GARAGES AND TOOLS

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

Thought I'd start a thread for talking about our garages, shops(in my case a barn) and the tools and equipment used in them. I mean not everyone has the bucks to send their cars to wherever to have them professionally restored and even if they do they HAVE to work on them sometime.

This should be a common thread among all the individual forums and hopefully will be interesting and helpful to all.

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

Here is the thread that prompted me to start a thread dedicated to Garage and Tools.

and here is an email that I received related to it.

<span style="font-style: italic">Lemar,

I am not a member of the Antique Auto forums, but I was reading the post about the 56 buick engine pull. I just bought a foldable 2 ton hoist for $149 and a 1000lb Stand (4 wheels on two legs) from Harbor Freight. They were on sale until the 13th of November. The hoist normally sells for $199 and I believe the engine stand was $59. I would guess that the sale should be national in nature if there is a Harbor Freight in your area. They are also going to have the 1 ton foldable hoist on sale for $99 the Friday after Thansgiving retails for $159. I live in Washingotn state but you should be able to find them in Georgia.

I would have posted this on the thread, but I could not find a reply button. I am assuming that it does not show up unless you are a member. If you feel that this info is good for the forum please feel free to post it there.

I am going to look at a built 401 for my 56 Special Wagon this weekend and needed them to unload it if I shell out the money he wants and bring it home.

Tom

</span>

I've replied to him to please join us and to share what he's doing with his 56.

[Guest myfirstbuick]

This is a GREAT idea. I'm in the process of converting my barn into a more comfortable garage. I just got my concrete floor poured last week and now I'm in heaven - or I will be when I get the electric hooked up, the water line connected and the car lift installed. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> After working in the dirt and gravel for years, I've come to the conclusion that my old back and knees can't take it anymore. I guess I'm getting too darn old. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> The last straw for me was trying to maneuver a '39 Buick engine on a hoist thru the dirt trying to get the daggone thing in the car. The hoist wheels kept sinking in the dirt. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[trimacar]

Hi- I just had to jump in on this one. For years it was all about getting the car or cars, then I decided that a nice building was not only necessary, but would be SO much easier on me and the cars. Built it, insulated it, dehumidified it (in Louisiana, you had to); then moved up "north" to Virginia. Now, I am working out of a 3 car garage with 6 cars in it, and a luckily found a "project" garage across town. So, the moral of the story? Put off buying that next dream car, and put up a building or garage that is comfortable. We learn this lesson too old, and spend more time looking through the mess for tools, than the actual time spent using the tools. Not trying to be over the top about how to spend your life, but get a nice place, get it organized, and have fun working on and driving the cars. Tain't no fun to have a barn full of cars, if you can't work on them or get to them to play with them! OK, that's enough! Happy (preferably in a Pierce) motoring! David Coco

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

Engine hoist- Tool for determining the tensil strength of oil guage lines and wiring that the user forgot to unhook before pulling engine. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

hey myfirstbuick

Looks like a lot of floor space. What is that about 30 x 40 or so? and how thick did you pour it, looks like you used 2x6 to form with. Where are you and how much is concrete per cubic yard there. Hittin on about $90 here. Everything is higher now and probably gonna get worse. I too am needing to pour some concrete under the lean to part of my barn for to put a new compressor, my bead blaster, sand blaster, press and drill. There won't be any vehicls on it so I plan to only pour about 3 1/2 inches.

[rocketraider]

I'm getting ready to put up a 30x50 with a loft for parts storage. Builders Discount has a package cheap enough; the cousin's S/O says he can build it turnkey with the pad for about $25k. First thing I have to do is get the wiring redone and central HVAC installed in the main house out there. Then it's garage time.

It's something I should have done 20 years ago, but at the time I wasn't sure I'd ever move back to the homeplace. On my 50x125 city lot, there was probably enough room to build a 2-car in the backyard. Access to the backyard was the problem- my current driveway is grandfathered. Had I attempted to extend it, it wouldn't meet current property line setbacks. That's the same reason it's busted up pretty bad in one section- the city says if I tear it up and redo, it has to meet current setbacks. If it was good in 1953, why is it no good now???

[Guest Stllrng.]

My garage is my favorite place to be. And one of my favorite activities is to go on a "garage tour" and see what the other guys have and are doing. But the thing that frustrates me the most, is the fact that I don't have enough time to enjoy my hobby. I have a 24' X 40' garage at home, with an excellent antique belt drive metal lathe, drill press, bench grinder, polishing wheels, belt sander, bead roller, combination wiring machine, arc welder, mig welder, torches, and hand and power tools.

And at my business I have a full machine shop: (4) different metal lathes, (2) bridgeport style milling machines, (1) 5' radial drill press, (2) gear drive drill presses, (1) broaching press, (2) hydraulic presses, (1) 135-ton press brake, (1) 12' shear, (2) iron worker style punch press / clippers, plasma cutter, radiograph, dc buzz boxes, multiple mig welders, tig welder, aluminum wire feeder, metal cutting horizontal and vertical band saws, and all of the related power tools.

I am honestly not bragging, but it is frustrating to work around all of this stuff six and seven days a week, and never get to make things for your old car! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

[MCHinson]

rocketraider,

You might want to try this:

Go back to the permitting authority, ask to speak with a supervisor. Ask the supervisor how you can do what you need to do. You should be able to fix the worst half of the driveway. You can then later fix the other half. Normally, in Code Enforcement, you can repair up to 49% of anything which is is nonconforming. If you repair over 50% that is when you need to meet current setbacks and other newer codes. You should be able to do what needs to be done. The Code normally lets you fix anything that is currently allowed. The Code should allow it as it looks better to fix it up than having something in remain in bad condition.

Sometimes Code Enforcement Officers aren't familiar with the less often used parts of the Code and a Supervisor should be familiar with it or willing to look it up if you ask. It is easy to say "No", but they might have to look up the details to give you the "Yes" answer to a seldom asked question.

[Guest myfirstbuick]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Looks like a lot of floor space. What is that about 30 x 40 or so? and how thick did you pour it, looks like you used 2x6 to form with. Where are you and how much is concrete per cubic yard there. Hittin on about $90 here. Everything is higher now and probably gonna get worse. I too am needing to pour some concrete under the lean to part of my barn for to put a new compressor, my bead blaster, sand blaster, press and drill. There won't be any vehicls on it so I plan to only pour about 3 1/2 inches.</div></div>

Lamar - Nice looking garage! I also have a lean to similar to yours - and that's where I got sick and tired of doing my mechanics in the dirt. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> My area is 40 x 48 and I poured it 5 1/2 inches (to support my car lift). I went the extra expense because I didn't want to worry about any problems because I already had a solid base. I'm in the Cincinnati OH area and the concrete was $83.50 per, but I got nickle and dimed to death on the "extras" such as hot water, fuel surcharges, fiber, and calcium. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

A new air compressor is on my list too. Have you done any research? I'm leaning towards and 80 gallon 2 stage.

[CarlLaFong]

I have a 20X50 workshop. I wish it was deeper. I have all the hand tools you can think of, a 1925 Dalton combination lathe/mill/drill, grinders, buffer, 2 drill presses, 60 ton press, 2 buzz box welders, 2 oxy/acetyline setups, a MIG machine, an engine hoist, an engine stand, an old Lee end lift (for sale). This is on the "greasey end" of the shop. On the "dusty end" is my wood working equipment. That's another story.

[Jim Bollman]

Here is my shop. It is 48' wide and 30' deep with the center 24 foot being two story, with room in the rafters above that for long stuff.

I built it about 25 years ago. The only big things I would change are: Larger doors in the center bays (doable to some extent). I would put a steel I-beam down the center to eliminate two posts in the center so I would have a clear 24X30 center work area(probably doable). I would make it a foot or two taller to get higher ceilings (not doable). I haven't bought a lift yet but 9.5 foot ceilings are just a little to low for full benefit of a lift. I should have made in 36' deep so two regular cars would fit end to end (I'm thinking about an 8 foot enclosed shed out the back with cut outs to the main area).

The right side is my main shop area and is insulated and heated. I have a large overhead door between the shop area and the rest of the barn so I can move projects in an out (I collect little cars). The door is up in good weather so it is easy to move back and forth. I have a pocket door between the shop and center section so I don't have a door in the way when it is open. I also have a large trap door (4' X 6') in the floor to move large things upstairs with a front end loader. Upstairs is the parts department and general junk storage.

[Barry Wolk]

The shop I built the Phoenix in is 20' x 60' and I wish it was about 8 feet longer. That way I'd be able to leave the trailer hooked up to the tow vehicle. I'd opt for wider doors, though. I painted the ceiling and walls gloss white and painted the floor the color of dried blood. There are 5 high-bay 400-watt metal halide fixtures and the space is heated and air-conditioned by a previously unused roof-top unit.

When the 5,000 square foot building next door came up for sale I abandoned the idea of adding 2,500 square feet to my existing building. Twice the space at half the cost. You could probably get a lot of Amphicars in there, but very few Lincolns.

[Tom M]

You all are making me jealous. We added on to the back of our existing garage but it is only 16'x23' (outside wall dimension). We should have made it 7' wider. Cost was $43,000. Reason why so high the exterior is all brick.

O well at least I have some place to work on Old Bessie.

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> A new air compressor is on my list too. Have you done any research? I'm leaning towards and 80 gallon 2 stage.

</div></div>

Hey Neal,

as a matter of fact I have been researching and checking out air compressors for a couple of months and am very satisfied that I have just purchased the best compressor for the money on the market. A Kobalt 80 gal. 5 running HP from Loews for $794.00.

K7580V2

-7.5 HP Peak 5.0 HP Running

-208-230V/22A

-17.1 SCFM @90psi

-15.2SCFM @175psi

-Max Pressure 175psi

-80 gallon tank

-3 years warranty

By the time I had bought 100 ft of 3/4 and 1/2 inch black steel pipe and fittings, 125 ft of #8 wire,conduit, recepticle,plug etc it totaled $1,270 but I opened a new Loews account and got 10%(now to pay it off before the interest kicks in. I figure I got the entire set up for several hundred less than what a comparable Ingersol Ran or BelAir compressor alone would cost. It is American made and in fact I have heard that Belair or IR actually makes them. Spent the day cleaning up the shed and putting in a floor/ceiling to the lean to.

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi- I just had to jump in on this one. For years it was all about getting the car or cars, then I decided that a nice building was not only necessary, but would be SO much easier on me and the cars. Built it, insulated it, dehumidified it (in Louisiana, you had to); then moved up "north" to Virginia. Now, I am working out of a 3 car garage with 6 cars in it, and a luckily found a "project" garage across town. So, the moral of the story? Put off buying that next dream car, and put up a building or garage that is comfortable. We learn this lesson too old, and spend more time looking through the mess for tools, than the actual time spent using the tools. Not trying to be over the top about how to spend your life, but get a nice place, get it organized, and have fun working on and driving the cars. Tain't no fun to have a barn full of cars, if you can't work on them or get to them to play with them! OK, that's enough! Happy (preferably in a Pierce) motoring! David Coco </div></div>

VERY WELL PUT David!!! I have spent the last several years gathering all my old Buicks with the intention of retiring soon and just playing with them and restoring and selling a few. Well a couple of bad investments and kids in college has deemed it necessary that I put off any retirement for several years. So I have decided to make the best of it, use my existing facilities, sell whatever I can sell including some of the "too many" cars, get set up with the best tools I can afford and start working on them and enjoying them. Hell I ain't gettin any younger and before long the aches and pains would make it no fun to crawl around on a concrete floor trying to stop that d*** dynaflow from leaking all over the place.

[The Old Guy]

I went a different route than most. I have a 32X48 pole building with 12 foot side walls for storage. It has sheiving around 1 side and part of the front that goes to the ceiling with the bottom shelves 3 feet wide and the top 6 feet of shelving at 18 inches so I have a walkway to all my "stuff". It also has a mezzaine in the back that is 6 feet wide that holds all my "special" stuff (parts that are not for sale)

I work in a 20X30 building that is heated and air conditioned and has a second floor that houses my auto memorabilia ( and a pool table and a fridge for "cold ones" )

[R W Burgess]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">that houses my auto memorabilia ( and a pool table and a fridge for "cold ones" ) </span> </div></div>

Darn it Old Guy, you live too far away for me to even visit! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I like your ideas though. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[West Peterson]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> </div></div>

WOW!! Cool barn. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Bob Kinker]

I had to jump in on this thread. I had a 60 x 28 pole barn with full second deck for storage built. This is going to be my retirement get away. Here are a few pics.

[Bob Kinker]

Here is an inside pic

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

Thanks West, me, myself and I built it about a year after Rita and I built the house in 86. Most of it is salvaged from old houses and barns, old heart pine framing, tin etc. I'm a strong believer in "grabbing what I can, when I can and making my own world of it" <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Here's what's at the end of my rainbow (no computer trickery used in this photo)

[Bob Kinker]

Currently there are a 64 Fury (current project), 40 Ford (done), 67 GTX (waiting it's turn, and a 64 Imperial (another current project). I had thought that this garage would have been big enough, but I was wrong!. I guess a garage is NEVER big enough!

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Currently there are a 64 Fury (current project), 40 Ford (done), 67 GTX (waiting it's turn, and a 64 Imperial (another current project). I had thought that this garage would have been big enough, but I was wrong!. I guess a garage is NEVER big enough! </div></div>

and you don't even have the Buick yet. Time to start designing a new one.

[29 Chandler]

We are currently adding 14 x 20 feet onto the back of our original 1924 14 x 18 garage. I've added pleanty of outlets (including a 220v outlet for the lift I hope to purchase someday) and raised the rafters as high as we could go. We are adding insulation to the walls as well to make it quiter for the neighbors and warmer or cooler for us. We plan to coat the concrete floor with epoxy. Any recommendations on what product we should use? I want to paint it light grey so it still looks close to the original concrete color.

[Bill Stoneberg]

Remind me again to never buy a house with a garage under 1 set of bedrooms. I cant go up, cant go back because of the family and TV room and I have no room on the side to go sideways. 2 car garage and 5 cars just dont work.

I therefore do most of my work in my driveway or I play shuffle the cars until I get the correct on in the garage.

I am not going to move until I retire but I wish I could find a storage building that was safe to keep a car or 2. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Amphicar BUYER]

With proper planning, I can fit 3 cars AND 3 boats in a 2 car garage! (Notice the vintage forest service sign)

[SolidAxle]

Post deleted by SolidAxle

[Bhigdog]

YOU WIN! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Barry Wolk]

Yup, you win! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[R W Burgess]

Yep! Love your landscaping! Certainly not with my wife's help. Nothing lives for long around my house. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[Barry Wolk]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here's our garage. Original built in 2000, addition in 2002, out of room again.

</div></div>

Looks like you could put all the Amphicars ever made in that barn. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Shop Rat]

Beautiful. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Uh, is it a Morton building? If so, why did the put the <span style="font-weight: bold">M</span> on it upside down? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[SolidAxle]

Post deleted by SolidAxle

[Tom M]

Boy o Boy what a Garage. That one takes the cake. I need to move out to the country so I can build one like that. Nice Job. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[SolidAxle]

Post deleted by SolidAxle

[Ron Green]

You have an beautiful garage!!!! I thought mine would be big enough which is tiny compared to yours however I now have things scattered between my garage, my brothers and a rented garage. Totally agree on the cutting of the grass, etc.

Quote; "We've had the itch for an Amphicar for several years."

Watch as they can turn into a habit rather quickly. I just made a deal on another one over the weekend (see attached). Wife pretended to understand my logic on the purchase. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

[Shop Rat]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Beautiful. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Uh, is it a Morton building? If so, why did the put the <span style="font-weight: bold">M</span> on it upside down? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> </div></div>

Yup, it's a Morton building. Last name starts w/ a "W", so when Morton crew put it up I flipped it at night after they left. Next day they would go up and flip it again. It took 3 days for them to figure out that I wanted it upside down. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> </div></div>

I just had a feeling that was going to be the answer. I think it is funny it took them three days to figure it out. I can just hear the guy that put it up there, "I KNOW I put that up there right, I just know it. What the &^^#$%*@ is going on?!?!?!?" <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[kuhner]

I started building my garage earlier this year. Here are a few photos, my first try. May need resized,but not sure how to do that. It has a 3/4 bath, a floor mounted overheadlift, radiant floor heat, and a pulling eye in the floor. The doors are on it now, and the exterior just starting to be finished.

Tools, I have the usuall hand tools, a Craftsman lathe, and a model 40 Index milling machine, Lincoln buzz box, land a ittle wire feed. All this in my under house two car garage, with my beetle and my wifes car. Needless to say I needed the room.

Did most of the work myself with the help of alot of friends.

http://photos.aaca.org/showphoto.php?photo=9391

http://photos.aaca.org/showphoto.php?photo=9392

[R Walling]

A friend of mine built a house with a garage in the back lot. To be sure

that any extras that the little wife might think of from hindering the plans,

he built the garage first. The city called it a three-car garage because

it has three doors. Right now he has 13 cars in it.

[Bhigdog]

Ah yes, built into the bank. One of my garages is a "bank building". You're going to find your heating and cooling bill will be very low. Mine never gets below freezing, in PA, except right next to the doors which are uninsulated......Bob.