Thread: workshop design

One hint thsat works well is to plan it for a space 2/3 of what you have got - then you can find the extra space that you are going to need in the future.

Second - make sure that you use every square inch as if it were your last.

Otherwise, it really is just a case of suck it and see.

Cheers

Jeremy

My thoughts on this are there is no such thing as the perfectly laid out shed/workspace – there are too many variables – tools – space – projects – money – swmbo etc. So it’s a compromise between all these factors.


I’ve tried to lay my shed out to the type of projects I work on. Try to make everything “modular” and as much as possible movable (castors are wonderful), that way you can rearrange as many times as you like. Use as much wall space as is available for tool racks and storage, even roof space if available?. I’m a great fan of flat open work surfaces so one side of the shed has a run of workbenches 6m long at my optimum height and at right angles along the back another run almost full width (6m) but this time slightly (various) higher to allow for items to be rolled under the work surfaces + cupboards etc.


My table saw is on castors, my drop mitre saw is on a rolling unit and I have another rolling cabinet for fixings (screws/bolts etc), bench drill press is on a rolling cabinet also. I must admit I don’t own a joiner or thicknesser (yet) – that will cause a rethink of the shed layout???

Unless it is a convoluted shape that you need to build on I don't think you need to plan it, after all you will have a blank canvas to move everything around on until it is just right. I reckon you base it on budget, work out how much you have to spend, find out the biggest shed you can get for that money, then sign a contract to buy the one bigger

Have a look here Tonto.
This bloke has gone through exactly what you are experiencing and shows his plans for his new shed.
http://benchmark.20m.com/workshop/workshop.html

Jeremy is right, you have to bite the bullet initially and settle on your first setup.
You will probably change things around after using it.
Good luck with the next step.
SG