Converting a Backyard Shed into a Model Workshop

[thibaultron]

Mother nature abhors a vacuum, but not as much as a cat does!

[Hank]

I don't know about vacuums, but Lt. Smokey abhors traveling ANYWHERE!!! However, the vet's visit was a real success - after a year of diabetic insulin shots daily, The Lt. has been declared in Diabetic Remission and was duly rewarded with minced chicken upon arrival at home port!! Coxswain duties concluded for a while....

 

Today I'll be working on the shelving system in the garage and then possibly more floor work in the shop this evening (did likewise last night). Heat/humidity have sort of wrung me out and I'm trying to stay cool while still getting something accomplished. I may get the shelving unit painted today and then get the two lower shelves cut to size and also painted. That's the plan. It's almost noon and already the heat/humidity is here for the day.

 

Managed to get 3 floor panels cut, drilled, & installed last night; so, progress, albeit slowly, is being made. Now, I have "stuff" to rearrange again before any futher floor work.

[Hank]

Friday night:

I'm beat!!! Worked all day in the garage yesterday/today on the display unit for PEACOCK and also worked in the shop on finishing the installation of the floor panels. So, it's been a tiring, but rewarding week - the floor paneling is completed and tomorrow a.m. I will fill the screw holes, cracks, imperfections, etc. with Durham's and continue to move scrap lumber and assorted "stuff" to our small shed (now storage). I will then sand the floor panels and paint - perhaps Sunday; I think tomorrow is already covered up. The Admiral helped me carry out the display/shelving unit to the shop and we got it located and I then got it leveled. It is now piled up with "stuff" that will need to be properly stowed once the book shelves are located (perhaps next week, I hope). So, here's today's progress:

The picture on the left - (PEACOCK's new homeport) is 5'Lx2'Wx44"H and will handle her case to a tee! Middle/Right pictures - floor paneling maybe looks haphazard, but I manage to use as much already cut panels without wasting too much and actually have 2 panels to return to the store!

 

Gardener's beware - if you don't have some sort of perimeter fencing around your pole/bush beans the deer will get them!!! They wiped out our whole raised bed of beans 2 nights ago (I was blaming the bunnies🥺, but after catching a doe in the act this a.m., I apologized to the Bun.E. Corps. et al!!!

[RichardG]

Looking really good!

[Hank]

Richard,

Thanks so much! Glad that it meets approval from another modeler!! Much to do still, but I can see the light at the end of the.....shop!

[Cuda1949]

I have enjoyed your journey it looks great you have created a masterpiece. So when can I expect you to come up here and do mine. LOL.

Actually i have kept a space in my shed (Garage) for my desk at the end of my work bench.  Hope to move in  the fall.

 

[Hank]

11 minutes ago, Cuda1949 said:

I have enjoyed your journey it looks great you have created a masterpiece. So when can I expect you to come up here and do mine. LOL.

Actually i have kept a space in my shed (Garage) for my desk at the end of my work bench.  Hope to move in  the fall.

 

Thanks, Al!! Well, I'm not there yet, but making progress!!! We will expect to see a full report on your shop revamp this fall - right?

 

Today's progress: after another morning hour of moving "stuff" & various wood over to the small shed, I spent a couple hours mixing Durham's and filling in all the cracks, holes, etc. - Done for today to let things set up and dry. Will resume work tomorrow.

[Roger Pellett]

At the height of the pandemic here I ordered a can of Durham’s from Amazon as I didn’t want to venture out.  It took an unreasonable time to arrive and now I know why.

 

A guy named Hank in North Carolina had cornered the market.

 

Roger

[Hank]

9 hours ago, Roger Pellett said:

At the height of the pandemic here I ordered a can of Durham’s from Amazon as I didn’t want to venture out.  It took an unreasonable time to arrive and now I know why.

 

A guy named Hank in North Carolina had cornered the market.

 

Roger

You got that right, Jack!!!!! (Roger)!!!!!! LOL!!!

Seriously though, I'm still on my first can and I used probably the last I'll need for a while this morning when I filled in the last of the floor panel screw holes. The shop floor is now painted (2 coats), it's drying, and I'll begin this afternoon putting in the remaining baseboard. Once that's completed, I can begin to move things around and some "stuff" out. I hope to get the new lite fixtures installed early this week. Maybe have a late Sunday afternoon update with pix.

Sunday evening update:

Floor and baseboards are in. Some paint touch-up next on everything! Began moving things tonight and will pick-up again in the morning. Hope to also get started on the LED lite fixtures. Then, the real fun begins.....! Pix tonight:

[Hank]

Monday, 27 July 20:

Morning activities included removal of unnecessary "stuff" from interior of shop and touching up wall, baseboard, & cabinetry paint. Construction paper was removed from deck and sweep down was held on said deck. Paint repairs logged for touch-up after elec. lighting work is completed. Due to high heat/humidity noon chow call was piped down early. Arrangements were made with S.O.P.A. Chief at end of street to provide transportation availability for ship's movement in early afternoon. All preparations for moving ships were completed by 1330 and Fleet Operations Recovery & Distribution vehicle F150 arrived to escort 2 naval vessels to their new moorings. Vessels shifting berths are USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) and U.S. Sloop of War PEACOCK. Loading of aforementioned vessels was completed at 1340 and transit to new berths commenced. Arrival at new berthing accommodations was completed at 1355 and F.O.R.D. F150 departed to conduct local exercises before returning to home port. USS NEW JERSEY is now located in Construction Area "1" in workshop for necessary upkeep and repairs. Sloop of War PEACOCK is now residing in her new permanent berth in Ship's Study & Library, Room Alpha. The following photos are available for publication:

After evening chow is piped down, further interior work on shop will proceed.

[Jack12477]

And when do you pipe the Admiral aboard for her Ready For Ops (RFO) inspection ? 

[Hank]

The Admiral's RFO has been postponed until such time as I'm able to "properly" amend her digital calendar; my first attempt at sliding in an unscheduled visit w/o being caught was unsuccessful and I was duly introduced to "The Cat" - I should be able to regain full usage of my shoulders, neck, and right ear (her aim is not that precise!) in good time.🥵

[BANYAN]

Aw come on Hank that's the sickbay isn't it?  Far too clean, that deck needs some scuffing

 

cheers

 

Pat

[Hank]

30 minutes ago, BANYAN said:

Aw come on Hank that's the sickbay isn't it?  Far too clean, that deck needs some scuffing

 

cheers

 

Pat

Oh, Pat - da deck be scuffed!!! Fer Shur@!!!!!! But, I appreciate the comment as I've strived to get it as neat and clean as possible. Of course, just walking in the shop draws dirt - just like Pigpen and his sandbox!!!!

 

Evening work: I put down a single 3' wide strip of construction paper in the center of the shop while I'm working on the LED fixtures. Made progress tonight and have one unit ready to go. Once I've wired the 2nd unit, I'll do the attic wiring and then locate the connection points for the fixtures. With the HVAC guy coming in the morning to work on the house, I probably won't get out to the shop until late. 

[mtaylor]

Everything looks prim and proper from here, Hank.  I hope it doesn't upset you the first time you get sawdust on the floor. It will be like getting the first ding in a new car.

[Hank]

19 hours ago, mtaylor said:

Everything looks prim and proper from here, Hank.  I hope it doesn't upset you the first time you get sawdust on the floor. It will be like getting the first ding in a new car.

Da ding be dere!!! Of course, once the interior work is completed, I'll roll another coat of paint prior to actual usage of the shop - I gots a whole gallon to use!!!!

Well, this a.m. the HVAC Guy shows up on time, removes the old mini-split and installs the new one - only here 2 hours or so and it's cooing things quite nicely!!!! While he's not experienced with portable a/c units, I gave him a tour of my shop and mentioned my plans for a port. a/c w/heat and he thought that this might be an excellent choice given size, windows, etc. So, I'm in the research mode on that end of things.

This afternoon I did the the 2 LED lite fixtures installed and they are working great!!! It's really bright in there with the new fixtures turned on. The two units come with std. B/W/G leads that need to be connected to the power source (110v or 120v - normal elec. supply current. So, having a spare, unused #12 wire coming from the junction box in the attic space above the shop ceiling, I ran that to a new std. receptacle box (1st Picture below). I had two unused older extension cords (3 prong) and I cut off the female ends of both cords, stripped the wires and connected them to the leads (b/w/g) in each of the LED units with wire nuts. So, after drilling a 1 1/2" dia. hole in the ceiling for each lite fixture, I ran the cord thru the hole to connect to the new receptacle box. Once I put the covers on each of the fixtures, I then secured them to the ceiling and returned to the next receptacle box. I wired a new dual receptacle, put the cover on and plugged in the cords. Operating off the wall switch, everything was on!!! (2nd Picture below). So, tonight I plan to get the remaining ceiling panel in place and then do touch up on paint, etc.

 

Once the ceiling is finished, I'll concentrate on other things in the shop itself - HVAC, getting tools arranged, things unpacked, etc. Then, possibly address the exterior painting, roof, etc. 

[Roger Pellett]

Very nice!

[Hank]

On 7/28/2020 at 7:55 PM, Roger Pellett said:

Very nice!

Thanks, Roger!!!

 

Wed. night - Well, today I order a portable a/c unit for the shop - Black & Decker 14k BTU w/heat - got a used "very good condition" (small cosmetic blemishes on top/sides) from Amazon at a good savings over buying the same item as brand new. So, in a week or so we'll see if this pans out. I read reviews, did research, and watched an installation video of the basic unit which sort of sold me on it. Not a whole lot of affordable ones out there sized for my shop and including heat. Today/tonight I got the ceiling finished and then started work on a wrap-around shelf that will go 12" below the top of the walls on one side - for my collection of annual gas tanker trucks, etc. Here is the shop as of evening:

So, depending on the weather and The Admiral tomorrow, my schedule is flexible....!

[Hank]

Well, today was kind of a catch-up day of sorts:

Got the shelf along the partition/long wall painted & installed. Began, assembling framed artwork & such and grouping into subject matter for hanging, etc. Had to break during the hot afternoon, but returned to work there this evening. Thunderstorms tonight, welcome cooldown from the day! Starting to open boxes and get things sorted out, all along with putting up more shelves and so forth. So, it's an organized mess!!!

May have more pix tomorrow late or evening as things progress.

[Hank]

Did a little clean up today, more un packing, and storms off & on, so I'm looking now for workbench lights. I've surveyed my stash of half dozen various desk lamps, etc. and have decided to donate the lot to Habitat Re-store. I did mount my old round fluorescent fixture on the back of the drafting table, but I may replace it eventually, also. Looking for LED worktable lamps (w/long bulb, etc.) as the brighter & smaller lamps are the way to go. I'm mainly concerned about the mounts. Roger Pellett mentioned a while back about a metal bracket he had made so he could move his lamps as needed. Great idea, Rog. !!! I'm thinking of possibly 3 lamps and 6 metal mounting plates to be located along the workbench at the back, out of the way. My machinist friend could make these easily for me - he's just finished a seat mounting plate for my wife's artist chair (came from Amazon - wrong size for wrong chair, go figure, right?). 6 or so 2" sq. plates would be a breeze for him. My only concern is that the 1/2" dia. hole for the lamp's mounting pin should really have a collar below it welded to the plate. I guess the first thing would be to decide on the lamp fixture, purchase them, and then make the plate/collar to suit; that sounds like a plan to me!! So, anyhow - here's the shop today:

So, we'll see what happens next week...

[Maury S]

The end is in sight!

Maury

[Nirvana]

Hank, I take it you are in full speed in order to get the "yard" open for business. 
Looks little to clean, so it's time to get some sawdust to build up.😉

[Roger Pellett]

Hank,  My lamp plates are just 1/8 in aluminum plate from my metal stash, cut out with a hacksaw- nothing fancy.

 

Roger

[Hank]

Maury, Nirvana - Yes, things are progressing to a point where sawdust (plastic filings!) may soon be generated....and not by the chop saw!!!!

 

Roger - thanks, I PMd you re. the plates.

 

Hank

[Canute]

Hank, it's almost time to splice the mainbrace. Very nice job.

[Hank]

Ken,

Thanks, I appreciate it!!! Yes, getting closer each week. Unpacking things will be a chore - sorting out and categorizing will take some time - I don't want to have to do it twice. But, no-one's timing this, so who cares, right?

Hank

[BANYAN]

All is starting to look shipshape again Hank; nice job. 

 

Don't fall into the same trap as me, I packed/sorted things so well I have to try and remember where I put them; usually results in a 'deep dive'    To get easier access I now have a pegboard again for the most often used tools.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[Hank]

Pat,

Well, speaking of pegboards, I just finished a 2nd one (2'Hx3'L) and got it hung on the side wall behind a couple benchtop tools. Couple days at the coast and then back to shop work next week!!! Also, going to visit the New Bern NC model club at their Aug. meeting on Sat. noon. See what those pirates are up to these days!!!

[Canute]

Hope things out on the Banks are OK. That recent TS/Hurricane did a number in some areas. Have fun.

[Hank]

Back from the coast. All seemed to be in order; we didn't see any damage, i.e. - beyond what Florence caused and has still to be replaced/repaired/rebuilt. Most places were open, req'd. masks, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Visited with the New Bern Model Maker's Guild on Sat. for their monthly meeting and had a great time.

 

My new LED Architect's Lamp was waiting for me, so I got that hooked up and amid all the clutter, should work well on the cool white setting:

Of course, it's a bit hard to see - but, it should work fine once things are stowed away properly and the area ready for construction. I think I will try it with the included mounting bracket before I start drilling holes all over the place and then cry a lotEvery thing in it's own good time, right?