Garage Advice

[RussMS]

Hello Everyone:

I guess this is a first attempt at a real post here so be gentle.

I am looking to replace an old shed (Literally it is falling in), When I do I want to build it for minor storage and plan enough room to start my first Camaro project. I figured I need to start with a place to build and store rather than a project car that I have no place to work on.

I guess what I wanted to know is some suggestions on dimensions, essential equipment and any other useful stuff I really should know about. Yes you should assume I am starting literally from scratch.

At this point I intend to start with a level slab but beyond that I have no idea which way to go with this project.

My first project I want to be a 69 Camaro that I can build into my own pro-touring machine. My only previous sports car was a 1990 Firebird Formula that I wish I still had. I loved that car, but in the interests of being more "grown up" I sold it. I fell in love with a red 1969 Camaro that was in Hot Rod Magazine sometime in the mid 90s. Since then I have toyed with the idea of building my own but never put it into motion. I guess this is my first step.

I also have grand designs on building a vehicle for my daughter one day that isnt like most handicapped vehicles. My daughter was born with Spina Bifida and lives with a wheechair. Rather than modify a car to be ugly but functional, I want to one day have enough experience with buiding my own car to tackle an extreme modification to make something she can drive and enjoy. Good news is she is only 7 so I have about 8 -10 years to make this happen.

I promise not to ask any more really dumb questions til I start gettng ready to buy that first car and thanks for any help you guys can give.

Russ
Camaro Builder Wannabe

[c.schulz]

Welome Russ,
Check with your local building codes for regulations on building a garage.As far as what size? Go as big as you can afford.Keep doors and windows large for ventalation.
Also remember that any question asked here is a good question. So dont be afraid to ask.You may or may not get the answer you want depending who is on the board that day.
Chris

[awr68]

Russ I have a 30+' x 25' garage I'm building my 68 camaro in, but in addition I built a 150 sq. ft. shed that I use for garden tools and car parts to help keep the garage clean...also my 60 gallon air compressor is back there and piped in to the garage...this again saves space and helps a ton on noise!

I agree with Chris, check to see what the largest building you can fit on your property first, then see what your pocket book has to say about that. I personally would think anything under 20'x20' would be real tight and even that would be tight at times. Try to utilize the rafter space as much as possible for storage...building a room (2nd story) above the garage for parts would always be a huge help...and it's always more cost effective to go up than to build a larger foot print!

As for needed tools, of the top of my head you will need:

60 gallon (or larger) air compressor and tools (cut-off tool, DA, grinder,drill,etc.)
drill press
car dollys are nice
jack stands
general mech. tools
welder?
6" disc sander (for metal work, brackets)
engine stand

Well there's a few, but it really depends on what all you plan on doing your self and what the budget allows...for example a plasma cutter is nice but not nessary....

Hope this helps!!

[69MyWay]

Everything said so far is right on target. In my case I first checked with the local officials to see what the minimum offsets would be and what the general codes are for the area.

I was able to buy a simple set of plans from the local hardware store for a 24x24 building. This had blue prints and sufficient explanation to order my buidling supplies and get my permit approved.

I am in Florida so Hurricane codes are pretty strict (windstorm).

I spend a lot of time in the garage so I figured in hot/cold water, sewer, phone, power, and cable to make sure I had what I needed. Topped it off with a/c for those hot summer days. I also put a 4x6 shed out back for the mower, lawn equipment, etc. to keep that out of the shop floor.

Was able to build the shop myself with my Dad's help in about four months.

Couple of suggestions:

1. Have the slab built with a stem wall if you are putting up wood walls. This will give you about 6" of concrete at the bottom so if you get water on the floor it won't soak into the footer of the wood walls.

2. Reinforce a select ceiling beam for holding a hoist.

3. Over plan your electrical outlets and lights (you can never have too many).

4. Consider the placing of the door very carefully in terms of the equipment you plan to have inside and where you will put it.

5. Make sure you have concrete/pavement out from the shop with ample space to push something in and out. Nothing worse than having the slab drop off right outside the door and getting your car stuck half in and half out in the mud and grass.

Equipment wise?

1. Air compressor
2. Welder
3. Press
4. blasting cabinet or blasting space outside.
5. SHELFING!
6. Plenty of work bench space with one or more VICE mounts.

If you are in a subdivision, plan your windows carefully so they don't face the neighbor where late night or early morning work won't bother them.

You need plenty of windows, but limit where and how because that is the easy point of entry for a thief.

Good luck and have fun!

[JamesJ]

Last Friday I was at an open track day at Texas World Speedway and there was a gentleman in a wheelchair that was driving a M3 pretty quick also. He the SMG shift thing, so no clutch and had a lever for braking and gas combined (thats what it looked like) pretty neat set up.

[rwhite692]

Another thing to consider is making the ceiling as high as you can, 12 feet is great if you can do it, since the electric 4-post lifts have become so affordable in recent years, and also will allow you to park two cars in the space of one...

I would also go for a 9' height on the garage door opening if you can. You never know if you'll want to get a boat or something in there someday...if even just to work on it...

[RussMS]

Guys:

I just wanted to say thanks for the Great advice on the Garage. I plan to use as much as possible it designing my garage. Like the car I want to build, I may try a hand at building the garage for myself.

Also, thanks for making me feel welcome at my first chat session. I hate that my faster PC picked that exact moment to die. Now I have the fun of trying to fix it. Good news is I know the PC builder real well (that would be me) and he knows what is wrong with it (Dead CPU.)

Again just wanted to say thanks.

Russ
Camaro Builder Wannabe

[tndude]

You are welcome. See you next Monday in the Chat. The cool guys show up late so be sure to be late!

You can figure which one I am cause I'm usually early.....

[jonny51]

Hey Russ,your always welcome at this site.Heck if they accepted me they should accept anybody