The legitimate but undersized garage called 'the bunker'

[Collo]

Hi everyone, I thought I'd post some progress photos of my new workshop...

We're renovating the house in Canberra, Australia that we purchased about 2 years ago, and part of what I loved was a room under the house which had already been bricked and had a floor. I spent many hours (even before buying the house) wondering what that little area could be used for. The previous owner stored thousands of 70's tiles, but I had better plans!

I had originally thought it a room for music, where I could sound proof the walls and play guitar. Then I pondered the idea of a cellar, but I don't drink much so that was a waste of potential, a garden tool shed and store room was the latest, but then it hit me... why not make it a workshop. It's possibly the world's smallest most cramped workshop ever, but without using my actual car garage space, it's all I can have.

While it doesn't fit the GMC truck or my wife's car, it will be home to the Moto Guzzi Le Mans project motorcycle when I rebuild it soon. Okay the specs...the room is about 6 foot tall, maybe 8 foot wide and 12 foot long. I'm 6'2 so it's not a long-term standing kind of place. There may be scope to drop the floor later so I'm hoping.

I've since ran the power and installed a new hot water tank after a bit of demolition and reforming concrete. For reference, the door is only about 5" tall, and that is some of the garden work being done. 26t worth of rubble removed from a tiny backyard! These are the photos from about a year ago.

 

[Collo]

More recently I've gutted the room and have been using up until now for storing paint, roof tiles and some garden tools etc. We've made a bit of a step but it's not so great, eventually I'd like to dig down and put in a full size door and drop the floor inside about 6 inches.

Not sure the motorcycle will fit as yet, but I can always build it in parts and assemble outside.

 

[Collo]

And to bring you up to speed for today, here are some more pics...

I've ran power and lighting circuits in conduit, and installed bunker style lights. I'll show a photo later of the light switch, a blast proof USSR switch which luckily, uses the same power as us here in Aus.

Also started painting it, but would have preferred gloss paint! Anyway, it will do for now. The next part of the puzzle is installing all my tools and cabinets, and putting a small window in the door.

I found a glass bathroom scale and thought, if I remove the plastic base I'd be left with a square, super thick and very strong window. Perfect!

 

[ddawg16]

Welcome to GJ.

Cool space. Please keep up the pics.

But I do see what you mean about space.....not a lot. Part of me says it's perfect for working on your MC...another part of me says you need a TV, Beer cooler and some chairs....

 

[Collo]

Thanks for the warm welcome
I hear you about the extras needed. There will be most of that later, well at least some seating. I plan on using the lower part on the right as a bench, and maybe add a tv later, but for now just a radio.

I do have a normal double garage, but even that is a tight fit for my car, I have to back in until I hit the back wall, then I know I've got 1 inch or maybe less at the front to close the door. I had all my tools and benches in there but I'd prefer a dedicated place to get greasy, grind metal, weld steel and lock myself away.

 

[Terrick down Under]

Shmick looking wheels there mate.....

 

[Collo]

Quick update; the tools are starting get sorted, but it's a rough fit out for now and just seeing how it all works. Once all the renovation supplies are out of there it should be plenty of spare room and a bench all along the left side with the vice, railway track anvil and a recently purchased manual metal shear.

The other photo is the USSR light switch from Ukraine 80's era. I absolutely love it, and goes with the bunker theme. It makes a clunk when switching. I'm looking forward to painting the rest of the room and putting the bench seat in on the right side with a TV.

 

[Terrick down Under]

You are spot on....the switch is a keeper, the rest of the area is coming along great.

 

[rixtrix1]

I like how you've outfitted the space! Keep it up.

 

[Collo]

Lost content, but just a few images to update anyway....

I'm tossing up whether I should buy a bench grinder or a Dremel, hmm. Space permitting which as you can see, is a premium.

Also, our walkie talkies arrived today (wife's idea), so she can call me while I'm busy in there on my projects - it's pretty funny considering I can actually hear when she talks in the room above. It's more the novelty, I'm sure it will wear off quickly, for me at least.

 

[Collo]

We've had a few days of rain and now this...

There's a sump in there but unfortnately the bunker is lower than outside, and the drain must be blocked. It's time to call out a plumber I think. Maybe it's a good time to convince the Mrs to let me dig up the floor so I can stand in there and run a sump pump instead.

I've been busy buying all new hand tools and gifting my old stuff. I've set a goal to try and buy tools from countries like Australia, New Zealand, USA / Canada and Europe.

It's been more expensive and not always possible, but I'm almost there. When I don't have to swim to access my tools, I'll be able to post some photos!

 

[welder4956]

It's coming along nicely. I like the wood bench top and seating. Definitely time to install a sump pit and pump. When I saw the outside step my first thought was that it was going to be a good catch basin for rain water.

 

[Collo]

Given that the area is so small I'm working in, I'm quite limited on space for machinery. I'd like to do more than just sit in there sharpening chisels though, so I found this old 70's multi-combo wood working machine for sale.

Some of you may know a little about them, they are Austrian made and have quite a following around the world. They are called the Emco-Star. This one has table saw, disc sander, linisher and bandsaw. You can also get accessories for lathe, drill, grinder and probably plenty else, if you could ever source them that is! Perfect for limited space areas like mine.

And the other purchase is a 3 phase Australian made 8" bench grinder. Can't wait to use them, but need to adress the flooding issue first as it's a little dangerous running 3 phase machines while standing in a foot of water.

The Emco-Star machine photo here is taken from the web as an example as i've still got it on the back of the truck and can't get a clear shot yet...

 

[nadogail]

Your Emco-Star looks very interesting, and your grinder looks strong.