Building a Shop

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 4:43 pm

Hello Folks -
I am planning on putting a small shop in the back yard this spring. Approx. 20' x 10' with a shed roof. There is currently a frame there from an old bird pen. The only tools I plan to have in it, other than hand tools, are my shopsmith, stand alone SS planer, stand alone SS bandsaw and a vintage Dewalt Radial Arm saw. Any advice from those that have put a shop together is most appreciated.. I am considering installing a Rinai propane heater as well. It will have a wood floor. Thanks for any feedback - Alec

kd6vpe · Post by **kd6vpe** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:10 pm

I did exactly what you are planning on doing. One problem I have with my setup is the roof clearance for drill press mode. Don't forget about that. The heater and insulation yes I wish I had that done, maybe this spring it is pretty cold out there now and the ss starts up kinda slow at first.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 8:13 pm

I might suggest that you situate the RAS in a manner that you can run long boards out the door (or a window perhaps). There is nothing more maddening then not having enough "length" to cross-cut a board:mad: .

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 8:55 pm

The first thing I think of is ample electricity and more than needed outlets - all GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt) You can put one GFCI outlet in a circuit and use normal outlets down line from that one. the result will be that all outlets in that line will be GFCI. Also get 20 amp outlets - don't save $ by buying 15 amp ones.

The second thing is to have ample room for in-feed and out-feed for all tools.

The third thing is ample cabinets/shelves for storage, while preserving room to store partly completed projects while still having room to work.

Good Luck! & Best Wishes!

ryanbp01 · Post by **ryanbp01** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 7:54 am

Plumbing is always nice to have. Tried talking the wife into letting me put that in but she said no. Her reason: she'd never see me! Heat is nice to have. Also think about how to keep cool in the summer (although now that's not a problem!)

18 days 'til Christmas

BPR

drewa · Post by **drewa** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:10 am

I don't think anyone has mentioned the most important thing...DUST COLLECTION. This is, outside of the tools themselves, the most important thing one can have in a shop. I would plan around that. Nick and I are covering dust collection this Saturday on our Sawdust Session. If you haven't signed up or if it is filled, you should check out the podcast we will publish on Monday.

As you probably instinctively know, but bears mentioning, there are health hazards with breathing the dust that you create. Some folks can break out into hives or worse, respiratory failure. You may not be one of those folks, but you are one of those folks who need clean air to breathe. And this is one of the things your wife will not argue with. And if she does, be suspicious. Very suspicious.

Be good,

Drew

P.S. It is also a good idea to run some electric and dust collection under the floor. I will leave you with more space up top to swing boards around...

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:49 am

These are all great responses and I appreciate it. Dust collection under the floor... Wow! I never would have thought of that. Please keep 'em coming! Thanks again, Alec

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:24 am

Alec
One thing I would build into my shop is the ability to CHANGE it around when I figured out what I did wrong the first time.

I have built three shops and have redone the one I'm presently in at least twice. My last change was my fatal mistake. I needed overhead storage so I built cabinets from the floor up to serve two purposes; one as cabinets and the other as the main structure for my overhead storage. To insure the strength and integrity of the everything I used construction adhesive and fixed them to the walls, floor and existing ceiling. They turned out perfect and worked as planned and I loved them. That is until I bought another piece of gear that would fit perfectly where they are!

Now I'm faced with a problem since I can't easily move them do I live with the situation or do I tear them apart (really a bad job) and begin again. I have since figured a far superior way to get my overhead storage and a perfect way to support it that wouldn't tie up an floor space. I have come up with more versatile methods to store what is presently in the cabinets and I could really use the space.

Needless to say when I finish the "honey do" list and there is an end and it is in sight! Praise the Lord!!!! I'm almost certain I will once again redo my shop layout. My only regret is I wish I would have built my present shop with the ability to readily change it. A new machine, a better way of doing it, a new need can really obsolete a really good design quickly.
Ed

drewa · Post by **drewa** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:49 am

Here's another idea...

I have a problem with storing 4X8 ply, as does anyone else who has 4X8 ply. I have a plan for suspending it from the ceiling using a pulley system. I think you can see what I am proposing. The only thing I would be concerned about (especially in my ricketty ole shop) is re-enforcing the rafters and making sure your walls can hold the weight of the plywood.

Be good,

Drew

p.s. when i think of more i will post them.

jtomwoods · Post by **jtomwoods** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 12:18 pm

Alec-

My only comment is to make your shop as large as feasible given your space, funds, etc.

I built a 16X20 about 5 years ago. It seemed like a mansion at the time. Now, it's unfortunately smaller than I'd like.

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