dadz34
Member
I've been wanting to build a shop of my own for the past decade but life and business has got in the way as it can do sometimes. Well, the waiting period is finally over. I'm now ready to plan, build and enjoy a shop of my own and I could benefit from the experience of those who have gone before me on this journey.
This is my first post as I didn't want to invest anyone's time before I was ready to make use of their advice, but I have been periodically browsing other's posts to learn over the past many years.
I grew up spending time in my dad's shop building old hot rods and thus try to pass the torch to my son so he will have some sense of ability when full grown. While we spent the majority of our time building chassis' and welding metal projects...we also did our share of paint & body (ugh!). Hopefully I can teach these skills to my son. We've already started a project together on the HAMB where we built a chassis for his 1951 Chevrolet Truck from scratch using rectangular tubing.
I've been renting a 50'x50' shop for the past 7-8 years because the HOA wont allow shops in our neighborhood. I've finally decided that spending $1000 per month for rent is just not worth living in this neighborhood any longer so we have bought a new home a few miles farther out of town where 80% of the homeowners share the same needs as I do. I've decided a 40'x50' should be sufficient since the current space is about 50% full of necessities including various tools & equipment such as a Chassis Table/Metal work bench (5'x12'), TIG, MIG, Lathe, Mill, Vertical & Horizontal Band Saws, Shop Press, Belt Sanders, Polishers, Rolling & Adjustable Gantry Crane, Auto Rotisserie, Blasting Cabinet, Air Compressors, etc.
My questions are about design and best practices for making the most efficient use of the space due to requirements/needs. I will be installing a 2-Post Lift, as well as 12'x14' doors on both front and rear so I can pull through with a trailer. I plan to put the machine shop in one corner so as to minimize dust/debris and most likely build an air compressor room to reduce the noise. I also plan to extend out on the South side of the building so I can work under the shade with a southern breeze as it get's hot in North Texas during the summer months.
Any other ideas, suggestions or warnings would be appreciated. I'm trying to decide how the shop should layout with respect to doors, areas, lift, etc. I've put a lot of thought into this, but it never hurts to listen to good advice if it's available. I need to make as efficient use of space as possible. Thanks in advance.
Here are the preliminary ideas of construction for critique...
This is my first post as I didn't want to invest anyone's time before I was ready to make use of their advice, but I have been periodically browsing other's posts to learn over the past many years.
I grew up spending time in my dad's shop building old hot rods and thus try to pass the torch to my son so he will have some sense of ability when full grown. While we spent the majority of our time building chassis' and welding metal projects...we also did our share of paint & body (ugh!). Hopefully I can teach these skills to my son. We've already started a project together on the HAMB where we built a chassis for his 1951 Chevrolet Truck from scratch using rectangular tubing.
I've been renting a 50'x50' shop for the past 7-8 years because the HOA wont allow shops in our neighborhood. I've finally decided that spending $1000 per month for rent is just not worth living in this neighborhood any longer so we have bought a new home a few miles farther out of town where 80% of the homeowners share the same needs as I do. I've decided a 40'x50' should be sufficient since the current space is about 50% full of necessities including various tools & equipment such as a Chassis Table/Metal work bench (5'x12'), TIG, MIG, Lathe, Mill, Vertical & Horizontal Band Saws, Shop Press, Belt Sanders, Polishers, Rolling & Adjustable Gantry Crane, Auto Rotisserie, Blasting Cabinet, Air Compressors, etc.
My questions are about design and best practices for making the most efficient use of the space due to requirements/needs. I will be installing a 2-Post Lift, as well as 12'x14' doors on both front and rear so I can pull through with a trailer. I plan to put the machine shop in one corner so as to minimize dust/debris and most likely build an air compressor room to reduce the noise. I also plan to extend out on the South side of the building so I can work under the shade with a southern breeze as it get's hot in North Texas during the summer months.
Any other ideas, suggestions or warnings would be appreciated. I'm trying to decide how the shop should layout with respect to doors, areas, lift, etc. I've put a lot of thought into this, but it never hurts to listen to good advice if it's available. I need to make as efficient use of space as possible. Thanks in advance.
Here are the preliminary ideas of construction for critique...
