Building garage - ideas?

[oldsschool]

Well we are about to begin digging our new house. This will be my last garage so I want to do it right. Looking for input on what to include, where to put it and any other helpful hints.
Here is what I have so far.
Garage Wish List
In-Built
• compressor with large holding tank in its own room... in the basement, piped through and controlled with a wall switch in the garage
• drains & sump for water-build-up, car washing...
• Auto Stereo c/w MP3 hook-up mounted in auto dash on the wall...
• Speakers in the ceiling...
• In-floor heat (be sure to map & picture tube locations)...
• lots of outlets, 220 (3 outlets. One for air compressor, one for welding and one for lift) and 110 (outlets every 8 feet, 4 feet off the floor, ceiling mount plugs for trouble light reel) around garage and above workbench...
• separate panel for the garage
• Exhaust fan(s)... size, location??
• Electric winch points mounted in floor for pulling in cars, or trucks – (2"sq receivers are best - you can add posts to pull, to mount a vise/grinder/table/etc, or a winch).......
• Flooring - polished or epoxy ???
• floor lift with attached lights (2 post &/or 4 post??)
• Sink, H/C running water, and a toilet
• 3 single doors minimum (10'w x 9' high)
• car exhaust ports in garage doors
• Halogen lights mounted in the ceiling for blinding light when needed.

Attached
• air lines, around perimeter with multiple drops, shut-offs and regulators
• air-hose reels...
• fluorescent ceiling lighting (& wall mounted?)...
• Good work bench (possibly made from 3x3 tube and metal)...
• Checker plate backsplash
• Tire storage rack near the ceiling
• Tool Boxes, Carts and Cabinets...
• 4 Drawer File Cabinet with Car, Bike and truck magazines...
• Computer on Desk and Line Wall Phone...
• Lots of Peg-board on walls and storage above Garage Doors...
• dedicated area for safety equipment (first-aid, fire extinguisher, nitrile gloves, eye/ear protection….)
• Liftmaster 3800 door openers for front 3 doors
• Ceiling mounted curtains in a u shape in the corner to use as a semi-dust-free booth to varnish projects when needed. (wash bay)
Portable
• Clock...
• Creeper...
• Roll around seat...
• Jack stands...
• Floor Jacks...
• Power washer
• Shop vac
• 5" machinist vise
• grinder
• drop lights hung from the ceiling on retractable reels

Pure Wish
• 70 SS Front End Desk...
• 220V Lincoln mig welder...
• Sandblasting Cabinet...
• Combustibles Storage Cabinet...
• Fold up engine hoist & engine stand...
• A back saving crane, about 800 lb capacity
• Overhead steel beam for block & tackle
• Screens across each garage door...

 

[sneasle]

Sounds like a solid plan.

Been thinking about steel beams for a winch/BnT myself, not sure where the best place to mount it would be to provide the most usefulness. It's got to be deep enough in, but not too deep, while still allowing enough room for the lift to operate with the largest vehicle...

 

[tncumminsguy]

I thought I knew what I wanted in a garage until I spent a couple of hours on this site, just do some reading and you will end up redo your plan.

 

[Glider_6969]

I thought I knew what I wanted in a garage until I spent a couple of hours on this site, just do some reading and you will end up redo your plan.

you can say that again,, so many ideas...

 

[NKlamerus]

I don't think I missed it but I would add a wash sink. A deep maybe even double sink with hot and cold. That way it keeps the bathroom and nearest kitchen sink clean.

 

[don long]

You will be kicking yourself in the **** the second time you pull thru those 10 foot doors (Just barely big enough) 12footers will make you much happier

nice list of wants for the shop

 

[mwbailey]

I saw the sink -- a must -- but I didn't see wide-screen TV!!

Great list. Make sure electrical panel has ample capacity! I've not installed, yet, but leaning toward 2-post lift; you'll get preferences both ways, but 4-post seems to be more desirable when automobile storage is a premium. My electrician mentioned that the 220 for welder should be near a door to allow welding outside -- probably a good thought if possible. Depending on what you're planning to do, but engine hoist (or maybe slightly heavier crane; I have two engines that push 800 lbs apiece) would seem to be more important than wish list! I'm not a big fan of pegboard because the hooks always come out when I pick up the tool, but lots of folks use them; I prefer well-organized cabinets, although mine are not.

Good luck.

 

[oldsschool]

TNCUMMINSGUY - HaHa yup it is in constant flux. This site is amazing!

 

[oldsschool]

Thanks mwbailey good input. I think with the wall space I have available cabinets might be a good idea. Maybe pegboard i/s a cabinet??
I am struggling with the 2/4 post decision. My wonderful wife say just get both but that might get a little crowded.
I think I will move one 220 close to the door as you suggest.
Yes an engine hoist needs to be more than a wish.
The dream is coming to fruition.

 

[oldsschool]

Don Long - Unfortunately the town lot my house will be on won't allow bigger. I want the three doors for architectural look and 10' are all that would fit. Stuck with that decision already. :-/ Thanks for taking time to input.

 

[oldsschool]

The one thing that is always in the back of my mind is an emergency eye wash and emergency shower.
I'm working on it.

Good idea - the school I work at has the eyewash as part of a faucet that can serve both needs. I will look into where they got it.

 

[onewaydave]

I've got a loft so the engine hoist doesn't fit all needs. I still have to rig up a chain fall every now and then.

The 220v mig should be moved up into a higher priority. And I'm not one of the fab/metal worker types.

Dave.

 

[oldsschool]

I've got a loft so the engine hoist doesn't fit all needs. I still have to rig up a chain fall every now and then.

The 220v mig should be moved up into a higher priority. And I'm not one of the fab/metal worker types.

Dave.

Planning to learn to weld. But there have been many times I wish I could. That is definitely on my to do next list of learning.