Garage Size

[Dukedesmo]

I have two garages, well actually one but divided into two sections; 30' x 20' and a 12' x 20', the 12' x 20' part is my bike workshop.

One thing to consider, at least here in England, is that it's difficult (read expensive) to heat a large garage in the winter time which is when I do most of my 'fettling' so I only heat the smaller workshop part of the garage, the larger part is for cars & general storage. 

[sign216]

Duke, Jbell, and VJohn,
 Thank you for the support. The other responses made me feel unmanly unless I had a hydraulic car lift, a whirlpool bath, and facilities to cast my own iron. It's refreshing to see that I can still be a full-fledged motorcyclist with a shade less.

[kevinkaren2011]

When I bought my house 2 years ago the garage was with it..

It is 30' x 60' but the first 20' is a carport that is in front of the 2-9' garage doors..The garage doors are on the end of the garage,,not the long sides of it..I love working under the carport section of it in the 3 seasons..Plenty of natural light and a breeze is usually blowing..Not to mention sitting in a rocker drinking a cold suds while looking out across the lawn..

The height is 9' but wished it was 10'..I insulated it after putting a quad outlets every 4' with quads every 2' at the widow/workbench area..220v every 10'..All outlets are above the workbenches but the ones by the doors are 2' from the door to use extension cords outside..I also put outdoor outlets under the carport..

It is NOT big enough..All walls have workbenches/shelving/cabinets/parts washer/drill press/welders/gunsmithing lathe/filing cabinet/air compressor/etc..I have several retractable extension cords coming from the ceiling and air line running all over..

Plan the shop carefully..

[CLZ]

If you're just going to store bikes and do some light maintenance then 12 x 20 doesn't sound unreasonable.  Keep in mind, any workbench space or storage will erode that 12 x 20 footprint and leave less room for bikes and less room to work.  Be honest about what you want to do with the space now (and in the future) and whether 12 x 20 will be sufficient. 

Put some time into how you want to lay out the internal storage and workbenches and see what sort of actual floor space you have left.  For me, it would be important to have easy access to whichever bike I wanted to ride without having to jostle them around to get one out.  I'd want to be able to open the door, hop on whichever bike, and go.

As far as building amenities go, this would be my list of "must haves" (in no particular order):

1) Well insulated and as air tight as possible with heat at a minimum and A/C would be nice...
2) Plenty of electrical outlets (a few 220V included to run a welder, air compressor, etc...)
3) Built in Air Compressor & lines (put the air comp up off the floor or in the attic space if possible)
4) Plenty of lights (If the overhead garage door is left open, make sure the overhead lights won't be blocked)
5) Tire changing machine, manual is fine (need a small manual balancer but they fit on a shelf easily)
6) Bike lift
7) Electric overhead hoist on tracks.  Something large enough to pull a car engine or lift a complete motorcycle.
8) Internet connectivity.
9) Sink.  It's nice to be able to wash your hands before going back to the main house.
10) A couple carpeted shelves to put painted parts on.  Probably overhead and away from the main workbench.  Removable when not needed?
11) I would have an interest in adding some machine tools (small mill and/or lathe) so having a solid foundation to support the mass would be important along with any electrical requirements.
12) Easy to clean floor surface with as few seams as possible (seams suck for catching tiny screws and creeper wheels!) and a solid color to make finding dropped screws easier.
13) Storage for riding gear and/or work clothing.
14) Some consideration for ease of cleaning.  If you live somewhere dusty, it's nice to be able to pull out a garden hose an hose the shop out to get rid of the dirt.

That's all I have for now.  Good luck!

Just moved into a new house. Am adding a workshop for my motorcycles.  What size is too small, too big, excetra.
I do all my own maintenance but usually avoid any larger tools  like an auto lift. I have three motorcycles; two that are ridden and one in storage.  I'm going to keep it at about that number, but may get a fourth bike down the line.

Right now I'm thinking 20ft by 12ft.  Reasonable?

Any qualities or accessories I should demand of the builder?

[Idontwantapickle]

Duke, Jbell, and VJohn,
, and facilities to cast my own iron. It's refreshing to see that I can still be a full-fledged motorcyclist with a shade less.

You only need the iron foundry for British bikes. For Guzzis a wine press and some barrel storage........

Hunter

[sign216]

Thank you for all the responses and ideas. I drew my proposed garage to the scale and added the work benches and other stationery items. I could tell it was going to be too tight, especially if down the road I add a bike lift or get another motorcycle. So I think I'll push the entire design out to 12 by 24 feet. 

I like the idea of putting bikes on dollys, as that's a space saver.  Getting a bike lift would take up dedicated room.  Not sure if the benefits  outweigh the space taken up. I'll post that in a separate thread.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Not sure if the benefits  outweigh the space taken up. I'll post that in a separate thread.

I bought a $299 HF lift when I started on the Lario project. My only thought after starting to use it was why did I wait so long?  Fortunately, I can roll it out in the hanger out of the way when I'm not using it. They do eat up a fair amount of space, but I personally wouldn't be without one again.

[jbell]

sign2166,
12x24 would do you proud.  Maximize your storage with vertical, adjustable wire racks, a good tool chest can be used as your workbench and I've stretched a wooden shelf across the top of my storage racks for overhead storage.  My shop size is about 8.5 ft x 20 ft with about 6 ft between the racks.  I had a 16 ft. garage door which I replaced with a 6 ft for me and a 9 ft for my wife's car.  Crowded? yeap, but workable.

[canuck750]

sign2166,
12x24 would do you proud.  Maximize your storage with vertical, adjustable wire racks, a good tool chest can be used as your workbench and I've stretched a wooden shelf across the top of my storage racks for overhead storage.  My shop size is about 8.5 ft x 20 ft with about 6 ft between the racks.  I had a 16 ft. garage door which I replaced with a 6 ft for me and a 9 ft for my wife's car.  Crowded? yeap, but workable.

Nice!

I love seeing small spaces used to their maximum potential, kinda looks like the Russian side of the ISS

[jbell]

I love seeing small spaces used to their maximum potential, kinda looks like the Russian side of the ISS

Well, my last name does end in "off".   

[lrutt]

I think this is what I need. My current garage is too small to discuss. It does keep my bike and tools dry, at least.

Sam

This... I have a 2 car garage for the DD's. And a 20 x 36 shop. I have 24 bikes at home, and 4 cars inside. I still have to park the jeep outside and constantly move bikes around.

I could use 30 x 50.

[sign216]

I love seeing small spaces used to their maximum potential, kinda looks like the Russian side of the ISS

Well, my last name does end in "off".   

Jbell, I appreciate the "making do w what you have" philosophy. For use of your space, you deserve an award in economy.

[motoTommaso]

Depends if you are looking for lots of storage space or work space or both.
I have a 20 x 24 garage and five years ago added 5 feet x 18 feet to one side and cut open the side wall, installed a 4 foot wide door out the lane. I can work / store two bikes in the annex, two cars in the garage side and have a lot of bench space in front of the cars. More room would be very nice but I get buy. You can do a lot with less.

As many have said, lots of power option, compressed air (in my attic), floor drain and water. Lights, lights and more lights, and paint the floor.
Overhead natural gas heat, drywall and OSB walls, insulated and sealed and a big through wall exhaust fan.

I make great use of the overhead crane I installed to suspend bikes during disassembly and reassembly.

Most of my tools are close to reach, I sold off my big tool boxes years ago.

a four foot six inch wide bench is still useful



I don't have much room left for any more tools or bikes in this garage but it works for me.

The overhead crane is a super idea.  I noticed the old avocado hand-me-down oven for heating parts for assembly.  I've always thought how handy that would be.

Tommaso

[Fangit]

I have 3 bikes and built a 24 x 12 workshop/garage for them with an in-floor bike lift. Build detailed here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237146

Works well but would be nice to have a separate clean area for bike storage away from grinders and such.

[sign216]

Fangit,
I looked at your garage thread and it's an awesome build . Love the doors and other details.

Cam3512 also suggested a recessed bike lift. It's an idea that I'm liking now. What brand of lift did you get and why did you select that make and model?

[Fangit]

Fangit,
I looked at your garage thread and it's an awesome build . Love the doors and other details.

Cam3512 also suggested a recessed bike lift. It's an idea that I'm liking now. What brand of lift did you get and why did you select that make and model?

Thanks. I'm in Australia. I ordered this unit:

http://www.aaq.net.au/shop/detail/autolift-243292-motorcycle-lift/

but they ended up supplying this one (wider and with side extensions) for the same price (around $AUS 1400).

http://www.aaq.net.au/shop/detail/autolift-243292ec/

Price has gone up a lot since. I liked these lifts because the lift height is more than most (980mm) so that when it is recessed in the floor the max height is still pretty high. It's made in China but is very solid (unlike some of the Chinese lifts) and has worked flawlessly so far.

[canuck750]

I have 3 bikes and built a 24 x 12 workshop/garage for them with an in-floor bike lift. Build detailed here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237146

Works well but would be nice to have a separate clean area for bike storage away from grinders and such.

Nice shop! I sure agree with you on having a separate room for welding, grinding and polishing, If I were to build a new shop that would be #1 on my list. The recessed lift is a great idea!

[sign216]

Thanks. I'm in Australia. I ordered this unit:

http://www.aaq.net.au/shop/detail/autolift-243292-motorcycle-lift/

but they ended up supplying this one (wider and with side extensions) for the same price (around $AUS 1400).

http://www.aaq.net.au/shop/detail/autolift-243292ec/

Price has gone up a lot since. I liked these lifts because the lift height is more than most (980mm) so that when it is recessed in the floor the max height is still pretty high. It's made in China but is very solid (unlike some of the Chinese lifts) and has worked flawlessly so far.

Yep, it's priced at $1,900 Aust. now.   It's powered by both a foot pump and an air line?

[nunzio]

I have 3 bikes and built a 24 x 12 workshop/garage for them with an in-floor bike lift. Build detailed here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237146

Works well but would be nice to have a separate clean area for bike storage away from grinders and such.

Nice!!!

I read your article.

I love you calling it an "Art Studio".....so city planners don't get their panties in a wad!!!!!

I will definitely steal that idea when I build an extension on my garage.

I am moving to the city in a couple of years and am pretty sure whatever garage we end up with will not be big enough.

I'm pretty sure they won't let me build a barn ,so ,"Art Studio" it is  ...Alan

[bross]

Mine's 28x36, I came to that size by angle parking our 5 bikes and 2 quads so that I could get any bike out at any time without juggling. I was tired of shuffling bikes in and out of one side of our 2 car garage. This also allowed me the other half to work on a bike or change the oil in the car etc. When you're considering stationary tools, don't forget the tire change station. My No Mar tire changer has been the best investment I made in tools, has saved hundreds in tire changes and way more convenient than the 1 1/2 hour drive (one way) to the dealer. Only regret is not making it big enough to park our motorhome in. (I know first world problems).





I need to go take a new picture, my corner workbench (10' x 12'), rolling tool chest, and tire changer now sit in the corner where the raft is.

[not-fishing]

Nice to see the thread and giving me a lot of ideas.

I'm "downsizing" because the wife retired in her 40's to play tennis full time and I'm unwilling to work until I'm dead to support her "habit".

So I'm selling the big house and moving way down in size.  I'd get a "Kazynski" cabin with a huge barn if I could but the wife will complain to much and there'd be to much "togetherness" for me.



 A house the size of the one I bought 40 years ago would be good.

One of the things I've noticed here in California is that if you get a corner lot a 2nd Garage is allowed by the government building department.  I'm thinking I could build something that is one car and a couple of bikes in size. If I added a toilet, sink, cot and couple of dog beds it would be my Sanctuary

[sign216]

Nice to see the thread and giving me a lot of ideas.

I'm "downsizing" because the wife retired in her 40's to play tennis full time and I'm unwilling to work until I'm dead to support her "habit".

So I'm selling the big house and moving way down in size.  I'd get a "Kazynski" cabin with a huge barn if I could but the wife will complain to much and there'd be to much "togetherness" for me.



 A house the size of the one I bought 40 years ago would be good.

One of the things I've noticed here in California is that if you get a corner lot a 2nd Garage is allowed by the government building department.  I'm thinking I could build something that is one car and a couple of bikes in size. If I added a toilet, sink, cot and couple of dog beds it would be my Sanctuary

Kind of reminds me of the Unabomber from a few years ago.

[Bill Hagan]

Nice to see the thread and giving me a lot of ideas.

I'm "downsizing" because the wife retired in her 40's to play tennis full time and I'm unwilling to work until I'm dead to support her "habit".

So I'm selling the big house and moving way down in size.  I'd get a "Kazynski" cabin with a huge barn if I could but the wife will complain to much and there'd be to much "togetherness" for me.****

"Plays tennis full time?"  Don't overlook the many benefits to a physically fit wife.   

Kind of reminds me of the Unabomber from a few years ago.

Think that's what the reference to "Kazynski" and the pic of the real thing meant.

If that Kazynski had had a wife who played tennis, things might have all turned out differently!

Love garage threads.  Folks have seen enough pix of mine, so I'll not post, but I do love seeing others' work (& play) spaces.

Bill

[kirb]

I built the house with a 3 stall garage. The base garage is 35' wide x 29' deep. The third stall is an additional 10.5' deep (16.5' wide)

The third stall deep end has 2 sides with work benches (wall mounted, at least 30-36" deep) with shelving below and above. The third wall is shelves.
The bike lift sits in the center of this area.

The 2 stall part holds (2) cars, deep freeze, some other storage and the like...
The 3rd stall part holds the bikes and riding lawn mower. There is enough room along the wall for blaster, parts washer, powder coat oven, etc... I don't feel that I am lacking for space unless the bike count grows to 5 or 6.

A stand alone building? two stalls wide by 20-30' deep if you can spare it. Put more space between the roll up door jams and outer wall to gain a lot of wall space for shelves/tools/benches.

I used 3/4" copper pipe to run air around the garage. It's rated for the pressure and has low loss for distance and fittings. I can throw up a lot of copper in a short period of time versus black pipe and the pressure drop is much lower than the plastic flex tube.

[jbell]

Jbell, I appreciate the "making do w what you have" philosophy. For use of your space, you deserve an award in economy.

I am just a poor boy, though my story's seldom told..........

[Fangit]

Yep, it's priced at $1,900 Aust. now.   It's powered by both a foot pump and an air line?

It is a compressed air/hydraulic unit. The "foot pump" is actually a controller for the up and down motions and also houses the oil reservoir and hydraulic pump. I have mine mounted on the wall and operate it with my hand.

[sign216]

It is a compressed air/hydraulic unit. The "foot pump" is actually a controller for the up and down motions and also houses the oil reservoir and hydraulic pump. I have mine mounted on the wall and operate it with my hand.

Nice.  It also looks like you have the hydraulic line cast into the floor as well.