New workshop ideas

[Jon Barnhardt]

I am in the process of buying a new shop (I currently rent).

Since it is only insulated (no bathroom, heat, etc yet) I have the opportunity to design it from the ground up.

I'm looking for ideas on space saving designs, organization, neat things to add, etc.

The shop is 25' x 50' (a tad smaller than my current) but I plan to add a 11' x 30' loft on one side of it and underneath will be my contained "work" area so dust and paint are contained from the rest of the shop...

Anyone got any pics to share or cool ideas?

[bassmonster]

I would put pegboard on all the walls.

[Tom Smit]

Piping for the vac.
And one of these before the vac. http://www.cgallery.com/jpthien/cy.htm
Curtain rod rails and clip to hang power cords to tools.
Movable curtain all around the perimeter so that when it's paint time, you just draw the curtain around to keep the overspray away from the tools.


Check out the wood magazines on-line, for storage, set-up.

[Jon Barnhardt]

I would put pegboard on all the walls.

Maybe not all, but there will be a couple large boards as I have now!

[Jon Barnhardt]

Piping for the vac.
And one of these before the vac. http://www.cgallery.com/jpthien/cy.htm
Curtain rod rails and clip to hang power cords to tools.
Movable curtain all around the perimeter so that when it's paint time, you just draw the curtain around to keep the overspray away from the tools.


Check out the wood magazines on-line, for storage, set-up.

Plan to pipe both air and vacuum all over the workspace area. I currently have a dust deputy that has served me well so far.

Can you describe the power cord hanger more - I don't follow.

I like the curtain idea for paint time!

Keep them coming!

[subharmonic]

Full sized diy dust vortex. Optional exhaust/return air damper for you dust collector. A place to store my gear would be exceptional too, and/or hide from the wife!

[Jon Barnhardt]

Full sized diy dust vortex. Optional exhaust/return air damper for you dust collector. A place to store my gear would be exceptional too, and/or hide from the wife!

Yes, the filtration will be built into the ceiling in this work shop. Been working on the planning for that now for a few days...

Hopefully gear storage space will increase at the new place due to much better storage planning...

[Jon Barnhardt]

Here are the 3D renderings for what I have so far for the workshop within a shop:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/allnightproduc ... /shop1.jpg

https://s3.amazonaws.com/allnightproduc ... /shop2.jpg

https://s3.amazonaws.com/allnightproduc ... /shop3.jpg

These are from eye level. The big table saw on the end near the big door (which will be a roll up door) is actually my build table with my track saw on it. (the software didn't have an image like that so I used the large table saw table)

The red box by the ceiling near the big door is supposed to be a hanging heater.

[bassmonster]

We have a portable kerosene convection heater in our garage and love it. It's portable which is great, but I would think a permanent install heater would be better, if only for the inconvenience of buying, storing, and constantly refilling the portable one with kerosene. We don't run it in our garage when and after cutting wood, as airborne sawdust, given the right stoich ratio with air, is explosive. Is this a non-issue? What heater will you be installing?



Sounds like an exciting project, I would love to design my own workshop someday.

[Jon Barnhardt]

@bassmonster - more than likely will be a radiant type electric heater. The main part of the shop will be radiant natural gas heat - the same as my current shop. I may not even need a separate heater in the workshop unless I choose not to heat the full shop to the temperature needed in the workshop for creature comfort.

[subharmonic]

I would make a special closet for the compressor and dust collection. Insulate it good, used sound board, with roofing sealer, whatever you need to make that thing soundproof as possible. I hate air handlers and compressor noise whenever I can avoid it.

Of course if you wire yourself, I know local code is a PITA. Run an extra conductor or two for remote turn on of the vac system, via a power switch.

[Israel]

a dart board, a high (overhead) place to put your cell phone, a simple sound system that allows you to test the cabs (i was thinking on lepai they had a 12v mp3/fm amp look at PE) a resting place a comfty chair maybe a hammock once you got that ull be happy 2 be there then the rest will came by inspiration

[Grant Bunter]

Jon, Your priorities are all wrong...
You need a fridge for beer (and maybe food). Also a toilet.

Once you move in the fridge, fill it with beer. Let the beer get cold.
Drink the beer, go to the toilet, and inspiration for the rest of the layout will become astoundingly clear.
You might also solve a few of the world's more complex problems at the same time... better still get some mates involved, then you will definitely solve most of the world's problems, except for how to deal with the headache the next day...

Nah seriously, there have been lots of good points so far...
Except that lighting hasn't been considered, think about sorting out lighting that doesn't cast shadows over your markup and assembly areas, wherever they may be.

[Tom Smit]

[

Can you describe the power cord hanger more - I don't follow.

Imagine a piece of tubing running from the wall over to the circular saw, or any power tool in the middle. Hang shower curtain clips on this tubing, and put the power cord through, and tie to, the clips. The clips slid along the tubing up in the air to full extention or can be dragged back with several droops near the wall.

Another couple of options...
http://www.plansnow.com/dn3099.html
http://www.finewoodworking.com/SkillsAn ... x?id=29516

[Harley]

.... (and maybe food). .

-1

Food is...essential

Except that lighting hasn't been considered, think about sorting out lighting that doesn't cast shadows over your markup and assembly areas, wherever they may be.

Very wise point. I have a lot of flourescent lighting in my workshop BUT at times one requires more close up intense lighting. Just like clamps, ligthing is : "you can't have enough"