stilov

I thought about this through my communication with Kevin. He said it would make a good thread.

What has been your favorite gift so far and what's on the list for next year?

This year I got a motive power bleeder (saved me life so far)

Next year, not sure yet. Looking forward to suggestions.

jumper5836

For me, I need to start right off from the basics and get a lift. Also have trouble with one brake caliper pin. Can't get it out with a hammer and punch, wondering if there is something else out there that can punch out the pin?

rmc1148

Air chisel with punch bit will drive it out. I'm going to replace some of my worn hand tools as a lot have 50 years use and looking the part lol.

jumper5836

Thanks, gona pick that up right away.

ReidN

Continue building on my Snap On collection.

biglicks

+1 on a lift. need something mobile, that preferably has an electric drive and gives clear access underneath. Mostly want to have it for underside cleaning and wheels off work if anyone has a good recommendation.

And must be easily obtainable in Europe!!

biglicks

oh and what about a GT2 to put in said cave?

cbracerx

I did a makeover on my garage the past few months and my favorite "gifts" as part of that were:

Epoxy Floor (huge improvement in any garage) Lowes Valspar Epoxy color, chips and clear

Wall Mounted Vacuum (incredibly handy to always have this ready, 50' hose cleans any spot in the garage and cars still in the driveway)
VacuMaid GV50BPRO Professional Wall Mounted Utility and Garage Vacuum with 50 ft Hose and Tools http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CLE1ZO8/

Wall Mounted Air Hose Reel (saves space and time with air tools and my garage is really too small for dedicated air line piping)
Legacy L8250 Workforce series 3/8-Inch by 50-Feet Enclosed Plastic Air Reel http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00173CT9E/

Ceiling Mounted Electric Extension (I had a trouble light in the past filling this role and moved to using portable LED lights instead - so the electrical extension only is much easier than the dual purpose unit)

Jackshaft Garage Door Opener (saved space on the ceiling and much quieter) with an indoor monitor on the door state and a button to close it
8500 LiftMaster Elite Series® Wall Mount Garage Door Opener UPC 012381850013 http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CUQ616O/

Wireless Sound System (I got a used Apple Speaker from ebay and hooked up up Airplay using an Airport Express) So nice to have real tunes in the garage

A Sink in the garage, with and air purge valve and faucets underneath for mixed hot/cold water to the outside faucet for the hose. Salt removal in the wintertime got easier.

Lighting! Added recessed lights (fine but not awesome) and four fixture T8 florescents (love them)
4-Light Grey Heavy Duty Fluorescent Shoplight http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-...D-RE/202968125

Scott.

Nice work! I'm wrapping up my garage makeover as well. What brand did you pick for the wall mount vacuum and reel?

cbracerx

I did a lot of research on these and ended up with a fairly cheap reel and pretty expensive vacuum. Both have been excellent so far. But if you want to pickup liquids this is not the vacuum for that.

Legacy L8250 Workforce series 3/8-Inch by 50-Feet Enclosed Plastic Air Reel http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00173CT9E/

VacuMaid GV50BPRO Professional Wall Mounted Utility and Garage Vacuum with 50 ft Hose and Tools http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CLE1ZO8/

rmc1148

Like the garage also did you do the floor yourself? The vac is nice might do that myself.

cbracerx

Thanks.

I did the floor, and the rest of the renovation myself. Floor was the single most time consuming item. This was my second floor coating job so I was prepared for the intense preparation. Cleaning with power washer, then heavy detergent and stiff brush with elbow grease, then lots more power washing, then etching with muriatic acid (nasty), then baking soda solution to neutralize, then more power washing - whew! Of course then crack filling (I used an epoxy to save time). Finally the color coat (I used four 1 gallon two part Valspar epoxy kits from Lowes) and color flakes (about seven cans) and let dry for 48 hours. Then a layer of clear epoxy (also Lowes Valspar, two 1 gallon kits) with clear non-slip additive. Another 48 hours and finally done. Huge PITA but worth it. My floor jacks and scissor lift have left no marks so far.

In the spirit of the thread, another good man cave item was the propane construction heater seen below. Very helpful for the winters here in the northeast! I also liked the rack system I found at Lowes for storage - 24" wide and 70" long per section, with three shelves strong enough to store engines on. I filled mine with clear storage boxes.

Full Gallery https://plus.google.com/photos/11751...065?banner=pwa

Before:



After:

rmc1148

Nice I did the exterior of my garage over the last few years and interior is next. The dilemma with mine is the Kubota RTV, Honda ATV and Kubota large diesel mower taking up my space. I have a couple large sheds but they are filled with log splitters and the like so I need a bigger garage.

ReidN

I just started gutting the inside of my 2000sf garage. Currently running all new electrics and removing half of the second floor to get a lift installed. After that a nice HVAC system and all done!!

ECS Tuning

That garage turned out awesome Chris! Nice work