Workshop dimensions???

[Gthree0239]

Hello all,

I?m a new guy to the forum (still trying to figure out how exactly to follow all of the threads and use the search function effectively), I?m curious what size shop most people use? I know vans suggests a 2 car garage but convincing the wife to park outside for several years is a losing battle from the word go. I have a shed I can add on to currently 12 x 16 I was thinking about adding 4 or 8 foot to the 16 to make it 20 or 24 long and a lean to on the width (but that?d be where all of the contents of the shed would be housed). Is 12 x 20 or 12 by 24 enough space?
I am hoping to get wife approval to start construction on a rv7a.

Thanks for your input.

Also, if anyone can tell me the measurement of the fuselage from the firewall aft that would be appreciated.

[MED]

You can get a temporary garage for her car for about $1500 on e-bay, depending on how big you need. Worked for me.

[kbalch]

Many years ago, I built an RV-8 in a 24x24 2-car garage. I was able to put both wings on simultaneously with the fuselage at an angle. In fact, I bought the house with the project in mind.

More recently, I built an RV-14A in a 22x28 3-car garage. I had to mount one wing at a time, then reverse the fuselage direction to mount the other. Fortunately, the -14A (unlike the -8) doesn't require them both to be mounted simultaneously during the build phase.

In both cases, I utilized the entirety of each garage with benches, toolboxes, and mounted tools around the periphery. In the first case, both of our cars lived on the driveway for the duration - not a lot of fun during the winter in Boston, but we made out OK. In the second case, we've long since downsized to one shared car plus my toy car of the moment - much easier in Orlando - and the shared car lived on the driveway during the project. I sold the toy car to free both space (there was no conceivable way that it could've remained outside) and funds; I'm now looking for another!

[wirejock]

Go to my blog. Link below.
Favorite Links
Download the Basic Builder Log.
One tab is Square Feet. I measured most of the big parts. Fuse dimensions are on it.
Lots of other useful info
Full 7(A) inventory
Epoxy/Paint calculator
Tool list
Tabs for time and expense.

I've seen RVs built in Conex Container. Our garage is 22x24 and I've had both wings on several times.
Build on

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by Gthree0239

Hello all,

I’m a new guy to the forum

Chad, welcome aboard the good ship VAF

A space 12x20 should be enough to build any single component----one wing, fuse etc.

You will need a larger area to put it all together.

What model are you thinking of??

[Mel]

I built a 24'X24' carport closed in on the north side and protected by the garage on the west. This allowed parking of 2 cars with plenty of space under the carport and the building of 2 RV-6s simultaneously in the 2 car garage.

[scard]

The most important part is to just get a tail kit ordered. The rest will fall into place as needed.

[9GT]

I built a nice shop that is 32' X 56'. I call it the "airplane factory" and so far 3 planes have popped out of it, along with a couple engine overhauls. It has a bathroom, shop sink, furnace, and a 100 gallon air compressor. At this point and time, I wish I had built it a "little" bigger!

[David Paule]

I'm building my RV-3B, the smallest of Van's kits, in a garage shop that's 19' square. With workbenches, it's tight. I won't be able to assemble it there, of course, and even putting the engine and tailwheel on, both at the same time, will be awkward.

Dave

[rocketman1988]

I have a 32 x 48 workshop with an 18 x 30 addition; I am building a -10.

I find that no matter what size building you decide on, your projects and tools will expand to fill it.

"I wish my shop was smaller" said no-one ever...