Replies

1. 
   kreuzie | Apr 01, 2008 05:12am | #1

   Have you tried Morton Buildings? They're a pole building, and they go up in about a week or less, depending on what you want. They put the building up and then you can do the floor however you wish. Basic building is a pole type structure, but for my  30' x 52.5' building, I chose the optional steel interior walls and acoustic 10' ceiling. Oh...and 6 inches of insulation in the sidewalls and 12 inches above the ceiling. All this for about $23 per square foot (excluding the fiber-reinforced concrete slab) 10 years ago.

   Dimensions: when I bought mine, they were available in widths up to 80 feet (in 2-foot increments) and lengths (any) in 7.5 foot increments. These are clear spans -- no posts to get in the way.

   The Morton crew started the day after Labor Day (7 AM sharp every morning after a 40 mile drive) and finished up at noon the following Saturday (cleaned up every speck of their mess).

   As you might guess by my rambling, I couldn't be happier with my Morton. There are others out there, but with nowhere near the quality and warranty of Morton. Find them  on the web or the phone book; they're all over the country, as far as I know.

   Good luck, and let me know what you decide!

1. 
   wbfinewoodworking | Apr 01, 2008 06:07am | #2

   Great information. Someone else has suggested a pole building and it is on my list of types of buildings to check out. I have friends who have a source for that type of building. They had horse barns built. As for Morton Buildings their website states, "This state is not currently served by Morton Buildings."

2. 
   andyfew322 | Apr 01, 2008 06:21am | #3

   "I'm interested in working with building furniture, etc. not carpentry work."

   isn't furniture work carpentry?

    

   Can you hold the laser level while I shave?

   
   

   ---

   Edited 3/31/2008 11:22 pm ET by andyfew322

1. 
   northhouguy | Apr 01, 2008 01:35pm | #4

   Only if your name is Norm...

3. 
   blewcrowe | Apr 01, 2008 03:53pm | #5

   Dog, I made a major mistake when I did my shop (with concrete floor) in that I didn't epoxy coat the concrete. It would have made sweeping, vacuuming and stain clean up way way easier. Just a thought. Now, my floor is covered with 600 lb. machines that are just too heavy to move out of the way.

1. 
   wbfinewoodworking | Apr 01, 2008 05:51pm | #6

   Thanks for the information. I do plan on putting epoxy on the floor before I move everything in if I can fit it into my budget. I know that it would be a "BIG" improvement over what I have now.

1. 
   blewcrowe | Apr 01, 2008 06:03pm | #7

   Good boy. It's nice to know aint everyone as dumb as me.

2. 
   philip_r | Apr 01, 2008 10:07pm | #8

   Basset-hound, this is off-topic... but I always wanted to ask where you are located..?  My wife is the president of the Colorado Basset Hound Rescue and I'm a trustee.

   http://www.coloradobassetrescue.com/

    

   My garage/shop was stick built.  Measures 30' W by 26' Deep with 9 1/2' ceilings.  The roof has an 8/12 pitch and we ordered attic trusses - therefore, we have a pretty good upstairs area (approx 13' x 26' with 8 foot ceilings).  We paid 26K, including electrical (100 amp).  I wish it was bigger... because we still park in it...

1. 
   wbfinewoodworking | Apr 01, 2008 10:35pm | #9

   I wish here in Southern California that I could get stick built for that price. I do plan to keep investigating that possibility, but also want to explore all options.

   I'm in Southern California. My wife and I support our local basset hound rescue group run by Dawn Smith. Many in basset hound rescue through out the country know of her. She runs a ranch called Daphneyland. Our website is http://www.woebgonbassets.com.

1. 
   blewcrowe | Apr 01, 2008 11:37pm | #10

   Basset hound rescue? What, are bassets prone to drunken stupors, reckless driving or losing their jobs?

2. 
   wbfinewoodworking | Apr 02, 2008 12:11am | #11

   No, they're basset hounds that have been abandoned.

   Edited 4/1/2008 5:11 pm ET by basset-hound

3. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Apr 02, 2008 06:33pm | #12

   blew,

   That was funny.

   My wifes grandfather had an old basset hound when he lived in Manchester Ctr., VT and the Majors claim to fame was holding up traffic on Friday nights. 

   Friday night was the big night there and he would wait till traffic got really heavy and then cross the street, taking his sweet time.  It got to the point where the local constable would go out in the street and hold the traffic for him. 

   Got to be a ritual over the years.

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

4. 
   philip_r | Apr 02, 2008 06:47pm | #13

   lol, that is awesome.

4. 
   dirtyeyeball | Apr 03, 2008 04:09pm | #14

   i would build my own shop before i bought something u get more 4 less plus the satisfaction of doing it yourself

1. 
   wbfinewoodworking | Apr 03, 2008 04:51pm | #15

   Yes, it would be fantastic to do my own construction. If I had the ability to design and construct such a building I wouldn't be asking the questions. You must realize that some of us who work with wood are not carpenters. I'd classify myself more as a cabinet maker in the traditional definition of the word. My talent in woodworking is building furniture, not construction. Besides, even though I'm retiring my time is valuable. If I contract out the construction and do those things that I can do to save some money I can get the garage/shop built rather quickly. If I had to build one I know it would never get done.