Well the major construction of the new shop is complete.
Next is the electrics, then I will insulate and line it and I am also going to install a sink. I have plenty of time to do all this because it's going to be a while before I start moving major machinery in because I have to wait 12 weeks for the concrete floor to dry/cure so I can pant it with concrete paint.
I was really pleased with the contractors that put it up. The building contract stipulated that there would be at least 3ft of clear access on all sides during the building phase which meant removing the two small Chinese tallow trees in front of the shed. Instead I left them in the ground and when the contractors came I negotiated with them (ie beer) to leave the trees in the ground - which they did very willingly. I was not there when they finished but they left behind a heap of colorbond wall and roof cladding, a couple of rolls of insulation, plus a BIG bag of bolts and various tek screws. There are in fact almost enough sheets of colorbond for me to reclad the old shed.
Here's some shots of the inside,
The large MDf box is effectivey the first project. I'm taking the opportunity while I have the space to help my son build a racing car simulator cockpit. It will be upholstered and have a lid so it can live in a living room and act as a sort of giant footrest - I'll post some pics when there's a bit more to see than a box. I don't like working with MDF since I'm allergic to it but with my new big blue dust collector (DC) available I was prepared to give it another go.
The industrial strength 3HP DC is a celebratory present to myself for finally getting the shop this far. Longterm the DC is not staying inside the shop but going outside in it's own enclosure when I get the new ducting set up but just for now it's inside. It has 5 micron dust bags which is overkill for being located outside but just for now it's good for working with MDF and the neighbors will probably appreciate it when I start up a thicknesser.
Here you can see I've opened up the window thru to the old shop. Eventually that whole wall will come down so the two individual shops just becomes one. It was a real surprise to see visually what length of shop wall I will have to play with (30.5 ft) The gap between the tops of the sheds will become a skylight and vent.
This shows the gap behind the old shop ( 4 ft). The pile of RHS on the left up against the fence is what I'm planning to use for a welding bench and some serious internal shelving. The transparent lean to houses my old DC and I will be rebuilding that to hold the new one. The 3HP make a tad more noise than the old one so some mild sound proofing will be needed as well.
