Finally started my new shop last Friday!

[SSSRodeo]

OK, you've all been folowing the buildup of this shop. I'm Happy to report they handed me the keys to it today Feb 16th 2005. Actually, I still have to put the big garage doors on next week, when they get here, but the erection crew is finished with their part. Now my work is just starting. Making it my shop. Lot to do. I'll keep ya'll up dated as changes are made. I have updated pictures in my Albumn below.
Thanks for playing along! :D
The beginning of the story is below, Should you want to review! :laughing:




We Finally got the foundation poured Friday 12/31/2004. What a mess. I had to keep an eye on the truck drivers the whole time. Every one of those jerks wanted to drive out across the yard. The first one made rutts up to 14 inches deep getting turned around. One asshat cement truck driver (load # 7) turned around in the F*king front yard. Good thing my wife wasn't home. She'd have shot his ass. I didn't have my back turned for more that 30 seconds and he's tearing up the front grass. This is all farm land out here and soft as hell! But, we've got 72 yards of concrete in the foundation. Good timing!
Was beginning to think it wouldn't get done. It rained Sunday night and the price of concrete went up almost $5.00 a yard Saturday the 1st of the year. Good thing I made friends with the owner of the Concrete Company last Fall. He honored his Fall price. Even when we had to order an extra 12 yards to finish. The concrete trucks were so damn heavy, I had to call a halt to it after the first load and order a pumper truck. #1 load tore up the back yard so bad. Luckly the Pumper was only 20 minutes down the road and arrived before the second load got here. I made them all, (all but that 1st one & #7), turn around in the street and back down the driveway.
The building is being delivered the 10th of this month. Had to fight with the Building Manufacturer when they called to say that the delivery date they originally set up would not be good, as they would be closed that week. I called B.S.. "You should have know that before you set the Delivery Date in the first place, I've got a crew already scheduled to be here that week of the 10th to unload the thing and start putting it up as soon as it gets here". Had a hell of a time finding a date the Erection Crew could work me in on. Due to other larger projects they've already scheduled in January, Febuary & March. If I had to reschedule the erection crew, I may not be able to get them to unload the building until late spring. Maybe Summer before they could stand it up.

I've got pictures loaded on a Web Hosting site, http://www.photogra.com/index.cfm/a:948949
Finallly got them tagged Public Viewing Enabled!

Guess you can tell I had to drink a few beers after that day! And I don't even drink. But since I bought some for the finishers for afterwards, they were there. So we had plenty. But DAMN what a day. It's raining like a SOB here now. So, we got it poured just in the nick of time. Got a good 48 hours of drying time before the rain came. I'm looked at the puddles lastnight for low spots and it looks pretty good. Only one low spot, about 3 feet in diameter in the center, with about 1/8th inch of water standing. And the forms are still up. Guess I'll take them down tonight, so the guys won't get stuck trying to drive around the foundation. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if they try and drive back there after all this rain. There's no way I'll pay for a wrecker to pull their asses out if they do.

Woa! Guess I type too much.
SSSRodeo

[fj40guy]

Curtis,

How big is that slab? 50' x 60'??? Hard to tell from the photos.

Looks good. Sounds like you got a great price on the concrete! :D

Oh, you should see MY yard after ripping out all the Cedar Trees, concrete trucks, pool going in... I think my neighbors hate me at the moment... but at least I got positive feedback about the fence (wrought iron style) at least they know we are making progress. :)

Trucks stuck in the Mud... that is what a FJ40 is good for (fellow with the Ford 550 4x4 still couldn't believe I pulled him out of the yard!)

Tom :usa:

[SSSRodeo]

Yea, the wife went shopping all last week while they were framing up the forms and royaly screwing up the yard. I kept telling her it was going to get a lot worse before it got better. I was right!
Oh yea, I knew I was leaving out something.
The Slab is 60'W X 50'D. The building will be 16' high at the eaves. I need 3- 20 x 50 bays for now. It's laid out so it can be stretched out another 50' later if I find I need it. The shallowest part of the concrete floor is 7 1/2 " with a pair of 2'X2' pear hole pits in the rear of the middle bay for a large 2 post lift. It'll have a 10' X 20' parts and material storage loft over the front half of the left bay. Kinda like what Camo did with his. Eventually hoping to install an overhead crane over the Center and Left two bays. That ,or a nice size swing crane off the loft. I picked up a small propane powered fork lift for a song last summer for those out of reach lifts.
Oh,and the head is plummed in the front laft corner.


I hope you guys don't think I'm braggin too much. I'm just real excited to be able to get this built. It's been a loooooooong time saving and dreaming of this day. Retirement is 18 months away and counting.

SSSRodeo

[ColeTrickle]

Thats nice!

I'm no where near retirement but have been thinking of building a metal building like that with a efficency apartment. Got the land just need to find a design I like. 60'X40' was my thinking with an upstairs apartment on one side of 40'X30'. Only thing is it seems that all that open space above the other 40'X30' would be unuseable. Was thinking of 22' peaks and a eave height of 16'.

Any opinions?

Again, nice shop. I can only dream at the moment. :D

[fj40guy]

Cole... keep dreaming. :)

There are quite a few hangers with built in living area's. I have 14' side walls, and for an office "upstairs" I should have gone with 16' side walls, but will stick with "storage" being up there (area is 10' x 30').

Search around here for ideas: Airport Homes (http://www.airporthomes.com/) mainly check Texas. :)

There was a "air strip home" for sale in the Pan Handle (Texas). 60 acre's, 1400 sq ft home, 2000' strip, 1500 sq ft hanger/shop. $60,000 Middle of no where, but with a small plane and stocking up on supplies... my idea of heaven. :D

Tom :usa:

[Gummi Bear]

Thats nice!

I'm no where near retirement but have been thinking of building a metal building like that with a efficency apartment. Got the land just need to find a design I like. 60'X40' was my thinking with an upstairs apartment on one side of 40'X30'. Only thing is it seems that all that open space above the other 40'X30' would be unuseable. Was thinking of 22' peaks and a eave height of 16'.

Any opinions?

Again, nice shop. I can only dream at the moment. :D

My folks did just what you're describing. 40x60 shop, and in one end is a 20x40 living area. Basically an efficiency apartment. The area above it is for storage. They kept the apartment on the ground floor for whomever may be coming to visit (old folks and stairs don't mix). This leaves a nice 40x40 workspace. They have a 12' eave height, Dad didn't want it too tall, the weather can get pretty rough out there (near Eastland), and he didn't want any more exposure than necessary.

[SSSRodeo]

I got a call today from my Erection Company. Bob tells me I should have my building completely framed up byTuesday of next week. Their going to take right off the truck Monday morning and start standing it up right then. :D I may have to wait untl next week for them to skin it though. Right now that's fine with me. It will give me a bigger picture of where I'm going to put all my junk. The weather has put him behind on several of his bigger jobs and sinces my little puney 60' x 50' x 16' building is really just small potatoes, I get to wait a little longer!
After all we are in Texas.

It's forcast to rain Wednesday anyway!!!!!

SSSRodeo

[SSSRodeo]

Building arrived this morning.
Unloaded and inventoried by 11:00am
Supposed to have the red iron up by tomorrow.
Foreman tells me he'll be done by noon tomorrow.
Will come back next week after the weather clears out to dry it in.

http://www.photogra.com/index.cfm?p=viewphoto&StartRow=13&AlbumID=948949&kw=&pg=Yes&d=1

Getting there!
Why does time stand still when youre waiting for something good to get going?

SSSRodeo

[ColeTrickle]

Lookin' good ;)

[DanB]

lucky bastard.. i can still keep dreaming :)

nice shop!!

[SSSRodeo]

Well it's noon on the second day of the building erection and the crew had to pull off and go finish another bigger job. They've got about another 1/2 day of work to get the red iron up. Not sure if they'll try and finish tomorrow before the rain gets here or wait till next week when they come back to dry it in. Not worried, I have plenty of yard work to do in the mean time. I told the their boss/owner that I could wait a little while for them to finish. He's so overbooked from weather delays and a good friend, so I won't push it. The price is right!
At least the corners are up and tied in. The doors aren't framed yet, but they did lay up the roof rafters, so they can scoot them in place in no time. Glad I'm not out there doing it. The wind is blowing like a Mo Fo.
I added two more pictures to the albumn with todays progress if you want to see. The link is in my last post above.
BTY, I figured out that after I get the inside loft built I'll have enough material left to build a 10' x 4' chassis welding table. Will even have enough after that to build a 4"x4"x4' grinder stand. Don't really need another stand, unless I add an aluminum polisher.

Gotta get back to work.

SSSRodeo

[fj40guy]

Looking good.

I had planned on running electrical from the power pole to the shop this week. Electric folks came out to look... uh, the pole is 76' from the building. Turns out the MAXIMUM for an overhead line in '75. Yep, need another $735 installed.

Before any ask "why not trench it" -- Possible, but solid rock. Rocksaw to dump a electrical line down 12" is about $10/ft. :flipoff2:

Tom :usa:

[Sound_Man]

atleast you get a skytrack to play with for a few days

[SSSRodeo]

Looking good.

I had planned on running electrical from the power pole to the shop this week. Electric folks came out to look... uh, the pole is 76' from the building. Turns out the MAXIMUM for an overhead line in '75. Yep, need another $735 installed.

Before any ask "why not trench it" -- Possible, but solid rock. Rocksaw to dump a electrical line down 12" is about $10/ft. :flipoff2:

Tom :usa:

12"???? You have got to be kidding me. Hell just put up a 24" eye bolt. If they are measuring from point of attachment to point of attachment it'd work!!! That is assinine. Back when I was doing that for the Electric Co. I would have hooked you up if you were under 100". The service rolls come in 100'+ rolls anyway. Would just mean that much less to have to unload in scraps. Sorry you got an asshole planner.(You do know those guys are NOT engineers, Don't you?) I'd call his supervisor. Bet he gets overridden on that one. They pull everthing from a spec book.
Or just tell them you'll reinforce the attachment and they can pull the pole over a foot. Those power poles can lean as much as 2 feet at the top before they are even noticable. How big a service are they talking about putting up? #2 trplx aeriel is good for 200 amps. The damn drip loops can be as long as 6 feet.

I'll be using 1/0 urd wire on mine. Scraps I'll get from the bin. I'd use 4/0 but my meter base lugs are only big enough for 1/0. That'll take care of anything I want to run in my shop. Unfortunitly, were single phase for about 3/4 mile, so there's no way I'm going to pay for another phase to be pulled in.

There is no way in hell I'd let them treat me that way over a damn foot.

SSSRodeo

[SSSRodeo]

atleast you get a skytrack to play with for a few days


Huh? I didn't even sit in the thing. Did look at the controls though. It has 4 wheel steering. Flip a switch and it will crab. Now that was cool to watch.
It's gone now. Or I'd be out there playing with it now.

SSSRodeo

[fj40guy]

12"???? You have got to be kidding me. Hell just put up a 24" eye bolt. If they are measuring from point of attachment to point of attachment it'd work!!! That is assinine.

Update on this. The "hook up fee" for the 200Amp meter includes up to three poles being set. $600 fee (someone else said $735). This will allow the pole to building to have just 10' overhead (12' off the ground).

So looks like one pole, please. :)

Tom :usa:

[hotwheelsYJ]

the pole is 76' from the building.
Before any ask "why not trench it" -- Possible, but solid rock. Rocksaw to dump a electrical line down 12" is about $10/ft.
Update on this. The "hook up fee" for the 200Amp meter includes up to three poles being set. $600 fee (someone else said $735). This will allow the pole to building to have just 10' overhead (12' off the ground).

Spend the extra $100 to have it trenched, I didn't and now everytime we come through w/ a big trailer we can't. :mad3:
Also, if you ever wanted to add a side shed to the building the damn line will hang in the way :mad3:

[SHERPA]

Tom,

can't you rent a rock-saw trencher someplace local and DIY-? I remember the local yards in Austin had those to rent-......

--Sherpa

[Hanr3]

I love it when a plan comes together. keep us posted. Right now I would be happy having all the tools I want, let a lone a place to play with them. :D

[camo]

looks great !!

oh and by the way...hiring a work crew is cheating :flipoff2: actually mine was fun for about a week and then I was dreaming about a hiring help...:D

is this a hobby shop or your biz ?

[camo]

who did you get your building from and how much was it ?

[SSSRodeo]

looks great !!

oh and by the way...hiring a work crew is cheating :flipoff2: actually mine was fun for about a week and then I was dreaming about a hiring help...:D

is this a hobby shop or your biz ?

who did you get your building from and how much was it ?

Thanks Camo,
I had originally planned to build it myself, but the thought of spending 2 years of my spare time didn't appeal to me. My schedule is so hectic now, it might never get done if it was just me doing it. Luckily my wife is from an affluent family and insisted I just go ahead and hire it out. This way I can have it before summer. Her side of the family think working with your hands is nuts. Father in law says, "There are people out there who enjoy working with their hands, Who am I to prevent them from enjoying their life." Course they didn't contribute a dime to this project. This one my wife and I saved for up for the entire seven years we've been married.

For now it's a hobby shop. I'll be 55 in 18 months and would like to take an early retirement and work from home full time. I already home office so the dicipline is there already. I figure it'll take that long to get the buisness going.
I told the wife that once I get enough income coming in from this place she can retire for teaching school. She's all for that. Already have a several machine tools and will add a CNC plasma machine before Summer.

I bought the building from United Structures of America, a Houston Tx. Company last Fall. Nailed down the price before steel prices went through the roof. Would you believe $16,695.00 before sales tax? Looking at the invoice now. I understand the same building now from them would most likely cost $25K.

The crew should start back and finish it early next week, so I should be busy the next weekend wiring it out. The roll up doors, I get to hang. Saves me a few bucks that way and gives me something to do on the structure.

Getting anxious!!!

SSSRodeo

[SSSRodeo]

Well the Crew is finally back on my buildiing. I was awaken early this morning by the sound of steel being drug around.
I can't tell you how hard it's been staying off the job and keeping my hands in my pockets.
Everyday, I come home and just want to jump out there and put something up.
Bob tells me this crew will stay until it's done. We're going to have good weather until Sunday.So I've got my fingers crossed.
I will say that this is a different crew and they seem to be a lot faster than the first group.
Will start posting up progress pictures after my camera battery recharges.

Later,
SSSRodeo

[fj40guy]

Curtis,

If you need to do something... come on down, I've got lots of work to do! :)

Actually haven't done much the last week. Too darn cold to prep the floor as it should be atleast 70F to paint it.

Irony... with my lights, the best way to mount is solid to the rafters. All I need is a metal shim with a 5 degree shim (1 in 12) to keep it level. If I had power and the mill running, that would be a piece of cake to make. Hmm.

Tom :usa:

[SSSRodeo]

Curtis,

If you need to do something... come on down, I've got lots of work to do! :)

Actually haven't done much the last week. Too darn cold to prep the floor as it should be atleast 70F to paint it.

Irony... with my lights, the best way to mount is solid to the rafters. All I need is a metal shim with a 5 degree shim (1 in 12) to keep it level. If I had power and the mill running, that would be a piece of cake to make. Hmm.

Tom :usa:

I'v plenty to do Tom just keeping the mud out off of everything.
Oh and just so ya'll know Tom and I talked today on the phone about his light mounting. No shims needed my way. Just need a BFH. I just hope those lights don't buzz real bad. Other wise my way will drive ya nuts....

Here's some updated pictures of todays progress, hopefully this link will keep ya'll from having to scroll through from the beginning.

http://www.photogra.com/index.cfm?p=viewphoto&StartRow=25&AlbumID=948949&kw=&pg=Yes&d=1



Tommorrow, it gets skinned. I promised NOT to help.


SSSRodeo

[DHONDAGOD]

looks good! im envious.... are you installing insulation on walls and ceiling? makes a big difference and would be worth the addl cost in my opinion... ive worked in both and the difference in heat/cold coming off the walls was amazing... just a thought...




chris :goofball:

[hoehand]

I just realized that your place is about three hundred yards west of my fathers house. Small world. I kept looking at the pictures, and it all looked familiar. You have a nice place.

What all are you going to do out of your new shop?

[SSSRodeo]

looks good! im envious.... are you installing insulation on walls and ceiling? makes a big difference and would be worth the addl cost in my opinion... ive worked in both and the difference in heat/cold coming off the walls was amazing... just a thought...
chris
Insulation? That's what those big white rolls on the shop floor are.
4 " top and sides
Yea, it gets cold for a few weeks here in Texas but, it gets hotter longer.
4 weeks of winter, 3 months of spring, 5 months of summer and 3 months of fall.


I just realized that your place is about three hundred yards west of my fathers house. Small world. I kept looking at the pictures, and it all looked familiar. You have a nice place.

What all are you going to do out of your new shop?

He must live over on Cross Country Rd.
Your not the guy with the fart can exhaust on your Honda are you. :laughing:
Drop by next time your out. I still don't know that many of my neighbors.

I'll be manufacturing several different top secret products in this building. The not so secret stuff will be Bicycles for the handicap and evironmental products. And I'll do a few motohome refubishing when time allows.
Oh, and build my Off Road Junk. Since I plan on retiring in 17 months I have my work cut out for me if I want to make a living out there.
Wonder if the Glitter Buisness is worth looking at????? :laughing: :laughing:
Gotta run!
SSSRodeo

[hoehand]

No I drive a one ton dodge. I dont remember the name of the road, but it is just to the east of you.

What type of environmental products are you planning on making?

[Joe_W]

Curtis,

If you need to do something... come on down, I've got lots of work to do! :)

Actually haven't done much the last week. Too darn cold to prep the floor as it should be atleast 70F to paint it.

Irony... with my lights, the best way to mount is solid to the rafters. All I need is a metal shim with a 5 degree shim (1 in 12) to keep it level. If I had power and the mill running, that would be a piece of cake to make. Hmm.

Tom :usa:

Tom...if you ever need an extra pair of hands give me a shot, I work for beer and a good meal :D

Looking good Curtis. Funny..I heard all about these plans driving to Moab 3 or 4 years ago :) glad it's all coming true

[SSSRodeo]

Looking good Curtis. Funny..I heard all about these plans driving to Moab 3 or 4 years ago :) glad it's all coming true


Thanks Joe. Yes, we've been planning this for quite sometime. Even then we were looking for a place like this one in the Country. Took a while to find the right spot. Been saving for this shop since Melissa and I got married 7 years ago. Hard to believe we've been here 2 years. So far, we're still on schedule as far as getting it all together.
Funny thing is now after all these years, I am having a hard time with not having it finished yet. It was easier when I couldn't look out my office window and see all the pieces laying there waiting to come together. Guess I'm just getting impatient in my old age. :eek:
I've been buying things for outfitting the inside. The garage is full of stuff ready to go in there. I will have plenty to do once they hand me the keys!
But, nothing I can't handle.
Finally got my Computer fixed. Air Trooper came over today to look at the shop progress and asked if I was still cussing this old Sony Laptop. Next thing I know he's in here digging thru the BIOS settings. I still have to order a new keyboard and CD ROM but that's no biggie.

Thanks Robert, You the Man. :D

Gotta run.

SSSRodeo


ps. I loaded up the latest pictures of the progress last night, if anyones interested. Last three pics are the latest.

[Toyota_Jim]

Damn, guy up the road has a big business building steel buildings. Ive helped him for on a few jobs. On a small building like that we would have 2 basket lifts and a lull there.

working off ladders sucks !

[sachilles]

Looks good, I'm jealous.

Someday..... :(

[SSSRodeo]

Damn, guy up the road has a big business building steel buildings. Ive helped him for on a few jobs. On a small building like that we would have 2 basket lifts and a lull there.

working off ladders sucks !

Yea, go figure! :eek:
I was expecting at least one lift for this job. Either way the price is the same. I guess he really is using it as a filler job. If he wants to use ladders I'm not going to say anything. At least he's insured. I was sure surprised that they haven't gotten any farther than they have. But, the price is right, and this Company does a lot bigger building than this puny pittle thing. :D Maybe that's where all his lifts are.
Was hoping to be sealing the floor this weekend.
They say it will be done this Wednesday.
Either way, I'm not going to bring in my scaffolds in until they clear out.

SSSRodeo

[biglar]

Looking good Curtis.

[SSSRodeo]

Thanks Larry,
I'll have todays pictures loaded up later tonight.
All four walls are covered and the roofpanelsare up there butnot tied down. Theysay Monday.
Wish these guys would work this weekend, but it's supposed to rain tonight & tomorrow.
Gota run meet the Kids for Dinner.
I'll explain my lighting plans tomorrow, when I have some time.
Curtis

[J33P_XJ_89]

sweet.......looking good rodeo....im sure the fun you'll have with that shop will more than pay for its cost even just as a hobby shop...

[SSSRodeo]

Woopppppeeeeeee! The roof is on. They still have to add the roof caps and trim it out. That'll be done tomorrow. But, now the rain won't soak it all down inside anymore.
Here's a quick link to Friday's and today's progress. http://www.photogra.com/index.cfm?p=viewphoto&StartRow=37&AlbumID=948949&PG=Yes&Kw=&d=1

We had some windy & wet weather last week which slowed us up for a few days.
Tomorrow is supposed to be a stellar day. They should get it finished or so close you won't be able to tell what's left before the weather goes south.

Came up short on the screws. About 250 of them. They should arrive tomorrow.

Wednesday is calling for rain and cold, so we should be good. I'll go ahead and make sure my doors are on their way. Hopefully they'll be here in a few days.

Won't be long and I'll get to work on it.

Oh, A friend of mine who owns an Electric Contracting Company fixed me up with all the wire and conduit I'll need. Not to mention clamps, boxes, fittings and scaffolds to hang it all up with. Even gave me 2 serious lights. Guess he needed to clean out his storage shed. :smokin: That should save me a butt load of cash. :D
Curtis

[TheRipper]

Wished I met you before you did the slab.I bet I could have saved you money.You used my competiotion..lol..for the concrete.

[SSSRodeo]

Wished I met you before you did the slab.I bet I could have saved you money.You used my competiotion..lol..for the concrete.

Yea, well don't go anywhare. I still have to pour a 20' front apron outside before I can drive in and out of the shop with the fork lift.
I plan on the apron going across the front of the shop by summer.


CJ

[biglar]

Looks good Curtis. I couldn't see the pics from the last link you posted. I had to go back to the first link on page one. My shop is a little more basic than yours. No wall insulation or sky lights, so the installers turned the building over to me this afternoon. I have an electrician friend also, but no free parts. He guestimated about $1800.00 on material for lights and power. Keep us posted.
Larry

[SSSRodeo]

Have you seen the lights that FJForty bought off of EBAY for his shop. I think he made a good score. We get a LOT hotter here in Texas than you do in Riverside.
Did I tell you I graduated High School in San Bernadino? Pacific High "69".. I skylighted so I could save some money on lighting. Won't need any during the day.
Hopeing to get my keys Wednesday. So I guess you won the first lap. :)
It will probably take me longer to wire it all out than you. But that's ok with me.

I'll go fix the link!

Curtis

[biglar]

I think you'll probably win the race...now that it's up to me to finish the work. My inlaws and uncle all went to Pacific. Randy (uncle) and Cheryl Wilkinson and Autry "Curley" Mann (inlaws). What lights did FJ40 buy?

[SSSRodeo]

I think you'll probably win the race...now that it's up to me to finish the work. My inlaws and uncle all went to Pacific. Randy (uncle) and Cheryl Wilkinson and Autry "Curley" Mann (inlaws). What lights did FJ40 buy?

Larry, Here's Toms thread about his lights.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=324793

Later,
Curtis

[SSSRodeo]

OK, you've all been folowing the buildup of this shop. I'm Happy to report they handed me the keys to it today Feb 16th 2005. Actually, I still have to put the big garage doors on next week, when they get here, but the erection crew is finished with their part. Now my work is just starting. Making it my shop. Lot to do yet. I'll keep ya'll up dated as changes are made. I have updated pictures in my Albumn above.
Thanks for playing along! :D

[BurntOrange]

Congrats! Awesome looking structure. I'm jealous. Good luck with the next phase...

[biglar]

OK, you've all been folowing the buildup of this shop. I'm Happy to report they handed me the keys to it today Feb 16th 2005. I have updated pictures in my Albumn above.
Thanks for playing along! :D


CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Still Looking Good. Thanks for the link to the lighting thread. I ordered Metal halide lights yesterday. Man is lighting expensive. I checked e-bay, but the best used prices I found were comparable to what I paid for new lights. Keep us posted on your progress.
Larry