One step at a time! Keep at it.
Been working on my new shop
i have had the platform built since last fall. but ran out of fall, and winter came in.
but finally, i got the shed frame moved over to the platform, and got the end panels put on.
the shed is a 20-foot X 13-foot instant garage, with the upgraded Alpine roof, to better handle snow. now, i realize a tent is no shelter for a several thousand dollar CNC machine... but after buying machine parts... i have no money left, and i am out of work still. so i work with what i have.
the plan is to frame up the end walls, for security and to keep the rain from blowing in. but i will use the "tarp" as the siding, while i try to build up money to overhaul the tent into a proper shed.
my biggest fear is either somebody cutting the tarp to get in, or a mostly dead black-cherry tree falling on it. i will have surveillance cameras pointed at it, as well as an alarm system for the semi-honest ones that try to go through the door... but that tree... i have not the skill to safely cut it myself, nor the money to have it properly done. bit of a lose - lose situation.
then the real trick after i get the end walls framed up with scrap lumber, will be feeding the electricity into the shed. not much, just 240v @ 40a. i have no intention of using all 40a, but i need the buffer for motor starting current for air compressor, dust collector HVAC (when i get rich...), and the machine itself.
but anyway, i got a little outdoor exercise in. my fancy watch, that may be smarter than i, says i only walked 2300 or so steps. i got more yesterday, moving the tent frame over (around 4K). now if only i can set the watch to help me lose weight, so i can get around easier.
but finally, i got the shed frame moved over to the platform, and got the end panels put on.
the shed is a 20-foot X 13-foot instant garage, with the upgraded Alpine roof, to better handle snow. now, i realize a tent is no shelter for a several thousand dollar CNC machine... but after buying machine parts... i have no money left, and i am out of work still. so i work with what i have.
the plan is to frame up the end walls, for security and to keep the rain from blowing in. but i will use the "tarp" as the siding, while i try to build up money to overhaul the tent into a proper shed.
my biggest fear is either somebody cutting the tarp to get in, or a mostly dead black-cherry tree falling on it. i will have surveillance cameras pointed at it, as well as an alarm system for the semi-honest ones that try to go through the door... but that tree... i have not the skill to safely cut it myself, nor the money to have it properly done. bit of a lose - lose situation.
then the real trick after i get the end walls framed up with scrap lumber, will be feeding the electricity into the shed. not much, just 240v @ 40a. i have no intention of using all 40a, but i need the buffer for motor starting current for air compressor, dust collector HVAC (when i get rich...), and the machine itself.
but anyway, i got a little outdoor exercise in. my fancy watch, that may be smarter than i, says i only walked 2300 or so steps. i got more yesterday, moving the tent frame over (around 4K). now if only i can set the watch to help me lose weight, so i can get around easier.
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bootlegging??? i actually took some apprenticeship electrician courses back in high school, and have been doing my own electrical for years. not sure if it is up to code, but i make sure it is safe.
as i said, i will be installing for 40A 240V service to the shop. so i will install a 40A breaker in the panel, and given the length of run is less than, or equal to 72-feet, so i will be using 6/3 (with ground) cable, installed in a conduit when under ground. and this will be run to a small sub-panel in the shop.
no HOA, thankfully.
also thankfully, the town is generally non-confrontational, unless you do something totally horrible, like a third-story addition on top of a house trailer. not sure if there are any Karens or Kevins around. but i will keep an eye out.the reason i say i haven't the skill to cut it down, is that it leans heavily over the garage. if i thought of a way to not drop heavy limbs on the garage roof, the tree would be gone already. i am thinking an insured company with a bucket-truck and ropes is required.
i will most assuredly post pictures, as soon as i remember to take them.
when i am working, pictures are not always on top of my mind. 
so, just an example of what i have now for a shop, in all it's claustrophobic untidy glory:
![Building Window House Machine Flooring]()
and what i am working on for a shop. the 8-foot step ladder is for scale.
![Plant Tent Building Shade Land lot]()
i started building the front wall framing... sort-of. i cut and fit the bottom plate, and realized i needed at least a couple of 14-foot 2" x 6" boards, but my longest was 8-foot... so i halted in order to re-cap on what i have in scrap lumber, and on what i need. i think my design ideas need to change...
i may have to get really creative in joining metal and wood framing.
and what i am working on for a shop. the 8-foot step ladder is for scale.
i started building the front wall framing... sort-of. i cut and fit the bottom plate, and realized i needed at least a couple of 14-foot 2" x 6" boards, but my longest was 8-foot... so i halted in order to re-cap on what i have in scrap lumber, and on what i need. i think my design ideas need to change...
i may have to get really creative in joining metal and wood framing.
i finally got he "tarp" roof on the new shop (tent). i added some 6mil poly sheeting under the roof tarp to aid in shedding any water from leaks. i may make a habit of covering the machine and electronics with a small tarp, just to play it safe, until i know it is 100% leak free. and one good branch from the dead tree nearby, and the tent would have a bad leak...
one thing i have noticed already, it gets hot in there. like, greenhouse hot. clearly when working in there, i will need to have the door wide open, with one of those magnetic screens installed to keep the bugs out. i may also have to invest in either a gable vent fan, or some insulation and an A/C.
i have not yet moved the machine in, as i need to build framed-up walls in the front and back to hang equipment on, and to mount a 6-foot wide double door in front. nothing fancy for a door, just a wooden door i will build. and i will likely use a camper door lock-set, as i happen to have one, i think. the second door will just have locking bolts on top and bottom to keep it closed tight. that way it can be a single width man-door, normally. but open to 6-feet to move the machine and large material in and out.
at the moment, everything is sorta cobbled together to make it water-resistant. i should buy stock in 3M All weather flashing tape, as i used plenty of it.
i had planned on upgrading the tent with steel roofing and some wood siding... but the roof "rafters" have a curve to them, and would not take steel roofing. so my only other option for an upgrade there, is to lay 1/2-inch plywood over the roof (1/2-inch can be bent a little to fit), perhaps in two layers if i am feeling rich. then lay rubber roof, like what is used on campers, and call it good. the upgrades are for when i am making money, not right now.
so, next steps are to build up the front and back walls, when i can afford material. i could in theory move my machine in there now, but it would just be in the way. even if it was on casters, i wouldn't want to accidentally drop a wall stud on it. but once the walls are framed up, then i need to run electricity out to it. after that, i can pretty much move in. still would need to install some lighting and general outlets.
at least i can envision this project working... most of my projects end up being a failure.
one thing i have noticed already, it gets hot in there. like, greenhouse hot. clearly when working in there, i will need to have the door wide open, with one of those magnetic screens installed to keep the bugs out. i may also have to invest in either a gable vent fan, or some insulation and an A/C.
i have not yet moved the machine in, as i need to build framed-up walls in the front and back to hang equipment on, and to mount a 6-foot wide double door in front. nothing fancy for a door, just a wooden door i will build. and i will likely use a camper door lock-set, as i happen to have one, i think. the second door will just have locking bolts on top and bottom to keep it closed tight. that way it can be a single width man-door, normally. but open to 6-feet to move the machine and large material in and out.
at the moment, everything is sorta cobbled together to make it water-resistant. i should buy stock in 3M All weather flashing tape, as i used plenty of it.
i had planned on upgrading the tent with steel roofing and some wood siding... but the roof "rafters" have a curve to them, and would not take steel roofing. so my only other option for an upgrade there, is to lay 1/2-inch plywood over the roof (1/2-inch can be bent a little to fit), perhaps in two layers if i am feeling rich. then lay rubber roof, like what is used on campers, and call it good. the upgrades are for when i am making money, not right now.
so, next steps are to build up the front and back walls, when i can afford material. i could in theory move my machine in there now, but it would just be in the way. even if it was on casters, i wouldn't want to accidentally drop a wall stud on it. but once the walls are framed up, then i need to run electricity out to it. after that, i can pretty much move in. still would need to install some lighting and general outlets.
at least i can envision this project working... most of my projects end up being a failure.
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