Steel framed building

shovelheadrob · Post by **shovelheadrob** » Mon Oct 24, 16 9:49 pm

I agree with all the above comments regarding door sizes & ramp location, are you set on a 2 post? A 4 post is nice for working on things & gives you an extra parking space.

GJUK · Post by **GJUK** » Mon Oct 24, 16 10:41 pm

Hi, Thanks.
A 4 post would be fine, I thought they might take up a little more room and with the wheels still on the ground, suspension work would be a bit tricky?

shovelheadrob · Post by **shovelheadrob** » Tue Oct 25, 16 6:59 am

You can get "wheel free" bars that run lengthways & jacking beams that go across. Just do some homework, look at a few different types & then decide. I've had a 2 post where pulling the transmission has been awkward due to the raised section between the posts being in the way of the transmission jack.
Also a 4 post makes a nice bench when you're doing brake/suspension work. JMHO.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Tue Oct 25, 16 7:55 am

Both types have thier pros and cons, the big plus with a 2 post is the clear access underneath, the big minus is you can't have the car sitting on it's wheels at a height. Having used both types for work, I would pick a 4 post everytime, you can do more with it.

GJUK · Post by **GJUK** » Tue Oct 25, 16 10:38 am

Okay, you guys know best. 4 post it is, the storage idea sounds much better also.

Please see V3 of the designs, now 40x40 (to allow for longer cars parking back to back).
Lift over to the right as suggested.
I can't really justify the 3rd door, I'm going to lose wall space also.
The far left area will be the welding/cutting/project corner. So cars there will be in long term parked positions.

Main question left, are the doors (at 3m x 3m) big enough?
Transit high top vans are 2.5m high and I can't see anything wider than 2.5 m going in...

Thanks!

J

ANTON · Post by **ANTON** » Tue Oct 25, 16 4:39 pm

From personal experience I would use a two post lift by the door so you can use it all the time and the car in front of it can be left there without moving a car to use the lift.
I prefer two post lift for most jobs. Four post lifts restrict access under a car too much. My door at my workshop is 3m x 3m and i have never had an issue with that size.

shovelheadrob · Post by **shovelheadrob** » Tue Oct 25, 16 8:20 pm

I think Anton's suggestion of putting the ramp closest to the door makes some sense, the only other thing I would add would be a mezzanine floor to the area beside the ramp, a friend has done this recently & it works really well, somewhere to put the stuff/junk we all accumulate & use the ramp & a short bridge to get heavy stuff up there.
Are you going to put water & waste in? Keep 'er indoors happy by cleaning up before you go back in the house!

billybob73 · Post by **billybob73** » Tue Oct 25, 16 8:50 pm

think youd be safer with a four poster. i just built my workshop made the roof from sterling board and marley tiles that were of colour so got them dirt cheap , the main roof pirling i made out of a 1996 montrocon hgv trailer , saved a fortune doing it all myself workshop is 22 feet by 33 feet only cost me about Â£1200 for the roof all in and i have no dampness or condensation at all

andyrob · Post by **andyrob** » Tue Oct 25, 16 9:23 pm

I agree with anton
about having the lift nearer the door or your constantly moving the car thats in front of it, Id have my office or benches behind lift, just make sure above the lift there is a nice beam to use for lifting engines out

I get both arguements for 2post/4 post lift, Ive got a 2 post as a good italian 3500kgs lift was about Â£2k whereas as good 4 poster was more than double that.
I can park a 2nd car under my lift
It says 3.5 ton and I am ok with a b body on it but not happy for stability with a dodge ram on it

Glen63 · Post by **Glen63** » Wed Oct 26, 16 5:46 pm

I bought a four post ramp lift from ebay a couple of years ago, been very pleased with it. Cost about Â£2100 delivered and assembled. Cannot find company I got it from, but looks very simular to this one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-POST-PARKIN ... SwRLZT14Vd

They come with a wheel kit, so you can move them if you need to ? I never bolted my one down and it sat very firmly on the ground, even with the Charger up in the air and me fighting the front suspension.

Has been very useful for stacking the car in the garage as well, so you might want to think about garage height ? Have just taken it apart, as we are moving and it is very solid made !! my back hurting just thinking about it.

Why are you going with commercial shutters and not high grade domestic roller shutter, they must surely be cheaper. Have a mate that is a distributor for this make and says the Excel Range is really good and even has police approved security. http://www.sws.co.uk/products/seceurogl ... uct-ranges

Glen63 · Post by **Glen63** » Wed Oct 26, 16 5:49 pm

Picture of the cars stacked

GJUK · Post by **GJUK** » Wed Oct 26, 16 6:20 pm

I have analysis paralysis. Every time I look at this my brain reboots

. Got to keep marching on, I'll find the right solution at some point.

Thank you again all that have commented, I've taken feedback on-board and come up with Plan V4.

Still 40x40 square. 3.5x3m doors
Lift (maybe two) moved to the front.
long term project area moved around the back right of the garage, where a bench and tools will be.

It required a 3rd door.
Thoughts again please guys?

GJUK · Post by **GJUK** » Wed Oct 26, 16 6:27 pm

Picture of the cars stacked

Helpful, thanks. The building I have will be 4m to the eaves, so enough to have 2 cars stacked without issue.

I think Anton's suggestion of putting the ramp closest to the door makes some sense

I've tried all sorts, in this space it seems to work best but only with a 3rd door.

I would add would be a mezzanine floor

I toyed with this, I could still with a 4m to eaves high, over the project area in yellow could work and allow ramp walk in/wheel off access also.

re you going to put water & waste in? Keep 'er indoors happy by cleaning up before you go back in the house!

No plans to, the house has a utility room and downstairs bathroom. loads of bushes around here also

Regarding doors - I've been told the Cat5's are best. I might be as well to go for the slightly less industrial type as these doors are ~3k each!!!

Cheers,
J

Dave81 · Post by **Dave81** » Thu Oct 27, 16 12:57 pm

If your going through the expense I would seriously consider putting water and waste services in.

The constant frustration of walking back and forth will do you head in.

One to tap and sink with a spur for hose connection. This will allow washdown, cleaning and chance to keep the mancave actions all within it. Especially in the depths of winter!!

Mezzanine for parts storage would also be beneficial. Only needs to cover half the open space with stairs in the corner. This will help to keep the car area clear when doing a total breakdown and rebuild.

Saying that it all adds to the cost........

GJUK · Post by **GJUK** » Thu Oct 27, 16 4:22 pm

Hi Dave,
We have a bore hole here and septic tank.
Tapping in to both would be quite easy, you make a good point.
This is at about Â£30k at the moment, to think I had a Â£10k budget what I started, then it got BIG

What do you think to the layout?