Below 265 SQ/FT The Postage Stamp

[67CarGuy]

So here's my Postage Stamp of a garage. Built in 1942, just over 8' wide and right around 20' deep, give or take a foot. It's tight!

As you can see in this photo, it's currently full of ... stuff. Construction materials for other projects, yardwork tools, firewood... (Sorry for the sideways photo!)


Currently no insulation on the walls or ceiling; heated/cooled living space above; the only electric light is from the garage door opener; one window, which may or may not be operational - I'm not going to bother, frankly; and a full-width shelf at the back that is at times completely full of ... stuff or empty for some project or other.

Current plans:
Put 1" foam board insulation on exterior wall
Paint all walls white
Add wooden strips on walls to hang things from, at least until I get a shed in the backyard...
Add at least one more elec. circuit, for both lighting and power

Any thoughts on how best to utilize the space? I'll try to add a few more photos when I can.

 

[gregtwojeeps]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=302465

 

[OJ Bartley]

Nice little garage, and I love the name!

There are a lot of good resources here for small shops, but off the top of my head the most important things are wall storage (everything off the floor), folding workbenches, and a good system of organizing everything. It all depends what you use it for, really. Mine's a little larger than yours and I'm working on it now.

 

[67CarGuy]

Well I clearly forgot about this... was contemplating starting a thread, then thought to myself, "Self, you should check to see if you already started a thread." And whaddya know, I beat myself to it already!

Time for some updates, although I'm ashamed to admit I haven't made nearly as much progress as I'd have like to so far.

Photos will be forthcoming once I dredge them up from wherever I've stored them.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Looking forward to the updates. It's always great to see someone rise to a challenge.

 

[67CarGuy]

While I am still scrounging up some more photos, here's a "brief" description of where things are at:

• Back bench - chest/neck high, full width across the back of the garage, came with the house. Holds our rooftop box for longer car trips, the HF air hose reel I still haven't installed 3 years later, plus various smaller odds and ends that accumulate because it's a flat surface (I have what is at times debilitating FSD (flat surface disease) - Drivesitfar and I are definite competitors here). It's also holding the various hand tools needed to work on the...
  
• 400 cubic inch small block chevy that occupies valuable real estate down below! I have another thread somewhere on here that I started when I couldn't get my sockets to sit down on the rod bolts correctly. Turns out I needed a rod bolt gauge (more tools! ). So now that I have that, I can get to building it again. I'll put more details about this engine into another reply here.
  
• '67 VW Beetle (hah!). This was my wife's uncle's since new. We imported it from California a few years back. I think I need to replace the points (and maybe / probably condensor) and get it running. Then it needs some serious fumigation to get rid of the dreaded tin worm. Apparently not all California cars are rust free...
  
• Model A wheels - I picked up a rusty 4-pack from a HAMBer in CT two years ago, with plans to clean them up and build a Model A-based speedster, or something. We'll see.
  
• Everything else - Like many of you, not only do I suffer from FSD, but I'm also an inveterate hoarder and collector of random ****. For instance, I have the control/gauge panel for a JD garden tractor. Do I own a garden tractor? No. Do I need one? No, I've got a tiny city lot that I can mow in about 15 minutes, and that includes getting the mower out and putting it back away. But, BUT!, it would make a really cool control/gauge panel for an engine run stand. Do I have one of those? You already know the answer to that. But I have this small block that I'm building, and supposedly it's going to be above 500hp (we'll see...), so it only makes sense, right?

There's more, but that's a start. Now to go collect some photos.

 

[67CarGuy]

Here it is in an earlier "not quite full o' ****" stage, prior to the Beetle, the small block, the wheels, etc.

You can see the usual accumulation of *ahem* "stuff" that a garage might hold that's not a vehicle. On the viewer's right is the pile of lumber that would become our backyard shed, while on your left you'll see the reel mower that has now gone unused for several seasons since we bought an electric push mower (both of which now reside in said shed).

Anywho, that's the space I'm working with. It's a bit more organized now, but of course that means it's also more chock-a-block full, too. This is the way.

Oh - how do I get my photos to display larger? I know I can click on it to enlarge it, but I commonly see larger photos in other posts with no extra clicking required. I upload the photos, then attach them when I write/edit my post. What else do I need to do?

 

[67CarGuy]

Looking forward to the updates. It's always great to see someone rise to a challenge.

Thanks, Kay. Hopefully I can be a bit more diligent in my updates than once every few years. If nothing else, this helps to remind me that I need to get out in the garage more often!

 

[captain14]

I have you beat with the car garage. My outside measurements are 10x20 brick. It’s a freestanding. My last project in the fall was stripping the old paint and applying 2 new coats. That was about 26-28 hours.

When I moved I. There was no electric but I have some plugs and light now. After it warms up, I have to install an exterior plug and light at the back service door.

Everyone has some version of FSD.

 

[TimTaylor75]

WOW, that doesn't even look like the same door!

 

[67CarGuy]

Captain, yes you do! And I think there are a few other members here who have even smaller spaces to work with (not to mention those of us who have NO garage at all, and must live vicariously through everyone else). Nice job on the door, too!

I know that part of the issue I face is "out of sight, out of mind" related. I only have the overhead door, and one window that is blocked by my trash cans and firewood pile. So lots of other things (chores, Honey-do's, etc.) take precedence over making the garage an inviting, useful space. But it's back on my mind now, and if I can carve out an hour here, a few hours there... it'll be in fighting trim by the summer!

Here's hoping, anyway.

 

[mitchellc]

I've got about the same size garage footprint as you, albeit a bit wider and a bit shallower. I also keep a car in the garage. My strategy has been to keep stuff tight against the walls below head and have deep shelving overhead. Overhead shelving is typically used for stuff I don't need to access frequently, since getting to most of it requires moving the car out of the way first.

If I had your shape garage, the same size car, and wanted to park in the garage, I would probably put floor-to-ceiling shelving along the back wall, put a folding workbench, outlets, and flat storage along the right wall (the one with insulation looking stuff sticking out), and keep the window wall totally open. Park by pulling tight to the right wall, and giving a few inches of clearance between the garage door and the back bumper. This way you could walk around the car to get to the workbench if needed, you get maximum space in front of the car, and you can still access the trunk with the car in the garage. If you don't need to park, you have a lot more options for what you do with the space.

 

[67CarGuy]

I've got about the same size garage footprint as you, albeit a bit wider and a bit shallower. I also keep a car in the garage. My strategy has been to keep stuff tight against the walls below head and have deep shelving overhead. Overhead shelving is typically used for stuff I don't need to access frequently, since getting to most of it requires moving the car out of the way first.

If I had your shape garage, the same size car, and wanted to park in the garage, I would probably put floor-to-ceiling shelving along the back wall, put a folding workbench, outlets, and flat storage along the right wall (the one with insulation looking stuff sticking out), and keep the window wall totally open. Park by pulling tight to the right wall, and giving a few inches of clearance between the garage door and the back bumper. This way you could walk around the car to get to the workbench if needed, you get maximum space in front of the car, and you can still access the trunk with the car in the garage. If you don't need to park, you have a lot more options for what you do with the space.

You're definitely on the right track. It was actually reading about what you did with your garage that was the kick in the pants I needed to get back out and work on mine! So thanks!

What can't be easily seen are the two HVAC ducts on the right wall that stick out about 8-10". Because I can't get a vehicle any closer to the wall than that, my current thought is to use the right wall for at least one folding work station, plus likely 3 outlets, with another 3 on the left wall. Limited tool storage overall, as I keep the vast majority of my hand tools, and all of my power tools, in my basement shop, as it's more secure (our house was broken into about 5 years ago).

If I use the back wall as floor-to-ceiling shelving, then any vehicle with a hood/trunk/pickup bed taller than a 2nd gen Ford Ranger won't fit. The current garage denizen ('67 Beetle) fits without any worries, and I don't see myself ever not parking the Beetle inside, not in this town. But, if I can get some more high storage, as you're suggesting, that will certainly free up some floor space and make it a bit easier to move around inside.

I'm off to go buy the remaining rigid insulation I need to insulate the exterior wall...any tricks that anyone can share on holding rigid foam board to a brick wall while the foam adhesive sets? Then I need to cover the foam with something to protect it from gouges, etc. - plywood? OSB? I'd rather not install drywall, and I want something sturdy enough that I can hang stuff from it, plus be able to paint it to brighten up the space. Maybe it's time I try a french cleat system....

 

[67CarGuy]

Have you ever tried to carry five 1" thick, 4x8' sheets of rigid insulation home on the roof of your car? Well friends, let me tell you, if you haven't you're missing out on one of the true joys of not owning a truck, or buying smaller panels, or cutting them down so they fit inside your vehicle. Thank goodness for having rope and duct tape in my car, a basic level of knot knowledge, and the kindness of strangers - Dane, if you ever read this, thanks again. I probably could have made it home without your help, but it was certainly easier with it!

The insulation made it home without causing an accident or taking flight (too much), and now I just need a little more time to install it... maybe some day after work this week? Fingers crossed!

 

[67CarGuy]

Well of course I didn't think everything through, and need some washers under the heads of my Tapcons so they don't pull right through the foam while the adhesive sets. So I'll have to swing by the local hardware store on my way home some night this week.

I did manage to set two 2x4 foam panels at the base of the exterior wall with the washers I had on hand, and cut to fit two 4x8 panels, so I'll at least have some instant progress once I'm all washed up.

My finance director agreed that OSB will be the durable wall covering of choice, painted some bright off-whitish color TBD. The paint, a few LED lights, and we'll be getting somewhere! (Finally)

Hopefully more updates (with photos, most likely) this weekend.

 

[53PontiacSD]

From what I've read on other threads, you better take a bottle of oxygen with you so they can revive you when you find out the cost of OSB. It seems to have quadrupled in price.

Billy

 

[67CarGuy]

Good point, Billy, I've heard those rumors.... well, it's taken me this long to get this far, what's another few months? Wonder how long it will take for prices to come back down...

 

[53PontiacSD]

So, are you interested in pallet wood instead? Might be a bunch cheaper, but a lot of work dismantling. A thought.

Billy

 

[wrenchguy]

FYI, 10's of thousands small prewar garages like yours were prefabbed by Sears, Montgomery Ward and many others. They were built in sections, shipped by rail and then truck to end place. My daughter has a small garage. I kept wondering why sections of the hip roof were of odd construction and bolted together (seen from inside). Dawned on me, I googled old prefab garages and found much info. I searched old tax records and believe it was built 1926.
My daughters bolted roof sections from the outside. The seams show where the hip triangles are bolted together along with the common area of the roof.


The 16' wall, 2 sections, original siding with its vertical framing seam hidden by trim strip.

 

[67CarGuy]

So, are you interested in pallet wood instead? Might be a bunch cheaper, but a lot of work dismantling. A thought.
Billy

Billy, yes the thought has crossed my mind. However, it's not quite the look I'm going for, and as you say it's a lot of work. There's certainly plenty of pallets available for me around here, but having taken a few apart previously...

FYI, 10's of thousands small prewar garages like yours were prefabbed by Sears, Montgomery Ward and many others. They were built in sections, shipped by rail and then truck to end place. My daughter has a small garage. I kept wondering why sections of the hip roof were of odd construction and bolted together (seen from inside). Dawned on me, I googled old prefab garages and found much info. I searched old tax records and believe it was built 1926.

Wrenchguy, I've read about these! My house/garage is not one, as far as I can tell - cinder block and brick construction on the exterior, the garage has a poured concrete ceiling(!). No parts of the building are bolted together from what I've seen.

 

[67CarGuy]

Just posted this over on the "What did you do today?" thread:

Went to store some moving boxes in the garage, and the overhead door stopped ~3 ft up off the ground. Hmm, what's going on? Hit the button again, motor makes noise, but door doesn't move. Uh-oh, this may be a problem.

Crouch under the door, pull the emergency release, let the door back down. Hit the button again, motor makes noise, chain doesn't move. Ok, we've replicated our results, time to do some further exploration.

Lift up the door manually, get out the wheel ramps, move the boxes and the jack and the other odds and ends, roll the Beetle onto the ramps enough to get clearance under the opener. Grab the shorty ladder, a flashlight, and a screwdriver, and start taking things apart.
Finally drop the cover, and a lovely little pile of plastic shavings greet me. That's not good.

I know what this means, and at 6pm on a weeknight (hell, any night!) not what I want to find. Go to the other side and...

Yep, problem confirmed! I think this qualifies as an "Ah, ****!" moment. So now I'm looking at buying a new opener, because while I could buy just the worm gear assembly, I'm guessing that by the time I take this apart enough to remove the old one and install the new one, I can probably remove the whole opener and install the new one in the same amount of time.

Ugh. And all I wanted to do was put some boxes in the garage!

Just what I wanted to do after work tomorrow...

 

[67CarGuy]

Well, the Postage Stamp is soon to be someone else's! We're scheduled to move north out of Maryland at the end of October, so my (albeit limited) attempts at upgrading and improving this little slice of space will soon be history. I'll admit, I didn't get to do nearly the number of quality improvements I wanted to (insulation only partially added, no lighting improvements, no electrical upgrades, no painted walls, no air compressor line added, etc.) but it was certainly useful storage for us while we lived here.

I'll try to post a few photos once we have it cleared out in another month, but otherwise this is the final destination for this little parcel. Who knows what the future holds (the Shadow, maybe) but suffice it to say my better half is already very aware that the next place needs a suitably larger garage and workshop! Now if we could just get real estate prices to drop a bit...