gearheads78
11-22-2009, 07:52 PM
I have been slowly collecting fabrication tools and equipment over the last few years. I now have most of what I need and it time to set it up to use. The problem is big fab machines take up a bunch of room. I need space for shelves and all my other tools on wheels that I need quick access to but are in the way when I am not using them.
The solution was to build a big storage shed just outside my back door. I looked at the prefab stuff and it was so light duty plus the sizes ava. just were not what I needed. The only ones long and skinny had the door at the end. I didn't want to walk 14ft to the other side everytime I need something. Plan B was have a custom building built. After talking with a few guys the $3500.00 figure was coming up.
I decided on plan C with no building experence wing it and do it myself. I have spent the last 4 months watching craigslist for used building materials and slowly collecting what I need. I now have most everything including some new trim and the 7 x 7 roll up door I ordered I am looking about $1200.00 total investment and my time. Its been a learning experience but one thing its really done is make me a better welder. I have always been an OK welder with the occational nice bead will show up. Well after the work on my building I am comming up with nice beads most of the time.
Started by laying the upright feet of the squared and chalk line peremeter.
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/64%20core%20support/2.jpg
Upright welded to the plates and those are bolted down with anchors
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/64%20core%20support/shed004.jpg
Using 3/4 black pipe tacked to the poles and turn buckles I was able to spread the uprights to where I needed them. The concrete is on a very slight grade so I used a cool little digital angle meter to make it 90 degrees from the concrete. I can already think of all kinds of future car uses for the tool.
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/64%20core%20support/shed006.jpg
A little welding sample.
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/64%20core%20support/shed007.jpg
frame almost done
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/64%20core%20support/shed008.jpg
I added the roof mid support and added a piece to the top of the front cross piece to match the pitch of the roof. I also welded rings to each upper and lower corner so I could use cables with turn buckles to square everything up nice. I then added a cross beam at the front that will help support the top of the door.
My door made it in Friday so that was the next order of business. I made a couple of base plates the bottom of the door frame will weld to and got those bolted to the ground. I also mangaged to cut and fit my door frame but run out of daylight before I could get it welded together.
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/for%20sale/shed012.jpg
close up of the weld for the upper door support beam
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/for%20sale/shed019.jpg
The door was delivered to my office. Had I known the crate would be that big I would have taken my trailer to work.
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/for%20sale/shed011.jpg
mounting pads for the door frame in place
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/for%20sale/shed017.jpg
door frame built ready to weld together
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/for%20sale/shed018.jpg
The solution was to build a big storage shed just outside my back door. I looked at the prefab stuff and it was so light duty plus the sizes ava. just were not what I needed. The only ones long and skinny had the door at the end. I didn't want to walk 14ft to the other side everytime I need something. Plan B was have a custom building built. After talking with a few guys the $3500.00 figure was coming up.
I decided on plan C with no building experence wing it and do it myself. I have spent the last 4 months watching craigslist for used building materials and slowly collecting what I need. I now have most everything including some new trim and the 7 x 7 roll up door I ordered I am looking about $1200.00 total investment and my time. Its been a learning experience but one thing its really done is make me a better welder. I have always been an OK welder with the occational nice bead will show up. Well after the work on my building I am comming up with nice beads most of the time.
Started by laying the upright feet of the squared and chalk line peremeter.
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/64%20core%20support/2.jpg
Upright welded to the plates and those are bolted down with anchors
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/64%20core%20support/shed004.jpg
Using 3/4 black pipe tacked to the poles and turn buckles I was able to spread the uprights to where I needed them. The concrete is on a very slight grade so I used a cool little digital angle meter to make it 90 degrees from the concrete. I can already think of all kinds of future car uses for the tool.
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/64%20core%20support/shed006.jpg
A little welding sample.
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/64%20core%20support/shed007.jpg
frame almost done
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/64%20core%20support/shed008.jpg
I added the roof mid support and added a piece to the top of the front cross piece to match the pitch of the roof. I also welded rings to each upper and lower corner so I could use cables with turn buckles to square everything up nice. I then added a cross beam at the front that will help support the top of the door.
My door made it in Friday so that was the next order of business. I made a couple of base plates the bottom of the door frame will weld to and got those bolted to the ground. I also mangaged to cut and fit my door frame but run out of daylight before I could get it welded together.
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/for%20sale/shed012.jpg
close up of the weld for the upper door support beam
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/for%20sale/shed019.jpg
The door was delivered to my office. Had I known the crate would be that big I would have taken my trailer to work.
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/for%20sale/shed011.jpg
mounting pads for the door frame in place
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/for%20sale/shed017.jpg
door frame built ready to weld together
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/gearheads78/for%20sale/shed018.jpg