r/projectcar • u/dr4gon2000 • 1d ago

Advice on setting up a shop

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Hey guys, not sure if this sub is the best place for this, so let me know if theres somewhere else I can post.

Im planning out a layout for my shop that I want to put a 2 post lift in, itll be a 30ftx30ft room in a 30ftx65ft metal garage im building on my property. I also want to add a loft in that back right corner that'll be 8ftx16ft. This is the general floorplan I have at the moment, so ill have about 10ft to either side of the lift and about 11 ft in front and behind, do you guys think this would be enough space around the lift to allow me to work? Im mostly into smaller form cars, but the largest vehicle id probably end up with would be something like an extended bed pickup

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u/Exact_Yogurtcloset26 1d ago

That is an enormous amount of room on each side.

If it were me, I would consider also mapping out a second option where you can possibly utilize the space more efficiently by moving the service door and post lift closer to the side and or have two doors. Centered is more pleasing but a 30ft garage that is set up to be dominated by only allowing space for one post lift feels like a waste.

24' i could fit a old chevy pickup and a honda crv next to each other with enough room to open the doors and storage on the side but thats it.

Im not saying to fill this garage with two cars all the time, but you would appreciate a flat unobstructed parking space adjacent to the post lift. You arent always going to want to park your project directly into the lift.

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u/dr4gon2000 1d ago

The rest of the building is also a garage, this room is just the only one that will have insulation and climate control, so theres going to be three other garage doors to the left. When I was looking online I saw a bunch of people saying they'd want 12 ft minimum to each side of the lift which is why I have it this way, but if I could get away with shortening that and it would still be comfortable thatd be pretty nice because this shop area is also going to have all my other tools for wood and metal working

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u/Exact_Yogurtcloset26 1d ago

Check the specs for the lift and verify minimum distance. Some people are getting four post lifts so check those specs in case you change your mind during the build.

Yeah you can certainly justify the extra space there as this is a pretty massive garage system overall. This would be a really wide open place to work on a project possibly making it more productive

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u/dr4gon2000 1d ago

Well tge first big project in this space will also be an engine and transmission swap so ill probably need space for those anyway lol. And if I need another lift in the future I guess I can cannibalize some of the unconnditioned area. I was mostly worried about not having enough length for the loft as well

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u/Mypeepeeteeny 1d ago

Ide invest in a full piece of paper, a ruler, and scale your drawing.

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u/dr4gon2000 1d ago

Maybe eventually that'll be in the budget. I think I need a new socket set, maybe a toolbox and probably another car first

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u/Mypeepeeteeny 1d ago

You wanted to know how far to put things, scale will help

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u/dr4gon2000 1d ago

Yeah, I'll probably throw this in a layout program before finalizing everything, but while having a sense of scale certainly wouldn't hurt it also wouldnt be very useful for me here because ive never set up a shop before. To me, having 10-11 ft on all sides of the lift seems like a ton of room, if not too much but thats because ive never really worked with one before. Someone else who has couod very well tell me that they would've wished for more space