New Project

[silverstrom]

Cleared some space in a corner for a workbench. This one is 7 feet long and 29 inches wide. There will be another added later.

[kpke]

Nice John. How will all that wood be finished? or not?

[RuZty]

Nice. Here's a (maybe obvious) tip, if/when you install a vice make sure the fixed jaw is over the edge of the bench so you can hold long things. I was a little short, luckily within the thickness of a set of soft jaws.

[silverstrom]

The workbench and the rolling bench are both rubber covered. Exposed wood has been clear coated so any stains should wipe off easily.

The vice rotates 360 degrees. When not in use it is rotated out of the way. Rotate 90 degrees and you have a perfect position over the edge of the work bench. The vice has a trigger that can be pulled to open close the jaws without the handle. Handy gizmo.

The garage is now as done as it's going to be before summer. I can now start turning wrenches and getting some work done. I have surgery again on 23 March and want to have all of the bikes sorted out before then. If all goes well the RZ500 project will be on the lift at that point.

Fridge, microwave, and Kuerig coffee machine are in place. The big empty space beside the cabinet will soon be filled by a big screen TV

[tacky1]

Oh man!!!! That is just class, That is my perfect man cave!!! Thats it John, I am moving, loading trailer as we speak..
Fantastic job, Hats off to you..

[silverstrom]

Oh man!!!! That is just class, That is my perfect man cave!!! Thats it John, I am moving, loading trailer as we speak..
Fantastic job, Hats off to you..

Thanks Paul.

I'll put the coffee on and see you when you get here. I have a 500 to build. Plan on staying a while

[Kalim]

Yeah ! I love it !

[Vin]

Wow! now that is a man cave!!

Well done John and enjoy

Oh and finally had the seat unit done and I will weigh both to compare and send you a picture of both if your still in the market for one?

[fbman]

Hi John
Looks great. Very nice shop.
Yeah, the way our winter has gone, it's pretty much time to get the old bikes ready again...
Frank

[Speed Freak]

Did I already mention that I`m a bit envious?

But this pictures are motivating me to go down into my garage and clean up that I can walk through...
Temperatures are above 0°C, time to start working

[pstamper]

I am so happy you are doing better and the shop is soooooo sweet. I like what you have done. I am working on house by my shop and selling bikes to pay for stuff. Ducati monster left today. Great deal $4,000. SR2 Monster with 2,300 miles. Hope my house turns out like the shop. I want all the bells and whistles on a budget.

[silverstrom]

Beautiful Duc. Someone got a great deal.

I didn't have a budget in mind when I built the garage. I knew what I wanted and I was going to have it. I used local Mennonites for the cement work and framing. Composite shingles with premium underlay, building wrap, Low-e argon windows, fully insulated doors, etc. Did the siding, flashing, fascia, soffit and eavestrough myself. That saved a lot of money, but still cost quite a lot. I did the insulation myself. Once again saving lot of money, but it was still pricey. I had a local company do the garage doors and openers. Quality products, but reasonably priced, I thought, and garage doors are not something you should do yourself. It isn't worth the trouble involved. I had the young Mennonite guy that did my cement work dig the trench for power hook up. I had a local electrician do the wiring, LED lighting, and connection to the house. If I had done it myself it would have cost the same as paying him to do it all. His material prices were far less than what I would have paid. The money I saved on materials paid his labour. I had his father do the drywall. Again, it isn't something a sane person should do themselves. It was done in 2 days and I was happy to pay him. The heat was done by the same guy I have used for my house for the past 13 years. Heater was at cost and labour was discounted. Then I turned my attention to the furnishings. Shelving, cabinets, storage, large rolling tool cabinet, work bench, vice, etc. All bought when on sale locally. My total cost to where it is today is around $55K Canadian. (That includes the $1200 cost for the Generlink unit on the house for my generator connection. Anyone that doesn't have one should look into it. The easiest way to get external power to your house. No need for another breaker panel.) To have one contractor do the entire garage would have added substantial cost. By doing a lot myself and using known local contractors I got far more than I expected for the money I have into it. That same approach would apply to a house or any other building project. Essentially, be your own contractor and hire out the subs. Be there when the work happens and do it your way while adhering to building codes.

[Redline Junkie]

John

It looks wonderful and based on your bike builds I have followed over the years the garage has received the same attention to detail. Your garage motivated me to organize mine today, as best I could in a few hours anyway.

Great job!

Rob

[RuZty]

Very nice John, top job.

[silverstrom]

Thanks guys