Shop advice needed!

[spot1970]

Hello, I need some advice from some of you that have a shop all ready. I am in the process of a 28 x 32. My original plan was 10' poles and to use steel trusses with an open span and no bottom chord allowing me enough headroom for a 2 post lift in the future. I can get steel trusses for $180 each. I would need 5 as my posts are 8' apart. I am trying to save money where possible but I don't want to regret being cheap either. I am now thinking of going 12' on the walls instead of 10' and building my own trusses from 2 x 6s. This would be cheaper and also I could have some storage space above the trusses. I have the slab poured and the posts up. They were used 6 x 6 cedar posts ( I said I was trying 2 save $) that I let run wild at the top. I was going to cut them off at 10'. I have 2 x 8 girts for the siding to be nailed to. Looking at it now all of the posts except 2 are tall enough to go 12'. Finally here comes the question. Should I add to the 2 short posts and scab 3 sides with 2 x 6s or stick to the original plan and go with steel trusses? I am really liking the wood trusses I found here-http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=626339
Sorry for being so long wided on my first post but I wanted to give as much detail as I could. Thanks. Great forum!

[Wyoming9]

You will run out of space real quick.

The extra height might not be a bad idea . There are also times I wished I had steel trusses with a clear span.

I know with the way my trusses are built I don`t have any real room for storage but then I span fifty feet. I also have the trusses cross braced so there is no possible flex with a heavy snow load..

[chris fresh]

go as big as neighbors/city/pocket will allow.i had a 20x40,then went to 30x50 and thought i was the king.yeah right,now i'm adding a 16x30 off the back for a tool room so i can keep the 30x50 for fab area.a friend three doors down in doin a 60 x 100 and is still iffy that it is gonna be enough.go as big as you can and then set it up so you can add in the future,because two years from now,you will.

[spot1970]

Am I right in thinking you have to have 12' ceiling height for a 2 post lift?

[PTSchram]

Am I right in thinking you have to have 12' ceiling height for a 2 post lift?

It really depends upon the lift and it's always a good idea to speak with your lift manufacturer/vendor (and not buy from Greg-I don't care about my customers-Smith).

Either way, it is always a good idea to go as high as the local codes will allow to get as much overhead clearance for the lift. I got lucky, there is at least 20' of headroom above my lift.

There will never be enough room, shops are never big enough. Big enough to make it easy to lose stuff, but never enough room for all the stuff I want to have inside. I'm in about 3100 sq ft right now, down from 4500, but I have a second floor to make up for the smaller footprint.

[AlabamaGMC]

Go big. Cant never have enough room. You probably coulda got some used chicken house trusses. Here you can get 40' wood scisor trusses for $40 used of course. and steel ones is just as cheap. I just sceen you are over in Tuscumbia. Give Farmco Builders a call. They sell the trusses and once used tin for a descent price. Could shorten the wood trusses. Heres the number 256-878-5756. Located n Albertville, AL.

[spot1970]

Thanks I'll call them tomorrow. I have looked for used steel trusses with no luck.