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

[ChristopherLutz]

Jack -

I sure like the drill press. I had a couple of thoughts:

RE: your lever. Seems like a wheel would work. If you wanted a spoked version like you have on your Craftsman - seems like you have the skill to make that.... (and you seem like you need more projects )

RE: paint - I've been using Rustoleum "hammered" for a few different projects lately....it's worked really well. RedLeader is (I think) also using that for his tool restoration - I like the looks.

In terms of color, I would bias toward something pretty dark - (maybe Grey) - so the emblem and chrome bits stand out.

Just my 2p - thanks for sharing.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I've been using the Rustoleums Hammered as well (the dark gray). It is what I'm planning to use on my Delta HOmecraft 11" DP resto. My thinking is the same as Christopher's, the shiny bits will really stand out. I've already done my vise and it came out nice. Nothing flashy but good 'n clean.

Wit the hammered, it's all about technique for the application. Fool with it a bit as you can see how different spray passes (thinner vs thicker) result.

 

[Squankum]

I don't even have back problems, and that drill press makes my back hurt to look at! Not the first heavy thing you've moved about, I know.

Not looking to exclaim whether or not "you ****!", but... how much $?

 

[Toolhorder]

Jack,
I'm not making fun of you but this statement made me laugh out loud,
There's no real silver lining to be found in breaking your own windshield.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Jack this is really late info but you could have just beaten the aluminium over the forms without cutting the metal...I've formed some pretty nice things by just softening the aluminum and hitting it with a block covered with a strip of thick leather. Try it !

In this case, it had to be vewry light and very strong. The stuff I used is very thin, so it bent easily. But the whole wing is taller than me, can carry a 400 pound static load, and only weighs about 5 pounds.

other than conserving floor space, what benefit does cutting that press down to bench height have?

None. In this case, it's just about floor space.

You can't go wrong with that Porsche for pictures.. it fits all the boxes. Nice shapes/curves. Wheels that fit correctly into their guards and wheels that have a decent 'dish'...the ride height is also to correct proportions. It's a Porsche but it sits at the stance all decent cars should. good one!

Thanks! I spent a lot of time trying to make it look -- and perform -- the way I wanted a 911 to. It's not a purist's car at all. But it goes pretty good.

Jack -

I sure like the drill press. I had a couple of thoughts:

RE: your lever. Seems like a wheel would work. If you wanted a spoked version like you have on your Craftsman - seems like you have the skill to make that.... (and you seem like you need more projects )

RE: paint - I've been using Rustoleum "hammered" for a few different projects lately....it's worked really well. RedLeader is (I think) also using that for his tool restoration - I like the looks.

In terms of color, I would bias toward something pretty dark - (maybe Grey) - so the emblem and chrome bits stand out.

Just my 2p - thanks for sharing.

Thanks. Dark it is. I used what I had on hand.

And I've thought about making a three-spoked wheel. All I'd need is a collar with a 1-1/4" bore, and, um, a good drill press. Then it would just be a matter of tapping three holes.

I've been using the Rustoleums Hammered as well (the dark gray). It is what I'm planning to use on my Delta HOmecraft 11" DP resto. My thinking is the same as Christopher's, the shiny bits will really stand out. I've already done my vise and it came out nice. Nothing flashy but good 'n clean.

Wit the hammered, it's all about technique for the application. Fool with it a bit as you can see how different spray passes (thinner vs thicker) result.

I've used the hammered finish stuff. I like it. But in this case, laziness prevailed. I just hit it with what I had -- which is the same paint from the bench-top drawers and the chair. My only worry is that everything might start to look like a matched set. Especially if I use the same paint for the vise.

I don't even have back problems, and that drill press makes my back hurt to look at! Not the first heavy thing you've moved about, I know.

Not looking to exclaim whether or not "you ****!", but... how much $?

It is heavy. I haven't weighed it. And I'm okay with the price I paid for it, but it wasn't a 'you ****' kind of deal. I paid $177.

Jack,
I'm not making fun of you but this statement made me laugh out loud,
There's no real silver lining to be found in breaking your own windshield.

I can laugh now. I guess.

Here are three quick pictures of the newly-painted (and rewired) press up on the bench. I still want to change the switch and the handle. But there's no huge rush. Tell me what you think.

 

[Zengineer]

Lookin' good! I like that complementary colour you've chosen, it will be interesting to watch it creep its way around the 12-gauge garage over time.

 

[reddog289]

The drill press came out good,Said it before, say it again. Love your garage.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Wow the DP is already done. Jack, you do stuff fast

Looks good. I think you're matching colors - be careful

 

[ChristopherLutz]

Looks great.

The phrase "New Original Stock" comes to mind - have a great weekend.

 

[Red Leader]

It looks great Jack!

I like the look of the Hammered paint (a lot, actually), but in terms of durability, have found it wanting. I think it has something to do with a lack of a real hardener or it might be the solids content. I will say that I have had excellent results with the Duplicolor self-etching primer as a first coat and it could be that not using it on certain projects was really the source of my problems.

If you really want to make the unfinished metal parts on all the tools (not just the drill press, but certainly that and the column) 'pop', a 3M EXL deburring wheel puts a very nice shiny, yet industrial 'brushed' look on the metal. It has been the biggest timesaver in my restorations.

One example:

 

[hobie1dog]

Wow thanks for the pics after using the 3M wheel.....looks great

 

[Jack Olsen]

I broke down and ordered the 3M wheel today. I also ordered the metal cleaner ZRX61 recently discovered for shining up his anvils. Of course, by the time they get here these projects will be done.

The tricky thing about this paint I've been using is that its color is very close to bare metal. I was very careful to paint around the table top on the drill press, but you'd hardly know it from the picture.

That little light spot on the left comes from the powder in the latex gloves I'd been wearing.

I'll never have Red Leader's artistic eye, but this bench has some nods to his sensibility -- with the red details and the rounded corners and such.

I painted the vise today, and naturally I used the same paint -- I'm too cheap to let perfectly good paint go to waste. I promise to stop with the color after this. Tomorrow, I'll reassemble it and take a picture.

And in the 'I don't need this stuff' department, I got another Wilton 4-1/2" vise and a 1985 6" bench grinder (that's bright red). I've wanted a 6" bench grinder, but I don't know that it's something I really need (or more to the point: have room for). I've got no idea what I'll do with another vise. I've got to stop looking at ebay.

 

[Mat Mobile]

Jack, since this is my first post in your thread, I want to start out by saying I really enjoy your creativity and attention to detail. Congratulations on your coverage in all types of media!

That being said, the colors on the DP look great. A hand-wheel would look great on your DP. I think the easy solution is to just take a look at ebay. There's plenty of milling and lathe hand-wheels between 15 - 30$.

 

[Bob Heine]

...And in the 'I don't need this stuff' department, I got another Wilton 4-1/2" vise and a 1985 6" bench grinder (that's bright red). I've wanted a 6" bench grinder, but I don't know that it's something I really need (or more to the point: have room for). I've got no idea what I'll do with another vise. I've got to stop looking at ebay.

Jack,
It's a rare person who can say "I have too many vises" and not be incarcerated. I have two bench grinders and a buffer in my workshop. Thanks to you the buffer is mounted on a hitch (HF vise mount). Just like your grinder collection, it's nice not to have to change wheels on the bench grinder. I know you could shuffle a few things around and have the second grinder on a hitch mount stored in one of the Strongholds.

Now that I have a Milwaukee portable band saw and table, I might need to get another vise. Either that or another hitch with a custom mount.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I will say that I have had excellent results with the Duplicolor self-etching primer as a first coat and it could be that was really the source of my problems.

+1 laying down self etching primer. I keep it as my go-to standard on the shelf. Goes on for every paint job.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks, Mat. I hadn't thought of using mill or lathe in the search. The trick is I need something with a 1-1/4" bore. But I'll go looking.

And I agree with you, Bob. Space is my challenge. But now that I've got the 3M wheel, I'll need a pair to avoid regular swapping.

Here's the vise in its new darker color:

And for context:

I still have to clean off that column.

And you might note the first gouge in the wood -- courtesy of the drill press going in with only one pair of arms to lift it. That thing is heavy.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

That's not a gouge, it's a 'Beauty Mark'! Now, you don't have to worry about really using that new bench.

 

[Jack Olsen]

The OCD nonsense continues. The bench-top drawers are now black. The paint is fresh enough that they still look shiny in these pictures. But they'll dry to the same semi-gloss finish as the drawers down below.

I also installed the magnifying lamp. It's not pretty, it's great to have for work on small stuff. The coffee warmer is there now, too.

 

[machine_punk]

That is really starting to look like a great place to sit and do small hand-work! It really looks like what I might imagine as a machinist's work station. Very industrial, with just the right amount of 'pop' from the bright red accents. I like the way you are heading with this.

M_P

 

[BigAl62]

Wow, Jack! You are a perfectionist! (and I don't mean that in a bad way!) Your new work bench looks great! I have a magnifying lamp on my small work bench too, it's a necessary item when you get old (like me) to do work on small stuff.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks, guys.

I had to think twice before drilling the hole in the 1-1/2" thick oak for the magnifying lamp to mount in. But I can't deny that as my forties shoot past me it comes in handy to have that thing within reach for getting little details.

So while I had the drill out, I made the vise permanent as well. I picked up the hardware when I got the kid from school.

Outside of the drawer labels and a better handle for the drill press, I think now I can call this one done.

 

[shopnut]

You didn't bump your head on the ceiling taking this one, did you Jack? Looks to be a high altitude! (Don't mind me - I'm just jealous of anyone capable of climbing a ladder these days. )

The new bench looks great. I can certainly understand your need for that magnifying light - I believe we are about the same age and I'm also realizing that diminishing eyesight thing and it *****. And I do a lot of close-up soldering work and such.

Oh and BTW, maybe it's in the works but don't the pull handles on those newly painted black cabinets need some gray paint to match the rest before you're completely done?

 

[tinbender 66]

The OCD nonsense continues. The bench-top drawers are now black. The paint is fresh enough that they still look shiny in these pictures. But they'll dry to the same semi-gloss finish as the drawers down below.

I also installed the magnifying lamp. It's not pretty, it's great to have for work on small stuff. The coffee warmer is there now, too.

[/QUOTE/]

And the bar gets raised..........................

I just spent about 15 minutes staring at this picture. Perfectly executed!!

 

[Red Leader]

I'll never have Red Leader's artistic eye, but this bench has some nods to his sensibility -- with the red details and the rounded corners and such.

Au contraire, my friend! The disciple has yet to pass the master. Let it be known that I originally got my curved shelf ideas from the curves in yours, and I haven't yet gotten up the aluminum trim that goes around the bottom, but it is obviously a thievery from your brilliance as well. As a matter of fact, if one looks closely, you can see hints of 'Jack Olsen' throughout the garage. Call it the 'J.O. effect'

I'm interested to hear your thoughts on the EXL wheel after you use it. What grade did you end up getting? I hear the lower grades take quite a bite out of material.

I also have a magnifier light very similar to yours, I just need to figure out what is going on with it. I plug it in and fire it up and the light flickers, then if I turn it off and turn it back on, it pops the breaker. Haven't looked into it too much, but hopefully I'll get it sorted out.

 

[Jack Olsen]

You didn't bump your head on the ceiling taking this one, did you Jack? Looks to be a high altitude! (Don't mind me - I'm just jealous of anyone capable of climbing a ladder these days. )

The new bench looks great. I can certainly understand your need for that magnifying light - I believe we are about the same age and I'm also realizing that diminishing eyesight thing and it *****. And I do a lot of close-up soldering work and such.

Oh and BTW, maybe it's in the works but don't the pull handles on those newly painted black cabinets need some gray paint to match the rest before you're completely done?

It's funny. I have to stand on the stool in my shop all the time to get up at the upper cabinets (and for the occasional photograph). When I do now, I'm more careful -- remembering your fall (and how quickly one slip can turn a productive afternoon into weeks of finding other stuff to do).

But thanks for the kind words. Your shop is pretty much the Everest on this board. Or put another way, it's the freakin' Bat Cave -- and mine is kind of like the phone booth where Superman gets changed.

I am still thinking about the handles. Not 100% happy with them.

And the bar gets raised..........................

I just spent about 15 minutes staring at this picture. Perfectly executed!!

Thanks. This one I owe to you. Same basic idea, at least.

Au contraire, my friend! The disciple has yet to pass the master. Let it be known that I originally got my curved shelf ideas from the curves in yours, and I haven't yet gotten up the aluminum trim that goes around the bottom, but it is obviously a thievery from your brilliance as well. As a matter of fact, if one looks closely, you can see hints of 'Jack Olsen' throughout the garage. Call it the 'J.O. effect'

I'm interested to hear your thoughts on the EXL wheel after you use it. What grade did you end up getting? I hear the lower grades take quite a bite out of material.

I also have a magnifier light very similar to yours, I just need to figure out what is going on with it. I plug it in and fire it up and the light flickers, then if I turn it off and turn it back on, it pops the breaker. Haven't looked into it too much, but hopefully I'll get it sorted out.

Thanks! But I stand by what I said -- I don't have your eye.

The wheel I got was grade 9S FIN. I'm waiting for an adapter now so it will work on my new (old) 6" grinder. Seems like it would be handy if you could mount it on an angle grinder, too.



Here's a shot of that coffee warmer I keep talking about.

 

[Squankum]

Wot, no washers? You know, without washers, those bolts will.... hold the vise to the workbench anyway.

 

[flybefree]

You know what would look really good...cap screws instead of plain ole bolts!

Shaun

 

[GirlnAgarage]

^^ Oh you guys are just getting obscene now. Cap screws flybefree??? Enabler!!

 

[shopnut]

It's funny. I have to stand on the stool in my shop all the time to get up at the upper cabinets (and for the occasional photograph). When I do now, I'm more careful -- remembering your fall (and how quickly one slip can turn a productive afternoon into weeks of finding other stuff to do).

But thanks for the kind words. Your shop is pretty much the Everest on this board. Or put another way, it's the freakin' Bat Cave -- and mine is kind of like the phone booth where Superman gets changed.

I am still thinking about the handles. Not 100% happy with them.

Jack,

I felt compelled to send a “thanks” right back at ya.

I’m not sure I will ever learn - Mrs. Shopnut caught me standing up on the office chair (the swiveling/reclining type) reaching a high shelf in the den the other day to retrieve some computer part. She nearly had a heart attack. We had a LOOOONG talk after that!

If you’re not happy with the step stool you have, I can highly recommend a Cosco brand 3-stepper - it would be perfect for reaching those soffit cabinets. Lightweight and folds up flat (Click here for more info) You might have to hide it in a cabinet though because it won’t look quite right in the 12GG garage.

I don’t have an ounce of artistic blood in my body so take this for what it’s worth, but besides those handles being gray, the housing would have to be red to match the base cabinets if it were my shop. But of course, its not.

 

[Richie Pretto]

I have started to fix mine, after seen yours, is a great source of inspiration.

 

[Red Leader]

^^ Oh you guys are just getting obscene now. Cap screws flybefree??? Enabler!!

In less demanding applications, I really like to use polished brass bolts/nuts/caps

 

[Red Leader]

Thanks! But I stand by what I said -- I don't have your eye.

The wheel I got was grade 9S FIN. I'm waiting for an adapter now so it will work on my new (old) 6" grinder. Seems like it would be handy if you could mount it on an angle grinder, too.

Good deal. Same one I got. It is great for the final finish. I hear you on the angle grinder...my goodness, it would mean that I wouldn't have to hold up my 40lb table saw table under the wheel to polish the sides of it

Oh well, at least it's dedication

 

[nmk_61802]

I painted the vise today, and naturally I used the same paint -- I'm too cheap to let perfectly good paint go to waste. I promise to stop with the color after this. Tomorrow, I'll reassemble it and take a picture.

And in the 'I don't need this stuff' department, I got another Wilton 4-1/2" vise and a 1985 6" bench grinder (that's bright red). I've wanted a 6" bench grinder, but I don't know that it's something I really need (or more to the point: have room for). I've got no idea what I'll do with another vise. I've got to stop looking at ebay.

Jack looks great. Can you list the paint you have been using for the "bare metal" finish? Post picks of the second vise. I have been watching EBay for awhile for a good Wilton, did I miss something today?

 

[MisteR Tee]

Far be it from me, a mere Brit lurker, to offer a comment here but am I imagining it, or did the hole drilling for this bolt go perchance a leeeeetle bit off skew?? I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm the last one to criticise any of the work done here as you are also my inspiration....but, to me that bolt head does look not quite flat & square with the vise base...& yes, some nice chamfered polished stainless washers might have been the icing on the cake, maybe even as suggested, a nice polished SS cap head screw as well??

Jack, you've created a monster, all the best with living with it!!!

Crawling back into my cave & dreaming of having the amount of space you guys have!!!

Thanks, guys.

I had to think twice before drilling the hole in the 1-1/2" thick oak for the magnifying lamp to mount in. But I can't deny that as my forties shoot past me it comes in handy to have that thing within reach for getting little details.

So while I had the drill out, I made the vise permanent as well. I picked up the hardware when I got the kid from school.

Outside of the drawer labels and a better handle for the drill press, I think now I can call this one done.

 

[70Cheveller]

Jack... I just spent 3 days reading all 91 pages of this thread. It is very nice to see such creativity and humbleness!! Most people I have run across with great ideas keep it to themselves, but here you are providing links and prices, etc ... I applaud you good sir ! And do you do any garage makeover consulting?? j/k Mine is dire need !!!! This is what I've been dealing with, but the work gets done no matter what

 

[bad_idea]

I wasn't going to say it, BUT Mr Tee hit that one on the head. Looks like you should pull that bolt out and run the drill through it again to straighten the hole. I would stick with the bolts though, I don't think they make a Grade 8 cap screw, do they? Washers would look bad IMHO. Anywho, looking good Jack.

 

[Thruxton]

Jack, get back to work on that Porsche...

 

[GirlnAgarage]

In less demanding applications, I really like to use polished brass bolts/nuts/caps

This is a hopeless bunch. My kinda people.

 

[Bob Heine]

...Seems like it would be handy if you could mount it on an angle grinder, too.

I didn't think the company that came up with PostIts would miss the opportunity to sell more EXL grinding wheels. Do a search on Roloc EXL wheels and you'll find them for angle grinders;

...as well as die grinders:

I forgot that Red Leader needs a compressor in the shop, along with a couple of die-grinders (angle and straight) to take advantage of the Roloc abrasive disks. I am pretty sure Craftsman sold compressors back in the 60s so he should be able to find one that fits into the shop theme.:-D

 

[1991Syclone]

A phone and a clock.

So I picked up one, and was surprised that it fired right up and gave me a dial tone as soon as I wired it to a modern plug. It's kind of strange to dial with the old dial-clicker and not only have it work, but have it connect you to your modern cell phone. Apparently, phone companies are required to support the old dial-type phones.

So, are you with a standard Baby Bell phone company, or are you using one of those new fangled, bundled, triple play deals through the cable company that has cable/phone/internet?

I'd like to use a vintage phone in the garage, but I don't think that these phones will work with VOIP.