I’ve finally found some time to post an update on my new shop. Last March, my shop burned to the ground ( http://thewoodwhisperer.com/a-devastating-shop-fire/).
My original shop was approximately 400 square feet (20’X20’), with an unattached storage shed (10’X16’) at the rear that I used for lumber and mower storage. Although the storage shed was salvageable, I decided to tear it down and expand my shop to accommodate the extra storage area and provide an area for finishing. I also decided to add more ceiling clearance (went from 8’ to 10’) and add a second story for a future office/work area. The new structure’s footprint is now 20’ X 34’.
I kept the original shop’s footprint as my main work area and then split the addition into two areas – one for assembly/finishing and the other for lumber and mower storage. The upstairs is currently used for open-storage, which eliminates almost all of my former clutter.
The new shop took me approximately two months to construct. Since my pesky job prevented me from doing it all myself, I enlisted the help of a few contracting friends that I knew who were hurting for work. As tough as it was having someone else build my shop, it gave me the time to go on a MAJOR shopping spree for the new equipment and tools.:banana:
Once the shop was dried-in, I immediately started fabricating storage cabinets and workstations. I made a variety of jigs and tool housings (router cabinet/table, “V”-drum sander, vacuum press, etc.) on the fly as I needed them for fabrication. To keep my shop versatile, most of my equipment (and base cabinets) are on wheels. I decided to add a through-the-wall heat pump and PLENTY of lighting in my main shop area for better comfort than I previously had (best decisions that I made). The ultimate splurge I made on the shop was to wire it up for satellite TV, broadband internet and surround sound (all interconnected). I now watch my woodworking videos and podcasts to my heart’s content… no more interruptions when “Desperate Housewives” or “Entertainment Tonight” is on!
Ten months after the fire, I’m in the final stages of finishing my master bath remodeling project (the fire destroyed the mahogany cabinets that I had just completed and was about to install) and putting the final touches on my shop (interior trim, etc.). I’m finally at the point where I can start planning for the “fun” projects and try desperately to justify the time spent in the shop. In retrospect, there are only two things that I definitely would have done different in rebuilding the shop… add under-slab duct for dust collection and power to my table saw and add a restroom.
My original shop was approximately 400 square feet (20’X20’), with an unattached storage shed (10’X16’) at the rear that I used for lumber and mower storage. Although the storage shed was salvageable, I decided to tear it down and expand my shop to accommodate the extra storage area and provide an area for finishing. I also decided to add more ceiling clearance (went from 8’ to 10’) and add a second story for a future office/work area. The new structure’s footprint is now 20’ X 34’.
I kept the original shop’s footprint as my main work area and then split the addition into two areas – one for assembly/finishing and the other for lumber and mower storage. The upstairs is currently used for open-storage, which eliminates almost all of my former clutter.
The new shop took me approximately two months to construct. Since my pesky job prevented me from doing it all myself, I enlisted the help of a few contracting friends that I knew who were hurting for work. As tough as it was having someone else build my shop, it gave me the time to go on a MAJOR shopping spree for the new equipment and tools.:banana:
Once the shop was dried-in, I immediately started fabricating storage cabinets and workstations. I made a variety of jigs and tool housings (router cabinet/table, “V”-drum sander, vacuum press, etc.) on the fly as I needed them for fabrication. To keep my shop versatile, most of my equipment (and base cabinets) are on wheels. I decided to add a through-the-wall heat pump and PLENTY of lighting in my main shop area for better comfort than I previously had (best decisions that I made). The ultimate splurge I made on the shop was to wire it up for satellite TV, broadband internet and surround sound (all interconnected). I now watch my woodworking videos and podcasts to my heart’s content… no more interruptions when “Desperate Housewives” or “Entertainment Tonight” is on!
Ten months after the fire, I’m in the final stages of finishing my master bath remodeling project (the fire destroyed the mahogany cabinets that I had just completed and was about to install) and putting the final touches on my shop (interior trim, etc.). I’m finally at the point where I can start planning for the “fun” projects and try desperately to justify the time spent in the shop. In retrospect, there are only two things that I definitely would have done different in rebuilding the shop… add under-slab duct for dust collection and power to my table saw and add a restroom.
