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Considering detached metal clad workshop questions/comments

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Considering detached metal clad workshop questions/comments nospambob 08-19-2006
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Posted by on August 19, 2006, 8:42 am
Previous owner had land graded for a workshop but didn't follow
through to build it. Currently try to do woodworking work around
inadequate space and electrical capability in cramped half of small 2
car garage. Electricians don't return calls to upgrade garage by
adding 2-3 new circuits and wood frame builders react the same. A
builder of metal buildings has visited and called back with answers so
we're considering going with him.

Would like users observations both sides of the fence and would they
do it again type of comments. Cabinets on walls could be made to be
free standing if screws into the frame aren't viable. Double car door
and personnel door and three windows are minimum at this time.
Air/heat required in Augusta, Georgia area. Septic for half bath and
sink are no problem as we can't connect to the existing one.

Four duplex receptacles and garage door opener plus one ceiling light
all on a 13A circuit. A 12K window air conditioner is all that should
be on that circuit at one time but I have sneaked the lathe on without
popping the breaker but shop vac pops it in no time.

Anxiously waiting comments! TIA!!

Posted by on August 19, 2006, 10:22 am

nospambob@vcoms.net wrote:
> Previous owner had land graded for a workshop but didn't follow
> through to build it. Currently try to do woodworking work around
> inadequate space and electrical capability in cramped half of small 2
> car garage. Electricians don't return calls to upgrade garage by
> adding 2-3 new circuits and wood frame builders react the same. A
> builder of metal buildings has visited and called back with answers so
> we're considering going with him.
>
> Would like users observations both sides of the fence and would they
> do it again type of comments. Cabinets on walls could be made to be
> free standing if screws into the frame aren't viable. Double car door
> and personnel door and three windows are minimum at this time.
> Air/heat required in Augusta, Georgia area. Septic for half bath and
> sink are no problem as we can't connect to the existing one.
>
> Four duplex receptacles and garage door opener plus one ceiling light
> all on a 13A circuit. A 12K window air conditioner is all that should
> be on that circuit at one time but I have sneaked the lathe on without
> popping the breaker but shop vac pops it in no time.
>
> Anxiously waiting comments! TIA!!

I can't comment too specifically on a metal shop, as mine's a 20x20'
wooden shop, but a few observations:

--Air and heat will require insulation.
--I think you're correct; you'll need freestanding cabinets. Screws in
the walls will cause leaks or rust or ??? Maybe there's another way to
wall-mount cabinets in an all metal shop?
--13A?? I've seen 15A, 20A but not 13A. Anyone who wires a shop with
fewer than two 20A circuits is likely to regret it. Wire is cheap,
boxes are cheap, breakers are cheap. In fact, a 20 A 220 v circuit
might be a really good idea. Plus two 110 v 20A circuits. Many 110
motors can be wired for 220, which reduces the starting and running
current so you don't get those annoying sags in voltage. Other folks
might take issue with this opinion, I dunno...

Best -- Terry


Posted by RemodGuy on August 19, 2006, 10:36 am

> Wire is cheap,
> boxes are cheap, breakers are cheap. >
> Best -- Terry

Where do you live that wire is cheap? It's gone up almost 400% here in
the last year.


Posted by on August 19, 2006, 2:58 pm
RemodGuy wrote:
> > Wire is cheap,
> > boxes are cheap, breakers are cheap. >
> > Best -- Terry
>
> Where do you live that wire is cheap? It's gone up almost 400% here in
> the last year.

I just checked Lowe's and 100' of 12 gauge with ground is $59. The
price I recall is $20, so clearly you're correct, wire appears to have
gone up quite a bit.

However, the original poster indicated that he was having a metal
building erected, he wants heat & air, storage, windows, garage door
opener, etc. What's the cost? (I honestly don't know) $4000? If
that's a decent ballpark estimate, an extra $120 of materials for two
more 20 A circuits seems a trivial addition. And a wise investment.

The purpose of a shop is to house tools to be used. The more tools the
better; remember, he who dies with the most toys wins. :-) Lots of
capacity is probably a good thing.

Best -- Terry
....who is trying his best to win, much to his wife's dismay....


Posted by RemodGuy on August 19, 2006, 5:11 pm

prfesser@hotmail.com wrote:
> RemodGuy wrote:
> > > Wire is cheap,
> > > boxes are cheap, breakers are cheap. >
> > > Best -- Terry
> >
> > Where do you live that wire is cheap? It's gone up almost 400% here in
> > the last year.
>
> I just checked Lowe's and 100' of 12 gauge with ground is $59. The
> price I recall is $20, so clearly you're correct, wire appears to have
> gone up quite a bit.
>
> However, the original poster indicated that he was having a metal
> building erected, he wants heat & air, storage, windows, garage door
> opener, etc. What's the cost? (I honestly don't know) $4000? If
> that's a decent ballpark estimate, an extra $120 of materials for two
> more 20 A circuits seems a trivial addition. And a wise investment.

I wasn't trying to jump in your S # * T, I agree with you. I was
actually asking a sincere question about the cost of wire. Lowes in my
area had 12-2 up to $102 a roll. It's down to about $92. I found a
coil in the shop attic circa january '06 from Lowes with a $56 price
tag still on it. If memory serves me correctly, a year before that it
was about $27.

Re: shop wiring - I would put in a 100amp 20 slot sub. I have that
now. plenty of room for lights. Plenty of openings for 220 circuits
as need. I run all the bigger equipment (jointer, planer, compressor,
etc.) on dedicated circuits. If I need to add anything, the source is
nearby and effort and cost is very low.


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