New Workshop

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Tools
1

Hi Everyone,

We are in the planning phase for our new home, and I have a blank slate to construct a new workshop. Current plans provide a space of 14’-0"x22’-0" (though this might grow a bit depending on revisions for the garage, mudroom, etc.). Current features include:

  • Combination tile & carpet floor.
  • Large paired window for natural light.
  • Exterior passage door (to patio/deck).
  • Passage door to garage.
  • Drop-in ceiling with flush LED fixtures that can be relocated as required.
  • LED tracklights
  • GFI duplex outlets at 6’-0" centers maximum.
  • Air line fed from 40 gallon air compressor in the garage. The line will be regulated, filtered with drain risers and regulated outlets for the spray booth and general air supply.
  • Spray booth.
  • 3D printer.
  • Possible/probable laser cutter and CNC engraver.
  • Full HVAC.
  • Fume extractor for air exchange.
  • Sink.
  • And of course, refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot!

So, my question is: What recommendations might you all have as to bench space, bench design, other workspace, tool storage, accessories, display space, etc.? I will gratefully welcome all advise, as I want to get this as close to right the first time.

Thanks in advance,

Paul

2

don’t use carpet in the work shop as that is where the carpet monster lives & hard to clean compared to tile especially if glue or paint is spilt on it.

3

18 to 24 inch depth on the bench area, comfortable working height when seated in a comfy chair. My bench is a 52" rollaround tool cabinet with 9 drawers, with a “gathering height” swivel chair. How about a circular LED swing arm desk light with a magnifier attached to the bench.

Suggest covered with either countertop laminate or a metal (alum. or stainless) top for easy cleanup. If left in wood, then top with a piece of plexi. If you go with carpet, an office chair protecter map for easy roll of chair. Anti-fatigue mat in front of your booth, both for comfort when in use and in case of spills.

Wall mount paint storage within easy reach of the paint station for whatever type of paint you use.

At least one shallow top drawer, divided, for the most common modeling tools you use, and another divided shallow one for sanding sticks, paper, etc. Will also want some kind of file drawer for extra decal sheets, etc.

Display cases will want lighting of some sort, and enclosed to keep dust rabbits at bay.

Storage area for the kit stash.

4

Thats a real question. There is everything from a TV tray to a He Shed out there. I’ve been watching a wood ship build from a guy doing it in his car. All depends on the individual, space available / desired and how much you want to spend.

I’ll show you mine, what I have. I added to and changed mine over the years until now. The pics might give you some ideas.

The space is about 8 feet by 10 feet, not counting the entry area and the space under the stairs used for the stash. It was a storage room in the basement that was full of junk until I comandeered it for the model room. Kind of an odd shape room. That said, I also have a 2500 square foot, heated shop, seperate from the house, that was used for my business before I retired, containing woodworking and metal working machinery, hand tools and supplies. I do any “dirty” work out there in an attempt to keep as much dust out of the model room.

I’ve keyed the pics to this drawing.

The following is the indoor model room, pictures taken from left to right around the room. Kinda hard to do in a small area, but here it is.

The floor is covered with white vinyl tile and caulked around the edges. I can even find clear plastic 1/700 landing gear wheels on it, as well as tiny PE bits, plus, it’s easy to clean.

The entry door #1

Left of the main bench #2

Left end of the bench #3

Middle of bench #4

Right corner of bench #5

Spray booth area #6

Under the steps stash area #7 & #8

The wall behind the 3rd picture #9

Good lighting is important. I have a nice high back office chair to sit in, and a radio/player for music, The booth vents outdoors, compressor under the booth.

No matter how much room or how well organized, I quickly run out of space and usually wind up building in a 2’ X 3’ cluttered area ( pic #3).

EJ

5

I’d skip on the carpet. You really don’t need a fume extractor if you’re using a spray booth with a vent.

Why a HVAC if you currently have one in your home? A seperate HVAC is an overkill and a waste. Your work bench need not be the Taj Mahal. Just keep it simple without the extravagance.

6

With that much space available, I would certainly add a comfortable recliner or large sofa in case you need to “rest your eyes”.

7

Nice set-up and very well organized. I think I would have steered clear of the gas meter though.

8

Thanks for the tips. Right now the flooring would be tile around the bench areas, and carpet in the lounge/office.

The fume extraction will be to ensure proper ventilation with the 3D printer, laser cutter and engraver. Probably over-kill, but it’s easier to do it now than later. Even though I’ll be retired I’m sure I will take on the occasional engineering project and prototyping. Plus, the kids are doctors and the wife an analyst and they are constantly reminding me to be careful with inhalation of contaminants.

The separate HVAC is required because the workshop is separated from the rest of the house by the garage. The house will be on a full basement but we wanted access to natural light and to avoid stairs for an area that will be visited multiple times daily.

Thanks again.

9

Right with you, but I told my wife I need a lounge area for visits from the grandkids and modeling buddies. At least she hasn’t said no - yet.

10

Thanks for sharing the photos! The wall and paint storage has given me a few ideas to incorporate.

I agree on the lighting. The more I refine the 3D CAD model the more I increase the lighting. Being able to model the lighting is definitely helping eliminate shadows. I’m sure it won’t be perfect, but I’m eliminating a few snags.

Thanks again.

11

Even at 6’ I would do double duplex outlets (you always want a bunch in the same place). Also make sure that the HVAC isn’t blowing on your work space .

12

Nope on that. Once he establish a huge stash, he won’t have room for a recliner or sofa…

13

Behind the work area, just below the bottom shelf is a “plugstrip” with 10 plug in points. This is very convenient to plug in soldering irons, plank benders, Dremel and drill chargers, all kinds of things.

To the right of the spray booth are three electrical boxes. Two of the boxes have a switch and a duplex receptacle, 1/2 that is switched and the other half that is always hot. The top box - the switched half controls the light in the booth, the next box below, the switched half controls the exhaust blower. In these two boxes, the other half of the receptacle (the part that is always hot) is used to plug in anything else needed, in this case a small circulating fan and a place to plug in a small shop vac. The third box is a switch controlling a duplex receptacle that turns the air compressor on and off.

There are 3 or 4 more duplex receptacles in the room that were there before I remodeled the space. I rarely use one because they are not in a convenient location, but there if I would need them for something.

Because this corner of the basement level is where the utilities all come in to the house is, I had to work around various pipes and such. The water meter is under the work surface and the gas meter is high on the wall above the work station. I did get approval from the gas company to put the shelving near it, as long as the shelving was readily removable. The water meter had to have a required width and height above the meter for access, which we also got permission for. All the wiring and the overhead lighting was done by a liscensed electrition.

EJ

14

looks like you have room for one model at a time.