Inexperienced needs advice on garage

[Gilad]

Hello everyone--

I am building a new garage and, although I have no experience working on cars, I would like to start taking courses and begin working on my cars. Framing was just completed and the plumber and electrician are about to start.

The garage is about 565sq feet and is an oversized 2 car garage with 12.5ft ceilings for two lifts (I was advised to get a 4 post and a 2 post).

I am having a central vacuum installed, 220v lines for the two lifts, hot and cold water, a wall vent with power for exhaust venting, and plenty of outlets.

I need help with the air compressor concept. I know the air compressor is needed for the lifts, filling tires, some tools, and for air jacks.

What is the minimum strength of the air compressor that makes sense to get?

How should the copper air lines be positioned, how many outlets? What is a surface mounted air jack? Is that the outlet? Should the compressor just have one outlet and a rubber hose that reaches all corners of the garage?

Sorry about my lack of knowledge, but I have to start somewhere. Basically, I don't really know much about the varied roles of the air compressors and need to give the subs instructions about how to plumb.

Thank you very much.

Also, any other must have items for the garage?

 

[dungbeetle]

What kind of cars?

 

[comp]

your lifts are air not electric

 

[Gilad]

Answers

Lifts:
From what I understand, some of the lifts require airjacks for the mechanism engagement or disengagement, but they are electric. I learned about the single post lift on a recent thread and am now looking into these lifts for space conservation. Fortunately, they reinforced the concrete floor and I think it is 8" thick with dense rebar framework.

Cars:
Ferrari and Porsche for now

 

[comp]

cool

 

[Brian]

You are going to put two lifts in a garage thats only 565sq feet? I would seriously reconsider that as the lifts will take up some space in your already small garage. There are some threads on this site discusing the different types. Whatever you get I would stick with just one. In my opinion some guys go a little over the top in equiping their garages at the expense of open space to work in.

For the air compressor the most important thing to look at is the CFM it will produce at 90 PSI. Maximum pressure produced is less important as most tools only require 90 PSI, though a few may take more. Horsepower is unimportant.
Air tools are rated for the amount of air they consume. If the most air hungry tool you have uses 12 CFM @ 90 PSI you will want a compressor that will deliver at least that much air. Bigger is even better as it will cycle on and off less often.

By "air jack" I think you are refering to the couplers?
Running copper air lines around the garage is all a matter of convienience. Having lots of couplers around is nice but with the size of your garage you could probably get away with just running hoses from the compressor. You will want more than one coupler available whatever you do.

any other must have items for the garage?

Compact beer fridge.

 

[Roadster]

Lifts:
From what I understand, some of the lifts require airjacks for the mechanism engagement or disengagement, but they are electric. I learned about the single post lift on a recent thread and am now looking into these lifts for space conservation. Fortunately, they reinforced the concrete floor and I think it is 8" thick with dense rebar framework.

Cars:
Ferrari and Porsche for now

I suspect that you have hydraulic lifts that are operated off of electric power (220 volts), rather than air-operated. The air-jack is probably a scissors-lift mechanism that sits between the two ramps of the 4-post lift.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

FWIW, compressor tank size (gallons) and air-moving capacity (cubic feet per minute) are usually determined based upon the consumption parameters of the air tools you plan to use. If all you're planning to do with air is use an air impact wrench to remove tires and such, then you don't need a large tank or air-moving capacity. However, if you're planning to use a dual-action sander or paint with a high volume low pressure (HVLP) spray gun in your new garage, then you'll need a large air tank and a high-volume compressor. Air compressors choices are really driven by anticipated uses.

 

[Gilad]

good points

good point about two lifts. although this 2 car garage is the second garage to a large 3 car garage, it does make sense to only put one lift in for now but pre-wire for a second if this garage becomes more storage vs. work space.

thanks for the explanation about the compressor

 

[Tx Firefighter]

Not to be a ****, but if you have the financial means to play with a Ferrari and a Porsche, just buy a very big compressor. In the scheme of things, even a large compressor probably won't be a big deal for you financially.

Personally, I do about everything automotive in my shop including a blast cabinet and drawers full of air tools, including HVLP paint gun. I have an 80 gallon upright with 7 horsepower motor. It works fine. Cost was about 800 dollars about 10 years ago, probably 1000 bucks today.

 

[logical]

Never known a Porsche and Ferrari owner to not elaborate on what models they were

 

[Gilad]

Sorry

As of this weekend (996 TT gone), my only sports car is a
2006 F430 F1 black/black Coupe
shields, yellow tach, yellow calipers, power Daytona seats, leather headliner, leather rear shelf, dark grey stitching, battery tender wiring, navigation, carbon dash inserts and is 2 weeks old today. How is that for detail. My 2007 F430 F1 Spider is due to arrive in Feb 2007 and will be similarly equipped plus HiFi upgrade. Tried to attach photo, however upload window would not load--sorry.

I will go for the more powerful compressor--thanks!!!

 

[Hugh Morrow]

On running air lines in the shop if can run the line the longest way around the shop to your user piont. If you can have the line full circle that is also better. Run copper lines as it will allow for heat disapation and you will have less water problems. If you look up on the net for paint shop instals you can get the best advise as painters use a lot of air so every thing counts. Cool air and no moisture. Get a good cast irion compressor with a very good duty cycle. Will last a lifetime. You do not want a compressor that runs like a buzz box and gets hot. They are just trouble. You wind up with water and if you get it hot enough also get an oily froth in your lines which will ruin your regulators not to mention whatever tool you are useing.

 

[krooser]

Use the search function for info on compressors, lifts, etc. Lots of info has already been covered.

Good luck.