I think Larry has some very good ideas here.
Based on my experience I have these thoughts:
1.Space is top priority. To determine exactly how much you should
have ask other people who do the kind of work you want to do. If you
build too small it'll be a pain and you'll regret it. Go for the space
first and you can add other things later.
2. Put in lots of elec outlets, including a 230V supply.
3. Skylights give the best light. so if you'll do much work during the day
that may be the way to go.
4. 10ft ceilings is much much better than 8ft for a workshop and they
allow lots of wall space for handy storage of bulky things like jigs.
5. Wide garage-style door is best.
There are good books on designing a workshop like "How to Design and Build
Your
Ideal Workshop" by Bill Stankus.
"Larry Jaques" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 16:37:35 -0700, with neither quill nor qualm, "Don
D." quickly quoth:
We are selling our house in town and moving in the country so my wife can
have her horses closer to her and the deal is that I get my workshop so I
can build what she will need.
I am kicking it around not sure to have a steel building built or a wood
building. The workshop will be around 30' X 40' or so bigger to 48'.
If you were to build it or have it built what would you have... ?
The main expense will be a floor. I may have to go plywood till I get
rich,
but having horses and tools that plain is shot.
What I'd do if I had about $20k:
30x40' sounds about right.
Get a slab poured and go with a metal truss building.
Insulate it well for a truly wonderful shop.
Put in 10' high walls with high windows and skylights (+ fluors) for
good lighting.
Put in a 9' wide insulated garage-style or vertical rolling door, and
have a nice little HVAC system for year-round use.
Use a 200A main panel and plenty of 120v and 240v twistlock outlets at
50" height would keep them all above the tables/counters, and any
stray sheet stock.
I'd have a separate area for finishing which could be vented to the
outside with a high-powered fan.
If I had to finance it, I'd do the full thing (right, the only way)
and use the output of the shop (plus savings on things I'd make for my
own use) to make the payments.
-
Better Living Through Denial
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