Hi all, new to the group and would like imput into my retirement project, a new shop. I currently work in a 10 x 16 shed. Shoe horned into it is a 10″ cabinet saw, 40″ lathe, 6″ jointer, table bandsaw and drill press, two sanders (10″ disc and a 5″ disc/ 4″ belt combo), router table and scroll saw and a work bench and the usual miscellaneous hand tools. There is a lot to be said for a small shop, (mostly cuss words) but I sure don’t waste time getting from on piece of equipment to the other. Any how, my new shop is still on paper, but is planned for construction later this year. Planned size is 28 X 30 with an additional 8′ section being utilized as 1/2 bath (6 x 8), finishing room 8 x 14 and office area 8 x 10. Any help advise etc. would be greatly appreciated! Oh, did I mention that I have read the other postings on the subject, but still value additional advise!
Edited 2/13/2006 9:51 pm ET by Jim McDonald
Replies
Jim.
Are you building from scratch, a basement or garage space? I am planning a 24x48' basement under a ranch, two end entry garage, center beam with 3 posts -12' spans- and the hvac, stairs in the middle above the center beam. On the far end there is only a sentry coal stove and a 200 amp panel. The ceiling is exposed joists, the walls are block done with a gloss gray epoxy sealer and the concrete floor is dead flat and sealed. I have taken the approach to have a gross plan layout-no detail- then work on refining each section in phases because each decision creates another question.
GROSS PLANS- 5 narrow awning windows on the N north east walls, 2x4 stud and rock all walls finish snow white semi gloss, ceiling the same later. Two ceiling mount air cleaners and a 100amp sub panel in the shop at the other end.
-divide shop in 3 zones. Zone 1-the dust/chip makers, ts.lathe, joiner, planer, band saw, large sander 6x48x12d, RAS and chop saw on a built in bench, panel and dry wood storage. Zone 2- utility machines, hollow mortise, drill presses,1" sander, router table and a 3hp cyclone on the border line of zones 1&2, sanding table, osc post sander, cabinet/assembly benches. Zone 3- the dirty bench(auto, mechanical and metal working), the 6' high red tool chests, very large compressor and non wood pneumatic tools. coal stove and bath room with exterior deep sink.
Once the concepts that you like are done, the next pass needs measurements and precise placement, plans for electrical/air/dust collection arrangements. It may be a little walk from the bench to the TS but better than a 10x20 garage I have been in for 20+ years. It has taken me over 4 months just to get to the detail level. Any time you need a kind word just email. All the best, Pat
Jim, that's a nice size shop. I would add that windows will give you natural light, I have nine.Many days I do not turn the lights on. My ceilings are 8'-0 , I would reccomend at least 9'-0. Wood floors are more comfortable. I put sheetrock on the ceilings but not the walls. I used 7/16" osb for the walls,smooth side towards the shop. I do not need paint on the walls, rustic look. If I did not have a lot windows I would have sheet rocked over the osb.
mike
Jim
FWIW
this may sound too simple, obvious, or amateurish, or whatever, but I wish I had planned the shop around how to make it easiest to keep clean: locating tools, dust control, storage cabinets, shelves, etc, so as to minimize dust and chip accumulation in awkward places, hoses and cords in the way, and so forth. Probably not an issue for pros or production work, but for a hobbyist with limited time in the shop, I'd rather be making something than cleaning up.
As an example, I had initially oriented my miter saw table so that its back was to a wall. I found it was better to turn it around so the dust port faced the center of the room where it was easier to hook up the shop vac to the back, and could then switch the hose between the miter saw and table saw in a few secs.
I've about finished my "retirement shop". it measures 25x30 inside dimensions. I have an 8" jointer, 15" planer, 25" drum sander, 10" table saw, 16" bandsaw, 16.5" drill press, large lathe, large bench (8ftx3ft), miter saw and table, sink, dust collecter, and plenty of room for 2 more power tools like a mortiser or scroll saw. Also have an area of about 10x15 for assembly. It sounds crowded but it isn't. I don't have a place for a finish booth but I usually brush and my dust collector system works good. Hope this helps.
Looks like you have put a considerable amount of time into your new shop plan Jim.
One thing I noticed is that you have planned for the finishing room and office. This is a good thing. When I built my shop I did not go with either from the start and now I will need to convert my 8 foot lean off of the south side to accomodate for the finishing room and possibly an office area.
One thing I would advise is looking into a second floor for storage.
My building is 28 x 40 with a 20 x 40 second floor and I am hurting for room at times inside the shop. The second floor has proved to be a good decision and I highly recommend it.
If your interested, this link will show the inside of my shop. It may help you develope ideas for yours
http://www.superwoodworks.com/Projects/ShopShots.htm
Garry
View Image
http://www.superwoodworks.com
Gary,
Beautiful shop!
Hoping you won't mind answering a few questions.
Are the wood strips that support your tool Holders called french cleats? It looks like a great way to hang stuff.
How high are your ceilings? How high are the windows from the floor?
Do the beam support columns get in your way?
Because of height restrictions I may have to build my shop with columns if I include a second floor.
Thanks,
oldfred
Hi oldfred,
Happy to answer any questions.
"Are the wood strips that support your tool Holders called french cleats? It looks like a great way to hang stuff."The cleats are just beveled at 45 degrees and allows for anything to hang anywhere.You would be very happy with the system I"m sure.
"How high are your ceilings? How high are the windows from the floor?"My ceilings are 9 ft and the windows are about four foot off the floor.
"Do the beam support columns get in your way?"I would have prefered to have open space without columns but because of all the weight that I have on the second floor it is mandatory. I have learned to work around them with very little problems.
I hope this has helped and feel free to contact me if you have further questions.
Garryhttp://www.superwoodworks.com
Thanks for the reply, Gary.
I figure I can work around posts, just prefer not having them. Will probably try to use them to some advantage like a place to put outlets or support dust collection equipment.
I'm sure I'll have more questions.
oldfred
Gary,
What a great shop!!! I like the idea of cleats to hold the tool racks etc. Sure allows great versatility and provides for easy expansion or change. It is an inspiration for sure.
I have yet to be able to overcome the firewall on this computer at work, and just got my scanner at home to function again, so will try to up load shop diagrams again.
Thanks again for the photos!
Jim
Edited 2/22/2006 4:23 pm ET by Jim McDonald
Your pictures of the inside of your shop remind me of the school shop that I set up and taught in for 25 years. It is 35 ft by 74 ft, nice and clean and usually well organized. Now that I am retired, I have a 32 ft by 20 ft pole building in my back yard. Large enough for what work I want to do. Dirty most of the time as I might work all day or just one hour. When it gets unbearably dirty I take an hour and clean it up but I kind of like a little sawdust on the floor. Maybe I'm just lazy in my old age.
We all have our comfort zones in the way we work and play in our shop.I find what works best for me is to cleanup after each messy procedure. It seems to be easier for me. Most of my hand tools are handy to the areas that I use them and it is actually less work to hang then back where they live than to move them around on the bench.
Garryhttp://www.superwoodworks.com
Gary,
I have to agree with you. Cleaning up after is easier to keep up with. I remember reading some where, that it's more enjoyable to start each day with an orginized and clean shop. It does make a difference to me. But like you said we each have our comfort zones. Mine is being orginized.
yeah, a clean and organized shop is also a safer shop. As I have gotten older I feel blessed to have acquired a "clean gene" that causes me to keep my tools put away, always in good working condition, and my work area clean. I wasn't always like this, and all too often I rushed myself as well and both of those traits ended up negatively affecting my work. Someone once told me that cleaning up the shop at the beginning of the day is a good way to "warm up" but I still prefer to clean up at the end of the day and turn off the lights with a sense of pride. When I get the opportunity to build a dream shop it will no doubt benefit from having a lot of organization and shop clean up facilities built in (and maybe no corners where things always seem to build up!)
I agree with you, cleaning at the end of the day is better. So a person can walk right in the next and go right to work. Sometimes I hate to start a project when the place looks so good clean.
Thank you for your response, did you see Garys' shop?
yeah, pretty impressive. Someday I'd like to get a barn shop like that, there's just something very appropriate about it.
Gary,
Just looked at your pics. You are an inspiration! A " super wood shop" to do superwoodwork!
Thanks csacoe,If you are ever in my area, stop by for a visit.
Garryhttp://www.superwoodworks.com
Thank you for the invitation! I'am in the upstate S.C. But if I'am every your way it would be nice to stop by and take notes and instruction. I would enjoy that very much.
May I suggest putting as much in the ceiling as possible. First start with lots of light I have ten double florescent fixtures in my ceiling. Then if you can drop your air lines this reduces a trip hazard. Your dust collection placement will be one of the most important decisions to make centralize it, then spider off of it with 4" tubing to your various tools reducing down as needed to smaller tools. Last of all enjoy!!
BMW50
JIM
I don,t know if your shop is in the basement but if it is I would put some installtion inside the walls and put some styrofom on the inside of you enterice door.I did on my shop and my wife says she can almost hear my power tools.The noies is dull
This will be new construction. Just missed being burnt out in a prairie fire Tues 15. Would have made retirement happen a little sooner than I planned, as I would not have rebuilt here in Kansas. Would have made moving that much easier too ;). I set sprinklers around my shop building, and in front of the house and then followed the sheriffs's advice to evacuate. With 40 mph winds, we came back to a house that is full of soot and smoke, so rather than a weekend spent in the shop, it will be spent vacuuming the house. Cheryl says that shes glad we had something to come back to, and so am I!
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