What to include in your dream shop build?

[CentexRancher]

If you were building your dream shop, what are some things you would include? Looking for all types of tips. Especially interested in things to include during the process that can't be added later (like sleeves under slab for future use). Would also love to see some pics of your buildings!

[osochuck]

A lift!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bassmatt72]

A bathroom with a shower.

[Txtourist]

Helped my dad build his 2014- it’s 40x80 with the front shop area about a third of that is finished- insulated, AC, heat and ceiling fans. Taller sidewalls/overhead doors should have been taller. There is a 4 post car lift and it gets tight.
Floor drains, bathroom and shower are great. Air compressor is in back in a little room we built for that, the well and the furnace.
Hot water outside would be nice as well as more lighting outside.
I wish we’d have put a small winch/hoist in the ceiling for deer, and unloading heavy stuff.
A few more outlets, as well as cord drops from the ceiling. We’ll probably add a large stainless sink and an epoxy floor this year.
We use it to work on boats, old cars, farm equipment, some welding and wood projects as well as a butcher shop and place to get together for cook outs and whatnot.
There’s also a hidden room off of the bathroom that holds safes and hunting gear.

[Geezy Rider]

Lots of outlets. Make sure you can run anything from normal power equipment to welders to campers.

[RifleBowPistol]

At least two, two post lifts, at least one big four post, drive on lift. A nice up draft paint booth. The biggest Superflow flow bench, then a Superflow engine dyno. Then a Mustang chassis dyno. A nice well organized engine assembly room, right next to the dyno room. Then a transmission building room. All of these would have lots of lighting. Then above all of these rooms would be parts storage area. Then a complete machine shop, engine boring machine, Sunnen engine hone, line boring machine, crank grinder, block and head decking machine. A Serdi seat cutter and valve cutter. Then a five axis CNC mill, and a nice CNC lathe. Then have a area set up in the machine shop to port heads and intakes.

Then a nice big water cooled TIG with all types of torches and cups, a dry storage for rods and wire. Then stock it with about every type of rod and wire I might ever use. Then a nice MIG. Then a bit diesel stick welder, generator on a trailer to work on fences or whatever outside. Then a nice sheet metal break, sheet metal shear, an English wheel. Then definitely a nice tubing bender and a very nice tubing notcher. Then a nice heavy duty rotisserie. Then a area inside the shop for a blasting cabinet, parts steam cleaner. Then a place to store a soda blaster, then a area outside the shop to blast parts or cars.

Then I would need a laser table and a powder coating oven and the powder coating gear.

Then a large fridge to store food and drinks in and maybe even a bar. Might as well get a gas grille too.

Then out in the shop, enough room off to one side to use as a indoor archery or small caliber gun range. With a archery back stop and a bullet trap. So when I want a break and it's either cold and windy outside or raining, I can shoot my bow. That or test out a new gun I just built. With a archery back stop and a bullet trap.
Then plenty of room to store about eight vehicles, maybe twenty vehicles. I would be good at that point. Then I would need this shop sitting in the middle of 10,000 ac. out in west or south Texas. With signs warning trespassers they will be lucky to make it out alive.

I think would be set at that point, I would be able to do most anything I ever want to do.

[IvoryRoot]

Air lines ran to various places and hose reels.

[DeerGeek]

Mop sink

[Landrover]

Following about to break ground on a 16 x 24/28 shed!

[Kingfisher789]

Somebody to clean it Good doors.

[hgiles]

The 4 post lift I put in my garage was one of my best investments. Wish I would have went with hot water out there also but may add that soon. Plenty of outlets, both 110 and 220. Also a place for a TV and beer fridge

[twistedmidnite]

I have a 40x50 and eventually want add a loft similar to this but all the way across.

[Pstraw]

Twice as big as you think should be 'big enough'. No matter how large it is, you will outgrow it in short order.

[ColinR]

Spray foam insulation

[jkranchrstexas]

I built mine 30x40x16....wish I would’ve went twice as big!! Only other regret I have, is not putting a toilet and shower in. I did use drop ceiling, so adding wiring is a breeze. Definitely put in 12x12 roll up doors. I’ll try to add some pics of mine.

[jkranchrstexas]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[StrayDog]

Big Arse Fan - pricey but man they move some air
Put roll up or garage doors on the long side of the building opposite each other (north-south side) to help move air.

Insulation.

A little enclosed area with a comfy seat and AC for thinking/taking a break.

I hate being hot.

I know a guy that bought a kit but bricked/sided the outside and put the r-panel on the inside (warranty/structural reasons from the city). He has a couple clear roof panels, a light epoxy floor, and a few LED lights - I thought it was goofy until I figured out how bright the inside was. Easy to see anything you’re working on or when you drop something

An overhead gantry with electric hoist with electric trolley - I’d love to have a movable aluminum one with adjustable height that’s wide enough to straddle a flat bed trailer. Makes loading/unloading stuff by yourself easy and can use for a million other things. Alternatively, or in addition, a little jib crane with a decent reach.

[DZM]

Originally Posted by jkranchrstexas

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is awesome!

[Tommyh]

Worked in many shops when i was younger. Air, a/c, lifts, varsol, bathing, storage all would have been appreciated.

[jkranchrstexas]

Originally Posted by DZM

This is awesome!

Thank you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DeerGeek]

A Door on the south and a door on the north. Open them to get good cross breeze.

[chrisgunguy]

One of my favorite decisions was to put an I beam across the inside peak of the shop for an electric wench to go back and forth. A co-worker had just finished his and was upset he hadn't done it, so I did it in mine and its an awesome edition. You can see the jeep top above the camaro, and in one of the under construction pics. I also made sure the slab was ready for a lift install.

[Quackerbox]

Mine is 30x40x16 as well. 3 roll up doors and a 12 foot lean to on one side and 12 foot apron on another

Should have gone bigger, should have done another door for draft. Need gutters

Did full bath,200 Amp service, lots of plugs. still working on it

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[RdRdrFan]

I just finished up my 60x80x20 barn with a 32’ lean-to down one 80’ side and a 30’ gable extension on the entry end. I ended up laying additional slab and enclosing half of the lean-to. I attached my lean-to at the 16’ level.

What am I glad that I did?

I spray foamed everything above the 16’ purlin in the main barn and everything above the 8’ level in the side barn. Below that I put in 6” batt insulation and skinned over the batt with a combination of wood paneling and corrugated galvanized panels. Cost was very close to the same for batt and panels versus 1” of painted closed cell spray foam. Looks way better and cleaner.

I put in 2x5 horizontal windows in each bay on the 80’ side on each side. So basically 4 on each side. These were installed between the 16’ purlin and the top of the sidewall. Provides great light during the daytime instead of the barn being pitch black when you walk in.

Put in a loft for a 20x40 area so I have upstairs and downstairs. We finished out a couple of 20x20 rooms (one up and one down) complete with Sheetrock and separate mini-splits. Also have a bathroom with shower and a wash bay for our pigs.

Put in a couple of large TV’s in the main barn area. This barn can/does double as a party barn for us to have friends over to watch games (or for my wife to have her friends over to watch the bachelor). It’s very nice to have the TV’s for when you are working and there is a game on that you don’t want to miss.

Speakers. We decided on a few of the Sonos Five speakers so it’s all fairly integrated but can be hooked to each TV wirelessly or run music when you don’t have the TV on.

Plenty of 110 outlets. They are everywhere.

Lights. We spent a ton of time deciding the right amount of light. We like where we ended up. High bay LED shop lights can be tricky IMO. You can easily drift from too little light, past the perfect balance and end up with too much.

Cheap labor. We still aren’t finished with the “finish out” but I have a couple of young men that are hungry for cash. So I save up on some of the harder (heavy lifting and crap I just don’t enjoy) work and utilize them for that. It’s amazing how much a young back can’t get done in 4-5 hours. And it is worth every dang cent.

Hot and cold water to the wash bay in addition to the bathroom.

High bay garage door. I can (and have) use it to get anything in there that I will ever need to.

Basketball goal. Got this as a Christmas gift for my boys. They use it constantly.

Quality openers on the garage doors.

My well doesn’t have to have a large tank so I went with an underground tank. Don’t have to have a well house or anything and they put the well right next to the barn.

Interior 34x60 walking area with turf. It can be stacked and put to the side along with the interior fencing after show season. We can work with our animals when others can’t.


What do I wish I had done differently?

I went with 5” slab. Wish I had done 6”. Haven’t had any issues and probably won’t but I’m always worried about it.

Wish I had extended the lean-to down along side the gable extension. More lean-to space would be great for additional trailer/tractor/truck/whatever parking.

Exterior hose bibs. I went with standard off of the side of the barn at the recommendation of the plumber. Wish I had gone with the frost proof hydrant style where I needed them.

Should have planned better for my floor drains.


I’m sure that over time my lists will flip some and there will be more under the “what I wish I had done differently” tab but we just got to where we could use it about 60 days ago and we are still finishing up a lot of the smaller finish up items.

For us it fits our lifestyle. It is a great party/work/show pig barn.

[CaptainDave]

I agree with the comments on the outlets. Make sure to have lots of outlets and also have the ability to run just about any type of equipment from power tools, welders, wood working and even RV if you have or plan to own one at some point. This is something easy to do during a build and isn't a budget killer.

Plumb for a bathroom, sink, shower, even if you don't plan to build one out initially.

Take the size building you think you need and go up at least to the next size. Even a 40X60 can fill up fast.

If you plan on parking a boat or similar in there, be sure to measure the trailer! Same goes for an RV, be sure to measure height and width if you plan to park inside or under an awning, etc. Also take that into account as lost work space, which sort of goes back to the go bigger than you think you need.

[IOWA BOW HUNTER]

Hot water heater, have everything else but winter and washing your hands really sucks in a old 1980 barn/workshop.

[Gunfish]

Great info! Following

[TexasBob]

I have a 40x50 with a 40x12 porch. It’s too small. I cheaped out on the awning out front and regret it every time it rains. Layout makes a huge difference. Mine has 3 doors across the front so I have basically two 15x50 bays and one a bit larger. Feels huge compared to similar size building with one entry on the end


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Montec man]

Definitely an electric hoist.

[RWB]

Mine is 50x50 with a 25x50 carport.
Add as many carports / porches as you can
Build out a loft for storage
Washer and dryer. We use all the time. RV bedding never has to go in the house.

[ColinR]

30x40x14 with a 12' lean too. Two 12x12 doors in the front and a 10x10 in the back for a draft. Always a good breeze in there. Very comfortable. Love it!

[bullhead44]

Walk in cooler for hanging meat when processing. My dad had one in his shop as well as a meat room for processing. We processed many a deer growing up. Lots of fun nights listening to guys BS while cutting up deer.

[kingranch]

If you think you might want a car lift have the slab a bit thicker in that spot... mine was under 3 grand installed

Also a good idea like mentioned is the I beam up top... I have that also but I actually fabbed up a mobile hoist with scrap ibeam I had leftover from the shop build and I can push it back out of way and use it in spots that aren't dead center like needed if using the shop beam

[kingranch]

Lift

[SaltwaterSlick]

Wow what a great thread full of good ideas/info!!
I'm about to start my shop too... I have a barn that was on the farm when we bought it... Thought that was going to be my shop, but it is not raised as high as the house and yard so when Harvey came calling, it was flooded so no shop there...



Regarding construction, IF you plan to have this shop sealed and dry, do NOT use roll up doors. Use panel doors. There's no dependable and good way to seal up roll up doors. If you look at chrisgunguy's pics, he has panel doors that follow the roof line up top. THAT is the best way to put in a panel door.


I will have an electric winch and seeing the I-beam idea down the middle of the shop in this thread, that will definitely be an addition for me!! A buddy of mine has one of those "Big Arse Fan's" in his shop and those suckers move some air!! with doors open both ends, even an overhead door and a man-door, there's plenty of air movement! I too will have both hot and cold running water inside and out on the shop. Outside will be along a wall somewhere along the lean-to that will face the back yard...



Electrical outlets, LOTs of electrical outlets... No less than 4 50 amp 220 circuits for my stick burners too... Currently have one and it is in the WRONG place!



Also comments about bigger than you think are all true!! The barn I have is 30 X 60 X 12 high and it's cram full of stuff NOW!! When we bought the place, I thought I'd have room to spare!! Go as big as your budget and/or physical space will allow!!



I'm going to have a processing room that will be enclosed, insulated and air conditioned with a mini split. Will have provisions for meat processing, vegetable processing from the garden and refrigeration/freezer space. I currently have 4 freezers scattered throughout the house, garage and barn...

[bakin7005]

Lift and rv parking.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Chance Love]

I have a 30x40, with a 12x40 covered porch. Spray foam on walls and ceiling was a great decision. Central AC/Heat. And electrical outlets @ 4' high, spaced every 5-6'.

And yes, go bigger. I don't care what you think, it needs to be bigger.

[Sticks&Strings]

Tagged

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[Chief Big Toe]

Originally Posted by Chance Love

I have a 30x40, with a 12x40 covered porch. Spray foam on walls and ceiling was a great decision. Central AC/Heat. And electrical outlets @ 4' high, spaced every 5-6'.

And yes, go bigger. I don't care what you think, it needs to be bigger.

[Chief Big Toe]

Originally Posted by Chief Big Toe

Just finished the 30x40x14, pouring concrete this week. But seeing and reading all the above.. really thinking of adding floor drain. But would one in the center suffice?
I did plumbing for toilet and 2 sinks on for restroom and a shop sink. Now deciding on closed cell or open cell spray insulation not sure the big difference I know the open is cheaper but what looks better is my question?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dclifton]

About a 60x 120 x 20 would be a good start for me with lean toos off one or both sides. Multiple drive through bays.

End bay would have RR tracks laid in the concrete to drive dozers and trachoes on. With plenty of welder plugs in that area and through to keep from having to break out the gas welder all the time.

Big *** style fan for sure.

Hot and cold water in mulitple areas is a great idea.

Over head Gantry crane would be awesome also.

[RdRdrFan]

Originally Posted by Chief Big Toe

Just finished the 30x40x14, pouring concrete this week. But seeing and reading all the above.. really thinking of adding floor drain. But would one in the center suffice?
I did plumbing for toilet and 2 sinks on for restroom and a shop sink. Now deciding on closed cell or open cell spray insulation not sure the big difference I know the open is cheaper but what looks better is my question?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Go closed cell but it has nothing to do with looks. Open cell can retain and hold moisture on the inside between the insulation and the sheeting. It will rust from the inside out.

[Chief Big Toe]

great, that is what i was looking for, someone to tell the difference, the change difference will off set the future head ache, thanks RdRdrfan

[spidermonkey]

Agree with basically all the above, and ESPECIALLY the hoist/beam setup. I have one in mine, and it’s a life saver when working on/fabbing on big stuff. Getting too old to be trying to flip stuff by hand. I seem to do more and more building of big bulky items that would be a pain to flip, move around, and whatnot, without it. Plus I can trolley it out to the outside edge of the big door, back my truck under it, and unload a deer for quartering too. Good Huntin, and God Bless, Rusty

[sendit]

It’s an open ended question. One size doesn’t fit all.

For me it’s an industrial dust collector with a bag house and huge cyclone located outside. Having and a fume and smoke extraction system would be next inline. Then it would be a paint booth.

[MIHunter]

Following

[Chief Big Toe]

Getting closer,

Got the plugs in and Epoxy on floor. Need to do the LED 8 ft lights. But. I hate heights. So
Renting a ditch witch for power from house as well as water line
Waiting on Close cell quote


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sneaky freak]

Not for everyone but we built a open space apartment above ours and rent it out, its paying for itself

[Kong]

At the least an I Beam with a rolling hoist on it down the middle of one bay but depending on the size of the shop I’d add a couple if you have multiple doors. I spent the money and had beams put on the sides as well so the hoist can move in all directions. This can get pricey but worth every penny for lifting things out of the bed of your truck or working on things.

I’d also make sure you have a full 200 amp breaker box so all the things you add after the fact will have the power to feed them. If you get a solid set up from the start you can add things as time goes by. Other thing that’s a must have for me is an AC system in the shop, I hate working in the heat these days

[xman59]

Originally Posted by bassmatt72

A bathroom with a shower.

yep!

chain hoist

20gallon or larger air compressor, at least 40 feet of air hose

heavy duty rolling floor jack

2 shop fans

multiple power outlets, plenty of lights

2 exhaust fans