Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT Build Thread: 20x40x12

[velillen01]

I found the leaks in my air system. Each of the drip ear fittings are leaking at the 1/2” to 1/4” bushings. Any suggestions? I used traditional Teflon tape and that has always worked for me. Should I use pipe dope, or gas tape?

You can do both teflon tape and pipe dope. 2-3 wraps of regular white tape and some pipe dope and you'll have good joints.

You can use gas tape as it is a bit thicker but Im still in the boat of tape plus dope works best.

 

[RyanE]

I've had similar issues lately with both brass and stainless fittings purchased from my local hardware stores. I've used a combination of teflon tape and pipe dope and it seems to be working. The threading on these cheap plumbing parts seems to be poor. I think the tooling or dies are worn out and the pipe threads (tapered) have too much slop. I've had some fittings that bottom out before the tapered threads will even bind/seal.

Shop is looking great! I'm envious of that space and especially that lift, now that winter is bearing down on us!

Cheers from a fellow canuck.

 

[jasondavidmann]

Thank everyone, I will try the paste and Teflon tape method. Currently dropping from 125psi to 100psi over 4 hours so it shouldn’t take much.

 

[jasondavidmann]

Yesterday and today I insulated the ceiling. Two layers of fibreglass to give me r40 which is typical in this area and what my radiant heat is designed around. Although I think I am a tough guy, I am particularly affected by fibreglass and am very glad the overhead portion is done (itchy everywhere!).

Other good news, I have an electrical inspection next week and should be able to fill in my trench after that. Also next Wednesday the HVAC company is coming to finish the radiant heat and turn on the heat for the first time.

 

[Kevkx125]

Making progress Jason, bet it feels good even if you are itchy lol. Lift and floor drain that is going to be a sweet set up!!

 

[jasondavidmann]

Another milestone yesterday, the heat is on! My HVAC company came and commissioned the whole system. The technician said I did a good job of running the loops and it was a very clean and easy install on his end. It will take a while for floor to warm up, 19.3m3 of concrete and the temperature has been a little below freezing for the past month. I can expect a large electric bill for the cold start up.

* two extra lines to the left are a drain line for if we ever switch to a condensing boiler. The second line is for the for the in floor temperature probe (still waiting for the thermostat to arrive).

We also passed the first electrical inspection. I was a able to try the hoist for the first time. I was glad to see it worked because I bought it used already disassemble. Unfortunately a wire shorted before I could try a vehicle on it. A minor issue that will be addressed later this week.

 

[jasondavidmann]

I should get the rest of the insulation installed by the end of the week but with temperatures dropping I thought you might want to see how I’m heating the shop while the concrete warms up.

I’m using my diesel air heater from my fishing shack. Warm air running into the shop through the exhaust port in the overhead door.

 

[jasondavidmann]

Insulation is done with the exception of a small section where we still need to run some wire for a future mini split (AC).

It has been very satisfying to walk into a warm shop the last few days. This morning I brought my truck inside to melt off all the ice and snow that has accumulated while parked outside.

*Note the hoist is stuck in the raised position until the shorted wire is replaced.

 

[jasondavidmann]

Because it is my first time with an build of this magnitude I pass a lot of milestones along the way.

Today’s milestone is the first vehicle on the hoist. I must say seeing my truck up there is pretty satisfying and I’ll get to that overdue oil change this afternoon. I cannot stand all the way upright with the truck so that is a nuisance but shouldn’t be an issue with cars. Rotary SPO10, 12’4” ceiling.

 

[grant00]

It looks like you have more room up above the cab of the truck to the cross beam. Try looking at adding riser pucks under the arm pads so the truck is higher off the arms. Could gain you a few more inches underneath.

 

[jasondavidmann]

It looks like you have more room up above the cab of the truck to the cross beam. Try looking at adding riser pucks under the arm pads so the truck is higher off the arms. Could gain you a few more inches underneath.

Yes that is true, I took the picture while I was still checking things out.

 

[jasondavidmann]

I continue to work away at some of the less rewarding tasks.

I was able to get a load of gravel delivered which is rare this time of year since everything is frozen. Unless you want a full truck straight from the quarry you’re usually out of luck. A big thank you to GeeTee for delivering 2 yd3! I was able to fill the trench and feel better about my kids walking over it.

I’m sealing the vapour barrier around all the outlets and seams. AcoustiSeal is terrible but it works - enough said. I’m due for another inspection when this is all done. Then I’ll be ready for drywall.

Electrical should be completed this week, I’ll post another update then.

I moved in the workbenches that were left over from my concrete forms. They are temporarily balanced on whatever I could find along the whole 40’ wall. Great to have so much horizontal surface, it will be a commitment to not let things pile up.

Photos from opposing corners, don’t mind the mess for now.

 

[leboeuf]

This looks great!
I also have a 20x40 shop and am curious about your lift placement? How far from the garage door are you?
I'm in the market for the same size truck as well. Think I can get away with putting the lift 12 feet from the door?

 

[jasondavidmann]

This looks great!
I also have a 20x40 shop and am curious about your lift placement? How far from the garage door are you?
I'm in the market for the same size truck as well. Think I can get away with putting the lift 12 feet from the door?

If you look at post #8 in this thread you can see the hoist is 15' from the door. Of note is that my Rotary SPO10 is a symmetrical hoist and the center of gravity is between the posts. I have about 4' behind the truck if I drive it into the shop on the hoist, my goal was to be able to fit a crewcab longbox if I ever went that route. But if needed I could back the truck in and have even more room.

I would imagine you could make it work with 12' but you might need to back in. You could also consider an asymmetrical hoist. I read a lot of install guides before deciding on 15', most manufacturers of symmetrical hoists recommend 13'.

 

[leboeuf]

Thanks for the reply.
That's a good point with backing in. I may have to accept lifting that "one day" 8ft bed truck with the door open...

 

[jasondavidmann]

I took a break from working on the shop over Christmas holidays and then experienced some COVID supply delays.

Last week I passed my insulation and vapour barrier inspection and yesterday I started drywall. Also I got 2 of the 3 rows of lights up.






I was planning to drywall start to finish but now think I’ll take a break after the ceiling. My truck has a transmission recall and is at the dealership but the part is on back order and I’m hearing 2 or more months. So I may need to get the beater car out of the backyard and get it going in the meantime.

 

[ToysRUs]

I don't wish that drywall work on anybody.

 

[jasondavidmann]

All of the drywall is hung. I had a friend come help one afternoon and that was a massive help.

Don’t look too closely because there are a few large gaps. But I will start tapping next week and should be able to cover it all up. I know this is only a workshop and not the museum man cave that is common on GJ but I want to tape and paint so that I can learn how to do it. That way when I’m working on other projects I’ll have this experience.

 

[captain14]

The big thing is you’ve built this garage yourself with some friends help. How much have learned so far? More than you knew last year when you started.

Learn in the garage and when you have to do a repair in the house or help a friend out you can say this is easy!

 

[jbrentd]

Looks good! I bet it feels good to have the heavy lifting part behind you.

 

[jasondavidmann]

The big thing is you’ve built this garage yourself with some friends help. How much have learned so far? More than you knew last year when you started.

Learn in the garage and when you have to do a repair in the house or help a friend out you can say this is easy!

Thank you, I keep learning from my mistakes and know a lot more than before I started.

Our long term plan is to finish the basement and update the house. Then in about 2 years start building a house on the cabin lot we have already purchased a long while ago.

 

[jasondavidmann]

Looks good! I bet it feels good to have the heavy lifting part behind you.

Well it will take a few days for my shoulders to feel good but yes I’m glad the heavy work is done!

 

[jasondavidmann]

It has been a long while since I’ve had a meaningful update.

Here I am almost one year since I opened the building permit and drywall tapping and mudding are done. I even got the first coat of primer on the ceiling and 3/4 walls. The plan is to have white walls and ceiling with a dark gray trim colour including a 6” “baseboard” around the perimeter

 

[jasondavidmann]

The ceiling is painted, the lights and fans are back up. With only 3 coats of mudding it is far from good but is good enough from far. The eggshell finish makes things look worse than they actually are, maybe a flat white coat in the future will hide imperfections.

At this point I’m not going to go back and fix the ceiling. My goal with the drywall finish was to teach myself how to do it so that I can do a perfect/better job when I build our cottage and basement as my next large projects. I constantly have to remind myself that though I take pride in my work this is a workshop and not a museum.



The lighting is awesome bright and best of all nearly no shadows anywhere in the shop. The finished ceiling and primed walls make all the difference! Note that the lights don’t go full length because there will a loft storage area that doesn’t require lights.

 

[captain14]

Projects are where you learn new skills or enhance the skills you currently have. Most members here would be proud of your accomplishments with the garage. If it was mine I know I would be.

I know know more than guy who learned how to do something on the full time job, so when he did his project at home, the learning curve would be a lot lower.

Overall an outstanding job.

 

[jasondavidmann]

Painting is done. I’ve decided that I will go back and attempt to fix the ceiling but not for a while.

I got the 32’ x 24” workbench installed today. Probably the only time it won’t be covered with stuff on top. I went with 36” height, I’m 6’ and after so many conflicting opinions I went with what seemed comfortable to me. Maybe I’ll paint the bench gray, or keep it white I haven’t decided yet.

 

[jasondavidmann]

Today I installed the window jamb extensions and the trim. The dark gray will add great contrast to the shop.

Also as I move into the workshop the big space is getting smaller. So in an effort to get organized I made two tool chest carts. One for my mig welder (still need to make a platform for the gas bottle) and the other for drill press and grinder.

 

[jasondavidmann]

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[jasondavidmann]

Double post deleted

 

[captain14]

I like the two carts. All the needed accessories within reach. Just keep the drawers shut when ever using the tools or welder.

Any plans for the garage door area to get trim?

 

[jbrentd]

When you get the platform for the bottle finished, please post a picture. I have a small Craftsman roller that I am thinking of turning into a welding car as well.

 

[jasondavidmann]

Well here is a preview of the garage door trim as well as most of the French cleat system going up on the walls.

Funny you should ask about the overhead door trim. My sister asked if I would do anything different next time and now that I understand more about the overhead door I would be able to do a better job of trim next time.


Note my fancy paining table lol.

 

[captain14]

Hey, if it beats bending over to paint the trim on the floor…

I have used a trash can and a wheel barrow to hold trim at a convenient height.

Hopefully you put cardboard or something down first from getting paint on the arms.

 

[jasondavidmann]

Hey, if it beats bending over to paint the trim on the floor…

I have used a trash can and a wheel barrow to hold trim at a convenient height.

Hopefully you put cardboard or something down first from getting paint on the arms.

There are 2x4s going across the arms. I haven’t worked this hard to continue working on the ground lol.

 

[jasondavidmann]

French cleat down both side walls and trim around the overhead door both done.

I will go back and fix the ceiling drywall mud but other than that I’m going to call the interior almost done. Once the building permit is closed I will build the office and loft area in the back.

Tomorrow I’m meeting with my building materials supplier and am ordering the siding. Decided to go with metal, dark brown in colour. I think we will be pretty happy with it and it will compliment the house nicely. I’m guessing about two weeks to get it delivered and then I’ll have to learn how to install it as I go.

 

[Kevkx125]

Shop looking good J !! How big of a office and loft are you building?

 

[captain14]

Shop looks good with the cleat system up.

Besides installing the metal siding, how much work will you have to do with a brake? I’ve watched a couple of YouTube training videos using a brake but I think hands on training is better.

 

[jasondavidmann]

The partition wall will be about 7' off the back wall and 7' height. I've been trying to decide how much of the 20x7 area will be office with the remainder a shed area for hardware etc. Thinking the smallest I can make the office will be 7x7 - it will likely be used about 20hrs/week so I want it to be comfortable without giving up space.

The loft will end up being 20w x 7d x about 4 or 5h. This will be a good area for the air compressor and other tools that aren't used everyday.


I'm not planning to use a brake at all. I've ordered all the trim pieces pre-made. If I encounter something I can bring it to our race shop. We operate out of Oakwood Roofing and Sheet Metal, needless to say they can make anything I could ever dream of out of sheet metal.

 

[jasondavidmann]

Today I closed the building permit with the rural municipality. But of course the build and finishing of the shop will never be complete. I plan to start the office and loft area next week.

Since my last post I installed the metal siding, coffee brown colour which is appropriate given my love of coffee. Also I had a local seamless eavestrough contractor come and install high capacity 5” gutters. Both gutters drop at the back of the building and one crosses over so that it all drains into the ditch beside the property.

 

[jasondavidmann]

I started framing the office/tool room and loft area today. The office will be about 7’x7’ and 86” ceiling height. Overall I’m happy with how it is going to turn out.



In the picture you can see the office area to the right with the window. It will have a 60” patio door so that you can look into the shop while taking a mental break from the desk work.

The left side will have no door will be a 48” opening, if more clearance is needed you can use the overhead door or the second entry door at the other end of the shop.