Setting up my Shop

[countrytech]

My landord is renovating a 12x16 building that I think he drug out of a ghost town... I think it would have been better to build new, but he just can't bear the thought of seeing go to waste them scraps of 2x6 he's been saving in the garage since 1968... Anyhow He plans to add siding and trim to the building yet, and then he said it's all mine to use.

The ceiling clearance is about 7'4' and there's an 8' overhead door on the one end. I want suggestions on what to do here. I'm going for a multipurpose shop. But lately I've been getting into wood projects, and that has spawned a lot more wood projects I want to tackle. So I need to design my shop to do that kind of work as well. As far as mechanical work that I plan to do, it would mostly be limited to oil changes and very minor mechanical repairs because I know practically nothing about engines.

Below is a rendering of what I'm thinking of so far. Any tips or suggestions?

Photos below are of the project to date.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Sounds like you have a damn good landlord to do something like that for you, and it's looking pretty good! A friiend has a building like that, and he calls it the Clampett building.

 

[JC23]

That's not looking too bad, countrytech. Sure beats doing stuff outside.

You might wanna leave some storage room for long boards. Maybe above the shelving units? Along those lines, use as much up high room for storage as you can. It'll keep it outta your way.

You should look at Jack Olsen's drop down benches, too. Those work great in smaller spots.

What kinda stuff you gonna make?

 

[countrytech]

I like the idea of a drop-down bench, you have a link to some designs?

JC23 - right now I'm working on a cabinet to hold a bunch of computer & networking stuff for my office. I think I bit off a bigger bite than I realized, but its slowly taking shape, I need a table saw before I can do much more.

My wife would like me to make her some outdoor furniture like a picnic table and then she found www.ana-white.com and I have a project list a mile long... I think she has higher confidence in me than I do, but hey, at least it gives me the excuse to outfit my shop and have fun

 

[dladcock]

Spousal support is important.

I would consider placing the chop saw on a clear wall to accommodate 16" stock. Also, maybe casters on everything. I work alone most of the time and it helps to have as many tools, tables etc. on wheels.

 

[boostedgt]

i could live in that! cool building

 

[countrytech]

Spousal support is important.

I would consider placing the chop saw on a clear wall to accommodate 16" stock. Also, maybe casters on everything. I work alone most of the time and it helps to have as many tools, tables etc. on wheels.

the chop-saw cabinet is going to have casters under it, I really don't have a spare "clear" wall to put it against, so I figure if it is on casters then I can just pull it into the center of the shop to do the real long cuts..?

I'm going to look at a table saw I found on Craigslist tomorrow afternoon, I'll have to see f I can put it on casters or not.

 

[dladcock]

Yeah, you can put wheels on anything. Decent casters cost, but I think for the versatility you gain they pay for themselves. That's a good plan to store the chop saw against the wall and pull out to use. Since you sound like you have thought out your journey, maybe some cabinets like these will help you.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45022&highlight=finishing+garage

 

[JC23]

Here's Jack's place: http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55006&highlight=jack+olsen - I used the search feature on here.

When you shopping for that table saw, get a base with wheels (locking) on it and life will be easier. If the one you are looking at doesn't have 'em you can retrofit 'em. I tuck my saw under a workbench that I made just for that.

PS, You'll find out that a table saw will up your quality like, 200%!

 

[BBQ&Love]

Looking good CT! That building has a ton of potential.

 

[bczygan]

VERY, VERY, VERY NICE!
I love seeing old buildings rehabbed like that! Give your landlord kudos from me!

Bill
Arch. Designer in Detroit

Some things to think about:
I don't know what the owner is thinking of doing concerning interior finish, but he should wrap it with house wrap before siding it. If he doesn't finish the inside, you should. Insulate it and drywall it. Make a hatch into the attic and throw some OSB up there for flooring. I assume it will have electric. Run a line for an attic light fixture. Make sure the window on the end opposite the garage door has the bottom opening at the right height for long boards on the chop saw or table saw. Make your workbench movable with locking casters. Plan for a place to put your compressor outside while you work (Put it on locking casters too). Plan to suspend long stock from the ceiling or even better, install doors in the gable end to be able to put things into the attic from outside. Plan on a place for a jointer and a bandsaw. They are as important as a table saw. Need a drill press and mortiser too. Wood storage shelves take up too much space. Build cabinets and shelves up high on the walls and use a step stool to get to the top ones. Store all garden equipment in a separate temporary structure. Put a nice table and chairs on the porch. Don't forget a stereo, apartment sized fridge and small flat screen TV. Outside lighting on the porch and beside the OH door will make outside spaces more usable.

Go here for lots of ideas for storage items you can make to organize your shop:
http://www.woodsmith.com/extras/

 

[OccupantRJ]

the chop-saw cabinet is going to have casters under it, I really don't have a spare "clear" wall to put it against, so I figure if it is on casters then I can just pull it into the center of the shop to do the real long cuts..?

I'm going to look at a table saw I found on Craigslist tomorrow afternoon, I'll have to see f I can put it on casters or not.

Here's what I did recently to mine.



http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88075

 

[countrytech]

Thanks guys, I know there's a lot of potential in that building, I just need some ideas to get me started. I don't want to dump much money into it cosmetically - money is real tight and being it's not my property, I lose whatever I put into the building that I can't take with me some day. but if there's stuff I can do for cheap, I'm open to suggestions, and liking what I've been reading so far!

OccupantRJ - I like your idea for the saw, I'll have to see if I can get my welder friend to make me a base like that. how heavy of angled metal did you use?

 

[OccupantRJ]

Thanks guys, I know there's a lot of potential in that building, I just need some ideas to get me started. I don't want to dump much money into it cosmetically - money is real tight and being it's not my property, I lose whatever I put into the building that I can't take with me some day. but if there's stuff I can do for cheap, I'm open to suggestions, and liking what I've been reading so far!

OccupantRJ - I like your idea for the saw, I'll have to see if I can get my welder friend to make me a base like that. how heavy of angled metal did you use?

I think it was either 3/16" or 1/4" thick 1-1/2" X 1-1/2", what I had on hand. 1/8" thick would have worked, as the legs are pretty thin, anyway. You will need at least two locking casters to prevent chasing the saw while using it.

 

[Cougar67]

Hmmm...Dutch Lap siding, green trim, white paint, green shingles...That looks like a WWII era military building. Some of them were provided in kit form by Alladin kit house company. I'm glad he saved it. I think it has nice lines.

 

[camaro8194]

I like the shop alot there is alot of satisfaction in making old look new again good luck

 

[countrytech]

Well, the shop got house wrapped and started the siding yesterday, but rain (and then snow) put the project temp on hold. My landowner is an older guy and works at this building at his own pace, so the project is taking a while, but if nothing else I'm learning patience.

I sure am getting anxious to be able to work in there. I keep redrawing and figuring out how I want to cram all my tools and work surfaces into a 12x16 space, and I'm driving my wife nuts with my ideas, but it's all cool. I think I've finally settled on an interior layout to maximize space and storage. I'll try to upload the latest plans and get more input from you guys.

View media item 8660

 

[colt zantop]

wow....cool space....looks great so far!

 

[BBQ&Love]

Looking good!

 

[sneakyfast]

my wood shop is about half that size...one thing I found critical is that your workbench, table saw, and other tools be at the same height. I can take a full size sheet of plywood and lay it accross the table saw (with fence and guard removed) and it will lay flat with the other end on my work bench. Very practical for a small space. This concept allows me to work on anything large as they act like two benches....if this makes sense. The bench also acts as an infeed table for long unwieldy stuff.

 

[countrytech]

my wood shop is about half that size...one thing I found critical is that your workbench, table saw, and other tools be at the same height. I can take a full size sheet of plywood and lay it accross the table saw (with fence and guard removed) and it will lay flat with the other end on my work bench. Very practical for a small space. This concept allows me to work on anything large as they act like two benches....if this makes sense. The bench also acts as an infeed table for long unwieldy stuff.

That's a good idea. I need to build a workbench for the new shop so I'll keep that in mind when I assemble it.

What's the wood build outs under your saw table?

 

[sneakyfast]

That's a good idea. I need to build a workbench for the new shop so I'll keep that in mind when I assemble it.

What's the wood build outs under your saw table?

That is a cabinent that keeps any sawdust from coming out. I also use it as a place to mount my dado blades, fence, miter gauge when I'm using the saw as a table...I also mounted push sticks and gauges and anything that I need at the saw so it's right there on hand. It also reduces the noise.

 

[countrytech]

That is a cabinent that keeps any sawdust from coming out. I also use it as a place to mount my dado blades, fence, miter gauge when I'm using the saw as a table...I also mounted push sticks and gauges and anything that I need at the saw so it's right there on hand. It also reduces the noise.

That's cool, my saw (a CL find) has plywood sides inside the support frame for dust collection, doesn't seem to do a lot for noise control tho, because its still pretty loud.

 

[countrytech]

No pictures for tonight but I did get a chance to do a little in the shop today, I added a rack to hold my lumber and scraps up out of the way, and moved some of my tools into the shop.

I need to get started on the work counter and storage cabinet on the end wall. I have an 11ft piece of formica I plan to use for the counter - hopefully it holds up for the light tinkering and projects I plan on doing.

But first I need to figure out electric. For the time being I can't get it hardwired, so I'm going to have to string an extension cord out from the basement. Any ideas what to use or how to get a good extension cord that will power a table saw, and miter and a couple of those halogen lights on stands?

 

[BBQ&Love]

How far will the run be?

 

[ibedayank]

10gauge contractor grade cords if you can afford them but at the very least 12gauge
better off using 4 foor florescent lights take LOTS less juice than the stand lights.
Be aware that your lights may dim when starting the saws tho.

 

[countrytech]

How far will the run be?

close to 75 feet to an exterior basement outlet. add another 30 to the breaker panel.

 

[countrytech]

I keep forgetting to take exterior pictures while it's light outside, but I'm now "in" my shop. we're not going to finish it out, and electrical may not happen for a while, if ever (landlord's decision). I'd like to sheet the inside with OSB but I'm afraid that won't happen. It's tough enough affording the lumber to build the cabinets and workbench right now... So I'm planning to make the best of it all and work with what I have.

For now I'm just trying to figure out what all I have and make my shop usable before I start setting things more permanently. I've been pulling an incredible amount of nails sticking out all over the place in here, I guess they were used to hang thing on way back in the day but there is no rhyme or reason to their placement and they are literally everywhere...

Sorry in advance for the bad phone pictures.

I added a rack to the one wall to hold my lumber up off the floor and use wasted space over the workbench area that will hold my saws. (10 ft of free countertop from a Jehovah's Witness church)
View media item 8969View media item 8970
My wife found another 12ft of butcher block style countertop on freecycle, and I plan to use that along the back wall for a work bench.

View media item 8967
Tonight I made a hanger of sorts from some scrap particle board and 2x3's laying around along with some for dowel rods my landlord salvaged from (window blinds??) made a nice solid place to hang my most common power tools up out of the way, but within easy reach when I need them.
View media item 8966


The next thing I really need to figure out is lighting for my shop and some kind of heavy duty extension cord. Right now all I have is a 500 watt halogen light on a stand and thats kind of a pain to use and it would be nice to get some kind of light arrangement hanging from the ceiling that isn't "permanent". I can't use permanent fixtures because part of the issue is the LL doesn't want to deal with electrical inspections and wiring. Extension cords and portable lights will have to do. Any ideas? free is best...

 

[BBQ&Love]

The next thing I really need to figure out is lighting for my shop and some kind of heavy duty extension cord. Right now all I have is a 500 watt halogen light on a stand and thats kind of a pain to use and it would be nice to get some kind of light arrangement hanging from the ceiling that isn't "permanent". I can't use permanent fixtures because part of the issue is the LL doesn't want to deal with electrical inspections and wiring. Extension cords and portable lights will have to do. Any ideas? free is best...

The cord is going to be tough but keep watching craigslist.

I have some ideas for once you get in the shop but first let me ask you, are you not allowed to put outlets on the wall? Is that what I am understanding?

For lights? Get those $9.95 florescent light fixtures. They hang with a chain from a screw and plug in. You will save a ton of electricity and have better light than your halogen light. Pending your answer to my question I may have more thoughts on this.

 

[BBQ&Love]

close to 75 feet to an exterior basement outlet. add another 30 to the breaker panel.

Is it 12 gauge from the panel to the outlet?

 

[countrytech]

Is it 12 gauge from the panel to the outlet?

I imagine so, but can't say for sure.

The cord is going to be tough but keep watching craigslist.

I have some ideas for once you get in the shop but first let me ask you, are you not allowed to put outlets on the wall? Is that what I am understanding?

For lights? Get those $9.95 florescent light fixtures. They hang with a chain from a screw and plug in. You will save a ton of electricity and have better light than your halogen light. Pending your answer to my question I may have more thoughts on this.

No in wall outlets, installed breaker boxes or fixed lights at this point. Everything needs to be able to be wrapped up and put away like any other tool. I might try to get away with your light idea tho.

 

[BBQ&Love]

Worst case scenario put the lights on S-hooks that you can just lift off the screws.

You are going to get really tired and frustrated quick if you don't do this in a well thought out manner. One thought is to wire everything up but make it portable. Like a cord with in-line outlets, including a switched outlet for the lights. Done right, I can see you going from power cord being at the door to up and running in 2 minutes.

 

[Pug}{maN]

i like it ! its a cool little place !

 

[countrytech]

I got a picture of the exterior this evening, haven't been able to do any work the last couple days be knocked out sick. But here is what she looks like outside.

View media item 9001

I got a lead on some free OSB on Craigslist up around Dad's place and we're heading up there Saturday so hopefully it will still be available when I get up there. Noticing a pattern here?

 

[countrytech]

Well, no luck on finding free OSB for the walls so we'll just work on the shop a corner at a time. This past week(end) my focus has been on the workbench area and hardware storage.

I've been helping out sign shop owner last week and he gave me his front counter to repurpose in my shop. It's a 10ft long 3 ft high 600+ pound laminate/particle board beast. It has some shelves and cupboards and drawers built into it that work pretty nice for tool storage and organization.

Went to Lowes yesterday and got some peg board and a few of those plastic bins for hardware. Spent this afternoon going thru and sorting and organizing a bunch of stuff. It's nice to have a place for everything - haven't had this feeling in years!

 

[countrytech]

My wife took a few photos of the shop today, that are better than my cell phone pics. Nothing fancy, but it's a huge improvement over what I had before.

I got the work bench for free from another shop owner who had it as the backside of his front counter. All the drawers and cupboards make for handy storage.

Both of my $25 drill presses. I love that Walker-Turner. Don't worry, the wiring is temporary and everything gets unplugged every night. I just get tired of plugging and unplugging stuff in the mean time when I am trying to work, and this works for now.

I had to try out the dollar store idea for pliers organization - it works!

 

[bczygan]

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.

 

[sscustom]

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[sscustom]

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[Alchymist]

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.