I hate my current layout

[Musky_Hunter]

This is my current layout and it feels wrong. Feels like everything is out of place and I can’t put my finger on why. Currently waiting on a fixture table top so I can build the frame and I have no idea where it’s going to go in this mess. My 2 post is to the left of all this and the man door to the right. I have a 40x20 lean to on the back of the shop. I’m thinking about enclosing 12x20 and moving some of the machines into that area. Anyone have a similar corner layout they could share for ideas?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Id suggest enclosing part of the lean to for the machinery.

However, I would try to figure out the new layout before you decide on the size. How hard is it to move your heavier machinery, do you have a way to move it ?

 

[Musky_Hunter]

Id suggest enclosing part of the lean to for the machinery.

However, I would try to figure out the new layout before you decide on the size. How hard is it to move your heavier machinery, do you have a way to move it ?

The lathe I can lift with my tractor. The mill is a little harder but I can move it. I have a pretty good idea on how to lay out the 12x20 space if I go that route. The issue I have with that is the 8x8 overhead door I would put into the area will be right in that corner. Not the best location but I can't center it because of the pole. So anything on that wall will be in the way of the door. THe worst being the compressor but that's not impossible to relocate.

 

[sz0k30]

I would put the mill at a 45 in the corner. Slide the lathe to the left. Put casters under the band saw and drill press.

 

[cvairwerks]

Drill press and bandsaw to where the lathe is now. Lathe to where the workbench is and the bench to where the saw and drill press were. Square up and push the mill a little closer to the wall. 99% of the time you will never pull the head as close to body as possible, so you don't need the open space behind it.

 

[Musky_Hunter]

I would put the mill at a 45 in the corner. Slide the lathe to the left. Put casters under the band saw and drill press.

I had it that way to start. Figured out real quick that wouldn't work when I had to mill flats on longer lead screws. That's why I moved it over so I could get access from one end. I like the idea of casters though.

 

[PhantomEB]

Myself I would swap places with the lathe and work bench. Milling machine or Drill press in the corner. Compressor can fk off to a corner far away. Tool box to the far left.

 

[infinkc]

mill needs to go in that corner as you have it angled. Put the bandsaw and drill where the mill was. put the compressor outside

 

[NUTTSGT]

The lathe I can lift with my tractor. The mill is a little harder but I can move it. I have a pretty good idea on how to lay out the 12x20 space if I go that route. The issue I have with that is the 8x8 overhead door I would put into the area will be right in that corner. Not the best location but I can't center it because of the pole. So anything on that wall will be in the way of the door. THe worst being the compressor but that's not impossible to relocate.

How about more pictures of the entire layout ?

If you enclose the lean-to, wouldn't the door opening just be a walk through area to get newer area ?

Put the lathe along the 12' wall beside the door opening. Mill centered on the back 20' wall. Drill press on one side and bandsaw on the other side of the mill. . . . yet, the casters for them is a great idea. I have a few of my things on casters to allow repositioning if needed during work.

 

[CraigStu]

When you say 'enclosing' part of a lean-to what does that mean exactly? I would want full concrete footers/ floor etc and well insulated walls because I would be very concerned about humidity and rust. I am not seeing the why of moving the tools around. What difference does it make where they are other than the instance before you moved the mill to it's current location? This isn't a production shop where you would cut a piece off at the band saw, machine part of it on the mill, and then turn part of it in the lathe, and you are trying to cut down on # of steps you need to take. I do agree w/ casters for the bandsaw and maybe the drill press. Be sure you make up a base that is wider than the existing one, especially for the drill, so they are more stable when you roll them. I have my saws on casters (HF furniture dolly) and it works great except that I should have used at least two of the lockable casters. I have to jam a piece of wood against a caster to keep the saw from rolling away from me as I push on the wood.

 

[zmotorsports]

That actually looks quite similar to my layout and I love it. In my last shop I had tools and equipment scattered around the shop as I had acquired them over a 26-year time frame and just kind of stuck them where I could at the time. When I built my current shop I planned where each piece of equipment would go to better suit my work flow and help with efficiency.

Here is my machining/fabrication section all in one quarter of the shop. To the left is where my 2-post lift is located and the back is where my workbenches and toolbox are located.

 

[nadogail]

Wheels under tools solve a lot of problems.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

I think it’s very difficult for anyone but you to determine the best layout for your shop, because none of us understand the mix of work you do and the frequency with which you use your various machines. The only two specific comments I have are these:

1. With limited space available, do you need both a mill and a drill press? When I got my mill, I gave my drill press to my son to free up space in the shop, because I prefer the x-y capability of the mill for positioning work and I never have long-term setups on the mill.

2. I prefer a workbench to be out “in the middle” where it can be accessed from all sides. This makes it easier to use it for larger work, and discourages the back corners from accumulating stuff.

 

[FredWanaker]

this will sound stupid to some who are way analytical, but the question asked is about feelings, not a specific complaint of access to any one tool. Feel is right brain stuff and why the interior decorator decorates the house and not the accountant. The easiest way to redo your garage is invite a friend over who is good at interior design, and ask them the same question you asked us, then go think about the suggestions and implement the ones you liked.

What I feel when looking at the picture is clutter, and congestion - even though it is a clean workspace.

Consider:

paint the walls one background color. This gets rid of all the visual boxes the studs are creating. Be careful with color because dust will settle on them.

Put the mill in the corner at a 45 where the compressor is

Lathe a little to the left, maybe get a cover for it unless you use it each day. Might be able to find a wall color that makes it pop better

Drill and band saw are ok where they are but even the spacing out a little after moving the end mill

Maybe flip the tools and workbench, paint the workbench wood to maybe black. Right now I feel seasick with things going up and down in height. Try to clump things the same height together as best you can or descending / ascending but not as bad a row of little russian dolls. You know the drill from taking photos - big guys at the back, shorter folks at the front etc..

compressor will have to go where it will fit, is there room to the right of where the tools are now? You might be able to bring the mill far enough forward to put the compressor safely behind it.

Can you make a small area or screen divider that is half walled off to put some of the clutter like jacks behind it?

When done find a way to dress wires as best as possible

Use the golden ratio where ever you can when you hang posters etc., or place something in an open area. The difference in a couple feet can make a huge difference in "feel." Basically divide the space into eights, the use 3/8th the area and 5/8the the area to the centerline of the device, painting whatever.

 

[crazylunker]

This is my current layout and it feels wrong. Feels like everything is out of place and I can’t put my finger on why. Currently waiting on a fixture table top so I can build the frame and I have no idea where it’s going to go in this mess. My 2 post is to the left of all this and the man door to the right. I have a 40x20 lean to on the back of the shop. I’m thinking about enclosing 12x20 and moving some of the machines into that area. Anyone have a similar corner layout they could share for ideas?

I would put the milling machine and lathe on the other wall with the bench in between the machines under the panel.
toolbox,drillpress and bandsaw where the lathe and miller are. I would put the toolbox closer to the lift with room for a wheeled toolcart next to it..

 

[FMB4]

I'll tell you this...

My garage ***** compared to the images I'm seeing on this thread.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I try to follow the first rule of organizing, like with like & build off that. I do however have wheels under almost every tool, I just have to get wheels on the metal lathe.

 

[sjvicker]

I think your problem is that there is no beer fridge. If that doesn't solve the problem then its probably your work flow. Grab some graph paper, sketch your layout and trace your steps with a line when completing a project. My guess is that you'll find your walking around a lot more to complete a project than you think you are.

Are you going to the tool box multiple times to grab tooling for the mill? Is the trash can in another room? Is air and power where you want it?

 

[slidehammer]

I would put the mill at a 45 in the corner.

Milling machine or Drill press in the corner.

mill needs to go in that corner as you have it angled.

Put the mill in the corner at a 45 where the compressor is

I respectfully disagree with all of you. I have a mill in a corner and I wouldn't do it again. Bulky parts and long pieces bang into one wall or the other.

A mill, like a miter saw, should have a long lead in to at least one side, preferably both.

 

[GrayFlattop]

Expand your shop into your 20 x 40 lean-to. 12 x 20 is just too small and you'll probably regret not going bigger. 20 x 20 would be a good starting point. Move the lathe, mill, band saw and drill press back there. Install a n overhead door between the two or at least double doors - 36" x 84".

Build a bigger bench. I totally agree with an earlier comment that a bench in the center of a shop is so much more versatile.

 

[rayra]

Try to look at it overall with an eye towards workflow, messes created, hazards, and cleanup. This might help you change the way things are grouped. Get the messes and hazards closer to the big door, to make cleanup easier and move potential fires further from the residence and residence attic.
If you handle a lot of raw materials, try to get them organized near the machines they'll be used in.
Try to move those big shiny toolboxes deeper in the garage or further from prying eyes. Likewise get the '****** and grab' targets further from the big door.
In all the arrangements, look for greater efficiency in groupings of use.
Last if it feels wrong, try to narrow down what particular aspect it is that is bothering you.

 

[u2slow]

I have a heavy wood bench similar to the OP. It never worked for me against a wall. My last couple shop arrangements have either had it standing by itself, or like a peninsula; so I can get to both sides.

My compressor is almost behind the swing of the man-door currently, but it's likely moving up to the mezzanine next.

 

[Musky_Hunter]

Expand your shop into your 20 x 40 lean-to. 12 x 20 is just too small and you'll probably regret not going bigger. 20 x 20 would be a good starting point. Move the lathe, mill, band saw and drill press back there. Install a n overhead door between the two or at least double doors - 36" x 84".

Build a bigger bench. I totally agree with an earlier comment that a bench in the center of a shop is so much more versatile.

I can't take up too much of the lean to. I have farm implements that are stored under it. 12' of width is about all I can give up. I my just give up on the wood bench once the fixture table is build and keep it mobile. That would give me some room to move some things around.

 

[niget2002]

I'd leave the mill and lathe where they're at. I agree with making sure you have full access to at least one side of the mill. I might rotate the mill just a tad and push it closer to the wall, but I'm assuming where it's at for access to the back of the lathe for passing longer stock through the head.

The one thing I'd do is swap the drill press and bandsaw with the workbench. To me, if you're working on the lathe or mill, that's a long way to work for parts. Part of me is assuming you have some type of rolling cart you use for parts/tools when using the mill and lathe. If not, then having the bench closer would be nice. It would also make the bench the same walking distance to the drill press and bandsaw.

 

[Musky_Hunter]

I'd leave the mill and lathe where they're at. I agree with making sure you have full access to at least one side of the mill. I might rotate the mill just a tad and push it closer to the wall, but I'm assuming where it's at for access to the back of the lathe for passing longer stock through the head.

The one thing I'd do is swap the drill press and bandsaw with the workbench. To me, if you're working on the lathe or mill, that's a long way to work for parts. Part of me is assuming you have some type of rolling cart you use for parts/tools when using the mill and lathe. If not, then having the bench closer would be nice. It would also make the bench the same walking distance to the drill press and bandsaw.

This is what I’m thinking I’m going to change. I do have a mobile box that’s full of mill/lathe tools so it’s not much trouble. Usually sits at the end of the lathe.