Today was another great day weather wise so I started with finishing some caulking around the entry door that was long overdue . Got that done and decided to start running the Rapid Air airlines . I've never used this product before but it is very easy to work with . I got about 50 % done I'm now at a point where I need an extra set of hands to complete the last 50 % . I have two hose reels mounted so each bay has it's own reel . And each reel has enough hose on it to go WAY out of the garage :D

So I was happy with today's progress and here are two pics showing the airlines . The grandchildren are coming over in about an hour to stay overnight so might not be too much progress tomorrow .

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1528398319.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1528398319.jpg

I need to back up about two weeks need to tell you guys a story I forgot to post :D . So about three weeks ago it rained every day for about a week there was red GA. clay/mud anywhere it was exposed . About two weeks ago I went out and was doing a cursory walk around the building to make sure all the rain didn't do anything . As I came around the left side of the building up front near the outside corner I noticed a track in the mud and I knew right away it was not a dog track ;)

Whatever it was it walked through the mud at the side of the building , walked in front of the garage doors because there were prints on the concrete apron and apparently went into our yard . OK whatever I didn't give it any more thought . When my buddy came over to help install the lift cross bar I asked him to take a look at the prints in the mud . He lives about 5 miles from me and has trail cams set up so he knows various game animal paw prints . He took one look and said " that's a bear " ! :eek: I asked him if he was sure and he said yep that's a bear . Our garbage can and bird feeders were not touched and I know why...........

Talking to our next door neighbor the next day she asked us " did you hear about the bear " ? We have another neighbor behind our property aprox. an 1/8th of a mile away that raises honey bees and sells local honey he makes . The bear that walked in front of my garage kept on walking over to his bee hives and smashed them and ate a bunch of honey .

So if I ever meet this bear I will tell it this is a MAN CAVE not a BEAR CAVE :D As Paul Harvey used to say " and now you know the rest of the story " SmileWavy

Not to derail my garage build but look who showed up last night :p I got up to close the living room blinds as the sun was going down and I see this guy helping himself to the bird food :) I snapped two pics through the blinds then decided to open the front door , we do have a storm door so I wasn't totally exposed . Took one pic through the storm door and just watched him a bit . My wife had a look of horror as I had been telling her it was just a matter of time :rolleyes:

I then opened the storm door and stepped out and yelled at him , he turned his head to look at me , he got down on four legs and boogied off into the woods :D While it was cool to see him I told my wife we're going to hold off on anymore bird feeding for a while . We still have several humming bird feeders up and we're hoping he's not attracted to them . Any way here is the little rascal but I'm more worried about his mom and dad :eek:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1528629885.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1528629885.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1528629885.jpg

There goes the neighborhood...

I almost lost my coffee on that .......... good one :D

Finally back working in the garage , put up two game cameras to keep an eye on smokey junior :D Decided to work on the work bench , started with installing a 2 x 6 for a backsplash to stop things from falling off the back of the bench . I used 2 x 6's x 10 ' long and bridged the seams of the benches making it quite strong . It is screwed through the metal framework and also into the top with 2 1/2 " long screws . Not going anywhere in my lifetime ;)

Also made some 2 x 4 braces to screw to the pair of legs that meet when the benches are put end to end . Also screwed through the metal frame . Then installed 7/16 OSB with construction adhesive and screws into the existing top , again overlapping the seams . This bad boy starting to get heavy ! I will end up putting plywood or OSB on the bottom framework so that will make a nice storage area .

I have to figure out what I want for a final finish for the bench , I would really like metal but that may be crazy money . On the bench I had in the last house I put down smooth masonite with just screws . The stuff is tough , relatively inexpensive and if you damage it you just remove and replace . That's it for today here's two pics for your viewing pleasure :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1528921414.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1528921414.jpg

Hey, Boo-Boo!

The place looks really great...I really enjoy watching it come together.

Best.

Hey Seahawk thanks . I was really hoping to have been done by now but it is what it is . I'm hoping that my posting pics it can help others if they are planning on going down the same route . When I look at my list of stuff that is still left to go it feels like I'll never finish !!!

This morning I called the local metal shop and spoke with the guy that installed my metal roof . I'm meeting him tomorrow morning to see what it will cost to have a 20 gauge piece of metal bent up for the work bench . After that I went out to the garage and measured all the wall top plates . I have to " cap " the end and side walls so there will be something to screw to when installing the metal ceiling panels . Went to Home Depot and purchased band sawn lumber , it is cheaper than clean planer wood and just fine for what I need it for as it won't be seen . I pulled all the wire staples the electrician used to hold the wires in place so I can slide the wood under the wires .

It was 93 degrees out and humid so sweating my balls off :( so I started thinking about the mini split install :D . Even though I don't have a ceiling yet I'd like to get the mini split installed and running so I can check that off the list . That's all I have to report :D

Oh and I did the final tightening of the lift base mounting bolts ........... 150 FT. LBS. !!! :( But a piece of cake with an 8 ' piece of pipe over the handle of the torque wrench :D
I was bent over , sweat pouring off my forehead I was leaving a sweat trail on the garage floor in a radius :D

The one thing I have learned over the years is that fixed benches are great, but rolling benches are more better :)

The benches in the picture would be enough for me, the rest would be on wheels.

Trust me I am not criticizing, a minor critique.

The work bench in the pic is the only bench I will have . It is long enough and deep enough for anything I will ever do . Once I have either Masonite or metal down as the top final finish surface I will mount my two vises . This bench will NOT be screwed to the wall my plan is to just use it as a free standing bench . I am at a point in my life where engine/transmission restorations are in the rear view mirror :D To be honest I probably could have not gone as large but it's my final man cave so go big or go home !!! ;)

My opinion on the finished bench top....you have put so much thought and effort into this project, and delivered such a fantastic result, just bite the bullet and get the metal top. It is maintenance free, easy to use, almost indestructible, and will look great. I would say this project "deserves" a nice metal top work surface.

Great build...great thread.

JA

Appreciate the kind words John I am meeting the sheet metal guy at 8:00 this morning . They primarily make metal roofing they did the roof on my house and the siding on the man cave . The thickest metal they work with is 20 gauge , I " think " that would be thick enough but I have to see/feel it to be sure . I agree the metal would look good and is easy to clean . The wood top is now 1.5 " thick so it's the wood giving the bench the strength the metal top is more for appearance , ease of cleaning etc. and I would probably glue down the metal top adding just a little more strength overall . I will report back today the results of the meeting .

Just got back from the metal shop and I think the 20 gauge galvanized will work fine . Their material is in 4 ' x 12 ' sheets so I'll have to have one seam . They will do a back splash bend , a cap bend on the back splash and an apron bend on the front with a 1/2 hem so no sharp edge . Total price with tax $130.00 which isn't bad . And as my wife pointed out it will tie in the workbench to the wainscote ............. gotta have that man cave bling :D .

So now I have to lay out where I want the seam , draw it up and I'll go ahead and order it . With their current schedule ( very busy shop ) they said less than a week to complete . This is the same shop I will purchase the ceiling metal from also . Now I'm off to the man cave to start installing the wood capping off the top walls for the ceiling metal install . SmileWavy

I am sweating my balls off it has been a " feels like " temp of 100 last week and projected all this week ............... very hot and humid . But I have been working , it's great being fully drenched in sweat wearing shorts and a tee shirt and handling fiberglass insulation :rolleyes: I am cutting insulation and placing into the gap between the inner and outer laminated beams up at ceiling level . I'm done on the right side now have to do the left side that will be done today .

The 1 x 12 and 1 x 6 cap wood I am installing to give me something to screw the metal ceiling to on the perimeter is 50 % done . Hard to explain but I am screwing these boards onto the top of the end wall studs and on top of the side laminated beams with an overlap of about 3 " to the inside . That is what I will screw the metal ceiling panels to along the perimeter with the rest just being screwed to the bottom of the rafters .

In a few minutes I'm heading back to the sheet metal guys to put in my order for the work bench top I should have that by the end of the week . I may have to switch my current work plan as I'm now getting a fair amount of hornet activity via the wide open soffits :mad: They seem to like the shiny radiant barrier . I'm going on vacation the end of July and hate to think of how many bees might move in . So I better concentrate on installing ventilated soffits . I've never done that before so have to get smart on that pretty quick ;) While I'm at the sheet metal shop I'll ask them if they can make up soffit , I'd prefer to do in 10 - 12 ' strips vs. individual pieces which is how I think it's normally done ?

Time for:

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Another day of progress in the sweat bowl ! :p Started the day by going to the sheet metal guys and placing my order for the metal top for the work bench . Got home from that and dived into the sweat mixer :D I finished with the insulation in the top headers so good to get that done . I am now 3/4 done with the perimeter wood install for the ceiling , I will be done tomorrow . That's a good step forward . Also my oldest son is coming over Wed. to help me run the last run of the Rapid Air air line . That will be another good step forward .

I will now turn my attention to getting the ventilated soffits installed . After that I will measure for ceiling metal and get that ordered , I can feel the end SLOWLY approaching :D

Burned this morning going to look at a turbo Cayenne it was not meant to be :( Got home at noon , ate some lunch and went out and measured the rafters for prep for the soffit install . Being a pole barn my rafters are on 6 ' centers and the last one is 4 ' . So I purchased 2 x 4's that I will cut and install inside of each rafter tail flush with the end of the rafter . I also purchased 1 x 6's that will install onto the ends of the rafter tails but will also be screwed to the 2 x 4's . This will give a solid foundation to mount the soffit and gutters to . I already have the metal waiting to wrap the 1 x 6 before gutter install . It was 2:30 by the time I got the lumber out of my truck and it was brutally hot :eek: so I went inside and started drinking beer :D But I did make some progress !

Woohoo another nasty sweaty job done this morning I completed the top cap perimeter boards ! So if I was ready ( not quite yet ) I could install the ceiling metal ......... which I still have to buy :D . So now I'll switch to the rafter tails and getting them ready for soffits . My oldest son will be here in the next 30 minutes to help me install the last run of the Rapid Air airline . I just keep checking off the tasks one at a time ;)

Finished off the Rapid Air install last night so that portion is done . I have to go through the sea of moving boxes in our basement :( to find my air filters/regulators . That will have to wait as today I'm turning to soffit prep......... tired of the bees/wasps in the garage ! :mad: The ventilated soffits will cut off the main entry point for the bees so will be a good thing when complete . SmileWavy

So made good progress today except for the hammer blow to the head ! :mad: I'm up on the ladder making an adjustment and all is good . I hook the hammer to the top ladder rung and start going down the ladder to grab a 2 x 4 . Next thing I know I'm seeing stars because the hammer decided to take flight ............. claws down but the good thing is my head was in the way to save the hammer from any harm :D . The damn thing hit me square on the top of my head , blood pouring out and oh yeah I'm still on the ladder ! :( I quickly collect my thoughts and get off the ladder , grab a rag to apply pressure and go in the house .

I calmly tell the wife " might need a little help here " and I get the normal bark of horror when she see's the blood ;) . Turns out the claws of the hammer just nicked me so grabbed two paper towels , folded into a 4 x 4 square , ran under the water and applied to hammer strike zone :D . Grabbed a hat to hold everything in place and went back to work . So the 2 x 4's are all done now I can go over them with 1 x 6's this will make a strong foundation for the soffits and gutters . This is another grandchildren weekend so not sure how much I'll get done but I'm hoping to have the 1 x 6's and the aluminum trim done by end of next week . Here are pics of today's progress , you can kind of see the dark ends of the rafter tails . Not sure what the blocking is officially called but I took 10 " pieces of 2 x 4 , cut to the angle of the rafter tail and used my air nailer to nail them to the rafters . Held them back 1.5 " for the face 2 x 4's to install against . It was a lot of piddly work glad it's done !

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1529614076.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1529614076.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1529614076.jpg

It is amazing how much blood can come out of a minor head wound...
Hope you are ok..

Yeah I'm fine , being German ancestry my head is quite hard hahaha :D Just two tiny scabs as of this morning so good to go . But yeah there was no shortage of blood flow when it happened :(

Hey guys today I started on the right side of the building to install the ventilated soffit . Picked up the soffit , F and J molding at Home Depot . Standard white vinyl . All the molding is done on the right side of the building and I'm about 70 % done with the soffit . I'll finish tomorrow and start on the left side . For never doing this before I think it looks good :D . At one point this afternoon it was 99 in the shade per two thermometers :eek: and the sweat was pouring off like Niagara falls ! I worked 6 hours and finally waved the white flag :( .

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1530052562.jpg

Another great day in the sweltering South , it was a mild 95 degrees today :rolleyes: . Anyway I finished installing the ventilated soffit pieces , then screwed the 1 x 6 fascia boards into place and ended with covering with metal . This side is now ready for gutters . I was going to start on the other side when I got the call that my work bench metal top was ready . So I stopped and went and picked up the two pieces .

My work bench is basically 18 ' 4 " long and 32 " deep . They made me a 12 ' and a 6 ' 6 " pieces with a front apron and a back splash all made from galvanized 20 gauge . Between my expert dimensions :D and their skill of metal bending = a great looking top !!! It is just sitting there for now I think I'm going to use silicone to glue it down vs. a true adhesive just in case it ever has to be peeled off . I only plan on putting 4 screws at each end and the seam and that's it . Add to that my 2 bench vices I don't think it will go anywhere ;) Anyway here are pics of today's progress .

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1530131455.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1530131455.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1530131455.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1530131455.jpg

really enjoying your man cave build, great work you're doing, take it steady in the heat

You're thread has inspired me, I might even this weekend start my own 'man cave build - UK style'

Lookin' good. Like that bench but what do you need all that space for?

I don't but I'm doing this build one time and go big or go home :D With minimal discipline it will quickly turn into a giant shelf :( I had asked in a previous thread what size bench is " good enough " ? Most replies were in the 12 ' - 16 ' range so I decided on the 18 ' to fit the space I have at the front of the garage . Because of my eventual ceiling height I may use part of the bench top as the landing strip for attic stairs . Crazy prices for custom attic stairs but I can use an over the counter set of stairs if I have them land on the bench top . It's all part of the crazy master plan :D

Another scorcher today mid 90's and humid :( . I started at 8:45 this morning by pulling off all the boards/weights I had stacked on the metal work bench top . I glued it yesterday with PL375 that I had , did some S patterns and along the front/back edge . Did some screws on both ends and the over lap seam it is VERY solid ! When I got done with that clean up I started with the soffit moldings on the left side of the building . The left side is now done in regards to the ventilated soffit , tomorrow I add the final fascia boards and the metal wrap and we're done :D . I still have to bend up some cosmetic metal to conceal the ends on both sides of the building but I am now bee/wasp free ;)

At one point during the day I walked under our carport and saw something move , turns out it was a baby rattlesnake :eek: He quickly lost his head and was flung into the woods to be recycled :D I showed it to my wife and made her understand you have to be careful here moving stones or logs or whatever . Overall it was another great day on the progress of the man cave .

Hey guys I took a few days off as I was getting burnt out on working on the building :( But today was back at it I finished the left side soffit/fascia so that is now done . I still have to bend up some end trim pieces but that will wait for now . Today I also started trying to figure out the safety locks on the 2 post lift . I could not find any 1/8 OD poly tubing locally so will have to purchase online . I'll need a few fittings also . Also mounted my big air filter/water separator/regulator but need to buy some fittings there also :D That ate up the entire day now enjoying some cold adult cocktails ;)

I envy how much space you guys have

Always good to take some time out, hope your enjoying your cool beverage sat in a deck chair looking at the fruits of your hard work

Here is a beer for you http://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/wat6.gif

Today I ordered from Amazon the 1/8 OD tubing for the lift locks and some fittings . While I wait for those to arrive I turned my attention to the " box ceiling " I have to make over the lift posts . Because I screwed up :( on the floor to ceiling height when I poured the floor the lift posts are about 3 - 4 " ABOVE the bottom of the ceiling rafters :mad: Totally my fault it is what it is . So I am going to box it in using two rafters as my main structure . Picked up some lumber today so will get started on it tomorrow morning . Will post some pics when I get some lumber installed .

Hello everyone the past two days I have worked on the framework for the extended ceiling over the lift . Today I finished the frame , it is made up of 2 x 12's screwed to the existing rafters on either side of the lift . Angles cut to the ends to match the rafter pitch it came out good and VERY strong :D . So all I have left to do is the " ceiling " which I will make out of 1/4 " luan with some 2 x 2's for strength .

Tomorrow I will draw up a quick plan and measure for the metal ceiling panels , will have them cut to exact lengths so only have to lift and screw into place . I am going on vacation soon so will hold off ordering the metal until I get back . But another good piece of the puzzle now almost done . SmileWavy

Today I finished scabbing on 2 x 6's to the existing roof trusses . I did this to give a little additional strength to the center 8 ' portion of the rafters to support a walkway and maybe some storage . I am now ready for ceiling metal ! I will order the metal right after I get back from vacation at the end of the 1st week of August . So here is what I have left to do.

1.Order and install ceiling metal .
2.Install fiberglass ceiling insulation .
3.Install LED light strips .
4.Install Mitsubishi mini split AC/heat
5.Install Gladiator wall cabinets .
6.Hang various Porsche posters/pics/banners .
7.Have gutters and downspouts installed .
8.Figure out what I want for a retaining wall and purchase/install .

Looking at the list I am feeling very confident that she will be done this year ! It may be Dec. 30th but it will be done :D I have said it before and I'll say it again this is the biggest DIY solo project I have ever done and so far I am VERY happy with the results . I'll post pics next month of ceiling panels going up .

I'm still here guys just been busy with other stuff :( . Anyway today I made a list of misc. air line fittings I need to go from the RA stuff to my hose reels and the safety locks on the lift . I think I covered everything but I'm sure one more run ( at least ) will be needed :D . Heading out to dinner then stopping at HD for the fittings . With any luck I'll have the RAV4 up on the lift this weekend for an oil/filter change . That will be the maiden vehicle to use the lift for the first time ! I sprayed the line locks today with black satin Rustoleum as they were rusty but they look like new now . Will post pics of the Toyota on the lift . Going on vacation later next week for almost 3 weeks so nothing will get done :mad:

!
 

BLASPHEMY!
BLASPHEMY!
BLASPHEMY!
BLASPHEMY!

That question should never be asked of a garage or man cave build. That is like asking why someone needs more than one car per driver. Ban him Ban him!

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Hey guys today I completed 100 % of the air line install ! I started with the safety locks for the 2 post lift , that was a combo of 1/4 " OD for feed line to the actuator knob/valve and 1/8 " OD to the actuators on the lock mechanisms . That was poly line using push insert fittings . After that I turned to terminating the Rapid Air manifolds to my hose reels . Various combinations of regulators and filters with shut off valves . Ended with making the connection from the compressor to the 3/4 " black pipe . I counted up 60 joints/leak paths and when I turned everything on I had only 3 leaks .

One leak was from previous filter setup I pulled from previous house so really only 2 leaks . Very minor I'm kind of hoping they seal on their own :D . I was very happy to see that the safety latches on the lift work perfectly . Raise the lift off the latches , hit the button and BOOM the latches retract . So tomorrow the wifes RAV4 is the guinea pig to be the first vehicle on the lift ;) . Going to do an oil and filter change and probably rotate the tires . I am really looking forward to trying out the lift . It's starting to feel like a garage ! :D

Pictures are required tomorrow.;)