The Derelict Garage rides again!!!

[Foxxtrot]

I know it's been said before, but hey, I just got here! Love, love, love the lights! That's exactly the kind of thing I need to remember when it comes time to do the workbench in my garage. I have lots of light overhead, but it's nice to have task lighting!
Dig the projects, too! There was a guy around here trying to sell one of those little Honda's. It was pretty far gone with rust though. I thought about it though. Wouldn't it be fun with a Hyabusa drivetrain! Keep up the good work!

 

[HOTFR8]

...Wait! They're...they're...MULTIPLYING!

How about dividing ? Ever seen the Film Malcolm ?

 

[fergus]

I know it's been said before, but hey, I just got here! Love, love, love the lights! That's exactly the kind of thing I need to remember when it comes time to do the workbench in my garage. I have lots of light overhead, but it's nice to have task lighting!
Dig the projects, too! There was a guy around here trying to sell one of those little Honda's. It was pretty far gone with rust though. I thought about it though. Wouldn't it be fun with a Hyabusa drivetrain! Keep up the good work!

Thanks, glad you can read along. The N600s are rust buckets, but ours aren't too bad. Perhaps the third one will get some kind of motorcycle motivation. We'll see. That's a ways off.

How about dividing ? Ever seen the Film Malcolm ?

Watched that trailer...funny! We already joke I could haul those cars in the back of my pickup. That would make it a little easier.

 

[HOTFR8]

Watched that trailer...funny! We already joke I could haul those cars in the back of my pickup. That would make it a little easier.

If you ever get to see the film you will enjoy it.

 

[kngkong]

Hey Fergus,

Just reread your two build threads, looking real good. Quite the challenging project to start out with. I can relate to your approach of being able to disassemble everything as I do the same thing but usually for the reason of not being able to decide on the layout of my garage so quickly. Or maybe I should say allowing for the improvement of the layout over time. I've let it evolve for a while moving things around until they seemed to stay put. I think I'm finally to the phase of trying to make things a little more permanent.

Look forward to seeing the new updates. Subscribed...

 

[fergus]

Kngkong,

Thanks for reading. You've hit it on the head on both counts. I'm at once indecisive and constantly changing things. I've arranged my cabinets three different times, although they have stayed on the same wall. Now, I'm once again anticipating some changes and scratching my head as to what should go where. I find that corners are particularly troublesome...such a waste of space and cabinet doors don't always like being shoved into a corner.

 

[fergus]

So I found some more "material" today..,

 

[kngkong]

Kngkong,

Thanks for reading. You've hit it on the head on both counts. I'm at once indecisive and constantly changing things. I've arranged my cabinets three different times, although they have stayed on the same wall. Now, I'm once again anticipating some changes and scratching my head as to what should go where. I find that corners are particularly troublesome...such a waste of space and cabinet doors don't always like being shoved into a corner.

Yeah, flexibility is good for as long as possible. I had problems in the corners with cabinets doors too until I forced myself not to put anything too close on the perpendicular wall. Once I did that it made accessing everything a lot more comfortable but tough to do when short on space.

So I found some more "material" today..,

I think we're in the same mindset. Looks like some usable steel plate? What cha gonna make?

 

[fergus]

I think I'm building a welding table.

 

[64 lane]

I an a sucker for anything that can be repurposed. Keep the pics coming. I'm looking at a plasma cutter. Hope to make something new out of something old.

 

[fergus]

I an a sucker for anything that can be repurposed. Keep the pics coming. I'm looking at a plasma cutter. Hope to make something new out of something old.

For sure...

Today I scored some old military lockers off CL. Had been looking for about a year til I found a good deal close to home.

Most of them still have the little drawers inside. Score!

 

[fergus]

So I got going on sketchup tonight just to see if everything would fit without having to move it all first. It does. Then I looked at the picture and thought "if only it looked that good in real life!".

What do you guys think?

 

[tinbender 66]

This guy thinks it looks pretty dang good! Although I like the "real life" version too. Nice score on the steel, I've been looking for some forever.

 

[kngkong]

So I got going on sketchup tonight just to see if everything would fit without having to move it all first. It does. Then I looked at the picture and thought "if only it looked that good in real life!".

The steel cabinets look awesome man, nice score. Would that cabinet to the right of the welding table be easier to access if it we're turned 90 degrees counter clockwise so it's back would be against the yellowish wall?

 

[fergus]

Thanks guys!

TB,
It ***** waiting around for stuff to fall in your lap doesn't it? I've gotten to the point where I have so much stuff to do though, I just start working on what I already have when I get the itch to buy something new. Usually. Except for today!

Kong,

Yeah, I could turn it I guess. Then it would obstruct some access to the welding table. Its all to scale in the drawing, even the welding table! I guess I could turn the welding table so the long end went stood out from the wall. Or I could make the table smaller...which would be a lot more work.

What do you think? Is the 40x72 welding table just way too big? Seems like it, but I don't really know what I'll end up doing with it either.

I also had the idea to cut it in half, use half for a welding table then the other half as a motor/trans work table with a trough and a drain in it to catch the oil. Who knows.

 

[fergus]

I guess I should just change it and not talk about it

 

[fergus]

Oh yeah...I drew the big cabinet "wrong" so I can't really turn it. I think. I'll have to find out. Later.

 

[ODIS]

Great job, Furgus! You have completed a ton of work in your garage and I have enjoyed this thread for all that you have done. Great work on Sketch Up too. I think SU is a wonderful tool to use for planning and to get the creative juices flowing.

Ody.

 

[fergus]

Thanks ODIS. There's a ton of work yet to come. Hey, your place aint too bad neither

Sketchup rocks, though I had my fair share of frustration moving things around. I figured out you need to be in the right plane to make components behave the way you want to. But I did manage to learn it in an evening...so it must be good!

 

[kngkong]

Thanks guys!

What do you think? Is the 40x72 welding table just way too big? Seems like it, but I don't really know what I'll end up doing with it either.

It's always a tough choice. Could be too big, depends on what you can foresee working on. I think I would go with a smaller table but that's just my opinion.

 

[mdbeck1]

It's always a tough choice. Could be too big, depends on what you can foresee working on. I think I would go with a smaller table but that's just my opinion.

Large tables are great for working on large things but a pain to store. Is there any way to build it with a "wing" that flips up or down? Then you would have a smaller table to store and a large table when you needed it.

 

[fergus]

Hey Mdbeck,

I think that's a pretty good compromise. I know I don't "need" a welding bench that big, but it sure sounds good. But I do run out of space all the time. I've done projects that big twice so far, but most likely the things I work on will be smaller. So, good call!

Plus my fear is that just like my workbench now (17 footer presently, soon to be about 12 foot) a bigger area just means more space where I can pile stuff up. Argh!

 

[mdbeck1]

Hey Mdbeck,

I think that's a pretty good compromise. I know I don't "need" a welding bench that big, but it sure sounds good. But I do run out of space all the time. I've done projects that big twice so far, but most likely the things I work on will be smaller. So, good call!

Plus my fear is that just like my workbench now (17 footer presently, soon to be about 12 foot) a bigger area just means more space where I can pile stuff up. Argh!

One of the two shops at my house has two benches the same height (wood shop). One is on wheels and slides under the radial arm saw. When I need a larger space I roll the second bench over and now the bench is twice as big. When I am done with the project I have to clean the rolling bench off to put it back. There's only about an inch of clearance under the RAS bench. It helps keeps things orderly in that area.

The other thing I've done is make sure that the RAS has a LOT of space to cut long boards. There's a little over 8 ft on one end. The other end can extend out the door. I don't use it often but once in a while it's invaluable. Like when I had to cut rafters for the tool shed.

 

[mdbeck1]

Hey Mdbeck,

I think that's a pretty good compromise. I know I don't "need" a welding bench that big, but it sure sounds good. But I do run out of space all the time. I've done projects that big twice so far, but most likely the things I work on will be smaller. So, good call!

Plus my fear is that just like my workbench now (17 footer presently, soon to be about 12 foot) a bigger area just means more space where I can pile stuff up. Argh!

...another thing you can do with a small table is keep a larger piece of plate around. When you need a LARGE table you can put the plate on top of the smaller table and clamp it down. If it's too large use a sawhorse under one end.

 

[lowbucktruck]

Nice score on those military lockers. I have some myself. Government-issue cabinets are definitely built to last!

 

[fergus]

Nice score on those military lockers. I have some myself. Government-issue cabinets are definitely built to last!

Yep. The doors and hinges are all still straight and the latches action is smooth. As for the sides and back, well, that's another story...

 

[fergus]

The other thing I've done is make sure that the RAS has a LOT of space to cut long boards. There's a little over 8 ft on one end. The other end can extend out the door. I don't use it often but once in a while it's invaluable. Like when I had to cut rafters for the tool shed.

That's why I started with the bench set up this way. Sad part is, I've only cut long pieces once on it. Shorter pieces much more often. If I need to, I can pull out the mitre saw I guess. Lots of compromises come with limited space.

 

[fergus]

Well this is the last time its gonna look like this..

Had to move a few things around:

Got the heavy lifting done:

So I'm about halfway done with this phase.

Its hard to believe, but I've got less than $100 in all the cabinets and workbench thus far!

 

[kngkong]

Nice job on the rearrangement. Those cabinets should last you a while.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Fergus,
Maybe I missed it but any plans to unify these cabinets by painting them all the same color?

I'll put my vote in for Rustoleum "Hammered" finish. Somewherte I read that Rusto bought out Hammerite brand. I just used it on the structural steel in my garage with EXCELLENT results (at least I think so) using a throw away $2.79 foam roller from Home Cheapo. I did no, none, zero prep and it sticks great and is hard as a rock after 7 days.

Just a suggestion!

 

[fergus]

Yep...a different color scheme is certainly on my mind. You're right...that paint does look good and less work is always a good thing, especially for things that are gonna get roughed up there in the garage.

I really wanted to get everything in there first and be able to pull the jeep in for now. I've got probably 50% more usable storage space thanks to the lockers. I've still got to get organized and rid myself of a few more things, then I'll start making it pretty!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Totally agree about "getting everything in there first". I was just wondering if the pretty part is in the cabinet's future?

Hadn't thouht of it before but your comment about things getting roughed up in there is another point to recommend an easy finish like the Rusto - you can always touch it up again at some future point as opposed to a higher caliber finish (powder coat or automotive level paint).

 

[fergus]

Yep. There will be welding, slight fabrication, auto repair, cycle restoration, low key woodworking and general gettin greasy and dirty going on in there.

 

[fergus]

So its been over a month. I can't believe it. No more progress in the garage...I keep getting sidetracked. Here's something we finished up last night in the spare bedroom. This is what happens when scrounged materials sit around long enough - the boss gets some ideas. My wife calls it a feature wall. I call it a bunch of fence boards on the wall.

From this:

Just threw a few up there...

Liked what we saw, so I kept on going:

I just cut three or four different lengths of boards on the chop saw and went for it. Used a brad nailer for the first time. I love that freaking thing. I wasn't able to hit a stud on every single board, but it didn't seem to matter. The brads held real tight.

 

[tinbender 66]

Ha!! Looks like you've caught the fence board disease!!

That looks great. My wife has a similar idea for one of the rooms upstairs.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Fergus, the wall is looking good! The Mrs. should be 'pickled tink'. Now get back out there and make your SU reality. We really want to see your new doors (hint-hint) before the winter rains start again. Since I last posted here almost exactly a year ago, I thought I'd pitch this idea to you for purely inspirational purposes. What about incorporating a 'picket door' into your garage door? The second one made me think of you making a quick trip to the Re-hab store. (heh-heh)

 

[64 lane]

I agree with Omphaloskeptic (the belly button sturdier). better get to the door. Love the wall. I may steal another idea, this time from you wife. Keep the pics coming.

 

[HOTFR8]

I like the paneling Fergus.

 

[fergus]

Thanks guys. Watch out 64lane...cause one thing leads to another. My wife just got back with some paint for other walls!


Doors:

Well, I was saving that for later, since I haven't actually started on it but...they say there's no time like now. And since Ompha stirred the pot up...



It is definintely front and center on my mind. I will have doors before this winter. I have been slowly procuring junk to do the doors with. To that end, I went down to the old barn at the back of the property and got these:

Another set of barn door rollers. To go along with the two sets already hanging on the garage:

I know, more rusty old junk. I couldn't help it. I'll have to soak those in vinegar to free up the rollers. They just look cool. Plus they're sort of original to the structure

My plan is this:

Garage dimensions are 18'w X 20'd

Build approx 4' shear wall on either side of the front of the garage.

The 4' walls will leave a 10' opening (18 - 4 - 4 = 10). That's big enough I could easily pull my truck in there, or two small cars if I really had to.

Build three slider barn doors approx 4' wide each. They will be hung like this (forgive the crude diagram)


--------------------------//////////////////////////////////////--------------------
//////////////////////////////---------------------------------////////////////////////////

The left and center doors will slide left, the right door will slide right.

This design accomplishes several things:

1. I can build these myself - I don't want to buy a roll up door and have somebody else install it. I've gone this far myself haven't I?

2. It uses existing hardware. Hardware would be a major cost for any other style. I'd rather build carriage doors, but the budget doesn't really allow right now.

3. Maximum opening width - I didn't want the doors sliding into the back yard, and so this design with three doors gives the max opening. I thought 8' would be too tight for the times I wanted to pull a big vehicle like my pickup in during nasty weather.

4. When slid open, the doors will be within the length of the shear walls.

4. I can probably scrounge most of the material. I've got some things lined up already.

5. I can have the door partially open and still walk in and out real easily. Not so with a roll up door, or a conventional door. I can have a door partway open for ventilation, light, etc.

6. I feel like it?

7. The short walls up front will give a little more wall space for things like a bench grinder stand, drill press etc in the future.

8. Keeps over head storage easily accessible without shutting doors.


I don't know...what do you guys think?

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Sounds good. What materials do you have in mind; new or rustic?