Structrual first: any slab that walks around during the year is
really suspect. Ok if you are just looking for storage, not so ok
if you want to have heated/AC space for machine tools. You don't
have to worry about frost footings so I would suggest a new slab
with grade beams along the perimeter. A grade beam is an extra
deep section along the edges plus a grid pattern if the slab is
large. Size is dependent on the building size but 12" deep and 2
rebar for a small building, 18" deep and 4 rebar for a larger
building will get you thinking. (I've seen 36" square cross
section used on top of pilings in a really sloppy area! For a
house no less!)

Details are the normal stuff:
-at least 4" thick slab with mesh and some extra rebar. Machine
tools are HEAVY and VIBRATE.
-Floor slab should be machine troweled.
-Put down a coat of epoxy finish.
-add some anchor points at corners to allow pulling things (like
straightening frames)
-Separate service entrence
-Use oversize conduit everywhere so you can add circuits later.
-Use separate conduit for phone/data/CATV
-roof framing should allow unloading a Pickup with a heavy load
using a comealong. It really nice to be able to unload a
Bridgeport off a trailer without fussing. Or a diesel engine.
-Insulate and finish the walls. Sheetrock is cheap, white paint
is cheap
-the older you get the more light you need. (Ask me why I add
this after I spent 4 hours this afternoon adding 3 MORE 600 watt
halogen lights!)
-consider heat and or A/C, at least in part of the shop.
-consider how much dirty work you do (welding and grinding)
versus clean work (machine shop) verus dusty (woodworking) verus
dead storage and figure out how to keep these seperate

My short list, give me time and I'll add to it! Good luck, wish I
could convince the spousal unit and the city to let me do a
decent shop!

Cheers.



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