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| I'm building a new workshop/garage! Help me design it... | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 12 2012, 11:11 PM (2,673 Views) | |
| rmcelwee | Jan 12 2012, 11:11 PM Post #1 |
 
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We've been talking about it for years and bought a house with an extra lot just for the purpose. I think we are ready to pull the trigger on a 20'x26' metal building. They are about $4500 but that doesn't include any of the extra expenses (electric, concrete pad, etc). I had a truck accident in 2008 and have been fighting to get the other guy's insurance to pay my medical/lost wages. I think they are finally getting ready to write me a check (should be around $12K) and we are going to use that money to put the building up. Things we are going to do at this time: 20'x26' on concrete with an extra 10' of concrete in front 9'x7' roll up garage door on the front with a walk-in door beside it single window in the back (probably put a box fan in it for ventilation/breeze) solar water heater and solar panels for cordless power tool power (expensive but worth it to me as a project) sink / urinal small fridge tons of shop lights on the ceiling wall to wall shelving/work benches hard compressed air lines in various places sawdust vacuum dust collectors heavy duty welding table in the center etc I'll keep my lift in the house garage for the time being. Not really sure if I need it in the workshop but that is being debated. Anything I'm missing??? Something neat that I need to put in there? Ideas that I probably haven't thought of? |
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| Memphis metro | Jan 12 2012, 11:19 PM Post #2 |
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Overhead H Beam for chain hoist to roll on for lifting engines, heavy metal and other objects. (not sure what kind of lift you are talking about) When wiring it up, wire it up with some kind of inside motion detectors running to house to cut on a radio or something to alert you of unwanted activity inside of shop. A outside electrical socket on the building (after 17 years, I finally put one on the outside of mine just the other day.) I mounted a squirrel cage fan in the eve of my garage to pull the hot air out of the garage. I have seen the window mounted fans with louvers as well. When you pour the concrete slap, fashion some steal rods in the shape of a U and have a couple of them in the concrete near a wall somewhere to be able to chain and lock down some of your expensive equipment to keep someone from easily walking off with it. They might get it but you can slow them down in the process and might can prevent it. Also when you pour the concrete go ahead and put down the pipe in the concrete where the electrical will come into the garage so they do not have to mount it on the outside of the building when they wire up the garage. Maybe some kind of secret safe somewhere. Awning off the front of the garage so you can work outside the garage but still under a cover. |
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| billy508 | Jan 13 2012, 12:14 AM Post #3 |
billy508
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Maybe a skylight? I should have built a over hang in front of my door big enough to protect a car. . I seem to like to do a lot of work outside in front of the door. I am still going to build one(I say that every year) I like a lot of electrical outlets all mine are double and I even put some in the ceiling. My mistake was I did not wire in enough switches. Be sure to have enough grade on the concrete in front. I built a small office type room in the corner. I sometimes roll my big tool box inside there. Out of sight type thing. I also have a small a/c in there also so I can go hide in the summer. 
Edited by billy508, Jan 13 2012, 12:14 AM.
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| rmcelwee | Jan 13 2012, 08:56 AM Post #4 |
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Good ideas! This is what my lift looks like:  Drive on to it, put a floor jack behind it, jack it up and legs drop down to make the entire thing level. Raises the bottoms of the tires 20" off the ground. It doesn't look like the typical car lift but I have done just about every type of job imaginable on this thing. 
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| Turbo Dan-O | Jan 13 2012, 09:34 AM Post #5 |
Obsessive Car Detailer
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Two things you can't have enough of are lights and shelves! Make sure you buy the "day light" bulbs because they are the brightest and spend a few more dollars and use the strong L brackets(can't remember the name) for your shelves. Don't forget that the more L brackets you use the stronger your shelves will be so you can keep some heavy stuff off the floor. I LOVE my big heavy steel work bench! I guess you could call it a welding table but it gets used for a LOT more than that. Make sure it is not too big or too small and also make sure it is the right height so you will be comfortable when you are welding. I will think of something else later I am sure. It sounds like you have a good plan for a super nice shop! Can't wait to see it! |
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| Turbo Dan-O | Jan 13 2012, 09:51 AM Post #6 |
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Obsessive Car Detailer
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Here is a great website for garage stuff! Check out the forums. Garage Journal |
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| sitka53 | Jan 13 2012, 10:16 AM Post #7 |
Elite Member
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Go bigger it will fill up fast. I have a 24 * 36 and wish it was twice that big oh well maybe some day |
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| Memphis metro | Jan 13 2012, 10:30 AM Post #8 |
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Only problem is no matter how big you build it, you will always wish it was larger. |
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| Turbo Dan-O | Jan 13 2012, 10:33 AM Post #9 |
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Obsessive Car Detailer
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Yea, you can never have a shop that is too big. Just have to make the most of the space that you do have. |
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| me2 | Jan 13 2012, 01:01 PM Post #10 |
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Slope the concrete floor from back to front. You can wash it out easy in the summer and you can push vehicles out by hand easier. I second the motion for skylights. I am able work in my shop on many projects on many days without flipping a switch. Plus the quality of light is better even on a day where you flip the light on. Without skylights I would have to turn a light on every time I went in there. If it were me, I would try and have the welding table outside under a shed roof off the side of the garage. It scares me to weld indoors and without great ventilation, like a hood, it is not good for you either. Outside is safer. |
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| me2 | Jan 13 2012, 01:02 PM Post #11 |
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Oh, and it frees up prime realestate inside the shop. |
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| dayle1960 | Jan 13 2012, 03:00 PM Post #12 |
Fastest Hampster EVER
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Robert, go big or go home. Make it larger than 20 x24. Spend the extra bucks and make the shop comfy. What you propose is too darn small. Think in terms of a second house if you might need one in the future. |
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| Old Man | Jan 13 2012, 03:35 PM Post #13 |
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I have 15 X 25. one stand up workbench. one sit down workbench. fold down type desk on the wall. heated / air conditioned. drain in floor. deep sink with hot and cold water. one side all shelves. TV to listen to. Stereo. phone. beam tested at 1500 pounds for pulling engines etc.and make sure its high enough. you planned for a 7 ft wide door. you should bless yourself with a 10 ft wide door. it will bless you forever. 100 amp service minimum. I put a 100 amp breaker in my house service and ran it to a breaker box in the shop. |
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| Coche Blanco | Jan 14 2012, 12:00 AM Post #14 |
Troll Certified
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Another vote for skylights! |
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| 1.0smallblock | Jan 14 2012, 12:17 AM Post #15 |
DirtBag
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If it was me, id hire a few bimbos to stand outside the rollup door and show their taters... That's always a high priority on my list... And worth the expense. |
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