Replies

1. 
   jhounshell | Jan 29, 2008 07:02am | #1

   Dave,

   This is the time of your life. It is the time for you to unleash all those creative energies and ideas and make them happen. We can't tell you what to do, because we are not there seeing what is going on. We can't see the intricate angles that make up the roof line. We can't understand the complexities that are involved in the flooring. We don't know the restrictions you may be facing in heating and cooling the shop. Brother, its time to quit relying on others and do what you think will work the best for you. It doesn't really matter what everyone else thinks, as long as you have your dream shop, and it works for what you need it to do.

   To boldly go where no man has gone before... Time to do it, and revel in your successes.

   Good luck and have fun.

   Jeff

1. 
   dtraversi | Jan 30, 2008 06:07am | #6

   Hey Jeff- your points are well taken- my shop and my rules- and the ideas all will eventually come from my brain- But that is where I decided to send a call for creative solutions.
   I know how to set up shop and many of the ideas that make my previous shops work come from observing others.I read FWW and visit knots and various other "rags"-
   Sometimes I see an idea that looks great in concept but can't decide if it would be right for me.For example- I've never had a rolling clamp rack- seems like a good idea- do people who have em - love em or is it just a big pain. There are 101 ways to make an outfeed table- I could benefit from seeing a few more.Plus - some people love to show off their ideas and I was kinda hoping a few "gems" would surface.Anyhow- thanks for the comments- I am looking forward to figuring it all out
   DaveSettle Down People... Settle Down

2. 
   FrankDrackman | Jan 29, 2008 07:27am | #2

   Congratulations on your new shop.  The first thing that I do when setting up a new shop is to think of the height of all of my workstations.  There seems to be two main theories, make everything the same height, or stagger the heights so that long boards can over, or under, certain workstations.

1. 
   dtraversi | Jan 30, 2008 06:19am | #9

   Frank- I like your thinking-
   It is the simple things that often make of break your work flow
   Thanks
   DaveSettle Down People... Settle Down

1. 
   FrankDrackman | Jan 30, 2008 07:13am | #11

   I have always found designing a shop to be fun.

   In a few years I will be building a new shop at my house in Maine and I have been keeping notes for the past few years.  Right now I am investigating the use of a Slat Wall type product for the walls.

1. 
   dtraversi | Jan 30, 2008 07:48am | #12

   Hey Frank-I just did a search for slatwall- I can see why you like it- it seems like the flexibility is endless.
   I don't love the look of pegboard but it does have uses- this stuff is function with style.Thanks
   Dave

1. 
   Tellekutan | Jan 30, 2008 11:28am | #13

   Howdy! I scored pallets full of 4 x 8 slat board at a big warehouse that was changing hands. Unfortunately, I didn't get there quickly enough and it all landed in a dumpster!!! I had been holding onto hundreds of slat pegs for several years now, intending one day to buy the board to replace the pegboard. Anyway, I do have some slatboard up and it's only real advantage in my mind is the quick flexibility. Otherwise, the spacing is twice that of pegboard, and the pegs aren't as secure, so they can pull away with certain tools and spread under the pressure of others (my deadblow, e.g.). Anyway, it's fine, but I still like my pegboard too.

2. 
   marti038 | Jan 30, 2008 05:18pm | #15

   I have it in my shop & garage and absolutely love it. It looks so much cleaner than peg board and is a lot easier to install. Plus there's no open space behind the surface so it's more stable under heavier loads. I recommend keeping an eye out for businesses that are shutting down or moving. The best kind is free!

1. 
   FrankDrackman | Jan 30, 2008 05:42pm | #16

   great endorsement, thanks for the tip.

   Frank

3. 
   Scott_y | Jan 29, 2008 07:41am | #3

   Put giant hinges on the roof so that the whole thing will open to let in natural sunlight. You can use a big stick to hold it up. Tie a string to the stick and if any interesting birds fly in, you can pull the string, thus capturing the bird. Then put giant pontoons on it so that you can do wood working while floating down the Mississippi. Put in a glass floor so you can watch the fish.

    

   HTH

    

   Scotty

1. 
   dtraversi | Jan 30, 2008 06:22am | #10

   Scott- At the risk of offending you- Where can I get some of what you are smoking.
   And what is the correct dosage:-)Fishing and woodworking- Better hope Taunton doesn't get ahold of that idea- they'll make a millionCheers,
   DaveSettle Down People... Settle Down

4. 
   Jfrostjr | Jan 29, 2008 04:59pm | #4

   Two items I find that are incredibly useful are :

   A reel-type extension cord for corded hand tools;

   A compressed air, hose reel, mounted high; Great for air tools and cleaning surfaces.

   Frosty

   "I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922

1. 
   dtraversi | Jan 30, 2008 06:09am | #7

   Thanks Frosty- One cool feature of this former car shop is that the guy put compressed air nipples all over the place :-)
   DaveSettle Down People... Settle Down

5. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 29, 2008 05:55pm | #5

   Here's my advice.  Don't worry about it.  You're gonna change it 10 times anyway, no matter what you think the proper layout will be now.

   I've been in my 3rd shop now for 5 years.  After 20 years, you would think I'd know how I want it.  Well, I'm getting ready to rearrange it again.  Every few years, a little change in the scenery is good for you, anyway!

   Have fun.

   Jeff

   PS   put lumber storage and panel storage (If you do cabinetry) close to the door.

    

1. 
   dtraversi | Jan 30, 2008 06:12am | #8

   Jeff-
   I am a cabinet guy- what do you mean "close the door"
   panels and lumber behind a door? stumped??? but interestedOops.... close "to" the door- One too many glasses of Chianti - thanksDaveSettle Down People... Settle Down

   Edited 1/29/2008 10:14 pm by dtraversi

6. 
   Tellekutan | Jan 30, 2008 11:41am | #14

   Hey d, I'm building a new shop ground up this spring, so I've been soaking up ideas, too. Like you, I've put together a few shops before, so I pretty much have my basic approach down, but in this case I'm in a position to include things that would be much more difficult to retrofit, e.g. in-floor (concrete) dust collection and electrical and a built-in, custom spray booth... actually a room, skylites, you get the picture.

   I'm trying to think of something novel that I could throw at you, but so far nothing comes to mind. I AM very much into bringing work stations, and even as many machines as possible, to the same height. The way things look right now (on paper), the shaper might end up being an extended outfee for the table saw on one side, and the band saw on the other (you'd have to see it). I'm planning on length lumber storage directly above the sheetstock with a cutoff saw mounted atop the panel rack for rough cutting. That's something new to me, and I think I got that idea off this site (I can hear everybody saying, "Duhhhh!" but hey, it's hard to think of everything!)

   If I think of anything, I'll let ya know! c