I get to build a new shop!
 

We just bought a house with enough room to build a shop. The lot size will allow a footprint of approximately 20' x 50'. The car entrance will need to be on the 20' end. I plan on installing a two-post lift along with assorted workbenches and tool boxes. I'm pretty stoked about the project. Does anybody have a resource for designing a good shop layout? For the past 25 years I felt lucky having one side of the garage. Now that I get some space I want to make the most of it!

Re: I get to build a new shop!
 

:confused: Who had the other side?

Grassroots Motorsports had an article about setting up a home shop in the April issue.

Signing-up. I'm about to do the same. 24' x 40'.

Garage forum
 

For more garage/shop ideas and discussion check out the forum dedicated to that topic:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3

Re: Garage forum
 

I'll second that. Great place for info and the search function works.

Paul

Re: Garage forum
 

That's great! It's like the Pelican Parts of garage forums :D .

Wish that was around when I did my garage extension.

wow...50 x 20. Druel druel! I am dieing to add 10' to my 22 x22!

I think the design depends on what you'll be doing. If you're planning full restorations, or fabrications, or storage??

I'd consider having dedicated areas. Maybe build a small storage room at the back, with a door, just to put the bigger parts, the engine stands, lifts, etc.. And I'd also consider a tool room for the messier fabrication tools. Saws, drill presses, mills, any grinding or fibreglassing work could be done in there, and the dust will be controlled, along with the noise.

By all means don't waste the upper space above the ceiling. Dedicate one area up there to the compressor. It's a bit of a pain to get it up there, but it's out of the way, and you will hardly hear it running. And I'd try to make some shelving up there for smaller parts.

Also, either install or plan AC if you want to get work done in the summer!

Whenever I start on something like this (have done several)...I draw the area on a large piece of paper (outline of shape) to scale.
Then cut out smaller (to scale) pieces to the shapes and sizes of you car, equipment, benches, etc.
With this method, you can move things around to see the effect of placement and be able to measure the distances in between benches and doors etc.
I have found that when incorrectly placed, sometimes you leave no room to move.
From a level standpoint the room looks good....the wall of benches is impressive....and the compressor is out of the way, but when you look at the same design from above...the problems are evident.
besides...you get to play with all the ideas in very short time...and the owner of the other half of the garage may have some ideas too.
Have fun.
Bob

If possible, you might want to make it a little wider than 20' so you have room for cabinets along the 50' wall with room to still work around two cars parked side by side. My garage is 22 x 43 with the entrance on the 22' side. I have 20" deep benchs along one 43' wall.

Yea, if you can design with a clean sheet of paper I agree. One thing I hate is how I can't get a jack handle to swing in a narrow garage. Sounds silly, but it can be a real problem.

Ah, the man room.

Elevate the TV, add a utility sink, don't forget a bathroom, and add a refrigerator. Think about your winters and how to heat the place. And, build this far enough away from the house so you can't hear your wife calling you. You should be golden.

If every married man in America did this we could cut the divorce rate in half.

I agree and even spent some quality time away from the wife last night :D.

I've got cable TV, a good stereo, a fridge with beer, A/C, and of course a Porsche that always needs a little work.

Re: Re: I get to build a new shop!
 

The wife of course! I park outside and she parks inside.

Thanks for all the feedback. I never thought of putting the compressor on the second level. I'd love to see any pictures of the Pelican shops out there for some inspiration.

I'd go wider if possible. With 20' wide you'll be contrained if you put in a row of benches along the wall and cars side by side. Mine is 24x40 and I enter on the 24 side. Still gets narrow. I'd shoot for 26 x40 instead. Gives you plety of width, and two cars deep with room for equipment and tables.

I can shoot some pics of my shop if you want to see what I mean...

I can get ya some good products - anti-sieze, penetrants, all sorts of lubes. Heck, I might be able to swing a deal on some equipment as well! Some will be free, others at cost. Let me know...

check out amazon.

lots of eye candy in books like "ultimate garages" etc and lots of practical ideas in how to books like the wonderfully titled "the garagenous zone"

I wish I could go wider. Unfortunately the way the house and lot are situated, 20x 50 is the best I can do. I'd like to see some pictures of your shop and get some ideas. Thanks!

Randy

Randy,
Sounds like a fun project. I'm in the process of expanding my 25' x 20' garage to 34' x 20.' Some have suggested drawing up some plans on paper. I might have gone a bit overboard:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1178240136.gif

Plans include a machine shop and office, with space for two cars. It might get a little tight, though. :D

Good luck,
Jim

Re: Re: Re: I get to build a new shop!
 

Ahhh...I see. Perpetual bachelor for this very reason. The last woman I had to ask permission from was Mom.

SmileWavy

Don't forget lots of natural light. Sliding glass doors let the light in low, a good thing. Put the compressor in a ventilated, insulated cabinet.

Are you going with the conventional garage door(s) or a roll-up?

Since you asked for pictures for inspiration, here you go: these are pictures of my new garages. The building on the right is 56'x30' and is used only as a show room. The main building on the left is 72'x36' which contains my main workshop, storage, lift area, etc. Attached to the right side of the main building is a 48'x24' area that will be my spray booth, and "overflow parking" Attached to the left of the main building is a 40'x16' area that will be strictly wood shop, to keep the sawdust away from all the cars.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1178255575.jpg

A shot inside the show room:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1178255641.jpg

I'm still in the process of moving in and decorating, so it is a little bare right now.

Cheers!
-Nick

Nick, how did you attach your lean-to additions? I am looking to add onto my 60 x 80 pole constructed building and am trying to decide on how to do it the most economical way.

Tim,
I'll take some pictures for you later today when I head out there. It is all standard steel structure constructed by FBI buildings. I'm pretty sure I even have the pamphlets that describe how the roof lines are adapted and the such. If I find them I will email them to you.

I'm thinking roll up so I can keep the ceiling clear.

Thanks for the inspiration. Your shops are simply magnificent! Are you looking to adopt a 38 year old? By the way, what kind of paint is on your floor? It looks like U-Coat It.

Thank-you! I will have to check with my wife on the adoption, as we currently have a 6 mo daughter, and it looks like in December we will be getting custody of my sister-in-laws 6 mo daughter, as she and her husband are getting deployed to the sandbox... Thank goodness I'm done with that and home for good!

As for the floor, it is u-coat it. I have already abused it, and I can't complain... one bit!

Cheers,
-Nick

I built one just like Jim729. 30 deep 40 wide office, clean room, machine room The rest is for my car. BUT my kid took over with his MG ,VW , and Triumph. Now I have a little corner. I used pressed plywood for walls so i can attach anything anywhere and not worry about studs. I also painted in gloss paint makes it bright in there. I would like to do the nice floor,but that is big bucks.I can sweep and mop after my kid. You will love your man shop.