1950s Craftsman Garage retro remodel

[Red Leader]

Hi, and welcome to the





Here is what I started with (8/2010):

By daveamy at 2011-05-31

Here is where I am RIGHT NOW (11/11/11):






New shelves about 90% done!

New 'RIGHT NOW' pictures will be posted as the garage progresses - keep checking back!

LESSONS LEARNED SO FAR:

1. Buy masking tape in bulk, you'll need more than you think
2. Things that should take the quickest usually end up taking the longest
3. You will forget where you put your pencil. I think a pencil holder at each work station is starting to sound like a really nice idea.
4. If you are too quick on your prep work, it will end up biting you in the butt on the tail end
5. If you can't find it, or afford it, you might just be able to make it! Give it a shot!
6. Let ideas soak in for a time, as they'll usually mature and you'll end up with something cooler than what you first thought up.
7. If you screwed up, there is a good chance that you'll be able to fix it, so don't sweat it
8. Stuff will break (drill bits, screws, tape measures, saw blades, etc). Don't worry about it too much and have spares
9. Buying tools that you didn't need at the time but knew you'd need down the road was a complete and total LIFESAVER. I can't remember how many times I though, "Crap...I need X tool...wait...I have X tool because I got it a while back before I needed it!!!!"



So after months of inspiration from looking at all the garage projects members of this site have undertaken, the time has come to get rolling on a project I've had in mind (aka only dreamed about) for years - the 1950s style Craftsman-equipped woodworkers garage.

Here's a brief history:

I grew up in my dads small shop, usually getting in trouble taking things apart I shouldn't be and enjoying the use of his woodworking tools, building anything and everything I could (no matter how ridiculous). Fast forward to 2010 - we just bought our first house and I can't wait any longer - I have to start doing stuff out there! I've wanted to have a shop my whole life, and with my somewhat new-found love of vintage machinery, I have found my new house project calling.

Here are the project details:

Space: standard two car garage, roughly 20x22.
Amenities: 1 outlet, 1 lightbulb, no insulation.

Goal: Create a woodworking shop with a 1950s theme, using all vintage woodworking machinery (mostly all Craftsman), and make it modular enough to still park cars in (I know, tall order)

Secondary Goal: Get as much done as I can before the baby comes in July. (time= gone!)

Design: Walls will be 2-tone paint (teal/green and off white w/ racing stripe), natural wood trim around the top and bottom walls. Corrugated steel ceiling and beige epoxy floor.

Budget: whatever I manage to scrape together. While not one to ever consider myself poor (very blessed!), working in the non-profit sector means you have to plan accordingly.

This thread is going to be a timeline of progress, but also a fantastic journey. I hope that you enjoy it and since I am BRAND NEW to doing this type of stuff, with little to no training, I would like to encourage your criticism, encouragement, and suggestions. Not much is set in stone, other than the overall goal. A lot is fluid.

Lets have some fun!

(I made an earlier thread about the garage and an introduction, but I feel this thread will more more encompassing of the whole project).

[Red Leader]

Here are some before/current photos detailing what the garage looked like when I first got it, and what it looks like today (May 2011):


Before/ Summer 2010:


By daveamy at 2011-05-14

Fall 2010:

Electrical work being done:


By daveamy at 2011-05-14

By daveamy at 2011-05-31

By daveamy at 2011-05-14

By daveamy at 2011-05-14

By daveamy at 2010-12-12

Put up insulation:


By daveamy at 2011-05-31


Installed lighting:


By daveamy at 2011-05-14

By daveamy at 2011-05-31

By daveamy at 2011-05-31

Installed drywall:


By daveamy at 2011-05-31

Did the whole joint compound thing:


By daveamy at 2011-05-14

By daveamy at 2011-05-14

By daveamy at 2011-05-14


Current / May 21, 2011


By daveamy at 2011-05-21

By daveamy at 2011-05-21

By daveamy at 2011-05-21

Work done so far:

1. Install 200amp sub-panel and move it in the garage
2. Install 11x 110v outlets (15amp), 1x 110v outlet (20amp), and 2x 220v outlets (20amp)
3. Install 6x florescent lights and all wiring
4. Install kraft paper-back R13 insulation in all walls
5. Install 5/8 sheetrock on all vertical walls
6. Tape and mud drywall

I am currently on the 'primer' phase of the walls right now.

Observations: Even though my drywall screw holes were filled and level, once I put on primer they became indented, as did some other areas around where I did the tape work. Perhaps the primer soaks into the joint compound more so than just sitting on the paper? I'll definitely need a few coats.

Next up: More primer! Then maybe sanding! Then PAINT (but first I need to strain it - got from habitat for humanity...good but a little chunky).

[Red Leader]

Okay, so maybe looking at pictures of primer and ladders gets everyone really excited, but honestly it can get a little boring too.

So! Here are some 'fun pictures' some some of the equipment that will be a part of the '1950s Craftsman Garage':

1. 1951 Parks/Craftsman Radial Arm Saw

By daveamy at 2011-05-21

2. 1950's Parks/Craftsman 18" Band Saw

By daveamy at 2010-11-14

3. 1963 Delta Unisaw

By daveamy at 2010-09-13

4. 1950's Craftsman 6" Jointer w/ Stand

By daveamy at 2011-05-09

5. 1956 Delta/Homecraft Scroll Saw

By daveamy at 2011-01-13

6. 1954 Craftsman Magnetic Jig Saw

By daveamy at 2011-05-14

7. 1940s Atlas Drill Press

By daveamy at 2011-05-21

8. 1948 Kniesley Yager K2000 Planer

By daveamy at 2011-05-21

Not pictured: 1940s Craftsman Grinder and 3" Wilton vise.

Still on the lookout for:

1950s Craftsman floor press w/ vari-slow attachment or table raising mechanism
Early 1950s Craftsman grinder (very hard to find)
Parks/Craftsman 20" planer (never seen one) to replace the Kniesley at some point
Craftsman-badged Darra James 12" table saw from the 1940s
Craftsman-badged Atlas floor saw from the late 1930s

Enjoy!

[Jack Olsen]

Cool!

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

Awesome project! That Atlas drill press is so sweet!

[ZTFab]

Awesome project.

Can't wait to see it finished!

[Stuart in MN]

Nice collection of woodworking machinery, especially the Unisaw! I have the same jointer, although mine doesn't have the cool stand.

[sscustom]

awsome tools you got there

[Red Leader]

Thanks everyone for the comments!

I bit the bullet and just went out today and picked up a 5 gallon bucket of drywall primer and went to town.

Even after 2+ coats, I'm still noticing the indentation/lines where I have mud in-between the joints. It was completely flat and sanded before this went on.

Do I sand the drywall primer? Keep adding coats? A little of both?

[Red Leader]

Originally Posted by KraftwerkMk1Jetta

Awesome project! That Atlas drill press is so sweet!

The Atlas and the Craftsman radial saw were my first major woodworking purchases (last year).

Unfortunately the finish on the Atlas is chipping so I'll probably have to redo it at some point, but being that it was my first semi-restore, I'm okay with that...live and learn...and follow drying times to a T next time.

[willy3486]

If you don't get 100% craftsman you will have a nice shop there anyway. I have a mix of all kinds,walker turner,powermatic,delta,craftsman and I like older as well. That planer is probably nicer than others you can find. It is agreat size for a shop, the one I have is way to large for a small shop. Its a 18 inch powermatic and the motor off to the side. It makes it wide, I like how your motor is under the planer. Keep up the good work and keep the pictures going.

[Thruxton]

Great project, and I really look forward to following this and seeing how it turns out, should be a real treat!

[OccupantRJ]

Originally Posted by Red Leader

Thanks everyone for the comments!

I bit the bullet and just went out today and picked up a 5 gallon bucket of drywall primer and went to town.

Even after 2+ coats, I'm still noticing the indentation/lines where I have mud in-between the joints. It was completely flat and sanded before this went on.

Do I sand the drywall primer? Keep adding coats? A little of both?

Dap makes a pink product in a squeeze tube that is used for filling small indentations. Squeeze some on the tip of a putty knife, smear over the blemish. It will turn white when it is ready to sand. Hit it with a sanding block, then primer. Are you aware of the OWWM site?

[hardly]

Nice to see older machinery that has, obviously, received a lot of TLC down through the
years. Also says something about the quality of American brands back then. Gotta love
that Atlas drill-press. Haven't seen one of those in years!

[brando090]

Wow, i love these. You are making me think about when i get a house, i will have to go vintage with those tools as well. I hope you got them at a good deal

[Dennis Cavallino]

Great tools you've got there. Good luck and enjoy!

[Red Leader]

Originally Posted by Thruxton

Great project, and I really look forward to following this and seeing how it turns out, should be a real treat!

Thruxton,

Do you ride? Is that your bike in your avatar?

Here is what I ride - 2001 Kawasaki W650. It will also have a home in the 50s garage


By daveamy at 2011-05-22

[flatwins]

Yes, that is very cool stuff! Hopefully you can find some old signage to put in the garage along with the great old tools from yesteryear. Wondering how that "parking the cars in the garage" thing is going to work out...

[Stuart in MN]

Originally Posted by Red Leader

Here is what I ride - 2001 Kawasaki W650.

Hey, that looks familiar... Here's mine.

[flatwins]

Those Triumph-inspired Kawasakis are cool. I don't have one but vintage motorcycles are a true passion of mine.

Here's one from the stable-