Building New House - Garage Features???

[Accumulator]

I grew up with softeners and have had them in all my homes. I have a separate one for the garage.

The "sodium in the water" has only been an issue *one* time- in our previous house (different softener) the softened water was hard on some African Violets.

We run our drinking water through RO units so I've never worried about the water being too "sodium-rich" with regard to health matters.

No idea whether it's bad for the cars, but its not like mine are rusting out from being washed with softened water either...guess I don't know what to tell you there though of course if you rinsed *thoroughly* with the DI water then it shouldn't be an issue anyhow. That "rinsed THOROUGHLY might be easier said than done though (nooks and crannies..).

I do find that any spotting from the softened water is easily wiped away and sure doesn't etch like hard water can.

Other Side of Fence:

Like kevincwelch, Accumulatorette dislikes the "slimy" and "hard to rinse out the suds" aspects of the softened water. I put those in scare-quotes because they just don't bother me. BUT..maybe that's because I'm so used to soft water. When I shower in hard water I'm disappointed in the seemingly lousy suds, though I do get the "great rinsing" effect.

Heh heh, I'd hate to do a hard-sell on the softener only to have [somebody in your household] simply hate it!

 

[RDKC]

I grew up with softeners and have had them in all my homes. I have a separate one for the garage.

The "sodium in the water" has only been an issue *one* time- in our previous house (different softener) the softened water was hard on some African Violets.

We run our drinking water through RO units so I've never worried about the water being too "sodium-rich" with regard to health matters.

No idea whether it's bad for the cars, but its not like mine are rusting out from being washed with softened water either...guess I don't know what to tell you there though of course if you rinsed *thoroughly* with the DI water then it shouldn't be an issue anyhow. That "rinsed THOROUGHLY might be easier said than done though (nooks and crannies..).

I do find that any spotting from the softened water is easily wiped away and sure doesn't etch like hard water can.

Other Side of Fence:

Like kevincwelch, Accumulatorette dislikes the "slimy" and "hard to rinse out the suds" aspects of the softened water. I put those in scare-quotes because they just don't bother me. BUT..maybe that's because I'm so used to soft water. When I shower in hard water I'm disappointed in the seemingly lousy suds, though I do get the "great rinsing" effect.

Heh heh, I'd hate to do a hard-sell on the softener only to have [somebody in your household] simply hate it!

I wouldn't say that I grew up with them (my parents got one in my early teens, haven't had one for the last 10 years or so, have one again) but mostly agree. I haven't experienced any problems from softened water though.

I haven't done a whole lot of research into them, but I do know that the salt levels in the water are supposed to be within safe limits for human consumption. I haven't noticed any problems from drinking it or any of the animals drinking it (dogs, cats, and rats.)

I wouldn't imagine that it would really cause any extra rust, especially if you live in an area that lays salt on the roads in the winter.

Now, on to the reasons I love water softeners and why the "slimy" feeling doesn't bother me.
- Water softeners replace calcium and magnesium in the water with small amounts of sodium. Calcium and magnesium are two minerals that interfere with soaps/detergents. The calcium and magnesium actually cause deposits of soap, calcium, and magnesium on the surface of whatever it is you're trying to clean. This is why you feel slimy when you wash with softened water - there is less soap left on your skin. Since the softener reduces the amount of soap scum buildup and removes two elements that reduce the effectiveness, this results in less soap used. This extends to body soap, shampoo, laundry soap, pretty much any soap really. That results in savings and, if you're like me and stupidly spend $20 on a bottle of shampoo, it can be a decent amount of savings. Removing the calcium from the water also prevents calcium buildup on faucets, shower heads, valves, dishwashers, washing machines, water dispensers, etc. and supposedly (I've never taken one apart) inside your hot water heater. Because of that, it's supposed to extend the life of your water heater and help it maintain it's efficiency.

I love them, but the choice is yours.

 

[Swanicyouth]

Finally got the garage somewhat organized so I can do some actual detailing.

Most of the "detail stuff" is in the "bump out" of the garage:

But, I still have this huge open space to work:

Bought these hooks at Lowes for $7.

 

[kevincwelch]

Nice brush rack!

(Sent via my mobile device)

 

[trashmanssd]

Are you going to paint the walls or leave them O'natural?

 

[Swanicyouth]

No real plans to paint the walls or make it some kind of man cave. I just like having the open space.

 

[Accumulator]

I didn't make my shop into a man-cave either (never even turn on the stereo system I wasted money on), but I did paint the walls just for practical purposes. IMO painted = stays cleaner longer.

 

[trashmanssd]

Yeah I like High gloss paint cleans easy and reflects a bit more light (seems brighter). I on the other hand I have slightly man caved mine 32" tv and stereo I love watching movies on Netflix while I prep my boat and rods for a tournament.

 

[Swanicyouth]

Check out my Fat Man Detailing Stool (FMDS). I've had this stool for many years. It prolly bent cause I was too fat:

Figured if I bought a new one it would just bend. So, I bought some 2x3"s and epoxy.

Bent the stool back with a pry bar:

Measured:

Cut and drilled the 2x3"s so they would mount tightly:

Then epoxied them in place... Stool is now solid as a rock.

 

[GearHead_1]

Ha! Time for one of these. Put that one in the corner as a spare. Says it will handle a big boy.

LINK: Detailers Rolling Seat Creeper

 

[RDKC]

Now that is funny, swanicyouth.

Iim surprised at the cheapo $20 Harbor Freight creeper seat I have at work. Apparently it was under a fuel tank of one of the semi's when I was letting it down off the jack... It put a little slit in the vinyl, that's all. Also dropped a 200+ pound wheel assembly on it (twice) and all that happened is it cracked the plastic tray which a little superglue fixed.

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[Swanicyouth]

Ha! Time for one of these. Put that one in the corner as a spare. Says it will handle a big boy.

LINK: Detailers Rolling Seat Creeper

Yeah. I've head this style too. Broke it where the seat mounts to the pole.

 

[GearHead_1]

Yeah. I've head this style too. Broke it where the seat mounts to the pole.

New and improved for ACC, claims it'll hold 300 lbs. Price is right.

 

[kevincwelch]

Why don't you paint the walls with a semi gloss white? Reflects more light.

(Sent via my mobile device)

 

[Jaddie]

Ha! Time for one of these. Put that one in the corner as a spare. Says it will handle a big boy.

LINK: Detailers Rolling Seat Creeper

This looks like an upgraded model of my $20 version. The seat looks a smidge thicker than mine and the casters are a little larger. The tray looks the same, which if it is, it's thin metal that will bend easily if you step on it. Why would you step on it? Well, if you're a klutz, as I am, you just do stuff like that from time to time.

It's more than decent for the money, though. If I had a Kreepstool, I'd feel like I had to protect it.

 

[Accumulator]

Huh, the foam on all those (the cicular-seat ones) looks a *lot* thinner than what's on mine. Mine's a *OLD* one, from InterParts (who've been out of business for ages..).

 

[trashmanssd]

I was going to make a funny about weight and breaking that stool then I remembered.

 

[Swanicyouth]

This is the coolest thing ever. So, I'm building stuff; hanging blinds & shades, and drilling stuff.

My friend told me to get a a good cordless drill before I moved. I was like - I have a drill. I put up some Roman shades with a regular drill, and - forget it.

Started researching what is the best cordless stuff out there for regular homeowner use.

It's Milwaukee M12.

Drill:

Impact driver (1/4"):

This stuff is super powerful and awesome. Impact driver will strip 3/8" regular bolts - it's super powerful. Kit comes with 2 batteries, and they last a while. Each battery charges in 30 mins.

Used it to build a new detailing cart:

 

[RDKC]

I use those both at home and at work. Work great for so many things for being so small. Best $100 I spent on tools I think.

I've been tempted to get the larger battery but how long those little ones last will surprise you.

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[trashmanssd]

We use those at work on big diesel rubbish trucks, they can take some serous abuse. Also I got the heated jacket that runs on those batteries its nice but bit heavy I want to try the heated sweat shirt.