My shop shop sucks but I am improving it somewhat

[Olds 307 and 403]

For some reason a person built the tiny 12 x 24 foot garage in a hole during a time when cars were huge. I finally got a truck load of junk to the dump that I accumulated. I have some fairly good tools and now have all the tools boxes on the driver's side. It isn't insulated but does have siding on it. The power to it is one lousy breaker from the house. It had a 7 by 8 foot flip up door, complete garbage, let a ton of air by and didn't even completely close. The lighting is lousy, so I bought a 7 by 9 foot roll up door with windows and a R16.9 insulation value which I am taking right to the passenger wall. It will make it massively easier to get in and out, basically just have to watch the driver's side when bringing a car in. The old flip up tracks made the opening about 7 feet, so an extra foot plus will be huge. I also need to fix huge cracks in the cement, then again it drains all the water that collects in the spring, which turns into ice, anything but 4 wheel drive is a nightmare to pull out of the garage in the winter or spring, I nearly did damage on the old tracks a few times. I will post pics when I am done.

 

[Extreme Supreme]

Just do a little bit at a time and it will be just how you want it before you know. My garage was set up the same with only one breaker and two outlets. Now I have CNC machines and a furnace and a ton of outlets.

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

A separate power box with 200 amp service would be ideal but that is a ways away. I got the opening widened and the treated 4 x 6's cut for the main support posts. I also bought 2 more 12' 2x4's to help support the tracks.

 

[Matt69olds]

Sigh. This sounds so familiar. I had a extra deep 2 1/2 car detached garage at my old house. When we moved into this house with a 2 car attached garage I said one of the first things I needed to do was build a garage. 10 years later, I’m still waiting. This past summer I decided I had waited long enough, and decided to get serious about building one. When I looked into the permits, I found out the county had a large drain running thru my backyard. To build anything bigger than what I basically have now would require moving my shed, pool, and taking up most of my backyard. Forget it. I have decided to get the kids out of school, and seriously downsize living space, but seriously upsize the garage space.

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

I too considered building one on site. I am betting they wouldn't allow me to go far enough into the alley and permits etc. Plus about 50 grand with 12 foot high ceilings and in floor heat. A door and sealing the huge cracks on the floor it is. I can cut down a tree in front gravel driveway to access the cement pad in the front of the back yard, one more working space for cars.

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

Door is sort of in place, I need the low profile track to clear in my shop. Will post pics tomorrow.

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

Finally the pics I promised. It is going to be extremely close on the passenger side due to a low roof and that being closer. I may have to get creative with the rafters. I still need the back bracing and the low headroom tracks.

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

As you can see from the pics I am severely limited with head room. I am picking up the low headroom track and rear track braces. If I have to I will notch rafters and run the left spring on the inside, way more run just above the door. I should have it done by the end of next week.

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

Parts picked up. Looks like the bottom bracket needs cut, a different cable bracket on the bottom. I will probably move the door over 2" to right from inside, it should just clear the rafters that way.

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

Got everything in place and realized I had the one track in way too much. Fixed that, opens and closes pretty good but the spring closest to the wall catches and binds, every now and then. I will have to figure out a way for it to not flop around so much before I install the opener. I used some nice thick weather strip to seal the edges. It sure is nice to have a 7' by 9' opening vs about a 7 and a 1/2 foot wide opening on the old flip up door with springs in the way.

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

Here you go. I need to figure out a way to hold the springs from catching on the tracks but still allow proper movement. You can see the double tracks in the pictures.

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

I did more sealing and moved one track in 5 inches, the other out an inch. It no opens and closes super easy, ready for an opener

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

I had to go in there this morning in -32, felt like -42 with the windchill. I had to slide the extension cord under the door to plug in the truck a couple of hours. Wow that R16.8 door really does block some cold air, the air coming inside felt much colder. It probably helps a lot considering we have prevailing West winds and the door faces West.

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

I need to buy a storage shed in the spring. I need some of the stuff to stay dry. Plenty of room on the sides, not so much up front. Too much crap in front, I had to move stuff around and barely got my Dakota in, my cars will be no different.

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

The door is still working great, a slight piece of foam on the bottom right side would seal super nice. I am also addressing the lack of power to my garage. I am upping the breaker from 20 to 30 amps. Then maybe I can run 3 heaters and a light.

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

Well now I can run 3 heaters and a light in my shop. Should work decently once I get the power garage door opener. Once that gets done, insulating will be left to do.