Postby Rapid Randy Baker » Mon Apr 17, 2006 11:33 am
I haven't chimed in too much yet, mind is still on camshafts! LOL
Put in electrical outlets,,,lots all around. Especially by the over-head doors so if you need power out in the driveway, you only have a short run to be there. You will want numerous outlets along each wall, so you don't have to run an extension cord just to power a drop light or in my case, buffer.
If you or the wife uses a an electric trimmer, consider putting power at the 3-4 corners of the garage {outside} so power is available for that also. We have a reel type power cord in the center of the roof also, so you don't have to run an extension cord across the floor also.
Lights,,have lots, and on multiple switches. You won't want to turn on all the lights just to go in and get a wrench from your tool box. It is nice to be able to turn on the light section only where you are working also. I use a plain old light bulb on a switch for getting stuff out of the garage rather than turning on the fluorescents. If you wanted a real bright environment to work in, hand a couple of fluorescents vertical in the corners 2-3 foot off the ground. This really lights up the sides of a car.
I would use water proof material in the lower 6"-12" of the walls. This way you can wash your cars in there. You will want a couple of drains so water can run out, and you can wash the floor down. Plastic on shower curtain rings make a nice way to contain the spray to the bay you are using as a wash bay.
If at all possible, I would opt for the heated garage floor. In the long run, it would be the nicest gift you ever did for yourself. JMO
The radiant heat we had at Karl Chev Bodyshop, worked fair, the no airflow was nice, but it was slow to heat up. It never really ran us out of there when it was cold out. But the ceilings were way up there also.
The new hanging heaters, have an instant on deal so you are not burning gas with the pilot. That seems like a cool feature.
Air outlets,,,,put in them all around also. You will thank me everytime you don't have to drag a 100 foot hose around the shop. Just plug in your 20 foot and reach all your spaces. Put in a couple right at the work bench. Too many times you are using 1-tool, and need to switch back and forth. If you have 2-outlets, you don't need to hook and re-hook back and forth.
That is all I can think of for now.
NITRO PILOT
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