Bryan’s New Shop Thread

[combatic]

Day 0 || Breaking Ground
8Aug10

Having run out of garage space a few years ago, I finally broke ground for my new shop adjacent to my home. The intention and purpose of the space is to be a combination wood/metal fab shop with 2 bays. One bay will be for layout and general use and the other bay will be a dedicated to car maintenance and to scratch some itches I have had since I was child. Itch #1 is to restore a car and build up a hotrod motor to go in it. Itch #2 is a fascination with a funny looking car from Stuttgart. For one reason or another I have not had the pleasure of owning a 911 so I am combining two long standing desires into one massive project. This shop is the culmination of those two dreams and is the first phase of my journey. It will be interesting to see where we end up.

Rich, thanks for inspiring me with your great garage thread and Kenik you are a piece of work . You and others in the PNW RGruppe have set the hooks deep!

Image from 9 days ago. My current space packed like Sardines.


This Spring

9 days ago


I will post up process pix later.

[FLYONWALL9]

Sounds like my dream garage! A true man cave like this is something I MUST have before I part this life. I love working with wood nearly as much as cars, one thing I have discovered is the two in the same space can be a disaster. One thing that is a must have for such a building is a massive vacuum system. My plan was to have that and the air compressor behind the building and insulated for sound so if I had the itch to work late I wouldn't disturb the neighbors or wife unit (if i get one of those). For the woodworking section a large paper roll mounted at baseboard level, so when working with varnishes, epoxy, paint one could just pull the sheet paper across the space and tape it to the floor.

I'm very sure you have the ultimate best use of your space those were a couple features I wish for my cave. Best of luck with yours! SUBSCRIBED!!

[billybek]

It is nice to see a dream turn into reality.

[combatic]

Originally Posted by FLYONWALL9

Sounds like my dream garage! A true man cave like this is something I MUST have before I part this life. I love working with wood nearly as much as cars, one thing I have discovered is the two in the same space can be a disaster. One thing that is a must have for such a building is a massive vacuum system. My plan was to have that and the air compressor behind the building and insulated for sound so if I had the itch to work late I wouldn't disturb the neighbors or wife unit (if i get one of those). For the woodworking section a large paper roll mounted at baseboard level, so when working with varnishes, epoxy, paint one could just pull the sheet paper across the space and tape it to the floor.

I'm very sure you have the ultimate best use of your space those were a couple features I wish for my cave. Best of luck with yours! SUBSCRIBED!!

FLYONWALL9, thanks for the suggestions! This project has been consuming my thoughts for the past 2+ years. I am sure my friends/family/co-workers are tired of me talking about the shop, "I am going to build".

I have considered the dust + metal issue. Fortunately I have a uncle who installs Operable Walls and he has offered to coble a system together for me from scrap parts to fully partition the shop space to keep the dust and shiny things separated. Dust collection is on the checklist and as you suggested an isolated house for the compressor.

[combatic]

Originally Posted by billybek

It is nice to see a dream turn into reality.

Lots of small steps were made to make this happen, starting with buying this "in the city" house 8 years ago b/c of the lot.

[Rich Lambert]

Bryan...COOL!

I'm happy for you...and my offer of help still stands

[combatic]

Originally Posted by Rich Lambert

Bryan...COOL!

I'm happy for you...and my offer of help still stands

Thanks Rich! I just may take you up on the offer. I am going to need some bodies to help tilt the walls up and get them tacked together square and plum hopefully in a couple of weeks (I am being optimistic ...heh).

Finishing retaining wall concrete forms tonight! Concrete by Friday?!

[Joeaksa]

Make sure you put internet out there along with lots of power, water and so on.

[grizzfan]

A keg-sized beer cooler/dispenser and a HDTV for the occasional football game would make this place a genuine hideout!

[combatic]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Make sure you put internet out there along with lots of power, water and so on.

Joeaksa & Grizzfan,

Thanks for the input!

I have been meaning to put up the particulars of the shop to get feedback but I broke ground and because I am doing the labor/contracting/foreman jobs and still working at my day job, I have been slow to get the 'rest of the story' posted for critique.

YES! I am making provisions for the usual suspects to include, CAT-6, coax so I can use an extender for my Windows Media Center (WMC) or Just HDTV from the house depending on where I am at financially. The WMC feed will allow me to serve out music and recorded SPEEDTV/movies/web etc.

Beer Fridge is mandatory and I am toying with putting a microwave in.

I have lots of plans rattling around in my head but I have not even designed the interior layout/finish/storage yet b/c a) I have been too busy(even though I design for a living...ha!) and b) I want to 'live' in the space for a bit and then decide what goes where. I will have open walls for a bit so If I need to run additional data/power etc I am set. The chase I am installing will also allow for homeruns to the panel or house data.

The other key items I designed in. 12' ceilings, pad designed for 10000lbs 2 post lift and footprint as big as my lot would allow (24x32') which is essentially a 3 bay garage.

[Rich Lambert]

Originally Posted by combatic

Joeaksa & Grizzfan,

Thanks for the input!

I have been meaning to put up the particulars of the shop to get feedback but I broke ground and because I am doing the labor/contracting/foreman jobs and still working at my day job, I have been slow to get the 'rest of the story' posted for critique.

YES! I am making provisions for the usual suspects to include, CAT-6, coax so I can use an extender for my Windows Media Center (WMC) or Just HDTV from the house depending on where I am at financially. The WMC feed will allow me to serve out music and recorded SPEEDTV/movies/web etc.

Beer Fridge is mandatory and I am toying with putting a microwave in.

I have lots of plans rattling around in my head but I have not even designed the interior layout/finish/storage yet b/c a) I have been too busy(even though I design for a living...ha!) and b) I want to 'live' in the space for a bit and then decide what goes where. I will have open walls for a bit so If I need to run additional data/power etc I am set. The chase I am installing will also allow for homeruns to the panel or house data.

The other key items I designed in. 12' ceilings, pad designed for 10000lbs 2 post lift and footprint as big as my lot would allow (24x32') which is essentially a 3 bay garage.

Hey Bryan,

Have you thought about radiant heat? It changes everything! Even if you aren't going to do it right away, at least put the Pex tubing in the floor so you have the option of hooking a system up later.

[Scooter]

Looking forward to seeing the end result........with a 911 in the shop!

[combatic]

Originally Posted by Rich Lambert

Hey Bryan,

Have you thought about radiant heat? It changes everything! Even if you aren't going to do it right away, at least put the Pex tubing in the floor so you have the option of hooking a system up later.

Hey Rich,

I totally believe that radiant floor heating would change everything...I have considered it but I have not researched it enough to design/engineer it into the existing plans. I all ready have gravel up to grade to accept the 4" slab and by the looks of things, the gravel would have to move down to sandwich in the insulation and then the Pex.

[combatic]

Originally Posted by Scooter

Looking forward to seeing the end result........with a 911 in the shop!

Hey Scott! Yes, this is going to be epic for me. A long time coming. Waiting for the building inspector for my retaining wall/foundation inspection as we speak. I think we are going to have to break this thing in properly asap!

[combatic]

Here are some process pix from the last week and a couple prior prepping the lot. Of course Seattle decided to have a heatwave (90+ degrees...don't laugh Texas viewers) and my help couldn't make it over the weekend so I was moving real slow and drinking lots and lots of water.



Starting in March- Prime time to replace the 50yo sewer line and dig up roots and clear brush before the driveway is installed...the only problem was that one excavator blew a hydraulic line so I had to rent another in a pinch.


Lots of hand digging...in retrospect maybe I should have hired it out.


Amazing how much pulling power my little truck has in 4-Low!


10+ yards of tree/debris piled outta here!


At last I can finally see the actual grade and the new parking area in front of the shop.


Gravel and turn down slab trench almost finished


Retaining wall steel is in! Forms for the 4' wall need to be installed and then my first building inspection.

Day 11 || 1st Inspection
Waiting for the inspector as I type. 19Aug10.

[RWebb]

hand digging = no need for the gym that day

did you rent the backhoe?

definitely go with hydro-radiant heat - not hard, not spendy and can change your life

[combatic]

Originally Posted by RWebb

hand digging = no need for the gym that day

did you rent the backhoe?

definitely go with hydro-radiant heat - not hard, not spendy and can change your life

I hired a guy out to do the slab/trench excavation, set the rock and he is doing the french drains and drywell. I got a very reasonable bid

Sewer line I hand dug over half of it b/c I was trying to maintain the old line while setting the new line..and I actually cancelled my gym membership...ha!

[Rich Lambert]

Originally Posted by RWebb

...definitely go with hydro-radiant heat - not hard, not spendy and can change your life

Dude, this is good advice! Sure, heat sounds just okay during these 3 weeks when it's over 60 degrees, but wait till it's 40, 30, or 20 and raining/snowing out and the moisture is rusting your tools and corroding your 2.7 mag case. Heat is also a dehumidifier.

Listen to the voice of experience...I'm not just old and wise, my car's in Excellence this month

[RWebb]

and we all get free drives in it...
(congrats Rick)


BTW I forgot to mention cost - the hose for the hydro-radiant heat is nothing - just a special type of PEX - lay it in there and worry about the pump (Granfors) and water heater for it later if $$ are an issue.

I swear I saw pics of somebody's install of this stuff in concrete on this bbs a while back.

I put it in my house and am thinking of how I can tear up the slab for my garage...

You could also figure out a way to run chilled water for those burning hot summers in Seattle...

[combatic]

Originally Posted by RWebb

and we all get free drives in it...
(congrats Rick)


BTW I forgot to mention cost - the hose for the hydro-radiant heat is nothing - just a special type of PEX - lay it in there and worry about the pump (Granfors) and water heater for it later if $$ are an issue.

I swear I saw pics of somebody's install of this stuff in concrete on this bbs a while back.

I put it in my house and am thinking of how I can tear up the slab for my garage...

You could also figure out a way to run chilled water for those burning hot summers in Seattle...

OH the pressure from all sides to go with luxurious radiant floor heating! Man, now I am starting to doubt myself and my need to stay on target.... I wonder if putting pex in will tweak my building inspector? I might have to call and find out....

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice if I install PEX ontop of the gravel as opposed to laying down pink insulation foam as I have seen on other threads? Really it only gets down to 20-30 degrees in seattle for maybe 1 week a year. How much heat would I lose to the ground?