Setting My New Shop Up (Formerly Shop Build Progress)

[Jiggy Joiner]

Sounds exciting Ron.
I think when planning a workshop, big is best. I would go large, then you are covered for storage, plus any new tool hankerings the future will almost certainly bring.

When we changed workshops last time, there were two on offer. They were both empty, and although one was nearly twice the size of the other, they both looked more than adequate.
I opted for the smaller, as it was in a more convenient location. Not even six months later, I realised I’d made a mistake.

 

[Mario Turcot]

If you have or will get a dust collector and air compressor, think of making a dedicated insulated room.

 

[nclemmons]

Lot's of discussions on shops on garagejournal.com  [member=63929]AtomicRyan[/member] on the forum here runs that site. 

Suggest you check in there as there are plenty of threads on all facets of building a shop.

Good luck and look forward to following your progress.

 

[JBag09]

I just put up at 30x40 pole building a few years ago. I have all my stationary tools on one side of the shop. A spray room and my mft benches and a 4x8 workbench on the other side. I was actually just out there earlier today working on some cabinets I have going right now and never had to walk to the other side of the shop. It just needs to be set up efficiently no matter what size you choose.
  I put 12’ ceilings in so I could run DC, airlines and electric and dropped everything to the machines and benches so nothing lays on the floor. Also I can spin my fS3000 guide rail around with no issue.
  Being in eastern Pa we get fairly hot summers (nothing like AZ or TX) and fairly cold winters (usually 20-30’s F for avg I’d say) I have two 1.5 ton mini splits that do just fine for the hot and cold. Hasn’t changed my electric bill to drastically.
  I used Grizzly’s web site and their free shop layout to get mine figured out, think it was three variations until I got what I wanted.    Good luck with whatever you decide to do and feel free to ask any questions you’d like.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sancho57]

Ok I checked out a shed manufacturer looked at what they call this size a garage.  There is a dramatic price difference between a 20X20 (my current shop size) and a 24X36 their largest size.

Almost $13K difference.

They do have a 24x24 which is about $4K more than the 20x20.

The 24x24 will give me more room then I currently have and extra money to run the electrical out to the shop, Insulate and add a a/c unit.

My thoughts are, I can lay out the shop more efficiently then my current one giving me more actual working space.

Perhaps add a slab infront of the shop (in the future) , Then put a cover over the slab where I can (when its cooler out) build a cutting table for breaking down sheet goods. The cover will give me shade from the direct sunlight and protect from the occasional rain.

I can always add another shed for more storage.

I got the go ahead from the the Boss (Mrs Jobby) to get any size I want.

I dont forsee myself getting any major stationary tools in the future.  I can do pretty much everything I want to do with what I got.

Maybe Im just being a cheap %%^&.

What ya'll think about that decision ?

 

[Michael Kellough]

How much is the 20x20? Seems like 24x36 would be less than 50% more than 24x24 but since don’t know base price it’s hard to compare. Check another builder?

 

[sancho57]

The 20x20 is $12K Installed with a garage door and foundation. The 24X24 is $17.5, The 24X36 is $25.6. This look like really well built sheds. Lemme check out tough shed and Ill check their prices again.

 

[Mario Turcot]

[member=10147]jobsworth[/member] honestly it all depend of what you want to craft. You said you can do all you want with what you currently have. 20x20 is what I have and it's difficult to organize a good workflow. 24x24 is a lot more footprint. Yes to me an outside slab is a must. You can use it for a multitude of things, Even have your lunch outside of the shop [wink] spray/paint booth etc..

Do you limit yourself with what you have?
Do you think you could do other interesting projects (insert a lot of if here) you had xxx tool?

If you think one day you will go on production mode, you will need a few stationary power tools.
i.e. I don't have a good thickness planer and no jointer, I am limited to buy prepared wood most of the time. In a production environment this is far from being profitable.

 

[Cheese]

While the 24' x 24' doesn't seem like it's that much larger than what you currently have, square footage wise it's almost 50% larger. 576 sq' versus 400 sq'.

I'd consider a taller ceiling and doing some type of lumber storage in the rafters. That way you free up more floor space.

When I'm doing a project I need to access the lumber rack for only 5% of the project however I need floor space to complete the project for 95% of the project. That lumber rack on the wall just takes up space and gets in my way.  The lumber rack takes up the space that could be used for a Kapex cutting station.

 

[ChuckM]

The 20x20 is $12K Installed with a garage door and foundation. The 24X24 is $17.5, The 24X36 is $25.6. This look like really well built sheds. Lemme check out tough shed and Ill check their prices again.

-
24 x 36 is 50% more than the 24x24 (864-576/576), and that's fairly reflected in the increased price ($25.6-17.5/17.5=46%). At that price, you are getting a fair deal for the bigger size (at least mathematically).

I'd definitely pay more to get the 24x36 as it is a one-time expense and construction costs will only go up in time. My basement is about 1,000, and when I pictured myself using it as my shop, I did not feel it being a huge shop at all given the machines and stuff  I now have. I would regret if I had a chance to build my shop and limit it to 24x24. But then your woodworking output and needs might be different from mine.

 

[sancho57]

You guys make very good points. The Tuff shed price was comparable to the other shed company. But didnt include the foundation.....

Ya know I think Ill got for the large 24X36. If I move when expected, end of Feb, it will give me time to get the shop up and going before the heat comes. Then if I'll have the space I need even if I decide to get some stationary tools in the future.

funny I always used the adage I rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it.

I can set up a fridge and a lunch area w/ TV to watch you Tube videos etc. It will be a for real man cave.

Something I always wanted but never had.

The insulation is a given, so no real decsion making there other then what type of insulation.

Now is the type of A/C unit to get. They come in a variety of styles and types. Split vs window vs portable etc.

 

[Alanbach]

Well all three of these sizes come out to approximately $30/sq ft. Which in my book is great! In my neck of the woods you would be $60-80/sq ft for a stick built garage. My question would be what upgrades does this company offer, like an insulation package for example. Personally i think that you have to enter this thinking that you have one shot to get it right. Let’s face it how many times do we stay with what we started with because changing / adding  / upgrading, after the fact is SO much harder.

As woodworkers, as it pertains to our shops we work with what we have and that shapes everything we do. If you make the decision to go bigger I believe that you will never regret it! It will give you flexibility that you just haven’t had before. I know that you don’t think that you need a lot more space and you are happy with your equipment now but having options might change that going forward.

It sounds like this is a big move for you which in my book means that you might be there a while so I say go for it! Also I have a feeling that you will finish this into a nice space when it’s done. A nice size multi purpose craft building on the property will enhance your resale value in the future. From a real estate perspective I have a feeling that adding usable square footage for $30 ish (even $40 ish) dollars per foot will prove to be a very good investment.

 

[Mario Turcot]

My 20'x20'x9' shop 4 sides roof was 13k. That include walls, doors, windows and outside finish. The slab alone cost me 10k. Because of deep freeze time here, I put a 4' wall on the footing, filled it with sands and a 4" foam. That was to prevent crack, so far so good  [smile]. Then there was the other things to invest in.

Electrical panel and outlets;
LED Lightning;
Insulation;
inside walls finish;
Floor treatment

 

[Alanbach]

[member=66597]Mario Turcot[/member] - You should have listed “The most beautiful electrical panel known to man”!

 

[sancho57]

This is going to be quite a adventure. Dont know much about Az other than its desert and gets hot. So my learning curve is going to be steep. I can do most of the electrical work myself. Just need to get the panel ran out to the shed. Which in reality I can do myself, but will faster If I sub it out.

I dont want to do what I always do and thats rush through it to get it done. I want to take my time lay this shop out to where I dont have to and run other outlets etc. I want it to be a one shot deal. Set up right with the ability to adjust for any future tool buys etc

 

[Michael Kellough]

The 20x20 is $12K Installed with a garage door and foundation. The 24X24 is $17.5, The 24X36 is $25.6. This look like really well built sheds. Lemme check out tough shed and Ill check their prices again.

24x36 seems overpriced.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

The 20x20 is $12K Installed with a garage door and foundation. The 24X24 is $17.5, The 24X36 is $25.6. This look like really well built sheds. Lemme check out tough shed and Ill check their prices again.

24x36 seems overpriced.

They all look around $30/sq-ft.

 

[Michael Kellough]

The 20x20 is $12K Installed with a garage door and foundation. The 24X24 is $17.5, The 24X36 is $25.6. This look like really well built sheds. Lemme check out tough shed and Ill check their prices again.

-
24 x 36 is 50% more than the 24x24 (864-576/576), and that's fairly reflected in the increased price ($25.6-17.5/17.5=46%). At that price, you are getting a fair deal for the bigger size (at least mathematically).

I'd definitely pay more to get the 24x36 as it is a one-time expense and construction costs will only go up in time. My basement is about 1,000, and when I pictured myself using it as my shop, I did not feel it being a huge shop at all given the machines and stuff  I now have. I would regret if I had a chance to build my shop and limit it to 24x24. But then your woodworking output and needs might be different from mine.

Not unless they’re including another 24 foot wall across the interior. 24x24 price includes two end walls. 24x36 just adds 12 feet of roof walls and foundation. Incremental additional costs should total less than 50% more.

I’m going on about this because I too think you should go for the bigger space, just don’t think the price  fairly reflects the difference in construction costs.

 

[sancho57]

Tuff shed was a little less but didnt include the foundation and studs looked to be 24 OC where the other one the studs are 2x4 and 16 OC and included the foundation

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Ron, just a thought but, would a self build work out more viable financially?
Having said that, self builds often get bespoke/custom as they roll along, tugging at the purse strings.