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Want to know what's up with Project 33? This area is updated monthly to let you know where we're at with the project. The latest Articles are featured in the What's New? area of this site and are in reverse chronological order. To follow the build up  from "day 1", go to the From the Start link and keep clicking on "Next Article". To view Articles on a particular subject, use the Search option of this site with the area you wish to explore as your keyword.

   05/25/04 Update 
Garage Time!


I thought it might be fun to share a little "garage time" with you this month. This is my brother's pride and joy and it's an inspiration to me and possibly a few others out there.

What was once an old dark and dirty single stall garage has become a bright and organized work space. That in itself isn't such an incredible feat but if you take into consideration the amount of money spent (or lack of) and take the time to notice all the features, you'll see what an incredible transformation it really is.

It's tough to know where to begin... the garage has everything! It's heated and air conditioned, has a parts washer, a full array of parts books and manuals, surround sound, DVD, CD, computer with hide-away flat screen monitor and illuminated keyboard, TV, telephone, intercom, refrigerator, cable, high speed Internet and two work areas. All in a single stall garage!

There are a lot of hidden features that are incredibly trick like an automatic parking guide that drops from the ceiling when you open the door, or the sliding covers over the windows and stereo equipment. The most amazing thing however is the minimal investment - almost everything was free or salvaged from somewhere and repaired. When he was a kid his most common line was "Your not using that anymore, are you?" I'm not so sure that's changed as an adult :)

In this photo you can see the flat screen that flips out of a pocket in the wall. The center-hinged door acts as the mount - how simple!

When it's closed it looks just like the rest of the pegboard. He laid a piece of pegboard over the top and sprayed black through the holes. Nice desktop wallpaper bro  ;)


Here's Reade posing by the flip-out keyboard and mouse. The sliding door for the stereo (under the bench) is in the down position so you can view it. Next to it is a mini refrigerator - also scavenged for little or nothing.

This is organization to the max. Not an inch of space has been wasted.




Speakers for the surround sound are built into the ceiling to save room. It  sounds awesome!

The walls and ceiling are covered with panels made from a washable plastic coated board that was donated by a friend.


The sliding window cover is in the up position in this photo and a nice sized TV sits in the center of the back wall above it. A rearview mirror from a car works great under the cupboard as a shaving mirror.

The shelf above the mirror flips down to act as a holder for the automotive manuals inside.


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More parts books and manuals sit on top of the long "clean area" workbench. The GSS   (Garage Security System ;) blow gun is loaded with darts and hangs above them.

Every time I visit I see something else that blows me away (no pun). It's a fun place to hang out.


My brother's long and narrow "clean area" work bench seemed like a really cool idea, so I decided to build one for my garage.

These cupboards have been in storage since 1994 when we remodeled the kitchen in our last house. I never throw anything good away and this seemed like an excellent use for them.




I gave them a couple quick coats of primer and paint before hanging them on the wall. The one on the far right was once a corner cupboard and it didn't have a door on the right side so I cut it open and made it into open shelves.

There will be lights under the cupboards and a 14" deep bench under it someday soon. The bench will have a lower desk area in front of the window for the laptop computer and a place to write and draw. The taller side benches will provide a great place to do projects like dash wiring and small part assembly under good lighting. There will be enclosed storage underneath.



Moving my tool chest to the side wall makes the garage seem roomier. I'm also able to place the garbage can next to the bench. This is where I've had my garbage can in every shop I've ever had. It's been hard to adjust, so I'm glad to have it back where it belongs :)

The old almond knobs were painted silver as a finishing touch.

Total investment... $50 for paint and supplies and about six hours of work over two evenings, and that includes cleaning the garage. I think I'll use the wood from the body cradle to build the bench after it's no longer needed.

Those of you who are observant will notice that the frame is gone. It went to the paint booth last Saturday and will be primed this Saturday morning! The body should be joining it in a week. Bob found a flaw with my bodywork on the firewall and needs to repair it before we paint. I'll be there with my camera to document the entire process and the materials used. This time around we get to watch a pro paint it!

 

Until next time - Keep the shiny side up!

Scooter

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