Replies

1. 
   wyo | Oct 27, 2006 02:34pm | #1

   12 ft x 20 ft isn't large, about the size of a one car garage. I work in half of a two car garage and the dimensions are also exactly the same. I wouldn't split it into two rooms.

   I would also suggest mobile bases for all of your tools as moving them around will be useful.

   In my "workshop" I have:

   10 in table saw
   12 in sliding compound miter saw
   16.5 in drill press
   12 in jointer
   20 in planer
   19 in bandsaw

   All on mobile bases ;-)

2. 
   cherryjohn | Oct 27, 2006 04:06pm | #2

   Make the floor out of wood.  Much warmer and forgiving to a dropped tool

   Wicked Decent Woodworks

   (oldest woodworking shop in NH)

   Rochester NH

   " If the women dont find you handsome, they should at least find you handy........yessa!"

3. 
   JohnWW | Oct 27, 2006 05:16pm | #3

   I second the suggestion to use a wood floor, unless the lathe weighs more than a ton it won't have any problem sitting on a properly designed wood floor.

   John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine

1. 
   Ricks503 | Oct 27, 2006 05:33pm | #4

   John, any chance of getting a few of the other forums linked up on top with Other Taunton forums: ?  Right now, only Breaktime is listed. 

    

   " There'll be no living with her now" - Captain Jack Sparrow

1. 
   JohnWW | Oct 27, 2006 05:40pm | #5

   Not my department, I am blissfully, and intentionally, ignorant about how such magical things can be made to happen. 

   Post your suggestion to Matt Berger who is in charge of running the FWW.com site.  You can post directlty to him since he has a heading in the experts column.

   John W. 

1. 
   Ricks503 | Oct 27, 2006 07:57pm | #6

   Unfortuanatley, I am not a member and do not want to pay just to pass this on.

   I guess, that I will post it as to SYSOP 

    

   " There'll be no living with her now" - Captain Jack Sparrow

1. 
   JohnWW | Oct 27, 2006 08:22pm | #7

   Sorry about that, I forgot which site I was on.  I'll mention it to Matt.

   John W.

2. 
   Turnpike | Oct 28, 2006 12:03am | #8

   Hi John,

   I wasn't worried about the lathe falling through the floor - more the question of minimising vibration.

   Turnpike

1. 
   cadiddlehopper | Oct 28, 2006 01:07am | #9

   Wood over concrete would be a good choice. My wooden floor (I didn't build it) was not built well. As a result it is springy. My lathe is bolted to joists which still does not provide very good support. To minimize vibration, I had to add weight via sand-filled boxes. Be certain to have a high ceiling even if you have to make it cathedral style.BTW: My shop (for a hobbyist) can be considered huge, but it is long & broken up by walls & a stairway. One nice square open space would work better. It seems that 12x20 is very small; 20x20 would be a better start but still somewhat small. Mobile bases help, but they can be a nuisance. You might want to think ahead on this: Are you a fan of large, heavy tools or can you manage with smaller but decent quality? I am in the latter camp even with lots of space. Of course, since you want to turn, don't skimp on the lathe.Cadiddlehopper

   Edited 10/27/2006 6:20 pm ET by cadiddlehopper

1. 
   Turnpike | Oct 28, 2006 03:44pm | #10

   Thanks Cadiddlehopper,

                                          I've reviewed the size of my shop, thanks to everones comments. The max I can build without obtaining planning permission here in the UK is 30 square metres so I'm now thinking 6 x 5 metres but this is still approx 6square metres shy of you smallest suggested 20ft x 20 ft. 9.

    Anyone would  think I was on the wrong string here -  perhaps I should have posted on Metric or Imperial lol.

   When you said wood over concrete did you mean wooden planks laid dirrectly on the concrete ( with a damp-proof membrain between) or were you thinking joists on the concete - if so at what spacing? Should I cross brace the joists? Further comments much appreciated.

   Regards,

   Turnpike

1. 
   cadiddlehopper | Oct 29, 2006 01:21am | #11

   TP,
   I believe that you can do it either way. If you have a very heavy piece of machinery, you probably don't want to use sleepers (joists laid on the concrete) which probably costs more anyway and would not be as stiff. Not being familiar with UK building practices, we colonists may be unreliable for advice. As to how we do it here: there was an article in Fine Homebuilding a while back on the subject of finishing out a basement including floor. The author designed specifically for moisture control. I read it at the public library thus do not have a copy. You may be able to find a reference on the Taunton website. If you decide to use joists, cross bracing is probably not needed, spacing might depend on flooring material. Tongue&groove 3/4-inch plywood is quite stiff, if available to you.BTW, you may cover your concrete with some rubber materials which can be laid as tiles which interlock as puzzle pieces. It may serve as well as wood and install more easily. I think it is available at Home Depot also.A shop 6x5 M is at least an improvement. I found a 12-ft dimension somewhat restrictive when my shop was smaller. LOL!!!Cadiddlehopper