Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Sep 14, 2006 11:45pm | #1

   Should work just fine.

   John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine

2. 
   Pondfish | Sep 15, 2006 12:37am | #2

   What's the ceiling height, and how much do you want to give up to a suspended ceiling?  And why not leave it exposed?

   I also expect the panels and grid will be efficient dust collectors...

   Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005
3. 
   BruceS | Sep 15, 2006 11:55pm | #3

   I have a two story shop also.  The upstairs is mostly for storage.   I opted to insulate between the two floors.  There is  no reason to heat an often unused space.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

4. 
   nikkiwood | Sep 16, 2006 08:54am | #4

   I can't think of any reason why a suspended ceiling would not work for you. It is bound to collect dust, as mentioned earlier, but that is not a problem -- as long as you dedicate a portion of the space (with partitions and doors) for your finishing activities.

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

5. 
   user-181778 | Sep 16, 2006 09:12am | #5

   Laying out a new shop, no matter how much forsight you put into it, is imprecise.  A year into the new shop you may well decide that some machines need to move, and their dust collection needs to move with them.  Having worked in various buildings with drop ceilings, working on the mechanicals above the ceiling is a royal pain.  It being a working shop, I'd prefer the utility of an open ceiling.

   Richard

6. 
   jazzdogg | Sep 17, 2006 06:33am | #6

   Hi Glenn,

   We have suspended ceilings in the bench rooms at school, but not in the machine rooms where all of the mechanical and electrical systems are exposed. Dust can rain unexpectedly from on high in the machine rooms. Suspended ceilings can help minimize dust that would otherwise collect on the tops of light fixtures, HVAC ducts and the like.

   Unpainted suspended ceiling panels seem to reduce noise slightly better than their painted counterparts, but painted panels reflect more light and are easier to keep clean (I'd probably paint them a smooth, reflective, white).

   You might want to check quantity discounts when you buy your ceiling tiles so you can minimize your cost per tile while buying enough to allow for replacements over the years.

   Good luck,

    

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

7. 
   mudman | Sep 17, 2006 06:55am | #7

   A building inspector friend of mine told me about a shop that had several inches of dust over a suspended ceiling. This was a comercial shop so dusst accumulation is worse than you will have. I know that EVERY horizontal surface in my shop has a liberal coat of dust after a day of two. I know too that in my shop I would find having to remove panels and work between the grids would be anoying. I like having everything visible. If there is a problen I can see it.

   Pardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.

8. 
   dukeone | Sep 17, 2006 11:44pm | #8

   Glenn: Two things come to my mind, first standard ceiling tiles have a very soft surface and will ding very easily, a consideration in a shop. Two, you can cut sheetrock and use it for tiles. It won't collect as much dust and do a good job, not as good as "acoustic" tiles but decent on the noise adsorption front. The "t" bar will need more support wires for the heavier "tiles". Last thought: it might be cheaper and take paint better.

   Good luck, Duke

   "... if people did not die so untidily, most men, and all women, would commit at least one murder in their lives." R. Kipling

9. 
   YesIWood | Sep 18, 2006 01:12pm | #9

   Glenn,

     Nice idea but why?  Now let me say that it is your shop and please feel free to disign it the way "you" want.  But if it were me, I would leave it open and paint the entire ceiling white.  Yep, after installing all your over head lines, pipes, every gets a coat of white paint.  I have seen it done in both black and white.  Black was used in a basement. 

     Painting is cheaper then a drop ceiling.  And if you ever change anything you just paint it when done and it will look like it has always been there :).

   Joe

   Is it really saw dust or wood dust?

1. 
   Northboundtrain | Sep 18, 2006 06:18pm | #10

   When I clean my shop, I like to turn on the fan, open up the windows, and take compressed air and blow the dust off every horizontal surface.  Stuff up high like lumber racks, ect.  collect a lot of dust.  I would want to leave the ceiling open so that I could blow off all the ducts and everything.   The only reason I could see to have a drop ceiling would be if the ceiling is really high -- like 16 feet or more.  A ceiling that high could feel too cavernous or industrial for your taste.  It would also take a lot more energy to heat in the winter.  Then I might frame a drop ceiling and drywall it, sealing off the cavity above completely. 

10. 
    duke | Sep 19, 2006 12:50pm | #11

    Glenn,

    Welcome!  I have a basement shop that I installed a drop ceiling in.  Because of its location I was looking for something to brighten up the space and deaden the sound traveling upstairs.  I have 4 foot troffers installed for general shop lighting as well.  So far I have found it to work well and it provides a comfortable, bright workspace.  Attached are two pictures which show part of the ceiling.  Good luck with your new shop I'm envious of the space!

    Duke

    
1. 
   GlennZ | Sep 19, 2006 04:21pm | #12

   I just wanted to say thanks to all of you that replied. 

   After wheighing the pros and cons I think I like the idea of "hiding" as many of the mechanicals as I can.  Yes it will accumulate a lot of dust up there but not having to look at the cob webs etc. is worth it. 

   After years of sharing my shop with the cars, bikes and the other "stuff" we accumulate in garages I'm looking forward to giving this new space as clean a look as possible.

   I'll post some pictures when its done.   Well...we know its never "done" but you know what I mean.

   glennz