Free standing workshops

Post by **Spike** » Mon May 23, 2005 6:03 pm

One of the reasons that I haven't been around as much lately is that Patti and I are in the process of moving out to the country. One of the things that this will buy me is to allow me the opportunity to build myself a free standing workshop. I know a few of those (such as CJ) are making use of such a thing. I am interested in your dimensions and thoughts if the space is adequate for a building project from start to finish.

I am thinking in the neighborhood of 20'x30' with concrete pad, 240V, and HVAC. I might consider 23'x30' or so as that would make it easier to get a completed plane inside. Also, what kind of price per sq ft did yours come out to?

Thanx,
Spike

New House:

View from the front porch:

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Mon May 23, 2005 6:26 pm

Spike, CONGRATS on the new digs!

Looks GREAT!

Well, mine is 24' x 28'. See it here on www.cadsmith.com where Bonnie Smith sells plans for residential applications.

http://www.cadsmith.com/garage_photos/r ... hoto_2.htm

She featured my garage on her website. I think it came out pretty nice for about $40,000.

That price will be hard to beat, but I did it all myself.

CJ

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Mon May 23, 2005 6:29 pm

BTW, it LOOKS like you could land a plane in the front yard.

Say it ain't so!

CJ

Post by **Spike** » Mon May 23, 2005 6:36 pm

You could easily land an RV there. Though the farmer who owns it might not be happy. Though I would imagine if you did it between harvest and planting he might not have too much of a problem. The good news though is that I will be less than 20 minutes from my airport (currently its almost an hour drive).

You garage is in a different league than what I plan. I hope to put up a pole based structure instead of standard stick built construction such as yours. I dont know of many people that can touch your workshop CJ. I noticed your square footage is just in line with mine. You have enough room?

-- Spike

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Mon May 23, 2005 6:55 pm

Thanks for the kind comments!

As far as size is concerned, it is like a hard drive. Buy the biggest one you can afford, because you WILL EVENTUALLY fill it up!

Me? Well, it is fine. A shed would be nice, but is on the long list lke the upstairs faucet!

Seriously, I can fit the wings, sled and the JEEP in with no problems. Another machine and I would be SNUG! The wings will go in the loft to free up space for the fuse and vica-versa.

24' x 28' works out well, building-wise too as it is divisible by 4'. This is important for an efficient build, dollar and waste-wise.

Would I go bigger? OF COURSE!!! Problem is, it would start to dwarf the house!

I know there are plenty of people who have built in smaller structures, but this works pretty luxuriously so far!

CJ

P.S. Check out Bonnie's other plans! They are pretty cool!

Post by **Spike** » Mon May 23, 2005 7:06 pm

I had not heard of the divisible by 4 rule. Can you expound a bit? Is it that the individual dimensions need to be divisible by 4 or the total square footage?

-- John

Submitted via email

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon May 23, 2005 7:39 pm

It has to do with 4' x 8' sheets of plywood... I think...

-Jim
o=\o

On 5/23/05, RB Lists - Workshop <support@rivetbangers.com (support@rivetbangers.com)> wrote:

I had not heard of the divisible by 4 rule. Can you expound a bit? Is it that the individual dimensions need to be divisible by 4 or the total square footage?

-- John

Submitted via email

rivetbangers.com - Discussion topic http://www.rivetbangers.com/cgi-php/forums/viewtopic.php?p=4313#4313

Submitted via email

Post by **Spike** » Mon May 23, 2005 7:46 pm

Thanx. Ill see what I can dig up on the internet.

-- John

Submitted via email

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Mon May 23, 2005 7:53 pm

YES, that is correct!

The common lumber sizes are in 4' increments.

Sheets of plywood and rock. Four studs per sheet. Four, four, four...

This makes things speedier too. Less cutting means a faster build!

If another size is specified, it is usually due to space considerations or interior design. If so, cost is secondary to the design.

CJ