Shop ideas
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Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=147601
Printed Date: 08 May 2025 at 9:11am
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Topic: Shop ideas
Posted By: spencefarm
Subject: Shop ideas
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2018 at 9:27pm
| Hey all, we are looking at finally building a farm shop. Any thoughts on things I need to make sure to have in there? Thanks |
Replies:
Posted By: DanWi
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2018 at 9:42pm
| 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. |
Posted By: goomer
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2018 at 10:16pm
| We have an office area with restroom and built parts/storage shelves above that area. Also holds the air compressor and boiler for in floor heat up there. Put lighting on separate switches. Some times we don't need the whole shop lite up. Air compressor we use a lot for blowing out silage from radiators and cabs on the trucks probably our best investment was one that could keep up. Work pit is very nice for oil changes, greasing and general repair under trucks. We have a net that is on cables to cover pit and also plywood panels to put over when not in use. |
Posted By: Reindeer
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2018 at 10:23pm
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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. http://prairiefarmreport.com/custom-farm-shop-with-mezzanine/" rel="nofollow - http://prairiefarmreport.com/custom-farm-shop-with-mezzanine/ Dave
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Posted By: shameless dude
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 12:20am
| yep....how much ya wanna spend? we all gots lots of ideas for you! |
Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 4:40am
Build it round so sh!t don't pile up in the corners...
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Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 5:53am
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Before you make too many plans, check with your local building code officer and your insurance agent to check on the regulations. Code enforcement told me I would need an oil/water separator ($$$$) if I installed a floor drain IF the building was commercial (some states consider a farm to be commercial). The best way is to check with your local code enforcement because codes vary a lot from one state to another. Since I am not considered commercial, I have 36' of 4" wide plastic drain in the middle of the floor. My floor slopes 1" per 12' toward the drain (which really isn't quite enough slope). I put in a 9000 lb. (extra long, extra tall) 4 post car lift that I love. I use it for splitting tractors (underneath it) along with the maintenance on our vehicles. My shop is 60' x 28' with a 16' ceiling. The reason I kept it 28' wide is that I used truss (clear span) floor joists, so I have storage overhead. I have 18" of straight side walls and my rafters are 7.5/12 pitch, so I have about 9' of height in the center of the storage. If I was to do it over again, I would put a couple coupalas (sp) with vents. It gets very hot up there in the summer! I have a 4' wide set of stairs that goes up one side, turns 90 degrees and ends right near the center of the upstairs storage. I have a 18' wide x 14' high insulated overhead door with an electric door opener that automatically stops when it is up 8'. In order to open the door all the way, you have to hit the remote twice (quickly) or push the wall mounted button when it stops. Since 90% of the time, we are going in with personal vehicles or tractors with no cab, the 8' opening is plenty and saves on wear on the door/opener. I had my concrete floor done by a professional (wife's nephew). It is as smooth as glass! It is a little slippery when it's wet, but it sweeps nice and is really nice to move around on a roller stool or creeper. I absolutely love my shop! Of course, there are a few things I would do different if I was to do it over. Do a lot of planning and build it the way it works for you!!!
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Posted By: B26240
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 6:01am
| 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. |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 6:24am
It's already too small !! 1) install PEX in the floor for radient heating. even if you don't get running today, it's SIMPLE to do in the future ! 2) insulate all exterior wall, cover with white tin or PVC panels,run electrical on 1by6 horizontal boards, in conduit NOT in the wall cavity 3) overhead steel beam, lengthwise if possible, GREAT for splitting tractor ! 4) 3 courses( 2 foot) high cinder block walls. Keeps wood off ground, easy cleanup from overspray when cleaning tractors and implements 5) run services(power,water, cable, etc) in conduit(4" drainage tile) from house 6) think about building orientation ! If solar MIGHT be an option face roof to capture nost of it(IE south). add windows on the south side,free light is nice ! 7) access above ceiling ? insatll on BOTH gabel ends 8) add mezzanines on both gable ends, above doors. add a hoist/crane to get stuff up/down safely 9) build a 'mechanical' room. put air compressor, furnace,water pump, etc. in there.make it big for EASY service of the 'stuff', 10) add motion detector light...so when you walk into shop it comes on.fumbling for the switch with grasy hands full of tools ain't fun... there's 10 ideas.. Jay oh yeah, it's STILL too small.....hehehe ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: victoryallis
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 6:48am
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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. ------------- 8030 and 8050MFWD, 7580, 3 6080's, 160, 7060, 175, heirloom D17, Deere 8760 |
Posted By: wekracer
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 7:43am
| If your going over 40’ wide consider all steel. At that point a steel building is cheaper than wood frame. We have 2 buildings from Harlan’s metal buildings in Versailles mo. Cheapest you will find and good quality. |
Posted By: MACK
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 8:04am
| Put some anchors in floor. MACK |
Posted By: Lonn
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 9:51am
Go as big as you can afford ..................and I like Dave's round shop idea.  I know exactly how corners fill up......... fast! And I bet a round shop is great for when you work all day but felt like you yust worked in a big circle.------------- -- --- .... .- -- -- .- -.. / .-- .- ... / .- / -- ..- .-. -.. . .-. .. -. --. / -.-. .... .. .-.. -.. / .-. .- .--. .. ... - Wink I am a Russian Bot |
Posted By: JoeO(CMO)
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 10:03am
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I built mine too small! Figure what you need, double that then double that! I didn't think I would need to expand! Plan ahead! I didn't plan on expanding so I didn't position it where I could expand! So here are a few ideas to think about!
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Posted By: Dakota Dave
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 10:14am
| I built a 30 x36 last year with 12 ft cieli vs it was as big as I could afford to finish and keep heater. I should have put floor heat in but didn't. IR tubes work almost as well and have faster recovery. I money wasn't a problem my work is 300x1100 feet with a 60 ft ceiling and overhead hoists. Separate tool rooms office and showers with a couple kitchenette. But I could afford to pay the |
Posted By: oldways
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 2:15pm
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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. ------------- 1 Corinthians 1:18 1969-190xt-III. 1966 190xt gas. 1966 190xt Cab. 1948-G. 1937-WC unstyled. 1950-B. 1951-CA. 1966-D17-IV |
Posted By: Ron(AB)
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 7:59pm
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Led lights -retrofit 8ft fluorescent tubes - better light, no humming, work in all temps 8-10 ft long bolt bin and keep it organized White parts shelves - easier to see stuff Welder plug in at both ends of shop |
Posted By: spencefarm
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 8:02pm
| 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. |
Posted By: john(MI)
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 8:04pm
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Gotta have a high enough ceiling for the hoist. I think my friend says his is 14' or 16'. He can put a 3/4 ton quad cab high enough to work underneath comfortably. ------------- D14, D17, 5020, 612H, CASE 446 |
Posted By: oldways
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 8:16pm
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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. ------------- 1 Corinthians 1:18 1969-190xt-III. 1966 190xt gas. 1966 190xt Cab. 1948-G. 1937-WC unstyled. 1950-B. 1951-CA. 1966-D17-IV |
Posted By: oldways
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 8:17pm
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Toilet and a sink also. Big deep mop sink. ------------- 1 Corinthians 1:18 1969-190xt-III. 1966 190xt gas. 1966 190xt Cab. 1948-G. 1937-WC unstyled. 1950-B. 1951-CA. 1966-D17-IV |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 8:30pm
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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.... ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: oldways
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 8:40pm
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I put metal on the inside walls in the shop area to protect against fire. Got a bunch of 8 ft sheets of white metal cheap so they don't go all way to the ceiling but still protects. Also before I covered the walls with metal I put 4x8 sheets of 1/2 styrofoam with the silver coating facing in. Did the ceiling in that as well. Really reflects the light back. Later when I got some more money I put fiberglass insulation in the attic. ------------- 1 Corinthians 1:18 1969-190xt-III. 1966 190xt gas. 1966 190xt Cab. 1948-G. 1937-WC unstyled. 1950-B. 1951-CA. 1966-D17-IV |
Posted By: *DougW
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 9:00pm
| 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!! |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2018 at 8:07am
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re: outside doors... years ago saw on a Canadian Farm TV Show, they mounted the door at an angle, maybe 15 degrees outward. Farmer said it eliminated a 'frozen' door when snow/ice came.Bottom of door was maybe 2' out. Door was 24' wide THAT I remember cause it was HUGE though combine JUST fit through... If you need permits, arrange building so you can add on the back side without 'them' noticing it....hehehe....cause we all know, 2-4 years from now, you will be making it bigger... ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2018 at 8:20am
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Wow! Lots of great ideas here on buildings! I may have to come back to this and review it too! I need storage and a work shop/ paint area. Just dreaming! Regards, Chris ------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |
Posted By: Gary Burnett
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2018 at 8:21am
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I'm getting ready to put up a shop and the biggest mistake I see people have made is building their shop too big to just work on something they also use it for storage.Once its used for storage it seems the stored stuff eventually pushes the shop stuff out the door.Makes no since to try to heat a few tractors just sitting around and a bunch of parts and storage type buildings can be put up a whole lot cheaper than more square footage in a shop.For my needs I'm thinking a 30' wide by 40' deep 100% metal building.It'll be enough space to have one long term project and then have room for one more working stall to do relatively quick jobs and related tools,air compressor,welders etc. Also in case of a fire having two totally separate buildings for storage and shop will at least save one or the other. |
Posted By: Gary Burnett
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2018 at 8:22am
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Should be sense not since |
Posted By: Ted J
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2018 at 8:50am
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Put shelving on one end for pieces. Shelving where you can store bigger pieces of implements. Kind of like stacking, disk on the bottom, now the back blade and the 3 or 4 bottom plow next up. Helps to have a fork lift! Build parts bins. x2 on an overhead I-beam. it's a MUST. 6" concrete reinforced floor, with 1.5" per 10' slope toward the center. That way you can shovel or squeegee out the ends. As far as heating, I'd build an office area where you can have heat in there always with shut offs to the rest of the barn. Turn on areas where you'll need it when you're working in that area. Room for file cabinets for all the manuals you'll acquire in the years ahead... You've got everything else up above, BUT,,,,, ALREADY,,,,,,,, it's not BIG enough. I built mine 36x72 and I wish I had gone at LEAST 40x100. ------------- "Allis-Express" 19?? WC / 1941 C / 1952 CA / 1956 WD45 / 1957 WD45 / 1958 D-17 |
Posted By: Tom6070
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2018 at 12:28pm
| 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. |
Posted By: AC7060IL
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2018 at 12:41pm
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Add a side lean2 of similar length of entire shop for the following items like: Office, Breakroom, lunchroom, Bathroom, sink area, Welding area w/vent, Paint area w/vent, Tooling area, Steel rack area. Too many shops bog down high dollar floor space with the above stuff. |
Posted By: victoryallis
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2018 at 1:29pm
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I agree with Tom6070 shop and storage should be separate entities. Not as concerned about the fire issue but it’s a valid point. I believe a shop gets less efficient if it doubles as storage. ------------- 8030 and 8050MFWD, 7580, 3 6080's, 160, 7060, 175, heirloom D17, Deere 8760 |
Posted By: BenGiBoy
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2018 at 2:10pm
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If I was you I would definitely put the air compressor somewhere that I didn't have to hear it run. I put mine in the garage and piped air to the basement to use it, I love it. - Ben ------------- '39 Model B Tractors are cheaper than girls, remember that! |
Posted By: Stan R
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2018 at 2:19pm
| Beer cooler |
Posted By: Dakota Dave
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2018 at 2:39pm
| I have outlets wired where the compressor shelf will be above the walkin door. Tool storage and other storage including the fridge are on wheels. It's nice to be able to easily reconfigure the shop and sweeping is much easier. Install a welding outlet even if you don't need one. Mine is near the walkin and roll up door. Full width apron in front at least 8' wide. Ceiling fan and full length lights. I used 4' LED lights white steel ceiling reflects very nicely. All my lights are on one switch. LEDs come on instantly and require very little power. My old shop have florecent lights on setter ate switches. I usually ended up walking around and turning them all on anyway. |
Posted By: DanWi
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2018 at 9:26pm
| I will admit my shop has turned into more storage then shop, it needs a cleaning and organizing to turn in back into a shop. Some guys talk about turning off the heat but I keep mine at 55 degrees all winter skidsteer is in there ready to go and you can go in there any time for a quick repair. It also keeps paint and chemicals from freezing. |