New Workshop in SE Texas

[BoydS]

I live in Texas several miles south of the Houston area on a few acres. I've been planning a workshop for years as several folks have on this forum and I finally got things started. The shop is a 40x60x12 building steel building rated at 120mph winds (hurricanes down here). Site prep began back last year and the shop was erected this past weekend. The shop utilities are 200A UG electrical service and roughed in for plumbing. I decided on 4 OH coiled doors, 3 of them being 10x10 and a 12x12. I also had 2 mandoors installed. There are 6 transmitting light panels in the roof, which are also rated at 120mph as well as insulated. I still need to finish out the interior, which includes the electrical, plumbing and the office area.

I have several vehicles that are to be stored in the shop, one of them is posted (see pic). That vehicle is a 1952 Dodge M37. Being an old military truck, it ain't built for comfort nor speed. But it is a workhorse. I also have a few motorcycles that need a bit of work. One being a 1971 Triumpth Bonneville and the other is a 1992 Harley. I also have a great interest in old flatfender jeeps.

 

[bassman]

Thats a nice gar, and dodge also. I had a 69 650 boneville. You have great taste!

 

[benjacobs]

For a 52, the Dodge looks brand new... awesome! The garage is huge, it should make the perfect shop. What's that sticking up on the top of it?

 

[e-tek]

Man I love those old military vehicles. If I could get my hands on one of those big odd trucks I'd never let it go. Have you seen the one Stacey David rebuilt on Trucks a couple years back?

Great shop - let's see the tools!!

 

[caropepe]

Great building for great stuff! I used to live near Kemah, in Clear Lake Shores and have family (wife's) in Friendswood & Pearland. Small world.

How about some shots of the interior?

-Joe

 

[Bib Overalls]

Rode many a mile in M37s. Though. Yours looks like a gem.

And your shop looks outstanding too. How about a photo tour inside?

 

[Texbowhunter316]

Hey BoydS , where are you at in SE Texas? I am in Mauriceville..Orange County.. Very nice shop you have there BTW.

 

[insane1]

Hey, from a guy about 4 hours north of Houston! Got any more pics from other angles, and inside shots.

 

[BoydS]

Thanks for the comments. Still alot to do.

benjacobs
For a 52, the Dodge looks brand new... awesome! The garage is huge, it should make the perfect shop. What's that sticking up on the top of it?

Thats a ridge vent on top of the building.

e-tekMan
I love those old military vehicles. If I could get my hands on one of those big odd trucks I'd never let it go. Have you seen the one Stacey David rebuilt on Trucks a couple years back?

Great shop - let's see the tools!!

Actually the M37 isn't that large of a truck. I'm trying to stay with the smaller military vehicles because of storage room. The reason for looking into the jeeps. But if I ever come across a tank or a DUKW, I'll jump on it. Tools, heck I only have a crescent wrench, a few sockets and a big hammer .

Bib Overalls
Rode many a mile in M37s. Though. Yours looks like a gem.

And your shop looks outstanding too. How about a photo tour inside?

Thanks Bib, I sure would like to hear about your experiences with these old trucks. As you know they were manufactored for the Korean war and later used in Vietnam. I believe they were still used into the mid 70's and then decomissioned.The truck I have was a radio truck and still has the original 100 amp charging system and 24V electrical system.

Since the building was just erected, things on the inside are a bit bare. Once the erectors punch list is closed, I'll have the flooring completed. The next item to be adressed will be the electrical. Lots of lights and receptacles to be installed. This weekend will be the installation of the service panel.

Here are a few more pics.

This corner is for the office and toilet. I still need to frame and cutout an area in the wall for the a/c unit.

Here's a shot of the 12x12 OH door.

A view of the 2 10x10 OH doors. The barn out in the background is where I store some equipment, but will be torn down soon. THe red storage shed will be gone soon also.

A view of the back.

Meter and disconnect.

Squre D 200A service panel to be mounted. This weekends project.

Notice the ridge vent.

 

[toadjammer]

Can the vents be blocked or closed off during heating season?

 

[wagonmaster]

Looks great! Hope I can afford a similar one when retirement is here in a couple of years.....

 

[Bevis]

Nice looking shop...

 

[nathank]

Another Texan!

Very good looking building. Is it Mueller?

 

[BoydS]

Originally posted by toadjammer
Can the vents be blocked or closed off during heating season?

Yes, the vent can be closed.

Originally posted by nathank
Another Texan!

Very good looking building. Is it Mueller?

The building mfg is Metallic, however I did consider Mueller and Whirlwind. All are very good buildings. When I visited the Mueller facility here, the salesman gave me the impression I was wasting his time. Therefore no sale.

When I was making my punch list for the building erector I noticed light from the outside above the OH doors. After further inspection, it just so happens that there is a gap of about 3" plus between the top of the door (when closed) and the header. Ok, I see a problem here. This a great place for birds to enter the building. Now I am really concerned. So, this morning I contact DBCI (door mfg) to question this gap and express my concerns. The technician I spoke with told me this was normal and that an optional header seal is available to prevent my concern of critters entering. Ok, how much does this cost, I ask. I'm told that this seal is only $1.95 a linear foot. I can handle that cost, but I sure wish I knew that up front. Since DBCI has a rep in this area, I ask if he could come out and inspect the installation of these doors. Not a problem they say. Not really having a problem with the doors (other than header seal), I just want a warm fuzzy that they were installed per spec. Hey, since the inspection is free ... I'm going for it. I'm not critizing the door installer, I just want to know that I'm getting what I paid for. If anyone has experience with this door, I sure would appreciate some feedback.

 

[insane1]

I had the issue w/the gap at the top of both of my doors, then again the guy that built my building is an idiot so I figured it was how he installed them at first.

I was more conserned on keeping my shop heated than birds. Turns out they make a "wind" gaurd that is more like broom brissels and does wonders on keeping the cold air from getting inside, you might want to check into those.

 

[bluesman2a]

When I was making my punch list for the building erector I noticed light from the outside above the OH doors. After further inspection, it just so happens that there is a gap of about 3" plus between the top of the door (when closed) and the header. Ok, I see a problem here. This a great place for birds to enter the building.

Actually this is a COMMON occurance, regardless of door brand or who installed it. It's cause the roll of the door is bigger when it's up (and you need the space for it to operate properly), then when it's closed the diameter of the roll is smaller, hence the gap.

As Charles has pointed out several times, the only real soluton to this is to put a taller door into a smaller opening so the gap is less (say 12' door on a 10' opening). Unfortunately this does nothing for all of us who have made this mistake and the doors are in.

I have the broom seal and it's really cheesy. Worth the money if you don't have any other options, but I'd love to have a better option if there is one.

BTW, that's a GORGEOUS M-37 you have... I'm an M-715 guy myself, so I can appreciate the blood and sweat that you've put in.

 

[RobSmith]

Look like you've got some room around the back to relocate the little red barn. You could put your compressor in there and the garden stuff. Making more room for the important things.

 

[dbeaty]

Nice! I like the door arrangement. Good looking building!

 

[BoydS]

Originally posted by bluesman2a
BTW, that's a GORGEOUS M-37 you have... I'm an M-715 guy myself

I like the M715 myself and still on the lookout for one as well as a flatfender jeep. But for some reason I really like the old Dodges most. Future plans include tearing down the old barn and building something to house more vehicles. Got any pics of that M715..?

As for the OH door gap, I've decided to go with a nylon brush seal. I did have the drums moved a bit closer to the header and by doing that the gap is now only 2-3 inches.

Originally posted by RobSmith
Look like you've got some room around the back to relocate the little red barn. You could put your compressor in there and the garden stuff. Making more room for the important things.

That's not a bad idea, but I have plans for the compressor. The small red shed is 10x12 and will be put up for sale. I need to get rid of some of these outbuildings.

Originally posted by dbeaty
Nice! I like the door arrangement. Good looking building!

Thanks, I wanted a drive through and thats why I put the OH doors on each end.

Still lots to do, but the slab finish is first on the list. Gotta start moving things in soon.

 

[bluesman2a]

I like the M715 myself and still on the lookout for one as well as a flatfender jeep. But for some reason I really like the old Dodges most. Future plans include tearing down the old barn and building something to house more vehicles. Got any pics of that M715.

I hear you Boyd, green just gets in a man's blood after a while... Here are some more pics, it was a pretty long project (and still is), so various stages:

http://www.sjmembers.com/gallery/herb

 

[wagonmaster]

Boyd,
Great lookin' Shop and toys! Waht does a building like that cost in Texas, if you don't mind me askin'??

 

[BoydS]

Originally posted by bluesman2a
I hear you Boyd, green just gets in a man's blood after a while... Here are some more pics, it was a pretty long project (and still is), so various stages

Say I checked out your gallery and I must admit that's a great looking M715. Many hours spent on that work I'm sure. Also, you've got a great place there, very impressive.

Originally posted by wagonmaster
Boyd,
Great lookin' Shop and toys! Waht does a building like that cost in Texas, if you don't mind me askin'??

Thanks and I don't mind the question. The base cost of the building was around 15K, but then as you start adding in the extras the cost goes up. Extras I had included are: the OH doors (including 3 framed openings), mandoors (locks), insulation, ridge vent, window, transluscent roof panels, 1 OH door electrical operator. The building was also designed for 120 mph wind as are all of the doors, window and light panels. All of these extras ran the total building cost to just shy of 25k. Believe me, I did get several quotes from many mfgs and all are about the same (give or take a grand or so). I also only wanted a reptuable mfg, someone that has been in the business for many years and would stand behind their product.

Those numbers only reflect the building cost. Don't forget you need a foundation (and site prep), building erection, flatwork, electrical and plumbing if you so desire. With all of these other needs you can easily double the base building cost for an estimated total cost. It just depends on what you want and what you can do on your own. A few permits were also required, but not at a great cost.

I've been savings for many a year to be able to afford this and I wish you the best on your future shop, as I know you'll enjoy many hours there in your retirement.

 

[35mastr]

Boyd,That seems like one hell of a deal considering the amount of square feet you have there.

I dont think that you could ever stick build it for anything near that.

Materials alone would of exceeded the initial 15K.

I think you got a great deal.

 

[bluesman2a]

Say I checked out your gallery and I must admit that's a great looking M715. Many hours spent on that work I'm sure. Also, you've got a great place there, very impressive.

Thank you for the kind words, sir, right back at you, on both counts!

 

[wagonmaster]

Looks like a great investment to me!! Thanks for the info!