Mikkeli
Well-known member
Hi Eric! That's a really beautiful house and awesome starting point for great shop. Congratulations. Remember to post more often some progress pictures.
The Lower Cow Path
- Thread starter Stellaontap
- Start date
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
Drivesitfar- I have 3.2 acres here.....it’s plenty to keep us busy and out of trouble. Our municipality has always been against allowing farmers to sever parcels of land with excess buildings. In a lot of cases the farmer just tears the buildings down to reduce the tax burden. Thus the municipality has less revenue. The farmer we bought our parcel from spent 3 years trying to get approval to sever the property with the buildings he did not want.
Mikkeli- thanks and I will post pics of my progress. I get in the shop and start a project and then forget to take pictures. My wife is always reminding me to take pictures of the before and after.
Eric
Mikkeli- thanks and I will post pics of my progress. I get in the shop and start a project and then forget to take pictures. My wife is always reminding me to take pictures of the before and after.
Eric
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Stella: you have an amazing place for only 3 acres that is for certain. did you figure out what you want to do with the greenhouses yet?
yes I (we) would all love to see a few pics of your garage/shop if you have some time to take a few and post them up.
i'm drinking Heineken this month, but Stella might be for November.
yes I (we) would all love to see a few pics of your garage/shop if you have some time to take a few and post them up.
i'm drinking Heineken this month, but Stella might be for November.
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
Drivesitfar- One of the greenhouses is our garden now. I took the poly carbonate of it and have also taken most of the frame down. My plan was to replace the polycarbonate on the front few sections to make a new smaller greenhouse but have been told by several people that I should just start new. I will be taking the rest of the frame down in the spring and eventually build a smaller greenhouse. Here are a couple of pictures of the garden and how it all looks now.
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Stella: great looking garden. just curious how you harvest Sunflower seeds or did you grow them just to see if you could?
even though I probably would have tried to use the old greenhouses for more garden or maybe storage I like your plan which seems to have more good thinking involved.
good luck with the progress which i'm guessing slows down a bit in the winter. or do you have heat in your garage/barn/shop? any progress pics of the old barn you are turning into your shop?
cheers
even though I probably would have tried to use the old greenhouses for more garden or maybe storage I like your plan which seems to have more good thinking involved.
good luck with the progress which i'm guessing slows down a bit in the winter. or do you have heat in your garage/barn/shop? any progress pics of the old barn you are turning into your shop?
cheers
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
Well, as luck would have it my business is mostly seasonal ad I take most of the winter off. I hope to be getting a lot of work done this winter.
I did get some stuff done in the shop to get ready for insulation next week sometime so it should be much better to work in than last winter.
The sunflowers were from seeds of the previous year....we had tons and probably will again next year. We only grew them for show.
This is the progress so far on the shop.
Outside wall of workshop with the mezzanine above.
And the pile of steel that will be going on that wall.
I had to put some backing up so that the insulation can be sprayed
And the whole shop before and after cleaning
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I did get some stuff done in the shop to get ready for insulation next week sometime so it should be much better to work in than last winter.
The sunflowers were from seeds of the previous year....we had tons and probably will again next year. We only grew them for show.
This is the progress so far on the shop.
Outside wall of workshop with the mezzanine above.
And the pile of steel that will be going on that wall.
I had to put some backing up so that the insulation can be sprayed
And the whole shop before and after cleaning
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Last edited:
drivesitfar
Well-known member
STELLA: color me JEALOUS about all that space in your old garage/barn/shop.
looking forward to see how you finish up the space cause it looks like you have a plan and I can see quality in everything you do.
cheers
looking forward to see how you finish up the space cause it looks like you have a plan and I can see quality in everything you do.
cheers
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
It’s been a couple of weeks since I have posted progress but the insulation is complete. Here are some pics. I was in the shop today and it was cold and windy outside but there were no drafts. It should be nice and cozy when it’s all done.
I have a question regarding the spray foam insulation and that is do I need to vapour barrier before finishing the walls.
Cheers
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I have a question regarding the spray foam insulation and that is do I need to vapour barrier before finishing the walls.
Cheers
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
Got home from work early today.....and started on the steel on the outside of my workshop.
I doubt I will be able to get anything more done until the weekend but hey......it’s a start.
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I doubt I will be able to get anything more done until the weekend but hey......it’s a start.
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Stella: I'm sorry I don't know your answer on whether or not to put plastic over the sprayed in insulation so hopefully one or more of the members will know. since you live in a pretty cold part of the world during the winter I might tend to put up a vapor barrier over the outside walls that have the insulation and interior ones might only need sheet rock or plywood depending on how you are finishing them up.
what did the guys say that sold you or did the insulation say?
nice looking metal for the exterior and again COLOR ME JEALOUS cause your shop looks nice and big and it's only a pitance of the total size of your cool old barn/shop.
what did the guys say that sold you or did the insulation say?
nice looking metal for the exterior and again COLOR ME JEALOUS cause your shop looks nice and big and it's only a pitance of the total size of your cool old barn/shop.
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
Hi Drivesitfar- I didn’t ask....kind of dumb I know. I did some research and actually do not need vapour barrier with closed cell foam. When we had the steel done on the outside of the building the contractor put Typar on the exterior wall also.
The metal I am putting up on the wall inside the building is the same colour as the exterior but a different profile. I have used galvanized roof tin for the ceiling of the shop but haven’t made a decision on what I want to put on the walls as of yet.
It’s so good to finally get back to working on the shop now that the weather is starting to change.
The metal I am putting up on the wall inside the building is the same colour as the exterior but a different profile. I have used galvanized roof tin for the ceiling of the shop but haven’t made a decision on what I want to put on the walls as of yet.
It’s so good to finally get back to working on the shop now that the weather is starting to change.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Stella: I put up peg board on 2 walls in my garage years ago that worked ok for a while. another good option depending on what you are doing in there might be plywood cause it's easier to hang shelving or signs (or OSB if cost is an issue).
I like commercial racking/shelving and cabinets so most of my peg board is now hidden.
good luck!!
I like commercial racking/shelving and cabinets so most of my peg board is now hidden.
good luck!!
rbrock
Well-known member
Stella: I was told when I used closed cell foam that it is the best vapor barrier all by itself.
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
Drives- I am thinking drywall in part of the shop because it is flat and easier to hang cabinets on. Plywood is another option but I don’t like OSB because it takes so much paint.
Rbrock- thanks for the reply to my question. I had already bought a roll of vapour barrier before I decided to get the shop sprayed.....but am very happy I won’t need to use it.
I had a very productive weekend. Got the deck off the tractor and put the snowblower on. Not saying that I want snow.....but in the event we get it.....I am ready. Also rented a sheet metal brake and got some more steel on the outside wall of my workshop. Had to make some of my own trim pieces which was fun, I will need to rent it a couple more times before I am done though.
A couple of pics of this weekends progress
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Rbrock- thanks for the reply to my question. I had already bought a roll of vapour barrier before I decided to get the shop sprayed.....but am very happy I won’t need to use it.
I had a very productive weekend. Got the deck off the tractor and put the snowblower on. Not saying that I want snow.....but in the event we get it.....I am ready. Also rented a sheet metal brake and got some more steel on the outside wall of my workshop. Had to make some of my own trim pieces which was fun, I will need to rent it a couple more times before I am done though.
A couple of pics of this weekends progress
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
drivesitfar
Well-known member
STELLA: i'm sure whatever you pick for covering up the insulation and making your walls will be great.
that is some machine to rent. did they deliver and was it $200 per day or i'm guessing pretty spendy?
keep up the great work!!
that is some machine to rent. did they deliver and was it $200 per day or i'm guessing pretty spendy?
keep up the great work!!
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
Drives- the trim brake was 84.00 to rent for a full day and since they are closed on sundays I could bring it back this morning. Worked out great.
Eric
Eric
rburke65
Well-known member
You and your wife have a great looking place here. Great looking work and Good luck to you both.
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
Thanks rburke. We really love it out here.....and the best part is it’s only 5 minutes away from work for both of us.
I have gotten home from work early a few days and have more progress in the shop. I have the brewery framed in with a door and a window looking out to the rest of the shop.
Things have slowed down a bit for me at work so I will be able to keep moving forward.
I have gotten home from work early a few days and have more progress in the shop. I have the brewery framed in with a door and a window looking out to the rest of the shop.
Things have slowed down a bit for me at work so I will be able to keep moving forward.
Attachments
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Stella: are you walling off sections in your huge shop/garage for heating purposes to heat smaller spaces or to keep the messes confined to smaller areas? or having woodworking in one area and metal in another or do tell?
looking good as always!!
looking good as always!!
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
Drives- The actual heated portion of the shop will be about 1200 square ft.. I have portioned part of it off to house my home brewery and isolate it from the rest. The bulk of the barn will remain up heated as it is. This is where I will be doing car stuff and welding etc.
I have most of the framing done now and my stepson came and roughed in some of the bathroom plumbing. I also started putting sheet metal on the ceiling.
I bought a panel lift and it works like a charm to do the ceiling.
I am almost done work for the holidays so I hope to get more done soon.
On the list for the new year will be a Generac 22 kw backup generator for which I will install a base this week before winter comes back. It will backup the shop and the house but I will need to have the gas changed to high pressure and have regulators installed.
More pics to follow as I make progress.
Have a great day everyone.
Eric.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I have most of the framing done now and my stepson came and roughed in some of the bathroom plumbing. I also started putting sheet metal on the ceiling.
I bought a panel lift and it works like a charm to do the ceiling.
I am almost done work for the holidays so I hope to get more done soon.
On the list for the new year will be a Generac 22 kw backup generator for which I will install a base this week before winter comes back. It will backup the shop and the house but I will need to have the gas changed to high pressure and have regulators installed.
More pics to follow as I make progress.
Have a great day everyone.
Eric.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
drivesitfar
Well-known member
STELLA: we have a lot of local breweries around here and some have restaurants serving good food there too. what kind of beer are you going to make and just for you and your friends or do you have bigger plans?
great plan and cool property and buildings so enjoy your days off and hope you make a bit more progress.
thanks for the updates!!
great plan and cool property and buildings so enjoy your days off and hope you make a bit more progress.
thanks for the updates!!
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
Drives- sorry I missed your post somehow. I change up the style of beer quite a bit from IPA, lagers, stouts and wheat beers. I haven’t perfected the wheat beer process yet. I brew for myself and friends and family and want to keep it as a hobby. My brother and I already have a business so I don’t need the added stress.
I am making some progress in the shop....but family life has been busy the last couple of weeks.
Attached is a picture of my brew rig. Also a picture of the old draft setup at the bar in the old house and the logo on my draft fridge of the name of my brewery
Eric
I am making some progress in the shop....but family life has been busy the last couple of weeks.
Attached is a picture of my brew rig. Also a picture of the old draft setup at the bar in the old house and the logo on my draft fridge of the name of my brewery
Eric
Attachments
drivesitfar
Well-known member
STELLA: that is some serious beer making stuff there and the logo you designed is over the top cool. WELL DONE and I bet pretty tasty too.
here's to a great 2019!!!
here's to a great 2019!!!
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
Thanks Drives.....and a Happy New Year to you and your family as well.
All the best in 2019 everyone.
Eric
All the best in 2019 everyone.
Eric
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Stella: just checking in to see if anything new is happening cause I think you mentioned you were going to get some quality shop time this last week or so?
in your state of the art brewery about how long does it take you to make a good beer? also have you figured out how much per gallon it costs you to make it after the original big expense of buying all that nice equipment?
i'm getting thirsty just thinking about it.
cheers
in your state of the art brewery about how long does it take you to make a good beer? also have you figured out how much per gallon it costs you to make it after the original big expense of buying all that nice equipment?
i'm getting thirsty just thinking about it.
cheers
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
Drives- Again did not get the time I wanted in the shop. My wife and I had a week away between Christmas and New Years. Then a trade show and a business trip to the Netherlands. I will have some time again the next 2 weeks and will pics when there is some new progress.
The beer cost is between 1/2 and 2/3 of the cost of commercial brews, depending on the style. I haven’t brewed for a couple of years so not real sure about the current cost of ingredients.
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
The beer cost is between 1/2 and 2/3 of the cost of commercial brews, depending on the style. I haven’t brewed for a couple of years so not real sure about the current cost of ingredients.
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Stella: any new progress??
also when you mention the cost of your homemade beer i'm guessing that's not counting the initial investment for the stainless tanks and equipment or is that figured in? also just curious how much your set up would cost to buy and is there a big learning curve cause i've got more time than sheckles at the moment and would maybe like to try my hand on making a PNW BREW.
cheers (yep hot tea today cause the snow blew in from your part of the world)
also when you mention the cost of your homemade beer i'm guessing that's not counting the initial investment for the stainless tanks and equipment or is that figured in? also just curious how much your set up would cost to buy and is there a big learning curve cause i've got more time than sheckles at the moment and would maybe like to try my hand on making a PNW BREW.
cheers (yep hot tea today cause the snow blew in from your part of the world)
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
Hi Drives
First to answer your questions.....you can get started all grain brewing with a capital investment of a couple hundred dollars. I started with a turkey frier, and a cooler as a mash tun and a brew pail to ferment. Also a small wort chiller made of copper tubing. After about a year I wanted to get a better brew rig and set out to build my own. I have probably invested around 4000 CAD into my brew rig and stainless steel fermenters.
With the new dedicated space for brewing......my guess is that if I calculate my total investment in my brewery it would never pay back. I would be better off buying craft beer from the store. But hey.....its a hobby and I love every aspect of it.
As far as progress in the shop. Yes, there has been a lot. I have had to work on different areas because I had to wait for materials and such. I have pictures and will organize and post them in a few days. My goal is to have most of the shop done by spring.
Cheers
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
First to answer your questions.....you can get started all grain brewing with a capital investment of a couple hundred dollars. I started with a turkey frier, and a cooler as a mash tun and a brew pail to ferment. Also a small wort chiller made of copper tubing. After about a year I wanted to get a better brew rig and set out to build my own. I have probably invested around 4000 CAD into my brew rig and stainless steel fermenters.
With the new dedicated space for brewing......my guess is that if I calculate my total investment in my brewery it would never pay back. I would be better off buying craft beer from the store. But hey.....its a hobby and I love every aspect of it.
As far as progress in the shop. Yes, there has been a lot. I have had to work on different areas because I had to wait for materials and such. I have pictures and will organize and post them in a few days. My goal is to have most of the shop done by spring.
Cheers
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
drivesitfar
Well-known member
STELLA: I'd love to have the space and time to learn how to make some good homemade beer or red wine and maybe some day I will if I ever get moved out of my shop and ORGANIZED.
no matter the cost I bet everytime you get to taste some of your homemade beer (the good batches) it not only tastes great, but the smile on your face might last for more than a few days.
post up more pics as you can of your cool shop and if you'd like to join our GET HEALTHY thread and maybe make a few posts about how to make some good beer here's the link.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=298568
no matter the cost I bet everytime you get to taste some of your homemade beer (the good batches) it not only tastes great, but the smile on your face might last for more than a few days.
post up more pics as you can of your cool shop and if you'd like to join our GET HEALTHY thread and maybe make a few posts about how to make some good beer here's the link.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=298568
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
The last couple of weeks have been really cold so I broke down and got a 7500 watt electric heater. It is only a temporary heater but it heats the place easily.
I also have the ceiling tin done and had a few left over sheets so I put some wainscoting on the wall where I could.
Things are progressing quite nicely....will be starting on the electrical next week.
Drives- I love the beer I brew....the only drawback is that it has a lot of calories. Most of my beer has an average of 5.5 to 6.5 percent alcohol.
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I also have the ceiling tin done and had a few left over sheets so I put some wainscoting on the wall where I could.
Things are progressing quite nicely....will be starting on the electrical next week.
Drives- I love the beer I brew....the only drawback is that it has a lot of calories. Most of my beer has an average of 5.5 to 6.5 percent alcohol.
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Stella: even though you say your electric heater is temporary I bet it will be nice to have a back up and it looks like a beast. did you just buy it or tell me (us) why you picked that one and does it just run off 220? also any idea how expensive it is to run?
I can taste that good beer as i'm writing this. I don't drink much anymore, but I do like a good beer even if it only takes a couple to put me on my lips where it used to take a case or two.
cheers (yep morrocan green ice tea for me until I can get some good homemade beer)
I can taste that good beer as i'm writing this. I don't drink much anymore, but I do like a good beer even if it only takes a couple to put me on my lips where it used to take a case or two.
cheers (yep morrocan green ice tea for me until I can get some good homemade beer)
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
Hi Drives- I bought the heater because it was on sale. It’s 7500 watts on high and keeps the place toasty warm. I have no idea the cost to heat as of yet.....I will be sure to find out when the electricity bill comes. We have had a lot of really crappy weather lately...snow, freezing rain and high winds so my electrical isn’t going as fast as I would like because of missed days.
I have made some good progress on the brewery.
Hopefully I will have ceiling lights by the end of the week
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I have made some good progress on the brewery.
Hopefully I will have ceiling lights by the end of the week
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Attachments
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
And finally we have lights. What a difference they make. It’s so nice to work in a warm shop with ceiling lights and more than 2 electrical circuits. Spent the weekend out there and got plywood on 2 outside walls.
Also picked up about 30 of these old wooden crates from an old house my parents are remodelling.
The crates were all nailed together to make shelving for storage. I may do the same but not sure yet.
Cheers
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Also picked up about 30 of these old wooden crates from an old house my parents are remodelling.
The crates were all nailed together to make shelving for storage. I may do the same but not sure yet.
Cheers
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Attachments
BajaScout
Well-known member
Awesome place!
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
Thanks Baja Scout.
Sorry I haven’t posted in such a long time.....that’s what 14 hr work days will do to you. Definitely our busy season so no complaints. Work in the shop has pretty much stopped for the summer but outside landscaping continues. We just got our driveway paved with stone that I make in our plant. The product is the Covington Paver.
The driveway was paved with a series of Covington Pavers. The sizes were 6x12, 12x12, 12x18, and 18x18. The colour is Slate with a Beige and Premium Black border. They filled the joints with polymeric sand. All told the crew was in and out in a week. I think it looks fantastic.
We also had the generator installed and commissioned so we are finally ready for the next power outage.
Cheers
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Sorry I haven’t posted in such a long time.....that’s what 14 hr work days will do to you. Definitely our busy season so no complaints. Work in the shop has pretty much stopped for the summer but outside landscaping continues. We just got our driveway paved with stone that I make in our plant. The product is the Covington Paver.
The driveway was paved with a series of Covington Pavers. The sizes were 6x12, 12x12, 12x18, and 18x18. The colour is Slate with a Beige and Premium Black border. They filled the joints with polymeric sand. All told the crew was in and out in a week. I think it looks fantastic.
We also had the generator installed and commissioned so we are finally ready for the next power outage.
Cheers
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
BajaScout
Well-known member
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
Thanks Baja.
Haven’t had a power outage yet but with the hot humid weather it probably won’t be long until we do. Here is a couple of pictures of the generator and transfer switch.
It’s going to be a hectic few weeks around here now. We just found out that we are going to be first time grandparents. The kids want to have a baby shower/gender reveal in the shop. It will be the only shower so they have 80 people coming. Let the cleaning frenzy begin.
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Haven’t had a power outage yet but with the hot humid weather it probably won’t be long until we do. Here is a couple of pictures of the generator and transfer switch.
It’s going to be a hectic few weeks around here now. We just found out that we are going to be first time grandparents. The kids want to have a baby shower/gender reveal in the shop. It will be the only shower so they have 80 people coming. Let the cleaning frenzy begin.
Eric
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
BajaScout
Well-known member
Congratulations on being a grandparent soon! 80 people..wow. I plan on retiring in a couple months and expect the party to be me and my wife. Three if I count the cat.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
drivesitfar
Well-known member
STELLA: whats new with you? are you a GRANDPA yet? grandson or granddaughter?
i'm missing my STELLA GARAGE AND PROPERTY FIX so help me out and post up a few pictures and send us a smoke signal letting us know you are alive and well and loving life.
cheers and hope you have a great weekend
i'm missing my STELLA GARAGE AND PROPERTY FIX so help me out and post up a few pictures and send us a smoke signal letting us know you are alive and well and loving life.
cheers and hope you have a great weekend
OP
Stellaontap
Well-known member
BajaScout- Thanks, really looking forward to being a grandparent. You must be close to retirement now.....enjoy. I have some years to go before I can retire.
Drives- yes....still alive and loving life. It’s a lot of work here but enjoying every moment. How are things in your neck of the woods?
The landscaping is coming along nicely.....the grass is mostly clover and other weeds but hey....it’s green. I think we’ve accomplished a lot in 2 years already. The baby shower/ gender reveal is in 2 weeks. The shop is almost all cleaned up and we will decorate next weekend. I took a couple of pics on how the place looks now. Hope you had a great weekend also.
Drives- yes....still alive and loving life. It’s a lot of work here but enjoying every moment. How are things in your neck of the woods?
The landscaping is coming along nicely.....the grass is mostly clover and other weeds but hey....it’s green. I think we’ve accomplished a lot in 2 years already. The baby shower/ gender reveal is in 2 weeks. The shop is almost all cleaned up and we will decorate next weekend. I took a couple of pics on how the place looks now. Hope you had a great weekend also.