GJRepesh wrote:
I'm looking into expanding my current shop. I would like some input
from recent shop projects. Comments on things you did right and
wrong. What do you wish you had done. Things you did that didn't pay
off. Type of construction. I'm looking for ideas. I'm near Dallas TX.
I've talked to the city and know about size constraints, etc. It can
be 15 feet tall at the highest roof point.

My existing shop is 20 x 24. This would be incorportated into a
larger shop of 28 x 40 or 30 x 40. One of my concerns is the existing
slab. It was cracked along the long axis and the back half has
slopped into the good old tx black gumbo. I have filled the cracks
and the floor has held up the last eight years. Shifts a little in
the summer. Do I need to replace the slab? Have a foundation company
relevel and install support piers? Ideas? I probably can build part
of the expansion and move my machines into the new location. That
would free up the existing area to redo.

I'd appreciate some ideas.

Gary Repesh

Support piers would be a good idea, with steel columns supporting at least
one heavy steel beam which you could put a trolley hoist on to move large
tools and objects into the shop. Flat roofs are a pain, but a flat roof
would give you maximum utilization of available space. The steel beam could
be a mid-span support, with web joists or wood framing above. Lots and lots
of lighting, flourescent or low bay metal halide.