Workshops

[tlawler]

Now that we’re in our new house surrounded by some land, I’m finally getting my own little workshop. I ordered it from Carolina Carports back in October and just got a call today that installation is scheduled for Feb. 4th., so it should actually be in place when I get back home from Vegas on Thursday.

I’m excited! mrs tlawler said the garage was hers back when we first started designing the house. In our old house, I had taken over the garage for my workshop/gun room and she frequently lamented the fact that she couldn’t park there.

It’s not huge by any means, compared to some outbuildings that you folks have shared your pictures of. It is 20’x24’ with a 12’ porch overhang, where I’ll set up a couple shooting lanes protected from the weather. I opted for a very strong building with 170 mph wind rating with impact doors, windows, and a 9’ high x 8’ wide roll up door, also with the 170 rating.

As soon as it’s installed, I’m going to have closed cell spray foam insulation put in that has about an R-6 value and will add considerably to the structural rigidity.

Here’s a picture of the slab just after it was poured back in October and a rendering of the building from the CC website.

I can’t wait!

 

[lihpster]

Awesome! Are you sure they know where you live? Judging by the renderings they think you live in Montana. Maybe Idaho.

 

[BourbonCowboy]

Ok...you need to understand that isn't a workshop, it's a mancave. You need to mark your territory early. Put up some neon beer signs inside, or build yourself a bar, or put up a big-screen TV, or put a urinal in the corner, or all of the above. Otherwise, you will get the eventual wifely encroachment. It happened to me years ago. I knew things were going south when she dragged me out shopping and mentioned that she wanted something to decorate the storage building that I used as a workshop. I immediately set up my table saw and started cutting wood...and left the sawdust everywhere. That ended the "decoration" phase of my mancave. Good luck.

 

[tlawler]

Awesome! Are you sure they know where you live? Judging by the renderings they think you live in Montana. Maybe Idaho.

Yeah…Lol stock background. My daughter laughed and asked if that was my shooting berm when I showed it to her. There was an option to insert your own background, but I gave up on that, just not computer savvy enough.

 

[Toolguy]

That's awesome! I'm happy for you. Going from my experience, it won't be long before you will wish it was 40 x 80. It looks like a big space when empty, but gets too small quickly when you start putting things in it.

 

[CalifEd]

Don't forget about Parkinson's Law of Space (yea, it's real).
No matter how much storage space you have, your possessions will expand to occupy it.
or
Crap expands to fit all available space.

 

[tlawler]

I made it home late yesterday, but my building got delayed a little bit. That was ok, because I kind of wanted to be here when they put it up anyway.

They called at the crack of dawn this morning and showed up at 7AM…perfect! They’ve been at it all morning and it’s starting to look like a…building.

I’m starting to look into insulation now, as we had closed cell spray foam put all through the new house and I really like it. I contacted three companies for quotes and waiting to hear back. Online research is giving me a pretty wide range, like $4 to $8 per sq. ft., or $5K to $10K total!!

If it does come back that high, I’m thinking of getting a DIY kit, which shouldn’t be more than $1500, even if I put it on pretty thick.

Has anyone else done the DIY spray foam? I’d like to hear some encouraging stories, or the bad too.

What other methods(besides batting) have you guys used? I really hate fiberglass batting after being around it most of my life and I don’t want to have to install dry wall or sheathing.

 

[tlawler]

These guys are dedicated! They’re from the Georgia Carolina Carport branch and I know they want to finish up and head home, but they’ve been at it almost 13 hours so far. It’s a very solid structure from what I’ve seen, but I’ll know more when I get a better look at it in daylight.

Here’s a picture from around 1700 and one I took just a couple minutes ago.

 

[Greyman50]

You ought to have a " break in party" when its finished, LOL

 

[Bro. Dave]

...I'm currently reciting to myself, "thou shalt not covet, thou shalt not covet" When we moved out of a church owned house (known around here as a "parsonage") I floated the idea of a place with enough property to be able to shoot.
My sweet wife informed me that I was getting too old to deal with water well, septic system, etc anymore and we moved to town. Happy wife; happy life.

 

[tlawler]

It’s Done!

They were here until almost 2300 last night finishing up. I just hope they arrived safely home. It’s at least a six hour drive back for them and they had to have been dead tired. It’s a crew that loads up all the material for 4 or 5 metal buildings, depending on size, and then travel from job to job during the week building one after another.

Here’s some finished pictures of it. It’s 20’x24’, not including the 12’x20’ porch overhang, with a 13’ peak and 10’ walls at the lowest point. The porch lean-to roof tapers from 10’ to 7’ at the end. Just perfect for setting up handgun and pistol benches.

It’s about 100 feet from the edge of the porch to the neighbors fence line, so once I get a good backstop built up back there, I’ll have a nice little 30 meter handgun range.

 

[2500]

Very nice , wish I had one just like it.

 

[MaricopaKid]

It’s Done!

They were here until almost 2300 last night finishing up. I just hope they arrived safely home. It’s at least a six hour drive back for them and they had to have been dead tired. It’s a crew that loads up all the material for 4 or 5 metal buildings, depending on size, and then travel from job to job during the week building one after another.

Here’s some finished pictures of it. It’s 20’x24’, not including the 12’x20’ porch overhang, with a 13’ peak and 10’ walls at the lowest point. The porch lean-to roof tapers from 10’ to 7’ at the end. Just perfect for setting up handgun and pistol benches.

It’s about 100 feet from the edge of the porch to the neighbors fence line, so once I get a good backstop built up back there, I’ll have a nice little 30 meter handgun range. View attachment 839773View attachment 839774View attachment 839775View attachment 839776View attachment 839777View attachment 839779View attachment 839778

Years ago my FFL owned a pawn shop in town and parked his truck under a 12' X 12' carport next to his building. There was a small sign attached that said "$799 installed." I later wanted a carport for my Jeep and mower and had him write up the order. It was a very fair price, but was to be delivered from South Carolina, about 200 miles away. A month later when they arrived as promised, the crew was 6 Hispanics with only one proficient in English.
I couldn't believe the amount of material they were hauling on that trailer! Evidently, I was the first of 3 to be installed on their way back. It was one of the most efficient, fastest, and best - value projects that I have ever purchased. Carolina Carports did me well, and I'm glad it worked out for you too!

 

[tlawler]

Years ago my FFL owned a pawn shop in town and parked his truck under a 12' X 12' carport next to his building. There was a small sign attached that said "$799 installed." I later wanted a carport for my Jeep and mower and had him write up the order. It was a very fair price, but was to be delivered from South Carolina, about 200 miles away. A month later when they arrived as promised, the crew was 6 Hispanics with only one proficient in English.
I couldn't believe the amount of material they were hauling on that trailer! Evidently, I was the first of 3 to be installed on their way back. It was one of the most efficient, fastest, and best - value projects that I have ever purchased. Carolina Carports did me well, and I'm glad it worked out for you too!

Very similar to my experience. This was a crew of 4 Hispanics, with the crew boss only speaking Spanish. The youngest member of the crew spoke perfect Georgia accented English and perfect Spanish. He served as their translator. When he called to double check the address just before they got here, I’d never have guessed he was Hispanic…I was expecting a group of good old boys to show up!

They all worked equally hard with few breaks. All told, they put in a 16 hour day at the end of their work week. When I went out to look at it this morning, you’d never have known they were here, they cleaned up so well after themselves.

I’d definitely recommend Carolina Carports to anyone who is looking to have a metal building or structure built.

 

[rmax]

All metal, so termites aren't an issue like with a pole barn.

 

[Toolguy]

It looks great! Now you can enjoy it the rest of your life.

 

[Greyman50]

Large styrofoam panels might work for insulation then cover them with thin plywood.

 

[14daMoney]

where's the electric...? mancave beer coolers need it...

 

[tlawler]

where's the electric...? mancave beer coolers need it...

I buried a pvc conduit over to the general area before the slab and sidewalk along the house were poured. Now I just have to dig down to the end of it, run wire, and mount a sub panel. I’ll probably core drill the slab on the inside so it won’t be visible on the outside. I’ve got an SDS hammer drill and they make a core drill adapter for it.

 

[tlawler]

Large styrofoam panels might work for insulation then cover them with thin plywood.

I’ll definitely look into how much that will cost. I’m probably still going to spray foam the ceiling, but that would work well for the walls.

 

[chief38]

I’ll definitely look into how much that will cost. I’m probably still going to spray foam the ceiling, but that would work well for the walls.

Tom, Looks great! When we lived up North I had a "real" workshop in my basement and had room for all kinds of tools and equipment. When we moved here I had to sell my bench lathe, radial arm saw, bandsaw, second drill press, etc because I just don't have the room now. My current shop is one of the bays in our 3 car garage which measures around 10 x 21 ft.

The best thing I did to the garage was I installed a 2 ton mini split ac unit and insulated the hell out of the doors and ceiling above it. The unit stays on about 48 weeks a year and just cycles on when it needs to. This winter is the exception and I have had it off for the last 3 weeks since it's been so cold here. Insulating well is the key!

Like the porch area too!

 

[tlawler]

Tom, Looks great! When we lived up North I had a "real" workshop in my basement and had room for all kinds of tools and equipment. When we moved here I had to sell my bench lathe, radial arm saw, bandsaw, second drill press, etc because I just don't have the room now. My current shop is one of the bays in our 3 car garage which measures around 10 x 21 ft.

The best thing I did to the garage was I installed a 2 ton mini split ac unit and insulated the hell out of the doors and ceiling above it. The unit stays on about 48 weeks a year and just cycles on when it needs to. This winter is the exception and I have had it off for the last 3 weeks since it's been so cold here. Insulating well is the key!

Like the porch area too!

Yep, mini-split heat pump is on my list right after insulation and power.

 

[chief38]

The Mini split makes all the difference in the world! Without it the heat and humidity would prevent much of the enjoyment. For me it was a must and we actually installed it the 3rd day we were in the house - along with the Generac standby generator. Yup, not cheap but it makes the shop usable 24/7/365!

 

[chief38]

BTW our mini has a heat pump also but other than to make sure it worked just after being installed, I have never heated the garage. Its so well insulated that even when the temps drop into the low 30's over night, the garage workshop never really gets cold. I think the coldest I have ever seen it in there is 67ºF.

I was going to get a Mitsubishi Mini split but then found out about Daizuki brand. It is a Japanese unit that works incredibly well, has never failed and is extremely quiet and efficient. It was about 60% of the cost of the Mitsubishi and included the heat feature (standard) which the Mitsubishi we looked at didn't and was an upgrade. Just a suggestion you might consider.

 

[kwill1911]

Neat! Here's mine.

 

[chief38]

Here is my current workshop. It's a humble 1/3 of our 3 car garage (one bay) but is does suffice. I have to keep it neat and clean as there is no room for a mess. You can see the 2 ton mini split ac unit on the far wall near the ceiling in picture #3

 

[kwill1911]

Very nice! And I agree that less space forces better organization. You've got a great setup.

 

[chief38]

Very nice! And I agree that less space forces better organization. You've got a great setup.

Thank you! It's a far cry from what I had but moving to SWFL was the best thing we have done in decades!! I could not live up North any longer - (political climate, not the weather)! Unfortunately there are no basements here.

 

[tlawler]

Here is my current workshop. It's a humble 1/3 of our 3 car garage (one bay) but is does suffice. I have to keep it neat and clean as there is no room for a mess.

Chief, that is impressive! I’ve got my work cut out for me now!

Thanks for the heads up on the Daizuki unit. I didn’t want a Mitsubishi sized price either and with the dizzying array of other brands, I wasn’t sure which ones were any good. I see a Daizuki 12K BTU heat pump on Walmart.com for $792. Amazon lists one, but no price and says no longer available. Where did you purchase yours?

 

[chief38]

Chief, that is impressive! I’ve got my work cut out for me now!

Thanks for the heads up on the Daizuki unit. I didn’t want a Mitsubishi sized price either and with the dizzying array of other brands, I wasn’t sure which ones were any good. I see a Daizuki 12K BTU heat pump on Walmart.com for $792. Amazon lists one, but no price and says no longer available. Where did you purchase yours?

There is a fellow in our area that installs them but don't know if he will travel up North to your area. I will PM you the guys name and contact number and you can call him. He did a neat installation and I am a picky customer.

PM sent.

There are also a bunch of brands and units made for do it yourselfers that are sold online and in retail locations. From what I understand the installation isn't all that bad for a handy guy. I was not allowed to install my own because our HOA wanted it to be inspected and permitted by them. Even if they allowed me to self install, I had put the unit in the week we moved here and I had a plethora of problems with our move, you might recall. Almost all my tools were still in the moving cartons and I needed to get the garage cooled off asap. A rare time I had to rely on someone else.