What Cool/Tricky Garage Features Do You Have?

[oldtractors]

If I had a beer fridge like that it would only look that way for a couple of hours. After that it would have large gaping holes in the inventory.

 

[BillGalbraith]

wow lots of ideas. I'm getting an in floor lift (Supposedly I can pick it up monday, yay). I like the lights under the lift idea, so I'm thinking of mounting some flexible reading lights of some type to the underside of the lift, so when it is up, I can pull them out, and when I put it down, I push (tuck) them back in/under the lift so when they retract into the floor, they can't be seen.

I like this light idea, but what if the base were magnetic? You could stick it to the lift and have flexible light where you need it.

 

[gumbudah]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000DD4FT/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[thammel]

Bury pex in the floor for heated floors
permanent stairs to attic - fully insulated and heated with AC
gotta have a small bathroom
lots of interior and exterior lights
separate interior light systems - one for the fluorescent work lights and another of recessed lighting for quick trips into the garage .
12' ceiling height
liftmaster 3800 openers
minimum single door size should be 10'w x 8' high.
security system
phone, cable and internet runs to garage and attic

All else has been covered.
Tom

 

[ultgar]

Still working on finishing mine.....3 sections of Lista storage wall going in this weekend. See http://www.ultimategarage.com/homegarage/UltGar2y.htm

SD

 

[sberry]

A version of this works in small garages.

 

[sberry]

This saves a lot of effort.

 

[dirttracker18]

A version of this works in small garages.

sberry

Where and how much? I have been thinking of building something like that. Is it your creation or did you pruchase it?

 

[gahrajmahal]

Hey, Sberry, that is exactly how I build a paint booth in the large warehouse space at the van conversion place I worked in the 80's. We built a wooden framework for a roof, covered by clear plastic and hung by wires, that way all the lights were outside the paint fumes. If you wet down the floor before spraying it's amazing how clean your paint work could come out. From what I know now, I would recommend using an explosion proof motor on the fan, or at the very least put the fan assembly outside and connect the booth with a chase to get the motor out of the paint fumes.

 

[v12man]

What i'd like, but don't have, is some power points between bays recessed into the floor. I hate tripping over long cords routed from the wall points.

 

[Salem747]

and whats a stripper pole, without strippers?

"If you build it they will come."

 

[Zrexxer]

My garage has a special feature where any available floor space magically fills up with more stuff.

 

[strnge]

How about a Beer Fridge?

For some reason this always attracts the most attention in my garage.

I'm on my way over!!!

Love it!!

 

[torqueman2002]

Pull-down stairs to attic for storage
230V/80A Sub-panel
2-stage 80 gal compressor
Sand blasting cabinet
Forescent lights on the walls
5" Wilton machinist vise
IR gas fired heater
Window A/C
Vintage sound system
Hot water
1/3hp Dayton grinder

 

[ultgar]

 

[larry_g]

I build 'Storage Walls'. In the pictures the wall on the left under the loft if made with 2x10's and some shelves made out of scrap plywood. It will eventually have wall board put up on one side or the other effectivly making a wall/barrier between the two areas. Think of this as you build compressor or rest rooms. A lot of effective storrage for litttle floor space. The room under the loft is destined to be the clean machine shop. The big opening in the wall under the stairs will be closed off with a false wall after the machines are in.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[ket-tek]

Uhh, that ceiling is awesome!! You got any more pics of that place?

 

[sberry]

I made the booth, the pipe is an alum tubing irrigation pipe I had, I picked a straight 5 inch. Used 3/16 nylon for the cord and didn't want a bearing deal in the middle so the plastic which is common 8 mil really just tumbles to roll up. I bought 100 ft roll thinking I would have to replace it at some point but inside it has been there 15 years. The end wall I just pull the rope to hoist it but the long wall I used a small boat winch, takes about 45 seconds or so to pull it up. If I used it daily I might make it motor drive. It helps to learn how booths work, mine I can tune the draft to some extent, opening the walk door to my building is about perfect and the fan "tugs" on the curtains so I can see the draw. The air comes in downdraft fashion, very little dirt issues even if I don't sweep up real tidy.
If I was a daily painter I would put infrared tube heater in, lights are all kinds, none are explosion proof but it clears so well and they are out of the "stream" that its not an issue. This works about as well as some commercial booths I have been in but what I love about it is that its not in the way and easy to work around, easy to access with pallet jacks.
I use pallets often, makes it nice and able to rotate with jack while painting so I am upwind and in good light.

 

[sberry]

BTW, I like the storage wall idea, very clever.

 

[Erle385]

sirius satelite radio and big speakers

 

[ultgar]

Uhh, that ceiling is awesome!! You got any more pics of that place?

There some pictures at http://www.ultimategarage.com/homegarage/UltGar2y.htm and the pages that follow. Steve

 

[KCarGuy]

OK, I picked up another Camera the other day off of Ebay.
$30 Fujifilm A350 5.2 mega pixels...(still have not found my Nikon yet)
But here are a few pics...

My new Westford (Campbell Hausfeld) 220V 5HP 60 Gallon Compressor (for free).

My Air Gun Hanger mounted under the Pump.

My SMC auto Drain Regulator. (opens if it fills with water).

My Ingersoll Rand auto Drain. (1/4" tube from drain to 110V solenoid, time is adjustable).

 

[KCarGuy]

Here are some of my Organizers...

2 old 2 drawer Craftsman Boxes mounted on HD slides under my workbench.

My Metal pull-out organizers inside my workbench.

Some Pegboard over my Garage door.

 

[KCarGuy]

Sorry, Its only letting me load 4 photos at a time.
And My garage is a real mess due to me trying to finish the bodywork on a friends car.

Here is more organizers,

Pegboard above my workbench and toolbox...

My Plano plastic bin shelves...

My Air tool rack under some overhead cabinets...

 

[KCarGuy]

Some of my storage Besides tool Boxes and shelves are,

My Combustable Fluid Cabinet...

A Thin One door steel Blok-Bilt Cabinet between my Garage doors...

A Two Door Blok-Bilt Steel Cabinet and roll-around Craftsman Cabinet...

A four Drawer steel file cabinet full of car Mags, next to my Steel "Tanker" Desk were my HP computer sits.

 

[KCarGuy]

My 30x25 garage is heated by a Beacon Morris 75K Heater...

A Hunter ceiling fan moves air around...

I also have a 3 speed "Squirrel Cage" fan for Exhaust...

And a 11K air cond "window unit" upstairs in the loft...

My Old Ruemelin Sandblaster with Filters, lights and exhaust...

 

[eborcim]

SBerry...tractors are notorious for leaking oil and fuel...what is your strategy to clean the hydraulic couplers and around the engine area before painting?

 

[KCarGuy]

Alright, My Music comes from a Car Stereo mounted in a 57 chevy dash...

Speakers are 6X9 jensens in a ported Box with Stainless Grills in the Ceiling...

Upstairs in the loft is my Old Stereo, some nice comfy Chairs and an ashtray...
(both stereo's can play my Ipod also)

And My Old Soda Machine (unrestored) Upstairs...

 

[KCarGuy]

The Loft is My Chillin Area.

Bar...Poker Table...Ceiling fan...Air Conditioned...TV...Couch...Exhaust fan in the ceiling.

There is storage behind each wall...

And A good friend who has retired from Construction has an enclosed trailer full of Cedar Planks that He told me I could have to finish the entire inside of the loft!

That would be so Awsome!

Hopefully Thats enough Pics...One Day, I'll do the floor and finish the walls and ceilings!

 

[klogan121]

Not reiterating and previously mentioned items that I may or may not have:

Tire storage rack near the ceiling
Air compressor in the basement, piped through and controlled with a wall switch in the garage
Two drop lights (with electrical outlets) hung from the ceiling on retractable reels

I'll think of more later.

Nice... don't have to hear that compressor screaming in the garage! Especially if it is a Craftsman like mine!

 

[klogan121]

Sorry, Its only letting me load 4 photos at a time.
And My garage is a real mess due to me trying to finish the bodywork on a friends car.

Here is more organizers,

Pegboard above my workbench and toolbox...

My Plano plastic bin shelves...

My Air tool rack under some overhead cabinets...

Awesome air tool rack! Is it just a piece of aluminum stock screwed to the underside of the cabinet?

 

[KCarGuy]

Yes.
Its a Piece of Scrap aluminum that I had Laying around.
It is 1/2" thick (perfect to drill and Tap...I just screwed the Fittings into it) 6" wide and about 4 feet long.
I saw something just like it on someone elses Thread here on GarageJournal.
I love what people share, and In turn, I can share also.
Thanks, KC

 

[Kevin54]

I've got to get some pics together, but I have two TV's. One at one side of the garage and one at the other both ran from the same remote. That way when PowerBlock is on during the weekend and I'm out there, I can see it from any direction. Bench built with legs angled back to the wall/foundation so no legs out in the floor area. Phone with a 25' cord on it. (I don't have cordless) Large closet so wife can keep Christmas and what not out of the way. Closet is 4' x 14'.

 

[sberry]

By the time I am ready to paint I have fixed the leaks, I pressure wash with industrial purple before I pull them in. Usually hire a guy to spend a day or so hand sanding details.

 

[sberry]

This keeps a lot of mess to a minimum.

 

[onewaydave]

gas chamber/electric chair?


Yanno, to deter people borrowing tools..

My ex-brother-in-law used to raise rattle snakes in his parts locker. He did work on motorcycles and a lot of the locals that he ran with were a little on the shady side. Shady or not, he didn't lose any parts after that.

We used to hunt rattle snakes and found a nest of young ones and he brought them home for the locker.

He only kept that one batch in there. He just didn't tell anyone that he didn't have them there anymore. Still worked.

 

[Printer Mike]

Some great ideas on this thread!

One thing I have in my workshop that I feel is unique is a heavy cast iron table with metal castors. It was used for laying out lead type for letterpress printing. It is great when I need a tough, flat surface.

 

[glockaddict]

How about a Beer Fridge?

For some reason this always attracts the most attention in my garage.

I have the same problem......

 

[cool57]

I'm building my garage, and I kinda want to push it over the top as far as the "features". I want people to say "hmmm I havn't seen that in a garage before"... I've got a couple of features like this so far, but want some more ideas!!!
Some of the stuff I have:
-Liftmaster 3800 jackshaft garage door opener
-Single tube garage door hangers
-retractable air hose/cord/lights embedded in ceiling
-in wall air outlets
-in floor car lift
-lotsa steel cabinets

So please post what you have for "trick" features or some ideas pleeeeease!!!

"splain please

 

[gumbudah]

Well I know there's a pic or two of them on Garage Journal somewhere. I just did a search but couldn't find them.
Most people use two or three pieces of that zinc plated punched angle iron stuff on the ceiling down to the garage door rail, with an angle brace to mount the door rail. This shapes a triangle and is good and sturdy.
This idea is instead of doing that, create some reinfocement above the sheetrock to hold a 1.5" tube plumb extending down through the drywall, so that it can be attached to the door rail. The net result is instead of looking at three pieces of punched angle iron bolted together, all you see is one single tube sticking straight down from the ceiling. I think the key here is making sure you attach the tube to the floor joists in the correct manner. I plan to do so with angle iron and flat bar all welded together. If anyone knows what thread I'm talking about, please post.

Also, I found another thread on the same topic as this thread here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9991