Custom 12' x 20' Workshop / Office

[staybusy]

Thoughts / critiques of this workshop design?

Bottom floor will be a metal working shop. Top floor will be an office / hang out area.

Things I'm considering:

• Delete side window
• Double steel exterior door (or I might just remove double doors)
• Front aluminum door with electric lock
• Wireless security camera
• Large skylight on dormer
• Steel siding on front of building
• Different color scheme (lighter)
• Blow out vent on side to push out fumes
• Chimney for wood stove (should this go out the first floor on the side or up through the second / roof?)
• Longer roof overhang?
• Gutter system

I'm currently building it out in chief architect.

[Shade Tree Welder]

I have been thinking of doing a similar thing for a reloading/hobby shop set up,
I would run a heavy underground "extension" cord, so it can unplug, NEMA 15-
50 plug. for an make it a moveable shed to avoid taxes and permits. If I do an
attic I will just have a ladder for access to give as much room as possible, and
my attic would be storage only.

Not sure what you mean by metalworking but you will need to reinforce a floor
if you put in a lathe or mill, so pre-plan that. That would be my only comment.

[staybusy]

Originally Posted by Shade Tree Welder

I have been thinking of doing a similar thing for a reloading/hobby shop set up,
I would run a heavy underground "extension" cord, so it can unplug, NEMA 15-
50 plug. for an make it a moveable shed to avoid taxes and permits. If I do an
attic I will just have a ladder for access to give as much room as possible, and
my attic would be storage only.

Not sure what you mean by metalworking but you will need to reinforce a floor
if you put in a lathe or mill, so pre-plan that. That would be my only comment.

No way around the permits unfortunately. Where I live any shed over 10' needs a permit. I plan to get a combination mill / lathe, that's about it for heavy machinery. I'll eventually build some kind of small (3' x '3) CNC, either plasma or waterjet (preferred). Also have other equipment like drill press, bandsaw, decent size forge, steel storage racks, steel plated desk, large workbench, very heavy 10" jaw size vice, etc. Overall there's lots of weight.

How would you recommend reinforcing the floor? Thicker joists and tighter spacing?

[Shade Tree Welder]

Originally Posted by staybusy

How would you recommend reinforcing the floor? Thicker joists and tighter spacing?

Does not seem like you are putting anything massive in there, I would likely go
with either 2*10 or 2*12 on 12" centers, and 2 layers of 3/4" CDX for the floor,
glue and screw, it is likely over kill. They also have option for laminated joist, I
really don't know much about them but they are supposedly stiff and stable. I
have a tendency to over build shit.

If you are going to have a forge and CNC plasma, make sure you have good
ventilation and you might want to consider steel on the walls on the inside.

[milomilo]

Insulation and steel on the interior walls. What Ron said on the floor.