Thread: Finally I got a Shed!!

I just bought a Dewalt 14.4 v top of the wizza from FOR WOOD in Malaga WA $300 ... RRP $400+ .. they had a few on sale as they were old models and demos .. mine was unopened box .. I usuall buy GMC 24 v but after returning them every 3 months i thought stuff it . The Dewalt just creams the GMC by a mile . I have a shed full of GMC but their bat drills sukk... Also just bought a Ozito thicknesser from Bunnys for $289 .. same model as GMC , RYOBI , BOSCH , TIMBECON etc ... $50-$100 cheaper with 3yr warranty .. I had a gmc reconditioned one for 2 yrs . Just started smoking so i though what the #$%@ at that price why fix the old one .

Gidday

On the third day a sudden hush of anticipation creept in as I drove the last few metal screws into the sheet roofing tin on top of the house.

The sparkey rose from the depths of dust spiderwebs aspestos rats and other obsticales to getting the wiring laid...................."Well shes just about their m8 I just got to finish hooking up from the main box"

ARe we really neally there i thought??? It can't have been this easy!!!

I snuck down to the back n surveyed the Shed imagining what it would be like:

No more stumbling aroung in the dark
No more mucking round with 30m cables running from the house
Power tool connections at an arms length
15AMP plugs for bigboy machinery
Dust extraction

N suddenly me Sparkey walked into the Shed laughing..........




















Didn't you notice M8!!!!!


I looked up...................


The lights were on I HAD POWER!!!!!!!!!

G'day NewLou,

And so there was light,

now get about making some dust will you!

Gidday

Well it been a great journey setting up shop. N now its time to start working out how to best wring every mm outta my floor realistate.

My shed is 6.5 by 9.5 meters and has a loft (Not to sturdy though) and I presently have the following items in my Shed.

1. 1/2 Finished Workbench
2. Fixed WorkBench
3. Cutting Table
4. 6" Jointer
5. Cyclone Dust Extracter
6. 15 inch Thicknesser
7. BAndsaw Hammer N4400 (On the Way)
8. MAkita Sliding compound Mitre SAw

I would love to get some advise from forum members on the best way to setup shop & workflow...................

Heres some pics of where I presently stand................and me starting a big cleanup!

REgards Lou

Originally Posted by NewLou

[*]1/2 Finished Workbench

That will be another 12 months to re-redefine it then.


Try this site mate. Don't thank me.
http://www.grizzly.com/workshopplanner.aspx

Is that a JET cyclone? What is the damage?

Originally Posted by NewLou

.... and I presently have the following items in my Shed....

You feeling alright Lou:confused:

You didn't mention the WoodRat:eek:

Oh and Wongos sugestion is a really good place to start!

G'day NewLou,

I don't know how you can sleep at night, all that time wasted when you could be finishing your bench. :confused:

The first thing I did was knock up my bench, took about 4 weeks of off and on, but once done I could get onto other stuff.

Pull your finger out.

Oy what about majors chairs n midge n...................:eek:

Unfortunately I've well and truely run outta Funds so no money for stock to finish my Bench I'm glad Its taken so long though as it has truely and continues to evolve..................... (No warped benchtop for me Wongo)

I'm presently saving for some JArrah (Which I've fallen in love with as a timber) for the skirts n endcaps so theres no dramas waiting some more

Is it worth the wait for me to get My perfect Aussie workbench Absolutely!!!!!

In the meantime I'm gonna setup my shed n play with the odds and ends I already have anyone got ideas on setting up???

REgards Lou

A seriously nice shed, Lou. Congrats.

Lou,
Given the current rental market, have you thought of subletting that space? You could gt 3 or 4 families in there. Set up bikes linked to a dynamo and you've got power for your tools. Just give them a rental discount!

Lou, I know exactly what you are talking about, but hey if my workbench costed me $0 (except the vice) and took only 3 weeks to make then I am not complaining.

When you finish your bench, hit the corners really hard with a rubber mallet and let us know what it is like.

Originally Posted by NewLou

.....In the meantime I'm gonna setup my shed n play with the odds and ends I already have anyone got ideas on setting up???

Hi Newlou,
Glad to see your shed is no tidier than average!

Am going through the same process of setting up a new shed - been at it since late January - not funds slowing progress so much as TIME. Stupid day-job gets in the way. However - got power in, a couple of weeks back, and was as deleriously happy as you. Now the lights don't go brown when I crank up the DC! (But I'll hafta kill the movement-sensor light over the main door, it gives the game away when I try to sneak down there after dark!). One small glitch - last weekend I discovered the sparky forgot I asked for 15 amp outlets along one wall, when I went to plug in the new bandsaw. I guess that will be an easy fix.

As far as layout goes - my suggestion is just set it up the way you reckon fits best, then move it all around as you find out what's really best. I planned mine very carefully, then decided it wasn't going to work that way, as I built & added the extra bench and storage. Luckily, all my big power tools are on wheels, now, so re-arranging is pretty easy. Once I decide on the genuine permanent arrangement, I'll plumb some dust lines in, and move the DC outside to its own kennel.

The only thing that is still where I planned it is the main workbench - close to the main door and under a window, and that's where it's always going to be!

Have fun!

g'day Lou

The below diagram shows how I started to plan my layout...Its pretty similar in size to yours (6.9 x 9m inside) though I was lucky and was able to design the shed to fit the machines and tools I wanted with the placement of doors, windows and skylights to suit.

The idea was to keep all the big machines (ts jointer and planer)down one end to aid with work flow and to allow room for large stock. The jointer and planer can be moved or angled towards a door too allow for long boards. The table saw has enough room all round to fit a 4'x8' sheet. It is also convientent for DC with all those machines grouped together.

At the other end of the shed the idea was to have the smaller machines and work space for hand work. The main citeria here was good lighting so I placed the lathe and work bench near windows (work bench now moved to under skylight).

Mostly I stuck to to my original layout but improved the plan over time...one thing I suggest is to make things multifunctional..eg my with cross cut saw bench, I moved it out from the wall so I could mount the grinder and the dovetail jig on the other side... it also has storage underneath with cuboards and draws. Most things have more than one use in the shed.

I have just about got mine workin pretty good and its not to far from my original ideas... it took the addition of some extra purchases...(see large bandsaw, extra DC and drum sander :eek: ) but all up I think its worth it.

So....start of with a plan...fine tune as you go....buy more stuff....and in half a decade or so you will have the perfect workshop


Another top tip get some MDF its bloody cheap and very handy for making cabinets or work stations for dedicated machinery. I think I paid about $20 a sheet for 16mm.


have fun

cheers Paul