Workshop 88

[Mr. 360]

Finally going to cave and start a thread here. My wife and I Just bough our first house a few months ago, and tucked into the back corner of the property is the PO's early 90's kit-garage. 12'x22' of blank slate, since they never did much to it. My goal is to chronicle some of the changes this building will undergo and some of the projects I will have to do in it.

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Been on here for a while but never really posted, though I check it daily. hopefully I can make a habit of posting my progress, if for no other reason than my own sake. Hope whoever reads enjoys!

 

[Mr. 360]

To start, this building is a small single car garage tucked into a small 1940's era Bungalow lot, so I don't have acres and acres to sprawl over. Moreover, being in my early-mid 20's, I don't have vast reserves of cash that will allow me to create a garage like many that I've seen on here. This place has to be practical, versatile, affordable, and moreover, an enjoyable place to work.

Getting down to the roots,

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This is the shop from the outside, 1/2 lapped siding and the 'unseen' sides painted plywood. The aging roof has been shedding shingles lately, so it's slated for a new steel roof hopefully this summer.

Inside,

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Not much here when I bought it, by the time we moved in it was gutted down to just the bench and that steel cart, plus some hideous old shelving unit and some lumber in the rafters. The solid-core door is vaguely fastened down to the aging cupboards and the floor seems to flood when it rains because the outside grading is above the sill.

However, this garage has some perks. built in 1994, it's relatively new compared to the circa 1940 house, and sports a reinforced floor with 2x6 walls. The windows and side entrance from the yard will make it more usable, and the 10x10 shed will take the pure junk so I don't have to store it in here.

first steps, get everything in.

 

[Mr. 360]

As with many new home-owners, all the stuff i didnt feel like sorting right away just went into the garage. It would be a couple months before I got some sense of organization started in here.

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Picked up some free cabinets from the local weekly sales event (garbage day). The way I figure with free stuff from the garbage is if you don't use it, just put it back down at the curb.

 

[Mr. 360]

Phase 1 has been just starting to organize and get a few little things done here and there. With an old house, a lot of other projects take precedence, so the workshop just has to wait it's turn sometimes.

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started getting the tool boxes full again, and shuffled some drawer units around. As much as I dont like this solid core door, it's going to have to do for now.

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Got a little more organization on the wall here. Turns out the studs are spaced perfectly for fitting GOJO -Corporate Plug-. Solved my flooding problem during a rainstorm recently by vigorously digging a trench down the side of the garage to help drain off a bit of the standing water, will backfill with coarse stone soon for drainage.

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The garage as it sits now. Been updating our old houses electrical service from 60Amps to 200 Amps, so that's taking a good chunk of my time (as I write this, the upgrade was just approved by ESA. Having 200A in a 850sqft house is like stuffing a supercharged big block into a K-car... you're never, ever, going to be lacking power). My plan is to run 60Amps to a pony panel in the garage. I know 60A may seem like overkill for a 260sqft garage, but when you consider a welding circuit, lighting, standard 15A circuit, and a circuit for the shed, it's just about right.

 

[Mr. 360]

The aging 60Amp service in the house was pretty hopeless, and it didn't help matters much that at some point in the past, when the PO ran out of available bays for a new breaker, they would just shove the new branch into an existing breaker (sometimes allowable, but not to the extent mine was).

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Although there is nothing wrong persay with the panel itself, the service is now deemed too small to meet code. I could either upgrade to 100Amp or for a little bit more, double that and never have to worry. Guess which one I did.

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Slotted a 200Amp panel in the basement (the old one was in a cupboard on the main floor). Since I had to mount a new mast, meterbase, and conduit anyways, making the step from 100A to 200A wasnt that big a deal. The big perk is that now it allows me to run a 60A branch to the garage, which should allow me to do a whole lot more in a small space.

 

[STANIMAL]

Are you sure workshop ''88'' is a good title ?

 

[Mr. 360]

Are you sure workshop ''88'' is a good title ?

Oh, well, 1988 was the year I was born, and, it's a workshop. Aside from the rather ghastly Olds 88 of similar vintage, I don't know of a reason why not.

Have I missed something?

 

[Deezler]

I see no pics! blarg! hehe.

Good luck with it!

 

[Mr. 360]

I see no pics! blarg! hehe.

Good luck with it!

That should fix it, thanks for the heads up

 

[Imcrazy]

Why not do a 100a to the garage and never worry about it again either?

 

[Mr. 360]

Why not do a 100a to the garage and never worry about it again either?

Dont tempt me . Namely it's a cost thing. The existing conduit will take AWG6 for a 60A panel, plus I already have the wire (got 30M free)... Free is hard to beat these days. Plus, in 12x22.. I dont think i'll ever exceed 60; if I do it's probably time for a bigger garage.

 

[patent pending]

Cool little garage. Nice use of the spacing in between the studs. I like the "use what you've got" mentality.

 

[Mr. 360]

Cool little garage. Nice use of the spacing in between the studs. I like the "use what you've got" mentality.

Thanks Patent, It's small but I've already done a few projects in it. I'm a fan of using what I've got, or finding a way to re-use what I find.

 

[Bib Overalls]

Assuming it was built with 2"x6" studs for future insulation. Is that on your agenda?

60 amps is most likely all you will need. I have 70 amps in my 30" x 40" shop and it handles my heat pump with enough left over to turn on all the lights and weld. You should be OK.

 

[Mr. 360]

Did some concept sketches for what I hope to end up with at some point. Just roughed it in but the requirements are pretty basic:

- the garage must be able to house a car/Jeep should need arise to work on one

- must be able to handle wood-work, metal work, and mechanical work, among other tasks

- must be able to store everything in a neat and tidy way, with provision for the addition of future tools.

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The first thing you'll notice in the sketch is lots of cupboards. in such a small space, cupboards tucked up around the perimeter will be crucial for retaining floor space. On the right is the 30ton shop press (which I still havent moved), with jackstands in behind. Dual fire extinguishers for combating the inevitable blaze at some point, a small Jack Olsen inspired steel topped bench, a grinder bench, drill press bench, tool cart, desktop pc, and the main bench on the far left end. Lots of lighting too here, plus the windows to make it a nice bright space. Bright workspaces generally make for higher quality work in my opinion.

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In the second image, starting on the left, are 2 fold down tables, welding and wood-working, again swiped from Jack's garage. To be fair, Jack's was the first garage I saw on GJ, which inspired me to do this in the first place. More cupboards, and tool cabinets on this side too. My recently acquired $50 Myford lathe will go where the 2 tool carts are, and I'll tuck them under each end of the island workbench. the whiteboard will be on hinges so it can swing out for storage in behind. I use whiteboards daily at work, so I find them irreplaceable when designing on the fly. Finally, the small numbered boxes are tip open containers for hardware, like you find at a big-box store.

 

[Mr. 360]

Assuming it was built with 2"x6" studs for future insulation. Is that on your agenda?

60 amps is most likely all you will need. I have 70 amps in my 30" x 40" shop and it handles my heat pump with enough left over to turn on all the lights and weld. You should be OK.

Since our winters last about 6-7 months, i'm glad they built with 2x6's. this way I can fill in between with rigid or batten insulation and then wall over it. With all the cupboards and a 10x10 shed I hope to be good for storage, so I wont miss the 'inter-stud' shelving. I'll have to figure out heating at a later date though.. either electric or possibly a (very) small woodstove in the back corner beside the workbench.

 

[akapero]

Neat little space. I'm interested to see where this is going.

88 is also a neo-nazi thing, and represents Heil, Hitler. That may be what Stanimal was referring to.

 

[Mr. 360]

Neat little space. I'm interested to see where this is going.

88 is also a neo-nazi thing, and represents Heil, Hitler. That may be what Stanimal was referring to.

Thanks!

Ya, I googled it. Hoping people figure i'm just a guy with a garage, nothin sinister. Hey, if I was Chinese, 88's a pretty lucky number. Didn't know that piece of info before though. I guess lots of stuff is represented by 88. A few interstates, A Nascar Number, etc etc. Thanks for the info though, wasnt my intent to put anyone off, just based it on the year I was born (as in, est.1988).

 

[48windsor]

Like the way you think . Be happy and do with what you have thats great .Ive never been to proud to pickup curb treasures. lol. 1mans trash is anothers treasure. I sure dont have a money tree and wasnt born with a silver spoon in mouth . So I get by too.
Maybe you will like this: The Eleventh commandment at my house is Thou shalt Park at least one car in the garage. I think its a sin that people have garages full of stuff they wont ever use or dont know where to find. My brag is that if you came to me and sked for something I can find it within a couple min . or I dont need it or I need to re organize.
My wife has on occasion called me from work lkn 4 somthng . I ask her where she is and point her in right dir. I hav misplaced some GFI outlets but it was since I was in an acc and had aconcussion . cant remem what I did with them . Its drvn me crzy! Hope i find em 2 min is way up lol

 

[Mr. 360]

Thanks! Always helps not to have too much clutter, though I do admit I'm a bit of a packrat. I'll keep the garage open for a car as long as I can... Kind of what makes it a garage I guess. Being a single car garage though means that during any project, cars are always outside.

 

[Sunbimmer]

Nice 3D drawings, wish I could do that

 

[Mr. 360]

Nice 3D drawings, wish I could do that

Thanks! they are super rough concepts, but all it takes is practice.

also, graph paper helps a ton for rough layouts

 

[MacTexas]

You are too modest about your sketches. You are an artist. I am impressed.

 

[STANIMAL]

Neat little space. I'm interested to see where this is going.

88 is also a neo-nazi thing, and represents Heil, Hitler. That may be what Stanimal was referring to.

I agree , great little space . And yes , 88 refers to Hitler . Either way , I look forward to your build .

 

[billybudge]

Thats a very nice workshop you have there, I like it, great work, get some more pictures up, cheers mate

 

[jowwo]

I like your little garage! Mine is about the same size and it's always kind of interesting to see what people do with a small space to make it more user friendly. I stored a Jeep in mine for a few years and when I got rid of it I was so happy to have my garage back! Talk about 10 pounds of **** in a 5 pound box! Anyway, keep coming up with those good ideas I can use.

 

[2010nctaco]

It's nice to see another young guy in a budget build up. I'm currently trying to do the same without spending much. Ill have to start a little build thread too I guess. Good luck You have a good start.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Mr. 360]

Thanks for the comments everyone! As much as I'd love a big shop, this is what I've got. So far enjoying the challenges of making it a usable space though, but since I'l be doing all the work myself, probably wont be finished overnight. little bit here and there.

This weekend was mainly a bit a of cleaning up all the mess i made working on my electrical. Had a huge rainstorm that introduced several new leaks. got up and patched 34 HOLES in the roof. The shingles are basically just a dusting of tar paper on the roof now.

 

[Mr. 360]

Whipped up a sketch of the island workbench I would like to build, to go with the bench along the back wall. The gist is that the table saw would come out, and I would either lift out a section of the island and drop it in (to form a large table), or set it up standalone in the shop.

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Only reason not to put it in the island is that for long stock, it would run across the back bench and hit the wall. I could put the table on casters but kind of like the solidity of a stationary table. Anyways, mere details at this point.

It incorporates storage for the rolling tool carts under each end, and has scrap wood storage, a pull out tool drawer/hanger, and some cabinet space underneath. Note the 2" Butcher block top, probably going to use maple throughout the shop if possible, depends what's on hand.

 

[Mr. 360]

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Just another take on that side wall. Things here can't stick out too far due to parking. still havent figured out the lathe entirely. Ghosted in the island but missed the perspective on it. Anyways, shows the potential removable top like the previous drawing.

Updated the cabinets behind the door rail to sliders, just to cover the space.

 

[nine4gmc]

Nice drawings, I use google sketchup for layout. you can easily down load objects or design your own based on what you actually have and scale them to dimensions in your project. Easy to make changes, drag a cabinet or table to another part of the room, etc.

 

[Jack Olsen]

This is looking great! I'm flattered at some of the ideas from my garage showing up in Ontario.

Nesting the table saw works great, in my opinion, especially since most of us don't need the thing 300+ days of the year. Bringing it up to bench height is a big help when you can straddle heavier/longer stock to an island like that. My trick was to make a pair of footers for the table saw that it could sit on when I need to bring it up higher. The rest of the time, it's out of the way.

 

[HSpencer]

I am very impressed with what you have done on the garage/shop. This shows to be a very efficient and workable shop. You have thought out all of your tools and storage well.
I ran my garage on 60 amps for quite a while, and got the opportunity to upgrade to 100 Amps, but, I think I could still be going well on 60. I have two over head light circuits (20 amp ea) and three lower circuits (20 amp ea). I think I have all I will ever need and then some. I just got through adding about 5 recepts and I also have a coke machine, refrigerator, and window unit running with no problems at all. Few people would ever run all their stuff at once anyway.
I would be right at home in your shop. I like it a lot and you have done it well!!

Best Regards
Herb Spencer

 

[bparksntx]

88 is also a neo-nazi thing, and represents Heil, Hitler. That may be what Stanimal was referring to.

I agree , great little space . And yes , 88 refers to Hitler . Either way , I look forward to your build .

REDICULOUS!! Enjoy the post for what it is. A simple guy fixing up a simple garage. Nice work Mr. 360

 

[akapero]

REDICULOUS!! Enjoy the post for what it is. A simple guy fixing up a simple garage. Nice work Mr. 360

Neither of us said we weren't enjoying it; to the contrary, I stated I was interested to see where it was going. I love seeing the creative ideas that limited space provokes.

It was just an explanation . . .

Mr. 360, I love the bench idea, and your sketching skills are great.

 

[dubber]

Looks like a great project you have started and i like that you have a clear vision and use for your space. Good luck and i'm definitely going to be be checking back on this to see the progress.

 

[Mr. 360]

Nice drawings, I use google sketchup for layout. you can easily down load objects or design your own based on what you actually have and scale them to dimensions in your project. Easy to make changes, drag a cabinet or table to another part of the room, etc.

Thanks 94GMC, I like sketchup too, though I typically end up doing things in Autodesk Inventor since I use it at work every day (just more familiar with it i guess). does help a ton though in pre-visualization.

This is looking great! I'm flattered at some of the ideas from my garage showing up in Ontario.

Nesting the table saw works great, in my opinion, especially since most of us don't need the thing 300+ days of the year. Bringing it up to bench height is a big help when you can straddle heavier/longer stock to an island like that. My trick was to make a pair of footers for the table saw that it could sit on when I need to bring it up higher. The rest of the time, it's out of the way.

Thanks Jack! Great idea on the additive footer approach, may have to slot that in for my saw in the future, since i only need it once in a while.

I am very impressed with what you have done on the garage/shop. This shows to be a very efficient and workable shop. You have thought out all of your tools and storage well.
I ran my garage on 60 amps for quite a while, and got the opportunity to upgrade to 100 Amps, but, I think I could still be going well on 60. I have two over head light circuits (20 amp ea) and three lower circuits (20 amp ea). I think I have all I will ever need and then some. I just got through adding about 5 recepts and I also have a coke machine, refrigerator, and window unit running with no problems at all. Few people would ever run all their stuff at once anyway.
I would be right at home in your shop. I like it a lot and you have done it well!!

Best Regards
Herb Spencer

Thanks Herb, I agree, 60A should be just fine for me. If you were to add up all the breakers on my old panel, they totaled 145A. It's typical for the breakers to add to more than the service because you really never use them all at once.

Neither of us said we weren't enjoying it; to the contrary, I stated I was interested to see where it was going. I love seeing the creative ideas that limited space provokes.

It was just an explanation . . .

Mr. 360, I love the bench idea, and your sketching skills are great.

No worries guys, I'm happy to learn something. didn't know the reference before. Thanks for all the positive feedback though, much appreciated!

Looks like a great project you have started and i like that you have a clear vision and use for your space. Good luck and i'm definitely going to be be checking back on this to see the progress.

Thanks Dubber! a fellow Ontarian eh? I like that a single car garage can be just as useful as a larger one, hopefully i can get mine as clean and organized as yours.


Eric

 

[dubber]

Thanks Dubber! a fellow Ontarian eh? I like that a single car garage can be just as useful as a larger one, hopefully i can get mine as clean and organized as yours.
Eric

Always nice to see locals on this board and i agree, our spaces are all what we make of them.

 

[Falcon67]

Love the sketches - that's a great building for a shop. Have to keep following this to get ideas. If my roof had 34 leaks, I'd be nailing up new shingles. It's not hard to do, really. Might think about it. I parked by table saw under a bench in the old shop - great way to keep it handy. I have more space now, so it's stored elsewhere. And - I'm not remodeling a house all the time, so I don't need it near as much.

I agree , great little space . And yes , 88 refers to Hitler . Either way , I look forward to your build .

So let's go the other way -
"Number 88 symbolizes fortune and good luck in Chinese culture, since the word 8 sounds similar to the word Fā (发, which implies 发财, or wealth, in Mandarin or Cantonese). The number 8 is considered to be the luckiest number in Chinese culture, and prices in Chinese supermarkets often contain many 8s. The shape of the Chinese character for 8 (八) implies that a person will have a great, wide future as the character starts narrow and gets wider toward the bottom. The Chinese government has been auctioning auto license plates containing many 8s for tens of thousands of dollars. The 2008 Beijing Olympics opened on 8/8/08 at 8 p.m.[1] 88 is often used to mean "bye bye" in Chinese-language chats, text messages, SMSs and IMs. 88 is pronounced in Chinese Mandarin language as "ba ba" ("bā bā" to be precise), simulating the sound of the English language "bye bye"."

88's is also "hugs and kisses" in Ham speak. As in "73's, 88s to the YL"

 

[Mr. 360]

Love the sketches - that's a great building for a shop. Have to keep following this to get ideas. If my roof had 34 leaks, I'd be nailing up new shingles. It's not hard to do, really. Might think about it. I parked by table saw under a bench in the old shop - great way to keep it handy. I have more space now, so it's stored elsewhere. And - I'm not remodeling a house all the time, so I don't need it near as much.

Thanks Falcon, it's small but I really like this space.

The sad thing is, the roof probably still has more leaks, I only patched the ones I could see. The roof is slated for replacement with a steel roof this summer, so I just grabbed the can of tar and slapped the holes full. I have to replace some of the plywood too as it's been wet and rotting for a while now. The roof trusses are still ok luckily. I could go shingle again but, growing up on a farm, I love the sound of rain falling on a tin roof. Sappy, maybe, but I love the ambiance it gives.