New shop progress/updates/questions.

[Dan_69GTX]

I created several threads for specific questions about setting up the new shop, so, I decided I'll start this one and kinda combine things and give updates here.

Previous posts are:
Garage door openers
Milton Air Couplers
Shop Ceiling
Garage doors

The summary - bought a property in April that is/will be set up for my folks to live upstairs and us to live in the basement. My folks are already there. Slowly working to make a pole building into a shop/garage. While attempting to remodel the basement for my wife and I to live there. I've given up on the basement due to time constraints so paying folks to do that work. Amazing the number of details I didn't initially think for the basement.

Anyhow - Shop - it is coming along nicely. I decided to use OSB on the walls due to it is harder to damage them compared to drywall. Also, I plan on hanging things on the wall and this doesn't limit me to stud placement (except for heavy stuff)

I wanted to add 2 receptacles for the welder/plasma cutter so both could be plugged in at the same time. Not used at the same time, but if you leave it plugged in, the fan can run to cool it while you use the other. Not thinking, I did this - see the problem?

Yes, you can't plug in both due to cord placement - the cord comes out the BOTTOM of the plug, so you can only use one plug at a time....sigh.....so, moved the junction box to the middle and now it works ok.

Got a "whole house fan" mounted - it will have louvers under it to help prevent heat escaping in the winter. I'm going to add another to have 2 - I want ventilation when doing something that creates fumes!
I bought a drywall lift to help do the ceiling - works great for lifting fans and attic stairs too!

I got the propane run to the heater. Decided to go above ground for now - can easily change it later if necessary. Plus, my elbow has been bothering me, so using a digging iron isn't recommended right now.
After I got it all run, did a pressure test - wouldn't hold the 6psi. Found that I never tightened the fittings at the heater. That is the problem with doing something over a week ago. I use 6psi for testing. The 1st stage regulator is set to 10PSI.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

I've settled on using metal for the ceiling. It will 40% more than drywall, but will be much easier and faster for me to install.

Regarding another garage door - that will have to wait till later - so I'll have to shuffle things around with only having 1 door - oh well.

 

[JR]

Looks like you have a nice view there Dan!

 

[Cummins12V98]

One option would have been to rotate the top receptacle 90.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Looks like you have a nice view there Dan!

Thanks! - yes, we do! We have a great view at the existing house and were hoping not to lose that. We didn't.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

One option would have been to rotate the top receptacle 90.

Hmmm - never thought of that...would have been much easier!

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Finally starting in on the ceiling...

 

[Cummins12V98]

Great idea using roofing on the ceiling!!!

 

[Larry Willard]

Great idea using roofing on the ceiling!!!

I have seen quite a few pole building built like in our area.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Finally got the ceiling up. Wow - I'm getting old! My Body really doesn't like going up and down an 8' ladder a bazillion times and working over my head while on the ladder.

The rectangular holes in the ceiling are where ceiling fans are installed.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Last night I got the louvers on the fans. When I turned one fan on, then the other, the second fan wouldn't open the louvers....Crap - why....Then I realized I have the whole building really sealed up now, I bet if I open a door or window they would work just fine. Guess what - they did and they move a LOT of air. Should be easy to ventilate the building now while welding or doing things that create fumes I don't want to breath. Each fan has it's own switch and each have a high/low speed. Initially I had a new fan and a used fan. Now I have 2 new ones. The used one died while letting it run one day. At least that happened BEFORE I got the stinking ceiling up!!

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Next to do - get the lights up.....Hopefully this weekend.

 

[BSeyler]

Are you using that same white metal on the walls?

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Are you using that same white metal on the walls?

Nope - I'm going to leave the walls as is. I used 7/16 OSB. I thought of painting it white, but most of the walls will be "covered" with shelving or stuff so little light would reflect from them anyhow.

I got a deal on some really heavy steel shelving at an auction - so I bought all they had. 4' wide, 15" (or was that 18") deep, 7' tall. Got 14 of them. Already used 2 of them in the new pantry.

Along one wall I plan to build a rack (well - actually move my rack from the old house) to hold any new(er) steel. The rack can hold 20' sticks. The old "used" steel will still be placed outside since it is already rusty.

 

[Jim W]

Dan I would still paint the walls white! Why to prevent moister from being absurd on high humidity days. OSB is notorious for absorbing moister at least it has with my use of the product.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Dan I would still paint the walls white! Why to prevent moister from being absurd on high humidity days. OSB is notorious for absorbing moister at least it has with my use of the product.

Jim - thanks for that info. Never thought about that. I'll have to ask a few builder folks around here about that. I'm not sure how much painting the inside of the walls would help - unless it would help with the transfer of moisture - since the side facing the insulation isn't painted. Yea the insulation has the paper barrier, but does that help that much? The outside of the building is steel, and with the top and bottom of the steel not being "sealed" moisture laden air can enter the area where the insulation is. Again - I'm not a building guy by trade - but I can screw things up!!

 

[Jdorfmeyer]

Ceiling looks great. I put up a 30x64 pole building last fall and have been slowly getting it set up. You gave me a new idea for the ceiling!

 

[Dan_69GTX]

DOESNT' ANYONE TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR WORK ANYMORE?!?!?

OK, so this isn't a shop update, it is a house update. I don't have time to do both so I hired a general contractor to do the basement remodel. Since both need to be done before we move in. The general subbed to a plumber for work. They were there yesterday to do the kitchen, bath, water heater, etc. I can do it, just don't have time. Some things looked great, others, ....welll.

The vent needs to go into the attic and tie into an outside vent. They went through a closet to get to the attic. Fine - no problem. Said they are done, but never sealed the holes so the small particles of insulation are falling onto stuff in the closet. (blown in insulation).

The kitchen sink is stainless. Instead of grey putty for the strainer, they used white. And they never even trimmed and cleaned up the putty.

Bathroom sink - installed crooked. (and sealed down - hopefully they can remove it w/o hurting the laminate top of the vanity.

They installed the circulator pump I asked for - said they have done it before. I looked at it and....it is upside down. Will it work - SURE. If it leaks, the water drains into the electrical box.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

OH yea - and the outlet for the circulator isn't on a GFCI.....sigh.....guess I have to do it myself.

It might have been cheaper in the long run if I took time off w/o pay to do the work and then I'd less likely develop an ulcer.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Ceiling looks great. I put up a 30x64 pole building last fall and have been slowly getting it set up. You gave me a new idea for the ceiling!

Thanks - much easier than drywall and it easily spans the 4' span for the rafters.