Building my Dream Workshop

I love barns and woodworking. So it was only natural for me to build a small barn where I could work on my woodworking projects.

[@guyvangenechten6484]

Very nice job looking very good!!!💯👌👍

[@normansawatzky4778]

The wonderful privilege of building your own "dream" shop! I built mine too. With my Dad of course. He was a Builder Carpenter for over 40 years. He was 84 years old and he helped me lift my 9' 2×6 walls!!!..with walI jacks. Lol! I took over the business...and inherited all his tools and my goodness there was a lot! My shop is 27 × 24. That's all the city would allow me on my lot. It has large windows and skylights, for I love natural light as much as possible, and it's full! We did most of the work ourselves, and I love it!...and I hope you will love yours too!!!

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comment Norman. I like your story. Miss my old man too. Cheers!

[@34ofaninchofbrain80]

Every man's dream shed. Glad you managed to make it happen for yourself.

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comment and have a nice day!

[@dalegray934]

As part of my job, I record farms around the west. I have literally photographed, mapped and described hundreds, if not thousands of barns. As part of my retirement strategy, I wanted to build my own barn. I looked around at what I liked and put together plans. Today, I watched your video. It made me smile that we have almost the exact same taste in barns! Well done!

[@SawdustSociety]

Thank you for your comment Dale. For me visiting a barn, any barn, is always a wonderful experience. But this design is one of my favorite. Have a nice day. Cheers!

[@daleweiss9507]

To be able to escape the crazy world and build something like this is a true blessing.

[@SawdustSociety]

Thank you for this nice comment Dale and have a nice day.

[@jameskelly624]

Outstanding...impressive that one you can do all this work and two that you planned all this yourself. The build looks fantastic. Can't wait to see the finished product.

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comment James.

[@kingofcelts]

Watching here in Ireland. Well done brother, you're an inspiration. Love the built and the location..!

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your feed-back my friend.

[@SawdustSociety]

Wish you well.

[@kenfenske5002]

Really liked seeing the slideshow, I always lose track when I'm building and forget to take enough pictures. Some great ideas here and nice craftsmanship.

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comment Ken and have a nice day.

[@MtTopLiving]

Looks great! I plan on a similar style for myself. Looking forward to see part two.

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comment. Waiting for the snow to melt to continue with this project. Have a good week!

[@andrewpinson1268]

This would have been a great twenty video series. Lots of people love detailed shop builds, especially one like this. Maybe next time.

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for the nice comment Andrew. I will be doing different videos regarding the completion of the workshop in the next few months. Still snow over here but anxious to get to it. Have a nice day and see you later. Cheers!

[@JPHER217]

Really nice work. Best regards from Sweden.

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comment. Have a nice week!

[@tribeverage7268]

OUTSTANDING!!!! Thanks for the GREAT video!! Looks awesome! Cheers

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for the nice comment. Have a nice day. Cheers!

[@tribeverage7268]

@@SawdustSociety, yeah, we live out in the country in Northern North Carolina. Last year we bought a Woodmizer sawmill. I have a bunch of logs ready to mill. Hopefully, I can get my workshop up this year. Love the design! If it’s ok, I’ll use your shop as a model!! Again, thanks for posting! 🍺

[@SuperShow_Aucoin]

Wow! Nice Video!

[@hder8740]

Love it!

[@ADHD_Art]

Just happened upon this video and had to watch be because the area you have chosen is STUNNING for the VIEW and because who wouldn't LOVE to be able to do this.... So, I will live vicariously through watching your dream unfold🇺🇲🕊🤍✝️🤍🕊🙏

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for the nice comment and have a nice day!

[@JB-uj8mz]

That is really nice work. Working by yourself is a challenge in of itself 👍🏻

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comment JB1979. I love the company of others but I really enjoy working alone. You often have to figure out other ways to do things and to stay safe. Cheers!

[@secretwoodproject]

This is absolutely stunning. Great work. I am new to my woodworking journey but maybe one day I might have a chance to build something like this for myself. I really enjoyed the video. I forgot to mention, I have that same wood burning shed you have sitting outside of the shop. I love it.

[@SawdustSociety]

I'm sure you will.

[@TennesseeHomesteadUSA]

Looks like a lot of salvaged lumber. Good going!

[@SawdustSociety]

Hello @TennesseeHomesteadUSA. A large part of the wood used in the building of my workshop was taken on my land. I milled it with my Norwood HD36 sawmill. You’re absolutely right. I cut many logs from a blow down that happened the year before construction. I also used larch trees to mill 8x8 beams. The exterior of the building will be finish with larch boards and cedar siding (all produced with my sawmill). Thanks for leaving a comment and best wishes for 2024. Cheers!

[@GTWoodshop]

Amazing build and amazing space to work in. 👍

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comment!

[@fotomaniatk]

Loved it!

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks David. Have a good day.

[@jackmeyermakes]

Got yourself a new subscriber, looking forward to see how this turns out. I would love to build something like this some day

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for subscribing and for your comment Jack. I’m anxious to get back at the completion of this workshop and I will certainly inform you of my progression. Cheers!

[@MyFarmVN868]

The house is beautiful

[@user-vb3bi5ml1x]

I love your shop design!

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for leaving this nice comment @user-vb3bi5ml1x and have a nice day.

[@user-vb3bi5ml1x]

Looks like you have a Sawmill by the looks of your lumber

[@SawdustSociety]

Hello @user-vb3bi5ml1x. Yes, I do have a Norwood HD36 mill. I use it 8 months per year. Have a nice week-end!

[@williambutler8624]

Very nice building, you did a excellent job, love the style, I Congratulate you on all the work you did on your building, hope you enjoy it for many years,thanks for sharing, SUBSCRIBED

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comments and for subscribing William. Have a nice day!

[@gerardfenn3988]

Post and Beam is the way to go. Other than a stone/cement structure, which is just a cold building aesthetically, this will last 100 years and more. Built Right. Good Job.

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for this nice comment @gerardfenn3988. I work in this shop every day of the week. I will post another video when finish. Have a nice day!

[@danielbast352]

Work shop? 😎 I’m looking to build my home just like this

[@SawdustSociety]

I would live in such a space myself @danielbast352. I love this place. I’m planing to move in a few years and I might just build an other similar building to live in it. Have a nice day.

[@northwood60]

Great video!

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comment Rick. Cheers!

[@HTC5300]

好喜歡這棟堅固實用的建築物👍漂亮極了！😀

[@SawdustSociety]

Thank you my friend. Have a nice day!

[@rocktech7144]

Nice music, strong build.

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks my friend and have a nice week!

[@LarryeWhite61]

Very impressive!!!

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comment and have a nice week!

[@allangoulder5050]

Love this

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks and have a nice day Allan!

[@bernardobrown6900]

muy bueno ese trabajo de construcion en madera perfecto.

[@SawdustSociety]

Gracias por su comentario Bernardo

[@serdalterzi5759]

Güle güle kullanın

[@CoupleofBunkies]

Hi just found your channel and love it good luck.

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comment and have a nice day!

[@beachtimehawaiibth7222]

Did you happen to get photos/video of the pad setup and rebar work? I would love to see that maybe in a new video! Keep up the hard work!

[@SawdustSociety]

Hello @beachtimehawaiibth7222. No photos but here's how I did it. I compacted 4 inches of 0-3/4 gravel and leveled it, installed wire mesh, added rebar on the contour, added foam and cover it with Climat Guard Polythene Film - Heavy Gauge before pouring 6 inches of cement. Thanks for your questions and have a nice day!

[@mikegrant8490]

What a nice job! You'll get plenty of work done in such a well built structure. I built a 12 by 16 foot shed about fifteen years ago that was much like yours. I didn't finish the floor, leaving a gravel surface. My stepdaughter needed a place for pool supplies, lawn and garden stuff, pool deck furniture, bicycles, junk, etc. and I wanted it to be open enough for fumes from everything in there to be able to dissipate so there was one window in the back and the clestory windows were glass blocks and most of the exterior was galvanized steel on the three roofs and the upper and lower exterior, too. Overhangs on the lowers allowed me to add glass blocks for plenty of light but with rain protection in mind, I left open spaces with screening for air movement in all four directions. I added on a big overhang over the double opening front doors. Everything was done with drainage in mind because of the location in the back corner of the lot and bordering on two other neighbor's garages and structures in a suburban area. Strictly utility but with a completely open floor plan. It was cheap to build and the simple design seems timeless. Here in Virginia, there are similar structures on farms that are over 150 years old. You're going to love yours and I hope your great grandchildren continue on with it as a family treasure.

[@SawdustSociety]

Thank you my friend and have a nice day.

[@colachocolatechihuahuapupp1852]

I like the building design ❤❤ 3:15

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comment. Have a good day.

[@hddoug72]

I like your design and I think your going to have an inspiring work area for your projects! To be able to provide heat from your outdoor boiler is a major plus living in a colder environment and I'm sure that a part of your thought process. Did you mill any of your lumber for your workshop? Looking forward to seeing the next phase and thanks for sharing.

[@SawdustSociety]

I milled every piece of lumber Doug. 2x4,6,8,10 + 8x8 beams + boards and clapboard as you will see in my next videos. Thanks for following! Cheers!

[@hddoug72]

​@@SawdustSociety Now that makes it even more more impressive! A lot of time & effort and love going into your new workshop!!!

[@cabanford]

Looks cool. Wondering if a few structural diagonals might be a good idea?

[@SawdustSociety]

There is, you will be able to see in futur videos. Thanks for your comment!

[@cabanford]

@@SawdustSociety My mind was picturing wind-loading... I'm no structural engineer, but it's rare to see a big barn without at least some diagonals. I'm sure you're on the ball 😉

[@millcrafters]

Too many beams to the floor. Going to present a challenge when moving larger boards around to the different stations. Love the look and feel of it, and if it was going to be used to house some animals or something I think it is a very practical design. I would prefer to see an open floor plan. You definitely do nice work though. Looking forward to seeing it finished.

[@SawdustSociety]

Hello Bob and thanks for taking the time to comment. I understand that this type of design does not meet everyone's requirements. The center of the barn is 14x32 with a 12 foot ceiling which is sufficient for the type of project I undertake. Furthermore, each of my large tools (saw benches, workbench, planner and jointer) are on wheels which allows me to store them on either side out of the space where I am working. Also, I always try to maximize my work space by being more organized. But, the most important thing for me was to create a work environment that would make me feel good. And I think I succeeded in that because every time I open the door of my shop, the vibe I get gives me the desire to be creative and to build. In a future video I will let you tour the inside of the workshop. Have a nice day!

[@blklbluvr]

I really love this building! What are the dimensions? Better yet are there any prints? I’d like to build something similar.

[@SawdustSociety]

The dimensions are 24x32 feet. Sorry, the plan is inside my small head. 😀 But I will post other details when I continue working on it. Thanks for your comment. Cheers!

[@jeremyhuggins8796]

Man that looks great! I've been wanting to do something like this for years. Now that I see yours it really makes me want to build mine. Are the 8X8's attached to the floor or free standing? 'Jesus Saves '

[@SawdustSociety]

Hello Jeremy and thanks for your comment. The post are attached to the floor with "L" brackets and anchor bolts. Have a good day!

[@buenosaires5]

Tres joli!!!!!!

[@SawdustSociety]

Merci pour votre commentaire buenosaires5 et bonne journée.

[@danielmoullet9670]

This is exactly what I would like to do. What are you using to separate wood from concrete? Keep up the good work!

[@SawdustSociety]

I used Owens Corning 1/8 inches x 6 foam.

[@danielmoullet9670]

@@SawdustSociety What about the 8x8 vertical beams? And thanks for rapid response

[@SawdustSociety]

@@danielmoullet9670 Same foam.

[@nobshere6921]

I like it! How are the posts attached to the floor. Appreciate the video.

[@SawdustSociety]

With a "L" shape bracket and 2 anchor bolts in the ciment floor. Thanks for your comment and have a nice day"

[@user-gc5jj3qy4g]

Great video, I really enjoyed seeing an entire building coming together. You make it look easy enough that an inexperience person like myself could do this :D I had a question regarding the foundation. It is my understanding that in Québec we need the 6' footing to reach a depth where the soil doesn't freeze, to prevent movement and cracking. This is why our houses are not built on concrete slab, so I was wondering why you are able to use one here? Because cracking is not as much a concern for this building, or is there some other details I was unaware of? Merci.

[@SawdustSociety]

Bonjour Sammy, I live close to you in north western NB. The building is heated and I laid insulation under the ciment floor. I also added wire mesh and rods to the floor. The building have not move since construction and the ciment floor have not cracked either. I build a few building like this and never had any problem. I also raise the floor 5 to 6 inches to make sure that no water can go under the floor. This way the frost don't go under the floor. Thanks for your comment and have a nice day. Merci de votre commentaire et bonne journée.

[@allenlane5000]

Great job all the way around. Construction and videos. Curious though why you did not cut a birdsmouth in the bottom of the rafters? You must have just toenailed them into the top plates of your walls. I'm sure you had a reason given all the other great details. Can't wait to see the next steps.

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comment Allen. I used another technique to fix them to the plates. I nailed additional pieces between each rafters and nailed each rafter to these two inches pieces. Have a nice day. Cheers.

[@davidgekler]

Beautifully done! Curious if you considered Windows for the Upper sides. Would allow a lot of natural light in your barn. I have seen many "barns" with windows up high for that purpose!

[@SawdustSociety]

I agree but for a couple of reasons I did not go with it. Heat loss for one and the price of the windows. But it would have been cool. Thanks for your comment David.

[@mikegrant8490]

@@SawdustSociety If you use glass blocks on a bit of a retrofit, you might like the natural light up high. It's worth the effort. You already have the natural openings in your framing. Punching through with a SawsAll and simply placing the blocks on the base of the 2x6s and welding them in with some of the really durable silicone specific to the glass block and achieving watertightness with a good flashing plan on the exterior isn't a bit more than what you've already accomplished. You're in a cold climate and winter light is fleeting. There's just something about looking up and seeing how the light plays off the wood. It's kinda beautiful. Especially when it snows and that light reflects up onto the glass blocks. A few weekends and the initial cost....

[@SawdustSociety]

@@mikegrant8490 thanks for your input Mike. I will certainly consider it. Cheers!

[@eliasoliveira361]

Ho !!!! Mais que casonha linda e aconchegante hein!?!! !🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comment Elias.

[@mikebabs3408]

I see you have an outdoor Woodstove… where did you order the heat exchanger for inside the shop. I’m looking for one similar to that and my main concern is the noise. Do you find that it’s loud?

[@SawdustSociety]

Hello Mike. Here is the link to the heat exchanger I bought: a.co/d/0a9W1Ty I installed it with a regular fan and a thermostat. It runs really smooth and the noise is dependent of the fan you install.

[@antonioferreira-wh5di]

Muito bom.

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks Antonio!

[@disklamer]

Nice sturdy build. Is this going to have a hoist

[@SawdustSociety]

Thank you for your comment and suggestion. I could add a hoist inside if needed. Have a nice day!

[@yowzeh]

Did you buy the plans or come up with them yourself? Wonder what cost for the basic structure complete would be 🇨🇦

[@SawdustSociety]

Draw then myself. Have a good day.

[@SawdustSociety]

Since I used my wood it’s difficult to estimate the price

[@christopherdean1326]

Lovely job, but I can't help wondering why you designed it with all the 8"x8" pillars to hold the roof up. I would have done it in a way to keep the space as clear as possible. You know that someday, there's going to be a pillar in just the wrong place.....

[@SawdustSociety]

Hello Christopher. I already answered this question to another gentlemen so I'll copy paste my answer. Have a nice day! "I love barns and open spaces. So it was natural for me to build a barn for my woodworking projects. I understand that this type of design does not meet everyone's requirements. The center of the barn is 14x32 with a 12 foot ceiling which is sufficient for the type of project I undertake. Furthermore, each of my large tools (saw benches, workbench, planner and jointer) are on wheels which allows me to store them on either side out of the space where I am working. Also, I always try to maximize my work space by being more organized. But, the most important thing for me was to create a work environment that would make me feel good. And I think I succeeded in that because every time I open the door of my shop, the vibe I get gives me the desire to be creative and to build. I hope to be able to illustrate this in my future videos."

[@christopherdean1326]

@@SawdustSociety As long as you're happy with it, that's all that matters. Enjoy!

[@planingatrip]

Love the background music track but it's not the tune that you've credited. Pls update so I can find it. LOL.

[@darrinparkin718]

I may have missed it but are there footings and foundation walls under the inside posts?

[@SawdustSociety]

Hello Darrin. The posts are anchored with bolts to a 6 inches of armed (metal rods and wire mesh) and insulated ciment floor. The building is heated so the frost can’t damage anything. Thanks for your question and have a nice day!

[@Smokymountainsoffgrid]

How long did it take you to build this and what’s the sq footage?

[@SawdustSociety]

Hello Scott and thanks for leaving a comment. The dimension of the floor is 24x32 with a height of 12 feet in the middle and 8 feet on the sides. It took me approximately 20 days to erect the building alone. The inside is insulated but not yet finish. The exterior of the building is not finish and I plan to complete it within the next month. I will keep you posted with another video soon.

[@brduj]

BMR ... oh in Québec ???

[@SawdustSociety]

Salut Bruno. Aux frontières du Québec (NB). Bonne journée à toi.

[@karolapolinsantillan3804]

Exelente trabajo amigo quisiera saber si puedes compartir los planos y medidas de la construcción de la casa muchas gracias estaré atento asu respuesta saludos desde huánuco Perú

[@SawdustSociety]

Hola Karol, se trata de un edificio de 24x32 con una altura de 12 pies 3 en el centro. La pendiente es de 12 grados. Las paredes laterales son de 8 pies de altura. El suelo es de 6 pulgadas de hormigón armado. Siento no poder proporcionarle planos. Están todos en mi cabeza. Gracias por tu comentario y que tengas un buen día.

[@karolapolinsantillan3804]

@@SawdustSociety muchísimas gracias amigo exelente apoyo saludos

[@Sailor376also]

Your exterior base cladding should have all been done on the diagonal. Many of the wind bracing jobs we take for granted today because of the use of plywood and sheet goods on the exterior. You did none of it. When you do the interior,, your interior finish should be 4X8 foot sheets of plywood in the corners. Barring that,,, you will need substantial 'knees' or angle braces at the top of all your beam columns, in both directions

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comment my friend. I do have angle braces for each beam inside like you will be able to see in the next videos. Have a good day.

[@darrylbuckett5380]

I'm suffering "Shed Envy". Cheers

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for leaving a comment Darryl and have a nice day!

[@JabedAhmod-sn8rx]

Very nice can you give me a job

[@robertcontois9259]

That’s really nice. I wish I had the land to build one like that. I’m working in a two car garage. I have my tools on a 4 x 8 rolling table. I have to move my wife’s car when I work in there. I say during the week it is a garage and on the weekends it’s the shop

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comment Robert. Have a nice woodworking weekend! Cheers!

[@chadwedul1787]

Jealous!

[@SawdustSociety]

Have a nice day my friend!

[@josephbohme7917]

So many posts get in the way; okay for horses, but not machines and shop. Guest bungalow Air BNB

[@ada-yw1bb]

I'm pretty sure he knows what he needs . You build urs your way freind

[@marcuscicero9587]

poor guy lost a lotta floor space with that design. he had the option of a stick built rafter system or truss system that'd give him an open floor plan. looks pretty though.

[@josephbohme7917]

Once walls go up; they all get small 2400 sf minimum and 12'+ WALLS, OTHERWISE YOU HAVE A SHED. NOT ,MUCH MORE FOR A PERIMETER AND SQUARE IS CHEAPEST.

[@SawdustSociety]

Hello Joseph. I love barns and open spaces. So it was natural for me to build a barn for my woodworking projects. I understand that this type of design does not meet everyone's requirements. The more space a man has to play with, the more space he will use. That's what my wife tells me anyway. )) The center of the barn is 14x32 with a 12 foot ceiling which is sufficient for the type of project I undertake. Furthermore, each of my large tools (saw benches, workbench, planner and jointer) are on wheels which allows me to store them on either side out of the space where I am working. Also, I always try to maximize my work space by being more organized. But, the most important thing for me was to create a work environment that would make me feel good. And I think I succeeded in that because every time I open the door of my shop, the vibe I get gives me the desire to be creative and to build. I hope to be able to illustrate this in my future videos. I thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and wish you a great day.

[@speedomars3869]

Strange building. No plywood for shear.

[@stevemorris3710]

How did we ever sail the oceans in Oak ships without plywood, for shear.

[@speedomars3869]

@@stevemorris3710 The oak planks were tied together with wooden pegs. The studs in a home are 16 inches apart. You are miscomparing.

[@coreytelford3051]

id rather you talk over it than play this terrible music.

[@SawdustSociety]

I will in the future Corey. Thanks for your comment. Cheers!

[@user-pp7ej6fe5m]

Крутяк.👍👍👍

[@josephdaniel4276]

Great job but too many post on workshop floor lose usable space, did build my shop off my grand father in barn with min post on shop floor 310 x

[@SawdustSociety]

Thanks for your comment Joseph. Have a nice day.