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    Author Topic: Shop tunes  (Read 2769 times)

    Offline BruteForce

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    • '72 Dodge Challenger 340 5spd
    Shop tunes
    « on: February 04, 2008 - 03:48:43 PM »
    This isn't exactly about audio in my Challenger. But working on the car is fun only if you're in a pleasant environment to do the work. I finally got sick of the poor radio reception and endless/repetitive commercials on the stations. A CD player doesn't work, because the CD always runs out when I'm under the car, and loading CDs with greasy hands isn't a good idea. I spent the weekend wiring up my shop with ethernet cable. The ethernet cable is connected to my home network. The shop end of the ethernet plugs into an Audiotron box, and that box outputs to a pair of self-powered speakers picked up from a computer store.

    The result? I now have access to my entire music collection in the shop, plus internet radio. Aaahh! Next I should add a refrigerator, and then I'd never leave.
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    Offline 422STROKER

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    Re: Shop tunes
    « Reply #1 on: February 04, 2008 - 04:37:11 PM »
    Yup, Have to have tunes to the garage.  I got my Technics stuff from my college days out there 2 10" sub speakers and the garage rocks when needed.LOL  I got a 13"tv out there too, got to upgrade that one someday... 

    But by far the best thing I did was have a 1/2 bath with a slop sink put in during construction.  Keep lots of mess out of the house. :roflsmiley:

    Tom :2thumbs:
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    Tom
    12.77 @ 108.87 15" Street Drag radial tires 3.23 gear

    Offline BruteForce

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    • '72 Dodge Challenger 340 5spd
    Re: Shop tunes
    « Reply #2 on: February 04, 2008 - 05:11:14 PM »
    I put in a utility sink a while back, but no room for the half bath. Some other things:
    • the walls are "sheetrocked" with plywood, meaning I can attach shelves and heavy stuff anywhere without worrying about it
    • wired for 220V
    • the wall sockets are on a separate circuit from the lights, and all the wall sockets can be turned off by a switch at the door. I did this mainly as an extra layer of safety because I didn't want small kids accidentally turning on the saw or something. I didn't go quite as far as making it a key switch.
    • built a workbench out of 2x4s, 4x4s, lag screws and carriage bolts. I wanted a bench heavy enough that it didn't need to be bolted to the floor so it wouldn't wander around when I beat on things in the vise. I succeeded with that. :)
    My biggest screwup is the shop is too small. I'd like to get one of those sandblasting boxes, but there's nowhere to put it.
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    Offline 422STROKER

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    Re: Shop tunes
    « Reply #3 on: February 04, 2008 - 06:35:47 PM »
    I think most people would say their  shop is too small.LOL  I'd like it if my garage was bigger than the house. :smilielol:

    Tom :2thumbs:
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    Tom
    12.77 @ 108.87 15" Street Drag radial tires 3.23 gear

    Offline KellysCuda aircard

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    Re: Shop tunes
    « Reply #4 on: February 04, 2008 - 06:48:20 PM »
    I also wished I had a sand blasting cabinet, I also dont have the room...LOL...soon tho. I bought a 24 inch tv to watch drag racin vids while wrenchin on the car, it helps keep up the motivation.   :cheers:
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    Offline NoMope Greg

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    Re: Shop tunes
    « Reply #5 on: February 04, 2008 - 07:00:43 PM »
      Quote from: BruteForce on February 04, 2008 - 05:11:14 PM
      I put in a utility sink a while back, but no room for the half bath. Some other things:
      • built a workbench out of 2x4s, 4x4s, lag screws and carriage bolts. I wanted a bench heavy enough that it didn't need to be bolted to the floor so it wouldn't wander around when I beat on things in the vise. I succeeded with that. :)
      My biggest screwup is the shop is too small. I'd like to get one of those sandblasting boxes, but there's nowhere to put it.

      I did the same thing with my workbench, plus I built it to my height (I'm 6'1") and reach.  I got tired of lower back pain from standing at a counter or table or workbench and having to lean over to work on something.  It's also a little wider than normal, giving a little extra workspace.  My wife is 5'4" and she hates it.

      The other advantage to building my own with bolts instead of nailing it together was when I had to move into an apartment, it was easy to disassemble for storage and then re-assemble when I bought my house.

      Of course, like most of us here, I'd like to have a 50x100 workshop with a paint booth and clean room.  Dreamin'... :biggrin:
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      Greg
      2003 Ford Escape XLS
      Currently Mopar-less :(

      Offline BruteForce

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      • '72 Dodge Challenger 340 5spd
      Re: Shop tunes
      « Reply #6 on: February 04, 2008 - 07:45:01 PM »
      Quote
      The other advantage to building my own with bolts instead of nailing it together was when I had to move into an apartment, it was easy to disassemble for storage and then re-assemble when I bought my house.

      That and you can replace parts of it easily that get charred or soaked in chemicals. (Not that that ever happens  :-[ ) I wired it for power, putting sockets on the front (using armored conduit  :o ) which comes in real handy so you don't have power cords draped over the work surface.

      There's also an exhaust fan for the shop, it helps when things get dusty, smoky :stirpot: or vaporous :puke:.
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      Offline thedodgeboys

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      Re: Shop tunes
      « Reply #7 on: February 04, 2008 - 09:02:39 PM »
      My wife thought I was nuts all I wanted to do was buy the house next to us, and make it my workshop with a tunnel between the two houses for winter travel... :roflsmiley:
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      Go Fast & Have Fun...
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      Offline BruteForce

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      • '72 Dodge Challenger 340 5spd
      Re: Shop tunes
      « Reply #8 on: February 05, 2008 - 12:34:59 AM »
      Quote
      My wife thought I was nuts all I wanted to do was buy the house next to us, and make it my workshop with a tunnel between the two houses for winter travel...

      Criminy, I've been thinking the same thing! I always joke that my instructions to a real estate agent would be a 5 car garage with a bedroom. My favorite "This Old House" series was the one where they converted the old barn out back into a workshop. :drool: Just add the tunnel!
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