With that said, if money were not an issue, I would build the ultimate barn/workshop. Who wouldn't, right? First off, the size would be 40'x80' with a clear floor and open ceiling with a gambrel roof, to look like the old barn. I would want a 30'x30' loft in the rear that would be over a metal fab shop and a woodworking shop, and the remaining 40'x50' floor space would be my auto shop. The garage door would be 10'x12', or maybe 14' high in case I decide to get a bus or semi project. All of the floors would have radiant heat. The hot water would be supplied by a tankless water heater. I would have outlets installed every 6' around the shop and in 3-4 rows up the wall. These outlets would be for if I were to collect neon signs or some other lighted car art. The doors to the 2 smaller shops would be 6' wide and full light double doors. The floors would get an epoxy coating, except the loft would get either wood or tile.
For starters, in the auto shop I would have a 2 post lift, something no shop should be without. This would be located in front of the wood shop, on the left of the barn. I would also put up a couple 2'x8' rows of heavy duty shelves to store engines, transmissions, body parts and anything else I collect over the years. The selves would be located on the right side of the barn in front by the roll-up door. All of my tool storage will be in a large tool box similar to a Mac Macsimizer, which I used a box builder on Matco's site and my dream toolbox would cost me about $25,000. I would also have plenty of hardware storage bins because I've torn down a lot of cars and motors to collect about 2 5 gallon buckets worth of brackets, bolts, nuts and screws. Lastly for the auto shop storage would be a shelving unit for all of my chemicals like oil, antifreeze, trans fluid, cleaners, etc. If I can get them cheap, I would also add a brake lathe, tire changer and balancer. Under the stairs would be a 3/4 bath with a shower so if I got too funky, I could get a shower and not drag all the dirt and grease into the house.
In the wood shop, I would like to have common tools and equipment. In the center would be an 8'x8' table and a location for my table saw. On the dividing wall between the wood and metal shops, I would have storage for lumber and other materials. On the right side wall, I would have my miter saw and a planer, and if there's room, a lathe. I would also install a central vac system for dust collection.
In the metal shop, I would have a lathe, mill, surface grinder and drill press. I would also fit in a MIG, TIG and arc welder as well as a plasma cutter and oxy/acet torch set. For metal forming, there would be an English wheel, box brake and shear, a good tubing bender and shrinker/stretcher. I'd like to be able to make pretty much any part I need when working on my projects.
The loft area will be pretty cool too. As soon as you get to the top of the stairs, there would be a half bath. As you walk past the bathroom, there would be a full kitchen with a bar. Past the bar is a large couch and either a large flat screen or a drop down screen with a projector. For games, we would have a pool table, card table, air hockey and Foosball table. If I had this space, I think I would also start collecting die cast cars again and have either a case or shelves along the walls.
I have been working on a plan in Punch! and have been putting a materials list together. So far, the cost is up to about $20,000. This is for the concrete, framing, sheathing and drywall. I still have a lot to put on the list as well as figure out if my clear span, open ceiling on a 80' barn will work.
This is all for now, but if I think of other things I will post them.
So, until the next post, keep the rubber side down, and get to wrenchin'!
John
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