Register now to get rid of these ads!

Art & Inspiration Time to re think my work space

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by topher5150, Nov 17, 2025 at 12:22 PM.

  1. topher5150
    Joined: Feb 10, 2017
    Posts: 3,752

    topher5150
    Member

    The past 4-5 years I've been working out of my portable garage which maybe has one more winter left in her.
    What have you guys been using, shed wise, as a work space in a pinch? I was thinking an 8'x10' probably enough for my work bench and a little storage while being able to stand upright and setting down right where the hot rod is sitting
    20251117_105139.jpg
     
  2. Rich796
    Joined: Nov 18, 2023
    Posts: 62

    Rich796

    If the frame is still in good shape. You could probably just sheath it, in prefinished metal paneling. Like what you would see on the side of a modern pole barn. I'm pretty sure my local HD. Has a generic selection of that paneling, in stock. Of course it wouldn't really be " portable " at that point.
     
  3. oldolds
    Joined: Oct 18, 2010
    Posts: 3,626

    oldolds
    Member

    you have a 12x16 work space there now. You will need at least that because that is what you are used to having. If the town lets you have a real shed that is the smallest you need if you can afford it. Harbor Freight sells those portable sheds like you have for about $400
     
    chryslerfan55 and topher5150 like this.
  4. cfmvw
    Joined: Aug 24, 2015
    Posts: 1,096

    cfmvw
    Member

    Lowes and Home Depot have some decent-sized sheds available. I didn't pay attention to the price, but it could be worth looking into.
     
    chryslerfan55 and hrm2k like this.
  5. nochop
    Joined: Nov 13, 2005
    Posts: 4,573

    nochop
    Member
    from norcal

    Get creative. Re sheet it with patio corrugated panels.
     
    chryslerfan55 and 51 mercules like this.
  6. topher5150
    Joined: Feb 10, 2017
    Posts: 3,752

    topher5150
    Member

    I thought about recovering it but the frame has some damage and we get high winds in the winter
     
    chryslerfan55 and nochop like this.
  7. willymakeit
    Joined: Apr 13, 2009
    Posts: 1,370

    willymakeit
    Member

    I'll bet a little bracing and that could be cured
     
    chryslerfan55 and flatheadpete like this.
  8. downlojoe33
    Joined: Jul 25, 2013
    Posts: 932

    downlojoe33
    Member

    If you want an 8by 10, that ain’t big enough for any hot rod I’m used to working on.
     
    chryslerfan55 and leon bee like this.
  9. AldeanFan
    Joined: Dec 12, 2014
    Posts: 1,167

    AldeanFan

    If I were in need of a shed I’d look at those Amish Sheds. A neighbour bought one and they delivered it in pieces and put it together in a day.
     
    bobss396 and 1930 turbo like this.
  10. jimmy six
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 17,032

    jimmy six
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Your property looks like a shipping container would be perfect.
     
  11. leon bee
    Joined: Mar 15, 2017
    Posts: 1,228

    leon bee
    Member

  12. topher5150
    Joined: Feb 10, 2017
    Posts: 3,752

    topher5150
    Member

    Could, not sure if the city would bless it
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  13. evintho
    Joined: May 28, 2007
    Posts: 2,566

    evintho
    Member

    bchctybob, bobss396, BigRRR and 4 others like this.
  14. chevyfordman
    Joined: Oct 4, 2008
    Posts: 1,506

    chevyfordman
    Member

    I bought a nice portable garage, 12x20 for $6200 and it's real nice with a roll up door even. I thought it was a good idea anyway. IMG_3014.jpeg
     
  15. hotrodA
    Joined: Sep 12, 2002
    Posts: 7,332

    hotrodA
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    The wooden sheds also come as a U-Build-It kit that includes everything but the labor.
     
    chevyfordman and topher5150 like this.
  16. ahshoe
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 1,049

    ahshoe
    Member

    If that is a workspace what do you use for heat in it up there in MI?
     
  17. topher5150
    Joined: Feb 10, 2017
    Posts: 3,752

    topher5150
    Member

    Alpaca socks and coveralls. I try to keep the small/ interior projects for the winter time so I can work on them in doors
     
    bchctybob likes this.
  18. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 18,459

    Squablow
    Member

    A buddy of mine just built a pretty decent garage out of 10 foot long pallets he got free from a furniture store. Are you allowed to build a permanent structure? Last time I was at my local junkyard they had a pile of steel sheeting set aside to buy by the pound. Had screw holes in it already but not so bad you couldn't work with it.

    Unless you're forbidden from doing so by the city, I'd be looking into building some kind of permanent structure, with insulation and siding. 15x20 as an ultra bare minimum, so you can get the car inside, off to one side and have a narrow workbench and toolboxes along one wall and still move around in there.

    I like to think I don't have enough space but I guess I need to be way more grateful for what I do have.
     
    bchctybob and klleetrucking like this.
  19. dirt car
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 1,589

    dirt car
    Member
    from nebraska

    A big advantage to the shipping containers is the fact most if not all cities where permitted are considered portables so are not taxed as permanent structures.
     
    chevyfordman likes this.
  20. topher5150
    Joined: Feb 10, 2017
    Posts: 3,752

    topher5150
    Member

    I'd love to build something like that, but that's a lot of money for me right now
     
    Squablow likes this.
  21. seh
    Joined: Jun 24, 2013
    Posts: 20

    seh
    Member

    We did this to one of these about 10 years ago. Bought a bunch of used metal roofing/siding panels and installed them. No additional bracing was needed. It's handled wind storms and at least 18" of wet snow and is still going strong.
     
    topher5150 likes this.
  22. hotrodjack33
    Joined: Aug 19, 2019
    Posts: 4,872

    hotrodjack33
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    What are you complaining about? At least you have a back yard. LOL.;)
    0.34.jpg
     
  23. 51 mercules
    Joined: Nov 29, 2008
    Posts: 4,399

    51 mercules
    Member

    My buddy got a bunch of free wooden garage doors from a place that installs garage doors and built a shed out of them.
     
    GuyW likes this.
  24. topher5150
    Joined: Feb 10, 2017
    Posts: 3,752

    topher5150
    Member

    Technically speaking i really don't have a back yard it's all front and side yard. Our house is on the corner right up against the property line. I guess fifty plus years ago it would've been at the center of the property when it was all farm land
     
    hotrodjack33 and 51 mercules like this.
  25. GuyW
    Joined: Feb 23, 2007
    Posts: 800

    GuyW
    Member

    In the 70's a hippie dude built a "portable" 1 room dwelling from mahogony shipping containers for far-east import motorcycles, bolted together with a carpeted dirt floor.
     
    51 mercules and topher5150 like this.
  26. 51 mercules
    Joined: Nov 29, 2008
    Posts: 4,399

    51 mercules
    Member

    Cool!
     
  27. jnaki
    Joined: Jan 1, 2015
    Posts: 11,316

    jnaki

    upload_2025-11-19_2-43-4.png
    Hello,

    Living in that area is not the warmest during the winter months. The structure you have provides a car to go inside, but little else in room to work on a specific space or at least have a nice worktable. Those cloth structures provide shade and when closed, some dust protection. But, as far as warmth and protection during a snow storm, whoa!!!

    So, talking about $6000 range, here is one I happen to find, but a steel side structure that gives you 20 ft of length for all roll in car work space. Even with the garage door closed and the big radiant heater pumping to fill up the space. Room for a worktable, storage shelves or cabinets, as well as floor work space for mechanical work.
    upload_2025-11-19_2-45-7.png
    But, forget the wooden plank walls suggested, the same cloth side curtains for sun protection and not much else. You will be spending money on various construction techniques that will leave you with another cold, hardly any room to work, and a flimsy overall protected space.

    The metal wall is single thick, but like all metal walls, insulation can be added for extra warmth. If the structure is solid, such as the one above photo, then you have plenty of room and security. The plus factor is, with the door down, you have room to work and store your car inside, protected from the elements... YRMV



    Jnaki

    Our old back yard garage we fixed up to work on our 40 Willys Coupe was a 1x6 wooden plank wall on each side. It had windows until we took out the window wall to install our own lifting garage door opening. That allowed the worktable, storage shelves and floor storage for larger parts, as well as being able to roll the Willys Coupe inside to be able to work on it during bad weather, rain, or cold nights.

    The wooden walls were 1 inch thick, but provided little insulation for us. we had to get a large heater to allow us to stay out there late into the evening. At least the garage door was able to be lowered and inside, with the heater, we could work on the Willys Coupe.
    upload_2025-11-19_2-47-54.png
     
    bchctybob likes this.
  28. finn
    Joined: Jan 25, 2006
    Posts: 1,473

    finn
    Member

    Look into a Menards pole building. Even a small one with a gravel floor will be worlds better than a tent structure. Concrete can be added later.

    Menards has, or had at one time, a kiosk where you could do a rough design and get a cost estimate.
     
  29. AccurateMike
    Joined: Sep 14, 2020
    Posts: 783

    AccurateMike
    Member

    How is it that when I tried a "Garage in a Box" it only lasted a month. I see them all around that have been up long enough to rot the cover off. You guys have all the luck. Actually, it was a micro burst in my back yard. It broke the anchor cables ! Freak thing, I guess.

    Mike
     
    bchctybob likes this.
  30. bchctybob
    Joined: Sep 18, 2011
    Posts: 5,948

    bchctybob
    Member

    ^^^^ Yep, this was my experience too. You say you have wind in the winter but your tent has held up well. That’s great. Mine (from Costco) lasted about a week, in a fenced yard, attached to my concrete driveway. I put the same one up at my Dad’s place and it lasted for a couple months before it got “dis***embled” by the wind. I won’t do that again.
    I’ve been looking at 12x20 carports to put alongside my shop - around $1600. Could be enclosed.
    You need to go to city planning and find out what they will let you do, then look around your neighborhood and see if anyone else has done something that might work for you and not attract inspectors. In our area they are pretty strict about temporary structures because they can fly in strong winds and cause damage to other people’s property, but they don’t seem to roam around looking for violations.
     
    AccurateMike likes this.

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.