dizzyj

I'm very much entertaining the purchase of a lot to build a 40x60 metal shop. It would be 5 minutes from my house where I could drive to with my golf cart via back roads.

It it will be insulated, water via rain water collection, no septic or sewer.

I intend to to put my tools. cars, lift, etc in there. Since this is a new build I'm looking for advice on things not to miss out on.

Do do I put anything in the concrete for a lift? What about a dyno? Reasonable at all to get one of those?

what all is on your list for a man cave like this. Keep in mind this is for working on race cars not just storing collectors items

f1rocks

Budget a few hours and go to: www.garagejournal.com

Find all the good ideas and voila......

pmason

+1 on the garagejournal.com site, everything from a shed to a hanger is on there, tons of ideas.
Have a fiend that built one like that, stand alone just down the street from his house.
Two things I can think of is, drive/pull through doors if you have a trailer would be nice. Also if you do other things like wood working having two separate sides.

mhm993

More than a few hours!

mrbill_fl

no bathroom? sink drain?

How much water can you store, pump or gravity feed?

+its always nice to have a clean room with a door for engine/trans work.

dizzyj

I'll be able to do a large rainwater collection + pump system for non-potable water (i.e. washing up) and a water cooler for drinking water. No bathrooms, but my house is 5 minutes away, so not a big deal. I could do a septic, but dont really want to spend the 15k at this time. I could do a tank only and have it pumped out on a schedule.

I'll look through that site. have not seen that one before.

will not do any wood work here, just car stuff. having a seperate area for engine work is a good idea.

Cory M

220V power with multiple outlets for welders and plasma cutters, etc

BIG air compressor mounted outside (noise) with air routed all over the shop with several retractable hoses

Lots of retractable extension cords

Mount air and power close to the garage door so you can run it outside when needed

attic with stairs for storage

concrete pad out front and maybe on sides to make it easy to roll cars around

storage cabinet outside for used fluids and filters

refrigerator

tall metal table on casters for welding, some long fold up tables that are easy to move around

Take a look at Canepa's shop - copy that!

MarcD147

just remember that with every hour spend there your budget goes up accordingly.....might want to self-impose a timelimit

DTMiller

No one in the history of construction/remodeling/whatever has ever said man I really regret having a bathroom handy. I'd reconsider that choice.

linzman

^^ Even though you don't think you need it, someday you will sell the place. A bathroom might make that easier. At least pre-plumb it, a lot cheaper now than retrofitting.

Circuit Motorsports

No plumbing seems like a horribly bad idea for multiple reasons.

mrbill_fl

I think you'll need a sink, and drain, but can get by with a port a pottie or a composting toilet.

but it can't be a man cave without a toilet.

add a shower and place to sleep, you've got something every man will envy.

Think of it as an investment!



-also think about a laptop/computer area, and security cams.

dizzyj

There will be a sink and drain. It's a good idea to plumb for a bathroom in the concrete even if I put a septic in later. I'll look into a septic just depends on the cost.

Thinking 6" concrete so I can secure a 2 post lift. Will also add pads for compressor and ac compressor outside

Depending on how it sits in the lot I might put bay doors on each side. Kinda depends if I can cent to the back side. Also want to be able to store my trailer next to it (only a 50' wide lot") but should be doable

audipwr1

If it's within 25 min of SF I'll buy the bathroom for you if I can store some cars there

rbahr

Just scratching the surface...

4000lb+ concrete - 4"+
shop wired for 3 phase 220, 220, 110, air, each bench has at least 4 out lets on 110, on 2 breakers...
benches, lots of benches
Lights - garagejournal has a whole section on lighting - can't have to much
Chain hoist

Ray