How to best use 200 sq ft of garage space? (or save my sanity)

[tirwin]

A good lazy Sunday afternoon pondering for you guys...

In the near future I will have a new driver in the family. The addition of said driver coupled with my Porsche passion and the seemingly never-ending way my wife dreams up of encroaching on the precious little garage space I have has pushed me to the point of desperation. I might have to crack open the ol' wallet to solve this problem.

I have the room on the left of my garage to add a 12' wide parking pad. I got a quote on that and then while discussing that with the contractor, I had an idea. I could put a shed style roof over the parking pad, extend it a bit further back -- say 12' deep -- and create a little workshop area. It would be approximately 12x18, a little less considering the setback from the roofline, but that seems suitable for a man cave.

I sketched out the idea below. I need to price it out to see if it's do-able but in the meantime I've got a few questions...

- What is a good resource to find some good floor plans for tool cabinet layouts, etc.?

- What's a good rule of thumb for the amount of space required around an upright air compressor?

- I'm probably going to have to run a sub-panel for the garage and I might even have to upgrade the main panel to support it. What's a good minimum amount? In addition to a large compressor that will likely need 220V, I will need to consider a space heater for the winter months and a small A/C for the summer months being used in addition to the normal set of tools. (in other words, what would you do so you didn't have to worry about it again)

- I'm looking to make the space as multi-functional as I can. I need tool storage and space to work. Any thoughts or tips or links to other threads -- anything of that nature -- there would be greatly appreciated. Yes, I know. Jack Olsen is the master.

[gptom]

how ever large you make it, build it bigger...you will always need more room

[mattC2993]

All i can say is The Garage Journal

[82 SC]

I agree with gptom, build the biggest you you can afford in the space you have.
I am building a monster shop now and still think I need bigger but I do have a hoarder mentality so I need to deal with it.

[Dave Colangelo]

Originally Posted by tirwin

- What is a good resource to find some good floor plans for tool cabinet layouts, etc.?

I cant say there is really any single resource for this. Every space is different and the best thing to do is design for the space you have. I (and many here) have been very inspired by Jack Olsons Garage and what he has done with such a small space. It might help you with some inspiration.

Originally Posted by tirwin

- What's a good rule of thumb for the amount of space required around an upright air compressor?

I have a 30 Gallon 120V that more than suffices for everything I need on my 911. I would say a square 20 inches by 20 inches is enough for its foot print. There is then a pile of air tools in my tool bench and the hose is coiled up above it on a hose holder. You could always consider putting this outside with a little roof over it to keep the rain off and running the hose into the unit, for what its worth compressors are pretty noisy.

Originally Posted by tirwin

- I'm probably going to have to run a sub-panel for the garage and I might even have to upgrade the main panel to support it. What's a good minimum amount? In addition to a large compressor that will likely need 220V, I will need to consider a space heater for the winter months and a small A/C for the summer months being used in addition to the normal set of tools. (in other words, what would you do so you didn't have to worry about it again)

This will depend on what you intend to run. I have a 120V compressor and its fine, at some point they will just step up to gas powered and id say you may not even need 220V but thats up to you. I dont know much about AC in a garage so I cant comment on that. Any general electrical contractor should be able to answer these questions for you.

Originally Posted by tirwin

- I'm looking to make the space as multi-functional as I can. I need tool storage and space to work. Any thoughts or tips or links to other threads -- anything of that nature -- there would be greatly appreciated. Yes, I know. Jack Olsen is the master.

Hanging things seems to be the solution in this case. A lot of tool benches I have seen end at about 5ft up and often the space from there to the ceiling is dead. Hanging cabinets, fold down tables, things stacked into the walls and what not are the best way to use the space. Keep in mind that if you are talking about having a car in there you need space on either end to be able to practically work on the car.

Regards
Dave

[Dpmulvan]

Put everything you can on the walls and ceiling, for heat get a hanging vented propane or ng heater about $500. You shouldn't need a 220v high cfm compressor unless your painting,running angle grinders or using a sandblaster. For air conditioning put a window unit in a wall. Rubber mats will help on the legs and feet if your getting old. Paint the walls white and use good lighting led or t5s.

[Lapkritis]

New driver causing the squeeze you say? They should open their wallet to help. Time for a first job and to learn the value of a buck.

[tirwin]

Thanks for the comments so far.

I have joined the Garage Journal website and spent a couple of minutes perusing it. Looks like some good info but I'll probably have to read quite a few threads.

To clarify, the 911 will stay in the existing garage, I'm just thinking this might be an opportunity to add some much needed work space. I have an unfinished basement that I do use for woodworking stuff but it's not practical for car stuff.

What I'm considering is putting the compressor in the workshop area (or possibly covered outside) and then just piping the connection into the garage. I like the outside idea because I would have a perfect spot for it, it would reduce noise and it would not take up precious space inside the workshop area.

I would like to have enough room to be able to work on a motor on an engine stand comfortably. A wall-mounted A/C unit sounds like a good idea. The workshop area would be on the south side of the house so it would heat up very quickly in the hot Georgia summer months.

I'm thinking a small portable electric space heater would be enough to knock the chill down on the few days that it gets really cold. But I should probably plan on a dedicated circuit for the A/C and heater. 1 should be ok since neither will be running at the same time.

200 sq ft sounds like a lot but I suspect it fills up fast.

[Cajundaddy]

The first question I have with limited garage space would be "Do I really need a large compressor?"
In my workshop the answer is clearly no. After nearly 50 years always having a "proper" Ingersol-Rand or similar with all the associated piping, electrical, and workspace loss, and a drawer full of air tools, I went without in this garage and don't miss it at all. I don't paint, air tools are just so last century in the face of modern cordless, and my workspace is now peaceful and filled with music instead of AC drone.

Every sq ft of space needs to be used productively in a small workshop area and air tools/large compressor no longer pay their freight IMO.

[tirwin]

Cajundaddy,

You raise a good point. I currently have a small, portable compressor that I using for nail guns and filling tires. And it is good enough 90% of the time.

But then there are those times when I really want to do some media blasting and I don't have anywhere near the necessary CFM for that. It is certainly a "nice to have" not a "must have." I was just thinking it sure would be nice. And at least planning for the electrical load would give me the future option.

[javadog]

I wouldn't use a space heater. Whatever unit you buy to cool the space needs to have the capability of heating.

Make it as big as you can. Consider how much you really need each foot of yard space (probably not much)

Consider losing some of the doors in the space. One seems to be plenty, to me.

I'd rather have tons of florescent lights than any windows.

Minimum of 50 amps. 100 is better. Look at the prices of different-sized panels and see if there's much difference.

I wouldn't put a compressor outside. Lots of options there. Different sizes and types... In the ceiling. In the basement.

JR

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by tirwin

Cajundaddy,

You raise a good point. I currently have a small, portable compressor that I using for nail guns and filling tires. And it is good enough 90% of the time.

But then there are those times when I really want to do some media blasting and I don't have anywhere near the necessary CFM for that. It is certainly a "nice to have" not a "must have." I was just thinking it sure would be nice. And at least planning for the electrical load would give me the future option.

Understood. I rarely have the need to media blast but there are a dozen shops less than a mile from my house that will do it for dirt cheap. If you do this often and have no local resource, the big compressor is necessary.

[wayner]

I went through the same thought process of bigger space, but then I also calculated in not only the added cost of building, but the added annual costs of running it and paying the extra taxes.

For THAT I concluded, I could throw out a lot of crap and purchase it again if I ever needed it.

Soon I was throwing away the kids hockey equipment at the end of every season, my wife's bike, my golf clubs...

[slodoc]

pocket doors
put compressor outside and insulate it for noise
lights
pumb air everywhere
insulate
easy to clean surfaces
get cabinets from remodeling contacor used

[82 SC]

Gree ETAC 15,000 BTU Heat Pump 265V & 3Kw Heat (9.8 EER)
I have a similar heat pump that works great for my 22x22 with 11 ft ceiling attached garage. Heat and cools it nicely.
Similar to what they use in hotel rooms.

[green_chile]

I would also consider a scissor lift like an Atlas or BendPak. How about some photos of the current and proposed space?

Garage Journal is a great site...but it will consume your time reading all of the cool ideas. You've been warned! I agree that Jack's garage website is amazing. It's actually how I found Pelican...and Garage Journal...and...

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

air tools are just so last century in the face of modern cordless,

Every sq ft of space needs to be used productively in a small workshop area and air tools/large compressor no longer pay their freight IMO.

Which cordless system and tools do you have that replaced your large compressor?

[Tom Elder]

Overhead storage helps a lot. My shed has a 4' x 16' mezzanine , 7' under it (big shelf) holds low usage stuff, like the next project. Just installed an attic ladder to have easy access to that area, get the Christmas decorations out of the engine building area of the house. Small house every inch counts, replaced a couple of 2x4 stud walls with 2x3's, while I was in there. Working on pocket doors as well.

[tirwin]

Originally Posted by green_chile

I would also consider a scissor lift like an Atlas or BendPak. How about some photos of the current and proposed space?

Garage Journal is a great site...but it will consume your time reading all of the cool ideas. You've been warned! I agree that Jack's garage website is amazing. It's actually how I found Pelican...and Garage Journal...and...

Lift has been in the plans for some time. I had to replace the garage doors a couple of years ago so I opted for a high rise door and Jack shaft style opener. I want to do a 4-post lift as that would give me an extra parking space and room for another *ahem* project.

The problem I have now is that a 4-post would interfere with my already limited work and tool space. Adding this workshop area would certainly solve that problem.

I will take some pictures and post them soon. I got home really late from work tonight and I have an early day tomorrow so bear with me for a little bit.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Which cordless system and tools do you have that replaced your large compressor?

Makita Li-ion impact and drill/driver, 18" breaker bar, and a 4' galvanized cheater pipe for the extra stubborn rusty bastards. Simple efficient hand tools that just get it done and don't require much space. Never been thwarted by a fastener yet with this setup and saved about $4k in compressor setup costs that can be used on more important things like suspension and tires.

After 10 years as a fleet mechanic the noise of air tools and compressor just got to me. I had to find a better way to wrench. So far, so good.