Looks good to me, I do have a question or two, since you asked.
I'm guessing this shop will be a "stick-built", custom structure. You show a lot of trusses for it to be a pole barn type building. The thing I would consider, would be a good quality pole barn, either wood or steel. The cost to push a pole barn on up to 12', would be minimal. Mine is 14', and one side has steel pallet racks set to form isles and shelves, rather than fork-truck access. The top can then be "bridged" to form a second story storage area. They can build some pretty attractive "pole barns" these days, even using brick on the exterior. Are you going to finish the interior with drywall, or steel, or...? I used plywood up 8', then steel on the top 6', at least the half I've been able to get done. You could use hi-rib commercial steel to span your ceiling. What about heat? I like radiant gas heat.
Don't get me wrong, I like your drawing/idea, esp. if your lift allows you to get under your vehicles without stooping too much.
These suggestions may be worthless, as, I live where there are few rules and no restrictions on pole barns.
I can't wait to see it...
Sounds like an awesome set-up Steve.
At our pending new place, per HOA reg's, the building is required to be "of similar design to the home, made of similar materials." The new home has an HOA that is DOA. The subdivision was established by the older folks who owned the land. They have since passed. But a fella put up a tall blue poll building like you discussed, blue to match the color of his house, and quite frankly it looks out of place, it is the only tall building in the subdivision and the only steel building too.
So I just figured it "good game" to follow the originator's wishes and to design a building that meets my needs and that will meet their original intent. Good karma for me.
As for stooping under the cars, that won't be the case. That's the reason for the CAD models of each vehicle. Each of our vehicles ride the lift as high as the lift will go and still clear the scissor trusses (I created a CAD model of a new extended cab Silverado and used it with the lift at full position to determine the best location for the lift). What won't fit is a vehicle that has height at the rear of the vehicle, like a Suburban or a pick up truck with a cap on it.
I do like pole buildings though and had a real nice "Lester" pole building erected back east when we lived in Ohio. The classic red barn with white trim. I built a huge 10' x 30' loft in the back of it. And I'd go that route again... except for the reg's and the layout of the lot. We had 5 acres back then, and a big ole pole building looks at home on a larger lot. IMO it looks weird on a small lot right up against a small one story home.
Photo below is of the "The Big Red Barn" and 1/2 acre pond we built in Ohio. It was an empty lot when we bought the place. Truth be told, they are about the only "material" things I miss about Ohio... but I sure don't miss mowing 4 acres of grass every third day!
You can see the loft in the background of this photo....
I have a GREAT idea ~ come test build it in my back yard first , then you'll know what changes you'll want for the one you build at your next house.....
I'm embarrassed to post pix of my 1923 'T' Model garage that's jammed full of tools & parts, also home to 1/4 million termites ~ one of these days it'll just collapse and I'll be well & truly screwed .
No need to be embarrassed. My fondest memories of wrenching on cars are at my Grandfathers bank barn, helping him with his Model T Fords when I was just a kid. No doubt I wasn't much help but it was always an adventure at Grandpa's place.
His machine shop was in the belly of the barn, dark, damp and small... and packed with every tool it took to build a tin lizzie.
The shop is just the means to an end. But it's always fun building stuff, be it out of wood or out of steel.
Thanks for the input guys.
John
