Minimum size shop?

[Badgt04]

I am looking into renting a storage unit/shop and am trying to figure out what kind of size minimum there is. It needs to be able to fit the pickup...have room on all sides and be able to fit a tool box and some room to stick parts.

Would 12.5x30 or 10x40 or 10x30 be good enough or is that pretty cramped? (Storage Unit sizes)

I am keeping my eyes open for shops that are larger for rent though.

Justin

[xxxtina63]

I would say that it's up to you on how much room you want or need. If I were you I'd measure the width and length of the truck. Once you have your measurements, compare that to the diminsions of the garage/unit. Just remember, if the unit is 10ft. wide, you'll have 1 1/2-2ft. space on either side. Fine to walk through, but you, your tools, and whatever you're working on will be in this space. Will you be comfortable? A garage/shop is one of those areas where bigger is better. But, some people don't use a garage at all, although this sucks in bad/cold weather.

I have a 3 1/2 stall garage. By the time you put a car or two in it, figure in work space, tools, equipment, workbenches, and storage, this thing is filled to the max. I could really use 3-4 more stalls.

[FORDification]

If you're considering renting a storage place at one of the U-Stor-It facilities to use as a workshop, you should be aware that they really frown on that, and if they found out that's what you're doing you're likely to get the boot. Besides, those storage units generally only have one electrical outlet (maybe) and one light bulb, which just wouldn't be enough.

You might consider doing what I did. I put a want-ad in the local newspaper asking for a garage to rent, and even in my small town I got quite a few responses. I had a 1-1/2 car garage rented within 24 hours of that edition hitting the newstands. That's the size I'd have to consider as a minimum needed for getting work done. It gave me enough room to get the vehicle into the garage and a little room off to one side for my tools and workbench. There are a lot of little old ladies who have a garage but don't really need it, so it would be a nice little side income for them. However, I'd strongly advise trying to find one that was detached from the house, for obvious noise and security reasons.

[Badgt04]

Thanks guys !

Keith,
Good advice! I am going to keep my eyes open for a nice sized shop to work on my '73 in. I dont have a workbench or anything like that but I am sure if I got a big enough shop I would end up getting a compressor and etc !

Another one of the reasons that I want a shop is because my neighbors dont like loud vehicles and pretty soon my '73 will have a 434 big block ford in it that will not be the quietest in the world .

My neighborhood also frowns upon cars on jackstands...luckily for me I will be moving soon!

Justin

[layedout72]

you NEEEEEEEEDDDDD wider than 10. thats what i have and its enough room to stack ur spare in rolling position and slide by it!

[ford71]

I have a bay in my barn that i keep a trailer in that is 12x24 and that is a cramped fit. not even worth putting the truck in. for this reason i just work out in my driveway and keep my tools in a shop that i can't drive into. wish i had at least a shed that i could park under when it rains though. I'd say a shop needs to be at least 20x24 to work on a truck in and keep tools in, but thats just my opinion.

[layedout72]

i make do with what i have, as its a very lucky thing to have at 18 years old. i could be stuck with a honda, no mods, and parking outside.

[mytmatt]

The house I live in has a 40X20 shop, with 220 no less, but the person who built it only put a door big enough to pull a golf cart into it!

I will either buy the house or move at the end of this year...if I buy it, I will be cutting the end open and installing either a roll-up door or fabricating some on hinges. The carport is OK to work on the truck, (other than having to run tools/cords/air hoses out there) but I just can't imagine having a shop that size and not being able to pull my truck into it.

[hutch1973]

I agree with 20x24 as a minimum. My garage is 20x20, and it stinks. No room to work around the truck (front to back), even with the short box.

[black70cs]

Mines 24' x 24' wish it was 30 x 40, no matter what size garage you have you'll want bigger. The more space you have, the more stuff you'll cram in there. What ever space you have, you just deal with it, I used to work on my truck outside of my 8x16 shed, so I'm happy with the 24' x 24'. Trouble is now I have 2 trucks and can't fit them both in at the same time.
Charlie

[19674x4]

welll mine is 11acres. ain't got no roof to work under. but when we do get our shop put up it will be 25x30. it's one of those US steel buildings. all we have is the pad poured.

[splavin90]

here's the size of my shop

Sideyard
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v113/ ... 966526.jpg

Driveway
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v113/ ... ure011.jpg

You've got to love the rain.

[basketcase0302]

splavin,
Rainy season here! Don't love the rain anymore...Better than the fires though.

22 X 25 concrete with roof and 2 1/2 sides complete. It's for sale

Basketcase

[Mohillbilly]

I agree with Keith on garages. My bro-in-law is renting an old gas station w/2 bay garage right next door to my house for $125/mo. Comes in real handy.

[alvinator]

my garage is 22x28 and your right, it's never big enough. I thought it was gonna be big enough until I pulled all the parts off and then I was wondering where all that room went.