wood shop on THIRD FLOOR?

wallyv | Posted in General Discussion on August 3, 2004 01:24am

I recently inherited a massive collection of wood working tools (table saw, joint, jointer-planer,etc) which take up alot of room. Unfortunately my garage is too small and I dont have basement. I do have, however, a third floor which is almost 850 square feet (with ac and heat). Ia it practical to make this my shop. There is a full stairway access. I am worried about the vibration of the power tools. I have heard of platforms that you place heavy duty power tools on to absorb vibration. Do they work? anybody know where I can find them. Also right now it is just a plywood subfloor (with radiant floor heating). should I consider a rubber flooring? Any suggestions for or against my idea would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Walt

[email protected]

ps I realize that I would have to hire a moving company to get the heavy items up there

Replies

Dave45 | Aug 03, 2004 02:37am | #1
Quite frankly, I can't imagine putting a shop on a third floor. If you really want to try it:

- make sure that your floors can handle the dead loads of all the machinery

- think about how you'll deal with the dust, noise, vibration, etc

- think about how you'll get materials into the shop..........and finished projects out.

- make sure you have enough power up there for the tools, lights, etc.

Sorry, but I'm having this mental image of you someday having to open a wall and hiring a crane to get a project out of the shop. - lol
jackplane | Aug 03, 2004 03:33pm | #2
Sounds impractical. A friend has a second floor shop but built an extra-wide staircase and has an outdoor overhead beam to use as a chain hoist for large pieces. Floor vibration would be the least of my concerns.
EvilTwin | Aug 03, 2004 03:57pm | #3
I used to have a house that had a full 3rd floor. Back then I was into collecting pinball machines. I think I had about 20+ up there between two rooms. At an average of 200lbs for each machine, it was a bit of work to get them up there. At the time, I didnt mind it too much, but I was younger. Now, I would have my doubts about dragging that heavy stuff up two flights of stairs.

If most of what you do is small stuff, I would say it should be fine. Large sheets of plywood or large projects might be kind of tough. Good luck.
BG | Aug 03, 2004 04:47pm | #4
Walt,

The prospects of a well equiped shop with 850 sq. ft. is just too good to pass up....and there may be some workarounds that would make it more acceptable. It depends, quite a bit, on what you plan to make and if the garage could be part of the solution.

I never bring a full sheet of ply into the shop anymore...it gets cut up in the garage with a straight edge and a skil saw. I'd probably use the jointer in the garage also. The TS location can be a toss up...if I have a BS and router table upstairs. Anyhow, you get the idea, and of corse, nothing is cast in concrete...sounds like a fun problem to have