Shop, need suggestions
 

I thought this would be a good forum to start because of obvious reasons. Most of us have garages and shops that we store and work on our race cars. After ten years of neglecting my shop for one reason or another, I thought it was time to finish the inside. Below are pictures of what it looked like before and now. If anyone is interested, I have some pictures of the 4 weeks it took me to get to this point. I have always wanted a nice clean bright shop. I know some feel if it is not messy then there is no working being done, but I wanted neat a clean. My next project is to add some wall cabinets. After that I‘m looking into a 2 post lift.

If anyone has any suggestion feel free to chime in. I have a 127 inch ceiling so I am limited to the type of lift I can use. Cabinet suggestions are also welcome.

Tell us about your shop or garage, and don’t forget the pictures. I think this can become a great place for ideas, suggestions and help. We all need the right equipment and a place to work on our cars. Whether you do everything your self or just maintain your race car, lets see your shop and here your ideas.

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Ken Great idea, here's are some pictures of my past garage, presently using a temporary winter garage until next year when my township final approval since i have one of those crazy neighbor who contest everything you do. Metal cabinets are quite expensive $5K and up. Try checking with some local kitchen cabinet makers, you can by plywood grade cabinets for a great price, the great part, they won't rust. You're right there is nothing better to work than a clean garage. Claude

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Claude,

That was a nice garage, I like the floor. I need to do my floor as you can see by the picture, I need to recoat. I was not thinking of metal cabinets, I like the ones you had, the gray ones, but I would go with white.

My township is the same way. I could only build a 30x36, I should have went higher though. My neighbor called the township every month even though I never made any noise. Now that he passed away, there is piece in the neighborhood. Keep us updated on the build, I would love to see your ideas.

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

thought i could add a few of my new garage, i too was limited. it is a 40x36. i did decide to make it tall enough to work on the motor home, trucks etc. i do custom painting and have yet to put in a booth, still looking at my options. i made one door 12x12 the other two are 10x10. i found the lift at Greg smith equipment, picked it up just a few miles away, and installed it myself, it is the 10k extra tall and extra wide, i can drive the m/h through it. i also got a trans jack, two large adj. stands. new 50' hose real and a large roller oil drain. all for a haggled price of $2500. i have an unfinished office now and storage space above it. was thinking more of a brass pole up there just in case....i made a room in the back for my air compressor and the lift accessories. i love the lights, they are the new 4 bulb sunlight instant on fixtures. i also installed a sink and a drain. i can wash my cars indoors now. had the whole front paved and added a RV dump and 30 amp receptacle where i park the m/h. also added several 50 amp recp. for my welder and all on walls are 20 amp for the plasma cutter. had receptacles mounted in a finished ceiling so i could add a door opener and one for the 75' ceiling extension cord. installed a surround sound and the 42" LCD TV. would someday like to finish the inside walls like the ceiling, but the TV pushed the wife off the edge so that may have to wait.....

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Keith,

Nice shop, I like the high door for the big stuff. How do you like your Atlas lift?

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

i love the lift, made the wife help me change out both transmissions at our other house's garage, on the floor. she agreed a lift would be part of this new garage. (sometimes it's all in the way you ask, lol) also, i was able to drive about 20 miles, pick it up, (they had 10 in stock) and make a heck of a deal on it with all the other accessories! installed it myself within a day. had about 4 others help lift it in place after i assembled it on the floor... i also used it to lift the front of the motor home while i did the brakes, i think it is the best tool i ever bought!

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

yep, that hump or any bar on the floor would just be in the way, have you thought about a 4 post lift as an option? they now make them on wheels so they can be moved around the shop when not in use. some have very nice features.
also for cabinets, i found the new style craftsman to be very nice and sturdy, the doors open with space inside for cans etc. i bought 2, a floor cabinet and a wall unit. much better than some of the flimsy alternatives, took a lot of time shopping and looking at these, i for one like to be able to touch and see something before i buy. these were nice and not bad on price...all my other cabinets/ workbenches, i kept from my other shop. gave them a coat of truck bed-liner paint, what a difference..

p.s. very nice overhaul of your shop, did not see a fire ext. though, always a good idea

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

I thought about a four post, but even though you can move it around, the two post takes up less space. With a two post I can have a car on either side and I’m able to keep the middle open for street car work.

I was thinking on going with Ulti-MATE cabinets. They are reasonable priced and come in white.

I went with the metal for the interior walls instead of drywall. I hate painting, and the drywall would have made a mess of everything, with tape and painting. It was a pain just moving stuff from one side to another, as you can tell by the mess. Drywall would have been a nightmare. I like the idea of being able to get behind the wall for electric or air with just removing a few screws. I ran all my air lines behind the wall. I do have a fire extinguisher right next to the door as you come in.

Here a few more shots, I built these enclosures on the sides and one in the back. I was tired of looking at everything. The one in the back is for light fabrication, drill press, bandsaw, grinders, welder and to store the air compressor. The sides are for oil storage, chemicals and a utility closest for brooms, vacuum, stuff like that.

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Here is a couple of storage cabinet places and one has free ship.....



http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...age-organizers



http://www.u-sav.com/garagestoragedi...Fcdk7AodGklolQ

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Wow! nice garage Keith, a lot of hard work was dedicated to your enterprise. Ken that was a smart move to go metal on the walls, my garage will have plastic sheating on the wall and ceilings for ease of cleaning. For your floor your can have your choice of epoxy coats now which weren't available to me at the time(mine was buffed and polish since I had a friend in the ciment business) a great place for cabinets are the medical field companies that renovate Doctors and medical clinics, they always have a good selection of new and old(the quality are usually top notch and made of plywood). One of the best idea I've come across is to install all compressors and vacuum outside in a separate room, to bring the noise down(we all need to protect our hearing).lol Great thread Ken p.s. how is the motor coming did you find out what caused it or was it just normal wear and tear?

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Good Morning all

Good thoughts. I built a shop that I thought would be too big 35' wide and 45' long, 10' ceilings 2 12' X 10' overhead door and small guest quarters as I was getting back into racing after a long retirement. I have a PDF plans as well as some photo's e-mail if you would like some copies.
Almost 2 years ago I had the heat/ac installed, insulated, OSB, and metal covering. Also put in a used house Natural Gas furnace and AC.

It now houses race work area as well as 37' Gold Rush 5th wheel.


Some thoughts.
-Never Big enough
-Installing Metal is a real pain if not done during initial construction Cutting around electrical fixtures.
-Spray in insulation really worked exceeding well in walls.


Paul

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

This is agreat thread! Having a place to dump the living quarters or RV is a great idea. We are going to be building a shop next year and all the ideas for planning is very helpful. What are the shops constructed from? Wood or all steel? What are everyone's preferences and why?

Thanks
Sean

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Some construction photos.

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Claude,

It was just wear and tear I guess. The crank had over 600 runs, even though it was checked every year, I guess it was worn out. Hopefully we can use aftermarket cranks next year.

The metal walls also hold up a little better if a jack or tool hits them. I did not find it to much trouble putting the walls up, it was the ceiling that beat me up. I should have rented a scaffold. Here is a picture of what I made to do the ceiling.

Paul, I have to agree, you can never go big enough when building a garage.

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Ken, that ceiling hanging design is brilliant! I built a 28x36 in 2010 with a 10x10 office, compressor room and bathroom that has storage overtop. Here are some pics. I bought the lift from Eagle manufacturing here in NC, you should check them out online.

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

man, i love the pinball machine!

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Thanks! It was not working and pretty rough when I got it. I had to have it though! Works good now but my girls may wear it out!

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Not sure where to start ( me without words ? ) - built my shop 20 years ago and things have changed a bunch and so it'll be time for a facelift soon not to mention getting rid of many , many years of clutter - some stuff has been here the entire time ( note the Winston signs ) .I've been slowly selling off things on E-Bay and Craigslist but just ask my wife - she'll tell you i've got a long way to go .

Maybe I need Sanford & Son to drop by and take a truckload or two ............This garage/workshop is a lesson in how to stuff 10lbs of stuff in a 5lb bag .Way too much ! ! !

There you go Ken - now everyone knows how unorganized I really am .Hope you're happy ..........I'll revisit after soon renovations are done - or at least started .

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Jack where are you going to put your first 69 Camaro that you were fixing up(add another garage.lol Great looking house and garage.
Ken, for your car lift, you can always modify the rafters to allow more room to lift the car, I was just explaining to a friend that he shouldn't think of installing a pit, since most cities and township have banned them due to poor ventilation and danger of explosions. I like this thread, nice to see great idea of real garages, not crazy expensive salons F1 race cars on the wall(real ones). Bert and Paul great ideas, hope you don't mind the R&D (rob and duplicate) Claude

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Claude, Not sure I want to do that, but it is an option.

Jack, It looks like you have more tools boxes than cars. Don't tell me you actually turn wrench's. Then again they are probably empty.

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Don't see any "beer boxes" aka refridgerators in your shops:D

You guys got some very nice looking shops, those lifts are trick

I am in a neighborhood (not a trailer park) that has excessive deed restrictions. Now I keep my car in a shop in Manvel Texas (they french kiss their sisters down there)

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Ken - Yeah , I've got a few boxes but I really like the storage room in them - tools for all occasions .........and along the line I did learn how to use them .

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

I am in the planning stage and am considering 30x30 or thereabouts, a pit that can be covered instead of a space-intrusive lift, enough height for the trailer, doors at each end so could drive through and drop the trailer, etc.

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Sounds good, I would go high for trailers and truck work also. I like the idea of the drive through too.

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Drive Thur was always my dream but high enough is a must.
Trailer inside right next to the race car is just great. I guess I have too many tools now?

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Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Thank you Ken

When I get a chance I will try and get some more photos.

Yes it has been a dream of mine for a long time and I have been working on the trailerand it works so good. I am at the point that maybe some of the stuff I have in the shop could be re-purposed elsewhere.

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Paul, I can't wait to see the photos. I always wonder what others do with there shops. I found these photos on another website, something for everyone.

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Ken

I have spent hours and hours on the that site and there is a lot of my spent on garages a lot as almost museums.

I need to make the garage presentable before pictures.

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

I finally took some photos of the shop as it is today. Still not as neat as most but very functional.

Side lights in the trailer bay for backing in at night.

A second tool box just ahead of the red box on the trailer.

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Thank you Ken

The remote Garage is pretty close to the house therefore we had them match pretty close.

Paul

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Brian Oakes sent me these photos of his shop to post. Seems he is photo challenged, poor Brian.

Brian's shop is 60 x 80, heat and a/c, 2 post lift, tool room, welding area , quiet air compressor, and large fridge full of beer of course, drive way is 120 wide at bottom, 70' wide beside building and 100' long. All I can says is, I want one just like this.

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Thanks Ken and Brian

I have to agree my dream shop, congratulations it looks awesome.

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Great Thread! A couple of things I learned... Sit down and sketch out your space and move things around, Think about how far u will have to walk and the position of your car in the space, it really helped me, if you are limited in space nothing beats the plastic fold tables, I have seen guys with 6 or 8 lined around the outside, and you can always fold them up... The other is painting your floor and not spending alot. Go to your local hospital and ask to speak with a floor guy in the EVS (enviromental dept.) alot of these guys work on the side for cheap... A guy came out, used an aggresive pad with stripper... It makes an awesome painting surface, I paid him 60 bucks and he brought all the equipment... Walmarts grey paint is made by dutch boys, 50 bucks did my 30 x 25 shop... Its great b/c after a project u can touch up and it looks great... If etched good, I have dropped a running grinder:eek: on it and it hardly comes off... Hope this helps! Hope my pictures show!

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

Sorry guys, Here are the pics... Ron

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

I am in the middle of getting quotes to get a shop built. The pole type are cheaper to build but a stick built is easier to finish. Any one do a insulated and finished pole style that would have some good suggestions for insulating them?

One thing I found is if you use a scissor rafter you can get a couple of feet extra ceiling clearance in the center of the building. That lets you keep the walls a little shorter and still have room for a lift.

I am sure this will not be a quick project but I will try and add some pics once I make my decision and start building.

One good thing is I live in a very small town with pretty much no building codes so I don't need to worry about what I can and can't do.

Re: Shop, need suggestions
 

They still have building codes , maybe just less silly restrictions.---Trevor