small shop 10x20'

[GRHebard]

i'm new to the forum, i'm living in downtown Salt Lake City and i'm on a budget, so i've got a pretty small shop. but i'm trying to make the best with what i've got.

i do light fabrication, specifically with motorcycles, but i build whatever. i'm still relatively young (23 years old), so i'm still expanding my collection of tools and learning about organization and everything.

heres a picture of the shop, it was a storage unit before i move my stuff in, its got three 110v electrical outlets, and it fits one bike on the stand, with two more bikes staggered at the front of the shop. my landlord is putting in more florescent lights soon, which will make it quite a bit brighter.
i'd like to hear what you guys think.

built a shelf:

 

[GRHebard]

i'd like to sheet-rock the ceiling and recess the lights into it, re-concrete the floor (it's so uneven! all the benches are shimmed), and paint the walls a light grey.

a skylight would be awesome too, but i'd be kicking myself if it ended up leaking. i haven't really had the opportunity to do many of these things before, i've never owned a house or anything so i'm new to this stuff.

 

[Flange]

Looks like a space with lots of potential even if (by American standards) its small. You will get lots of ideas on here and if you think about it and plan you layout properly you will have a great place for your bikes.

I am not certain but do you get cold winters in Salt Lake City? I am asking because I note you have a gap between the top of the wall and the roof. Some insulation and sheet rock would make a huge difference but it would depend on how long you plan to stay there because at the end of the day you will be improving your landlords property and not your own.

 

[GRHebard]

yeah, it gets snowy here, but its usually sunny and in the mid 40s. but the fact that we don't own it is probably the main reason we haven't done any big changes.
my lardlord is pretty cool tho, so i think he would probably discount the rent, or pay for some of the materials.

i'm using a diesel space heater right now, and i think i'd rather figure something else out. the heater is meant for a much larger space, and even with the door cracked it still gets a little bit fumes.

i'm hoping to figure something else out, maybe a wood-pellet stove or something, but its not that big of a deal right now.

 

[Zengineer]

Don't be so quick to talk yourself out of a skylight, it would be awesome in that place and easy to install on that flat roof! Make sure you do some reseach first, but they aren't tough.

Great little shop, not much smaller than mine. Lots of room for motorcycles!

 

[ed_v]

You can do a lot in a space that size if you put your mind to it. My garage at my townhome back in Illinois is that size. I did numerous projects there. Keep us posted on your progress.

Ed

 

[Mystic142]

Just my opinion - I would not spend any money upgrading the building. Get whatever you can out of the landlord and save your money for upgraded tools or a down payment on your own place in the future.

 

[Bronson]

Welcome to the GJ. I used to live in SLC, I liked it. Are you on xs650.com? Dont put any money into that space You dont have to, it belongs to the Landlord. Keep posting pics as You can. Stay warm!

 

[ed_v]

Just my opinion - I would not spend any money upgrading the building. Get whatever you can out of the landlord and save your money for upgraded tools or a down payment on your own place in the future.

This is good advice. Spend the money on tooling.

Ed