Replies

1. 
   Frank Vucolo | Jun 05, 2008 08:34am | #1

   Hi Andy,

   I've been in a garage for a long time - about 12x24 with a bump out section. It's been a challenge, space-wise, but I came up with a few ideas that might help.

   First, remember that the floor is going to be sloped for drainage and not very flat. Plan on making a lot of adjustments.

   I needed all the space I could spare behind my table saw, so designed a retractable outfeed table (you can find it published her in FWW#108.) It doesn't take up too much space closed, but when you need the support you have it fast.

   My bench is on wheels. It spends 90% of it's time against a wall but can be rolled out when I have a project that requires me to work around all 4 sides. Under the table are two small assembly tables - one serves as as storage too. These stay out of the way, nested under the bench until needed.

   My bandsaw tucks into a nook on a roller stand until needed then it gets rolled out. Same with my router table. The router table has onboard dust collection in the form of a small shop vac.

   My Compound Sliding Miter Saw doesn't have a place, I just roll it from spot to spot depending where I need the room. It's on a stand I designed; small enough when not in use that it takes up about as much space as the footprint of the saw, but with retractable support extensions that can support sizable stock. It also has onboard dust collection in the form of a small shop vac.

   My planer is stored in a cabined on a roll out shelf under the grinder. It is a 13 inch portable. It goes up on the table saw when needed and there is a gate and hose tucked under the saw that comes out to connect the planer.

   I use a lot of wall and built in cabinets to store tools.

   I've attached some pictures. Hope this is helpful.

   Frank

    

   
1. 
   andyfew322 | Jun 05, 2008 05:45pm | #2

   thanks, some great ideas there, great shop. 

   there's no need to reinvent the wrench

1. 
   Eef | Jun 06, 2008 12:42am | #3

   hey andy,

   ive had two garage size shops. where to put everything is the on-going challenge. at the moment my shop has been taken hostage by the rest of my family. it all started when my wife wanted a chicken.

   it got too cold for the chicken to sleep outside so it was moved into my shop. you see these sort of shop space take-overs always start with something small like the family chicken. next thing you know my shop becomes the place for all manner of items, most of which, have little or nothing to do with wood.

   im currently 3/4 of my way done with  the chicken coop. once that sucker is finished, its back to the shop and on with my fun stuff.

   im very happy for you!

   eef

    

1. 
   andyfew322 | Jun 06, 2008 01:49am | #4

   thanks, did you have any humidity probs/ rusting tools, any pics

    

   there's no need to reinvent the wrench

   Edited 6/5/2008 6:59 pm ET by andyfew322

2. 
   flairwoodworks | Jun 06, 2008 05:21am | #7

   Frank V

   Nice looking shop.  I like the workbench design.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

1. 
   Frank Vucolo | Jun 06, 2008 06:55am | #10

   Thanks Chris

   built to fit!

2. 
   ctsjr | Jun 06, 2008 03:35am | #5

   Andy

   My shop is my garage here in the Houston area. What that means is 9 months of the year it's rather warm and then there are 3 months of hell. I have a contractor's table saw, 14" bandsaw, 6" jointer, 13" planer and a 28" x 8' workbench in the garage, and I still park my Honda Accord and Toyota Tundra in the garage every day. Everything but the bench is on casters or mobile bases and sits around the perimeter of the garage. I have a hanging lumber rack to store lumber and a plywood rack against one wall. The trick is to get as much storage on the walls as possible. I have just about exceeded my storage capability, and I'm not sure I could add another stationary-esq power tool and still park the cars. That's fine because I need to better learn the power tools I have, and I love using hand tools. In my shop there is a place for everything and everything is in its place. It has to be this way for it to work. I've essentially crammed 10 lbs of stuff in a 5 lb. bag, so to speak. But it's the only way I can work wood and I do so gladly. I AM lusting for, planning for the dedicated and climate controlled shop space, say 600-800 square feet. Someday.... I don't have any pics of my shop, but it's a typical Gulf Coast non-insulated open stud wall design. I use desiccant packs in my cabinets to prevent rust, paste wax and Top Coat on my cast iron. I'm living proof it can be done. Tom

   "Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
1. 
   andyfew322 | Jun 06, 2008 05:10am | #6

   what are desiccant packs? I s'ppose moisture absobing things? where'd you get them? 

   there's no need to reinvent the wrench

1. 
   ctsjr | Jun 06, 2008 05:47am | #9

   I get mine free from packaging and medication bottles. I think you can buy them, but don't know where. When they seem to lose effectiveness, you can dry them out by nuking them a few seconds in the 'wave. Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"

2. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jun 06, 2008 04:21pm | #11

   andy,

   Google dessicant pack and you'll get a bunch of hits. 

   Another good source for me has been the local computer repair geek.  They get lots of parts that come with the packs tucked inside; most will save 'em for ya - Free!

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

3. 
   SawdustSteve | Jun 06, 2008 05:33am | #8

   Hi Andy.... I'm on Long Island, due south of Bridgeport CT, so our weather is similar. Invest in a can of Johnsons Paste Wax or Butchers Wax. Once a month use a piece of steel wool and rub in a coat of wax to the table of your bandsaw, tablesaw, drill press, etc. Let it dry for about 15 minutes and then buff it off with a clean rag or paper towels. That will take care of most of the rust problems with machines. For most of your hand-tools, an occasional quick wipe with a rag with WD-40 is all you should need.
   There are companies that sell special treated paper to line your tool drawers. It's a bit expensive and somewhat hard to find, and in most cases, not needed.

   As for storage, I built a rack under my bandsaw to hold extra blades. That way they are where you need them. I also have a small cabinet under the wing of my tablesaw to hold 'stuff' needed at the tablesaw. A few kitchen 'upper' cabinets hang on the wall for storage of hardware, screws, nails etc. The biggest problem with a small garage type shop is storage of plywood. You want it off the floor, out of the way and FLAT, otherwise it tends to warp. With plywood, masonite, etc. I buy what I need, when I need it so I don't have a big storage problem. I'm trying to figure out a way to store large sheets, on a shelf high above my work area. So far, I have not worked out anything good or easily accessable.
   SawdustSteve

1. 
   JMartinsky | Jun 06, 2008 06:11pm | #12

   Dear Steve,
   Where are you? Port J? I fish out of Captain's Cove on occasion. I try to make Montauk once or twice a year as well.Best,John

1. 
   SawdustSteve | Jun 06, 2008 11:57pm | #13

   No, Not Port J. I'm in the Northport area. If you check out http://www.huntingtonlighthouse.org you can see some of my handy-work. A bunch of us have spent countless Saturdays on this project. It's been my excuse to get out of the house (and gardening) for the past 11 years. It's just about finished. I've been told that there are lots of fish around the lighthouse and many boats do fish there. I just drown bait and get sunburnt, so I get my catch at the local fish store. SawdustSteve