Shop Ideas

I'm thinking about building a shop out back to support my growing tractor restoration habit. I'd also like to do some metalworking, and I may need some space to let my wife do woodworking. (Believe it or not, the way to her heart is with power tools...I'm getting her a router table for mother's day...she'll love it.)

I'd like to solicite your ideas on what you'd like to see in a shop if you were in my position. I'm just in the dreaming stage right now, so I'm not throwing out any ideas yet based on cost or other connections to reality. An an example, here's what I'm thinking about:

1. At least two 220 power outlets...one for a welder, one for a compressor.
2. A painted floor...to make cleanup easier and to reflect light.
3. Piped air lines around the shop for easy tool hookup.
4. An external air line for sand blasting out back.

I've been working on a couple of Farmalls either out in the yard, in a rented storage shed, or in the kitchen, so just about any shop will be a welcome upgrade, but I'm really interested in hearing what people who have had a shop would like to see if they did it all over again.

Any and all comments are appreciated. Thanks!

- David

here's a link with a bunch of ideas

john

http://yarchive.net/car/garage.html

I dropped a 110v cord down on each side of my workbenches. Works wonderful for both woodworking and metalworking. Also keeps me from cutting up the cords most of the time. Just remember to put them up high enough to keep from hitting you in the forehead, but not too high for most people to reach.

Click on the little "+" sign at the top of this thread. That will open up all the responses on one web page. For MSIE at least, go to "file" and then "save as". You then select "web page, HTML only" in the drop down list box. Give the file a name and click "save" to save the file to your hard drive. You can then go back to that file whenever you want and read, print or whatever.

Rod

I ran 220 across every wall, with 2 outlets per wall for welders, etc, and 2 junction boxes
per wall in between to tap into if ever needed.

tons of lights (30x32 shop with 18 dual bulb
2ft flourescents).

120v outlets across walls, and ceiling.

Heavily insulated, and forced air heat
w/dehumidifier.(propane exchange heater).

I also ran addition wire for 3 phase power.

2 air hose outlets per wall.

just my 2 cents worth.

Dan

Thanks for the posts -- they're all going into the planning book.

- David

Mine is 40x60 with a 20ft leantoo and one side for woodshop and a 20ft lean on the other side for the office and wife's hobby room.

Bill

I second what the others have said. I would add at least a couple 20a 220v circuits for tools like a table saw, jointer and planer. More importantly though I would consider building a steel I-beam or two into the ceiling structure. Should be strong enough support to handle at least 1/2 ton at midpoint. This would be for a trolley-mounted chain hoist. I have kicked myself many times over the years for not having done so when I built my shop. This is something that is not that easy to add in at a later time. Like you want, I have combined metalworking, woodworking, welding and automotive tools and equipment in one space. Floor space is at an extreme premium and floor cranes are out of the question without moving stuff around and outside the space altogether. That is done by necessity on occaision but is a real pain to accommodate.

Also would be nice to have a pit for working under a car or truck. I wish I had done that too but I wasn't thinking ahead much at the time. Money constraints are usually a reality though and you have to stop somewhere.

Rod

Dusty

now..

lighting is one of the most important things... flourescents are cheap but depending on climate don't give the best output in cold buildings..metal working and wood working need a lot of light to keep all your fingers attached and do good work.. plan a light over each stationary machine and at least one for every 20 sq ft of work area i.e. bench, layout table etc. I've got a mixture of 4' and 8' depending on area. My shop is only 25x25 and I have 4 8' 2bulb units and 4 4' 2 bulb and 2 4' 4 bulb units.. there is also 2 300 watt flood lights in the front area where I weld, cut etc and adjustable floods outside the shop for late afternoon evening light. can you tell I like light... don't put all of them on the same circuit... divide your circiuts by the work or area you are doing.. i.e. wood work on one , lathes and presses on one... that way you don't have to run all at once.

outlets.. mine are every 4 feet on the wall, about 4' above the floor. on all walls ! with several multi plug strips over benches. Again divide the circuits..some folks even go so far as every other one on a different circuit.. that would be convenient.. I've been in a shop where the only light was a drop light... drilling and blew a fuse and you're in the dark ...can be scary finding the fuse box..

If you plan on stationary tools...saws, planers, lathes...each ought to be on seperate circuits..
vacuum system for wood work would be a nice addition...

When you pipe for air... pipe overhead and bring your drops down the wall.. slope your main header toward one end with a drain to remove condensation. there is a really good schematic for shop plumbing in the TipTools site... the outside drop is a good idea, but put one out front also..nice to be able to blow off debris after working without dragging a hose across the shop.

I'd seriously consider heating especially if you are in the colder areas.. I'm in alabama and I'm putting in a forced air unit this summer.. gonna find a take out furnace from one of the A/C companies and install it...plan to keep the shop around 50� in the winter... keeps down the humidity and the condensation on parts and tools, plus it's easy to warm it up quick.. that brings up insulation... put in all you can afford... ceiling first and walls next if you have to do it in pieces.. I finished my walls/ceiling with 1/4 plywood and painted white... amazing how much light it added over studded walls.....

my brain is tired now... I'll think of more later and I'm sure there are some other good ideas coming...

you're doing right to plan first..it will save you time and money..

gud luck
john