Hello All,

I'm about to add on to my current shop to include a better sleeping spot for my 69 and would like some ideas before I start. Here's what I plan: the size will be 16' x 30'. It will be insulated with A/C. I plan to have the interior walls and ceiling will be covered with commercial tin/sheet metal in white. I plan to have air hose plumbing for air tools etc. Standard work bench and tool boxes. I would like to epoxy the floor in white and black 3'x3' squares. Insulated auto garage door.

Pics and ideas please.

Thanks,

andy

 

Just something to think about, but my garage has the 2 garage bays, but off the back of one of the bays, there is a recessed area for work benches and a space to work.

 

drop cords and lot of lighting...

leave part of the ceiling open so you can use the rafters/etc for storage

install 2 fans on opposite sides so you can create cross-ventilation when needed...

 

Lot's of good advice and a few good guys as well!

http://www.garagejournal.com

 

These are all suggestions:

• Plumb your air outside of the walls using 1/2" copper. Stub out for air drops next to the ceiling outlets previously suggested for electric drops. You dont want to rip into the walls if you develop a leak.
  
• Double what you think you need for lighting. You'll never have enough light.
  
• 2 X 6 studded walls are not that much more expensive than 2 X 4 and provide somwhat better strength, up to 50% greater insulation capability, and more room for infrastructure.
  
• use wide, 12"hi frosted windows that let in plenty of light, but keep eyes and bodies out - or put in a few skylights.
  
• Use metal frame doorways. The first time a gust of wind comes through and slams a door shut when the bay doors are rolled up you'll be glad you did.
  
• Bring water to the structure if possible. If you do, stub out for a shop sink, and run a 30A dedicated circuit as well for a small water heater. You should be able to french drain your 'grey water' - check your local building codes.
  
• If you bring water, stub out for hose bibs on at least 2 exterior walls.
  
• Run at least one 80A 240V ckt - you'll want it for something eventually.
  
• Figure out where you want your BIG air compressor to be located (even if you dont have one), and run a dedicated min. 40A 240V ckt to that location.
  
• Don't forget to stub out for coach lights, and while you're at it, add a ckt for floods: either on the corners for security, or at least out front for driveway lighting.
  
• The higher the ceiling the better. Most homeowner lifts will need at least 10'
  
• Put one GFCI outlet on each exterior wall.
  
• engineering part of the ceiling and wall to accommodate a 1 ton chain hoist will eliminate the need to have a big ole cherry picker taking up space.
  
• Cabinets are your friend. the more the merrier. dont blow the budget on fancy ones, shop cabinets get abused no matter how careful you are.
  
• Don't epoxy the floor in the area where you'll be doing any welding and grinding (if any)

 

Ceiling height 11 feet or more for a lift

 

Install the urinal right next to the beer fridge!

 

Save or consider space for any audio/visual stuff: tv w/DVD or ye olde computer [laptop or deskside w/15" or 17" monitor, bigger if affordable].

With outfits like Willcox providing valued data (.pdf files) on CD/DVD or if you are keeping up with CF realtime, that sure is handy when you are next to the car.

My .02.

 

I did this and it really helps keep the clutter off the side walls, and a good spot for the laptop and fridge.

 

Dont skimp on the number of electrical outlets, the more the better. Also, maybe run a phone line out as well.

 

You definitely need a kegerator so that you will have help with your projects.



http://www.beveragefactory.com/refrigerators/beer.shtml

 

I installed lot's of cupboards, 32" LCD TV, DVD player with surround sound, and used light grey & black with red outlines on the floor.

 

do not install a floor or fixture that will make you sad when it gets scraped, gouged, dented, burnt or abused in any way.

 

Hi Andy,
Have racks, shelves, etc. to keep as much as possible up off the floor. It makes it much easier to sweep/vacuum up.
Fire Extingushers with a far greater capacity than you'll ever need. There has been much discussion about what type to have ready. Halon use to be the preferred choice, I believe.
Regards,
Alan

 

The forums at http://www.garagehangout.com are a great source of information.

 

this is my add on the back of 2 stall garage..22x35. i want more space..



plans to finish with insulation, and sheetrock. then cabinets.

 

Build it as BIG as you can!!!

You'll run out of space before you know it. (And the last thing you want to do is crowd your Vette)

 

Like has already been said.. Go as BIG as you can!!!. It is never enough... I had space for a 25'X40' with 10' ceilings & wish I had room for 50"X80"...

Anyway... Lots & lots of electrical outlets... I have a 20amp receptical every 5' in all walls. Also have 5 quad boxes in the ceiling for pull down drop cords & lights... 2 additional quad boxes at working height over the bench... One GFCI outlet outside the building.. I put two switched recepticals near the ceiling on the back wall wo I can hang fans or whatever else I want to be able to turn on/off without a ladder... Also ran a dedicated 220 circuit for the ac unit and one for the compressor...

Since my TV is going above the workbench, I added a receptical where it is going to live... I also ran my cable behind the wall coming out where I wanted it. I also ran the telephone line behind the wall before I drywalled... Both lines are ran to a "Communication" box near where I will tie into them from the main house. I ran underground conduit from the house to shop so I can easily tie into them. I also ran 1 1/2 conduit from the attic area to behind the work bench area so I can run any extra wires later (speakers/intercom ect...)

I built a nice little home for the vertical compressor in the corner of the shop... I insulated the heck out of it and lined the walls & ceiling with sould absorbing tiles... I used a 1 3/4 solid wood door with a foam seal around the perimiter... I cut ventilation holes in the ceiling above the compressor and framed in an ac filter. You can barely hear it run!!! I am also thinking about a small blower just to make sure everything stays good & cool... All lines are copper and ran behind the walls with two covered drops on each wall & three from the ceiling as well as one on the outside of the building just incase I want/need to work in the driveway... The only thing I would have done differently here is to run lines to an external pressure regulator near the workbench so it would be easier to change working pressure and a power switch so I could turn it on and off from outside the cabinet. .. I just did not think about it at the time...

Lights, lights, lights... I have 12 recessed light fixtues leading down the walkway and over the workbench... I also added ten of the 8' tube lights (total of 20 bulbs) over where the toys are parked... Switched independently between both rows so I do not need to run them all if not necessary... I have security/flood lights on each corner of the exterior and a motion light above the entrance...

Oh yeah... Armorpoxy flooring...

Any thoughts on a good alarm????




http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l73/justaguy10825

 

Great ideas for your man cave's!

 

If you have a high enough ceiling, add a loft, I have the loft 14' off of the floor, great place to have the tanning bed, ect. Allan