Lil' Biatch's NvrMade Chop Shop (Long Post, lots of pics)

ConstructionBoss · Feb 28, 2005

This is the shop at my current house. It is in the final stages of a remodel that started in October of 2003. It was built so I could have a place to work on my newest project, a 1976 Ford Excursion (see the blog for the truck at nvrmade.blogspot.com ) I named the project NvrMade, and came up with NvrMade Chop Shop for my garage name. With the exception of my best friend Dave helping me hang some drywall, I did all the framing, plumbing, electrical, drywall, painting, cabinetry, and finish work myself. My parents helped out with some of the painting of the exterior, but all of the exterior remodeling was done by me. The driveway was removed and replaced, with an additional 10 feet added so the new driveway is 30 foot wide.

Here are some before pictures of the exterior and interior of the house and the garage.

ConstructionBoss · Feb 28, 2005

[font=&quot]Here are the after pictures of the exterior.

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ConstructionBoss · Feb 28, 2005

Here is some overview pics of the inside.

ConstructionBoss · Feb 28, 2005

[font=&quot]Here is the new garage door I put in. It is a Wayne Dalton unit from Lowes. It is the insulated model with the metal skin on the inside and pinch free joints.
[/font][font=&quot]This is the Wayne Dalton I-Drive opener I intalled for the door. It installs on the door header so you don't have anything hanging out in the center of the ceiling. It's pretty quite and totally wireless.

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ConstructionBoss · Feb 28, 2005

[font=&quot]Here is the workbench side of the shop.
Here is the shelving system I designed for the bench tools. When finished, a bench tool will be mounted to a shelf. The shelf is on drawer slides that alow the shelve to be placed in one of the two slots on top of the bench. This allows 8 to 10 bench tools to be stored underneath the bench in on of the 5 columns. This way either zero, one, or two tools can be used on the benchtop while the other tools are stored below.
This is the storage area where larger equipment can be placed out of the way. Sliding closet door hardware will be utilized so a coor can be placed over this area to keep the tools out of site.[/font]

ConstructionBoss · Feb 28, 2005

[font=&quot]Here is my air compressor. It is an Ingersoll Rand TS4L5 from Northern Tool (find it here)
Here is "Reel Central" The top reel is a 75' air hose. The bottom is a 50' water hose. I can wash in the driveway easily with the water reel and can do work comfortable out in the driveway with the air reel. Both are from Northern Tool and can be found here .
This is the circuit box I intalled for the garage. There is a 30 amp outlet for the plasma cutter and a 50 amp outlet for the mig welder. (The 50 amp receptical is on order and should be in this week) I also plumbed an air line over to here for the plasma cutter. My new Miller Millermatic 210 mig welder should be here in April and my new Miller Spectrum 375 plasma cutter should be here in May.
Here is a dart board I made from the sidewall of a racing slick my old neighbor had from one of his drag cars. I cut a circle out of plywood and attached the tire to it. I mounted this to the wall, then mounted the dart board to it.[/font]

ConstructionBoss · Feb 28, 2005

[font=&quot]Here is the entertainment center for the shop. I have a larger 27" TV going in were the 29" one sits. The stereo is a Panasonic surround sound unit with a DVD player and VCR built in. The electronics niche is wire for the home network, two satelite feeds, and a phone jack. I will be replacing the reciever with a Tivo unit.
Here is the subwoofer for the sytem. It is built into the larger work table of the workbench. 1/4" birch plywood will cover this side with a cutout for the subwoofer niche.
I custom built a cabinet and some drawers into the entertainment wall to hold all my power tools and air tools. The cabinet will be finished with birch plywood and slatwall like over the workbench.[/font]

ConstructionBoss · Feb 28, 2005

[font=&quot]Here are some cabinets I got from Home Depot. There is one 36" one and two 30" ones. The hold things like paint and misc. Materials for home and auto improvement.
This is the kitchenette I built at the back of the garage. I will be adding an under the cabinet microwave on the right side.
Here is the sink and faucet I put in. The sink is a laundry sink that is extra deep. The faucet is extra tall so I can fit larger items in the sink. It also has a pullout head. Both are from Home Depot.
This is a kegerator I built a few years ago. I painted the iron cross before it became an overused symbol of customization. I will probably do a new two tone paintjob to match what the truck will look like one of these days. Notice it holds two kegs, one half barrel, and one pony.

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ConstructionBoss · Feb 28, 2005

[font=&quot]This is the whiteboard I use to planning and write down thoughts I want to remember while working on projects. I was watching a custom car show and they mentioned Zeus fasteners so I jotted the name down so I could do some research on them.
Here is some outdoor storage I have for yard and work tools, and some lumber and ladder racks. It is on the side of the garage, and is nice because it keeps these items out of the shop.[/font]

ConstructionBoss · Feb 28, 2005

[font=&quot]This shop has come to fruition after three previous garages that I have experimented with different ideas until I figured out what worked and what didn't I have learned some things from this design that I will rollover into my next shop. This is a "real world" shop that I will be doing alot of work in. By doing everything myself I was able to save ALOT of labor costs and make changes mid-build as I saw what would and wouldn't work.

Once finished, I will start working on my truck project. The project will be followed on a webpage currently being designed that will be located at www.nvrmade.com. The website will have a live webcam as one of it's features.
Feel free to hit me up with any questions or if you'de like to see something in more detail. I can take some closeup pics. I will post updates as I complete the finishing touches.

BTW, the floor will be left concrete as I do the frame fabrication. I think I will do VCT tiles to match the flooring in the upper area eventually once the fame is done and my frame jig is out of the shop.[/font]

Luckydevil · Feb 28, 2005

I don't know how you get any work done with taps on the fridge. :lol:

That workbench is very nicely done and that compressor is a friggin monster. :rocker:

Dare I even ask where you got your screen name? :dunno:

Could you please post more pics of that garage door opener? I have been looking for something compact that didn't take up alot of ceiling space, and I have never seen that before. Looks cool!

ConstructionBoss · Feb 28, 2005

Currently the kegs are empty. I have been waiting until everything is done and I start toying on the truck to get the kegs refilled. That way, I know I'd stay sober.

The air compressor is awesome. I can keep working pretty much nonstop and it will keep up with me. 60 Gallons, 15.6 CFM @ 175 PSI. Not bad. I forgot to mention I also have to outlets above the workbench that I will be placing coiled hoses into so I don't have to roll out the larger hose to work with die grinders and cutoff wheels on the workbench.

Lil' Biatch was a nickname given to me when I was an intern about 5 years ago at Granite Construction Company. My mentor, Ken Kubacki, used to yell across a LARGE office of about 30 people "Lil' Biatch" when he wanted me to do takeoffs or run errands for him (I am in highway construction) and as people heard it the name started to stick. Now that I have moved up the ranks into a Project Superintendent role, I try not to act like the ****y know-it-all -but-i'm-still-a-rookie that some guys do, so I tell people I'm just the Lil' Biatch working my way up towards Big Biatch.

Concrete Video · Feb 28, 2005

Is that boss hogg on the TV? It's got a bit of a glare, but I've been watching the Dukes all weekend, and it looks like him.

ConstructionBoss · Feb 28, 2005

Yeah...lol...that's Boss Hog!! I've been watching it too. My TIVO in the house's entertainment center has been TIVOing all of them so I can watch them on the big screen!

...dave · Feb 28, 2005

Nice setup! i may have to steal that swappable bench tool idea if i ever get around to building a proper bench.

Just FYI, the fasteners you're looking for are probably Dzus, not Zeus.

...dave

Concrete Video · Feb 28, 2005

I' digging the swappable bench idea too. I've been buying more bench tools, so that's something I could use in the future.

Wile1Coyote · Feb 28, 2005

Dude, Those pics gave me serious WOOD!

Very Very Very Nice! I love the attention to deatil and doing theings the sneaky engenious way instead of paying monster $s for stuff.

I doff my cap in your general direction! :bow:

ConstructionBoss · Feb 28, 2005

Luckydevil said:
Could you please post more pics of that garage door opener? I have been looking for something compact that didn't take up alot of ceiling space, and I have never seen that before. Looks cool!

The Opener is made by Wayne Dalton, Available from Lowes or any other Wayne Dalton Dealer. They make two kind, the kind specifically for the I-Drive doors (Wayne Dalton, the one I have) and another "universal" one that is supposed to work with many other doors. I believe the current price is $240+/- for the one I have, and $270 +/- for the "universal" one.
Installation was moderatley difficult, but the instructions were fairly detailed. I would probably have it installed profesionally if I did it again (Usually they only charge about $70 bucks)
The nice thing about this unit is it's WIRELESS!!! You need a power outlet somewhere near the unit, but if you don't you could use the Wayne Dalton extension strip or just a regular "tool"nextension cord. If you want to put the light in, it will also need it's own outlet. It has a side tap outlet that could be utilized for the opener. The light must be placed in a unobstructed location from the opener since that is where it gets it IR signal from. The wall unit simply screws on the wall whereever you like and runs on batteries. The unit also came with a keypad remote that is wireless that I mounted outside (Works nice so my Dad can stop by and borrow tools when I'm not around). It also comes with two keyfob remote control openers.

Check out http://www.waynedalton.com/DirectDrive.asp for more info.

428 · Feb 28, 2005

I like the Dart board. I may copy that. :thumbup:

You need to add this sign.

byrdman · Feb 28, 2005

will you adopt me?

Very nice place there. You've obviously planned quite well. Good show!

OI812 · Feb 28, 2005

Looks really nice.

Only thing I notice, is the PVC on the air compressor. Take a look at this thread if you get a chance PVC and air lines

I like the air compressor too. Those are kick a$$ units.

Oh yeah I am just mentioning the PVC, not trying to even start a debate on it.

Oh yeah and I really really like the beer taps.

ConstructionBoss · Mar 1, 2005

OI812 said:
Looks really nice.

Only thing I notice, is the PVC on the air compressor. Take a look at this thread if you get a chance PVC and air lines

I like the air compressor too. Those are kick a$$ units.

Oh yeah I am just mentioning the PVC, not trying to even start a debate on it.

Oh yeah and I really really like the beer taps.

The PVC is for the air intake filter. The Filter used to be located on top of the pump, but was relocated into the next room, a decent sized laundry room, so that the air compressor is taking in "cleaner air" This way, if I am sanding or spraying and the air starts getting contaminated, the air compressor isn't sucking it into the air filter. Also keeps the garage quiter. This was done pre advisement in the Ingersoll Rand instalation guide. If you look to the left of the compressor, you can see where the air outlet conects to the system The air goes to an Ingersoll Rand regulator/filter, then to black pipe that splits to the left and right sides of the garage. I have valves that can isolate each side of the shop if need be.

No hard feelings on the question. The only way to educate is to investigate.

Something I forgot to mention was the isolators I used under the air compressor. I picked these up at Grainger for like $25 each. They bolt to the feet on the compressor and I didn't even have to bolt the unit down. So far it hold up great, and as mentioned before is pretty quiet. I am monitoring the feet and if the unit seems to be "walking" I will bolt down the isolators.

In the future I may replace the airline with a Garage Pak type system. Ingersoll Rand carries one as well. Depending on how the air flow holds up when I get into heavy fab work.

C_F · Mar 1, 2005

I also doff my hat!

A lot of your ideas are pretty darn cool! :thumbup:

What made you decide to go with blue walls? Just to hide dirt a little better?

Until I read what your profession was, I was gonna ask if you had a sign-swiping problem. :lol2:

OI812 · Mar 1, 2005

It was hard to tell where it was coming off of. Really glad to see you didn't use PVC for a pressurized line like that. By the way that is a great idea about piping in the fresh air. I suppose once you do about 4 or 5 garages you start figuring out what to do and what not to do. Anyway great job.

aero · Mar 2, 2005

all this in a 2 car garage :thumbup:

Wile1Coyote · Mar 2, 2005

Lil'Biatch said:
The PVC is for the air intake filter. The Filter used to be located on top of the pump, but was relocated into the next room, a decent sized laundry room, so that the air compressor is taking in "cleaner air" This way, if I am sanding or spraying and the air starts getting contaminated, the air compressor isn't sucking it into the air filter. Also keeps the garage quiter. This was done pre advisement in the Ingersoll Rand instalation guide. If you look to the left of the compressor, you can see where the air outlet conects to the system The air goes to an Ingersoll Rand regulator/filter, then to black pipe that splits to the left and right sides of the garage. I have valves that can isolate each side of the shop if need be.

Lil B

Just to clarify here, you are pulling your compressor inlet air from inside your house then right? Makes sense from a humidity and cleanliness perspective but doesn't it get loud in the house near the inlet? I suspect I am missing a piece of the puzzle there. How did you solve that?

Also would love to see a close up of the isolators if you could. That sounds like a great idea. Thx!

Major Ramifications · Mar 3, 2005

Wow, lots of hat doffing over here! Very nice job with all the woodwork, well thought out.
The only thing that bothers me is that I just got a new garage door last year, and I was thrilled with it until I saw yours and went to the Wayne Dalton website. I wish I had known about them last year. I had never heard of Wayne Dalton before I saw yours. Our Lowes carries Holmes doors, and nobody there was very interested in helping me. On the bright side, I have not yet replaced the opener, so maybe a Wayne Dalton I drive could be in my future.
I was wondering, can you pull a lever or something and manually open and close the door?

One more hat doff for the road! :thumbup:

B.C. · May 10, 2006

Man you are good. Everything is so well thought out. U ARE DA MAN

3/4tonYJ · May 11, 2006

very nice setup, i like your organization.

Hmm, i have a dart board and a tire........might just have to borrow that idea.

midknightryder · May 11, 2006

I am impressed. I hope mine looks half that good when I get done ( if I ever get done).
MKR

cdrewferd · May 12, 2006

Looks very good. Lots of good storage ideas.

Lil' Biatch's NvrMade Chop Shop (Long Post, lots of pics)

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