Adding onto the shop....

[astroracer]

I am adding a 26' x 30' extension too the west end of my barn. Not much to look at just yet but I will be kicking the builder off shortly.
The space will be used for storage and organization. Getting a couple of cars out of the way and being able to set up my storage shelves will make enough room in the heated side so I can set my chassis tables up and actually get some work done this winter... :git:
This is a pic of the barn with the addition outlined in white.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
here is a pic of the addition drawn up in UG...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[airrj1]

Solid Modeling is cool isn't it. I am building a Teardrop camper trailer in Pro/E right now. I am very envious of your garage. I am working out of a carport right now. Walls would be an improvement for me. Good Luck on the project.

[Steve Chryssos]

Very cool. I like the white outline picture. Kinda looks like the hangar for Wonder Woman's invisible jet.

[Matt@RFR]

...Wonder Woman's invisible jet.

Anybody: "Do you know Steve?"
Me: "Who? Steve? No, I don't know any Steve."



:)

[Bill Howell]

Let's see, storage for two cars, plus assorted parts,plus shelves, plus this, plus that.....
You may want to add another four or eight feet on to the length. You can never have enough space and now is the cheapest time to do it. That's just a few more yards of concrete, one or two more trusses, and eight(or 16) feet of siding and 2x's.You could also then move things like water heater, sink or even add a restroom if you needed to. It looks like you have the room property wise, so you may want to consider it. Just some friendly advise from a builder and also one who wishes he had added a couple extra feet when I built my last building.
I do love the graphics of the purposed building. It really helps when you can give people a visual of your idea.

[Steve Chryssos]

Anybody: "Do you know Steve?"
Me: "Who? Steve? No, I don't know any Steve." :)

Oh, yeah, sure, Like you don't have your very Wonder Woman invisible jet.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Matt@RFR]

Fine, maybe I do, but I haven't played with it in atleast a year.

I dare you to bring one to SEMA.

[Steve Chryssos]

What will that prove? It's invisible. Quit hijacking the man's thread! :fart:

[astroracer]

I have Holes! The guys were out yesterday and got all of the post holes drilled. Hopefully the lumber will be delivered tomorrow so they can get the poles stuck in the ground before it rains this weekend...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[astroracer]

After getting the permits a week ago Monday and hole inspections on Tuesday this is where the guys are at after 5 days of construction.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
A shot from the back...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
They will finish the roof on the new structure today and probably start tear-off on the old building. They are going pretty quick and the weather is forecast to be very nice for the rest of the week so I expect the building will be done before the end of the week. The concrete guy is scheduled for Wednseday so I should have pad by the end of the day...
Thanks for looking.
Mark

[dropit69]

wow nice progress..a garage is always too small though..lol..

[derekf]

I'm surprised they do the slab last, but I know almost nothing about construction.

[astroracer]

Doing the slab last is commonplace with pole building construction. The ratwalls are 2 x 6 T & G Pressure Treated lumber and make a perfect form... Plus, with the building sealed up there is less of a chance of leaves and junk blowing into it while they are pouring and finishing. The slab floats inside the building with no weight on it other then the junk I pile I top of it...
I just got a call from the builder and the concrete truck was just arriving. That gets me a floor one day ahead of schedule...
Mark

[442 NUT]

Hi Mark. I'm also in mid-Michigan and sell propane heat if nat gas isn't available. Barn is going up fast and looks good. Want to expand my own barn and checking out in floor heat. Chris

[astroracer]

Thanks guys,
These guys are doing an excellant job! The cement was in a day early. the OH door is hung, the roofs are done and the siding was delivered yesterday. The only issue was with the building inspector and he felt we needed an engineered header over the door. Both the builder and I felt the four 2 x 12's they had installed would be plenty but I guess we were wrong... :hand: They rebuilt the area over the door yesterday so we should be good to go now...
Chris,
Thanks for the offer but, if you look close at the last pic I posted, you will see I have gas... :) The meter is on the corner of the old building... I am using an old forced air furnace to heat the working side of the shop and it does a fine job. It should only cost me a couple thou a month to keep it warm out there... :machine:$$$CONSUMERS ENERGY$$$

[astroracer]

The addition/makeover will be fairly complete by the end of the week.
These are some pics from Tuesday night. They had the "big" end all sided last night with most of the soffet and "J" channel up on the rest of the building. I expect they will finish up the siding tomorrow and take of the little things early next week.
I start moving things in Saturday!!!! :rotfl:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Thanks for looking...
Mark

[astroracer]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just a bit of an update.
I haven't taken the time to get new pics but the barn is 99.9% done and I've spent the last two weekends getting stuff set-up and moved in.
The big project was moving my Firebird from the heated, working side, of the old shop to the new "storage" area. I had to bolt a rearend under the car so I could move it and I got that done yesterday. The car is now in the new building. I also picked up a couple of sets of those car dollies (skates) that allow the car to be moved around easily. My wife and I can move the car with no problem now so, once I get the lumber rack finished, I can slide the 'Bird into it's new parking spot.
I will get some updated pics soon.
Thanks for looking.
Mark

[astroracer]

A few people have been asking about progress on Bad Ast... Well, basically, there has been no progress since I build the addition. BUT, I have been busy getting the barn cleaned and organized. I have made a lot of progress on that in the past two months. I still have a lot to do but I can actually work on the heated side now and, with a little more time and effort will have a very nice, functional shop to get busy on the van again.
Here are a few pics so you can see where I'm at with the shop...
I know it doesn't look like much but, two months ago, I could hardly walk through this area...
This is a pic of the new work area I put together a couple of weekends ago.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
The wall cabinets were $2.00 apiece at a yard sale and I mounted some shelves in between them for a place to store all of my cordless tools. I added the outlets and switch on the wall for power so I wouldn't have to run extension cords to the work center.

Here is look at my cutting/grinding area.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
I have done a little more cleaning here also since the pic was taken.

This is an older picture taken before I started demolition in this corner.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
The first set of shelves has been cleaned off (mostly). The stereo and speakers are still sitting on them. I think this set is going to come out. In fact, I am thinking they will all come out... After I get the shelves on the right cleaned and gutted I will have no need for them. This will let me rearrange the corner space to move a HD drawer unit, which you can't see behind the welder/work table, to the long wall and get the cabinets into the corner under the shelves.
Doing all of this cleaning I am finding myself wondering why I kept some of the stuff I have... It is amazing how quickly a garbage can fills up when you decide to "really" clean the shop!
Mark

[BB69]

Mark,
I'm jealous. I am working out of my two car garage. We would build a pole barn, but we are planning to move instead. When we move, I will finally get my real garage. You are right to clean and organize first. I was able to make a lot more space by doing the same thing. I am still in the process of insulating mine. Now get cracking on the van.

Ken

[astroracer]

Hey Ken,
Don't be jealous... I just had to much CRAP!!! Once I get everything cleaned up I could probably make do with a two car myself... I am throwing out stuff that has been sitting on a shelf, untouched, for 20 yrs.
As an example...
I just put a 50# box of nails in the trash... Not brand new nails mind you... Nails we picked up when the house was being built 20 yrs ago... 99% of them are bent... Useless in my book so why were they saved? :screwy:

[Bill Howell]

As an example...
I just put a 50# box of nails in the trash... Not brand new nails mind you... Nails we picked up when the house was being built 20 yrs ago... 99% of them are bent... Useless in my book so why were they saved? :screwy:
With the price of scrap metal these days, you should have sold them, not tossed them.....lol

[astroracer]

With the price of scrap metal these days, you should have sold them, not tossed them.....lol
I have two "piles" of trash... One gets hauled to the road every week and the other gets hauled to my father-in-laws and dumped in his "scrap" truck... I plan to make a trip this weekend with a bunch of old alternators, starters, cylinder heads & intake manifolds. Oh, and a box of bent nails...
Mark

[astroracer]

Compare!!!
Before...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
And after!!!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Another marathon day Saturday and I had this dude pretty well licked. I did a lot of work in the addition also. The white cabinets you see in this pic...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
are in the addition now with a sheet of OSB on top and stacked with a bunch of old, antique, car parts. Getting them out of the way let me put two of my roll arounds on the wall and get that brown drawer unit moved out from in front of the bench. The orange drawers were put on a frame with casters and another cabinet was put on casters and graced with an OSB top to make a dedicated work center for the chopsaw and belt grinder. It also has room for ALL of the sanding belts and cutting wheels for the saw and sander to keep them in one place...
This is what the corner looks like now. I put a couple of those shelfs back up just because the wall was too bare...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
I will use the big drawer unit as an assembly table. The drawers are huge and will hold a ton of hardware. The lower shelf will be a storage area for mock-up parts.
The real nice thing about having all of this stuff on casters now is the ability to move things as the work progresses; not to mention being able to clean and sweep much easier.
I am thinking about painting the walls... What do you think? A brite white enamel with flames?
Thanks for looking...
Mark

[CAMAROBOY69]

Looks good Mark. Yeah I think you should paint it white. I was also planning on painting my garage white this summer. Its currently that old wood paneling and looks so dark. I really need to clean my garage too and after viewing your thread I think I will attempt the clean up process this summer.

[astroracer]

Thanks Adam!
Two months ago I couldn't even walk through the shop let alone have a place to work on the van. Getting the shop cleaned up has really been enjoyable on my part. I have some things left to do such as the painting, but that is just glitz. It really makes a difference being able to go out there and actually have room to work! I am still organizing hand tools and all but it is really easy now that all of the junk is gone. One thing I am forcing myself to do is to put things back where they belong when I am done for the day... Hopefully this will become a habit in the near future. It doesn't take that long to do when the tools have a dedicated spot!
I will pick up paint this weekend and get that done. I WILL be back to work on the van next month!

[toxicz28]

White would be the way to go for paint! The higher the gloss, the easier to clean too.

[astroracer]

White would be the way to go for paint! The higher the gloss, the easier to clean too.
Exactly! High gloss shows imperfections more then the semi's or flats but it will reflect more light and clean up easier. And it will look a lot better then the old faded drywall.

[astroracer]

I got some pics this weekend. It is amazing what a little paint can do to brighten things up. I didn't think it would make much of a difference when I decided to do the painting but BOY was I wrong! Looks so much better now I can hardly believe it's my shop! Wait until I get the flames on the long wall....
It's a bit messy because I am still painting and I have a lot of junk I haven't sorted through yet but it's getting there...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
The work bench area...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
As you can see I still need to paint above and below the bench but I need to strip a bunch of posters and stuff off the walls before I can get to it. That'll happen this week and I will be sorting and pitching stuff as I go...
The new work center area looks great!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
This pic is kinda dark because of the windows... I am debating painting the door. I plan to replace it this fall with an insulated one so I think I'll let it go...
I did get a few of my tin signs put up though...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Thanks for looking
Mark

[CAMAROBOY69]

Mark,
It is looking great and I say paint the door for sure just until you get a the one. After you mentioned painting it inspired me to start cleaning and painting my garage too. Your not kidding its amazing how much brighter it is now and it even seems taller. :woot:

[astroracer]

Mark,
It is looking great and I say paint the door for sure just until you get a the one. After you mentioned painting it inspired me to start cleaning and painting my garage too. Your not kidding its amazing how much brighter it is now and it even seems taller. :woot:

Yes Sir... Quite a difference!
I have been working on the paint every nite this week so here are a few more updated pics...
This is the S.E. corner of the shop after I stripped everything off the walls Monday nite...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
This is the W. wall with the stationary bench b4 I stripped it last nite.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
I had put a coat of primer on the S. wall Tuesday nite and I got the bench wall primed last nite...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
I will be topcoating the walls tonite (2 coats) and I will prime the bench. It will get painted red.
Needless to say, I really like the clean uncluttered look so nothing is going back on the walls unless it is an enclosed cabinet or cupboard. I think I will do some looking at HD or Lowes this weekend for the pre-fab cabinets. I want to get all of my rattle cans out of sight and build a couple of fastener cabinets for all of my nut and bolt hardware....
Thanks for looking
Mark

[CAMAROBOY69]

That looks great Mark. It will look even better with the bench painted red like you said. I really like the before/after comparison pics so far. Cant wait to paint mine and get rid of the "all wood brown panel" scheme. I also just orderd an aluminum commercial light for the ceiling. Cant wait to see the difference. Heathers dad works for Lightcorp.com and so I cant wait to see this new light!

[Colin Frolick]

nice man, nice. garages are awesome, i gotta get me some more land and a big shop. as it is now my project is outside on a slab i poured on the side of the house, which works cause here the weather is splendid, the only thing i'll want next is some shade.

[astroracer]

Thanks guys, this has been a long road and I need to get back to work on the van but I can see the light now and the shop will be very enjoyable to work in once it's complete. I already find it easier to work in and I still have a ways to go...
I made it to Home Depot Saturday morning. Spent some money to get stuff organized and keep it dust and dirt free.. I picked up a couple of 54" wall cabinets and 4 30" molded cabinets. Got the two 54's and one 30" installed Saturday.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/02/7412fe06_newcabinets1-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/02/7411fe06_newcabinets4-1.jpg
The plastic cabinets were 25 bucks ea. I thought that was a pretty good deal and I might go get a few more...
I also went to Harbour Freight and picked up a couple of the furniture dollies for $16.00 on sale... You can't buy the casters for that price... I narrowed one up Saturday afternoon and attached a stack of drawer units to it.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/02/7411fe06_drawerunit-1.jpg
The pic shows 4 units but I added one more Sunday morning so there are 10 drawers total now. This will be the roll around clamp/vise-grip/grinder station. I have enough drawers to make another one, I think I will. That will let me throw a sheet of OSB between them for another portable work bench.
I worked on this Sunday afternoon...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/02/7412fe06_cabinet_flames-1.jpg
I got them sprayed and they look okay. I will get some pics as soon as the pinstriping is done...
Thanks for looking.
Mark

[JoshStratton]

Hey Mark.

Looking good. Did you use any kind of insulation or heating with that shop? I am still debating the pole barn vs a block foundation. I think it all comes down to the differences between insulating and heating each.

[astroracer]

Hey Josh,
The shop is all insulated and heat is from a forced air gas furnace. I have had heat out there since '95 to keep condensation to a minimum on the machine tools.
It cost me a little under a 100 bucks last month to heat it. If I am not out there the 'stat is set at 50*. I kick it up to 58 or 60* when I am out there working which is more then comfortable for me. I was out there nearly every day last month doing the makeover so I am not complaining about the cost... It is more then worth it to go out to warm tools and floors.
Mark

[JoshStratton]

Thanks for the info! I have been leaning towards a pole barn, mostly because I can build it MUCH sooner. I like the radiant heating option, but I would need a gas line run about 250 feet from the road. Our house is all electric, but gas exists out there.

I have been debating building the shop vs finishing my landscaping (deck, patio, etc...). I have some thinking to do...

[astroracer]

Between playing with the new welder and fixing broken garage doors I haven't gotten a lot done in the shop until last weekend. My brother-in-law dropped off a half dozen light fixtures a couple of weeks ago so I got around to getting four of them hung and fired up on the fab side of the shop. 8' 220V twin tube cold starts. The lights are take downs out of a school. They worked just fine but the school system replaces stuff like this from time to time to keep budget money coming. Tax payer dollars spent on replacing perfectly good equipment. I'm not complaining though! All of the electrical outlets and the furnace came out of the schools also...
I ran all of the wiring in conduit and hooked the lights up two to a switch. It is very bright in the shop now, to say the least!
Here are a couple shots of the shop with the new lights turned off.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/03/26mr06_b4lites1_jpgJPG-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/03/26mr06_b4lites2_jpgJPG-1.jpg
And here is a couple with them lit up...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/03/26mr06_afterlites1_jpgJPG-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/03/26mr06_afterlites3_jpgJPG-1.jpg
With the fresh white paint and these new lights I am all set to get back to work on the van!
Mark

[CAMAROBOY69]

Excellent update Mark. Those lights must be awesome in there and the flames turned out cool too.
I installed the (2) 4'-4 bulbs aluminum commercial lights in my garage and was not happy at all with them. Now I think I am just going to try a couple 8'- 4 bulb lights from Menards. I heard those should do the trick. One on each side of the center of the garage. That way when I paint there should be light on the driver and passenger side.
Now get out there and get some work done on Bad Ast. :)

[astroracer]

Thanks Adam, and yes, the lights ARE awesome! I have really amazed myself with this makeover. I have never had a "shop" like this. Yea, I've always had a garage and a place to work but nothing like this. I find myself going out there just to look...:jump: Is that stupid?
As far as Bad Ast is concerned, I was looking at the junk cradle yesterday and decided to not waste my time cutting it up. I may take a few pieces off for re-use but most of it will get replaced with new stuff. I have some honey-do's to finish up the first part of this week but I think I can start the rebuild process Wednesday or Thursday nite.
I can hardly wait to get some work done in the NEW shop!
Mark

[astroracer]

I figured while I was still in the "makeover" mode I would install some hardlines for the aircompressor. I have designed the system to have 6 or 7 drops sprinkled around the old and new parts. I have gotten a good start on the install and will try to get some pics posted.
Have any of you guys priced galvanized pipe lately? (or any kind of pipe?) I just spent 220 bucks for 13 10' sticks!:shocking: I was fortunate enough to get all of the fittings I need from my father-in-law or I would be into these airlines for around 400 dollars. Most of the fittings are used but I'm not complaining at these prices. All I need to buy now are a bunch of 1/2" ball valves. Harbor Freight was having a sale last Saturday but I didn't get to the store til late and they were all out. I got a rain check so I can get all that I need for $2.00 apiece.
Spent a couple of hours cleaning fittings last nite and got a few parts of the 3/4" main line built. I got a good start on one of the drops but I need the ball valves before I can finish it up.
Thanks for looking.
Mark

[landyacht67]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/02/7411fe06_newcabinets4-1.jpg
The plastic cabinets were 25 bucks ea. I thought that was a pretty good deal and I might go get a few more...

Did you get this cabinet @ home depot?
I figure about 4 of these in a row would be perfect for the shop I'm building


Julian

[astroracer]

Yup, home Depot. I have four spread around in my shop. I was just looking at them again last weekend and they are still 24.97...:bananna2:
Mark

[astroracer]

To give you guys an update, I have all of the airlines ran but I am still waiting on HF to get the 1/2" ball valves back in stock. Going on three weeks now and they can't give me a delivery date... I guess I am going to have to spend the money and get them at Lowes or Home Depot. I can have the install completed in about an hour after I get the valves so I plan to pick them up tonight or Friday and wrap this project up.
I have been working on other things also like fixing my nephews four wheeler and getting the lawn mowers prepped and mowing lawn. (What a waste of time and energy...) I put casters under the sand blasting cabinet and I got the truck fired up and moved out of storage last night. It was good to hear it running.
I need to clean up the shop after this airline install but that won't take long so I hope to start cutting pieces for the new cradle build this weekend. I doubt I will reuse any of the old one. By the time I cut any usable pieces off and get them cleaned up I can have a new piece made... Not worth the effort to save anything.
Thanks for looking.
Mark

[astroracer]

Just another update...
The shop makeover is complete. The new lights are up. The airlines are done. I am still re-organizing tools and stuff but that will be an ongoing process. I haven't had time to get any work done on the van but, I am rethinking some of it anyway, so I need to make a couple of decisions before I re-start the project.
I did make an excellant find over the weekend though.
I bought two of these cabinets from my brother-in-law for $15 dollars ea. He didn't have room for them... :beer:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/05/MVC007Fvi-1.jpg
I have them up on casters now and one is my new paint supply cabinet and the other will be a mobile hand tool work station. :thumbup:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/05/MVC003Fvi-1.jpg
Thanks for looking
Mark