garage pics
 

Well, now that we are moved into the new house and the landscaping is finished, its time to start on the garage.
It's 22' wide and 24' deep with an 8' ceiling so there are some limtations.
What I would like is some pictures of how you have laid out your garage so I can get some ideas .
Thanks.

Re: garage pics
 

It depends a lot on how much work you intend to do in it and what equipment you you need to have places for. I'd snag a legal file cabinet or two from Habitat when they have some decent ones in. That's the kind that open on the side rather than the end and many have doors that lift up and roll in so they aren't in the way. power hand tools and larger tools that won't fit in the tool box can be neatly stored in them and kept out of sight when the garag door is open. I've got heavy duty file cabinets that I bought from a GSA auction and picked up at the Spokane social security office to store parts for projects. They are just an inexpensive way to store garage stuff, keep it organized and keep it out of sight.

i don't like bench grinders on a bench, I'd far rather have them on a stand that I can move back aganst the wall and pull out if I want to use it. On the bench they get the becnh dirty and get in the way.

Re: garage pics
 

Built 4 in last 20 years, 2 very recently. 24x26 is about the smallest workable floorspace for us. Even little trucks like the 6 foot bed tacoma leave very little room for a bench/storage with this size. Door heights of a min 8 foot should be considered if any of your vehicles are lifted. Biggest issue is construction type. Not much you can do about concrete floors but with complete wood, stick built garages here can now run in excess of 50K-60K. Metal ones about half or less due to prefab and fast assembly. Be sure to consider the feasibility/cost of water and power plus finishing touches such as good lighting. Steer clear of all those cheap amazon leds by BBounder and others as they totally fail in 24 months or less. Only those with replaceable 4' LEDs may be the way to go. Lastly add at least one window, one man door and easy to open main car doors. Power door openers are a must as you may already know. There's some pics of last 2 garages in link below with the 54 in them showing size and space and layout and power door opener options that may help.

Re: garage pics
 

what do you have for stuff to put in there? welder or 2, cutting torch set up, drill press, etc etc.
I have a 26 x 30 with a 10 ft ceiling and 2 big doors and find it crowded but then I am a heavy duty mechanic by trade so used to working in a large area
if you have a bare structure already, just a shell, and are wondering about how to set it up i would start with deciding what you will put in for tools and how that will affect the wiring. an air compressor and welder will need a 220volt connection but placement is gonna be an issue. if you plan to park in there then the compressor "space hog" my be best placed in a rear corner so it isn't in the way of walking around the vehicle with a bag of groceries. it could also live in a small building added onto the garage if that building were to be heated when or if it gets cold and freezing in your area. if the compressor will be a smaller 110volt unit then wire in a couple of 20 amp plugs in the shop for stuff like that and a table saw or other big amp draw tools. I have my wall plugs set above the 48" height so there can be stuff placed on the floor next to the wall and the plugs will still be accessible. a piece of plywood can be leaned up and the plugs can still be used. I have a 20 amp plug on each side wall about 1/3 of the way back from the front. I also split my wall plug circuits, like a kitchen is wired, so I can use a couple of different tools off the same plug and it won't blow that breaker. the plugs are spaced 8 feet apart so no extension cords are needed most times. tgere is a plug between the big doors and also an outside plug on each outside wall, along with an RC plug on one outside wall where I have a parking area. I have LED lighting strips along each side wall, down the middle and across the front. there are motion sensor flood lights on each outside wall as well a an outside light by the man door. my attic is a storage space (my trusses are spec's for added weight) so there is a makeshift floor set up 18" above the drywall to allow space for blown in insulation and there is a 2ft by 4 ft opening in the middle between the bays at the front for easy access with a vehicle in there. the attic has a couple of LED bulbs up there with a switch right near the hatch. have a big 8-0gallon compressor tucked behind the man door and hard piped to a hose reel on each side wall, one in the middle between the bays and 2 at the front. there is also a airline connection between the big doors to run a line outside if needed. my walls and ceiling are drywalled and painted with some pretty tough paint that will withstand some washing and the front wall is then clad with metal sheathing around the workbench area. this helps with cleaning but also keeps grinding and welding sparks from burning into the drywall. I plan to clad my sidewalls up to the 4 ft mark as well. my sidewalls have pegboard to hang tools and there are also a couple of the old fashioned tune up cupboards hung. if doinf it again i would use slat wall. I have a couple of lateral filing cabinets with drawers that have flip front covers and they are great to store tools like grinders etc. they are easily cleaned, hold a lot of weight and the drawers have good quality sliders. you can usually find then used for good prices ot even for free if you aren't in a rush. my workbench is a piece of 1/2" steel plate with pipe for legs and round steel plates welded on the bottom of 3 legs. the fourth leg is adjustable with a large threaded rod shaft that also has a round steel plate for a base. under the bench is a steel shelf where the jack stands live but that is only because there isn't any wall space left to hang them, lol. I have a couple of roller style tool boxes, one is larger and rolls my everyday tools around where I need them. the other is stationary and store the stuff that is occasionally needed and also too heavy to add it to the roller box and push around. there is a 220 plug at each front corner and a welder plug near the man door and work bench. my man door is offset to be 4 ft from one front corner. behind that door when it swings open is my stationary tool box, the breaker panel, the switch that disables my garage door openers, etc. I have a vacuflo system in one corner and a cabinet sandblaster connects to that. all the other shop tools are moveable and placed around the shop as space permits. even with that there is a 10 x 10 shed that is full of other stuff that doen't get used often
hopefully that gave you some ideas. [post up some pics of what you have to work with and you will gets lots of replies. will you be parking in the garage daily or is it going to be a workshop type scenario? I have a 2 cae garage attached to the house so my rear garage is my workshop. I park in it sometimes too, lol. it is where I run a small mechanical repair business so parking in there isn't usually available

Re: garage pics
 

Pinterest is full of ideas.:lol:

I have to (Not) look sometimes ;)

Because I have enough projects now.:uhmk:

Link: https://www.pinterest.com/search/pin...as&etslf=17451

:chevy::chevy::chevy:

Re: garage pics
 

The most critical issue may be bench space in a small garage. a 24"x 48" top is about the bare minimum. At least 24" between bench and vehicle is minimum al well. Hanging/suspending shelves from ceiling (18") next to walls may help as well. I use a big rolling table in my other workshop to make room as needed.

Re: garage pics
 

I was going to suggest that too vintovka. A workbenches with lockable casters under at least one end.
I have an old hospital bed which is hydraulically adjustable for height. An old steel door is screwed to the top as a bench top. It's great for unloading stuff from a truck bed or storing parts on. It does take up a bunch of space though.

Re: garage pics
 

is this a garage or a shop?

garage for parking vehicles when the snow flies or dedicated shop for your projects?
22x24 is barely room for my wood shop, much less my auto shop and storage
i've decide that if I had an acre under roof, i'd still run out of space...

my barn is 50x50 and this is what i end up with :D
luckily the center bay is 50 ft deep

Re: garage pics
 

At 22' may only fit one vehicle which leaves more side room. I always draw every thing out to scale on paper with cutouts of benches, tools and the vehicle itself. By arranging stuff around you can get a feel for comfort and workability. Leaving enough space to easily get around at least 3 sides of the vehicle is important. May be computer programs to do this more efficiently than paper cut outs but old way still works for me.

Re: garage pics
 

post up some pics and a want list. is it attached tro the house, free standing by itself out back, for parking and showing stuff like a man cave, working on mechanical stuff periodically or maybe a wood shop? does it have power, is it already wired? whaddya got to put inside etc etc.

Re: garage pics
 

yup, graph paper a scale model.
do you have a single big door or 2 smaller doors?

Re: garage pics
 

24 x 24 shop, but still have a 2 car garage at the house. I still wish for 300sqft more to eliminate the cramming of stuff, but this kinda works.

Re: garage pics
 

Boy, you guys have given me alot to think about. The garage is attached to the house. It's22' wide x 24' deep with an 8' celing so there are some limitations. I did have 4 dedicated circuts added before the garage was insulated and sheet rocked. I didnt note that there is also an 18' x 32' carport next to the garage that will eventually be enclosed and used for "dirty" work.
So far the plans I've laid out on graph paper are as follows: along the left outside wall I will start with an 18" open shelf for all the spray / paint cans. Next will be a 9' work table with 1" top covered with stainless steel sheet. Then 3- 36" wide, 84" tall cabinets with doors. That should give me storage on top for misc tubs of parts. Also, my wife thinks I should cover the doors with diamond plate. Then we have my table saw on wheels, followed up by the water heater in the corner. Turning the corner, will be another cabinet, this one 30" wide, a 36" tool chest and a 40" tool chest, a 24" sink, the door into the house and a 24" broom closet.
Down the other side will be a garbage bin, a 36" upright freezer, 6'of storage racks, 8' of pegboard and my upright compressor. As a side note I still need to figure out where to put my welder. I already have 4 - 4' led fixtures on the celing plus track lights for over the work table and the tool chests.
This seems like it should be big enough to work on my pickup.
My Jeep and my wife's Acura should fit in the car port.
Of course, these plans are subject to change.
Im still open to sugestions as nothing has been ordered.

Re: garage pics
 

One alternative is to store excess in sheds. If you have high humidity though you have to be careful. I use a couple Lifetime and Keter sheds. Both are plastic composite but the Keters are barely acceptable and cannot recommend them at all. I keep my fold up tools like the table and chop saws in them saving garage floor space.

Re: garage pics
 

good thoughts. thanks. long term plans are to finish out the car port into a complete shop for me, so some plastic sheds now would help.

Re: garage pics
 

This sounds crazy but get a tablet of graph paper mark out lines on a sheet that match the size of the garage and cut pieces from another sheet that match the size of the Freezer, the tool box the bench and what not and do the lets see what works as far as placing them in the garage. These DIY thingies are always showing work benches that are hinged to foldup against the wall. that might work for one that you only need occasionally.

Re: garage pics
 

A work bench that hinges of the wall is always a good idea. Here's a video of one. It's the first one that popped up on a search, but will give you some ideas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRD-gmHHz7U

Re: garage pics
 

I try to put as much as I can on the ceiling and walls to save floor space. (extension cord reels and air line reel, a friend of mine has his compressor, 30 Gal 120V on a shelf at the back.

also, I try to put as much as I can on wheels so I can move things around when I need more space (and for cleaning up) I use 4 car dollies with storage containers on top to keep them mobile.

Good luck with the planning, and don't forget to use the space above

Re: garage pics
 

I have seen compressors stored in out side boxes made for water heaters. Nice as its controls sound and puckering when it starts up. Since the advent of battery operated tools the compressor is not a such critical item anymore.

Re: garage pics
 

if the garage is sharing walls with the house beware that the stuff you do in the garage is going to affect the house. if you plan on a some higher draw electrical stuff going on out there you may consider a sub panel in the house to supply power to the shop. nobody is gonna fault you for some conduit on the garage walls to supply power to a compressor or welder plug.that way you don't blow a breaker in the house and have to run back in there in your dirty shop gear or bug the wife to switch it back on.
I have had the attached garage in a house we lived in for awhile. I remember that part as well as the odors in the house from whatever I was doing out there. the next house the wife said I get a detached garage. so that worked. lol.
if you have a gas fired water heater be careful with combustibles. I have been to a few catastophic events caused by paint fumes igniting from a pilot light on a hot water tank or furnace. (retired firefighter)
I like the idea of a non attached workbench compared to a dedicated bolted top the wall style in a small work area. I am also a heavy duty mechanic by trade and have found that when the workbench is larger than needed it just collects stuff, you tend to work in a small area actually. yes, nice to have a big bench, but too big collects clutter
if you could find a cabinet with doors for the flammables that would be a great idea, since the garage is attached to the house.
I have a 10 x 10 shed to store frequently used shop tools, steel, hazardous liquids like coolant etc. it keeps the clutter down. next time I will build a quonset for storage. haha.

Re: garage pics
 

what I meant with the shared wall comment is be careful what you do on the garage walls because it can cause nail pops in the drywall screws or nails on the inside of the house. if you attach a workbench to the wall try to use an outside wall possibly. also, hammering on the attached workbench will bring the occupants of the house out to help you........well, maybe not help, maybe just checking if your hearing is ok....if you can hear when they yell at you. haha

Re: garage pics
 

possibly use rubber pads under the vibrating stuff, like the air compressor. I have an 80 gallon upright unit and bolted it down to a laminated piece of plywood to achieve 1 1/2" thick. there is rubber between the compressor legs and the plywood so that helps. the air intake also goes into the attic space so it is way less loud when it runs. it kinda sounds like a truck running somewhere when you are outside the shop. the neighjbours have never said anything about it so I think it may be just me who pays attention to the compressor noise. if your attic is shared you maybe don't wanna do that trick.

Re: garage pics
 

I used some soft thick hockey puck looking things on mine and they really help as stated above. Thing is though air power is really slipping away due to more efficient battery powered stuff unless you paint or blast . Even small compressors both battery and plug in can now handle bigger tire and moderate air tool needs so theres that. My 80 gallon now just sits there taking up space most of the time.

Re: garage pics
 

I use my compressor big air compressor all the time. blowing stuff off or out, air tools, sandblaster cabinet, etc etc. I do have a few battery drills and drivers and they are handy but for sanding bodywork my go to is the air sanders. that said, a lot of mechanics are using cordless impacts etc because the air line is a royal pain, always snagging or taking room where there isn't enough to start with. cordless has come a long way

Re: garage pics
 

Personally I would build a closet in the carport for the air compressor if I had a large air compressor. Even then you have noise but not the deafening racket in the garage.

I've got a huge old horizontal compressor that is going out in the shed that was my grandfather's milk house next to the barn back in the 30's through the 50's.

Re: garage pics
 

I have too much stuff in our attached garage. Tools, materials, camping stuff. I also own a house in one of the worlds most expensive real-estate markets, Upgrading to a larger yard/detached shop is just a pipe dream.

So my garage is about the size of nvrdone's with a vertical beam in the center to further constrain the space.
The door connecting to the house is taped shut to keep smells out. So the outside man door I added is essential, as is having a switch by that door for a light and the overhead door.

I have shelves on the 2 interior walls which helps a bit to keep sound out of the house and some of the horde off the floor - but you will never have enough shelves. My shelves are all fixed to wall. If I did it over I'd build them so I could unload them and move the units around without having to rebuild them.

I have a small workbench next to the man door on exterior wall with a window over it and a big vice that gets used a lot, The workbench is usually covered with stuff for some reason, so making it larger would just make it a larger pile of stuff not put away.

All welding/grinding hot work takes place outside: Welders are on wheels, I have a couple folding bumper stand type tables with small plywood tops that get used as work benches. I need a welder plug in the garage but make do with an extension cord to the dryer outlet on the far side of the house

One of the most used items in the shop is a heavy vice mounted on a heavy steel tripod. The legs have rubber feet cut from a tire and two of them have wheels, when you tip it back you can roll it around. This goes out in the driveway for grinding and such.

English wheel and such are on wheels and get moved when needed. Engine stand and hoist break down and go under a shelf when not being used. Press brake, tube bender also small enough to go under shelf when not in use.

At the possibility of starting a flame war, air tools are a holdover from the days when motors were expensive and shops ran on flat belts.
Now you can buy a $30 110v 4.5" grinder that will run all day, the air tool equivalent will need a 220v30 amp or more compressor running flat out to maybe keep up.
I use AC powered tools. No batteries to go south ( I have a shelf of NiMH powered tool$ that are dead). I can see if I made a living with these tools a few battery powered tools would be a must.
I have a small, reasonably quite 110v compressor for blowing and filling, very occasionally an air tool will get use with it.

Re: garage pics
 

LG, no pics, didn't happen.
lol
ytou have done some nice work with the setup you have. just keep plugging away.

Re: garage pics
 

I'm like Leegreen in that I do all of my welding outside of my built in the mid 30's one car garage. The main reason is that one spark that goes in the wrong direction could burn that thing down in ten minutes.

His dryer plug and cord for the welde reminds me of when I had to move the stove in the kitchen and unplug the stove and plug in the welder that had and still has a 50 or so (never measured it (4 strand 480 volt ) SO cord that I rescued out of the scrap Metal bin at work. Each strand is equal to a #4 battery cable so it doesn't have an excess of resistance. My stick welder also has a 40ft lead on the stinger that lets me get way out at the back of a truck or trailer. I don't use that one much anymore but may have to drag it out so my son in law can tune up his welding skills. He may havdaughter in law teach him the finer points as she is a former AG teacher.

My vise and grinder are on opposite sides on a stand that has a semi truck brake drum as a base. I cut several inches off the post after my wife took this photo as a super tall guy in Ellensberg Wa must have built it. The Bench grinder is probably one of the least used pieces of equipment that I have. I'm going to have to check Chicago Junk on 3rd avenue in Yakima for a piece of heavy steel plate to put between the grinder and the vise to have something to set something on and beat on.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...720&fit=bounds

Side note for Nvrdone: Chicago Junk sells scrap metal by the pound, he selection varies but quite often you can find a cut off piece of new metal about the size you need in their stash be it steel, aluminum or stainless. They are on Third avenue about a block off Yakima avenue. Pacific steel will cut to length but charges accordingly and Morton's supply will cut to length or they have a rem rack that you can poke though for short cut off pieces.

Morton Supply on South first also stocks lengths of tubing and angle and has a rem rack that I dig though a lot to find short pieces of already cut tubing or angle for projects.

Re: garage pics
 

Ok, but more as a warning for nvrdone than to be inspirational.

I call this organizational style 'kick that out of the way and set it here'.
The benefit is getting the door to close.
The cons are moving 5 things to hopefully find the one you want.

But I did decide some years ago that I got more enjoyment from the projects than from continuously organizing the space.

Attachment 2303132

the space where my '52 used to sit has been filled with Camaro parts and a 4.8 that I am somewhat foolishly thinking about putting in my current DD Sonoma

now everyone else has to share too. But I don't want to see huge immaculate shops with hoists and epoxy floors, it will make me feel bad.

Re: garage pics
 

that does look like you are having fun, lots of stuff to mess with. I see you make use of the workmate, I have 3 of them so they get used all the time to hold different things.
right now my garage is full of 2 dissassembled lawn tractors for my grandson to help me make into a pedal go cart thingy, 2 treadmills that are getting taken apart to use parts for shop tools, my old truck project that is waiting for some spare time, my bead roller that is also waiting to be used, my cabinet blaster that is usually in the way until I need it, on wheels at least, planishing hammer that needs a stand built, maybe some treadmill steel will get repurposed soon, my road bike that is inmy shop because the attached garage is full of a relatives things while they look for a new home. on and on it goes. I would like to have a super clean, epoxy floor garage but I would likely peel the epoxy off in the first month when doing a brake job or something else that keeps me from doing MY stuff. lol.
now for a few pics of your truck. full frontal, side etc. sounds like you have fun with it while doing small projects to update it.

Re: garage pics
 

Since we're tossing out ideas i would like to add a few more. Cheapest. most secure storage i have ever used is a 40' shipping container. With proper lights, electrical, heating and ventilation they are great. Much care must be taken in selecting one > How the doors close and overall condition are imperatives. Cost runs 2400-3500 plus delivery. Another alternative is a better metal carport. 12 gauge steel and longitudinal ribbed roofs are also important. Can be enclosed but basic open ones run $1600-2400 installed. Both require space and prep, Can PM for details learned the hard way.

Re: garage pics
 

At a shop I worked at I was the guy who was picked for projects. Build this maintain that. Anyway, we needed space to store off shift guys tool boxes. Some are huge. Management went with a container next to the shop and I set it up along with cutting a hole in the wall and a ramp etc. Only bad thing there was shop was heated and container wasn't so moist air from shop in winter (-30C) would condense on the cold steel. Fix was a toolbox cover for everybody. Otherwise it was great.

Re: garage pics
 

I've designed a number of one and 2 story structures made from 20-55' shipping containers. It is fairly easy to control heat, cold, ventilation and humidity issues. In one example was able to keep internal humidity to 35% with 90-100% outside in ocean front locations using just a single portable sub $100 dehumidifier with an exterior drain. The dehumidifier also provided a low but stable heat source plus air movement One good thing about containers is that you can often sell them quickly if needed and often for more than what you originally paid for them.

Re: garage pics
 

There's a website devoted to all things about garages where you can look at what people have done with their garages ad nauseum. I've been participating in the forums for about 10 years now, and it has cost me a fair amount of money (but I am very happy with my 3 car garage/workshop)

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...age-gallery.7/

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...-1.112176/full

It is pretty addictive

Re: garage pics
 

There's a website devoted to all things about garages where you can look at what people have done with their garages ad nauseum. I've been participating in the forums for about 10 years now, and it has cost me a fair amount of money (but I am very happy with my 3 car garage/workshop)

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...age-gallery.7/

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...-1.112176/full

It is pretty addictive

Re: garage pics
 

Lots of really good ideas in thread. I don’t know if you’re interested in this or not but I like the finished wall cabinets for modular fit, good look, and they hold a ton of stuff. They come in various heights and depths. You can see a little bit from the picture. I had a garage cabinet business on the side for years, but now I just put them in my shop and family members. You can order them directly and install yourself from a company called Slide Lok. They go together really easy with dovetail dados and I just hang on the wall. I hang mine about a foot off the floor and allows for sweeping and washing the shop out. There are 110 and 220 receptacles on the wall inside but I mostly use a retractable electric cord from the ceiling and retractable air hose hook to a big compressor in the corner that hangs from the ceiling as well. I just plumbed it inside walls before they finish the walls. I had them put half-inch plywood on on the walls instead of sheet rock, so I can screw things up easier. I’ll try to include a couple of pictures. If you’re interested in how they go up, you can, PM me

Re: garage pics
 

I'm sorry....just have to add.
Whatever you wish you had, it will never be enough.

Re: garage pics
 

whatever you do there will always be something you wished you would have done. remember you can always change stuff or add stuff when it is completed. look at all the advice and decide what works for you. if you plan to cut, weld, grind etc please don't line your whole garage in plywood or osb, it is very flammable. I am a retired professional structural firefighter and we used to use plywood, osb and particle board in our fire training simulator because it lit quick and burned hot. like melt the visor off your fire helmet kinda hot. it is a great idea to snap a few pics before you sheath the walls so you have an idea of where stuff is behind the cover. if you know you will be hanging cabinets maybe you wanna place some structure where the screws need to be. it worked for my shop.

Re: garage pics
 

Just to add to Dsravens advice want to add how much i like good led fixtures and especially led trouble lights. The only serious engine fires i have either witnessed or been directly involved with were caused by broken incandescent trouble lights and fuel. Leds will also take abuse incandescents cannot dream about.

Re: garage pics
 

I have to agree about the led lights. I have several led lights for trouble lights and use them all at some point or another. the classic handheld non bending style about a foot long, rechargeable, the thinline style about a foot long but bends in the middle and has a magnetic base (my go to lately), the short "big larry" flashlight with a magnetic base (2 of those plus a shorter version) get used a lot for tight spots, a couple of headband style but since I wear a bump cap when working in tight spots they don't get used as often. in the shop I have 4ft led light bars that look like the old fluorescent lights but are a lot brighter and work without an ssue when the shop is cold. a doule long strip above the workbench at the front of the sgop, a string down the middle between the 2 bays and a string down each side wall about the 8 ft mark. my cieling is 10 ft and I have a shelf set up about 18 inched down from that, my light strips are on a 45 degree angle attached to the under side of the shelf on each side wall. same above my workbench except they shine straight down. even at that it seems like when doing brakes etc the area is shadowed and a trouble light is needed. I have a base from an office chair that I extended vertically and have a light that I can hang on that so it is mobile and is at the same level as most work like brakes or stuff that is close to the floor. it is also handy for doing bodywork to check the reflection and see if a panel is straight or not. it does kinda get in the way though.
incandescent lights gat hot, run 110 volts so gotta be a little more aware when doing metal work, have a cord that is always getting snagged or is just a foot short and the darn bulb is always blowing. I worked with a fella who was doing dash work on his mid 90's truck, he used an old fashioned 110v trouble light. he didn't realize how hot it got until he smelled hot plastic from his dash melting.