New Shop

Saga Dan · June 24, 2015, 10:29:25 PM

This is my first original post on the forum. Have not really had too much to share other than a few comments and information on other topics. I am not real sure if this is the correct place of this but I will give it a try.

After a few years of working in my tiny 12 x 12 basement shop I decided I need to do something different if I was going to be productive and be able to work year round making tables and benches along with other projects. The problem lies in the fact that I use the "shop" for several different activities throughout the year. In the winter time I coach the local high nordic ski team and my shop is converted into a ski repair shop and wax room. Not real conducive to wood working. The family room side of the lower level has been used for storage of my wood slabs for the past couple of years before I range them into my tiny workroom. I hope I am able to add some photos in the next few spot to prove to everyone what I am talking about since I have learned that nothing happens without photos.

This is a photo of a completed coffee table sitting in the family room storage facility.

Here are a few photos of my cramped shop area in a bit of disarray prior to my "new" shop area being finished. I was never able to work on an entire project without constantly moving things around and doing acrobatics in the process.

Since we have not really used the family room in the past couple of year, I decided to take out the carpet and install a wall and door to isolate the "new" shop from the rest of the house. I spent a couple of days crawling on the concrete floor scraping and cleaning carpet pad adhesive off the concrete floor. I then etched the concrete since it was machine troweled and very smooth. The coating I used was Rock Solid Gray tinted Diamond Coat floor coating. I read mixed reviews on it but I hope it lives up to the promises on the box.

I am not completely done with moving and setup but I can say I like the new space much better. 14x24 feels much more like a space I can work in. Still need to add some more lighting and get my dust collection stuff moved over as well as finding new homes for everything.

Another added bonus is we have less room when the in-laws invite themselves to stay for a few days when they are in town...

Glenn1 · June 24, 2015, 10:36:24 PM

The new space looks like it will work out just fine for woodworking. I especially like the clean floor. ;D

hackberry jake · June 25, 2015, 12:08:49 AM

I am a big fan of smooth floors. When I had my shop built, I bought the concrete guys lunch and asked them to make it as smooth as possible. It makes it much easier to roll things around and to sweep. I keep complaining to the wife about my tiny shop but she says we need a bigger house before we need a bigger shop... Women...

Dave H. · June 25, 2015, 12:16:17 AM

nice. my shop is 24ft by24ft and i still have to do most my builds outsides,lol.

hackberry jake · June 25, 2015, 12:31:05 AM

Mine is 24x40 and I changed out a CV axle, and breaks on my truck in the driveway. No room in the shop.

Jemclimber · June 25, 2015, 10:36:51 AM

Nice table. What is the wood and did you weld the base?

Saga Dan · June 25, 2015, 11:15:31 AM

The table is made from a storm damaged Red Oak from property I deer hunt. Milled with an Alaskan CS mill at the start of my sawmill addiction. I weld the bases as well out of square tube, I do that in the garage or the place where cars are supposed to be parked according to the neighborhood covenants.

I wish I had more room to have a bigger shop. If and when we move there will be a bigger shop. If the new bigger shop is attached to the house does that count as getting a bigger house?

One of my next projects is to convert the storage shed I built a few years ago into a dehumidification kiln to better dry my own lumber and slabs.

Andries · June 26, 2015, 11:56:52 PM

Very nice shop Saga Dan.
Smooth floor, white ceiling for good light and a couple of windows too.
That patio door is a real bonus, you'll be able to 'launch' a cedar strip canoe or kayak out of there without any problem.