Some people have messaged me asking about what is in the garage, so here is that post from the other thread:

I included here some pics of what's actually IN the garage so maybe that helps too.
One thing I forgot to mention was the air conditioner that I have in there. I was originally going to have air vents put in (off the main unit), but that wouldn't have done much more than make my AC work harder to cool the HOUSE itself. So I had a "mini-split" AC unit installed. This is basically like a central AC unit in that it has the compressor outside the house. This means all they have to do to install it is drill a hole big enough for the compressor hose and run that to the outside where the compressor unit is. This obviously makes for a nice, quiet AC on the inside. I paid something like $900-$1000 for that unit. The cabinets are from Gladiator Garageworks. Not necessarily cheap, but not the most expensive either.

Other than the AC and cabinets (and the cars), there are a lot of inexpensive things you can put in a garage to make it functional. Like the air-compressor. I had a husky portable compressor (approx $100), so I just bought a husky retractable hose reel at Home Depot (approx. $45) and mounted it to the wall. Click here for some on Amazon. I did the same with that Vacuum. I mean, that thing costs $85!!! Check it out here

For xmas, my girlfriend bought me a bunch of stuff that I had circled in the Griot's Garage catalog (Stool, "Oil Rag Can" with vintage sticker (I use for wash towels), detailing cart, wash bucket, extension cord reel, parking stoppers, wall bumpers). And I just bought these wall hangers for the wheels.

The Banners were pretty easy to do as well. Just go on eBay and you'll find plenty available. Click here to see what they have on there. Then just Get some wood, make some square frames and just stretch and staple the banner to the back of the frame. Makes a big difference (just look at the pictures and see the "mini" banner as opposed to the "champion motorsport" banner.

The Floor was SUPER easy to install. I got it from Griot's Garage also, but it's from Race-Deck. The tiles just snap together. They can also be cut, but I wasn't crazy about that idea (wouldn't look symetrical).

very cool. so it looks like this year im going to be getting some cabinets
and a workbench. but i dont think i can jump to the gladiators
just yet, so for my garage probably get some of the craftsman professional
"medium sized" garage storage collection ($1150 vs ~$1700... more in my
price range cause you still need to add a couple hundred for freight)

next time when i get a bigger house i will do a more elaborate setup.


man, get this snow outta here so i can pull my cars out to get this stuff in!

gusmiami- are you layering 2 floors on top of each other? that checkered
over gray matt? how is that as far as the firmless of the
tiles when you work on your cars? does the floor sink a little under the
jack?

also, how often do you find yourself rolling the drawer cabinets out from
under your work bench? I ask because my garage has a little raised area
at the deepest side of the garage (needs to be raised to meet village
ordinance) where my current bench sits and with that, i won't be able
to roll the cabinet out from under the table.

i have a rollaway tool case so not a big deal, but just wondering.

1. The floor below is just painted concrete (Rustoleum garage paint with chips)
2. I hardly ever roll out the cabinets. Maybe only to clean. So I wouldn't worry about that.

^ gotcha, thanks. i see that gladiators are offering free home delivery this month at their site.

hummm... i might just do this instead... has better expandability
later and size wise a better fit for my garage with all the other
stuff already in there.

When I'd give talks to school kids I used to call this the "Motivation for Higher Education" factor Study hard

i think your occupation itself is inspiring, smokey!

now cut that out, this is a garage thread

hehehe. well your 4 car garage is impressive too.

So, what kind of cost are you seeing with running the mini-split. I am seriously considering one for my garage (which is detached) but I'm considering going with a cooling and heating unit just to keep it at a decent temp in there. DO you run it all the time or just when you are working out there? I currently have 2 1500 watt ceramic heaters that I bought when I put my floor down to keep it warm and I can use those, but they are definitely power hungry.

It's prety efficient, but I usually have it on only at certain times. I have the timer so it is on for about an hour and a half after I leave, then it comes on about half an hour or so before I get home. At night I just turn it off. I have insulated garage doors as well, so that helps. For the money though, I'm REALLY surprised more people don't get one of these. Especially since you don't have to bust through a wall to get it installed.

Will do! (I'm in study hall right now, so its ok...

if you're STUDYING, why the hell are you posting here? get back to
work! jk

Yeah... what Ken said !! After all, it's not called NAM-Hall, is it ??

Geez, kids today.

It is called NAM hall. And what were you two doing today??? Whose paying the bills???

Adults today... Geez.

WORKING! (and taking quick breaks off and on)... i need to feed my family.


so i contacted Gladiators today to see if the cabinets would be free
delivery like how they advertised at their site. i get an email that
not only is the freight going to be $25 each, i will also have to pay
sales tax. wth? i can buy this at Sears for $30 each less
(will pay for sales tax) and carry it home for free. I don't get
their "promotion." They said usually the freight is $100 each.
wat kind of rip-off are these people?

so, as soon as the snow clears i think im going to head over to sears
to get them (2 units) along with the maple tops.

The shipping was pretty involved when I got my cabinets. Doesn't come regular UPS. It came by some other shipping service, can't remember who. But I remember I was really impressed by the care that went into packing and shipping the stuff. All-in-all I think you'll be happy with their stuff.

thanks for the info. since im only getting the rolling cabinets this time
i think i will save the $120 by going to sears twice. my local Sears
usually has these in stock and the maple tops as well.



im going to place one of these between the two cabinets.

What was I doing ?

Well... after 5 years as an auto insurance underwriter/manager, now I'm in training to be a Claim Rep. So yesterday I was handling some estimates (you should read some of the stupid things people do in/to their cars) and learning all about the MANY parts and systems in an automobile.

In between that stuff, I was popping on here to see what you and the rest of NAMers were up to.

But no, I wasn't paying the bills. I was earning more money for mods !

hehehe. that's the best motivation for the daily grind (like me).

Haha. I know, just giving you guys a hard time . No school today, so i can be on here alllllllllll dayyyyyyyyy. Nope, going to play in the snow and get the Jeep unstuck from my front yard (dad's not too pleased )

anyone know where i can get some decent 48x24x1" TREATED MDF,
oak, or maple bench tops (locally)?

Ive searched several major hardware stores including HD, Lowes, etc.
they have untreated MDF but 3/4", and a plastic laminate workbench
tops but none that would suit my needs. others were too narrow... like
19" 20" depth.

I know globalindustrial has 1-5/8" laminates, but wanted to see if
i can pick one up locally.

I've just made tops in the past by gluing 1x2's together then sanding. You can either end-up with a 1" or 2" thick top depending on how you glue them. I prefer to use pine or fir since I have a tendency to cut things on my workbench tops. If you use fir or pine it is soft enough to not dull your razor blades too fast. You could use oak or maple though if you were so inclined.
Probably a cheaper route to go than trying to find 1-1/2 tops pre-fabbed.
You could also look at getting a cheap oak or maple kitchen table then remove the top and cut to size as your workbench top. Probably find one for less than $60.

You have a great gf and a beautiful garage. I hope I can start getting my garage/shop to look like that.