New shop under construction

[Jim Becker]

I've always thought using a DC to blow them into trailer of some sort would work well.

Keith Outten uses this method for his shop in mid-VA.

[bob cohen]

Electric: 200 amp panel installed, and wiring roughed in for ceiling lights (American green led), and receptacles. Ran conduit under slab for major equipment items. Opted out of 3 phase rotary converter at this time to try to save some money.

Heating: 30,000 btu mitizubishi mini split roughed in (at just over $5k much more than I was planning).

Walls and ceiling will be dry walled (60 4x12 sheets) and painted this week. I was originally thinking wood panels, but decided on drywall for price, and lighting. I have backing boards at 54 and 86” from floor so I can easily hang shelving without hunting for studs. Also have backing boards in the vaulted ceiling to hang two air filters and a hose reel for air compressor.

Air Compressor. Went for overkill here. 5 HP 2-stage polar air (Eaton) arrives next week. American made and not cheap! I will run air around the shop perimeter with 3 wall outlets and 1 ceiling outlet over assembly table. I will use a combination of 1/2 inch max line and 3/4 fastpipe.

Dust collector: just ordered the Oneida 5 hp high vac system. Luckily I had a quote from late last year that Oneida honored. Price went up over $500 last month. Will wait to to after I move in equipment before ordering suction (I will go with nordfab).

Also have 5 hp drum sander on order from Woodmaster.

The floors will be finished with Armour epoxy product I will lay down rubber floor mats at key places. I would like to find ones that vacuum easily!

Yard is a muddy mess!!

[glenn bradley]

The foundation has been poured and framing will start this week. I'm still on the fence about which DC unit to go with.

I also only have a slab with the pre-fab (Tuff-Shed) coming mid next month. My DC will live in a lean-to that I will add-on after the bulk of the building is in place. I scaled this for a 5HP unit but, will try to milk my 2HP unit to see if that will cut it. I opted for mini splits over a new DC. Time will tell if I have to bite the bullet for a larger DC unit down the road. The important thing is that I have built for it. Like all insurance, you spend in the hopes of not needing

I am lucky enough to have fairly flat access but, the tractor idea has merit with your land (from the pics). However, if you are anywhere close to a rental outfit I would rent when needed. As you say, at this point in our lives, priorities change. Owning a tractor is not nearly as important to me as having access to one when I want one. Even an expensive rental is a trifle compared to owning, maintaining and storing. I can also rent a much nicer RV and boat than I can afford and I don't have to store them . . . see how priorities shift? I am also contemplating an outhouse if the stroll between house and shop becomes annoying.

[Steve Jenkins]

When it’s time to look at rubber floor mats check out horse stall mats. The ones I have are 4x6’. I think 3/4-1” thick and only about $45. Only downside is they are HEAVY.