Storage Shed Conversion

Posted by 141drew Posted onAug 15, 2011 at 2:17 PM and filed under Featured Spaces


You know those little storage shed kits you see parked outside of Lowe’s and Home Depot? Recently, I stumbled upon a watch maker that had converted one into a machine shop in miniature. He had insulated the walls and ceiling, added nicer windows and doors, installed a really cool and affordable Pergo floor, air conditioning, etc… He ended up with an incredibly cool (if small) little space to work on his time pieces for a total price of under $10,000.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have a camera with me so I could impress you guys with pictures. But, I did notice we have a member that has accomplished something similar here. It got me wondering how many of you guys have done the same thing. Have you converted a storage shed? If so, post pics!


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Phoenixl37

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Feb 13, 2011
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Illinois
Yes, I have a 10' by 14' w/doors in the end like pictured, I bought (aprox $2,000) for my sandblasting cabinet, keeps the dust out of my garage & other storage. Mine has a loft which I doubled up all the rafters for storage of car & bike parts. I then spent another $1,000 in improvements. Insulating & luan/pegboard on the walls & ceiling, 60 amp breaker box grounded to the outside, welding lead that reaches to my welding plug in the main garage, for winter use I put a 4" sewer clean-out plug thru the door so I can feed electric & an air line thru it & still keep the doors closed. I put a 10' black pipe with regulator & dryer for the air line with 2 outlets, 1 for the blast cabinet & 1 for other useage. I have 3 or 4 recepticles for electric & a couple of lights. A small electric space will knock off the chill enough to work. I also put a bathroom exhaust fan in the far end with filters so I could do some light painting of small parts & limit the mess in the garage
I have cup hooks in the ceiling to hang a tarp from to cover the blast cabinet & other things while painting. Because the utilities are quick connect I can have Roll-back wrecker come & pick it up delivered anyplace I want. I have a 10" fan hanging from one wall that will blow air on me when using the blast cabinet during hot weather. Sorry but I don't have any pictures right now.
Dug
 
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Phoenixl37

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30
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Illinois
haven't yet, but when I bought it I knew we weren't going to be living there forever, so now its portable & doesn't count towards property taxes
 
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Amitygravel

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Mar 26, 2010
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1,188
Location
Claremont Illinois
Welcome to the GJ Phoenix !
Brilliant ideas put to use. Please when possible get us some photos of the inside.
Oh, photos of your tools too please !

Craig
 
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chief ben

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Sep 7, 2010
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618
Location
Hot Springs, Arkansas
After over 200 post on here I am starting to figer out who to Thank on here,
Thanks Ryan I think if everyone could post pictures of there small shops it would be great, and give us more idea's on thing we can do to save space, any time we build a shop we think it will be big enough,
but as all of us know, it will be to small after we put everything in it,
But so far I a am OK with the 12 X 16 it is easy to keep clean and neat,
I hope more people put up more pictures of there small shops.
Shops2003.jpg

tractor010.jpg
 
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NUTTSGT

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Northern Central Ohio
If push came to shove, I'd be more than happy to have one of those as a small workshop. Heck, I've thought of having one of them as a small man cave.
 
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Gassman57

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Aug 2, 2008
Messages
5
Location
Bolivar, Ohio
Ryan; I think the backyard Barn/Shed is a great little answer for some of us. Personally we live in a community that limits out-buildings to 120sq.ft. so a 10x12 shop is in order. Does anyone have any good building plans? Our budget is also extremely limited. My dreams have no limits !!!!!

Rick
 
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Amitygravel

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Location
Claremont Illinois
Welcome Gassman57 ,

I realize many people are limited to square footage in many places.
I've often wondered , what about a basement under some of these smaller buildings?
Cost could be a factor , and stairs would have to be the exterior dugout type.
Would a basement under one become a zoning issue?

Craig
 
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Gassman57

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Aug 2, 2008
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Location
Bolivar, Ohio
Craig;
Thanks for the welcome; as for a basement in our community, yes it would make a difference; you can go up, but limited at that, and in no way down or out. Matter of fact you may have an overhang but no porch as some mfgs. advertise for thier 'garden workshops'. I personally prefer a little 'attic' area!
 
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TAftw

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MA
I've always wanted to weld together two shipping containers and cut out the inside walls. Then add studs, windows, drywall, lighting, etc. Add a wooden roof with a storage loft, and you've got a pretty sturdy, cheap shop area.
 
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onewaydave

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Down the road from Dorothy and Toto
TAftw said:
I've always wanted to weld together two shipping containers and cut out the inside walls. Then add studs, windows, drywall, lighting, etc. Add a wooden roof with a storage loft, and you've got a pretty sturdy, cheap shop area.
Click to expand...


Lotta people doing this. I was tempted but need/want more head room than would be provided.

Dave.
 
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onewaydave

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Down the road from Dorothy and Toto
vtx531 said:
I don't think it would be very sturdy then. :confused:
Click to expand...

There are companies that design and build portable houses and buildings doing this. You don't gut an entire side but leave vertical support, just as you would not remove load bearing walls without replacing support in an old house remodel.

Dave, who saw some product in process on a not to long ago trip to Houston.
 
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Gassman57

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Bolivar, Ohio
rodder29:
That is really a cool shed; my daughter is a J.D. freak..she'd put three of those on her farm!

Still lookin for that 10x12 design..an old livery would look cool; and a horsless carriage to put inside!
 
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1950ChevySuburban

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Aug 3, 2008
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147
Location
Tucson, AZ
I work out of a small shed too.
A guy I worked with wanted it out of his yard, so I got it free. Brought it home on a rollback tow truck, that was odd!
Moved closer to Tucson, shed moved again a couple years later.
Doesn't count on taxes here either, and 220 and air are disconnectable via Sawzall!

Sure, I'd like bigger, but it beats the bread truck I used to use.
 
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maddawg1952

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Feb 29, 2012
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676
Location
Peabody.Ma.
new storage shed I built , now I finally can work in the garage. I was a framer back in the day,now I run Heavy Equipment.
 
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MelBrandle

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Feb 19, 2014
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Golden Grove
The portability idea by @Phoenixl37 is genius! It’s important to ensure that if it’s self built that the grounds are stable as well ;if not for working then also for the extra weight for storage. If you are able to get enough supports on a mobile base, you can probably expand on the barn house idea and have a mini loft to put away the bigger tools too! Great!
 
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