Setting up my new 40'x30' building?

[Daubs]

Lived on acreage years ago, then moved in the city. Wife and I have a contract on a nice house / acreage with a wonderful 40'x30' steel building. It's on 3 acres. We close in August...can't wait to move in!

Building is tall, I think 16', concrete floor throughout, but has no power. I've already talked to electricians and will be running 220 out there.



I am absolutely STOKED! Will be used to store a few toys (two Polaris ATV's), my 1972 Chevy K-20 4x4, lawn mower(s), and my hunting stuff (decoys, layout blinds, tree stands, etc.), two kayaks, did I mention decoys??? : ) I will have room to store my fishing boat out back of the building. It seems HUGE right now, but I know it will fill up fast with all my stuff.

Here is what I'm bringing from current house:
- 220v 60 gallon air compressor
- 220v MIG welder
- engine hoist / engine stand
- power washer
- all my tools / paint guns / decoys / bikes / hunting stuff / etc.

Future plans:
- run 220v to the building, wire the whole damn thing
- run CAT-6 ether to the building for wired internet access (have a dedicated shop laptop)
- build a nice, long workbench like I have in my garage now
- cabinets to store tools, etc.
- Shop will be used for storage and projects.
- I plan to restore my K-20 at some point in time.
- I've thought about adding a window on the north side to maybe get some airflow through there. Doors face South-west.
- Plan on putting down some rock in front of building and making a pseudo road to front of property (building my own little rock road...does that make sense...)

Suggestions for things to do / not do in a building this size?

[Bigdav160]

Plan on building another. I have two 30x40's and it isn't close to enough space. Heck, my Suburban has to sit outside, along with my boat, camper and daily drivers.

[Daubs]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

Plan on building another. I have two 30x40's and it isn't close to enough space. Heck, my Suburban has to sit outside, along with my boat, camper and daily drivers.

My current house in the city has a "three car garage"...yea right.

It's got double door, and third bay that is shorter. We can only park two in there, mainly because I built workbench, and need space for my ATV's.

The new house has three full stalls, daily driver, wife's car, and my Crew Cab can be parked and covered at the house. This shed will be for the 72, toys, etc.

[Greg58]

Congats, I agree it will fill up fast.
If you are storing hunting stuff consider looking up, with a 16' height you could build a mezzanine and stash seasonal items up there.
My shop is 48x68 and too small!!

Greg

[Dead Parrot]

Run the data cable(s) in their own conduit. Will make it much easier to add a 2nd run or replace with fiber in a few years.

While you have the ditch digger, run a water supply and possibly a sewer run. Being able to clean the worst of the goo off before going to the house is good. Plus you need a supply for the power washer. Consider a cheap washing machine for the shop. Good for cleaning those greasy oily clothes and rags. Beats wondering where those little black streaks on your good clothes came from.

Don't scrimp on the power. 100A min, 200A better. Think Plasma cutter + compressor + climate control all running at the same time. If you add a 2nd building/pole barn later, it can be sub-paneled off the shop panel.

LED for lights.

[Daubs]

Great suggestions! I thought about a slop sink, but didn't think about needing power washer at the shed. Will definitely be running water down there!

[Tiger Joe]

With 16’ ceilings I’d be thinking about a 4 post lift or 2 to double parking space.

Was just talking with my dad today about them. I have 2 and they are the best things I ever bought.

[kwmech]

Section off an area for the workbench and storage with a mezanine above it for additional storage. 16' leaves you plenty of room inside for 2 story

[Clyde65]

Depending on how far the house is away from the garage, you may be able to just go wireless. My garage is in the back corner and house is about 50’ away. I get great wireless signal even with the garage door closed.
Cat 5/6 is so old school, also will only carry signal 330’. If you choose to go cat 5/6 go with Plenumcable, water proof, tougher and doesn’t loose quite as much signal. Of course it’s expensive but...

[Daubs]

Clyde: this shed will be ~130' from the house. Plenumcable, good idea. Thanks!

[_Ogre]

use one 4 foot deep ditch: water at 4', power at 3' and ethernet and spare conduit at 1'
"spare conduit" the difference between 1" and 2" pvc conduit is minimal; use 2"

i use a yagi antennae with a router rooted with dd-wrt to get wifi in my shop
has worked well for the past 8 years for streaming music and general wifi
since i do a lot of wifi setup for neighbors, i can pickup wifi from all my neighbors too

this may not work for you but i have a 20x30 shop space that is sheetrocked, insulated and heated all winter
i didn't want to heat the whole 50x50 2 story uninsulated barn
all the woodworking and mechanics tools are kept in the heated shop
i have a sink and water in my shop, plus it's nice to walk into a heated shop

[Clyde65]

Originally Posted by Daubs

Clyde: this shed will be ~130' from the house. Plenumcable, good idea. Thanks!

Drag some RG6 UG with it and a pull rope too! Use a separate conduit too! You will be very glad you did!!

[BR3W CITY]

Having hardline internet access is really underrated. Most people try to force signal extension for the wireless and its always spotty. Cabled is the way to go!