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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

Pit for a shop

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John Mar

10-04-2006 08:32:20




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This is off the subject but I want to build a shop and put a pit in the floor for better access to the underside of car, trucks, equipment etc. I was planning on recessing the concrete and covering the pit with bridge planks when not in use. Can anybody give me some advise as to size and depth and any other things I need to be aware of?




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Graham from N.Z.

10-07-2006 12:56:08




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 Re: Pit for a shop in reply to John Mar, 10-04-2006 08:32:20  
We dug a pit in our farmshed/workshop some 40 years ago. It is 13' long x 5' deep x 3'6" wide. Additionally we put a 18" recess at one end with 3/4 reo bars set in the condrete for a ladder and at the other end some more steps of 3/4 rod bent to go in the end wall. We have no steel around the top but our concrete was a good mix. It has been most useful, and the size good for most jobs under a car or hay baler etc. A small set of steps in is handy, or a solid nail box to stand on sometimes. Ours had to all within the confones of a 20' wode shed. One need s these days to be mindfur of safety issues.

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John Mar

10-04-2006 19:42:43




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 Re: Pit for a shop in reply to John Mar, 10-04-2006 08:32:20  
Thanks for all the tips. I am afraid if I put in a 30 foot long pit my wife will make me sleep in it. On the other hand that wouldn't be all bad. If I add electric outlets I just as well put a plasma screen down there.



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Jossette

10-04-2006 19:48:29




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 Re: Pit for a shop in reply to John Mar, 10-04-2006 19:42:43  
you never know, you might buy a big truck that has a 260" wheel base and you will need all of that.??""$$@@**&&^^



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Jossette

10-04-2006 18:43:56




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 Re: Pit for a shop in reply to John Mar, 10-04-2006 08:32:20  
the neighbor put one in this spring.

30 ft long

66 in deep

44 in wide

24" solid thick walls with a 3"x3"x 1/2" angle frame around it. Added florecent lights and what a beauty. Apoxy paint on all it. air line and electric hook-ups



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Sam from WA

10-04-2006 15:21:49




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 Re: Pit for a shop in reply to John Mar, 10-04-2006 08:32:20  
Just make sure that it is long enough that you cam easily get out from under your longest piece of equipment and to have good ventilation and you"ll be fine. I have heard of many a shop fire started in the pit because of heavier-than-air fumes that are explosive.



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Chad Franke

10-04-2006 14:35:14




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 Re: Pit for a shop in reply to John Mar, 10-04-2006 08:32:20  
Either check with your insurance first, or NEVER tell them about it. Some insurance companies won't insure a home if the garage has a pit...



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mjbrown

10-04-2006 12:37:11




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 Re: Pit for a shop in reply to John Mar, 10-04-2006 08:32:20  
Pits are real handy. Just be careful about fumes. Many are heavier than air and will pool in a pit and if they are explosive like gasoline or propane and you take a drop light down there and turn it on..... ! You should consider a blower that pushes ouside air into the bottom of the pit.



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paul

10-04-2006 19:03:52




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 Re: Pit for a shop in reply to mjbrown, 10-04-2006 12:37:11  
Yup, be real careful on the fumes. Neighbor mechanic dropped his trouble light while in it, he got out & his dad got the fire out, but he was working in pain for several weeks while the scabs healed on his arms. Been using it for years, still does, but it only takes one time. Fumes go down there & wait for a spark.

Be careful of that.

--->Paul



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Michael Soldan

10-04-2006 11:08:22




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 Re: Pit for a shop in reply to John Mar, 10-04-2006 08:32:20  
John, I agree with jmeixigo, make sure the pit is long enough. We built a pit on the farm 40 years ago and it was great but we built it too short and always had trouble crawling out from under a car or truck. It was sure a handy outfit...Mike in Exeter Ontario



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jmixigo

10-04-2006 10:21:58




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 Re: Pit for a shop in reply to John Mar, 10-04-2006 08:32:20  
We have one in our "Big Truck" shop. Compared to a lift it is handy and don't never break down. A pit does have drawbacks tho. They are hard to keep clean. Make sure it's long enuff to get in an out of with a vehicle over it. Make it either 43" or 49" wide, cause most pallets are 42" X 48" and putting pallets in the bottom will keep yore feet up outa the oil an greese down there. Have a frame the size of the opening welded outa angle iron AT LEAST 2" X 2" (bigger is better)with the flange to the inside and in place fore you pour. This'll give ya a good durable noncrumbleing edge an will hold whatever cover you use in place with out slideing around. Make ding dong sure that it is deep enuff-one day you gone haffta work on sumthin low to the ground and it's a heap more comfortable to stand on a box most a the time than to be all scrunched up some a the time.

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