Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT The Mary Kay Garage

[pickles]

I went with the Sonic cabinets for two reasons. First they make it a cabinet that is a little shallower than most others at 20 inches deep. Also I really like their foam inset tool trays. I have some nice woodworking equipment but my mechanics tools are decidedly crappy. I’ve got lots of incomplete sets of cheap and mismatched tools. It’s time to upgrade and while I’m sure there are better quality tools than Sonic I really like the organization of them. I ordered one set of ratchets so far. They are expensive so I plan on ordering more a little bit of time over the next year.
Getting the workbench on order also means that I need to finish the interior walls of the bump out. I plan on insulating the walls, putting up some plywood in the areas that I think I’ll want to hang tools and then drywall the entire bump out. I really want to get this done before the tool cabinets arrive. Below is what that area looks like now.
Lastly I’ve started moving garage related stuff out of the basement. I move a bunch of **** into the basement six months ago before we tore down the old garage. It’s been a mess since so it’s nice to get stuff back into the garage where it should be And to restore some semblance of order to the basement. Thus far I’ve just pilled it up against the wall so I can understand what I have and how much storage I might need for it. I’m still figuring that one out.

The wood above will be used the line the bump out. I still need to purchase the insulation and eventually the drywall.

 

[racer-john]

May you and yours have an enjoyable Christmas and a Happy New Year, Pickles.

 

[PugetDude]

Hey guys, I thought I would give you a small update. In the past couple of weeks I have spent some time trying to figure out my plans for garage storage. This is a challenge because of the modest size of my garage - and my big plans for it.

I'm going to put a workbench in the bump out portion of the garage. I've purchased two Sonic Tool Cabinets (one 26 inch, the other 32 inch wide) that will be the basis of the left hand portion of my workbench. The righthand portion, the part of the workbench in front of the window, will be open. I want to both be able to sit under the worktop there and also store a future welding table under it. Because of that it will also be higher than the portion of the workbench over the Sonic cabinets. Finally that portion of the bench will also be only about 20 (or maybe even 18) inches deep (vs 22 on the lower portion of the workbench). The shallow depth is because I will still need to have room between the workbench and the front of Mary Kay to be able to stand and work comfortably. My drawings are not at all Gregor quality but I took a stab at it and you can see that below.
There is a light that will hand over the elevated portion of the workbench and when I work I will be able to see straight out the window and gets one natural light.

I will build a maple top for both sides of the bench.

I'd think twice about welding that close to a window; you're likely to end up with weld spatter on your glass, especially if you're grinding. Doen't take much to ruin a window. I have empirical evidence to support this.

Garage is looking good; it's been a great ride-along on your build.

 

[pickles]

May you and yours have an enjoyable Christmas and a Happy New Year, Pickles.

Racer, Thank you. I hope you and all the readers of this thread have a nice Christmas as well.

 

[pickles]

I'd think twice about welding that close to a window; you're likely to end up with weld spatter on your glass, especially if you're grinding. Doen't take much to ruin a window. I have empirical evidence to support this.

Garage is looking good; it's been a great ride-along on your

Puget, I didn’t make this clear in my post but my thought was that this future welding bench would be on wheels and that I would be able to move it somewhere else in the garage when I wanted to use it.
And I’m very glad you have been enjoying the thread.

 

[xtremek]

When I turned a wrench professionally, I paid big money for my tools. Now, not so much. I don't go so low as Harbor Freight for my new wrenches and screwdrivers, but big box stores are fine for the more normal use I put them through now. Just saying buy the appropriate level of tools for your use.

 

[captain14]

I’m not sure what the electrical plan for the bump out is but plan extra if that is where the workbenches will live. Up high where the bench will not block access. I know you have the majority of the plugs already mounted.

 

[xtremek]

Happy Christmas and a merry New Year to you and yours.

 

[Lou's Garage]

Merry Christmas!

 

[Chrisb62]

Merry Christmas and have a joyous and Happy New Year.

 

[pickles]

Thanks everyone. I really hope you are having a nice Christmas as well.

 

[pickles]

I thought I would put up a quick update as I was able to get some time in the garage today post holiday. I’m trying to get the bump out insulated drywalled and painted as I am supposed to get my tool cabinets delivered sometime this week. I want to avoid putting my workbench inside the bump out together before the walls are done knowing that I would have to move it out someday to finish the walls. Or otherwise never finishing the walls at all because I was to lazy to move the workbench once it’s in place. So anyway I started with this
And after a couple of trips to Home Depot and a couple hours of work ended up with this. I plan to drywall the space but I also wanted to put plywood on two of the walls so I can anchor wall cabinets without having to find a stud. I got about half of the plywood up. I plan to put drywall over the plywood for cosmetic reasons. More updates to come, especially if it stays as warm as it’s been the last few days.

 

[pickles]

I got my tool cabinets delivered today.
I was able to resist the urge to slide them in place in the bump out and forever give up the idea of finishing the walls in that space. I did however unbox them and take a look.
This is Sonics lower end line of cabinets. That said I’m really happy with the quality. After I finish doing the interior walls of the bump out I will slide these in place and use them as the basis for my workbench. I also plan on ordering some Sonic tools to match the cabinets and upgrade my mechanics tools. I’ll do that a little bit at a time to spread out the financial pain.

 

[racer-john]

Looking good, pickles. Nice cabs.

 

[Jagmandave]

I've never heard of Sonic brand tool cabinets or tools

 

[mybigwarwagon]

I have looked at Sonic a good deal. They look good.

 

[PugetDude]

Great work; the bump out is going to give you a nice working niche. Applaud your patience and foresight in getting it finished before moving your stuff in.

Please tell me you insulated that little ~8x8 square below the lower right corner of the window before sheathing over it...

 

[pickles]

Puget, I promise, I filled that corner with some scraps. And thanks for the compliments.

 

[xtremek]

I was surprised at how reasonable the Sonic tools are.

 

[pickles]

I thought I would give you guys a small update. I’ve finished putting up the plywood in the areas of the bump out where I wanted to have the ability to hang things without having to find a stud. I will put up drywall there too. I will also insulate and drywall the triangle shaped are you see in this photo above. I really want to get that done but it’s going to be in the teens tomorrow so I won’t get that done this weekend. I also hate doing drywall work so expect some procrastination.
I am also trying to work out my storage plans. Hand and electric tools will go in the Sonic cabinets above. I ordered my first tray of Sonic tools. I’ll post a photo and my impressions once they are delivered. I brought in a wooden cabinet that we had in the house. It’s really not great for a garage but we also had no good place for it in the house. I put a few things in there and maybe it will stay in the garage for a while
I still have a number of other things I need to find storage solutions for. Things like jack stands, a cut off saw and some car parts. I’m thinking of ordering some upper cabinets to place along the wall on either the BMW of Cadillac sides of the garage. Id really like to get a proper tall cabinet as well but am worried that might make the garage feel too crowded. Finally my wife is putting on the pressure to put our bikes in the garage.

 

[zc15]

For the bikes, have you considered hanging them from the ceiling?

 

[pickles]

For the bikes, have you considered hanging them from the ceiling?

I might do that for a couple of them. We have four bikes (one for each of us) and at least two of them don’t get used very often. My wife is threatening to start riding her bike to work (once this Covid stuff is over) so at least one bike is going to need to be a lot more accessible than it would be on the ceiling. Truth be told I am hoping to find a way to keep them out of the garage altogether. Not sure that I will find a way to do that given my small lot. Maybe I could build something on the roof deck to store some bikes?

 

[HPRifleman]

I might do that for a couple of them. We have four bikes (one for each of us) and at least two of them don’t get used very often. My wife is threatening to start riding her bike to work (once this Covid stuff is over) so at least one bike is going to need to be a lot more accessible than it would be on the ceiling. Truth be told I am hoping to find a way to keep them out of the garage altogether. Not sure that I will find a way to do that given my small lot. Maybe I could build something on the roof deck to store some bikes?

If you find a way to mount the bikes, please post your solution.

In our last house I built a wall-mounted rack in the garage that held two bikes, one over the other. Now we have three bikes and, like you, I would like to keep them out of the garage. Also like you, that might not be possible. Hanging them from the ceiling isn't possible as we have scissor trusses that would put them out of reach.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Those Sonic cabinets look pretty nice actually, really interested to hear your impressions of the tools. That's going to look great once you have that bump-out finished.

 

[Trapps]

If you find a way to mount the bikes, please post your solution.

In our last house I built a wall-mounted rack in the garage that held two bikes, one over the other. Now we have three bikes and, like you, I would like to keep them out of the garage. Also like you, that might not be possible. Hanging them from the ceiling isn't possible as we have scissor trusses that would put them out of reach.

What about a pulley system? For you or @pickles. Get them up as far as possible...

 

[pickles]

It’s been almost a month since my last update so I thought I would post again even if my updates are small. It’s been cold here but I’ve been able to finish the insulation and dry wall of my garage bump out. I’m waiting for a day that is warm enough to be able to paint the walls and then I can slide my tool cabinets in place and begin working on my workbench. It was also my birthday this week and my wife got me a new battery lawn mower. To follow up with the discussion earlier in the thread the main criteria for the mower was finding the one that was the easiest to store. Here is what I ended up with.
Given my small yard I think this will be more than big enough.
Lastly I also got a present from my mom. It’s a air cooled 911 and I’m more than excited about it.

 

[mybigwarwagon]

That battery should last all season on one charge.

 

[xtremek]

Yeah, with a lawn as small as yours, compact storage would have been my priority too. Nice choice. Nice job on the bump out. Thought of renting a propane or kerosene torpedo so you could paint your garage? As small as your garage is, it shouldn't take too much fuel to heat it for two days.

 

[pickles]

Yeah, with a lawn as small as yours, compact storage would have been my priority too. Nice choice. Nice job on the bump out. Thought of renting a propane or kerosene torpedo so you could paint your garage? As small as your garage is, it shouldn't take too much fuel to heat it for two days.

That’s a good idea but I’ll probably end up waiting for a warmer day. I can’t move Mary Kay back into the garage until I get the cabinets moved but I’m not planning on doing that until the end of March at the earliest anyway. Also I still have other projects to work on. I am still working on putting together my storage for the garage. To that end I just ordered four upper cabinets that I plan on putting on the wall that the BMW backs up against. I also have some plans on putting together an outside storage cabinet for my lawn tools. Now that I have the mower I can do that knowing what dimensions I have for it. There is more than enough to keep me busy with just those two projects. Also I hate painting. Cold weather is a good excuse to procrastinate about doing it.

 

[captain14]

Let us know what you decide on the outside storage cabinet. I’m considering one just for the long handle tools to get them out of the garage too. I’m debating about building one out of wood or one of the Rubbermaid products. And it has to be small enough so I can put it inside the perimeter and not against the fence for “others” to visit.

 

[PugetDude]

Let us know what you decide on the outside storage cabinet. I’m considering one just for the long handle tools to get them out of the garage too. I’m debating about building one out of wood or one of the Rubbermaid products. And it has to be small enough so I can put it inside the perimeter and not against the fence for “others” to visit.

Rodents love Rubbermaid.

 

[mybigwarwagon]

1

Rodents love Rubbermaid.

I am surprised that isn't their new sales campaign.

 

[pickles]

It was relatively warm today so with the help of my little heater I got it fairly close to to fifty degrees and it was time to stop procrastinating and paint the bump out portion of the garage. I got one coat of paint up and slide my cabinets in to their final resting place. I will put on a second coat of paint at some point (except for the area behind the cabinets). I’m also going to make two sections of maple tops to finish my workbench. One part will sit on top of these cabinets and the other part will be in front of the window at a little higher height. Hopefully I’ll have more updates this weekend .

 

[xtremek]

Remind me, what're you going to use for insulation on the ceiling and the bottom of the "stairs"? Paint job looks pretty good.

 

[pickles]

Remind me, what're you going to use for insulation on the ceiling and the bottom of the "stairs"? Paint job looks pretty good.

I’m planning on having the entire ceiling of the garage spray foam insulated and then having it painted black. I’ll do this to the “ceiling” of the bump out too.

 

[pickles]

A couple of pages ago in this thread there was a discussion of where and how I was going to store the family’s four bicycles. I really did not want to leave them in the garage. My wife, however, did. I think you can see how this story is going to unfold. Truth is there probably is no other good space for bicycles at our house. We have a basement but the only unfinished space there is my workshop, which is already crowded and a small furnace and storage room which also has no space. We had a spare bedroom but we are in the process of converting it to a home gym. There is also a kids playroom which is seldom used but I plan to make that into a proper home theater in the next few months. I thought about building a small bike storage shed on top of the garage deck but I thought that would be ugly. Also it would be a pain to get the bikes up there.
Anyway a couple of weeks ago I saw a bike storage lift that the Obsessed Garage guy sells and had a video about. Basically it’s a winch that is mounted vertically and can pull up a hitch receiver up a unistrut channel. You can put anything that fits in a hitch receiver that you want and it will lift up to 400 pounds. I bought one a couple of weeks ago and installed it in my garage this weekend. I used a hitch mounted bike rack that we already owned (and which I also needed to find a place to store). The system is mounted on the north wall of my garage. The bikes are a little more than six feet off the ground when lifted to the ceiling and I can walk under them. The BMW will get parked underneath although temporarily I am parking it in the other side of the garage. If it falls of the wall I really didn’t want to have it fall on my car. That said it seems solid enough and I’ll be very surprised if I have any problems. Pics below
and with the bikes on it
and lifted to the ceiling

 

[billconner]

kewl!

 

[xtremek]

If you intend to always back the Bimmer in, I think you have the perfect solution

 

[Spacep0d]

Howdy, garage is looking good! I like the flooring. Is that RaceDeck or perhaps SwissTrax? Bikes are difficult. Store more than one in the same general space and things start to look crazy fast. I'm a minimalist about these things, admittedly. Is there a way you can build out mini 'garages' for each bike so they're out of sight and then use that wall space for something else....maybe pegboards? Just spitballin' here.

I know this would take a lot of space, but I think it's doable. It's probably doable even if you store those narrow spaces vertically somehow, maybe with some kind of leverage system to help with lift.

 

[Lou's Garage]

That's an elegant solution for a very difficult to store item. Nice job.