Ok, I've been planning my shop for about a year now and it is time to start the dirt work. I need some input to see if I have missed anything, so if you have had a shop that you thought "it would be nice if I had ..." or one that had a nice feature that you really enjoyed, let me know. This will be a "hobby" shop as opposed to a "professional" shop.

Here's the basics:
1.40 xl 60 insulated metal building - It will be a barn style with 18' walls in the 30' center section with 15' lean toos on each end. Planning for a lift in the center section.

2. At least half of the center section will have a second story for storage, play room, etc.

3. Planning a bathroom with shower, but not sure if I want it on the first floor or upstairs.

4. Planning for a crane system for the center section.

5. Thinking about putting in drains, but I want the floor level, so not sure about that.

6. Planning for 2 12' tall garage doors and 1 7' door. The Garage doors are going to be on opposite sides of the shop so that I can use it as a drive thru.

7. Planning for 220 single phase since 3 phase is not an option. I guess that any 3 phase that I get will have to have a rotary converter.

8. Been trying to think of some sort of elevator to go up to the second floor to lift those heavy things that I want to put up there.

Let me know of anything else that you can think of that I have missed.

Thanks

Put in floor drains. Even with a true floor, you'll want to be able to squeegee and mop the crud out of the way.

as for lifting things, why not a jib crane off the side of your loft?

Have fun, sounds like you're in for some.

I had not thought about the crane. Might be able to figure some type of control and platform so that I could ride up :D

Put in floor drains. Even with a true floor, you'll want to be able to squeegee and mop the crud out of the way.


x2

I wish whoever did mine had put drains in, cause the floor isn't true and I get puddles. :shaking:

I have to basically cut the concrete out from where the drain is to the outside and repour that section of floor. Oh and they didn't relief cut it either so I have random cracks, wet sawing it next spring.

You can use a forklift to lift shit up to the second floor and also move shit around the shop.

fireproof corner somewhere where you can cut/torch/grind/weld/grind withough the risk of lighting something on fire.

small office for books, drawings, computer access, fridge, gunsafe, microwave etc.

PEGBOARD

You can use a forklift to lift shit up to the second floor and also move shit around the shop.

I had thought about that, but I was trying to leave the floor space for projects and equipment. I may have to go that way and leave off the crane, but I am hoping that I can work it out.

fireproof corner somewhere where you can cut/torch/grind/weld/grind withough the risk of lighting something on fire.

small office for books, drawings, computer access, fridge, gunsafe, microwave etc.

PEGBOARD


Thought I'd have the office upstairs. I had not thought about the computer access. I am planning on having satellite hook up though. Might need to do internet access through it.

Planning for a paint booth in the shop. Might need to do something to separate the cutting/grinding/welding to keep the dirt in one area. I'll have to think on that some more.

Keep the ideas coming. Thanks guys.

Make one of your 12' doors 14' tall, if you ever buy a toter, semi, motorhome etc, it will pay off. This will also help if you ever sell, there is lots of stuff that won't quite clear a 12' door.

A friend is almost done with his 100' x 50', we put floor drains down the center but had the floor poured flat, there is a slight slope that starts about 6" from the drain, looks like it will work good but only time will tell.

We roughed in a bath on the ground floor, complete with urnail:D

Since he does a lot of snowmobile and motorcycle work we built 3 recessed pits that a bike lift will fit into, when installed the top of the lift will be flush with the floor.

Brewchief:D

When I was talking to contractors about building a shop, I was amazed at how resistant they all were to true floors. Every single one of them whined about removing water and in each case, as I was showing them to the door, I politely showed them my fancy high-tech mop for removing such water.

I'll be pouring about 1500 sq ft of concrete next spring and it's gonna be dead flat but probably no drains as they just won't work well in this space. I learned how to mop at a young age and got good at it!

PT