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A two-car garage gives you a lot more space to work and store things. Ideally, a 2-car garage should measure at least 20 X 20 feet with a 10-foot ceiling. You have one side for the car to sit, and the other side can be used for working on large components and parts organization. Regardless of the size of your shop, a flat, concrete floor is a necessity. A creeper or jack stands just won’t work well on gravel or a dirt floor. If you want to upgrade the floor surface, an epoxy floor-paint system such as “U Coat It” or “Muscle Gloss” really dresses up the environment and provides a surface that not only looks great, but also is easy to clean up.
THE LAYOUT
This is the fun part for me – the layout on paper. Get some graph paper that has the little blocks on it. Make a scale drawing of your workspace. DO THIS IN PENCIL. You’ll definitely be changing things as you go along. To really get a sense of how things fit, including my cars, I like to draw things the same scale as my models – 1/24th scale. That means that 1inch on the paper equals 24 inches in the real world. If my garage is 20 feet long, that means its 240 inches. So, my drawing of the wall will be 10 inches. I can then how much room I’ve got to move around and actually work. Some of the model makers make 1/24th scale toolboxes, floor jacks, lifts, and other tools. Place these in your drawing to get an idea of where they fit best and are most accessible.
LIGHTING
Excellent lighting is a prime consideration in your workshop. Not having enough light not only can be frustrating when your trying to see what you’re doing, but can pose hazards too. Not being able to see well could cause injury or worse if you’re not able to notice liquids on the floor, an engine block teetering on the edge of an engine mount, or a jack stand ready to slip off. In addition to general overhead lighting, extra illumination should be provided over individual workstations such as workbenches, buffing wheels, drill presses and the like. Light switches should be placed at entry and exit doors. How many lights and should they be fluorescent or incandescent? Lights should be placed in a pattern to evenly disperse as much illumination as possible. There isn’t any formula. Just do what seems to work for your particular circumstances. However, keep in mind that you’re probably going to be working with flammables such as gasoline and cleaning solutions. That type of atmosphere requires explosion-proof light fixtures designed for just such an environment. Incandescent lights should be outfitted with “rough service” bulbs that can withstand bumps and jolts without easily breaking. Additionally, these types of rough-duty bulbs are designed in such a way that their electrical supply and connections are completely sealed from the surrounding environments. Likewise, they have a more durable shell so as not to shatter when splattered with cool, flammable solvents. Rough-service bulbs cost more, but are well worth the added safety benefit.
WORKBENCH
For the most part, workbenches are little more than heavy-duty tables. One small bench may be adequate for an occasional hobbyist, but an avid enthusiast will need at least a 6-foot workbench. An 8-foot bench will allow for more activity and ease if you need to layout a lot of parts or work on longer items such as drive shafts. Your overall floor plan will certainly reveal the right placement for the bench. Generally, the front of the shop, where the nose of the vehicle will sit is the preferred location because of the proximity to the engine bay. It’s a handy place to do tune-ups, rebuild a carburetor, and other under-hood chores. Construction need not be fancy, just strong enough to handle the weight of heavy items. 2X4 and 2X6 lumber is sold at even lengths of 4, 6, and 8 feet. Build your bench to an even length to minimize cutting and waste. The top can be simple but thick plywood. If you wish, a scrap metal yard could provide you with a steel top so you can easily wipe up liquids that may spill. Workbench height is an important consideration. You don’t want to be constantly stooping while working. Most kitchen counters stand 36 inches high. If you’re 6 feet or taller, you may want to go 40 inches tall. Conversely, shorter people may want a lower height. Measure different surfaces around the house to determine what’s comfortable for you. Decide whether you’ll be standing or sitting on a stool.
Adequate lighting is key in your shop. These sort of fluorescent fixtures are easy to install and provide good, even lighting. Hang them in any pattern you like as long as they cover the work area with plenty of illumination.
Workbench construction doesn’t need to be fancy, just functional. This bench is made of 2X4 lumber and is long enough to handle almost any task. A simple peg board above and shelves below keep tools within arm’s reach. Note the plastic storage containers for often-used fasteners.
You should have a sealed, metal can like this for soiled shop rags. Because of their flammable nature, rags can be a fire-hazard and should be contained to keep them from accidentally catching fire.
