Small Shop Project in the Green Mountains

Magneto · May 16, 2013

Hello all,

I’m a NUG (new ugly guy) to GJ. I’ve been an outsider looking in on GJ forum for the past year and have been very impressed with the knowledge shared and inspired by many to finally break ground on my own project. I live in the far North of Vermont in a Cape Cod with a small 22’x22’ attached (barely) two car garage. I built the house in 1990 with what I could afford at the time. After I cram a full size crew cab pick- up and a Chevy sedan inside there is no room for anything else. I told the wife in order to maintain my sanity during the long winters I need a year round workshop. My lovely lady gave me the green light. Hooah! So off I go…….. Although I have a trades background from long ago I am contracting most everything but the interior work. I’m attaching a 28’x24’ workshop to the gable end of my existing garage. I would love to go bigger but this project puts me on my property setback. So I will live with it. There’s nothing special about my build. I’ll do the electrical, NG heating, sheet rock, cabinets, and epoxy floor myself. I’m all about doing it the right way. Suggestions are welcome as I’m always open minded to new ideas and value the opinions of those that been there………….

Mag :rocker:

Magneto · May 16, 2013

Sorry the pics showed up as thumbnails, new at this, not quite sure how to insert photo into thread.

rancherbill · May 16, 2013

Magneto said:
Sorry the pics showed up as thumbnails, new at this, not quite sure how to insert photo into thread.

They are alright that way.

Looks interesting. What kind of stuff will you use it for?

Deezler · May 17, 2013

I see you had to have an extra shed for the yard equipment though! I was gonna ask, where do you store your snow removal machine?

Good luck with the build.

HSpencer · May 17, 2013

That is indeed a beautiful home and setting. Very serene looking. I am sure you keep a hickory switch handy in case a bear comes to visit you from those woods!!!!

Buckgnarly · May 17, 2013

Welcome from central VT. Where are you?

Magneto · May 17, 2013

Stumps were pulled and foundation hole prepped for the concrete forms.

(rancherbill says: Looks interesting. What kind of stuff will you use it for? )

Hey rancher, Pretty much everything. We have long long winters in Vermont. Mechanical, woodworking, crafts, and general man cave activities. :beer:

(HSpencer says: I am sure you keep a hickory switch handy in case a bear comes to visit you from those woods!!!! )

Hi HSpencer, bear and moose are less of a problem than those damn deer that eat everything in their path. The wife's perennial gardens are just now awakening and the deer are eating all the young sprouts. I think she's gonna wait up for them tonight. :bigun2:

Maybe venison steaks on the grill tomorrow.

(Buckgnarly says: Welcome from central VT. Where are you?)

Hi fellow Vermonter Buckgnarly, I'm in Franklin County, Maple Syrup Capital of the World.

ARCTIC_RAGTOP · May 17, 2013

Right on, thats great. I would love to do something like that with my existing garage. Are you going to leave the wall in between the 22x22 and 28x24 or will this just be one big space ? I've been thinking about adding an additional bay onto mine and would be interested to see how you will do it.

akpro · May 17, 2013

Welcome from another Vermonter.

Magneto · May 20, 2013

ARCTIC_RAGTOP said:
Are you going to leave the wall in between the 22x22 and 28x24 or will this just be one big space ?

Hey Ragtop,

The 28x24 will be self contained, insulated, and heated with a NG ceiling unit, with a 3' door between the garage in shop. The existing garage will remain uninsulated and unheated. Heated garage in Vermont is really bad on the vehicles due to the excess amounts of salt brine they use on the roadways during the winter.

I'll post more pics as things progress. Rain has temporarily delayed the concrete crew in setting the forms.

Hello Akpro, Looks like you have a nice tractor collection.

Magneto · May 22, 2013

Midweek Update: Footer poured yesterday, you can see Larry Bird supervising from the garage window. The foundation walls poured today. Making progress. The outside foundation walls will be wrapped in foam insulation and cased in pressure treated plywood before backfill. :pimpflash

Anyone know how to put the pics in the thread full size opposed to thumbnails? I can't seem to find the answer on the forum.

Buckgnarly · May 22, 2013

Looks like you are a Close Encounters fan! :lol_hitti

Magneto · May 22, 2013

I think maybe the excavator is the Close Encounter's fan. I came home after work and responded, "Holy Dirt Mound wth" :bounce:

Magneto · May 23, 2013

Progress. Forms down and walls standing tall. I'm only putting an 8' insulated garage door in the front with a 4 footer in the rear. I can squeeze a car through if I have to but it's primarily for the M/C as it's not going to be a dedicated garage. Time for some back filling........ Everyone have a Happy Memorial Day weekend and to all you vets, THANK YOU for YOUR SERVICE. Hooah!

Magneto · May 31, 2013

Managed to get a little bit more done between the rain showers.

Nighttrain · May 31, 2013

Looking good! Those trees remind me of the monster story books I read as a kid. To have large pictures, I found you have to open a photobucket account and import them from there. That's as about as technical as I can tell you. I can only do it from a work computer and not from home.

Magneto · Jun 7, 2013

Slow going, but getting there...... :thumbup:

saba007 · Jun 13, 2013

Nice Mag. Congrats. I hit a minor snag with my build brother. Stay tuned. How much land do you have? Looks like a ton.

Magneto · Jun 13, 2013

saba007 said:
Nice Mag. Congrats. I hit a minor snag with my build brother. Stay tuned. How much land do you have? Looks like a ton.

Hey Saba,

Hopefully you have no issues with the variance so you can get that project underway. It will come....

I'm playing the waiting game as well. Framer can't start still after July 4th. Slab will be poured sometime within the next couple of weeks.

I have about an acre of land. I'm in a densely wooded development with 80 homes that all have about the same, however, we have over a 100 acres of common land. I just happen to border some of that common land which makes it very private.

theoldwizard1 · Jun 13, 2013

I love the trees in the back ! Your property ?

Magneto · Jun 21, 2013

Where the hell is my slab guy? Should have been poured by now.
The two boys are enjoying it. It's their new hangout.

Bib Overalls · Jun 21, 2013

The thumb nails are just fine. One click and they open right up. Not much of an inconvenience. To insert full size photos you will need to upload your photos to a hosting service like Flickr and then link the photos to your post. Easier to do than explain.

You don't need a slab to start framing. Some of my contracting friends do not place the slab until the garage has been framed and closed in. If your framer shows up then reschedule the concrete work. No way the two trades can share the job site.

saba007 · Jun 25, 2013

Slab in yet? Congrats on getting another step closer. I am in wait mode. Town variance board meeting is on July 18.

Magneto · Jun 25, 2013

Hey Saba,

No slab yet. Violent storms everyday for the past 4 days. Total washout. Rest of week looks the same. May be next week before they can pour. My framer starts after the 4th, hope it's in by then. Have those storms been drifting over your way?

Mag

Magneto · Jul 9, 2013

Slabulous

About time!

Bib Overalls · Jul 9, 2013

Looks like you are ready to go up. Framing goes fast. After the frustrating delays that often accompany dirt and foundation work you will finally get some gratification.

Magneto · Jul 12, 2013

Framing underway.

Hey Bib,

You're absolutely right. Excitement comes with the framing stage. :beer:

Magneto · Jul 16, 2013

Progress - WooHoo!!

:thumbup:

Check out my Shop Cat (he acts more like a dog) He's already claimed it as his territory. He'll be keeping me company during those winter projects.

Buckgnarly · Jul 16, 2013

Ah, Parker and Stearns! I worked teaching and in the Summer building with Perry Parker, his father used to be one of the Parkers! That very truck was in my "dooryard" 3 weeks ago dropping off what is quickly becoming a deck and mud room!

saba007 · Jul 19, 2013

Progress looking solid Mag. Keep the photos coming. BTW my variance was approved last night. Should be breaking ground soon. I actually just had work upgrade my blackberry to an iPhone5 mainly to take photos of the build's progress

Magneto · Jul 19, 2013

Roof Underway

:rocker:

Roof rafters and sheathing going up fast!

Hey Saba, Congrats on the variance. Break out the shovels and start digging!

Hi Buck, Parker & Stearns is a good outfit. They delivered me some 16" deep engineered floor trusses.

handyman_20772 · Jul 19, 2013

Nice thread...subscribed.

Magneto · Jul 21, 2013

BONUS! I didn't anticipate this much storage above the shop.

Magneto · Jul 25, 2013

Movin' & Shakin'

Things are coming together nicely. I installed my sub-panel box and will begin wiring this weekend.

granada don · Jul 25, 2013

Hi Mag

Looks very nice but how do you get into the second floor area, don't see any area for a stairwell etc?

G Don

Magneto · Jul 25, 2013

granada don said:
Hi Mag

Looks very nice but how do you get into the second floor area, don't see any area for a stairwell etc?

G Don

G Don,

Stay tuned. It's coming.........

Magneto · Jul 31, 2013

Coming together....

:thumbup:

Sheathing is on, stairway is in, doorway to existing garage was cutout and framed, and the outside access to 2nd floor storage space is in. It was suggested I add the 2nd story 3' door for storing the kayaks and ladders. I thought it was a great idea since no one can see that gable end b/c it faces the woods. It was offset slightly to accommodate proper clearance for the top of stairs.

Magneto · Aug 1, 2013

Windows & Doors

:beer:

saba007 · Aug 1, 2013

Nice idea on the upstairs door, Mag. Are you going to heat this? and if so, what do you have planned? I am not sure what to do - only heating the upstairs. Just ordered two 5200 BTU wall mount electric fireplaces, but not sure if they will be enough for 576 sqft. Curious to get your thoughts.

Magneto · Aug 1, 2013

saba007 said:
Nice idea on the upstairs door, Mag. Are you going to heat this? and if so, what do you have planned? I am not sure what to do - only heating the upstairs. Just ordered two 5200 BTU wall mount electric fireplaces, but not sure if they will be enough for 576 sqft. Curious to get your thoughts.

Saba,

My original garage where I park the vehicles will remain unheated. The new shop (1st floor only) will be heated during the winter at around 50 degrees. I can bump it up when I know I'm going to be in there for a long period. I currently have on order a Modine HDS45 (45K BTU) (sealed combustion) natural gas unit that will hang from the ceiling. Sealed combustion is important if space is used for woodworking and or painting. Prevents flashbacks from combustible materials, i.e., stains, thinners and other flammable stuff. :scared:

If space will not be used for those type activities than an open flame unit is fine and are half the price.

You may be a little light on the BTU's for 576 sq ft. but I'm no expert. I used one of the many free heating calculators online. And the outfit where I ordered my heater confirmed my size unit for the type of space.

Small Shop Project in the Green Mountains

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Active member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Active member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member