Workshop build-updates
 

I know, this thread is worthless without pictures...but they are coming. The problem is that right now a picture would not do much good because the shop looks like a disaster area. However, we are making steady progress.

The Goal:
To have a dedicated well thought out workshop customized to function as a project center for my hobbies.

The raw materials:

A 25x35 detached two car garage workshop with full bath plumbing, cable, phone, a/c.

The Plan:

Keeping it on the cheap, using pre-made counter tops (formica tops), 2x4 lumber, and dry wall to create space that is organized and simple for dedicated tool box, storage, equipment, and workspace. This includes a bump out from the bathroom wall that forms a 4' wide desk top surface for a clean "paper work" work space. At a later date a computer will go there tied to the net.

Progress to date:

* Bathroom completed
* raw stud wall framing and workbench building completed
* Drywall hung

To do:

Re-route some wiring
Finish the drywall
install shop side deep sink
install shelving units
paint


Things it won't have due to space/construction:

Can't have a lift due to ceiling height issues.
Can't have a dedicated spray booth area due to sq ft issues


Later Plans when I have $$$ to spend:
Largest screen possible tv
Custom shop flooring
MORE TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT!

Timeline:

I am taking the week off after Christmas to wrap up as much as possible. I hope to be fully functional by mid January.

Stay tuned, because once all these details are sorted out I am going to roll up my sleeves and put my 69 Vette under the knife for a while..........

Sounds way cool. It's good you can do all this yourself and save a little $. Under the knife huh, doing a little fiberglass surgery 90210 style?

Can't wait to see some pics! :thumbsup:

All the rough drywall pieces are up. I started putting the drywall mud on last night. That process is going to go through the weekend. I have no fewer than 14 different corner edges to bead in, mud, sand, and slick smooth. This does not count the inside edges as well and where the drywall meets the ceiling.

But...progress is progress............

The cool thing is my dad taught me a really cool drywall trick years ago. Instead of sanding the mud all the time and making a HUGE mess, he showed me how to wet sponge it smooth. Believe it or not once you knock down the excessive high spots, ridges, etc. you can dip a course sponge in water, wring it out, then gently slide it up and down on the surface until it melts the drywall compound smooth and re-flows it into the low spots. You have to be very careful not to get the paper part of the drywall too wet.

Want to see some pics when you get a chance. Thanks for the drywall tip also. :thumbsup:

Just wondering how the progress is going?

Scott

Glad you asked. After dropping my wife and son off at the airport this morning (got up a 3:00 a.m. :eek: ) I rolled back home to keep making progress.

All the drywall is up and smoothed in. The shop side deepsink is set and working including a new water heater. I am having to play musical chairs with my equipment to get just enough room to slip in an do the counter top/wall work.

I am painting the modified walls a coffee & creme color light brown/tan (semi-gloss). This should resist handprints and still be bright.

I start with the coffee color on Wed morning and HOPE to be able to roll the tool boxes and some equipment into place by late afternoon. I have to build one more workbench. This last one is the rough duty bench that holds the vice and will be for grinding, pounding, drilling, and spray bomb painting parts, etc.

I feel I am a bit behind schedule but may still have everything in place by the weekend so I can start sorting tools, etc.

My wife got me a really cool framed piece of art to put up once I have it ready to rock.

Oh...and my wife took the camera with her to Ohio! So, no pictures until next week. That's okay though because I should have something cool to show by then anyhow.

I am considering a full write up with pics outlining what I have done to share some of my ideas and help other guys get the most out of their workspace using common supplies from Home Depot, etc.

I did score an excellent deal on some bi-fold doors ($10 each) from a scratch an dent store. I then framed around an existing shelving unit (10' long and to the ceiling) and turned it into a closet. Now my cans and jars of stuff are no longer out in the open giving the garage a killer clean look in that corner.

1/1/06 - update.

My wife returns from Ohio on 1/3. I have just two days left to wrap it up.

As of now the walls and ceiling are painted, cabinet doors finished, and ALL of the boxes have now been opened and stored. The attic is a wreck, but I can deal with that later.

I am down to hooking up a couple of new electric lines, re-routing the cable and phone, and sorting my tool boxes out including hanging up the most common used wrenches, etc.

On a down note, I shattered the back window out of my 04 Silverado today while loading scrape wood in it to be hauled to the dump. Now there is a pound of broken glass on the driveway!

The good news is the Corvette is finally back in the shop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like the perfect excuse to get a power slider for the rear window. Gotta make something good outta the bad, dude!!!

Bob