Well working on the escort estate made me realise how much I missed the car world, since I retired possibly a tad too early??? ( sad I know). after struggling in a domestic garage I decided I needed somewhere bigger, this of course would mean that dirty word RENT!!!, I have decided to rent a workshop big enough for about 4 cars, fit myself up with a ramp and a recovery truck set up a business (AGAIN!!!) and mainly do part time work, hopefully more resoration/one off custom rather than "humdrum" servicing and compete with everyone else...

A suitable place 1000sq ft, was found (and within WALKING distance of my home!!!) only drawback was the snow 12 months ago caused the roof to collapse and the landlord " just left it". we agreed a reasonable rent & I agreed to get started on some of the works needed (basic stuff like a roof and walls) hahahaha...... December has seen Block walls built and the roof timbers in & this week a start on the roof cladding too, hoping to be partially in in a couple of weeks time then open for business next month!!!!.... Hopefully......( better pay my Gold membership soon then...)

So heres my first view of the site..... notice i use the word site and NOT workshop!!!


plenty of fresh air......


a little tidy up is req'd methinks...

But a lovely view ( can actually see my house from the back wall.....)



Then a week ago I donned my "bricklayers" hat and laid some blockwalls down.... not a tidy job but a functional one nevertheless...


also we got the main "spine" Beams down the middle too..




Then a couple of days ago some cladding to the walls and the start of the roof sheeting ...


a big improvement???... just compare the next shot with the very first shot...not bad for less than a month eh???.....



Well thats it up to date now and the "silly season" is upon us so progress has slowed...

I now need to source as cheap as possible,( cos I have a MINIMAL budget to do this on!!) The following:

Recovery Truck
Tyre machine,
Wheel Balancer,
ramp (preferably a mid height portable one-tilting would be nice too!!)

so if anyone knows of anything going reasonable please PM me.

Hopefully post more soon...

Enjoy,

Charlie

 

What size or those joists. Hell of a span for the size! could do with a few purlins across and make sure you haven't just constructed a big kite! if the wind gets under the plastic sheeting it could lift the lot.

 

Think Theyre about 5x5 but its a weird wood its like a hardwood, anyways I'm the third workshop in the block , landlord seems to have done them all the same way, its not a massshoooosive span as everything rests on the telegraph pole in the middle,

Anyways I called up there today and the roof is finished, just the font doors to sort out then I can start filling it up with things.....
heres the piccies...









Enjoy,

Charlie

 

Looking good
Well done

 

well another step closer.... just got back from collecting this Transit, drove great (if a little steady!!!) all the 140 milkes home, needs a few bits doing but was a good eBay purchase....



Charlie

 

Looks a good work horse, what you got to do in the Workshop now?

 

Looks good, make sure you get a good alarm though!

 

Hopefully The electrics going in tomorrow,(well lighting at least!!!) I'm picking up a ramp later on in the week, Then to get some tyre changing equipment & a stock of tyres...

Getting quite excited ( for an old man anyway) LOLOL...

 

Oh Yes, and we are blessed here with a man who lives on-site to respond to the alarms too !!!!

Cheers,

Charlie

 

Wish I lived somewhere I could just build something like this! Nice one, will be a bit cold in the winter thou won't it?

 

Wow just read the thread mate you have been busy, looks like a good size fela.

 

nice. would love to do that

 

Todays updates,

Outside has had a coat of paint, needs some more paint....



Sign is on the door.....



And the sparky did his stuff, these piccys were taken at NIGHT !!! I dont have to knock-off at 3-ish anymore.....





should be open next week hopefully....

Enjoy,

Charlie

 

Good luck with it mate, I've been down this road twice and it didn't work out.
I'm now in a poxy little garage and wish I had a big garage again.
If you don't mind me asking, how much are you paying a month on the unit?

 

Looking good fela

 

any up dates on this

 

Thats a nice size workshop, Good transformation aswell. Well done