The Garage Mahal!

[REFLEXX]

Hello all,

I've finally started to detail the entire process of building the "Garage Mahal". I figure that if anyone's foolish enough to try this, I'll pass along eveything I learned.

EDIT---> I've removed the link to my website that details the build until I finishin it!

The basics:

1,440 sq ft - Miracle Truss steel/wood building.

1 office, 1 storage room, 1 machining room, 1 fabrication room.

fully insulated, 3 air conditioners, drywalled & painted (someday soon!)

Later,

REFLEXX

 

[camarojim]

Hello all,

I've finally started to detail the entire process of building the "Garage Mahal". I figure that if anyone's foolish enough to try this, I'll pass along eveything I learned.

Gene's Garage Mahal
Keep in mind that the site is brand new and a work in progress

The basics:

1,440 sq ft - Miracle Truss steel/wood building.

1 office, 1 storage room, 1 machining room, 1 fabrication room.

fully insulated, 3 air conditioners, drywalled & painted (someday soon!)

Later,

REFLEXX

cool, looks great...keep the pictures coming ..

Jim

 

[muddy]

I might steal a couple ideas from you......looks great. However, if your computer aided design picture is detailing what looks like a bridgeport and other equipment in the machining room......I don't see a way to get that equipment in or out of the room once the walls are up. Any plans for a roll up door or anything in that area?

 

[DynoDave]

Sweet!

What program did you draw that plan in?

 

[PT Dave]

Looks Like Solidworks To Me !!

Great Work...

 

[REFLEXX]

Gents.

the wall between the red tool box and the CNC mill is removable. I figure that the wall will not have to come out that often.

Solidworks is right.

Just finished interior framing, ready to start electrical. Just need a clue

Here's a CAD of the shop on the property (I had lots of time before the building got here)

The other pic is of the inside with no interior walls.

REFLEXX

 

[MaximumHP]

Wow, looks nice, keep us updated!

 

[DaveL.]

beautiful job.beautiful view!

 

[REFLEXX]

I've been framed!!! The big opening on the right will have a removable "false wall" once I move everything in.

Now I'm ready for electrical

It's good to have friends and connections, cherish them! Otherwise I couldn't afford to do this if I had to pay a contractor.

REFLEXX

 

[REFLEXX]

Gents,

Here's a little update:

after buying every electrical book at HD and bugging several (life-long) electricians, I jumped into wiring with both (left) feet.

the List:

7x 20a receptacle circuits, about 8 duplex outlets each, +3 outside

3x 30a circuits to disconnect boxes (for machines & air compressor)

4x 30a receptacle circuits for welder/plasma (+1 outside!!!)

4x 20a lighting circuits (3 rooms + outside Mo Sens & work lights)

and my favorite:

1x 100a circuit for the little CNC, that uses 2/3 ROMEX. I didn't know it came that big. It's in the picture, looks like a black garden hose and is slightly bigger!!!

now I have to trench to the panel on the house and bury some 2ought cable in 3" conduit about 75 feet. Oh, and install the new 400a panel on the house!

I recall the ad in the back of Pop Sci for Miracle Truss buildings, "Four buddies, one weekend, and you too can have this..." pictured was a finished building

Later,

REFLEXX

PS: and I did have a "little" help

 

[REFLEXX]

Oh!

and while most 14 year old daughters are at the mall, spending your money....

Mine's workin'!

yep, that's called raisin' them right!

REFLEXX

 

[Wile1Coyote]

Why are you pulling electrical before you are closed in from the elements?

 

[REFLEXX]

Wile,

The elements in this part of the world vary from 70 degrees to an unbearable 90 degrees for the next two months. Not to mention the horrible, ZERO precent humidity. Yes we have the traffic, liberals, illegals, crime.... but DAMN the weather is always really nice in So. Cal.

Pulling cable (especially the 1" diameter 2/3 romex) was much easier when there are no walls on. The walls are the same metal skin that goes on the roof. That's next after the framing inspection is thru!

later,

REFLEXX

 

[MacTexas]

Are you going to build a retaining wall behind the building. It looks like you dug down about 3 feet.

 

[REFLEXX]

Good eye MAC,

That is decomposed granite, DG as it's called. I took a backhoe to it and that's all I could scrape off after a day of grinding aways at it. It's not moving! With as little rain as we get and how small that rise is, I should have no problems.

then again the county inspector cound have thier panites in a bunch and make me put one it. But so far they haven't even noticed. I will plant some ground cover, just to help a but with erosion, look better. and control some dust.

REFLEXX

 

[C_F]

That looks like it's gonna be a killer garage/shop when you're done!

 

[REFLEXX]

another update...


interior electrical is DONE!

framing is DONE!

attic is DONE!

door hanging is DONE!

started to wrap & skin the building this weekend. as a part of the process, the windows and all openings needed to be trimmed and weatherproofed.

the funny thing is 99% of the materials for this build was purchased at Home %$#&@ Depot, but the gift wrap is from Lowes!

a lot of drilling, screwing, cutting, trimming, measuring and time....


REFLEXX

 

[REFLEXX]

the biggest frustration in building is waiting to work on my babies...

both are getting FULL ground-up customization.

REFLEXX

 

[vettebrett]

How big is the garage that you are building?? Look like it is coming along very well...

 

[groovyjay]

Nice progress! Keep us posted.

 

[REFLEXX]

One more wall left and the box is complete. Then there's two thousand screws and trim.

It's really cool to see the interior with walls, it gives you a much better sense of size.

For anyone who thinks of using a snap line for aligning all the screws, DON'T DO IT! I bought a laser level at Costco (like $40) and it shoots a line across the building. Works perfect!



REFLEXX

 

[C_F]

The plastic sheeting looks like a big Lowe's ad!


Just kidding, that garage looks great!

 

[REFLEXX]

More pics coming soon. The building is now fully skinned, now time to install the white trim. A milestone in my book.

Some one asked the size. The building is 30" x 48". I chose what's called "flat" bracing, so it will be hidden when the drywall goes up. I didn't like the visible X bracing I've seen inside other steel buildings.

I added 8 windows, 1 garage door (8'6" x 10 wide), 1 man door. This has been a chit-load of work.

REFLEXX

 

[JoeKramer]

I have a similar type of garage. Same size to, lookin good man!

 

[REFLEXX]

the latest before & after pics!

 

[Dave Carney]

Outstanding! How did you raise the frames into place? I'm building a 42' x 48', 14' eave, Miracle Truss this coming summer, trying to figure out the best way to do that.

 

[REFLEXX]

Dave,

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E That's how we raised the trusses! It got done, done fast and nobody hurt, but OSHA would certainly not approve


I'll post more info soon,

REFLEXX

 

[REFLEXX]

UPDATE TIME!!!

It's been a while and slow going as usual being a one man (+wife +3 kid) operation. Here's what's done:

1. all electrical inside the building is done (110v / 220v) and rough electrical is signed off!

2. Alarm, cctv, cat5, speaker, phone, rg6 cables all run. You gotta be wired for the future. Now every room will have internet, sat tv, speakers and phone. And outside there's the security cameras and alarm wiring.

3. The building is SEALED. spray foam, tape, silicone, damn near as waterproof as a submarine.

4. All doors and windows in. Garage door in (outsourced and a superb job done!)

4. insulation is 90% done.


What's left:

1. Drywall hang/tape/sand <---that might get outsourced 4x12x 5/8" drywall sheets are heavy.

2. BIG electrical. Still have to trench to the house, run the cable underground and install the replacement meter panel on the house.

3. epoxy the floors (epoxy-coat.com)

4. paint & stripe <--- can't wait for that!

5. hand cabinets & paint

6. MOVE IN!!!

holy-crapoly a lot to still do!!! at least I have my teen-slave-labor-helper-girls!!!

 

[Ratdawg]

That is going to be a killer garage when your done. Miracle Truss is a great way to go, almost went that way myself. Great looking insulation, maybe I even helped to make it. I work at the JM insulation plant in Northern California.

 

[REFLEXX]

Rat,

One of the reasons I used Miracle Truss is because it allowed me to used regular insulation, instead of the expensive stuff designed for steel buildings.

PS- for anyone that's going to be repeating this step. BUY AN ELECTRIC STAPLER, and a heavy duty one! I broke two "hammer-tacker" type staplers during this, then I bought a $30 electric stapler, still not good enough! Buy one that around $50 and save your arms.

 

[Ratdawg]

REFLEXX,


If my Dad did not help with the cost of building our shop. I would have went with Miracle Truss, Just for that reason alone. My friend went with US Building style and it can get a little warm or cold in it, but it cost about a third as much as mine.

Also I got tired of using my hammer tacker and just put it up the insulation without Stapling it.

 

[davejs]

If I put up another shed it will either have foamed walls or blown in cellulose in the walls. The fiberglass batts haunt me to this day.

 

[hemi]

reflex,

I would look forward to your trenching! I have to trench 600 feet, across two of my neighbors properties, under a common driveway, through the woods, and under my personal driveway. Now my local power company wants me to run 4" conduit the entire length!!! hemi

 

[bmwpower]

reflex,

I would look forward to your trenching! I have to trench 600 feet, across two of my neighbors properties, under a common driveway, through the woods, and under my personal driveway. Now my local power company wants me to run 4" conduit the entire length!!! hemi

You're trenching across your neighbors' yards?? Wow, I'm surprised they gave you permission. I guess you have to invite them over for some beers after the fact.

 

[OHEKK]

Ratdawg...

The US Building looks like an economical alteranative!

I like the clear span...no rafters or trusses to get in the way

Is that a DIY project like they claim?

 

[Ratdawg]

OHEKK,

Thats why he went with US Building. He felt it was something he could do, without hiring a contractor. Just make sure you have enough help to raise each section.

 

[REFLEXX]

update!

insulation of outside walls is FINISHED!!! I had to add some lumber for the drywall to attach to and started putting up the sheetrock! A couple of thing's I've learned so far:

1. Shim & shave the walls and ceilings. After checking with a 6 foot level, I used a planer to shave the high spots on the wood. Then i used special (paper) shim strips (from HD) to build up the low spots, I just stapled them on. I ended up with walls that within 1/16" flat top to bottom.

2. Buy a planer, don't try to do it by hand. Buy a cheapie then toss it (from HF), or buy a nice one and keep it for wood working projects.

3. DRYWALL HOIST / LIFT! Don't even try to put up ceilings without one! i bought one off ebay for $200 and it works like a charm!!!

4. SENCO self feeding screw gun. What an awesome tool. it buries the drywall screws PERFECTLY every time and only using one hand!!! I bought the corded one, because if I use it again two years from now, the battery on a cordless one would be shot! Plus it was cheaper (only $100)

5. get help, at least 2-3 people and buy the drywall books at HD, they were a great help.

6. Use a Rotozip for outlets holes, especially the round ones!

6. And the BEST tool by far it called the "BLINDMARK". It's SOOO easy to use to help locate the outlet boxes: http://www.blindmark.com/ put one piece into the outlet box, put up the drywall with a few screws, snap on the opposing locator piece, draw a line around it, and cut out! That's it, no need to take the drywall back off! Superb.

 

[snorvet]

update!

insulation of outside walls is FINISHED!!! I had to add some lumber for the drywall to attach to and started putting up the sheetrock! A couple of thing's I've learned so far:

3. DRYWALL HOIST / LIFT! Don't even try to put up ceilings without one! i bought one off ebay for $200 and it works like a charm!!!

I agree 1000% - I rented one for the weekend and sheetrocked my shop myself.

your place looks great!

 

[Paradise Ridge]

reflexx,

I watched the movie over at the Blindmark site and it looks neater than all get out. Are the magnets strong enough to go thru T1-11 or 5/8 OSB? it sure would save a lot of time and materials @ 25.00 a sheet!

Scot

P.S. How would you use it for a dbl box?

 

[REFLEXX]

paradise,

The Blindmark was holding through MY HAND at the palm. I'm using 5/8" drywall and it held on well! For double or triple boxes, you just put two inner pieces at the outermost positions, put the outside piece on one then the other, and connect them. The show it on the website somewhere.