Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT Woody's Works Garage

[dla]

Dennis, awesome story you have going here! You've kept momentum through 74 pages now and still progressing projects both big and small. I've enjoyed the read.

I'm borrowing a lot of your garage concepts if you don't mind. Keeping anything that touches the floor at a minimum and requiring wheels seems to be working brilliantly for you. I don't know that I can follow that as strictly as you have but it'll definitely have some effect.

You've gone pretty seriously into the home and workspace automation. I would say to an extent that your setups could be used as examples of what is ultimately possible for the average home or business owner (not that there's an "average" business owner!). I do have a question that I've not seen you address... How are you keeping up with the complexity of having everything talk to everything? I have a hard time remembering a couple passwords I use for forums/email/banking/work. I keep a laptop computer that i bought used in 2006 because it has programs configured to work with a programmable EFI system that I still have. I can't imagine the setup hoops you'd have to jump through each time you or your wife upgrades to a new phone. Keeping instruction manuals is one thing, but keeping track of automation programming across all of these smart devices requires some level of organization that I don't possess.

Looking forward to more eh!

 

[Grumblebum]

Playing catch up at the moment but the benches and new carts look great Dennis. I do need to get some feather boards for my saw and those buddy things look really useful so will have to see how I could get something to work. The fence on my dewalt saw I don't think is as a solid a unit as the ridgid one on yours.

Been a while since I've watched that Seinfeld episode lol.

Cheers GB

 

[Denwood]

Johnnie, we have a local tool house that carries the King stuff (same as General and likely a few other brands) and provides service so I was ok with them.

The jointer gives you a straight reference surface. The board is flipped over so the planer blades are cutting the rough side. The end result will be straight, with a planed surface perfectly parallel to the jointed surface. So you kind of need both of dealing with rough lumber.

Both jointer and planer units use helical heads, and use the same cutter inserts. The wood surface finish on both is excellent. Vibration is very low in operation. Dust/chip collection is nearly perfect on the jointer, the planer leaves a few chips (minor) behind on the intake end. I have zero complaints on the planer. The jointer fence, if moved, requires checking with a square. It's no big deal as I'm not using it every day. A bench top jointer by it's nature has a shorter bed, so will never be as good as a floor model with long bed. That said, it's perfect for my needs. The jointer is easy to toss around, while the 13" planer is likely around 70lbs.

I have about 400 square feet of reclaimed maple flooring so the first test of the jointer/planer combination was to take a few lengths and see how effectively I could take the old flooring and produce maple face frame stock for cabinets. I'll post pics of the end result.

 

[Denwood]

Dan, I have that same computer problem with our buildings card access system. Ha.

First of all, thanks for making the 74 page effort Sharing is what it's all about, so I'm happy to hear there are some ideas here that you might find useful.

Keeping track of configs for routers, access points, switches and automation hubs can be daunting, but I have a bit of a system. First of all I assume that I will forget everything in six months when setting up a new system. This results in saved config files..and doing this every time you change something! It also makes device recovery a snap if required (I have to do this rarely). If anything requires a lot of reading/research to set up (like securty system integration with Vera), I make myself a cheat sheet with forum links, web link references, cut/pasted procedures, even code if required..and save this with my config files. I do the same for disaster recovery on our servers etc. so that I'm never in a panic if something stops working. My previous life as a systems analyst perhaps prepared me a bit for modern life, ha.

There are a lot more folks, way further down the automation rabbit hole, but for me there's a common sense cut off. If the family is happy, power bills are dropping (our last business power bill was down 28%, lowest we've seen ever), then I tend to stop at where common sense prevails. I'm stunned by how wasteful we can be, so posting my discoveries here, and having folks at least think about them is considered "mission accomplished"

"Everything on wheels" is a policy we employ religiously at the business, all 9000 sq/ft of it. My team loves it as we reconfig all the time. I seem to remember buying something like 600 heavy duty castor wheels at some point...

With regard to iOS, that's one system I don't worry about. Cloud backup from old device restored to the new device works 100% these days. Just have to re-login on a few apps, and done. My wife and kids have zero interest in the automation stuff, so have near zero interaction with it. My definition of a good system is one that requires no "fiddling" from day to day so this is a goal always. Making sure home lighting will work "as normal" with switches really helps too. My main interest is just keeping things off when not in use or not required (like HVAC) at both home and business.


Grumb, Seinfeld never gets old for me The board buddy wheel deals have proven very worthwhile after a week with most nights in the shop. Add in the feather boards and you have much more control over your cuts. Both bits are highly recommened in my book. I should have picked up those items a long time ago. Btw, the Rigid table saw might be the most used tool in my shop. It was a great investment.

 

[dlcwent]

Hi Dennis, it's been a while since I've checked in here but as usual, you never cease to amaze me. It's always your detailed posts that let us "non wood" guys understand what you're doing and why. I hope the winter has been a good one for you. Looking forward to seeing some pictures of you and the family out on your bikes when warmer weather arrives.

 

[Denwood]

Dan, already had my youngest out on her bike It's still dipping below freezing at night here so nothing in my yard is remotely interested in photosynthesis quite yet.

Spent the weekend building an elevated storage platform 16ft up in our loading bay at the business..now back to work in the shop I must profess again my love for the track saw. It made very easy work of the job at work, and was pretty simple to cart back and forth in my diminutive A3 as well.

The long track is 118" long, so nearly 10 ft. There is no way it will fit in my car, so an argument can be made there for two 55" tracks and the connector kit if you have space issues and need portability. The long track will likely never leave my shop.

These work stands were also a snap to collapse and pile in the car boot. I placed a six foot pallet on them at work which was perfect as a cutting platform for the saw. As much as I like wood saw horses, these Dewalt stands fold in a few seconds, but when deployed are crazy strong. Two thumbs up.

 

[Denwood]

These planer/jointer carts were supposed to be pretty basic plywood with exposed edges etc. That was before Bret's last post where he inspired me to think a bit more about quality This was how I left them a few days back:

I have 400 board feet of this maple flooring left over from the house renovation. It's reclaimed hardwood from an old barracks/apartment complex which was torn down 18 yrs ago. The wood is about 70 yrs old. After two saw cuts to remove tongue and grooves, I ran one edge over the jointer, planed both sides, then match planed them (feeding five at a time on edge) all to the same width. The helical cutter planer did not skip a beat and produced a finish that was smoother by far than a sanded finish to 600 grit.

The tool bases were relatively inexpensive ($99), and work fine for my needs. The vintage Dewalt radial arm saw and drill press ride on the same bases.

The planer cart needed some internal structure to stiffen it. The two sides of storage that resulted will provide a home for several tools, including the benchtop grinder. The hidden side is just large enough to store the planer, making the top usable for other tools, or just as a work surface.

A few coats of clear Varathane and we'll call these done..

 

[bj383ss]

Those look fantastic Dennis. They will look even better with a finish. Glad you saved all that hardwood. I see so many people throw old wood in the trash.


Bret

 

[1/2 Cup]

Dennis, absolutely awesome work..

Great looking bases as well.

PS I have been back tracking on you thread in regards to your energy initiatives as our work, being a government department has been mandated to cut our emissions to zero by 2020. So there has been a huge focus on lighting, air conditioning, solar, co generation and the like of late..

Thank you for the inspiration.

Regards

 

[Denwood]

Bret, thanks for the kind words. We did the entire 1st, and 2nd floor of our home with that maple. It looks great and has worn extraordinarily well. I'm a bit torn between leaving it as flooring vs using it for face frames.

1/2, I'm relieved to hear zero emissions by 2020..at least for government. Clearly Australia is executing best practice by having government take the lead. Our last bill at the business was the lowest ever. At $288 for 9000 sq/ft (for the month, with peak rates 17c/kw/h) , it was 28% reduced over last yr.

Focusing on reduction first makes net zero a lot easier to attain.

 

[drivesitfar]

Woody: of course i was thinking you would buy or make or maybe have some casters ready for those too stands you made, but you went over the top with the maple trim not to mention the shelving. WELL DONE SIR!!

i too will be back reviewing your thread for energy tips as i figure out the plans for the new home we might buy one day. still have a house full of stuff getting ready for our youngest's move which is happening in a couple months and then we are officially EMPTY NESTERS.

it will be a sort of sad, but a very happy day cause all our kids are doing great. in fact my other daughter is having us watch her dog while she and hubby are in South Africa for the next 5 weeks just as one example. it's their business to set up trips for their clients and they are very hands on by trying all the different hotels and flying companies (including helecopters) so they can pass on good information that is first hand and not out of a brochure or pictures. remember the Robin Williams (RIP) where he was a fireman and went to a resort in the Bahamas that didn't look anything like the pictures?

hope that brought a smile to your face cause almost anything Robin did he was hilarious.

nice save on the maple and my hope is to have a set up so when i salvage some good old wood i can actually store it safely and then find a use for it and not have to burn it or give it away. my gramps had so much access to old growth wood since he owned a logging business. it's a little sad to know what i could have put in a home if i had built one when i was younger, but i think i might still be able to find some of that cool old wood and now use it for things i can really enjoy and build with my own tools.

600 grit that's impressive for wood. some of the best car guys (Don Long comes to mind and you might like to check out his thread) use 1500 & 2000 grit on their cars to make them shine.

here's Don's link in case you have some time to check it out and i know you like fresh veggies and Don's building a raised bed garden this week.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153099

thanks for taking the time to post up pictures and talk about the process and i can only imagine how many others you've helped along the way.

cheers (still drinking ice tea and water)

 

[Denwood]

Thanks Drives I am already wondering what life will be like with my girls not under the same roof.

My last color sanding on the Westfalia finished up with 2000 grit, them polish. Thank goodness wood doesn't demand that level of finish.

Thanks for the link..I have a request from the Missus for new raised garden beds...

 

[G20-Budo]

Dennis,

I've just finished catching up with your thread. Watching you make the torsion box desk top (for multiple uses) has been very educational (and they're cool!)

Keep up the great work, and I'll keep checking it out.

 

[JohnnieMo]

These planer/jointer carts were supposed to be pretty basic plywood with exposed edges etc. That was before Bret's last post where he inspired me to think a bit more about quality

I am loving those tool bases. I have found that the problem with just adding casters to a cabinet is that there is no easy way to apply the brake (the castor brakes **** anyways) and keep them from moving. These bases have an external brake that is much easier to access. Do they sell these in other sizes? I see they say King on them, so I know where to find them.

I have one more wall in my shop that needs to house/store a bench sander, a band saw, and hopefully a future planer and jointer. This strategy is one I may mimic.

Thanks for keeping us in the loop.

 

[Denwood]

Kyle, I was quite surprised by how crazy rigid a 40lb, six foot torsion box could be. Evidently I'm in love with them as the planer/jointer stands use two each Simple, cheap and they work so much better than anything else I've tried. I did a large entertainment stand using wood shelf insets, glass, and welded external frame with 1" steel tubing, color matched to the Sony TV. It's still in my living room, and still poker straight, some 15 yrs later.

Johnnie, thanks for the kind words. I'm with you on the castors. We use them a lot at work, and even with all locked..they can still rotate. These KMB-1250 tool bases lift off when the "pedal" is down onto the castors, but then drop onto the adjustable pads beside each wheel with the pedal in the up position. At rest, one side is on pads (the wheels have no weight on them), the other side remains on the back wheels...but they don't swivel. The rubber pads work great to keep things from moving, particularly on the Racedeck floor.

The tool bases are quite adjustable...something like 1" increments. They include a number of nesting channels, so you can mix and match them to get them any size in between what's indicated below. I have one supporting my radial arm saw, another on the drill press.

KMB-1250
1- Minimum Square Dimension: 11½ x 11½
2- Maximum Square Dimension: 35.2½ x 35.2½
3- Minimum Rectangular Dimension: 17.1½ x 11½
4- Maximum Rectangular Dimension: 51½ x 19½

This the same base, on my drill press from way back on page 11. The wheels are in the deployed position here, so lift the front pads off the floor. These bases are obviously China products, so quality is adequate, but nothing to get excited about. The vintage Dewalt Radial arm saw must be close to 200lbs and is fine on these bases, rated to 500lbs.

 

[Denwood]

The shop chaos reached the critical mark last night. My youngest progeny immediately volunteered to help haul out the wood scraps, and help with the annual "vacuum and mop racedeck winter crud routine". She's happy as a piglet in mud helping out in the shop

Nothing fancy..just a quick mop so we can get back to work!

 

[drivesitfar]

Woody: you know i enjoy all your projects and your details and end results, but i'm thinking i might be checking in even more often for posts to catch a glimpse of one of your girl's magic smiles. OMG they are so happy and rightfully so cause haven't you won DAD OF THE YEAR AWARDS every year since they were born.

i heard someplace a few posts ago that the MISSUS is smiling too with all the improvements. Happy family, happy life.

cheers big guy

 

[Denwood]

It's not all roses here Drives, but we sure try. I figure the more positive exposure the kids have to various disciplines, whether it be horse back riding, wood working, or multiplication tables, the better ;-)

 

[drivesitfar]

WOODY: the bumps and curves raising kids is definitely interesting isn't it? i have to say though when i see your girls smiling while cleaning the garage or helping with a car or woodworking project it makes me smile almost as much knowing they are truly happy.

i'm sure having your own business isn't always fun either, but in the years i've been following your thread and your life i've yet to see you post something that was in anger or frustration. it probably helped some when you sold the Purple van, but i bet you still miss it.

since i have a lot of steel benches i probably won't use your idea you copied for a bench top, but i bet it would work great for my commercial shelving that i'm using so maybe i'll try it there and see how it handles a few thousand pounds. it's amazing what a few metal supports under press board will hold.

hope your weather will give you some quality WOODY time either in the shop or out on the bike trails this weekend. also not that you need to join the GET HEALTHY thread, but if you might post over there once in a while i'm sure others that need more positive words besides mine would enjoy hearing some of yours and SUB is drinking too much Soda so he might need an Ontario guy's razzing to keep him off the sauce.

cheers

 

[Denwood]

Drives, I've always followed an etiquette policy from day one on the web. It's worked well for me

A few coats of water base Varathane, and these carts are done. They both have specific parking places in the shop, with a few more storage items to add.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Dennis, I have to say they have come up a treat, well done.

Regards

 

[Denwood]

1/2, thanks. Now on to the real work

 

[bj383ss]

Dennis those tool stands look great. The black really adds a great contrast to the wood.

Bret

 

[Denwood]

Bret, I do like that aesthetic. This theater build is very much the inspirational for what I'll be doing in my own theater. The black acoustic panels and maple panels make for a great look. A lot of the work I'm doing now, including the tool stands, is in preparation for that project.

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/19-de...formerly-grindhouse-complete-pics-inside.html

 

[bj383ss]

Dennis that looks fantastic. Very inspirational. Will be cool to see your take on it.

Bret

 

[Denwood]

Bret, let's hope it goes quicker than the recent reno..ha.

Speaking of inspiration, here's the old laundry room, now a pretty clean mud room at our back entrance. The Missus is very happy

Before: (November 2016) This is the height of disorganisation and clutter.

Today's shot of the same space (including 8yr old cameo). The panoramic shot messed with the cabinet lines, but the general idea is evident. I'm doing a bamboo butcher block type bench and accent floating shelf, but it's almost done. The right side of the cabinet is all pull out baskets managing hats/gloves/mitts/shoes, and the left is extra pantry storage. The cabinet was on sale at Lowes for $269 or so, and the wire basket pull out units were closet storage stuff we had in there previous. You might call that a cabinet "hack"..but it works. All the clutter disappears.

This space is very much a work in progress, but the relocated basement laundry area also now houses toy/activity storage for the kids. The birch storage unit (on the left) was previously in the space that is being set up for theatre duty. The door you see at the end of the room did not exist previously..it was a closet when the basement was set up as an apartment. From the previous laundry "closet", having the space for a drying rack, storage etc. has made the boss happy yet again. An older (smaller) home is a constant challenge, but really thinking about efficient space use and flow makes it seem much larger than it is.

The white laminate for the laundry torsion box work surfaces is sitting in the shop..so this is the next task at hand.

 

[wasfast]

One negative with the black acoustic fabric is that it's a dust magnet. The rough surface not only attracts dust but allows it to stick well to the surface. Just realize you'll be vacuuming the surface more than you'd like. I speak from experience in recording studios with Dead End surfaces on the rear and side walls.

 

[Denwood]

Was, that is something definitely to think about. In your experience, have you found solutions that endure dust a bit better?

 

[JohnnieMo]

Bret, I do like that aesthetic. This theater build is very much the inspirational for what I'll be doing in my own theater. The black acoustic panels and maple panels make for a great look. A lot of the work I'm doing now, including the tool stands, is in preparation for that project.

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/19-de...formerly-grindhouse-complete-pics-inside.html

This is very cool. But I need to stop reading this thread before I bankrupt myself

I notice that fellah has some Axiom speakers. That is good taste. Start there.

I also look forward to watching this project unfold.

 

[Denwood]

Johnnie, let's hope it goes quicker than the last build..ha. I already have all the AV gear including five Paradigm Millenia 30 "Reference", 12" sub and Denon amp. Nothing crazy really, but it will sound nice.

 

[wasfast]

Guess it depends on what you have for actual batting behind the fabric. I've seen nylon window screen used but over fire treated Sonex type foam. Fabric is often used on fiberglass batting to keep the particles at bay. Polyester batting is usually white so cosmetically, you'd still see the white behind it.

Plenty of places just dim the lights to avoid seeing all the dust on the walls. In your case it will depend partly on how clean the air is, whether there's much cross ventilation to move air along and how fussy you are about the dust in general.

 

[Denwood]

Was, I'm using Roxul Rockboard 60, potentially covered with Mellotone Premium black speaker cloth. Roxul is non-flammable, the cloth is class A fire rated. I'll have to think a bit about making the cloth removable for cleaning.

I have a studio and projection room at the business painted flat black. That may be the worst finish ever for showing dust and scratches.

 

[wasfast]

The other option is rigid fiberglass insulation like AC ducts are made from. Comes large sheets and is easily cut on a table saw or circular saw. Obviously, the particles are a bit nasty. It comes as thick as 4". Get the thickest you can source.

Typar is the lowest cost option for covering besides speaker cloth. It's sold for upholstery work like the bottom of chairs or couches. Comes in 6' wide rolls.

The foil backing of the insulation is easily glued with structural adhesive to the wall. Spray adhesive (like 3M Super 77) to bond the Typar, wrapping it around and gluing on the foil side.

 

[Denwood]

Was, thanks for that. I'll have to source some Typar and see what it looks like

 

[drivesitfar]

Woody: as i mentioned on BJ's thread the Zen and the Art of Motorcycle maintenance is tough for me to even listen to as an audio book while driving. i had an 8.5 hour day of driving last week and i barely listened to it, but part of that was cause it was pouring rain too.

anyway i'm up for my 4th time to check it out and i think i'm on chapter 21 or 23 now and yes i have to keep taking it back cause there's a waiting list on this book written 40 years ago. i have the book on my nightstand and if it was online as a GJ thread i'd probably have read it by now, but i rarely read books anymore.

i've been to the mountain and i'm learning a lot of new words and all about QUALITY so i'll maybe have a better idea on what Quality means when i'm finished.

your two tables for your tools that never seem to have a good place look great. does your little girl just follow you around when you bring out the camera or is she and or your other one always close by when Dad is at home working on something?

cheers

 

[Denwood]

Drives, it's interesting that Zen has such a following still. The sequel was not all that great, and the author's life story somewhat tragic :-( Regardless, he's made quite a stir.

My youngest always wants to be in the shop, so takes every advantage We are working on a "fairy house" which has multiple rooms, doors etc...all made from scrap materials. Aside from some shop time, after school stuff etc. we have 3 hrs of dedicated Dad time on weeekends so she can choose whatever she likes to do. My eldest at 13 is more interested in girl stuff, but we still take many evening walks, and recently, rides on the mountain bikes to decompress and chat about life in general

Shop time over the next few weeks will be limited as business and family take priority...

 

[wasfast]

You want Typar for Upholstery, not the house wrap version:

http://christiesupholstery.com/Typa...oth-Upholstery-36-Wide-Per-Yard-LINTY4179.htm

 

[Denwood]

Was, yep. Found it. Thanks so much for posting the link.

 

[drivesitfar]

Woody: sounds like you and your bride have a good plan on how to raise happy healthy kids so keep up the great work cause they sure seem happy in all your pictures.

also kicking up your thread cause others need to see some of the cool stuff you do.

cheers and hope you had a great EASTER!!

 

[Denwood]

Thanks as always Drives. It will be a quiet week on the journal as aside from some snowblower maintenance on the lift, (stopped shifting last snow!) it will be "crickets" in the shop for the next week.

Turns out Maxjax lifts work well on snow blowers too. Just brought the arms on one side to about 14" apart, and straddled the drive wheels across them to get access to the transmission and drive components. The main drive wheel/slide bar on a three yr old Toro snowblower was "seized". A few minutes with synthetic grease, and we're all good. Shifts like butter.