Ideas for my new garage
 

I'm 2/3's done my new shop and want to finish it up right. It's 30' wide, 40' deep, and has 10'-14' vaulted ceilings (steel quonset building). I have a 9x7 and a 10x10 door and a big grease pit already laid out. Any ideas on making this thing more enjoyable to work in.
Just dreamin' about it
Jeff

Lucky dog, I wish I had a garage that size. Hope you enjoy it!

Someone recently asked me how big they should make their garage. I told them, have you ever heard someone say "Damn, I sure wish I would have made my garage smaller". I think that answered his question.

I would be dumbfounded with a shop that size, I would just stand in the middle of it with my jaw open. Sorry, can't help you with what to do to make it more enjoyable.

I have a 28' X 32' workshop in my back yard. It fills up faster than you think. The biggest thing is make sure you run enough electrical service for all your current and future tools/toys. I have a 50 amp service and which it was 100 amp. One thing you will want is a couple of good workbenches and a lot of shelving. I don't have enough heavy duty shelves so my floor gets cluttered fast. I would also make provision for overhead storage if you can. Might as well get an above ground lift while your at it (oh, forgot, that is my wish).

Black and white checker-board floor. :cool:

I like the lift idea. Just think how nice it would be to not be under the car on a creeper. Just walk under and do what you need to do. I don't know how much one would cost. Any ideas?
David

Be sure you have plenty of light and ventilation!

Good ideas
 

I just thought maybe I should tell you whats goin' in and you could tell me what I'm forgettin'. All the stuff I've collected over the years has finally got a use.
-3' deep x 3' wide? x 16' long pit with a 30" tall "car dealer type" display ramp on top. Will let in lots of light and allow me to jump out in case of fire etc.
-lots of outlets for electricity
-big woodstove with a industrial ceiling fan to move the heat around
-hard air supply lines with multiple outlets
-approx. 4'x7' window in front of pit for light
-exhaust hose(hooks to my tailpipe) through ceiling at rear of pit
-old tv, microwave, range top,telephone, sink and cold running water and a fridge full of my homemade beer :)
-30' of 8' tall x 16" deep heavy duty hardwood shelving(wifes sister owns a sawmill :)
-11' x 16' loft for storage over the 9'x7' door
-16" square louvered exhaust fan
-as many lights as I can scrounge up
-on the walls 1" rough lumber over insulation
-on the ceiling white styrofoam sheets
-security system
-big floor drain
-numerous accessories my wife claims are tooooo tacky for the house eg, giant light up Bud beer bottle, giant light up Raybestos brake clock, ac delco repair banners, etc( you get the idea )
-big drywipe bulletin board to keep track of maintenance
-and now thanks to Randy70C-10, a checker-board painted floor
Keep the ideas coming!!!!!!!!

Go to www.autolifters.com
www.superlifts.com
www.liftsunlimited.com and last but not least is www.backyardbuddy.com this way you can compare the prices$$$ I would say you got a nice garage goin....
I would find sombody remodelling & snag their cabinets for storage, get some nice easy rider mags to hang up, a fridge full of beer, checker board floor would be nice but you could go with epoxy looks nice, plenty of work benches, lights, maybe a paint booth, I could go on & on but this should be a great start....

I would make sure the place can be well secured, and have a couple fire extinguishers in handy places. Good lighting, lots of outlets ( I like overhead rollup reels for light duty) , pipe air compressor lines to several handy spots. Nice stereo, heat and or a/c depending on your climate. A secured tool room. Lots of pinup girl posters. Where do i stop!!! Enjoy it.

Now Ive got a problem
 

This garage I'm building is on the site of our next, and last, home. It's 6+ hours away (Dutton Ont) from where my current home is. The problem is, I built the garage first so I could have some shelter while workin' and a safe spot to lock down my supplies while I'm away. Now that I'm picturing it in my head I'm starting to wonder what the house part is for!? Maybe a nice cot in the grease pit for the wife and I, and my 7 year old son could sleep in the storage loft Little House on the Prairie style???????? Does anybody know some way I could talk my wife into this? My son is a little gearhead so he's not a problem! Keep those ideas COMING!

Well, my garage/shop is smaller than yours. mine is 24x30. 24x20 is 2 bay garage, 24x10 is shop. I also am getting bids for a 24x48 4 stall storage garage. plan that to be just to park our 2 daily drivers in one side and toys I'm not working on in the other half.
Some of the things in my shop are:
sandblasting cabinet on a cart
oven for powdercoating
11 air compressor outlets
(compressor is outside on small slab behind the garageand plumbed into garage)
stackable washer/dryer for shop rags (not allowed to do them in the house anymore!)
shelves and more shelves
My forever a fan #3 flag
my Busch Light neon light (wired in to come on when overhead lights are on)
mangled door hanging from rafter from my buddy's Super Late Model)
Things to come:
insulation
heat pump
hot water heater
sink

Oh, yah I've also got cable TV and a phone and a stereo out there. My friends joke that all I need is a urinal and a cot and I'll be all set.

Urinal huh?
 

'nuf said ! Urinal it is!

forgot to mention, 2 refrigerators; 1 for sodas and water, 1 for adult beverages

don't forget about the over head hoist system so you can pull engines!!

oh yea, and a nice *****in' lazyboy for break time!!:D

I'd scrap the woodstove plan and do an in floor hot water tube type heating system. Expensive to put in- cheap to operate.
Put it in the new house too. Who knows- you might be able to find someone who will tie the system to a wood burner!
I think a woodburner in a shop is an explosion waiting to happen.
Too many fumes to have an open flame imho