We started the restoration of Alan's
Mustang in one side of our two car garage. Working space was definitely at a premium and I knew the Mustang would have to
be stored outdoors during the winter. I'm past the age when I'm going to scrape frost off my windows every morning. A shop
to work on our projects was on my wish list, but I didn't think it would ever be a reality.
After seeing some ads, I got a
brochure just to dream on. My wife saw the brochure and said "let's build it". Boy was I surprised. I expected to have to
spend several months selling the idea. After finding the same style building locally for her to look at, we ordered a kit
and started in.
The shop is a Pioneer steel arch
building. It came in 90 arch sections and other assorted peices which we unloaded by hand at the street and then transported
by small trailer to the site (about 400 feet from the street). Several trees were cut down and our neighbor leveled the ground
with his back hoe. After several discussions with the building inspector concerning the type of footings he wanted, we dug
and formed out the foundation. We paid a contractor to pour the foundation and floor.
We anchored the base plates to
the floor and then the real fun began. Three sections were bolted together to formhalf an arch which was stood up and bolted
to the base. The second half was added and the whole proccess repeated fourteen more times. Half a day was spent tightening
the bolts (around 2500). The ends of the building are standard framing with vinyl siding to match our house. There is a 10x10
fiberglass roll-up door at one end and standard entrance doors at both ends. Two windows are located at the end which doesn't
have the roll-up door. The final result is a 25x32 building that is 14' tall at its peak (all of it clear space with no rafters
or trusses).
The shop has a 100 amp electrical
service, telephone, and intercom to the house. Flourescent lights, left over from a renovation at the hospital where I work,
run down both sides off the ceiling. I have a large air compressor which is also a hospital discard. It's almost 30 years
old but suits my needs just fine. Three welders, (gas, arc, and Mig), an engine crane, and a 3 ton floor jack make up the
rest of the major equipment. The arc welder and floor jack were handed down to me by a former neighbor who was a blacksmith.
Both are probably 40 years old. (He shod horses for Kaiser Wilhelm in WW1.) Yes I like old tools just as much as old cars
as long as they still work.
In December 2007 I purchased a used lift at an auction. It's great not to have to creep around on the floor anymore.
