Workshop Layout — Ideas Welcome
This week I got to the point where I was finally ready to un-crate my new tools! I ordered these tools right after finishing Richwood, and moving into my new shop. I gave away my drill press, band saw, jointer and planer when I moved. The whole reason we moved was so I could have a larger workshop so I could get… more professional tools. I ordered right way because I wanted all the main tools, in hand, before deciding on the layout. Then I discovered the water issue and had to spend a couple weeks dealing with that. I picked up the tools and they’ve been sitting here for 2 weeks.
To get the shop ready to actually BE a WORKSHOP. I had to get all the non workshop crap out of there. Last week, we rented a moving truck and relocated all the stuff to a storage facility. Woohoo!
That really opened up the space — which made clear that the space is kinda gross. Even after sweeping the floors and vacuuming all the cobwebs off the walls (that I could reach).
The lower portion of the walls have some mildew/mold. I sprayed them with mold killer/inhibiter but I want to remove the stains. There’s too much surface area to try to clean it with the ZEP, as I mentioned I was going to try. I’m going to paint over it with a stain blocker. But I don’t want to paint the whole room, including the ceiling. So I’m going to go up part way, end it with a crisp line and call it an “intentional design choice”.
Planning a Workshop Layout is Hard
Back to my new tools! Finally getting to uncrate my new tools was super exciting — until it wasn’t. First, I couldn’t get the tools OFF the bottom of the crate. Second, none of these giant tools are mobile so I’m not going to easily move them once I figure out how to get them off the crates so I need to know WHERE I’m putting these tools.
This “bay” is basically 27’x27′. I have plenty of room for all these tools and I don’t expect to love the initial layout forever. But I’d like to not immediately hate it. As in, realize that I grossly miscalculated how much space I need on both sides of my GIANT 12″ jointer. (Or something! Honestly, my last jointer was a little bench-top version.)
I haven’t had a plumber in to look a the place yet (hopefully this week) but I have access to water in here. Not sure about a drain but…I put a sink in my design anyway.
So here is my first draft of my workshop. My blog settings crunch my photos so the dimensions are hard to read. You can see (and download or print) the PDF version of this photo here. https://sawdustgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/woodworking-tools-layout.pdf
I have a whole other bay that I originally thought I’d use for a finishing room. But I’m thinking maybe I’ll pull some of that plywood off and see if I could open up that wall to make one really large workshop. I have plenty of rooms in the back that could be designated, dust free, finishing rooms. Here’s the PDF of the below photo https://sawdustgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/both-bays-layout.pdf
So, before I get any further into this (and while I paint the lower section of the walls, I would LOVE to hear from YOU!. What you see me doing wrong, right? What am I missing, what’s not even on my radar… If you want to sketch up your idea for my best workshop setup, you can share your sketch on my facebook page or email me. Thank you in advance for you HELP! Who knew this would be so daunting? But still exciting.
In echoing the advice above, bite the bullet, get scaffolding and paint the whole thing. That intentional design choice of part way up the wall now will feel like a shortcut later on. Also, epoxy the floor. With those done, you’ll have a better sense of your lighting needs so do lighting, electrical, air compressor lines next. For layout, my biggest recommendation would be to set up stations: a cutting station; sanding station; gluing, clamping station. Please, please don’t take down the wall. The biggest advantage I see to that huge space is that you have a dedicated finishing room for your projects. You’ll love that! So excited to see what this evolves into — your ideas are always so personalized and creative.
My concerns or wish list would include:
1) if there are enough circuit breakers for each individual power tool (planer, saws, etc)
2) If you are having an air compressor and will it run on 220 and be a dedicated circuit?
3) Air hose reels suspended or dropped down from ceiling over work tables/equipment are a great convenience.
4) Outlets on cables that drop from the ceiling are a nice feature so as to keep cords to a minimum in walking zones.
5) Industrial strength castors for heavy equipment if there is even the remotest chance you would want to move it in the future.
6) Some kind of non-skid floor sealer that is not only easy to sweep/clean but also will not allow paints, chemicals, oils, etc., to penetrate or stain the floor.
7) Ceiling heater/blower for those cold winter days and a ceiling fan for the warmer days.
8) Small refrigerator to keep your liquid libations cold.
9) Half bath.
10) Lots and lots of great lighting, preferably LED lights.
So not sure about clearance for joiner and planer if you are working long stock and/or large sheet goods.
Corners are typically good places for band saws and drum sanders.
Just my 2cents.
Do what works best for you
I agree about the wheels. Almost everything we have is on locking wheels. Our metal tool storage units came on wheels, and for really big projects we can just push them to the end of the room and out of the way. When it comes time to paint or clean, it is really handy to have mobile units. As far as where to put each of your new tools, I think it comes down to how you use them, making sure that nothing gets in the way of the nearest one, and also that any dust from one will not prevent you from immediately using another one adjacent. A workshop is so personal, kind of like a kitchen. So excited for you though as you begin this new phase of your career.