New Shop

[MFortie]

Playing with ideas for a new shop. Our oldest is building an ADU (granny flat) on his 5-acre parcel and we're planning on moving there down the road.

My contribution will be a new shop that he and I will share for our toys, tools, etc. Looking at a 48'x80'x16' red iron building. We'll be storing his boat & SxS, my MH & Chevelle, a four post, a Max Jack (I already have both in my current shop) along with tools, a separate woodworking area, and if everything falls into place, a mezzanine 'mancave' (pool table, tv, music, etc.)

This is what I've come up with so far:

Floor plan:


Thoughts? Ideas? Criticisms? Other?

 

[nadogail]

You are going to need a bigger shop. Empty Space has a tendency to attract more tools, toys and projects.

 

[ericm]

How are you going to get a car on/off the four post lift when there's a car on the two post that's in being worked on?

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I'd look at a 12-16' wide lean to on the back 80' wall. Doors at both ends and store the MH/Boat/ETC there instead of in the shop itself. 48x80 is a heck of nice size shop but it looks like you're planning to have it mostly filled on day 1, that doesn't leave a whole lot of space for actually getting work done unless you're planning to move things in/out as needed?

Lift arrangement is workable because the max jack is portable. If you move to a regular two post at some point I'd definitely not want both lifts to be in the same bay.

 

[ktdtx]

Consider doors on both sides so can drive thru or in/out from either side without having to move other vehicles.
Looks like one heck of a nice place to hang out with a lot of toys!

 

[dante2]

The way you have the 2 lifts in the same bay will get old moving vehicles around. What about adding a door on the other side and flipping the 4 post?

 

[Metal-Marc]

a mezzanine 'mancave' (pool table, tv, music, etc.)

Forget that. Use this as either extra storage or shop space.

 

[u2slow]

Obviously, be sure to check your bylaws so far as max accessory building size and height, and if the dwelling unit is allowed (size/configuration limits also).

 

[CraigStu]

If you go for a fullsized 2 post you can just drive through it, and under whatever is on it. I worked for 9 years in a shop w/ 8 two 2 posts, 4 in front and 4 in back. Driving under a car on a lift became normal after maybe 3 days.

 

[MFortie]

All good points.

As to how I get in and out with car(s) on the lifts, I don't know that I'll be doing any more extensive auto work once my Chevelle is finished. The MaxJack is mainly for tire rotation, maybe brake work, working on the Can Am, etc. And I already own the 4-post and MaxJack and just plan to move them.

Different door configs -- there's access constraints on all the sides except the front. The way the property is configured and the other uses (horse corrals, the ADU, existing house, etc .), that's really the only location that works. My current 40x60 is setup almost the same way -- I do have a side rollup, but I pretty much only use it to park something inside. I can work with the access the way it's laid out.

Mancave -- I'm getting to the point where I just want to relax, play my guitar, have fun, and don't want to do much more work -- I'd rather spend time at the River, traveling in the RV, playing with the toys I already have, etc. I'm even questioning the woodworking area; I already have all of the tools shown on plan, but really haven't done much woodworking for years and not sure I want to invest in a new TS anyway. (I know, blasphemy!)

We've already talked to the County building dept and checked the codes for setbacks, square footage, coverage, height, etc., and everything is good. San Diego County is really pushing the ADU thing because housing is such an issue here (and expensive). Right now we are roughly an hour east of the City in a very rural area (close to the MX border); the house behind us sold for $650K a year or two ago and the one across the road is listed (and pending) for $699K. All are 5+ acres (as are we); our advantage is we have two houses on the property (rental income), my current shop, horse facilities, a vineyard; I'm thinking we are at least $750K if not more. Insane, IMHO.

After the move, we'll be back closer to the City and decent pizza! Less property maintenance, closer to the kids & gkids, medical, shopping, and so on.

 

[Model A Fan]

I'd go higher than 16'. That's only two 2x4s in height. I'd go up to at least 19' so you can have tall stuff and a full sized loft for a storage area, guest room, mancave, etc.

It sounds like you've basically opted to pay for lifetime storage for your RV, boat, and sidebyside instead of renting a storage unit somewhere. How often do you use the boat? RV? Could they be stored outside (given your temperate location)?

Sell your current house, for a few thousand dollars, you can get the nicest SawStop table saw and not feel the price tag sting given your sale. I'll be upgrading mine when I can sell my place and justify it.

Check out this barndominum video here for some good ideas. They did living house and shop. You could do all first floor shop and upper floor could be a cool place your grandkids would want to live in after they're "out of the house" but need to save money/go to school/etc.