So what happens to the "old" shop? If I'm not mistaken, I seen to recall you mentioning it being equipped with a lift and more than most retirees would have.

Sounds like you are planning on starting an automotive repair business.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

I hesitated to suggest this even though its a fabulous resource, but then i realized they do not allow politics or religion in their OD section, so larry could maintain control and just enjoy his project without any of the trappings he finds on PP, so x2 on this suggestion.

Tons of great ideas and inspiration on that forum

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

Really JB3? Sounds like you had to inject some flavor of politics and/or religion in a left hand way into a completely NON political / religious issue. Practice what you preach perhaps ?

I'm beginning to wonder if this thread needs to be relocated next door to the "I Hate Jesus" forum.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

I have an insulated 70 foot x 30 foot workshop with an 8 x 28 front rooll-up door. It is already too small and I haven't retired yet.

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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

Mild. Relax.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

You have a good memory Mike.

I actually currently have two buidings other than the house. The one i currently use as a car shop has a 9000 pound assymetcal lift. It is getting crowded and is an adaption of an old hay barn that I poor boyed together when we started rolling hay instead of square baling. It is flimsy and ventilated like, of all things, a hay barn. It has served my purposes well for over ten years now. Before that i used another building that was low ceilinged and is now vehicle storage.

Rather than go over my hobby and business plans on this forum where some people seem to want to criticize anything I do, I will just say that I will have my old lift in one bay and a 12,000 pound extra wide, extra tall lift in a long bay.

To answer and respond to some of the questions and comments that were kindly offered when I requested them:

I will be scratch building, farming out the slab and dirt work and the septic system and then a friend and I will build the building.

I have indeed considered floor and height for the lifts. I am not sure yet if I will insulate and air condition. I have roughed it in non climate controlled shops since I was a little kid in my Dad's auto repair shop of the fifties.

Thanks for all the feedback. Many things I have already considered, but there have been a few suggestions that will be incorporated. Thanks and please keep them coming.

Hay bale adobe might be worth a look for excellent thermal performance...assuming you will control temp.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I dont really see your point in denying reality. Agree or disagree with Larry's opinions, there is no question that over the last 5 years he has made himself one of the most controversial figures on this forum, making himself many allies and many enemies, and NONE of it has to do with his technical contributions.

My point is that GJ is a great forum where something he has repeatedly said should happen HERE has already been done. Elimination of Politics and Religion. Since he wont be able to get into the same arguments, he will enjoy that forum a lot more in my opinion.


moving on, building a garage I think he should go as big as possible, and as big as he can get away with in his county. He can always expand later into parts of the garage unused initially, and a nice upstairs office would be a great addition. If the shop starts out big enough and tall enough, he can add these things any time

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

Look at a steel building. It's been my experience the they are comparable in price to traditional construction, but last longer. You can also have wider and stronger spans in the middle without the need for support posts that can get in the way. You can insulate the interior with basic foam, or build internal walls and fill with traditional insulation. They last a long time.

Personally, twin Quonset huts would work for me, joined together in between by an enclosed pass through, about 8 foot wide. However, I don't think the neighbors would care for the look.

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles

Everyone else who has posted on this thread have politely offered suggestions about a proposed shop as requested and set aside their feelings about me to make such suggestions and comments, and I very much appreciate it. I would like to politely request that you follow their lead so we can talk about shops and not have to move the thread to ODPR. Thank you.

Tom, about 25 or so years ago, I saw a house come together beginning with hay bales stacked and then Adobe or some such material around that. Is that what you are referring to? The house is still standing and being lived in.

The common shop construction in this area is steel, and that is probably I will do, but that doesn't mean I am committed to it yet. What are the advantages to this method beyond the thermal efficiency? Is it significantly less expensive to build?

I'd also recommend looking at steel buildings. I don't have firsthand experience but I have heard they are cheap, quickly and easily constructed for the money. Might depend what weather you're up against (insulation and heating costs, etc). I do envy you guys who have a lot of space, around here it's more buying commercial property than constructing a new building on private property. Interested in hearing what you settle on, keep us posted.


Sent from an abacus

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Exactly why i made that point. All about the garages, no P and R nonsense to worry about.

Some real inspirational stuff on there. Id say my favorite threads are the foreign garages. Fascinating to see whats common and whats different nationally.

Id go steel where you are if you can do it. Whats the bug situation where you are? Ive had more than a few beetle issues with wooden structure in my area, a problem completely sidestepped by a steel constructed building.

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

It will almost certainly be a steel building, but I am trying to look at all options before jumping in. I am stiil considering and planning and have yet to fully commit.

In this area there are so many resources for steel buildings, both material and building savvy. My friend has built several and has done other aspects of construction. We have access to lots of equipment, everything from ditch witches to back hoes to of course a gasoline welder.

If I build it I will farm out the slab for sure. I will also have the doors done by the door folks. Most everything else we will do ourselves.

There are so many expenses involved, the expense stacks up quick. Everything from septic system to water pipe to gravel or asphalt for the driveway and parking to moving fill dirt for raising area.

Thanks again for the responses.