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?