Got to have a "Workshop"...

46HudsonPU · Wasp Joined: Aug 14, 2005 Posts: 22

I've been keeping a sort of online journal of my efforts to put together a workshop/hobby area of my own - You may have seen this elsewhere, if so - my apologies.
Anyway, here are the last 5 months or so...

July 23, 2005:
You're here, on the 'ground floor' of not only my first Hudson Project vehicle, but my FIRST Project Vehicle, period.

BUT, before that is 'touched' - I am in the process of 'building' my workshop, in preparation of my "golden years" leisure activities (smile). Rebuilding/Restoring a classic truck is one of those things that I have always wanted to do - but either never got around to it, or other things took precedence over it - like putting food on the table, defending my country (U.S. Military - retired - 23+ years), raising a family & putting a couple of kids through college.

The workshop - Not really a garage, although it has a single standard size overhead door. There is no driveway to it, but I have created a couple of 'avenues' to it that are not used by vehicles very often - at least up to this point. It has been 'there' the whole time - a 20' x 24' Concrete block structure with a 9' ceiling/roof.
Over the years, it has had basic work done to it, to make it useable:
- I removed 30+ cubic yards of dirt. When the foundation was laid, they 'dug around' the incline against the house, and left the dirt 'mound' where it was - in the building. In the back of the workshop the dirt floor was only about 3' from the ceiling. All shoveled and carted out by hand, with a wheelbarrow. I made forms & laid a 6" deep concrete floor - 11 cu. yds of concrete - Delivered, but brought from the road by wheelbarows - with a lot of help from relatives & friends.
- Ran 230v/60A line, wired the garage for both electric & lights.

The 'basics' are there (solid floor, electricity & lighting) -
NOW, I need to:
- Improve access;
- Determine, obtain, install & configure the equipment and tools I'll need;
- Obtain adequate references for the work I intend to do (or think I am capable of doing)
- Put together a list of individuals, friends, associates, professionals, etc., that may be able to advise and assist in the project(s), in the areas where I my capabilities fall short, are not adequate, or where my level of work will not do the project 'justice'.

Well, that's the "nuts-n-bolts" of it. I've already begun most of the 'stuff' listed above, and will 'fill-in' & post pictures as progress is made and as my workshop 'evolves'. As many can probably attest to - this is 'never ending story', so to speak. I'll bet even Jay Leno (very well know collector, with a workshop/garage anyone of us would 'kill for') is always making changes & improvements to his work areas.

Oh yea - Here's a link to a discussion I initiated on workshop & workshop equipment, on the HET Forum -
www.classiccar.com/for...php?t=2902

August 7, 2005:

Update - I've acquired a few tools, upated and installed some things, etc..

Major equipment acquired:
- Drill press: Delta, model DP400;
- Air Compressor: Ingersoll-Rand, 60 Gal, two-stage, 5hp;
- Media-blasting cabinet: Scat-Blast Model 970 - 'big guy!';
- MIG Welder: Hobart 180;
- 4" Angle Grinder: Delta, Model DW402K;
- Sawzall: Delta, Model DW307MK;

Work:
- Moved storage shed (10' x16'). Now is about 20' from workshop.
- Placed compressor out in my storage shed, which is about 20' from the workshop. This will cut down on the noise quite a bit.
- Ran electric to shed (230v, 30A). Underground in electric PVC conduit. Also installed lights & 110v outlet in shed.
- Ran 1" PVC to shed (rated @ 450 PSI). Underground with electric.
- 'Piped' workshop for air. 1" PVC, 3 drops - each with 3/8" quick connectors. lowest area has a 'collector'area for condensation.
- Ran two 230v 30A electric drops in workshop, for welder.
- Put in a couple more florscent lights.

Major work, yet to be done - not necessarily sorted in order of priority:
Outside -
- Concrete (asphalt?)pad, outside of workshop (20'x35'). I want this to have at least a 6" base of rock/stone fill;
- Asphalt driveway to workshop (10'x50'). Same minimum 6" base of rock/stone fill as pad;
- Screen/privacy fence (6' high x 35' long)
- Power wash & paint exterior of workshop & overhead door.
Inside -
- Move some 2x4 shelving (built quite some time ago), so I have room for storing a second truck (with a shoe horn - it will be very tight).

Equipment and Tools still needed:
- Pressurized sandblaster unit;
- Engine Lift/hoist - portable/stowable; - Update: Acquired
- Parts washer unit;
- Impact Driver set - A good set, nothing chea; - Update: Acquired
- Hydraulic Flaring Tool Set - Sooner or later...

Possibilities (?):
- Security gate, for driveway entrance. Nothing special, just to prevent strangers from cutting through the yard...;
- Carport. Something to keep the vehicles & large parts out of the rain, while 'playing' in the workshop;
- Heat for the workshop. Not needed now, but this winter is another story. Possibly a propane unit, that would use the same tanks that I have for my BBQ(?). Don't know if something like this even exists - I'll have to check.

Current driveway, and proposed entrance (to the left of the street light) -

Where the entrance will be. The yellow shovel handle marks the approximate area where the concrete will cut & removed, actually about 2' more than is indicated. Believe it or not, I've actually driven a vehicle & trailer between the concrete & the lamp post -

Just digging to see how deep the concrete goes. Where the digging ends is about as much concrete that will be removed (to the 'bush'). have about a 5' incline, over a 15'-20' run. Not too bad, I think -

The route to the workshop, framed by the clothes line, which will be removed, it isn't used anyway. The current gate will be moved -

The workshop. The Hudson is currently stationary, hauling some foam & boxes...

Interior photos of the workshop will be coming, a bit later...
By the way, I aready have pictures posted on my Hudson MSN area, so I just linked them here... (hopefully it will work...).

August 7, 2005:
Work done this weekend. Thought it would be quick, but this was 40-year old concrete. Although not poured well, it was very well mixed & cured. Took me two days with a concrete saw & jack hammer, about 11 hours total. A very hot & muggy weekend, to boot. Started early, knocked-off at Noon each day - I wasn't much good for anything else the rest of the day. (smile)

Picture, up close. Compare to the before picture, above -

From the street. A lot more 'room' for the driveway now -

August 23, 2005:
Another weekend -
Driveway: No noticeable progress on my driveway/parking pad - have called at least six contractors, and only two actually came out. One gave me an estimate, and the other promised an estimate but did not 'deliver'. I am just about ready to start the work myself - hopefully with the assistance of a few friends & relatives...

Workshop: I reconfigured my 'storage shelves' in the workshop, cutting out & moving one shelf to an exterior wall - these were made years ago, from 2x4s and plywood. They were moved to make room - Now, I can actually park/store two vehicles in the workshop, when it is not in use. Granted, I'll need to have one vehicle on 'wheel dollies' - the Hudson truck above is actually sitting on them - take a look. Borrowed a power-washer from a friend, and will be painting the exterior of the building - hopefully before fall/winter.

Tools/equipment:
I've picked-up what I consider to be another basic item - a decent battery charger - probably will be needed for these older vehicles, and will probably be able to use it for my lawn tractor as well.

Things/tools/equipment that I am considering -
Heating: I'm also looking into heating for the area - It will probably be a LPG 'vent free' Radiant heater that is made for indoor / workshop use. As it has a tendacy to add moisture to the air, I probably will look into a dehumidifier of some type as well.
Pressurized Media Blaster: This goes along with that 'blasting cabinet' I've already got, and will be meant for the larger pieces that won't fit into the cabinet. It will have to be done outside, which means I'll eventually need that 'parking pad'.

October 23, 2005:
Had quite a few contractors come by and give estimates, they all took their time... Delays, delays, delays - The lowest bid was $8k, with a few well over $10k+. I decided to try my hand at it, as I did the 'pours' for my garage floor - but that was 20 years ago!

Light excavation by a contractor with a very large bobcat -

Rough grading done. I am using 2x6s to configure forms for the concete pours. Also made my own 'water level' so I could get elevations right. Won't get it done in one pour, but probably two - with a LOT of help from a couple friends!

From the street. Got an extra 5 tons of stone delivered, but probably won't need it. I'll make use of it beside the shed. It rained the day of delivery - Dump truck driver didn't want to go down slight embankment, so it got dumped at entry point. Now I've got to move it!

November 15, 2005:
Well, the 'first' pour was done on Saturday, Nov 12th - WHEW! I'm either out of shape or getting too old for this (probably both!). Luckily, I had a couple of friends - Ron & Mark - Who didn't mind assisting with it - What GREAT friends!

I calculated it out to a bit under 9 cu yds of concrete, and what we had 'left over' didn't amount to much... That being said, we are not professionals and there was some 'spilliage' (smile). I was worried that the driver would not want to pull down into the yard to deliver, but they did not hesitate. All turned out pretty well, with the exception of the delivery being about 1 1/2 hours late, and the second truck showing up about 10 minutes after the first!

Honestly, my calculations actually came up a bit short, as I had a small walkway area that did not get poured on Saturday (a 4' x 5' x 4" sidewalk area). I was using that area as 'fluff', in case I ordered too much. No problem - I bought some 'bagged' concrete and did that myself on Monday, along with removing the forms from Saturday's pour.

Now - On to the second half of the pour! It should be the easier of the two...

December 2, 2005:
Well, I'm not much farther along than I was before... What with the weather, the holidays, etc., I am beginning to doubt that I'll get the second part of the concrete pour done before next spring... My wife says to be patient & 'ready' for an "Indian Summer" - not unheard of in January for Maryland - but I am not holding my breath.
Here is how it looks at the moment - from the road -

This may play 'havoc' with winter snow removal, as I need to be able to get the little Deere out of the shed to 'plow' our driveway, and there's a "hole" between the shed and the driveway - where the ground used to be (Ha ha!)... If necessary, I'll build a small bridge for that 10' gap, out of 2x6 boards which were leftover from the first concrete pour...

In the meantime, I am working on what I can.
- I've begun putting up the privacy fence, at least in the areas where it will not interfere with the concrete work that still has to be done. The posts are all 6"x6"x8' PT landscape timbers, with three horizontal 2"x4"x8' PT runners between the posts 'mortised' into the 6x6 posts. The pickets will be PT 5/8"x6"x6' 'dog-earred' boards, held in place by 1 1/2" decking screws -

- I'm making some 'custom' water run-offs for the downspouts on the rain gutters - to take the water away from the workshop (from 'bagged' concrete, mixed with an accellerant for the colder weather) -

- I've got a 40' long pile of rock and gravel about 3' high & 4' wide out beside & behind my shed - 'excess' stone & gravel removed from the areas where the 'second' pour will eventually occur... That needs to be leveled-out into some semblance of a secondary driveway/vehicle path. Guess I could do that, if I run out of other things to do (another smile)

That's right about where I am at today. This weekend was a 'wash', between attendance at a holiday get-together and fall cleanup (at least a half-ton of bagged leaves are in my front yard... - The other half-ton was picked-up last week). I'll be sure to post updates & pictures, as the project progresses...

51hornet · Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: Got to have a "Workshop"...

Rick,

nice update. As you well know everyone on the site here loves to hear about shop work.

My fall project was setting up a corner of my garage to act as my winter workshop. My whole garage is wall boarded and insulated and I have the bench's and tool cabinets setup. For heating I went with a ceiling radiant heater that runs on Electricity. So one corner of my garage is shut off and acts as Hudson central. I put up the Hudson banners and ads to get me inspired. The radiant heater is kind of nice its over the bench so when I work it bakes me and gives me the illusion I am nice and warm. I am lucky I inherited all of my Dad's garage tools so I have it all from 1965 Snap-On scope up.

I now have one of my 308's completed stripped and ready to send out to be tanked and magnafluxed, then its on to boring it out new valve guides. Increasing the valve size to 7X specs plus doing the relief I will also hand polish all of the ports. Its good honest take your mind of things work.

Keep us informed on the progress.

Toby_Peters · Pacemaker Joined: Apr 21, 2005 Posts: 15 Location: US

46HudsonPU, I am jealous of that shop you are building. Though I can't complain my buddy has a big shop with all the tools so he is good(stupid) enough to let me pull my cars apart in his shop and watch him do most of the work.

46HudsonPU · Wasp Joined: Aug 14, 2005 Posts: 22

Toby_Peters wrote:

46HudsonPU, I am jealous of that shop you are building. Though I can't complain my buddy has a big shop with all the tools so he is good(stupid) enough to let me pull my cars apart in his shop and watch him do most of the work.

Hi Toby,
Thank you for both your comments, and encouragement. I too am jealous! If I had a friend who had a shop and would not only let me bring my cars, but ALSO assist(?) with the work (i.e., fun), I probably would not be 'building' my workshop. Then again - I would probably be doing what I am anyway... Rolling Eyes

I actually am enjoying getting the shop together, and can hardly wait until it is at the point where I can actually do some work in it...

Speaking of that - Not much accomplished since the last photos - Too cold outside to do much of the work that needs to be done. Winter has sort of hit a month or so early here, and its too cold to mix or pour concrete.

I'm still hopeful that there will be a 'break' in the weather and I'll be able to get something done, but...

In the meantime, I guess I need to look 'inward', and see what there is I can do in the workshop.

Regards -
Rick C.

46HudsonPU · Wasp Joined: Aug 14, 2005 Posts: 22

Well, between winter, weather, medical issues, calendars & labor (free help is hard to find...), nothing much has been done outside - at least until Spring 'came to the door'.

An update on progress...

April 27, 2006 -
Preparation for this weekend's concrete pour. Cleaned up a bit, put down some of what I am using as expansion joints. Colorful (pink & light blue), but it won't be seen once the cement is down.

Note the fence skeleton in the background. 2x4 horizontal boards, mortised into 6x6 posts, set in concrete. Vertical 6"x5/8"x6' boards will go on fence after concrete is work is done. Should look pretty good, once completed.

Picture from the driveway. There will be a sidewalk and walk-thru gate just to the right of the workshop, and the 12' wide drive-thru gate will be right were the driveway runs into the concrete pad. Gravel will be covered by asphalt, sooner or later...

Saturday, April 29, 2006
The second pour was finished today. Took a good part of the day, and a lot of sweat, but the concrete pad is now "in"! Two of my friends - Ron & Mark - made a 'return visit', just for the occasion... Can't say it enough - What GREAT friends! The '9 cubic yards' estimate was "right on the money", with only about a wheelbarrow of cement left over. Not a 'perfect' job, but looks good to me!

Now - Comes the fence, driveway and landscaping...

Monday, May 8, 2006
Over the weekend and in between tilling the garden mowing the lawn, I managed to get some work done on this. The temporary concrete forms have been removed, and the 6"x6" PT posts are going in. I'm doing the gateposts first - they are longer and will go into the ground further (and with more concrete). Didn't realize how MUCH concrete it would take to put in these posts, but should have expected it, given the size of the posts I am putting-in.

Gateposts: Each one of the two 6"x6"x12' drive-thu gateposts take about 10 cu ft of concrete = 18" diameter hole (minimum) @ 42" deep. That means 2/3rds of a cubic yard of concrete, just for those two gateposts.

Fence Posts: Posts are 6"x6"x8', so the holes are still 18" diameter, but only 28" deep. That is at least a minimum of 5 cu ft of concrete, per post.

By the time I get done, I'll probably have around thirty-five 80lb bags of redi-mix concrete bought, hauled, mixed & poured - just for these 10 or so posts.

Some "waste": Bought some 'extra' bags of concrete late last year, in anticipation of an 'Indian Summer' - didn't really have room to store them inside, so wrapped them in plastic and stored them outdoors. Moisture got to them anyway, so I ended up with twelve 80lb boulders, already 'bagged'...

Wednesday, May 10, 2006
I've been putting in posts in the afternoon & evening, after work, Took a photo, for reference -

Should have all the posts up, probably by Saturday if the weather cooperates. It is supposed to rain for the next 4-5 days, to include the entire weekend. Sunday will be a 'wash' anyway - I am going to go to the Doc's Meet in Front Royal, VA this Sunday, and then spend the remainder of the day with the family for Mothers Day.

Friday Evening, May 12, 2006
Only have two posts left - the ones adjacent to the sidewalk. If it doesn't rain, I'll be doing this tomorrow, along with other yardwork.

I've ordered a pallet of retaining wall blocks from Home Depot today (144 blocks), they are supposed to be delivered on Monday.

Thursday, May 18, 2006 -
Fenceposts and 'rails' are in. Pickets will go in, after I have gotten the retaining wall in place. The pallet of retaining wall blocks were delivered on Monday - while I was at work. Wrong type, but right color (gray). I was 'on the fence' about what type anyway, and this was one of the two I was looking at, so no big deal. At least they put the 3500 LB pallet of blocks where I wanted them.
Am digging a small 'trench' where I want the wall to go, and will put in a gravel/rock bed for it, and start from the lowest point outward. That work will probably start this afternoon/evening. More pictures coming, once I get at least some of the retaining wall in.

Also, an FYI: I have begun a little internet site of my own -
White Triangle Trucking

51hornet · Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 3:57 pm Post subject: Re: Got to have a "Workshop"...

Rick,

your shop is really coming together. Location looks nice and you seem to have a lot of room to house your vehicles. Is the fence to hide the cars from the road? I think some of your States don't allow cars to be stored where people can see them which is baloney when you consider that people are allowed to paint their houses pink.

Thanks for the update I am always interested in whats going on. I converted one corner of the garage for my shop and I have my engines on the stands and the Hudson in there too. We park the van on the garage pad as its just a ride to me.

I am a regular visitor to your site so keep up the good work there. Docs meet pics were excellent. One year you are going to have to come up to our meet and bring one of your trucks. Be a great vacation for you and good to see you up here. Things are looking really good for our meet in July, lots of interest.

Sean

46HudsonPU · Wasp Joined: Aug 14, 2005 Posts: 22

Sean,
Hopefully, I'll have enough room, but my indoor space is already 'tight'. Wish my workshop/garage was bigger, so I would have more indoor parking/storage space.
Most of the fence is 4' chainlink and has been there for quite some time. The only part of the fence being replaced is that around the workshop, and as you speculated, it will be acting as a privacy barrier. I have not had any complaints, however I am doing this to circumvent any potential problems with zoning, as well as minimize the view of my shop and work from the street.
Hopefully, I'll have some more comments & pictures to post after this coming weekend. Got to put in the retaining wall blocks (only about 8-10" to retain), put up the pickets, and and do a bit of landscaping/fill around the sidedwalk and gravel driveway. After that I have to build and mount the gates.

Rick

46HudsonPU · Wasp Joined: Aug 14, 2005 Posts: 22

Friday & Saturday, May 19th and 20th, 2006
Friday afternoon a gravel base was put down & the concrete retaining wall were laid. Saturday morning the retaining walls were back-filled with gravel, and then topsoil was filled, to the level of the ground/wall. I think it looks pretty good...

The pickets went up pretty smoothly, although it took 3-4 hours (six 1 1/4" exterior-grade decking screws per picket). Tried to make the pickets as evenly spaced as possible, and center them in each 'section' - of course this usually meant cutting/trimming two pickets per section (between the posts).

Another view of the work. I also put topsoil around the sidewalk and did a bit of clean-up along the driveway and around the general area.

Tomorrow - Probably some more landscape work, start on the gates and haul-off some stuff to the landfill. There is also a couple of large concrete pieces that need to get buried (to heavy to take to the landfill).

51hornet · Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 9:24 pm Post subject: Re: Got to have a "Workshop"...

I like the way you did your fence that looks really clean. How is the gate going to work? double hung doors?

Looks really nice from the inside. It will look better when you post a pic with a Hudson parked on the pad.

46HudsonPU · Wasp Joined: Aug 14, 2005 Posts: 22

I'm going with a simple double-hung gate, opening outward. The walk-thru gate will be hung from the right, as you look at it from the outside.
I was thinking 'strongly' of making a manual "sliding gate", but could not find any plans, equipment or hardware - not even an example of a wooden fence that did this - manually. Electric would have been somewhat 'neat', but I wanted to keep it simple (the KISs Principle).

You MUST have been reading my mind about putting a Hudson in the picture - was thinking the same thing (hopefully soon, once the gates are up). Had my little Deere parked in the corner for a few minutes (during a lawnmowing session - another thing done that day), but had everything put away before the pictures were taken.

46HudsonPU · Wasp Joined: Aug 14, 2005 Posts: 22

Weekend - May 19, 20, 21 2006 - See previous post, just above
Overall, I think it looks pretty good -

Managed a bit of clean up, buried some concrete that was too heavy to lift into the pickup - easier than hauling it off to the landfill, and the leftover forms form the concrete pour were moved and stacked, etc..

Another view of the work -

Also done -
- Placed 6" caps on all the posts;
- Fabricated & hung the gate frames;

Work to be done during this next week (hopefully) -
- Buy and install gate hardware (latches, drop-pin, etc..);
- Put pickets on gates;
- etc..