other OT - New garage - seeking advice on build out

[kaptanoglu]

Howdy all.

 

We are in the process of buying a house (finally), and the garage is a bit of a blank slate.  I have some thoughts on what to do with it, but don't want to have any "if only I had thought of....", so let me know what you think (and images would be great, too)

 

The particulars:

• 20'6" wide
• 21'3"deep
• 10'6" ceiling
• Single overhead door main opening
• Side entry
• Ceiling and walls currently not finished (bare studs)

 

Requirements:

• Have to be able to park 2 cars inside (2002tii and an X5)
• Needs to be neat as a pin, or someone will not be happy with me
• Set up for regular maintenance and bigger '02 projects, but not restoration
• Not currently planning on shop air, as cordless stuff seems to be doing the job just fine

 

Plan so far:

• Epoxy floor
• Build loft over back wall for storage (drop back half ceiling to 8')
• MaxJax lift, with bolt sets off to one side (so I can have a longer term project, and L can still park inside) and in the middle (for easier access and regular projects)
• Run 240v to the X5 side of the garage (while the walls are open) for future Tesla, i3, or welder

 

Biggest open issues:

• Lighting options (I plan on having a lot of it, but have not selected)
• Shelving/cabinet options (currently have an older Craftsman roller box and a big open rack)
• Garage tracks are currently at 8'4".  Is it worth getting a high lift door for the extra 2 feet? (and, if so, recommendations)
• Insulation/heat barrier?  (We are in Houston.... would insulation help some for the heat of the day?  I would think not, but now's the time)

 

[peterman]

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/topic/178967-new-shop-build/

This should start you out. 

[John_in_VA]

Off-topic section is here - http://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/forum/9-off-topic/

Check out mlytle's "new shop build" thread.

[kaptanoglu]

Thanks, gents.  I just finished rolling through his build and found it helpful.  As I noted there, I hope to do half as well at half the scale.  Thankfully, our cars are small.

[Arizona02]

Check out the forums on http://www.garagejournal.com/

[adawil2002]

Make provisions for a lift.

 

[kaptanoglu]

18 minutes ago, adawil2002 said:

Make provisions for a lift.

 

 

On it.  I am planning on a MaxJax, as permanent posts would be a pain with our size constraints.

[Emyers]

Utility sink with hot and cold water.......

[cbesing]

I did a remote air compressor with plumbed lines.  Very glad I did.  The noise from a compressor would have been unbearable for me. Also, I did stained concrete instead of epoxy. Nice look and gives nice patina the more stuff that is spilled.

 

also, did hi lift direct drive door lifts, eliminating the overhead track. Nice with 4 post car lift.

 

did full insulation and swamp cooler for the hot days in Phoenix.

[72ITB]

I just did a combo of LED and fluorescent lighting, LEDS are new and very bright, fluorescents I had. You can never have too many outlets.

 

I built a new bench 24" x 8', by 48" high, I am happy with the depth, could have gone 42" high to allow for work in the vise being higher. The 8' length is nice but half becomes a shelf, I wish I went with 4 foot stationary and 3-4' on wheels for flexibility and moving around the shop. I doubled 3/4 birch ply for the top and spent time doing 5 coats of helmsman poly, its nice but I now have an old piece of carpet and scrap plywood on top of the primary working area to protect it, silly, could have went with cheaper ply and left it unfinished until the "patina" set in.

 

I also did a tool board for screw drivers, pliers, etc.  I am going to add to it to include box wrenches and a few more frequently used tools. I left stuff in my tool chest to justify its existence but the convenience and practical use of the tool board is much better.

 

Keep things modular so you can move them and adjust as you learn the habits and space. Things on wheels are my preference because it always seems to be stuff is moving and getting re-arranged according to project. Still a work in progress.

 

hope that is helpful, congrats and good luck

 

 

see the shop in here 

 

 

 

Edited September 27, 2016 by 72ITB
added a link

[Mike Self]

When we moved into our house in 1973 the garage was a blank slate too--POs hadn't had cars in there for 20 years--kept their dogs there.  Took me years to get the doggie pee smell out of the concrete!

 

I built my own workbench--4x4 legs, 2x4 framing and a top made of 2x6s...probably overengineered by very sturdy.  Instead of back legs, though I bolted the framing to the wall studs.  Doesn't move around when you pound on things.  Then when we remodeled our kitchen I took some of the base cabinets and installed 'em under the workbench to hold power tools, etc.  Mechanics tools are in a roll-around tool box adjacent to the workbench.  

 

Garage floor is too rough to coat--1957 vintage + road salt = spalled concrete.  Has anyone had experience with the self-leveling concrete patching material?

 

If you're gonna insulate against Houston heat, I'd do the ceiling/roof first, and put some passive vents in the roof to let the hot air out.

 

mike

 

PS--good source of inexpensive florescent light fixtures:  old "troffer" four bulb fixtures that are used with drop ceilings.  I've bought 'em off Craigslist for $10 with bulbs...hang 'em from a chain and you're in business.

Edited September 27, 2016 by mike

[kaptanoglu]

On 9/27/2016 at 0:11 PM, cbesing said:

I did a remote air compressor with plumbed lines.  Very glad I did.  The noise from a compressor would have been unbearable for me. Also, I did stained concrete instead of epoxy. Nice look and gives nice patina the more stuff that is spilled.

 

also, did hi lift direct drive door lifts, eliminating the overhead track. Nice with 4 post car lift.

 

did full insulation and swamp cooler for the hot days in Phoenix.

 

I am on the fence on the compressor. My cordless impact is rated at 1,000 ft-lbs, so the air would only be for tires and blowing air through lines/drying stuff off.  Am I nuts on this?

 

Also, AC is a consideration, though swamp coolers don't work in Houston.  I may just add a monster ceiling fan.

[otisdog]

You might want to consider a 4 post lift on wheels...buys you an extra car spot and allows you to work on a car, too. And because it rolls, you have extra versatility.  A 9000 pound Bendpak can be had for less than $3k...which is a cheap way to get a 3 car garage. You can run it on either 220 or 120 volts. You should have enough height for it if you raise the door.  LED lights are a must....plenty of electrical including switched ceiling outlets.

Agree with your take on portable electrical tools making plumbed air unnecessary - the last 18 volt generation has as much power, if not more than 120 volts. I use a Emglo 2 tanker for the tires and for releasing the safeties on the lift.

[Kidasters]

3 hours ago, kaptanoglu said:

 

I am on the fence on the compressor. My cordless impact is rated at 1,000 ft-lbs, so the air would only be for tires and blowing air through lines/drying stuff off.  Am I nuts on this?

 

Also, AC is a consideration, though swamp coolers don't work in Houston.  I may just add a monster ceiling fan.

 

A/C.  Then Light.  Seriously.  I messed up when I didn't do A/C in my garage.  I almost can't work out there in the summer.  A big fan won't work.  Trust me.

 

Light - I have 10 fixtures in my garage.  7 are dual bulb, and 1 over my bench has 4 in it (from Griots).  Still didn't have enough and ordered 2 hanging LED fixtures.  And it's almost enough.  

 

Finally - a compressor.  I use mine all the time.  Air up tires.  Blow parts clean.  I don't use my air tools much, but I still use the compressor a lot.  If you get a compressor, also pipe the garage for air.  That's another reason I use it so much, because it's so handy.

 

[nbcbird]

Not sure if in planning stage or built (you do say walls not finished).  Plan on a 16 foot wide garage door if you want a single overhead door.  Eighteen feet wide is the absolute minimum width for parking two cars allowing average access.  Twenty feet is OK, twenty-two is much better (allows better access and storage on the sides).