<VV> Re: Garage Ideas - Futures

[Chris & Bill Strickland]

Since it is a lot easier to put stuff under concrete floors before you 
pour them it may be worth it to note that, perhaps depending upon where 
you live and your code requirements, some leeway is often given for 
planning for future expansion, expansion of things like the electrical 
and plumbing systems and footings for an overhead hoist -- check with 
your inspector and see if now is a good time to lay that conduit and the 
supply and drain pipes (hand wash sink, dishwasher for parts cleaning, 
shower, etc) even though it only goes to the edge of the slab.  And, 
while you are doing that slab, since there will probably be at least a 
little left over concrete, pour those outside pads for the air 
compressor and the heat pump -- okay, you may never use them, but you'll 
find them useful for something else, say a tire machine outside, out of 
the way ... someday.

Painted floors really look cool, and if you are very careful about what 
you do, they hold up fairly well. I've worked in a commercial shop with 
them, and the only thing I can say is the cheap (relatively) floor paint 
actually held up better than the expensive epoxy stuff did.  My 
preference is for a very good smooth finish job on the concrete followed 
by a sealer while still wet -- this is how many concrete finishers do it 
these days anyhow.  Makes for a dust free painted like floor, without 
the upkeep of the paint.  Nice smooth floors can be slick (keep them 
clean!), but they are also easier to keep clean and stuff like floor 
jacks and rollaway roll around on them a lot better. Vinyl tiles might 
also be worth consideration.

Several guys have mentioned 100 amp service panels -- why not 200?  
Well, the supply to that panel can get expensive with today's prices for 
copper and how far you have to run it, but remember, like horsepower, 
more is better!  Just a matter of how fast can you afford to go ...

Godspeed!

Bill S