Finding a new project, then trying to explain it to the Boss

Mikebr5

Member
So we recently moved and part of the benefit of the move was a fresh start... A few long term projects that were going nowhere (and slowly getting there) as well as some big finished ones were "let go" and either given away or sold. Cheap.
It was, after all, supposed to be making a fresh start.
We moved to a fairly remote mountainous area and bought some acreage with just a house. No shop... I haven't been without a good sized shop since, well, since 20 years or more I guess.

A couple of days ago I placed the cart directly in front of the horse and said "giddy up" and my wife is smoked.
I came across 2 tractors that had been parked under an apple tree by an old man a few years ago... He completed his earthly journey and the ownership of said tractors passed to his son, who had/has no interest in restoring them.
He saw a complete sucker for old iron and sold them to him for bunches more than scrap cost. So far I have the International I-6 parked out in the front yard, and trying to figure out how to get the other one here without being invited to sleep out there with the 2 new beauties.

In the next month a couple of the old iron beauties that I couldn't let go of (Ford 641, 861 and maybe another) will be out here too.
I mentioned that the wife is smoked, yes?
Funny thing is, I agree with her. I screwed up. I don't have a shop built yet.

I have to get cracking and get a decent shelter up before winter. I moved away from a 54'x84' shop with most of the amenities. Argh... I'm dying over here.

Anyone else put themselves in such a predicament? If so, any creative solutions short of dropping $100k on a work shop?
 
Who needs a shop???A shade tree works just fine. Store your tools in an old camper;school bus;semi trailer.......Buy one of those
Portable storage sheds ....
 
I don't know Your "MINIMUM REQUIREMENT" for a new building but; do a search "Factory Steel Overstock", & look up buildings with, & without Insulation. They have many sizes, & heights for under $20,000 adding a concrete floor shouldn't double the price. If You just want a building, & don't care about color or anything else its a pretty good website. They offer heavy wind loads, & snow loads for not a lot of extra money. They carry up to 24 guage metal.
 
If you've gotten by without a decent shop for twenty years, then I'd say it's time.

A medium-sized (say 30x40) post-frame building is not that expensive. If you have time to do it yourself, and have a few friends who owe you favors, you can do it for the cost of materials, around ten grand. Double or triple that if you're going to have it erected.
 
Buy a couple of old shipping containers and you will have a starter shop that can be used for storage later.
 
(reply to post at 21:27:02 05/26/15) [/quot

A few days ago the wife was talking about moving to a lower maintenance place. I said yes, that would probably be a good idea, I could live without so much building maintenance. We can just get the 40x50 shop moved there. She did not answer.
 
A few years ago, I found a deal, $12k for a 30x40x10 and they put it up. I supervised, did the excavating work, used my self leveling rotating laser to get ground level, perlins level, and they did a good job. Another $3k for a 6 inch concrete floor. Friend was a concrete finisher, $500. I got mine with trusses on 2 ft, 1/2 osb decking and 35 year shingles. Everything had to match the bosses house of course. Another $500 for electrical, which bosses boy is an electrician, $100.

I didn't insulate the pole barn. In the winter when the sun is out, the sun warms the barn, 10-15 degrees above than outside. Just being out of the wind is good enough for me, but the 10-15 degree bump is a bonus.
 
These all metal prefab carports make good storage sheds and passable workshops.I have a 40ft X 18ft one for garden tractor storage and am going to put up a couple of the 20ft X
18ft for a place to tear down a tractor and be able to leave it while I'm working on it.The big one with sides and a back end only cost me around $3000
 
I just checked your link and see it says coppyrite 2015. Supprised me as the 4 yards that I knew of are all closed in the last 3? years. Thought the chain was completely gone. This is northwestern Ohio.
 
(quoted from post at 02:24:31 05/27/15) I bought my building kit from Carter Lumber, which may have a yard close to you.
Carter Lumber Pole Barns

These Carter barns are really nice. I'm putting up a wood building like one of those later this year. I'm on a tight budget with the boss too, so to save money and more important ... my aching back, I'm going to get a pavillion put up with 10 or 12' poles and no concrete pad. Then frame out the walls with siding myself and do the concrete later.
 
Yep. Put the two storage containers about 15' apart parallel to each other. After a few years (or immediately) you set trusses to bridge the gap. You have storae on both sides and a drive through in the middle. Seen a lot of old (and I mean old) box cars used that way.
 
My son brought two 40 ft shipping containers for 2600 delivered to his job site. He made one into an office and the other for tool storage. It cost him 300 bucks if he needs to move them. They work out good for him.
 
Building on sloped lots is more difficult than in flat locations. Before you build, determine your long range plans for your property including future building locations, water drainage flows, walkways and driveways. That reduces the chance of building something in the wrong location.
 
Hi, I have seen the 2 container set up. The owner
raised the center part 2 ft higher with transparent
material to let in more light. Ed will
 
You are going to need those tractors to level a spot for any type of shed. You are actually doing it
in the right order. A little overkill, maybe. You can never be too cautious, though.
 
That would be a good idea because the containers are not that tall (8'?). Adding 2 feet would give you some clearence for the doorway.
 
What's a shop? I did a rebuild with out even the benefit of a workbench :(
Since fixed the no bench at least :)
a192326.jpg
 
Hi, I have seen the 2 container set up. The owner
raised the center part 2 ft higher with transparent
material to let in more light. Ed will
 
Prep a 40x80 site,buy two 20'containers,24' apart,40' scissors truss [for extra height],use the other 60' for outdoor storage until you can afford to finish. Your tools and supplys will stay clean in the container while you paint in the main room.
 
1. It's just your wife. If she ain't mad something's wrong.

2. If you don't care then you ain't in trouble!

Rick
 
I'm not trying to be mean, but you have a serious problem my friend.

I hope you can resolve things, but if not you can use all of the creative solutions for a workshop after the divorce.

Best of luck,

Larry
 
(quoted from post at 13:20:26 05/27/15) I just checked your link and see it says copyright 2015. Surprised me as the 4 yards that I knew of are all closed in the last 3? years. Thought the chain was completely gone. This is northwestern Ohio.

There's still a Carter down here in Lancaster, OH. I've gotten metal barn siding from them. Have seen a few on the road too, I believe there is one in Newark that is near to me also. I see from their locator there are a few up your way, but not many.
 
Having had a container since we moved here 14 years ago I must say that I have not found it to be very convenient storage. The only good things I can think of about them are that they are fast to install and can be made reasonably secure. The narrow width means that half the space has to be left to make a walkway to allow access to the other half, or else you have to clamber over things. Our container has been bought and is supposed to be being hauled away in the next few days and I will be very glad to see it go away.
Zach
 
Shops always add value to the property . I had a 28x34 shop before i played with tractors but sold the place . Now
i'm storing iron at my brothers 40 acre farm that has a 40x100 steel building . But he rents it out for storage ,
so i'm still working outside !! --but still having fun !!!

Larry --ont.
 
'

I have an IH 300U that the previous owner chained both back and front tires! Must have been a terribly dicey neighborhood.

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