Ideas needed for a 10’x12’ shop space

[Magnum440d100]

Hello all, this is my first post, so please bear with me if this is the wrong section or forum.

I have to make do with a 10’x12’ shed for my shop space for the time being. My garage is still in the planning stages at this point, and I am here to ask questions, get ideas, and so forth.

So, back to my “shop” space. I need organizing ideas. I currently have 3 hobbies that occupy the space and things are kinda crowded.

I build motors in one part, reload ammo in another part, and do general maintenance and repair in the other part.

I have shelves that are full, and I hung cabinets up for extra storage, but my ceiling is only 8’ tall and slopes to 7’ tall. The cabinets are 24” and are kinda too big for the space.

I need ideas for a workbench with a LOT of storage. My current setup is a butcher block top, with an old cabinet underneath. It is already filled to the brim with my tools (sanders, grinders, drills, sawzall, etc) and I still have more to put away.

Are there any good pre made work benches out there that are solid? I would absolutely LOVE to make a work bench, but time is kind of a factor here. My small business is picking up, and I’ve been devoting 12+ hours a day to it. I would be money ahead by just buying one, unless someone can point me in a good direction of a home made one.

I’ll try and attach pics (if I’m not too new to post yet). This is what I’m working with and need ideas of what to upgrade to.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[bczygan]

I always like to look outside the box.

In this case, the box is your shed.

Expand it by adding covered areas on one or more sides. Or enlarge it.

And how about the existing house? Any space in the house can be used for other purposes.

Bill

 

[Urambo Tauro]

I, too, love building my own benches/shelves, because I don't have a lot of space either. My favorite part is designing them to fit whatever I'm going to be storing there, like with shelf heights and such. It really helps maximize storage space.

If you really can't afford the time to measure and build your own, then hey you gotta do what you gotta do. But many of those "pre made" work benches are still going to be a little time consuming anyway, since there will be some assembly required. So there's only so much time that you're going to be able to save there. It might be worth spending a little extra time on something that will better fit your storage needs.

 

[Magnum440d100]

I always like to look outside the box.

In this case, the box is your shed.

Expand it by adding covered areas on one or more sides. Or enlarge it.

And how about the existing house? Any space in the house can be used for other purposes.

Bill

The shed is 1’ from the fence/property line on one side, 2’ from another smaller 5’x6’ shed on another side (space between already used as storage), 2’ from a large tree on the back side, and if I go any bigger on the right side, I won’t be able to walk into my back yard, as that is the walkway. Oh and the largest California allows here is 10’x12’ without needing a permit.

There is a ~15’x18’ addition on the side of my house. Currently it is a rental to bring in extra income. They are moving out end of this year, but I’ll be turning it into an office, since the state of California says for my business I need a physical address with an office, a sign and lot space.

 

[Magnum440d100]

Those
Husky brand 'no tools' storage racks at home depot
make great benches that have an overhead rack and can hold pegboard on each end and entirely across the back.
170ish bucks a sheet if 3/4 lywood split in half for your Bench top.
And it turns back into a rack when your garage is finished.

That sounds interesting. I’ll have to look into it! Sounds like something I can migrate into the garage when it is built!

 

[Magnum440d100]

I, too, love building my own benches/shelves, because I don't have a lot of space either. My favorite part is designing them to fit whatever I'm going to be storing there, like with shelf heights and such. It really helps maximize storage space.

If you really can't afford the time to measure and build your own, then hey you gotta do what you gotta do. But many of those "pre made" work benches are still going to be a little time consuming anyway, since there will be some assembly required. So there's only so much time that you're going to be able to save there. It might be worth spending a little extra time on something that will better fit your storage needs.

I think that may be my best option...

If I can’t find anything close, I’ll have to build something. Maybe I can take next weekend off and get started. My old craftsman table saw has been looking at me like it is bored.....

 

[James-W]

A space that is 10ft by 12ft isn't very big. By the time you get your tools inside and a workbench, it doesn't give you much room to work on projects with any amount of size to them. I wouldn't go overboard trying to turn it into a workshop, I would just put the tools inside and maybe a real small work bench and leave it at that. Concentrate more on building the larger garage and use the current "small shop" as best you can.

 

[bczygan]

The shed is 1’ from the fence/property line on one side, 2’ from another smaller 5’x6’ shed on another side (space between already used as storage), 2’ from a large tree on the back side, and if I go any bigger on the right side, I won’t be able to walk into my back yard, as that is the walkway. Oh and the largest California allows here is 10’x12’ without needing a permit.

There is a ~15’x18’ addition on the side of my house. Currently it is a rental to bring in extra income. They are moving out end of this year, but I’ll be turning it into an office, since the state of California says for my business I need a physical address with an office, a sign and lot space.

Go up! What are height restrictions? What are height restrictions if it is attached to the house?

Other rooms........Basement, attic? How about unused rooms like living room, dining room or spare bedroom?

How about parking a box van or utility trailer in the yard or driveway?


Bill

 

[dhahlen]

I deal with similar issues in a tandem garage with all my toolboxes. I don't have any workbench area without sacrificing working room.

going to keep an eye on this myself.

I did add some of those rubber made tracks to hang things and also some overhead storage, but I have a bit more ceiling height than you do.

 

[Gearheadmb]

At my last house i had this situation. Just a small shed and no garage or basement. My shed was maxed out being used for storage, so i kept an old slab door and a couple saw horses in there. When i needed a work bench i set the door on the saw horses right outside the shed. It wasnt ideal but i made due.

 

[crewchief888]

ive had my reloading area in my garage in the past, and would not do it again.

especially where i am now... it's too damp and cold in my garage, and i have barely enough room as it is.

i have my reloading bench in the basement. depending on how much reloading gear you have, you may be able to "squeeze" everything into a small area, with a small sturdy bench, with some additional storage underneath or above it.

 

[PugetDude]

Hello all, this is my first post, so please bear with me if this is the wrong section or forum.

I have to make do with a 10’x12’ shed for my shop space for the time being. My garage is still in the planning stages at this point, and I am here to ask questions, get ideas, and so forth.

So, back to my “shop” space. I need organizing ideas. I currently have 3 hobbies that occupy the space and things are kinda crowded.

I build motors in one part, reload ammo in another part, and do general maintenance and repair in the other part.

I have shelves that are full, and I hung cabinets up for extra storage, but my ceiling is only 8’ tall and slopes to 7’ tall. The cabinets are 24” and are kinda too big for the space.

I need ideas for a workbench with a LOT of storage. My current setup is a butcher block top, with an old cabinet underneath. It is already filled to the brim with my tools (sanders, grinders, drills, sawzall, etc) and I still have more to put away.

Are there any good pre made work benches out there that are solid? I would absolutely LOVE to make a work bench, but time is kind of a factor here. My small business is picking up, and I’ve been devoting 12+ hours a day to it. I would be money ahead by just buying one, unless someone can point me in a good direction of a home made one.

I’ll try and attach pics (if I’m not too new to post yet). This is what I’m working with and need ideas of what to upgrade to.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

I'd build a wall to wall bench across the end, no space-limiting supports underneath. Size the height to fit flip-top stacking totes underneath. Full-width/full height pegboard above the bench; the wall space is free. Open up the stud cavities on the side walls, add 2x4 shelves between the studs and use the 3.5" wide space to store small items.
Put some 1x12 boards on top of the rafters and open up some storage above your head for lightweight/little-used items.
Strive to get everything off the floor, since floor space is your most valuable commodity.
Post pics of the work-in-process.

 

[bdbecker]

Take a look at Arfly's shop - exact same dimensions that you're dealing with:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=369622

 

[Magnum440d100]

Take a look at Arfly's shop - exact same dimensions that you're dealing with:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=369622

Oh man, that is nice!

The difference between his and mine, is that my door is so offset to one side. I would have to reframe it and put the door more center, but that does not work with the existing pathway. Though I could pour concrete...

I’m not trying to do that, since this space will be demo’d Once the garage is built. This shed is in the way of driving through to my back yard, so it is in a really inconvenient place....

I think if I had less engines in there, I’d have more room! Haha

The Chrysler 360 and 4 speed trans will be out of here in a couple months and going into my D100, so that’ll make some room.

ARFLY’s US GENERAL worktop looks great!

I think that may be something I may do, along with some pegboard in the back? I don’t really like hanging up tools I use, especially because I use them outside a lot when working on cars. I keep those in my box close to my work area. So maybe when I get my garage and I am able to pull cars in.