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
ps I realize that I would have to hire a moving company to get the heavy items up there.
Replies
Not a problem, although their can be some social issues if you start too early on a Sunday.
My first solo shop was on the second floor of an Army officers mess in a spare room next to mine. Hand tools only but I restored a jinker in that room (One horse vehicle with seating for 2-3 people). The bigest problem is getting long stock in and finished goods out (had to dismantle the Jinker - 4' wheels and long shafts). Lots of old warehouses solved this problem with a gantry crane over the window or door. There are some beautiful cast iron ones that swing out from the wall next to the door that come up at auction or old building demolitions in Sydney and Melb - dont know about where you come from.
The floor provides plenty of space for dust collection ducting and power straight to the machines so it is out of the way. Wooden floors transmit a lot less vibration than concrete ones, I have used a shop on a mezzanine floor over a large metal shop and the solid floor required no additional vibration aids. That floor was 3/4 hardwood over 6" joists at 18" spacing. It had 3/4 form ply as load speaders under each of the machines. (from my aircraft loading days the approach was calculate the spreader thickness on the assumption that load is spead at an angle of 45deg from the point of contact through the thickness of the spreader.)
PS - One f the people I shared that mess with in '83 doesn't see you having a problem socially - I can't have been too bad.
What is the design load of the third floor?
I am not exactly sure. but the floor joist are huge 14 inch tji's. The framer said it was overkill and you could park a car on any floor.
Besides the structural issues you may want to consider how you will bring lumber into the shop and how you will move furniture out of the shop.
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