Advice for new shop

[CMcAllister]

Hello all. Been reading and learning here for awhile. Now we're planning to start our new building early next year. Particulars aren't finalized yet but here's what we're looking at.

3000 sq.ft. (60x50x12) plus or minus. Looking at Morton based on, 1. Highly recommended by friends who have them, 2. Insulation package, 3. Overall quality. We will use this shop for automotive performance and resto work, general metal work and race car work and prep. We need to be able to make a living out of this shop and I expect to spend 12 or 14 hours a day in here most days. It must be efficient, have quality heat and AC and be well built, secure, insulated and attractive. We will build a couple of small rooms inside for a clean room, a half bath and storage.

We are located in south central PA and I know there are some other builders around the area who we have begun to talk to. This is our first project like this and I am looking for advice, constructive criticism, tips and anything else based on your experiences. Thanks.

 

[brownbagg]

you need 14 foot height for the car lift

 

[PAToyota]

Welcome to the board! Harrisburg area here.

 

[akdiesel]

Good luck on the new build.

you need 14 foot height for the car lift

I would agree on this as well as atleast 12' tall over head doors also.

 

[fireguy]

When I do a job , I start a file, using a large manilla envelope. Larger jobs may require more folders, each devoted to a job opertion or contractor. Use a file folder for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, shop equipment. Change orders, or what ever you think you need. Plastic milk cartons are good file holders for a job like yours. They will hold catalogs, phone books, everything except the prints. Cheap, portable, and you can get them in colors.

 

[72Tunaboat]

Go with hydronic heating in the slab. Very efficient compared to any other heat and much more comforatable. You can even ad solar to help. Good luck with your project.

 

[terry1769]

I just put up exactly that size building. As long as you put a single bay in the middle of the short side, you can stick a lift in. Otherwise you'll need to go up to 14' at the eaves.

 

[jcp907]

CM,

Some immediate thoughts...

If possible, have at least one drive through bay with doors on each side. Make plans for an exhaust extraction system, even if it's not installed right away, plan for it. Will you have retail sales? If so, you may want a waiting area that you can show your insurance company-hey, this is where customers wait, out of harms way. Will you be considering a dyno? If so, you might not want that nearest the office area. Will you be installing in a pit, or above ground? Where is the airflow coming from?

What sort of race cars? Doing chassis setup? Might want to have a pad laser leveled for weighing cars.

Need anchors in the floor for straightening frames, or strapping a vehicle to a dyno? Where do they need to be and do you want to put them in before the slab is poured or do you want to have to core drill and put them in later?

Jay

 

[jcp907]

Go to Google and get sketch up. The software is free and you can lay the shop out and move things around easily.

 

[roger55]

Go to Google and get sketch up. The software is free and you can lay the shop out and move things around easily.

Easily?

I quickly got frustrated trying to do anything useful with this program.

 

[jcp907]

Roger,

I thought it was pretty easy, particularly for the price. To move things around, make them a component, then you can move the component. The help is very good. Watch the videos to get started. It will take time, but it is very useful and can offer great perspective, for a minimal investment in time, potentially saving a bunch of time and money.

Pay attention to what axis you are on, hitting on the incorrect axis can make it frustrating.

 

[CMcAllister]

Thanks for the tips, keep 'em coming. Having doors on both sides of the building is something we have looked at and could do if it was positioned right. We looked at it for the ability to drive a tow rig straight through, load, unload or park and not have to back up. We will do mostly drag race, street, muscle and restomod stuff. No retail sales and I don't foresee a dyno. I've done the retail shop thing in the past but it has become a WalMart world. Now, I just want to make stuff.

We used a large piece of paste board cut to scale size. Cut car, equipment and room sized pieces and played with that to try to decide the shop layout. Worked ok.

I like the radiant floor heat but I haven't had any price quotes yet. I'm afraid of what the initial cost may end up being. Since this will also have AC, I'm sure that will be a factor in that decision. Also, the Mortons are nice but $$$. Anyone have any feedback on others?

 

[PAToyota]

Watch the videos to get started. It will take time, but it is very useful and can offer great perspective, for a minimal investment in time, potentially saving a bunch of time and money.

X2 on the videos. I've taught gradeschool kids and our receptionist how to use it - just started with the basics and let them watch the videos. It is amazing what people are doing with it.

Our receptionist laid out a room remodel for her house - measuring all the existing and drawing everything up - and was able to turn over dimensioned drawings for a contractor to build things.

One of the elementary schools was doing planning for an addition and they turned the kids loose with SketchUp to draw what they thought the addition should be. It was incredible to see some of the unique ideas that they came up with.

These aren't things that you could do turning people loose with AutoCAD...

 

[Craig Balzer]

CMcAllister

I have down loaded Sketch Up but haven't yet taken the time to learn it, yet.

I am pretty good with powerPoint.

How's this for incorporating your ideas and requirements . . .

Craig

 

[Rusty truck Garage]

Check out Hansen pole buildings. They just sell you the building, you have to put it up yourself or hire someone to do it for you.