20 Year Remodel

[Lloyd_E]

My workshop was cobbled together when we first moved in. Over the years it has become a catchment area for other people's stuff(friends like to give me stuff - tools etc.) plus my own.
Often times it was difficult to work in, was not organized etc. With my recent back injury(which is on the mend - 90% better) I basically ignored the shop - too hard on my back to work.
So, over the last month I have been insulating and gyp-rocking, building rough wall cabinets, a new bench with wood and trim storage underneath, rolling floor cabinets etc. I bought 100+ plastic snap in trays to store the various boxes and buckets filled with screws, nails, etc. Right now everything is in cabinets - almost - and once it is clean I will start to organize the cabinets for tools, hardware, etc.

I have another section to do in the spring(12'x22') it is a shed attachment with the ceiling at 8'(outside wall) to 10' where it is attached to main building. The opposite side of building is where I attached my greenhouse. As always, I value the input and solutions of TBN folks. So if you could post some of your shop storage solutions that will be great. Pics will follow shortly.

I also installed a Vermont casting wood stove. Even on the coldest days it takes about 1/2 hour to take the chill off and another hour to warm up all of the tools.
It is amazing the stuff you find! I had my kids sorting nails and screws into piles which they will resort by kind and size.

Lots of fun... now if I could only learn to toss away a bent nail...

Lloyd

 

[TCJatko]

Good for you. When you get done, come on down and do my place.

 

[sixdogs]

Good start to a rewarding effort.
Looking forward to those pictures.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

My workshop was cobbled together when we first moved in. Over the years it has become a catchment area for other people's stuff(friends like to give me stuff - tools etc.) plus my own.
Often times it was difficult to work in, was not organized etc. With my recent back injury(which is on the mend - 90% better) I basically ignored the shop - too hard on my back to work.
So, over the last month I have been insulating and gyp-rocking, building rough wall cabinets, a new bench with wood and trim storage underneath, rolling floor cabinets etc. I bought 100+ plastic snap in trays to store
the various boxes and buckets filled with screws, nails, etc. Right now everything is in cabinets - almost - and once it is clean I will start to organize the cabinets for tools, hardware, etc.

I have another section to do in the spring(12'x22') it is a shed attachment with the ceiling at 8'(outside wall) to 10' where it is attached to main building. The opposite side of building is where I attached my greenhouse.
As always, I value the input and solutions of TBN folks. So it you could post some of your shop storage solutions that will be great. Pics will follow shortly.

I also installed a Vermont casting wood stove. Even on the coldest days it takes about 1/2 hour to take the chill off and another hour to warm up all of the tools.
It is amazing the stuff you find! I had my kids sorting nails and screws into piles which they will resort by kind and size.

Lots of fun... now if I could only learn to toss away a bent nail...

Lloyd

I'm not sure I have much to offer; but there was a little bit of planning that went into my shop. First of all, I built my workbenches along one wall, open, with storage underneath. They are built for that particular wall, but are not attached, so they can be moved. On adjoining wall, I built a long (maybe 10') lumber rack with long shelf on top. The top shelf holds lots of stuff that I don't use often, and the lumber rack is always full. I built my woodworking bench 1/4 inch shorter than my table saw, so that it can double as an off cut table to receive the lumber as it's being cut on the table saw. It too is movable. Nothing is hard wired, so I can move stuff in case I have to put a couple cars in there when we have to be out of town.

The South wall contains a bank of windows, which lets in a lot of light and keeps the shop warm when it's sunny. It contains most of my stuff on stands, like grinders and sanders. One of the most useful storage is a metal shelf like you can buy at Lowes or Home Depot. I could use several more of them. I have a small set of wall cabinets with doors, but they were a unit that I took from the house. I do not care for the doors, because you can't see what's in there, but no biggie. I also store all my mowers, powerwasher, and my '59 impala down there. It's a mess, but I love it.

 

[forgeblast]

I have a wall (ill post a pic this weekend) that i did not seal up. The studs you can see I then made shelves in there to hold everything.
My biggest help in organizing the shop was buying a label maker. I label every can, container, and toolbox. I then have no excuse not to put it back in its spot.
I also put some work benches on casters to move them around easier. (I have an old bathroom sink base on wheels that I have my chop saw on.
BTW congrats on getting the back to 90%.

 

[Lloyd_E]

It's a start and I realize a long way to go before I am happy or finished... There appears not to be a great deal of change in the photos but in reality there is... I can see the floor, some bench tops and actually walk 360 degrees around the area - lol... oh! and find items when I need them.

It's amazing the stuff you gather over 20+ years. From old hand saws to you name it.
The cabinets are made from 3/4"x11.5" pine boards, the backs are old plywood door fronts(another salvage) I added plywood meranti to the front and cut them to depth depending on the storage need. Some have deep shelves, some the same size and some deeper with the pegboard on the door. I have rolling bins below one bench and will do another large one this week. A lot of this stuff will get moved to the left side of the main area once I get that area cleaned, insulated, gyp-rocked and storage made. WHat takes the time is sorting all of the stuff.

I also put in a new(old door) door to allow more light in.

 

[creekbend]

It appears that you are off to a good start. Best wishes regarding your future endeavors.

 

[ultrarunner]

I find it therapeutic and rewarding to be organized...

My Dairy Farm relatives always had winter projects where they would work in the shop, repair, sharpen and otherwise prepare for Spring...

It is cycle I could get use to...

 

[KennyG]

I really like the building. It's got a lot of character.