The "pedestrian" garage

[tinbender 66]

Nice job how much money do you have invested? I try not to keep tract of the money, it pisses my wife off.

Thanks, I don't keep very good track of the money spent but I'm pretty sure once I get it insulated and painted inside and a "few" other things I'll still be a hair under 20K.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

Is there a reason the left garage door is lower than the two right ones?

Always wondered about that when I drive around and see it.. I would think all being the same size would be a good backup incase you get vehicles that are already occupying the the bigger doors you have another slot for another larger (taller) vehicle?

Looks good so ffar!!

-Nigel

 

[tinbender 66]

Is there a reason the left garage door is lower than the two right ones?

Always wondered about that when I drive around and see it.. I would think all being the same size would be a good backup incase you get vehicles that are already occupying the the bigger doors you have another slot for another larger (taller) vehicle?

Looks good so ffar!!

-Nigel

Yes there is a very good reason: It was free '

 

[tinbender 66]

Oh and the other two I got on Craigslist. Two 9' x 8' doors, all the hardware and two openers for a hundred bucks. My wife rocks at finding me deals.

 

[BEAVO]

hey how about getting to work on that nova and post some progress pics over on steves

 

[tinbender 66]

Patience Beavo, patience. Actually even though I've got almost nothing done on the car, I'm going to start a thread on Steve's because I have a bunch of things I need info/opinions on. Coming soon to a forum near you.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

When I suggested you take up building copper planters and cupolas earlier in this thread, I didn't realize you have already made some dandy pieces for your lady. Nice work! Maybe it's in your future to build a website and show off your wares? Wouldn't it be nice to be your own boss, spend some of your pension on CAD/CAM equipment for your shop, and become a custom jobber?

I wonder how many Volksnuts would buy some nice shiny coated copper heat shields for their bugs/buses?

I'm just full of ideas to spend other people's time and money; some people say I'm just full of **it!

 

[tinbender 66]

When I suggested you take up building copper planters and cupolas earlier in this thread, I didn't realize you have already made some dandy pieces for your lady. Nice work! Maybe it's in your future to build a website and show off your wares? Wouldn't it be nice to be your own boss, spend some of your pension on CAD/CAM equipment for your shop, and become a custom jobber?

I wonder how many Volksnuts would buy some nice shiny coated copper heat shields for their bugs/buses?

I'm just full of ideas to spend other people's time and money; some people say I'm just full of **it!

Thanks, but I think I'll pass on a full time business. I've done it before. If I can score some basic equipment I'll make some things to sell at the local street fairs but other than that I like just doing what I dang well please everyday.

 

[tinbender 66]

Some more baby steps. I finally started insulating until I ran out of money again. I have another part-time job interview tomorrow so we'll see how that goes.

R-19

I started with the office and bathroom since I'm going to finish those first.

 

[tinbender 66]

I did a little work in the bathroom. This is the $39 vanity/sink my wife bought me.



A little paint and it looks a little better.Red and black is kind of a cliche' but I've painted so much stuff I'm stuck with it in the garage. The office will be much more subtle. I used cheap handles from Lowe's on just about everything. I think they look at least a little "toolsy"



I got this 4 gallon point-of-use hot water heater at a garage sale for $15. I tested it when I got it home. Works great! I had to hook it up in the bath so I could test the hot water side of the plumbing so I could insulate. No leaks!



Fair warning

 

[tinbender 66]

This back corner was a real mess. The front clip from the Nova was there with a bunch of other parts just piled on top of it. I hung a bunch of parts on some nails and it looks a lot better now. Of course I'll have to take it all down when I insulate and finish the walls but it's the first time in a long time I've been able to walk all over the place without tripping or taking a detour around a bunch of ****.

In that pile of parts was an old set of headers that came with the car. They were all rusty and I leaned them against the door thinking I would just throw them in the scap bin at the dump. On second thought, I decided to clean them up and use them as "wall art". I've got a no-good Edelbrock manifold up in the attic that I'll clean up also and use some how.

Before:

After:

Mounted on the wall with a sign I saved from my old business:

 

[tinbender 66]

I had a couple of first aid kits that were mostly complete so I replaced what was missing (I go through a lot of Bandaids) and cleaned them up and painted them. The white one is HOK Snow White Pearl lol. I had it laying around. I made the labels from an internet label place pic that I saved and printed on photo paper and glued on with Elmer's spray glue. This kind of stuff keeps me motivated while I'm waitin' for that next check to come in. Fun stuff.

 

[tinbender 66]

I've had this old Steelcase cabinet around forever. I can't remember when or where I got it. It had sliding door tracks but no doors. I've been using it as a pedestal for my old Homack toolbox. Both the cabinet and the tool box were a little shabby so I got out the rattle cans again.


That Milwaukee grinder is over 25 years old and still works perfect. Only trouble is that it has a 1/2" arbor. Hard to find stuff for but I've got a newer DeWalt that's 5/8"



Much better now. I made doors for the cabinet out of left over T-111 siding and used those good old Lowes handles again.

 

[tinbender 66]

Here's a hardware storage cabinet I got after my Dad passed away.

As recieved:



In progress:



Finished. I have since replaced the labels with some better ones that I made in Word:

 

[tinbender 66]

This was a Napa oil seal cabinet that I got at a garage sale. It's got gasket sealer, pvc cement and stuff like that in it. Same handle:

I finally figured out how I want the tools and cabinets arranged. This is the final configuration. The hardware cabinet on the left will move further to the left about 8' so I can have 16' of work bench between it and the file cabinet thingy. I've been trying to score cabinets on CL but I guess I'm not fast enought. I'll probable just build something. Plenty of room for storage above the work bench.

 

[tinbender 66]

A couple of useful things I got from my Dad's tools.

Craftsman block grinder. Works perfect!

Jet (made in Japan) drill press. Works great and has a very good chuck. I like the rack for raising and lowering the table.

 

[tinbender 66]

A couple more things then I will have posted almost everything I have so far so I will have get off my **** and get busy.

A cool clock my wife got me:

My latest garage sale tool box score. Free.

 

[tinbender 66]

The Bing view. You can't see the garage because of the trees. It's down that drive on the right. The Google maps view shows it but I couldn't find a way to save just the pic without sharing all my other info i.e. my address etc.

 

[rsa]

I couldn't find a way to save just the pic without sharing all my other info i.e. my address etc.

I do a screen capture and then crop it in a graphics program.

 

[Red Leader]

Tinbender,

Your place is looking great! As far as the red/black combo being 'cliche', I tend to think of it more as the golden standard of a well-put together and coordinated garage. I think they are popular colors, yes. But for good reason

I like what you've done with all the metal cabinets too. I haven't really figured out too much of a storage solution for my place. You're a smart man by tackling that. I'll be playing catch up in that arena for a while.

Also good calls on the deals you guys have been finding. Sounds like you and me both have a garage budget that appears and then disappears pretty quickly and we just kinda work as we go. Looks awesome.

 

[Red Leader]

Man, I need to get a first aid kit for the garage. Good reminder. Gotta keep an eye out for a good vintage first aid box and get some goods for it

 

[Dennis Cavallino]

This is a great DIY build, I really like it.

 

[Square2.0]

Looking good.

Thanks for a few ideas I just stole from you

 

[tinbender 66]

Tinbender,

Your place is looking great! As far as the red/black combo being 'cliche', I tend to think of it more as the golden standard of a well-put together and coordinated garage. I think they are popular colors, yes. But for good reason

I like what you've done with all the metal cabinets too. I haven't really figured out too much of a storage solution for my place. You're a smart man by tackling that. I'll be playing catch up in that arena for a while.

Also good calls on the deals you guys have been finding. Sounds like you and me both have a garage budget that appears and then disappears pretty quickly and we just kinda work as we go. Looks awesome.

Thanks Red Leader, I actually DO like the red and black theme. I just picked up some more "stuff" to work on. A metal desk at Hab for $10 and on the way home I stopped at a garage sale and got another metal desk for free. It's (the free one) pretty cheesy but the Habitat one was missing the center drawer and the free one had one that fits the space. I'll probably save the drawer units for future use and toss the rest. THEN I found another file cabinet. It's a Steelcase model so I had to have it. Steelcase made some of the best metal office furnishings. Nothing real special, just heavy and very well made. She wanted $10 but I only had 8 so a deal was struck. Pics later.

 

[tinbender 66]

Man, I need to get a first aid kit for the garage. Good reminder. Gotta keep an eye out for a good vintage first aid box and get some goods for it

Yeah, I don't know about you, but I bleed a lot!.

This is a great DIY build, I really like it.

Thanks Dennis, it's been a lot of hard work, but it's fun work.

Looking good.

Thanks for a few ideas I just stole from you

Give 'em back!! Seriously, steal all you want. The Journal is a gold mine of ideas, inspiration etc.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The tools you see at the far right are the "machines" I used to dig it. It's about 30" deep with 2-2-4 aluminum wire in 1 1/2" pvc.

Didn't carry a ground from the house panel to the shop? Its been code for quite a few years now.

Beyond that, great looking shop, like the detail you give in how you did things. I will keep watching this thread.

Charles

 

[tinbender 66]

Didn't carry a ground from the house panel to the shop? Its been code for quite a few years now.

Beyond that, great looking shop, like the detail you give in how you did things. I will keep watching this thread.

Charles

Thanks Charles, there's a ground there now. I was acting on outdated advice and did it the same way I did an outbuilding in the past. That was the only major thing I got dinged on. It's all good now.

 

[tinbender 66]

I think I'll blather on now. I've had this stool for years now. I think I got it at Boeing Surplus. Too bad that place isn't selling to the public anymore. I got the stool and an awesome 6' wide drafting table with a metal stand and drawers for $15. I had to give away the drafting table when I closed my business as I had no place to put it.

The stool was looking a little ratty. It also wouldn't stay "up" even if I tightened it with my big Channelocks. I suppose I could've drilled a dimple in the shaft but I don't care if it adjusts so I just drilled clear through and put a bolt in it. Took it apart (I love taking things apart), sanded it, polished the chrome, painted it and put it back together. The bracket that holds the back is kinda springy so it gives just enough when you lean back. Comfy. If I was a fool with money I'd have it rolled and pleated. Maybe in a pearl white..oooh. Could happen someday.

 

[tinbender 66]

Here are the things I mentioned that I picked up the other day. I forgot to take a before pic of the Habitat desk.

Here are the drawers "before":

The desk going back together. It ain't done yet so this is all you get:

Polished the drawer pulls and painted the drawer fronts black of course:

 

[tinbender 66]

This is the ugly free desk. I stole the center drawer and slides from it and mounted them in the Habitat desk. I'm sure I'll repurpose some of the other parts.

And the Steelcase file cab. For some reason I just love Steelcase stuff. It'll get the paint treatment too.

 

[tinbender 66]

One more thing. I've been trying to score free cabinets on CL for a while now but I'm always the second or third caller. I saw these on there the other day and these WEREN'T free so of course I was the first caller! Only $20 each though and they're pretty nice 33" W x 36" tall. I suppose it's some kind of sacriledge to paint them but I'll probably do it anyway. Burn me at the stake.

Okay, I'll shut up now, it's midnight already. At least it sounds like the artillery has subsided.

 

[Red Leader]

Nice work. Things are looking great!

Since my space is somewhat small, it seems that I am spared the agony of trying to find all kinds of cool cabinets to put in it

 

[warmpancakes]

so how do you tell the difference between Mic **** and Mic ****? do you have a chart?

 

[tinbender 66]

Got the desk done after screwing it up royally. I got it together and thought I would clean a little existing bit of paint off the top surface. Wiped a little area with laquer thinner and it took the fake woodgrain off. Soooooo, I proceeded to wipe it all off. Then I noticed that the "woodgrain" was just on some kind of sticky paper so I decided to peel that off 'cuz underneath was a kind of hard rubber surface. That left a sticky glue residue. I tried acetone, laquer thinner, contact cement remover and anything else I had on hand. No luck. So I went down to the local hardware store to get some advice. The paint guy sold me some adhesive remover. Great. I brushed it on, let it dry and went to scrape it off and chunks of that nice rubber top came with it.It's a good thing I quit drinkin'. Then I just threw the top from the disposible desk on it and called it good. Don't tell me I don't know how to make a short story long.

It now resides in its cubbyhole. You can also see the freshly painted Steelcase unit:

 

[tinbender 66]

On to the cabinets. I decided to paint them because oak just doesn't look "right" in here. I throw the paint cans away as soon as they're empty because I'm afraid if I let them sit around I might be tempted to add up how much I've spent on Ace Hardware Premium Enamel.

Red and black of course.

Added some handles.

All done.

 

[tinbender 66]

Last thing for today (Thank God huh?). I had to move my big hardware storage cabinet so I had to take all the drawers out (again).

Where the hell did I get all this ****?

 

[tinbender 66]

Nice work. Things are looking great!

Since my space is somewhat small, it seems that I am spared the agony of trying to find all kinds of cool cabinets to put in it

I must be a masochist as I find agony enjoyable

so how do you tell the difference between Mic **** and Mic ****? do you have a chart?

Yeah, a chart, that's it.

 

[tinbender 66]

Some idiot parked his Chevy II right where I want my hardware storage. This morning I temp. bolted the front clip back on. I sold the rear end but I thought if the front was back on wheels I could jack the back and ease it forward a couple feet. That clip has been sitting in a corner so long that the brakes are frozen. Another project.

Everything back against the wall. I'll figure out the actual placement after I insulate, osb, paint and find a couple more cabinets.

 

[fergus]

Hey man its coming along nicely!

 

[oldthudman]

Once the roof was on I could move on to concrete. Another friend who is a small GC helped a lot here as I had zero experience. We did it in three pours on three consecutive Saturdays. It's slab on grade 4" thick with fibermesh, no steel. The slab is about six years old now and doesn't have any cracks. Yet. It came out pretty nice except for bay two which is a little bit rough. We tried to do too much the first day. It started out cloudy and cool and then the sun came out and the guy that delivered it was their truck mechanic who had no clue. I may grind it someday. Maybe not. The floor is sealed and I don't plan to do anything else to it anytime soon. I'd love to have RaceDeck but cripes it would cost more than the concrete did! A lot more.

My friend Gary

These guys are goin'..WTF

Last pic:........I see you have great supervision!