New Shop Build

[DoubleO7]

area for a computer desk/office to look up parts, keep up with projects, and edit videos for my YouTube channel.

Friend of mine used an old/free upright freezer, added wood pullout shelves better light(s) and outlets inside.
Then filled it with his shop computer, printer, modem, office paper etc. 99% of the time the door was closed, keeping dust, dirt and overspray out.
Plus he could relocate his "portable" office if needed.
Now days a big french door style freezer or fridge would maybe be nicer.

 

[super99]

Single car garage, by the time you put in workbenches and tool boxes and any floor standing power tool, you won't have enough room to turn around. Ask me how I know this! I would suggesr a small office, 8x8 or 8x10. Just enough room for a desk, comfortable chair, file cabinets,a couple more chairs for visitors and maybe a small fridge. Put workbench on the same side as the office to the end of the building, leave room for air compressor against the wall in the corner. Add welder outlets along the wall, put wheels on your welder so you can move it where you need it instead of leads strung all over the floor. If you can afford to go higher, build a loft over the office and work benches for storage to keep your floor space open.

 

[mechanicfred]

I would put foam under the slab, even if the slab is not heated it helps with the concrete sweating in the summer if its humid.

 

[560Dennis]

Don’t know where your at , I suggest to consider snow load of your roof . May not get a storm in a decade but when it comes , wet and heavy and deep ,down they go .

 

[Hoenes]

Usually power lines have a 15 foot easement. Don't build inside that. Check your plat. On my side easement, the entire 15 foot is shown on the neighbors side of the line. Go fig.

 

[Gary Reif]

For everything your wanting to do in there. That's not big enough. By the time you get tool boxes and cabinets and workbenches in there you won't have room to work around any projects. Just my opinion. FWIW

 

[caterpillar guy]

Well the bigger is better is ture. Now I would put all metal working equipment on one side and keep the grinder and weld to one side so the clean work like a hydraulic pump or other is not getting grit and dirt form that type of work out more. As for the air compressor in a back corner out of the way .So welder drill press band saw all away from the clean benches and tools. The taller has merit but if stairs are a problem then it might not be the best. Later a door with a leanto on the side would make a good place for office and such with a door to it keeps office clean and quiet. You could also put special tools not wanted seen by every one coming to visit in there too. I have some of that category.

 

[randyrenfro7]

Go to office supply and get a tablet of 1/4 or 1/2 scale grid paper. Then you can easily draw whatever you want with a ruler. Like she said, it's never big enough.

 

[Mark-Ia]

Yes I plan on it.

I meant attached to the outside of the main building.

 

[504]

Only rollaround work benches. If you move it the stuff on top will fall off and you will put it up. A workbench most of the time just starts to collect junk that you will need some day when you retire. I have both and I need to empty all of them.

 

[moresmoke]

Only rollaround work benches. If you move it the stuff on top will fall off and you will put it up. A workbench most of the time just starts to collect junk that you will need some day when you retire. I have both and I need to empty all of them.

On the note of moveable. All my shop tools are on wheels or a pallet that I can move with a pallet jack. Even the milling machine can be moved easily. Makes my life much easier. My shop is way too small at 40x20, but the building was there. I get by with it, just really starting to wish I had room for a 2 post lift.

 

[NoDakInMN]

Not sure of your location, but insulating beneath the concrete and installing PEX for future floor heat should be considered if you live far enough north. Hooking that up to off peak electric boilers usually will pay back the cost of installation in a reasonable amount of time. Doing that prep work will add some cost right now, but it is not excessive, the big money is in the boiler and accessories.

 

[RTR]

For everything your wanting to do in there. That's not big enough. By the time you get tool boxes and cabinets and workbenches in there you won't have room to work around any projects. Just my opinion. FWIW

The shop is a gift to me and was told to make the size I want - that is the size I was comfortable asking for and also the max size I could build in the location chosen given other objects/structures around it.

 

[RTR]

Go to office supply and get a tablet of 1/4 or 1/2 scale grid paper. Then you can easily draw whatever you want with a ruler. Like she said, it's never big enough.

I am currently working on a sketch using the free online sketchup tool.

 

[RTR]

Not sure of your location, but insulating beneath the concrete and installing PEX for future floor heat should be considered if you live far enough north. Hooking that up to off peak electric boilers usually will pay back the cost of installation in a reasonable amount of time. Doing that prep work will add some cost right now, but it is not excessive, the big money is in the boiler and accessories.

Located in North Alabama so heated floor really isn't a priority

 

[Crazy Horse]

Located in North Alabama so heated floor really isn't a priority

Alabama has always intrigued me.
Q: OK, no floor heat, what sort of prep work happens under your slab?
Q: So basically "pole shed" for wall construction?

 

[RTR]

These replies with suggestions really is awesome! Just what I was looking for.....everybody giving suggestions and brainstorming. Here is a quick sketch I am working on now and not finished with. The size of the building can't change unfortunately. I'm noticing that as I lay things out, it is filling up fast; so space saving and storage ideas are a priority. I have a 1974 3/4 ton IH 200 pickup LWB that I mocked up as worst case to see if it could be parked in there at some point. Most likely use that garage space for small projects and "clean" area workbench work but will have a garage door so space is multi-use. No designation for office/desk yet.

 

[RTR]

Alabama has always intrigued me.
Q: OK, no floor heat, what sort of prep work happens under your slab?
Q: So basically "pole shed" for wall construction?

Prep is gonna be crushed stone and plastic with rebar reinforcement. Yes he said he is building a pole shed with 2x4 framing.

 

[RTR]

Use sticky notes cut into the shapes. that way you can lay it upside down on your printer/scanner.

Played around with the Sketchup Program and figure it out good enough. Check out the post at the bottom...

 

[DoubleO7]

Played around with the Sketchup Program and figure it out good enough. Check out the post at the bottom...

LOL, I was just about to ask you which program you used.

Good to know, thanks.

It looks impressive with what actually looks like an 1960's IH pickup and Ford tractors.