Workshop

White Triangle Trucking

My workshop area - my first project. This is a running diary of most of the major work done -

July 23, 2005

You're here, on the 'ground floor' of not only my first Hudson Project vehicle, but my FIRST Project Vehicle, period.

BUT, before that is 'touched' - I am in the process of 'building' my workshop, in preparation of my "golden years" leisure activities (smile). Rebuilding/Restoring a classic truck is one of those things that I have always wanted to do - but either never got around to it, or other things took precedence over it - like putting food on the table, defending my country (U.S. Military - retired - 23+ years), raising a family & putting a couple of kids through college.

The workshop: Not really a garage, although it does have a single standard size overhead door. There is no driveway to it, but I have created a couple of 'avenues' to it that are not used by vehicles very often - at least up to this point. It has been 'there' the whole time - a 20' x 24' Concrete block structure with a 9' ceiling/roof.
Over the years, it has had basic work done to it, to make it useable:
- I removed 30+ cubic yards of dirt. When the foundation was laid, they 'dug around' the incline against the house, and left the dirt 'mound' where it was - in the building. In the back of the workshop the dirt floor was only about 3' from the ceiling. All shoveled and carted out by had, with a wheelbarrow. I made forms & laid a 6" deep concrete floor - 11 cu. yds of concrete - Delivered, but brought from the road by wheelbarrow - with a lot of help from relatives & friends.
- Ran 230v/60A line, wired the garage for both electric & lights.

The 'basics' are there (solid floor, electricity & lighting) - NOW, I need to:
- Improve access;
- Determine, obtain, install & configure the equipment and tools I'll need;
- Obtain adequate references for the work I intend to do (or think I am capable of doing)
- Put together a list of individuals, friends, associates, professionals, etc., that may be able to advise and assist in the project(s), in the areas where I my capabilities fall short, are not adequate, or where my level of work will not do the project 'justice'.

Well, that's the "nuts-n-bolts" of it. I've already begun most of the 'stuff' listed above, and will 'fill-in' & post pictures as progress is made and as my workshop 'evolves'. This will be 'never ending story', so to speak - as many of you can probably attest-to. I'll bet even Jay Leno (very well know collector, with a workshop/garage anyone of us would 'kill for') is always making changes & improvements to his work areas.

Oh yea - Here's a link to a discussion I initiated on workshop & workshop equipment, on the HET Forum -
http://www.classiccar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2902

- August 7, 2005

Update - I've acquired a few tools, upated and installed some things, etc..
Major equipment acquired:
- Drill press: Delta, model DP400;
- Air Compressor: Ingersoll-Rand, 60 Gal, two-stage, 5hp;
- Media-blasting cabinet: Scat-Blast Model 970 - 'big guy!';
- MIG Welder: Hobart 180;
- 4" Angle Grinder: Delta, Model DW402K;
- Sawzall: Delta, Model DW307MK;

Work:
- Moved storage shed (10' x16'). Now is about 20' from workshop.
- Placed compressor out in my storage shed, which is about 20' from the workshop. This will cut down on the noise quite a bit.
- Ran electric to shed (230v, 30A). Underground in electric PVC conduit. Also installed lights & 110v outlet in shed.
- Ran 1" PVC to shed (rated @ 450 PSI). Underground with electric.
- 'Piped' workshop for air. 1" PVC, 3 drops - each with 3/8" quick connectors. lowest area has a 'collector'area for condensation.
- Ran two 230v 30A electric drops in workshop, for welder.
- Put in a couple more florscent lights.

Major work, yet to be done - not necessarily sorted in order of priority:
Outside -
- Concrete (asphalt?)pad, outside of workshop (20'x35'). I want this to have at least a 6" base of rock/stone fill;
- Asphalt driveway to workshop (10'x50'). Same minimum 6" base of rock/stone fill as pad;
- Screen/privacy fence (6' high x 35' long)
- Power wash & paint exterior of workshop & overhead door.
Inside -
- Move some 2x4 shelving (built quite some time ago), so I have room for storing a second truck (with a shoe horn - will be very tight).

Equipment and Tools still needed:
- Pressurized sandblaster unit;
- Engine Lift/hoist - portable/stowable;
- Parts washer unit;
- Impact Driver set - A good set, nothing cheap...
- Hydraulic Flaring Tool Set - Sooner or later...

Possibilities (?):
- Security gate, for driveway entrance. Nothing special, just to prevent strangers from cutting through the yard...;
- Carport. Something to keep the vehicles & large parts out of the rain, while 'playing' in the workshop;
- Heat for the workshop. Not needed now, but this winter is another story. Possibly a propane unit, that would use the same tanks that I have for my BBQ(?). Don't know if something like this even exists - I'll have to check.

Current driveway, and proposed entrance (to the left of the street light)

This is where the entrance will be. The yellow shovel handle marks the approximate area where the concrete will cut & removed, actually about 2' more than is indicated. Believe it or not, I've actually driven a vehicle & trailer between the concrete & the lamp post -

Just digging to see how deep the concrete goes. Where the digging ends is about as much concrete that will be removed (to the 'bush'). have about a 5' incline, over a 15'-20' run. Not too bad, I think -

The route to the workshop, framed by the clothes line, which will be removed, it isn't used anyway. The current gate will be moved -

The workshop. The Hudson is currently stationary, hauling some foam & boxes...

Interior photos of the workshop will be coming, at some point in the future...

- August 14, 2005

Work done this weekend. Thought it would be quick, but this was 40-year old concrete. Although not poured well, it was very well mixed & cured. Took me two days with a concrete saw & jack hammer, about 11 hours total. A very hot & muggy weekend, to boot. Started early, knocked-off at Noon each day - I wasn't much good for anything else the rest of the day. (smile)

The picture, up close. Compare to the before picture, above -

From the street. A lot more 'room' for the driveway now -

- August 23, 2005

Another weekend - Sorry, no new pictures (yet).

Driveway: No noticeable progress on my driveway/parking pad - have called at least six contractors, and only two actually came out. One gave me an estimate, and the other promised an estimate but did not 'deliver'. I am just about ready to start the work myself - hopefully with the assistance of a few friends & relatives...

Workshop: I reconfigured my 'storage shelves' in the workshop, cutting out & moving one shelf to an exterior wall - these were made years ago, from 2x4s and plywood. They were moved to make room - Now, I can actually park/store two vehicles in the workshop, when it is not in use. Granted, I'll need to have one vehicle on 'wheel dollies' - the Hudson truck above is actually sitting on them - take a look. Borrowed a power-washer from a friend, and will be painting the exterior of the building - hopefully before fall/winter.

Tools/equipment:
I've picked-up what I consider to be another basic item - a decent battery charger - probably will be needed for these older vehicles, and will probably be able to use it for my lawn tractor as well.

Things/tools/equipment that I am considering -
Heating: I'm also looking into heating for the area - It will probably be a LPG 'vent free' Radiant heater that is made for indoor / workshop use. As it has a tendacy to add moisture to the air, I probably will look into a dehumidifier of some type as well.
Pressurized Media Blaster: This goes along with that 'blasting cabinet' I've already got, and will be meant for the larger pieces that won't fit into the cabinet. It will have to be done outside, which means I'll eventually need that 'parking pad'.

October 23, 2005

I arranged for quite a few contractors come by and give estimates, they all took their time... Delays, delays, delays - The lowest bid was $8k, with a few well over $10k+. I decided to try my hand at it, as I did the 'pours' for my garage floor - but that was 20 years ago!

Light excavation by a contractor with a very large bobcat -

Rough grading done. I am using 2x6s to configure forms for the concrete pours. Also made my own 'water level' so I could get elevations right. Won't get it done in one pour, but probably two - with a LOT of help from a couple friends!

From the street. Got an extra 5 tons of stone delivered, but probably won't need it. I'll make use of it it beside the shed. It rained the day of delivery - Dump truck driver didn't want to go down slight embankment, so it got dumped at entry point. Now I've got to move it!

November 15, 2005

Well, the 'first' pour was done on Saturday, Nov 12th - WHEW! I'm either out of shape or getting too old for this (probably both!). Luckily, I had a couple of friends - Ron & Mark - Who didn't mind assisting with it - What GREAT friends!

I calculated it out to a bit under 9 cu yds of concrete, and what we had 'left over' didn't amount to much... That being said, we are not professionals and there was some 'spilliage' (smile). I was worried that the driver would not want to pull down into the yard to deliver, but they did not hesitate. All turned out pretty well, with the exception of the delivery being about 1 1/2 hours late, and the second truck showing up about 10 minutes after the first!

Honestly, my calculations actually came up a bit short, as I had a small walkway area that did not get poured on Saturday (a 4' x 5' x 4" sidewalk area). I was using that area as 'fluff', in case I ordered too much. No problem - I bought some 'bagged' concrete and did that myself on Monday, along with removing the forms from Saturday's pour.

Now - On to the second half of the pour! It should be the easier of the two...

Well, it is Dec 2nd, and I'm not much farther along than I was... What with the weather, the holidays, etc., I am beginning to doubt that I'll get the second part of the concrete pour done before next spring... My wife says to be patient & 'ready' for an "Indian Summer" - not unheard of in January for Maryland - but I am not holding my breath.

Here is how it looks at the moment - from the road -

This may play 'havoc' with winter snow removal, as I need to be able to get the little Deere out of the shed to 'plow' our driveway, and there's a "hole" between the shed and the driveway - where the ground used to be (Ha ha!)... If necessary, I'll build a small bridge for that 10' gap, out of 2x6 boards which were leftover from the first concrete pour...

In the meantime, I am working on what I can.
- I've begun putting up the privacy fence, at least in the areas where it will not interfere with the concrete work that still has to be done. The posts are all 6"x6"x8' PT landscape timbers, with three horizontal 2"x4"x8' PT runners between the posts 'mortised' into the 6x6 posts. The pickets will be PT 5/8"x6"x6' 'dog-earred' boards, held in place by 1 1/2" decking screws -

- I'm making some 'custom' water run-offs for the downspouts on the rain gutters - to take the water away from the workshop (from 'bagged' concrete, mixed with an accellerant for the colder weather) -

- I've got a 40' long pile of rock and gravel about 3' high & 4' wide out beside & behind my shed - 'excess' stone & gravel removed from the areas where the 'second' pour will eventually occur... That needs to be leveled-out into some semblance of a secondary driveway/vehicle path. Guess I could do that, if I run out of other things to do (another smile).

April 27, 2006 -

Preparation for this weekend's concrete pour. Cleaned up a bit, put down some of what I am using as expansion joints. Colorful (pink & light blue), but it won't be seen once the cement is down.

Note the fence skeleton in the background. 2x4 horizontal boards, mortised into 6x6 posts, set in concrete. Vertical 6"x5/8"x6' boards will go on fence after concrete is work is done. Should look pretty good, once completed.

Picture from the driveway. There will be a sidewalk and walk-thru gate just to the right of the workshop, and the 12' wide drive-thru gate will be right were the driveway runs into the concrete pad. Gravel will be covered by asphalt, sooner or later...

Saturday, April 29, 2006

The second pour was finished today. Took a good part of the day, and a lot of sweat, but the concrete pad is now "in"! Two of my friends - Ron & Mark - made a 'return visit', just for the occasion... Can't say it enough - What GREAT friends! The '9 cubic yards' estimate was "right on the money", with only about a wheelbarrow of cement left over. Not a 'perfect' job, but looks good to me!

Now - Comes the fence, driveway and landscaping...

Monday, May 8, 2006

Over the weekend and in between tilling the garden mowing the lawn, I managed to get some work done on this. The temporary concrete forms have been removed, and the 6"x6" PT posts are going in. I'm doing the gateposts first - they are longer and will go into the ground further (and with more concrete). Didn't realize how MUCH concrete it would take to put in these posts, but should have expected it, given the size of the posts I am putting-in.

Gateposts: Each one of the two 6"x6"x12' drive-thu gateposts take about 10 cu ft of concrete = 18" diameter hole (minimum) @ 42" deep. That means 2/3rds of a cubic yard of concrete, just for those two gateposts.

Fence Posts: Posts are 6"x6"x8', so the holes are still 18" diameter, but only 28" deep. That is at least a minimum of 5 cu ft of concrete, per post.

By the time I get done, I'll probably have around thirty-five 80lb bags of redi-mix concrete bought, hauled, mixed & poured - just for these 10 or so posts.

Some "waste": Bought some 'extra' bags of concrete late last year, in anticipation of an 'Indian Summer' - didn't really have room to store them inside, so wrapped them in plastic and stored them outdoors. Moisture got to them anyway, so I ended up with twelve 80lb boulders, already 'bagged'...

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

I've been putting in posts in the afternoon & evening, after work, Took a photo, for reference -

Should have all the posts up, probably by Saturday if the weather cooperates. It is supposed to rain for the next 4-5 days, to include the entire weekend. Sunday will be a 'wash' anyway - I am going to go to the Doc's Meet in Front Royal, VA this Sunday, and then spend the remainder of the day with the family for Mothers Day.

Friday Evening, May 12, 2006

Only have two posts left - the ones adjacent to the sidewalk. If it doesn't rain, I'll be doing this tomorrow, along with other yardwork.

I've ordered a pallet of retaining wall blocks from Home Depot today (144 blocks), they are supposed to be delivered on Monday.

Saturday, April 29, 2006

Now - Comes the fence, driveway and landscaping...

Monday, May 8, 2006

Fence Posts: Posts are 6"x6"x8', so the holes are still 18" diameter, but only 28" deep. That is at least a minimum of 5 cu ft of concrete, per post.

By the time I get done, I'll probably have around thirty-five 80lb bags of redi-mix concrete bought, hauled, mixed & poured - just for these 10 or so posts.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

I've been putting in posts in the afternoon & evening, after work, Took a photo, for reference -

Friday Evening, May 12, 2006

Only have two posts left - the ones adjacent to the sidewalk. If it doesn't rain, I'll be doing this tomorrow, along with other yardwork.

I've ordered a pallet of retaining wall blocks from Home Depot today (144 blocks), they are supposed to be delivered on Monday.

Weekend - May 19, 20, 21 2006

Friday afternoon a gravel base was put down & the concrete retaining wall was put down. Saturday morning the retaining walls were back-filled with gravel, and then topsoil was filled, to the level of the ground/wall. I think it looks pretty good -

The pickets went up pretty smoothly, although it took 3-4 hours (six 1 1/4" exterior-grade decking screws per picket).

Another view of the work -

Also done -

- Put topsoil around the sidewalk and did a bit of clean-up along the driveway and around the general area;

- Placed 6" caps on all the posts;

- Fabricated & hung the gate frames;

- Buried some old concrete, easier than picking it up & hauling to the landfill.

Work to be done during the week -

- Buy and install gate hardware (latches, drop-pin, etc..);

- Put pickets on gates;

- etc..

Observations:

From my thus far limited use of the parking pad, the 'corner area' inside the fence appears to be shaded, about 1/2 the day. The 'bad news' - Anything stored or parked here for any length of time will need to be covered in some manner - pine trees have a habit of dripping sap - but I knew that, going into this...

Monday, October 23, 2006

Had a contractor here today to put down asphalt. Took them about 5 hours, although they did not appear to be going at to hectic a pace. Looks good to me, hope my 'better half' approves...

A friend came by over a month ago, and brought his power washer with him. We washed the outside of the workshop, so now I need to get it painted - hopefully before it gets too cold.

October 28, 2006 -

Had a windstorm this afternoon. One of the larger trees in the yard got blown over, landing on top of the storage shed.

Not sure how this will turn out. I have already called my insurance company. Guess I need to look at this as opportunity to put up a larger storage shed...

Don't know what things look like inside the shed, the only door is jammed shut.

Site has been cleaned up and the old shed moved to make room for the new building. The old shed is 10'x16', and the new shed will be 16'x24', over twice the sized of the old building. As such, and because I will be parking/storing at least one pickup truck into it, I decided to dig footers, 24 of them. Each of the footers is 12" wide, and 24" deep and took over two 80 lb bags of concrete.

December 9, 2006 - The shed is going up! The guys didn't even get here till after 12:00 pm, and have the walls up before 3:00 pm. They are working on the 2nd floor now - Oh, did I mention it will have a SECOND FLOOR?!

October 10, 2006 - Yep, they're back on Sunday! They got here a bit before 8:00 AM, and it is about 1:20 PM, and they are well on their way to having the roof on. Looks like I won't have too much of a second floor - probably just primarily for storage. Was hoping it would have a bit more headroom. Oh well...

Questions, recommendations or comments? Email me -