60x40 Metal shed made to suit

[gazza]

Hi guys, just thought I could post some details on my shed I made about 12 years ago.

It all started when I needed a large shed to relocate my business from a factory to a home based business, so after a few months of not finding exactly what I needed I decided to design and build my own.
My local shire had restrictions on overall size and height, I was able to build oversize up to the 40' x 60' (18 x 12m)but was restricted to a maximum height of 17' (5.1m) but still had to have a 14' (4.2m) high front door so I could fit a truck inside. Then to complicate things I was required to allocate a set area for the business but the rest could be storage workshop area, so I built an office area at ground level with a raised floor area 20' x 10' (6 x 3m) work room 4' above the floor so I could use the space underneath for ground level storage.

First pic is an overall drawing of the shed taken off my computer to give you an idea of how it was constructed. The other images are basic sketchup designs in 3d to give you a better idea of what was built.

More to follow later, cheers
Gazza

 

[bazzateer]

Any photos of the real thing? Looks to be a good use of the space.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Thanks for posting gazza, I really like your design and looking forward to seeing how it all comes together. Subscribed.

 

[gazza]

Any photos of the real thing? Looks to be a good use of the space.

Here are some more photos of the actual construction, I dont have a lot of photos of the different stages as these were taken on an old camera and the photos scanned into the computer.

 

[gazza]

Thanks for posting gazza, I really like your design and looking forward to seeing how it all comes together. Subscribed.

Thanks, actually your one of a bunch of fellow Aussies who helped me decide to post a build log, even though its already built. (note I didn't say finished!)

 

[kbeefy]

sweet utility bed and rack on that toyota!

 

[gazza]

sweet utility bed and rack on that toyota!

The ute belonged to the roof plumber, who you can just see on the roof on the left side.
This was the 3rd weekend, all of the structural work was complete, the roof was finished in a day. The plumber and the electrician were the only tradesman I used during the construction.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Gazza, how are things going in your neck of the woods? You must be near finished your build.

Regards

 

[gazza]

Hi 1/2 Cup, thanks for the query.
I'm slowly progressing but it seems it takes just as much time to work out exactly what you need to design as it takes to build it.
I bought a large printer early last year and it prompted me to finish off the down stairs office, I just used some clip together style floor boards which worked well.
Also recessed these plan drawers into the wall below the upstairs wall, lots of storage yet it takes up no floor space.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Thanks for the update Gazza, looks great and that's a fantastic use of space, well done.

 

[gazza]

Its been a while since I have done an update, so here are some pics of our badly rutted gravel driveway getting an upgrade.
More pics to follow as progress continues.
A 13.5 ton excavator with a tilt or swivel bucket, with an experienced operator it is amazing what can be done so effortlessly.

 

[1/2 Cup]

gazza, a good excavator operator makes a job look so easy..

It looks like he has taken a fair bit of soil out..

Any plans to lay some bitumen??

Regards

 

[gazza]

Hi Steve, all up 4x 10cubic metre tippers, all removed on Saturday afternoon.
At this stage the family are happy just to be able to easily drive up and down the drive, we may look at a concrete drive in the future as we think it will last longer.

 

[gazza]

After digging out the new drain on one side, removing the washed out ruts and taking off the high spots it looked so much better.
Had to be aware of the overhead power lines and we knew where the telstra cables were, we just had to hand dig a small trench to see how deep it was.
Last pic was the excavator sitting on the spoil, ready to load into a tipper.

 

[gazza]

I went out in the rain yesterday to see where the water was running, pooling and generally to see how the water ran off the new drive, all working great.
Walked into the shed later to see water flowing under the sliding door and the office door, damm it I noticed a week ago that the drain and grate across the front of the shed needed to be cleaned, then forgot all about it. Its clean now though, I did it in the rain late yesterday

 

[Terrick down Under]

G, you are not alone. I was cleaning out grates and drains along the driveway yesterday in the rain and lightning. The shed looks a good size.

 

[1/2 Cup]

gazza, top stuff..

I have to agree a concrete dive would be the go down the track but it is an ideal time to get the drainage right..

Regards

 

[HOTFR8]

Gazza, Great to see this topic active again. You always have to keep the drains cleaned out.

 

[gazza]

G, you are not alone. I was cleaning out grates and drains along the driveway yesterday in the rain and lightning. The shed looks a good size.

Terrick,
yeah lots of rain way too quick, the shed drains are normally not a problem if you keep them clean. Great shed but I am really suffering with horizontal surface problems, I cant find any!!

gazza, top stuff..Regards

1/2 Cup,
it may be a while before some concrete is done but at least nearly all the prep work can be utilized.
I have to agree a concrete dive would be the go down the track but it is an ideal time to get the drainage right.

Gazza, Great to see this topic active again. You always have to keep the drains cleaned out.

HOTFR8,
The drain is a lot cleaner now.!! Just some of the mud in the plastic tub.

 

[1/2 Cup]

gazza, looking great.

Regards

 

[gazza]

Thanks 1/2, it looks good and the family is happier. Seems none of them liked sliding into the ruts coming up the drive or sliding towards the road going down.

Over all there was 20 cubic metres of road base spread out and rolled flat with a 1.2 ton roller.
cheers

 

[1/2 Cup]

gazza, your dive way looks fantastic..

It certainly would be a lot easier to negotiate..

 

[HOTFR8]

Gazza, The driveway looks great. With the road base what plans do you have to stop the weeds?

 

[gazza]

Gazza, The driveway looks great. With the road base what plans do you have to stop the weeds?

At this stage all we need to do is watch the water run off, we are on a hill so we really dont have any top soil as such just a couple of inches of clay/fine dust mixture with rocks. The rocks here on the ground seem to appear as often as we mow, more of a brush cutter cut but we always end up with more small rocks.
Apart from a grass covered reasonably flat back yard, that I cut with a mower everywhere else is cut with the brush cutter. Once a year I use round up on the weeds and unwanted grass so if any appears on the drive that could get a dose as well.

 

[HOTFR8]

I have the same issue with rocks here when I mow. They just appear after a rain.

Again keen to see how your drive works out with weeds.

 

[gazza]

Here are the pictures
The legs are adjustable in height, one allen key to remove/replace the bolt and loosen the sideways adjustment.
The cross frame is 1.5m wide and the legs screw up into 4 captive threads welded into the frame, on one you can see that 2 of these have pulled out of the frame.
I have already used a few to make adjustable height stands for welding frames, just spread the frames apart to suit the frames being welded.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Gazza they look fantastic..

 

[Grizz1963]

Thank you Gazza in Australia for the QST stickers.

@CraigRK obviously snagged one and Dennis Jones gets one too.



Once I have decided on the right place, which may be inside my house (I live there and pay the mortgage) I will show its place of honour.

Trusting Steve will approve.

 

[gazza]

Thanks for the post Grizz, its great to see them all around the world.

 

[Grizz1963]

Thanks for the post Grizz, its great to see them all around the world.

I have asked in 1/2 Cups thread that those who were active there and wanted one to use in England, to contact me by PM.

Then I will send them off to them.

 

[HOTFR8]

I have asked in 1/2 Cups thread that those who were active there and wanted one to use in England, to contact me by PM.

Then I will send them off to them.

Well done Grizz.

 

[Gaz from Oz]

Hi guys, just thought I could post some details on my shed I made about 12 years ago.

It all started when I needed a large shed to relocate my business from a factory to a home based business, so after a few months of not finding exactly what I needed I decided to design and build my own.
My local shire had restrictions on overall size and height, I was able to build oversize up to the 40' x 60' (18 x 12m)but was restricted to a maximum height of 17' (5.1m) but still had to have a 14' (4.2m) high front door so I could fit a truck inside. Then to complicate things I was required to allocate a set area for the business but the rest could be storage workshop area, so I built an office area at ground level with a raised floor area 20' x 10' (6 x 3m) work room 4' above the floor so I could use the space underneath for ground level storage.

First pic is an overall drawing of the shed taken off my computer to give you an idea of how it was constructed. The other images are basic sketchup designs in 3d to give you a better idea of what was built.

More to follow later, cheers
Gazza

Having just done a 70 x 30, I can see that x 40 is worth the effort. I only have end access, I think x 30 needs lots of side access to be effective.

 

[Gaz from Oz]

horizontal surface problems

My life, in a nutshell. I think it was Anth who introduced me to the saying "the floor is not a shelf" Hopefully, once I get some more floor painted I can install lots of shelving and start to reclaim 'horizontal surfaces' ...

 

[gazza]

Hi Gaz from Oz, thanks for the posts.
I grew up with a big shed, dad always had more projects than room though, which reminds me.
His shed was 56ft x 28ft steel posts and recycled oregon trusses, he had three lift up doors along one side (he fabricated these from heavy steel pipe and used torsion bars from a morris minor to lift each door) all designed and fabricated by himself.
Your comment reminds me of a saying that he would quote to us when we were looking for something. The layout of his shed had a workbenches at either end and a full bench along the other side. When we lost tools or even just a part he would always come back with the saying, there is only 2 horizontal places to look!, on the bench or on the floor, simple answer but given the bench area and floor area it didnt make anything easier to find.
My shed has been full for a few years now, problem is I do need to sort things out and find me some more floor space.

 

[gazza]

Its been a while since any upgrades, hopefully over the next few months. I am now officially retired so the first thing I need to do is clear some floor space. A couple of cars to go and a large flat bed router to sell, I havnt used it in over 12 months and it takes up too much floor space, about 4m x 2.2m I have some pallet racking/shelving that I need to set up which will help to get things sorted.