JCH13's new/used garage and new toy

JCH13

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2010
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Since some people asked for pictures of the new digs and I finally got most of everything sorted out and put away in my new garage I thought I'd take a few pics.

First bay with the Miata in it:

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I like to keep the second bay open for projects and cars that need work. It takes a little discipline, but I've used it enough times already that I think I'm going to keep it free.

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It's got a built-in stainless steel topped work bench! With a real vise! I really like older file cabinets for storage, they've got heavy-duty ball bearing drawers with lots of room and I can get them for next to nothing at yard sales and thrift stores. I keep commonly used stuff in the black roller so I can pull it up to whatever I'm working on and have 95% of what I need right next to me.

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The cabinet looking thing is really a massive exhaust fan, just because.

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This is my new toy: an Everlast Power Pro 256. It does stick, TIG, and plasma cutting. I really like it so far, since I got a few stupid hiccoughs sorted out. Been stress-testing it by TIG'ing some 1/4in aluminum plate, also getting my skills back a little bit, I used to hold three welding certifications, two AWS and one ASME pressure vessel, when I was building race cars in college. I made tube frames, suspension components of all sorts, fuel cells, cooling systems, you name it. Sadly 3 years as an engineer has taken it's toll, but it's all coming back fast!

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I'm trying to start up a little side business doing TIG welding, I've done some welding on one of JLee's exhaust setups, fabricated a stainless mid-pipe and some suspension components for my Miata, and done some small job work for a local helicopter shop, my boss' airplane, and a local medical school/research hospital. Ideally I'd like to have a more regular side-business welding, so if anyone from ATG needs or wants something welded up, drop me a line. I can also do some modest metal fab services even. I am a mechanical engineer so I can offer design insight a normal welding shop couldn't. Also, I already have overhead covered, so my rates will be low! I just need my welding hobby to slightly offset my race car hobby ;)
 

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
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Didn't even realize that was a welder at first. First thought was "tire mounter" and I was like that's awesome! but I think the welder is even better. :D
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
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..........


:awe:



Of course you do this AFTER I move....bah.
 

boom314

Senior member
Nov 10, 2005
447
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Nice looking garage... MOAR pics of the Miata... I am moving to an apartment with a 2 car garage and cannot wait to fill it with tools.
 

JCH13

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2010
4,981
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FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
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That garage is Sick Cat!
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I wish I lived closer to you. I had some aluminium fab work that I needed done this past week.
I also wish I could afford some nice tool boxes like those. They are pretty.
 
Last edited:
May 13, 2009
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Nice setup. Are those Kennedy tool boxes? If you're needing more tool storage the 44" General tool box at harbor freight is a steal. What kind of air compressor are you using? Do you use American hand tools? Just curious as I've been setting up my home shop and like to see how others have put theirs together.
 

manimal

Lifer
Mar 30, 2007
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Dude thats awesome! Is a lift in your future there?


Droooooooooool on your Everlast Power Pro 256!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

JCH13

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2010
4,981
66
91
Nice setup. Are those Kennedy tool boxes? If you're needing more tool storage the 44" General tool box at harbor freight is a steal. What kind of air compressor are you using? Do you use American hand tools? Just curious as I've been setting up my home shop and like to see how others have put theirs together.

Thanks. They are Kennedy tool boxes (a yard-sale score). So far I've got plenty of storage, but I'm sure that will change in a year or two, hehe.

I've just got a little 3hp/~30 gallon Husky or something like that in the back bay of my garage (a 14'x28' bay with forced ventilation for painting, not pictured because it's a total mess). It's on it's own switch so I can turn it off when I'm not using it. Having the compressor in a separate insulated room REALLY cuts down on the noise. Worth the effort. I'm probably going to be getting a 6hp+/100+ gallon super-serial compressor that my Dad left in the area when my parent's moved, but I need to hire someone with a crane to get it out of the basement that it's in now :awe:

Almost all of my hand tools are Craftsman, laser etched labels on sockets for easy reading, and I spent the $$ to get Craftsman Professional ratchet drivers, worth every penny. Gearwrench ratcheting wrenchs for what that's worth.

I've got all my socket extensions, adapters, and drivers sorted by size in a silverware drawer sorter, which works great, that's the first drawer in my roller. Wrenches are sorted in roll-up cloth pouches so I can grab a set quickly if I need to use it remotely, second drawer in the roller. third drawer is divided into screw drivers and seal pullers/inspection mirrors/anything poky-staby, allen/torx drivers, and pliers/vise grips/wire strippers/anything with squeezable handles. Fourth drawer is impact stuff and air tools, I have an IR impact gun, air ratchet, and a full set of impact sockets and adapters in there. Bottom drawer is cans and rolls of stuff: dielectric grease, electronics cleaner, penetrating oil, electrical tape, zip ties, anti-seize, etc. I really like having all of that mobile.

Dude thats awesome! Is a lift in your future there?


Droooooooooool on your Everlast Power Pro 256!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks! I think will get a low-rise 2-post in the future. This will come after I get a trolley and a chain fall for the I-beam that's mounted over the 'working bay'.

It's a pretty nice welder, especially for the money. If anyone is looking at a TIG welder for personal use, Everlast is a great option. The sales people will also negotiate and customize your welder, I opted for a 25ft water-cooled torch (air cooled in standard) and with the negotiated price I saved over $400 and got free shipping on everything.
 

JCH13

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2010
4,981
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Oilfieldtrash: if you've got any questions about anything else specifically in my setup feel free to ask, I've put a good deal of thought into everything from locations for tools to light fixture orientation.
 
May 13, 2009
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OP I hate to do this to you but at searsoutlet .com they are running a clearance on the craftsman industrial (pro) line of tools.. Drool... 60% off. I snagged a 338PC mechanics set for $159 to finish out 99% of my hand tool collection.

The cloth roll up for wrenches sounds like a good idea. Silverware trays for sockets? Do you have a pick of that?
 

JCH13

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2010
4,981
66
91
OP I hate to do this to you but at searsoutlet .com they are running a clearance on the craftsman industrial (pro) line of tools.. Drool... 60% off. I snagged a 338PC mechanics set for $159 to finish out 99% of my hand tool collection.

The cloth roll up for wrenches sounds like a good idea. Silverware trays for sockets? Do you have a pick of that?

Those are... really cheap... I'm going to go broke!

No real suggestions on the trays, most of them seem to work pretty well. I have a leftover OXO one that didn't fit in the drawers in my kitchen.
 

manimal

Lifer
Mar 30, 2007
13,559
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god that sears site is slow. Been trying to buy a couple things for 10 minutes.

some good prices there oilfield! Make it a hot deal!
 

Mandres

Senior member
Jun 8, 2011
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You need some better lighting in there! I would add a few 4' t8 fixtures in each bay. It would go a long way.