Shop layout critiques?

[roblg3]

[attachimg=1]I'm setting up this shop specifically with the idea of building cabinetry.  As a general layout for workflow, what can you see?  It's a pretty small area 24 x 11.  I list what i think i NEED for this job.  There will be plenty of storage under and above benches for tools.  DE is mobile and air is not a real concern since there will be no fasteners in these cabinets, although I do have air available.  There's room for a drill press but I don't have one as of yet, if i even need it since i have lr 32, domino, track saw, parallel guides set appropriate sanding equipment and finishing equipment.  Stains and lacquers will be applied in another area.  The torsion/assembly will have mft style top and a sacrificial cover.  Also the accessible bottom is open to use the parallel guides for ripping sheet goods.  I'm trying to keep it simple and clutter free to leave room for pieces cut but not in assembly yet.  I'm open to critiques and ideas!
Each square is 1'

 

[Loren Woirhaye]

You have flat plywood storage right there at No. 8?

Are you building face frame or frameless?

 

[wow]

You're tight on space - like my potential trailer build. Let me walk through this mentally...

I assume the tick marks near 7 and 8 indicate a garage door? Going on that assumption, then:

A. New materials arrive and get unloaded to location 8, which is just inside the door. Very efficient.

B. Materials get broken down for width on the torsion/assembly table. Also very efficient, since it's close to where the materials are stored. I assume you will be using your track saw for straightline edging at this location.

Comment #1 - you could save some space by making your torsion/assembly table a little smaller - like maybe 3' x 6'? a little overhang is not necessarily a bad thing in this instance, so long as you have enough support that your offcut stays in place.

Comment #2 - Unless you are going to be buying only S2S lumber or sheet goods, I don't see a thickness planer? One of the 'lunchbox' styles could be easily added, and could go on a stand that you also use as an outfeed table or adjunct to your torsion/assembly table.

C. After cut to length, materials go to Mitre station to be crosscut to length. Or they could go directly here in the case of - say - dimensional lumber that you are going to edge join. Once again, efficient design.

Comment #3 - I don't see a glue-up area, so I assume that you will do multiple uses for the torsion/assembly table. Just consider the surface of the table then. I'd probably either wax it REALLY well or use a melamine coated material so glue can be easily cleaned off it.

D. Projects now move on for additional operations - dominoes, drilling, assembly, etc. These could take place either on the torsion/assembly table or your bench.

E. You mentioned that finishing will be done elsewhere. Can the paint cabinet move to that location?

Comment #4 - If it can't be removed from the shop area, I'd move it to location 3, which is a dead corner.

Comment #5 - the table saw is useless where it is. I know you said it is mobile, but you would have to move it virtually EVERY time you wanted to use it. Tell me more about what you typically use ( or intend to use) the table saw for and maybe we can find a better home for it?

Are there any interior doors, or is the only access (traffic pattern) through the OH door?

I think you've got a great start! I hope you don't mind my nit-picking it apart since I assume that's why you posted here.

[big grin] [thumbs up]

 

[roblg3]

I will be making both face frame and frameless.  The 1 thing missing from this shop is the Conturo [sad].
#8 is flat plywood storage with dimensional above that.
I'm actually hoping that i don't have to use the table saw.  It's messy and not a safe tool.
In retrospect, i should move the TS out of that area and continue the same plane across to that corner as more table top work space.
I am considering a thickness planer...I have to do the math on time and energy vs. buying milled lumber.  The costs vary widely on planers.  there's the table top dewalt for about $600 or the jet and powermatic for double that! [eek]
Based on your ideas, the table saw is moved to #2 and #3 is another assembly type area.  So, numbers 3,4,5,6,&7 are on the same plane.
There is an entry exit to the house between 1 &9
The tick marks are an overhead door.
to get a decent spray area it will move interior just through the door to the house.  I'm conflicted with the paint closet...i actually want it outside because of the flammable liquids
I appreciate the constructive criticisms!  Keep 'em coming [wink]

 

[Sparktrician]

I'm concerned about the table saw, too.  Even though it's mobile, where are you going to move it to when you need it?  The lumber rack is right in the way, as is the assembly table.  I might suggest putting the paint locker in the finishing area as WOW suggested.  I'd also look at putting the assembly table where the paint locker is currently positioned.  I'd also look at making the lumber storage (for sheet goods) both vertical and mobile so you get more efficient use of available space, and you can shift it as necessary while the dimensional storage is fixed to the wall above the mobile storage cart.  I'd also look at making roll-around bases for the table saw and thickness planer such that their table heights match those of the MFT and assembly table so you can use them for infeed/outfeed functions.  Also, where are you going to store your Systainers and other tools?  You might give a thought to making your assembly table a mobile Sysport and even using another home-built Sysport to hold your MFT.  You'll get more efficient use of space this way.  Best of luck with your plans, Rob. 

 

[rvieceli]

Here's a pretty good article on a slightly smaller shop

http://www.finewoodworking.com/workshop/article/smart-shop-in-a-one-car-garage.aspx

I think that the plywood storage is taking up too much valuable space.

 

[roblg3]

love the mobile plywood storage!!  Is it actually safe to store plywood vertically?  I worry about warping, especially on 1/4 inch?  But having it vertical makes for much easier access to the different thicknesses!  If it's raining i wont have to pull the sheets out into the rain!!
As just about everything so far is worktable height. there's tons of wall room for cabinets and under table storage.
The large torsion/assembly table can be located as an outfeed table.....maybe i should make it 2 adjoining mobile tables.  cut into 2 squares.  I also have some rollers on tripods that can be easily moved about for similar purposes.
I could then have a 4' "hallway" down the middle of the shop to make it open and easy to walk around my DE as it follows stations.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Anything with a spinning blade is potentially dangerous. I have 3 table saws, one has an 18" blade, they are not dangerous.

 

[adugas]

How much Plywood do plan on storing at one time? I made the this portable rack from the following link:

http://www.woodworkingformeremortals.com/2013/01/make-rolling-lumber-cart.html

It holds a ton of wood, I typically store 6-9 full sheets plus various other cut off. Ill give you tip, don't cheap out on the wheels!! I did and once I loaded it up I couldn't move it, changed the wheels out with heavy duty ones and I rolls like a breeze, mainly keep it tuck to the wall and wall mount rack is just above it. Sorry I don't have picture, but I could post if you want when I get home.

I'm interested in following your post as I'm thinking of changing the layout in my garage.

Cheers

 

[Sparktrician]

love the mobile plywood storage!!  Is it actually safe to store plywood vertically?  I worry about warping, especially on 1/4 inch?  But having it vertical makes for much easier access to the different thicknesses!

A friend has a vertically oriented plywood storage rack on wheels that works well for her.  The locking casters are screwed into braces that extend 3-4" outside the width of the bottom, so that if the plywood shifts, it won't tip over the cart.  In any case, it takes up very little floor space, and as you noted, it's easy to extract the various thicknesses she has.  She's never noted any issues with warpage because the sheet goods are standing so vertically. 

 

[Loren Woirhaye]

I would not find building face frame cabinets without a jointer and planer to be a whole lot of fun, especially ones with inset doors.

Frameless is simpler in some ways, admittedly.  I use confirmats which eliminate clamping and allow one to whack the cabinet parts to get the edgebandings flush on the front before snugging the screws down.    It also allows cabinets to be moved to the installation location packed flat, which might be an approach worth considering for a small shop.

With rigorous attention to planning a given job out one can pull out machines, do the work on them and stow them away.  I don't work very well in this manner and prefer to have jointer, planer and table saw at the ready, even if I'm breaking down sheet goods with a panel saw or track saw.  Jim Tolpin's books on professional cabinet making in a one-person shop gave me a lot to think about. I recommend them - lots of jigs and pragmatic advice on marketing, managing scrap, installations...

 

[wow]

+1 on Jim Tolpin's books. Reminds me that I need to go re-read them.

Again.

 

[roblg3]

Anything with a spinning blade is potentially dangerous. I have 3 table saws, one has an 18" blade, they are not dangerous.

funny!  Did you notice your contradiction?
thanks for the advice on setting up this shop.
ill definitely be doing the ply storage vertically now!
I have a Ts saw and an of 2000 router so I see no need for a jointer, but thanks.
I'm ordering jims book right now.
while this is my first shop, I've built many cabinets, wall units and closets, all on site though.  I have a proven process that I use and am always looking to improve it.
keep the input coming folks!

 

[Carl Prentiss]

Stupid ADD. After seeing the Festool scratch pad, I was unable to calmly read through the thread [bite tongue]

 

[wow]

Stupid ADD. After seeing the Festool scratch pad, I was unable to calmly read through the thread [bite tongue]

I know. I almost wanted to ask where you get one of those as well, but wanted to try and stick to the topic and not derail the thread/ But since you a;ready did...

Where'd ya get that pad, robig3?

 

[Sparktrician]

Those Festool pads were gimmes at Festool end user training, Wayne. 

 

[Slartibartfass]

If space is an issue I would consider getting rid of the table saw altogether.

 

[Carl Prentiss]

Is there a possibility of rolling anything out the door to work outside when weather permits? (for larger pieces)

 

[roblg3]

Anything mobile is capable of exiting the shop.  One of the fantastic ideas was mobile wood storage which can make unloading super easy with the cart!  Seems like the table saw is going to exit and be replaced with a 15" grizzly planer, which is mobile as well!

 

[jbasen]

I have a small shop and my one suggestion is to put everything on wheels so you can reconfigure the shop depending on what you are building or what task you are trying to perform.  On wheels in my shop are

Table Saw with folding out feed table so I only have to raise it when I need it
Home made MFT with shelves for systainer storage
Jointer
Thickness Planer
Drum Sander
Sliding compound Miter Saw
Tool Storage Chest
Drill Press with Storage
Bandsaw

When I need the space for assembling something large, everything can get shoved into a corner maximizing the room I have to work in.

Hope this helps