The Garage/Shop/Tools Thread [Archive] - BMW E46 330 ZHP For Sale Forum

zj96sc

04-17-2012, 01:09 PM

I did a bit of searching around to see if we had a similar thread anywhere, came up empty.

I wanted to suggest that we create a dedicated Shop/Tools Talk subforum under Technical, but in the meantime I thought I'd kick off a thread to see if there's any interest.

Few of my offroad forums, Pirate4x4 in particular, have excellent shop forums that give you a place to share good workspace ideas, space saving ideas, organization ideas, wrenching tips and tricks, shop builds, etc.

On that note....I spent this past weekend finally building myself a legitimate workbench. For the past 9 months I've been doing all my work on the top of a 13 drawer tool chest and it was getting old. My vice was on the floor. Bush league.

Scooped together some designs from the internet, few of my own ideas and lessons learned, came up with the following:

height: 39"
rationale: 1" below standing elbow height (I am 5'10" for reference). Recommended by most sites as the least fatigue/back problem inducing height choice.

width: 6'
rationale: left enough space on that wall for a drill press and hydraulic press (future purchases)

depth: 28"
rationale: roughly a comfortable arm's reach to the back of the bench

3" overhang for clamping

surface is 3/4" birch plywood, held down with ~50 deckmate torx drive screws. 4x coats satin poly to cut down on oil absorption

4x4 legs, 2x4 bracing, 2x6 main structure. 2x6 laid flat under the vice.

screwed together to set square with boxes of deckmate torx drive screws and then drilled and bolted with 1/2" carriage bolts.

my brain barfed onto paper while i sat on the couch and brainstormed: (note elite math computations such as 1.5 + 3.5 = 5, etc)

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/house/IMG_0939Large.jpg

cutting:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/house/IMG_0938Large.jpg

cut:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/house/IMG_0941Large.jpg

framed, test fit top and vice:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/house/IMG_0942Large.jpg

bracing in:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/house/IMG_0943Large.jpg

carriage bolts in:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/house/IMG_0945Large.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/house/IMG_0944Large.jpg

done:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/house/IMG_0946Large.jpg

4' light installed above (I am a good lighting junkie...this marks the 5th one of these 4' lights in my 2 car garage):

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/house/IMG_0947Large.jpg

testing gloss vs satin poly:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/house/IMG_0948Large.jpg

still wet, first coat of satin:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/house/IMG_0949Large.jpg

I'm very happy with the result. I hate flimsy work surfaces so my goal was to build this one super beefy. Will be nice to have space to spread out, finally.

Next time I get a chance to visit my parents place (where all my steel lives) I'm going to cut out some sheet to skin half of the top....maybe even in 1/4" if I'm feeling aggressive. Should give me a nice hammer/gouge proof surface.

I also think I'm going to pick up a 2'x3' or 2'x4' sheet of UHMW as a moveable sacrificial surface that will be even easier to wipe clean than the poly'ed birch. Throw it on top if I'm working on something heavy/sharp/oily, leave it off if not.

My future shop projects will be to get a sub panel run to the garage off the main for a few dedicated 30amp 110s and a 220 for my welder and plasma. Once the welder is back up again, I'd like to build a smaller welding table on casters that can slide under this bench. A good welding table is tough to beat.

So - that said, feel free to share anything you've done to reorganize your space, make space, tools you've acquired, benches, shelving, tool boxes, etc.....chime in!

Paul

danewilson77

04-17-2012, 01:22 PM

Looks great. Thanks for sharing.

NOTE: This thread is for sharing workspace ideas, space saving ideas, organization ideas, wrenching tips and tricks, shop builds, etc.

kayger12

04-17-2012, 02:10 PM

I highly support the idea of this thread.

I need to do this as well.

This might just be the motivation I needed.

zj96sc

04-17-2012, 02:18 PM

If you're after something very similar i can get you the lumber list and cut list i came up with...

danewilson77

04-17-2012, 02:37 PM

I love the bench. I think I would want it maybe 2' longer.

Cool thing with wood...is you can mod it :)

kayger12

04-17-2012, 03:07 PM

If you're after something very similar i can get you the lumber list and cut list i came up with...

Yes, sir. That would be greatly appreciated.

Oli77

04-17-2012, 03:11 PM

Cool thing with wood...is you can mod it :)
Well said right there.

imola red zhp

04-17-2012, 03:17 PM

Nice thread great idea...

sent from dennis' personal electronic device

328ioc

04-17-2012, 03:33 PM

Love this idea. Especially because I'm about to move to a house with a two car garage so I definitely need ideas about how to set it up.

Like the idea of lumber and cut list as well.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

zj96sc

04-17-2012, 06:34 PM

I love the bench. I think I would want it maybe 2' longer.

Cool thing with wood...is you can mod it :)

Concur - 8' length is the bee's knees, not to mention simpler to build because that uses a whole length of plywood and 2x6s if you buy 8 footers.

I came off that door frame to the left of it in a few pics the width of a hyd press and drill press and let the workbench take up the rest of the space. I've quickly found that when packing a full set of auto tools, yard tools, and metal fab tools into a 2car, compromise is the name of the game.

Watch, the first project I use it for I'm going to sorely miss those 2'.

I'll work on a cut list and assembly guide tomorrow AM - some of the dimensions might need some words to make sense.

M3TA5IN

04-17-2012, 07:02 PM

Great thread. I also remember this from pirate4x4 and they have a great tool section on the garage journal too. I shall participate once I figure out my garage situation.

zj96sc

04-18-2012, 10:38 AM

Lumber list:
1 sheet 3/4" plywood (or top of choice...)
2 10' 2x6
4 10' 2x4
1 16' 4x4

Hardware list:

1 box 3 1/2" deckmate screws (gen assembly)
1 box 2" deckmate screws (top fastening to frame)
18 - 1/2"x6" carriage screws
3 - 1/2"x6" Hex Bolts (for my vice)
21 - 1/2" hex nuts
24 - 1/2" washers
Cut list:

Cut list:

grey - 1x 72"x28" 3/4" plywood
red-ish - 2x 2x6, 72"
green - 3x 2x6, 22"
yellow - 7x 2x4, 22"
light blue - 1x 2x4 69"
blue - 5x 4x4, 36 3/4" (sets top height to 39", vary here to raise/lower to pref)

the back diagonal on my bench i marked on the back of the bench once assembled and cut from there - a single 8 footer should get the job done (instead of the 4th 10 footer, if you're worried about it)

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/house/table.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/house/table2.jpg

Hornung418

04-18-2012, 10:46 AM

Guess I'll be frequenting this thread hopefully this summer :)

telijah

04-18-2012, 11:35 AM

Definitely saving this thread for when I finally buy my house and start dedicating the garage for shop room only.

kayger12

04-22-2012, 03:44 AM

Yep. This is definitely on the agenda for this summer.

Thanks again for the info.

Great thread.

I wish this was sent with a Galaxy S3

3ZHP

10-15-2012, 06:12 PM

This is a place to show off your ZHP House, Barn, Stable (no, not that, ponies stay stables) or whatever you call the place you store and work on your ZHP in. Garage projects, renovations and updates welcome.

One of the sites that inspired me on this was the M House, the garage to die for. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25148

So, in my relocation to Tennessee this spring I found houses with incredible garages. This is what I decided to make mine and this is the starting point the day before move in. I also intend on transposing the room above the garage into a Man Cave over time as well.

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/3ZHP%20House/ZHP_House_1.gif

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/3ZHP%20House/ZHP_House_2.gif

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/3ZHP%20House/ManCave_1.gif

3ZHP

10-15-2012, 06:17 PM

One of those assume Tennessee garages. I couldn't help myself from taking a picture of this garage next to a house in town I looked at, when looking for a new house.

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/3ZHP%20House/Manchester_5_Car.gif

BCS_ZHP

10-15-2012, 06:28 PM

If I win the lottery, I want a 6-8 car carriage house on the back line of my property and/or a 3 car/2 story garage at the top of my driveway with a 2nd floor man cave above. Someone here a couple of weeks ago shared my vision, from the top of the driveway it slopes down perfectly into the backyard to be able to drive in on a lift, lower that lift to the lower level and still park something above. Again, just dreaming, our current 2-1/2 car garage suits my needs for now.

KevinC

10-15-2012, 07:29 PM

My garage is nothing special at all, but what inhabits it is.

http://www.kcphotodump.net/Cars/BMW-330Ci/i-2VNDrwM/0/X3/IMG3192-X3.jpg

http://www.zpost.com/forums/images/smilies/worshipbmw.gif

328ioc

10-16-2012, 04:02 AM

Great thread idea. Can wait to see all of the different ideas

danewilson77

10-16-2012, 07:14 AM

Humility at its finest...

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Home%20stuff/WilsonsPlace-1.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/DSC00875.jpg

Looks a bit different now. Will provide an updated pic....

zj96sc

10-16-2012, 07:23 AM

Tried to kick start a similar topic set a few months ago:

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=?
The Garage/Shop/Tools Thread

danewilson77

10-16-2012, 08:09 AM

Merged.....

3ZHP

10-16-2012, 08:13 AM

Merged.....

Thanks

HokieZHP

10-16-2012, 08:23 AM

I love that logo on your floor Dane!

Here's my ZHP's home in NC.
6067

Crappy panorama of the inside.
6068

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

cakM3

10-16-2012, 09:02 AM

I love that logo on your floor Dane!

Here's my ZHP's home in NC.
6067

Crappy panorama of the inside.
6068

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

5 car garage :drool :drool :drool :drool

HokieZHP

10-16-2012, 09:11 AM

It's only a 4 car garage haha but it is nice to have. Plenty of space to get work done.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

cakM3

10-16-2012, 09:19 AM

sorry Chris.....I saw 5 doors and "assumed" it was a 5 car garage...still awesome! :thumbsup

HokieZHP

10-16-2012, 10:12 AM

Thanks! The last "door" is a double walk in door.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

3ZHP

10-27-2012, 05:59 PM

The current state of my ZHP House with all my stuff moved in.

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/3ZHP%20House/07_ZHP_House.gif

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/3ZHP%20House/09_ZHP_House.gif

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/3ZHP%20House/14_ZHP_House.gif

danewilson77

10-27-2012, 06:05 PM

Looks great.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

JupiterBMW

10-27-2012, 06:08 PM

Geez, I wish this thread existed when I renovated my garage! I have to admit, having a nice space to work on the car really makes everything better. If anyone needs any help with garage ideas, let me know. My 'workbench' idea still amazes all that see it, given how sturdy and convenient it is, yet how inexpensive and easy to put it together.

WOLFN8TR

10-27-2012, 09:36 PM

I love that logo on your floor Dane!

Here's my ZHP's home in NC.
6067

Crappy panorama of the inside.
6068

I'm officially jealous of your garage.

zj96sc

11-15-2012, 07:25 PM

So while working on the truck last weekend my favorite ratchet started acting up, reversing direction uncommanded, etc. I'd worn out my original craftsman and a husky pro in the course of about 10 years and sprung for the higher end craftsman at that point to try to get something with a little more longevity. This one made it about 4 years of pretty regular DIY mechanic kind of use.

I disassembled to investigate and in the process zinged one of the little springs across the garage into nevertobefoundagain land.

I could of course have just swapped at the local sears but mine was a USA built one which I'm pretty sure is NLA, I started doing some googling and as it turns out the rebuild kits for craftsman ratchets are not impossible to get your hands on. Some googling of my model number led me to this link:

http://community.craftsman.com/Ratchets--223/topics/Repair-Kit-to-Ratchet-Listing/posts

So for my 44995 I needed a 43438. I called sears and asked if they'd sell me the kits. "no, we don't sell those." "well how do you rebuild them?" "we order teh kits and rebuild the ratchets." "so can you give me the kit?" "no, we don't sell them"

Ebayed it, found a guy in SC selling them for $8 a pop, free shipping. 2 left in stock. done and done, both of them in my hands a few days later.

original disassembled:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_9Jto6sbBWE/UKWuYoBpbzI/AAAAAAAAEnw/LSEpYpygBtA/s900/IMG_20121115_181918.jpg

rebuild kit #43438 for ratchet model 44995:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2Bh79edwGyE/UKV7lsKppoI/AAAAAAAAEnQ/tPkr-8-ELrY/s900/IMG_20121115_181943.jpg

old guts alongside new guts (note the refurbished sticker for the sears folks to tag it with):

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GxaZiE3VDyI/UKWuapuiHyI/AAAAAAAAEn4/HnSxf6tqVUM/s900/IMG_20121115_182149.jpg

guts assembled and piled back in:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OnE8q-TQMQw/UKWuWLbQUaI/AAAAAAAAEno/p5tlPf8ESoo/s900/IMG_20121115_182701.jpg

snapringed back together:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PxSijxjmw_Q/UKWuc3Kr_hI/AAAAAAAAEoE/QfSu07NLZCA/s855/IMG_20121115_183039.jpg

So, I get the USA handle with undoubtedly china guts, but better than a china handle with china guts. All for $8, with another $8 ready the next time she wears out. Should hold me for a decade or two hopefully.

danewilson77

11-15-2012, 07:33 PM

zj, you have won me over.

I am now a fanboy.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

ryankokesh

11-15-2012, 07:51 PM

What type of fanboy did you become? :scratchinghead

zj96sc

11-15-2012, 07:51 PM

zj, you have won me over.

I am now a fanboy.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

Hah, glad to hear it Dane. I try to bring the DIY.

-Paul

JupiterBMW

11-15-2012, 11:49 PM

Good stuff... Repairing and taking care of tools is always a smart move. We have more than regular tool inspections at my work, and it's a great safety practice... I try to take this practice home with me because broken or damaged tools can really be unsafe to use.

Still sad to hear that Craftsman is going Chinese for even their hand tools. Craftsman is perhaps one of the most American brand names in the world...

Sent from my hybrid iPhone 4/4S... :shifty

WOLFN8TR

11-16-2012, 02:45 PM

Are you kidding? Man and I'm a big Craftsman guy. Dam it!

JupiterBMW

11-16-2012, 03:24 PM

Well, speaking of tools and Craftsman... I started pulling my brakes off today and realized that I needed a few things, namely a set of flare nut wrenches, and a good drop light. So, I picked them up, along with a couple other things...

The total haul was a set of flare nut wrenches, some wire brushes, a drop light, and a couple sockets; 16mm (3/8" and 1/2" drive).

zj96sc

11-18-2012, 07:57 AM

Thread worth reading:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2445740

danewilson77

11-18-2012, 08:43 AM

Thread worth reading:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2445740

Read all 5 pages. Thanks for sharing. Are you sixspeed?

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

JupiterBMW

11-19-2012, 03:14 AM

Read it all too. Interesting and very informative. I noticed that the flare nut wrenches I bought didn't feel like the old school Craftsman, but I didn't think much of it. Now I'll go hunt down the packaging and see what it says.

Sent from my hybrid iPhone 4/4S... :shifty

zj96sc

11-19-2012, 06:15 AM

Read all 5 pages. Thanks for sharing. Are you sixspeed?

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

Negative. Pure lurker on bitog.

I'd like to swing by a sears when I can and see whats to see.

zj96sc

01-04-2013, 04:00 PM

I needed a welding table.

.....so I built one.

all 2"x2" square tubing, top is two layers 1/4" sheet. All reclaimed from my scraps pile so total cost right now is $0.00.

My dad claimed my old chop saw so the inlaws gave me this dewalt for christmas (jackpot..):

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-w52ZbEni4BE/UOY6vbq4RAI/AAAAAAAAE4g/AHNSkfhjhVw/s1302/IMG_20130103_180508.jpg

forming one end:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8bQkV5mjfFc/UOdpRiuPCFI/AAAAAAAAE48/pYK5G3wJm3Y/s1302/IMG_20130104_143350.jpg

progress:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rQwskqSXHYk/UOdpTtC1zSI/AAAAAAAAE5E/Rnvxr_oMY1U/s1302/IMG_20130104_145608.jpg

cutting the brace 45*s on my trusty harbor freight bandsaw:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-F_H5Bk6cOkw/UOdpWIXpH8I/AAAAAAAAE5M/433mN1y1mn4/s1302/IMG_20130104_151620.jpg

fit check:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H3zbM_TvvdE/UOdqNIh0QWI/AAAAAAAAE50/dig6H4rChv4/s1140/IMG_1163.JPG

first layer of the top:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PR6UzUxo8fY/UOdqNbhdFvI/AAAAAAAAE54/CiLsY1sJtmc/s1140/IMG_1164.JPG

2nd layer on, wirewheeling the rust off. note the particles in the air. blech.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DR4wSmyPcg0/UOdqOJdmuBI/AAAAAAAAE6I/XOq-EV3AU20/s1140/IMG_1166.JPG

all done:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FEfRg3qf6kM/UOdqOkkMt2I/AAAAAAAAE6Q/JOJIHkqT37U/s1140/IMG_1168.JPG

annnd now I can't move it. I will be putting it on casters - undecided if I will caster all 4 legs or caster 2 such that the other end has to be picked up with a jack to engage the casters and the table could then be moved.

danewilson77

01-04-2013, 04:24 PM

4 locking casters. That came out sweet mang.

johnrando

01-04-2013, 04:51 PM

4 locking casters. That came out sweet mang.

+1!

JupiterBMW

01-04-2013, 06:12 PM

Very well done. Looks very nice... I personally would get some primer and paint on the legs ASAP though or they will rust. I wish I had some more garage space so that I could set up a welding bench... When I get my 3 car garage, I will haz one. :biggrin

zj96sc

01-05-2013, 04:34 PM

Thanks! Not worried about any rust that's going to form in the garage. Light coat of WD40 and it won't be going anywhere. All of that steel still has mill scale and flash rusted years ago and got wirewheeled - don't think it'll be doing much of anything. I guess it couldn't hurt to shoot some krylon on the welds.

4x locking swivel casters - table glides around now. because they're all swivel casters it still wiggles a little when locked, but for the purposes of this table I think this is a good solution:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XbnjXc4SRBc/UOjE7rYoIaI/AAAAAAAAE8c/0IjYgkXEZ2k/s1137/IMG_1169.JPG

gound lug:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JE85YxzxA9M/UOjE734NX5I/AAAAAAAAE8k/nQbLlymL3KM/s1137/IMG_1170.JPG

torch holder:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wmkSRSfWOow/UOjE7w49LZI/AAAAAAAAE8o/sOq6ixpMTGc/s1137/IMG_1172.JPG

trying to find my stride (you could argue i should've done this before building the table, but whatevs...) :

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QWC_M0eppZE/UOjE8mTWIJI/AAAAAAAAE80/J2iQ8uEezdY/s1137/IMG_1174.JPG

still shaking off the cobwebs...been a good 2 years since i've laid any beads:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-09oUAC-UyBY/UOjE9wU_XDI/AAAAAAAAE88/riTMANfV7Kk/s1137/IMG_1175.JPG

in its new home (built the smaller braces the way i did so it would fit over the compressor) :

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kG94KLVjCVo/UOjE-OCXJ3I/AAAAAAAAE9E/fJY1gz1cghM/s1137/IMG_1177.JPG

danewilson77

01-05-2013, 06:30 PM

Sockethead

01-05-2013, 08:02 PM

Those welds look good... I tell people, once you learm MIG, it's like using a glue gun :thumbsup

zj96sc

01-05-2013, 10:50 PM

Awesomeness. If you do stick welding, you could put a holder for your rod somewhere as well as your chippin hammer and wire brush. Maybe a hanger for your helmet, gloves/jacket/sleeves.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

I'm 100% mig...but good call. some hangers for my grinder and cut off wheels flap wheels grinder wheels wire cups etc are on the list. I thought about doing it tonight but I've slowly learned to just use stuff for a while and then make those decisions as I almost always find myself wishing I had done it/located it/whatevered it differently.

I also am debating a tray on the side to hold my chop saw with the work surface of the saw and table aligned.

Those welds look good... I tell people, once you learm MIG, it's like using a glue gun :thumbsup

Pretty funny, because my original caption for the second weld photo was "its like a glue gun for metal"

Its one of those things that has a crazy learning curve. Once you know how to do it it seems like the simplest thing in the world. I'm purely self taught and I still laugh about the first tries.

I'll be taking a shot at some step bars for the truck as well as some end tables for the house so I'll keep the pictures flowing.

Sockethead

01-06-2013, 12:03 PM

Pretty funny, because my original caption for the second weld photo was "its like a glue gun for metal"

Its one of those things that has a crazy learning curve. Once you know how to do it it seems like the simplest thing in the world. I'm purely self taught and I still laugh about the first tries.
I'll be taking a shot at some step bars for the truck as well as some end tables for the house so I'll keep the pictures flowing.

Yea I'm self taught too... we used to call those crappy welds bird dew because with all of the spatter, thats what they looked like LOL
I started stick welding back in the late 70's then switched to MIG for body work in the 80's. Now I do everything MIG. I have a 30 yr old ESAB

wsmeyer

03-09-2013, 08:19 PM

Now that I have a double wide tool chest I can get all my drivers out of boxes and organized in drawers. I hate not having the right size and I love WIHA tools so I've got pretty much every size flat, philips, torx, and hex I could ever need lol 7443

johnrando

03-10-2013, 08:23 AM

Sweet.

Imola.ZHP

03-10-2013, 11:44 AM

Sweet thread, I need to get in on this...

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/481303_4255895403249_2138763758_n.jpg

My garage back in 2006, this was the morning after purchasing the ZHP... That house is gone now, I've been through a few others, but haven't accomplished much... I built the shelves pictured, the top went all the way accross, the second stropped at a peg-board with a bench underneath it. It was a pretty sweet setup...

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/248544_1752467259110_1807890_n.jpg

This is the house I bought almost two years ago, this was taken right after closing. I haven't done much to it yet, finally bought a nice toolbox and a shelving unit. Both of them are in that nook you see in front of the car. I have also preliminarily started a shelving unit around the top of the garage (similar to the one pictured in 2006, but down both sides of the garage) right now there is just garden tools hanging from it (see second pic below)...

I'm planning to change out a window for a door in my dining room so that I can enclose my back porch (very small) and include it in the garage, I'm about to get a (used) stainless steel garage fridge and I hope that it and my toolbox can fit in this new proposed space. The nook you see in front of the car will be taken over by a small closet and bathroom expansion planned later on down the road...

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/294943_3266732474794_1734072153_n.jpg

I have a spare LCD TV and a TV mount, but I haven't decided where to put it yet, this picture was taken as I was working on adding flooring above the garage to store some of my crap... I need to purge...

I also hope to epoxy the floor one day. I go back and forth between epoxy with color flakes, or trying to power wash the oil stains out of the floor and doing a concrete stain and seal...

sillieidiot

03-24-2013, 03:58 PM

damn i wish i had a garage. i can only work on my cars when it's not raining, and not too cold lol i do have something i haven't seen in any of your garages. best tool ever lol

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/sillieidiot/diy%20stuff/12070004_zps5719099d.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/sillieidiot/diy%20stuff/12070005_zps87aee4b7.jpg

Oli77

03-24-2013, 04:26 PM

^ You dawg, that is the sheet right there.

Imola.ZHP

05-15-2013, 09:50 PM

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/599396_4891477052393_332659151_n.jpg

Sold my mower (yard care is included in my HOA!), moved more junk to the attic, hung a few more license plates. I just need to work on clearing that shelving unit to get my already purchased garage fridge in there.

I'll probably pull the plates, fill the holes, paint and start fresh after mounting a spare TV I have on that wall. I'll coat the floor after I get my diff fixed (left side fluid leak, I back into the garage) and get rid of my roomie that has a leaking Toyota Camry (right side oil leak). Thinking about something like this.

http://www.bargaingaragefloors.com/images/floor-samples/garage-floor-coating-saddle-tan-chips.jpg

danewilson77

05-16-2013, 04:20 AM

That's going to look awesome.

Tnhl1989

05-16-2013, 05:28 AM

Imola.ZHP

05-16-2013, 05:47 AM

^ He's probably in So Cal where it rarely rains...

WOLFN8TR

05-16-2013, 11:20 AM

Wow that's sweet! Must be nice.

yura

05-16-2013, 01:52 PM

You guys have some fantastic places/garages. Here in Vancouver I'd kill to have a house with a two-car garage! In 4-5 years when I'm ready to buy a house, I'll likely have to move into the boonies just to have a two-car garage and a backyard! :(

3ZHP

08-19-2013, 06:38 PM

Been driving by this place (Northern Tool + Equipment) for over a year and finally stopped to check it out. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing but, chances are I'll be be back and could drop some serous cash. It may even be habit forming.

This is just the automotive page::) http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_auto-repair

justinco

08-26-2013, 09:14 AM

Ahh I love garages! Mine is still a work in progress. I always start with sealing the floor with epoxyshield. My current house has a partially finished garage (weird) so I also painted it where I would be putting my shelves and cabinets. I bought a cabinet set from a guy on craigslist for like $100 dollars. I then added a bunch of shelves to the tall cabinets and then framed on a work bench onto the dressers, came out awesome. Here is a picture before I got the lighting and some other things in, need to get some current pics with the ZHP in there :)

Next house will have at least a 3 car garage :)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wEdwQZnPzq4/UKsKoGxVYSI/AAAAAAABFHI/N-ejft7Ks0Q/w830-h468-no/IMAG0602.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NLeURJsXYGU/UKsKQWY9H6I/AAAAAAABFHI/k9rAGoahfko/w830-h468-no/IMAG0586.jpg

Imola.ZHP

08-26-2013, 10:29 AM

^ nice work! I might check the CL for some cabinets myself, I had planned to build some shelving, but shoot some cabinets would be better, hide everything and keep stuff from getting as dirty/dusty.

justinco

08-26-2013, 11:00 AM

^ nice work! I might check the CL for some cabinets myself, I had planned to build some shelving, but shoot some cabinets would be better, hide everything and keep stuff from getting as dirty/dusty.

Thanks, the cabinets work great. I like everything to be out of site and clean looking. Doesn't always work that way though...with kids bikes, toys, and things migrating into the garage all the time, hah.

Daddyoh

08-27-2013, 06:22 AM

I love this thread...
I just gotta get all the crap (lawncare, etc.) outta my garage.
I guess I'll have to break down and get a shed....

midlandtech

08-27-2013, 08:34 AM

Just finished getting the garage a little cleaner since the move. Got a ways to go yet.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 2

justinco

08-27-2013, 09:09 AM

I see lots of potential there! You should have sealed the floor before moving everything in though :)

midlandtech

08-27-2013, 09:18 AM

I would have but I'm limited in what I do because it's a rental

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 2

3ZHP

08-27-2013, 05:45 PM

Made some shelves in the work shop over the weekend. I now have 96 square feet of storage contained to 16 square foot of floor space.

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/Tennessee/Fire%20Lake%20Propeerty%20Line/ManCave6of5.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/Tennessee/Fire%20Lake%20Propeerty%20Line/ManCave6of5.jpg.html)

Wow, I can see and use the floor.

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/Tennessee/Fire%20Lake%20Propeerty%20Line/ManCave2of3.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/Tennessee/Fire%20Lake%20Propeerty%20Line/ManCave2of3.jpg.html)

danewilson77

08-27-2013, 05:56 PM

Now that your boy has that shop he built... Time for you to man up in your own :)

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4

3ZHP

08-27-2013, 06:08 PM

Now that your boy has that shop he built... Time for you to man up in your own :)

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4

He's still a single man, I say no more.

danewilson77

08-27-2013, 06:13 PM

He's still a single man, I say no more.

Hehe.... Totally understand.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4

danewilson77

03-09-2014, 05:13 PM

Bump.

I got the ZHP a new sign today, while I filled her up with windshield wiper fluid.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/20140309_175817.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/20140309_175817.jpg.html)

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/20140309_175947.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/20140309_175947.jpg.html)

Avetiso

03-09-2014, 05:17 PM

Truth right there, Dane.

slater

03-09-2014, 06:22 PM

that's awesome. i gotta get me one o' those... i have 6 years til my daughter is driving though - i can wait. :)

peter

QC_ZHP

03-09-2014, 07:13 PM

Haha, my dad would get a kick out of that.

danewilson77

03-09-2014, 07:15 PM

that's awesome. i gotta get me one o' those... i have 6 years til my daughter is driving though - i can wait. :)

peter

Let me know if you guys want one. I've never seen them before. $23.95.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

johnrando

03-11-2014, 06:30 AM

That's pretty awesome. What's it made of?

danewilson77

03-11-2014, 06:43 AM

Made of Aluminum (Tin?)

TeMercZHP

09-03-2014, 09:16 AM

Hi gang-

Here are some pix of my garage as it is now, flooring coming end of year.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/TeMerc/My%20BMW/20140903_085702.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/TeMerc/media/My%20BMW/20140903_085702.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/TeMerc/My%20Garage/20140903_090605.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/TeMerc/media/My%20Garage/20140903_090605.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/TeMerc/My%20Garage/20140903_090554.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/TeMerc/media/My%20Garage/20140903_090554.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/TeMerc/My%20Garage/20140903_090538.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/TeMerc/media/My%20Garage/20140903_090538.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/TeMerc/Mobile%20Uploads/20140727_131741.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/TeMerc/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140727_131741.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/TeMerc/20130704_120606.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/TeMerc/media/20130704_120606.jpg.html)

slater

09-03-2014, 10:17 AM

nice and tidy! that's the antithesis of my garage at the moment. shuffling some things around right now and soon the garage will be a much more organized and functional spot.

this guy's garage is my goal - i have the same amount to space to work with (read: small! 20x20), but i think i can make it work.

http://www.12gaugegarage.com

peter

johnrando

09-03-2014, 10:25 AM

Very nice temerc. Still have that Chevelle? Pics? Slater, that 12-gauge garage is cool, thanks for posting.

3ZHP

09-03-2014, 01:56 PM

I'll stick this here to give you guys some ideas for making the ultimate garage. :coolpic

http://www.luxury4play.com/automotive/36568-worlds-most-beautiful-garages-exotics-insane-garage-picture-thread-50-pics.html

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

TeMercZHP

09-03-2014, 02:04 PM

Very nice temerc. Still have that Chevelle? Pics?

Had to sell the Chevelle after being unemployed for extended time after wife was in wreck and had extended recovery time.

Car was restified with GM crate motor, ZZ3, aluminum heads\pistons, roller cam, Holley, headers with Flowmasters. Had power seats\windows\locks\brakes\steering, A\C.

Full Hotchkiss suspension with gas shocks, lowered rolling on P-Zeros on chrome Momo Arrows.

Miss that car more than anything, would have gone to my son eventually.

Some pix:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/TeMerc/Mobile%20Uploads/My%20Chevelle%203.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/TeMerc/media/Mobile%20Uploads/My%20Chevelle%203.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/TeMerc/Mobile%20Uploads/Chevelle%20II%202.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/TeMerc/media/Mobile%20Uploads/Chevelle%20II%202.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/TeMerc/Mobile%20Uploads/My%20Chevelle%204.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/TeMerc/media/Mobile%20Uploads/My%20Chevelle%204.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/TeMerc/Mobile%20Uploads/My%20Chevelle%201.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/TeMerc/media/Mobile%20Uploads/My%20Chevelle%201.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/TeMerc/Mobile%20Uploads/My%20Chevelle%202.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/TeMerc/media/Mobile%20Uploads/My%20Chevelle%202.jpg.html)

johnrando

09-03-2014, 04:12 PM

Beauty! Thx for the pics. Sorry you had to let that go and for those circumstances.

TeMercZHP

09-03-2014, 05:22 PM

Whoops...did some cleaning up on my Photbucket account and lost some of the images, so I fixed them.

94jedi

09-15-2014, 10:18 AM

Drooling over some of these garages...you guys don't want to see mine. It's a MESS!!!

3ZHP

10-11-2014, 04:35 PM

I finally made a long needed change in my garage tonight.

This

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/10/11/941777093de4f6e674c946c8c88518a8.jpg

To This!

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/10/11/06a9f4ba035548d7153888ceaa3d6b75.jpg

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

tkundhi

10-11-2014, 04:45 PM

I finally made a long needed change in my garage tonight.

Nice!

fredo

10-11-2014, 05:20 PM

Looks sharp !

wsmeyer

10-11-2014, 05:24 PM

Nice!

I've got the same one, going to de-badge it one of these days lol

3ZHP

10-11-2014, 05:56 PM

Nice!

I've got the same one, going to de-badge it one of these days lol

Can't beet the deal, I was amazed at the review rating at the great price.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

3ZHP

10-11-2014, 06:23 PM

I knew it was time, last week when I was doing my cooling system. I pulled a tool out of the top box and the caster rotated and went to a negative position almost resulting in the box tipping over onto the ZHP. My heart was in my hands as I kicked the caster back into a supporting position.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

wsmeyer

10-12-2014, 03:00 PM

johnrando

10-13-2014, 06:06 AM

That looks familiar Willliam. :) Nice pick up Guy.

3ZHP

11-04-2014, 04:29 PM

I finally move out the old tool box today. My intention was to scrap it so, I stopped at pull-a-part on the way home this morning. I asked the guy if I could get more than the pound money for it and showed him a picture of it. We exchange the pick with our phones and he forwards it off to his brother that may be interested. We just finished up the deal and all I had to do was help him load it on to his truck at my house.

$40 bucks in my pocket without doing much of anything.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

danewilson77

11-04-2014, 05:40 PM

Win Guy. Nice.

"No flamesuit required"

johnrando

11-04-2014, 07:33 PM

Uh, that would be WIN Guy. Nice. :)

3ZHP

11-04-2014, 07:54 PM

Yeh, it worked out very well for both of us and I even had help loading into his truck. It would have su...d loading it in mine by myself.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Imola.ZHP

11-05-2014, 07:06 AM

I wish I could get back to working on my garage, I did recently hang some cabinets and do some re-arranging, but its still a hot mess. It will have to wait until spring now probably.

slater

11-05-2014, 07:22 AM

i have been fortunate that a recent decision to move my home office into a 6'x8' insulated room in my garage, means spending time building the new office and overhauling my old 20x20 garage - which i've been wanting to do since the day we moved in (almost 4 years now).

i'll post pics soon, when it's presentable... but at the moment at least i now have 5 x twin-T8 light fixtures (soon to be on a motion sensor), more power outlets (7 in total, had two before), about 2.5' more headroom and much more floor space. working on sheathing the walls now and then i can commence building my office. looking forward to moving out there and enjoying the quiet!!

i also need more tool storage, will likely build something as i'm too cheap to buy a giant metal storage cabinet. also, i may replace the 9' wide garage door with an 11' wide unit!

peter

Imola.ZHP

11-05-2014, 02:29 PM

i'll post pics soon, when it's presentable...

peter

We don't mind "in progress" pictures, or I don't at least! Sounds like a great project!

My house was built in '98 and although the walls and ceiling are sheet-rocked already, they are not insulated which really pisses me off. I'll probably do the DIY blow-in method. My house was a foreclosure that was in the middle of a flip when I made the offer, the guys scraped and smoothed all the ceilings in the house except for the garage and oddly the owners-bedroom closet. So I need to do that also, but a large crack has formed in the sheetrock since putting plywood up in the attic and all of my junk. I'm guessing the structure isn't quite what it needs to be for the amount of overhead storage I have and need. I also did not insulate the ceiling before laying the plywood, so that all needs to come up, be re-inforced, insulated and put back down before scraping, smoothing and repairing the crack in the ceiling. I really want to lay tile in the garage for a more finished look, but we'll see, it would be one of the last projects and will depend on committing to the house for an additional set number of years. I'll love and appreciate the floor but it probably will be an over-improvement to the house and ROI will just not be there. I wouldn't want to do it and then sell it a year later, although deep down I'm pretty sure this house will be kept forever, as a rental once we move on or move up.

Anyhow, snap some in progress pictures and have fun with it!

3ZHP

12-31-2014, 12:25 PM

Just throwing this out there. Dannmar car lifts

I received a new catalog from Northern Tool the other day and found a wide selection of Dannmar Car lifts from $2000.00 to $4300.00 with free shipping on most all.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_dannmar?

LivesNearCostco

03-02-2015, 05:53 PM

I decided time to get some stubby hex sockets (allen sockets) for brakes (7mm) and differential/transmission drain and fill plugs (8mm, 14mm, and/or 17mm, depending on year and model). I'd used my regular Harbor Freight hex sockets for the ZHP and the E36 transmission takes a regular socket for the drain/fill plugs. But my HF sockets were too long to use on the E36 diff, especially the fill plug which is up by the spare tire well. You can fit the socket in there but not the ratchet.

Removing rear caliper pins is somewhat inconvenient on E46 and very difficult on E36 because the rear shocks get in the way, more so on the E36.

When I rented a lift the shop owner took a 14mm socket (probably also from HF) and punched out the center 14mm hex part, which I could then insert in the drain/fill plugs and turn with a 14mm box wrench. Another solution is put a 14pmm box or 8mm box around the business end of the 14mm/7mm socket and use that to turn it, but then you can't insert it fully into the drain plug. And an 8mm box wrench is too short to give much leverage on the caliper pins.

So I ordered a set off eBay for $18.50 + tax (free shipping) that includes 8mm, 14mm, 17mm, and a few other sizes but unfortunately not 7mm. Of course as soon as I paid for it, O'Reilly Auto Parts sends me a sales flyer that has a nice set of shubby hex sockets on sale for $15 (normally $17). It includes the 7mm needed for brake caliper pins. Oh well, buyer's remorse.

What do y'all do for differential fill plug and rear brake caliper pins?

Just_George

07-06-2015, 01:48 PM

Imola.ZHP

07-07-2015, 03:35 AM

Need to get pics, but I've made a lot of progress lately trying to get my garage cleaned out and turned into a 'service bay' kind of setup for the cars (while still being able to get both cars inside!) Got the lift installed and operational 2 weeks ago. Yesterday, I welded up another wall-mounted tire rack, so I now have all 12 (don't ask...) extra wheel/tires off the floor and out of the way. Almost there, just a little misc. clutter left to either dispose of or find a home for and I'll be set! Pics to come - should have done it an hour ago when I had both cars pulled out, but didn't think about it. :facepalm

:like

I just finished a summer class yesterday, unfortunately this spring a shower valve in the guest shower went bad, lucky caught before any damage was done to the hardwoods. But still, also had the plumbers move up the shower heads in both baths a foot, requiring additional sheetrock work. Hopefully I'll have these patches painted and done this week and can get back to the garage next week. I did some purging recently of junk, I have a few patches in the garage that need to be painted too, ugh, the joys of home ownership, it never ends! Spent $5k on sprinkler system, oversized gutters and two pallets of Zoysia sod in the past 3 months. Garage has fallen back on the back-burner again. I still dream of pulling into it all clean and clutter free with nice tile on the floor.

sillieidiot

07-07-2015, 12:03 PM