Re: Garages

[Dale Bradshaw <BRADSHAD@domain.elided>]

Ya know, there are probably starving people somewhere in this world who don't 
even have a heated oversized garage.  Just boggles the mind.  Did any of ya'll
read "Men are from Mars -- Women are from Venus"???  Well, my garage is my
"cave" -- my sanctuary.  What I got:
*  Oversize double, attached to house, 8 ft doors, 12 ft ceiling (I think)
*  Not insulated, but sheet rocked, painted white.  My advise to anyone
building a  house -- Before ya move in, sheet rock, tape, and paint the
garage -- cause if ya don't do it when it's empty -- it'll be a hassle later.
And painted walls and ceiling just make it much brighter and nicer.
*  Hanging 40000 btu (I think) forced air gas heater.  Found this at a swap 
meet for about $30.  Disassembled, painted, replaced  gas valve.  Piped in 
gas line, hung it, installed chimney, thermostat with on/off switch.  This is 
wonderful.  When it's 20 degrees out, it will stay about 65 in -- even without 
insulation.
*  Four double 6 ft flourescent lights on ceiling plus double 4 ft over work bench.
*  Painted particle board shelving on one entire wall.
*  Air compressor plugged to 220 -- Acetylene torch -- wire feed welder.
*  Work bench with lots of storage--front wall.  Above work bench, I installed
five "power strips", wired them together with 12 ga, nailed furring strips, then put
up Masonite (with the little holes),  cut out for the power strips.  (With
all the cordless stuff, ya can't have too many outlets.)  Then I hang up sockets
and  other hand tools on pegs.
*  Of course, stereo system and 13 inch Commodore monitor hooked to old VCR,
makes a great TV.  Also cordless phone and Caller ID so I don't have to answer
when kid's friend's call.   Also put in over the work bench one of those swivel 
lights with magnifying glass  -- very handy.
*  Now virtually all of this stuff I got very cheap at swap meets, pawn shops, etc.
That includes many of my tools.          It's a great cave!!!