Shop Tours

Urban Shop

comments (10) April 27th, 2010 in Shop Tours        
Arbi56 Arbi56, member
thumbs up 34 users recommend


Shop Specs

  • Location: Metairie, Louisiana, 350
  • Size: detsq. ft.
  • Type:
  • Focus:
  • Heating/Cooling:

This 16 X 24 shop is the largest permissible footprint I could put in my back yard in the New Orleans area. I have addressed the challenge of space by putting casters on all of my machines and lining them up along one wall, to be pulled out when needed. The tablesaw, however, usually stays in its place in the middle end of the shop. It is positioned at the end where the double doors can be swung open to accommodate long board outfeeds. Since I don't have space for a workbench away from the wall, I have put a vise on a base cabinet I made with a heavy top to use as a work bench/storage cabinet. I use a folding setup table which is folded and stored on brackets on the ceiling when not needed. My saw horses fold to be stored out of the way. There is a shelf running around the top of the walls above the doors and windows so I can keep valuable floor space free. I made my tool tote 30" long, with ends in the shape of a seat so it can do double duty as my bench stool.


posted in: Shop Tours, workshop


Comments (10)

Peroroger Peroroger writes: Very attractive workspace. I have a similar shop which I am still completing. What remains to be done is to organize my clamps and tools frequently used. Most of my larger tools are on wheels so that I can roll them around when needed. Last year I got a dust collection system which occupies some precious space. A neighbour has a similar space and he resorted to building an external add on to his shop to put the machine outside.

I didn't see any evidence of dust collection in the pictures. How do you handle that?

Roger
Posted: 10:38 am on February 1st

Fasted1 Fasted1 writes: I really like your shop. I was just building a shop in Lakeview prior to Katrina. The storm took it. Now I live in River Ridge and I am just beginning to look at building a shop again. Your building dimension was just about the size I was looking at. Would love to discuss and benefit from your experiences.

Ed
Posted: 7:30 am on February 1st

EdwardG99 EdwardG99 writes: I was trying to find a way to answer your question about the Tucker Vice without posting a comment in my own entry. Anyway I hope you find this. I am very happy with both the twin screw and the Tucker Vice. I use the Tucker all the time for many reasons. I have been using it now for two years and I still have not used all the functionality it offers.

The twin screw vice need to be installed corectly and you should add suppurt for the screws (under the bench) when the vice is extended. Otherwise you will find the weight of the vice causes a lot of drag when trying to open it.

E.G.
Posted: 9:55 am on January 8th

philjhan philjhan writes: Nice shop, and a bonus living in the same city as Drago's! I have a shop in Houston and plan on posting some before and after photo's next year sometime, as soon as I get to the 'after' (the 'before' stage is getting to be a pain in the butt);) Curious how you and I living in a very humid climate can keep the rust devils away without having to cover everything up while not in use.
Posted: 7:29 am on November 24th

vogeldp vogeldp writes: I like the look of the wood in your shop it adds a soothing touch I need to add some flavor to mine it's sort of sterile.
Posted: 11:33 pm on July 27th

Robby_A Robby_A writes: Nice shop Arbi56, i still have to make do with half a one car garage while the other half is occupied with our motorcycles.
I've plans to build a 6m x 15m (20'x 50') workshop in my back-garden,but got to gather same money first.
Hutch45, I could send you a plan if your interested
[appelman.mobiel@gmail.com]
Posted: 11:55 am on June 1st

Arbi56 Arbi56 writes: Hutch, sorry, I don't have plans. I just built it per standard building techniques. I used Hardie 4x8 panels for the siding, then applied 1x2 strips (treated 1x4's ripped on center) to give it the board-and-batton look. I cut the rafter tails on a hand-drawn pattern. I used 1/2" plywood, instead of sheetrock, for the interior walls, so as to be able to nail or screw on shelves, brackets, etc. I made my big doors out of 3/4" AB plywood, which I treated with water sealer, then applied primer and 3 coats of paint (gives the old time garage look, without the metal overhead doors). There's really not much else out of the ordinary about the construction.
Good luck on your shop. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine (I've been in it all day today, Saturday).
Posted: 7:35 pm on May 22nd

Hutch45 Hutch45 writes: Nice Shop Arbi56: I am ready to build a shop 18'X 21', and I would like to know if you have the plans on your shop that you might share, for I would like to build one like yours. Thanks Hutch45
Posted: 1:37 pm on May 20th

Ron Alley Ron Alley writes: Nice shop.
Posted: 2:23 pm on April 28th

jamboni jamboni writes: Nice shop Arbi56. You have made excellent use of the available space you have. I have the Prairieville shop and definitely was chased away during Katrina.Had to buy all new tools and I sure do miss some of the collection I lost. My old shop at my Lakeview house was basically a single car garage, a carport and a storage shed shared with lawn equipment.
My wife and I still have the old house but I no longer have any tools there.
Posted: 1:15 am on April 28th

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