Workshed base advice

[pike]

I'm starting to plan a 20 x 10 or slightly larger workshed build but would appreciate any advice anyone has regarding a decent strong floor base for heavy machinery.

The garden is 150 feet long with no easy access. I'd prefer not to create a concrete slab unless it really is the only good way to go when the shed will have heavy stuff in it.

Would concrete blocks or piers sitting on gravel work? As in the first photo here:
http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding ... -shed.aspx

Has anyone tried sonotubes?

Cheers.

 

[head clansman]

Hi pike

that ways is ok , but bear in mind settlement over time, when i did mine i dug and concreted a 2' * 2' *8" pad to each block to bed the blocks onto to spead the load and stop any settlement . when the blocks had set i placed 8" * 4" old timbers beams to take the joists,which were spread @ 16" centres .

With the size of your workshop your not going to get that many machines in there , my joists are 5"*2" treated, with boarding of 32mm thick, worked ok for me. my shop is 8m* 4.5m .hc

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Pike,

that's possibly a little light weight for a workshop of that size. The risk is that the concrete blocks slowly sink into the ground. You could dig down a little and put concrete piers into the ground. Another alternative is to do strips of concrete in the ground i.e. one strip round the edge, then one or two strips down the length of the workshop.

As long as you get some decent size timber to go on top you won't have any problems with heavy machinery. Can't remember what I've got but it's either 6x2 or 8x2 with 18mm plywood over it.

There are plenty of workshop build threads on the forum. Here is mine:

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=19147&highlight=

Cheers,

Dave

 

[pike]

With the size of your workshop your not going to get that many machines in there

hmm.. I have more space available so maybe a conversation with my OH is in order..

Thanks Dave and hc. Food for thought, I'm not rushing this and will be getting help with the framing.

 

[Anonymous]

hmm.. I have more space available so maybe a conversation with my OH is in order..

Don't forget about the cost. Mine is 10x20 and I estimate the finished cost is about 4k. Then there are the machines to go in it. Get some prices for joists, ply/osb, roof felt, insulation, screws/nails, breathable membrane, electrics. Then pick yourself up off the floor and work out what you can really afford.

Dave

 

[pike]

Will do thanks. I know a timber frame builder so that should help. I already have most of the core machinery (minus a bandsaw), just nowhere to put it since I moved house.

 

[Out int shed]

Hello,

Ive almost finished my own workshed which sits on concrete blocks, there's quite a few pictures on this thread, hope it helps. Drop me a comment on the thread or PM if you need to ask anything.

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/view ... hp?t=30212

 

[head clansman]

hi pike

the other advice i can give you is take your time , stop and work out the footprint size of all the machines you want to place in your workshop with walking/working space around each first, then work out storage space , and last actual working space then add another 50 % working space and it will still be to small .

Take your time sourcing materials and really shop around get all the deals you can find, even better if you got dry storage space now as you start getting the materials you could save a lot of money that way.

oh yea and don't forget to allow for a comfortable working (roof height ) this can vary really depends on what you are likely to make in your workshop , good luck .hc.

ps dont forget plenty of pics as it goe's up

 

[MikeG.]

Pike,

I'm afraid I think the only way to do a decent job is to put a concrete base down, and then build a low brick plinth (2 course high) on that.

Anything else is just a shed.......this way you will have a long-lasting workshop.

When planning you workshop, dont forget that walls have a thickness!!! If you shed base is 10 feet wide, you will only get about 9 feet inside between the walls.

Mike

 

[adzeman]

Hi Pike your proposed workshop is about the size of the one I have.

I have posted comments before regarding the floor of my workshop being it is a ply floor on timbers on a solid concrete slab (150mm thick) The workshop was there when I bought the house.

The problem I have is noise from the machines causing complaints from the neighbors thus resulting in my insulating the shed.

The shed acts as a sound box magnifying the sound.

My bench saw is particularly noisy, cutting an area out of the ply floor and filling with concrete and then fixing the base to this has made a significant difference.

If I was to build a new shop I would be considering a solid concrete floor?

I dent know if others have experienced this sound box effect with their timber sheds?

 

[Wood Monkey]

Hi Pike

I went for a slab on my 14ftx18ft workshop and then laid MR chipboard over 1 inch polystyrene with battens. You can see it in my build thread below.

I'd go for the slab again. It has a lovely solid feel about it and the chipboard transformed it making the shop warmer and much easier to keep the floor clean. Not to mention it is very friendly to dropped chisels..;-)

Jon

Build thread https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=21504&highlight=

 

[pike]

h.c. I've spent time mapping out where machinery goes into a work space before, but for some reason I was completely looking over doing that right now.. when it matters and could help me decide what size I need.

Jon: Great thread and photos thanks, I hadn't come across that one in searching.

Adze: Hmm good point. I don't want a sound box.

Thanks all!