So next up is to tear up a prefectly good shop to make some overhead space at the lift. I need about 40ish more inches if I can get it.
Started by opening up the ceiling between the posts. That's a 8' wide area and I'll call it "Phase 1". There might not be a Phase 2, will explain in a minute.
The right most joist will be merged with the one next to the right hand post to form a beam/truss with the addition of some supports arms. The two in the middle of the space will come out and be cut into a 12' beam to support the ridge. One end of that will sit in the gable, the other on the double joist beam/truss. Looking at the weights and the small space, I could probably just remove and sheet the underside of the rafters and be done, but I'll have the spare lumber so might as well use it. Can't hurt to pick up the ridge load. Those are 2x12 doug fir, so they are pretty stout pieces of material.
Phase 2 - the left most joist is about 12" off the post. That leaves about 6" for the side of the car to clear the joist. A little tight. I'll get the space open and the beam up in place, then run the car up on the lift to identify the pinch points ( will run out of room on the back end of the car) and see how tight it really is. Moving that joist over 6" or so is going to be a real pain, and hard to insulate and sheet the opening. Maybe, depending on where the limits of the cab sit and place the ceiling.
First big issue was to move all the electrical. Most of the power ran down support channels on both sides of the shop. That got done this weekend and everything is tucked up where 3 1/2' of ceiling will be left by the overhead door.One set of runs had to be cut and spliced with another 19' of wire. The other set got done with a single splice, after fishing 5 runs out of the bitty hole in the studs on the far end. By laying on that bitty board and pulling back one at a time. Ouch.
Support for one end of the ridge beam started.
Other end will end up down here
