Official Luthiers Forum!

I finished my shop about a year ago after moving to a new location. It took me about a year to finish it and in the mean time I had a temporary place to keep up with the repairs. I converted a nice old well built barn into a shop. Good idea on the mini split. They are great. I installed one and I can't say enough about how great it is. You will still need a humidifier and a dehumidifier. I've got 50 amps going out and it's been more than enough so far, 90 would be even better. If you can afford it I would highly recommend getting spray foam insulation, if anything just for the ceiling. IN the case of a garage I think it would be a good idea to wall off the garage door. That would be your weak spot in terms of environmental conditions. If you absolutely must have that door though then they do make garage door insulation kits.

As for books, I'd get every one you can get your hands on. They all have something to offer and ultimately what you end up doing is a hybrid style of building. You will find methods that work for you and ones you think are crazy, like the neck joint in C&N for example, not too many people even attempt that.