The toy box

[waterss]

Been a member for awhile and really enjoy looking at all the variety in the builds. It’s interesting to see the different styles and methods that are used in areas around the globe.

I decided to finally dig up what few pictures that I have from when we built our shop. The original plans where to build a 30x30, but when they came out and staked out the location of the foundation my wife didn’t like it. After questioning her about it, she said it was just to square she didn’t like it. Then I found out that I have the best wife ever when she asked what the size I really wanted was. I told her half joking 40x60 expecting to get rejected and we could meet in the middle. She asked the guys to lay it out so she could see it. They put a stake at each corner and ran string around it for her inspection. She looked at it said “I like it, that’ll work” and told them to form it up. The concrete was laid in the spring of 2009 (sorry no pictures of this step).

The building was started in February of 2011 after saving up additional funds for larger building and the concrete budget being blown out of the water by more than doubling its size.




Trusses delivered (wife's brother inspecting shipment)


Setting trusses


Framing and trusses done

 

[waterss]

Decking done and paper down.


Putting up siding.


Was wondering how they would get the second level. No nails or holes to patch and was sturdy with people and materials on it.

 

[waterss]

The pictures become more sporadic now.

Outside finished pic.


Lighting over the work area.


Working on building the rooms on one end of shop.


interior walls done.

 

[waterss]

One of the upstairs parts storage rooms being taped and floated.


One of the work benches.


Another work bench.


Walls all painted.

 

[waterss]

 

[waterss]

Room wife uses for storage.

 

[1low1]

How tall is your ceiling? I just built with a 12' ceiling and would like to build some type of mezzanine.

 

[waterss]

The ceiling is 14 1/2 foot. It is the only thing I would change, you know what they say "hindsight is 20/20". We were afraid if we went to 16' we wouldn't have been able to set the trusses. But when we got the trusses they messed up on the pitch so they weren't quite as tall as they should of been and we would have been good.

 

[Grizzly Guy]

Darn fine looking building for sure.

 

[waterss]

^^^ Thanks man it sure has been a journey.

 

[1nterceptor]

Looks good. What will you line around the garage walls; shelves, cabinets, tool boxes, all of the above?

 

[waterss]

I have a lot of signs and banners that will go up. Not sure what else though.

 

[1low1]

Thanks, I couldn't quite tell, they didn't look like 16' which is common around here. I would have needed a variance to go taller and was concerned with heating/cooling all the extra airspace since only about a 1/4 of the area would have a second level. Nice shop, like all the GM cars and trucks as well,that mustang kinda looks out of place!!

 

[waterss]

The mustang was a gift for my wife. It was complete with everything all original. Original and complete interior that was about a 7 out of 10, original drive train and the body was fairly decent. It is taken apart to fix some rust spots before they got out of hand. Best part we picked it up for $1,000.

here is the latest project, 2002 camaro picked up for $1,200 with a lot of goodies already on it.






The 454 big block I picked up to go in the camaro.

 

[1low1]

Well I think for a $1000 I would have bought it too, probably for my wife as well since I've been such a GM die hard my whole adult life that anybody who saw me driving a Ford would never ease up on me and !! That big block will be a tight fit no? I've currently got a lowered 79 Chevy Blazer and considering lowering my 98 Sierra reg long box. Need to finish my shop so I can get some stuff done.

 

[iadubber]

Very jealous of your "toy" box

 

[waterss]

Couple more pics.
This one is looking up to the kitchen area. (not yet complete.)


Stairs case


Tool storage room. (This is the last room that needs to be finished and painted)

 

[waterss]

Well I think for a $1000 I would have bought it too, probably for my wife as well since I've been such a GM die hard my whole adult life that anybody who saw me driving a Ford would never ease up on me and !! That big block will be a tight fit no? I've currently got a lowered 79 Chevy Blazer and considering lowering my 98 Sierra reg long box. Need to finish my shop so I can get some stuff done.

Not really as bad as you would think. I already had it sitting in the engine bay and it was ok. I will not be using the motor mounts though I will be using a front and mid plate to mount it. I have a built turbo 400 sitting here for it and trying to find a ford 9" already set up for a 4th gen. I've got my sons 98 sitting here in the shop. We pulled the interior and redid everything in black (dash, door panels, carpet etc.). He found some bucket seats he had to have and we ended up having to remake part of the floor and front of gas tank to make them work (the stuff you go though for your kids).

 

[Disney]

Sweet shop!

 

[waterss]

Some new additions to the shop

 

[Mobman924]

Some new additions to the shop

Nice additions. Do they play?

 

[waterss]

The 2 on the outside do. The far left is a 48 in 1 (PAC-man, donkey kong, etc.). The far right is a Sega rad mobile: the middle is a sega afterburner but the monitor went out. Picked up a Atari pole position cabinet yesterday. Not sure what I'll do with it.

 

[waterss]

Finally got all the fans up and going. I've had the last 2 for awhile and never had the chance to put them up. The fans are all stainless (blades, motor and down rod) for the high humidity we endure down here. I have to say with them all going it can move some air in there.

 

[waterss]

We had to clean out the shop for a birthday party and before it got filled and dirty we snapped some pics.
It has been nice now that the shop is done and we can just enjoy it.

 

[Bib Overalls]

Everything's big in Texas.

 

[SkinnyPedal]

lovin the shop and toys. Keep the update coming.

 

[waterss]

We worked on cleaning up one of the storage rooms upstairs. Laid down some carpet we got from HD.

Where the roll of carpet is the fridge is supposed to be there. I was to tired to bring it back up before the picture was taking.

And the shop is back to being full and messy

 

[waterss]

The most recent line up of games. The line up is ever changing as I buy and sell them.

 

[waterss]

With our youngest leaving for college, the wife and I have decided to sell the house and shop to downsize. So there will be a new build in the future once we sell and decide where we want to settle down at.

 

[HiWind]

now that arcade is a good idea! Enjoying the development, thanks.

 

[waterss]

The arcade has been great and is my favorite aspect of the shop. When we have parties we'll clean out the shop, put in a movie with the surround sound on, fire up the games and people (adults and kids alike) just have fun. It's been great watching the adults just sit and play and relive the days of going to the arcade.

 

[waterss]

This was added about 3 weeks ago, I finally got tired of unlocking the building and getting rained on. We still have to finish the rocks and landscaping around the new area but at least the construction part is done.

 

[pmason0]

Looks like a really great space. Nice collection of games, I have an original Defender game and a couple of pinball machines.

 

[waterss]

Looks like a really great space. Nice collection of games, I have an original Defender game and a couple of pinball machines.

Would love to own a few pinball machines but the prices have me holding off. But I did pick up another one for the collection on sunday from a buddy.

 

[waterss]

Finally got around to putting the rock outside the entry door and picnic table.

 

[53PontiacSD]

WOW! Great build. Enjoyed the pictures. One question, what did you use for lighting? Are they LED?

 

[waterss]

The lights are standard t8 bulbs and the fixtures are cheap ones from Wal-mart. There are 40 fixtures over the work areas, 6 more over the work benches, 2 in the tool room and 2 in the office. 50 total and wal-mart at 10 dollars apiece was the cheapest route. They have been up a few years now and I have no complaints about them.

 

[MortonPhotographic]

Huge shop.
Video games.
OBS Chevy trucks.

Best. Thread. Ever.

 

[waterss]

Huge shop.
Video games.
OBS Chevy trucks.

Best. Thread. Ever.

Thank you sir, I'm glad you liked it.

This is the newest addition to the growing arcade. This was found and purchased for me by my awesome wife.

 

[R1Ryda14]

Holy smokes!?
What a Awesome Wife you have...hahaha I bet you thought I was gonna say shop.
Well the shop is nice too...
Great job to all involved!!!
A lil jealous...but still a great job!