Building a new shop
(→Doors and windows) |
(→Electrical and plumbing) |
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Door location is paramount in the setting up of your garage or shop. It doesn't matter if it is the decision between using a single door or two doors on a small garage, or if you should put the door in the middle of the end walls of a large shop. Take out the graph paper and draw your garage or shop area out to scale. Use scale sized piece of paper or wood blocks of 10 X 20 foot dimension to "drive" into your garage and park your vehicles to simulate what is practical for your building size. Sometimes, offsetting an end wall door and parking diagonally will give you better access and utilization of your space. Try going double deep with the garage on a deep lot property, install a OHD on either end, use the back end to move cars under construction into rear yard for sandblasting and painting, while the front end is used for everyday use of the family vehicles. This keeps the neighborhood from getting down on your case. | Door location is paramount in the setting up of your garage or shop. It doesn't matter if it is the decision between using a single door or two doors on a small garage, or if you should put the door in the middle of the end walls of a large shop. Take out the graph paper and draw your garage or shop area out to scale. Use scale sized piece of paper or wood blocks of 10 X 20 foot dimension to "drive" into your garage and park your vehicles to simulate what is practical for your building size. Sometimes, offsetting an end wall door and parking diagonally will give you better access and utilization of your space. Try going double deep with the garage on a deep lot property, install a OHD on either end, use the back end to move cars under construction into rear yard for sandblasting and painting, while the front end is used for everyday use of the family vehicles. This keeps the neighborhood from getting down on your case. | ||
| − | ==Electrical | + | ==Electrical== |
Most electrical and plumbing decisions come down to personal preference and needs. You need at least a 100 amp service. Sit down with a clean sheet of paper and divide it in two, put the electrical tools that you own now on one side and then put the tools that you want on the other side. Write down the amps or max draw of each of the tools. Yes, a welder (mig or arc) is a tool! Add up and total your needs and multiply by TWO (because we know you're going to get more), and that's what service you'll need. Allow at least five outlets per 15 amp circuit. Don't forget that outlets in a garage need to be protected by either GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) breakers or GFCI outlets. If you protect the first of the outlet boxes in a circuit with a GFCI outlet, all the rest of the outlets will be protected too. A compressor or 220V mig will eat up 30 - 40 amps. "Brown outs", lack of correct power will fry a motor over time. If that shop of yours is getting a regular workout, maybe you should go with a new 'drop' instead of drawing off the house circuit. | Most electrical and plumbing decisions come down to personal preference and needs. You need at least a 100 amp service. Sit down with a clean sheet of paper and divide it in two, put the electrical tools that you own now on one side and then put the tools that you want on the other side. Write down the amps or max draw of each of the tools. Yes, a welder (mig or arc) is a tool! Add up and total your needs and multiply by TWO (because we know you're going to get more), and that's what service you'll need. Allow at least five outlets per 15 amp circuit. Don't forget that outlets in a garage need to be protected by either GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) breakers or GFCI outlets. If you protect the first of the outlet boxes in a circuit with a GFCI outlet, all the rest of the outlets will be protected too. A compressor or 220V mig will eat up 30 - 40 amps. "Brown outs", lack of correct power will fry a motor over time. If that shop of yours is getting a regular workout, maybe you should go with a new 'drop' instead of drawing off the house circuit. | ||
| − | Consider running all your wires in metal conduit surface mounted on the interior walls. If you get your shop all wired up and the wires are buried in the walls, it will be a big deal to change anything later. | + | Consider running all your wires in metal conduit surface mounted on the interior walls. If you get your shop all wired up and the wires are buried in the walls, it will be a big deal to change anything later. You can use OSB (oriented strand board) for the walls in your shop, so you can attach electrical boxes anywhere without worrying where the studs are. Bending metal conduit is simple once you get the hang of it. |
| − | Don't forget though that electricity is very dangerous, and it is highly recommended that a qualified electrician does the work. It might seem costly now, but a life is worth much more. Remember that 120 | + | Don't forget though that electricity is very dangerous, and it is highly recommended that a qualified electrician does the work. It might seem costly now, but a life is worth much more. Remember that 120 volts will kill, as it only takes .06 amps of current through your heart to stop it. |
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| + | Don't forget about lighting, you never can have enough lights. Don't skimp in this area. | ||
| + | ==Plumbing== | ||
Plumbing is a welcome addition to any shop. No more running to the house for a pail of water to fill the radiator or wash off body filler dust. Getting water to the shop is easy -- getting sewage and gunk away is the problem. Limiting factors effecting effluent disposal are climatic conditions, topography, municipal concerns, and about twenty other things. | Plumbing is a welcome addition to any shop. No more running to the house for a pail of water to fill the radiator or wash off body filler dust. Getting water to the shop is easy -- getting sewage and gunk away is the problem. Limiting factors effecting effluent disposal are climatic conditions, topography, municipal concerns, and about twenty other things. | ||
| − | It's nice to have a shower in the shop, especially after sanding fiberglass filler (this also prevents complaints from your spouse about the oil slick you leave in the bathroom after showering. If your budget warrants it and you have the room, a 800 to 1200 gallon holding tank is a great investment to hold the sewage and grunge that comes out of a garage. You can also put in a floor drain connected to a dry well to take gray water from washing your vehicles. Check your local building codes to see if they are allowed in your area, and don't be tempted to use the floor drain to get rid of anything else. | + | It's nice to have a shower in the shop, especially after sanding fiberglass filler (this also prevents complaints from your spouse about the oil slick you leave in the bathroom after showering). If your budget warrants it and you have the room, a 800 to 1200 gallon holding tank is a great investment to hold the sewage and grunge that comes out of a garage. You can also put in a floor drain connected to a dry well to take gray water from washing your vehicles. Check your local building codes to see if they are allowed in your area, and don't be tempted to use the floor drain to get rid of anything else. |
==Heat, ventilation, and air conditioning== | ==Heat, ventilation, and air conditioning== | ||
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