The new roof on the Electric Horse Garage is complete. The electricity is in and flowing. The last bit of the puzzle (the ductless HVAC) will be installed on Monday.
That means we move the big machines next week, and I can begin the next chapter of my life.
Some details: Ignore the weird red trim on the front of the shop. That isn’t how it was supposed to look, and I’ll fix that next week. I also have to install some floor sweeps for the doors and hang the interior lights (LEDs). Oh, I have to assemble the 18” band saw. Build a mobile base for the mortiser. Finish the restoration of the old Powermatic drill press.
And touch up the paint inside. Repair the weird hole in the floor (can you see Zuul down there?). Trim and fill the weird pipes in the middle of the floor. Get some heavy anti-fatigue mats for the floor.
Crap.
Shops are never done.
— Christopher Schwarz
It’s most likely a Balrog down that hole.
Would love to know more about the LED lighting that you chose for the electric horse garage. Just got a shop space with lots of CFL bulbs in them and was thinking of changing them out for LEDs (either bulbs or strips) since the space is not well heated and the CFLs have been a little hesitant to come on with the recent cold snap.
Check out Rockler right now. They have a 25% off sale on LED Lighting. I have 4 of the 7500 lumen linkable 4 foot lights I added to my shop/garage to replace the couple of builder provided ceiling mounted bulbs. I switched out the socket fixtures to ones that had the bulb and a plug outlet and plugged them into that. The provide plenty of light.
Mark, I swapped out a bunch of CFL’s a year or so ago for some nice economical LED’s on Amazon: Hyperikon Utility LED Shop Light, 4FT Integrated LED Double-Fixture, 38W (100W Equivalent), 3800 Lumens, 3000K (Soft White Glow), Frosted Cover, Corded-electric – (Pack of 4)
I like the cooler, soft white glow as opposed to the 5000K stuff (which reminds me of work) but you have a choice.
They’re definitely instant on regardless of the temp. I think I bought 12 or 14 total.
I just installed lighting recently in my shop. I went with fluorescents. This could be changing, but I read from a lighting expert (I tried to find the article, no luck) that LEDs have a ways to go before they are more economical. I had a good amount of lighting to install, and LEDs are expensive. According to the writer, 5000k is supposed to be best color.
I almost like the red.
Whoo hoo! (But Zuul lives in my basement “bathroom” – I think what you’ve got there is Keelut)
I agree with James!
Electric Horse Garage would be an awesome name for a band.
An authentic roofer’s paint: Tinner’s Red also available in Tinner’s Green. Don’t believe there are Tinner’s other colors.
And straighten the drooping electric wires across the front (OMG)
That is a shadow of the wires overhead
I should have known – my bad 🙂
It’s nice to read this post today after having read the Shop Makeover chapter of The Anarchist’s Tool Chest last night. The journey continues – thank you for letting us watch.
I would keep the red and add some more but not to much
The red looks good. The muted colours of the facade are crying out for a little dazzle-dazzle.
I am not sure where/how to ask…
But I seem to recall you having a blog post about rolling up some denim and soaking with oil. Then using this to lubricate your plane soles. But I cannot find it. Any help would be appreciated.
Richard
That’s Paul Sellers
That may be the best inadvertent troll I’ve ever seen! Thank you, you’ve made my day.
Guess today I am the wiener(in the comments)….sorry….
No man! You’re my hero!
Haaa, thanks….
And you may want to check out the stall mats at Tractor Supply. 3/4 thick, if I recall, 4’x6′ and very heavy. And fits into the “electric horse garage” idea….
I used those under my LG Washer and Dryer to help with vibration. I couldn’t come up with anything to cut them, my reciprocal saw was useless. Ended up scoring over and over with a utility knife. Unless there is some spiffy cutting method, I’d rearrange the entire shop to accommodate them
Search the blog for “woobie”. I think that might get you what you are looking for.
“Shops are never done.” Oh so true…..
No worries – Zuuls were in Montana.
What do you mean by writing, “were” in Montana? They still are! “Dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria!” That is the Montana that I love!
If you are looking for some anti fatigue mats I have a bunch of the 3′ X 3′ heavy duty mats that we would reach a deal on. they have locking nubs on one side and the top is layed out in a 1 ft X 1 ft pattern. They do look like waffles with a grid of holes in them but they are oil resistant. If you are interested I am not that far away in Urbana Ohio and the phone is 740 972 0232. If I don’t answer it is because of the robo call filters. Leave a VM and I will return the call.
I used a regular powered hand saw with a guide sandwiched on a plywood substrate.
What kind of saw? I tried a sawzall and a jigsaw and it just bogged down…
Just a regular hand power circular saw.
WHEW!!! It looks beautiful!
Looking Good! So the sign you hang in the storefront when you’re in the EHG is: 1. He’s out back. 2. He’s in the other shop. 3. He’s Horsing around in the Electric Garage. 4. I’m out, be back later.
I kind of like the red brow, too. But, you’re contemplating green or white?
Leave the hole and anchor a helium filled red balloon there.
(And horse mats for the horse garage. )
Looking forward to see your post when you have it “completed”.
Echoing back from the hole you hear “There is no Dana…”
I look forward to a spring storefront day, I hope to make it down again soon and perhaps walk the neighborhood a bit as well as picking up a couple of more books.
Chris,
Your doors look good. Since you have that red trim, you could balance that by getting your door sweeps in red rubber. Maybe boxcar red.
Got a caster recommendation for the mobile base?
Round.
Where Is your electric Horse. A photo please?
Awesome if Zeuhl were coming out of that hole. I’d be at the next open house for sure.
Plans sound Google. You’ve earned it with your hard work. Enjoy!