The Little Block Wall Garage

[AldeanFan]

After a lot of contemplating, planning and debating, I'm finally going to start renovating my garage. I'll document my progress here and hopefully get some good feedback, advice and encouragement.

Thank you to everyone who's posted their work! Reading your threads has been the motivation for me to get it in gear and make my garage what I've always wanted it to be.

About my Garage:
The garage is a "2 car" attached to my house by a breezeway. It's concrete block construction, hence the name "The Little Block Wall Garage". Dimensions are 20'x20' with 8-1/2' ceilings. The ceiling is insulated and drywall, and I have a MrHeater Big Maxx installed.

We've lived in the house for 9 years, and the garage has evolved from a parking spot to a workshop but a lack of organization, adequate shelving and poor work surfaces has resulted in a space that is no longer functional. I find I spend too much time moving tools and cars around to get any work done and often can't find items I know I have but are buried at the back of a shelf or otherwise lost in the general mess.

The Plan:
Step One - Pull out most of the existing shelving to paint the walls just to clean things up and brighten up the place. One wall is white and two walls are grey with peeling paint.

Step Two - clean up some electrical and upgrade where necessary.

Step three - build new shelving/cabinets that are functional, and a new work bench.

Step four - drink beer and enjoy working on projects in a well organized and functional workspace.

Thanks for coming along for the ride - here's the pictures of what I'm starting with:

 

[AldeanFan]

more Pics

 

[Kevin54]

See...there is the problem with not having working space.....you need to give me the car so you will have more working area. I can keep it in my garage.

BTW....post up some pics of the car when you get a chance. Also looking forward to seeing the progression on the garage, so keep those pics coming.

 

[AldeanFan]

See...there is the problem with not having working space.....you need to give me the car so you will have more working area. I can keep it in my garage.

BTW....post up some pics of the car when you get a chance. Also looking forward to seeing the progression on the garage, so keep those pics coming.

You'd have to take that up with my wife, the wagon was for her and the family, at least that's how I talked her in to letting me buy it. Turns out a car seat won't fit in a Mustang so I "Had" to buy a family car to take to Car shows.

 

[chruler]

Hmmmmm. It might be time to take out a wall and extend the space a little.

THINK BIG!

 

[AldeanFan]

Here's a few pictures of the toys that I work on in the Garage:

1954 Country Squire - I bought this car last year since I couldn't get a car seat in the other fun cars. It was for sale in Pennsylvania, painted but in pieces. I put it together last winter. One of the reasons I need to re organize the garage is to make room for the wagon, it's 5' longer than the Cobra.

Factory Five Roadster - yes it has a 302
I built this car in 2008 in my Dad's garage.

1983 Mustang - I've had this car since I was 20 years old, drove it to University, and rebuilt just about everything on the car myself. It was originally a v6 automatic, but that's long gone, replaced by a 302 5 speed with 1989 GT spindles, brakes and rearend.

Luckily I have a good friend with an empty 2 car garage at one of his rental properties. The Mustang and the Woody are safely tucked away for the winter so I can work in the garage with maximum available room.

 

[Kevkx125]

Wow cool cars really like cobra replica, good luck with the garage, remember to post lots of picture's.

 

[AldeanFan]

I've spent the last few nights taking things down off shelves and throwing lots of things away.

It's amazing what I've accumulated and how I've managed to fill the garage up in the short time I've been in this house. Alot of things I've been saving seemed to have value when I put them on the shelf but after having them sit there for 5+ years I realize they weren't worth saving in the first place. Things like old used hinges, coils of rope and parts to lawnmowers I don't own anymore. I also got rid of a few things I though I would use but never did. I've had a window air conditioner on a shelf since I bought the house, but never actually used it. It went down the road this week.

The other problem I've found is that the general lack of organization has resulted in my having bought materials for projects because I didn't know I already had some. Recently I had to add an extra plug in the basement for the freezer, I bought a box, receptacle, cover plate etc. Then last night I found several boxes, and several receptacles and switches on various shelves around the garage.

I'll be picking up some plastic totes to organize my supplies and materials, one each for Wood screws, metal screws, hinges and hardware, electrical and plumbing. Label maker here I come!

 

[AldeanFan]

I had to give myself a kick in the pants this week to get out in the garage and do something as we've had a death in the family and I've been feeling a little down, so I build a new work bench. This bench has existed in my head for along time and has been sketched out on various post it notes and napkins over the last few years.

It's a 2x4 frame with a 5/8 plywood top, on casters. 6' long and 35' tall - the same height as my table saw so I can use it as an outfeed table.

I started by cutting the frame parts, then milled slots for the sliding doors.
The frame is assembled with 3" screws and construction adhesive.

This was my first attempt at sliding doors and they're working well so far. The doors are just 1/4 plywood.

I added a drop leaf on one side with a piano hinge and two pieces of 1/2 oak I had for supports. The top is a 4'deep with the leaf up and 28" with the leaf down. The top rail on that side of the bench is a 2x6 with slots cut for the leaf supports.

The Casters are from a HF furniture dolly. I was worried about flat spotting the casters so I built 4 blocks that fit under the bench and lift it about 1/4' off the ground to take the weight off the wheels.

Now I have a much more functional bench with lots of storage. My table saw, miter saw, scroll saw and shop vac are all under the bench right now. The wheels will make it easy to move the bench around the shop which gives me added flexibility. Not to demo the old bench

 

[AldeanFan]

Mounted the vise tonight with some heavy duty bolts left over from a suspension kit I put on the Mustang.



I've had this vise for a few years, I bought it for $15 at a swap meet but had to carry it about 10 miles out to the parking lot.

 

[BBSkylark]

Sorry to hear about loosing a loved one. Nice work on the bench. I love how you are able to hide your table saw. Those things tend to take up so much room.

I'll be keeping an eye on your updates.

 

[AldeanFan]

Sorry to hear about loosing a loved one. Nice work on the bench. I love how you are able to hide your table saw. Those things tend to take up so much room.

I'll be keeping an eye on your updates.

Thanks for your concern.

The table saw is one of my largest and most difficult to store tools. I wanted to put it somewhere out of the way when not in use but still accessible when needed.

 

[AldeanFan]

I got the old bench out of the garage and moved some non-garage items in to the shed.

This would be a big garage if I didn't have anything in it!
The old bench came with the house and I never liked the rickety old thing, not to mention the wasted space under it. This is the first time in 9 years I've been able to sweep under the bench.

When my garage renovation is finished I want to be able to park any two of my vehicles in the garage at one time and still be able to walk around at least one end of them. With the new rolling bench I'll even be able to squeeze the Tundra in the garage.

 

[AldeanFan]

One of my recent tool purchases to save some space and help me achieve my goal of flexibility and mobility in the garage.

The fixed leg stand that came with my table saw was a huge waste of space and not very stable either. It just made the saw awkward to store and to move around. It was basically 4 sheet metal legs.

I purchased this "universal" stand on-sale at Canadian Tire for $67.50, regular $149.99, and I'm extremely pleased with it.

The legs are adjustable for various heights. At the lowest level it is perfect for table saw height and at a higher level it is perfect for a miter saw or band saw. The legs fold and it stores about 6" thick. I bolted both saws to plywood bases that I can then quickly attach to the stand with C-clamps. I normally use my workmate for the miter saw and this for the table saw but I can switch them up very quickly.

The legs also angle out further than the old saw base so the saw is more stable and less likely to tip over.

Now my saw and stand fit inside the new work bench. Previously the table saw lived next to my drill press and would collect metal shavings. This is a great improvement!

 

[Bib Overalls]

You have neat toys.

 

[AldeanFan]

Merry Christmas to all from the little block wall garage. No garage work this week while we celebrate the holidays. Back at it soon, hopefully with some new tools from Santa

 

[HSpencer]

Super cool shop and outstanding rides, especially the Blue woody wagon. Looks like your working it up well. You have some real classics. Try and keep as much of the original nostalgia look of the garage as you can!! It looks very inviting to work in.
I have the same portable saw table you show. Mine is green and is from WoodTec.
I find it very valuable for my miter saw, and I slap a piece of plywood on it for extra work space. Again, I like your place a lot!!

Best Wishes and Happy Holiday

Herb Spencer

 

[AldeanFan]

You have neat toys.

Thanks, we know how to have fun

 

[AldeanFan]

Super cool shop and outstanding rides, especially the Blue woody wagon. Looks like your working it up well. You have some real classics. Try and keep as much of the original nostalgia look of the garage as you can!! It looks very inviting to work in.
I have the same portable saw table you show. Mine is green and is from WoodTec.
I find it very valuable for my miter saw, and I slap a piece of plywood on it for extra work space. Again, I like your place a lot!!

Best Wishes and Happy Holiday

Herb Spencer

Thanks, a that's what I'm going for, not to fancy, just clean and comfortable. I don't want people to feel they need to take their shoes off in my garage.
Happy holidays

 

[1/2 Cup]

Sounds like you are on the right track with your makeover.

There is nothing quite like a refresh in a shop.

Looking forward to following your progress.

Regards

 

[AldeanFan]

I had some time off over the holidays and managed to squeeze in some garage time. My wife had to work so I spent most of my time with my 2 year old daughter playing princess games and having tea parties. It's hard to accomplish a lot when you garage time is limited by nap times and bed time but I managed. I was also able to get the wood bed made for my father's '63 F100 pickup while my little girl spent the day with her Granny.

I've got one side of the garage almost entirely gutted, all the junky old shelves have been torn out and some electrical moved. Next job will be to move some of the wiring in the attic for my lights, need more lights, then paint.


I've moved all my tools and equipment to one side, or in to the shed. I'll get one side of the garage painted and the new cabinets up, then move everything and do the same to the other side.

The garage seems a lot bigger with less stuff in it.

 

[AldeanFan]

Interesting use of recycled materials by one of the former owners of the Little Block Wall Garage. This is the under side of the bottom two shelves of the old bench that was in the corner.

 

[AldeanFan]

Finally got a picture of the truck bed we did for the F100. I did the wood in my garage and we fit it a my dad's place where the truck is residing.

 

[HSpencer]

Looking good on the truck bed. Brings back memories of when trucks had them. That is nice work indeed!!

Best Regards
Herb

 

[AldeanFan]

Looking good on the truck bed. Brings back memories of when trucks had them. That is nice work indeed!!

Best Regards
Herb

Thanks! We're really happy with it

 

[AldeanFan]

Got started on the first coat of paint last night. Painting concrete blocks is just as bad as I remembered. I bought a roller for extra rough surfaces. It looks like its made out of a teddy bear and its like painting with a mop. I'll go back with the brush tonight and do the corners and trim, then a second coat with the roller if I have time.

I'm using Loop Paint. I found this stuff totally by accident when looking for something else online. It's a recycled paint made right down the road from me in St.Catharines where I grew up. So far I'm really happy with it, rolls on nice and covers well. and only $63 for 5 gal pail which is very affordable here in Canada. It comes pre-tinted in about 8 colours, I may use their gray for the bottom half of the garage and the trim.

 

[AldeanFan]

Progress on the garage has come to a grinding halt.
Because my son was born on Saturday!

We have a 2 year old daughter and now a 2 day old healthy baby boy.

Hopefully I'll have the garage finished before he's old enough to want to use it

 

[555]

Congratulations!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Congratulations, well done.

Regards

 

[vision8]

Congratulations,
And you thought you had limited spare garage time before this joyful event !
All the BeXSt

 

[afbrian13]

Congratulations on the new helper! Mine love to "help" me in the garage.

Great to see some more "normal" garages. I love seeing the really nice ones, but mine isn't going to get ther. Look forward to seeing what you do with the place.

Nice workbench too

 

[AldeanFan]

Thanks for the congratulations everyone!

Last night I went to bed at 10pm and got up for work at 6am but only got 3 hours of sleep and I'm grateful for that much. The Dad's reading this will know what I mean

 

[HSpencer]

Mark

Please accept my congratulations on the family addition!! We know you will be totally refocused now but that is a good thing. Just remember we will all be very interested in seeing the garage take shape as time allows.

Best Regards
Herb

 

[AldeanFan]

Mark

Please accept my congratulations on the family addition!! We know you will be totally refocused now but that is a good thing. Just remember we will all be very interested in seeing the garage take shape as time allows.

Best Regards
Herb

Thanks Herb,
With any luck I'll be able to sneak out to the garage on the weekends during nap time.

 

[AldeanFan]

Small Update,
Last night both Kids were asleep by 8:30

I manged to sneak out to the garage and get some things moved around now that one of the side walls and most of the back wall are painted.

Very happy with the progress so far, with alittle organization I'll have so much room for activities


Next job is to build some simple cabinets but between Barrett Jackson and parenting, I don't expect to accomplish much this week.

 

[AldeanFan]

Did't make it out to the garage this weekend, but I spent Saturday afternoon watching Barrett Jackson with my son.
Since his birthday is in January we'll have to go to Arizona for his 16th birthday and buy him his first Mustang.

 

[ed_v]

Congrats on your new family arrival.

I love block wall garages. Once you are organized, you will be surprised how much you can get done in that space.

Thanks for sharing.

Ed

 

[AldeanFan]

Thanks for the congratulations Ed,
When I had few tools and lots of time I found I could get lots done. Now that I have a lot more tools and a lot less time I need to be more organized and efficient when I'm working. I changed the oil in one of the daily drivers on Saturday and it took me way too long to find my funnel and drain bucket. That needs to change!

 

[AldeanFan]

Work continues on cabinets whenever I can sneak out to the garage. Kids and wife had a busy day yesterday and were all asleep by 8:00

Unfortunately my not so trusty miter saw let the smoke out hopefully someone has a sale soon.

 

[AldeanFan]

No work on the garage today, watching Daytona with my new son.