What would you do differently if you built a new shop

[ovrszd]

High enough so I could put a lift inside it sucks changing oil laying on the floor.

Yes, yes it does. I haven't had to do that for 7 years now. But I clearly remember.

 

[RalphVa]

OK, I am in the midst of my shop design. 80x80 with a modern look. There are a bunch of things I am working through (Liike how do I keep it clean, where do I pressure wash the muddy tractor, how do I deal with engine smoke and oil spills).

A bunch of you have built shops, and I believe firmly it is easier to learn from peoples failures than successes, so would love to hear what things you would change next time around and why.

Hopefully it will turn into a useful thread.

We've more than a shop. It's a car/tractor garage, walk-up storage above and storage/shop/grow area below. Biggest mistake we made was not putting in a people door to the 2 car garage. Have to raise one of the garage doors to get into that area and the walk-up storage.

Ralph

 

[Big Barn]

High enough so I could put a lift inside it sucks changing oil laying on the floor.

I'm fine with laying on the floor. It's just getting up......


Terry

 

[Industrial Toys]

BIGGER! Always BIGGER!

 

[newbury]

BIGGER! Always BIGGER!

Ahh! A true TBN response

 

[jmc]

When Morton built my 36X53X14 pole barn, they talked me out of a lower ceiling. They argued it's inexpensive to add a foot or two of height and if you do, it will be tall enough to drive the cement truck inside the barn when they pour the floor. They said it saves some labor and the need to water down the cement for a longer pour. And with the taller doors and trusses, I can pull the backhoe in with no clearance worries.

As far as solar power, The state of Indiana xxxx dominated legislature is in the process of repealing the net metering law to the extent that the utility only needs to pay you 3.5 cents per kwatt-hr. A big difference in economically justifying an expensive system. We seem unduly influenced here in Indiana by deep pocketed special interests. Coal, electric, industrial livestock, canned hunting... Some of these initiatives seem to run thru like-minded legislatures in other states.

 

[MossRoad]

When Morton built my 36X53X14 pole barn, they talked me out of a lower ceiling. They argued it's inexpensive to add a foot or two of height and if you do, it will be tall enough to drive the cement truck inside the barn when they pour the floor. They said it saves some labor and the need to water down the cement for a longer pour. And with the taller doors and trusses, I can pull the backhoe in with no clearance worries.

As far as solar power, The state of Indiana Republican dominated legislature is in the process of repealing the net metering law to the extent that the utility only needs to pay you 3.5 cents per kwatt-hr. A big difference in economically justifying an expensive system. We seem unduly influenced here in Indiana by deep pocketed special interests. Coal, electric, industrial livestock, canned hunting... Some of these initiatives seem to run thru like-minded legislatures in other states.

Without going all political about the current state in Indiana, you have to look at both sides of the picture.

The utilities are required to keep up their infrastructure. If you do net metering, you are forcing the utility to pay you to keep the wired connection working to your government subsidized power generation system. If everyone installs solar, wind, etc... on their houses, and charges the utilities, when does it no longer become the utility's responsibility to repair the grid connecting everything?

Similar thing is happening with more fuel efficient cars and trucks. Roads are payed for with gas tax. As more cars are on the road causing more wear and tear, yet using less fuel, there is LESS money to repair MORE damage. That's why the only fair way to tax people for road usage is mileage tax and toll roads, not fuel usage.

Anyhow, there's a lot more to it than just who's currently in charge.

Now lets keep the politics out of a pretty good going thread or it'll be moved to the politics forum... :thumbsup:

 

[bcp]

BIGGER! Always BIGGER!

I think one of these military surplus buildings would be about the right size.

Blimp Hangar

Bruce

 

[airbiscuit]

Without going all political about the current state in Indiana, you have to look at both sides of the picture.

The sooner the the utilities realize that coal is yesterday's fuel, the better for all of us. Phase out the (dirty) coal plants as you are logically able to and move on. The future is not coal.

 

[4570Man]

The sooner the the utilities realize that coal is yesterday's fuel, the better for all of us. Phase out the (dirty) coal plants as you are logically able to and move on. The future is not coal.

So what's the current plan?

 

[airbiscuit]

So what's the current plan?

All that cheap surplus natural gas that comes from fracking, renewables (the cost curve keeps bending down), and Elon Musk. Perhaps some day nuclear fusion. I'm not trying to hijack this post - just responding to a poster who didn't want to get political - then got political. My point isn't meant to be political. I think market forces and technology are smothering coal more than anything else.

To bring it back to the original post, I don't think he should use coal in his new shop

 

[4570Man]

My buddy has an old coal forge in his shop. It's not practical but it's fun to play with.

 

[airbiscuit]

My buddy has an old coal forge in his shop. It's not practical but it's fun to play with.

That is kind of cool. There are some old blacksmith tools that would be handy.

 

[4570Man]

The coolest part is the hand cranked "turbo". My hat is off to whoever made the gearbox for it back than.

 

[EddieWalker]

For my next shop, I have decided to build it in sections that I can build one at a time. It's broken down into four units. In the middle will be my hay barn. It will be tall with a massive door, or at least an opening that I might put a door on later on. Then off to the right I will have my workshop with two big doors in the front, and one big door in the back so I can pull right through it, or just let the air flow through. It will have a half bathroom too. Off to the left will be a parking area with doors on both sides so I can either pull through, or enter from either side. Finally off to the back, behind the hay barn, will be my livestock barn. If I ever do this, it will be massive. Doing it one section at a time should allow me to keep moving forward on it at a pace that I can pay for it with cash as I save it up. The final dimensions are not set in stone yet, but basically each section is in the 48x48 foot range. I'm still removing trees and moving dirt without any rush or time table to actually start. I have too many other priorities to finish first.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I have always wanted a bridge crane in the shop. I don't have any specific purpose for it, but it would be nice for moving things around. Also, I wanted palletized storage. There is so much wasted storage area in the taller shops that it would be nice to put heavy things that aren't used alot up out of the way!

A pop machine with beer and pop would be awesome. :drink: I always liked the old 4 button Pepsi machines! Hose reels for electric cords and air lines would be necessary. An exhaust fan of some type with ducting that could be directed would be awesome. I hate welding and having to rig a fan up to blow the smoke away. A sturdy wall mounted bench that has a SOLID vise on it. I always need to wrench on something in the vise and they never seem to be sturdy enough.

 

[Dadnatron]

For my next shop, I have decided to build it in sections that I can build one at a time. It's broken down into four units. In the middle will be my hay barn. It will be tall with a massive door, or at least an opening that I might put a door on later on. Then off to the right I will have my workshop with two big doors in the front, and one big door in the back so I can pull right through it, or just let the air flow through. It will have a half bathroom too. Off to the left will be a parking area with doors on both sides so I can either pull through, or enter from either side. Finally off to the back, behind the hay barn, will be my livestock barn. If I ever do this, it will be massive. Doing it one section at a time should allow me to keep moving forward on it at a pace that I can pay for it with cash as I save it up. The final dimensions are not set in stone yet, but basically each section is in the 48x48 foot range. I'm still removing trees and moving dirt without any rush or time table to actually start. I have too many other priorities to finish first.

Well... that's certainly putting all your eggs in one basket. 1 stray welding spark...

 

[Dadnatron]

I like the idea of FEL implement storage on a pallet rack. Depending on the size of equipment, I think it is an excellent way to avoid the 'sprawl' of 3ft tall iron all over your equipment yard. Something along these lines. My things might be too big for the rack, but I suspect they make adequate racks to do the job I want. I think I would put it outside, under a covered overhang though. Nobody is pulling a 1000lb grapple off, and tossing it in their truck.

 

[EddieWalker]

Well... that's certainly putting all your eggs in one basket. 1 stray welding spark...

I've been thinking about a sprinkler system too. Something that I can do myself. I buy my hay from out in the field and it's been sitting there for awhile, but when I have a place to store it, I'm wondering if I might be risking a hay fire at some point. Especially if I get it right after it's been bailed. Currently I weld in my garage, which means if there is a stray spark that sets it on fire, the house is gone. Either way, I need to pay attention at all times when welding.

 

[ovrszd]

Without going all political about the current state in Indiana, you have to look at both sides of the picture.

The utilities are required to keep up their infrastructure. If you do net metering, you are forcing the utility to pay you to keep the wired connection working to your government subsidized power generation system. If everyone installs solar, wind, etc... on their houses, and charges the utilities, when does it no longer become the utility's responsibility to repair the grid connecting everything?

Similar thing is happening with more fuel efficient cars and trucks. Roads are payed for with gas tax. As more cars are on the road causing more wear and tear, yet using less fuel, there is LESS money to repair MORE damage. That's why the only fair way to tax people for road usage is mileage tax and toll roads, not fuel usage.

Anyhow, there's a lot more to it than just who's currently in charge.

Now lets keep the politics out of a pretty good going thread or it'll be moved to the politics forum... :thumbsup:

Said the Moderator who continued the political path.