New workshop

[arso_bg]

Hi,

I am a DIY woodworker and I practice my hobby for years in a tiny workshop of 100 sq. ft. (3.25 m x 3.25 m).  I have published some of my projects and probably this could give you an idea about  my woodworking level.

I am considering the option to move my shop to a bigger room, which will allow me to add some machinery like a 5 operation combo-machine with a panel saw, a big band saw, a bigger miter saw (probably a Kappex 120), a pillar drill. I will have to put there also my MFT/3 with the MFT/3-VL extension, a workbench 3-4 m. long (that will accommodate also the miter saw). I will have to fit of course also all my other stuff in this room. There should be also a storage area for some sheet goods and for some wood. etc.

The point is that this room is not existing at the moment and I will have to build/rebuild it.  This will be quite an expensive process, and together with the new machinery that I am looking for to buy this will be quite an investment. I will have to consider to do some business with my woodworking skills to adjust all this money. What I am worrying about at the moment at most is will the room be big enough to fit all that stuff and will it be enough comfortable for a more serious work

If I do everting correct I will end up with a room like the one on the picture. It will have the following dimensions. 28 feet x 14 feet (4.5 m x 9 m).  Compared to my present room it is huge ….actually it will be exactly 4 times bigger, but will it be comfortable enough with all that stuff?

I am also thinking about what would suite me better a combo planer/thiknesser with a combo panel saw /spindle moulder or to put one bigger 5 operation combo-machine with a panel saw in the middle of the shop?!

I will be glad to hear some comments, proposals, consideration  and to get some advice from more experienced people here at the FOG ….

Thank you all in advance!

 

[egmiii]

5 separate machines is ideal, but given your space constraints, I'd suggest a saw/shaper combo, a J/P combo, and a bandsaw. If you get a slider with a large outrigger and crosscut fence, the Kapex isn't necessary. Everyone I know who purchased a full combo but had room for the two in ones regretted it.

 

[egmiii]

I'd also skip the traditional workbenches, MFT, outfeed tables and get a hydraulic rolling scissor lift table. Far more versatile in a small shop. If you really want to splurge, check out the Barth 500V. Vacuum clamping and MFT top in one. Otherwise the Felder FAT tables are a decent value and come in 3 sizes.

 

[arso_bg]

Thank you for your replies and valuable ideas!

I am interested how you people plan your workshops. Until now I did not plan much… I would say I just “fitted” everything that I need in the small space that I have. Now I have really to plan the shop. Since I have to rebuild the room I could try to make it a bit longer.  I cannot do anything about the width of the room but let say I could try to make it 12 m. long instead of 9 m. Than the room will look something like on the second plan. This is an increase of 30%! However, this will really cost a fortune and is it really necessary? If I spend all my money to get a bigger room later, I will get in troubles in getting the machines that I plan to buy. Where is the proper focus?

Also … to have 5 separate machines is really cool ….but it is really expensive. Where is the proper focus here… 5 separate machines with lower quality or second hand …or one big combo machine (or two smaller) but of the best quality that you can afford?

 

[HAXIT]

Hi,
Could you please tell us more about this room? Do you already have this room and trying to modify it or it has to be build from scratch? I already have three plans like a picture in my head that what I would do with this space.
BTW, why do you think that you need a panel saw unless you are taking about sliders?

 

[Bob D.]

Looking at your two floor plans and re-reading your
first post I am wondering are you thinking of:

a. Expanding your existing shop (taking some space
    currently used for another purpose)
b. Building a whole new structure (in which case I ask why the
    narrow configuration, is there a restraint which I do not see).
c. Re-purposing a section of an existing space.

 

[arso_bg]

Looking at your two floor plans and re-reading your
first post I am wondering are you thinking of:

a. Expanding your existing shop (taking some space
    currently used for another purpose)
b. Building a whole new structure (in which case I ask why the
    narrow configuration, is there a restraint which I do not see).
c. Re-purposing a section of an existing space.

It will be a totally new room, which has to be build/rebuild. If I decide to do it, it will be located between the wall of the house where I live now, and the wall of my neighbor. This is why the width is so to say fixed.

Currently I have there just a roof and this is the place where we keep all kind of stuff starting with some wood for the winter etc.  I do not know exactly what is the proper word for this.

Currently between all  the other stuff that we keep there I have one heavy machine– a combo Planer/Thiknesser.  So my planer/thiknesser is located outside of my shop. If I have to do something … I have to go there … unpack my planer and do the job! Than pack it again etc.  ….Believe me it is very inconvenient, but this is the space that I can use at the moment.

So if I have to answer your questions …… the answer will be:  Yes, I am thinking about a whole new structure where I could move /expand my shop …this is why I need a proper planning.  There is something at the moment at this place,  but it has totally different functions  ….so the room has to be totally  build/rebuild

 

[RussellS]

Just to give an opinion on the 9 meters or 12 meters question asked prior.  I do not think 9m or 12m will make any difference in the use of the slider tablesaw or combo unit.  9m is 29 feet.  12m is 39 feet.  Roughly.  Both lengths are more than long enough for a slider.  Basically you could put a 10 foot long slider in either space.  A 3 meter slider is somewhat common.  Sort of.  The extra length (12m over 9m) doesn't really help with using the slider.  It does not hurt of course.  And the extra length could be used for other stuff.  But the extra length does not really help the use of the slider.  Doesn't hurt though.  Doesn't help either.  Its usually best to have more shop space than less.  So given a choice, do it.  But if its costly or hard to do, don't do it.  If you can use the space for other shop stuff, do it.  But if the shorter length holds all your stuff and does everything for you, no need for the extra length to use a slider.