Thread: Thoughts on the layout for my new shop???

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"......10 pounds of something in a 5 pound bag. We are running out of room....."

I know Don, this shop is 3 times the size of my current shop (3000 sq ft vs 1000 sq ft) and set up a lot nicer and even on paper it's getting crowded.

It's still marked out and this coming weekend I'm going to put cars back in it and make some more measurements. This time I'll try to remember to take some pictures to refer back to.

The elevated office really appeals to me (provided I don't fall down the steps )

I figure a 3 foot wall with 4 foot windows all the way around it, a small AC unit....... I'm going to copy the small antique desk of my great grandfathers that's in the house, the refrig, TV, a couch (a sleeper couch if I upset the wife too much . Basically I'm going to dupicate/move the office we have in the house so the wife can have that room for her stuff. I want a place to put all the old car stuff we collect, reference books etc. Who knows one of the old HEMI's might end up up there

mike if you dont mind me asking, how much is this costing? me and a buddy are putting up a 60x40 for a trim shop, and were pricing around.

8' 10', or 12' walls,

pricing on cement work? what is a decent amount.

heating? suggestions?

insulation? suggestions?

a nice 2 post lift on one end

we figure 2 cars, a nice size work area, and open space at the end for a lift.

I'm still in the pricing around stage too.....been waiting to get the size finalized so I can start on the whole permit process.

heating? ...... In Arizona are you serious (cooling is a different story)

hahaha yeah i guess i didnt check that out.. yeah we need heating AND cooling up here.

do you even know who you will be going through to get your building material? are you going to put it up?

That a/c unit in the office will be a real pleasure. Ours is air conditioned, and we put a couple of cots in there. It's surprising how a 15 minute nap out of the heat in the shop will refresh you and get you going again. With a fridge and microwave you can stay there for extended periods and get a lot done.

Don

LOTS of electrical outlets; walls and overhead drop downs.

Lots of light, skylites make for good natural light (though that would be more useful in the paint area), though in your climate might be tougher on heat control.

A floor drain/wash area would be nice for a warm area in the winter, cooler area in the summer.

I vote for the painted floor too.............MUCH easier clean up. I used the Rustoleum kit in my shop six years ago and it's still going strong.......great value for the price.

An I beam overhead with a rollling hoist would be real handy.

Some form of exhaust venting, a tube system like commercial shops have would be the bomb.

I like the roll up type doors (the small sectional type that form a "log" when rolled up) on an operation this size, powered would be a bonus touch. They don't intrude as much on the overhead space, and don't block light (remember..............LOTS of lights).

"...do you even know who you will be going through to get your building material? are you going to put it up?...."

I've been looking at a steel building outfit in Texas and also pricing some materials locally. If I go local, I probably farm out the framing and roofing and do the siding myself.

“……That a/c unit in the office will be a real pleasure…….”

I know Don, just to get away and put your feet up for a couple of minuets really helps. Days like today are the reason for an AC unit. The shop will have swamp coolers but when the humidity is around 90% and 90+ or so degrees they don’t do much besides move the air.


Bob thanks for the list of reminders.

I’ve been kind of shying away from the floor coatings, most of what I hear are horror stories about them not adhering or holding up very well.

I couldn’t agree with you more on the electrical or skylights. With the stuff drawn out I’m starting to get a feel for what I’m going to need (and I hate extension cords!!!!!). Fortunately I can do the wiring so that’s a big plus to include if I need to add something later.

I’m looking at least 8 skylights for the new shop, and 2 for the current shop. I know I should have put them in years ago and always cussed myself for not doing it every time I painted a car. The ones for the old shop will probably go in sometime in the next couple of months.

For the wash area I’m looking at having the pad in front of the door made a bit oversize as it should be convenient and close to where the water will come in at.

I would really like to have an overhead I beam the one in the old shop has spoiled me. Unfortunately they take up so much room I don’t think it would work out. I’ll still have the one in the old shop and the 2 post hoists are really slick for lifting bodies, cabs and beds.

I already have 1 of the 10’ rollup doors that will go into the south end of the shop. For the others I’m really seriously considering the 2 piece door that slide sideways on tracks. As long as the tracks are occasionally lubed I’ve always had really good luck with them.

Originally Posted by Mike P

"... I’ve been kind of shying away from the floor coatings, most of what I hear are horror stories about them not adhering or holding up very well.

Yeah, that's the vibe, but like most coatings I'd bet it all comes down to prep. I put mine over new, cured concrete, followed the prep instructions to a T and it has adhered well. It's put up with all manner of chemical (acid, solvent, oil, etc.), abrasion (sliding of heavier automotive parts) and stuff like weld splatter, hot metal, jack stands and dropped tools. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

should be one heck of a shop!!

shop plans look good mike...wish i would have ask questions before i built mine...it's 40'X50' 2000sf...but i only put in 10' ceilings

I'm all with you on the dream garage idea. Are you using a pre-engineered building ? That can help with satisfying building codes. Have you ever considered a chain fall on a travel beam right down the center? I like the idea of having the compressor in a seperate lean to area, how about the office/bathroom area too? That way they could be super-insulated and very cheap to cool or heat if necessary. Just some thoughts,Hank

Thanks for all the great comments/suggestions so far.

Enough questions about size were raised that I needed to actually put cars on the ground again to see how it looked. I think the 50 X 60 size will work.

Some questions were raised about storage and work areas but with my current setup I think that’s pretty well covered. Everything in the diagram except the “new shop” already exists. Besides the old shop which will hold 2 cars when it’s not being used as a paint and body booth, there is storage for an additional 7 cars, a room for spare sheet metal, an engine and transmission room and a 48 X 10 storage area for parts.

What I am envisioning for the new shop at this point is 1 or 2 ongoing projects and maybe storing a couple of the done cars in their too. When I put the cars in today I purposely put them in the way that would be most difficult to get them in and out. The 57 Plymouth and 64 Ford which are both manual steering cars were put in the end bays where the lifts will be after cars were put in the center bay. The El Camino was purposely put in the tightest bay (by the office) where if I were actually working the mustang would be there and the El Camino on the other side.

I can get full door opening in the bays and seem to have plenty of walk around room.

Anybody see anything else I’m missing?

A couple more

By the way Bob picture the 37 where the Mustang is

Originally Posted by Mike P

By the way Bob picture the 37 where the Mustang is

You just KNEW I'd ask didn't you?