How big is your garage??

[reevis]

your garage actually isn't a bad size. I agree you need to do something about the lighting...but I think you should organize the stuff to make more room and you'd probably be a lot happier with it.



Maybe build some floor to ceiling shelves, hooks (for hanging the bikes), storage area up high, etc. and then you could take advantage of all the extra space.



One thing I learned from living in various cities with cramped apartments is to think vertically.

 

[Chocaine]

MDX, I feel your pain as far as lighting goes.

I have three 75w bulbs for the 2 car garage, I hope to get a high wattage work lamp soon.

 

[JustinR32]

MDX, that's the same as mine. I like the halogens as a cheap and portable solution.



Tom

 

[armoredsaint]

C-MDX, as a quick temporary fix, go to Lowes or HomeCrapo and get the 300 watt bulbs for each and it will make a huge difference. That's what I did for now.

 

[C-MDX]

your garage actually isn't a bad size. I agree you need to do something about the lighting...but I think you should organize the stuff to make more room and you'd probably be a lot happier with it.



Maybe build some floor to ceiling shelves, hooks (for hanging the bikes), storage area up high, etc. and then you could take advantage of all the extra space.



One thing I learned from living in various cities with cramped apartments is to think vertically.

I think I have enough work space but I don't have enough lighting :nixweiss . I only have one car and I always park it in the middle.

 

[jchetty]

I think I have enough work space but I don't have enough lighting :nixweiss . I only have one car and I always park it in the middle.

your garage has potential. im redoing mine over spring break, this week. if i was you, i would make work are in the back and have shelving on both sides of the garage, since you only park one car this maximize your space in my opinion. the work area can supply the bulk of your supplies and micros and so, and the shelves on the side can hold they stuff you use, and you can restock w/ stuff in back. put a tv in the back <------my fav part of my garage

 

[C-MDX]

[Bput a tv in the back <------my fav part of my garage [/B]

Yeah. A 72" plasma . If I have the $$ to buy a plasma, I'd rather redo my whole garage.

 

[Dinzdale40]

I have a pretty large 2 car garage, and then a basement(laminated beams so there arent but two poles and no low hanging ducts) that can easily fit 6+ cars in.

 

[Chocaine]

C-MDX, as a quick temporary fix, go to Lowes or HomeCrapo and get the 300 watt bulbs for each and it will make a huge difference. That's what I did for now.

So you just screw in the 300w bulbs when you want to detail, or do you leave them in all the time? I thought that was too high of a wattage for everday use.

 

[Kevinch]

I have a detached 25' X 26' that, at the present, I am having estimated for demolish.



If you can believe this - the guy that owned the home before me & had the home built either requested, or allowed, the contractor to lay the aluminum siding directly over the studs when building the garage- without any sheathing! Walk into the garage, & you are looking at the inside of the aluminum siding! :shocked



I knew it when I bought the place in the late 80's. In the early 90's I was just about at the point where I was going to spend the $$ to rebuild what was there, when my 1st wife took a hike. Next few years were spent simply holding on to what I had, let alone building anything!



But now - much better with wife #2!! The garage though, is shot - not worh saving. We put up a 14' X 24' shed last year that I can sneak a car into if I have to, but it is mostly storage. The garage is coming down. Hopefully, within the next 2 years we'll begin building a bigger one - but for now, my cars stay outside :wall



My bikes, however, are safe & secure in the new shed! :bounce



(I just realized - this may be wayyyyy more info than needed....sorry!!)

 

[LouisanaJeeper]

You see?? That's why i need new lights. Only two bulbs. I didn't edit the brightness of the picture because I want you guys to see how gloomy my garage really is.

Umm, I could get tha garage blinding bright for $120.

Get three 4' dual tube florecent lighting fixtures (the kind with a plug). Replace each light fixture with a regular 120v outlet. Plug one fixture into each of the two new outlets and the third fixture into the third outlet already there for the garage door opener (the third one has to have a pull down chain on/off switch) but the others should turn on/off with the regular light switch.



Disclaimer:

Do so at your own risk. I am not an electrician. I'm not responsible if you burn your house down.

 

[Ryan]

I've never actually measured the garage but, I can fit a full heavy duty SUV like a Dodge Durango and have room to open all doors and hatches, and still be able to walk around the open doors. All while being able to close and open the bay door.



For storage I have a wire shelf system in the rear where I keep my most popular solution bottles and some waxes. And a couple of heavy duty cieling high metal shelfs for stuff bulk storage. The cubby under the stairs acts as a power access so I naturally put the frige and, now, the Satellite TV. The air compressor, power washers, assorted pressure hoses, drawer system for clean pads, craftsmen double tool chest and Mytee heated extractor(coming this week) also are contained within the cubby. For some reason it is the location that seems to mute the sound db's from the machines. Except for the gas power washer!



Some upgrades I like to make are a new double door locking cabinet with an open to the floor of my garage. This way I can contain the noise of my machines by closing the doors of the cabinet.



Also, I wish i knew how to wash vehicles inside without flooding the floor. Like a drain or something like a drain to add to the floor for drainage? My walls are concrete block so that is no problem. Just the water puddles on the floor are my biggest concern.



Ryan

 

[Brad B]

I originally had a two car garage, actually a carriage house built in 1916. I added on another section, brought it forward and took it back in depth so it can hold four cars, two end to end.



Right now I have four cars which gives me lots of room to walk around with doors open, etc.



The pitch of the roof is very steep so I have over 7' of walk space height in the attic. I finished the floor up there and have as many lights as I do downstairs. Access is through pull down stairs. I also have a trap door with a hoist above for lifting heavy objects. I keep just about all non-car items in the attic. In winter I store the mower, in summer the snowblower, etc.

 

[MBZ 500E]

Brad did you just get that lift or did I miss that in your other pics? What kind of lift is it and how do you like it?





My current garage actually is a 2.5 car, meaning there's extra space for shelving, my mower and other stuff I need to store in there. It's also large enough to let me open doors without hitting the other car which a relief when we have friends/kids getting in and out of our cars.

 

[Brad B]

Yes, I have always had it. It's an Eagle Lift.