Workshop 88

[vekster]

Looking good.
I hear ya about the weather around here this spring. almost a little scary how high the lakes are and still lots of rain in the forecast.
I started following you on Instagram....you have some pretty cool photos on there.
Take it easy and keep the updates coming............

 

[runt262]

That addition is going to be great once it is completed. I am already finding massive drawbacks into having a vehicle in the garage and the restriction it has on my actual workspace. What are your plans for the transition to the new workspace? Going to keep it as a door, or open it wide open?

 

[Mr. 360]

Looking good.
I hear ya about the weather around here this spring. almost a little scary how high the lakes are and still lots of rain in the forecast.
I started following you on Instagram....you have some pretty cool photos on there.
Take it easy and keep the updates coming............

My wife and I walk at the lakefront every couple days. Amazing how high it is. Lots of shorefront washed out. I'll do my best to keep the updates coming

That addition is going to be great once it is completed. I am already finding massive drawbacks into having a vehicle in the garage and the restriction it has on my actual workspace. What are your plans for the transition to the new workspace? Going to keep it as a door, or open it wide open?

I got to the point where my tools simply didnt allow for a vehicle to pull in. Since I want to be able to get a car/truck in, this works well. As far as transition goes Im planning on blowing out about 14' of wall ( basically from the front window to just behind the back one). I think in order to give the structure less visual mass and be respectful of neighbours, i will start this roof at the existing peak and have it slope down to the end of the pad. I might run it as vaulted as possible for the most interior space. Most big tools will move over, and i hope to incorporate the bandsaw into a large island bench.

 

[SVTKID92]

Awesome my friend. Keep up the good work. Can't wait to see more!!

 

[xtremek]

I've been really busy this year, so I missed the next step (the addition). I can't wait to see how this plays out.

 

[crusinlumb]

Well sir i have just read your entire thread in the last couple hours. You have an amazing shop considering what you started with. And i could only wish to find, acquire items like you have!

 

[Mr. 360]

Tiny update, since I have just shy of nothing noteworthy to mention for the workshop in the last 8 months or so.

View media item 81656
I fabbed up this quick laser cut 304 stainless bench topper for the metal lathe, which I finally moved to its home on the bench. It's 18g SS but really cleans things up and should protect the bench.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Eric , thank you for the update..

The bench topper looks great.

 

[rmalkow2]

Sometimes the small improvements are the best ones. It will definitely keep the bench cleaner and your lathe has it's permanent place to reside. That's a nice size lathe I think for the home shop.

 

[xtremek]

What they said.

 

[BBChevro]

Great work on the bench topper and the slab, Eric.

 

[Dmitry]

Eric, please continue updating.

 

[Mr. 360]

Eric, please continue updating.

Welcome to GJ! It’s true, I haven’t been updating here as often as I used to. My wife and I welcomed another baby girl back in February, so now we have an 8 month old and a 3 year old around. Needless to say I spend a lot of time pretending these days.

The basic run down is I’ve been thinning my tools and supplies trying to claw back some usability in there. I have frozen all new projects in an attempt to work at finishing what I have on the go. We’re also trying to save up for a kitchen rework and the shop addition in the next year or 2. I did just get my old 82 CB450t running and driving and hope to get it certified in the spring and get my M1. I do post from time to time on my instagram, mostly garage and gas powered stuff. I find it easier right now to throw a quick pic and blurb up there than an entire write up. I do have a TON of plans for the shop build out in the future, just need the time and funds. I’m in no rush though.

Thanks for the comment, don’t miss all the amazing content on this site. There are some very creative and talented people on here, they inspired me to rework my own shop and treat it like my dream garage.

 

[WarrenJ]

Glad to hear all is going OK

 

[FauszHausz]

your garage looks great! Lets see some projects coming off of the lathe!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Thanks for the update Eric..

 

[BBChevro]

Thanks for posting Eric.

Sent from my SM-G950F using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[xtremek]

Congrats on the new kid and thanks for dropping by. You are missed.

 

[LaneRover]

Earlier (way earlier) in your thread you mentioned your daughter not being able to ride in the jeep because she has to be a certain size to ride up front. Though I don't know the specific laws in Canada I am in Maine and you can't get much closer to Canada from Maine . . . ;-)

Those front seat laws might only apply to modern cars with air bags and back seats. A child can ride in front if there aren't airbags that will go off AND especially if that is the only other seat in the vehicle. My daughter loves riding in my old Series Rover because its the only vehicle she can ride up front in. Your daughters eyes will light up the first time she realizes she can ride up front! Having at least a functioning lap belt is to strap the car seat in with would be a plus of course . . .

 

[theundermount]

Earlier (way earlier) in your thread you mentioned your daughter not being able to ride in the jeep because she has to be a certain size to ride up front. Though I don't know the specific laws in Canada I am in Maine and you can't get much closer to Canada from Maine . . . ;-)

Those front seat laws might only apply to modern cars with air bags and back seats. A child can ride in front if there aren't airbags that will go off AND especially if that is the only other seat in the vehicle. My daughter loves riding in my old Series Rover because its the only vehicle she can ride up front in. Your daughters eyes will light up the first time she realizes she can ride up front! Having at least a functioning lap belt is to strap the car seat in with would be a plus of course . . .

I second this if there are no airbags or they can be turned off they can sit in the front back seat is still optimal if they exist but if it doesn't have a rear seat its not illegal for children to sit up front. single cab ford ranger uses to have an airbag switch you could turn off with your car key

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

 

[Mr. 360]

Well, it finally ended up happening. 6 years, 21 floods, 2 wood stoves, a lot of free tools, and 1100 GJ posts later, we are moving to a new home.

While I’m excited about the next chapter, I’m gutted to be leaving this workshop. It’s a great space, and for its size, it never really felt all that small, even with a 3500-lb milling machine in it. It taught me that if you treat your space like your dream shop, it will actually deliver more than you thought if you get creative.

I think I’m going to keep the WorkShop 88 moniker, going forward. I like it, and I’ve branded some of my shop tools with it, so that part will stay. However, I think I will probably switch gears to a new thread about the new shop, to keep things clear. I will start that thread once there is something to show for it.

The new-to-us-house (circa. 1962), is about a half hour east in a smaller town, with a slightly larger lot than where we are now – 52x100, instead of 40x100. What’s interesting is that this place has no garage (yet), but instead, has a 10x13 shed with a poured floor in the back corner. All told, it’s a solid shed, but unfortunately directly where a garage will go.

I haven’t nailed anything down yet as far as a size/design goes, but a little bigger and a little taller would be a lot more convenient (I actually have considered duplicating the shop entirely). While by-laws permit me to have 10% for outdoor structures (520 sqft), I can’t configure a building that size without taking up too big a chunk of the backyard, since the house sits further back on the property. My realistic max is around +/-400 sqft, 18’x24’ being the biggest I could probably go. So, definitely bigger, but still set up as a 1 car. The house is a bungalow with updated 200 Amp service, so there is plenty for wiring the shop.

I have drawn a lot of inspiration from other shops on this site, and from the host of people who have contributed to this thread with comments, ideas, or reality checks to some of my dumb ideas. Huge thank you to anyone who came along for the ride. I have had a ton of fun with this shop, and if any part of it inspired someone else to get out there and build something, I think that’s pretty cool.

 

[captain14]

This is one of the threads that I followed during your Time in the garage

I knows it tough but with 2 kids and a wife it’s hard to make time

Workshop 88 (second Incarnation?) could be the next name

Good luck on the move and the next chapter in your life.

 

[dchasins]

...just a lurker here. Please post up a link to the new thread when you get it started. I wouldn't wan to miss it.

 

[xtremek]

Congrats on the new place. Looking forward to what you do next. Please don't forget us.

 

[BoilermakerFan]

Congrats Eric.

Since your going 1 car, wouldn't 16x28 give you a little more usable backyard and net you more usable space? My current garage is 18 x 20. I would gladly sacrifice width for depth.

 

[rmalkow2]

Congrats on the new home. Your new garage thinking sounds as thorough as all your other projects. Looking forward to following along as you make progress towards a new work space.

 

[bunks-tj]

congrats, cant wait to see the new space when you get it rolling

 

[Grumblebum]

Great news Eric, please update here links to a new thread when you get going. Always enjoy your posts.

GB

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I think I’m going to keep the WorkShop 88 moniker, going forward.

Oh good. We all know you and the kind of stuff you do by that name. Maybe "Workshop 88" or Workshop 88, The Sequel"?

I haven’t nailed anything down yet as far as a size/design goes, but a little bigger and a little taller would be a lot more convenient.... My realistic max is around +/-400 sqft, 18’x24’

My house was built in 1926 or 1930 (depending which old document I believe). The garage is a "2 car" - yeah, riiight. It is 18x18 and originally had two of what I assume are oil change pits. Narrow like maybe 24". They were filled long ago but I have been tempted to break out the concrete to see what was under there! You might consider installing a proper pit with a provision for covering it when not in use. It could add a lot of functionality for minor auto repair.

Anyway, the prior owner built onto the back of my garage into the narrow 6ft +/- space between the garage and the property 4ft block wall. It was grandfathered in when he sold it to me. I ultimately took out the nearly entire rear wall so it ended up about the same size as you're describing. Not luxurious by any means but adequate and with your organization skills plus an allowance to raise the height it'll be more useful than mine. You can build in overhead storage space if you do the pit idea or install a lift from the get go. Just ideas. Looking forward to seeing what you do. Best, Dan

 

[Mr. 360]

Thanks for the comments all, I had kinda honed in on this type of shop, with the working part off to the side. Just thoughts right now, but 18x24 sideways would allow me a 12x18 bay on the left for car work and perhaps a maxjax hoist. I could then have a 12x18 workspace beside that, perhaps with a loft if I vault the ceilings. I do have some sketches in a notebook somewhere. They’re probably packed in a box by now.

View media item 93054
View media item 93055
In prep, I jettisoned over 1000 lbs of scrap steel. Plate steel, tube, tools etc. I gave away lots of my tools and donated a whack of supplies to the local habitat for humanity. I also drove my old echo with a trailer full of stuff to my parents farm, and had CAA float the willys up there (my dad has used in more in a week than I did in 7 years). Somehow, it still feels overcrowded. I should curb my appetite for free tools on the other end.

 

[vr4joe]

Ooooo I really like the first image. Congrats on the new place! I'm very excited to see the new project. Keep us in the loop!

 

[Terranova]

88.2

Always nice to get a second chance to improve on things you learned.

Good luck.

 

[ProjectROTM]

Any update on this yet?

P.S. I wish people would donate free tools to me!

 

[Mr. 360]

Any update on this yet?

P.S. I wish people would donate free tools to me!

Well, I did manage to pack the shed with the big stuff like the mill, lathes, press, and workbenches. The house had a tool/storage room in the basement so everything else went down there. I pared down considerably, meaning I gave away loads of steel, hardware, tools, etc to people I knew that needed them. I was actually able to fit everything and still have room in the shed to work on things if I move the bikes out.

I also built a micro-shop in the house’s old cold cellar, which is a 4’x7’ block room under the porch. I call it “Workshop 88 – The Bunker.” I spent maybe $15 on lumber and just spanned a bench across the 4’ at one end. I have done a ton of work in it actually, stripping and rebuilding a lot of old motorcycle components and such. I have a bunch of posts on my Instagram from building it and working in it.

As for the new shop, I have a pile of sketches kicking around. Mostly layouts but some building concepts and detail drawings. I noodle most of them on breaks on the back side of my work journal. I have not photographed any of them yet though. My big dream, and likely a pipe dream, is to build a shop from reclaimed brick from a circa 1910 factory that I hear is being torn down not far from my house, along with windows/carriage doors. Time will tell if that’s ever a thing, it would be way more work but man, would it look cool. I doubt 2020 will be the year I build it though, gotta save up for that scale of project.

Happy New Year!

 

[JMSP]

21 floods,

that quite the amount of floods to deal with. good luck on the next chapter.

 

[kjdhawkhill]

Well, I did manage to pack the shed with the big stuff like the mill, lathes, press, and workbenches. The house had a tool/storage room in the basement so everything else went down there. I pared down considerably, meaning I gave away loads of steel, hardware, tools, etc to people I knew that needed them. I was actually able to fit everything and still have room in the shed to work on things if I move the bikes out.

I also built a micro-shop in the house’s old cold cellar, which is a 4’x7’ block room under the porch. I call it “Workshop 88 – The Bunker.” I spent maybe $15 on lumber and just spanned a bench across the 4’ at one end. I have done a ton of work in it actually, stripping and rebuilding a lot of old motorcycle components and such. I have a bunch of posts on my Instagram from building it and working in it.

As for the new shop, I have a pile of sketches kicking around. Mostly layouts but some building concepts and detail drawings. I noodle most of them on breaks on the back side of my work journal. I have not photographed any of them yet though. My big dream, and likely a pipe dream, is to build a shop from reclaimed brick from a circa 1910 factory that I hear is being torn down not far from my house, along with windows/carriage doors. Time will tell if that’s ever a thing, it would be way more work but man, would it look cool. I doubt 2020 will be the year I build it though, gotta save up for that scale of project.

Happy New Year!

Here's to new projects, in order to create new projects.

 

[ProjectROTM]

Well, I did manage to pack the shed with the big stuff like the mill, lathes, press, and workbenches. The house had a tool/storage room in the basement so everything else went down there. I pared down considerably, meaning I gave away loads of steel, hardware, tools, etc to people I knew that needed them. I was actually able to fit everything and still have room in the shed to work on things if I move the bikes out.

I also built a micro-shop in the house’s old cold cellar, which is a 4’x7’ block room under the porch. I call it “Workshop 88 – The Bunker.” I spent maybe $15 on lumber and just spanned a bench across the 4’ at one end. I have done a ton of work in it actually, stripping and rebuilding a lot of old motorcycle components and such. I have a bunch of posts on my Instagram from building it and working in it.

As for the new shop, I have a pile of sketches kicking around. Mostly layouts but some building concepts and detail drawings. I noodle most of them on breaks on the back side of my work journal. I have not photographed any of them yet though. My big dream, and likely a pipe dream, is to build a shop from reclaimed brick from a circa 1910 factory that I hear is being torn down not far from my house, along with windows/carriage doors. Time will tell if that’s ever a thing, it would be way more work but man, would it look cool. I doubt 2020 will be the year I build it though, gotta save up for that scale of project.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year.

I just checked out your Instagram, I love the mini bench you've built, would have loved that as a kid!

 

[southalabama]

I’ve been through a couple office floods but can’t imagine 21. Takes fortitude to bounce back.

Good luck and looking forward to the next chapter.

 

[Mr. 360]

(I posted this is the general discussion forum, but thought maybe I'd get a bite here). Link to that thread

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=444250

I have no garage at my current house, but I have a few potential opportunities locally where some old (late 1800's) houses are slated for demolition to make way for housing development. I have been in contact with the town building department who has approved the use of reclaimed brick, and have leads on the houses through the local heritage committee. I would hate to see these local pieces of history end up in the landfill. I live in a small town in Clarington, Ontario, so old farmhouses are fairly common.

Does anyone have experience demolishing a house, or better yet, salvaging just the brick exterior? I am a bit at a loss as to the next step. I am supposing the developer won't be of any help, but I've heard that demolition contractors might let me at it for a small fee, and they save on dumping costs. I might also try contacting a few members of the heritage committee. They are volunteer, so they might care about someone trying to preserve the history.

I'm ok with trucking the materials home, but getting them off the house seems hard to figure out approval for. Incidentally, anybody in the east Durham region interested in salvaging a historic house ?

I figure from my own pictures that it is a double wythe flemish-bond wall. Not sure if that means no interior framing. I have attached a sketch of what I have in mind for my finished shop, around 18x24.

View media item 101069

 

[BoilermakerFan]

In college I worked for the university skilled trades. One of the projects we did was to salvage the "dairy tile" out of the bathrooms before completing ADA remodels. I spent weeks cutting out the tiles and then cleaning each one to be reused at the end of the project.

It's not hard work, but it's slow and dusty work. Since you will probably have a time line or dead line to get the bricks off the houses, you'll probably want to carefully remove them in sections of 3x2 or 4x2. Basically 3 bricks or 4 bricks wide stacked 2 high. They'll be offset, but you should be able to remove them in sections like that. That's how I removed the dairy tile.

We used 4" diamond grinder blades to cut the mortar in the center between the rows. Then carefully cut it on the vertical rows. A wide, thinner cold chisel was used to free the section.

The walls are bricked from the bottom to the top, so you'll have to start at the top and work down the wall. You'll probably lose 30% of the bricks until you get the hang of it, then you'll reduce the loss to 10-15%. Some bricks just break... If you can't easily get to the top most row, you'll have to sacrifice a few rows to get a clean row started. A pointed welding hammer does a great job of breaking a few bricks individually.

After you have enough space above, you can use the mechanical brick carriers that have a leverage handle to lift the brick section up off the wall and carry them down the ladder, or if you have help, build a chute and let them slide down to a buddy to stack them in your truck or trailer.

A variable speed grinder would be better too, the slower you can grind the mortar the less likely the blade is to catch and run away from you, which inevitably jumps up and off the mortar, then runs across a tile... I mean brick. Wear a mask and face shield.

After you get them home you can then work on carefully grinding the mortar between each brick and cleaning them up with various sized cold chisels. Or better yet, rent a wet tile saw and use it to cut the bricks apart in the mortar, then chisel off the rest of the mortar. Wash them with a power washer and you should be able to reuse all that don't break.

Good luck! Grab as many bricks as you can! I'd want at least 40% more than I think I would need for a new garage, probably 60% more if I had them available and had the time to grab them since you'll have losses when you clean and separate each brick too.


Edit: Also, don't forget, the brick walls will be tied to the wood structure walls every so many feet and rows with flat straps or wire loops. If you're lucky, you'll have enough space to fit side cutters down behind the brick to cut those off, otherwise you'll have to carefully grind and chisel each one apart from the bricks. The "pattern" of these ties will become apparent after a bit so you'll start to know where to expect one, but each wall may be different depending on how many different masons did the brick work at the time.