Getting ready to build a shop - things to make sure of.

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We are about to move into a new home and I'm planning my shop. Wanted to know what lessons you guys learned when building your shops. I know, you can't build too big! Would like to know what suggestions you have about wiring for lights, 220v hook-ups, plumbing for air, etc. Planning on a 30'x40' with 12' lean-to on each side, 10x10 roll-up doors on each end.  Have looked at pole barns, tubular steel, and red-iron buildings. What do you have and what are the pros and cons of each. This will probably be our last home and I want to make sure my shop is what I want and need.GraysOrnamentalIron.com
Reply:I have a 24 x 32 shop.  I have a 10 x 10 door and wish I had gone 12 wide.  10 sounds like plenty but plenty isn't always enough if you catch my drift...especially when pulling things in at an angle.
Reply:I also built my bench with the chop saw shelf on the left hand side of the bench.  It would work better if it was on the right so the bench supports the deck side of the saw.  I'll post some pictures to give you a better idea about what I'm talking about.  I'm headed to Boston for a few days but will be back Saturday.Last edited by mp4; 07-15-2015 at 01:19 PM.
Reply:I would figure shop for floor space mine is 40x60 but with 4 ft benches on both sides I loose 8 ft, I'd go with at least one 12x14 door  and plenty of outlets
Reply:Look at power box drops so you don't have cords running all over the shop.Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table

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Reply:Twice as much lighting as you think you need on the darkest night (smartly arranged on switches so you have control).  Planned provision for raw materials storage:  Raw stocks/racks almost always end up being against a wall and wall space is at a super-premium in a shop.  Even if that means something like a connex box for materials outside the shop, you will be miles ahead.  With a steel frame building it will be easier to tie a jib crane near one of the frames..another handy toy to have when you need it.  If you will ever be going for heavy equipment or stuff that can give a high shock (like an iron worker), beef up the floor in that area when you pour it.  Fittings:  Commercial rubbermaid garbage cans with the roller bases...and commercial grade liners to go in them.  Door handles for man doors should be levers, not knobs so you can open them with an elbow when you are carrying stuff in both hands.  Slop sink or at least some water close if possible.  Several GOOD and reasonable-sized fire extinguishers (costco used to have a good deal on these).  Exterior plugs on all sides.  Easy for me to spend YOUR money for you :-)
Reply:Thanks guys, keep'em coming!GraysOrnamentalIron.com
Reply:I have found that big 220v extension cords are cheaper than conduit, wire, and install. Not so for 110v, put those everywhere. Make sure to have a dedicated circuit for things like clocks and radios, so when you pop a breaker you don't have to reset the clock. If you don't have one already, get a forklift. Get the widest door you can, I'd love to have a 24' wide door. A big sink with a small water heater for hand washing. Depending on how far away the house is, an office.
Reply:In my shop I installed OSB from the floor up to the C channel at 8'.  I also had the builders install a C channel mid way at 4" so the OSB don't deflect.  This protects the insulation near the floor.  I ran all my electrical circuits in EMT conduit and surface mounted everything.  For my lights I originally installed outlets at each light location and used the cheap fluorescents from the big box stores that come with a plug on them.  This made them easy to change.  I am in the process of changing them all to LED's mostly due to the lights not wanting to come on right away in the winter time.
Reply:In floor heatBridge CraneOutdoor cement pad
Reply:My play room is 40' x 48' x 16' tall, with an 8' x 8' compressor / phase converter room on one end. I have a 24' span by 40' power travel bridge crane. That cost me $3,000.00 to build including the 1-ton electric chain hoist. The slab under the bridge crane in 10“ thick. I went with 48 brooder lights. 200-amp electrical service. So far no real regrets!

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Reply:My shop is the same size as you are planning. My bathroom was the best decision I made.  I highly suggest a "carport" over at least one of your doors it nice to have an outside area but still be in the shade
Reply:Building recommendations depend on your location.  Do you have any local codes or building permits required?  What type of work do you expect?  If you are in a rural area and plan on fixing occasional farm equipment you will need much bigger doors than if you only want to build hot rods.Cranes are expensive and eat up a lot of head room.  If you need them they are very nice, but if not they sure kill the budget quickly.  New cranes are stupid expensive, but used ones are sometimes stupid cheap.Figure your service entrance location and run conduits under the slab to the other side of the building.  Much less wire than going over the top.
Reply:Make sure you get a concrete finisher who can actually finish the slab flat and slick.
Reply:White walls are free light.
Reply:My next shop will have UPS for the important machines and computers thats isolated from the other outlets...Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Bigger door, covered area over the doors, insulated walls, cooler/ a/c/heat. If possible, plan for the entire area that you are covering(including the shed roof areas) to be under a single truss. That way when you find out you need another 12' you don't have to re engineer, just move walls. Oh, and you will need more footage, not if, but when.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Alabass

We are about to move into a new home and I'm planning my shop. Wanted to know what lessons you guys learned when building your shops. I know, you can't build too big! Would like to know what suggestions you have about wiring for lights, 220v hook-ups, plumbing for air, etc. Planning on a 30'x40' with 12' lean-to on each side, 10x10 roll-up doors on each end.  Have looked at pole barns, tubular steel, and red-iron buildings. What do you have and what are the pros and cons of each. This will probably be our last home and I want to make sure my shop is what I want and need.
Reply:The toilet in a corner closet, Cheap kitchen sink from Home Depot, and the small (3 gallon ) water heater make my shop the envy of all the men in my neighbor hood.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:

Originally Posted by Alabass

We are about to move into a new home and I'm planning my shop. Wanted to know what lessons you guys learned when building your shops. I know, you can't build too big! Would like to know what suggestions you have about wiring for lights, 220v hook-ups, plumbing for air, etc. Planning on a 30'x40' with 12' lean-to on each side, 10x10 roll-up doors on each end.  Have looked at pole barns, tubular steel, and red-iron buildings. What do you have and what are the pros and cons of each. This will probably be our last home and I want to make sure my shop is what I want and need.
Reply:If you have not poured the floor put some plate imbedds in the floor so that you can tack things to the floor.  Each plate about ten inches square with rebar running a foot into the concrete much like a footing for a column.
Reply:

Originally Posted by CEP

My play room is 40' x 48' x 16' tall, with an 8' x 8' compressor / phase converter room on one end. I have a 24' span by 40' power travel bridge crane. That cost me $3,000.00 to build including the 1-ton electric chain hoist. The slab under the bridge crane in 10“ thick. I went with 48 brooder lights. 200-amp electrical service. So far no real regrets!
Reply:Hey, Alabass.My shop is exactly the same size you are planning. You can follow my build here:  http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...hop&highlight=The toilet, sinks, hot water heater are the best ideas I had. I have 5 6-50 receptacles and LOTS of 110v receptacles. I could have done better on the lights, but the are ok.Good luck, enjoy it, and post pictures!Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 120www.10FtDrillBit.comwww.MyWelds.com - pictures of my work
Reply:Some sort of recessed anchors in the floor.  You may never need them. But when you do the are as handy as pockets on your under ware. And go the extra mile on the floor.  There is nothing more upsetting than finding a crack or the Grand Canyon in your over priced concrete floor.  Your creeper and tool box will thank you
Reply:

Originally Posted by Alabass

Hey CEP, I think I have crane envy!

Originally Posted by fab_man21

Some sort of recessed anchors in the floor.  You may never need them. But when you do the are as handy as pockets on your under ware. And go the extra mile on the floor.  There is nothing more upsetting than finding a crack or the Grand Canyon in your over priced concrete floor.
Reply:A simple Please and Thank You have made it possible to accumulate a lot of great stuff.For example, a former employer switched shop supply contractors from Mechanics Choice to Bowman.  A please and thank you got me several drawers to keep Fasteners and other hardware in.A great improvement over bags and coffee cans.We put Kitchen Cabinets on the walls, we happened to buy them from Home Depot because they would all match, but free ones from Craig's list would work as well but not look so nice.May you enjoy your new shop in good health.Last edited by nadogail; 07-16-2015 at 05:38 PM.Reason: Additional ThoughtsI offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:tagged shop info"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!

" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:

Originally Posted by Stick-man

tagged shop info