How high to build workshop? Room to work? Need advice.

[AirsDream]

When I built current house, basement floor had 6" pvc laid under it, penetrating up through slab in three places (Unisaw, Bandsaw/Wood Lathe, Radial Arm Saw) and then also emerging at site of remote controlled dust collector. Blast gates at each exit and Radial Arm Saw has a hose that 's removable to connect to Planer / Jointer. You can't imagine how nice woodworking can be when all the dust and chips disappear down into the floor and reemerge in a remote place into the dust collector bag. And no ducts to hang things up on or trip over ... cost was minimal, benefit was huge. Use street Ys at all connections under slab and stuff can't hang up (well, at least not so far ... it's been 12 years!).

Ryanh

[Jaxon]

Originally Posted by myboyburt

We built our Airstream barn a few years ago and it's 40' deep x 30' wide. I cannot remember the height but it's wicked tall as the doors are 14' high and it has a storage loft above the bays. It was built to hold the largest Airstream MH at the time as my Parents were thinking of upgrading from their 30' Airstream MH to a bigger Airstream MH and to hold our beloved 25' Excella. It currently stores our 25' Excella and our 20' Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre. We have plans to expand so we can store my sister's 25' Airstream and our utility trailers - this is down the road due to $$$$.

The Argosy & Airstream sure look comfortable in y'alls barn... nice place to be in the winter I'll bet!

[richinny]

[quote=ScottW;697573
For the shop: I recommend a small attached shed for your air compressor .[/quote]

if you have neighbors close by and like working into the wee hours, this might not be ok. it sure does cut the noise inside!

[Aage]

If you plan on ever polishing your AS in there, I'm going to guess that 14' would be the absolute comfort minimum.

Who wants to have to worry about banging their head on the ceiling when they polish the roof?

[extiger]

Since you are planning space for woodworking, and assuming you have a table saw, you may want to consider identifying where it will reside and run electrical and dust collection in the concrete floor. One slick solution I saw was a channel with removable flooring, they used old raised flooring panels from computer rooms. The other solution is to run the conduit and dust collection before the concrete is poured. If you are a serious woodworker, you may want to look at 220V circuits.`

[myboyburt]

Originally Posted by AirHeadsRus

Thanks guys, some really great ideas. I had not thought about putting a inside dump but I might as well before the slab gets done. Should be able to pre plumb and wire for what ever might come down the road.
I saw a building in a brochure (attached), similar to what Brad had drawn up. The sales guy is coming out this morning, so I'll see what the options are. I like the idea of the big over hang, covered but not enclosed.
Leon, is your barn a drive thru or do you back in. I'd like a drive thru but it adds to the expense of another door and looses bench and storage area in the back.
Thanks again for your replies,
Joe

Our barn is a back in. Our property is located on the side of a steep hill and there's a 20' drop off right behind the barn. It would be a tricky drive through for sure.....

[AirHeadsRus]

I think I have everything ready to go now with the building. It will be 36'X45' with a 12'X45 overhang that is not enclosed. Doors will be 14' high and close to
15.5 in the center. Should give me plenty of room. Should be able to go up late July or early August. It is a steel building which will need to be ordered, made & delivered which they can not do until the permits get issued. I did not know this but they will put the building up, then pour the slab. That will give me a lot of time to work on how I want everything set up as far as plumbing, electrical, and stuff like dust collection.
Thanks again for the input and keep the suggestions coming. I'll try to post a layout with doors & windows as soon as I can get it.
Joe

[AirHeadsRus]

The Morton folks came last week and I almost have my shop built. I think it is tall enough. The concrete folks will be here tomorrow and will pour the floor next week. Should be done by the end of next week.
Then, my work will start with the power and setting up the work spaces.
It appears they did an excellent job.
Thanks again for the input. I guess I need to move the thread somewhere else or start a new one on finishing "Maude's" house.

[flyfshr]

WOW!!! Is that ever nice. I'm totally green with envy.

Brad
FF

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by flyfshr

WOW!!! Is that ever nice. I'm totally green with envy.

Brad
FF

I'm close enough (but not quite murderous).

I sure appreciate all the ideas posted, gentlemen, as the farthest I had gotten was 14' door clearance; 40' deep to handle a 34' with ease; and electric/sewer/water inside as well as on an outside pad.

I especially like the idea of running air collection/other thru slab. I already knew a compressor would go outside, as I also wanted a home backup generator to occupy a similar space (according to code, etc.) so as to keep overall footprint down.

My expectation is that electric vehicles will be along in a while, so I was thinking of fairly serious amounts of juice available, as, ideally, there would be no separate garage for cars but this one building.
A kitchenette is a must, as is a shower/tub to wash dogs, etc.

[AirHeadsRus]

Moved Maude in her new home this morning for the first time. Plenty of room to work! First up reseal the top around the vents now that I do not have to worry about the almost daily thunder showers.

[flyfshr]

I don't know if you can all see it, but Maude has the biggest smile. She looks very comfortable in there. Now that she's in the photos for scale, the barn looks even bigger. Keep posting your photos and some interior layout plans.

Congratulations, she's a beauty!!

Brad
FF

[richinny]

wow, that's great!

[dstalzer]

What a great garage for Maude. We have our AS in an insulated garage, but almost need to use a shoe horn to get it in. We are planning to buy some property where we can build a much larger and taller garage for our AS in about a year. Your pictures and building progress were really appreciated.

Dennis

[moosetags]

I gotta get me one of those. I'm very jealous.

Brian

[Aage]

Well, Joe, I'd say you made it tall enough

Beautiful building, I'm joining the lineup of jealous AS owners.

[goransons]

Careful, she might get lonely in there any you may end up with two. Can only dream of having that much space to work, let alone under cover, nice job!

[frlcad5]

I also built a pole barn for our Airstream the contractor erected it in 2 1/2 days. A week later I had the slab poured. It is wonderful. Our Airstream is out of the weather and the berry laden bird bombers. Big is always better when it comes to Pole barns. You did the correct thing.

[Xbob2]

Originally Posted by goransons

Careful, she might get lonely in there any you may end up with two. Can only dream of having that much space to work, let alone under cover, nice job!

Careful going with 2 ... before you know it there will be a whole litter of Bambis!
Bob

[AirHeadsRus]

Originally Posted by Xbob2

Careful going with 2 ... before you know it there will be a whole litter of Bambis!
Bob

Not going to happen.....To get DW's approval for this, I had to under go the dreaded alumasectomy procedure to keep these things from multiplying. However these are not 100% 100% of the time and modern science is having excellent success in reversals.

....if I angled Maude a little to right, Bambi would fit in the .....back Maude up the side ramp, Bambi in...more room to wor..

Stop it before I'm full timing in the shop!
Thanks for all the comments,
Joe