Are you installing the rear “optional” door? *EDIT* Don’t mind me, I’m medicated.

I’d figure out your mezzanine before you go any further.
:thumbsup:

Agree with Todd ---- just angle the loading end towards the door... will give you more working space anyway.


After having a couple shops --- all I will tell anyone -- what seems big - isn't..... LOL

All that space in front of the RV and lift looks like dead wasted space to me. I would put the lift (and RV) closer to the door.

Leveling the lift is simple, no need to worry about the crown of the floor.

Don

The closer the lift gets to the door, the closer it has to be to the side wall. That and being able to put the things that have special electrical needs in that area close to the panel are good reasons to push it back.

You also have to remember, that box is the outside dimensions of an extra wide, extra long drive on lift.

https://advantagelifts.us/image/data...9000XLT-3D.png

It's not like what you are putting on the lift has to be completely straight before driving on.

I agree that angling the drive on end toward door may be necessary but thankfully it comes with a set of caster wheels just in case.

I'm thinking now about putting a set of stairs on the back wall going up over the water heater to above the bathroom and if that fits...building a mezzanine out over where my desk is to about the front of where the lift is. The stairs up are the hard thing to find room for.

And yes...they are NEVER big enough...but this will have to do. :D

This one lifts up to 6' 8" under the ramps... My 2500HD 4x4 truck will drive under it when all the way up. Opening a hood on a car shouldn't be an issue.

Think this will be enough light?

https://photos.smugmug.com/Vista-Mon...VhjrhSX-X2.jpg

:D

I've spent the last few days perusing garage pics...and making lists of all of the equipment I'll eventually have again to outfit the new shop. It all starts to add up pretty quick and a mezzanine is looking better and better all the time.

The "deck" above the bathroom is 9' 6" off the floor leaving a 6' 6" ceiling height above it which should be enough. The main problem is finding a place to put a flight of stairs to get up to the mezzanine.

My latest thought which I'll start drawing today is to put a narrow mezzanine along the East (right) wall starting at the bathroom and going all the way until I need to start a stairway down which will land close to where the service door enters. I'm thinking 6' wide will leave room for shelves along the wall and a walkway past them while still leaving room to put the lift below and the mezzanine posts will be right next to the lift posts. I can then put my desk area and tool boxes and workbenches under the mezzanine.

The West wall can then be used to line up the equipment that doesn't require special electric or won't be used very often like hydraulic presses, parts washers, and a place to park rolling tools like folding engine hoists and engine stands.

I'll have to draw it out and see, like I said, the main thing is to find a place to land a flight of stairs that is comfortable and safe to walk up.


https://photos.smugmug.com/1985-Mont..._142101-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/1985-Mont..._142108-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/1985-Mont..._142045-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/1985-Mont..._142042-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Vista-Mon...Rd5vGLd-XL.jpg

New Shop Design
 

Lance,
A Pantera buddy of mine built his stairs on a hinge
He then attached a cable system with a motor and can
raise and lower the stairs so they do not take up a lot of room
Thinking about doing the same thing in my shop some time in
the future.... you are right they do take up a lot of space

Looks good,

Bob

Spiral staircase in the corner of the bathroom exterior wall(s).... an opening in the pony wall to put furniture in the office.... or get it out.

They take the same amount of room -- since the lower floor area needs to be clear to accept the stairs....

I'd prefer a "closet" space / storage space under the stairs for a compressor or other "things" such as that.

My stairs in the old shop went up a couple steps - had a landing and made a turn ---- it's were I stored spare motors - 55 gallon drums of spare metal "sticks" - and I built a rack for new metal -- longest pieces to shortest following the stair slope. My compressor was also under there although at the height of the slop - these were also EXTRA SIDE stairs in case I wanted to turn the area in to storage vs a space for chairs and TV and drums etc.

Not trying to say what you should do -- just giving "food for thought" on some options.



https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachme...1&d=1516727034