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If you could build the perfect garage...

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Old 04-19-15, 04:02 PM
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If you could build the perfect garage...

I have a regular old two-car garage that I have been working on my 85 in. Over the last few years I have accumulated tools, an air compressor and welder. It's tight, cramped and gets messy fast. And in the winter, my daily driver is forced to live outside in the elements.

So now I am planning on building a garage in the back yard that will be specifically for working on my RX7. The question is, if you could build a garage just for your RX7, what features would it have and what tools/equipment are a necessity? What about placement of items? Should the air compressor be in the back or the front? Should it be heated? A/C? Should I build a paint booth? What about interior? Nature Stone floor? Epoxy floor? What is the minimum depth, width, height? etc.

Anyone with pics of their current garage please post! Looking to gather the best ideas for the perfect enthusiast garage.
Old 04-19-15, 04:42 PM
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Currently I have a grass lawn... which sucks. I'd love a cement pad or even ROC, but beggers can't be choosers. And at least its not mud.


Dream garage would be two 40' containers placed on the ground like an equals sign with 16' between them. The celing would be a gurney system made from I beams resting on the containers. Four chain falls would be on the gurney. That way I could pick up derust/ mess with any car (not truck) I want to; then slide it out of the way wheels or no wheels.

But I'll probably end up commissioning my brother in law to build me a garage/house. And I'll have a drive on rack/pit built in.
Old 04-19-15, 05:20 PM
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Dream garage = air craft hangar.

Old 04-19-15, 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by NCross
Dream garage = air craft hangar.
Haha that's pretty accurate!

Mine would look like this but NO CIVICS, instead FB's and FD's galore.

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Old 04-21-15, 04:07 PM
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I'd copy Jay Leno's.
Old 04-22-15, 08:47 PM
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Here's mine. 40x60 with 12 foot sidewalls. 6 inch slab.



Old 04-23-15, 07:41 AM
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^ 2 Repus I'm jealous and that garage full of Crxs looks pretty cool. Wonder what the size is.
Old 04-23-15, 11:42 AM
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Heres Mine 30' wide by 40' deep 12'-6" high for the lift. with attic storage and radiant heat. lots of outlets spread around the whole thing. still not enough room...
It was a little messy but its cleaned up now. If I had the room on my property I would have made it wider than longer.

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Old 04-23-15, 06:09 PM
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I got to thinking about it and my "dream garage" is exactly what I've been working in for the past 10 years. I just didn't know I was living my dream.

I just need to get the my buddies grand dad to make a gurney for me. (not gonna happen)









Old 04-23-15, 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted by NCross
Dream garage = air craft hangar.
FAA has been total jerks and cracking down on this. The hangar would have to be private property or they'll boot you for having anything not related to aviation in it.
Old 04-23-15, 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by eprx799
Heres Mine 30' wide by 40' deep 12'-6" high for the lift. with attic storage and radiant heat. lots of outlets spread around the whole thing. still not enough room...
It was a little messy but its cleaned up now. If I had the room on my property I would have made it wider than longer.

This is about the size I was planning and I think according to zoning here in Bainbridge Twp, this is as big as I can get. I may have to stop by some time and look at your setup. Maybe it's because of the huge truck but it does look a little crammed.
Old 04-23-15, 07:57 PM
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For me, it would be 30x40, 12ft high with two overhead doors. A lift would be necessary, as well as overhead storage with a small cable hoist for pulling engines. Space for two cars, plus a car-sized work area as well as sufficient room for my workbench and craftsman rolling toolbox.

Plenty of outlets, two 220v ones for compressor & welder and a dedicated Linux system for documentation, with several windows XP virtual machines for the various EPCs I have. And because WiFi is sketchy, Cat5 will be run and there will be a wired/wireless router inside the garage for expansion where logically needed.

Oh, and a small fridge and microwave
Old 04-24-15, 06:22 AM
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Originally Posted by rotordogg
This is about the size I was planning and I think according to zoning here in Bainbridge Twp, this is as big as I can get. I may have to stop by some time and look at your setup. Maybe it's because of the huge truck but it does look a little crammed.
The truck does take up a lot of space, plus the 88 gtu is a friends car that I store for the winter and we worked on it as well to make more track friendly.
Still need to get a welder. I recommend putting everything on wheels that you can, so that it can be put to the side when not in use.
Old 05-06-15, 06:44 PM
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Here is a resource for plans that may be helpful https://sites.google.com/site/excell...e-plans-sorted
Old 05-16-15, 12:42 AM
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KansasCityREPU's garage would pretty much be it for me. however, i'm sure i could make a regular 3- or 4-car garage work.
Old 12-20-16, 04:55 PM
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I know it's been a while since these were posted, but that's the size I'm wanting to build. I notice that it's a steel building with no windows...in Kansas winters it must get pretty cold in there.

If it's not too rude, how much did the whole thing cost, including slab and electrics? I'm guessing between $60K-$75K. Am I close?
Old 12-20-16, 05:39 PM
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uploaded a few angles... it is a 30x40 attached to the house... but I lost a corner due to county bitching about it having the same floor area as our house which made us residential..

if I could Id have a 50x80 pole barn concreted and insulated (winters in mn suck) move my lift and stuff out there...



If you could build the perfect garage...-20161114_211750.jpg

If you could build the perfect garage...-20160418_163446.jpg

If you could build the perfect garage...-20161202_192021.jpg

If you could build the perfect garage...-544559_10151385835852921_1698361193_n.jpg

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Old 12-20-16, 07:59 PM
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I feel like I have the perfect garage. i'll get some actual pics uploaded but in the mean time enjoy this MS paint drawing
One 4pst lift
carport behind the back to fit 6 cars
IN* the garage we can fit 7

the pic below I pulled off google images searching my IG name. cant see any of behind it but w/e. it's fantastic. could always be better sure but trust me when I say I am VERY happy with what we have now. obviously too it's detached from the house
Attached Thumbnails If you could build the perfect garage...-garage-rough.png   If you could build the perfect garage...-10895435_769155119830531_939323329_n.jpg  

Last edited by Sh00bs; 12-21-16 at 09:06 AM. Reason: pics didnt show
Old 12-20-16, 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Sh00bs
I feel like I have the perfect garage. i'll get some actual pics uploaded but in the mean time enjoy this MS paint drawing
One 4pst lift
carport behind the back to fit 6 cars
IN* the garage we can fit 7

the pic below I pulled off google images searching my IG name. cant see any of behind it but w/e. it's fantastic. could always be better sure but trust me when I say I am VERY happy with what we have now. obviously too it's detached from the house
looks great
Old 12-21-16, 06:49 AM
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Go to garagejournal.com man. And be prepared to kill ALOT of time on that site. Once you start (like reading a good build) you can't stop!
Old 12-21-16, 09:06 AM
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Originally Posted by DWNUNDR
looks great
aha you should be able to see em now!
Old 12-21-16, 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Sh00bs
I feel like I have the perfect garage. i'll get some actual pics uploaded but in the mean time enjoy this MS paint drawing
One 4pst lift
carport behind the back to fit 6 cars
IN* the garage we can fit 7

the pic below I pulled off google images searching my IG name. cant see any of behind it but w/e. it's fantastic. could always be better sure but trust me when I say I am VERY happy with what we have now. obviously too it's detached from the house
Nice, how big is the enclosed parking spots?
Old 12-22-16, 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Johnny Kommavongsa
Nice, how big is the enclosed parking spots?
honestly I couldn't tell you. the single bay on the left can technically fit two small cars in it... it's a very tight fit though. I have fit my 09 Volvo c30 and my rx7 in it before but it's not practical at all
the left bay perfect for 1 car and 1 motorcycle to be worked on at a time. the rest of the garare and overhang (behind) are open for the most part and you have plenty of room to work around them. I guess I should fess up, this is my dads garage lol. I have 3 overhang/carport spaces around back, the left bay, and the uncovered spot to the left of the garage where you can sorta see a car sitting with a cover on it. there is however now a 2post outdoor lift there now I just picked up though
full access to the 4post lift whenever I want but technically he has all the other spaces for his hot rods... '32 ford roadster, '32 ford 5wndw coupe, '46 chevy convertible custom, '36 chevy suburban
Old 12-22-16, 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by DreamInRotary
Haha that's pretty accurate!

Mine would look like this but NO CIVICS, instead FB's and FD's galore.


Old 12-29-16, 09:36 PM
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i've been thinking about this recently. i would love to have a shop space, with a lift, lathe, shock dyno, and SEPARATE STORAGE. the last shop space was always a mess because we have too much stuff.

my current space is just a car port, but its been really nice. best thing is that its easy to clean


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