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Wifey Needs Help Please!!

M

Miss Garage USA

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Oct 10, 2012
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West Palm Beach, FL
Someone from my running club told me about this forum so I joined in order to get some help since you all are the most knowledgeable guys around.

My darling husband has been working very hard and traveling so he has been unable to complete our garage. He got professional-looking cabinets, the garage has been repainted, but it seems like something is missing.

I'd like to buy him a gift for his garage. Does anyone have any ideas for me? I don't know if there's "the it" thing to have but could use some advice.

Is there something decorative or cosmetic that all men would love to have in their garage?

Appreciate any help!!

Thanks. :p
 
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premierplayer

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Some type of flooring to finish the space.
Epoxie coating, RaceDeck tiles, ceramic tiles, something suitable for the use.

Wall art, lighted signs, cool clock.

TV and a frig. full of beer.
 
J

Jack Olsen

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Flooring is the answer, in my opinion. If he wants a great looking garage, he's got to do something about that bare concrete.
 
S

sam_i02

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Kanata, Ontario
Flooring is a good place to start for sure.
We used to live in WPB and St. Lucie a few years ago. You can get some phenomenal deals on floor tile at some of the independent flooring shops down there (45th Street, Australian Ave, Okeechobee...etc). Labor to install is very affordable in FL to.
Measure out the garage, find out how much tile you need. Speak to a flooring shop and you are on your way. You can always bounce ideas off of us here.
 
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M

Miss Garage USA

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oldmerc said:
Send us some pictures of what we have to work with .
Click to expand...

I can't do that. I have a feeling he might peruse this board!!! Can you imagine how awful it'd be if I ruined the surprise??

I hear what y'all are saying about floor. He put down a tile floor (ceramic I think) in this nice grey almost white color. Looks sort of like this: http://st.houzz.com/fimages/116599_6821-w394-h394-b0-p0--modern-living-room.jpg

As for a "lift" I assume that's what you use to raise cars? He doesn't do much work on cars. I mean, he did or has, but it's not something I think he still does. No motorcycle. He kind of just has all these projects. Some are just things that break and then he Frankensteins together. I suppose his garage is more of a workspace for him to run wild, whereas for me, well - that's what my shoe closet is for!

He'll want to put a TV in the garage, I'm sure. Maybe some sort of computer? Can I buy him a laptop with a laptop mount so he doesn't have to come in the house to get online?

I'd love to plaster the garage with pictures of myself but I think that might be overkill. :p

Hmmmph. I am stumped. But you all are such a great help. Thank you.
 
T

t100

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a zip line simulator.


stripper-pole.jpg
 
M

Motofixxer

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Yep a tv is a nice plus, you could buy a nice flat panel and a wall mount. Then spring for the wiring installation if he can't do it himself. Don't forget to add wiring from the tv to a shelf etc where a computer could be plugged in for displaying on the tv etc. Another related idea is a Stereo also positioned or wired for connection to the tv and computer. Great for watching games, races or that random viral video, when chillin in the garage.

Depending on your climate and his time spent in the garage, a heater and\or A\C.

Some gift cards for tool stores or another of his favorite stores. Some kind of wall art, neon sign or clock fitting to his hobbies or interests. A computer was also a great idea if he uses one.
 
W

woodrail

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Lorain, Ohio
OK, Heres what I would want depending on price range:

- Harbor Freight red rolling cart
- Harbor frieght 44" tool cabinet
- 30+ inch LED TV on wall bracket
- One of those Hp all in the monitor computers
- Old MOPAR
 
S

Sureshot

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Bridge Creek, OK
The tv with computer tied into it.
Storage. Nice storage is pricey and not something a person ussually springs for themselves. Anything right up to Lista cabinets is nice.
I love the stereo in the shop if he is into music. A sirius or internet radio with some rockin speakers and amp.
Fridge painted in his favorite team colours full of his fave beer and snack. Put a get out of jail free card and coupon for some hanky panky in the fridge. I think I need to get my wife to read this!!!!!!

If he put down tile he must like quality so I would favour quality items over quantity. For example I would rather get 6 screwdivers for a $50 gift than the 100 pack of junk.

If I were single I'd be searching out your sisters.
 
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4

48Classic

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Everyone forgot the HOTROD!!!, What better to have in your garage is the ultimate car. Ok back to her question for real. What is he hobbies, Maybe something to add to his hobby... Or lots of gift cards...
 
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O

Outlawmws

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Wow, you just KNOW where a thread like this will go! :spit:

The "fix it jobs" What kind? electronics or appliances and the like? things made of wood? Metal working of some kind?


What does he have for a tool box? a good rolled may be something he would appriciate.

Does he have a drill press?

how about a GOOD vise? (Not an Asian import, thats just a "vise shaped object" - See the "vises of GJ" thread)

If he makes a lot of mess (wood working) does he have a dust collection system?. or a GOOD shop vac? (I'm talking a Ridgid 16 gallon...)

How is the lighting in the garage? Does he need a good work light (I'm thinking a surgical theater light someone posted in another thread, and are available on Eprey)

Does he have music in the garage?



Other ideas:

A wall clock with and advertising motif of something he's into.

Is he into beer? and particular brand? a Neon tube sign along those lines.

or maybe he only drinks soda? a Coke/Pepsi machine.
 
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shoturtle

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Frankfurt AM
What kind of tools does he have and both power and hand tools. And how does he organized them? A job site radio is good, and it doubles as a charger for power tools of that brand. Dewalt does dewalt, bosch does bosch, milwaukee does milwaukee. A good radio helps me when I am building things for the house in my work space.

A nice workbench that he can put the laptop would be nice when he is building or fixing things in the garage. One with a nice butcher block top.
 
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C

ChargedUp!

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Twin Cities, MN
It depends on the budget for the surprise. A 42" flat panel tv can be had at a good price now days. Same goes for a nice garage stereo system. There's always the fridge full of beer or nice heater if warranted.
How bIg is the garage and what does he like to work on?
 
7

70redbee

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Price? How much do you want to spend?
What are his hobbies? What does he do in the garage?
What does he already have, tools, toolboxes, lighting, signs?
Is the garage wired for elec., cable or tv?
This all matters for us to help you.
Without him knowing what you are up to, can you find out what he needs or wants, maybe ask his friends etc.
We all need a wife like you unless maybe their is something in it for you...LOL
Let us know more and we can help.
 
C

Cobra6

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Maybe get him a vintage metal sign (favorite brand) or a cool neon clock -
something he would like but not spend $$$ on when he needs other stuff

Maybe a nice clock with a picture of you in it?
 
9

911mike

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Buying stuff for a guy and his garage is like us buying the wife clothes and shoes. It's a nice gesture but I'll bet he would rather pick it out on his own. Garages are kind of personal! LOL So maybe the best idea is to help him pick out that "it" item and just encourage him. My wife has tried to do the same over the years we both agree to let the other do there own thing!
 
H

Herb67SS

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Northern Virginia
911mike said:
Buying stuff for a guy and his garage is like us buying the wife clothes and shoes. It's a nice gesture but I'll bet he would rather pick it out on his own. Garages are kind of personal! LOL So maybe the best idea is to help him pick out that "it" item and just encourage him. My wife has tried to do the same over the years we both agree to let the other do there own thing!
Click to expand...

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

A wife's encouragement and support to buy yourself something nice for yourself or for your garage is priceless to most guys. Find a good way to express it, may in a surprise way and you will hit a home run. That includes pretending you are interested in helping him decide and/or going with him to pick it up/out. Doesn't matter how little or simple it is, or how expensive and big it is. Wouldn't you value the same from him? It really is the thought that counts most.

I'm giving you the benefit of 46yrs of marriage experience.
 
C

caseyr

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Oct 4, 2011
Messages
16
go with a 42" wall mounted TV and have some speakers put in the ceiling for a decent stereo.
 
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