Workshop setup

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Bucky

Bucky

Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2023
Messages
4
Location
Queensland, Australia
I live in a small farming community in Queensland, Australia. My workshop (shed) is a 4 bay, corrugated steel farm shed. In it I also store my car, ride on mower and associated equipment, plus timber storage. I effectively have 1.5 bays for woodworking. I have an older lathe and have recently ordered a Vicmarc V150 V2 EVS to do mainly pen turning. I having been googling to find some ideas how to set up an efficient area. I will need to make a suitable stand and provide some decent lighting. The shed has no lining on walls or ceiling. I only have one available wall that could be lined. I have 4 weeks to wait for my new lathe and construct a pen making area. Guess I'm just looking for some ideas.
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Clive; Making the most of the space you have is always important and no-one anywhere EVER SAID, "I have too much space!". Your lathe (and other tools) needs legs, or a workbench with retractable rollers so it can be moved easily. Just as important is dust collection. The dust collector can double as a vacuum. Protect your lungs! You only get one set. An overhead fine dust box will help clean the air. This will keep dust from getting into other areas.

I keep most of my stock and kits in heavy duty utility boxes. Buy enough to keep them all the same. These are about 18" W x 24" L and 12" H (46cm x 60cm x 30cm). The bottom box has a flat movers dolly attached and other boxes are stacked on top. Labels on the front and back.

I'm sure you will get additional suggestions.
 
I have dust collection and overhead filter. I also have a bandsaw, drill press, table saw, router table, etc. My current lathe is on a small table jammed into a small area. I was looking for some ideas to make it more friendly to use. I do have an unlined wall and could remove the bench that is there, line the section of wall and make some sort of false ceiling to help reflect the light. I have tried googling workshop tours but nothing stands out. I may just have to move everything thing and rearrange again.
 
Bucky, I have all the things you list in my single bay garage shop. I also park my car in there when not working in the shop. EVERYTHING in my shop is mobile. If it didn't come with casters, I have added heavy duty locking casters. If I built it (and most of it I did) I put on heavy duty locking casters. I don't have to move things around to do everything, but when I need to it is easy. Everything is arranged around the edges of the space.

I do pull my lathe cabinet away from the wall when working so that I can get the dust collection connected and have it arranged so that my workbench is directly to the left.

The other time I move something is if I am cutting full size sheet goods on my table saw, then I move it to the center of the space and use my small mobile workbench as an out feed table. I don't do this that often though because my rip fence is limited to 30 1/2". I typically break down sheet goods with my track saw first and then I can use the table saw in its usual location.

My new complication.... I just ordered a Precision Matthews PM-1022V Metal Lathe. Now I have to rethink everything and figure out where it is going to go and how it is going to impact my workflow!

Hope this helps.

David
 
beck3906 said:

You can check this out. Grizzly Tools had a shop planner but it appears to have been pulled and they are working on a new version for a 2026 release.
Click to expand...
I looked at that site many times. I was disappointed when it was taken down; a great asset!
 
One of the areas that might help is blank wall space. A light duty, no it won't support your lathe, hinged work prep area can be helpful. Sturdy hinges and legs that lock in place can provide a staging or prep area for tight quarters.
 
few suggestions

1 paint walls , ceiling etc white to reflect light and make easier to clean ( heresy I know!)
2 line the wall with ply or something you can attach french cleats to so you can vary your layout as you want to later
3 draw a scale plan on paper of the space and your major tools then tryout various layouts. Look at best light areas , power supply points etc
4 always instal DOUBLE SOCKETS , you can never have too many power options available
5 rubber mats , or old carpet on floor are kinder on your feet , warmer ( prob not a major concern in Aus) and kinder on tool edges when you drop something!
6 LED lights are phenomenal and cheap to run, if you get ones with switchable colour intensity you can choose the light balance to suit your needs in each area
7 moveable tool cabinets are your best friend
8 look at grinder position vs lathe position , not neglecting dust collection in that area too
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom