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

[BigAl62]

Merry Christmas Jack and family! Hope it's happy and healthy!

 

[e-tek]

Merr Christmas all!!! But as much as it's special spending time with family, etc., it can also BORING for us guys who'd rather be in the shop on a day off!!! So here we are.....

Question for ya Jack - why is your car the fastest one out there? Is it a class thing? One would think with that class of sheetmetal (!), there'd be some competition! I know when we raced the 240Z in Vancouver when we got too fast for one class we'd try our hand in the next one up. Even when at the top, it was rare the same car was the fastest - all the time.

But then again, mabe you da' man at Willow Springs!

Thanks for the great vids Jack - hope 2012 is as good as 2011 was!

 

[Bob Heine]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thanks for sharing this slice of your life.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

Merr Christmas all!!! But as much as it's special spending time with family, etc., it can also BORING for us guys who'd rather be in the shop on a day off!!! So here we are.....

Question for ya Jack - why is your car the fastest one out there? Is it a class thing? One would think with that class of sheetmetal (!), there'd be some competition! I know when we raced the 240Z in Vancouver when we got too fast for one class we'd try our hand in the next one up. Even when at the top, it was rare the same car was the fastest - all the time.

But then again, mabe you da' man at Willow Springs!

Thanks for the great vids Jack - hope 2012 is as good as 2011 was!

Boring? We've been sleep training our 3-month-old this week and my folks have come out for a visit (and I'd committed to volunteering at a lunch for the homeless thing this afternoon). So I would honestly love a little bit of boring right now.

But the kids are both napping right as I type this, so here's an answer. My car wasn't built for a particular race class. It's a street car that I take to the track. I've done some club racing in it -- but in a group with simpler classifications than manufacturer-specific group or the SCCA. My car is faster than the cars in the group you see in the video because I've been driving for over a decade at Willow Springs and know it pretty well, and the group in most of my videos is just an 'open track' group. Some of those other cars are raced, but many aren't.

There are loads of dedicated track cars that are faster than me at Willow Springs. I'm only impressive if you look at street-driven cars that are heavier than 2500 pounds and have less than 300 hp. If I could create a fictional class, that would be it, and I'd look pretty good in that class.

But there are Miatas that can pass me at Willow.

(Granted: those are stripped, race-prepped and turbo-charged Miatas.)

In my previous best-ever lap (a 1:29.1), you can see a couple of Radical sports racers shoot past me like I'm standing still about midway through the lap. They're running something like 14 seconds a lap faster than me.

 

[BigAl62]

Working with the homeless? Very good! You are indeed a good man! Hope you get some down time for you though, you've earned it!

 

[shopnut]

Jack - I've just had a little brainstorm and have a question for you because I know you're one person that has had some direct experience will what I had in mind. But right now is not the time for it, mostly because I'm afraid you'll actually try to answer it, being the dedicated GJ'er you are and I certainly don't want to take you away from your visitors!

So for today, I will simply wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.

 

[e-tek]

Thanks Jack - great answer. I guess so long as you're having fun - and have some competition when you want it, all is good!

Nice to see others doing the charitable thing too. We do the dinner every Christmas in the little town Mrs E is from - for the elderly folks who are all alone on Christmas.

I'm getting damn excited about buying the Boxster S next spring. Part of me wants to get it now, but that'll just distract me from anything else I should be doing!!

Hope your Xmas was great, your little one had fun and you got Mrs. 12-Gauge something that mirrors how awesome she is for supporting your "habits"! (I'm sure you did!)

 

[Zeke]

I think Jack drives his car like some play golf. It's really you that you are competing against.


And a belated Merry Christmas to all here.

 

[Stuart in MN]

In my previous best-ever lap (a 1:29.1), you can see a couple of Radical sports racers shoot past me like I'm standing still about midway through the lap. They're running something like 14 seconds a lap faster than me.

I occasionally drive a Spec Racer Ford, and once shared an ontrack practice session with some guys in Indy cars...it was like getting passed by the Millenium Falcon.

 

[jim bremner]

Jack, Do you have the paint code for the Tarragon paint or a sample that you could send to someone. Sears has stopped their paint department and the paint code isn't available.

Jim Bremner

 

[wrigh003]

I occasionally drive a Spec Racer Ford, and once shared an ontrack practice session with some guys in Indy cars...it was like getting passed by the Millenium Falcon.

I imagine so!

 

[e-tek]

I occasionally drive a Spec Racer Ford, and once shared an ontrack practice session with some guys in Indy cars...it was like getting passed by the Millenium Falcon.

You should have tried to take 'em out with your Mark VII Tractor Beam Generator!!

 

[shopnut]

Jack - I remember you mentioning some aluminum material several times. The stuff I’m talking about comes in rolls and is used to make continuous rain gutters.

I decided to give the main rafters in my shop an aluminum look for some contrast to the white and thought this material might work nicely. I intend to cover the three exposed faces of the beams and the width is about 10” on each side. I would tuck the aluminum behind the white ceiling vinyl trim at the top (without any screws). At the bottom edge, I would add some type of angle (corner) trim to hold it there. Of course it will need to be cut lengthwise to reduce the width, but my electric shear will make quick work of that without deformation. I have a different plan for the gusseted section of the rafter so I’m only concerned with the side beams that are about 10’ long.

Never working with this stuff, my question to you is do you think it will roll out flat and not pucker up when held in this way? My goal is a completely flat look without waves, dimples, and such. What widths do you remember it coming in?

Thanks in advance for your time.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Jack, Do you have the paint code for the Tarragon paint or a sample that you could send to someone. Sears has stopped their paint department and the paint code isn't available.

I get it at Orchard Supply Hardware, which also sells the WeatherBeater lines of paint. It's discontinued, but they're able to look up the mix by its name. But here's a link with more information on the color.

http://www.color-swatches.com/sears/tarragon/ee224/swatch.html

Jack - I remember you mentioning some aluminum material several times. The stuff I’m talking about comes in rolls and is used to make continuous rain gutters.

I decided to give the main rafters in my shop an aluminum look for some contrast to the white and thought this material might work nicely. I intend to cover the three exposed faces of the beams and the width is about 10” on each side. I would tuck the aluminum behind the white ceiling vinyl trim at the top (without any screws). At the bottom edge, I would add some type of angle (corner) trim to hold it there. Of course it will need to be cut lengthwise to reduce the width, but my electric shear will make quick work of that without deformation. I have a different plan for the gusseted section of the rafter so I’m only concerned with the side beams that are about 10’ long.

Never working with this stuff, my question to you is do you think it will roll out flat and not pucker up when held in this way? My goal is a completely flat look without waves, dimples, and such. What widths do you remember it coming in?

Thanks in advance for your time.

That's a good idea, and the flashing is available in widths as small as six inches, I'm pretty sure. But I suspect it's going to be much too thin for your application -- it will be wavy if you're not able to adhere it to a very flat surface. There might be flashing available in thicker aluminum. Or you might want to look into getting a roll (or sheared lengths) from an aluminum supplier. You could use one of the 3M Scotch-Weld adhesives to bond the corners (and also hold it to the beams), I think.

Or you could create a box with something like 1/4" hardboard around the beams, and then cover that smooth surface with the aluminum flashing.

It's an interesting idea. I'll keep thinking about it.

 

[jim bremner]

thank you!

 

[sports.racer]

I occasionally drive a Spec Racer Ford, and once shared an ontrack practice session with some guys in Indy cars...it was like getting passed by the Millenium Falcon.

Ah yes, reminds me of my times in my FC Reynard and being on track with Formula Atlantics. Quite a thrill.

 

[markszabo]

Happy New Year Jack & Family.

Whatever happened with that DIY Handyman contest? I voted and voted and I can't find any mention of it on their site.

 

[Red Leader]

So Jack what are your plans for the place in 2012? I know you've got some patio stuff you want to work on.

Whatever they are, I'm looking forward to them.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Happy New Year Jack & Family.

Whatever happened with that DIY Handyman contest? I voted and voted and I can't find any mention of it on their site.

Thanks, Mark. The garage won its category pretty handily. The top-vote-getting competitor pulled in 395 votes. But ol' 12-Gauge had the help of this forum (and the Pelican forum), and it put a pretty big gap on the competition with 2314 votes cast.

I don't think they're going to announce it until February. The boy and I get to go to Florida for the International Builders Convention where there's going to be an awards ceremony. I'm using the event to get little Max a trip to Disney World.

So Jack what are your plans for the place in 2012? I know you've got some patio stuff you want to work on.

Whatever they are, I'm looking forward to them.

My last garage project (I know, I know, that's just what guys like us say) is to make a replacement work bench where my solid-core door bench currently sits. It will not be as cool as the one you've done drawings for, but it will have some clever little features.

Why a replacement when the old bench is perfectly serviceable? Well, it bugs me that the HF tool box leaves about a foot of dead space behind it. And I've wanted a place where I can sit while I work, with lots of focused task light and maybe a swing-arm magnifying light... and some small drawers for short-term storage... and maybe a pull out watchmaker's style drawer for working on things with tiny parts.

Basically, I want to convert the dead, wasted space into storage and also give me a place to plant my backside.

I'll probably start a new thread when I get going on it. I'm calling it the 'oak and steel' bench. Yesterday, my son and I picked up the main top piece at Ikea.

Seems a shame to stain it the dark color, but I'll want it to match the Maple and the Birch work surfaces.

Also, a couple weeks back I picked up a second-hand work stool that I really like the feel of.

But I didn't like the green color, and its vinyl was due for replacement anyway.

So while we were away over the Christmas break, I dropped it off at the local upholstery shop with some leather I had left over from when I did the interior of my car. I considered trying to do the upholstery myself (I was taught to sew as a kid), but finally decided to leave it to the pro. I picked it up this morning. It looks (and feels) pretty great.

Underneath the big piece of oak, I'm going to get rid of the old tool box and instead have 30" deep drawers made from this Equipto unit:

I'm going to cut it in two pieces (5 drawers and 4), and install my air reel in the extra space on the 4-drawer side. The two sets of drawers will be on either end of the bench, leaving about 28" of open space in between for my legs when I'm sitting.

I've still got to fabricate and paint the drawer pieces -- they're going to be red and black like the Craftsman stack to the right. And I've still got to paint the metal parts of the chair. And I'm going to strip and re-paint this guy:

I've also got some small pull-out drawers like GirlinaGarage used on her bench, which will also get paint. They'll be built in underneath the pegboard cabinet, I think with electrical outlets on either side.

And I'm still on the lookout for a more robust drill press for this bench. The Craftsman one I'm using now is okay, but I spotted this one and tried to get it --

-- but was outbid and missed out.

But that's the 2012 plan. The goal is to have lots of light and a place to sit -- both things I'm going to need more and more as I sail into my cantankerous old age.

 

[geologist]

I thought the old Craftsman presses were actually built a bit heavier than the ones made by Buffalo. Am I wrong?

 

[Jack Olsen]

Buffalo Tools is a low-cost importing company based in St. Louis. They're different from Buffalo Forge, which made these presses in New York state during the 1940s and 1950s. Buffalo Forge was originally one of the big three manufacturers of blacksmith forges and equipment.

Edit: I just learned that not too long ago, the company was revived and there is now a division making the No. 15 an No. 18 drill presses -- they look a lot like the old ones:

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hi Jack,
Happy New Year to you and yours.

Like the vulture that I suppose I am, I've got to ask what's happening with the HF tool box that's going to be removed? If you're thinking about selling, well....I'm thinking about buying! Drop me a PM if you are thinking of letting it go. Best, Dan

 

[Squankum]

There's no crime in staining that wood darker. Unlike Swedes in Sweden, you get sunlight and are not battling seasonal affective disorder.

Idea for your yard/patio project: cancel that and put in a small smelter/casting area so you can start producing goofy sconce faces. Where you live in LA, I can't see there being any zoning or pollution regulations about that.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Color test for the chair. I painted the metal part of the backrest. The foreground upright is the original color.

Just a little bit warmer version of gray.

 

[tinbender 66]

Nice stool! Of course I say that because I have the exact same one. I've had it so long I can't remember where I got it. Of course I painted the steel parts red. Only problem with mine is that, over time, it would 'sink' no matter how much I tightened the locking gizmo. Since I never intentionaly changed it I just drilled a hole clear through and put a bolt through it. It's a great stool though, that springy back is nice to lean on.

Looking forward to that work bench. I'm sure it will be the cat's meow.

 

[Dividing Creek]

Jack,
I found your thread and got sucked in. I have had two 965's a 91 and a 93 3.6. Both scwartz with black leather. Done a ton of BMW CCA and PCA driving schools. When I first saw your car the thing that caught my eye was the tail lights. Are they a rare porsche item or cool aftermarket ? I have to admit your thread has me thinking of looking for a tub and doing a "built not bought " 911.
Cheers,
Doug

 

[ESEL]

Hey Jack,

Long time lurker and admirer of your garage and car, here.

I am interested in doing the exact same setup with a desk, cabinets and seating so could you please expedite this project so that I may "borrow" as many of your great ideas as I can!

Also...FYI...I saw Sears was selling an 8 foot section of butcher block for about $160 if that may represent any savings to you versus the IKEA top...


Thanks... and CONGRATULATIONS on your Handyman Contest win!

 

[hobie1dog]

Also...FYI...I saw Sears was selling an 8 foot section of butcher block for about $160 if that may represent any savings to you versus the IKEA top...

I saw that too and was wondering if it was hard maple or not...I didn't know there was such a difference in maple wood

 

[bad_idea]

the c-man top is made of Vietnamese teak. I have two and they are nice quality, but there is a difference from the $560 maple tops. Wait for them to go on sale for $120. I recently got my second one on sale for $60 right before Christmas! Sorry to hijack your thread Jack. I like the stool, the wheels would be nice.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Nice stool! Of course I say that because I have the exact same one. I've had it so long I can't remember where I got it. Of course I painted the steel parts red. Only problem with mine is that, over time, it would 'sink' no matter how much I tightened the locking gizmo. Since I never intentionaly changed it I just drilled a hole clear through and put a bolt through it. It's a great stool though, that springy back is nice to lean on.

Looking forward to that work bench. I'm sure it will be the cat's meow.

I don't have the space for this kind of command center, but I think you'll see your influence in my finished bench. I only steal from the best.

Jack,
I found your thread and got sucked in. I have had two 965's a 91 and a 93 3.6. Both scwartz with black leather. Done a ton of BMW CCA and PCA driving schools. When I first saw your car the thing that caught my eye was the tail lights. Are they a rare porsche item or cool aftermarket ? I have to admit your thread has me thinking of looking for a tub and doing a "built not bought " 911.
Cheers,
Doug

The tail lights themselves are a stock Bosch item. But they were used on the 1967-68 911R -- and they're considerably lighter than the stock buckets and lights.

I love the 964-era Turbos. I've got a 965 dash in my car, even.

Hey Jack,

Long time lurker and admirer of your garage and car, here.

I am interested in doing the exact same setup with a desk, cabinets and seating so could you please expedite this project so that I may "borrow" as many of your great ideas as I can!

Also...FYI...I saw Sears was selling an 8 foot section of butcher block for about $160 if that may represent any savings to you versus the IKEA top...


Thanks... and CONGRATULATIONS on your Handyman Contest win!

Thanks. I'll keep moving on this. And that's a great deal on the Craftsman top. Mine was $169 at Ikea. And if Craftsman is Maple instead of Oak, Birch or Beech, then it's even better.

I finished painting the chair today. For reference, here's how I got it originally:

Here's a shot of the back, which shows the new color pretty well.

And here it is rolled outside:

I put it out there so I wouldn't screw it up while I did this to my Equipto cabinet:

Things always look bad before they start looking better.

 

[427cobra]

Jack, I like the chair. I am looking for one right now for my garage. Congrats on your win, you certainly deserve it.
Morgan

 

[Nighttrain]

Great job on that chair. Seeing the picture of the new leather on there I said to my self "That new leather and Jack did'nt take time to paint the chair" I should have known better.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Today I tried a new way to cut thin-gauge steel. I put a 10" metal-cutting blade in my table saw. The RPMs are too high for the blade, technically, but I think with the lighter metal it's not going to generate too much blade-dulling heat.

I got the first of the two 'half cabinets' put together out of the (sacrificed) tall boy cabinet.

 

[Michael951]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I love the garage you crafted....writers are very organized....just a note on safety...I would never keep an LP tank in doors or in a cabinet...They do leak. Get it out side. If it is empty still keep it out side

 

[Jack Olsen]

Michael, thanks. I moved the tank out a short time after that picture was taken. Here's a more recent shot of the cabinet. I still store the heater inside, but not any tanks.

 

[dave in tn]

Hey Jack. Love the garage. My garage is 20 x 20. We bought the house next door to us that we shared the driveway and it came with it. I had planned on expanding it but after seeing yours I decided to leave it as is. If I had expanded it I would have had to cut down 3 trees that provide wonderful shade. I'll have to post pictures of it.

I see that you run at Willow Springs. Our Son lives about 2 miles from there. He is stationed at Edwards and lives in Rosamond. Next time were there I'll check with you and see if your going to be running there and come out to see you. Dave

 

[GirlnAgarage]

How did the Diablo blade do in the table saw? You're a wild man Jack, you're a wild man. Still watching

 

[Jack Olsen]

Dave, definitely send me a PM when you're going to be out here. I'm at Willow pretty often. There are usually jets from Edwards in the sky above us while we're racing.

GirlInAgarage, the blade is working great. But I've been cutting 20ga sheet. I think the higher RPMs would dull it pretty quickly with thicker steel.

Here's my question for the day: why not just wait for two short cabinets to come up for sale? Instead, I decided it would be easy to cut one in half.

But here's the catch: there are nine drawers, which means an uneven split.

So the five-drawer one was pretty straightforward. I took the top five drawers and added a base.

The four-drawer side needed a new top. So my clever idea was to fit my air reel int he fifth-drawer space horizontally. I recently picked up an old Black & Decker drill that runs at 300 wrist-snapping RPM. I used it to drill some square tubing I'd welded in.

That part was easy.

Here's the heightened right-side cabinet. I've only used scrap steel to put this project together so far. But I need a fake drawer face for the air line to come out of, and I might have to go out and actually purchase a piece of 14-gauge sheet. This makes me crazy, since I recently got rid of all the 'spare' steel pieces of old and cut up cabinets I had lying around. It never fails that when I throw something away I immediately find out that I needed it.

So, here's the cabinet with no drawer face yet. You can see how the reel fits in.

There's no top on this cabinet. But that isn't a problem since the bench top will sit on it.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Nice Jack.

So will the fake drawer front be hinged to allow access to the hose and reel behind it? Will the hose protrude through the "drawer" face the way the water/air hoses used to come up out of a metal door on gas station islands (yes, yung'uns they used to actually have both at gas stations!) or will the hose reside behind the door and be invisible when not in use? Enguiring minds (nosy people) want to know!

Oops, PS: Cause IF your intent is to allow the hose to protrude thorugh the drawer face, I'm wondering if you can buy or fabricate some form of the four little rollers those gas island doors used to have? Either way has its plusses and minuses, but protruding would sorta/kinda be an homage to the gas stations of old.

 

[pacmktg]

Jack,

That looks like a Coxreel in there. This means you should have the roller bracket. If not contact me and I will help you get one.

Bob

It will be Blue