Shop ideas

How big will it be? How much can you spend? And what do you want to do in it? A friend built a shop a few years ago and he put a drive over pit in it and he loves it and so do the neighbors that use. works for everything from sharpening lawnmower blades to semis and big tractors. I know some people may say a pit is a nono codes dangerous and so on but when you get older it is alot easier getting under things, some might suggest a car hoist but there are some things to big for that. Other things would be a sink hot and cold water, depending on location from house a toilet and shower. desk computer fridge microwave and a drain in the floor and floor heat.

Edited by DanWi - 16 Feb 2018 at 9:43pm

Prairie Farm Report has a nice bunch of videos available on different farm shops that have been built.  Lots of good ideas.  They sell some and some are on line.

Edited by Reindeer - 16 Feb 2018 at 10:30pm

Build it round so sh!t don't pile up in the corners...

Make sure you have enough head room.    Size always seems too small at some point so if possible plan so if needed you can add on in the future.

Make sure your doors are BIG even bigger than you ever envision needing. Uncle bought a R62 5-6 years ago I asked will it fit in your polebarn he was positive guess what? In order to get it in he has to fold the bin auger down so during harvest season it stays in my polebarn. I added 5 foot to the sidewalls of a building at my place to make it into a shop should have added 6 foot since it’s to short for my big articulated tractor.   

Put some anchors in floor.      MACK

I built mine too small!  Figure what you need, double that then double that!

Edited by JoeO(CMO) - 17 Feb 2018 at 10:07am

Like the others are saying make it as big and tall as you can afford. Maybe taller than you considered if you can't get a lot of square footage on your spot. That way you can have overhead storage. I built a 40x60 with 10 ft ceiling. I put a partition wall half way and only concreted half of it for a shop and I heat that part. Now its 60x60 and I'm getting ready to raise the ceilings in the shop part. Also installing a Jib Crane.

Edited by oldways - 17 Feb 2018 at 2:16pm

Wow guys! This is great! Keep the ideas coming. I'm building it 30x40. I don't have anything huge. We have a saw mill and we are milling all the lumber for it out of old power poles.

Wood stove. Gotta have a wood stove. Even if you have another source of heat. Built my out of a used fireplace insert. Put it up on some legs. Really nice when your in the shop long enough to build a fire.

don't use 8' tubes..PITA to buy($$),carry,store and install.... cheaper to buy 2 4' units these days...
I painted my waferboard ceiling primer white HUGE difference. THEN screwed 1by4 'strapping' where I wanted lights. Screwed 4' T8 units to them. These are plug in types ,so I have a 4by4 box with 2 'standard double recptacles' mounted on it, lights plug into it. Hard to explain BUT I can reposition the lights if necessary,unscrew straps,plug back in. Also by having 2 doubles, I have the option of plugging in a drill or trouble light. hmm my ceilings only 8' btw.still it'd be 'flexible' for you to...

receptacle for welder and air compressor are the same type(welder),allows welder to be moved around...
besure floor drains OUT the garage !! mine comes in(NOT my fault !!)

all receptacles on wall are 'double doubles'( 4 things can plug in). do same in 'mechanical room' you need it for charging stations.
put GFCIs at EACH corner of the building,and 1/2 way down.
double the roof venting ! I put 5 vents,roof guy said 3 was correct but ttic gets hotter than the proverbial witches......

roof trusses will NOT support 'storge weight' !! either buy correct($$) trusses or build mezzanines. Mezzaines do allow free,easy, SAFE access to attic space.

pull CAT5 aka Ethernet cable from house. Gives you faster internet to view the forum as well as nifty security cameras. Pull a 2nd for alarm system and landline.

consider a forklift to get stuff up to mezzanine or an elevator.

add a sheet of polycarb or plexi to all windows to protect the real windows from welding splatter and grinder grit. I lost 3 windows before I got smart...
instal a 'fastpak' or whatever the bix box stores call a 'whole house' electrical panel. It'll be the box, 100A main, places for 24 brkrs and the minimum breakers for a house (stove,dryer,3 splits, several 15A). Split the lighting onto 2 or more breakers and don't power equipment off them.It's embarassing to tell someone you tripped over the cooler when the drill blew the brkr taht all the lights are on...THAT's how you broke your elbow....

Built shop 4 years ago with additional storage beside. Plenty of light with multiple switches, no need to light a bunch just to retrieve a tool or bolt. Smooth floor, sweeps easy and a drain, even if it just drains to surface outside. Floor heat is nice if you work inside alot but takes a day to warm up, otherwise use propane tube heater on ceiling. Quiet,efficient, I like mine. Insulate. I got wet cellulose shot in walls. Mice Don't bother it and is almost as good as foam, and cheaper. I put 4 residential paddle fans on ceiling. Makes nice air movement in summer. Doors can't be big enough. I put a 24 foot insulated overhead in. Also put a 16 foot slider on wall between shop and storage. This is nice to move equipment back and forth without dealing with weather. Also allows room for extra large projects. Floor anchors. Took a 6 inch square tube, stand on end and drill hole for 1.25 rod with a large ring attached. Pour into cement,keep top even with floor and make metal lid. This allows smooth floor a no dirt catcher, need at least four. Gib crane is nice. Hot water and slop sink is very handy, almost a necessity. Plenty of electrical recepticles on multiple circuits. I put white metal on ceiling and 7/16 osb on walls but leave a dime thickness between joints for humidity expansion, paint it white before installation. Makes for a bright workshop and wood absorbs sound. Sparks could be a concern, depending on what you do. Or put tin on bottom 6 feet. Trusses overhang door by 4 feet, keeps weather off and out of doorway. It was fun designing for my needs and makes work more enjoyable. Go for it!!

Wow! Lots of great ideas here on buildings! I may have to come back to this and review it too! 

Should be sense not since

Lots of good ideas, but I think Gary is right. Work space and storage should be in different buildings. I don't like to weld and grind where all the expensive stuff is. Sure I have insurance, but I have little faith in it. Never good to have all the eggs in one basket, though that's the trend these days.