For those of us who are still trying to fit their cars into the gara…er, WWing shop, this nifty device I found is the best thing since sliced bread. It is the 21st century equivalent to hanging that tennis ball from the ceiling so you know where to stop the car. But it uses a cheap laser pointer triggered by your garage door to zap a dot on your dashboard. Works best with garage door openers, but could be installed on manually-opened doors as well.
I pull in until I see the red dot hit the leading edge of my dashboard, stop and hop out. I leave less than 1/2″ between the closed garage door and my rear bumper, maximizing the space remaining for all my tools.
http://www.smarthome.com/7187.html
proje
Replies
My old pickup has never seen the inside of a garage. But, my wife's Park Avenue gets it feelings hurt if left outside at night. So, I put all my tools on a rolling workbench and roll them to the other side when closing up. Then the wifes car go in. I can see the led for the door in her rear view mirror and it will come on when its in far enough. The height of the safety led is set to the bumper height.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
PlaneWood
Neat idea, Mike
Do you know what height (or range of heights) meets code for the safety beam? Mine is lower, and I bet it gets raised, but it would be nice if it were within code, too. ________________________Charlie Plesums Austin, Texashttp://www.plesums.com/wood
Code? There ain't no codes in Texas! You think this is the East Coast or somthing?
(don't know, probably lower than I have it set)
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood
A neighbor had to replace the pressure activated garage door reverse with the lights (so the door wouldn't crush the dog, they said) before they were allowed to sell their house. And I had to remove the rope that you pull to manually close the door. So at least in Austin, we only have building codes when they are dumb. ________________________Charlie Plesums Austin, Texashttp://www.plesums.com/wood
Got tired of playing move the equipment, so I built a 20'X30' carport with a concrete slab. Park the truck and car out there, and when it's hot here (Elgin) I roll the saw, DC, planer, etc. out and enjoy the fresh air while working. Works great for a spray booth too.....
Project
You must know the story about NASA developing a pen that worked upsidedown, under water, in temperatures from minus 70 to plus 175 (Approximately). It only cost 12 million. The Russians used a pencil. I have a string which operates my light hanging from my garage door opener and pull in until the end just hits the top of my windshield. A ball on a string from your roof also does the same thing!!
Cheers
Mac
Tennis ball here, put the laser on the saw ;)
Ball/string works great until your car is outside and you have this ball hanging in the middle of your shop.
My elderly father had damage his garage door twice, once by being too impatient to verify that the door was all the way open before he backed out. The second time he also damaged his car by not pulling in far enough before closing the door
I rigged two lights to the wall in front of his car. A red light would light for a minute or so, but only after his rear bumper is inside and past the door, telling him it was OK to stop. A green light only comes on when the garage door is far enough up to clear his car, giving him the OK to back out.
He's parked, and unparked, perfectly ever since.
I pull in until my window post lines up with a ladder I keep against the side wall. A mark on the wall would do as well. Works every time. Leaves about 2" behind the car to the garage door.
4DThinker ;-)
Just wait till your wife moves the ladder and don't put it back in the correct spot and you only judge it off the ladder! Woops!
Marsh
Wife move the ladder? Never happened. Never will. ;-)
4DThinker
I only keep cars in the garage.
A simple bungee cord and old brush hang from the ceiling.
No expense at all.
We back our cars in till the window hits the brush.
Can't miss not having the garage door open, as your looking right at it when leaving.
Jeff
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