Dream Shop!

[Iplayfarmer]

Here's what I would add to what the others have suggested...

Consider peg board vs. OSB at least in certain parts of the shop. I put up three sheets of peg board in my garage and it's likely the best thing that has happened to the garage.

Lots of power. If you can get 480 volt 3-phase, do!! Not only is it the cheapest way to power electrical stuff, but there is a grundle of used industrial 3 phase machinery out there that can be had for cheap because most people can't run it.

I second office space. At a minimum have some place to keep documents. Your dream shop is going to have a bunch of dream equipment and it makes the most sense to keep the receipts, owner's manuals, etc. out in the shop where the equipment is used.

I also second the concrete or block on the lower section of the walls vs. the sheet metal to allow you to wash the floors.
Metal + water = rust
Concrete + Water = wet concrete

Run all the wire and pipe you can... Air, water, ethernet, Coax, Cat. 5, 110 V, 220 V, Hydraulic(?)

Install a good sound system with built in speakers throughout the shop. A little Roger Miller or Jonny Cash can inspire some really good workmanship.

[gazoo1]

Originally Posted by keith2210

Once again guys the ideas are perfect. i like what im hearing so far. Prolly a few more days i will throw up a thread about a house. russ it sounds like yours real familiar with my area. carpenter i live in washington. i make it to bloomington a few times every year. i have a few buddies that go to school at iu and we always make it a point to go to the football game and do that party thing.

hey kieth i was thinking the other day about your shop and one thing to keep in mind it may seem like more work but this idea is very simple when you are starting from scratch like you are .when we built or shop in bc we had to go down to frst line which water in our area in the winter will freeze above 4 feet at times ,so we had footings in place 24 inches ,then we put our walls up 5 feet above that , so here is my suggestion to you , after we pulled the forms of i looked at this and thought why in the world did i not go down three more feet and create an awsome storage space under my shop with a simple set of stairs from the main floor ,since we where putting in a complete concrete floor ,also it would never freeze down there so no need for heat .us being italian we have done this in our own homes under the carage which normaly would be wasted space ,food for thought good luke with everything you must be very excited i sure was

[Iplayfarmer]

I thought of one more thing... Fire extinguishers placed strategically throughout.

Full building fire suppression is great, but it's nice to have a smaller fire extinguisher close to put out those small welding fires, etc. before they grow to need the full building supression.

[hitekcountry]

One mistake I made when I built my garage was I made the slab flat. I didn't take into account drainage, so when the rain hit the outside of the garage doors it would run down and onto the floor and create puddles in the low spots in the garage. So other than the area where you have the floor drain, be sure the floor near the doors slopes to the outside.

[texasjohn]

Since this is a dream shop.... some way to get under vehicles to work on them... either a hydraulic lift... or a pit you drive over

[hitekcountry]

Originally Posted by yzbdsbp

they will also want to move half of their stuff to your shop and hang out!

Let me tell you my experience. I built my dream garage that I thought was bigger than anything I would ever need. It was barely finished when the girl across the street asked if she could store a few things. She had just bought new furniture and she had given the old stuff to one of her friends but the friend couldn't come to get it before the new things were to be delivered. The friend would pickup the old furniture in a few days. OK I have plenty of room no big deal. Then I find out my sister-in-law is getting a divorce and needs to store some of her furniture until she finds a place, might take a week or two. OK I have plenty of room I certainly want to help. Next my stepson's best friend was moving, I don't now remember what that story was about but he was a good kid, I liked him and I was willing to help so HAY I have plenty of room, why not.

SIX MONTHS LATER!! All that stuff was still there and it was getting in my way. I finally got fed up and had to get on everyone to get there stuff out of there. I should never have opened that door in the first place. Just something to think about.

[texasjohn]

My experience is that the shop allowed me to organize the stuff I already had and get more toys...er..tools... welder, table and radial saws, pressure washer, work tables, metal cutoff saw, drill press, tractor...the list is real long.

Then, I started using these things... and a couple of buddies, handy at many things, got interested in my various ranch projects. We're all retired... it's just that they live in town and have fixed everything there is to fix in their yards and houses. I live on a ranch and there is ALWAYS 10 times more to do than can be done... and it has variety..metal work, wood work, fence, wood/brush work, rock work..the list is real long.

So, now, at least once a week one of them comes out and spends the day with me... we have a good time, get stuff done (an experienced helper for one day = about 4 days of me working alone). They even offer suggestions on what else I might obtain and store in my workshop that they could use The "Tom Sawyer" factor was not anticipated when I built the shop, but I see how it could work for others as well.

Yes, furniture storage is an added item... MIL stuff when she went into an assisted living home, extra freezer and refrigerator, am storing several tons of cattle feed now that I never did before. So, clearly, you need to build bigger than you think you need....and your needs will increase until the building is filled.

BUT, THAT'S THE POINT IN HAVING THE BUILDING....to make your life easier and better than it was before... so, all this is a GOOD THING... not a problem

My building is 40X60 feet with 6 translucent roofing panels that I love... superb light in the day... and pretty at night when lit from inside. I hope some day to add lean to sheds on both sides for implement coverage and extra covered parking.

[Redneck in training]

Originally Posted by 6sunset6

I swear by radient heat. If you super insulate and vapor barrier to control drafts I will bet you can heat the building for free. Solar hot water panels on the roof, solar electric panels for pump power. Use antifreeze in the system , better the potable kind incase it ever is in contact with domestic water. A shop at 45d is plenty warm enough. A very small wood stove would boost it the rest of the way if you need it. I have radient heat in my house that I heat with propane. My shop was built 7 years before my house. My house was built 16 years ago. I kick myself everytime I think about it.
Or a ground source heat pump. They were still to new when I did all my work but they are readily available now.

I also like radiant heating. We have geothermal heat pump in our house, heating about 4000 sqft. Never paid more than 100 USD/month for heat. If you intend to use a wood boiler you have to use PEX tubing with oxygen barrier otherwise you boiler will rust. Radiant heating is somewhat slow to chnage temperature. About 2F/hour.
As other people already mentioned install enough lights to rival day light.

[Chuck K.]

Great thread and perfect timing to boot .. I just posted a thread about my dream shops storm shelter in progress.

A 2 post asymetrical lift is coming soon, other then wishing I would have went bigger things are coming along great.. The wetbar and dart board get the most attention

[R_Walter]

Since you are a hunter/shooter I would include a walk-in fortified gun room with concrete block and steel rebar and a vault door for the entry. Plan on at least a room that is 12 x 16. I would also include a reloading area with space for powder and primer storage.

You also should plan for a trophy room that is at least 16 x 20 so that you can center a pool table with 6 feet spare all around. Make sure it has high walls so the mounts don't interfere with the cue sticks.