21' x 23' Attached Hot Rod Garage/Shop Build

bulletpruf · Feb 27, 2019

Fellas -

We recently bought a house in San Antonio; it's undergoing some renovations and we'll move in sometime in June. I will be retiring from the military in the next few years, and this will be our "forever" house. House is stucco with concrete tile roof; here's a pic from several weeks ago before I removed a bunch of trees and shrubs from the front.

I had originally planned to build a detached garage (details here - https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=406660), but the cost was a bit more than expected, and the renovations are going to be costly as well, so I will be working out of the attached garage, at least for now.

The garage will be used to house and work on my sports cars and musclecars. Our daily drivers will be parked outside in the driveway.

My main concern is space; I have the normal (for a GJ member, anyway) assortment of stuff, including an 80 gallon compressor, large tool cabinets, close to 100 vintage chainsaws (yes, I have a chainsaw problem), large blast cabinet (the HF one), parts washer, press, engine stands, work bench, vises, grinders, MIG, oxyacetylene setup, spare car parts, etc. Currently have one 10x20 and two 10x30 storage units, and I expect to get down to two storage units once the garage is done.

So the garage is 21' x 23' and has an 11'6" ceiling. In order to maximize my storage space, I will need to have some sturdy shelving that goes all the way up to the ceiling. I think I will end up going with pallet racks, at least on 1 wall - 3' deep, 11' high. Another option would be something like this in 12' height that I could cut down a bit - https://www.uline.com/BL_484/Bulk-Storage-Racks-Wire-Decking. For more details, here's the discussion from a few weeks ago - https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=412765&showall=1

In order to get two cars in the garage, I'll install a 2 post lift. I plan to park one car on the lift and another under it. I would be ok with a 4 post lift, too, but seems easier to work on a car (esp. brakes and suspension) on a 2 post lift. I'm thinking about an Atlas 10k baseplate lift from Greg Smith Equipment in Arlington, TX: https://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-BP10000. I'd like a 10k lift because I want to be able to put my 3/4 ton Suburban (or something similar) on the lift.

In order to be able to open the garage door when there's a car on the lift, I plan to install a Liftmaster 8500 on the jackshaft and convert to a high-lift track. See

and https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173924 for more details.

I plan to paint the floor with Hellfire Concrete Coating or something similar -- http://www.legacyindustrial.net/products/hellfire-coating/hellfire-concrete-coating.html

Let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Thanks!

Scott

bulletpruf · Feb 27, 2019

Still working on the plan for lighting and electrical. I'll need 220, of course, and some additional 110 outlets, but still trying to figure out the lighting situation.

Also trying to sequence the build. I plan to paint the floor first; if it's not a problem to do so, I'll move all the stuff to one side of the garage and then paint the other side of the garage floor. Once it's dry, I'll paint the other side. After it's painted, I can work on installing the lift and putting up shelf units and pallet racks.

YukonXL04 · Feb 28, 2019

Cant wait to see how this turns out! And thank you, I didnt realize there was a Greg Smith here in arlington! I'll be going over there today or tomorrow haha.

pbon · Feb 28, 2019

Any chance you can go bigger? 21x23 is small for a garage/shop. A little more length would be nice.

bulletpruf · Feb 28, 2019

pbon said:
Any chance you can go bigger? 21x23 is small for a garage/shop. A little more length would be nice.

House and garage were built 30 years ago, so the size is what it is at this point. I think I'll be fine; I just have to be smart about how/where I store stuff.

YukonXL04 · Feb 28, 2019

bulletpruf said:
House and garage were built 30 years ago, so the size is what it is at this point. I think I'll be fine; I just have to be smart about how/where I store stuff.

Stick your 2 post right in the middle, store what you can up high on the walls, I think you will be fine. Especially if your not working on trucks or large SUVs

bulletpruf · Feb 28, 2019

YukonXL04 said:
Stick your 2 post right in the middle, store what you can up high on the walls, I think you will be fine. Especially if your not working on trucks or large SUVs

That's exactly what I'm doing. Going to go up to the ceiling with 3' deep pallet racks.

pbon · Feb 28, 2019

I had a 19x29 for about 10 years. 10’8” ceiling. I put the lift on one side so I could fit 2 cars. I used a floor plate lift because it fit under the ceiling. I could lift my E36M3 and E90M3 and E61 535xi about 6’ and just barely walk under them. The ceiling was flat since the barn had a second story, so I did not have to center the lift under the peak of the roof to get enough clearance to fully lift a car. I moved the posts a bit towards the front to make it easier to open the door of a second car in the garage. One post of the lift was about 12” from the exterior wall and I bought a lift that was not as wide as some. Not perfect setup but way better than no lift. Angled posts would be better for getting in and out of the car when it is being positioned to go on or off the lift.

bulletpruf · Feb 28, 2019

pbon said:
I had a 19x29 for about 10 years. 10’8” ceiling. I put the lift on one side so I could fit 2 cars. I used a floor plate lift because it fit under the ceiling. I could lift my E36M3 and E90M3 and E61 535xi about 6’ and just barely walk under them. The ceiling was flat since the barn had a second story, so I did not have to center the lift under the peak of the roof to get enough clearance to fully lift a car. I moved the posts a bit towards the front to make it easier to open the door of a second car in the garage. One post of the lift was about 12” from the exterior wall and I bought a lift that was not as wide as some. Not perfect setup but way better than no lift. Angled posts would be better for getting in and out of the car when it is being positioned to go on or off the lift.

I'm looking at a floor plate lift, too. I'll fit two cars inside as well, but one will be on the lift and the other under it.

Thanks

stonesg · Feb 28, 2019

Bigger if you can.

I have 22x22 attached and I could dearly use even two or four feet more in the each direction.

My garage would be fine if I only worked on my bikes but even one car inside and it's under sized.

The biggest headache is always having to move one thing to do another thing vs. Having a few dedicated work areas.

HotrodHR · Mar 2, 2019

The interior dimensions of my detached garage / shops is 23'x23'x12.5'. This was the largest size permitted in our subdivision (new build). I wanted a 12 foot ceiling to install a post lift.

Recommend you avoid pallet or any other shelving the sits on the floor. I built storage down the left wall from the ceiling down about 4' using 2x4s (2 shelves 2 feet wide with sliding front panels). I store car parts, including bumpers that I don't need at the moment for restorations I'm working on. I do have a workbench made with two toolboxes and a 10' piece of butcher block. Added wall mounted gladiator cabinets on the left wall and 3 48"x72" gladiator on the back wall (about to add a fourth as they're on sale at lowes until 03-06-19. My goal was to keep as much of the floor space open and anything on the floor could be rolled around or moved.

I installed a high lift kit for the garage door myself including installing new springs, drums, set tension etc). This is a great site for DIY instructions and ordering parts:
https://ddmgaragedoors.com/diy-instructions/garage-door-high-lift-conversion.php

I'm not sure I would use kits advertised on fleabay without further investigation.

I'll take some pics and try to upload this weekend.

BTW, I retired from the Army 21 years ago... still working though!

bulletpruf · Mar 3, 2019

HotrodHR said:
The interior dimensions of my detached garage / shops is 23'x23'x12.5'. This was the largest size permitted in our subdivision (new build). I wanted a 12 foot ceiling to install a post lift.

Recommend you avoid pallet or any other shelving the sits on the floor. I built storage down the left wall from the ceiling down about 4' using 2x4s (2 shelves 2 feet wide with sliding front panels). I store car parts, including bumpers that I don't need at the moment for restorations I'm working on. I do have a workbench made with two toolboxes and a 10' piece of butcher block. Added wall mounted gladiator cabinets on the left wall and 3 48"x72" gladiator on the back wall (about to add a fourth as they're on sale at lowes until 03-06-19. My goal was to keep as much of the floor space open and anything on the floor could be rolled around or moved.

I installed a high lift kit for the garage door myself including installing new springs, drums, set tension etc). This is a great site for DIY instructions and ordering parts:
https://ddmgaragedoors.com/diy-instructions/garage-door-high-lift-conversion.php

I'm not sure I would use kits advertised on fleabay without further investigation.

I'll take some pics and try to upload this weekend.

BTW, I retired from the Army 21 years ago... still working though!

Thanks for your service!

As for the pallet racks, you generally don't use a shelf on the bottom, so you have all of that space free for tall, lengthy, and/or bulky items. Really don't see any drawbacks there. That's where I'll store lawn equipment (mowers, wheelbarrow, power washer), spare motors, bumpers, etc.

Thanks for the input, and post some pics when you can.

Scott

bulletpruf · Mar 3, 2019

Here's a pic from today -

Already filling up, and I only have 10% of my sh*t there. Of course, I don't have any shelving yet, and that will make a huge difference.

Anyway, the right side of the garage (driver's side of GTO) is where the pallet racks will reside. Lift will be in the middle. And the left side will be the work/shop area.

I acid etched the half of the garage where the GTO is (that's why there's tape on the floor - to mark the dividing line) yesterday. Nice and rough now. I'll hit the oily spots with some primer, and then paint the first half with the Hellfire stuff, hopefully this weekend.

HotrodHR · Mar 4, 2019

Nice GTO... have a 67 on my lift...

Now if I could only remember how to post pics... pardon the mess.

bulletpruf · Mar 4, 2019

HotrodHR said:
Nice GTO... have a 67 on my lift...

Now if I could only remember how to post pics... pardon the mess.

Very nice! Like how you did your wooden bench top with the gap in the middle. May have to copy that.

HotrodHR · Mar 4, 2019

bulletpruf said:
Very nice! Like how you did your wooden bench top with the gap in the middle. May have to copy that.

Horrible Frieght bought when they went on sale. Picked up another gladiator 48x72 cabinet, will have 4 across the back wall.

Just FYI the 4 post lift is nice as you can move it around. BTW mine is a Greg Smith Atlas.

How tall is your ceiling? You might want to investigate the high rails for you door and size the 2 post lift before you order.

bulletpruf · Mar 4, 2019

HotrodHR said:
Horrible Frieght bought when they went on sale. Picked up another gladiator 48x72 cabinet, will have 4 across the back wall.

Just FYI the 4 post lift is nice as you can move it around. BTW mine is a Greg Smith Atlas.

How tall is your ceiling? You might want to investigate the high rails for you door and size the 2 post lift before you order.

You and I think alike!

I'm getting the HF boxes.

Have decided against the 2 post life, I think. Now the plan is to get the Atlas 4 post from Greg Smith. Ceiling is 11'6".

Already planning on the high lift rails for the garage door and the Liftmaster jackshaft opener. Like the ability to be able to move it around.

HotrodHR · Mar 5, 2019

bulletpruf said:
You and I think alike!

I'm getting the HF boxes.

Have decided against the 2 post life, I think. Now the plan is to get the Atlas 4 post from Greg Smith. Ceiling is 11'6".

Already planning on the high lift rails for the garage door and the Liftmaster jackshaft opener. Like the ability to be able to move it around.

I have the Atlas four post, I believe it's the 8k extra tall/long... not for sure it was several years ago.

Ordered my highlift stuff from DDM Garages ( see link in my first post here). They were quick and know their stuff.

I did my floor with Epoxy-Coat. I posted the install and review on GJ with pics (somewhere) :lol_hitti

HotrodHR · Mar 5, 2019

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=192328&highlight=Epoxy+coat+review+hotrodhr

bulletpruf · Mar 13, 2019

Ok, I have the HellFire coating down on the garage floor. Put down 3 coats. Nothing fancy, just basic gray.

Once it's cured a few more days, I'll move all of the stuff on top of the painted surface and then etch and paint the other side.

Pallet racks and lift coming soon.

Thanks

Scott

bulletpruf · Mar 17, 2019

Got the other side of the garage floor acid etched. Primer showing up tomorrow. Will paint the following day.

Picking up used heavy duty shelving on Tuesday - 36" deep, 10' tall, 5' wide. Exactly what I was looking for.

Ordering 4 post lift this week.

Also need to do the high rise garage door tracks and different opener (Liftmaster 8500) to maximize ceiling space for the lift.

bulletpruf · Mar 18, 2019

Primed the floor and put the first coat of Hellfire down. Two more coats to go. Then a few days to dry/cure before I can drive on it.

Ordered the lift today - 8,000 lb Atlas 4 post from Greg Smith Equipment.

Had an electrician out today to give me an estimate on adding a few outlets, wiring for 8 light fixtures, and adding 220 outlets for compressor and welder.

bulletpruf · Mar 21, 2019

Finished applying Hellfire to the floor.

Got the high-lift garage tracks and jackshaft opener (Liftmaster 8500) installed today. Very nice, and quiet, too.

Picked up my lift yesterday. Got it somewhat situated but I'm missing some parts so I can't finish assembly yet.

Picked up my shelving units in Austin today. Very lightly used, about 1/3 price of new. Nice stuff and heavy duty, too. Have 6 of the shelf units - they're all 5' wide, 3' deep, and 10' tall. Will be putting them together tomorrow.

bulletpruf · Mar 27, 2019

Good day yesterday.

Lift is now operational.

Wiring 90% complete. 10 of the 48" LED light fixtures really light the place up!!!

Have to patch sheetrock today from wiring job, spot paint, and then move things into place.

Black95Z28 · Mar 27, 2019

Looking good, cant wait to see more progress.

bulletpruf · Mar 27, 2019

Electrical finished today.

Getting close to finishing up sheetrock patching from electrical install. Will finish that yesterday and do some painting.

Also installed vinyl baseboard molding today, but wasn't able to finish because I ran out of glue.

Assembled the last shelf unit today, so that makes 4 of them, each 10' tall, 3' deep, 5' long.

Tomorrow's plan -

Finish up sheetrock patch and paint.

Finish last few spots of vinyl baseboard trim.

Install blinds on the two windows in the garage.

Once all that is done, I should be able to move the shelves up against the wall where they will live. And then I can start loading them up.

Afterwards, I can move the lift to where it will live.

Hopefully on Friday, I can get a car or two in the garage.

bulletpruf · Mar 29, 2019

Today was a great day!

Got blinds installed on the windows. That allowed me to get the shelf units put into place against the wall and I started loading them up.

Then I was able to get the lift in place (4 post; has casters and it's easy to move).

And then I got the GTO on the lift. #winning!

Still have a lot of work to do, but mostly moving stuff and getting organized.

Pics to follow. Right now I'm having a beer and patting myself on the back.

bulletpruf · Mar 29, 2019

On the lift - hooray! I haven't had a lift in about 10 years. Really missed having one.

Shelf units in place. Have them about 1/3 of the way loaded up now.

bulletpruf · Apr 9, 2019

Garage is a wreck now, but slowly getting organized. I try to spend at least an hour a day in there; usually in the morning before work.

I ordered two Homak 72" toolboxes - both bottom cabinets - in Competition Orange. Should have them in a month or so. Was going to go with the Harbor Freight boxes, but Homak seems to be better quality, lifetime warranty, and just a tad bit more expensive if you get them from Napa. There's an extensive thread in the Tool forum here with more details.

qwerth · Apr 10, 2019

great set up so far

bulletpruf · May 1, 2019

Ordered NewAge Pro Tall Wall cabinets - 5 of them.

Also ordered a monster Durham cabinet - 4' wide and about 6.5' tall.

Need to order some nut and bolt/hardware storage. Will probably go with Durham.

Will post more pics once stuff starts arriving.

Thanks

Ford52PU · May 1, 2019

Nice start on the garage. Love the GTO!

bulletpruf · May 8, 2019

qwerth said:
great set up so far

Thanks!

Ford52PU said:
Nice start on the garage. Love the GTO!

Thanks, I'm fond of the GTO as well!

bulletpruf · May 8, 2019

Today was a good day. Got the NewAge Pro tall wall cabinets hung and also moved the monster Durham cabinet into place. I'll start loading 'em up tomorrow and will get some pics once the dust settles.

FANTM58 · May 8, 2019

I Love the goat ! I had a 68 convert as well , with a 70 Judge spoiler.
I miss that one ...

bulletpruf · May 24, 2019

Today was another good day. My toolboxes (72" Homak RS Pro in competition orange) showed up. Nice stuff. And they're already full.

Just have to hang my last two NewAge Pro tall wall cabinets and I'll be set.

Pics to follow, but it's still too damn messy at this point.

bulletpruf · Jul 12, 2019

Getting close to being able to actually work in the garage.

-Got rid of my big HF sandblast cabinet. I used it very rarely in the past several years; the larger stuff I've just been blast on a tarp in the driveway. Used one of those hopper setups. I'll probably get a benchtop cabinet for smaller stuff.

-Got a wall mount fan to move some air in the garage.

-Compressor is up and running.

Hope to do some more straightening this weekend. If I'm successful, I'll take a pic of the close-to-finished product.

Thanks

bulletpruf · Jan 21, 2020

Finally at the point where I'm halfway organized!

From the outside looking in...

As you walk in the door and turn left, I have some storage for brooms, mop and bucket, etc.

Moving down the wall, I have my string trimmer (Milwaukee M18) and brush cutter hanging from the ceiling. Nice to have them out of the way. The water heater is behind the door. Next to that is a nice cubbyhole with my Quincy 80 gallon compressor and the water softener. The shelves hold car parts.

Then there's the man door, velvet Elvis, New Age Pro wall cabinets, parts washer, oxyacetylene setup, MIG, and hanging storage for long metal stock and lumber.

More to follow...

bulletpruf · Jan 21, 2020

Next up - Homak toolboxes with stainless steel top, York 6" vise mounted on top (please excuse the mess; that's a TH400 transmission disassembled on top of the box), more New Age Pro wall cabinets, and hanging shelves from New Age with a few vintage Jonsereds chainsaws.

Really like my Durham cabinet for hardware storage; took many hours of sorting to get some organization. Sure beats the hell out of coffee cans full of grimy bolts and randoms screws, washers, nails, etc!

Not a lot of room between lift and cabinets, but it's sufficient. Lift is not bolted down yet, so I may move it back a few inches.

bulletpruf · Jan 21, 2020

Along the far wall (to the right as you walk into the garage from outside), it's all parts, tool, chainsaw (I have about 70...) and materiel storage. I need to do a better job of organizing; may end up getting plastic totes to store stuff in.

Work area - welding/fab table with a restored Rock Island vise, and next to it is the "portable dirty room" with a restored Wilton bullet vise (it's on casters; gets wheeled outside for grinding and similar dirty work).

Bench is 2' x 4' with 5/8" top. I bought it used, and added the bottom mesh screen shelf and added the angle mounted under the top for clamp storage.

Plenty of room for a full sized car on the lift and one more below.

21' x 23' Attached Hot Rod Garage/Shop Build

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