Setting up my Shop

[countrytech]

I like how you have organized your shop. You will find that it evolves as you use it over time. That covered porch is a nice place to do work and enjoy the out of doors when weather is good. A pair of folding sawhorses and a piece of plywood will make a temporary bench for outside work. Or pick up one of those Workmates cheap on CL. Have you got good vises for woodworking and for regular shop work?
How is the inside temperature and humidity? Are there radical swings depending on outside temps? The canopy of big trees probably moderate things a bit.

You are right on the shop evolving, if I'd stop changing things in it, maybe I'd actually get some real projects finished... lol

The trees really do help moderate the temperature and it wasn't terrible on some of the real hot days we had recently. We'll see how it goes as summer progresses. One thing that concerns me a little is that it seems kind of humid in there on a real hot day if it's been closed up all day and I go in and work on it in the evening, but I'm not sure what to do about that.

As far as vises, all that I have right now is that chintzy little chinese vise sitting on my movable tool cart that I got off a cummins tool sale from 10 years ago that I found in an old storage bin the other week. That, and a couple bar clamps from HF. A decent vise is high on my need/wanter list, but low on my affordability list... I wish I could find some of those $25 deals on CL that other people get, but everything around here seems overpriced.

One of my next projects is to eliminate that countertop under my Miter saw because it takes up a lot of space and doesn't really provide any worthwhile work area. I'd rather put the miter on a portable stand and then I'd have room for a larger fabrication table in the center of the shop that I can "hide" my table saw in.

 

[countrytech]

Looking good so far! Couple of comments - need dust collection system of some kind. Also make sure tools are well oiled up for the winter time - things rust quickly in an unheated shop.

At this point my wife and 3yr old with a broom are the extent of my dust collection system

Where do I start with dust collection, and where in the world do I put that in my shop? I'm already trying to optimize everything just to fit in the little space I have... I did think about getting a shop vac and running extra tubing in between some of the studs to a couple of the machines, do you think that would work? The Miter saw and the drill press are my 2 biggest dirt makers at this point, the table saw contains most of it's dust.


What do you recommend to oil the tools with to avoid rusting? should I be concerned about my power tools?

 

[robarosa]

Saw your sig on another post and followed it here. Like what you did. Really turned out nice.

 

[aubrey601]

Edit

 

[shephd]

The problem with rust is that as temp changes the weather causes condensation. If you have lots of warmups through winter, there will be more chances for it to happen. Here in Richmond, I've found it easiest to keep a little heat going in the shop but that doesn't look like an option for you unless you leave the extension cord out. Some people like having tools in wooden tool chests and think that helps--I agree. A sheet metal roll around is worse. High humidity increases it. You can try oiling and waxing tools but that can be hard to keep up with.

Here's a couple threads:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121128&highlight=preventing+rust

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101244&highlight=preventing+rust

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101269&highlight=preventing+rust&showall=1

Others will have good ideas. Good luck!

 

[countrytech]

The shop continues to evolve as I use it. We've now got a 220 electric feed to it with a sub-panel, so as I get time, I've been trying to add some outlets and light circuits. It's awesome, being able to just flip on the light switch and no more extension cords!

This winter I turned everything around and rearranged a lot so that I can work a little more efficiently and make it more enjoyable. It's still ugly inside and by no means a "show" shop, but it's my hangout and place to get away from everything else when I need to.

Here's a few latest pics:

Extra storage under the center workbench top:

Gotta have a mini fridge.

I scored an older 15 gal(?) Sears oiled air compressor for $45 via CL and a buddy helped me mount that on a platform up in the rafters to save some space. Dad got some new leftover PEX line from his job and when we get a chance, are planning to add a couple air drops in the shop. (no pics yet)

Right now I'm just trying to remember to plug and unplug the compressor in every time I go out to my shop, but that is a pain, and half the time I forget to unplug it. Anyone have a suggestion for a 220v switch that I can install beside my regular light switch?

 

[Alchymist]

Right now I'm just trying to remember to plug and unplug the compressor in every time I go out to my shop, but that is a pain, and half the time I forget to unplug it. Anyone have a suggestion for a 220v switch that I can install beside my regular light switch?

Not cheap, but something like this:
http://store.eurtonelectric.com/toggleswitches3032-sw.aspx

 

[little d]

Its probly a little late now but what I did on my shop was put my sub pannel right next to the shop door, I turn off the comp every night.

 

[Lunker]

Nice looking shop

 

[BBQ&Love]

Looking good bro. How did you end up getting 220 out there?

 

[countrytech]

Looking good bro. How did you end up getting 220 out there?

a really long invisible extension cord (that may or may not be underground and inside conduit)

 

[countrytech]

Made some changes to the shop lately. Nothing major, mostly reorganizing a little and adding more condensed drawer storage and small parts bins so that I can hold my ever expanding stash of fasteners and tools.

I picked up that 2-drawer metal cart from a sale for 25 cents. It needs paint but is fairly solid and works as my grinding/welding cart for now.

I snagged the 6" Dayton cross-slide drill press vice off of CL. It's great for accurate hole placement. Compared to the hobb'd together clamps assortment I was using to hold stuff down when using the drill press, this thing is awesome!

After making the wood wrench holders and seeing the difference it made to my wrench drawer, I'm determined to figure out a solution for my socket drawer which is a disaster area.

 

[mdbeck1]

....
I'm determined to figure out a solution for my socket drawer which is a disaster area.

Take a look at post 42 on this thread. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=176613&page=3


...and I'd like a closer look at what you did for your wrenches. I'm not happy with the solutions that I have.