New workshop thoughts

[Scott Loven]

Right now my shop is in the basement, about 800sf more or less. My wife wants to turn half the garage into a mud room, and have me totally clean out the other half (350bf of cherry, two RAS's a powermatic 90 lathe, all of the usual lawn and garden equipment) so that there is nothing but HER car. To do that I would need to build another garage. The question is, should I build it big enough to put my shop in.

The advantages as I see it would include: Much easier access for large equipment and projects, windows, natural light, no dust in the house, less worry about fire in the house, not stinking-up the house with finishing fumes, no noise in the house, I could buy BIGGER tools because I wouldn't need to worry about how to get them down the stairs???

The disadvantages include: extra cost, heating and cooling, needing to run outside for this or that for some home project, security issues ???

I would be interested in hearing suggestions, ideas or issues that I haven't thought of.
Thanks
Scott

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Scott....I'm in the last stages of finishing a new detached shop. I'm mudding the drywall on the ceiling each evening. The walls are 1/2" CDX. It has it's own meter and 200 amp service. It will have it's own gas furnace (it's already has gas and vents roughed in). If you plan on using just for woodworking I'd consider putting in double doors rather than an insulated garage door. They are thermally more efficient and more secure. A teenager with a tire iron can open a garage door if knowledgeable. By having a shop you can do the electrical and get very specific and generous with outlets etc. You can design the shop around tools and dust collection. By having a detached shop you have a place to "escape". Good luck with you decisions and indeaver what ever you decide!

[John Hulett]

Sounds like the benefits outweigh the risks (not knowing your budget). Outside of a building budget, I'd definitely go with the bigger shop.

[Frank Pellow]

Scott....I'm in the last stages of finishing a new detached shop. I'm mudding the drywall on the ceiling each evening. The walls are 1/2" CDX. It has it's own meter and 200 amp service. It will have it's own gas furnace (it's already has gas and vents roughed in). If you plan on using just for woodworking I'd consider putting in double doors rather than an insulated garage door. They are thermally more efficient and more secure. A teenager with a tire iron can open a garage door if knowledgeable. By having a shop you can do the electrical and get very specific and generous with outlets etc. You can design the shop around tools and dust collection. By having a detached shop you have a place to "escape". Good luck with you decisions and indeaver what ever you decide!
See the (LONG) thread: http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=7769

I am very very happy to have moved out of my basement to a stand-alone shop. It has all the advantages mentioned by Ken and more. Also, it was a lot of fun to plan and to build the shop of my dreams.

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Scott, The only disadvantage of a detached shop is that it would be just a little more effort to go out there. For example, many times I go out to the shop just to check on something or to check to see if glue squeeze out is ready to be peeled. It would be more of a pain if I had a detached shop.

However, my long term plans are to have a large detached shop(Who doesn't :)). I am sure that LOML would love me not tracking sawdust through the house as much! If your budget allows for a decent sized shop, I would sure go for it! Getting projects in and out would be much easier!

[Jim Becker]

I think the advantages of a detached shop greatly outweight the disadvantages provided the funds are available...

[John Bailey]

Scott,

I'm partially done building my detached shop. It's small by most standards, 400 sq. ft. but large by mine. I have spent hours planning, meditating, contemplating until the process has become almost spiritual. The process has been well worth the effort. The dreams of future time spent creating useful and purposeful projects has made this building one of the most positive ventures of my life. Build it! You won't be sorry.

John

[Bob Noles]

Scott,


My shop sits about 50 feet back from the house. I converted an old 14X17 block building into a wonderful little shop and would not have it any other way.

The greatest advantage I treasure is that there is only one key :D :cool:

Go for it!

[lou sansone]

move out and put a bed out there as well:D

lou

[Fred Voorhees]

Here is what my solution was Scott. A detached garage, roughly 40' X 30' with the additional camper bay added onto the end. Big two car garage with the wood shop on the second floor. The shop is about 650 square feet in size. Did as much as possible myself ( and that was quite a bit of the work) and it ran me about 38K.

[Dev Emch]

I know that Lou is using what 28 feet by 30 feet or something like that.

I have noticed that quite a few of you are not using rectangular layouts like 25 feet by 50 feet.

Is there a reason you guys like a more squareish layout as opposed to a rectangular layout?

[Frank Pellow]

I know that Lou is using what 28 feet by 30 feet or something like that.

I have noticed that quite a few of you are not using rectangular layouts like 25 feet by 50 feet.

Is there a reason you guys like a more squareish layout as opposed to a rectangular layout?
Mine is neither a rectangle nor a square. Rather, It is sort of a "misshapened T". I came up with that because I could not devote enough of my lot to a wide rectangle, but the wide space in the middle gives be a location where I can manipulate long boards.

[Ken Salisbury]

I think the advantages of a detached shop greatly outweight the disadvantages provided the funds are available...


AMEN ! ! !

[Dale Rodabaugh]

Definitly go with an outside shop.So many reasons,I wont even start listing them.:cool: :cool: :cool:

[lou sansone]

Very nice shop Fred.. nice and neat looking. What do you have in the 2nd floor ( I assume the sky lights are for that area )





I know that Lou is using what 28 feet by 30 feet or something like that.

I have noticed that quite a few of you are not using rectangular layouts like 25 feet by 50 feet.

Is there a reason you guys like a more squareish layout as opposed to a rectangular layout?

I believe my shop is 28 by 36 with a second story on part of it which is 18 by 18. The second floor is only used for lumber storage. Lumber in that area is usually around 6% moisture. I also have a seperate building next to the main shop where the rest of my "dry" lumber is stored. That wood ranges from 12% to 15% depending on the season. If I was to do it again I would probably make the main shop another 4 or 6 feet longer and 2 feet wider ( 30 x 40 ).

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=17821 shop

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=17916 wood storage

BTW .... Do a post and beam if possible and include your children if you have them. it is a great learing experience for all. Sort of like making a very big piece of fruniture
best wishes
lou

[Bill Lewis]

The disadvantages include ... needing to run outside for this or that for some home project...

This isn't a disadvantage, it is a tool buying opportunity!

With my shop in the basement, I have found that I need to run back and forth from the garage to the shop for basic hand tools. I've come to ther realization that I am going to buy some basic stuff to keep in the shop. An inexpensive all-in-one kit is really all I need for the shop. The same would go for a detached garage shop. Just stock the house with a basic tool box or kit with the tools that you use aound the house.

[Scott Loven]

I was thinking of a two bay garage with a cement floor and a separate room for the shop in the back. I like the idea of a loft for lumber storage, but wouldn't want to put the whole shop up there. I have a lot of wood to burn on the property so was thinking of using a wood burning stove for heat. The location for the shop would be on a slope so I was thinking of putting a walk-out basement under the shop. to keep all of the garden and lawn stuff in. Lots to think about. I have 200 amp box in the house, so was thinking of running a 100 amp sub panel out to the garage/work shop or is that to much? Lou, I like the idea of post and beam. I have two boys who are 18 and 21 who will be home for the summer, maybe I can get them to help, I never seem to have much luck with that on the house though, it seems like I end up doing most of the house, garden, and yard work as it is.
Scott

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Scott, you can't ever have too much power out in your shop. I would not go with more than a 100amp sub with a 200amp main. However, a 100amp will be okay. You are going to need to trench some pretty heavy wire, but having a 100amp sub would be a great advantage!

You would be suprised how easy it would be to overload a 60 amp sub in a shop.

[lou sansone]

I was thinking of a two bay garage with a cement floor and a separate room for the shop in the back. I like the idea of a loft for lumber storage, but wouldn't want to put the whole shop up there. I have a lot of wood to burn on the property so was thinking of using a wood burning stove for heat. The location for the shop would be on a slope so I was thinking of putting a walk-out basement under the shop. to keep all of the garden and lawn stuff in. Lots to think about. I have 200 amp box in the house, so was thinking of running a 100 amp sub panel out to the garage/work shop or is that to much? Lou, I like the idea of post and beam. I have two boys who are 18 and 21 who will be home for the summer, maybe I can get them to help, I never seem to have much luck with that on the house though, it seems like I end up doing most of the house, garden, and yard work as it is.
Scott

Idea age for this type of project. Go for a wood floor in the shop if at all possible. It really makes it nice. Give me a call if you want to talk about the whole thing

860 535 1646 x26

thanks
lou

[Jerry Olexa]

A detached, building dedicated only to WWing is ALWAYS betterIMHO but in some cases, there isn't enough $ or space. You're on the right track!!

[Scott Loven]

I have enough space, about 13a with plenty of wood, all on a slope. This picture (http://www.vmtw.com/shop/house_500_feet.jpg) is a few years old but is the best one I could find here at work. I was hoping to do most of it for $20k. I guess I will need to get some estimates. I would sub out the cement work and hire someone to do the framing and roof work, and the sub panel, and do the rest myself. I did a lot of the house myself, but dont have the time to do everything. Finishing the house has greatly cut into my wood working time!
Scott

[Jerry Olexa]

Scott you live in Paradise. Bonus is you have plenty of space and land. Build a dedicated workshop. You'll love it as well as the process of seeing it take shape. I envy you...

[Jim Dannels]

Scott: knowing the you live in the Alpine Region of Iowa, heating the shop is a real concern. Your area is heavily forrested and wood heat should be available and relatively inexpensive(compared to my area)? I love that area in summer, can`t imagine living there in winter? Those roads would be challenging to say the least.
I am using my garage 28 X 32 and could not imagine anything else. It is not yet heated, but I intend to install electric heat this fall.
But any disadvantages of having a separate building will be quickly offset by keepig the LOYL happy.:D

One Quick question, is the nearest Trout stream within walking distance?

[Frank Pellow]

I was thinking of a two bay garage with a cement floor and a separate room for the shop in the back. ...
Scott
I thought that you said you already had a garage. Why would you want to waste what could be valuable shop space on additional garage space? :confused: :D

[Bernie Weishapl]

Scott I put up a 24 X 40 shop. It is a metal pole building. It has 6 inch walls, 14 inches of insulation in the attic and concrete floors. It has storage plus I keep my wood up in the attic. I heat it with 54,000 btu and A/C it with 5000 btu. I would put in a minimum 100 amp service. I wish now I would have went with 200 amp. Anyway totally wired and finished inside was $17,500. I had the shell put up and did the rest myself and had help from my brother-in-law.


Bernie

[Bill Lewis]

My ideal shop design was one that encompassed all of my hobbies in to one. I designed one that worked perfectly on a sloped lot.

Basically a garage with an "EL". The WW shop located in the EL over a walk-out basement. This way you could have a wood floor which is nicer on the feet, and locate all of the dust collection below. This really works well for the DC layout Because the "drops" to each machine are much shorter, and gravity is also working in your favor.

I planned on having the lawn equipment in the basement with double doors for access.

[Jim Becker]

Is there a reason you guys like a more squareish layout as opposed to a rectangular layout?

Some of this likely has to do with the fact that many folks utilize buildings that are ostensibly 2-car garages (nominally 24' x 24') for a number of reasons, including pre-existence on the property, local codes and covanants and/or resale considerations. Not everyone can build a larger structure on their property even if they wanted to, unfortunately.

I'm lucky...my building is 22' x 44' (exterior) and the shop is 21' x 30' (interior). I'd love it to be another 12' longer but that would require a change in sleeping arrangements and other perquesites...marriage is like that. What I do need to do is better leverage the upper floor...'just need to put a double door on the back end of it to accomodate that need since it's nearly impossible to get anything large up the current stairway from the shop.

[Scott Loven]

LOML wants me to move everything out of our existing garage so that she can have one half for a mud room, and the other half for her car. I could build the new garage with enough space for a shop if I want to, or just keep my shop in the basement.
Scott

[Frank Pellow]

LOML wants me to move everything out of our existing garage so that she can have one half for a mud room, and the other half for her car. I could build the new garage with enough space for a shop if I want to, or just keep my shop in the basement.
Scott
If it were me, I would leave my car outside and just build a shop.