Large MFT Shop layout- Help me choose

[NDM]

I'm looking at this thinking "what would I do", so don't look at my thoughts as criticism.

I'd split the MFT into two or three separates with the option to sit them a little differently ... 3 x (3x5) gives some interesting options (9x5 through to 15x3 ... I'm thinking how cool it'd be for working on balsa longboards and SUPs) ... certainly on wheels though.

I'd make provision for a bandsaw and associated DC.

With some serious innovation, a panel cart and a 3x5 MFT with a swing over top could be the same creature ...  [cool]

That is a good idea, but it would be much more expensive because that would mean making triple the legs. Triple everything. Also it wont work since I am doing a long fence system on the front rail. It will make doing repeat cuts exactly like cutting on the tablesaw. I guess i should have been more clear.

The mft will have a fence like a tablesaw and there will be only 3 kerf cuts meaning  only 3 cut locations from the tracksaw. One on the left, right and one for rip cuts.  There will also be T tracks in the table and miter slots just like the tablesaw. The rails, legs,etc..will be 80/20....might do wood legs to save some cash.

Dust collector motor willbe above the sump hole and the cyclone and bag will be outside in a small shed outside the window above the sumphole. I will run the DC with no filter. Fine dust will vent into the atmosphere. Heavy dust will go into the bag. I dont have a bandsaw yet,but it will be on wheels once i get one.

 

[sancho57]

Looking at this Im thinking, why put the MFT against the wall?

I need to walk around mines and work from all the sides.

I dont see  chop saw station, jointer, drill press, screw storage, storage for sanders, finish, hand tools  wood storage, etc

 

[NDM]

Looking at this Im thinking, why put the MFT against the wall?
I need to walk around mines and work from all the sides.
I want to have the biggest path for walking that I can. If I put it in the middle then I will only have 2.5ft of walk space on each side of the table. That is unless I give up having cabinets  in that area. But even then I will only have 3 ft.  I would rather have the walk room and cabinets. This is going to be the first time that I have cabinets to store stuff. I am absolutely certain that my shop will be much more organized and remain clean by having a place to put stuff.  I am looking forward to having a tidy looking shop by having everything behind doors.

chop saw station- Currently on wheels but will be installed on the longest wall opposite the MFT
drill press- Large floor standing model On wheels. I think I want it to remain on wheels
jointer-on wheels and will be located under the spot were I put my planer.
screw storage, storage for sanders, finish, hand tools  - these will all be in the cabinets with drawers. Hidden from view providing for a neat clean looking shop.
wood storage- As stated in an above post, 18X13 concrete crawl space is directly to the left side of the room. I will have everything off of the concrete floor. The crawlspace floor is 48 inch higher than the basement floor so no need to bend down to get at stuff.

 

[AlexR]

Centre mft/tablesaw position. Definitely put castors on the whole lot. I've got four 4" heavy castors on my 8"x4"  with storage all the way round the station and it moves with ease. Make sure all counters at the same height. 2.5ft is more than enough walking space unless you're large but I'd do away with wall cabs on one side. This will leave a project build area for tall units which you would wheel mft aside to do. Leaves that wall for clamps and other wall hungary extras. I've included chop saw station, router and drill press in single cab run, DC works well in this config as well.

 

[ShawnRussell]

I am lost as to why you would put the drill press, jointer, and planer on wheels but not the big mft. The sq/ft of those tools are almost identical to the big mft. As others have said I use all 4 sides of my MFT. 

However, my workflow is vastly different from yours, but if I had to work in one of those two designs I would rather work with #2.

 

[NDM]

I am lost as to why you would put the drill press, jointer, and planer on wheels but not the big mft. The sq/ft of those tools are almost identical to the big mft. As others have said I use all 4 sides of my MFT. 

However, my workflow is vastly different from yours, but if I had to work in one of those two designs I would rather work with #2.

I stated earlier, I am probably going to put it on wheels. But it will probably stay stationary. Honestly, I have everything on wheels right now but I really get tired if playing tetris with my rolling tools. Those tools (minus the drillpress) are low enough that I can store them underneath stuff. Not to mention they weigh enough to easily wheel around. I am still getting used to the tighter confines of my basement shop.

I wish I had a 3 car garage shop. One of the houses that we looked at had a 2 car attached and a 4 car tandem detached garage (6 Cars total). I was drooling when I saw that huge open space that would be all mine. The house itself was just too small though. I picked a much larger home that worked better for the fam. Only issue was the 90 degree turn in the basement stairway (NOT ANYMORE!!) and the small 2 car garage. I have the space on the side of the house to expand but gotta wait for the funds. I blew all my renovation money on the 10,700 paver driveway expansion and patio, Cedar fence, Cedar pole shed and new countertops/appliances.

 

[UncleJoe]

I am currently planning my retirement shop. So this thread should be interesting to follow.

One of the ideas that keeps banging around in my head is how to best utilize space. I currently have a 26x24 shop and it is not as well situated as I would like and it is an ongoing process. I thought crossed my mind and now it is all I can think about.  Take a look at Ron Paulks mobile workshop and any others you can find on Youtube and google. These guys get a lot of storage and work space out of very little square footage. I think most guys with garages waste too much space because it is there and easy to use.

My thoughts are now focusing on taking a 600 to 1000 sq ft and managing it as though it were a carpenters trailer or mobile workshop. If I am always thinking and building compact efficient storage I think I will wend up with a massive amount of free space, which I am sure will come to good use.

For me, the focus is efficient storage and staging of work areas. Remember ever shop is custom and most every good shop idea can be "borrowed"

For research I built a digital scrap book. Now when I see a good shop idea or use of space the picture is clipped and placed in the digital scrap book along with my notes.

 

[Slappy]

I am currently planning my retirement shop. So this thread should be interesting to follow.

One of the ideas that keeps banging around in my head is how to best utilize space. I currently have a 26x24 shop and it is not as well situated as I would like and it is an ongoing process. I thought crossed my mind and now it is all I can think about.  Take a look at Ron Paulks mobile workshop and any others you can find on Youtube and google. These guys get a lot of storage and work space out of very little square footage. I think most guys with garages waste too much space because it is there and easy to use.

My thoughts are now focusing on taking a 600 to 1000 sq ft and managing it as though it were a carpenters trailer or mobile workshop. If I am always thinking and building compact efficient storage I think I will wend up with a massive amount of free space, which I am sure will come to good use.

For me, the focus is efficient storage and staging of work areas. Remember ever shop is custom and most every good shop idea can be "borrowed"

For research I built a digital scrap book. Now when I see a good shop idea or use of space the picture is clipped and placed in the digital scrap book along with my notes.

  That's the beauty of the "Ron Paulks mobile workshop" & similar  styles  is that It can be broke down & placed outta the way when not needed , that frees up floor space for other projects  .
I also have a file in my PC that has pix of ALL these ideas of different shop's use of space
Storage is a big waaste of floor space IMO