Re: Garage topic : Cinderblock , experienced stonemason advice wanted

["Jim Blair" <carnuck@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

A: On a similar topic, I am building an AMC driver building (heretofore 
called "my new home) into the side of a small hill for energy efficiency. 
I'm looking at concrete with sprayed on fiberglass to seal it. 3 floors tall 
with garage at the base for various AMC vehicles (current and future). 
Ventilation to keep fumes and radon gas away. (vehicles may be exposed, but 
it's unlikely the human inhabitants will be) Any further ideas on this topic 
would be welcome (offlist natch) as this will be nearly self sufficient with 
solar/hydro electric with LPG/wood heat for backup.
   Now on to my answer for Jerry's Q. Use a cutting saw to notch up to the 
place you want the door (allow for a thick steel beam top "sill" and best 
have it engineered) Take the weight off the ceiling/wall inside till you 
knock out the offending blocks around and the center part can fall outwards 
(I use a comealong with a Full Size Jeep for anchor) then install the beam 
and add pillars. Allow for the thickness of the pillars in your 
calculations.


From: Jerry Casper <gremlingts@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Garage topic : Cinderblock , experienced stonemason advice wanted
To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx

  In order for me to make my " Gremlin Garage II " (
obligatory AMC reference ) a reality at the building I
am about to purchase in a sleepy country one-traffic
light town, I need some help with a structural
decision.
  Here's the low-down - 3,000 sq. ft. building, comes
with an 18 x 40 foot cinderblock back "shop", with
concrete "plaster" on the outside of it. Only a 32"
standard human doorway in the cinderblock shop. Shop
has a concrete floor. I NEED to cut a big enough
opening for a car to pass thru ( actually, I hope to
pass 5-6 thru it and pack it for now ). Is there a
reasonable DIY way to do this without collapsing the
top structure? I was thinking of doing it this way :

 1) Knock out a row of cinderblocks up high.
 2) install a steel I-beam about 6" - 8" tall, and X
feet long, to support the cinderblocks above.
 3) tie in the beam to the structure, then knock out
the blocks below it>.

  First, is this a feasible thing to accomplish for a
non-experienced stone worker to do, or should it be
left to a professional? And if so, how much would
structural work like this cost? I'd like the opening
made, so I can get the cars in, then install a garage
door later. I plan to fence in the lot behind it, so
there won't be easy access to it. They are project
cars anyway, so I'm not too worried about them.
  A friend who does tile says normally an L-beam is
used, chip out the cement between the blocks, then
install the L-beam, bolt it to the wall, and then
knock out the blocks beneath. I "may" have access to 2
cheap I-beams, butif the L-beam is the way to go, then
I'll go the best route.
  So, looking for anyone who can give some "free"
advice on what NOT to do, or what to do. I'm willing
to spend a couple grand to get it done right. I have
the cash, just need to make some decisions on what the
best way to go about it QUICKLY right now to open the
building up, so I'll have room for more cars on the
back lot. I have 16 or so to move, so the more space I
can "make", ie open up the shop, the more I hope to
save from inevitable destruction, with my aunt's farm
being sold, I need to move my cars ASAP.
  Anyway, that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it. Any
professional, or DIY advice from someone who's done it
much appreciated! TIA,

Jerry Casper
Woodbridge, VA

trying to save my AMC(hevy) fleet...