Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Apr 09, 2007 10:33pm | #1

   T.D.,

   There is no right size for a shop, I've managed to do commercial work in shops that were smaller than the shop you are contemplating.  If you were only going to use hand tools, you could comfortably get by in a shop 12' by 16'.

   Last year I was involved in the design of a shop easily twice the size you are contemplating and it was still crowded because of the quantity of larger than average power tools that filled it up.

   Power tools require more room because the machines need space to feed the boards through, if you expect to be ripping and planing 12 foot long boards then you would need a shop 24' plus long or some way of opening doors in line with the tools to get the clearance for longer cuts.

   The amount of space needed will also depend on whether you will be storing wood in the shop and whether you want a separate area for finishing.  Another aspect to consider is the number of projects you will have going at once.  Each piece under construction will tie up some floor space.  A dust collector in the shop will also take up a chunk of floor space unless it can be moved outside of the building which has advantages.

   You didn't go into detail about the alternative of putting the shop below a garage, but my personal feeling is that a smaller above ground shop with lots of sunlight is far more desirable than a larger shop in a basement.

   The bottom line is that it depends on the specifics of how you will be equipping and using the shop, but I feel that your size, while a bit smaller than some, would be adequate, for a noncommercial shop with smaller machinery.

   John White

1. 
   T.D. | Apr 10, 2007 06:10am | #2

   Thanks John,
   I mostly make furniture. I have a Unisaw with a 52" fence, a 14" bandsaw, a router table, a 6" jointer with extra long tables, a floor standing drill press and 1 1/2horse single stage dust collector, a slide miter saw. I will probably store my wood in the shop, work on one project at a time and do my finishing in the shop only because of space concerns. I am considering a total space of 500 sq. ft. with 9 ft. ceilings. My current shop has 7 ft ceilings and is 19 X 12 If you have time, tell what you think, it is a big step and a once in a life time chance so I don't want to mess up
   Thanks again
   Tim

1. 
   JohnWW | Apr 10, 2007 11:57pm | #3

   Tim,

   The space you are talking about would, in my opinion, be adequate, if not spacious, for the way you work and the machinery you own.  The high ceiling is definitely a plus.  I have always worked in small shops and never felt cramped, but some people would probably feel crowded in a shop twice that size.

   If you want an assortment of opinions, go to the Knots site and ask your question there, you're sure get lots of feedback, most of it recommending a larger space I suspect.

   John W.