Planning my Multi-function Shop (Wood/Metal/Auto)

[jgromada]

So like a lot of people I am in a small space (1 car garage) and it must serve a number of purposes. It is also a space that I am already inhabiting so i am retrofitting items as I can. What i was hoping to do was get ideas from folks who have to make a small space like this work. The space is also built into the basement area of a Cape Cod house so my height is rather low (7'6").

The entire space is being revamped right now since i discovered the existing wall separating this space from the rest of basement (laundry and workout area) had termite damage. So its a chance to evaluate where everything goes and how it will be organized.

I figured I would start with a list of what I currently had. I recently got a new Tool Chest 52" Husky which is housing my mechanics tools. I don't keep any power tools in this space. This box supplements an old 26" box which i have kept for metal working tools.

I also got some wall cabinets (both about 30"x30"x14"). Both of them will be used for power tools since they will be lockable. I have a charging station just outside the box on a shelf just outside the box as well.

I have a 5' Woodworking bench that i will use solely for woodworking. I built a Combination Miter Saw/Router Table stand that is sized so my woodworking bench can serve as a infeed table for both the Miter Saw & Router Table (want to add a stop system & measuring system). I will add some pics when things are in a state to show some of this off. Also have an old Rockwell Table Saw that i use primarily for ripping and can slide over to where i need it along with a small outfeed fixture.

I want to build a Pegboard Storage Unit for my woodworking tools similar to this :

So I need a space to do metalworking and for right now not any welding so I am thinking a metal covered workbench. I have an old workbench built from 2x6 & 2x4 that I am thinking i can cut down and cover with sheet metal or metal plate. (Ideas on cost??) I will mount my Wilton machinist vise and bench grinder on here as well.

Eventually I am thinking of getting a Horizontal/Vertical 4x6 band saw. This is probably need to require some floor space which is getting in short supply. (This would tie into eventually getting into welding (i hope) ) Any suggestions here?

I also have a wheelbarrow style compressor which takes up some space as well. Also have a small 10" drill press which i think could mostly live on either of these workbenches.

So if anyone has any comments or suggestions I would be most appreciative.

 

[Dozerhand]

Since no one responded ill give you my 2 cents worth. I think any welding, cutting, or grinding of metal in the basement of your house is a really bad idea. Especially if that space doubles as a woodshop. Even having a woodshop in the basement presents quite a few challenges. I would plan a woodshop with priority of dust control and just forget the metal working. Your home owners insurance may also have some problems with metal or maybe even woodworking in the basement. As far as layout put the tablesaw in the middle and organize everything around it.

 

[andy013]

I am also in the process of revamping my single car garage into a shop space. I am also involved with woodworking and metal working. This is really a first attempt for me to do this as we have only been at the house for 3 years and it has mostly been storage space. I am phasing out my open shelves and replacing with closed door cabinets/storage lockers. Keeps everything 95% clean, which will make transitioning from wood to metal work shorter.

At my parents house, my dad has a nice Delta table saw that we made a cart for with 4 locking swivel casters so it isn't a fixture in the middle of the floor. We do MIG/Stick welding and plasma cutting at his house outside in a carport because of the fumes and sparks in a basement garage is a bad idea.

My garage is attached but there isn't any living space above it, no ductwork that connects, or even a man door from the house. I am in a separate block structure that is attached to my house structure. I plan on doing small metal prep and TIG welding in my garage, once setup, but larger stuff outside. One of the things I am working out ideas for is a DIY fume extraction for the welding. I am also working out dust collection for woodworking like downdraft tables, etc.

You know more about what type of projects you want/need to do and what materials you plan on having on hand, etc. For me I want to be able to transition from woodworking to metal working in under a hour, have space to process sheet goods or do ATV maintenance, and just about everything moveable so I can adapt the space to my needs. I am not going to accommodate storing sheet goods or any stock longer than 8'. So those items will be bought when needed for projects but that simplifies my material storage. I am going through everything I have in the garage and purging anything that could be had for a few bucks if I need it someday. When I am done all tools and supplies should fit within a few boxes and cabinets, everything else needs to go to not take up the floor space.

The long/short of it is figure out your priorities and accommodate yourself. I think dust/fume control is the top priorities for a shared work space. Figure out how you're going to manage that and build everything around it.

Think outside of the box and post the results!

 

[log man]

You seem to be planning around what you have or want. Would a different compressor fit better than the long wheelbarrow style? Could a portaband and a vertical stand for it replace a stationary 4x6 saw? As others said you’ll have to think outside the box to squeeze more in.

 

[pbon]

Table top band saw like swag or trick tools vemi. Store it and take it out when needed. Use 18-24 inch deep shelving to store multiple big things that might otherwise take up floor space. Either free standing or if it helps you store some big low items on the floor underneath, wall rail mounted adjustable track shelves. Hangers down from ceiling to shelf will also get you a little storage space up high.

 

[jgromada]

Thank you very much for the replies, exactly the kind of input i was looking for. I think given my preference I would have preferred another space but this is what i have to work with. So these are my immediate priorities:

• Separate wiring circuits for shop equipment - at least 3 circuits 20A each
• Mini dust collection system using shop vac
• Heavy duty work bench to do limited metal work (metal topped)
• Cabinet storage - working on it

 

[andy013]

Any progress on your shop?

 

[Jackfre]

I had my wood shop in my basement in the MA house. I had dust collection and a filter box. I also had a fan to blow air outside. I was careful in its use and for the most part rarely got into a jam Doing metal work, welding, cutting, etc in the basement is another story however. My current 30x34 shop has an area for metal working. I spend a lot of time between operations vacuuming/sweeping etc to make sure the shop is still standing. In a smaller crowded area that will be more difficult.

 

[jgromada]

Any progress on your shop?

Hey Andy, yes much progress although not in a state i want to share pictures yet. I have built some wall cabinets from plywood that i have built. I want to build another cabinet to house about 20 small part carriers I have (HF) .

I have a large workbench (woodworking style) but am planning a small metal topped multipurpose bench to do a variety of things on it and install my bench vise. It will have storage for temporary usage of the bench grinders i got as well.

The shop will have 3 dedicated circuits. The rough in is in place. New LED lighting is partially in place.

I actually had to replace a wall section when i discovered the bottom of it had extensive (now dead) termite damage. The wall was very flexy since it was never attached to the floor (not to mention termites made sure of that) . Anyway i have a new wall built and painted (bottom is PT lumber) attached to concrete floor with powder actuated nails.

So yes i have made great progress, but its still a bit junked up until I finalize my storage plans. A work in progress.

 

[andy013]

That sounds good. We are kind of in the process to accomplish the same thing although our space is a little different. I have a one car garage attached to the house but no living space above it.

I spent the better part of September digging holes trying to figure out the drainage around my yard with my father-in-law. We had to address a driveway drain issue that must have been years and years old because its caused a settling issue and severely cracked and sunken slab in my garage. So the water ingress is 90% fixed, in the process of moving and organizing so I can pour self leveling concrete to try to get the floor close to level and eliminate the tripping hazards. Should go with a new slab but this garage may get demoed in a few years for an addition so I’m trying to keep it low budget for the time being.


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[andy013]

One of my small wood/metal/maintenance shop solutions was something that just kind of showed up and is perfect, well, close.

My Grandfather passed away about 7 years ago. My uncles have been cleaning up his workshop along with my Grandma. There was this old work table with 3” steel casters on it. I forgot to take a before picture, we unloaded it at night and when I got help flipping it I didn’t have much time. It weighs about 300-350lbs. Its just shy of 3’ x 4’ and is made of 2x2x1/4” angle iron with a 1/2” plate welded to the top. Not perfectly flat but damn close.

So I took a grinder to it to knock off anything sharp, two coats of rustolum, and some double locking casters and its going to make a prefect weld/assembly table.

Made the top with some project scraps: 1/2” plywood with 1/8” hardboard glued to it and trimmed with 1x2 pine. 1/8 round over on every square edge. Gonna make a better one eventually but its what I had laying around and lets me use it.

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[jgromada]

Thanks for posting that Andy. I kind of want something of similar size to store/use my bench grinder(s) , metal vise and hopefully a fixture for my portable band saw. Multi-function.