A major reorganization of my woodworking shed is underway

[Frank Pellow]

Here is the floor plan as it has been for about the last four years:

[attachimg=#1]

That layout was somewhat cramped but OK until 2011 when I added stained glass making to the types of work that I undertake in the shed.  Now, that place is away too messy and unorganized.  This morning I decided to try a reorg of my major machines to see if that will help.  I'm not quite sure where things will end up, but I have made a small start by moving the table saw most of the way to it's new location (which will be about where the planer now sits and perpendicular to that wall).  I will need to change some of the ductwork.

Here are a few photos taken about an hour ago.

[attachthumb=#2]  [attachthumb=#3]  [attachthumb=#4]

If things don't work out, I will replace my jointer and planer with a combo machine.  I did attempt to do that last year but, if I need to
do so, I will make a more serious attempt.

 

[Knottys]

Hi Frank,

what sort of wood work do you primarily undertake? 

 

[Frank Pellow]

Knottys, I do not concenrate on any one type of woodworking.  I really do try it all.  And, I seldom make more than one or two of the same thing.

 

[Jesus Aleman]

Frank, let me know if you need some help.  I'm off this week.

Are you trying to improve workflow or space?

Here's some food for thought.   Assume that top of page is north.
1) Rotate the table saw 90 deg clockwise and move closer to east wall.  You will be feeding stock south (towards your house). In the N/S direction I would locate the edge of the TS flush with the south end of the double doors.  i'm not sure if this gives you enough space to cut lumber.
2) Move the woodwork bench to the back of the TS (south).  If you can level both surfaces, you will end with up with a large assembly surface and an outfeed table for the TS.  If the drawing is correct, this will allow you to use both vises too.
3) Move the MFT to where hardwood bench was originally located.  This keeps a separate assembly area on the south with plenty of counter stop space (if you keep it organized).
4) Move the bandsaw and the drill press to the west wall.
5) Move the jointer and planer to the north wall, long side oriented W/E (this is where the MFT and BS used to be).  You may need to stagger them to get good infeed/outfeed space.  I would add some quick connects to the dust extractor hoses ports in the machines if these need to moved for that longer stock. 

This arrangement may block the one of the double doors (hence the need to mobile bases and quick connect).  However, workflow could be improved and you will end with a clear area on the main N/S corridor of the shed.

Cheers.

JGA.
3) Consider adding a router insert to the TS or perhaps even cutting off some the rail shorter.

 

[JimRay]

Wow, all I can say is that it doesn't look as cramped on graph paper!

Good luck, and post the after shots, please.

Jim Ray

 

[ShawnRussell]

Going to review it again,

but I think you would gain some a better work flow moving the jointer and planer together. It may also help to put lumber storage very near to the j/p. 

 

[Frank Pellow]

Going to review it again,

but I think you would gain some a better work flow moving the jointer and planer together. It may also help to put lumber storage very near to the j/p. 

I do plan to put the jointer and planer close together.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Frank, let me know if you need some help.  I'm off this week.

Are you trying to improve workflow or space?

Here's some food for thought.   Assume that top of page is north.
1) Rotate the table saw 90 deg clockwise and move closer to east wall.  You will be feeding stock south (towards your house). In the N/S direction I would locate the edge of the TS flush with the south end of the double doors.  i'm not sure if this gives you enough space to cut lumber.
2) Move the woodwork bench to the back of the TS (south).  If you can level both surfaces, you will end with up with a large assembly surface and an outfeed table for the TS.  If the drawing is correct, this will allow you to use both vises too.
3) Move the MFT to where hardwood bench was originally located.  This keeps a separate assembly area on the south with plenty of counter stop space (if you keep it organized).
4) Move the bandsaw and the drill press to the west wall.
5) Move the jointer and planer to the north wall, long side oriented W/E (this is where the MFT and BS used to be).  You may need to stagger them to get good infeed/outfeed space.  I would add some quick connects to the dust extractor hoses ports in the machines if these need to moved for that longer stock. 

This arrangement may block the one of the double doors (hence the need to mobile bases and quick connect).  However, workflow could be improved and you will end with a clear area on the main N/S corridor of the shed.

Cheers.

JGA.
3) Consider adding a router insert to the TS or perhaps even cutting off some the rail shorter.

Jesus, thanks for the offer.  I don't really need help, but a visit from you is allways welcome.

Thanks for the suggested new layout.  It is quite differnt than the set of changes that I am going to experiment with but, if my new layout does not work for me, your suggestion might be worth a try.

 

[Frank Pellow]

I have now moved all the machines, etc. into their new locations. Here is the revised layout plan:

[attachimg=#1]

Its still more crowded than I would like, but I do have better access to everything. The machine that is really hard to place is the jointer. It interfers with every "perfect" layout that I can think of.

Now, all I need to do is to tidy up the place. I expect that will take at least 10 hours.

 

[nclemmons]

Nice adjustments, Frank.

The only thing I might suggest you try would be to take the sheet goods rack and move the jointer where it is and move the sheet goods rack to the right of the dust collection room - but it looks like that could block the light coming in the window. 

The other thought would be to place the sheet goods rack where the space heater is across the room and move it under the window and still place the jointer where the sheet goods rack is..  That would open up the jointer to full access for longer pieces.  But it might require moving a gas line or electric for the heater.

neil

 

[Frank Pellow]

Neil thanks for the suggestions, but the sheet good rack is built right into the wall. 

 

[sancho57]

I just reorganized my shop. It was pretty cluttered. Yours is a lot bigger then mine.

First thing I did was build systainer port type storage cabinets. When I ran out of sustainers, I made drawers. It made the tools more aces sable. next I got rid of most of my scrap wood. most of it has been lieing around for a while and if I dont use it I got rid of it. mainly Ok, Pine, some hickory. What I didnt get rid of I used to make drawers etc for the systainer type storage. I have my table saw jointer, router table , planer all on mobile bases to move out of the way and stored along one wall in the back set up in a way that I can just pull it out when I need it. I dont have a stationary work bench, I use 2 MFT 3's. So when one isnt needed I can fold it up and put it aside giving me even more room. You can build something like the ultimate work bench if ya dont want to go the MFT route.

I ended up getting rid of 4 cabinets I emptied out and created some wall space to hang things like my guide rails. I still have some empty shelving and another empty cabinet or 2. Anyway you got plenty of room to do what you need to do.

 

[Frank Pellow]

The reorg didn't work out well, so I sold my joiner and planer. See the thread: http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-connections/i-said-goodbye-to-my-8-inch-jointer-and-15-inch-planer-yesterday/