Thread: Setting up a home workshop

see this thread https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...443#post743443

It's always worth posting pics, what you don't think is worthwhile, others will find inspiration from!

Here's my shed thread. No the DC isn't connected yet.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...idges+playroom

Everything is planned round a 6m x 3.6 metre space, so I can move it into a single garage in the future, or half a double.

Everything is at the same height, so it can all be used as infeed/outfeed for the various bits of equipment.

Nothing has to be moved more than a few mm to mill long lengths.

I'm going to get rid of the router table eventually, and make another one which will be an extension of the TS outfeed, which will give me room for another bench.

OH, and I might connect the Dustie.

Cheers.

P

Here's mine here

What is it that makes it a joy to be in the shed? It's mine, all mine

What would you do if you could change something? Make it bigger, but to do that, I need a bigger property

What frustrates you the most? It's too small.

What can be done on a budget? What's your budget? What's your space? Certainly you can make your own machinery tables, benches etc.

What ideas did you come up with or learn from someone else that you're happy with regarding say, machinery placement, timber storage, dust collection, .... anything at all really. I am currently making a router table-top to fit on my tablesaw between the wings, eliminating the need for a separate router table - more room for other machinery I learnt a lot about dust extraction and cyclones, table saws and bandsaws.

Research and ask the experts here, so you are on the right track. If you can, always allow for expansion on your shed (eg extension, lean to etc). Every shed will be too small eventually.

Good luck

Originally Posted by *Kev

What is it that makes it a joy to be in the shed?

making stuff from tree trunk to finished product, and problem solving using simple solutions and scraps of materials.

What would you do if you could change something?

definitely more space would solve a lot of problems

What frustrates you the most?

probably the space

What can be done on a budget?

That depends on your level of hand skill and ingenuity.

What ideas did you come up with or learn from someone else that you're happy with regarding say, machinery placement, timber storage, dust collection

Pretty well all of them were copied from someone else.

i just bought what tools i needed as projects progressed and as i could afford them - a lot of time went into thinking through a certain job and what was the minimal technology required to achieve a reasonable outcome - it is amazing what you can do with a few basic tools and some jigs.

the machines came in this order over a 3 year period but would not suit everyone
router
floor drill press - get a good one - dont buy cheap like i did
compressor
portable tablesaw - my initial area was very small and no its not triton
bandsaw
table mounted router
sander / linisher
drum sander

i now have 2 more biggies to go - a thicknesser and a jointer

when i got my workshop going i had a good selection of handtools already collected over the years like chisels, hammers, scredrivers planes and the basic power saw, drill, sander[s] etc etc

Originally Posted by *Kev

....
What is it that makes it a joy to be in the shed?
Space - head space, no telehones ringing off the hook, no lines of people at my door asking for me to do stuff for them or solve their problems. The ablilty to turn up my choice of music, work as hard as I like or sit and do nothing but soak up the atmostphere. And build stuff too

What would you do if you could change something?
put up an awning at the front and side so no direct sunlight thru the roller door or personal door, make the electrician change the electrics 7 lighting to what I originally asked for, not what HWMNBO and him decided I could have

What frustrates you the most?
not enough time in there. Walking around the table 5 times in 10 minutes to get a tool I need.

What can be done on a budget?
A lot, put the word out that you don't mind freebies so long as you can say no if they aren't suitable. You'd be surprised what will come your way tools, timber etc. Start small, the basics, and build from there.

What ideas did you come up with or learn from someone else that you're happy with regarding say, machinery placement, timber storage, dust collection, .... anything at all really.
Having a corner of the shed set up with a small bench, shelves, chair, music centre, place for some books and to set down a drink, from where I can survey all in the shed and plan what's gonna happen next.

cheers
Wendy

Originally Posted by *Kev

I'd post a photo of mine if I had something worthwhile to show.

All shed photos are worthwhile

If you have a good set-up how about posting some photos

Here and Here are a few pics of my workshop

What is it that makes it a joy to be in the shed?

Now that I have a dedicated woodworking space and dont have to share an area with a rusting landrover and years worth of accumulated "stuff."...I find it joyful, that when I want to do some work Im not faced with a mountain of crap that has to be moved, stepped over or worked around. I like that nearly everything has its own place and I know exactly where to place my hands on it (assuming that i have put it back in it place of course ). I have had to train myself to be well ordered and organised...Im not naturally like that...though do find the effort is reflected in the quality of my work.

What would you do if you could change something?

I would have more dust extraction...even though I have 2 dusties already....I would still like more (or one big one ). Most my big machines are connected but I still need to sweep up more than I would like

What frustrates you the most?

Dust..dust and more dust its everywhere ......and the fact i cant pick up my favourite radio station on the shed trany

What can be done on a budget?

I guess that depends on your budget....I was lucky to be in a position to have a fairly generous budget.....but still worked pretty hard at getting every last cents worth. I think pretty much every thing was purchased on sale.

What ideas did you come up with or learn from someone else that you're happy with regarding say, machinery placement, timber storage, dust collection, .... anything at all really.

I think the idea of having things that have more than one use, is probably the most important thing Ive learnt. When it comes to space saving its great to be able to have an object serve more than one purpose....

a couple of examples:

My SCMS bench also doubles as a bench for the grinder and leigh dovetail jig it also has room to store stuff underneath in draws and cuboards.

My storage unit thingy for my hand power tools is also the bench I use for sharpening


have fun

Cheers
BD

Mine is a lowly 16'x10' shed at the moment. I had to seal all around it with silicon originally to stop the moisture coming in at the floor when it rained. I'd say, again, space is my nemesis. I have to open the top half of the door when cutting long boards on the miter saw, or planing them.

When you have limited space, you'd be surprised how you fit everything in! My CNCrouter was the first tool on the list, built it myself. Its in a cabinet that stands about 3ft off the floor, and I store all the hand tools and such under the cabinet until I need them.

One side of the shed has a lumber rack, the other I lean manufactured boards against the wall behind the miter saw. Above the boards there's shelves with router bits, abrasives and stuff on. In the corner beside the door, I hang all my A4 sheets of sandpaper. Opposite corner to that I have all my screws, bolts and a few other bits. Most of my general hardware is organised along the walls or in cases under the router cabinet.

There's about a 1.5 to 2ft space either side of the router cabinet and I have shelves on one side for the computer/controller, along with a variety of random stuff like hoover bags and my paint sprayer. The other side has all my paints, cloths, finishing products.

In the middle of the shed attached to the roof is another shelf with a mini abrasive sprayer and airbrush, along with some planes and cloths.

Now that I think about it...there's actually quite a lot squashed in there!

I'd love more space....if only I had the space for a table saw and bandsaw. I could squash in a bench mounted table saw, or a small bandsaw, but I'm a firm believer that the worker is only as good as his worst tool, and won't spend good money on machinery that I'll want to replace later anyway.....

I use a fold away contractors bench to work on. I've enough space on the floor (just about) to make gates and larger items, but my main problem is that when the cutoffs and shavings start building up, my workspace disappears!

I know I've posted pics of the shed before,
but I like my shed ,so I'll post em again,

built of completely recycled materials (spent nearly a year chasing up cheap materials, auctions, demolitions, the tip, etc)

I knew I'd run out of space in the future so its designed for easy add ons

and its designed for how I like to work, outside workspaces, metal work area, a sittin and thinkin spot, clean space for drawing and models, etc

can really be done on the cheap Kev, if you keep your eye out for bargains and do most of the work yourself

Originally Posted by *Kev

What can be done on a budget?

I forgot to mention, everything in my shed that's not machinery or tools is scrounged.

The cupboards are from an office refit and were destined for the tip, all else is from salvaged timber from lots of places.

Once you've got the shell, with a little resourcefulness you only need fixings and paint!


Cheers,

P

Try this first http://grizzly.com/workshopplanner.aspx and talk more later.

Underfoot, you must be in heaven.

Originally Posted by underfoot

. . . . and its designed for how I like to work, outside workspaces, metal work area, a sittin and thinkin spot, clean space for drawing and models, etc

Drool ! . . . . . . ..

Dunno if I could look at those trees all the time though. I'd be worried about having a brain snap and mill them up !!!

Originally Posted by *Kev

What is it that makes it a joy to be in the shed?

To me, to be able to do woodwork on a nice workbench is a joy. If possible have it away from the wall so you can walk around it. You want more space and keep it tidy.

Hi Kev,
Besides underfoot, who is completely spoiled, it seems no one really has enough space in their shed. I certainly don't, but then I try to cram metalworking/welding under the same roof as woodworking. The main point is to make the best use of the available space- for machines, benches and storage. Everything has its proper place. I use the roof trusses, the walls, everywhere, plus I try to make stuff mobile. In several sheds now, I have built shed divider storage units- some from skip diving (free pine framing) - and backed one side with fibro for spark proof work areas. One shed I fitted with three parallel bays, floor to roof, for storage.
Apart from the obvious pleasure from working with my hands, and sometimes even getting a project finished, my buzz comes from having everything on hand, and knowing exactly where it is. I try whenever I can to return everything I use to where its meant to be, and that way my shed time is efficient. I hate rummaging around, thinking I know I have a 1/2-9/16th ring spanner, but I've left it somewhere! Wastes time, and distracts from the job at hand.
My recommendation for a versatile shed tool is a bench grinder, properly mounted (and maintained). Useful for gardeners, DIY renovating, cabinet making as well as metal work: sharpen spades and axes, chisels and drill bits etc.

Good luck, keep us posted with your progress.