skidsteer.ca
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2006
- Messages
- 3,853
That's what I forgot was a vent. The floor drains have a sediment pit and the drain is out the side, it then runs to my bathroom and sink, so the drains gurgle when flushing. Seems to work ok just makes noises. Most of the other suggestions I have followed with the exception of exhaust fans.now theirs an idea.
I do have ceiling fans though, variable but not reversible. I do however have my overhead doors on each end on the build, 16 by 16 to the south is the main door, towards the yard, and two 12 by12 on the North side, towards the house. These sure are handy for cross ventilation. We try to do our welding (big jobs) when the temps are warm enough to open the doors. Usually one of the two just a bit as there is often a wind that vents things to good.
Also I have the equipment yard on the opposite side of the shop from the house makes for less mess visible when people stop by, and helps keep the spousal unit quiet (don't under estimate that benefit) Btw they don't pay anymore attention to whats in the shop then you do to their shoe rack or closet. And believe me there is way more useless stuff in the house then my shop.
I also run 4" sleeves under the foundation and up through the floor on both ends, so I can add under ground services without have to drill holes, etc
10,000 lb 2 post hoist, a luxury for the 25 lifts it make a year for me but sure is handy. At 2500 usd, worth every penny. does get in the way at times but not too bad.
Air compressor in another building, not done yet, when the car garage goes up the compressor goes there. Peace ant quiet. Having the comp cut in when your on the phone with that parts guy your trying to catch up to sucks.
I' m 40 by 60, so rather then one long floor drain, I devide the floor into 2 basins 30 long and 40 wide with 3" of slope with 2 small drains 20" square, about 4' deep, just a stack of oil pails with the bottoms cut out of all but the last one. Pipe goes out the side 1/2 way up to allow slurry to settle. The water runs in between my two bays, so when I crawl under something I'm not laying on a drain, or in a puddle or if I open up the hyd system and oil goes everywhere, it is not collecting under a machine, but rather running out beside it, where I can deal with the mess easier.
Size, still could be bigger, don't forget to plan spaces for shelving, equipment and tools, and that clutter that family imposes on you. Wifes junk, kids junk, kids projects, storage, etc if you work in it part time it is a never ending battle chasing the clutter out.
If I'm fortunate someday I would love to add another 40 feet to the end. My main door would be left in the new center (option to heat all or not) and the added area would be car wash (no storage as everything gets misted and wet) and allow enough length to pull a semi truck in without having to uncouple it and park the tractor on the other side. But size is relative to your largest equipment. Min of 2X your largest machine imo.
I also ran a 4' balcony the full length of both long walls. Up 12' (18' ceiling) for storage. Ladder to acess the west side but stairs to the East side and a 10 by 12 office upstairs (above bathroom and workbench area) on the SE corner.
The 3" slope eliminated most of the puddles, but is a pain for fabbing when you want things level. If you think you can get by with 1" and make all the water run away, I wish you luck.
I did not have a floor for the first 2 years, but when we poured it, my cement guy goofed and the next day when I when to close the 16' door it has about a 3/4" slope across the width of the door. We had to adjust the door seal to match the new slope, and any water that melts in that corner of the building does not drain. He does this for a living, but I kick my butt for not checking this. His mistake but I have to live with it. Probable should have kicked his butt too, but he is my neighbour and throws me work to so what do you do.
Ken