Just a garage (incl motorbike content)

Cheers! Although yeah, should really be wearing shoes. Not having been in the house ages I haven't accumulated too much, but the workshop in the garden helps to store bikes for the moment. The next job will probably be building a decent workbench that spans the wall to the left of the tool chest, ideally with pegboard. After pricing this up I'm tempted to use a kitchen worktop as it's not much different in price and will give a much better level of finish. I'd love to see some pics of your set-up.

@PhilDAS I want your metal gluing skills

Is John Boos a thing in your part of the world? They do a commercial grade wood top that worked out much cheaper than equivalent from a kitchen place for us.

My main problem is overheating when not much airflow, London. I found that having a higher percentage of distilled water is the only partial solution. But then lower lubrication can bring bigger problems. So now I just let the fan go and suffer with it. Anyway, it never went above 109c and if it reaches 120c I will just stop and wait.

After some internet searching seems you can buy chopping boards and such but for commercial stuff they're US only, I think sadly. Although stalking eBay and local classifieds for used/offcuts might be a way forward.

Might find equivalent in restaurant supply places, good luck regardless.

Timber merchant?
Local fitters?

I used retired scaffold boards and a couple of old kitchens. Biscuit jointed the boards together and then gave them a couple of coats of satin varnish.

Loving your garage/workshop BTW.

Also scored some flooring that was being skipped from a gym. It was like new.🤦 Freakishly heavy but is amazing for a workshop.

Funny enough I went to the local timber yard yesterday and they recommended exactly the same thing. I priced up 3 x 3m scaffolding boards but with the current cost of wood decided to spend a little more and go the kitchen worktop route. I was also worried about not being able to get a perfectly flat surface although yours looks great. Tomorrow hopefully I'll have a nice 40mm staved and finger joined oak worktop delivered. I'm going to be terrified cutting it to size!

Loving your set-up, always fascinating seeing what people have tucked away, the LMNH vibe with the caps is a nice touch. What's the red thing bottom right, parts cleaner?

I'm going to be terrified cutting it to size!

Fresh blade on the Makita. You’ll be fiiine.

What's the red thing bottom right, parts cleaner?

Looks like a can of coke, so yea, parts cleaner.

Big Red Rad.

Twin bulb version. I can safely say its one of the best gifts I ever received. Makes work possible in Autumn/Winter.

kitchen worktop route

Where from?

I was thinking about moisture resistant MDF.

Where from?

kitchen-surplus.co.uk

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Cheap option is MDF and paint on wood glue nice and thick. Dries to a nice seal

Saw this photo a few days ago, if I can achieve the Fisher Price version I'll be happy.

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#justanatelier

Cheers jambon and PhilDAS.

Some progress.... Didn't ruin the worktop with the jigsaw either, it actually fits really nicely. Just need to finish strengthening the bottom by way of some drawers and hinged doors. Thinking about 18mm ply for these although wood seems crazy expensive right now.

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God that's a good vice

God that's a good vice

Gotta say I’m a bit envious. They look so nice when they are clean and the paint is still intact.

Mine is oft abused, and migrates between dangerously close to bottles of ethanol, to the gravel.

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Nice bench, looks very pro.

swapping the old fluorescent bulbs for LEDs, which has made a big improvement.

Going back to the beginning do you have a link for these? And what colour temp did you go for?

Thanks a lot. These are the bulbs I bought, the colour temp is 4000k which seems pretty spot on for working. Hope that helps.

Just been watching a budget bikes battle video on 44Teeth on YT and they have a SRAD on there. Chap mentions that the K5/K6 1000 headers fit right on and are titanium...
They're like a hundred quid on ebay. Thought of you

Al's adventures with his SRAD were a contributing factor for sure, knew once they released the series prices probably weren't going any lower. I've got a set of those very same ones sitting on my toolbox waiting to go on this winter. Just need a muffler and somebody to make me a high-rise link pipe!

Making slow progress after being on holiday for a couple of weeks. Workbench is getting there, put some photos up and the RSV passed its MOT today so will be listing it for sale to make way for something new. The oak worktop is now varnished and I've added additional supports for two shelves. Looks like the front openings will be quite large so likely go with split doors. Last couple of days I've really enjoyed taking my time, listening to the radio and realising how bad I am at woodwork. It's starting to feel like what I've envisioned for a long time.

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I love those ZX-6Rs from 2004 or so (in your wall photo). Lovely looking things