In this five-part series, host Jay Baker takes viewers through the plans and steps of setting up the ultimate home workshop. Included are such topics as selecting a location, planning your workspace, installation of electricity and lighting, outfitting with heavy power tools, arranging storage space and cabinetry, and deciding what tools and equipment will work best for you. In this particular segment, Jay starts at the beginning. He outlines some basic considerations for selecting the right location and building facility for your dream workshop. Workshop Considerations When planning for a workshop, the most important initial consideration is location. The workshop location that most frequently comes to mind is in a garage. There are advantages and disadvantages to housing a workshop in a garage, and there are other options that might be considered as well. In fact, any sheltered space that offers these three key ingredients might be considered as a site for a workshop: - Ventilation
- Accessibility
- Electricity
This series focuses on the three most common locations that people convert to create a workshop: - Garage
- Basement
- Outbuilding or shed
Each of these offers its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Following is a brief comparison, and some factors to consider. - Garages offer convenient access to your home and family, without the problem of introducing dust and debris into your living space. It's also generally easy to move large pieces of equipment in and out of a garage. Garages are usually easy to ventilate, particularly if there is a door or window at the back. You may be able to open doors and windows to achieve a natural cross-ventilation. Fans, such as a box-fan used in a window (figure A), can help greatly in this regard and will enhance comfort as well as maintaining good air quality when paint and chemical fumes become an issue. A potential disadvantage of a garage is that many tend to be cold in the winter. Most are built for the primary purpose of garaging a vehicle, not providing a workspace for people. Cold can be a problem particularly in garages that aren't well insulated. If you're serious about converting your garage to a workshop, your first step may be to insulate the structure. Trying to use a garage both for housing vehicles and for a workshop is generally not a good idea. Cars will create close quarters, making it difficult to work. Also, your cars may tend to get dusty from the sawdust that's inherently present in a workshop, and they could get damaged. If possible, a garage-based workshop should be dedicated solely to being a workshop.
- Basements also offer great access to your home and family. They also offer direct access to important staples like electricity, plumbing and the telephone. As a general rule, a basement is not particularly expensive to convert to a workshop (figure B). Disadvantages to basements can include lack of (or diminished) natural light and ventilation. It's harder to hang shelving and cabinetry on concrete or cinderblock walls than on garage walls, and untreated basement walls can allow moisture to become a problem. The presence of moisture can be particularly problematic when storing lumber.
- Outbuildings may offer the best site for a workshop. A structure of sufficient size will offer adequate workspace and the ability to accommodate plenty of storage (figure C). An outbuilding structure that is physically removed from the house (figure D) will reduce the possibility of noise problems that can come with the use of power tools. And if you're starting your workshop project from scratch, an outbuilding comes with fewer limitations. You can build it just how you want it. Potential hurdles with an outbuilding may include difficulty in accessing electricity, plumbing and phone lines. A new structure may be costly and, if not properly insulated, may be uncomfortable to work in.
For DIY's Ultimate Workshop series, a large garage building (figure E) was selected for conversion to the ideal workspace. When considering which type of workshop is right for you, consider all of these options -- as well as the potential advantages and disadvantages for each -- before you get started on your conversion. Regardless of which route you choose, the fundamental first step will likely be to insulate and finish your exposed walls. Doing this will provide a more comfortable and controlled environment, as well as make the space more visually appealing and enjoyable to be in. Another suggestion for getting started is to paint your floor with epoxy paint -- a tough, glue-based paint that's designed to go on floors. Before painting your floor, however, make certain to clean it thoroughly and use a degreaser (figure F) to remove any grease or oily residues that could interfere with the paint adhering. Paint when the air temperature is above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, follow the recommended drying times. A drying time between 24 and 48 hours is usually recommended before walking on the painted surface, but it's a good idea to wait 72 hours or longer before moving vehicles or large equipment onto the newly painted surface. Using a wide roller and extension handle makes painting a floor a quick and easy job. - Tip: If you want a floor that offers better-than-average traction, mix some sand with the epoxy paint before applying it. The paint department at your home center can help you with this, and they'll mix the paint for you, if you're not comfortable doing it yourself.
RESOURCES :
The Small Wood Shop (The Best of Fine Woodworking)
Author: Helen Albert (Editor)
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561580619
Special thanks for DIY's The Ultimate Workshop
Popular Woodworking magazine
Web site: www.popularwoodworking.com
American Tool
Web site: www.americantool.com
Black and Decker
Web site: www.blackanddecker.com
Ryobi Technologies Inc.
Web site: www.ryobitools.com
Stanley Tools
Web site: www.stanleyworks.com
Vermont American
Web site: www.vermontamerican.com
Setting Up Shop: The Practical Guide to Designing and Building Your Dream Shop
Model: 156158360X
Author: Sandor Nagyszalanczy
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
The Workshop Book
Model: 1561582719
Author: Scott Landis
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
How to Design and Build Your Ideal Woodshop
Model: 1558704817
Author: Bill Stankus
Popular Woodworking Books
Setting Up Your Own Woodworking Shop
Model: 0806983140
Author: Bill Stankus
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
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