First Things First

[Blue_Heron]

This picture will give you an idea of how much I've accomplished on my projects over the past two years.







In 2005, I started on my barn/work shop. I got a lot done in a couple months, basically finished the pole barn itself, but didn't have any specific projects in mind and it sat while I went fishing.







In 2008, I found a Hewes Bonefisher project boat, and that got me motivated enough to finally pour the slab. I even started framing the walls...







But I was in the middle of a 30 month project at work that consumed all my energy, and other than daydreaming, I didn't get squat done for another year. Well the project finished up the end of last year. It was kinda pointless trying to tinker with the 25 Seafari in a barn with no walls, lighting, or power (other than a noisy generator), and strick's "I Need A Shrink" post finally motivated me to get going. In February, I started by completing the wall framing and installing an exhaust fan I had scavenged:







Finished up the doors and wall sheathing by the end of February:







In early March, added some lighting (also scavenged and still running on the generator)



Been using some vacation days and getting a lot done. Over the past three weeks, I've done my wiring, put in a 200 Amp panel and service, installed a package A/C unit I scavenged off the office trailer before it got disposed of, and bought my roll up door.






Finally got some momentum. Should have my power hooked up this coming week. Next weekend, I'll start on the insulation and interior wall sheathing. It's nice to finally have something to show for my time.

[BigLew]

Hark, did Strick's "Man Cave" give birth or did a long lost cousin "cave" just wonder up and set up shop? I think many are jealous!!!!

Very nice. If it gives birth, send the baby this way!!

[jeff6645]

Man I am jealous, makes me want to turn in my man card...

First Boat Porn now Shop Porn

[McGillicuddy]

Gee, Nice shed. It's bigger than my whole fricken property!

Looks great - love the covered porch, great idea.

[NoBones]

Dang Blue....
Now I'm jealous, 200 amp panel and I thought 150A was
just fine in my man cave! To boot you have A/C.
I wonder if that unit off the 27 Seamaster would cool
2000 sg ft?
Looks great!!
Enjoy your space, believe me I do mine....
Next one will be bigger though!

See ya, Ken

[76Red18]

Hey Ken, look into spraying foam insulation on the ply wood between those trusses. Keeps it much cooler.

[Blue_Heron]

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

...love the covered porch, great idea.

I knew I would be doing stuff that would create a lot of dust, sanding, sawing, grinding, whatever. I wanted a place I could be outside, but still under cover so I can still work on stuff if it's raining.

Now I'm jealous, 200 amp panel and I thought 150A was
just fine in my man cave!

Ken, a 150 Amp service would have been fine in mine too, but a friend at work had a 200 Amp Square D panel and most of the breakers I needed for free. BTW, you and strick inspired me with your Harbor Freight gantry cranes. I had some angle iron laying around, so I spent a weekend fabricating one and got the trolley and chain hoist at Harbor Freight. I think the mix of orange and blue is appropriate here in Gator Country. The height's not adjustable, but it'll have to do.

[NoBones]

I have been a dumpster diver my whole life...
Half the stuff in my cave came from here and there..
The 400 watt metal halides came out of an old Scotty's
for $12 each. The Vidmar cabinets came from GE when they
bailed out of Daytona. My drill press, metal saw and
48 inch belt sander came from Gov Liq. for $75..
All the 1/0 copper wire came from an old warehouse that was
being demolished when we had to get out.
The "barn" as I call it cost me $31,000
which was pretty cheap even with the split face block construction.
You will notice the Gator plate on the dually as well.


BTW: Blueheron, my parents live in Lake Butler on 29 acres,
just up the road from you!

See ya, Ken

[seafari25]

Dave I hear ya on the no time to finish projects. I've been building my garage for a few years now, in between travelling 10 months of the year. I'm at about the same stage as you although I havn't started electrical yet. It sucks tripping over an extension cord running from the house all the time anyway that's a great looking shop and notice I called mine a garage...8' doors over here. I know you guys like the 12' doors and might make fun but I'll be mostly tinkering on the old plymouth in there, and small boats. Looking forward to your 25 project.

Ken you said 31000? I'll say that's cheap. Mine's less than half the size and I already have 27000 into mine and did everything myself, except the foundation, and still have a long way to go. Of course, I'm talking Can.funds

Nice shops boys
[image][/image]

And ya if I did it again, I would've used plywood on the front side of the roof. It was a few months before I got the shingles and besides, I hear that OSB will swell, even if it doesn't get wet before you put the shingles on. Live and learn. Hey I'm just a railroader not Norm Abrams

[Blue_Heron]

An extension cord from the house wasn't an option for me. It's over 300', and the voltage drop would be a problem.

With the exception of finishing the slab and installing the roll-up door, I did all the work myself with the help of a friend who's willing to work for steak dinners and cocktails. Scavenging the fixtures and equipment saved me a pile of $$. I'll have around $15K into it when it's done, but it's small, 720sf enclosed, 1200sf overall. The pole barn was purchased as a kit and is engineered for 110 mph wind load as is the roll-up door. If I were closer to the coast as Ken is, I think I would have gone with reinforced masonry construction too.

Dave