It looks like I'm about 9-10 months from finally getting a shop/garage!!!

[dukeboy_01]

I'll be 32 in December, and have spent most all the time since I was 17 getting myself through college and trying to acquire the things a guy wants most in this life.  About 5 years ago I bought a small old farmhouse and 40 acres in the middle of nowhere here in SW Missouri.  I went about things a little backward, but sometimes you gotta play the hand you're dealt.  I got my Charger when I was 19, and haven't got to put more than a couple hundred miles on it.  I took it to Texas with me when I moved down there after college and managed to get the paint and body work done for next to nothing.  It sits now in my buddies garage to keep it out of the weather, but it is completely gutted and is just a roller at this time.  The engine is on a stand and all the parts are boxed up in my ol' mans shop. 

After a discussion with the wife the other night, it was decided that this coming summer when her vehicle and my boat are paid off, I can start construction on my very own shop/garage.  I have been working 3 jobs and 6-7 days a week to put her through dental hygiene school, which is 1-1/2 drive each way for her 5 days a week.  She finishes that in May of 2014.  I've got a good feeling that is when she will want to start building a new house. 

Anyhow, I just wanted to share my good news and plans with you guys!  I am planning a 40x60 pole barn style construction with painted tin siding.  It will be 14' walls and include a 30' lean to on the back to park my boat and my tractors under it.  4" concrete in the 40x60 area, and white gravel baserock in the lean to.  I am thinking 3 - 12' wide overhead style doors on the front, with one bay having a lift in it.  Two 36" walkthrough doors, one of which will be on the back wall accessing the lean to section.  My father-in-law has a fairly new air compressor and stick welder he is giving me when I get it constructed.  I am still planning all the particulars out, but I am thinking about a 10' x 15' office area in one corner with a 25' long work bench along the back wall.  I may also see about constructing a medium size oven and start doing some powder coating again.  I'm just going to be so glad to finally have a place to work on my Charger, where I don't have to coordinate time with anyone else!!! 

[twodko]

Good on ya! You've done things prudently in your life so think this project through and do it again. Read all the garage build posts herein and remember, there are NO lame questions so use the experience from the members. Oh, and pictures.....lots of pictures. I'm happy for ya and look forward to your posts!

[dukeboy_01]

Thanks!  I've been scouring the internet trying to find the best kit and products for the money.  I am hoping to get it up, with the concrete, and wiring done for under 25k.  I guess a year out isn't too early to start looking, although I'm sure material will go up between now and then.  I have some buddies that build these kinds of structures for a living and they are willing to put it up on the weekends for some extra spendin money.  I will recruit the ol man and little brother to assist as well.  I have never been much of a carpenter, but I can drive a nail and hold something without letting it move when told.  I figure I'm better off payin for the things that I don't know how or what to do.  The wiring and lights I can handle though.  I will be sure to get lots of photos as it goes up.  I will also keep lookin the posts over on this site and others to figure out exactly what I want it to be when I'm done.  I know I want 220 in several spots for welders, a plasma cutter, etc...  I am also figuring that a guy will need several spots to hook in his air lines, so I'll run air lines around the perimeter.  My main job is as a material/purchasing specialist for an electrical generation and transmission coop, so I have experience in organizing material.  I pride myself on coming up with creative ways to organize shelving, so hopefully I can apply what I do at work to my shop.  There is no better feeling than finding what you need because it is in the right place when you need it!!!  That don't always work out, but I'll do my best to try.

[Fred]

The very best of luck to you.    looking forward to the progress pics.

[Silver R/T]

Sounds like a plan

[Darkman]

Sounds like a great shop/garage!

Can I suggest you put in a 6" concrete slab/floor and a footing where the lift will go. That way you can drive almost anything in there and won't have the concrete break.

[twodko]

100 amp panel minimum......200 mo betta. Should have hvac. Guys with lifts will tell ya about where/how to reinforce concrete. gotta have a crapper/shower/sink.
Don't forget the "man corner"....... Must have before lift....wall art etc. Should include couch, reefer/frig(whatever ), nice piece of carpeting, coffee table for those tired feets, perhaps a small bar/couple stools to fall off of and tunes. Tunes are a must to maintain the proper environment and to mask the cussing and/or throws of passion. Finally a flat screen and laptop would nicely round out said corner. Just sayin'...

[Darkman]

Don't forget the "man corner".......

I think that is what he is calling the "office" 

[Cooter]

"Dukeboy_01" (Actually my handle on another forum LOL), I know and feel your pain bro. Been under a pole barn with gravel floor for the past 15 years. If it weren't for me having to actually work a "perk" into my employment for use of the shop at work, I'd be ALOT farther behind than I am now...Good on 'ya, and keep on keepin' on...

[dukeboy_01]

You fellas are correct.  The "office" is the man corner.  If I call it man corner, man cave, or anything else with the word man in it, then the wife may get suspicious and cut my funding!  The extra concrete in the lift bay is not a bad idea.  My ol man has a lift in his shop, but now that I think about it, he may have 6 or 8" concrete.  I don't know that I will start out with a TV and a couch, but at least a comfy office chair at the desk so I can get on here and ask questions while I'm attempting to bring the Charger back to life.  As for the breaker panel, 200 amp service is a definite!  I know Dad has his chop saw on a 20amp and it trips when you first hit the trigger once in a while and you have to walk across the shop to reset the breaker...not the end of the world, but still a PITA when it happens.  The best part of the whole thing is that I already have the fridge!   

[70redbee]

Good for you on getting what you have worked hard for. May I suggest that you start collecting things now for the shop. You would be surprised what you can get cheap or for free between now and when the shop is built. Start looking for a used lift, storage cabinets, work benches, rolls of wire, lights, and all the other things you will need. You can save a lot of cash by buying or finding things thru Craigslist, local bulk trash days and so forth, people throw out a lot of good stuff or give it away. Good luck on your build and keep us updated and don't forget dumpster diving.

[dukeboy_01]

Already thinkin' just like you redbee!  Since I work for an electrical cooperative, we all the time have some short runs of wire, well too short for what we do on a day to day basis, but 100-300' lengths, that will help run service into the shop, lights, and other stuff.  We also are building new offices and remodeling the old building starting today as a matter of fact.  I'm sure I'll be keeping an eye out on any shelving/storage bins that can be put to good use in the new shop.  If they are gonna toss it out anyhow, I might as well get some more good out of it! 

I had a buddy of mine call me yesterday and told me that he priced some material for me.  He thinks we can definitely put this up within my price range.  He told me that he would be interested in helping me build it, since that is what he has done since high school.  He said we can save some labor money by doing it ourselves.  He recommends going with the stick built construction over the pole barn style.  He said the concrete and metal siding/tin cost will be the same with either, so I might as well go stick built for strength.  Next summer can't get here fast enough!  ha ha