Garage/Shop Questions

[KWashburn]

Currently, my wife is making a pretty good case to get her car back in the garage, therefore leaving me with one less space to work. This leaves me in quite the predicament. I have a fairly good size garage, but I use the whole damn thing to do work. See Smoking Gun Cycles. I've acquired a large amount of tools over the years. From working on Big Trucks to dealership work. I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to need more space. I've already outfitted the garage into 2 different work areas, with tools that will mount to the floor and the workbench when needed. When not needed, I can put them away. One side is strictly fabrication and the other is assembly and service.

Here is my dilemma. I have a giant backyard with limited alley access. By limited, I mean almost none. So a giant steel building is certainly out of the question. What I do have is a very small driveway to the backyard that could potentially work. I've looked over this site a million in a half times and decided that I'm in absolute love with Nimrod's Garage. Nostalgic and workable. He is utilizing space very well. From the looks of it, he's almost on a skid of sorts, which where I live, wouldn't require any crazy permits.

I guess my question is, what would the load capacities be on a wooden skid under a shop? I'm certain I can get away with a 16X24 and be able to function. Would a 16X24 skid shop be insane? I've considered the idea of a pole barn, but the thought of digging in my backyard makes me tired. I live on a rock or a bunch of rocks, so to speak. That, and a slab would be required at some point.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm sure I'm leaving a lot of information out and I'll edit this as I remember things.

Thanks for your help.

KWashburn

 

[toxicz28]

Currently, my wife is making a pretty good case to get her car back in the garage, therefore leaving me with one less space to work.

Then, you're doing it wrong!

 

[Lotek_Racing]

I don't know how your relationship works but my wife is fine with the house being her space to do what she wants with and the garage is mine.

If it's your workplace as well and generates revenue, perhaps you should explain to her that it isn't a place to park a car but a place of business and that business makes the money you live on.

What about buying a cheap tent garage to park the car in?

Shawn

 

[kbs2244]

Cycles, even big ones, just are not all that heavy.
A floor of 2x6s on 2 foot centered and treated 4x6 support rails should be fine.
If you are worried about fire in a welding area, put down some cement board or steel.
If you can avoid a tax problem without a “permanent” floor, all the better.

If your current side driveway to the back is enough for a cycle then you are on your way.
I would avoid any kind of back alley access.
Just too much security problems.
Keep your back side solid and formidable.

Then build your shop to size and style you like.
A “Cowboy Town” façade facing the house may ease the martial strife, give the kids a place to play old fashioned Cowboys and Indians, and provide a front porch for a beer break..

 

[KWashburn]

Then, you're doing it wrong!

I've actually been doing it right. My wife hasn't parked in the garage in 10 years, which is how long we've known been together. Something or somebody told her it was ok to conjur up this brilliant idea. Somebody screwed me... Ha!

 

[KWashburn]

Cycles, even big ones, just are not all that heavy.
A floor of 2x6s on 2 foot centered and treated 4x6 support rails should be fine.
If you are worried about fire in a welding area, put down some cement board or steel.
If you can avoid a tax problem without a “permanent” floor, all the better.

If your current side driveway to the back is enough for a cycle then you are on your way.
I would avoid any kind of back alley access.
Just too much security problems.
Keep your back side solid and formidable.

Then build your shop to size and style you like.
A “Cowboy Town” façade facing the house may ease the martial strife, give the kids a place to play old fashioned Cowboys and Indians, and provide a front porch for a beer break..

I was pretty certain I could get away with some motorcycles in building. I wasn't entirely sure. What I am worried about is my machine equipment. Added up, that can be quite a bit of weight on the floor. I don't want to walk out and find everything at ground level when it shouldn't be.

I'm also wondering if a 4000 lbs. car is going to damage any structure I put down, as far as a skid goes. I recently acquired a 1949 Hudson Brougham, and quite honestly, that's a pig of a car. I'd hate to see that go thru the floor. But, this is all assuming I end up with some sort of alley access. I stood in the backyard last night for about an hour trying to figure something out. Lot's of ideas. Probably too many.

Thanks for your input!