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Ya I definitely agree. Not planning to wait on anything. Ill put in what I can and be happy with it. Thanks!Don't let the "60x120 200amps or don't bother" crowd get to you. I'd much rather work in my 32x32 with 100 amps now than work in the dirt another 10 years saving for the big shop
Sure, keep your options open for future upgrades, but delayed gratification doesn't apply to building a shop
I am likely revising the foundation now, and if so I will be doing this. Ill likely only need to go about another 6" up.
This is a FANTASTIC idea. I will definitely be doing this. Thanks!
I have it pitching to the front/back. While I would like to have the doors on a gable, every way I drew it out, it ended up having alot of dead space. Also I want the ability to extend the roof at a future date for the lean-to.
The doors come out of the shop on the right side of the site plan. So basically the entire driveway goes straight into the door.
I will have a forklift as well, but I like the gantry since it doesnt take any floor room around the vehicle when lifting, makes moving around so much easier to pull engines. Also ill use it to load up onto the mezz, which I likely wouldnt have the room to get the forklift into.
I would like this, Im just pushing the shop as far back as I can, so no room for access for an overhead door.
Yes, Definitely doing this.
Yup! might not be right away but I will get one. Planning to have a 3'x3' thickening for each post and the radiant heat lines will go around them. Also putting in an overhead lifting beam that spans the entire building over the small door for pulling engines, trans, fuel cells, etc. Will also make loading onto the Mezz easy.
Not sure if your electrical plan is specific but that's a lot of plugs and not near enough circuits.Time for another update. Ill work on trying to be more consistent in it.
Last update had the formwork up and ready for the concrete. Couples photos of the pour.
Stripped the formwork and that's how we left it for the winter.
We raced in the 2024 King of the Hammers and had an absolute blast. Check out our instagram for some more updates on that.
Anyways, that was a big money and time suck, but we got back to business on the shop early.
We pre framed and sheeted the walls on the ground to be ready for one big weekend. With the help of some amazing friends and family, we were able to stand the walls, raise the trusses, and sheet the roof over a weekend.
After we got the walls up, we moved into electrical after getting the overhead doors, and metal ordered. We decided to drop down to 2 overhead doors. one 14x14, and one 12Hx10W in front of the lift. Steel man door rather than a standard house door.
Electrical: I'm definitely going overkill on the plugs, as I have always hated looking for somewhere to plug in. North wall (Right wall of photo above) will get the work bench and will have 5 outlets, with 2 as doubles. These are wired on an individual 20A circuit. West wall is getting 3 30A plugs for mills, lathes, ironworkers, along with a dedicated 20A line for 6 outlets along ground level, and 2 more for the mezzanine when I put that in. Also wired a 30A plug in for a compressor on the mezzanine. South and East wall outlets are 1 circuit with 8 outlets, with 1 on each side of the overhead doors. Wiring the 50A plug for the welder between the overhead doors so that I can use it anywhere including outside. Adding 2 exterior outlets on the overhead door side, along with 2 exterior lights, 1 over the man door, and 1 between the overhead doors.
Interior lighting is going to be 12 150W UFO LED lights. Works out to almost 300,000 lumens. Hope to be able to handle a surgery or 2 if needed lol. They are dimmable so will also install a dimmer to be able to adjust if necessary.
Let me know if you have any electrical suggestions. Going for Rough-In inspection this week.
Last weekend we worked on the metal, and was able to get the roof and wall metal up. Makes me very excited to see this thing start to get finished. Wedding is T-3 Months.
Since there is always some variance in the metal, we decided to wait to order some of the trim (outside corners and gable end) until we know exactly how the metal ribs worked out. Trim should be in this week and they are delivering all the interior insulation (R20) and the OSB for the ceiling and walls.
Sheeted over the man door, since we didn't have it onsite yet, and not exactly sure what the finished sizing of it is.
Overhead Doors are also coming in this week. Trying to decide if we should install them before the slab is done or wait until after. Based on life scheduling, we are thinking the slab will be going in late May. Plan is to basically have the entire interior done before we put the slab in. We are stuck waiting on clay to dry, so may as well get the insulation, poly and osb on and painted.
Heat will be radiant floor heating. Anyone have suggestions on Boilers?
Great catch. Have it on the list!
Really? That wall only has 6 outlets at ground height (2 on mezz that will likely rarely be used). Its a 20a circuit too. I'll probably stick with how i have it wired, but I appreciate the input! The shop will only have myself working in it 80% of the time, and at most 2-3. Cant imagine we would be popping breakers.
Plan electrical for having a team of people working in your shop. Like KOH prep. Then when it’s only you, there’s no issue. And overbuilt allows for adding things later.
Plug a battery charger on that wall and a chop saw and it's done...
Forsure. After I put a cord reel on the 2 post lift, that'll be 4 separate circuits all within 15' of the lift (majority of the prep).
I definitely know what your saying, but I'm coming from a garage with all the plugs on 1 15a circuit (I didn't build it lol). I would have radio or TV, Car or Drill Battery chargers and then using the grinders and have never tripped a breaker.
I don't recommend going over 4 outlets to a 20a circuit.
Thanks! it worked out amazing. For the small amount of concrete we had, a pump truck wasn't worth it. Skid steer fit the bill and was already there haha
I hear you guys forsure. I think ill be ok on that front. 4 separate circuits with 2 as 20A all within 15' of the lift.
The welder plug is another problem for me, both of my 50a plugs are on the front wall, one center @20' and one at the panel.
I'm just using worst case scenario.
Good deal! You'll know after the inspection. I had to add a new service on an existing building with no water. They failed me for not having one...
X2 I mainly just use the 240v plug by the door, not the one in the back.
Ya that one I talked with my Dad about. He owned a structural steel fabrication shop so dealt with a few different ways of doing hookups in multiple shops. My plan was 3 outlets spread throughout the shop. He convinced me to put one plug central and put a 50' lead or extension on the welder. His logic was why put enough wire for 3 outlets spread out in the shop, when you could put one outlet, and put the money into extensions that you can then use to get the welder anywhere. Now Ill have the extensions will get the welder further outside, at races, etc. Even if it costs the same, you gain versatility.
Fair enough. Even if I did use the welder in the back, I have 30A 220 Outlets for the machining equipment.
Work with what you’ve got sitting around for sure. 👍
