workshop plans?
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Hockley, Tx
workshop plans?
I built a 30' x 40' a few years ago with 2-3' doors, 1-12'x10' OH door and 1-10'x'10' OH door. Here are my lessons learned:
- First, and most importantly, make sure you know what you want to do in your shop. I suggest making a list of activities then sketching out a plan (glad to help you do this if you like). You can take a large piece of paper with your shop dimensions and make paper cutouts of equipment, vechiles, storage, etc and see what makes sense to you..
- Put in plenty of electrical outlets (110v & 220v, every 6-8') they are cheap when you are building.
- Don't go poorboy on the concrete floor. Get a finisher who really knows how to float concrete and give you a smooth floor. It will paint and clean up easier.
- Don't skimp on lights. User plenty of overhead lighting. I have never heard anyone complain about their shop being too bright.
- If you have a pitched roof, make sure you add ridge vents for air circulation (not sure what your climate is but suspect it's cold if you need floor heat).
- Building in a small office is nice. Can be sealed to house a computer, files, stereo, etc)
- Make sure you have plenty of electrical capacity. I ran a seperate 200A service.
- You'll need cabinets, drawers, etc. I used the pre-mfg ones from Lowes. I patinted them and they have been fine for 5 years now.
- Door placement. Make sure you can orient the building and or doors with the most favorable heading for your weather conditions. In my case
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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There are threads here with pictures of various shops that may be of help. There are also threads on how to run your air lines. For safety and to meet fire codes run steel air lines. Install a drop every other electrical outlet area. Check the FAQ link in my sig.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 800
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From: Ontario, canada
Rather than commiting to one floor plan, build in lots of flexibility.
A shop is a dynamic space. What works today may not work a year from now. While you want to design a space that works for you today, be sure to include flexibility and room to grow or take on different kinds of projects.
I'm in the process of building wall cabinets. I'm making a simple system that hangs them on cleats rather than permantly fastening them to the walls. I'll also be able to hang pegboard or slatwall panels, whiteboard, corkboard.....just about anything I can attach a cleat to.
Run water and drain lines, even if you don't plan on water immediately. I've got a floor drain and an old commercial sink with running water. It really is nice to have.
A shop is a dynamic space. What works today may not work a year from now. While you want to design a space that works for you today, be sure to include flexibility and room to grow or take on different kinds of projects.
I'm in the process of building wall cabinets. I'm making a simple system that hangs them on cleats rather than permantly fastening them to the walls. I'll also be able to hang pegboard or slatwall panels, whiteboard, corkboard.....just about anything I can attach a cleat to.
Run water and drain lines, even if you don't plan on water immediately. I've got a floor drain and an old commercial sink with running water. It really is nice to have.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Charleston Illinois
How much do you guys think climate matters? I've been looking at building my own shop in the next few years. They always seem to come with a door for every bay. It get's really cold around here, so I'm thinking about installing a single overhead door and just making the shop big enough to drive into the individual bays. I've never found a way to get overhead doors to seal up. If you want heat around here, it seems like you have to install less doors.I'll proabably only have three car bays, and an equal amount of space in front of them to manuever the cars around in. Anyone have a setup like this? Comments or complaints?
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Ontario, canada
Originally Posted by Torque1st
What are you using for cleats?
Glued and screwed to the cabinet backs and a corresponding wall cleat running the length of the wall fastened with #10x2½" wood screws.
It's simple, cheap and strong.
http://www.newwoodworker.com/frenchcleat.html
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Salmon Arm
something to think aboot, thats real nice if you have the space, is off the front of your shop put an overhang of about 10 feet. but keep the concrete floor and just have a couple of posts at the end of your roof. nice to park a vehicle under a roof but dont have to worry about a door. some work can be done out there, without having to worry about space inside. we really wanted to do that on ours but the way the shop had to sit we couldnt. if you provide some way to keep your compressor out of the main shop its nice. cant let it get too hot, or too cold. but tis nice if you dont have to worry about the sound.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
This might help to plan a shop layout. North Dakota farmers have a couple years of handling cold-weather buildings. 
http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/plans/
http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/plans/
