It has been asked that we collect suggestions and thoughts about what to think about as you design a new shop. It was felt that folks that have created a new shop may have warnings about what to think about as you create and arrange your new shop. Here is a running list. Some items may be conflicting, but, they are things you should consider. These thoughts may give you some help in creating your shop:
- Plan your machinery now, and put in your Dust Collection first.
- Center of your shop should be a saw (bandsaw or table saw), it is the heart of your shop.
- Plan a bathroom & Cot in the shop.
- Draw a layout of your shop, in scale on graph paper to plan.
- If a drawing does not spur your mental juices, use sidewalk chalk to mark things out on the floor.
- Don’t start off permanently locating your machinery. As you use the shop, you will want to move some of the equipment to more convenient locations.
- Make equipment mobile, on wheels.
- Plan to bring enough power into your shop, keep loads down on each circuit.
- Have electrical outlets every 4 feet along the wall, and conveniently above you.
- Consider a hydraulic hoist, or crane to lift large logs.
- Consider a swing away hoist.
- Consider a hoist on a trolly track to move it from side to side of the shop.
- Leave room for your knockout bar.
If you have suggestions (food for thoughts of new shop designers), PLEASE, send them in and I will add your suggestions.