Author Topic: A Man Without A Garage... (Read 2981 times)

MacM2010 · « **on:** July 25, 2008, 01:44:01 PM »

So, I'm moving, and while I tried and tried, it's looking like a place with a garage is out of my price range. A sad state of affairs, I agree.

The upside: the new place has a yard, and a reasonably large one. I will, therefore, literally be a shade-tree mechanic (pecan), unless anyone has any suggestions. It's a rental, so I can't really build a garage like I might at a place I own. I will be building a shed, to keep my jealous neighbors from joyriding while I'm asleep, but I need a place to work. Any ideas? It's New Mexico, so it doesn't rain much, but it's dusty as hell. Is a lean-to mechanic better than a shade-tree?

Any and all advice is appreciated.

Best,
Mac

Gordon · « **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2008, 01:58:42 PM »

The answer depends on whether you're single or not.

MacM2010 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2008, 02:43:04 PM »

Very good point. I'm not single, and my wife will probably not be thrilled by a yard full of bike parts.

I'm not sure what she thinks a yard is for, but I'm told marriage is a compromise, so I'll try to see it her way.

scunny · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2008, 02:46:08 PM »

I don't think Gordon meant the bikes to be in the yard, how big is the kitchen ?

edbikerii · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2008, 02:51:37 PM »

How about buying something like this:

http://www.trailersforless.com/haulmark_kodiak_cargo_trailer.html

Gordon · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2008, 03:17:45 PM »

Quote from: scunny on July 25, 2008, 02:46:08 PM

I don't think Gordon meant the bikes to be in the yard, how big is the kitchen ?

Yep, that's what I was getting at! But I guess the wife factor kind of rules that out.

How much $$ are you comfortable spending on a workspace? I like Ed's idea, but you might want to outfit it with a bed and bathroom for when the wife finds out how much you spent.

The lowest-tech, and least expensive approach would be to get a cover for the bike/s to keep the elements at bay, but it doesn't do much for your working comfort. Is there a good place on the side/back of the house to attach a cheap and easy bike port? You could even lay down some pallets and cover them with painted plywood for a decent, level floor surface.

MacM2010 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2008, 03:30:04 PM »

Ah, the kitchen! That'll work for day projects. Any longer, I'm probably better off in the yard.

I like the trailer idea a lot - kind of a mobile garage. Definitely something to save up for. Plus, I can rig it with some power strips, and plug it into the neighbor's outlet. It'll pay for itself!

Cost is a problem, yes. Good advice, Gordon, I think I can find a space on the wall for a port. Maybe build a cheap cabinet for tools, too. I like the pallet idea - I won't be lying everything down in the dirt.

Thanks for the help, guys - it's much appreciated.

Gordon · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2008, 03:38:33 PM »

Another slightly more costly (but still inexpensive) option for a floor surface is to buy a bunch of cheap 12"x12" pavers from your local home improvement or gardening center. If you go that route, though, you'll want to fill in the gaps with sand so small screws, springs, etc. don't fall down between them.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2008, 05:08:50 PM »

Years ago, I semi-leveled a patch of ground, put down free pallets I collected, and screwed plywood into that. Put a tent of some sort over that (I built a cheap-o tent using 4x4's and a tarp). The house was one wall, and the tarp made a roof and a wall. The front and back were open.

Kept the rain and bird poop out, anyway...

Rocking-M · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2008, 05:58:09 PM »

Or, get on of those Metal Car garages that are basically free standing, screw anchors keep it to the ground,
and then cheap plywood on the sides would make and enclosed garage that is easy to tear down and take
with you on the next move to your own place.

Something like this,

http://www.steelmasterusa.com/carports.html

MacM2010 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2008, 09:33:21 PM »

An update: We've found a new house, right in our price range, with an enclosed porch that will quickly become my 750's new home (the wife agreed to it - ain't she great?). I can roll it right in from the carport.

And I was all set to build Uncle Ernie's hobo garage...

I am still going to put down those tiles you were talking about, Gordon. What do you guys think of these?

http://texasgarages.com/RD_Harley_Flooring.jpg

Pretty sweet, huh?

But seriously, thanks for all the help - this is great, and I really appreciate it.

gregimotis · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2008, 10:04:01 PM »

It is pretty sweet.
I'm the type that would buy a couple sheets of 1/2" plywood and spend the 'savings' on all the parts I also can't afford.

seaweb11 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2008, 10:11:37 PM »

The site with the HD tiles has some nicer "in my opinion" looking ones without the HD mark-up

joeyboy · « **Reply #13 on:** July 26, 2008, 06:53:23 AM »

Ok, this may sound a little redneck, but check it out. Garage doors are water and wind proof. Putting them together makes water and wind proof walls. Now you can go to your local garage door dealer and ask for panels that have slight dings in them. The customers don't want dings, but a shed wall, well who cares, right. If you put four up on three sides, and manufacture a door for the front, and a few on the top with some framing, you have a shed. I did it, and it was wife approved. It took me about six to eight hours to complete, and I have a 16' deep by 9' wide by 9' talll shed, with an automatic door, and a button on my bike. If you want pics, just let me know. It's worth it if you don't want to spend a bunch, you don't have much time, and you need reliable housing for your metal queen, there you have it. I worked at a garage door place, so it cost me about five dollars in touch up paint. The damaged panels are real cheap, and well worth it.

troppo · « **Reply #14 on:** July 26, 2008, 07:04:39 AM »

Bloody great tip there joey.
Thats thinking outside the box!

joeyboy · « **Reply #15 on:** July 26, 2008, 07:11:27 AM »

Ha ha, thanks. Yeah being a cheapskate pays off sometimes. However, don't get me wrong, my Honda got my full attention. Cheap is good until your going down the highway on your bike and surrounded by brick walls on wheels that are seemingly oblivious of us.

troppo · « **Reply #16 on:** July 26, 2008, 07:19:09 AM »

I know what you mean, one of the guys at work has one of those hand held air horns fitted to his bike.....
They soon know he is there lol

MacM2010 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 26, 2008, 09:25:46 AM »

Quote from: seaweb11 on July 25, 2008, 10:11:37 PM

The site with the HD tiles has some nicer "in my opinion" looking ones without the HD mark-up

Wait, what? You guys don't want to pay extra so the garage floor will look tough? I want everyone to know how manly my floor is - plus I want it to match my H-D toilet and H-D hair dryer.

Nah, I'm just screwing around. That site does have some good prices on tiles without a brand-name attached. And I like the garage door idea, Joey. You guys are all great.

Thanks,
Mac

joeyboy · « **Reply #18 on:** July 26, 2008, 03:53:55 PM »

Wow, thanks for the comments. Hey, I do wear a HD shirt sometimes. Then again, it is one of the shirts that I have set aside to get grimy with when working. Well that is because I used to wear it so much. My floor is a proud and functioning plywood floor on top of leveled dirt. I know it sounds redneck and all, but it really works well, and extremely cheap. Been to any job sites lately? They are not selling the stuff cheap. Wait, they are not selling it at all, ha ha, so cheap has a whole new meaning. If you would like some pics, just let me know. It is not a high budget, homeowners approved shed, but your bike will stay dry, and secure.

MacM2010 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 26, 2008, 07:26:19 PM »

I'm just teasing, I've got nothing against H-D - my uncle's a big Harley guy. Still, a t-shirt is one thing; brand-name flooring, imho, is a bit much.

Sure, post a pic. We'll see if I can rustle up the materials for a copy (unless the blueprints are copyrighted).

gregimotis · « **Reply #20 on:** July 26, 2008, 07:44:00 PM »

Quote from: MacM2010 on July 26, 2008, 07:26:19 PM

We'll see if I can rustle up the materials for a copy (unless the blueprints are copyrighted).

1) Purchase (or otherwise 'acquire') three 4 X 8 sheets of plywood.

2) Lay said sheets next to one another

3) Roll bike onto sheets, deposit ice chest full of beer on sheets.

4) Declare victory, shake fists at sun, shout warcry.

(Patent pending, all rights reserved)

754 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 26, 2008, 08:31:48 PM »

40 people at Bonneville already stole that idea....

MacM2010 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 26, 2008, 09:58:58 PM »

Greg, you're a genius. Consider it done.

fuzzybutt · « **Reply #23 on:** July 26, 2008, 10:08:17 PM »

see if there are any used shipping containers in your area
i can get em here for less than 1000 dollars for the 26 foot ones

joeyboy · « **Reply #24 on:** July 27, 2008, 05:58:02 AM »

"Been to any job sites lately? They are not selling the stuff cheap. Wait, they are not selling it at all, ha ha, so cheap has a whole new meaning."

When I said this, I probably should have mentioned that it would be good to ask the superintendant if it is ok to take the wood from his sight. Because if you steal, your just a jerk. Most of the time they are fine with it.

News:

Author Topic: A Man Without A Garage... (Read 2981 times)

Rocking-M

joeyboy

troppo

joeyboy

troppo

joeyboy

fuzzybutt

joeyboy