mesquiteforge
Well-known member
After years of carports and small garages-I finally twisted off and started my shop build. In South Texas and the Hill Country of Texas we generally build red iron metal buildings for shops-at least the folks I hang around do anyway-primarily because we all have welders and/or know someone who can build one.
The place I bought is six acres and due to my desire to keep as many trees and stay within my bounds of a power line right-of-way....I kept the footprint down and built up. Settled on 30x40x16, with a 1:12 pitch roof. Light Stone colored walls with dark charcoal trim and galvalum roof. The site drops 2.5' on the 40' run so we had to bag and back fill the foundation. The outside walls on the low end are 3' deep by 1' and at least a 1'x1' beam on the high side. A combination of 3/8, 1/2, and 5/8" rebar was used-no wire mesh, no expansion joints or cuts made- average thickness around 5-6" ending up pouring 47.5 yards including two 10'x20' aprons. I have two 12x12' doors, one 10x10' door with a loading dock and one 3x7 walk door. I am finishing out the interior with a office and full bathroom. I have a loft for storage upstairs and eventually will turn part of the area into a guest room and closet.
I work full time as a oilfield communications sales rep-and have had a passion for metal work and blacksmithing most of my life. The shop will primarily be a modern blacksmith shop-coal forge, gas forge,anvils, hammers and tons of other tools-literally tons-hence the reason for the loading dock.
I also kayak, scuba dive, enjoy some woodwork, and reload some ammo..so I tried to incorporate plans for all of the interests..
I am extremely busy with work-so if you have questions and don't get an answer right away - be patient with me.
As of now- 7/12/14- I still have to get my electrical (3phase already run to pole next to building-lucked out on that one), lighting (T-5 6bulb high bays in shop on two separate circuits to make it dark over the forge when I need to see my heat- led cans in the office and bathroom), plumb my toilet shower and sink, install septic lift station, install rainwater catchment and filtration from gutters- stain and seal the floors-geez- lot left to do...oh and plumb the air compressor too...
Anyway-take a look at the pics if you like and let me know what y'all think!
Thanks for the years of info that I've gleaned from this site- it has helped me to put together a shop that I've been scheming for at least 20 years.
Embed plates.
Starting the pour..
Insulation and siding going up..
The place I bought is six acres and due to my desire to keep as many trees and stay within my bounds of a power line right-of-way....I kept the footprint down and built up. Settled on 30x40x16, with a 1:12 pitch roof. Light Stone colored walls with dark charcoal trim and galvalum roof. The site drops 2.5' on the 40' run so we had to bag and back fill the foundation. The outside walls on the low end are 3' deep by 1' and at least a 1'x1' beam on the high side. A combination of 3/8, 1/2, and 5/8" rebar was used-no wire mesh, no expansion joints or cuts made- average thickness around 5-6" ending up pouring 47.5 yards including two 10'x20' aprons. I have two 12x12' doors, one 10x10' door with a loading dock and one 3x7 walk door. I am finishing out the interior with a office and full bathroom. I have a loft for storage upstairs and eventually will turn part of the area into a guest room and closet.
I work full time as a oilfield communications sales rep-and have had a passion for metal work and blacksmithing most of my life. The shop will primarily be a modern blacksmith shop-coal forge, gas forge,anvils, hammers and tons of other tools-literally tons-hence the reason for the loading dock.
I also kayak, scuba dive, enjoy some woodwork, and reload some ammo..so I tried to incorporate plans for all of the interests..
I am extremely busy with work-so if you have questions and don't get an answer right away - be patient with me.
As of now- 7/12/14- I still have to get my electrical (3phase already run to pole next to building-lucked out on that one), lighting (T-5 6bulb high bays in shop on two separate circuits to make it dark over the forge when I need to see my heat- led cans in the office and bathroom), plumb my toilet shower and sink, install septic lift station, install rainwater catchment and filtration from gutters- stain and seal the floors-geez- lot left to do...oh and plumb the air compressor too...
Anyway-take a look at the pics if you like and let me know what y'all think!
Thanks for the years of info that I've gleaned from this site- it has helped me to put together a shop that I've been scheming for at least 20 years.
Embed plates.
Starting the pour..
Insulation and siding going up..
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