Garage equipment

Talk about BMW E28s and the people who own them. Use Tech Talk for tech questions and topics.
Mike W.
Posts: 27977
Joined: Feb 12, 2006
Location: California Whine Country

Re: Garage equipment

Post by Mike W. »

Cactus wrote:
Blue Shadow wrote:Already need that compressor to get that space painted. That chip board should use up some paint. Sure would be easy to spray a couple coats.
Is there a problem with rollers?
Not at all, just slow compared to a good airless. Not much faster than a cheap handheld one, but even it will get studs and odd shapes better/faster. At least 2 coats over bare wood, preferably 3. :shock: Yeah, really. I know 2 should do it, but it doesn't. The first coat will get sucked up so quick you'll almost hear it. Unless you're using the $40 a gallon paint. :laugh:
Blue Shadow
Posts: 10532
Joined: Feb 12, 2006
Location: SE PA

Re: Garage equipment

Post by Blue Shadow »

Mike W. wrote: Unless you're using the $40 a gallon paint. :laugh:
That is cheap paint, it is up to 67 for some kinds. How much better is the new high dollar paints than the old 25 buck a gallon slop?
BDKawey
Posts: 1380
Joined: Sep 15, 2011
Location: Canton, Ohio

Re: Garage equipment

Post by BDKawey »

has everyone completely forgotten about a refrigerator???
Cactus
Posts: 4991
Joined: Jun 06, 2010
Location: Dayton, OH

Re: Garage equipment

Post by Cactus »

BDKawey wrote:has everyone completely forgotten about a refrigerator???
I'm holding out on that one since I'll want to replace the kitchen fridge at some point, and that'll find its way to the garage. Ironically, the one the previous owners have in the workshop is nicer than the one they have in the kitchen. They are keeping it, though.
davintosh
Posts: 13964
Joined: Jan 28, 2009
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Contact:

Re: Garage equipment

Post by davintosh »

BDKawey wrote:has everyone completely forgotten about a refrigerator???
Ahem... From Page 1:
davintosh wrote:I'd say fridge, couch, heat, HD projector & surround sound system. And a urinal. Gotta plumb it for a urinal. ;)
Great minds think alike. ;) :up:
BDKawey
Posts: 1380
Joined: Sep 15, 2011
Location: Canton, Ohio

Re: Garage equipment

Post by BDKawey »

davintosh wrote:I'd say fridge, couch, heat, HD projector & surround sound system. And a urinal. Gotta plumb it for a urinal. ;)
had a friend with a garage that had a hole in the wall (cinder block). had a beer bong through it for pissing :rofl:
athayer187
Posts: 1644
Joined: May 10, 2006
Location: Cheshire, CT

Re: Garage equipment

Post by athayer187 »

Blue Shadow wrote:
Mike W. wrote: Unless you're using the $40 a gallon paint. :laugh:
That is cheap paint, it is up to 67 for some kinds. How much better is the new high dollar paints than the old 25 buck a gallon slop?
For a garage that you know is going to take a bunch of coats - use the cheap stuff.

For interior walls that you'd like to have one coat coverage - use the good stuff.
vinceg101
Posts: 5124
Joined: Jun 20, 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Re: Garage equipment

Post by vinceg101 »

wkohler wrote:Yeah. What Stuart said. :/
Yeah, what Chris said and what Stuart said first. Home ownership and the care of it will change your financial and hobby life in ways you cannot imagine. It's the time suck that is most often unexpected.

Anyway, lots of great and sound advice given. I am with Tammer on his list with some exceptions; this is how I would tackle it :
1. Paint and Finishing: Sounds illogical to look at this first, but since the walls and ceiling are sheathed in OSB, any new electrical and lighting will be surface mounted (unless you want to tear your walls apart). The space will be empty only once before you fill it with everything; after that it becomes a logistical nightmare. White semi-gloss or even high gloss for best reflectivity and yes: airless sprayer FTW. Forget painting the floor; I may get flamed for this one, but I haven't seen a paint or coating that holds up or isn't a total hassle to work with. Besides, I happen to think grease, oil and tire marks give a shop floor character.
Some questions about the space:
A. Is it attached to the main house? If not then you can forgo drywall as sound won't be such an issue.
B. Does it have insulation and/or a heating system? I imagine in Ohio you will still want to work on your cars in winter at some point.
C. Sound: Do yourself and your future self a huge favor and try to mitigate sound transmission inside the space. That space is an acoustically bright space with nothing but super hard surfaces. I would add a layer of Celotex panels on the ceiling and the upper 3'-4' of the walls. They do sell it painted white but you can paint the more typical tan colored versions also (more argument to use an airless sprayer). I used this in my home woodshop and it makes a huge difference with loud power tools (tablesaw and routers).

2. Power and Light paramount. You can't have enough of either. Figure out which method works best for you and how you work (benches, under cars, etc.). Space looks to have a separate sub-panel: how much power is available? Remember big equipment like the lift, compressor, etc. will want dedicated circuits and if you ever want to take up welding you will need more.

3. Compressor: Yes, that 60 gallon is a good size and should power that space well. And yes I would DEFINITELY stick it outside in its' own little house (another vote for sound mitigation). Plumbing won't be too bad given the size and shape; copper won't be too bad but still expensive. Look into these systems also: http://www.rapidairproducts.com/ for cheaper alternatives.

4. Work Surfaces: Doing my restoration over this past year has proven you can't have enough open flat work surfaces to spread out for assembly. Even though I tend pile crap on my flat surfaces (it's a disease) having some large flat areas to spread out struts, brakes, body parts, etc. has been crucial. Also having a variety of these spaces for different functions (i.e. painting & finishing, dirty tear-down, clean assembly) is important too to be able to multi-task.

5. Storage: I know you said this is a workspace, but you will still need a level of shelving if for nothing other than a place to put projects and assemblies in progress when you are not working on them. Also as mentioned, all that real estate on the upper walls would be a total waste not to utilize somehow. Even if it's just crude hanging shelving (i.e. some 2x4's and plywood), it will become invaluable.

6. Tools/Equipment: Yes on the lift. Not sure on the height of the space (photo is totally deceptive)and your preference of for either 2 or 4 post flavor. A four post gives you the option to store a vehicle up out of the way and still use the floor area to work on a car under it (depending on ceiling height). Lighting design requires some forethought as you lose your overhead lights this way. If you really want and can use the tire changer that's up to you. But unless you're changing tires monthly (maybe you do, I don't know) then it seems like mis-directed funds; seems to me that utilizing a decent local tire shop for mounting and balancing for those occasional needs financially makes more sense not to mention space allocation. I would instead direct my funds towards a four post lift with rolling jacks, big compressor fully plumbed with good pneumatic tools, parts washer, and a media blaster with cabinet.

7. Sewer & Water: Again, not sure where this space is in relation to the house and/or utilities such as hot & cold water and sewer (city or septic), but a powder room with a utility sink would be ideal. If available, plan on a structure off side or rear that can both house the toilet & sink as well as the compressor. Yeah a urinal would be handy, but honestly sometimes you need to take a crap too and the toilet can double as waste water disposal when cleaning parts. Space and fixture costs come into play as well. The utility sink is crucial: deep with goose-neck faucet and big enough to put a 5 gallon bucket into it or a part.

8. Entertainment: I would lump all that has been mentioned thus far (Audio/Visual, Computer, refrigerator, seating, etc.) as secondary. Once you get into the space and figure how you use it, then make these improvements. Heck, I have been in my hangar space for over two years and still don't have a permanent PC (I just use my laptop) and still use an ancient, crappy portable radio for music. This last one is pathetic considering I have a full audio system ready to install whenever I find the time. But it is all about prioritizing my time in the space lately as I am sure you will discover for you as well.
mescko
Posts: 224
Joined: Oct 06, 2014
Location: Oregon

Re: Garage equipment

Post by mescko »

I almost never do this as I make it a habit not to spend others' money, but as for a compressor, I would be looking to spend as much for it as for the lift. Go commercial. Every compressor I've seen in any box store uses a 3450 RPM motor, and that tells me 'over-driven pump'. A compressor is enough expense and work to install properly (small pad, enclosure, dryer/automatic drain) means you buy one that will last as long as you are going to live there, and any work you might even remotely consider (body/paint). Quincy or Ingersoll-Rand.
Cactus
Posts: 4991
Joined: Jun 06, 2010
Location: Dayton, OH

Re: Garage equipment

Post by Cactus »

mescko wrote:I almost never do this as I make it a habit not to spend others' money, but as for a compressor, I would be looking to spend as much for it as for the lift. Go commercial. Every compressor I've seen in any box store uses a 3450 RPM motor, and that tells me 'over-driven pump'. A compressor is enough expense and work to install properly (small pad, enclosure, dryer/automatic drain) means you buy one that will last as long as you are going to live there, and any work you might even remotely consider (body/paint). Quincy or Ingersoll-Rand.
We've got a couple badass compressors at work. Somewhere between 50 and 100 hp badass. Of course, a lot of our furnaces have pneumatic seals and doors, and none of them are small so we need a hell of a compressor. When you say commercial, my frame of reference is completely skewed. That's solid advice, though. I may just buy a decent 60 gallon on craigslist for cheap and whenever it proves to be too small or breaks, that's when I get a real one.
mescko
Posts: 224
Joined: Oct 06, 2014
Location: Oregon

Re: Garage equipment

Post by mescko »

For those that work in metals/heavy industry, this would be strictly hobby stuff, but it's still money. I was lucky enough score a DeVilbiss 60 gal. horizontal with a 2-stage Quincy pump at the Portland Swap Meet for $250 some years ago. The pump on it is current production and completely rebuildable. My (new) choice would be this one, my pump is identical:

http://www.ruralking.com/compressor-2-s ... l-max.html

I have seen good stuff on CL for sure, if you're quick.
rmiddendorf
Posts: 5568
Joined: Jul 11, 2010
Location: Ohio
Contact:

Re: Garage equipment

Post by rmiddendorf »

dsmith wrote:You can build a small room onto the back of the garage for the compressor and yard tools and plumb it into the garage to save space.
And you can build us a small apartment when we come to work on our cars. :)


This air compressor is rated for 50,000+ hours:
http://www.ruralking.com/compressor-2-s ... l-max.html

This Kobalt is only rated at 5000 hours:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-3-7-HP- ... or/3370356

This looks promising too:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200318461

I personally may have to settle for a Kobalt or nice used one, but that I-R looks nice.
Cactus
Posts: 4991
Joined: Jun 06, 2010
Location: Dayton, OH

Re: Garage equipment

Post by Cactus »

rmiddendorf wrote:And you can build us a small apartment when we come to work on our cars. :)
I'll have a guest room, you know.
Post Reply