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Above 1200 Sq/FT 50x40 Mountain Shop

Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.

Mr onetwo

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Joined
Apr 6, 2011
Messages
2,006
Location
Coastal Maine
More progress. Starting to get a little self-conscious on the size. No neighbors showing up with pitch forks, yet. Hoping the siding, doors and maybe some trees planted in front will cut down on the eyesore factor. Thats definitely damping my excitement a bit. LOVE the space when standing inside though!
That's really funny .:lol:In a years time you will come to the sad realization that it is too small.:sad::scared:
 
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dan1554

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Joined
Aug 28, 2023
Messages
77
Man I'm going to need to start accumulating some more projects for that to happen. I'm still used to operating out of a 25x30 space, and more recently a 25x20, so it's hard to wrap my head around.
 
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Mr onetwo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2011
Messages
2,006
Location
Coastal Maine
Man I'm going to need to start accumulating some more projects for that to happen. I'm still used to operating out of a 25x30 space, and more recently a 25x20, so it's hard to wrap my head around.
That's the GJ spirit....accumulating so many projects that you will never finish them all:beer:
 
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dan1554

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Joined
Aug 28, 2023
Messages
77
Roof is on and thankfully right before a massive downpour.

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And here's a shot with skylights installed. First job of the new shop is to dry out camp gear. You can also see my makeshift hummingbird swatter against the wall. Ok 'swatter' is more of a 'move-alonger'. They go up to the skylights and refuse to come down.

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Next big step will be the garage doors. Then windows, inspection and then some foam insulation. Too bad the windows are a few weeks out. Im ready to move in.
 
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dan1554

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Aug 28, 2023
Messages
77
Still trying to wrap my head around a structure that has a larger footprint than my house 😂

Got the garage doors on it and started moving stuff over. Since I'm still planning on foaming it, and windows have yet to arrive, I can't quite go crazy yet. Still feels good to clear space for the mini van in the attached garage for the kids and wife.

In the meantime, started harvesting and stacking wood for next year.

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Rc_Guy

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
4,429
Location
Minnesota
Nice place. I live in a pole barn house, the garage should be bigger than the house. My wife wishes we would have built an even bigger garage.
 

Dissent

Member
Joined
May 15, 2024
Messages
7
Very nice work! I have a 97 LX450 I'm trying to build a 40x60 shop with a lift for...want to install a turbo on my truck...but the prices these days...already considering a 20x30 building and phasing in an expansion on the full size slab.
 
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dan1554

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Joined
Aug 28, 2023
Messages
77
Very nice work! I have a 97 LX450 I'm trying to build a 40x60 shop with a lift for...want to install a turbo on my truck...but the prices these days...already considering a 20x30 building and phasing in an expansion on the full size slab.
Yeah prices are crazy. Concrete is the worst. Plus the mountain town premium out here.

I'm all about the deferred features. Electricity and insulation are a diy task to cut down on costs. Makes sense to plan for expansion.

I know a guy with the wits end turbo and he's very happy.
 
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dan1554

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Aug 28, 2023
Messages
77
Thanks all for the encouragement on the size. Ive been through nightmares with neighbors over very minor things back when I lived in the city so I think that's where this internalized stupidity stems from.

Not that much new to report other than the cows are here. I maintain the barbed wire for the neighborhood and really enjoy it. Plus today I saw a bunch of thirsty cows and fixed a broken connection on their trough float valve. Not my responsibility but still fun to fix and appreciated by the rancher. Need an honorary rancher badge (and maybe some meat?)

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roger440

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 22, 2011
Messages
343
Location
Mid Wales
Thanks all for the encouragement on the size. Ive been through nightmares with neighbors over very minor things back when I lived in the city so I think that's where this internalized stupidity stems from.

Not that much new to report other than the cows are here. I maintain the barbed wire for the neighborhood and really enjoy it. Plus today I saw a bunch of thirsty cows and fixed a broken connection on their trough float valve. Not my responsibility but still fun to fix and appreciated by the rancher. Need an honorary rancher badge (and maybe some meat?)

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Definitely meat!!!

Love the views from your place.
 
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dan1554

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Aug 28, 2023
Messages
77
Foam is going up! It's a bunch of expired diy kits that I'm hiring out the labor to do. Yes it costs way, way less than a pro install and yes I may regret it.

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Finished bucking the cordage and feel a little sad about it. Running the chainsaw during the kids nap time is the highlight of my day.

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DeeDubz

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Joined
Nov 20, 2019
Messages
1,431
Location
Socal
struggle is real with the city life. Nice shop you got op beautiful country your living in.
 
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dan1554

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Joined
Aug 28, 2023
Messages
77
@csp My builder knew a guy. It was questionable but seems to have worked out ok. Glad I hired the application it looks like it was a nightmare, especially 20ft off the ground.

@DeeDubz For sure, glad we're out.

Foam is done, and I've started moving some stuff in despite still needing a final. Hopefully not testing my luck with the inspector. I just can't help myself!

Feels great to not be digging through boxes for tools. Also I needed to change out the starter on the land cruiser. Still no 2 post but it sure beats doing it in the street. Anyway still lots to do but this feels like a huge milestone.

Next step is getting a sub panel wired to the shop, but I already ran in to a problem there. Posted a separate thread for some more visibility:

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dan1554

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Joined
Aug 28, 2023
Messages
77
The garage is in full use. Im helping a neighbor out with her fj60 while I wait for a new work contract to start next year.

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That said, the garage is still un-insulated and without dedicated power. Waiting for the builder to finish a couple items so I can get a final and take care of those things. In the meantime, its a little chilly!

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dan1554

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Aug 28, 2023
Messages
77
Got the place painted. Looks like it kinda sorta belongs now.

I needed to make it somewhat comfortable to work in, so I installed a chimney for the free wood stove above. It took some 'ladder juice' for me to get up there and do it, but its installed and the roof might even be water tight.

The more I research the stove, the more I want to find a replacement. We have a very nice stove in the house and this thing scares me a bit to operate by comparison. Not a lot of control over the draft. I'll try adding some refractory cement to seal up the gaps before I get too comfortable with fires.

If it looks like everything is on a shoestring budget now, its because I refuse to spend more money out of the heloc. Progress will come with time and money from here on. Sure would like to have that radiant running and a proper driveway.

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dan1554

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Aug 28, 2023
Messages
77
Time for a quick update.

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Rented a scissor lift and started running electrical. Got some 200w UFO lights, and am installing them along with 1-10v dimmer wire. Im also running the wire for the heat pump, compressor, garage openers and a handful of other things while I have the lift.

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Dug a trench, got a rough-in permit for the conduit, and pulled wire. Its right at the 360* limit for bends and a pain to pull by myself. Had to get creative. Used the ratchet strap to get tension, then used my body weight to step on the strap and pull the wire in to the attic. Everyone was too busy to help but I got it done. Probably ran up and down the stairs to the attic at least a dozen times.

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Also re-organized the panel in the house to remove some pretty egregious hazards installed by previous owners/contractors. Heres a little before/after. Holes in bottom of panel have been plugged.

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I should have the lights working here shortly. Underestimated the length of grounding wire so I need to go back and ground the panel to ufer, then I should be able to give it a test run. Very excited for proper lighting and some 240's.
 
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dan1554

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Joined
Aug 28, 2023
Messages
77
@thammel Lube was key! The bottom of the run is probably still full of it. Another exciting attribute of lube besides wire pulling is picking up all the mouse sh!t in the attic and depositing it on my hands in a putrid slimy mess. Glad that job is over.

Also, Im an idiot. I was testing for neutral bar isolation in the new panel and it was NOT isolated. Ended up pulling the panel apart thinking there was some kind of defect, only to realize that the bond comes from the ends of the wires I just pulled still being twisted together with the ground. Relieved, and got a chuckle at my own expense. Once I pull them apart for connection to the house panel it shouldn't be a problem.
 
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dan1554

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Aug 28, 2023
Messages
77
We have illumination. Sure glad I put these things on dimmers. The 12ft bay is on the lowest setting, and even the 16ft bay can be uncomfortable at night unless dimmed. Im not a big fan of daylight temperature lights, and wish these were warmer, but they will definitely allow for some detail work and thats what matters. I'll run another circuit for some LED tube lights over the workbench and tools, and will make sure those are a bit easier on the eyes. Ultimately the shop needs to have some nice ambient theater-style lighting for when I install the projector.

Today is the last day with the scissor lift, and hopefully I can get those last few circuits in. I'll be pretty happy to return it. Been working 9pm-1am nights to get this stuff done and Im TIRED. Fingers crossed there are no inspector-related changes up there. 16 ft on a ladder isn't happening for me.

Next after getting the up-high circuits done will be installing some outlets. Then I can remove the extension cords between the house and shop. That'll be a good day.

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dan1554

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Joined
Aug 28, 2023
Messages
77
Decided to go ahead and wire the whole garage. Got the electric permit. I crossed the t's and dotted i's but they basically looked for the ground and tested one circuit for GFI. That was it.

I wired everything with alternating circuits, and as you can tell by the following photos, if you're anywhere near a wall, you'll be next to an outlet. 20 amps in the shop area and 15 in the office. I ran two 50 amps the the mechanical room, one for the compressor and another for the future heat pump. Will be using wood for now. Another 50 amp is in the shop, but it should have about 4, eventually. With the one I can run my welder again which I've been really excited for. Too bad anything that needs to be welded falls waaaay down on the list of priorities.

Apart from that, put some rockwool around the office space and hired a guy to put up drywall. Now its up to me though to do the finish work. This is one of those things that I want done right, so Im DIY'ing. Once that is done, its on to paint and trim and I can move in. Our house is pure chaos at all times with young kids, so the quiet workspace will be very welcome.

Plan is to install a wall-to-wall desk on the far wall below. We have some leftover wood flooring from the house and Im considering using it with some epoxy for the desktop.

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dan1554

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Aug 28, 2023
Messages
77
Here's the start of the desk I mentioned for the garage office. I wanted it to span the length of the room without legs, and minimal deflection/bounce, so am using 3x3x1/8 square. Will have an 'L' which isnt in place yet, that will use 2x2. I got to use the welder sooner than I thought on the mounting plates. One side you can tell how rusty I was, but the other isn't half bad. Itll all get covered in plaster anyway. Tabletop will be 3/4 pine plywood for structure, covered with leftover pecan flooring from the house.

Work from home full time, and I've been using the same flimsy particle board desk for the last 25 years (since high school). Its time.

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dan1554

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Aug 28, 2023
Messages
77
More progress. Ended up with a leg anyway, the juice didnt seem worth the squeeze when it came to welding up a wall-mount support. I ran out of gas as I was finishing up the welds on the leg, so that was a good choice.

40 sq ft of desktop. It'll be a feat keeping it uncluttered.

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dan1554

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Aug 28, 2023
Messages
77
Finally started the process of multiplying my square footage with shelving. I was starting to trip over and lose track of things to the point I was getting pretty anxious even walking through the space.

Since the shared office wall is now insulated, that meant that I could start covering up the shop side. Took me a bit but came to the conclusion that the middle ground between budget and aesthetics is 1/2 inch plywood sheathing. I'll probably leave it unpainted - I appreciate the warmth and character.

Looks like I need at least two more of these. Definitely one devoted purely to automotive stuff. Anyway I don't take pics of my junk piles so you'll just have to believe that this is already making a huge dent.

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Bad Mojo

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Joined
Sep 2, 2012
Messages
113
Just stumbled across this. Exciting to see that there was a recent update and this project is going. Also didn't mind seeing 2 cruisers in the background either.

Looking forward to see where this ends up!
 
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dan1554

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Aug 28, 2023
Messages
77
@Bad Mojo Thanks, guessing you're a cruiser owner yourself?

Quick update on that 60 (my neighbor's) since you mentioned it. Got the engine rebuilt and installed over last summer. Rebuilt the wiring harness the rodents absolutely destroyed. Rebuilt the front axle and brakes. A whole list of other things. Runs great. Went dormant over the winter since theres no heat in the shop yet, but over the past few weeks started on the interior. Removed a large mummified rat (Ill spare that photo) and 10 years of acorns and poo.

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Bad Mojo

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Joined
Sep 2, 2012
Messages
113
@Bad Mojo Thanks, guessing you're a cruiser owner yourself?

Quick update on that 60 (my neighbor's) since you mentioned it. Got the engine rebuilt and installed over last summer. Rebuilt the wiring harness the rodents absolutely destroyed. Rebuilt the front axle and brakes. A whole list of other things. Runs great. Went dormant over the winter since theres no heat in the shop yet, but over the past few weeks started on the interior. Removed a large mummified rat (Ill spare that photo) and 10 years of acorns and poo.

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The 60 is coming along nicely! And yes fellow cruiserhead. Currently swapping a 2UZ from a 100 series into a 40 series for myself and the caretaker of 70 series for the better half.
 
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