Well, after my career misfortunes of last year I had to shelve my grandiose plans for building a BIG, NEW shop building. Instead I started converting my hay barn into a shop. I originally used the building for hay storage. Now that hay is rolled and easily kept outdoors it is no longer needed for that purpose, so I decided to make the most of it.

It is only 38 x 30, and not perfectly arranged, but I decided to make the most of it. It is a wood pole building with corrugated metal walls. Terrible to look at, but it should keep the rain and wind off of myself and my equipment.

I now have a concrete floor and almost have all my wiring done, with 110 outlets everywhere, 220V Metal Halide lights in the main area and 220 outlets for my table saw and wheel balancer. I have just a little more work yet to do to have power for my compressor and welder. Then in another couple of weeks I will have to run 220 to my new TWO POST LIFT! Boy am I excited about that? I turn 55 next month and I've been squeezing myself under cars on a creeper and trying to twist around to find the socket or bolt I dropped for all these years. It's now time I get to retire my creeper.

My creeper is a wood model that I bought when I got out of the army in 1971. I have recovered the head rest twice and it looks like it is army surplus from World War II. I plan on giving it its due memorial service.

On one end of the building is a low roof section that is 10 X 30. This will serve as my woodshop with the table saw arranged such that workpieces can extend into the car shop when necessary. That leaves a 28 X 30 section for two large car bays and a 30 feet long work area for benches, welding, metal cutoff saw and to stash such equipment as my a/c recovery machines.

I had to rebuild one of the doors which is about 8 feet wide and 13 feet tall. It is ready to go up and then I will then be able to start moving in my woodshop equipment. Hopefully I will have that done before my lift gets here. With the woodshop together I will be able to start building my benches and shelves for the car side.

I will be excitedly posting progress as I go.

Sorry for the personal post, but I just can't contain my excitement.

Have a great day,