My kingdom for a heated workspace! (Or: why I've been scarce around here lately)

[MetroMPG]

I've been spending less time than usual on EM recently, and here's a big reason why. It's both good and bad. But mostly good...



(Google Streetview image of "the shack")

Some of you may recall my perennial, bitter complaining about how my various projects grind to a halt each year once autumn sets in and winter looms: I wished I had an insulated, heated workspace. Wah, wah, wah.

Well, the good news is my problem is solved! And simultaneously, many new problems were acquired!

I bought a piece of property in town with an old garage on it, part of which is insulated and has a wood stove. And get this: it's large enough to park 5 (five!) Suzukiclone-sized objects inside! And theoretically many more outside! (But hopefully I won't go there.)

The newly acquired and truly ironic problem is that now I find myself spending my tinkering time tinkering on the building itself, instead of on the vehicles.




The garage is pretty old (guessing ~60 years), not particularly well-built, with several additions glommed on over the years. It's not quite in immediate danger of falling down, yet without exception, every person I've met in the neighbourhood has asked, "Oh - you bought the old Lavergne garage. When are you going to tear it down?"

(I'm guessing their concerns are more aesthetic and property value-related than structural.)

While it may not be about to fall over in the next wind storm, it's definitely in need of plenty of first aid, which I've been administering, slowly.

So once the leaks in the roof are patched, and some windows replaced, and the stove relocated, and the issue of no electricity sorted out, and the "porch" straightened, and some wall sill plates replaced, and several doors moved, and the asphalt driveway cracks sealed, the soffits and fascias fixed, the mice evicted, and the siding repainted, and the brush trimmed back, and the grass cut & leaves raked ... well you get the picture.

Once all those things are done, I'll be able to once again spend my tinkering time on vehiclular modding!!!

(That is, if I quit buying junk that I can park inside the shack. Like this. And this. And several other things I haven't photographed yet...)

[gone-ot]

...an electric space heater (with suitably sized extension cord) is one possibility.

[cfg83]

MetroMPG -

If they want you to tear it down, get them to pay for a steel garage that is oh, maybe TWICE the square footage.

CarloSW2

[tasdrouille]

Hey Darin,

I'm kinda in the same boat as you are. I've been visiting EM daily, but have mostly been a lurker ever since I got my house a bit more than a month ago. The property related projects list grows faster than I can get the projects done. There's a whole lot of shoveling involved and I'm dreaming about getting blisters from wrenching instead of from moving dirt around.

I guess I'll come around eventually. I have a nice little garage to work in with a lot of potential, but I just don't see myself wrenching in it anytime soon.

Good luck in fixing the garage. It's gonna make a nice stable for your trophy cars! You're starting to get quite a collection you know.

take care,

Martin

[MetroMPG]

Martin - congrats on getting your house built! My war cry lately has been "TMP!" (too many projects). Feel free to use it if you like.

I really am looking forward to getting the shack sorted out. But I'm a slow worker, so who knows how long it'll take. I put in an hour or so every day or two - just came down from the roof with my tar bucket.

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

...an electric space heater (with suitably sized extension cord) is one possibility.

I assume you're alluding to a 48v space heater?

Originally Posted by cfg83

If they want you to tear it down, get them to pay for a steel garage that is oh, maybe TWICE the square footage.

Good idea - come for a visit and you can be my negotiator!

Believe it or not, earlier this summer one of my neighbours actually offered to help me repaint (part of) it - the part she can see from her back porch.

[cfg83]

MetroMPG -

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Martin - congrats on getting your house built! My war cry lately has been "TMP!" (too many projects). Feel free to use it if you like.

I hear you, that's why I created this YouTube :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR9KRBooSyU

(third time I've used it on this forum)

I really am looking forward to getting the shack sorted out. But I'm a slow worker, so who knows how long it'll take. I put in an hour or so every day or two - just came down from the roof with my tar bucket.



I assume you're alluding to a 48v space heater?



Good idea - come for a visit and you can be my negotiator!

Believe it or not, earlier this summer one of my neighbours actually offered to help me repaint (part of) it - the part she can see from her back porch.

Ha ha ha, it's like a movie facade to her.

CarloSW2

[skyl4rk]

When you get enough projects started, things will go well until you find that you have filled all available space. Then entropy sets in.

[dcb]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

...
Believe it or not, earlier this summer one of my neighbours actually offered to help me repaint (part of) it - the part she can see from her back porch.

That's just funny

[Christ]

Darin, I bet you could get half the neighborhood to pitch in helping you out on working on the garage, so you're not doing it all yourself.

Plus, it's a good opportunity for Q&A about the ForkenSwift and other projects you have there, and to teach the neighbors about insulation, heating, etc.

If you ask, I'm sure they'll be willing to help you, if only to increase their respective properties' attractiveness or value.

If the lady wants to paint your garage, oblige her.

[MetroMPG]

Too late! I already re-did the part she looks at

But you're right: I showed the ForkenSwift to one neighbour, and then got a phone call a week later from one of the other neighbours I hadn't yet met:

"I hear you have an electric car in that garage! I want to see it!"

I ended up bringing it to his model RC airplane club meeting this week. They're mostly using electric motors these days, so are familiar and interested in the whole EV thing. Spent an hour showing the car, answering questions and giving rides in a coffee shop parking lot.