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Shop Layout
Shop Layout
Soooo, I can't really tell you the ideal shop layout. There are a million different ways to do it and they could all work well. Your layout will be dictated by the size and shape of your space. With that said, I have some insight on the process:
Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will your shop. Plan it out carefully, because it’s tough to go back on some things once they are done. The first step is to draw it out the general size of the room. Get measurements of the walls and actually draw this! Decide where your bench and big standing tools are going to go based on those dimensions. There are a lot of pictures online of ideal set ups and which tools to cluster, but again the size/shape of the room will nudge you in the right direction. I was fortunate enough to have a blank canvas (cinder blocks and bare studs) so I could really plan the space meticulously.
Once you have a general layout established, install ample lighting. This should be your second step because once you have adequate lighting, working in the space becomes much easier. You should know where your bench is going to go so you can put extra lighting there. I have six double LED strips hardwired in my shop ceiling, and I thought that was a lot, now I wish I had done 9. Overdo it on lighting, then overdo it on outlets. Run a lot of outlets near any bench top and a couple in the ceiling, those can really come in handy. 15 amp is sufficient for most things but if you can run a separate 20 amp for your big tools, do it. Running a dust collector and a planer at the same time on a 15 amp breaker is really pushing it. You'll see the lights flicker and you'll wish you had done it right originally.
If you are planning to insulate your workspace, do it concurrently with electrical because your walls will be open anyway. R13 or higher is sufficient for for the walls (R15+ if it is exterior wall). R30 in the ceiling. I did not do all my insulation at once (too eager to start woodworking!), but it would have saved me some time if I did.
If you have the space, give yourself an auxiliary countertop or two. A clear workspace is the best “tool” in your shop. I have a separate blog just on counter tops that you should read. One of those auxiliary counter tops could be an island. If you can fit it in your shop, I would strongly consider. Embedding a table saw into the island is very useful for saving shop space because your table saw needs to go somewhere central anyway. You will also find that you can make better cuts because the solid foundation of the saw and wide berth. Islands offer a ton of space underneath for drawers and shelving too!
Wood storage racks look cool and can be convenient, but you don't need unless you really have the wall space. I would prioritize adequate cabinets/peg board before dedicating a whole wall to lumber storage. If that sounds like you, storing wood in a corner standing up in a ground level bin.
For your large standing tools, do yourself a favor and put 'em on lockable casters. You can save a ton of space by clustering these in a small space when they are not in use.
How Can I Do It Cheap
How Can I Do It Cheap
I am a frugal person at heart which really conflicts with woodworking which is a rather expensive hobby. I try to save money on everything and the shop build was no exception. Here are some of the best ways to stretch your dollar when building your shop
Use cheap/free wood. You just have to put in a little effort here. There are budget bins at many big box stores of undesirable lumber and sheathing. These are the walls of your shop and you don't need pristine sheets anyway. Lumber yards too have budget piles. If you look closely at my photos you will see some of the 2x4s have red paint on them-- those are the markings of the budget pile wood! Someday I'll sand that paint off, but for now it doesn't bother me. Another option is to go to your local ReStore: Habitat for Humanity. I simply cannot understate the value of ReStore. I have picked up countless insane deals on lumber, sheathing, tools, electrical, insulation, ductwork (you name it). I have saved thousands on my shop thanks to ReStore. I included a photo of my care after a good trip to ReStore: few sheets of OSB and a 2x4 platformI use as a counter top. Another option is wood pallets, some businesses offer them up for free. The lumber isn't great, but it has it's uses for shop stuff. I like pallets for rough shelving and panelling barriers on my shop cabinets. They give a rustic vibe which I appreciate in the shop setting. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are options, but not many people are willing to part with ubiquitous building materials. Finally-- get creative. One of my favorite hauls was from the hospital I work at. The OR bought new sterilizers which were shipped in giant wooden crates. I hauled the crate panels home in a trailer and harvested them for OSB and dimensional lumber. Epic score. My shop walls are a hodge-podge of OSB thicknesses and colors. I could not care less about the minor imperfections and dissimilarities. Perhaps you are someone who does care-- in that case you will want a single retailer for your purchase and you'll be happy to pay the premium.
Doors make great counter tops. Doors are ALWAYS available at ReStore. If you find some heavy, solid ones you should snag 'em. They will be cheaper than buying good plywood (or dimensional lumber) and they should be stronger too. They are usually wide enough (or too wide) for the width of your bench. I used the cutoffs as the backsplash which give it a cohesive look.
Buy LED overhead lights. They are incredibly bright and more efficient than fluorescent. They will keep your energy costs down, and wont divert too much energy away from your tools when you're working away. Best part is they are cheap. Big box stores run specials on their budget strips frequently. When one of these sales happen, buy up more than you think you need. I think I lit my entire space for less than $200 (6 LED hardwired double strips, and 3 hanging plug ins). LEDs last forever. Yes, you will have to replace the whole unit when that time comes but that shouldn't happen for at least a decade.
Not a must, but if you want a refrigerator in your shop, you can buy a used one cheap every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Facebook/Craigslist/ReStore, your choice. Everybody wants to sell their old units because it is cheaper than paying the recycling center to take it!
You can do electrical yourself... probably. I had never done more electric work than changing an outlet prior to my shop build. By the end, I was setting up double light switches and running 20 amp cables along side 15 amp. There are lots of YouTube videos explaining general technique. If you can sit through a couple of those, you should be in good shape to start wiring. As far as tools you shouldn't need to buy more than a wire stripper pliers and a drill. Since you're saving so much on an electrician, you won't feel as bad paying for all that Romex cable! Unfortunately, you will have a hard time finding budget cable, but I encourage you to try!
Counter Space aka The Best "Tool" In Your Shop
Counter Space aka The Best "Tool" In Your Shop
The "work space" is one of the great pillars of any good shop. Workspace can mean a lot of things, but in a new shop build, planning ample counter space will enhance your woodworking experience and ultimately generate better projects. Yes, counter space will yield higher quality projects. Have you ever tried to build something on a surface that was dirty, too small, rough or uneven? It sucks- let's leave it at that. Taking the time to build adequate, solid counters will give you the foundation for doing great work with the more exciting tools in your shop. Here are my quick points:
The size of your shop will dictate the amount of counter surface you can fit, over do it rather than under do it.
If you are deciding between counters and standing shelving, go with counters. Shelving can be elevated and drawers can be lowered. Don't waste waist-high space on a storage shelving!
Counters abutting a wall are the most efficient use of space. Islands are not as efficient, but are extremely convenient. Not every shop can fit an island like the one I have pictured in their shop, but a 4x4 or even a 2x4 island can aid in those projects where you have to see all angles of a piece. They also come in handy for pressing wood where there is always clamp overhang. Islands allow me to press wood and clamp directly to the island surface from all angles without much hassle.
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