Most Asked Questions About My Workshop Build - Build FAQ

[@kmbbmj5857]

You talked about why you built at the floor height you did. My question for that is two part. First, did you consider putting down a layer of rock on the ground to help with drainage once the shop is built and second, why did you hand mix all the concrete for the forms rather than having a truck come in to fill the forms?

[@rkwilson262]

Sam, you and your wife are the hardest working couple. Great job!

[@Samcraftcom]

Thanks!

[@denisewilson8367]

Your sketch up of the building shows 1 man door, 3 windows as far as I could see as it spun around. Q¿ I didn't see a "roll up" type service door for extra wide product or machine/ service. Are you not installing one?

[@patshipp9195]

💖💖👍👍💖💖You are smarter than some people give you credit for. Great job so far. 💖💖👍👍💖💖

[@Samcraftcom]

I try! :)

[@jeffbarnes2014]

You got this Sam , I am 100% confident you did your planning!

[@Samcraftcom]

Thanks for the vote of confidence! :)

[@scottbyrd2157]

Hey Sam! Great job btw on all your projects! I understand that us viewers are going to always have questions on projects you and the other channel do. With the content you provide it seems your story should only be like a tv series. Instead of trying to answer questions just throw some sneak peeks in from the next video at the end to intrigue the audience. Maybe anticipate some questions that you could kinda answer with a snap shot of the next video upcoming. I don’t know. You cater well to all and try to answer the questions of everyone. Seems impossible to please everyone. You’re painting the picture. Let everyone speculate and use their imagination and boom! Show where you are going with your ideas. Us viewers can go “Ohhhhh!” That’s what he is up to!! Anyway do you my friend. But please for goodness sakes make some mistakes so that we all know you are human. lol. Everyone learns from mistakes. Be safe!!

[@leviteapparel]

😂 I loved every moment of this video had to watch again lots of questions answered

[@Hunterworks]

I would only say on insulation for floor, I have used foam board under and I can't see any reason it would get hurt if it got wet while building, it would dry out. Just gonna be hard to insulate later. I have a room in my house that is not insulated and that floor is very cold in winter. Wish I had put foam board under it. The rest looks great.

[@TheLouisianaHobbyGuy]

I have a question Sam... *When can you come and build me a shop??* 🤪

[@nathanreed3302]

1 thing I wish I would have done is put a venting system built into my wall for my laser exhaust. I currently have a board with a vent attached that I place in my opened window. I kinda hate it. I wish I could just go to the wall and attach a hose end with magnets and get right to work.

[@Samcraftcom]

Ventilation is something I've been thinking of and also talking with fellow business owners in the laser world to get their opinions on too.

[@edover50]

Really enjoy your videos Sam. I started watching because I liked your build method. Then I saw the engraving video and went “WHAAAAT”!! My girlfriend has an engraving business here in Canada. Now we both watch you!!

[@Samcraftcom]

That is so awesome! It is my engraving business that is driving this new build and paying for some of it. :) I need more room to spread out and upgrade machines, etc. to take my business as far as I can. I plan to finish this build by the end of the year so I can start off 2024 in the new space.

[@jesusislord2457]

SQUEELS!!! 🎉🎉🎉 Thank you for sharing your time to make this! I love it when you talk smart to me. 🤗 Hi Angela and The Boys! 💝 I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving! Big hugs! ✌️💝🙏🇺🇲✡️

[@MFG485]

Hi Sam. Do you plan to share your blueprints, calculations, material lists, etc?

[@keithkolmos5933]

New lab. New equipment. Are you going to have to expand your solar array for additional power loads?

[@JShack01]

I'm still confused about the triple thick laminated beams that are holding everything up. It's not clear to me why you didn't stagger the center board instead of having all of the beam boards join at the center.

[@guybowers9094]

Great answers to those questions Sam, and yes it did bring one to mind. Are you going to do 2x6 stud walls or 2x4. Better insulation with the 2x6 which in sure you gave some thought to

[@TarheelTad64]

Look great so far Sam and thanks for taking the time answering all my questions Happy Thanksgiving to y'all

[@StumblingBumblingIdiot]

I am probably jumping ahead by a few videos but was curious if you are going to be enclosing that huge ground to floor opening or putting some sort of lattice around it? Where I live I can just imagine the number of critters that would love to make that home lol

[@geauxracerx]

Why no “garage door” to make moving large machines/materials easier between the two buildings

[@kriswhite1344]

SAM DID I MISS IT?? HOW DID YOU CONNECTTHE SKIDS WHEN TWO IN EACH ROW, 20' LENGTH?????

[@ramman5784]

I would put a door on the far end simply because I would go nuts having to walk from the far end to the current doors and have to walk outside to the far end of the shop or property and then back again. The way I work I would spend more time walking than working

[@watahyahknow]

the only reason you would need a concrete floor is for its loadrating , and the heaviest thing i think youre could put in it might be a professional full sized cnc routertable and that would allso mean youre going through stacks and stacks of plywood/mdf/wood , if you where to install that you could still only make an upside down swimmingpool (build up walls fill with sand and pour the floor over everything so its solid and level with the current floor) building that in one corner or make an extention to use as a seperate room as the sound level resembles that of a jet taking off and make the side of the shop at that end so you can load said machine in through that side and set it directly ontoo the slab you still wouldnt need a full sized concrete floor i think even a cast iron full size sawtable cound be set on the floor you have now if you add a little bet of stengthening in the floor under the feet of it professional 2 part sprayfoam insulation might be a good idea for under the floor , the stuff is reasonably water and insect proof sprays intoo every nook and cranny and seals up the whole underside so there no airleaks or drumlike / soundboard sounds either not cheap (aspecially because the guy spraying the stuff on has to crawl all under that floor ) but should be verry long lasting and should even protect the bare wood underfloor like paint does

[@cajunsurvivor]

I'm blessed to be a concrete man. There is no way I would build without concrete

[@coreygoode5576]

Do you use the free version of sketch up or pay for it? Looking to be able to get print out plans like you have. Thanks

[@XPFTP]

not clue but... the old shop side of the new shop wall... i would do a span of some sort of beam to hold if you want to open it up more down the road.. like maybe 2 by 10s sistered . or 2 by 12s sistered. that way its done now and stupid easy to just open it up and over maybe put one post in the middle of the span.

[@mcldotcom]

Thanks ??? B. U. T. T. the Next question may be more confusing ( UNTIL ) you hear the reason its being asked. Today, I am sitting here once again ( WRITING ) to you. WHY? Simply Put ( Forethought ) Versus ( A F T E R THOUGHT ) That 20/20 Crystal Ball. What if ??? Instead of you connecting the two buildings. The Entire Foot print were say to be 30 x 60 or What the Two would be considered ( COMBINED Foot print on this site. HEAR me Out and then Scratch YOUR own head in Reverse. COST is always a Factor. YET, the idea on paper versus what YOUR getting in Total is like a Fart in the Wind. Its all fine until the changing directions collide. Stinks to high Heaven and the Oh My God Moments start to settle in. NOW, Take the entire area you plan on having. Then Remove the Existing building to be made into Storage a bit farther away. WITH One Full Complete Length, width , height combined. MY Version of YOUR dream would be way more Cost effective and less intrusive when the dust settles along with the total square footage from start to finish. Its like making the BEST first impression possible. After the Fact ( KNOWING ) what did NOT happen the very first time around. YOU may think ( WHAT the H. E. L.L. ) ??? BUTT ( I ) can assure you. The total costs will be less when all the labor and head scratching has been figured in. Its never easy to Combine two things. YET, there are always ways to make things Longer, wider, higher then before when ( Doing it from the Ground Up ) YES ? No ? Maybe ? Possibly ? Sounds Good ? Why did not YOU think of all this ??? ADVICE , Comments, Suggestions - PROFESSIONAL - Know How and R E G R E T S all have one thing in common. DO YOU know what it is ??? RESOLVE !!! Not then Second Guessing the original intent. YOUR Welcome or Pissed off for NOT doing what it is (I) have been proposing ?!?

[@cfk-oz]

Why didn't you go with a single pitch roof so you can optimize it for solar?

[@carollsbostwick9683]

Are you planning coverage over bottom area to deter skunks or cats homing under your shop?

[@robr2369]

Looks great, my question, why at least one larger entry door for bigger items

[@marthabartel604]

Don’t you think you need a bigger double door on the back. And front.

[@scottmorris4914]

Good info. I take it the big door is going to younold shop. Can I suggest another large door, so it is easier to move large items in and out.

[@jefferykeeper9034]

Check with the fire department to make sure that you can do this.

[@Hosty_Tim]

Gooooood morning, Sam. Lovin the build :)

[@karlab9557]

Yep. you answered my little question about insulation, and more questions besides. It's a huge project, and looking so good! Great job!

[@Samcraftcom]

Glad to help clear my muddy waters for you! :)

[@billhaley8873]

@@Samcraftcom I bought a cabin that had floor fiberglass insulation that they tried to protect with a product called Homasote which the rodents (mice and chipmunks) chewed right thru and made lots of nests. I spents hours on my back under the cabin with a respirator pulling it all down and replaced it with rigid foam boards.

[@pmartin6759]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️👍

[@kennethdurham1022]

Professional job Sam😊

[@deannaoverstreet4146]

Thanks Sam! Looks great!

[@corrinewalker9431]

Enjoy watching your program....not sure how far along you are with ordering materials but you may want to consider scissor trusses for the new shop. Cost is not much more than a standard truss and the added benefit of the ceiling height pays off in the long run. Keep up the good work. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Angela and the boys. Stay safe.

[@Samcraftcom]

I have already ordered my trusses. :) I asked about pricing for non-standard trusses, but the cost went up considerably from there. I decided to keep it simple.

[@sammcgee180]

Outstanding job sam❤

[@mylittledirtranch7009]

Nice job in Sketch Up.

[@mikeyp7334]

IN FLOOR DUST COLLECTION!!! LOL

[@wendyburston3132]

Questions conquered

[@jimpie231]

Thank-you!

[@terrancesnyder9323]

😀

[@markcurtis1824]

Are you going to build your own rafters? And if so, are you going use your floor to build it on?

[@Samcraftcom]

I don't trust my skills to the 20' open span. :) I'll buy engineered trusses.

[@almachapman5409]

Awesome

[@tdimccullough]

Windows are an over rated item in a workshop/garage . They use up wall space for shelving, positioning of tools. They are more expensive than walls, and all they are any good for is getting covered in cobwebs Also what is the first thing anyone does when they get into a workshop? They turn the lights on. Even if they have windows. I have found that lights work better if there are no windows. The cost of running lights isn't so expensive if you use LEDs compared with tools and heating, windows aren't very energy efficient unless you spend a fortune on triple glazing. Just my opinion

[@Samcraftcom]

I shared your opinion when I built my current workshop. It had zero windows in it and lots of light. Later I added a window for an A/C unit to be placed into and I immediately remembered the great feeling of having one in the space. :) It made it feel more welcoming inside and less like I was back in a cubicle at a day job. I'm okay with letting one wall be "wasted" to windows in this new workshop knowing I have three others for tools and plenty of space in the middle for island workbenches too. I want to build this space as nice as I can to where I enjoy spending long hours inside there working as I plan to expand my business.

[@tdimccullough]

@@Samcraftcom you could have stuck large pictures of landscapes, mountains or lakes to the walls /ceiling to inspire you😂

[@quarlow1215]

Now that the floor is down and solid will you be dyeing your beard red? 😂😂😂 just kidding. You seem to have a handle on it and there's not too much to really think about other than where you want openings. Those can be more or less wherever you want them. Its a shop not a fancy designer mansion. You're doing a fine job.

[@Samcraftcom]

Red like Yosemite Sam? LOL

[@quarlow1215]

@@Samcraftcom 😄😄😄

[@RumMonkeyable]

Bigger door openings (for equipment and materials)? A rear door, too?f Thanks, Sam.👏👍✨😍

[@paulmarsh2392]

Hello Sam you should put down a nice coat of paint before you start framing, love your content.😊

[@dentech4710]

I’m looking forward to the next steps in the build of your shop.

[@mikemassey5555]

Love watching these videos! Will you be installing a roll-up door or double door for any large deliveries that may be on a pallet?

[@leelipinski4667]

Hi Sam. Apart from the Planning Question, you went over all of the questions asked in your build series. The plan in sketch up sure makes the build look huge. Looking forward to the test of this. Great job.

[@treggmichelleliebler399]

You're an inspiration to me. Great to see the results of your, much deserved, success. Saving up for an laser, can't wait to catch up to you!

[@timsack8439]

since your floor is pretty high, you should have a wide door out that your pickup truck can back up to for unloading directly into the shop. sort of like a loading dock.

[@flyinpolack6633]

Looks great Sam. One thing you may want to do is lower those 3 windows a little bit. They may run into your soffits. It will be great to have more room, I am sure.

[@magnusltd]

Another good video Sam. Hard for me to believe you would need a vapor barrier with all the available air flow. Looking forward to to the walls!

[@kellycarroll6829]

Hi Sam! I love putting a workshop or cabin on footers like that. It gives it that cabin feel ~ I hope you put in a large window toward the woods to enjoy that view also! There is a cabin/workshop in the historical park here that has those footers and it has lasted a hundred years so it is a wonderful choice and gives nice view opportunities! Blessings and enjoy! 💡

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

I like the elevated floor setup; it gives you lots of flexibility for adding electrical and other features with ease, plus, as you noted, it keeps lots of air movement under there.

[@cantgetright742]

Another benefit to a vapor barrier isn’t just water but gas from the ground. Somethin to keep in mind

[@filjohn81]

Looks good. I would suggest to go ahead and frame in a double door opening with a header on the wall between the shops. That way in the future all you have to do is remove the studs from the opening.

[@aussiegolddogcnc3d412]

Great vid mate. Can’t wait to see more building. 😊

[@HoneyHollowHomestead]

It will be such a nice space when it's finished!

[@jranney1]

Good job Sam!

[@Samcraftcom]

Thanks!

[@annamschnetzer4036]

I think that it is awesome that your businesses have grown so much that you needed to enlarge your workshop area!

[@Chrispy9393]

it's criminal how early I am to this FAQ. I like faqs.

[@Samcraftcom]

[@Chrispy9393]

@@Samcraftcom Haha! The only question you spurred for me was, any intention of HVAC? Another Mr.Cool system possibly? This is obviously a very serious shop and I'd think you'd want some form of HVAC in there! Lookin' great tho. Looking forward to the rest.

[@Samcraftcom]

I would love to install a mini split, but cannot afford it right now. I'll be using electric heat through the winter. :)

[@denisewilson8367]

​@Samcraftcom isn't electric heat expense there? Here in Michigan it's very expensive and not very reliable. You'd be looking at about $1,000 per month or more for lights & heat in just the big shop, Not counting the little shop, soap shed, or the house.

[@Samcraftcom]

@@denisewilson8367 No too bad, no. Our power isn't subject to peak times either, thankfully!

[@JACKRYNDERS]

Sam, have considered rigid foam board insulation rather than fiberglass?

[@Samcraftcom]

I am considering it for the floor, yes. That would be much nicer to "take to the face" than fiberglass debris for that install! :)

[@JohnColgan.]

PS. Dont forget to add noggins 7:08 between wall uprights to add stiffness & stability

[@denisewilson8367]

@John, what is the world are noggins?

[@mikepetitt9624]

Those plans look great! I was wondering if you were going to have windows. The shop i have in mind is going to have an entire wall of windows and my current shop space has none. I really wanted natural light when workin on things. The cool thing about your floor being off the ground like that is you would be able to run dust collection pipes under the floor instead of over head if you wanted. Always a good idea to have access .

[@Samcraftcom]

You and I are on the exact same page with the windows and natural light! My current workshop didn't have any, and I've added two small ones. Day after day in a space without windows is too close to being back in a cubicle at a day job for me. :) I plan to be in here a lot as I grow my business, so making it as nice as possible will be worth it I think. You're absolutely right on raised floor and options too! Ventilation, dust collection, additional power circuits, etc. Having the space available is great for easy access later.

[@jimsavage7081]

It’s going to look pretty awesome 😎 you’re doing amazing work on it and you deserve it 👊🏻👍💪🏻

[@Samcraftcom]

Thanks a ton!

[@roberto.peterson9917]

elevation will help keep dry during wet season Plus should you choose to add plumbing or electrical give room to do so possibly out of sight out of mind storage depending on what it is should make building last longer by reducing lumber to soil contact and air ventilation keep moisture down no molding or rotting

[@Samcraftcom]

Great points! I will probably be adding a sink into the space after I move in too.

[@JohnColgan.]

You still getting plenty of sunshine for rosey cheeks !! Where are you located for such good wr?

[@Samcraftcom]

In Tennessee, where it's still sunny and 60/70 degrees in the day mid November. :)

[@JohnColgan.]

@@Samcraftcom UK ... Wet & windy, 80 mph winds, heavy rain... I'll pack my bags!!

[@sandracunningham2689]

Are your doors wide enough to bring in future enormous machinery. The roof lines are opposite how will that effect water or snow coming off. My comments are not criticism i just wondered.I love all your building projects.. You are a hard working family.

[@Samcraftcom]

The man door is a standard 36"x80" residential sized door. The tunnel door will be 5 feet wide. :) I plan to add gutters to both buildings and our carport in the future which will greatly help with water issues (plus allow me to do some massive rainwater collection). We rarely get snow here. Thanks

[@sandracunningham2689]

@@Samcraftcom Thank you, great planning for the 5 ft door and rain water collection. .

[@denisewilson8367]

Well, that answered my "service-oriented question. Could not see that in your building sketch up. Only the 3 windows and 1 man door.

[@TheBeerbelly007]

Good stuff Sam :)

[@Samcraftcom]

Thanks!

[@MrRickoscar]

Nice job your doing Sam... Just a suggestion step back from the camera , your full face to me , you are invading my space.

[@JABBO56]

I don't know why you answer these questions. You obviously know your stuff. I wouldn't even bother with them.

[@Samcraftcom]

I enjoy helping and teaching what (little) I know to others to hopefully help them, too. I figure when I get a lot of questions about the same topics I didn't do very well explaining them in the previous videos. :)