Workshop benches/ shop setups

[Jason in Bama]

Just finished my new shop and am fixing to start building out the inside. Wanted to know if you guys have any space saving tips or pics of your shop layouts so I could get some ideas.

[Randy Morin]

Sorry I dont have any space saving tips...but I'd like to see some myself.  My shop is long and skinny.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I've really got a lot of room in mine but have set some up in small garages before using rolling work benches and small saw tables. I basically used 2x4's and framed the bases and mounted 3" caster wheels like the ones on shopping carts on the bottom. the trick to succsess is don't make the tables or work benches taller than they are wide if you mount them on wheels. I mounted my spindle sander, power miter saw, edge sander, and thickness sander, all on rolling stands. I made the heighth of each so they match my stationary work benches, and table saw off fall table height. Works great! i set up my portable table saw on the end of a long 2' wide work bench in the center of the room. i set up a sheet a plywood that folds down out of the way on the side of the bench when i'n not using it.

That's another great space saving technique. espeacilly for long skinny shops or single car garages. mount your work bench on door hinges screwed to the wall. fold it up into position and put a couple 2x4's under it for legs. i use one off these for a glue up table to do my epoxy lay ups, and assembly work. the cool thing about a folding work bench is that it never turns into a catch all! you are forced to clean up your area.

[leftyfred]

I think one of the best features of my new shop is the table saw plug in that is in the floor.  If you haven't poured yet, consider putting an outlet in the floor.  Also, look for some bargin slatwall.  Really keeps things organized.  Don't skimp on the wiring.  I have 220 on every wall, with the 2 50amp outlets on one wall, and 220 in the middle of the floor.  Don't skimp on the insulation if you can afford to do so.

[Jason in Bama]

Good stuff guys keep it coming.

[Jim now in Kentucky]

An outlet in the middle of my garage floor would be shorted out all winter by road salt-laced water melted off the van. The rest of the time it would be full of dirt and sawdust. I have an outlet in the ceiling that never gets anything in it.

Drop cords from the ceiling are often used in school shops to keep cords off the floor as much as possible.

The fold down bench is a great idea, unless you need the storage space under a bench for drawers and shelves.

[Matt E]

You don't mention the dimensions of your shop nor how many stationary machines you will install.I have a shop but since my retirement you can hardly get in it for junk.     One wall of shelves, one with peg board and a lumber rack would be a good start for your shop.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Here is a shot of one of my workbenches that serve as an off-fall table and fold down area behind the table saw. i keep my benches so i can work from either side, and store tools undernieth.

[bayoulongbowman]

I just think this is so cool...wish I had someone to work with close by..very nice guys!  

[dino]

My shop is about 25x30.  Cabinet saw and work table in the center that also serves as an out feed table.  Dust collector is outside the shop and trunk dust collector line is along the back wall with gates and hook ups for the smaller tools are on stands with wheels for accessability and mobility(belt sander, drum sander, router, shaper, joiner)  Put electrical in the floor to power the center work table and saw.  My last shop had drop outlets and dust collection and I hated them.  Always in the way.  The best thing I did was put all of my electrical in conduit on the surface of the walls.  Easily accessable and I can change and upgrade it at any time.  You never know down the road what equipment you might add or remove.  Lighting: 7 twin 8' standard flourecent fixtures with 7 twin VHO 8' flourecent fixtures.  I spent about 6 months planning and building it and have been really happy with the way it has turned out.  Lighting, electrical, and layout space is really important and spent alot of time laying them out. dino

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Nice set up Dino! My poor shop has been a catch all for everything but wood working projects for many years. I'm i'm still upgrading. The one nice thing i'm really glad i did, was to build a wood floor in mine. Much nicer to work in the winter time on 2" of wood than concrete. I haven't set up a dust collection system yet, but mine will all be done below the floor when i'm done....I wonder if i ever WILL be done? Sometimes i have as much fun working on the shop as working on projects....

[Shakes.602]

I have a Question: Where are the Vises for Scraping, Rasping,Etc?
Awsome Work Areas, but I just had to ask. Looks like someone has been to Cabinetry School Too,  THAT  is Beautiful Work!! Just ALL Kinds of Places to Stuff Things In.          

[Chortdraw]

IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/Chortdraw/Shop/DSCF0005.jpg[/IMG]Not very big but does the job

Chort

[bowdude]

My advice - NO OPEN SHELVES!  Everything gets filthy with dust flying.  Put everything inside cabinets.  Makes a neat looking shop too.

[Jason in Bama]

Great shops guys I am very envious. I've got alot of work to do!          

[Whip]

My shop is a work in progress too.  I can relate to the comment that I think I like working on the shop as I do working on projects.  I wanted 3 things for this project - an outfeed table for the table saw, a fixed router table, and an assembly/storage table.  This is what I came up with.  Just about finished - all I have to do yet is install the faces on the drawers, and add a vice.
 

[Matthew D]

Very Nice Whip...

[V-Archer]

This is my little workshop where I make my bows. All my larger electric tools can be moved to where I want.

V-Archer

[One eye]

Just started putting my shop together too.  Here is the becnh my dad built for me last year for my 40th birthday.

 

Dan

[Shakes.602]

Great Looking Bench! You are Gonna Need  MORE   OUTLETS!!!  Never have too many of Those Bad Boys!!