Bud2

OK, I'm having the slab and building plans drawn up for the new garage to house my '64. For a 3 x car garage, this is what I've included at this stage of the game.

1) 8 foot high doors - will have high lift facilities
2) 11 foot 6 inch ceiling
3) Hot & cold taps and basin
4) Drainage to front of driveway slab in front of garage door
5) Walking height storage space above
6) An extra room in back with single garage door leading into it. This also has toilet, shower, kitchenett,
7) Natural gas outlet
8) We live in the sand dunes with no winter here in Australia so we don't need to install the frost/water barriers that you need in the mid-west/north.
9) But we will have insulation
10) Windows for natural light
11) Will incorporate a 12 inch water barrier up the inside walls
12) The slab is 4 inch with 16 inch ribs, sufficient for the 4 post lift

All the electricity (including 3 phase), air plumbing (compresser outside), lighting, floor sealing, computer/phone connection and air extraction will be tackled before the walls are lined.

So what have I forgot??????

Thanks

Bud.

w1ctc

How about power hoist on tracks.

a560156

Have you done an archive search? This topic appears monthly.

Brucets11

If I built mine again I'd run air lines behind the dry wall, up from the floor where my air compressor is to the center of the ceiling from which I would place a hose real for the air line.

rahzip

Well, I quess the kitchen sink is included in the kitchenett.
Wow that sound like a great garage! (escape)
Congrats and enjoy!!!
I'm jealous!!!!

knight37128

If it was me ( I just built one ) 12 foot ceiling for a 2 post lift, you may want to upgrade later (cheaper now).
And 8 inch slab in the pit (where the 2 post lift would go).
I have not pored my slab yet (didn't want to pay someone to do it, I can do it).
I did not put windows in mine. I didn't see a need to let anyone that walks up to see what is in it and most work you do on a car is done by drop light. If you want use skylights. If not mount them high.
Make it deeper (you can never have too much storage) you will not want to carry heavy stuff (motor came to mind) upstairs.
I would not put the air lines in the walls. When you get a leak you have to tear into the wall.

Just my .02

vintagecorvette

as many water spigots, air lines and electrical outlets as you can. I also installed a lager 3'x6' sink, where I can wash large parts.

oWEN

AZDoug

Any tornados, typhoons, or other bad storms or high winds possible? if so, 8" thick, reinforced concrete walls and ceiling, with hurricane doors are a good idea.

if I lived in the OK/TX panhandle area, my garage would be built like that,and would serve as my storm retreat

Doug

24695bob

I have two 4 post lifts plus a low raise lift for brake and wwheel work in my Garages... and I just have normal 4 inch thick Concrete floors....

YOU may want to look at what type of doors you install...I put in roll up doors on the bays where I have the lifts installed...these doors are similar to the doors found on loading docks...they roll up like a window blinds...do not take up any ceiling space at all...

Bob G.

Don Keefhardt

10' wide doors. You'll be glad you did...

Trophy Blue

You got to have plenty of Foster's Lager!!

NedP1

Wow - very nice - hope you can post pics during construction.

I would use 6 bag mix on the floor.

Lines other than power I would run are: coax cable, twin lead, and cat5

We are pretty jealous!

67L36Driver

Compressed air lines need to be run uphill with drip leg every 10-20 ft. to prevent moisture reaching your air wrench or paint gun. Automatic drains on the drip legs are helpful but a stop **** is the usual method of draining moisture. Do not bury the air lines in the wall, you will want to modify it in no time.

achapman

Let's see ...... DUH.... you forgot to invite us over...... So puts some shrimps on the Barbie...... and some cold Fosters in the cooler and give us a date....... Sounds like you are well on your way... good luck....

Coves4me

Bud2,

Make it 4-cars wide, you'll wish you did. That extra floor space is great for body-offs and engine rebuilds.

What? No refrigerator? Where do keep the beer? Eats, etc.?

Install LOTS of ceiling lights. Flourescents are great. 4-tube fixtures.

Install a central vac system. Got to keep it clean!!

Got to have a TV and cable!!! Don't want to miss any racin' action.

Optional: Murphy bed for those all nighters.

Weekly flower contract for the wife. Gotta keep the checkbook greased!!

buddyepa

My 2 cents. Your plan seems sound. I had a shop built after i retired, but before I became interested in classic Vettes. Too bad too, because I did not build it high enough to allow a four post lift for working under the cars and storing them one above the other. Mine is just 20' X 40' because of lot limitations. Build it as large as you can afford and higher than you need. Estimate how many electrical outlets you will need and double that number. Install 220v in several places for arc welders. Although, do you have minimum voltage at 220v as well as 440v?

63 340HP

Where in the sand dunes (OZ is a big country)?

A carrage system (or posts & beam to hold one) for a ceiling mounted hoist rail?

Furnace & ventilation blower outside (near the air compressor shed)?

Ducted ceiling vents for heat relief and powered exhaust for welding hood?

Height for a future lift, with slab footings of the needed thickness poured in advance?

Slab inbed plates for pallet rack or metal shelf system anchor bolts?

After we built my Dad's hobbyshop the few changes we wished we made were tall roll-up doors (10' or more), more water & air taps inside & outside (including hot water), a fully finished office/entry for reading/research (with a door to close for quiet), and the overhead hoist & carrage structure. These can be changed later but the cost to fit them in the design before the slab pour is minimal.

You are lucky to not have the seismic restraint concerns of the western US, or the wind/weather of the central US, but depending on where your dunes are located the heat & dust can require some extra thought to seal against these elements.

.

JohnZ

You can't have too many electrical outlets - put the wall outlets 48" off the floor so they aren't blocked by benches, etc., and don't forget ceiling outlets for drop cords, work-light reels, etc. - keeps cords off the floor.



Auto-retracting hose reels are also handy, as are industrial spigots you can hang a bucket on; my hose reels were made in Australia.

Marks69BB

Not sure if this was mentioned earlier, but have round vents (like clothes dryer vents) with hoses installed (don't forget longer hoses if you have sidepipes) so you can safely run/tune the car inside year-round.

Floor drains so you can wash the car or the garage floors without having to sweep or squeegee the floors.

Daffy2

You didn't mention the amp service you're intending. If you want TIG welding, you'll need some amps to go with the volts (big wires), set it up with a 100 amp service. I just finished running #2 wire out to my garagemahal to run a new TIG welder.

Daffy