Hi All,
I am going to purchase a new shed in the near future. I have an existing shed that would be perfect for an annex to my basement shop. I will be moving the stuff (lawnmowers, snowblower, yard tools,etc) that is currently in the existing shed into the new shed. I just don’t have enough room for everything that I plan on buying (e.g. planer, jointer, etc) in my basement shop. My question to the group is, does anyone out there have this type of setup where they have a basement shop with the table saw, nice workbench, miter saw, drill press, bandsaw, etc and then in their outside shop they have other machinery such as a planer and a jointer, etc. Or do you have your tools split up a different way?
I’m just wondering what is the best way to break up my tools, etc. I was thinking that it may make sense to have all of the tools that I may start a project with like a planer and jointer outside. These are also tools that create a lot of sawdust and outside may be the best place to have these (I don’t have a decent dust collection system yet). Also, I could start outside to get everything planed and jointed and then move in for cutting on the table saw, etc. And I could also use the outside annex as a final finishing area as there will be the ability to have a lot of air circulation and my basement shop has no windows even though I can open a slider and a window in another room. I just would like this scenario to have some type of efficiency and flow to it and was wondering what the concensus is out there.
Anyone out there with a similar scenario? I’d love some pointers, suggestions, etc…
Regards,
Buzzsaw
Replies
Buzz,
Tools should be grouped in a way that follows a natural progression in the wood milling process. As an example, having a miter saw or radial arm saw near to where wood is brought into the shop will allow you to easily cut it down to length for easy storage. Having an unobstructed path from the saw to your storage is also a plus.
When milling wood, one would start by either cutting it to rough dimensions on the band saw, or, if its close enough to what you want, move directly to the jointer to true up one face and edge. From there you could move on to the thickness planer and finally the table saw.
Workbenches and assembly areas need not be grouped right next to the machinery, but should be kept in an area that is not greatly effected by cold or heat. This gives glues and finishes the best environment to cure.
Whatever layout you choose, it should allow you to move the wood and work pieces from one station to the next with a minimal amount of fuss. Keep in mind that you will be adding dust collection to your system and will have to allow room for it.
Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.
Thanks Dan,
That is why I was thinking that having the planer, jointer, and a radial arm saw outside may make sense. Then I can bring in the jointed and planed wood inside for the table saw, etc, and assembly. I wish everything could be in one place but that is not an option for me at this point. Thanks for your input Dan...Regards,
Buzzsaw
Buzz,
It probably doesn't get much better than what you and Jackie discussed. After you edge joint the board and run it through the TS you'll probably want to edge joint the sized board on the jointer again....but, can't figure a better configuration.
Its a difficult trade off isn't it?
I have recently moved intop a new house and laid out the workshop in the same way as my last house - except that the GArage faces the opposite direction.
In the last house the prevailing wind past the open garage door created a venturi that was about the most effective dust extractor you could imagine. The Lathe was right next to it and I never worried about dust.
In the new place the roller doors face WNW and get all of the afternoon sun (hot where I live with an average rainfall <21" and summer daytime max temp over 25-40C) It is usually hot working at the vice end of the bench, and I am starting to worry a bit about the effects on wood/finishes etc. I also anticipate problems with movement of the wood between prep and final assembly.
Dave
Jackie's response is about as good as it's going to get. If you have a good hand plane, set for a fine cut, you should be able to clean up the table sawn edge without having to run outside again.
I am blessed with a large basement in which I have a fully equipped shop.
I have plenty of room to store full sized sheets of ply -- but I usually need another person to schlep 3/4" stock down the stairs. I can do it myself in a pinch, with a narrow ramp I can put over the straight run of stairs -- but it's still easier with two.
So, for any project requiring more than a sheet of plywood I have a set-up in my garage to cut sheets to size. I built a high dolly that rolls up to the back of my van, slide the sheet onto the dolly, wheel it into the garage, slide it on to a pair of horses (with three 8' 2X4's half lapped on the top of the horses). I keep a circular saw and shooting board out there to cut the ply to rough size for the pieces I need.
If I were cutting the final pieces in the garage, I would be tempted to get the Festool circular saw system, or perhaps the EZ Smart guide. With either one, you would not need a TS, except maybe for joinery.
I also keep a portable planer in the garage on its own roller stand -- but I only use it when I have a huge number of boards to plane.
I also keep a portable TS and a SCMS on a stand out there (intended mainly for job site work), but I use those occasionally as well.
So, if your shed annex is big enough, I don't see why you couldn't do all your milling there, and then take everything to the shop for joinery and assembly.
Thanks for your input. That is what I was thinking so we'll see how it works out. I'm sure I will probably also buy some benchtop tools like a drill press for quick work while outside and possibly a radial arm saw or a sliding miter saw that I would need to cut jointed and planed stock to length...Regards,
Buzzsaw
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