Planning new shop, many questions

[PTSchram]

OK fellas, I'm starting to plan for a new shop at the homestead. I've been renting for a coupla years and now it's time.

Does anybody have a source for help on laying out the shop space, giving consideration to things like how much room is needed around each vehicle, etc? I thought for sure I could find some sort of standard accepted sizes of shops to allow sufficient access, etc. but I can't find anything. Apparently, industrial engineers don't give much thought to layout of auto shops.

Peace,
PT

[Tuffjarhed]

I laid mine out around the tools, now I need a bigger shop, cause a rig don't fit!

[Travis Waldher]

However big you think you need it, go bigger.

[PTSchram]

I was renting 4500 sq. ft. Now I'm in 1500. We're planning on about 1000 sq. ft. and I'm wanting to make sure I get it right the first time. Yeah, I know-fat chance!

I'm willing to give up a bunch of my spare parts in exchange for having the shop at home and not paying rent (versus building equity at the residence).

I was looking for standard diensions for things like how much room at each end and on both sides for safe/workable clearance.

Still have to figure out how to pay for it.

[The Joker]

I would think atleast 4' each side of a vehicle, approximately that much behind and 6' minimum in front incase you are pulling engines.

Layout I think would depend a lot of shape of shop and dimensions as well as the type of equipment you are going to use.

I am still working on the design of my 36x36 and trying to make it two floor. Its the most I can afford and hope that I can arrange everything the way I need it to work efficiently.

[Lil'John]

I'd love to see some "how much space each item needs" type information also.

I'm in the design phase of a shop and want to take into account any/all tools I might eventually line up ;)

[PAToyota]

Grizzly Tools has this shop design planner: http://www.grizzly.com/workshopplanner.aspx

Of course, it is mostly woodworking stuff - no welders, benders, etc.

[PTSchram]

Well, the wife spent $20K on windows for the house last night. Looks like my garage has been put on hold again!

Grrr! We'd better save a shitload on heating bills this winter.