woodrail
Well-known member
This could be a 2017 New Years resolution, or just a goal, but time has come for the next step in growing my shop capabilities.
Some may remember my original thread detailing my detached Rocket Shop. The shop is a dedicated 24x24 structure fro various more technical work, but also basic woodshop and limited metal work.
For many years I have desired to have my own Fab Lab. These are also known as maker spaces or similar names. In short, the lab will contain the hardware and software to "make almost anything".
As I'm maxed out in the detached shop, and have no room for an addition. The lab is going in my semi-finished basement. I have about 12x10 of dedicated space, and about an additional 12x14 of shared space. The basement already contains my 8x8 modeling area, a 10x10 tool/paint mechanical area, wine bar, craft area, laundry room, and various storage/closets.
The fab lab is basically replacing the extremely seldom used home gym. Yea, I'm going another direction......
So what is going in the Fab Lab? 60w laser, vinyl cutter, 3d printer, x-carve, and casting equipment. Plus related computer gear and supplies. It's going to be tight. I'm going to be creative with the layout and some areas will be shared.
The design of the new lab will mimic the original Rocket Shop. The walls will be Slat walls with glass display shelves. Lighting will be 4' LED, and feature down lights in clouds similar to what is above my other workbench. Work surfaces will be Sam's Club Seville brand.
Of course, the project starts with the embarrassing "before" image! We unfortunately had our water main rupture a couple weeks ago between the main and our shutoff valve. The repair (4 guys, 2 excavators, and 14 hours) required meter disconnection. Well the meter is buried in a long-term storage closet, so we had to empty it all over the basement. Lesson learned here.
My timeline for this conversion is about 6 weeks to get operational. My workload is about 50-60 hours per week, so this might slide. No need to kill myself. This is a hobby right?!
Some may remember my original thread detailing my detached Rocket Shop. The shop is a dedicated 24x24 structure fro various more technical work, but also basic woodshop and limited metal work.
For many years I have desired to have my own Fab Lab. These are also known as maker spaces or similar names. In short, the lab will contain the hardware and software to "make almost anything".
As I'm maxed out in the detached shop, and have no room for an addition. The lab is going in my semi-finished basement. I have about 12x10 of dedicated space, and about an additional 12x14 of shared space. The basement already contains my 8x8 modeling area, a 10x10 tool/paint mechanical area, wine bar, craft area, laundry room, and various storage/closets.
The fab lab is basically replacing the extremely seldom used home gym. Yea, I'm going another direction......
So what is going in the Fab Lab? 60w laser, vinyl cutter, 3d printer, x-carve, and casting equipment. Plus related computer gear and supplies. It's going to be tight. I'm going to be creative with the layout and some areas will be shared.
The design of the new lab will mimic the original Rocket Shop. The walls will be Slat walls with glass display shelves. Lighting will be 4' LED, and feature down lights in clouds similar to what is above my other workbench. Work surfaces will be Sam's Club Seville brand.
Of course, the project starts with the embarrassing "before" image! We unfortunately had our water main rupture a couple weeks ago between the main and our shutoff valve. The repair (4 guys, 2 excavators, and 14 hours) required meter disconnection. Well the meter is buried in a long-term storage closet, so we had to empty it all over the basement. Lesson learned here.
My timeline for this conversion is about 6 weeks to get operational. My workload is about 50-60 hours per week, so this might slide. No need to kill myself. This is a hobby right?!
