When is it "good enough"?

[bluesman2a]

You know, I've spent a lot more time working ON my garage this year than I have spent working IN my garage. I enjoy working IN my garage, it's why I went through all this, to have a nice place to work.

I recently had a discussion with a friend of mine about when you say it's "good enough, this is JUST a garage". I'm not talking about cutting corners here, or doing stupid things, but just not having to have EVERY LAST THING PERFECT.

For example, he brought it up where we were looking at 2 OSB panels. One of them was off somewhere between 1/8 to 1/4" on one seam. I just finsihed making it (about 20-30 minutes), and he asked me if I was going to RE-make it. Now this is something that caulk will easily remedy. Now there's no WAY I'm going to spend the time/material for redoing something that is so obviously not a critical issue.

I know the bar around here is pretty high, many of the garages here are better constructed than my HOUSE, but when do YOU find yourself saying "it's good enough, this is just a garage..."?

 

[R1Jester]

When I can find things I need quickly, and when I can successfully do what I need to in the garage without asking myself if I am missing an area or tool to complete the job. Is that vague enough? lol In a way it is always a work in progress, but as long as I am able to use it for what I need to do at that time, then it is good enough.

 

[PAToyota]

I've heard that from a number of people as well. I know I'm taking things to a higher level than about 99% of the public out there would for a garage or workshop. But like a lot of the people here, I want something more than what the general public would be happy with.

And I've made the comment about getting to the point where I am "working in my shop" vs. "working on my shop" to a number of people as well...

As for what is "good enough" - is it something that is going to nag at you every time you are out there? Or is it something that you'll pretty much forget about as you get into working on things "in" the shop? If the former, take the time to change it. If more likely the latter, let it go and enjoy your projects!

 

[bluesman2a]

As for what is "good enough" - is it something that is going to nag at you every time you are out there? Or is it something that you'll pretty much forget about as you get into working on things "in" the shop? If the former, take the time to change it. If more likely the latter, let it go and enjoy your projects!

I think that's very well said there, sir!!!

 

[russlaferrera]

Only YOU can answer that question. What is important to you? What type of garage do you want, Show place, parking, working, themed, small, large?

IMO "good enough" is regulated by your ability to provide the highest level of workmanship you can accept by you or others. Holding yourself to these standards may or not meet requirements by others with more abilities, knowhow, money and other factors.

I, after reading my post. I believe this is one of my more profound posts!

 

[logical]

I think once the crown molding is in, you're done.

 

[rsanter]

if I can work in the garage and it not hamper my work...thats good
if I can hang around in the garage and not see things that bug me...thats good
if my garage is not a hazard for my daughter to move around in and get her bike out.. thats good
if my car is safer in the garage than in the driveway...thats good
if friends come by and tell me that I have a nicer garage than they do..thats just icing

the car is never done
the garage is never done
the house is never done
the yard is never done
all of these things are a lifes work in progress. when when these are done, life is done

bob

 

[Kevin54]

I know the bar around here is pretty high, many of the garages here are better constructed than my HOUSE, but when do YOU find yourself saying "it's good enough, this is just a garage..."?

When YOU think it is good enough and you don't let your buddy influence you because HE wasn't there to help you cut it "perfect"
I guess there is always the critic that likes to spend someone elses money and tell them how to do it right. Check his garage out

 

[tstukel]

"...the car is never done, the garage is never done, the house is never done the yard is never done, all of these things are a life's work in progress. when when these are done, life is done..."

Garage improvement as a metaphor for life...I really like that, rsanter.

 

[CharlieBrown]

and when your done..and dead


someone else will work on it

 

[ovilla]

As long as I can easily find everything I need for each type of work I do on my cars, then I'm happy. Improvements come only as funds/time are available. Right now the priority is kids and family and the garage gets upgraded during down time. Also, yeah I'd like to have the fancy garage that everyone wants to hang out at but that's not really functional for me. I'd rather have a garage where I'm not afraid to get things dirty and greasy. I really need my space to be more functional than show and have everything needed to make the work/chore at least fun to do (which means having the right tools in place).

 

[boiler7904]

Houses and garages are like project cars/bikes/trucks/etc.

When they're done, they're for sale.

For me, my current garage is temporary. It will never get to the point I want it to be just because we have so many other projects to do. That's part of the fun of buying a builder's basic home and making it your own.

 

[rsanter]

Houses and garages are like project cars/bikes/trucks/etc.

When they're done, they're for sale.

For me, my current garage is temporary. It will never get to the point I want it to be just because we have so many other projects to do. That's part of the fun of buying a builder's basic home and making it your own.

not sure I agree with that. when the car is done you drive the hell out of it..wear the thing out and then rebuild it again

bob

 

[bluesman2a]

When YOU think it is good enough and you don't let your buddy influence you because HE wasn't there to help you cut it "perfect"
I guess there is always the critic that likes to spend someone elses money and tell them how to do it right. Check his garage out

Wow, there are a lot of profound posts here guys, good conversation, lets keep it going!!!

Kevin, I guess I should clarify here: my buddy is a machinist by training and his tolerances are always much finer than mine. There's a lot of good natured teasing about it back and forth. Occasionally I have to rip on him, "hey Picasso, you gonna drop that yard-yo-yo and rip that pole or are you just gonna admire it and mark it up with a pencil all day?"

Of course in turn when he makes a mistake (which I think is a very reasonable thing) and starts to throw it away, I tell him to hang it up and I'll tell people that *I* did that ugly one...

It's all in good fun, but occasionally we need to talk about WHY we do this crazy stuff and when is "good enough"?

 

[fxdlryan]

It might be good enough when it doesn't fail electrical and plumbing inspection on the same day , which is what happened in my new garage yesterday. All minor issues that can be easily resolved but didn't help to make my 13 hour day at work any better when arriving home.

If you take the size you initially planned and increase it by a factor or 10, it might be good enough.

If you increase your budget by a factor of 20, it might be good enough.

I find myself asking the good "enough question" on every project. Last August I finally gave in to pressure from the queen and princess for a pool. As we planned the pool/back yard layout, I planned for a future garage and as luck would have it, my pool builder offered to do it very reasonably in their off season. Since it would also serve as a pool house with bathroom and fridge keeping wet and messy pool folk out of the Queen's castle, it passed muster with the queen.

My initial thought was that I really only wanted a place to keep my truck out of the elements and a place to work on a project car. We have an attached 2 car that houses the Queen's Chariot and a couple of motorcycles for me. Non-scooter riding brethren from surrounding kingdoms frequently ask why my Harley and dirt bike are in the garage and my 50K truck is outside, . I'm guessing the other kingdoms lack proper education and vision , not to mention a good pimp slap for stupid questions.

Because of house/pool placement, setbacks and county this/thats, 24X36 was about as big as I could go and not draw any unnecessary scrutiny. It seemed big enough and now that it's 90% finished, I'm wishing it were bigger and thinking of what I could have done better, . At the end of the day, it more than doubles the garage space we had and gives the jester a place to retreat from the demands of the queen and princess. I managed to slide in 100 AMP electrical service, 12 foot walls for lift, heater, utility sink, fridge, bathroom and full compliment of enough computer, phone and cable drops to launch the next space shuttle. Is it perfect, Hell No, but it beats what I had and hopefully I'll get over it.

 

[Kevin54]

Kevin, I guess I should clarify here: my buddy is a machinist by training and his tolerances are always much finer than mine. There's a lot of good natured teasing about it back and forth. Occasionally I have to rip on him, "hey Picasso, you gonna drop that yard-yo-yo and rip that pole or are you just gonna admire it and mark it up with a pencil all day?"

All the more reason to get him on the end of the saw. I'm a toolmaker by trade and I found out a long time ago that a toolmaker IS NOT a carpenter!!! Oh yea, I can do it fine, but it takes three times as long and cost twice as much with do-overs to get it "just right". Don't take it wrong, I wasn't trying to be sarcastic, but I've been in the same place as you. Critics everywhere. I've done work for engineers that pretty much want to do "Stress Analysis" on vinyl siding to see what brand to buy. I came to the conclusion a few years ago that if it is wood, drywall, or 2x's, if I get it within 1/4" then it will eventually be covered, painted, or filled in somehow. LOL!!! But give me a piece of metal and a mill and it's within tenths.

 

[Uncle Buck]

if I can work in the garage and it not hamper my work...thats good
if I can hang around in the garage and not see things that bug me...thats good
if my garage is not a hazard for my daughter to move around in and get her bike out.. thats good
if my car is safer in the garage than in the driveway...thats good
if friends come by and tell me that I have a nicer garage than they do..thats just icing

the car is never done
the garage is never done
the house is never done
the yard is never done
all of these things are a lifes work in progress. when when these are done, life is done

bob

Very well stated!

 

[kbs2244]

When you have somrthing more inportant to do, it is done.

 

[Mike83]

After all, it's only a garage, not a tavern

JK, I am pretty picky about my garage. My fiance pokes fun at me that I organize my garage all the time and that it is cleaner than my apt (when I don't have a project or work going on in the garage that is.) I am always finding different, better ways of organization (space is a premium) and creating an efficient workspace. If I can achieve that, then I am happy.

 

[brownbagg]

if you got crown molding in the garage, you have gone too far

 

[milkovich]

I feel left out.

I'm the guy with the exposed framing and the compressor still mounted on the skid it shipped on.

My philosophy is the same for my garage as my cars (and life I guess). Function over form. Cars, motorcycles, garages, tools. Most of what I have looks like a science experiment gone wrong. Just think.. the half completed but fully operational deathstar was "good enough" for the emperor.

If I have enough power to not be tripping breakers and the roof doesn't leak, by my metrics, the garage is "good enough" ... the rest is just having fun and primping.

That said... I can't tell you how much I respect the detail guys who have "finished" garages... you guys are inspirations to all us "good enough" slobs trying to cobble hotrods and racecars together on dirt floors.

 

[bluesman2a]

Just think.. the half completed but fully operational deathstar was "good enough" for the emperor.

I think that's the funniest thing I've read all week.

But just think, they had to have a bunch of innocent contractors on the deathstar, I mean do you think your average stormtrooper knows how to install a toilet?

(bonus for anybody who can get the movie reference)

 

[Kevin54]

But just think, they had to have a bunch of innocent contractors on the deathstar, I mean do you think your average stormtrooper knows how to install a toilet?

It's all in the crosstraining. Todays Stormtroopers have to be flexible and be able to go from one job to the next.

 

[milkovich]

It's all in the crosstraining. Todays Stormtroopers have to be flexible and be able to go from one job to the next.

Maybe if they're contract workers they can but United Storm Workers need to be certified on a piece of equipment before they're even allowed to look at it and training is expensive. They'd have done it with all droids but the USW contract states you need a certain number of troopers at each space station...

Sorry to de-rail an otherwise great thread but once I get started.