Thought it was time to take a break and give everyone an update on the progress of my SlickShop (1,800 square feet clear span with 10' ceiling). My buddy and I have been working almost non-stop since SlickStock to get it ready to move trucks in and get to some serious work. I threw the landlord's workers out a week before SlickStock and told him we would finish it up. Slowest people in the world and sloppy isn't the word. He offered to pay for all the materials and deduct for our labor from the rent. Thank goodness for my buddy Whitney (who is as Anal-Retentive as I am) who did the majority of the wiring, including: Twelve 110 four-outlet boxes and four 110 two outlet boxes and two single 220 outlets all in conduit. Won't have to look far to plug something in. Here's a quick tour:
Overhead Entrance Door (Walk through door will be cut behind were the ladder is standing.)
Moving around the room. Eight foot door (probably barn door style) to the 16’X24’ storage room which will become paint booth, will be cut on the wall where the fan and yellow trash can is.
Built the workbenches, found the drawers at a salvage yard. Brien (Bluebolt) scored the Citgo pump island signs for me which now contain florescent lights. Just have to hang them.
He also scored the two 4'X8' rolling tables.
Refreshment Center (toilet and shower will go in the small room)
Office/Relaxation Area. High speed internet access. The couch? Us old guys sometimes need an afternoon nap .
Welding and Compressor Room. Bluebolt scored welding table. New Eastwood MIG welder, Hobart Plasma cutter and Eastwood Combo Media/Soda Blaster. Room is lined with many heavy sheets of 5/8” “fire-rated” sheet rock. Plan is to cover walls with sheets of metal when I can find/afford it.
Proud owner, who is glad it’s finally time to move in (don't know why he's not smiling). It’s been a long three months with lots of back-breaking work.
Here’s what it looked like when I rented the space.
Couple of shots of what it looked like after it was cleaned out and the floor painted. Removed the stairs and the two 4X4 posts. Covered the ceiling with foam board and hung new 8’ lights. Added insulation and many, many sheets of sheet rock.
Tomorrow is the official move-in day. We'll be taking the crew cab and the 63 Uni over tomorrow and get them positioned and then take the 63 F250 over later this week for brakes, then it will come back to the house garage and we'll take the 61 BBW Uni over to get in line on the project list.
First order of business will be to remove the front clip and the bed from the crew cab so I can see what I have to deal with. As I've upped the anti by committing to driving my crew cab to SlickStock V I've got to get to some serious work.
First priority is to finish up the 63 Uni and get it drivable and stoppable, breaks on the f250 so it's stoppable and then on to the crew. For the first time I will be able to move from project to project without having to move something out of the garage and move something in. I'm close to a deal so I'll have convenient access to a fork lift which will aid in removing beds, cabs, etc.
And did I say that it's air conditioned and heated? And the utilities are included in the rent?
It's been a lot of work and has taken much longer than I had anticipated, but I now have a really nice. well-equipped shop and now have no excuses not to get busy and get these projects going. Then I can buy more Slicks.
I am one lucky son-of-a-gun.
Stay tuned for details on the upcoming "Shop Warming" a little later on in the year, when hopefully, the weather cools a bit. Y'all come!
If you understand what you’re doing, you’re not learning anything.
LITTLE RED: 64 F100 Short Style
BIG RED: 62 F100 Long Uni
BIG “UN": 63 F250 Long Flare
BBW RED: 61 F100 CC BBW Long Uni
CRIMSON CREW: 63 F100 "Stageway" Long Flare Crew Cab
"RANGER": 66 F100 CC Long Flatbed
"AVA" 1963 Avion T-20 Travel Trailer
“Lucille” 1955 New Moon 44’ Travel Trailer
always
"i believe i've achieved satisfaction".-bubbles
"should i be gettin" baked for this boys?"-bubbles
i could no longer keep "r.i.p.ing" all of our fallen brothers and sisters, so i say here, slick loads of love and much respect to all you beautiful people.
Grits, See what you get when you work for it! What a deal! Thats a REAL Nice shop. Can't wait to see it. Let me know when you have the "Shop Warming". TR
I guess I will have to go to Monroe just to work on my truck. I am very impressed Gerald, very nice shop. It looks like your set up for some serious work.
Michelle
Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner. A Republic is a well-armed sheep.
I hope I always stay crazy, because I know if I ever become sane, it will drive me crazy.
Truckrat wrote:Grits, See what you get when you work for it! What a deal! Thats a REAL Nice shop. Can't wait to see it. Let me know when you have the "Shop Warming". TR
yes, me too. i want to go to the shop warming!!!!! lol i will be down that way for thanksgiving this year.
always
"i believe i've achieved satisfaction".-bubbles
"should i be gettin" baked for this boys?"-bubbles
i could no longer keep "r.i.p.ing" all of our fallen brothers and sisters, so i say here, slick loads of love and much respect to all you beautiful people.
Well, yesterday it officially became a SLICK shop (not just a shop). Moved the crew cab and the 63 Uni in. Trying not to get things too crowded and leave plenty of room to work. Thanks to all of you guys and gals for the nice comments. I still can't quite believe my good fortune. Yesterday morning I was so excited I was like a kid at Christmas. Woke up at 6 raring to get the slicks moved.
The crew cab has been in the yard covered up for so long that I had forgotten how big it really is, how much work it needs. what a great project to work on and what an outstanding and unique truck it's going to be when finished.
Room for one more.
If you understand what you’re doing, you’re not learning anything.
LITTLE RED: 64 F100 Short Style
BIG RED: 62 F100 Long Uni
BIG “UN": 63 F250 Long Flare
BBW RED: 61 F100 CC BBW Long Uni
CRIMSON CREW: 63 F100 "Stageway" Long Flare Crew Cab
"RANGER": 66 F100 CC Long Flatbed
"AVA" 1963 Avion T-20 Travel Trailer
“Lucille” 1955 New Moon 44’ Travel Trailer
Dang, those look small in there. I just didn't realize how big it is by the pics.
Did you say 1800 square feet? You are one lucky Slickster.
Enjoy yourself, Grits, but make sure you get in that afternoon nap on that big ol cushy couch! TR
Truckrat wrote:Dang, those look small in there. I just didn't realize how big it is by the pics. Did you say 1800 square feet? R
Yes, main room is 42.5' X 42.5' = 1806 sq ft. Trying to get my buddy to rent the adjacent space (1,200 sq ft, non-A/C) to use for storing trucks and parts.
Of course, he's an old Chevy guy (literally and figuratively) so there could be some cross-contamination but I think I'm gradually bringing him around from the Dark Side.
If you understand what you’re doing, you’re not learning anything.
LITTLE RED: 64 F100 Short Style
BIG RED: 62 F100 Long Uni
BIG “UN": 63 F250 Long Flare
BBW RED: 61 F100 CC BBW Long Uni
CRIMSON CREW: 63 F100 "Stageway" Long Flare Crew Cab
"RANGER": 66 F100 CC Long Flatbed
"AVA" 1963 Avion T-20 Travel Trailer
“Lucille” 1955 New Moon 44’ Travel Trailer
.
And pretty jealous, too!
Looking great Grits!, I want one!
TR