Workshop Design

[Andrew]

Possibly could be having a new workshop in the future. As anyone who has seen my build threads before probably knows, I like to spend ages designing and playing and getting it just right for me.

So - what needs to go on the list?

Concrete panels around the bottom 8ft
Insulated tin above
Insulated roof
Roller door access
Pedestrian door access
Power floated floor

Sink and parts wash
Pit?? Is it worth it? Are mobile lifts better?
Compressor house and battery charging area outside
Alarm and security lights
Oil store area - I’m thinking individual bunds on wheels for drums, with hoses
Sockets on front of benches
Mezzanine? - would then need fire escape etc
Mobile fume extraction

I’m thinking as much as possible on wheels apart from side benches.
Already got most of the tools I need, just moving to a bigger shop.

 

[miniconnect]

Sounds good. Instead of 8ft of panels, I'd maybe go with a single panel, and maybe 4ft of plywood above that, it'll be a lot easier to fix to, than panels.

 

[Andrew]

Sounds good. Instead of 8ft of panels, I'd maybe go with a single panel, and maybe 4ft of plywood above that, it'll be a lot easier to fix to, than panels.

A lot less secure though?
In my current workshop I have panels clad with ply where necessary

 

[Hesston4860s]

Gantry crane be nice but £££££

 

[Fruitbat]

I went to a place recently and the benches and cabinets were on a 9" breeze block plinth, overhanging by 4" or so for feet. "Stops cr@p accumulating under the benches, or bits rolling out of reach" was the comment. Brushed out regularly and could pressure wash or rinse the whole floor if needed into a substantial covered gutter across the entry roller shutter with silt/oil trap. Several rolling trolleys, tool chests and work benches, some only 3' square which could get parked in a bay out of the way behind wall, to give the whole place a clean up. Floor was free of oil spills, mud, rubbish so everything rolled around smoothly. 4 post lift, loads of lights, painted white, heating and ventilation. This workshop was busy, 5-6 blokes and enough room for 4 decent vehicle 'projects'. You'd think it was some sort of F1 set up but less hair gel. There was a lean-to on the side with a load of wheely bins under cover for all the oil filters, cardboard etc.

FB

 

[Alfie]

There’s some great YouTube videos of American Farm workshops. Search “Morton Farm buildings” some of these are jaw dropping!

 

[tinman]

Unless there are hoops to be jumped through that would take the gloss off it id be installing a gantry crane, a second hand one at that.
they can be bought for keen enough money times in auctions, i bought one a few years ago, a 2T Morris one that was only about 3 yrs old with 120' of track both sides for about 2k and myself and another lad removed it, its been in storage since but some day.....
of course you need the correct steel for it to mount it but at the least id erect my steel work that if i didn't put a gantry crane into it now it id be fit to take one at a later date.
it would be invaluable at any point imo.

 

[Lukehaynes]

We have a gantry crane, brilliant but if kit, very handy. ours is lola tested twice a year.

 

[Zebbedee]

Keep your oils/fuel etc in a separate building or as we have a container outside the workshop just because of fire risk, oh and fire extinguishers in the building. As for a pit unless your are doing a lot of commercial gear a lift is much more pleasant to work under

 

[tw15]

A lift is better than a pit, the best lighting you can get , heater for winter aircon for summer . You always work better in comfortable conditions.
It might pay to have it separated with a internal wall and large roller door so you have something like a main workshop area that has a secondary area for longer lasting projects . then you don't have to heat a large area in the winter.
Build it right firsttime and have all the creature comforts you can have .

 

[Speedstar]

under floor heating in it is a must

 

[Robert K]

White cladding
LEDs
Decent heaters (we can quote for those)
Mezzanine floor
Etc

 

[bactosoil]

Concrete panels around the bottom 8ft
Insulated tin above
Insulated roof
Roller door access
Pedestrian door access
Power floated floor

we did all of the above but maybe secure storage too ?, we put a shipping container under the floor as a store

 

[bactosoil]

Sounds good. Instead of 8ft of panels, I'd maybe go with a single panel, and maybe 4ft of plywood above that, it'll be a lot easier to fix to, than panels.

has anyone used raw fleece as insulation in buildings above single concrete panels , we have and no chainsaw will ever get through that easily

 

[tinman]

we did all of the above but maybe secure storage too ?, we put a shipping container under the floor as a store

interested to hear about the container,
a 20 or 40' one?, how did you combat dampness and drainage.
just steps down to it in the building itself was it.

 

[bactosoil]

interested to hear about the container,
a 20 or 40' one?, how did you combat dampness and drainage.
just steps down to it in the building itself was it.

20ft , dug into chalk,concrete pads ,core10 container ,painted in bitumen,covered by liner and steel reinforcing/powerfloat slab
internal concrete block staircase

 

[davieh3350]

A separate sealed area for rebuilding things and spray painting.
if you have no pit or lift you have a good excuse not to weld rotten cars for people

 

[the-mad-welder]

Work out how many sockets etc you need around the walls and then double it! However much you plan you usually work out later where you should have put them!!
Or at least do the wiring in trunking where you can as it's then easier to add more later and keep it tidy.

 

[Bobthebuilder]

air line ring around walls, water supply even if to just boil a kettle but handy for cooling down or fires, smooth floor is a must, as said above more sockets and lights than you think you need, either a strong box or walk in strong room for keeping all your expensive tools in, big doors (roller door) stores area, office area, ventilation of some kind, we have the luxury of an old H lift and 2 RSJs running full length of shop with block n tackle trolly on them, wash room and a toilet would also be a help if none close by

 

[Andrew]

Keep your oils/fuel etc in a separate building or as we have a container outside the workshop just because of fire risk, oh and fire extinguishers in the building. As for a pit unless your are doing a lot of commercial gear a lift is much more pleasant to work under

Currently have a 20ft container outside for stores, wearing parts etc. Think I’ll put it inside the workshop, build some rails round the roof and put the stores on top, then oil and compressor in the container.

Has anyone used those mobile lifts? They look a bit like a pallet truck, one under each wheel and lift away? Would be good as we have everything from trailers to HGVs to balers?
Anyone know a price?