My new almost dream shop 25x32

[Motofixxer]

Motofixxer's new almost dream shop 25x32

It would be a dream shop if it was 4 times larger. But residential zoning has limits without going through all kinds of permits and hoops. I have already had neighbors calling the city to ask why they allowed such a large garage. And complaining to the city about the distance from the lot lines. Ha I gave myself an extra foot from the lines just to make sure. They couldn't say anything at all. It meets all the zoning requirements without problems. So to keep it simple and moderately priced but meet my wants. I have what I have.
After years of dreaming of being able to work on things under a roof rather than in a driveway its finally coming true. No more stretching a tarp over my work area to keep the rain off, or sitting next to a heater to keep warm. No more laying cardboard in the snow and slush to lay on. No more neighbors saying I seen you last night working under a tarp, asking if I got cold out there. No more picking up tools when I have to leave to pick up parts, then pull them back out when I get back. That will all be a distant memory. I'm nearing completion of my 25x32 800 sq ft shop. It has 10' walls and cathedral trusses. Center height of about 13 1\2 ft. Roof is a 5\12 pitch and inside is a 3.5\12. 2 10x8 R11 overhead doors that follow the ceiling and jackshaft opener. I have wiring in place for a lift. As well as 240v table saw outlet. I will also have a motorcycle lift that will double as a height adjustable workbench. 30A circuit for air compressor. And 40a extra box for something higher amperage in the future. I'm also installing a second 20a 120v circuit that will be ready to switch wiring for another future 240v if the need arises. Walls have R13 and ceiling has R38 insulation and headers are also insulated in between. It will be drywalled and painted. I just finished putting down Epoxy-coat in Assembly Blue with Black Charcoal and White flakes, due to the lower temps we are having. I had to do it ahead of schedule before the temps drop too low and possible adhesion problems. I have an air conditioner installed thru the back wall along with plans of a propane powered Modine type shop heater. For lighting I have 6 plain porcelain fixtures with 100w cfl's. I also will have 2 switched outlets in the ceiling which are centered over each main bay that will control task lighting etc. There is also wiring in place for 2 ceiling fans that will run off a dimmer switch. I trenched conduit for the electrical feed and ran regular Service Entrance Cable 2-2-2-4. I have separate conduit running the Coax for tv and Cat6 network cable giving me gigabit network access for internet and access to my server with my 200+ cds on file(and yes they were purchased). I rented a mini excavator and dug and poured 4' frost walls with 1 1\2” foam insulation on the inside of the walls. I contracted the slab due to the manpower and equipment needed. I have had some assistance from my uncle who graciously donated years of knowledge and experience as well as a few days of labor and loaning of equipment etc. I have also had a little bit of help from a couple friends and family. But primarily I have put in all the time and labor of everything. I have a few pics posted but more are available on the link.

http://s955.photobucket.com/albums/ae33/Motofixxer/

 

[Curt_pnw]

Love the floor. Nice!

 

[Motofixxer]

Thx, I looked and read and searched and got frustrated so many times before I came up with colors and a choice. But in the long run, I think I will really like the epoxy. I almost went with a Polyurea, but its almost twice the cost, and thats only the base coat. I decided to use the Epoxy-coat with a clear coat for more protection.

 

[JohnK007]

Wow very sharp!! That thing looks like it's buttoned up tighter than a drum! You did a great job and should be justly proud. Well done!! Now let's see some of your toys!

 

[Motofixxer]

Yea it's better than my house...but I got work to do on the house.
Well if you're gonna do it, might as well do it right. That's my opinion. I could have made it all functional for a lot cheaper, but whats the point then. I want a nice looking fun but still functional space to work on anything I want to in any kind of weather. There are times where corners can be cut, money can be saved...but there are many where it's just not worth it. Besides I kinda like the wow factor when people see stuff. Gives me more pride.
Ok on to the toys...I don't got much but hey I will throw a couple pics up for anyone interested.

1997 328I 150k mi

2005 Yamaha R1 26k mi
Bought in 07 with 5k on it. (Yes I ride it)

2004 Chev Avalanche 42k mi

 

[Motown 454]

Nice job on the garage ,its going to be an awesome place to work on your projects. The floor looks great too.

 

[Rodger]

Good choice on the high ceiling trusses. Now you have headroom for a 2-post lift. (Absolutely the handiest addition to my garage!)

 

[ghnl]

Looks great. (no matter how big it'd never be big enough...)

I see some U-shaped springy things at the top of the door tracks. I've not seen those before. Do they just limit how far the door opens or do they do something else?

 

[Motofixxer]

Yes I planned for a lift, which is why I did the trusses that way, and changed the direction of the trusses, giving me headroom for a 2post. I also had the slab thickened to about 6" where the posts will bolt. A full size SUV or truck with a topper might have to be slightly lower to avoid hitting the ceiling, but will easily get it high enough to work under it. I also went with 2 doors so the 1 lift bay door could be closed if need be, and other still open for air flow etc.
The floor is growing on me everyday. My first choice was a dark blue base with black, charcoal, and neon pink flakes for a different highlight. I think it would have looked really slick. But I think it might have been a little dark. So I went with a lighter blue and white flakes instead of the pink. Although I wish the flakes would have come in the separate colors. They are premixed and had too much white for my taste, and too small of specs of the white. I think I got the bottom smashed bits of the the cereal box. But regardless I'm still happy I did it, and think it will serve its purpose well. Once it's filled with tools and equipment, it will all blend really well I think.
The door tracks have that bent metal piece as a door stop. Seems like a good idea, I like it. But still haven't figured out what the little cable is that goes between the 2 ends of that spring thing. It seems like it would limit how far the spring would open. But that don't seem to really matter so who knows.

 

[LeadDoggy]

What are the neighbors complaining about! It ain't that big. Good size for lot.

 

[Motofixxer]

Because that's what old guys do when they have nothing better to do all day long. And they are jealous haha. I have no idea why. I have a 10k ft corner city lot. I didn't think it was too big at all. It's normal exterior materials and kinda blends into the houses. When I finish the house exterior it will be the same, and flow even better. But I did also get the driveway zoning changed from the existing driveway to new structure, with the city. So nobody can complain about me "parking in my grass." Yes I got a complaint letter from the city because my truck was being parked 2 feet off my driveway pavement. Partially on the gravel that was there when I moved in. And I got a letter about the trailer of construction materials that was parked in my yard about 10 feet from the curb. On paper it's technically the city right of way 15' from the curb... In reality it's indistinquishable from my grass yard all of which I graciously mow and maintain for the city. It is ok to have a utility trailer parked in your yard. So I'm thinking I might park my trailer about 4" into my yard and there ain't a darn thing anyone can do bout it. Except me as I laugh about the complaints. It is my rear yard after all because I'm a corner lot. It just happens to be also bordering my neighbors front yard. As well as a letter for the scrap pile of building materials that I had layin on the ground. Like I'm gonna throw away usable pieces while I'm still building. And the 4 foot tall dirt pile that was sitting in front of one of the doors. (that was kinda getting overgrown with weeds I do admit) but cmon there is no driveway yet, granted the outside looks finished. Oh and the scrap pile was gonna eventually get cleaned up, I'm just much more concerned with the inside, and productive things. I'm a 1 man army what's a guy to do??? And still yet, I found out there was a complaint that my 24' Hilo style camper was parked too close to the lot line. For the construction I moved it out of the way to behind my house, about a foot away from the house to fit between the house and a tree. It was about 15-20ft from the side lot line. Inspector came out and reported there is no "popup camper" anywhere near any lot line. Yep I love neighbors

 

[c5golfguy]

You need to find out who is filing all these complaints against you and pay them a visit. Invite the folks over for a beer and some bbq. No reason for them to have that much animosity IMO.

 

[Motofixxer]

Yea I know at least 2 of the people. I got some of the complaint info. And I looked way back. And there was similar complaints on the property before I moved in. I think it's one of those situations where the older people who have lived here 20-30yrs think it's their neighborhood. And they can and will control what goes on and happens. I even heard one old lady mention about neighbors across the street that started to put up an illegal 6' privacy fence. From their back yard around the corner of their corner lot and across the front of their property to the driveway. Now I live at a T intersection, my house on one corner and these Hispanic neighbors across from me on the other corner. I knew the fence was illegal, because it was literally 2' off the curb on the right of way, went around the corner and across the front. 6' fences aren't allowed in any front yard that I know of. A fence that height would have also blocked one direction of the intersection too. And they had no permit displayed. So this old lady walks by and starts talking to me and says they were supposed to have that taken down by today. Those people think they can just move in here and do anything they want... I assume she was referring to their race but I don't know. But I also previously heard from a 14yr neighborhood veteran that old ladies husband had passed, believed he was the king of the neighborhood. So I was thinking the whole time she was rambling...hmmmmm so your in that group huh. So I just politely agreed and made a mental note. And went about my business. So I don't really care too much. It's just a part of living round people. I just ignore them as much as possible and go on with my life spending my time on more important issues.

 

[ProGun3400]

You need to find out who is filing all these complaints against you and pay them a visit. Invite the folks over for a beer and some bbq. No reason for them to have that much animosity IMO.

Yea I know at least 2 of the people. I got some of the complaint info. And I looked way back. And there was similar complaints on the property before I moved in. I think it's one of those situations where the older people who have lived here 20-30yrs think it's their neighborhood. And they can and will control what goes on and happens. I even heard one old lady mention about neighbors across the street that started to put up an illegal 6' privacy fence. From their back yard around the corner of their corner lot and across the front of their property to the driveway. Now I live at a T intersection, my house on one corner and these Hispanic neighbors across from me on the other corner. I knew the fence was illegal, because it was literally 2' off the curb on the right of way, went around the corner and across the front. 6' fences aren't allowed in any front yard that I know of. A fence that height would have also blocked one direction of the intersection too. And they had no permit displayed. So this old lady walks by and starts talking to me and says they were supposed to have that taken down by today. Those people think they can just move in here and do anything they want... I assume she was referring to their race but I don't know. But I also previously heard from a 14yr neighborhood veteran that her husband that passed believed he was the king of the neighborhood. So I was thinking the whole time she was rambling...hmmmmm so your in that group huh. So I just politely agreed and made a mental note. And went about my business. So I don't really care too much. It's just a part of living round people. I just ignore them as much as possible and go on with my life spending my time on more important issues.

They're probably retired and have nothing better to do?

 

[jumbo61]

Nice garage. What size are the overhead doors?

 

[Motofixxer]

They are old and retired.
The doors are 10x8, I would suggest no smaller for a working garage. I love them.

 

[crewchief888]

nice !! very similar to what i'd like to build too. same problems here with zoning, i havent even checked into how large they'll let me build. my plan is to have the new garage behind the old one and demo the old one when finished. my plans would include having a wall between the doors, that way the old lady's car and my harley are shielded from the **** that always seems to be flying around in my place. she can keep her car in one 1/3 and i can have the other 2/3rds for my tools and parts storage. i'd bve miracle if i actually had all my tools in one place. i have one set of snapon boxes in the garage now, one large set in the shop i work at, 3 smaller sets in my rented building, along with welders, plasma, torches, tube bender, chop saw, welding table, compressor, boxes of parts, axles, tires, wheels, steel and enough hardware to build anotehr space shuttle lol. and my f-550 service truck packed fulla tools.

if she only knew.......

 

[thomask]

Motofixxer,

Nice looking build. Some kinda insulation, too. Great color on that floor.

I am retired but I don't have time to complain. I gotta get my shop and garage cleaned.

Some really nice rides you got there.

Pls keep us updated.

 

[krooser]

I hate nosy neighbors...I'd sooner live in the fricken boondocks than in the city... especially with city inspectors coming around justifying their jobs.

 

[Motofixxer]

Deleted

 

[dugger10]

Great looking garage. The ones complaining will be the first ones to come over and ask you to fix something or could they borrow your garage to work on something in cold weather. I know from experince, it still blows me away how some people worry. I quit letting it bother me. I now live in the county and the few restrictions we have in our sub division are pretty much gone now. Anyway great project and I love the floor, was it hard or expensive. My 30 x 40 is almost finished and I think I might have to do the floor.

 

[Motofixxer]

The floor is one of the best aspects so far...but it was a bit of work and a learning curve working with the epoxy. I did many hours of reading and researching. It really came down to the epoxy-coat or a Polyurea coating(truck bedliner essentially). But the stuff is kinda pricey...but seems like it might be really good in the long run. But the color choices aren't as good. Epoxy-coat has some amazing color combinations available.

 

[jimmy p]

i love that blue floor!

One question though, is the cement poured directly over topsoil? Some of the other garages I see here are poured over compacted sand or gravel. Just wondering what the reasoning is between the differences?

 

[Motofixxer]

When I excavated for the 4' frost walls I was very careful to not disturb any extra material other than enough for the walls. After I poured the walls the little bit of backfill put back inside the walls was compacted by flooding with water. So all of the dirt under the slab is either old original undisturbed material, or compacted with water. Or driven over with the bobcat after leveling. Then on top of the dirt layer, there is about 4" of limestone screen. (finely compacting gravel) When the slab was poured it was pinned to the frost walls. Basically it's connected by rebar. So the likeliness of the slab ever moving is extremely unlikely. Most garages are built on just a concrete slab. So they require usually a rise in elevation and a slightly different base material do to different characteristics.

 

[jimmy p]

When I excavated for the 4' frost walls I was very careful to not disturb any extra material other than enough for the walls. After I poured the walls the little bit of backfill put back inside the walls was compacted by flooding with water. So all of the dirt under the slab is either old original undisturbed material, or compacted with water. Or driven over with the bobcat after leveling. Then on top of the dirt layer, there is about 4" of limestone screen. (finely compacting gravel) When the slab was poured it was pinned to the frost walls. Basically it's connected by rebar. So the likeliness of the slab ever moving is extremely unlikely. Most garages are built on just a concrete slab. So they require usually a rise in elevation and a slightly different base material do to different characteristics.

makes sense, thanks for the explanation

 

[Motofixxer]

Your welcome!

 

[gooberlog]

Awesome garage. Those pics make me miss my R1. I had an '06 Raven R1 just like yours, but stuff happens. Great all around bike! Nice floor btw.

 

[stricht8]

Neighbors ****. I'd rather not have any. The troubles that they have caused me have been immense. Again, mostly old but certainly stuck up pseudo-intellectual morons who think that they are above everyone and everything. As you've figured out, if you do you're research in the town you will discover that it is usually the same small group of morons that torment everyone in the town. They go to all the town meetings an complain about everything and everyone. They are against change and progress. Why? Because they are complete LOSERS with no life. These morons rarely have their way. Trust me, town officials hate them as much as we all do.

As far as your garage goes, it is not even that big. What is their gripe? Big multi- million dollar homes have huge 3,4,5 and even 8 or more car garages. What you did can and will increase both your and your neighbors property values.

 

[Motofixxer]

Yea I just can't believe the closed minded naivety that people have. As well as the I don't think you need it, so you shouldn't do it mindset that people have. I guess I will never understand.

 

[colt zantop]

floors turned out nice!

 

[Sarki]

Great job on your garage project. I'm about to start on a 26x32x12 garage here in the Northeast. Reading the details of your project has been real helpful. I'm wondering about the lighting you decided on. I've been trying to chose between CFL's and 4' T8 fixtures. Temperature can drop in the winter so I wasn't sure the CFL's would be a good idea. Are you happy with them or would you recommend I go with the T8's? Do the 6 CFL's throw enough light. I too will be hoping to add a 2 post lift one day as well. Like lots of light for auto restoration and repairs.
Sounds like you went with 100 amp service. I like your thoughts on the electrical load beeakdown, very similiar to my needs.
Great looking shop dude!!!

 

[Motofixxer]

Thanks for the compliments,
The CFL's I have seem too warm up in about 5 min tops when its really cold. The newer ones come on almost instantly and slowly get brighter as they warm up. I don't mind the lights warming and getting brighter. They don't hum like the older tubes etc. I have some of the cheap 4ft "shop lights" that I will hang over the main work areas. They hum for quite a while when cold. I know they are the cheap one's, but they work for their purpose. They will be on separate switches on each half of the shop for task lighting. I only have 4 of the 6 100w equivalent CFL's in until I get the ceiling done. It's very adequate for most work at this point. I don't have the drywall up quite yet, and the brown paper of the ceiling insulation really makes it darker. Without 2 of the lights on yet it's still rather impressive. One could even put in 8 total and have like 3 switches. I just have 2 switches, 1 for the front half and 1 for the back half. I don't want to cause power outages in China when I flip my garage lights on. Especially when I have to pay the bill. It's always easy to use task lighting for detail work. High detail work generally needs bright lighting that you can move around and show a good glare where needed. That's what lots of outlets are for.
As for the 100a service in a shop. More power is better to a degree. I won't probably ever outgrow that service. But if I'm running a service feed why save a few dollars now, to maybe regret it later when your limited by the $40 bucks you wanted to save in wire. The service wire was about $1 a foot, who can complain about that? Just plan things out and try to guess about future needs. Lookin back I would have maybe changed the location of a couple things or put some conduit in the concrete or something. But that would have added complications with things too. Regardless it's a nicer "garage" than anyone I know.

 

[DIC]

Nice garage.....I love the trees in the first pic.......

 

[sharpshooter]

Probably a stupid question but, Do you have one wall not insulated? I was just curious as to how you look to have the walls insulated but the floor hasnt been finished in one pic, then in another pic you have the floor done but no insulation in the wall... Im confused here LOL

 

[Motofixxer]

I had to finish the floor earlier than I planned originally. I thought I would be finished with all of it in the middle of winter. Which would be to cold to do the floor, and I wouldn't want to wait till spring to do it and move stuff in there. So I did the floor before it got too cold last fall. At that point I didn't have the last wall insulated yet. I made some changes and additions in that back wall so I had to wait to insulate. I now have all 4 walls insulated and vapor barrier up. I'm working on getting all the seams taped up. As well as the ceiling around the electrical boxes etc. Then I'm ready for drywall. So as usual, nothing is in the time frame I wanted, thanks to life's occurrences and the economy. But I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now.

 

[Motofixxer]

Ha, well I got another visit from the zoning inspector. It seems there was a complaint about parking vehicles on the grass. I was waiting for that one. I just told her that I was parked on my zoning approved legal driveway to my approved detached structure. She asked where it was laid out. I described it to her. She said thats fine then I will just delete the pictures and close the complaint. She did ask when I was gonna pave the driveway. I said as soon as I have about 8 grand for it, wanna make a donation?
But in talking to her she mentioned that they also got a complaint I was running a business out of my garage. Hmm, where did that come from. Nobody knows what I do or don't do in there. Doors stay closed, blinds on windows. I silently thought...yea good luck on that one. Hard to provide evidence on that, for something that don't exist.

 

[Chopped_Burban]

I like the garage... love the floor

So basically what you were saying when you started the thread was you were tired of doing something like in the pic below. There's also a pretty active portion of the Avalanche Fan Club in NC if you're interested. The pic is actually from a get together at my house in SC back in April.

Anyway, sweet garage.

 

[RIVERWEST AUTO]

love it....screw the commie neighbors, moto i have a bend pac low ceiling lift 4 sale in milwaukee if your into it? i can even bring it to your garage mahal on my trailer. its in a warehouse i lease. i am out of there in july so let me know. anyway love the inspectors too, how about "my yard-get out".
-jake

 

[Motofixxer]

Thx for the compliments.
Yeah Chopped...somethin like that I have done a lot on past vehicles in my driveway. Swapped axles, gas tanks, drive shafts, brakes etc...etc Been there done that. That miserable part of my life is over. Now its on to the heat and A/C.
Riverwest...I don't need a low lift but I know someone who might. He is building right now, completion sometime in June or something. Shoot me some details, model #, price, condition etc. I will ask him bout it.
I have thought about posting signs, but I haven't reached that aggravated level yet. It's certainly an option though.

 

[Motofixxer]

Re: My new almost dream shop 25x33

Well work on the shop has been slow and few and far between. But I have made some progress. Pics are of the new 1" Nat Gas line for the future Heater. The new 1" line drops from the meter to about 24" crosses the main line then drops to about 30". It continues across the front of the shop makes a sweeping 90 deg then rises at the far side of shop, reduces to 3\4" and enters the shop wall. Many wonder why the line runs along the whole front of the building to the opposite corner. Reason being I changed my mind about adding the NG line after the inside progress, as opposed to temp heating with a propane tank. With the layout and shelving etc and the planned heater location. The heater has to go on the far side in the corner. So that's where the gas line needs to be. Also the 1" plastic gas line is only like 40cents \ft so why not trench the line to where I need it. I dug the trench piped the Tee, Union, and Valve at the meter, as well as the piping into the shop where it's capped off. Then I had to hire a Lic plumber to purchase the gas line risers and the plastic pipe, then make the connections at each end. They were onsite all of 30min, including taking tools out and putting away.
I also have an Atlas OH10X Xtra wide\tall lift installed. I installed it myself with the help of a couple friends helping me lift the main posts and overhead bar. I have been able to use it for a few small projects. It's worth it's weight in gold.
Also pictured is the end of the 3\4" copper air line in the wall. There are 3 drop locations along the back wall of the shop. The drops rise up from the line then have securely mounted 3\4" Drop Ears stubbed out which should give maximum air flow with minimum water flow. The pic shows the far end from the compressor location. The lower pipe is just a 90 straight out from the line to act as a drain. With the upper pipe to be the actual drop line. The whole line is pitched toward the pictured location about 2" over the 25' to aid in draining condensation. I pressure tested the line to 150ish and it held for days on end. Should be a pretty nice addition.