The Vault

[kngkong]

Getting cold here and with a baby time steadily approaching I'm trying to get as many projects done as possible. Unfortunately not all projects are in the garage but I was able to get a little work done on a new workbench and the beginnings of lining the walls in the outer garage.


Before: the left wall is really cluttered with random cabinets which arent a great use of space and block the windows.

Started by moving the old cabinets out of the way and removing the old junk particle board.

patched up a couple holes and later painted this wall with waterproof paint

Built a new bench. Need to add another layer of 3/4" ply on top.

already filled with stuff, excuse the mess

Whew! This place is looking like a mess. Gonna have to do a better job when I post to GJ . Ripped some 3/4" ply into furring strips attached to concrete and lining the walls with 1/2" ply.

I went back and forth a bunch whether I should have built that bench all the way to the garage door opening but decided not to. I can always add another cabinet to fill the space. I do have plans to rebuild the sink area so in the future it might just be one long bench top on that wall.

Another project from a couple weeks back was making this rolling cart type of the thing from an old junk table I had lying around. Tied all the legs together on the bottom with 1-1/2" x 3/8" steel and made a shelf. Added some casters and an MDF top covered in a sheet of galvanized I had lying around. Pretty useful for a bunch of scrap.

I also put some heat shrink tubing on my pair of clear safety glasses that I can never find. The red heat shrink tubing makes them a little easier to see when I don't put them in the right spot.

Moved the Bridgeport a little more to the left to create a bunch more room which allows me to put the rolling cart and another shelf along that wall.

Thanks for looking.
As always a work in progress

 

[fergus]

Man, your shop is looking great. Love the vault, love the bikes (nice rides, btw). Got that "utilitarian" old school machine shop vibe to it. I'm officially stealing some of your inspiration from that photo gallery for when I get round to fitting my shop out again.

 

[kngkong]

Man, your shop is looking great. Love the vault, love the bikes (nice rides, btw). Got that "utilitarian" old school machine shop vibe to it. I'm officially stealing some of your inspiration from that photo gallery for when I get round to fitting my shop out again.

Hey Fergus, thanks for the comments, they're really appreciated. Just got caught up on your thread as I couldn't remember which the Derelict Garage was but then I saw the great bowl lights I instantly remembered your build. Take whatever inspiration you can squeeze out of this thread. I just reread your two threads and gave me some more ideas as well.

 

[lander]

Great shop! Great Bikes!

 

[kngkong]

Great shop! Great Bikes!

Thanks lander!

As soon as I get the stuff out of the center of the garage I would like to do a little show and tell on each of the bikes.

Installing insulation in the attic and underfloor of the house today. Used to do insulation work for a living but hiring someone to do it now. I don't miss it.

This was the crate the Knucklehead was shipped out in years ago and has been used as a bench up until now. Disassembled it today and will use the ply for the new cabinet backs and sides. Once painted I don't think you'll know the difference.

 

[kngkong]

Used that scrap ply from the old crate for the cabinet back, and some new ply for the sides which really stiffened things up tremendously.

Here are a few updates of the new workbench with vise mounted.

I'm looking for ideas on how to finish off the shelf area in the photo below.

The white painted board below the window with everything resting on it was existing. I don't love things sitting on there blocking the window so I'm trying to decide the best way to use that small shelf like area. I especially don't like the way the shelf overhangs the new plywood sheet below it so I would probably replace or cut down the board so the corner is flush with the ply. Also maybe add a small shelf a couple inches down the wall. The bit of ply there is only about 500mm high so not a lot of room to hang tools but I think I will be able to hang small and often used tools.

What would you do?

 

[fergus]

I think maybe build another one of those shelves from the page prior...you know, the one that had all the tooling in it in the photo gallery...like the one you built That way you could put things inside of it, on top of it and put some hooks on the bottom of it. Just make it smaller...maybe 8" deep and 8" tall and put it where your proposed small shelf is on the diagram, flush with the top of the wall. I plan on doing something similar above my bench.

 

[kngkong]

I think maybe build another one of those shelves from the page prior...you know, the one that had all the tooling in it in the photo gallery...like the one you built That way you could put things inside of it, on top of it and put some hooks on the bottom of it. Just make it smaller...maybe 8" deep and 8" tall and put it where your proposed small shelf is on the diagram, flush with the top of the wall. I plan on doing something similar above my bench.

Hey Fergus,

That's a good idea that could work nicely, I think 8" is too deep though. Wouldn't want anything there bigger than a spray paint can, only real shallow shelves would work. Will think about that a bit.

I just took off the old shelf piece and replaced it with a new piece which only overhangs an 1/8" or so. Had to relieve it in a couple spots to fit around the security bar brackets.

Going to move that outlet on top and run two on the front of the bench.

Don't love the seam in the plywood and changed direction of the grain for that piece under the vice in order to save wood, but if I cover this in Masonite or something it will never be seen.

Had this piece of aluminum angle lying around and thought it could look pretty neat on the edges.

I'll probably move onto some other project for a bit now so I can spend the time thinking about the lower shelves, what tools to hang and paint.

 

[kngkong]

... and just to compare the old to the new

 

[kngkong]

My supercheap allen key holder

Starting to put some tools on the wall behind the new bench. Here's a super budget allen key holder I made a while back and figured I would stick it up. Will probably round off the edges with a router and give it a good sand/paint. Would also be nice to put some magnets on the back or some way so it could be removable from the wall. I haven't seen any allen key holders where you hang them by the short side before, it actually works really well.

 

[Shoottx]

Here is an interesting article that may spark some Ideas for tool storage
http://www.woodshopics.com/tool-rack/

The vault is a really cool setup and you are doing a great job on the organization.

 

[kngkong]

Here is an interesting article that may spark some Ideas for tool storage
http://www.woodshopics.com/tool-rack/

The vault is a really cool setup and you are doing a great job on the organization.

Hey Shoottx,

Nice article, thanks! I really like some of those ideas and the sliding adjustable system is neat.

Most of my hand tools do end up in separate tool box drawers but I find allan wrenches a real pain to deal with in a drawer, anyone else?

Thanks for posting.

 

[fergus]

Yep, allen wrenches ****, unless they are in the keeper they come with. I have some T-handle allens, which aren't as bad, but still. Nice simple rack you came up with... I had another "duh, why didn't I think of that" moment.

 

[Shoottx]

Yup

I look at the plans and then never follow them, but they sometimes provide a spark of an idea that works.

 

[kngkong]

Yep, allen wrenches ****, unless they are in the keeper they come with. I have some T-handle allens, which aren't as bad, but still. Nice simple rack you came up with... I had another "duh, why didn't I think of that" moment.

Yeah, there was no holder for this set, came with a roll up bag which was a real pain to use. I could throw them loose in drawer but having them in a holder makes it easy to see if I'm missing any. Need to make a holder for the metric ones now.

Dont have a T-handle set yet

Yup

I look at the plans and then never follow them, but they sometimes provide a spark of an idea that works.

Yup, I like what they have shown for the square holders.

 

[kngkong]

Came across a couple photos last night of my old 1972 Pontiac Grand Prix with Nitrous which I used to drive around in the 80's. My Mom bought it new and handed it down to sister then she handed down to me. Rebuilt the engine and hopped it up a bit. Paint was the original color.

 

[kngkong]

Just a couple quick updates as I've rearranged things in the workshop area. I moved the back bench to the left wall which I think will be a better use of the space. Going to try to go with situating things along the long walls rather than on the back shorter wall. I feel this will help with some of the problems created in the corners. It's also better now since I can pull a bike all the way into the back of the room without it feeling cramped while working at the lathe or be in the way crossing the room.

Since I have the new bench now in the outer garage I could see getting rid of the inner bench all together but it is useful storage space for the time being. The future plan would be to add soffit storage all along the back room.

Let me know what you think and if you have any ideas for finishing off that back wall. I need to take that hammer rack down and build a nice one over the new bench location. Ive got a couple bike projects to get done so I want to try to get the garage organization settled for a bit.

An old picture

 

[kngkong]

Spent the afternoon cleaning up after moving the bench around. Put stuff back on the shelves and some things on the walls. I'm liking the new set up a lot.

 

[fergus]

Yeah man! Looks Waaaaaaay more tidy! Its looking like you know what you're doing in there now! Haha

 

[kngkong]

At least it looks like I know what I'm doing
Thanks Fergus appreciate it.


Got a very nice present from the FIL yesterday. Smallish no name swivel vice along with a couple of whitworth wrenches. Was all rusted together, so took a little time getting it apart and chasing the threads on the swivel lock. Does say Made in USA and the casting has some nice details to it. Will need to make a new swivel lock lever as I had to cut the old bent one off and give it an overall clean up.

I don't have a swivel vice so might come in handy.

 

[fergus]

Just checking in...its been a while.

 

[heyutokyo]

Whoever the previous owner was must have been into freaky ****..A house with a vault and bars everywhere. S AND M MAYBE??

 

[kngkong]

Just checking in...its been a while.

Hey Fergus,

Thanks for the check in.

Not too much going on at the moment so have been laying low. Our baby James was born two months ago and although the projects in the garage haven't stopped they might have a slowed down a little bit. Work also got pretty crazy there for a while but that's all slowed down now for a bit. I'm trying to be more creative with my time and more focused in my projects as I feel I'll have even less time as he grows up and I don't want to miss that. Nevertheless fatherhood is going great and I have had him out in the garage a couple times to check out the toys. Need to shoot some suitable Garage Journal inspired pics of him out in the workshop.

This weekend I started on my concrete project which involves pouring some slabs and filling in some areas which previously allowed water to get under the garage area. Only have this one photo at the moment after I started to prep the area and bury the drain pipe on the screen right. Will post more when I get a chance.

Looks like you've been pretty busy in your place, it's looking great! Looking forward to seeing more on the Honda project.

 

[kngkong]

Whoever the previous owner was must have been into freaky ****..A house with a vault and bars everywhere. S AND M MAYBE??

Heh, he had a little bit of a reputation on the street. Story was that he was a gun collector who maybe dabbled in a little horticulture

 

[kngkong]

Here's a shot of what I got done over the weekend.

That's actually the top of the safe you can see covered in the black plastic.

Next I'll work on the back right corner enough so I can replace the stairs, then move on to another pad up above this area which ends up draining into that white storm water pipe in the above pic.

Last I'll finish up the area under the windows with the bars.

 

[kngkong]

On the way down to the South Island yesterday during the Christmas break I came across Hind Motor Services a treasure trove of parts and inspiration.

Out back was a selection of more cars for sale.

The garage next door had shelves filled with loads of nos and vintage parts.

The house also has every room filled with chrome trim, headlights, original gaskets packed to the ceiling. Look forward to going back and getting more pics of this and the memorabilia.

 

[power wagon]

please come in and look around, man i wish you were a little closer, i could spend a lot of time there . do you sell anything, iam sure there is something there i need

 

[HOTFR8]

Swap Meet here every day. What a great sign.

 

[kngkong]

Hey power wagon,

Yes all the parts are for sale. I really wanted to buy a couple of his parts shelves which were empty and lying sideways on the floor but he said they need them as they have more and more parts to display.

I didn't have time to get the full story but it was an old garage turned vintage parts shop and they seem to be currently getting shipments of parts in from all around the country.

Unfortunately no bike parts but super cool place.

 

[kngkong]

Hey HOTFR8, yeah there were some other good ones too. Have to take more pics next time.

 

[HOTFR8]

Hey HOTFR8, yeah there were some other good ones too. Have to take more pics next time.

Yes more pics.

 

[power wagon]

yes more pics please

 

[Modern Jess]

Just happened on this thread, and read it all the way through. Nice space!

The knucklehead is great and all, but that Vespa is the shizzle.

 

[kngkong]

Hey Jess, thanks! Is that you from NSM?

Don't know yet if we will be passing back through the Hinds area but if we do will get some more pics.

 

[uniballer]

I shed a tear when I saw all that nos on shelves, plus the sign that said come in and look around. Beautiful site!

 

[Modern Jess]

Hey Jess, thanks! Is that you from NSM?

You mean Not So Modern? Yeah, I kind of own the whole site.

 

[kngkong]

You mean Not So Modern? Yeah, I kind of own the whole site.

Sweet! Thought I recognized your name and avatar. Great site by the way, I was on it a lot when I was building the scooter.

 

[fergus]

Anything new?

 

[kngkong]

Anything new?

Hi Fergus!

Nah, nothing much worth posting. Lots of ideas but short on time lately. I do get out every now and then to work on some bike projects or things for the house but no extra time to work on the garage.

I'll try to get a post together soon showing the new bandsaw I got and a couple other things I've gotten done.

Hope all is well. Thanks for checking in!
John

 

[Red Leader]

Sending this one back to the top - would love an update!