Val_C
Well-known member
I admire your use of space with every update you post.You'll have a good working area in the end.
Workshop 88
- Thread starter Mr. 360
- Start date
captain14
Well-known member
Glad to see that you feel you are making progress on the garage. Once that is done you will be able to work on other projects without having to move or look for stuff.
Did you finally evict your critter that had moved in over the winter?
Did you finally evict your critter that had moved in over the winter?
Thanks very much, it may be small, but I love working in it for sure.
Well, it's been several weeks since I found it digging away at the barricades. I think it gave up and broke into the neighbour's garage instead, I've seen it digging at his siding. Planning to finish the trim-work soon so that should deal with it for good.
As a side note, I took down the hideous (and broken) flood light and replaced it with this barn-light style unit from home depot. looks much better. I have thought of painting it a burnt red though, with white inside the shade, much like a real one.
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Modern Jess
Well-known member
Attachments
0150carmac
Well-known member
what a great thread this is you done a great job on the space you have
i look forward to the updates
i look forward to the updates
Thanks very much, always nice to hear a comment like that.
As for updates, it's been a little lean lately, as I've been working on about a billion things on the house (circa 1942, so it's far from perfect). I still have a ton of stuff to do inside, so although I use the shop a lot, I haven't been working on it so much. Such is life I suppose. One of the things on my huge list is to finish the front eaves/fascia, so that should Tidy the place up a bit.
rmalkow2
Well-known member
As for updates, it's been a little lean lately, as I've been working on about a billion things on the house (circa 1942, so it's far from perfect). I still have a ton of stuff to do inside, so although I use the shop a lot, I haven't been working on it so much. Such is life I suppose. One of the things on my huge list is to finish the front eaves/fascia, so that should Tidy the place up a bit.[/QUOTE]
Very understandable. Houses, especially older ones always need some attention and when you are trying to "make it your own" the list gets even longer. But glad to hear Workshop 88 is functioning as a live shop producing great projects. And, you can always slip a few of those projects into the thread once in awhile. Keep up the good work whether "on" the shop or "in" the shop.
Very understandable. Houses, especially older ones always need some attention and when you are trying to "make it your own" the list gets even longer. But glad to hear Workshop 88 is functioning as a live shop producing great projects. And, you can always slip a few of those projects into the thread once in awhile. Keep up the good work whether "on" the shop or "in" the shop.
Update? Not really, I just feel like posting something.
With spring now hanging around the grass has started getting a little out of hand. Wouldn't you know that's when the old Briggs decides not to start after a winter of sitting. I rolled it into the shop, along with 2 donor machines I picked up curbside a while back. Planning on hauling the blocks off these two machines and putting the decks back at the curb for the scrap guy. There should be enough here to get me back in business, and I'm sure I can find somewhere to tuck the other blocks for future use. If I can get two of the three machines running I'll probably sell one and turn a little profit.
For sake of clarity, the gray one is my serviceable unit, the red and green one are donors.
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Stale gas or fouled plug are my guess, I didn't drain the gas like I usually do.
With spring now hanging around the grass has started getting a little out of hand. Wouldn't you know that's when the old Briggs decides not to start after a winter of sitting. I rolled it into the shop, along with 2 donor machines I picked up curbside a while back. Planning on hauling the blocks off these two machines and putting the decks back at the curb for the scrap guy. There should be enough here to get me back in business, and I'm sure I can find somewhere to tuck the other blocks for future use. If I can get two of the three machines running I'll probably sell one and turn a little profit.
For sake of clarity, the gray one is my serviceable unit, the red and green one are donors.
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View media item 40237
Stale gas or fouled plug are my guess, I didn't drain the gas like I usually do.
1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Eric, its nearly time to put our mowers into hibernation for the winter as the grass growing is slowing down some what.
I usually get about 10 years out of my mowers, changing the plug, filters and blades annually then if it doesn,t start first or second pull its time for a newy.
Cheers
I usually get about 10 years out of my mowers, changing the plug, filters and blades annually then if it doesn,t start first or second pull its time for a newy.
Cheers
Modern Jess
Well-known member
Not flimsy, exactly, but kind of ill-fitting.
I find these all aluminum block/cylinder units don't last as long as some of the older ones. I think B&S used to have a sleeve, but I can't be sure. I do know that most of these are prematurely disposed of due to the stupid plastic carbs, which can be so finicky. I'd be very happy with 10 years out of this unit, that's for sure.
Mine was a tough fit too, I had to tweak the cage and mounts to get it to fit. Not bad though for the price, and I'll probably paint it sometime to make it look nicer.
Fixed the gray mower last night, turned out to just be stale gas. I have it slotted in for an oil change once it burns through the old fuel, and I cleaned and re-oiled the air filter.
The other mowers had pretty poor decks upon closer inspection, lots of rust, beat up wheels, and tons of mold from never being cleaned well. I pulled the blocks and stuck the decks down at the curb. One of these engines had a nice steel air filter enclosure, so I stripped the paint and swapped it onto my mower, and it had an extended oil filler neck with real dipstick, so I swapped that on too. All in a good night's work.
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Not sure what I can use off these two mills, the left one has very little compression and the right one seems to leak oil past the valve guides. I'll hang onto them for now though, they are good for parts like the coil, tank, carb, crank, conn-rod, starter assembly, etc etc.
The other mowers had pretty poor decks upon closer inspection, lots of rust, beat up wheels, and tons of mold from never being cleaned well. I pulled the blocks and stuck the decks down at the curb. One of these engines had a nice steel air filter enclosure, so I stripped the paint and swapped it onto my mower, and it had an extended oil filler neck with real dipstick, so I swapped that on too. All in a good night's work.
View media item 40247
Not sure what I can use off these two mills, the left one has very little compression and the right one seems to leak oil past the valve guides. I'll hang onto them for now though, they are good for parts like the coil, tank, carb, crank, conn-rod, starter assembly, etc etc.
hapi
Member
Hi Eric
I just read right through your thread from the beginning and really enjoyed it, your garage is looking great. I'm glad we don't have freezing weather or squirrels where I am, so many associated problems that have never occurred to me.
I just read right through your thread from the beginning and really enjoyed it, your garage is looking great. I'm glad we don't have freezing weather or squirrels where I am, so many associated problems that have never occurred to me.
calereeves
Well-known member
I just finished reading as well, in one sitting, no less! Great work you've done with a relatively small space. Looking forward to following your updates in the future.
captain14
Well-known member
Just stopping by to see what you have going on. Spare mower parts come in handy if it saves you one trip to the store and you can continue cutting. If anything else a little exploratory surgery to refresh your small engine diagnosis skills.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the comment! I'm sure the opposite would be true as well. Betting there are challenges where you are that I would never have considered.
One sitting, that's dedication. Thanks for the compliment!
That's for sure, i've already swiped some parts off the more 'high end' parts mower (oil filler neck and cool steel air filter). Always good to like you say to keep a hand in the tear down to keep your skills up, makes the basic stuff that much easier.
It's probably a safe assumption that most people coming through the winter suffered some kind of structural or property damage over the last number of months, whether it was tree damage from the ice storm, foundation damage from the ice-quakes, or heaving from the weird thaw patterns, etc. We lucked out by not having any big trees on our property to come down on the house, and the foundation seems ok, but the driveway bore the brunt of the winter.
It wasn't the best feature of the house to start with, but the last year saw a sharp decline, especially as it thawed out. The depressed areas were almost deep enough to ground a car, and the weeds grew through everywhere. On top of that, the PO had piled about 8" of screenings up to make a ramp to the garage door, and the yard was slowly encroaching on it.
The long and short of it is, today was the old driveway's last day. As I type this, it has been ripped up and hauled off, and re-graded with new gravel. I had them widen it up by the garage, and make a real slope up to the garage. I'll upload pictures once I snap some, but for now this was what was there.
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The old driveway was only as wide as the garage door, but the new one will go from the fence all the way over to the property line. Since it was coming out anyways, I harvested a bunch of the screenings and put them down beside the garage, to further the cause for drainage and weed control (limestone is good for weed control).
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It wasn't the best feature of the house to start with, but the last year saw a sharp decline, especially as it thawed out. The depressed areas were almost deep enough to ground a car, and the weeds grew through everywhere. On top of that, the PO had piled about 8" of screenings up to make a ramp to the garage door, and the yard was slowly encroaching on it.
The long and short of it is, today was the old driveway's last day. As I type this, it has been ripped up and hauled off, and re-graded with new gravel. I had them widen it up by the garage, and make a real slope up to the garage. I'll upload pictures once I snap some, but for now this was what was there.
View media item 40316
The old driveway was only as wide as the garage door, but the new one will go from the fence all the way over to the property line. Since it was coming out anyways, I harvested a bunch of the screenings and put them down beside the garage, to further the cause for drainage and weed control (limestone is good for weed control).
View media item 40317
What. A. Difference.
I know all that's been done to the driveway so far is the removal and re-grading, but the difference is huge. Note again the before:
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And now the 'During' (not quite after yet):
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What I love about the decision to widen it to the extents is that now a number of what I considered worthless areas are going to be nice usable space, makes the area feel bigger too. I haven't measured the width exactly but it is roughly 14' wide. You can conveniently see the 4 patches where my wife's Focus hatchback was sitting for a sense of scale. before both sides of the car touched the encroaching weeds. Now a month or so of settling and I should be good to go for paving.
I know all that's been done to the driveway so far is the removal and re-grading, but the difference is huge. Note again the before:
View media item 40316
And now the 'During' (not quite after yet):
View media item 40362
What I love about the decision to widen it to the extents is that now a number of what I considered worthless areas are going to be nice usable space, makes the area feel bigger too. I haven't measured the width exactly but it is roughly 14' wide. You can conveniently see the 4 patches where my wife's Focus hatchback was sitting for a sense of scale. before both sides of the car touched the encroaching weeds. Now a month or so of settling and I should be good to go for paving.
rmalkow2
Well-known member
Big improvement there. You will enjoy the extra driveway space. In good weather it can be like doubling your garage space.
Thanks, I'm already enjoying the space to be honest
. I also had them make the slope more gradual, it used to come up pretty steeply to the garage. This way, it's more like the garage floor blends with the driveway as one surface, should make it a continuous space in summer (it does have some slope though, for drainage).HSpencer
ALLIANCE MEMBER
In your post number 410 I see what looks like an old VA hospital cabinet. The one with the orange paint on it? I am including a stereo type photo of one, and a photo of how I got one and made a base cabinet for my tool box, the one in the left in the photo. Mine has casters on it, and it made a great bottom tool chest. I could not tell if yours is one like that or not.
Best Regards
Herb
Best Regards
Herb
Attachments
Hey Herb, it is in fact an old hospital unit. I found it at a dump near my parents farm (I used to frequent the scrap steel pile.. people threw out all kinds of good stuff). I found this guy sitting on the pile, stuffed pull of.. stuff. I poured out the contents, pulled a couple cool things, and took the cabinet home. I haven't had the heart yet to repaint it, that's how I found it. It has an enameled top, and the bottom has brown paint (original) with the hospital name on it. It's really sturdy and simple, and currently houses a bunch of my air tools. Casters would be nice, as this unit doesn't have them (I could always add them).
HSpencer
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Had a busy May 24 weekend. The long and short of it is, my wife and I have been busting ourselves trying to get a bunch of projects done because of a) new driveway coming soon, and b) we're getting new siding and windows in July. Our house was built in the early 40's, added onto in the late 40's-early 50's (as best I can tell from the materials they used), and the last time it had a facelift was in 1966, when it was graced with aluminum siding and sliding single pane aluminum windows, as seen in this pic from last years trench-digging (the house doesn't make too many appearances in this thread, mainly due to it's rather aged appearance).
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the 2-tone siding and nasty brown windows have served their purpose and then some, having dutifully served for some 50 years or so. They probably should have been replaced in about 1993, but it seems the owner had been saving up to build a new garage (wise man).
Anyways, with that said, I have a huge list of tasks ahead of me, almost 100% house oriented. I have to tear off both old decks, tear off my old service mast, tear off a fence, install a new front door (There was no way I was going to pay something like $2500 to have someone install a door), remove the eavestroughs, and a host of other small things by the beginning of July.
This weekend was all about doors. Lowes was having a sale and it just so happened the doors we had picked had come on for $144, bonus! at that price, I figured I might as well buy a new door for the garage, and gain some design continuity at the place. I upped the front door size to 34", but the only door they had had a few small scratches, so they took 10% off. The door for the garage had a few dents and scratches on the inside, so they took 25% off. This meant the new door was only $108, and looked pretty slick if I do say so myself. Ok, enough talk, pictures.
First up, the old door, which has been the cause of a lot of flooding and a source for bugs. The old latch jamb was so rotten at the bottom it wobbled, and there was a direct passageway for water to just flow in. It's amazing just how much water can get through a spot this size.
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Not surprisingly, when I removed the old door and jamb, the rough opening had significant rot through the first of the 2 studs. I knew this was the case and had factored in repairing this at the same time.
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I measured up well past the rot and sliced off the stud (on both sides of the opening), and also removed the rotten sill plate in that location as well. I treated and sealed the ends of the sill to hopefully stop any advancing rot.
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I purposely cut the new 2x6 patches 1/4" short, and squished them down onto a bed of caulking. I then added a pressure-treated base (also caulked heavily) which the door could sit on. The old door had no caulking, and had been shimmed 1/4" on one end, thus leading to more water coming through.
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I then installed the new door, and got it all properly shimmed and sealed with caulking and expanding foam. While I had the can on the go I sealed up the windows as well, since they had never been done.
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Lastly, I installed the new pvc brick mould on the outside. I have yet to caulk that, but I'll get to it soon.
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There are a few advantages to this door over the old one. It has a light, which adds character and more natural light inside, and allowed me to re-use the knob and dead bolt from my old front door, which got new hardware. This should make it more secure than the old door, which had no dead-bolt. I will soon add a steel-reinforcement behind the strike plates so that breaking in will be oh so much more difficult.
View media item 32055
the 2-tone siding and nasty brown windows have served their purpose and then some, having dutifully served for some 50 years or so. They probably should have been replaced in about 1993, but it seems the owner had been saving up to build a new garage (wise man).
Anyways, with that said, I have a huge list of tasks ahead of me, almost 100% house oriented. I have to tear off both old decks, tear off my old service mast, tear off a fence, install a new front door (There was no way I was going to pay something like $2500 to have someone install a door), remove the eavestroughs, and a host of other small things by the beginning of July.
This weekend was all about doors. Lowes was having a sale and it just so happened the doors we had picked had come on for $144, bonus! at that price, I figured I might as well buy a new door for the garage, and gain some design continuity at the place. I upped the front door size to 34", but the only door they had had a few small scratches, so they took 10% off. The door for the garage had a few dents and scratches on the inside, so they took 25% off. This meant the new door was only $108, and looked pretty slick if I do say so myself. Ok, enough talk, pictures.
First up, the old door, which has been the cause of a lot of flooding and a source for bugs. The old latch jamb was so rotten at the bottom it wobbled, and there was a direct passageway for water to just flow in. It's amazing just how much water can get through a spot this size.
View media item 40662View media item 40663
Not surprisingly, when I removed the old door and jamb, the rough opening had significant rot through the first of the 2 studs. I knew this was the case and had factored in repairing this at the same time.
View media item 40664
I measured up well past the rot and sliced off the stud (on both sides of the opening), and also removed the rotten sill plate in that location as well. I treated and sealed the ends of the sill to hopefully stop any advancing rot.
View media item 40665
I purposely cut the new 2x6 patches 1/4" short, and squished them down onto a bed of caulking. I then added a pressure-treated base (also caulked heavily) which the door could sit on. The old door had no caulking, and had been shimmed 1/4" on one end, thus leading to more water coming through.
View media item 40666
I then installed the new door, and got it all properly shimmed and sealed with caulking and expanding foam. While I had the can on the go I sealed up the windows as well, since they had never been done.
View media item 40667
Lastly, I installed the new pvc brick mould on the outside. I have yet to caulk that, but I'll get to it soon.
View media item 40668
There are a few advantages to this door over the old one. It has a light, which adds character and more natural light inside, and allowed me to re-use the knob and dead bolt from my old front door, which got new hardware. This should make it more secure than the old door, which had no dead-bolt. I will soon add a steel-reinforcement behind the strike plates so that breaking in will be oh so much more difficult.
captain14
Well-known member
Good job on the new door for the garage. I assume you just cut out the bad and replaced small sections at the base of the frame? Had to tell with the iPhone photos I am using. Would PT wood be acceptable for that or would not work out?
Does the outside area need to be regraded near the door to keep water channelling inside?
Does the outside area need to be regraded near the door to keep water channelling inside?
I did just cut out a small section, I went 28" up either side and removed it, then replaced with regular spf 2x6 (I treated the ends). I could have used PT I'm sure, but didn't have any on hand. The piece across the sill is PT though.
The grading outside is a few inches lower than the pad, I think all the flooding was rain water hitting the door/frame and running in. It was pretty substantial though. I can't imagine it coming in from outside unless it was the most torrential rain id ever seen... it would have to get a few inches deep to get to the sill. I'm really hoping I've seen the final puddle in there haha, I even dug down the back corner and tried to dam up where the water flows in from my backyard neighbours yard (bad grading).
1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Great job on the door replacement Eric.
I am not sure wether these are available State side, these door seals are great for sealing the bottom of the door to the sill, keeping bugs and water out.
http://www.raven.com.au/domino/raven/ravenweb.nsf
In Australia the building code requires you to have a window area of 10% of the floor area for natural light. The extra window area makes a huge difference .
Have you considered putting a mesh security door on the outside as well??
Cheers
I am not sure wether these are available State side, these door seals are great for sealing the bottom of the door to the sill, keeping bugs and water out.
http://www.raven.com.au/domino/raven/ravenweb.nsf
In Australia the building code requires you to have a window area of 10% of the floor area for natural light. The extra window area makes a huge difference .
Have you considered putting a mesh security door on the outside as well??
Cheers
Great job on the door replacement Eric.
I am not sure wether these are available State side, these door seals are great for sealing the bottom of the door to the sill, keeping bugs and water out.
http://www.raven.com.au/domino/raven/ravenweb.nsf
In Australia the building code requires you to have a window area of 10% of the floor area for natural light. The extra window area makes a huge difference .
Have you considered putting a mesh security door on the outside as well??
Cheers
wow, those would make for a pretty positive seal, never seen anything like that over here (I didn't know it existed tbh).
Not sure as to our building code over here re: window area, but I do know that like you said, the extra light has made a big difference.
If by 'mesh security door' you're referring to something like, an angle steel frame with a 1/8" bar mesh on it, I hadn't figured on going to those kinds of levels haha, that would be a good step up, might be easier on this building just to fire axe through the wall at that point
. Might also be a case of broadcasting 'if it's heavily protected, there must be something worth stealing inside.' That being said, the best they could make off with is my lathe, and I'd like to see someone try to run with that in their clutches.1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Screen, security doors are a standard fixture out here..
These are the typical big box store offerings..
http://www.bunnings.com.au/our-range/building-hardware/building-construction/doors/screen-doors
These are the typical big box store offerings..
http://www.bunnings.com.au/our-range/building-hardware/building-construction/doors/screen-doors
Crazy Backyard Builder
Well-known member
I think the driveway is a great idea, I have the same problem in the front of my house the driveway is about the size of a car so when you step out you are on the lawn. I would like to do just what you are doing it seems it would keep the inside of the house and car cleaner.
Cant wait to see the finished product.
Cant wait to see the finished product.
HSpencer
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Great work on the garage and house as well. I like the deck and lawn very much. The shop door is a winner in every way. You should be very proud of all your doing to your home. I have been following your thread since day one. Great!!!
Best Regards
Herb
Best Regards
Herb
I hear ya, I was forever stepping in mud at the side of the driveway. Even the gravel that's down now is a huge improvement, but I'm looking forward to the actual pavement in a few weeks time.
Thanks very much Herb, much appreciated. I'm happy if people like this space and follow along, I'm having fun working on it. My home currently looks like a billion things are underway (which is true), but I'm hoping when it's all said and done it'll be a smart looking little place. In theory, I should be able to get that money back out of the house someday if my wife and I move.
Thanks for following along from the start! Seeing as how next week this thread turns 1 year old I was thinking of doing an "update" post, maybe re-take some of the first images from the same location to see some changes... we'll see
Hi.
Hey, thanks for stopping by!
A year in review:
This post may be a little pic heavy. I figured that since a year ago today I started this thread, I should maybe give an update as to all that's happened in the last 365. I never figured when I started this thread that it would get as many comments as it has, so I'm thankful for all the guys who've stopped by, many more than once, to check in, offer advice and ideas, or just say hey. Big thanks also to Ryan for finding this thread and deeming it "feature worthy," that certainly made my day.
I still have a long way to go with this build. I'm sourcing as much as possible for free or dirt cheap, biggest unavoidable expense so far being the new roof. Anyways, I think a section by section tour would do well here, starting with the main bench.
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The main bench itself hasn't really changed much, it's still a solid core door screwed to a couple kitchen cupboards. The only changes I've made to this have been bolting my big bench-vise to it, and gutting some mildewy shelves from inside it. I keep saying I'll remove it, and I eventually will, but for now, it will just have to keep rotting while serving its purpose. When it eventually comes out I will insulate behind it, and can finalize my peg board, electrical, and wainscoting.
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There were no cupboards when I started, and even though I'm not finished my install yet, the cupboards I do have so far have been a monumental help in keeping things organized. I still have to go through and do a purging in them, which should help make them even more efficient. As you can see, I havent even really filled the space available yet.
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The wood stove really, should have been removed by now for the summer, but I havent been able to bring myself to do it yet. I know it takes up a ton of space but the character it adds is pretty hard to match. I bought a cheap frying pan for it, but have yet to use it. In the future, I plan to weld up a more efficent unit that is more of a "space saver" design. This section, along with the welding station, will eventually have pegboard and wainscoting, only the wainscoting will be sheet steel for fire protection.
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I did this one very recently, so I wont elabotate much, but I put in this new bargain door which gives more light, and gets rid of the old rotten frame. I'm happy to report that after a huge, huge rainstorm, it was completely dry inside where it would have been flooded.
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The grinding station. This is still pretty crude to be honest. It's comprised of a used Canadian Tire side-table unit, and a couple free grinders. The old pulley grinder still awaits a resto, didnt get to that over the winter. This table will eventually leave, making way for something custom built for the space, but for now it works well and was free, so I can't complain. The oils you see are on an old spice rack.
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Next we come to the welding station (or as I call it, "WeldShop 88"). This was a free score from my uncle, and is nice and compact, perfect for my setup here. My Great Grandfathers old columbian lives here, though I don't weld on it. It's here until I can find a cheap 3"-4" china brand vise to replace it. Underneath is a cabinet that houses rad fluid, oil, and Gojo, though I will soon be moving those all to the shed and ditching this unit to make way for a welding cart. The shelves to the side will be coming out in order to fit the 30-ton press. In the window sit my exhaust fan, which addmitedly is pretty rudimentary, and an old JVC stereo from my wife's grandfather.
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Spin to the right and all there is to see here are my tool boxes and insulated door, nothin mega special here. I keep them here because I rarely bring a car in to work on.
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To the other side of the door is my peg board wall. It is hugely messy right now, as this is where I'm storing all my peg board and cubpoard building materials. The pallet wood for the wainscoting also lives here right now.
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I have an old cabinet next to the peg board wall, which houses my tool boxes and some more power tools. I ultimately plan to relocate the tool boxes when I get things sorted out and remove this cabinet, then I'll put peg board and wainscoting in behind.
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My air tool cabinet comes next, and even though it's not the best use of space, I like the 'battered' patina so it stays for now. The blue cart was left in the garage from the previous owners, probably the best thing they left behind in here. My old Myford ML7 lives here, and the storage beneath isnt bad either.
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The drill press sits on an old cabinet, which is acually an old electrive stove (or, at least hot plate). The top opens up and at one point, there were 2 burners inside. This was my great grandparents only stove, ever. To the best of my knowledge they didnt own an oven, and this was all they used to warm up their meals. Probably a combo of having lived through the depression, and my great grandmother's disinterest in cooking.
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Lastly for inside, is the island bench, which I picked up near where I work and brought home. It's a Sunshine tanker table, and is pretty stout. Plans are to extend the legs to bring it up to working height, and weld in some framing for drawers and other storage.
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Outside, I've got my gleaming galvanized roof, and I'm glad i sprung the extra 100 bucks on it every time I see it (instead of shingles). I have work yet to finish up on the trim and eavestroughs, but it's getting there. The drainage trench runs around the pad, and my upped 60Amp service enters near the front corner. Excuse the piles of PT lumber and furniture, I just finished dismantling my back deck and have yet to figure out where to put all the wood.
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Around the back is my outdoor storage for ladders, yard tools, and various other big stuff.
Sometimes it feels like I should be further on it but, when you consider that it's been flooded 8 times, infested with a demon squirrel 3 times, and that I'm splitting time between the garage and a 70+ year old house, I think it's coming along just fine. Hopefully I can continue the momentum into year 2 when I hope to finish my cupboards and wainscoting, along with peg board, and perhaps add some paint to tie the place together a bit. Thanks to anyone still reading, that was a long-winded post.
This post may be a little pic heavy. I figured that since a year ago today I started this thread, I should maybe give an update as to all that's happened in the last 365. I never figured when I started this thread that it would get as many comments as it has, so I'm thankful for all the guys who've stopped by, many more than once, to check in, offer advice and ideas, or just say hey. Big thanks also to Ryan for finding this thread and deeming it "feature worthy," that certainly made my day.
I still have a long way to go with this build. I'm sourcing as much as possible for free or dirt cheap, biggest unavoidable expense so far being the new roof. Anyways, I think a section by section tour would do well here, starting with the main bench.
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The main bench itself hasn't really changed much, it's still a solid core door screwed to a couple kitchen cupboards. The only changes I've made to this have been bolting my big bench-vise to it, and gutting some mildewy shelves from inside it. I keep saying I'll remove it, and I eventually will, but for now, it will just have to keep rotting while serving its purpose. When it eventually comes out I will insulate behind it, and can finalize my peg board, electrical, and wainscoting.
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There were no cupboards when I started, and even though I'm not finished my install yet, the cupboards I do have so far have been a monumental help in keeping things organized. I still have to go through and do a purging in them, which should help make them even more efficient. As you can see, I havent even really filled the space available yet.
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The wood stove really, should have been removed by now for the summer, but I havent been able to bring myself to do it yet. I know it takes up a ton of space but the character it adds is pretty hard to match. I bought a cheap frying pan for it, but have yet to use it. In the future, I plan to weld up a more efficent unit that is more of a "space saver" design. This section, along with the welding station, will eventually have pegboard and wainscoting, only the wainscoting will be sheet steel for fire protection.
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I did this one very recently, so I wont elabotate much, but I put in this new bargain door which gives more light, and gets rid of the old rotten frame. I'm happy to report that after a huge, huge rainstorm, it was completely dry inside where it would have been flooded.
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The grinding station. This is still pretty crude to be honest. It's comprised of a used Canadian Tire side-table unit, and a couple free grinders. The old pulley grinder still awaits a resto, didnt get to that over the winter. This table will eventually leave, making way for something custom built for the space, but for now it works well and was free, so I can't complain. The oils you see are on an old spice rack.
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Next we come to the welding station (or as I call it, "WeldShop 88"). This was a free score from my uncle, and is nice and compact, perfect for my setup here. My Great Grandfathers old columbian lives here, though I don't weld on it. It's here until I can find a cheap 3"-4" china brand vise to replace it. Underneath is a cabinet that houses rad fluid, oil, and Gojo, though I will soon be moving those all to the shed and ditching this unit to make way for a welding cart. The shelves to the side will be coming out in order to fit the 30-ton press. In the window sit my exhaust fan, which addmitedly is pretty rudimentary, and an old JVC stereo from my wife's grandfather.
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Spin to the right and all there is to see here are my tool boxes and insulated door, nothin mega special here. I keep them here because I rarely bring a car in to work on.
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To the other side of the door is my peg board wall. It is hugely messy right now, as this is where I'm storing all my peg board and cubpoard building materials. The pallet wood for the wainscoting also lives here right now.
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I have an old cabinet next to the peg board wall, which houses my tool boxes and some more power tools. I ultimately plan to relocate the tool boxes when I get things sorted out and remove this cabinet, then I'll put peg board and wainscoting in behind.
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My air tool cabinet comes next, and even though it's not the best use of space, I like the 'battered' patina so it stays for now. The blue cart was left in the garage from the previous owners, probably the best thing they left behind in here. My old Myford ML7 lives here, and the storage beneath isnt bad either.
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The drill press sits on an old cabinet, which is acually an old electrive stove (or, at least hot plate). The top opens up and at one point, there were 2 burners inside. This was my great grandparents only stove, ever. To the best of my knowledge they didnt own an oven, and this was all they used to warm up their meals. Probably a combo of having lived through the depression, and my great grandmother's disinterest in cooking.
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Lastly for inside, is the island bench, which I picked up near where I work and brought home. It's a Sunshine tanker table, and is pretty stout. Plans are to extend the legs to bring it up to working height, and weld in some framing for drawers and other storage.
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Outside, I've got my gleaming galvanized roof, and I'm glad i sprung the extra 100 bucks on it every time I see it (instead of shingles). I have work yet to finish up on the trim and eavestroughs, but it's getting there. The drainage trench runs around the pad, and my upped 60Amp service enters near the front corner. Excuse the piles of PT lumber and furniture, I just finished dismantling my back deck and have yet to figure out where to put all the wood.
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Around the back is my outdoor storage for ladders, yard tools, and various other big stuff.
Sometimes it feels like I should be further on it but, when you consider that it's been flooded 8 times, infested with a demon squirrel 3 times, and that I'm splitting time between the garage and a 70+ year old house, I think it's coming along just fine. Hopefully I can continue the momentum into year 2 when I hope to finish my cupboards and wainscoting, along with peg board, and perhaps add some paint to tie the place together a bit. Thanks to anyone still reading, that was a long-winded post.
Ford52PU
Well-known member
nice pictures, enjoy keeping up on the happenings in your shop.