Wiring a Quonset

[Road Dog]

I'm hoping to get some details on how to convert a bare wall steel Quonset into a fully electrified shop.

I'm certain I'll spray foam, but before I do I need to add some framing and the electrical. I think I'm on track with the framing but I'm stumped on the best ways to hang lighting and attach conduit. Any help would be appreciated.

I've toured the other posts and done searches and have picked up some details on the spray foam and framing, but I'm not finding the electrical piece. Feel free to redirect me if this has been discussed.

I can't post pictures yet as I'm not in full possession of the property, but it's a galvanized steel unit with walls that rise around 5' straight before arching.

 

[gnpenning]

Most steel Quonset type buildings are held together with thousands of thru bolts. You can use these to attach clamps for your conduit and light fixtures. Years ago I put one up and had no issue installing electrical components with having plenty of options and different levels for attaching.

 

[kd3pc]

If you can, keep the conduit/EMT on the straight walls....I know - lights will still be an issue.

I have not done one in years, but when we did, we built a 2x4 jig with the correct radius of the steel and pre-bent ( I was the apprentice then) a lot of 3/4" EMT to then run up to the lights. I used beam clamps knocked in to the "joints" to hold the EMT, not sure what you would use in areas where there was not something to knock a clamp on to. Obviously, drilling a hole through the steel is not desirable.

Is there any structure on the bends at all, to attach something to? How high is the center?

perhaps others, with more current skill will enlighten.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Spent a lot of time in Quonsets. All that I have seen had the panel and light switches mounted on a flat end wall, then up to conduit running the length of the building. Conduit secured with clamps on the bolts holding the steel together.

 

[TurnipTruck]

I used hundreds of sheet metal brackets held to the roof bolts by a second nut. Some brackets were Z, some were channel, some were L. I ran conduit and domestic water and air piping thru holes in the brackets prior to foaming. I also hung fluorescent fixtures and fans and exhaust ducts and a lightweight drying rack.

 

[Road Dog]

I used hundreds of sheet metal brackets held to the roof bolts by a second nut. Some brackets were Z, some were channel, some were L. I ran conduit and domestic water and air piping thru holes in the brackets prior to foaming. I also hung fluorescent fixtures and fans and exhaust ducts and a lightweight drying rack.

Any chance you have a few photos you could send along? I'd sure hate to burn my brains up thinking when I could just pimp your ideas!

 

[Road Dog]

If you can, keep the conduit/EMT on the straight walls....I know - lights will still be an issue.

I have not done one in years, but when we did, we built a 2x4 jig with the correct radius of the steel and pre-bent ( I was the apprentice then) a lot of 3/4" EMT to then run up to the lights. I used beam clamps knocked in to the "joints" to hold the EMT, not sure what you would use in areas where there was not something to knock a clamp on to. Obviously, drilling a hole through the steel is not desirable.

Is there any structure on the bends at all, to attach something to? How high is the center?

perhaps others, with more current skill will enlighten.

Center is 12' I believe. I get possession of the property tomorrow so I'll have some better details then. I'm not sure on the bends. I don't recall seeing anything but smooth metal but I've only seen the place twice, so wasn't grabbing all of the important details. I like this idea, seems simple enough.