So, the project begins...... I have had a good look through the earlier mancave threads, but this is going to need to be a slick design to get in maximum utility in a tight space, so now I have the consent from the neighbours to solve the slightly pesky third party wall issue - we are game on! Criteria are that we need to accommodate three bikes, one on the ramp at any given time, several mountain bikes and road bikes with room for a decent stand for those, and enough room to actually work in. I have a layout worked out, but it will be tight. I have a space 760cm long by 245cm wide, 300cm high. So, am thinking that to maximise space, we are talking about: 1) floor sunk electric powered lift like MGE50 Elecro-Hydraulic Motorcycle Lift 2) decent garage toolchests etc like DURA Genius Garage Workshop. The Ultimate Garage Workshop System 3) decent lighting (LED) plus two window bays in the roof 4) mezzanine level for all the crap you want out of the way 5) quality roller doors that are insulated like Garage doors from Hörmann | High-quality garage doors from the market leader 6) insulation and radiators so it's warm 7) sink and water 8) plenty of power sockets 9) flooring solution like Garage floor tiles - easy to lay 500x500mm. durable 7mm thick 10) security! (alarm etc) 11) nespresso machine and decent stereo What else am I missing as I can only do the design once..... and looking for suggestions for makes or brands for any of those. Am guessing this is going to be give or take the same cost as the extension we are also doing on the back of the house, but am hoping to bundle the prices of all this work together so that I can at least mentally allocate more of it to the house than the mancave! Cars are obviously banned from the space - they go on the street! Thoughts and suggestions welcome. Thanks! :biggrin:
A sofa, a telly and a fully stocked bar :wink: Or at least a fully stocked fridge. Seriously though.... it sounds like an awesome mancave. To get more floor space maybe you can hang mountain bikes on the walls?
"What else am I missing as I can only do the design once" A shower, and fresh set of overalls for each new day. Champagne and Quails eggs in fridge....maybe one other thing, if there is a Mrs ChamMTB or significant other, get permission for all this in writing?
If you cant go up go down... Recently helped out the parents when they were putting up their garage, suggested something like an inspection pit, purely for my own use now and then. Right now its full of the stuff that's never used and would otherwise be in the roof area. Covered with about 15 pieces of railway sleepers cut to length. Is it going to be flat or a ridge roof?
That's happening at the same time - exactly for that reason! Get the other rubbish and general household clutter out of the way. Mancave is bike-only. I like the underfloor option to create space...... extractor fan not a bad idea either...... As for Mrs ChamMTB, she's a good lass and knows the mancave is important so she's not fussed as long as her bikes are always well maintained!
Was thinking about that, but it's a faff really for the amount I will use it as nowadays you can get just as good a ramp that is electric motor powered so am going to go with that. Also, much as I like the idea of being able to change tyres myself (which would be damn handy), the machines you need for this take up so much space that even if you did have the budget for a tyre changer, it would absorb so much room I am not sure I am going to bother. There is a handy bike tyre place about 5 mins drive away. If I was going to have one of those though, then I would need airlines to be able to seat tyres.
Don't forget storage racking to sit body panels on when working, they need to be big. My racking is wide enough to hold fairing panels, it's three shelves deep and about 8' long. I've filled it up in no time! For heating I've got a couple of portable halogen heaters which do the job. A big +1 for the TV, I've got one on the wall with a playstation to double as a DVD player. A decent work bench with a good vice is a must, along with a bench grinder. If you plan to weld make sure the flooring is suitable, don't ask me how I know this.....
Hey Nick, Check out The Garage Journal Board - Powered by vBulletin for inspiration, some dream mancave's to drool over Enjoy
Someone that I know's garage, well some of it and some of his collection !!! All stainless cabinets, heating, charging point for every bike, 50" plasma etc.
Just getting my new mancave ready. Will post some pics when I get back. Think most of what you mentionned is good. Few comments, I bought modular tool chest so can take them to the track, not so heavy as one big one. Yes get plenty of lights in there and position each side of where your bike lift will be, not directly above it. Get a decent bench, a friend made mine. 3 M long but you will soon fill it. Bench pedestal drills are handy. The compressor is a must! They are quite cheap to buy. Bought a Chinese jobby 5 years ago and its still going strong. I already posted before but I would strongly recommend a 'Bikelift'. Bike table. As for the fairings, I buy hooks from DIY shops down here in France and hang them on the walls, take up less room. Also get some plastice 'screw boxes'and order lots of different dia and length nuts and bolts, you will always need them. A good radio and I would go for a kettle instead of an expresso machine but thats a personal choice! And above all don't forget some good pics, posters! The atmosphere must be right.
I like the idea of the recessed at floor level lift, what would be also uber cool is if you went to the trouble of a turntable so that you could turn the bike around and just ride out. At work we have Lista tool solutions and yes, 40mm beachblock worktops - expensive, but well worth it. Power and airlines definitely, and if you can separate one area with a screen or divider to be your 'trim shop'. this would be where you'd have pillar drills, lathe or other machinery, and so keeping swarf, wash fluids and general machine shop dust away from your working area as much as possible. Keep an area clean for assemblies and if space allows, it might be worth making a fairing horse, just like some glorified TV antenna that you can hang your fairings on without having to prop them up or dangle them swinging from hooks and the like. Roller shutter doors we like and good quality diffused lighting so you don't get loads of shadows when you're working in the evening. proper extraction is worth it's weight in gold, and if you're going to run the bike up, some good sound proofing would be good on any walls. I'm looking forward to seeing this evolve oh... and a khazi!
