The New Workshop – Part 1!

It’s been a little over three months since I shared the news on social media that I was beginning work on my new shop. If you missed it, here’s my post on Facebook complete with a digital rendering of what the building was going to look like:

Since I shared that, there has been a LOT of work done, and I know many of you are dying for an update. Especially since I keep getting phone calls, emails, tweets and other requests for one! So here comes a big one…

Getting Started

Back before I started this project I had a big mostly open field. But, since there is a pretty sizeable ditch to get from the road to the field, we had to put in a culvert so the equipment could drive on in.

First, we had to purchase the actual culvert and the dirt for it.

Then we called the county and they came and buried it the way they wanted it.

At this point, the crew came in and began to work on the form for the concrete pad.

If you look closely, you’ll see that the front corner of the pad has a very short form, but towards the back opposite corner the form is nearly 4 feet tall. That is because the property slopes pretty good, so all of that area had to be leveled out with a bunch of dirt. But we’ll get to that in a minute…

There were a few trees that had to be dealt with, and here’s a little sample of how that went.

The Foundation

After the trees were removed, and the forms were set, it was time to bring in dirt. And I’m talking like 50 truck loads of it!

In the middle of all that, the plumber had to show up and put the pipes in place for what will later become the bathroom and kitchenette.

After they got the dirt in place, they had to level it all out, and then begin to dig trenches in it around the perimeter and through the middle to act as support beams.

In places, the trenches were VERY deep. Like to form the back walls.

Here’s another look.

They also had to map out a very long driveway.

And when they were all done playing the the dirt, it was time to put rebar everywhere to hold the concrete together once it was poured on top.

The electrician also showed up to put some PVC pipes in place so wiring could be pulled through the slab later. This was a vastly superior method as compared to having to run wires through all the walls and ceilings, etc.

Eventually, everything was set, and it was time to pour the concrete. A massive pump truck was brought in, and then the concrete trucks started lining up. It only took about 3-4 hours to pour nearly 9,000 square feet of concrete, then a couple more hours to smooth it all out.

The Building Rises

The concrete had a few weeks to dry while the metal for the building was on order, but when it came in the team got right to work putting it up!

They used a machine called a Lull to lift all of the beams and put them in place, starting with the uprights, and then connecting the beams that connect the span the roof will eventually cover.

After the skeleton was erected, it was time to insulate and install the siding. What happens is that the insulation is basically stuck to the outside of the wall girts.

And the immediately the siding is screwed directly onto it, sandwiching the insulation between the girt and the exterior.

In the meantime, door and window opening had to be welded in place.

And then the doors and windows had to actually be installed.

It was interesting to watch the building go up. And for a couple of weeks, every time you look at it you saw something different. And even every angle looked different!

Eventually, the walls and roof were up, the front and back porch were up, and generally the metal building was finished.

Although the metal building was complete, we were nowhere near ready to go. Next up comes electricity, septic, framing, sheetrock, and more. But that will have to wait for the next update….

UPDATE: Part 2 is Here!