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

[Jack Olsen]

Jack, a more significant (to me) measurement for tool boxes is square inches of drawer space. (Which isn't difficult, measure one and multiply)

And the question everyone whats to know: Is it full yet?

It's completely empty, still. I've got rolls of liner ordered, and I left everything in the old box -- which came in handy during all this work. If you're even a little OCD, the prospect of re-thinking where every tool gets stored is a big time-eater -- much bigger than simply cutting up two cabinets and welding them into one.

Jack, what are you using for a mat on your bench? I can't really tell what the material is?

It's a piece of neoprene, I'm pretty sure. (But firm neoprene, not like a wetsuit.) I got it for something else, and this was the leftover piece. When I finished the bench, it was out -- and it fit.

 

[Exceller8]

It's completely empty, still. I've got rolls of liner ordered, and I left everything in the old box -- which came in handy during all this work. If you're even a little OCD, the prospect of re-thinking where every tool gets stored is a big time-eater -- much bigger than simply cutting up two cabinets and welding them into one.

It's a piece of neoprene, I'm pretty sure. (But firm neoprene, not like a wetsuit.) I got it for something else, and this was the leftover piece. When I finished the bench, it was out -- and it fit.

Thanks!

It almost looks like aged leather in the picture.

 

[zip95864]

Re: Lista Cabinets come to the 12-Gauge Garage -- and I've got questions

Noooooo!!




Some say to roll the new roller over masking tape to pull off the loose fibers. I think this may work OK on some of real short nap rollers. I prefer to wash them and spin them out. Better yet is too use them for a primer coat which will get sanded anyway, wash and reuse. The 2nd time out they don't leave lint.

Also, the little foam rollers do work. I thought I hated them like I hate a foam brush, but I was surprised at how well they roll out paint on small jobs.

Then, of all things blasphemous, a guy was using one of those painter's pads on some new windows. I was snickering at first until he totally kicked my *** in speed with similar quality to my brushing.

I bought one.

Normally I would be embarrassed to show something like that to anyone. Not anymore. And I'm a union trained painter from the the '70's.

Yes, I was also really skeptical about those edgers, but I was able to do a room in about a third of the time as by hand. AND it looked better.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Well, I got less time out there today than I did yesterday. But I finished a couple of small details.

One problem with my long-gutted locking mechanism was that there was no longer anything in place to prevent multiple drawers from opening at the same time. As it happens, this thing wouldn't be able to fall on me. But still.

When I cut out the plywood wall to move the footprint of the cabinet back, I marked where the wall stud was located. Today, I drilled and put a lag bolt in to keep the box from ever tipping. Simple but effective (unless the building falls over).

I also re-did the storage down under the fabrication table. I had less clearance with the new, larger drawers, but I'm still able to store my sledge hammers, bolt cutters, lopping shears, and a few clamps.

One other long-dormant project was to mount some of the magazine and web articles about the garage (and the car) on the inside of the garage door. I never got around to it, partly because I was worried I'd damage them with welding slag or water. But this back corner turned out to be a good place to put an electronic version of the garage's 'wall of fame.' It's a cheap frame that just cycles through a slideshow of scans of the articles. 99% of the time it will be off, but it's located in a place where I don't think it will catch any debris.

Here's a from-the-future last picture of the new cabinet [I'm editing this in and it's October 24, 2012]. Along with a shot of one of the donor cabinets that it's made of.

(I like it better in red.)

And here's the wide shot of the main bench and the new cabinet. I'm still waiting on the liner material -- then I've got to figure out what should go where and get the new drawers filled. [Actually, this one is also from the future -- when everything's finished.]

 

[NUTTSGT]

Now that it's finished, what are your plans for the new storage box ? Hand tools only ? Or will it hold some power tools, fasteners, manuals or other future 12 gauge materials ?

 

[55cadillacking]

Looks great Jack. You continue to inspire.

I'm still waiting on the liner material

I'm curious as to what you decided to use.

 

[JP.]

Jack, thank you for documenting your garage for us. I've admired it and watched it progress for awhile now. It is inspiring!

Question for you about working on the Porsche in the garage. I ask because I have 11' of width in mine, and it feels really tight to work on a vehicle where the width barely allows the doors to open.

I see you have a column in the center, and chose to build the island right around it. How much distance do you have from the island to the side of the car? Is it the same on the wall side? How is it to work on the side of the car with the island there?

 

[Kevin54]

Jack....I don't know what type of liner that you bought, but I keep thinking that those drawers will be shadowed. I just don't envision something like indoor/outdoor carpet tossed in there and then something tossed in on top of it. I think it's going to be one of the type of cabinets that has "a place for everything and everything in it place" showcased with some fine polished tools. Could I be wrong?

 

[Jack Olsen]

This wasn't a deliberate attempt to clean the place up quickly, but I took two pictures that accidentally illustrated how quickly the place cleans back up, even after a race day and a couple of projects.

 

[tinbender 66]

Those cabinets came out great! I keep after CL for something similar but all I've seen so far are some surplus Vidmars for upwards of $1000, yikes!

If anything, you've inspired me to get back off my **** and do something. Finished my walls, took a break and I'm still on it. I guess I'm an easy guy to work for.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks, guys.

Question for you about working on the Porsche in the garage. I ask because I have 11' of width in mine, and it feels really tight to work on a vehicle where the width barely allows the doors to open.

I see you have a column in the center, and chose to build the island right around it. How much distance do you have from the island to the side of the car? Is it the same on the wall side? How is it to work on the side of the car with the island there?

Well, the Porsche is a pretty small car. But I've got just under 9' from the table to the wall. If I could write a $500 check and make that a 15' space instead, I'd do it. But that's not an option. It's enough room to work on the car -- I had the wheels and suspension off of all four corners last year. But it's tight.

One trick is to use the vertical capability of the lift to get a little more access:

Jack....I don't know what type of liner that you bought, but I keep thinking that those drawers will be shadowed. I just don't envision something like indoor/outdoor carpet tossed in there and then something tossed in on top of it. I think it's going to be one of the type of cabinets that has "a place for everything and everything in it place" showcased with some fine polished tools. Could I be wrong?

You're wrong on that. I'm just not the guy with the surgical tool collection. I've got old Craftsman stuff mostly, and so long as all the wrenches are close together, that's good enough for me. I would LIKE to be that guy -- don't get me wrong. But I balked at the price of the stuff Bull got for his Lista -- and it's not even the fancy stuff. I went for the stuff that was under $30 for the entire cabinet. I'm a little frightened of what it's going to be like. But it will quiet the tools down and keep them from sliding all over the place. (I hope.)

Those cabinets came out great! I keep after CL for something similar but all I've seen so far are some surplus Vidmars for upwards of $1000, yikes!

If anything, you've inspired me to get back off my **** and do something. Finished my walls, took a break and I'm still on it. I guess I'm an easy guy to work for.

I go for long stretches where I do nothing. And then short bursts where I do a lot. It's just how I'm wired, I guess. Your shop could fit mine in a corner, so there's more to get geared up for with yours. Your walls are exactly what I'd want if I had the energy and could find the deal.

And speaking of deals. I paid $200 for one of these cabinets and $300 for the other. That's not a terrible deal. But when they're welded into one cabinet and the price goes up to $500, it stings a little. Especially with some of the recent deals guys have been getting in other posts on this board. But you have to make a choice on when it's time to act and when it's time to wait -- and I jumped on these. Add the cost of my labor (as my wife would be happy to point out), and I probably could have gotten them cheaper new.

But that's not how I'm wired, either.

 

[alpinewhite]

Jack,

Where would you put tools like a floor-type table saw, floor-type jointer, cherry picker, engine stand, parts washer? These are tools I have that wouldn't work out if I were to pattern my storage style to yours.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Well, any big piece of equipment is tricky. I keep my table saw underneath another bench -- the same one that has a band saw, belt/disc sander and two bench grinders on the top. I keep my engine stand stored up on a shelf. I don't have a parts washer, but if I did, it would have to get some wall space. With a 20x21 space, you've got to be very clear about what you're going to use -- and then find a place for it.

And just so I can start getting used to it, here's one more picture with the mess cleaned up and the new cabinet in place:

 

[luvit]

like that you stuck with red.
there;s numerous reasons why that color is working very well

 

[akdiesel]

Glad to see you anchored the new box. Adventurous kids could pull out the wrong drawers.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I hope you never forget to close the passenger door when you lower the Porsche.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I think I've got this garage picture-taking thing down to a science.

Car got a wash. Everything's back where it belongs.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I think I've got this garage picture-taking thing down to a science.

Car got a wash. Everything's back where it belongs.

Do you have a spot in your driveway that you stand to always get the same angle when taking a picture ? When I was working on the front of my garage, I tried to stand in the same spot.

 

[JP.]

Thanks, guys.



Well, the Porsche is a pretty small car. But I've got just under 9' from the table to the wall. If I could write a $500 check and make that a 15' space instead, I'd do it. But that's not an option. It's enough room to work on the car -- I had the wheels and suspension off of all four corners last year. But it's tight.

One trick is to use the vertical capability of the lift to get a little more access:

That is sweet! Thanks for the info. Time to stop complaining about 11' and make it work.

 

[cglasgow]

Thanks for that link. It just went on my list! (I think I'll try the hairdryer, so I don't have to disconnect anything.)

Happy to contribute! Wind the cord backward on a dowel before you heat it (should be able to do that whilst it's still attached). That will really help tighten the coils.

Garage is looking good!

 

[Linda@Lista]

B
Linda@Lista

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks, Linda.

Let me update the picture JP posted -- since I was adjusting the passenger door strike this morning before work. Now the Lista is included.

 

[alpinewhite]

Jack,

I thought you got rid of the Craftsman 3-tier toolbox when you put the double-decker Lista in the corner. Where does this 3-tier toolbox sit now?

 

[Jack Olsen]

It's sitting outside right now, up against the shed. I'm waiting on liners for the Lista drawers and then I'll transfer stuff over.

Then the old box goes up for sale.

 

[abstamaria]

Jack, looking at those photos with the 911, the red cabinets look like a project waiting for the final, finishing stage - to be painted green!

Fantastic shop, always.

Andy

 

[jm58]

Hello Jack
Sorry for "off topic" question, could you tell me which size is your garage door ?I guess is 16 feets right?
Thank you
JM

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks, Andy. I know you've got a gift for simple, elegant minimalism. So I appreciate the lobbying in that direction. Even if I'm too lazy to act on it.

jm58 -- yep, the door is a standard 16-footer.

 

[Jack Olsen]

You know that cheap electrical tape Harbor Freight sells? I fell for the 10 rolls for a dollar (or whatever it was) price, and then realized I was never going to choose it over the good stuff for anything electrical. But I discovered this: it's got pretty good adhesive when it isn't wrapped around a wire. I had a piece cleaning up the bottom line of a windshield decal on my car for years. Rain, wind -- no problem.

So today I dug up the nine rolls I still hadn't used, and discovered something I can use it for. These Lista handles have holes in them, and the HF tape covers the center part of the handle pretty well, and has a nice semi-gloss black finish, to boot. So I covered the handles and stuck on some labels today.

On the left side of the picture you can see the difference with the covered versus uncovered handles. On the other side you can see the labels.

 

[luvit]

time for another updated pic from behind the raised 911 with the door open. ..tonight.
love black electrical tape.. 10 for dollar is too cool.

 

[Jack Olsen]

time for another updated pic from behind the raised 911 with the door open. ..tonight.

I'm pretty sure you're making fun of me. And you know what? You're right to.

I've turned into the overdocumenting, over-organizing guy. And you know what makes you go that way? Labeling. Once you start printing out labels, you're on a long road with no exits.

I just stole some black construction paper from my 4-year-old's art cabinet. But now, finally... all the drawers have labels.

Phew. I swear, I'm done with it. I swear.

 

[luvit]

yeah, i'm mocking you, but it is a great angle for a pic.
and you're doing great things.. it takes a thread like yours to make me realize i'm not just having weird desires which no one else has.
.

 

[cbacres]

Phew. I swear, I'm done with it. I swear.


Yeah right. You'll never be done. You'll find some more listas or something and just wont be able to look away.

I know, I'm there, in a midst of trying to fiquire out what to do with my cabinets.
The only thing that resembles the floor plan I drew up 7 years ago is the four walls.

But its fun.

Your right about getting started on the labels, just no stopping.

Jack, it looks great and I always love using the old iron like this. Its well worth the labor.
The only thing that should be bought new for a shop is the 12 pack of beer.

 

[alpinewhite]

Jack, your next step is to buy a powder-coating gun. Powder-coating the Lista handles would really set them off. Just a thought.

 

[Zeke]

Well, if he IS done, time for a party!

 

[Jack Olsen]

It wasn't done.

There was more labeling. I'm not proud about this.

Fortunately, the machine ran out of its label paper. Labeling is like having a terrible addiction.

 

[Exceller8]

It wasn't done.

There was more labeling. I'm not proud about this.

Fortunately, the machine ran out of its label paper. Labeling is like having a terrible addiction.

This is one project that I hope is never done, I love this thread!!

 

[luvit]

It wasn't done.

There was more labeling. I'm not proud about this.

Fortunately, the machine ran out of its label paper. Labeling is like having a terrible addiction.

i wish i was to the point of labeling. i want your problem. lol.

 

[51rider]

It's Saturday, the wife & kids are out and I have had peace & quiet to finally catch up on about 30 pages
Jack, all I can say is thank you for documenting everything. Your garage is great & I wish I could land those deals on this side of the pond and had your skill & vision to create.

The Balloon video was priceless-I hope the grandparents got a real kick out of it!

 

[YoungMedic]

Whew! That was a lot of reading, but very entertaining and certainly inspiring. You've got quite a screenplay of your own going on here sir!

Just to echo everyone's comments, thanks for taking the time to share all this, you've got something really quite special going on there, and not just the garage.

 

[BillZ260]

Love this thread.