First Things First
 

This picture will give you an idea of how much I've accomplished on my projects over the past two years.



http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...n/IMG_2880.jpg



In 2005, I started on my barn/work shop. I got a lot done in a couple months, basically finished the pole barn itself, but didn't have any specific projects in mind and it sat while I went fishing.



http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...n/IMG_1171.jpg



In 2008, I found a Hewes Bonefisher project boat, and that got me motivated enough to finally pour the slab. I even started framing the walls...



http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...n/IMG_2435.jpg



But I was in the middle of a 30 month project at work that consumed all my energy, and other than daydreaming, I didn't get squat done for another year. Well the project finished up the end of last year. It was kinda pointless trying to tinker with the 25 Seafari in a barn with no walls, lighting, or power (other than a noisy generator), and strick's "I Need A Shrink" post finally motivated me to get going. In February, I started by completing the wall framing and installing an exhaust fan I had scavenged:



http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...n/IMG_2913.jpg



Finished up the doors and wall sheathing by the end of February:


http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...n/IMG_2926.jpg

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...n/IMG_2934.jpg


In early March, added some lighting (also scavenged and still running on the generator)

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...n/IMG_2933.jpg

Been using some vacation days and getting a lot done. Over the past three weeks, I've done my wiring, put in a 200 Amp panel and service, installed a package A/C unit I scavenged off the office trailer before it got disposed of, and bought my roll up door.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...n/IMG_2953.jpg

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...n/IMG_2954.jpg


Finally got some momentum. Should have my power hooked up this coming week. Next weekend, I'll start on the insulation and interior wall sheathing. It's nice to finally have something to show for my time.

Re: First Things First
 

Hark, did Strick's "Man Cave" give birth or did a long lost cousin "cave" just wonder up and set up shop? I think many are jealous!!!!

Very nice. If it gives birth, send the baby this way!!

Re: First Things First
 

Gee, Nice shed. It's bigger than my whole fricken property! :D

Looks great - love the covered porch, great idea.

Re: First Things First
 

Dang Blue.... :eek:
Now I'm jealous, 200 amp panel and I thought 150A was
just fine in my man cave! To boot you have A/C.
I wonder if that unit off the 27 Seamaster would cool
2000 sg ft? :D
Looks great!!
Enjoy your space, believe me I do mine....
Next one will be bigger though! ;)

See ya, Ken
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...4/IMG_4156.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...IMG_4130-1.jpg

Re: First Things First
 

Man I am jealous, makes me want to turn in my man card...

First Boat Porn now Shop Porn

Re: First Things First
 

Hey Ken, look into spraying foam insulation on the ply wood between those trusses. Keeps it much cooler.

Re: First Things First
 

Dave-

That shop is looking really nice. Your going the extra mile on that thing. I really like the porch/overhang. Nothing wrong with a scavenger....I've scavenged a few thing as well! That fan looks almost brand new!!

strick

Re: First Things First
 

im going outside to hook up the boat ill be there in a couple of days to start rebuilding my boat you forgot to put down your adress in the post ill check it on my iphone while driving and texting my wife where i went :D

Re: First Things First
 

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

I knew I would be doing stuff that would create a lot of dust, sanding, sawing, grinding, whatever. I wanted a place I could be outside, but still under cover so I can still work on stuff if it's raining.

Ken, a 150 Amp service would have been fine in mine too, but a friend at work had a 200 Amp Square D panel and most of the breakers I needed for free. BTW, you and strick inspired me with your Harbor Freight gantry cranes. I had some angle iron laying around, so I spent a weekend fabricating one and got the trolley and chain hoist at Harbor Freight. I think the mix of orange and blue is appropriate here in Gator Country. The height's not adjustable, but it'll have to do.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...9/IMG_2955.jpg

Re: First Things First
 

I have been a dumpster diver my whole life... :D
Half the stuff in my cave came from here and there..
The 400 watt metal halides came out of an old Scotty's
for $12 each. The Vidmar cabinets came from GE when they
bailed out of Daytona. My drill press, metal saw and
48 inch belt sander came from Gov Liq. for $75..
All the 1/0 copper wire came from an old warehouse that was
being demolished when we had to get out.
The "barn" as I call it cost me $31,000
which was pretty cheap even with the split face block construction.
You will notice the Gator plate on the dually as well. :D
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...ster215015.jpg

BTW: Blueheron, my parents live in Lake Butler on 29 acres,
just up the road from you! :cool:

See ya, Ken

Re: First Things First
 

Dave I hear ya on the no time to finish projects. I've been building my garage for a few years now, in between travelling 10 months of the year. I'm at about the same stage as you although I havn't started electrical yet. It sucks tripping over an extension cord running from the house all the time :D anyway that's a great looking shop and notice I called mine a garage...8' doors over here. I know you guys like the 12' doors and might make fun :D but I'll be mostly tinkering on the old plymouth in there, and small boats. Looking forward to your 25 project.

Ken you said 31000? I'll say that's cheap. Mine's less than half the size and I already have 27000 into mine and did everything myself, except the foundation, and still have a long way to go. Of course, I'm talking Can.funds

Nice shops boys
[image]http://i446.photobucket.com/albums/q...91129-1237.jpg[/image]

And ya if I did it again, I would've used plywood on the front side of the roof. It was a few months before I got the shingles and besides, I hear that OSB will swell, even if it doesn't get wet before you put the shingles on. Live and learn. Hey I'm just a railroader not Norm Abrams :D

Re: First Things First
 

An extension cord from the house wasn't an option for me. It's over 300', and the voltage drop would be a problem.

With the exception of finishing the slab and installing the roll-up door, I did all the work myself with the help of a friend who's willing to work for steak dinners and cocktails. Scavenging the fixtures and equipment saved me a pile of $$. I'll have around $15K into it when it's done, but it's small, 720sf enclosed, 1200sf overall. The pole barn was purchased as a kit and is engineered for 110 mph wind load as is the roll-up door. If I were closer to the coast as Ken is, I think I would have gone with reinforced masonry construction too.

Dave

Re: First Things First
 

Nice work! I see nothing wrong with dumpster diving, (as long as you don't find any bodies). My wife hates for me to go to the trash dump. Seems I come back with more than I took! [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] However, I always put it to good use. :D

Re: First Things First
 

I went with my dad to the dump one time and we can back with a fully functional commercial printing press and several cases of new nut and bolts... been hooked ever sense.

Re: First Things First
 

Power company came out and set the meter today. I got the Powah. :cool:

Re: First Things First
 

Hey Blue Heron;

If you look in the northern sky tonight and see green lights, kinda like the Northern Lights, you'll know it is me and my green envy. Nice shop!!

Did you say what the shop dimensions are and the "porch area" as well? I'd be interested to know. - BL.

Re: First Things First
 

Capt. Chuck and Skippertee thank you Dave for keeping that FPL pension check coming every month! ;)

See ya, Ken

Re: First Things First
 

BigLew,
The shop is 24 x 30, the "porch" is 24 x 20.

Ken,
I haven't sent FPL a check since I left Lauderdale 16 years ago. We way out in the woods now, Central Florida Electric Coop. But they don't generate any power, just buy it from the big boys, so some of that power bill may make it to those FPL pensions.

Dave

Re: First Things First
 

There's such great pride in accomplishing a project like that, doing it yourself, when you've never done something like that before. I didn't mention before but I also had my garage doors installed and did have some help to errect my walls. I wish I had some help putting the trusses up. The first 2 were the hardest.

Glad to hear you got the powah...I'll be Rolling the compressor to the house and running the welder off the dryer plug for a while yet :(

Re: First Things First
 

I've got complete plans for a frame 30'x38' Cracker style "Carriage House"; 2 story, with a compact 3br/2ba upstairs, and below a 12' ceiling 4 car garage/workshop, with two 16'Wx 10'H doors. That'll get the Camper and Seafari inside, and give me an 18'x10' workshop area in front of the vehicle parking area.

By complete plans, I mean even with complete materials list right down to the nails, screws, lumber, texture and paint. I paid $6k to have the plans drawn up in '05.

I've asked four construction companies to bid on building it over the past month. Prices quoted were $97K, $104K, $177K and $310K. The $310K price includes $49K to frame the house. That's $21.50 per square foot. The $97K price includes $14.8K to frame it in, or $6.50 sq.ft. So next I called some guys I know who are framing carpenters, and asked what the going rate was for house framing, and they are currently being paid between $6 and $9 sq.ft. by the contractors here in Citrus County.

I wish I was healthy enough to build it myself.

Re: First Things First
 

And on the other end of the spectrum, [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] I'm helping my uncle saw some cypress for my lean-to for the 18 this weekend. Hope to have her a permanent shelter in the next couple of weeks, time and weather permitting. Just a simple frame 12' x 22' with a tin roof. Since we manufacture vinyl fence, that will be my walls leaving room at top and bottom for wind to pass through. I built a 2-bay a couple of years ago, but, its a couple of inches too narrow for the 18. [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] (Didn't know I was going to be the proud owner of a classic with a wide trailer.)

Re: First Things First
 

I'm guessing the $6 - $9 a sq/ft is for swinging a hammer not including materials because here in NJ things are MUCH more expensive than that.
Just 4 years ago I paid $30 sq/ft for framing and sheathing of my house. Last I heard $100 sq/ft was a good price for construction.

Re: First Things First
 

Bufftech?????

I have a close friend in the fence business
here in Daytona/Ormond Beach area.

See ya, Ken

Re: First Things First
 

Nope, we manufacture our own, Pelikan Vinyl Products. We're a small company that barely makes a dent in the market, but, most of the big boys still take notice. :D
We have a big customer in Mulberry, though.

Re: First Things First
 

Yes. All the contractors quoted framing charge separate from materials. Framing also did not include on-site construction of trusses; those were to be made at a truss manufacturing plant.

Re: First Things First
 

We're shooting for $75 - 80/sf for mid level homes down here and theres VERY FEW of those. A garage would be about $40 max. Damn this market sucks!!

Re: First Things First
 

Can anyone recommend a good floor paint they've used on a concrete slab-on-grade here in sunny, humid Florida? Likewise if you know of one to stay away from. I'm looking for something that will hold up to surface wear and also have superior bond strength to withstand vapor pressure from the concrete. I understand that what I'm looking for probably won't be cheap. I'd rather pay $60+/gal for paint that will last five years than pay $30/gal for one I'll be re-coating in two years or less.
Thanks,
Dave

Re: First Things First
 

I hear good things about a product from Home Depot. If I remember its an epoxy and has a color fleck for the top. A buddy used it (indoors) and loved the stuff. Oil and grease washes off it.

Re: First Things First
 

that would be the rustoleum 2 part epoxy shield...I have used it on driveways, patios and with / without flakes..no callbacks. I also used it on detatched garage and the Bobcat can turn around without excessive marks etc.

I have used H&C xylene based stain.. with subpar results...driveway... tire marks etc etc...ok for patios etc.
Epoxyshield rolls on ok...I have had some roller marks and slight variation of color on some jobs ...if you used the flakes that will mask it.
On my bigger jobs I use Ultracrete/ hydrostain (Color Wheel)and airless with excellent results plus its easier to clean up and move on.
check concrete for moisture too..meter or place item on crete if come back and pattern is still there..wait more time etc. After pour wait a month prior to stain/paint application...obviously different in other cases like stamped concrete overlay etc.

For your outbuilding I would go with Epoxy shield..just my experience and 2cents worth
-Fred

Re: First Things First
 

Ditto on the rustoleum

Re: First Things First
 

I left my floor in the shop ala-natural.. :D
When you seal a floor water will lay there for days
on end. :mad:
My old garage had a sealed floor and I hated it!
Just my .02¢ worth... :D

See ya, Ken

Re: First Things First
 

Haven't posted on progress recently, but I've been busy working up to the big project. Strick's got me pumped to start the 25 Seafari Restoration, but I want to get all the other stuff out of the way before I start. I've been working on the shop most weekends, but there's other stuff that needed doing too.

The fuel tank in my Action Craft finally succumbed to the ravages of crevice corrosion. The boat was unusable, and I couldn't stand to let it sit and deteriorate further, so I pulled the tank to make repairs. First, I removed all the screws and bolts from the rub rail and the hull to deck joint. Then I lifted the top cap to gain access to the tank.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...n/IMG_2967.jpg

I slid a hand saw down the sides of the tank to separate it from the foam and then pulled it out. The corrosion had worked its way through the aluminum in several places where the tank was encapsulated in the foam. This is typical:

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...n/IMG_2968.jpg

I flushed the tank with soapy water, filled it twice with clean water, and drained it to make sure there was no fuel residue or vapor that might be flammable or explosive. Then I used a brazing rod formulated for aluminum to fill the holes. As a belt and suspenders approach, I also laminated the bottom and sides of the tank with epoxy/glass to act as secondary containment in case I missed any pin holes. The tank compartment was not well drained so I drilled some holes to allow it to drain to the bilge. The tank deck core was foam, so no worries about rotting plywood down the road. This is what it looked like before I drilled the drainage holes.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...n/IMG_2966.jpg

Here's the tank back in place. I put 3/4" PT spacers under the tank to put some air space between the tank and the surrounding deck and foam.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...n/IMG_2969.jpg

Reassembly complete:

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...n/IMG_2971.jpg

It was time to rebuild the water pump, so I went ahead and did that too.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...n/IMG_2972.jpg

After completing the work on the Action Craft, and taking a nice ride on the Suwanee River with my wife to sea trial the repairs, I got back to work on the shop. I've painted the walls white to improve light reflectivity, installed an air compressor, some casework, counter tops, and storage shelving, and I'm almost ready to get started on the Seafari. I'm going to be out of town for a week, but will try to post some pics when the shop is ready for action.