My garage/workshop/machineshed/truck garage/b.s. area

[RedNeckRacin]

OK, this isn't exactly a tractor project per-say but my tractors are gonna go in it! So anyways, little back story, 22yrold college senior, civil engineer EIT, the fiance trains horses and since I am building her a barn and what not I get to build my project the way I want it.

--Anyways, I was thinking a 2 car daily driver garage section that has 9' wide doors with a decent gap between the doors(say 6' and atleast 3 around the outside of the vehicles for clearance) and make that 22' deep.

--I definately want a section where I can pull a GooseNeck deckover trailer into the building with the truck (1 ton dually) still attached and be able to shut the door. (just figured it was a good idea)

--I would also like a workshop with a HD workbench, a bathroom, and room for tools, storage shelves, and a stack of drawers for all my nuts, bolts, and washer plus misc size stuff so I have it on hand.

--I also need a bay for a dumptruck(just a tandem)

--I need a spot for 3 tractors, (under 30 hp, 50hp, 90-110 hp) with attachments. small Manure spreader, loaders from tractors, and a small log trailer come to mind. I was also thinking of putting some palletized storage along a wall so that I can put bulky stuff outta the way when not in use.

--I have a antique car that I need space for as well as a project car with room to work on them (read one will be in pieces at a time )

--I was also pondering the idea of an overhead trolley crane that would reach over the GN.


--(the workshop/office is going to be the only part kept at room temp year round, the rest will be moderated using earth tubes and heating or cooling to a decent temp say 55 degrees during the winter.)

--I want ideas, suggestions, cad drawings, pics, or advice! I am also looking at steel and pole barns. I was quoted for steel buildings at $12/SF. Thanks for any/all help. Go big or go home!

 

[MrJimi]

All great ideas, how many garages are you talking about ? cause your talking about lot's of square feet, mine is 50 X 50 two story and I don't think it would be big enough for you ( pictures in my gallery here)

 

[RedNeckRacin]

well, one large building. I was thinking of dividing some things up with walls as needed. Mainly the room temp rooms from the more ambient temp areas.

My whole problem is that I can't figure out a nice layout that has everything neat, and uses space well.

 

[MrJimi]

Just my ideas, ditch the 9' doors and get a 16' or 18'. Then your going to need a drive in/drive out area, I would go with 12' wide and height is up to you, mine is 12' X 12' feet and does me fine and you may want 2 on these in/out doors for you equipment. I put a second floor in half of mine for more storage and I use it

 

[RobS]

Well, first off I'm jealous! Congrats on the schooling and fiance. Sounds like you are on the right track. I'd seperate into two areas, more finished/conditioned and a rougher area for "machinery" storage. That's going to be one large building. As long as you are plumbing for a bath, add a shower stall and might as well add a kitchenette on the wet wall. In the finished area, I'd do a portion as fully finished, like a house. That's where the bath, kitchenette and office/lounge would be. Drywall, heat, the whole works. Pay attention to lighting. That can make or break any space for me.

Again, very jealous, keep us posted on your progress.

 

[firefighter9208]

I have a 30'x40 (30' deep) and can just get the door down with my 99 F250 LWB extended cab pulled in and leaving my self enough room for a toolbox and to walk in front of the truck. With a dually 4 door I would go with a minimum of 40' deep and preferably 50' deep. Those trucks can be 25' long or longer.

A dually with a 20+ 5 gooseneck behind it will push 45-50' long.

I'm thinking a 50'x100' with a door in each end and 4 or 5 12' wide doors down the front side.

You could then do a 12'x100 lean-to on the back side to store implements, manure spreader, etc...

Chris

 

[CATMAN]

Think about where the sun will shine, if you like working outdoors on any projects. My Dad's machine shed(non-insulated or heated) w/ shop in the corner is 60 ft x 75 ft. It has a south door and a west door(main door on the endwall) Each door has concrete pads outside of them. In cooler to colder months, we choose the south concrete pad to work on, if we start a project in the early morning. But if is 10 AM or later, most everything is done on the west pad(most sun until dusk). Note: The shop area is inbetween the two doors so the tools, benches, vise, torch, grinder, welders all basically equal distance to each door. In the "HOT" summer months, you might work inside(shade) with both doors open for a breeze. Just other thing to consider.

 

[wushaw]

You are gonna need a big building, a friend of mine has 60X100 that is a parking garage, cow stall, storage and shop area and alot of wasted space.

Mine is 40X50 with a 15X50 awning on the north side for tractors, mowers and most implements, one man door and one 12X12 roll up door on the East side, It is a great size shop for me and storage although I never intended on having something 24' long parked in the middle on a regular basis so that takes out quite a bit of room right down the center so my project area is a 12X20 area for car work and welding projects.
I can always move the truck out and have the full length of the shop but I don't like to leave it outside for extended periods, someday I may build it's own garage.

You need to figure what you want inside now and future purchases and what you can put under an awning like tractor implements, mowers, golf cart....etc
A two story shop is something you may consider if layed out correctly it can be very effecient and user friendly.

Take your time this is the fun part.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Wushaw

You are gonna need a big building.

Thats an understatement

I like the ideas so far. Working outside on a concrete pad sounds like a good idea during the summer but in the winter its not a good idea considering we can get a foot of snow once in awhile. I thought about having a two story garage but steps just sound like a PITA to me. I would like to keep as much inside as possible. I have seen what Pennsylvania weather does to stuff left outside and not taken care of. I really don't want to have a bunch of tarps over everything.

...and alot of wasted space.{QUOTE] This is one of the huge things that I am really trying to avoid. I have tried a few layouts and things just don't seem to be fitting together nicely. I want something that is useful as well as practical.

Chris

You could then do a 12'x100 lean-to on the back side to store implements, manure spreader, etc

I don't know how much I like the idea of an open lean-to. I do like the fact that the stuff is somewhat protected but again PA winters are not all that nice. I am sure that I am going to have some drifts of snow blowing around and to have to dig out the manure spreader everytime I or the Fiance needs it prolly will not go over very well. Don't get me wrong, I love pushing piles of snow around. Then again, who in their right mind would want their shop smelling like a manure spreader?


firefighter9208

Thanks for the dimensions and suggestions about the dually. I have never owned one yet but I need to get one to pull her horse trailer around and my deck-over. I already have an idea of what I am going to do with hers. Mine has been a little bit trickier.

RobS

Well, first off I'm jealous! Congrats on the schooling and fiance. Sounds like you are on the right track. I'd seperate into two areas, more finished/conditioned and a rougher area for "machinery" storage

Thanks Rob, some people think I am crazy for looking at something like this so soon. But whats wrong with being a little bit crazy? I was thinking the exact same thing. I would also like to keep the heated and semi-heated spaces seperate. I'm sure the truck and tractors won't mind being 20 degrees cooler than the workshop. I didn't even think of putting a kitchenette in there. I def agree with the lighting. The lights in my parents garage is terrible. I always need to pull out the trouble light or something to be able to see what in the world I'm doing. No 60W bulbs here.



Any body have advice on ceiling heights? I know smaller space in the shop/office but what about in the garage/machine part?

Any advice on the bridge crane? I should be able to get it done since I'll be going for my PE license in a few more years too.

 

[RobS]

Hey, congrats too on the PE. That's something I never finished (did the EIT). I'm afraid I've been out of school too long now, would take too much studying.

As far as ceiling height, two things come to mind. 14 feet is a nice number as that is the max for most over the road vehicles. If you ever got an RV or cargo van or such, it would fit. The other consideration is a vehicle lift. A buddy of mine has a twin post lift in his building and it's the slickest thing. I think his building is 14 feet so that height will work for cars/light trucks on the lift.