living in the dorm in college - my roommate and I had a steel bunk bed in our dorm room, I was in the upper bunk and he was in the lower one. There was a steel crossbar right under the middle of the upper bunk that was right about at forehead level for my roommate; when the alarm clock went off in the morning he had a habit of suddenly sitting bolt upright, I think before he even woke up.
Once or twice a week, the alarm would go off and I'd hear this big CLANG followed by a grunt.
I don't know why he didn't have a permanent dent in his forehead.Zengineer
Well-known member
I'm with you on the bumps... it's a fine line between protection and letting them learn lessons that they will not learn by you telling them to.
Our daughter LOVES to jump on our memory foam bed. I don't think it matters what the surface is, kids love to jump on beds.
I wouldn't be concerned about a steel structure with rounded corners, we've had a scary-ish incident from a wood shelf with square edges... You do the best you can with what you've got, but you can't protect them from everything.
Great job Jack, there is a lot of satisfaction in building things for your family.
Our daughter LOVES to jump on our memory foam bed. I don't think it matters what the surface is, kids love to jump on beds.
I wouldn't be concerned about a steel structure with rounded corners, we've had a scary-ish incident from a wood shelf with square edges... You do the best you can with what you've got, but you can't protect them from everything.
Great job Jack, there is a lot of satisfaction in building things for your family.
So I'm sitting here in Denver. In limbo. Sold our condo and am waiting to close on another property - a short sale - that has a 4 car attached garage (the family garage) and a 4 car detached garage (my garage - 27 x 35 tandem). Trying to keep my sanity while playing the waiting game for short sale approval, i have re-read this thread and reviewed your appearances in Popular Mechanics and Great Garage Makeovers. i think its only making me more anxious! Love your garage and, even though it kills me, I won't stop following this thread even after I get my own space. Thanks for helping keep me sane. I think. Vince.
couchmechanic
Well-known member
Your kid looks smart! Probably a better gene pool than my kids. Can't afford to waste any brain cells over here. If your really worried about the kids heads you can go to Walmart & pick up some bubble wrap. If you want that finished touch go with the colored roll bar foam like Squankum suggested. In case you change your mind down the road. A very nice and detailed design that looks fabulous and will last untill the kids go to college or outgrow it! Which ever comes first? You know, that bed has way more room than a Porsche
Couchmechanic out.
Couchmechanic out.
softailgarage
Well-known member
If I grow up..... I wanna be like Jack Olsen !!!
hobie1dog
Well-known member
OP
Thank you, guys.
I had to work all through the weekend, but I got a little bit of time this morning -- so I picked up a small project. In the course of the recent engine and suspension work on my car, we did a little bit of weight redistribution, moving the Halon bottle for the fire system and the battery from their front corner locations to positions near the feet of the front passenger. Part of this is to reduce weight near the ends (front or rear) of the car, and part of it was for safety. If you put the front end into a wall or another car, it would be simple to kink the copper lines form the fire bottle, and also easy to have the battery cause problems if there's an impact and it's right out front.
Now here's my disclaimer. This is NOT a show car. The front trunk is packed to the gills every time I go to the track, and the stuff that gets put in there is not kind to paint. I've never cleaned the trunk area, either. But taking those two things out of the front corners took a not-very-pretty situation and made it downright ugly.
Prepare yourself. Here's a 38-year-old trunk that's in desperate need of a little TLC.
Normally there would be a couple of cardboard pieces to block the view of the ventilation stuff and also the wires around the old-technology fuse box. But those were chucked out (for weight) long ago.
Today, though, I decided to do kind of a bare-minimum job, which means I went in there with a rag and some mineral spirits, and then followed up with a brush (that's right, a brush) on the sheet metal and also the gas tank. No masking tape was sacrificed for this effort. This thing's headed for the track, not a show.
I also dropped in a perforated aluminum piece to cover (and protect?) the ventilation stuff. I had to cut a piece of it out because I added a vacuum assist for the brakes.
Here's the new divider in place. The cover you see below it is the 'smuggler's trunk' on a 911, and it's where the battery got moved to.
The piece I cut out of the aluminum divider was about the right size to sub in for the missing cardboard door to hide the bird's nest of wires for the fuses. I bent it a couple of times in the vise to make it fit.
The holes make it faster.
Here's the whole thing. There's nothing I can do about the dent in the gas tank. And to save time, I made a grey paint color for the tank by adding some white to the semigloss black I used everywhere else. I hope I don't ever have to match the color.
It's still definitely not a show car. And the cosmetic standards for this kind of interior area were different back in the 1970s. There was also carpet and a spare back there, in the day. But this will do for my purposes. It's cleaner. It's got fewer chips and scratches.
And for trips to the track, it'll look like this:
Next track day is in two weeks.
I had to work all through the weekend, but I got a little bit of time this morning -- so I picked up a small project. In the course of the recent engine and suspension work on my car, we did a little bit of weight redistribution, moving the Halon bottle for the fire system and the battery from their front corner locations to positions near the feet of the front passenger. Part of this is to reduce weight near the ends (front or rear) of the car, and part of it was for safety. If you put the front end into a wall or another car, it would be simple to kink the copper lines form the fire bottle, and also easy to have the battery cause problems if there's an impact and it's right out front.
Now here's my disclaimer. This is NOT a show car. The front trunk is packed to the gills every time I go to the track, and the stuff that gets put in there is not kind to paint. I've never cleaned the trunk area, either. But taking those two things out of the front corners took a not-very-pretty situation and made it downright ugly.
Prepare yourself. Here's a 38-year-old trunk that's in desperate need of a little TLC.
Normally there would be a couple of cardboard pieces to block the view of the ventilation stuff and also the wires around the old-technology fuse box. But those were chucked out (for weight) long ago.
Today, though, I decided to do kind of a bare-minimum job, which means I went in there with a rag and some mineral spirits, and then followed up with a brush (that's right, a brush) on the sheet metal and also the gas tank. No masking tape was sacrificed for this effort. This thing's headed for the track, not a show.
I also dropped in a perforated aluminum piece to cover (and protect?) the ventilation stuff. I had to cut a piece of it out because I added a vacuum assist for the brakes.
Here's the new divider in place. The cover you see below it is the 'smuggler's trunk' on a 911, and it's where the battery got moved to.
The piece I cut out of the aluminum divider was about the right size to sub in for the missing cardboard door to hide the bird's nest of wires for the fuses. I bent it a couple of times in the vise to make it fit.
The holes make it faster.
Here's the whole thing. There's nothing I can do about the dent in the gas tank. And to save time, I made a grey paint color for the tank by adding some white to the semigloss black I used everywhere else. I hope I don't ever have to match the color.
It's still definitely not a show car. And the cosmetic standards for this kind of interior area were different back in the 1970s. There was also carpet and a spare back there, in the day. But this will do for my purposes. It's cleaner. It's got fewer chips and scratches.
And for trips to the track, it'll look like this:
Next track day is in two weeks.
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Red Leader
Well-known member
Lookin' good, my man!
flybefree
Well-known member
Looks much better in the AFTER picture...well done!
OP
Thanks.
This morning, I did the '2.0' version of the sign for above the new baby's changing table.
Old one:
New one:
This morning, I did the '2.0' version of the sign for above the new baby's changing table.
Old one:
New one:
wes.harville
Well-known member
I think this looks much better. Good job! This is a good example of why sometimes its good to stray from the original plans.
OP
You're right. It does look kind of Irish.
As it happens, my father is half Norwegian and half Swedish (which complicates the -en or -on thing even more). My mother is half Irish and half Scottish.
Personally, I'm just a mutt.
As it happens, my father is half Norwegian and half Swedish (which complicates the -en or -on thing even more). My mother is half Irish and half Scottish.
Personally, I'm just a mutt.
tinbender 66
Well-known member
Looking good! The bunk bed too except I noticed that there is nothing with a curve on it. What gives?
Nice sheet metal work on the sporty beetle too btw.My Dad was born in Denmark, my Mom was Swedish, so I'm 100% square head. My wife is Scotch-Irish. Don't make her mad!!
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southalabama
Well-known member
Ahh...now we know where Jack gets his love of Ikea, which was founded by a Swede. Its in his blood
914tom
Member
word.
OP
I actually do keep sunscreen in the garage, Squankum. It's an unfortunate genetic hand I've been dealt on the skin cancer front.
For those following my pre-baby-getting-born house projects, I finished off the 'Molly' sign and hung it up.
(Note below: the mural was there when we moved in. I don't have those kinds of creative skills.)
I also added $22 worth of wainscoting to the boy's room so that the shelving unit I built looks more like it's part of a whole 'nook' area. I'm no carpenter, but I did the upper and lower trim myself with some 1x2s, my table saw and router. Not bad.
For those following my pre-baby-getting-born house projects, I finished off the 'Molly' sign and hung it up.
(Note below: the mural was there when we moved in. I don't have those kinds of creative skills.)
I also added $22 worth of wainscoting to the boy's room so that the shelving unit I built looks more like it's part of a whole 'nook' area. I'm no carpenter, but I did the upper and lower trim myself with some 1x2s, my table saw and router. Not bad.
wes.harville
Well-known member
The wainscoting really does tie the "nook" together.
Good job!
Good job!
Omphaloskeptic
Well-known member
Jack, very nice touches to the kids bedrooms!
So, when do we get to see the sign? No, not Molly's, I'm talking about the one made out of steel. You know, the one that reads:
So, when do we get to see the sign? No, not Molly's, I'm talking about the one made out of steel. You know, the one that reads:
The 12-Guage Garage
OP
I posted this in the General Garage Discussion area, but I'm putting it here too -- for maximum exposure.
A few months ago I was surfing around on the internet and landed at a web site for a magazine called Family Handyman. They were holding a contest called the "2011 Best in DIY award." The part that got my attention was that they had a garage category -- so I emailed in a picture to enter.
Yesterday, I was surprised to learn (since I'd forgotten about it) that I'm one of the five finalists in the "Dream Garages" category.
Now, above everything else, I enjoy having a project in front of me -- especially one that I've got a plan for -- which is where the Garage Journal comes in. This board is like a force of nature that is unrivaled by anything else on the internet. It's got 84,000 of the nicest guys I've ever met. So...
84,000 votes is a lot. And I'd like to win this thing -- which means I'm asking you to click on the link below and vote for me. You can vote once a day, any day or every day, for the next seven weeks.
The downside? You're going to have to give them a mailing address, phone number and email to register -- which I apologize for. I think it's dumb. But here's the deal -- I looked at their privacy policy, and they will not send you unsolicited emails or sell your personal information in any way. For added safety, I'd suggest making a change or two to your mailing address and phone number so that the data isn't useful to them even if they cheat (although Reader's Digest is the parent company, which means they probably won't cheat). Your email needs to be valid for account confirmation, but I signed up back when I entered the contest and it hasn't led to any unsolicited emails coming into my inbox.
I emailed Ryan to make sure posting this was all right and he gave me his blessing. If I win the whole shebang (there's a grand prize up above the category prize), I think it would be cool to take the additional money and use it for some charity that we can all get behind. But that's getting ahead of myself. The next step is to win the garage category.
So, that's my plea. If you're willing to click and vote for me, I would really appreciate it.
To do it...
First, click on this link:
2011 Best-in-DIY Contest
Then, select the 'California Dreamin' entry in the garage section. I'm number four of the five finalists. Click on the little bullet by the thumbnail, then scroll down and click on the 'vote' button.
You'll have to enter your email and stuff once, to set up your account. After that, you can just click. Remember, you can vote once a day.
I'm really grateful for any votes I get.
Still reading? Okay. There's more. Maybe you're wondering WHY you should vote for my garage.
Here are my three reasons:
Reason one. My garage is the only Garage Journal garage in the batch. This is a shame, since there are so many awesome garages on this site. But it's too late to enter, so if you want yours in there, then wait for next year -- I promise I'll vote for you then. But that's only part of it. The cool thing about Garage Journal is that so many of the garages here are honest-to-nuts working garages. Not slick showrooms with rows of million-dollar collector cars under designer lighting. (Well, there are exceptions -- but still.) I like the ordinary-guy, dirt-under-the-fingernails vibe of GJ -- even when the shops are big enough to hold my whole house. Of the other four garages competing with me, the most spectacular (number 1, the one built by the bridge engineer with the leaded glass windows) doesn't even have a driveway leading to the doors. Number two has some great cabinets. And I'll give him points for the fact that there are some actual oil stains on the floor. But it's just a wall of cabinets as far as I can tell. They're nice cabinets -- the guy's got skills -- but I don't see a whole shop in there. Number 3 is, well... some more nice cabinetry. I'm not convinced that guy ever uses those tools (although I could be wrong). Number 5 looks like a pretty decent working garage, and he ought to check out Garage Journal... but I think Number 4, which is mine, is the best combination of DIY, smart planning for a small space, and a garage where automotive work, woodworking and metal fabrication all get done in the same space, often on the same day. And maybe most importantly, mine is the only garage in the contest that has a car inside it.
Here it is this morning -- getting used!
Reason two. My garage is the scrappy underdog. It's the smallest in the contest and pretty clearly had the lowest budget (well, I think it did). I dug the hole and poured the concrete for my lift. I beat up my knees by tiling the place myself. I painted it, built the cabinets, built the benches. It was all done on the cheap and -- as such -- I think it says something about the many other self-reliant and resourceful guys on this board. I'd be thrilled if I had the bridge engineer's money to build a place like he did -- but I don't. And since that's the case, I did the most with what I had. And like I said before, you can actually drive a car into and out of mine. I do it every day.
Reason three. Okay, this might be shameless exploitation of a child. But if I win, little Max gets a racing kart. Yep, that's a promise. (And his mother can't make me take it back.) Here he is on his crappy little push car that he's outgrown. It does not have a 50cc two-stroke in it. Does he look happy? No, he does not.
Here is the sort of thing he could be driving next year if the might of the Garage Journal is brought to bear on this contest. Put yourself in Max's shoes. Which car would you rather have your daddy get you? Which one is going to make Mom more nervous? Which one requires a fire suit?
(My apologies to whoever's kid/kart I grabbed off of a Google Images search. But it's a cool picture.)
Okay. Thanks for taking the time to read this. My garage needs your vote, any time (and as much as once a day) between now and the end of October.
The link is up there! Help Max get his race kart!
A few months ago I was surfing around on the internet and landed at a web site for a magazine called Family Handyman. They were holding a contest called the "2011 Best in DIY award." The part that got my attention was that they had a garage category -- so I emailed in a picture to enter.
Yesterday, I was surprised to learn (since I'd forgotten about it) that I'm one of the five finalists in the "Dream Garages" category.
Now, above everything else, I enjoy having a project in front of me -- especially one that I've got a plan for -- which is where the Garage Journal comes in. This board is like a force of nature that is unrivaled by anything else on the internet. It's got 84,000 of the nicest guys I've ever met. So...
84,000 votes is a lot. And I'd like to win this thing -- which means I'm asking you to click on the link below and vote for me. You can vote once a day, any day or every day, for the next seven weeks.
The downside? You're going to have to give them a mailing address, phone number and email to register -- which I apologize for. I think it's dumb. But here's the deal -- I looked at their privacy policy, and they will not send you unsolicited emails or sell your personal information in any way. For added safety, I'd suggest making a change or two to your mailing address and phone number so that the data isn't useful to them even if they cheat (although Reader's Digest is the parent company, which means they probably won't cheat). Your email needs to be valid for account confirmation, but I signed up back when I entered the contest and it hasn't led to any unsolicited emails coming into my inbox.
I emailed Ryan to make sure posting this was all right and he gave me his blessing. If I win the whole shebang (there's a grand prize up above the category prize), I think it would be cool to take the additional money and use it for some charity that we can all get behind. But that's getting ahead of myself. The next step is to win the garage category.
So, that's my plea. If you're willing to click and vote for me, I would really appreciate it.
To do it...
First, click on this link:
2011 Best-in-DIY Contest
Then, select the 'California Dreamin' entry in the garage section. I'm number four of the five finalists. Click on the little bullet by the thumbnail, then scroll down and click on the 'vote' button.
You'll have to enter your email and stuff once, to set up your account. After that, you can just click. Remember, you can vote once a day.
I'm really grateful for any votes I get.
Still reading? Okay. There's more. Maybe you're wondering WHY you should vote for my garage.
Here are my three reasons:
Reason one. My garage is the only Garage Journal garage in the batch. This is a shame, since there are so many awesome garages on this site. But it's too late to enter, so if you want yours in there, then wait for next year -- I promise I'll vote for you then. But that's only part of it. The cool thing about Garage Journal is that so many of the garages here are honest-to-nuts working garages. Not slick showrooms with rows of million-dollar collector cars under designer lighting. (Well, there are exceptions -- but still.) I like the ordinary-guy, dirt-under-the-fingernails vibe of GJ -- even when the shops are big enough to hold my whole house. Of the other four garages competing with me, the most spectacular (number 1, the one built by the bridge engineer with the leaded glass windows) doesn't even have a driveway leading to the doors. Number two has some great cabinets. And I'll give him points for the fact that there are some actual oil stains on the floor. But it's just a wall of cabinets as far as I can tell. They're nice cabinets -- the guy's got skills -- but I don't see a whole shop in there. Number 3 is, well... some more nice cabinetry. I'm not convinced that guy ever uses those tools (although I could be wrong). Number 5 looks like a pretty decent working garage, and he ought to check out Garage Journal... but I think Number 4, which is mine, is the best combination of DIY, smart planning for a small space, and a garage where automotive work, woodworking and metal fabrication all get done in the same space, often on the same day. And maybe most importantly, mine is the only garage in the contest that has a car inside it.
Here it is this morning -- getting used!
Reason two. My garage is the scrappy underdog. It's the smallest in the contest and pretty clearly had the lowest budget (well, I think it did). I dug the hole and poured the concrete for my lift. I beat up my knees by tiling the place myself. I painted it, built the cabinets, built the benches. It was all done on the cheap and -- as such -- I think it says something about the many other self-reliant and resourceful guys on this board. I'd be thrilled if I had the bridge engineer's money to build a place like he did -- but I don't. And since that's the case, I did the most with what I had. And like I said before, you can actually drive a car into and out of mine. I do it every day.
Reason three. Okay, this might be shameless exploitation of a child. But if I win, little Max gets a racing kart. Yep, that's a promise. (And his mother can't make me take it back.) Here he is on his crappy little push car that he's outgrown. It does not have a 50cc two-stroke in it. Does he look happy? No, he does not.
Here is the sort of thing he could be driving next year if the might of the Garage Journal is brought to bear on this contest. Put yourself in Max's shoes. Which car would you rather have your daddy get you? Which one is going to make Mom more nervous? Which one requires a fire suit?
(My apologies to whoever's kid/kart I grabbed off of a Google Images search. But it's a cool picture.)
Okay. Thanks for taking the time to read this. My garage needs your vote, any time (and as much as once a day) between now and the end of October.
The link is up there! Help Max get his race kart!
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
Jack,
Signing up, entering a daily alarm in my iPhone to remember to vote daily.
Good luck..and good luck with mommy when Max has to be fitted for a firesuit! ha ha.
EDIT: Signed up and voted.
Signing up, entering a daily alarm in my iPhone to remember to vote daily.
Good luck..and good luck with mommy when Max has to be fitted for a firesuit! ha ha.
EDIT: Signed up and voted.
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neonnblack
Well-known member
Reason four: You have motha f'in cake pan lights, NO ONE else anywhere ahs cake pan lights.
freeman4ever
Active member
You got my vote(s)!