Pinewoods

Mike, I love what you did and can relate well to your journey. I am at about the same state as you are, having reworked a 20x30 foot metal shed into an 18x21 (internal dimensions) workshop plus a storage bay for, well, all that other stuff. My workshop was an unorganized place in the shed where I stored my tools while I was remodeling parts of our 1974 vintage Colorado mountain retirement house. The shed was uninsulated with a couple of 4' light fixtures that came on when I plugged the 12 gauge extension cord into an outside outlet on the house.

Now nearly everything has its own place, the space is insulated, the six four-tube T-8, 4' troffer lights come on with the flick of a switch, the 9' high suspended ceiling is bright. I added 60 amp, 220V service and six circuits with 14 four-outlet boxes. Like you I added a loft storage area with pulldown stairs (a great suggestion from a neighbor). The oil stained concrete floor has been covered with salvaged plastic tiles (but not insulated).

I looked at alternatives for heating and decided to try a couple of 1500W plug-in electric heaters. Even on winter days in the upper teens, they bring the temperature up above 50 degrees. I can do a lot of heating with my $40 system before I could recoup the cost of a gas heater.

The walls are covered with 1/2" ACX plywood that I was going to paint but liked so much that they got a non-yellowing clear acrylic finish.

I'm not sure that a shop like this is ever completely finished. There is always one more bit of storage to be added or tool to be purchased, but the joy of a well lit, well organized retreat like this is making retirement even more enjoyable.

Donn F