Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

SShink · 3K+ Club

New KS Home Garage/Shop

Derek69SS · Founding Member

Looks great Stan! Is it too late to ad a bajillion outlets?

Lost in the 60s · President

Wow, going for spankin' new.
Do you still have the Camaro ?

Chris S · Active Member

Congrats on the new home Stan!. Sounds like you have the garage all planned out already. Are you early enough in the construction to pick flooring, countertop, cabinet, and paint colors?

gearlube · Active Member

Stan. With the garage new, couldn't you have them switch to the high side rails and then install a side wonder opener? That way when you do get a list your set.

also really like the gray and white trim. Open concepts are very nice too.

-- Edited by gearlube on Sunday 29th of March 2015 07:27:53 PM

SShink · 3K+ Club

Derek-That will happen after inspection...

Mitch-Sold the Camaro last Fall before winter hit. I needed to either put it in storage or sell it, so I sold it. Glad I did as it's 1 less car to worry about for the move.

Chris S.-Yes, I spent 2 hours yesterday morning at the design center on the phone with Tina taking pics and having her on speaker with the designer the entire time... They needed to order the cabinets tomorrow and we needed to pick paint colors, so that is done along with the counter tops. We need to pick floor tile and back splash yet. So, it was nice to customize a little and make it truly our home, and not just spec home colors.

Tom-The way the rails are on the double door, it would hit the beam above, so no way to raise the rails. If I get a lift, it will have to go up with the door closed, then I can open it again to add a car underneath.

Here's the pic showing the rail issue:

Back in Black · Active Member

I'd do a high lift conversion on those doors and get them tucked up as high as possible. What is the distance from the bottom of the beam to the floor? What is the distance between the beam and the front garage wall? There may be enough room in front of the beam. The higher you lift the door, the less it extends into the garage. And you don't have to open the door all the way. Just enough to get the car in.

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Back in Black wrote:
I'd do a high lift conversion on those doors and get them tucked up as high as possible. What is the distance from the bottom of the beam to the floor? What is the distance between the beam and the front garage wall? There may be enough room in front of the beam. The higher you lift the door, the less it extends into the garage. And you don't have to open the door all the way. Just enough to get the car in.

Exactly, do it now or you never will. K is correct, if you run the door to the ceiling only two panels will be horizontal; you would at least have future potential for a lift or just tall storage.

Ok then, if you need any more assistance spending your money just let us know, that's what buddy's are for.

Chris R · 2K+ Club

Stan. Do you have the ability to build a man cave in the future behind the garage like you had here in MN? Does KC even allow that sort of thing or are the codes more strict?

SShink · 3K+ Club

Chris R wrote:
Stan. Do you have the ability to build a man cave in the future behind the garage like you had here in MN? Does KC even allow that sort of thing or are the codes more strict?

Nope, association won't allow it.

Dan Williams · Active Member

We did this to our third stall after someone we all know and love decided to poke the convertible top on the 65 into the opener. I can get the car as high as the second from top notch before it hits the ceiling and I can still open the door. And I could get it all the way up if I rolled the whole thing forward a foot or so but would be in the way when it is down. the jack shaft openers are the bomb. I have 4 on different doors residential and commercial and never have an issue. Looks like you would have plenty of room to do this. The door guy might tell you they can't blah blah blah, but we did and it has been that way over 10 years. 2 post lift would work awesome with a 12 foot ceiling and be more useful Mine is out in the middle of a big room so no clearance issues.

SShink · 3K+ Club

Dan Williams wrote:
2 post lift would work awesome with a 12 foot ceiling and be more useful Mine is out in the middle of a big room so no clearance issues.

Hmmmmm Dan.... I like the 2 post idea much better! Especially the portable ones that can be moved around.

My only question for the group is there an issue having 1 car up on the 2 post, and putting another underneath for storage for a few months? I can't remember if 2 posts have a mechanical lock on them, or if it's just a hydraulic lock? Derek, I think you have a 2 post? Would you store a car under it?

Back in Black · Active Member

SShink wrote:
Dan Williams wrote:
2 post lift would work awesome with a 12 foot ceiling and be more useful Mine is out in the middle of a big room so no clearance issues.

Hmmmmm Dan.... I like the 2 post idea much better! Especially the portable ones that can be moved around.
My only question for the group is there an issue having 1 car up on the 2 post, and putting another underneath for storage for a few months? I can't remember if 2 posts have a mechanical lock on them, or if it's just a hydraulic lock? Derek, I think you have a 2 post? Would you store a car under it?

Two posts have mechanical "locks" just like 4-posts. However, they are not recommended for storing a vehicle in the lifted position. Not sure what the reason(s) are. Probably has more to do with liability than anything else.

My recommendation would be to buy one of each. :) Look at it this way. $2300 for a 4-post lift to store a car or $35,000 for a new detached garage.

I have a 4-post and a 2-post in a 34x21 three stall garage with a 10'6" ceiling. I can get the 4-post with the El Camino on it raised to one lock from the top. I park my 2011 Malibu under it. I could raise the 2-post all the way but I installed a beam across the top of the posts as a stabilizer so I have to stop one lock from the top. I'm going to remedy that in the future.

Dan Williams · Active Member

I think I would park under my two post. They is always something hanging up there for months on end and I have never seen any issues with it. There is positive locks on it also. Would just have to be real careful what I leave on top as most of my junk leaks in the winter. Or just head out to the edge of town and look for some commercial building on the cheap. I know the economy of the 07-13 or so a lot of little shops bit it and you can pick up buildings for quite a deal around here. I know what I have in mine and I think I could find something maybe not quite as nice for about half that.

Dan Williams · Active Member

SShink wrote:
Dan Williams wrote:
2 post lift would work awesome with a 12 foot ceiling and be more useful Mine is out in the middle of a big room so no clearance issues.

Hmmmmm Dan.... I like the 2 post idea much better! Especially the portable ones that can be moved around.
My only question for the group is there an issue having 1 car up on the 2 post, and putting another underneath for storage for a few months? I can't remember if 2 posts have a mechanical lock on them, or if it's just a hydraulic lock? Derek, I think you have a 2 post? Would you store a car under it?

I would store a car under another on my two post. There are positive locks on it. Hard part would be making sure the one on top doesn't leak as most of my junk does especially in the winter. Only portable 2 post I know of are the Max Jack. I think they are great lifts but only go up about 45 inches so ok to work on car from a stool or doing wheel or suspension work but no storage. My 4 post moves rather easily even with a car on it but I haven't moved it in many years. Once you get a two post the 4 post becomes the one I use to clean the car real good on. I know Steve Howard uses his to roll the cars out and steam clean them in the drive way but my driveway is way to steep to try that one on. I have steam cleaned a few out to the shop but it makes a huge mess that the wife wouldn't want in the house garage. Probably pretty lucky she lets me come home after I do one of them.

Lost in the 60s · President

I'll second the jack-shaft or side mount opener to utilize the space to the ceiling.

I would park under a permanently anchored 2 post but not the portable ones, even with floor anchors and I don't believe they would go high enough either.

I think the reason they don't recommend parking under a 2 post is because it's hard to get the weight centered and balanced. There is usually more weight on the front and it's possible the arms could fatigue and bent/snap. Not likely, like Dan said, he leaves vehicles up for months but the manufacturers have to cover their butt for any possible scenario a careless person could create.

dashboard · 2K+ Club

SShink wrote:
Chris R wrote:
Stan. Do you have the ability to build a man cave in the future behind the garage like you had here in MN? Does KC even allow that sort of thing or are the codes more strict?
Nope, association won't allow it.

That hurts, mower, blower, yard stuff....the three car is going to fill up fast, makes the lift even more important. Hopefully you can put up a 10x12 for yard stuff or you'll be looking for off site storage.

SShink · 3K+ Club

dashboard wrote:
SShink wrote:
Chris R wrote:
Stan. Do you have the ability to build a man cave in the future behind the garage like you had here in MN? Does KC even allow that sort of thing or are the codes more strict?
Nope, association won't allow it.
That hurts, mower, blower, yard stuff....the three car is going to fill up fast, makes the lift even more important. Hopefully you can put up a 10x12 for yard stuff or you'll be looking for off site storage.

I anticipated this, so I'm asking the builder if the HOA will allow something like this that my neighbor in MN has, and it works out well for mower/blower/bike storage and has 98 CF:

Sliding Lid Shed Link

If you click the 'Video' link on the webpage, there is a cool video showing how the top lid slides back and the doors open for easy access to roll a lawn mower in.

gearlube · Active Member

I get the point of HOA's but a lot of them are extreme. I don't have one on my home nor would I ever buy a home that had them. We have enough controls on our lives. I used the heck out of my little building.

-- Edited by gearlube on Wednesday 1st of April 2015 02:29:53 PM

Chris S · Active Member

That is a tough spot to be in Stan. A three car garage is full before you add all the lawn care equipment. I built a 12x24 shed years ago, went out there the other day and can hardly get in! Never enough room.

SShink · 3K+ Club

gearlube wrote:
I get the point of HOA's but a lot of them are extreme. I don't have one on my home nor would I ever buy a home that had them. We have enough controls on our lives. I used the heck out of my little building.

-- Edited by gearlube on Wednesday 1st of April 2015 02:29:53 PM

I guess that's why you live in Farmington...

Just raggin' ya man!

Lost in the 60s · President

gearlube wrote:
I get the point of HOA's but a lot of them are extreme. I don't have one on my home nor would I ever buy a home that had them. We have enough controls on our lives. I used the heck out of my little building.

-- Edited by gearlube on Wednesday 1st of April 2015 02:29:53 PM

I'm with ya there, Tom. I abhor HOA's.

Stan, hire out all the yard work and forget all the equipment that goes with it. Your yard can't be much bigger than a postage stamp. I wouldn't think it would cost a fortune to hire it out. Work with one that is already in the neighborhood and get a "quantity discount"...

gearlube · Active Member

Agree with Mitch...

Hey now Stan...Rosemount is that much better?!

Either way it's a killer garage and you will enjoy it.

SShink · 3K+ Club

It's official...

Chris R · 2K+ Club

At least its an actual stamped plate. Not the way MN does it now and just prints it.

SShink · 3K+ Club

Chris R wrote:
At least its an actual stamped plate. Not the way MN does it now and just prints it.

That's right Chris. Mizzery (Missouri) uses the printed ones, and they just don't look as good. And... the KS plate is color coordinated with the vert with the blue lettering!

KS has more liberal 'Antique' guidlines than MN. The vehicle does have to be 35 years or older, but can be driven anywhere, so no 'parade or event only driving' like MN for collector plates. They are sticky that it's supposed to have the 'stock driveline' in it, so I figured hey, it has a 350 just like back in the day, so I said 'yes, it's stock'. The street rod guys get more scrutiny with the older cars, that if they've been 'hot rodded', they can't use an antique plate. I'm not sure of the 'hot rod' definition though.

The KS Antique plate is $17 per year, so not free for life, but very reasonable.

Lost in the 60s · President

I don't know if I'd want an "Antique" plate on a car younger than me....

Our new printed plates are digital so Big Brother can scan them and have the info on a computer screen without the person having to input the data. Much handier for the police, etc, to know where everyone is all the time...

jim larson · 2K+ Club

I see there is another use for duck tape.

Chris R · 2K+ Club

Stan did you happen to see if Kansas allows you to personalize an antique plate?

SShink · 3K+ Club

Chris R wrote:
Stan did you happen to see if Kansas allows you to personalize an antique plate?

Yes, they can be ordered personalized.

SShink · 3K+ Club

Finally landed on cabinets for the garage, and started installing them last weekend during the 106 degree heat index... I bought the cabinets from Sam's Club, and the 24" cabinets are $65 all in incl. tax, so I installed 5, and bought 1 more yesterday to even things out. They had to be assembled with a bajillion screws... but they are solid and should do the job. I still need to figure out what I want to do for a work bench (build or buy), but it's starting to come together.

UNASSEMBLED:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

And now for the fun part of organizing everything and putting it away...

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Looks very nice Stan, It also looks like you have a functional plan coming together. Are the doors on the 24" cabinets reversible? I think you're going to like the wheels on that large cabinet. Looks like you're also getting some use out of the yellow scaffolding.

SShink · 3K+ Club

dashboard wrote:
Looks very nice Stan, It also looks like you have a functional plan coming together. Are the doors on the 24" cabinets reversible? I think you're going to like the wheels on that large cabinet. Looks like you're also getting some use out of the yellow scaffolding.

Thanks Kevin. Yes, the doors on the cabinets are reversible and easily changed.

I was on the fence about the big cabinet until I opened the doors in the store and saw how much room there is inside. It's not industrial strength (I think each shelf will hold up to 200 lbs.), but strong enough to hold most things that I want to keep out of sight yet easily accessible. And yes, the wheels are large with ball bearing swivels so it moves easily with brakes on the front two wheels.

Now for the work bench decision... I thought about the rolling cabinet/work bench that you have, but I think I'm leaning towards a fixed bench with larger storage drawers under the two cabinets at the back of the garage, so that I can have a place to sit and work, space for the laptop, etc. Part of the fun is thinking that all through.

The yellow scaffolding is probably the best thing I've bought so far (I think it was $150 at Menards during Xmas sales?). I will either put it to the left of the right side wall cabinets with the shelf high enough that it will clear the hood of the truck when I pull that into the garage, or I can break it down and store it against one of the walls. And with almost 12' tall ceilings in the garage, it's the only way to do anything up high. Pretty convenient unit.

OscarZ · Mega Poster

Looking good Stan. I had that sort of fun last fall. Installed a bunch of cabinets and filled them up and still had stuff left over for shelves and rafters. Wish I had even more storage but that will have to wait until the next garage.

SShink · 3K+ Club

OscarZ wrote:
Looking good Stan. I had that sort of fun last fall. Installed a bunch of cabinets and filled them up and still had stuff left over for shelves and rafters. Wish I had even more storage but that will have to wait until the next garage.

There's NEVER enough room Mike!

Going from the almost 500 SF shop (plus attic storage) plus the 8 X 10' shed to this 3 car garage is challenging my 'space maximization' skills! It's not that I have too much 'stuff'... but putting 2 large trash bins, lawn mower, snow blower, rakes/shovels/etc., wheel barrow, and all the lawn crap inside the garage sure sucks. This is our first home in an HOA, and not sure that I would do it again with all the restrictions. It's nice that the neighborhood has requirements to keep it nice, but to me a nicely built and landscaped shed is much better than looking at broken down trampoline's and play sets that are allowed! Forgive the rant...

Chris R · 2K+ Club

Stan, before you clutter it all up like we all do. Does the garage floor have a coating on it yet? Now might be the best time to put a floor coating on before you get to far moving stuff in.

SShink · 3K+ Club

Chris R wrote:
Stan, before you clutter it all up like we all do. Does the garage floor have a coating on it yet? Now might be the best time to put a floor coating on before you get to far moving stuff in.

Everything is already in. I'm thinking that I'd rather do Race Deck style flooring in at least the 2 car side of the garage someday.

Jon H · 1K+ Club

SShink wrote:
Chris R wrote:
Stan, before you clutter it all up like we all do. Does the garage floor have a coating on it yet? Now might be the best time to put a floor coating on before you get to far moving stuff in.
Everything is already in. I'm thinking that I'd rather do Race Deck style flooring in at least the 2 car side of the garage someday.

Stan, when you get to that point let me know, I have both and can provide some info good intell.

66 RAT · Vice President

Jon -- how about going ahead and posting your experiences, opinions, etc. with garage floor sealer and Race Deck flooring.

Thanks!

SShink · 3K+ Club

So I've been on and off the fence with what to do for a workbench... I have a big remnant of the kitchen countertop we removed from the MN home when we got new laminate installed, and thought about putting new laminate over the top to 'man cave' it, but decided to pull the trigger on an 8' X 2' stainless steel topped one I found on line at HD. It's a little more than I wanted to spend, but the best I could find for under $300 (Saved $180 while on sale!). It looks very sturdy and has a pocket in the back that will be perfect to offset the 4" of concrete block at the base, and it has outlets on the front along with a drawer along the entire length. I also bought a 3' cabinet with drawers and a door for storage that will fit underneath the workbench. Hope to have the workbench in about a week or so, then I can finally get around to putting stuff away and getting organized! Of course that assumes it will not be so darn hot in the garage with the 110 degree heat index we are having this weekend!

Here's a pic of the current 'temporary' table workbench with the final cabinet installed above:

Here's the workbench and link:

WORKBENCH LINK PASTE

gearlube · Active Member

Really like the look of the cabinets

SShink · 3K+ Club

gearlube wrote:
Really like the look of the cabinets

Thanks Tom. I haven't found anything for less $$ that are like them. I almost painted the frames a gray hammer tone instead of the light gray color, and may still do that someday since the cabinets are easy to remove from the wall when empty with their bracket system.

I have AC envy of your new cave, as it's been so friggin' hot in the garage here that I don't even want to go out there and put anything away... Thinking of borrowing your and Dashboard's idea of installing a mini-split system for both AC and some heat (shouldn't need as much heat here in KS).

Dan Williams · Active Member

SShink wrote:
gearlube wrote:
Really like the look of the cabinets

I have AC envy of your new cave, as it's been so friggin' hot in the garage here that I don't even want to go out there and put anything away... Thinking of borrowing your and Dashboard's idea of installing a mini-split system for both AC and some heat (shouldn't need as much heat here in KS).

My shop is probably getting a mini split in the real near future. Friend of mine bought a huge school gym and I had my class reunion in there. They had just put in 5 mini splits and we were the test people. Over a hundred people in the gym and only ran two of the units on a really hot night and it was dang cold in there. Sold me.

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Pushrod put me onto Mini Splits and I love it. I would suggest over sizing the unit for a garage for a couple reasons. If you pull a hot car in on a hot summer day the larger unit will handle it. You don't need to leave the unit on all the time, you can just turn it on when you're going to work and it will cool it down quickly. The good units will reduce their BTU output and become more efficient as the room approaches the selected temp. They also offer a dehumidify only mode.

Check Amazon, they have some nice deals. www.amazon.com/dp/B00HAO7YDA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

SShink · 3K+ Club

Got 3 of the 4 heavy duty shelves up today that I bought from Sam's Club. They only sell them on-line, but well worth the $60 ea. price and the wait. I'm starting to really like that place for garage storage!

These shelves will hold up to 800 pounds if mounted to the studs. The 3 I put up today will store more outdoor stuff, and I will hang garden tools and yard stuff from them. Then for the 4th one I'm going to put the extra set of 5 spoke rims/tires on them to get them off the floor.

It's supposed to cool off into the mid-80's in KC this week, so maybe it will be cool enough to start organizing in the garage.

SShink · 3K+ Club

It finally dipped into the upper 80's for highs here, so got the new workbench put together along with the storage cart/work surface that fits underneath it. Now I need to start organizing!

Jon H · 1K+ Club

Lookin' good Stan!

SShink · 3K+ Club

The double garage doors on our 'new' home had damage where it looked like during the construction phase some sub tried to pry the door up to get into the house... so a couple of the panels were damaged. We took the opportunity to upgrade to top panels with windows to let in more natural light since I plan on spending some time in the garage, and it's just a dark cavern now. They installed them yesterday and it makes a big difference.

Now waiting again for the next cold fronts later this week for the garage to cool down enough to get some more organizing done...

Dan Williams · Active Member

Mini split is in and working now that it is 60* out. Got a 2 ton Mitsubishi. Will tell you how well it works when it warms up a little.