Everyone who works with equipment, has a farm or a hobby that requires space dreams of a large enough work shop to keep and store all the tools and other goodies.
Here is a simple and inexpensive way to obtain the space you need.
Our tool storage facility consisted of a 27 foot van body that was set on the ground (no axles) and another 27 foot van body with axles for bulk storage. The distance between the two was 26 feet. We decided to add an enclosed work shop using the van bodies as the side walls. The building would be 26' X 45' with 14' side walls.
Materials
Posts: Used telephone poles from the local utility for $0.50 per foot.
Trusses: Used 4" X 10" I-beams for $1.00 per foot and fabricated the trusses.
Purlins: New un-used surplus industrial uni-strut 3" X 1-3/4" X 12 ga. for $0.50 per foot
Roof Deck: New materials, R-panel
Construction Progress Photos
Setting the Poles
The poles were set with the outer surface flush with the side wall of the van bodies. This provided a flat even surface for the panel and structural steel components.
Welding Trusses
I-beams are very heavy and appropriate lifting equipment is required. The 6000 lb Clark forklift shown here will lift to 21 feet. The forklift was purchased at an auction for $1,000 (the John Deere 219 diesel engine was in pieces).