Thread: New workshop build. Any tips?

Build one as big as you can, 5x6m will still fill up fast.

Originally Posted by jonsey850

Build one as big as you can, 5x6m will still fill up fast.

Would definitely have liked to build it bigger, but I ran out of space on the block

Make sure you factor in enough electrical power.

Make sure it has its own feed direct from your house breaker box (not just an extension of an existing household circuit)
Make sure it has it's own breaker box so more circuits can be added later if needed.

Include at least two and preferably 3, 15A circuits/breakers, a separate 10A GPO circuit, and a separate lighting circuit.
Install suspended OH power points to reduce the tangle of extension cords on the floor.

I reckon if possible Sink is really handy.

Think about dust extraction BEFORE you build, eg have you go enough space and a suitable location outside for an external DC enclosure?

I moved from a corner in a double garage to a one car garage, to a double garage, and then now 9m x 6m + 10m2 carport lean to + a 10m2 spray booth + 8m2 storage + 8 m2 offsite storage.

if I had the choice again would have built a 200m2 from the get go.

Originally Posted by grapeseed

Would definitely have liked to build it bigger, but I ran out of space on the block

Can you build up, with a mezzanine level?

Continuing on from what BobL said , I had 2 20amp flat pin outlets put in ( one on each side of the shed ) when we moved to our current place. I've now ended up with 3 machines that use these outlets ,2 are semi mobile.
Giving yourself flexibility for the future is a good thing.

That’s unfortunate about the size. The main problem with a smaller shed is all the non woodwork related things that you might have such as camping equipment, push bikes, garden tools ect. All that stuff takes up valuable space, if you can get rid of it somewhere else that would be a big help.

If I was building my shed again now, I would do the following:

15 amp outlets everywhere. I wouldn't bother with 10 amp at all
More lights.
Plan for dust collection (wasn't a consideration when I built)
Seal the floor (concrete) before I got stains all over it.
Insulate the roof, eastern and northern walls.
Bigger windows.

Things to consider:

Go as tall as you can. It gives you options into the future,
Overhead power and air (if you have a use for it). I can end up with leads everywhere.

I am sure there are things, its not a comprehensive list.

I second the 'go up' suggestion.

Mine is 7.5x5m, 3m walls and 30 pitch. This allowed a meazzanine at either end, each 2.5m long and tall enough to stand in the middle quite comfortably. I have 2 rows of Brownbuilt type shelving on each.

Getting all the stuff you want to keep, but only use/access occasionally, frees up valuable floor space.

One other thing, build stuff to the minimal dimensions, don't add an extra 50 or 100mm jot a cupboard or bench just cos that makes convenient use of bits and pieces, 5 items x 50mm is usable for something else.

Also, a central corridor works. Make double use of every walkway. 800mm is the recommended width but 600mm is ok, smaller will feel cramped...

Paint the floor before you start to move in. Likewise insulation and internal cladding.

Originally Posted by Jasethebeginner

If I was building my shed again now, I would do the following:
15 amp outlets everywhere. I wouldn't bother with 10 amp at all.

I agree about lots of outlets and where possible leaving machines plugged in minimises constantly plugging and unplugging them.

However, the problem is if 15A outlets are used they are required to be connected by their own circuit to their own breaker which can be expensive overkill for a home workshop.

Just about all standard DIY power tools, battery chargers and appliances will run fine from 10A GPOs and all you need is one or at most two of 10A circuits because multiple 10A GPOs can be on a circuit with a single16A breaker. eg a 2000W vac (8A) and a 1500W (6A) power tool can easily run simultaneously from such a circuit

I have 2, 10A circuits in my shed.
One circuit is just for lights and this is on 10A breaker

The other 10A circuit (~ power 30 sockets last time I counted) is on a 16A breaker and on this circuit I have the following permanently connected (but not all turned on) to this circuit
4 power tool battery chargers, stereo, Wifi relay station, about half a dozen sensors (CO, saturated water content of compressed air, dust counter, particle counter, ETC)
2 x 1HP lathes, 3 grinders, a 1.5HP DP, a 1/2HP Bandsaw, a 1/2 HP MW mill, 2 ventilation fans, a room air filter. shop vac, 2HP planer/thicknesser
I know I'm not overloading this circuit because I have a total shed current meter on the breaker box and rarely ever (even with two people working in my shed) see the current approach 15A on this circuit. This circuit has never tripped out from regular use.

My other machines (AC, TS, BeltS, BandS, welder/plasma, DC etc) all have their own 15A circuit and breaker.

A few times I have had another person working in the shed at the same tike as me and he wanted to use a large Makita belt sander while I was using the planer thicknesser so I just ran the thicknesser on one of the 15A circuits.

Place power points a minimum of 1300 mm from floor. Sheets of ply, MDF, etc usually have max width of 1220mm so you have accessibility with a sheet leaning against a wall.
Don't forget a fire extinguisher, smoke detectors and a first aid kit.

All of the above, but I would also consider a length of RSJ for a block and tackle to lift heavy things. Even better is a swing arm crane besides a roller door. You may not need it now, but down the track your back will love you for it.
Rgds,
Crocy.

Originally Posted by Old Croc

All of the above, but I would also consider a length of RSJ for a block and tackle to lift heavy things. Even better is a swing arm crane besides a roller door. You may not need it now, but down the track your back will love you for it.
Rgds, Crocy.

This is one of a number of things I regret not doing, It also requires that there be sufficient clear height inside the shed so I cannot retire fit one. The council would not let me build anything higher than 2.7m at one end and 2.4m at the other near the fence (small inner suburban block) The other limit was SWMBO not wanting to cut down any trees to fit a bigger shed in.

Go as high as you can on the sidewalls. I’m in the process of 3.3m High on the boundary ( within 300mm of the fence )and 45 degree roof pitch. Doing a mezzanine for 2/3 of the length. Council has passed everything so far and now onto next stage. I would hope to have it built by Dec. All up I wanted 2.7 clear height under the mezzanine. So total area is 70 sq m ground floor and storage 48 sq.m on the mezzanine level which is around 48 sq m.
Steven