New Garage Wish List

bsmith0404

bsmith0404

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I'm putting together plans for a new garage. Based on our experiences, we all have a wish list of things we would include, I was hoping some of you would share yours.

The garage will have 2-15' X 30' bays with 9' x 9' overhead doors. A dedicated equipment room which will contain my air compressor and plenty of shelving for all of my tools/supplies/products, a washer/dryer for the microfibers (dry on low heat), and a wash sink. Hard air lines will be run down the bay side walls with several connection points for pneumatic tools as well as outlets for electric tools (no more dragging hoses and cords all around the vehicle). Using T8 fluorescent lighting, sidewall lighting as well as overhead. An electric floor lift to bring vehicles up to an easy working level (looking forward to this more than anything). Obviously a floor drain. The two bays are a dedicated wash bay and a dedicated finish bay. Of course I will have water softener/purifying system. Additionally, the office/showroom and a bathroom.

I have a home based business, this is just a portion of a new, much larger garage I'm building (60' X 100") which will include several stalls for personal vehicles as well as a large open bay for toys (RV, car hauler, ATVs etc..) If I need to expand the shop, I have some flexibility to do so. I work alone and only take on the amount of work I feel like (this is my retirement business) so large scale production work is not a concern, 1-3 cars per week.

What am I missing? Looking forward to your suggestions.
 
I personally would add an exhaust fan. Another personal preference I have is having large width doors instead on individual doors. I sometimes have oversize stuff as well as I like to put the car in the middle of the garage and a large door makes it easier.
 
I just redid my lighting I'll post pictures after I finish this car today.
 
MPBGT said:
I personally would add an exhaust fan. Another personal preference I have is having large width doors instead on individual doors. I sometimes have oversize stuff as well as I like to put the car in the middle of the garage and a large door makes it easier.
Click to expand...

How did I miss the wide doors? I went to a taller door than the standard 7' garage door. I have plenty of width in each stall to go to an 11' wide door. I want to keep the separate doors since I have dedicated bays, I can open and close the wash bay with out bringing outside dirt/dust into the finish bay. Exhaust fan for sure, also have heat and A/C for climate control.

See, that's why I put the post out there. I would have been very upset with myself at some point with a 9' door.
 
What about running a central vacuum system along with the air lines and power?

Do you use MF pads? What about a dedicated area to clean your MF pads with compressed air? Instead of going outside or getting the dust in the whole shop I'm thinking something like an enclosed welding chamber. This box would have a compressed air line run into it. It would have a spindle that you attach a velcro backing plate to so you could attach your pads. It would also have a motor with a foot pedal to control the pad spinning. And if you want to get really fancy (as if this wasn't enough) you could incorporate your central vacuum system to the box for a no fuss way to keep it clean.

I think that would be cool. Maybe I should start making them. :xyxthumbs:

Your setup sounds really sweet! Lots of pics are in order, right?

-scott
 
twitch77 said:
What about running a central vacuum system along with the air lines and power?

Do you use MF pads? What about a dedicated area to clean your MF pads with compressed air? Instead of going outside or getting the dust in the whole shop I'm thinking something like an enclosed welding chamber. This box would have a compressed air line run into it. It would have a spindle that you attach a velcro backing plate to so you could attach your pads. It would also have a motor with a foot pedal to control the pad spinning. And if you want to get really fancy (as if this wasn't enough) you could incorporate your central vacuum system to the box for a no fuss way to keep it clean.

I think that would be cool. Maybe I should start making them. :xyxthumbs:

Your setup sounds really sweet! Lots of pics are in order, right?

-scott
Click to expand...

I don't use mf pads (yet), but a cleaning room wouldn't be a bad idea. The vacuum system is a definite must, maybe not a central, but at least a nice wall mount unit on both sides of the wash bay.

Pics will definitely follow, but don't expect them anytime soon. Still in the planning/design phase with a planned spring build date.
 
Hot water system with a wall mounted pressure washer.

Deep Sump w/ pump

Non slip floor (if you decide to epoxy it, the HD/OTC stuff is like walking on ice when wet/soapy)

Wall mounted vacuum is meh, you are limited to hose length (unless a 40' hose is cool, with you LOL) if you want to vacuum something. If you want something with power, get a Festool Dust extractor.

240V plug? 20amp circuits
 
Sounds like a plan!

Question on the floor drain:
Where will the effluent drain to/be collected for disposal or recycling?

Bob
 
I added two 8 foot lights on the wall I had 4 footers before and the 8 footers make a huge difference. I use t8 daylight bulbs which makes a big difference.


 
Pureshine said:
I added two 8 foot lights on the wall I had 4 footers before and the 8 footers make a huge difference. I use t8 daylight bulbs which makes a big difference.


Click to expand...
Nice garage, very similar to what I have in mind. I agree the T8's are the way to go. Thanks for the pics.

FUNX725 said:
Sounds like a plan!

Question on the floor drain:
Where will the effluent drain to/be collected for disposal or recycling?

Bob
Click to expand...

Bob, still working on the drain part. I have a septic system so I really don't want to be adding a lot of extra waste water and chemicals to it. Commercial recycling isn't real big here yet, although I could place a collection tank in the storage area of the garage (plenty of room) and do my own collection/recycle program, that would also cut down on my well usage. Good food for thought. Open to ideas if you have any.
 
Be sure to check the local building codes for the floor drain. Many areas in Pa do not allow in a garage. For heat, consider radiant heat in the floor. It could be electric or hot water. Use insulation under the concrete and around the foundation. A central vacuum system is inexpensive to install the piping/outlets no matter what vacuum unit to which it is connected.
 
Consider side mount garage door openers so the box does not hinder overhead work or block light.
 
Robert8194 said:
Consider side mount garage door openers so the box does not hinder overhead work or block light.
Click to expand...
Just watched a youtube video on a Lisft Master 3800, these are great and I love the locking mechanism for added security! Thanks for the suggestion.
 
I was cleaning up my MFs last night and started thinking it would be nice to have multiple washing machines for the different types/loads of towels. I'm thinking the new shop needs two, probably the smaller stack type that they put in apartments or the all in one units like they use in RVs.
 
bsmith0404 said:
I was cleaning up my MFs last night and started thinking it would be nice to have multiple washing machines for the different types/loads of towels. I'm thinking the new shop needs two, probably the smaller stack type that they put in apartments or the all in one units like they use in RVs.
Click to expand...

Sounds good. My new garage is only going to have one washer dryer but they will be full size. We are building a new house and I have a wash bay and dry bay. The dry bay will have the washer dryer and a sink. Hopefully, it will be finished end of January or mid February. I don't remember where I got the idea for the side mount openers but they are installed and it leaves a lot of room for lights.
 
you're only missing my phone number so I can come over and clean my car too!
 
All of these great suggestions, and no one added a refrigerator with ample space for beer? Lmao......
 
I built my house and here's what I have in my garage.

Floor drains
Hot and Cold water faucets (stand alone separate faucets)
A double deep sink with hot and cold water of course.
High output lighting
Very Expensive concrete coating on the floor
Heat with a wireless thermostat
Wall mounted Garage VAC (Hoover)
Refrigerator
Ice Machine
Lots of workbench space and cabinets
1600 Electric PSI Kranzle Pressure washer (I love it)

Here's what I wish I had.
Ceiling fans
Separate equipment room for compressor
Car lift
A separate canned light system. I love the high output fluorescent lights but a lot of times I'd like to have a few small caned light for just piddling around.
A/C (I have a great heat system)
Electric outlets right at the door so if you're working outside the outlets would be right next to the door.
Larger Breaker (my master blaster pops the breaker from time to time)
Windows in the garage doors
I have a three car and would like a 10 car,:-) with the ability to back in my Mastercraft with the tower up. (12ft door)
A separate wash bay with an half wall
 
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