Deck the Shop with…. – The Workshop

Nothing like starting out a good post with a bad pun

I need storage. As I’ve written before, I’m a hoarder when it comes to tools, hardware and just about everything I think I might eventually use or need. To address that issue, I thought about how I could build enough shelves.

The ceiling in the workshop is 12′. I thought about floor to ceiling racks with storage tubs. But the idea off always having to climb a ladder to retrieve stuff didn’t seem like a great idea.

Some sort of platform or floor or deck would be the best choice. I’d seen it done in numerous situations and it made sense for my building as well.

I decided on 8′ as a good depth of the deck which would extend the whole 24′ (actually 22′ 8″) width. There were, however, some important measurements I needed to consider. I wanted to be able to walk under the deck without having to duck or hit my head. As it turned out, the top on the windows were 6’8″ so the bottom of the deck would be set there.

The second measurement I was concerned with was the clearance around the table saw with the deck posts. I had made a educated guess on where the table saw would live when I set the dust pipes and the power conduit before pouring the floor. So the saw position really couldn’t be moved very much. I needed to be able to cut 4×8 sheets of plywood without any obstructions. The generally accepted distance to support 2×8 construction is every 6-8′. That would do along the front of the deck. I needed at least seven feet of clearance on either side of the table saw.

After checking my numbers, I decided to “sandwich” an additional 2×8 across the front. Doubling the 2×8 would provide more strength. I used a 20′ 2×8’s that the lumber yard stocked. That would be strong enough without much bouncing or flexing of the floor.

—My brother-in-law Jorge is setting the joist hangers. What started out as a favor helping to set one board turned into a full build day. We got more done in those few hours that I would have finished in a week—

*—This corner is where the steps will go—*

I used sandwiched 2×6 for vertical. It was a little more expensive than 4×4’s but it made for a stronger support.

*—2x6s are put together to essentially form a 4×6 post to support the 2x8s. The outside boards help stabilize the structure—*

*—The second 2×8 (20′)would be nailed on top of these two 2x8s supported by a vertical post of 2×6—*

—It’s starting to take shape. You can see that there’s plenty of room between the two front posts-14′ to be exact. I had my full sheet saw clearance! The posts along the back were at the suggested 8′ spacing. See what I mean about my collecting habits, what a mess of stuff waiting to be put away—

I cut the stair stringers out of 12′ 2×12’s. I opted for gentle step and rise. I might be carrying heavy loads up and own the steps on occasion and I did NOT want to miss a step and stumble. A longer run (the horizontal distance of the steps) put the last few steps close to the electric heater so I’ll need to remember to duck but over all the steps feel right.

*—2×6 for the treads made the steps solid—*

—Once the steps were finished, access to the deck was easier. I used 3/4″ tongue and groove OSB plywood. The t/g gives the floor strength by supporting the seams and edges. Yes, 4′ is low but I took what the building would allow—

*—I added shelves under the deck using the support posts—*

*—Like storage, you can NOT have too many shelves—*

*—The completed deck. The 2×4 railing was to avoid things-or people-sliding off the edge—*

*—For lighting under the deck, I went old-school—*

Old-school because that’s what I had saved in the ‘electrical’ storage bins. I used metal boxes, pull chain switches and yes, incandescent 100 watt bulbs. I have almost 300 bulbs squirreled away in the basement. I started buying bulbs when they announced they were stopping production.

Putting away stuff on the deck is a little cumbersome. I have about four feet of head clearance. I’ve used a little four-wheeled cart to push the tubs along. I might get a short stool on wheels to scoot back and forth, locating things.

With this project done, the workshop need-to-do projects are complete. I’ve got a few more smaller projects plus hanging up pictures, signs, and other automotive themed stuff. I might even hang one or two of my old R/C airplanes from the ceiling to really complete the vibe. And I still have a goal of buying a automotive lift. I just need to make a decision.

Nothing like starting out a good post with a bad pun

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