Hey, new here and was just wandering if you guys have any tips or little tricks you have learned from building your own shop. Any ideas that you said you wished you had done after your shop was built, stuff like that, I am building a 40x60x12 with two 12' sliding doors in the ends. the shop will be 40x40 with a 20x40 lean to on the side. Thanks for the imput.
Building a new barn/shop any tips?
- Thread starter goremr
- Start date
kartracer55
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
Well If I could build my own shop... id def want a few things...
-utility sink/urinal
-Overhead beam/trolley
-TONS of workbench space
-Run a 100 amp subpanel if possible...this will allow you to run all those fun toys without having to worry about the compressor kicking on while your pushing that MM251 machine to its limits. Dont forget about 220 outlets as well as 110 outlets.
-IDK how the building is going ot be built, like if your goign to use a prefab steel building or traditionally build it... but if you do wood frame and sheetrock it, Id consider running air lines in the wall for aneater appearance, The only problem is if you have a leak.
-Exhaust fans on either end o take care of welding fumes and stuff like that
- In floor drains! Even if its only 2. This will allow you to rent or borrow a power washer and wash down the floor every year or so, and not have to worry about water sitting around.
-Smooth concrete floor. When you pour it, request and ULTRA smooth finish on it, like you see in home depots. This will eliminate the need for those high maintenance floor coatings.
- Maybe a small room/office in one of the corners so that you can possibly put a couch and
a table or something... In case you need to relax or want to eat or w/e. It is also a good place to sticka computer. I have a computer down int he basement by my work area and its handy as hell being able to look something up online if I have a question on something. Just a thought.
Well thats all i have for now, maybe you want to encorperate some of htese ideas or maybe they will give you some inspiration
Jim
-utility sink/urinal
-Overhead beam/trolley
-TONS of workbench space
-Run a 100 amp subpanel if possible...this will allow you to run all those fun toys without having to worry about the compressor kicking on while your pushing that MM251 machine to its limits. Dont forget about 220 outlets as well as 110 outlets.
-IDK how the building is going ot be built, like if your goign to use a prefab steel building or traditionally build it... but if you do wood frame and sheetrock it, Id consider running air lines in the wall for aneater appearance, The only problem is if you have a leak.
-Exhaust fans on either end o take care of welding fumes and stuff like that
- In floor drains! Even if its only 2. This will allow you to rent or borrow a power washer and wash down the floor every year or so, and not have to worry about water sitting around.
-Smooth concrete floor. When you pour it, request and ULTRA smooth finish on it, like you see in home depots. This will eliminate the need for those high maintenance floor coatings.
- Maybe a small room/office in one of the corners so that you can possibly put a couch and
a table or something... In case you need to relax or want to eat or w/e. It is also a good place to sticka computer. I have a computer down int he basement by my work area and its handy as hell being able to look something up online if I have a question on something. Just a thought.
Well thats all i have for now, maybe you want to encorperate some of htese ideas or maybe they will give you some inspiration
Jim
poci1957
Active member
I may be off base, but I would suggest a roll up door rather that sliding. I have just moved from a regular garage into a large machine shed with large sliding doors and I could not hate them more. They are clumsy, they rattle, and worst of all they are impossible to seal against mice, dust, etc Unless you are working on trucks or ag equipment, of course. Todd C
Thanks for the replies, Poci, I thought about that too, but as wide as I am wanting to make more doors, it would cost a fortune to use roll up doors, it would be nice to have them but the budget just wont allow for it. Plus most of the work going on in the shop will be on tractors, and implements so it might be better with the sliding doors.
XR7G428
Well-known member
Great lighting is a real plus. Sky lights have a quick pay back. Hail may be a problem in some areas. I have them in a building I own in Stillwater and have replaced a few. Are you from Gore?
High ceilings let you use lifts without hassle.
Running horizontal HVAC units up in the rafters is a great way to heat and cool.
You can't have too many AC outlets. And put in plenty of 220 if you have woodworking tools or welders or compressors or or or....
If you don't have a storm cellar, put one in under the floor and use the stairs down as a pit for service work....
I put a man room above my last garage. I put in a bathroom and a small galley kitchen (Sink, stove top, Fridge, Microwave) Big TV, Stereo, a ton of storage and open space with no **** on the walls. A great place to hang out and drink a beer. Many nights playing music with some of my buddies, without disturbing the family.
High ceilings let you use lifts without hassle.
Running horizontal HVAC units up in the rafters is a great way to heat and cool.
You can't have too many AC outlets. And put in plenty of 220 if you have woodworking tools or welders or compressors or or or....
If you don't have a storm cellar, put one in under the floor and use the stairs down as a pit for service work....
I put a man room above my last garage. I put in a bathroom and a small galley kitchen (Sink, stove top, Fridge, Microwave) Big TV, Stereo, a ton of storage and open space with no **** on the walls. A great place to hang out and drink a beer. Many nights playing music with some of my buddies, without disturbing the family.
REFLEXX
Well-known member
I'm building a 38 x 50 "Miracle Truss" steel / wood hybrid structure. I'd recommend them highly. It's a little more expensive than a true "steel building" but it uses standard insulation instead of the expensive thin stuff. and the wood purlins/girts (roof and wall lumber) enable to easily build interior walls and attach drywall.
Something I've learned since starting my "Garage-Mahal" project is that a bathroom & sink might be more trouble than it's worth!
In communist republic of Southern California if I added a crapper & sink, the entire garage/workshop (1,450 sqft) would now be considered "livable space". In other words, I've just increased my home by that much sqft. My property taxes would increase 40% and the county would have me go thru flaming hoops with health standards, septic upgrades, etc, etc...
Next. Since I have an office as one of the rooms, I will run speaker wire and tv cable to the other rooms. It wil be great to have tunes & tv when I work. With a "RF blaster" remote, I can control the tv & stereo (volumes, channels) from any room.
Next. Im going to use UcoatIT for floor coating. I've heard great reviews all around.
Next. PLENTY OF 100v and 220v power with 300 amp service. I know it's overkill, but I've got a mill, lathe, CNC mill, plasma, MIG, etc... Remember that 220v uses less amps and is more efficient. (I've been told)
my 2c
REFLEXX
Something I've learned since starting my "Garage-Mahal" project is that a bathroom & sink might be more trouble than it's worth!
In communist republic of Southern California if I added a crapper & sink, the entire garage/workshop (1,450 sqft) would now be considered "livable space". In other words, I've just increased my home by that much sqft. My property taxes would increase 40% and the county would have me go thru flaming hoops with health standards, septic upgrades, etc, etc...
Next. Since I have an office as one of the rooms, I will run speaker wire and tv cable to the other rooms. It wil be great to have tunes & tv when I work. With a "RF blaster" remote, I can control the tv & stereo (volumes, channels) from any room.
Next. Im going to use UcoatIT for floor coating. I've heard great reviews all around.
Next. PLENTY OF 100v and 220v power with 300 amp service. I know it's overkill, but I've got a mill, lathe, CNC mill, plasma, MIG, etc... Remember that 220v uses less amps and is more efficient. (I've been told)
my 2c
REFLEXX
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krooser
Well-known member
a462goat
Active member
I built mine 40X48, and I love the ability to park my long bed '66 Chevy truck in front of my 2000 Suburban, with a little room to spare! Make your shop as big as you can is my advice.
I had 10 X12 commercial rollups installed - they are great.
If you can do some of the finish work, do it. My shop has been done for several months, and I opted to do the electrical (with a little help), paint, installed a compressor (still need to plumb it), etc. I am taking my time, and just using the shop the way it was intended. This way, I get lots of time to plan the inside to be as functional as possible. I still have to finish the electrical, insulate and cover the walls, and a million little projects. Good wintertime inside project, I'm figuring!
Got any more questions, just ask!
Gary
I had 10 X12 commercial rollups installed - they are great.
If you can do some of the finish work, do it. My shop has been done for several months, and I opted to do the electrical (with a little help), paint, installed a compressor (still need to plumb it), etc. I am taking my time, and just using the shop the way it was intended. This way, I get lots of time to plan the inside to be as functional as possible. I still have to finish the electrical, insulate and cover the walls, and a million little projects. Good wintertime inside project, I'm figuring!
Got any more questions, just ask!
Gary
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49tandc
Well-known member
BEFORE you pour the slab, run PVC chases from one end (by your electrical service) to end - stub them up and cap 'em off. Use them to run wire, water, CAT5, etc. Its cheap and easy BEFORE you pour the slab - or else you've got to run it up and across the ceiling.
Consider a floor drain (again, BEFORE you pour the mud).
You can never have enough lights. Hang your stereo speakers from the ceiling so they don't take up shelf space. Do not put a TV in the garage - it takes you away from what you need to do. Refrig is a must! Think about security system - IR motion sensors set 4' off the floor will not be setoff by pets, but any uninvited guests will not see them. Cycling a 12ga. gets their attention, but you must know someone is out there.
A GOOD fire extinguish is a REQUIREMENT. place it by a door or where there are no obstructions around it.
A first-aid kit (more than just a band-aid) is a requirement. I saw someone's garage with an eye-wash station - Great Job!!!
Call your county school district - bigger cities have auctions all the time. I picked up flourscent lamps for $1 ea (4' or 8' - my choice, incl'd bulbs). I also got an ultrasonic cleaner (they didn't know what it was for) for $5 - big enough for a carb and does a wonderful job cleaning handguns... A nice welding table was another 5 bucks. You never know what they will have - I picked up 2 huge 3-door Sub-Zero refrigerators out of a cafeteria for $135 - total. Work great - they were just remodeling one school and got all new equip.
Get a used dishwasher ($25) from the newspaper. I use it to clean parts and not have my wife mad at me for using hers. You can get one of those 'portable' ones that rolls around when not in use.
49T&C
Consider a floor drain (again, BEFORE you pour the mud).
You can never have enough lights. Hang your stereo speakers from the ceiling so they don't take up shelf space. Do not put a TV in the garage - it takes you away from what you need to do. Refrig is a must! Think about security system - IR motion sensors set 4' off the floor will not be setoff by pets, but any uninvited guests will not see them. Cycling a 12ga. gets their attention, but you must know someone is out there.
A GOOD fire extinguish is a REQUIREMENT. place it by a door or where there are no obstructions around it.
A first-aid kit (more than just a band-aid) is a requirement. I saw someone's garage with an eye-wash station - Great Job!!!
Call your county school district - bigger cities have auctions all the time. I picked up flourscent lamps for $1 ea (4' or 8' - my choice, incl'd bulbs). I also got an ultrasonic cleaner (they didn't know what it was for) for $5 - big enough for a carb and does a wonderful job cleaning handguns... A nice welding table was another 5 bucks. You never know what they will have - I picked up 2 huge 3-door Sub-Zero refrigerators out of a cafeteria for $135 - total. Work great - they were just remodeling one school and got all new equip.
Get a used dishwasher ($25) from the newspaper. I use it to clean parts and not have my wife mad at me for using hers. You can get one of those 'portable' ones that rolls around when not in use.
49T&C
bje31
Well-known member
How about an intercom between house and garage?...great for emergencies and placing food orders!!!