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Wifey Needs Help Please!!

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madosta

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 4, 2012
Messages
807
Location
Michigan
This poor lady. You guys are ridiculous. LOL.

I like surprises, but I would probably be annoyed if I came home to my garage and cupboards were pink, etc. My wifey just surprised me with a 20v Li-Ion Dewalt Combo. AND IT'S AWESOME!!! She knew exactly what I wanted though...

A TV is a good idea if he's into that.
 

thundermug

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Joined
Sep 10, 2012
Messages
1,173
Location
usa
I wouldn't guess. A big gift done wrong isn't fun. Ask one of his friends. If that doesn't work, ask him in a way that he wouldn't guess that were going to get him something.

Say something like: "The garage looks great, but it looks like its missing something. What do you think?"
He will probably list a few things. Get him one, some, or all of those things.

This tactic usually works on my wife. Every Christmas, birthday, and anniversary I end up surprising her. I find out what she wants about three months early. Even though she told me exactly what she wants, she wasn't expecting me to get it.
 

sjlee

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Joined
Sep 26, 2012
Messages
107
Location
WI
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.

I think a laptop (or tablet) would be a great idea. I use mine very often when working in the garage for looking up microfiche or parts diagrams.

If you do get a laptop, make sure to get a keyboard cover to keep debris from getting stuck between the keys.
 

GirlnAgarage

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 21, 2011
Messages
4,668
Location
Texas
Ask him for his Christmas List now so you can start looking early. Tell him to go crazy listing stuff and be specific about part/model numbers so you get it exactly right.

DH and I do this and it works pretty well. We don't know what each will get so you list everything and know you'll enjoy it when you do open the gift. Big stuff, little stuff, expensive stuff, cheap stuff - list everything.
 

larry_g

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2007
Messages
16,872
Location
oregon
Sounds like you're not the youngest couple ( me neither) so I really appreciate a nice chair and good stool at the workbench. The easy chair is for the times when I just need a place to hideout and have some quiet. I also really like and use one of those lamps with the magnifier in the middle. http://www.all-spec.com/search?keyw...x=25&i=1&f=f&gclid=CKb3yNDq-bICFaV_QgodcWYAlA I also second the suggestion of a good shop vacuum.

lg
no neat sig line
 

RKA

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Joined
Jun 9, 2010
Messages
1,744
Location
NJ
My vote would be AC if he spends a decent amount of time out there and doesn't have it. That was an IT for me! This can get a little spendy depending on the size of the space and type of equipment you want to use. For about $4000 you can have a mini-split system installed that can cool 800 sq ft (assume <11 ft ceilings). But, if the garage and doors aren't insulated, it's best to hold off until they are. Mitsubishi and Fujitsu are two of the top brands.

Workspace and storage really depends on what he does out there and what kinds of tools, parts and projects he needs to organize. Also depends on what is there currently and whether that's to be kept and added onto or tossed and replaced. There is a bit of personal preference involved here (imagine him designing a custom walk in closet for you without your input - oh you wanted more than 2 shelves for shoes??!), but if you're starting with nothing, maybe anything is an improvement? Things to consider....

Good lighting is really nice to have, but that may get you into some electrical work to lay things out well, which could be more work than you bargained for. And you would want to know where the "workspaces" are in the garage, so you can add extra task lighting. This may not seem like an IT item, but if the rest of the garage is finished and well appointed, well-executed lighting will put IT over the top!

I like the TV/computer idea. I wouldn't put a laptop out there, I'd use the TV as the monitor, connect to a small computer tucked out of sight (mac mini or whatever his preference), and wireless keyboard/mouse to minimize the cable clutter. To me, this isn't an IT item.

This is going to sound dumb, but one thing I really wish I had was some kind of slop sink out there. Really handy in so many ways. Not an IT item, but close to it in my book (probably because I don't have it there or in the adjacent laundry area). Might be a bonus for you as well if he's currently tracking stuff through the house?

There are a lot of other items, but it really depends on what he likes to work on. House projects, electronics projects, car projects, taxidermy?? If you're more specific, it opens the floodgates for more suggestions.
 

luvit

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Joined
Jul 11, 2011
Messages
1,580
.
i'm also gonna say i didn't expect ill-mannered responses in here.. however, i do have standards.

If flooring adds-up too quickly, get the ceiling and walls painted in a color he dreams of.
If those are painted then seek-out a nice usable center piece tool, like a large vise by Wilton/Columbia/etc or a cool task light.

these things, if vintage, are pretty affordable, very usable, and a classic that fits nicely even in modern garages.

here are some links:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115346&showall=1
.
.



.
 
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pendragon1998

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Joined
Mar 24, 2012
Messages
3,733
Location
NE Georgia
A pleasant lady comes in asking for a little advice so she can do something nice for her husband, and she gets slapped with a ton of replies about stripper poles, **** posters, and other such nonsense? For shame. I wouldn't blame her if she gave up and left the forum in disgust.

If she's still around, I second the 'Christmas list' idea from up thread.
 
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Nowater

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Nov 29, 2011
Messages
744
Location
Southwest Florida
I am on the other coast of Florida and the best present was an air conditioner. More comfortable to work in and it dehumidifies to help keep rust off of my tools. A window unit would do and hire out the separate electric line if that's what it needs. That was "the it" for me.
 

Davefr

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Joined
Jan 7, 2010
Messages
11,820
Location
OR
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.


Call Snap On and order him a 9600GSBO

9600GSB.jpg
 

O_M_Jeep

Banned
Joined
Jul 24, 2012
Messages
424
Location
South central Wyoming
A pleasant lady comes in asking for a little advice so she can do something nice for her husband, and she gets slapped with a ton of replies about stripper poles, **** posters, and other such nonsense? For shame. I wouldn't blame her if she gave up and left the forum in disgust.

X2 on this, way to bolster a "stupid ***** man" stereotype, double points on the stupid for not having any tact either.
 

bdamico

Well-known member
Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
2,303
Honey is this you? If so, I don't need anything. I mean that does look just like the floor I just put in, I'm not far from west palm and you're sneaky, you're always asking me to put pics of you up, and asking me what I want for the garage, and you always talk about your shoes, and use the word hmmph.
 
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Toolman12

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Joined
Aug 31, 2011
Messages
2,425
Location
A thousand miles from erehwon
Miss Garage USA
Welcome to Garage Journal i hope you don't take offence to some of the suggestions put forward to you as an insult some people are just prone to joke around and make fun but i hope you and your hubby stay here and enjoy the knowledge and wisdom these guys and girls have to offer and there is a lot of it here. So as to your question the it thing for me was my toolbox a little pricey but you can find great deals on large bench style boxes for sale in craigslist in your area all the time if he likes to be organized that is the thing to have IMHO
 

bdamico

Well-known member
Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
2,303
IT IS YOU. I LOVE YOU. THANKS FOR TRYING. You are the best wife ever. I'm so lucky. Love, your husband. To everyone else:

floor is in
cabinets / work bench going in now
flat panel in works / already did wiring / have mount
mini split - down the road for sure
tools -- aplenty.
 
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