Garage or Shed???

[joevilla71]

Ok guys,

My reloading stuff will be here in about 3 weeks and I am getting ready by putting a bench together, shelves, etc... West Texas Area: Some Cold Days, but mostly (70-103 degrees). We get rain once in a while, but annual is about 4 inches.

So, I start talking to the wife ... "thinking about using the guest room or my office" ... BUMP Not gonna happen. So my choices are (I make the payments on the house too you know ... I thougt it, but didn't say it) Garage or Shed?

Garage I would have a pretty good little area measuring about 6 feet wide and 3 feet deep. Other things in there are the Water Softner which would be next to the bench on the right.

Shed out in the back yard. It's about 12 X 12 shed that I put lawn mowers and tool in, but it's got a built in work bench that's very very strong with 4x4 legs and 1 inch plywood. The work bench is about 8 feet long 2 feet deep. I just fear the humidity from the sprinkler system every other morning.

What do you all think?? Which is better or should I go to war for my office space use?

Thanks,
Joe

 

[dmftoy1]

If it's not too humid down there I'd probably vote for the garage. You don't say whether you have power out to the shed or not? Having electrical isn't mandatory but it's nice if you want to have a radio to listen to or a light to see the powder levels, etc.

You could also try for a closet somewhere in the house. For about 5 years on my first reloading go-round I reloaded out of a closet with a bench I built into it . . . worked pretty well.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[dbarale]

If you can add an A/C window unit, I would vote for the shed.
They can be found at Sam's club for 80$ at times.
You don't need to turn it into a refrigerator but it would help control the humidity level. A de-humidifier works too but it's nice to be somewhat comfortable while reloading...

 

[Steve H]

To me comfort is a BIG thing to consider. Make sure you have room to grow. Will your reloading area also become a work area for you guns? Power, IMHO, is pretty important as you will probally need it for a tumbler plus other things will pop up that need power. My shop has an air compressor in it and I find that VERY handy, you may want to consider that something like that might be coming your way one day. In other words make sure you have room to expand, add "stuff" at a later date, have your tools close by and be comfortable.

 

[scrat]

i had a friend who built a shed and then used styrofoam pads he got at home depot. they were about 1 1/2 inch thick. about 2feet by 4 feet. well he used them as insulation and put them all around the walls and ceiling. it dropped the temperature really nice. later on he did add an ac to the shed. it was like a portable office. now if you can do that then thats the place to do it. mind you if there is no humidity or really wetness. if there is a lot of humidity or excessive heat go with the garage. now if the garage gets over 120 during the summer then id say ok to store and do reloading but the powder and primers need to stay inside. same way if your area is high in humidity.

 

[joevilla71]

Thanks for the responses guys.

The shed does have power, 60 Gal Standing Compressor, Small Drill Press, Dremel Scroll Saw & Sander Combo, about 20 feet of Peg Board all around, drawers, shelves.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Steve H]

The shed does have power, 60 Gal Standing Compressor, Small Drill Press, Dremel Scroll Saw & Sander Combo, about 20 feet of Peg Board all around, drawers, shelves.

sounds pretty good...............also might be a good "get away", I'd put a small refer in there.

 

[scrat]

thats a good idea

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

I know how marital disagreements can be, but can you tell us why she objected to reloading in the house? Dirt/mess? Potential explosion/fire hazard? Or just that she does not want to give up the guest room? Depending on why, we may be able to help you with explanations to assuage her concerns.

I have a sturdy roll around cart that most of my reloading tools and supplies go on (except the tumbler is in the garage). I helped my wife clean out the laundry/utility room, and created a spot to park the cart. I roll it out into the breakfast area when I reload, and roll it back when I'm done.

Andy

 

[joevilla71]

Well, she says it's going to smell like gun stuff, it's going to be dirty, it's a hazard to the 6 to 9 kids in the neighborhood who are constantly spending the night and the safety issue is by far the biggest issue.

My office is open and has no door. The kids hang out in there a lot because they will usually watch movies in there on the big screen. That's because my office is a 30X20 foot play room. It's big and they like taking bean bags in there and laying around all night to watch movies. They don't bother any of my stuff, but I think the gunpower and parts would make them curious.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Texas Colt]

Joe,

Sounds like the shed is a good option since it has power. I'm in Central Texas and deal with the same issues. I have a 6x3 area in my garage that I use. I was able to add a duct to the house AC.

If you go with the shed option, you may want to consider keeping your primers and powder in the house where it is always climate controlled. I commandeered a high shelf in the laundry room for mine.

Ed

 

[Hutch]

Air condition the shed. Makes it a year-round getaway. That's exactly what I'm in the process of doing. Slowly.

 

[layusn1]

As my wife is bugging me about the 300 223 cases I have in the tumbler right now might I suggest you make sure the noise wont annoy anyone. Makes life easier on you...lol.

 

[The Real Wyatt]

Shed ... most definitely the shed.

You'll need more room than you have in the garage.

Ultimately you'll need more room than you have in the shed, this is a terribly addicting hobby.

 

[donttellthewife]

I refer to my "shed" as the Secure Climate Controlled Reloading Out Building . There have been times when the amount of primers and powder was such that it felt good that they were not in the house or garage. I am sure the Fire Marshall would not have been happy with me, but I can't help stocking up when the price is right. My biggest problem was heating the room until I found a used propane RV furnace, perfect size for a small room and cheap to run

Go for the shed, less interrptions, room to grow, safer storage and a happy wife.

 

[TimboKhan]

Well, she says it's going to smell like gun stuff

This is a bad thing? I will never understand women...

 

[Texas Colt]

My wife is still trying to convince me that Hoppe's No. 9 is NOT her favorite aftershave

 

[strat81]

With regards to the shed, what are the chances of a primer going off and igniting any flammable materials? Chances of it happening seem slim, but...

 

[SSN Vet]

choose the option that you can lock up tight.

 

[BigSoundRacing]

That sounds like a barn not a shed !

Security, comfort, peace and quiet.

Be safe, KC