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SETTING UP SHOP by Jeff Shade
The ultimate shop is a dedicated 2-car garage like this one. At 28 feet wide and 24 feet long, it provides plenty of space to work and even has a loft for parts storage.
Automotive enthusiasts who collect and restore cars as hobby usually have fond memories of their humble beginnings working on cars in their driveway, hauling minimal tools to and from the vehicle, even painting their car outdoors! The EPA would certainly have something to say about that today, not to mention the homeowners association, if you have one. It’s my opinion that it’s not possible to perform a full or even partial restoration to high standards without the proper workspace and tools. A simple tune-up, oil change, or other routine maintenance is one thing, but taking apart a vehicle that has thousands of parts and putting it all back together again the right way is quite another. If you’re going to work efficiently and comfortably, you’ll need a workshop and equipment that will allow you to take your time and organize every component of your restoration. Setting up shop at home is the way to go. Many deluxe home workshops are equipped with lots of creature comforts to make the time spent there more enjoyable. I’ve seen complete sound systems, TVs with DVD, refrigerators, microwaves, lounge areas and bathrooms with large sinks. These ultimate workshops have all the comforts of home with the added benefit of housing a car to work on. You don’t need a professional facility or an extravagant one, but there are some basic things every hobbyist’s workshop needs.
FACILITIES
If you live in a part of the country that stays relatively warm year-round, you could get by using a dedicated carport for your work. But, the main thing a carport doesn’t provide is security. Anything that can be stolen should be moved inside after every project. That can be a hassle. Also, local regulations may not allow auto mechanics to be done outdoors. Certainly, any painting will be prohibited. Check your local ordinances. Restoring a car takes time, a lot of it! You’ll need a place to store parts and organize them while you’re doing other aspects of the job. That means shelving and room for tools. The minimal space requirement for a single car project indoors would be in the neighborhood of 10 by 20 feet. Many self-storage units come in this size, but working on a car there may be prohibited. Check it out before you rent. Single car garages don’t offer nearly the open-space convenience of two–car or larger sizes, but with careful planning for storage, it can be made to suffice.
Self-storage units like this 10’ X 20’ garage provide sheltered work or storage space. Check for regulations about what you can do and store in these units. Thi size will cost about $100 in the Midwest, to $400 or more in Southern California.
