It is my pleasure to share the shop where I design and make or restore all the beautiful pieces my clients request. This was my first time building anything of this size, but with help from family, friends, neighbors (and my pets), I was able to get it together.
I broke ground in 2012 with the slab. Building went up in 2013 and finished everything off by 2014. It was a tremendous amount of work with some seriously long days, but the satisfaction of building yourself is well worth it. My friends and neighbors were paramount in the completion of this project. This is my 4th shop, first two being rather small, but the only one I personally built and by far the nicest to work in. Just under 3000 square feet, built on a floating concrete slab with stick frame construction, radiant heat, metal roof and ship lap siding to finish it off.
I did almost everything except the slab work. Running the pex for the radiant heat was tedious but fun, as was putting up 16’ x12’ walls. I did get a little help with that. A trusty crane operator was able to set the trusses, and we had all the trusses for an 80’ building up in 3 hrs. Once the exterior was finished, the interior finishing from insulation to all the wiring of machinery and dust system was completed.
This large, new shop houses all the classic hand tools, machinery and equipment needed to make anything that can be envisioned. From the custom designed duct work, which practically eliminates all dust or shavings while machining the wood, to a professional finish area with the latest in spray systems. Of course, the main problem I have is that it is too small! I have an addition planned that will add storage space and an enclosed finish room. Hopefully, this year I can start that.
As you can see, my pets played a huge part in the construction, from electrical to site supervision. I just wish they could sand or something! But they are great “greeters.”
Stop in sometime and say hello!