Those who have had a shop built...

[Gordys74]

This may be just a local thing, but I would consider the idea of a tire machine. It's getting ever harder in my area to find someone who fixes tires.

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

Finally started

Due to weather and road restrictions here in Spokane, the builder can only work on our project. Large crew has the shop going up fast.

 

[74BroncoCO]

Good news for you!

 

[sk1nw4lk3r]

I had a custome 40x60 Pole Barn built. 14ft side walls, OSB sheathing on the roof and walls. Insulated it, and put up OSB walls on the inside. All that's left is a self-contained heat/AC unit on a slab behind the building, ductwork in the rafters, and then a ceiling.

I literally provided my builder this drawing I made of what I wanted... and he built it.

I did 14 ft sidewalls, to accommodate a hoist. I also gave a garage door designated to it.

Epoxy floors are a must. Do them before you put anything in it. You can do it yourself. Bought the kits are Lowes, did it on my own. It's all in the prep work. Do it before you get greases and grime on the floor.

You can NEVER have too many outlets. I also went with LED lighting all the way around. From the lights under the widows peaks, to the goosenecks on the outside, to the 4 tubes inside. All LED.

 

[74BroncoCO]

I have garage and toy envy!! What a great shop! Are you going to paint the walls to brighten up a bit more? Seems like good lighting as is!

 

[sk1nw4lk3r]

I have garage and toy envy!! What a great shop! Are you going to paint the walls to brighten up a bit more? Seems like good lighting as is!

I haven't decided. Was considering doing all of the walls in reclaimed barnwood... then I realized that was going to be like $5000 worth of wood, then planing it and install. PASS. I'll likely leave it raw OSB. Don't mind the look, and hides holes when I drill screws into it to mount things.

 

[bmc69]

We recently finished converting all of the 4' overheard lights to LED. What an upgrade!...no more buzzing and weak floro tubes and ballasts.

84 tubes in all. Weren't cheap, but we already see the difference in the monthly electric bill.

 

[BroncoInVA]

I may be repeating some things said here, but here goes:

We have a 50' x 75' metal shop building (ordered it from Heritage Building Systems, Little Rock, AK. VERY pleased with their product!).

1. We used fiber reinforced concrete. Was a little more expensive, but did not have to use metal mesh and has now held up great for almost 20 years.

2. Doors: one 10' door on the long axis, one 8' door in the center of the short axis. works nicely.

3. Electrical: Placed a four receptacle outlet on the wall of every 25' bay. If I had it to do over again I would add floor receptacles at the front of the bays. Lots of drop cords used.

4. We have a large stationary compressor mounted in it's own shed on the exterior of the building. Keeps the noise down nicely. We've mounted two hose reels near the center of the building on a cabinet. If I had to do it again would likely use ceiling mounted reels with drop down hoses.

5. Had this "brilliant" idea to put a grated drain down the center of the building with the floor sloped to the center. BAD idea. Every time we try to roll an engine stand, jack, or crane across it, it catches. Next building will have floor sloped toward outside with small drains. LEARN from this mistake!

6. The original idea was to have work bays on the sides with a "pass through area" down the center. We bought the building with 12' walls and a 14' peak to facilitate building a storage loft. It never got built. Now the "work bays" are storage and the "pass through" is the work area. LEARN from this mistake!

Actually planning to build another building the same size to become our main work building and this one will become dry storage. We now have 9 vehicles in semi-permanent storage inside the building. Not how we planned to utilize the space, but no great plan ever survives uncompromised...

Hope this helps anyone making plans for building.

 

[Skiddy]

will be starting dirt work for mine next week
where are you all getting your floor paint from? I know I want epoxy

 

[wepuckett]

I have read this whole thread a couple times and finally pulled the triger Friday for a 24 x 30 shop wish I could go bigger but it is what I can afford right now and with the company I got it from, not only is the manufacturer just down the road but they offer addons for lean too's that I can do later when more money is available. I will have 6x6 posts with steel trusses engineered to support 2k lbs or more and am planning ahead by having 12ft walls so I can add a lift later on, also having concrete poured to 6inches thick for that reason as well. I bought some led lights on black friday this past year I was planning on upgrading some tube lights in the basement but guess since I havn't done that yet they are going in the shop now. Liked the idea of the compressor outside and will consider that when I upgrade compressor as all I have now is an upright 60gal compressor, witch I am thinking of doing as one person suggested mount up high and sound proof around it a little. Still working a lot of details out but I have a builder that will do concrete and put it up for me coming out to give me my first quote tomorrow afternoon. Planning on putting a toilet and sink in, also thinking of a basic shower so if an emergency happens can rinse off quickly.

One of the things I was wondering is how is everyone doing hot water, are they running it from another building or putting in a hot water heater?

I saw someone say run air and electric lines under the concrete for a lift, can someone explain that for me?

As for electric and air connections can you tell me what you like better overhead or floor lvl connections?

Thanks for all the responses as they have helped me, and thanks for starting this thread.

 

[Pa PITT]

.. OK My shop was 40X40 .. I JUST ADDED ONTO IT .. 40x30 so now it's 70 by 40
.. My ceiling in the Add on & it's 12'3''.
Not enough, I found a lift for $500.00. but it's 12' 7'' tall .. I'm sick. But I do believe 16 is a waist of 3 feet..
Some one said lighting was very necessary .. Yes it is you just can't have too much.

 

[Skiddy]

I have read this whole thread a couple times and finally pulled the triger Friday for a 24 x 30 shop wish I could go bigger but it is what I can afford right now and with the company I got it from, not only is the manufacturer just down the road but they offer addons for lean too's that I can do later when more money is available. I will have 6x6 posts with steel trusses engineered to support 2k lbs or more and am planning ahead by having 12ft walls so I can add a lift later on, also having concrete poured to 6inches thick for that reason as well. I bought some led lights on black friday this past year I was planning on upgrading some tube lights in the basement but guess since I havn't done that yet they are going in the shop now. Liked the idea of the compressor outside and will consider that when I upgrade compressor as all I have now is an upright 60gal compressor, witch I am thinking of doing as one person suggested mount up high and sound proof around it a little. Still working a lot of details out but I have a builder that will do concrete and put it up for me coming out to give me my first quote tomorrow afternoon. Planning on putting a toilet and sink in, also thinking of a basic shower so if an emergency happens can rinse off quickly.

One of the things I was wondering is how is everyone doing hot water, are they running it from another building or putting in a hot water heater?

I saw someone say run air and electric lines under the concrete for a lift, can someone explain that for me?

As for electric and air connections can you tell me what you like better overhead or floor lvl connections?

Thanks for all the responses as they have helped me, and thanks for starting this thread.

My son-inlaw's mom works at the place in town where I am getting mine from (a little discount). the other son-inlaw works in the concrete field and will be doing the concrete.
mine will be 12' walls as well.
I will be running the air along the walls with drains every so often. I won't have water or sewer for a while but will go ahead and put the connections in the concrete.
my air compressor will be outside
a new larger compressor, electric and new welder will be on hold for a little while. after I recoup some $$ from the building

 

[wepuckett]

Oh sorry forgot to post where I got it from as they ship all over the world and all american made.

http://www.rrironworks.com/building-products/

 

[Timmy390]

One of the things I was wondering is how is everyone doing hot water, are they running it from another building or putting in a hot water heater?

I put in a small 6 gal Point-of-Use-Mini-Tank-Water-Heater that sits beside my utility sink. Uses a standard 120 outlet. Works great.......

Tim

 

[Wyflyer]

Since i'm moving to the Greeley area soon, i've been exploring the concept of buying raw land big enough for a dirt airstrip and building a home/hanger/shop. Here in Texas i've heard it called a 'barndominium' or 'hanger-home'.
I know a few who have done it, and the cost of course depends on how extravagant it gets for living space.
I have a lot to figure out but it's a possibility. Land prices in that area may prohibit it;(

 

[Pa PITT]

Where is GRELEY .. COLORADO or N. Carolina or you still staying in Texas.

 

[Skiddy]

Where is GRELEY .. COLORADO or N. Carolina or you still staying in Texas.

yes, Greeley colorado

 

[sprdv1]

You'll make it happen bud.. Good luck

Since i'm moving to the Greeley area soon, i've been exploring the concept of buying raw land big enough for a dirt airstrip and building a home/hanger/shop. Here in Texas i've heard it called a 'barndominium' or 'hanger-home'.
I know a few who have done it, and the cost of course depends on how extravagant it gets for living space.
I have a lot to figure out but it's a possibility. Land prices in that area may prohibit it;(

 

[Wyflyer]

A lot has happened since I went house shopping. Greeley was my first plan, but we found a house with a 46'x46' hanger, an additional heated single bay on one side of the hanger with roll up door, & a 2 car garage on the house. It's 3 miles east of Brighton in an established air park community. Dave will know it, its about 10 miles due north of DIA. So I'll have a home for the Maule plus some Bronco shop space. The house is solid but would benefit from some interior updates and landscaping.
I haven't got a chigger bite in 3 weeks!

 

[FRANKO289]

Love the gable ridge detail ... going to copy that in the next !