Shop Ideas

[zionview]

The first shop I built was sized for the largest piece of equipment we had at the time, with room to have something tore down at the same time(36x36x14 drivethru). When it was all said and done, we STILL wished it was 20 feet longer! We've downsized to the current shop, which would hold 3 or 4 projects at the same time(32x26x8) of our smaller equipment. It's easier to heat, and I seem to find my wife's SUV in one bay every night.
My favorite tool is an antique self-feeding drill press my Dad bought at a farm auction many years ago. He powered it with a 1/6 HP motor out of a Maytag washer and an "A" v-belt. It'll do more than any press I've ever operated, and if it overloads, it just flips the v-belt off. I still used it today to drill (4) 1-inch holes in 1/4 inch flatstock. Here's a picture of it.

 

[Harry c]

Build yourself a welding / work table with a 1/2 inch or thicker steel top. 24" x 36" will work but bigger is better! If you ever work on a thick steel table you'll wonder how you got by without it. Great to hammer on, weld on. clamp to, on and on! Plate from the scrap yard is going for about .25 per lb. or just over $5 per sq ft for 1/2". Full inch is much better but makes it harder to move around if you're short on space. If you have room for a larger table, mount your vise on one corner. The weight gives you a great, stable work platform.

 

[Rch]

Water, especially hot is mighty handy in and around a shop. 3/4" tubing with same size ball valves give some serious flow for cleaning/filling.

There are radiant heat systems with PEX through the slab that use a hot water tank heater and simple pump. Laying on a piece of cardboard on a heated slab is divine ! And the floor dries out quickly. Another reason to insulate under the slab and even a skirt of styrofoam 4' around the outside perimter of the buildind about 18-24" down. The Swedes do this.

 

[GeneD14]

I used to store all of my wrenches and other frequently used hand tools in a big stainless tool chest. After working in a modern manufacturing enviroment I noticed a definite trend towards hanging tools up on tool boards so they are easy to find. It is also easy to see which ones are missing either from being borrowed or left under a car hood. I have converted my workshop to a much more user friendly visual set up using tool boards. Half of my shop is mechanics/metalworking tools and half is made up of woodworking stuff. My old tool chest is just used to house tools that I only use every few years. The daily use stuff is hung on the boards. See attached pics.

 

[GeneD14]

Here is another tool board in my shop.

 

[GeneD14]

Another thing that I forgot to mention is that it is a good idea to not have windows so people can see in. I put windows in for light and for looks on the outside. To protect the tools I've since added bars on ever window and an alarm system.

I've also added a 10K two post hoist. I love it!!! I have used it alot.

 

[zionview]

Hey GeneD14! I agree with the windows! The shop we built in '88 had NO windows. It's amazing how quite and salesman-free that shop was. My present shop has a window on the back and one on the side by the welding area but none towards the front.

 

[bones1]

Nice shop Gene.Tool boards are a good idea.How big is your shop?.

 

[GeneD14]

The workshop area is 42' x 30' and the ceiling height is about 14' in the center of the room.

 

[keeney]

Working on my "dream" workshop, I was looking for the best choice for flooring (besides just bare concrete). I wanted something durable that would stay decent looking. Was thinking epoxy floor at first but learned that unless you make it thick enough to be structural (big $$$), it will eventually peel off. Then I considered polishing the concrete, but that seemed like it would get too slick. Settled on some tough ceramic tile. Cheaper than any other idea when installed on a DIY basis. Nothing I am likely to dump on it can stain or burn it. Very difficult to even scratch. I only worry about dropping something heavy and sharp on it. If it does get damaged, I can easliy replace a single cracked tile.

Thinking about work surfaces, I am thinking 10 or 12-gauge stainless countertops, but need to find somebody who can bend them up without charging dream-kitchen or university lab prices.

- Rick