The Bee Hive Garage Build - 3 Car garage with workshop

TheBeeHive · May 29, 2014

My setback variance was granted last week! :thumbup:

And so the journey begins... After an interesting battle with the county over poorly written zoning laws, special preservation districts, and setback regulations I finally made it to the "it's real and finally going to happen" stage!

With some staggering of the walls and a bump out the footprint works out to about 80 x 25

Features:

Lift
Temp Controlled
Plumbed Compressed Air
Dust Management System
Inlaw Suite over the workshop area. The Garage bays will have vaulted ceilings two stories high

Activities:

Auto restoration / Maintenance
Bee Keeping Honey Processing
Beer/Mead Making
Wood Working
Metal Working
Storage

I have another 16*30 building on the property that I can use for dirty work and yard tool storage.

TO DO:

Lighting Plan
Electrical Plan
Lift Bay Selection
Stair Location

Question(s):
1) In high school auto shop we had a floor drain, basically a channel with removable grate that ran the length of the garage, so we could hose the floor off and squeegee water into the drain. Thoughts on floor drains?

2) Which bay should I put the lift in? Left, Middle or Right?

Considerations:
a) I plan on being able to drive a vehicle into the workshop area from the garage
b) Tools will likely be stored in the Workshop space (proximity to lift)

Reasons for garage:
1970 Dodge Super Bee (440 4spd)
1968 Dart GTS (340 4 spd) - Now (440+ 4 Speed)
1987 Dodge Power Ram (318 4spd)
2006 Dodge Magnum RT (Sold)
2007 VS Jetta (2.5 5 speed)

Baada · May 29, 2014

I'm in!

As for the floor drain there are several threads discussing this but it largely seems to be based on local codes and how/where it drains.

TheBeeHive · Jun 9, 2014

Seeking feedback on the lift location. Of the three bays should the lift go in the left or middle bay?

don long · Jun 9, 2014

I would put the lift in the center bay for 360 access and room to move equipment around the project.

Good luck with the build
The honey projects are of interest too me. So I will be checking in often

Don

Baada · Jun 10, 2014

If the ceiling is the same height in all bays I'd do the center or the left bay for the lift. Does the lift have a control/pump unit that would go better in the little bump out on the left bay? If you think you might hang some kind of curtain to keep dust in/out from the car project I'd do the left so you only have to do one. Then again the left bay is farthest away from the workshop so maybe that's an extra pain to go back and forth depending on how you set stuff up?

Bib Overalls · Jun 10, 2014

No matter which bay you put the lift in you will eventually build a second set of common tools for the garage area. The left wall of the left bay looks like a good place for a bench. So, I would put the lift in the left bay and keep the two bays on the right open so that cars can be turned 90 degrees and moved in and out of the workshop unhindered. For some jobs lifts are indispensable. But most home mechanics use them sparingly. They are also associated with dirty work. Having the lift out of the high traffic zone will help with shop cleanliness and work flow.

TheBeeHive · Jun 12, 2014

Thanks for the feedback!

I think I like the left bay. Tools should be on rollers and I can stage them over in the lift bay for longer duration projects there.

I like the control station in the bump out Idea. Based on my readings of Old Car Guy's threads I think I'll either go with a Mohawk lift or a Bendpak depending on budget.

I'll check clearances for rolling a welder around the lift area if needed.
I like the cleanliness aspect. I'd rather have tools further away (or a second set of tools for that bay) than have the dirty stuff near the workshop area.

Someone mentioned interest in the honey projects... Pics attached.

TheBeeHive · Dec 8, 2015

Finally some progress to report:

Complete architecture set done.
250' of Electrical buried from the road to the new 400 AMP meter set buried under ground. We had overhead lines that were taken down.
Plans are stamped and permitted.
General Contractor located and signed.

Here are the electrical plans for the garage and shop:

View media item 55427
I'll probably be modifying the lighting...

Tron · Dec 8, 2015

Looks like a badass setup when it is all said and done. How many bees do you have?

TheBeeHive · Dec 8, 2015

Hey Tron Thanks!

This is the end of the 3rd year with the bees.
I have 3 hives left in tact. I lost one hive last year and also had a successful split.
They've provided us with 12 gallons of honey so far and great fun and tasty!

TheBeeHive · Jan 3, 2016

Weekly Progress

Excavation & Tree Removal
Logs Ready for Milling
Site Prep & Grading

TheBeeHive · Jan 3, 2016

Setbacks:

I think we hit every single underground pipe while dropping trees and grading.
Ground source heat, Well main, Septic etc.
Oh what fun.

Next Weekend:

Replace water line from well to house with schedule 40 (Someone decided to use schedule 20 thin wall PVC for supplying the house with the well that seams to break if you walk over it)
Re-Run Power from house out to the existing 16x30 shed/garage and to the well.
New Ground source pump and dump line from the house to the pond out front.

Baada · Jan 4, 2016

Sorry to hear about the troubles. In the end if that's all you have to deal with I'm thinking you will have gotten off easy.

TheBeeHive · Jan 15, 2016

Weekly Progress:

Added more fill dirt up to ~20 loads total now to fill stumps and bring up the grade level to existing home.
Started forms for slab.
We should be pouring a slab early next week weather permitting.
Trenched new ground source heat pump line from the house to the pond and laid 150' PVC pipe.
Added electrical conduit from house to center of driveway circle for a post lamp.
Trenched and laid conduit from existing Shop/garage to house.
Will eventually hook existing garage / shop (currently no power) into breaker panel in new garage.
Trenched and 150 foot of electrical conduit from the new garage to the pond. This will power a fountain pump and maybe some lighting for a little mini dock (future project) at the pond.

TerryH · Jan 15, 2016

Cool project. Subscribed.

TheBeeHive · Jan 18, 2016

Daily Progress:

Forms Complete
Rebar Laid and Tied
Mesh Installed

Inspection Tomorrow then Pouring Wed/Thurs

Bib Overalls · Jan 18, 2016

What did you decide to do with the floor drain? I'm not a big fan of them because the floor has to be slopped to make them work right. I prefer a flat floor and on the rare occasion when I hose down I push the water out the door. They are useful in garages that are used to house cars in snow country and also in dedicated wash bays.

TheBeeHive · Jan 19, 2016

Bib Overalls said:
What did you decide to do with the floor drain?

Hi Bib. I decided against it for reasons you stated. Slope would have been a pain. On the rare occasion the floor gets pressure washed I can send the water outside .

If it's a really big mess it can go out the back overhead door out towards the back yard to help keep the driveway clean.
The extra extra cost involved was a factor as well. I am having to cut corners and do a lot of work myself just get the structure up.

TheBeeHive · Jan 19, 2016

My Motivation

I've had the 1968 Dart GTS since I was 15.
The Dart went went to the chassis shop for an 8.50 roll cage 3 weeks ago.
Engine build (Stroked 440) was recently completed last month.

First project when the garage is done is to finish building this thing to send it down the track.

TheBeeHive · Feb 1, 2016

Weekly Progress:

After some setback from the rain and weather we finally had 2 good days in a row for a pour.

5 Cement Trucks later we have a slab.

View media item 57585
View media item 57584

Next Steps:

Lumber package has been ordered
Expect to start framing next week

TheBeeHive · Feb 16, 2016

Interested in any bright ideas y'all might have about modifications to my new lighting plan. (spacing, quantity) etc.

Moved Lighting Plan Construction Thread to here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=320578

Any Feedback Appreciated... Thanks! :beer:

TheBeeHive · Feb 16, 2016

Daily Progress Report:

Some progress today the bottom plates were bolted to the slab.
Next week we go vertical!

TheBeeHive · Feb 22, 2016

We have gone vertical!

heffneil · Feb 22, 2016

Very cool I look forward to watching this one! I hope the weather is in your favor!

TheBeeHive · Feb 23, 2016

More framing today.

Bib Overalls · Feb 23, 2016

Going to be nice (and big too!).

nti06 · Feb 23, 2016

Do you have your own honey extractor?

TheBeeHive · Feb 28, 2016

More framing and started with the sheathing.

USAFpj · Feb 28, 2016

Bee, what part of SC are you in?

I've been on weather hold for over 2 weeks because of all the rain. If I could just get the ground dry, then the gravel could be brought in and we'd be just about done.

TheBeeHive · Feb 28, 2016

USAFpj said:
Bee, what part of SC are you in?

I've been on weather hold for over 2 weeks because of all the rain. If I could just get the ground dry, then the gravel could be brought in and we'd be just about done.

USAF, We battled rain too. I'm on the coast so some clay but more sand and loam. We got a 2 day break and went for it. I took some big pines out where the garage slab is and had to bring in about 20 loads of dirt. In the end I was happy to see the rain help compact the soil. Should be drying out good for you this weekend. Good luck with your build!

TheBeeHive · Feb 29, 2016

Daily Progress report. More sheathing and work done on the bump out eyebrow.

nti06 · Mar 1, 2016

Are you going to add an observation hive port in the wall?

west_perf · Mar 1, 2016

I had guessed low country based on the pine trees. Nice build, subbed. what variant of honey do you get?

TheBeeHive · Mar 1, 2016

I get light honey in the spring and dark honey In the fall. I just know that I have to harvest before the golden rod blooms in the fall. That honey smells like wet gym socks.

I dont really have much of an operation by any standard. I just thought it would be a fun rewarding hobby. The moniker was more for the 1970 Dodge super bee that will be inhabiting the garage.

I did make a honey extractor. Basically a big plastic trash can. Two 10 inch diameter plywood circular pieces that were notched for frames and affixed to a threaded rod abour 24 inches apart. Stick it down in the trash can and chuck the threaded rod to a drill. Spin until frames are nearly empty. I cut a bottom out of a new home depo tbucket. Stack that inside another bucket with a mesh paint strainer in between. Works perfect as a filter.

I sold enough honey this last year, I might buy an extractor this year if the bees survive.

TheBeeHive · Mar 2, 2016

Some progress pictures from yesterday...

"Human not to scale"

ratdoggy · Mar 2, 2016

Nice Super Bee...
That's on my wish list as I have always liked the '70

TheBeeHive · Mar 3, 2016

Some more progress today. Joists are up and the new garage is tied into the existing house. Second floor walls go up tomorrow.

Existing house 2x4 wall had a 1 inch bow in the middle so it was removed and rebuilt with 2x6.

TheBeeHive · Mar 7, 2016

Daily update...

More framing. Starting to tear into the existing house.
Plan is to build the second story roof over the existing first story roof. Then tear out the first story roof.

Thanks to platonic solid in the lighting forum I tossed out the architects lighting plan and improved it...
Today the bulbs and fixtutes were purchased. Never in my life did I fathom I would spend 1000 bux on light bulbs.

TheBeeHive · Mar 8, 2016

More framing today. We did some agile design refactoring. The master bedroom and master bath will be over the shop area. Completion of thst space will mostly be future development after the initial build out of the garage and attached family room. Stairs are starting to be built out. All the walls are done for the most part. Roofing should go up next week.

TheBeeHive · Mar 10, 2016

Starting to look like a finished structure.

The Bee Hive Garage Build - 3 Car garage with workshop

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