The Garage at 3Pedal Ranch

[3pedal]

csp - $2450? I hope most of that was the cost of the pump. And I hope the pumps last a long time. Mine is 12 - 13 years old.

Qcowboy - welcome to Colorado. I don't think I have ever been to Elizabeth. What's there? I have not decided what I am going to do with the panels yet. I have only pulled 2 of them so far. The rest in the barn area I have up until I floor the stalls. The dog seems to think since it is dirt it is the same as being outside.

 

[csp]

Most of the cost was the pump/motor. It took about three hours labor to pull the pump. Mine was just two months out of the five year warranty period, unfortunately, but it was a total fluke. My parents have been on the same pump for over 20 years and I know several other people with 30+.

 

[GGB]

Your garage/barn with the horse stalls reminds me of mine. The original owner put in six stalls along one side, but were never used. They didn't fence in the rest of the property, so that would have to have been done to keep horses.

When I acquired the property, I wanted to fence it for privacy, and that led me to consider renting the stalls out to horse owners. I wanted to get a sense of what I should charge as I don't have horses, so I ran my idea by a friend who does. I was surprised to find that she highly discouraged me from the idea.

For starters, apparently it's not easy to collect rent after the first month and deposit are collected. Next were the calls I'd recieve to ask if I would feed and water the horse that day because of some "emergency" that had just come up. According to my friend, the "emergency" calls would then come more and more frequently.

Then the bigger problem-abandoned horses who were old and sick that the owner couldn't afford to put down or couldn't bring themselves to make the call to have it done. Guess who got to pay to handle that? And this was just before the recession, which my friend tells me only made this situation even worse.......

I had no idea about any of this. Your iron horse is a lot more appealing to me! Good luck with the new "Mustang Ranch".

GGB

 

[3pedal]

GGB - That is pretty interesting. I have had a couple people suggest I should rent out the pasture for people's horses. That never really excited me as an idea. Now I am pretty sure I will remain horse free. I figure I will leave the stalls set up until I have the cash to floor them. If an actual friend needed to stash a horse some where for a limited time I would let them, but otherwise I will stay out of the horse business.

I would love to monitize some of the land somehow though.

 

[Qcowboy]

GGB - That is pretty interesting. I have had a couple people suggest I should rent out the pasture for people's horses. That never really excited me as an idea. Now I am pretty sure I will remain horse free. I figure I will leave the stalls set up until I have the cash to floor them. If an actual friend needed to stash a horse some where for a limited time I would let them, but otherwise I will stay out of the horse business.

I would love to monitize some of the land somehow though.

I agree that renting space to people with horses is a bad idea. We've tried that where we live in Wyoming, and it just never pays. Hay is wildly expensive lately, and way too many people who own horses are just not financially capable of paying for their upkeep. Many owners don't have time to exercise their horses, and bored horses tear the hell out of fences and stalls.

You asked about "what's there" in Elizabeth. The answer is not much. It's mostly a bedroom community for people who work in Denver and want to live on larger parcels with some natural forest. It's pretty, and the taxes are cheap. It used to be ranch country, but mostly the land in the area has been cut up into smaller homesites now. Not so different from Brighton, I suppose, but a little prettier. You get a view of Longs & Meeker, we get a view of Pikes Peak and Cheyenne Mountain . . . and some trees. We pay dearly for those trees!

 

[3pedal]

You get a view of Longs & Meeker, we get a view of Pikes Peak and Cheyenne Mountain . . . and some trees. We pay dearly for those trees!

I understand the paying dearly for the trees. The only way I could afford to do this was to be farther east than I wanted and have a fairly unfinished lot with no natural trees. I'm picking up 200+ from the county conservation district in a couple weeks to start the planting. It will take years and never be the same as living in the trees. Maybe someday I will be able to get a cabin in the mountains.

 

[3pedal]

I can't believe how long it has been since I updated this. The summer and fall got consumed with tree planting and work. I also managed to break a car or two, and really wish the garage was in good shape to do some work.

As cold as we have been, I really have not been able to do much out there in the last couple months. I've decided that the critical thing now is to insulate it. I'm looking at 3" of closed cell foam. Right now I am working on a list of everything I need to do to get ready.

• Clear everything out
• Put in exterior outlets
• Pick and install exterior lights
• Install exterior RV outlet

For some reason the previous owner didn't put in any exterior outlets at all.

Hopefully by the of Jan I'll be ready to insulate. Of course, I have a couple work trips to deal with as well.

 

[3pedal]

It has been far too quite on the Garage front for me. I am hoping things are back on the right track. Timing has been bad for working on the garage since I bought the place, and I am far behind where I expected to be by now.

The last week has been busy getting everything off the walls, and mostly out of the shop for insulation. I am having 3" of closed cell foam installed on all the exterior walls and ceiling.

This time, the timing issue isn't me but the weather. The crew doing the work is coming from the Frisco area. They were supposed to start Monday, finishing today. Then I was going to be able to do some work in the garage over the long Christmas weekend. Instead, snow and wind kept them in the mountains. Hoping that maybe next week we will get things done.


Because everyone loves pictures, here is one as the building looked yesterday afternoon.

I might try building my inside clear panel for the clear panel on the back wall this weekend. Hoping to make a nice dead air space the help a little there, and still let the light in.

 

[n2ocamaro]

That is alot of space. Tons of potential there. A friend of mine here in Indiana has a similar garage but not quit as big. He is also into Mustangs (owns 2 of them)

 

[3pedal]

I don't think the insulation guys will make it today. They were hoping to get started today, but we are already getting snow.

I took several days off around Christmas that I was planning to use moving stuff back in and starting to play with layouts. Since they have not been able to insulate, had to regroup.

The north side of the building has a 2 1/2 foot tall clear panel to let in light. Eventually, I want to replace it with windows, but for now, an just leaving it.

Dad and I planned on building some "storm windows" out of plexiglass. We thought why not do that while waiting. That plan was also shot down when I saw the prices of plexiglass at Home Depot.

After giving it some thought, decided to try it with some 6 mil plastic. So, we got plastic, furrowing strips and gathered up my scrap wood. We started off building some "frames"

Dad ripping some 2 x 4s for the center post.

First bay in. We cut the plastic a little too short, and could not pull it as tight as we would like.

Once we got the first one done, we were able to repeat on the others, and get the plastic tighter.

As the last one when in, it was interesting to see how much air was coming in thought it. When standing between one section with plastic up and one that didn't, you could really feel the difference. Once they were all up, the panels billowed a little. I think it will make a nice difference. The biggest question now is how will the shop cat deal with the plastic.

With subzero temps hitting for the next couple days, I really wish the rest of the insulation would get in soon.

 

[3pedal]

Talked with the scheduler for the insulation company today, and we are going to try for Friday and Saturday to install the spray foam. Hope the weather holds.

 

[3pedal]

I am still hoping for a Friday start to the insulation. We should get above freezing. That will be nice, it was something like -16 last night. I bought treated diesel, but it still gelled up some on me. I still had a little summer fuel in the tank. Yesterday I got some hardwood delivered for the house fireplace and shop stove. I have been burning only pine since I got here, looking forward to some hardwood.

While I am waiting, thought I would show the new flashlight holder I got for the garage. It gets pretty dark outside, and I like to have a flashlight handy. I have had a few "disappear" and am tired of looking for them.

A buddy has one of these in his race trailer. Made by a different company, but same style. This should work well. Right now planning on one in the garage and one by one of the doors in the house. I think over time I will put a few more around the place and one in the RV. I tried the plastic clips that Maglight makes, but they were a pain, and I had a couple pull out of the wall if I didn't hit a stud. This won't have any pressure on the mount when pulling the light out.

 

[3pedal]

That is alot of space. Tons of potential there. A friend of mine here in Indiana has a similar garage but not quit as big. He is also into Mustangs (owns 2 of them)

It is a lot of space, and I am still excited about it. That said, I can already see where I wouldn't mind some more.

I would like to get another Mustang (or 2 ) to keep mine company once I get the garage sorted. A RZR is also calling my name though, so I am not sure what the next purchase will be.

 

[3pedal]

Delayed yet again. The insulation guys called this morning to cancel because it would be too cold. Not sure about that. They are supposed to come on Monday now. I hope so. Unfortunately things are going to get busy at work starting Monday so I have lost the free time of the holidays to work on it. Since I took the day off and didn't have to be here went looking at tractors. Saw a couple LS tractors that looked nice. Damon but tractors are expensive.

 

[3pedal]

Apparently the crew just showed up. I wish I could be there for it, but my parents stayed in town to be there for the install. Busy day at work, so I won't be able to get home early. I am hoping to get some updates throughout the day.

 

[3pedal]

The insulation crew showed up yesterday and got started. Dad is taking some pictures throughout it with the camera, and texted me a couple. Currently I just have ones from the cell, but should get some from the camera tonight or tomorrow.

Before they started

Working

Here is what it looked like before I left for work this morning.

Hope they get at least part of the ceiling done today, so we can move things around.

 

[vonhef]

You will like that insulation... it will make a great difference to your space! If you haven't already planned for it... I would recommend that you paint any insulation that will remain exposed. Painting will prevent the degradation that UV light causes to that type of insulation.

 

[3pedal]

You will like that insulation... it will make a great difference to your space! If you haven't already planned for it... I would recommend that you paint any insulation that will remain exposed. Painting will prevent the degradation that UV light causes to that type of insulation.

I am hoping it makes a difference. It is impossible to keep heat in the building now. I had not thought about painting it. I don't know how long it will take to cover, dry wall isn't free and doesn't hang itself, so much of it will be exposed for a while.

Maybe they will leave the plastic up. I could then fire up the paint sprayer, and at least cover the lower stuff that would get the most light.

 

[vonhef]

I am hoping it makes a difference. It is impossible to keep heat in the building now. I had not thought about painting it. I don't know how long it will take to cover, dry wall isn't free and doesn't hang itself, so much of it will be exposed for a while.

Maybe they will leave the plastic up. I could then fire up the paint sprayer, and at least cover the lower stuff that would get the most light.

The ceiling will yellow also and your lights will be less effective if not covered with paint.
I painted a 24' x 24' shop ceiling with 5 gallons of white latex paint using a spray gun. Your shop is considerably larger... so it will take a lot of paint.

If you do paint... I think you will be glad.

 

[3pedal]

The problem I have painting the ceiling is I can't reach it. The walls are only 12 foot, but the peak of the ceiling is 20 or more. I don't have any way to get up there to paint it.

 

[3pedal]

Dad just texted me a pic of progress so far today.

 

[3pedal]

They got a lot of progress done yesterday, but didn't get finished. Didn't come today, pretty cold and freezing rain didn't surprise me.

A couple pics from yesterday.

I talked with the company about painting the foam. They seemed a little confused by it, but said they will leave the plastic down so I can. I have a friend with some scaffolding, I am going to pick up tonight. I don't think I will be able to reach the peak, but will at least be able to get most of it. They thought Sherman Williams has a paint specifically for the foam. Still not sure about painting it.

 

[vonhef]

Wow... that insulation is really looking good. Your insulator looks like he is better at application than the one I used.

I am not trying to persuade your decision to paint... just trying to inform so you can do what makes sense for your needs. Obviously cost & labor will influence what you can do. Painting my previous shop was a lot less work because of the smaller size.

Here are some photos of the before and after paint:

 

[3pedal]

I'm still on the fence to paint it or not. I know this is the only chance to do it for some time, while everthing is out and or covered, so I am looking into it pretty seriously.

 

[3pedal]

Wow... that insulation is really looking good. Your insulator looks like he is better at application than the one I used.

I am not trying to persuade your decision to paint... just trying to inform so you can do what makes sense for your needs. Obviously cost & labor will influence what you can do. Painting my previous shop was a lot less work because of the smaller size.

Here are some photos of the before and after paint:

The paint does help brighten up your garage. Looks like you have metal walls. How do you like them?

 

[vonhef]

The paint does help brighten up your garage. Looks like you have metal walls. How do you like them?

I no longer have this place.... but here is what I do like about the metal walls:

Its prefinished so no painting, it looks pretty good, and fire resistant.

What I didn't like was trying to hang or attach items to the wall presented a challenge and obviously its not a flat wall if that is important to you.

My current shop is much larger and this time I chose to use OSB and a paint scheme.

 

[930dreamer]

Nice spray foam insulation, money well spent.

 

[3pedal]

Nice spray foam insulation, money well spent.

Thanks, I hope it makes a big difference over what I currently have, (nothing).

 

[3pedal]

They finished today. Hopefully I can get a couple pictures to show off tomorrow.

 

[Riley]

Shop looks great!

As far as painting, many foams require a coating (paint) to meet flammability requirements if not covered with sheet rock etc. The installers should be able to find out, or know, if thier product requires a coating to meet what ever requirements you might have.

 

[3pedal]

Some pictures of them finishing up.

The interior wall between the 2 sides of the shop had standard construction, so did batts there.

Fire retardant plastic over the batts.

I had them leave the plastic up, and if the weather warms up a little, will start to paint the interior.

 

[3pedal]

It's been a while since I updated this. I got a new job and a new toy this year, and have not had a lot of time to work on the garage. Now that the weather is changing, I'll should start spending a lot more time in there.



Painting continues


Walls painted. I then went back and did the ceiling. I rented a scissor lift for that. Very cool, saved a lot of time.



Worked on some stuff in the garage as well


New toy. It is a blast, but has taken time away from working on the shop. This is the first brand new thing I have bought. Drove to Union City, TN to get it.


Ended up replacing the motorhome with a 5th wheel also. Easier to get into the back country


RAGBRAI with Dad, my sister and a buddy from high school


I need to get some more pictures. I have drywall up on the interior wall. It still needs a lot of mud work, but already helps make the place look a little more finished.

Lots and lots to do yet. I still have most of my tools in the barn from the insulation work. Need to get things organized and start bringing them in. To do that, I am thinking of building one of the HF box based benches.

 

[JustinS]

Hope you enjoyed those chops, they look delicious! Great space!

 

[jbmatth]

Ragbrai huh, I've heard that is basically one big bicycling party the whole week. I have a few friends I ride with that have done it in the past. Shop is looking great and I hope you are enjoying your new toys.
JB

 

[3pedal]

Hope you enjoyed those chops, they look delicious! Great space!

They were. Mr Porkchop cooks them over corn cobs.

Ragbrai huh, I've heard that is basically one big bicycling party the whole week. I have a few friends I ride with that have done it in the past. Shop is looking great and I hope you are enjoying your new toys.
JB

RAGBRAI is a lot of things. It is a week long party, a ~500 mile bicycle ride, a tour of Iowa farm land and Americana. There is a concert every night, beer gardens in most towns and lots of opportunity to party. I have found I can't do much of that, and ride all the miles. If you enjoy riding I recommend it.

 

[3pedal]

Wow, can't believe how long it has been since I have updated this. I'll start working some updates. I haven't gotten as much done as I would like, but progress has been made.

 

[Riley]

Looking forward to see how it's coming along. Funny how life intrudes in projects.

How do you like the foam after a couple of years?

 

[hobie1dog]

I can only dream of a place like yours, congratulations. Thanks for posting this for us, keep the pictures coming.