Final Workshop

[ArkTinkerer]

I'm rather new here--surfed thru the site a few time in the last couple years and am now about to pull the trigger on retiring (<1 Year). One last task to accomplish or at least start before I leave work....

As my monicker suggests, I like to tinker with all sorts of things--electronics, cars, guns, motorcycles. My DW (I assume that means "Dear Wife" and not a cursed spouse!) is encouraging me to build the Garagemahal. We are in a great location and I expect this to last me until I can no longer turn a wrench or see an oscilloscope trace. At that point it may be sold or become a small home.

My question to other tinkerers, builders, wood workers, mechanics, machinists.... What are the requirements for your Final Workshop? I'm just hitting 50 but I have some back issues so I am planning on a vehicle lift--in-floor with the ability to lift only one side as an adjustable worktable, probably a shop crane of some sort. Good lighting is another big concern.

Any other items you can think of that allow you to keep doing things in the shop as your body wears out and eyesight degenerates?

Related item but hopefully one I am a long way from--any thoughts on how to dispose of tools and projects when one is no longer able to use them or how to help a spouse dispose of them when we pass on?

Sorry, reading the above sounds kind of depressing for such an exciting time in my life! Really looking forward to setting up shop and doing all those projects I never had time for while working for "the man"!

ArkTinkerer

 

[zinger1457]

I've been wanting/planning to build a shop for my woodworking hobby so I can get all my tools out of the garage. Definitely put some thought into your power requirements. Many of the bigger woodworking tools (table saws) use 220V, some even require 220v 3ph. Can never have too many electrical outlets. Lighting as you mentioned is a big one. How will you handle heating/cooling if needed? Maybe not a concern based on your needs but with woodworking a good dust collection and air filtration system are a must.

 

[Walt34]

One thought on 220v 3ph. A guy up the street where we used to live wanted a gigunda air compressor for his 4-bay garage and found that the electrical code forbid 3ph in a residential property. So if you're planning on it check availability in your area before buying anything that will need it.

 

[ArkTinkerer]

3 phase would be nice but is rare in a residential area. For machine tools a lot of people make/purchase a converter so they can run 3 phase. I also hear it is expensive for a residence. I am planning multiple 220V outlets. The building will be designed to transition to a residence. So there will be 220V for locations that would be a water heateer, range, dryer. The only extra would probably be near where the lift will go. The others will be available for a welder or other machine tools.

I recall that some places in Europe run 2 phases to each box. They can then wire their outlets as either 220V or one leg to each outlet for 110V. Not compatible with US codes or easily available outlets unfortunately...

ArkTinkerer

 

[Htown Harry]

The conversion idea adds complexity, but it's probably worthwhile. A big manly shop built without thought to an alternative use might limit the property's appeal to future buyers, like a pool does.

I'm thinking an architect would probably send you down one of two paths.

In one scenario, the shell of your shop will form the walls and floor of future living space. Barn conversions might give you ideas.

The other might be that the shell you build will be 1-1/2 or two stories. There's a ground floor shop and mezzanine storage to start, with a future ground floor garage and a finished studio apartment or guest quarters upstairs.

(pictures are from houzz.com. lots of ideas there.)

 

[ArkTinkerer]

Idea right now is to build the shell of a ranch style house that would be like a two story on one side with barn doors. That would be the side with the lift. Double doors for the front door and a wrap around porch with carport. I'll try and post a cad drawing later.

I'll probably have to pay a bit of a premium for the rafters to do a clear span but if I put the plumbing in the slab there should be very little to get in the way of making it a livable residence later.

One item that occurred to me was security cameras. Not just for theft but so that DW can look in on me and be assured I haven't removed any body parts....

ArkTinkerer

 

[Ronstar]

Great posts, ArkTinkerer,

Nothing more important than a great workshop in retirement. And it looks like you're planning the ultimate shop.

I have spent time in mine almost every day since retiring 4 months ago. I built it in 2000 primarily to store my boat. But I moved the boat to the attached garage and now my workshop is dedicated to my woodworking projects. I've learned a few things about workshops since I built mine.

1. Don't build one that is too small.
2. Don't skimp on the electrical- best if it has it's own service, lots of lighting and receptacles
3. Should have a bathroom.
4. Should have separate areas for woodworking, cars,etc. don't want sawdust in the car area.
5. Floor drains in the car area with ability to wash cars indoors
6. Good heating in areas where you'll be working.
7. Car lift.
8. Lots of storage space, with organized tool storage.
9. Tv, wifi, computer, fridge
10. Security system, cameras.
11. Garage doors at least 8' tall.


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[splitwdw]

Don't forget about overhead outlets/receptacles. We have separate areas for different activities, woodworking, metal working pyrography, auto repair, etc. You need lots of storage cabinets/shelving. A rolling cart is a must have with locking wheels. We don't have cameras inside but do have an intercom between the house and the garage. Stools, stationary and adjustable, wood and metal. We have tall wood stools in the wood working area. Low rolling stools for working on cars and bikes. Metal stools in the metal and soldering area.
Regarding tool disposal, my uncle is downsizing and selling all his tools. He offered for sale to family and friends first then put things on Craigslist and Ebay. There is also a consignment shop for tools that he used. In our area you get nothing for tools. His tools looked brand new.

 

[samclem]

About heating: Radiant slab heating is all the rage in homes, and makes for happy feet, but I probably wouldn't be tempted to install it in a shop. The slab takes a long time to heat up, and if your use is intermittent, that's not a good fit. Plus, you might need to drill the floor someday (add another lift, etc) and hitting a heating tube would not be good.

If this is on the same lot as your house, install a few empty conduits and some wire sets between home and shop when installing your other utilities. One of the wire sets can be used to activate your AC/furnace from inside your house without going out to the shop. Get out of bed, hit the switch t get the HVAC going, the shop is warmed up (or cooled off) by the time you've finished you coffee and breakfast.

If the shop is not near your home, you can use a GSM cell phone switch to do the same thing. It works great, and there's almost zero ongoing cost for the phone subscription of you do it right. (Let me know if you want more info).

I don't use my shop every day, but am really glad I insulated it well. I never run the AC except when I'm out there, and in the winter the heat just keeps things from freezing between uses. Still, the insulation tempers the highs and lows so it is often very pleasant out there. In the summer at 1 PM it is often 20 deg F cooler inside than outside, with no use of AC.
If your peepers are headed downhill like mine, then you know you'll need lots of lights.

Windows: They do brighten the place up, but are an invitation to getting your tools and treasures ripped off (especially if the shop is out on its own somewhere). Plus, even the best ones leak heat more than a wall. If you build in enough for the place to later be a house, consider making tight-fitting rigid foam insulated covers for the inside, and maybe some well secured bars, too.

Noise: Got folks nearby that will be bothered by hammering, riveting, a compressor, etc? Consider the normal soundproofing steps (decoupling the drywall from the framing, etc).

If you'll be moving sheet goods around, you'll appreciate ceilings that are at least 9 feet above the floor, 10 would be better.

 

[ArkTinkerer]

Radiant heating doesn't make economic sense in our zone. I like the idea but economics as well as problems of not knowing where the wall will eventually go means its not a good idea!

10'+ wall on the single story side and 16'+ on the two story should give me lots of headroom.

Can't really do plumbing. Garage is on adjoining lot but fronts on street around the corner. Seems they didn't run sewer up that street. Couple other houses must run thru other yards to get to service. For me, they way $40-60K to run the mains and then I still have to pay for hookup. I plan to plumb the slab and go to the side of the building but cap the lines off until it is more reasonable to hook up.

We own a house across the street from where the garage is going. Likely choice to downsize to eventually. Will probably do a wireless link between buildings for data/video.

Power is no problem, pole is in the corner of the yard. Still checking on gas service.

Ceiling outlets--had planned on one or two but will give it more thought.

GarageJournal.com is a pretty good site for this kind of thing. I will probably ask for input there about the build at some point.

I remember seeing something about a machinist who used some garage door track to make a trolly kind of hoist that went above each of his machines so he could move heavier items. Don't think it would do an big engine block but it would move 100lbs safely. Thinking about that but it would probably have to wait. The layout of the shop will probably change as I use it the first couple years.

ArkTinkerer

 

[ArkTinkerer]

Here is a link to the hoist--

Shop built hoisting crane

 

[ArkTinkerer]

Sorry that is "a system". Not the system I was originally thinking of.

 

[seraphim]

I merely made friends with a mechanic who owns his own shop. Can also order parts tax free at a hefty discount lol...



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[seraphim]

Don't forget the paint booth...


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[Ronstar]

......GarageJournal.com is a pretty good site for this kind of thing. I will probably ask for input there about the build at some point......

Yep - I got (and still get) a lot of great ideas from that forum.

 

[splitwdw]

......Ceiling outlets--had planned on one or two but will give it more thought.

We have 2 ceiling outlets by our hydraulic lift and 2 in the woodshop area. In the woodshop area, it allows us to have our drill press, bandsaw, miniature lathe and planer in the center of the room. The ones by the lift get used for trickle chargers and power tools.
Forgot there are 3 ceiling outlets in the woodshop area, 1 is used for the ceiling mounted air cleaner.

 

[eytonxav]

Nothing special, but I would want a good epoxy coated floor and large screen TV. Aside from everything already mentioned, for a true dream garage, send Jay an email for other ideas.

 

[W2R]

From my point of view (I'm a 66-year-old woman):

The ideal workshop would be in an outbuilding, NOT in the garage. The outbuilding would be large, with electricity, heat/AC, and plumbing. I don't really do many projects these days, so I wouldn't need a workshop myself. But if my dear F and I ever live together, this would be the ideal workshop for him IMO.

The ideal garage for me would have a coated floor for easy cleanup, room to park all vehicles easily without having to dodge "stuff", an automatic garage door opener, and plenty of very organized storage for garden tools/lawnmower and hand tools. No washer/dryer since ideally that would be inside the house.

 

[Ronstar]

From my point of view (I'm a 66-year-old woman):

The ideal workshop would be in an outbuilding, NOT in the garage. The outbuilding would be large, with electricity, heat/AC, and plumbing. I don't really do many projects these days, so I wouldn't need a workshop myself. But if my dear F and I ever live together, this would be the ideal workshop for him IMO.

The ideal garage for me would have a coated floor for easy cleanup, room to park all vehicles easily without having to dodge "stuff", an automatic garage door opener, and plenty of very organized storage for garden tools/lawnmower and hand tools. No washer/dryer since ideally that would be inside the house.

The workshop has to be an outbuilding. A 2000 sf garage just doesn't look right attached to the 1000 sf house that we downsizing geezers are looking for.

 

[Indigo Mule]

Don't forget the comfy chairs for people to hang out and shoot the breeze. I had a friend whose workshop was a popular place to work or hang out; his wife complained that nobody would hang out in her sewing room--but
she had no seating for visitors!

 

[W2R]

The workshop has to be an outbuilding. A 2000 sf garage just doesn't look right attached to the 1000 sf house that we downsizing geezers are looking for.

+1

I was just telling Frank yesterday that I am having a problem finding a 1000 sq ft home in our area, including a 25 sq ft shower and lots of upgrades, that also includes a 2-3 car attached garage.

It would be even harder to find if we lived together and also needed for this property to have a giant outbuilding for his workshop/hamshack.

 

[Theseus]

I built mine 7 years ago with an eye on retirement, cold weather region so slab sits on foam insulation, best extra expense ever - concrete has never had condensation on it during humid weather, change of seasons, etc. Separate 200 amp service, just because it worked out that way, XFMR was so close it cost nothing to have power company run the power to service entrance. 10' sidewalls, well insulated ceiling and walls, that is split between two segregated rooms for mechanical work and woodworking, remainder of building un-insulated and used as storage and garage area for tractor and other seasonal vehicles. Computer in shop, wireless link to home network, and security video cameras tied in to same.

But the best addition was just recently installed - when DW retired she brought home the dorm sized refrigerator she had in her office. Cold beer is so, so good!

 

[Al in Ohio]

Great posts, ArkTinkerer,

Nothing more important than a great workshop in retirement. And it looks like you're planning the ultimate shop.

I have spent time in mine almost every day since retiring 4 months ago. I built it in 2000 primarily to store my boat. But I moved the boat to the attached garage and now my workshop is dedicated to my woodworking projects. I've learned a few things about workshops since I built mine.

1. Don't build one that is too small.
2. Don't skimp on the electrical- best if it has it's own service, lots of lighting and receptacles
3. Should have a bathroom.
4. Should have separate areas for woodworking, cars,etc. don't want sawdust in the car area.
5. Floor drains in the car area with ability to wash cars indoors
6. Good heating in areas where you'll be working.
7. Car lift.
8. Lots of storage space, with organized tool storage.
9. Tv, wifi, computer, fridge
10. Security system, cameras.
11. Garage doors at least 8' tall.


Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forums

Skip the floor drain in the garage unless you really insist on not sloping the floor to grade outside. By code you can't install a floor drain in a garage where a motor vehicle will be washed or any repairs will ocur and/or a lift or pit is present UNLESS the sanitary drain system discharges directly to an oil and grit interceptor properly sized based on the floor area that the drain serves. Tge oil interceptor will periodically need to be cleaned out much like a septic tank would.

 

[Ronstar]

Skip the floor drain in the garage unless you really insist on not sloping the floor to grade outside. By code you can't install a floor drain in a garage where a motor vehicle will be washed or any repairs will ocur and/or a lift or pit is present UNLESS the sanitary drain system discharges directly to an oil and grit interceptor properly sized based on the floor area that the drain serves. Tge oil interceptor will periodically need to be cleaned out much like a septic tank would.

I seem to remember all this being true. I remember proposing a floor drain for my attached garage in 1993 and it was disallowed by the county. Now my BIL builds a new pole barn (in a different county) and he was allowed a floor drain. Maybe it's allowed for an outbuilding in an agriculture zone.

 

[ArkTinkerer]

Still working on my drawings. Mean-time--did anyone else here actually build their own shop just before or during retirement? By that I mean, at a minimum, act as their own contractor or at least architect? Any pointers of what to watch out for? Would you do it again?