| The first two categories of customization, services and environment, having been discussed, it is time to pay attention to shop access. Obviously you need to get in and out yourself, so this aspect of access is relatively easy. Simply see that it is secure. The main question is how do you allow for moving large objects, such as sheet goods, lumber, or finished projects, in and out of the shop?
I my case, I have that 16 foot overhead door and a driveway up to it. I have total control over the driveway and I have placed my storage areas and tools to allow for easy moving of materials into the shop. By this I mean that my main lumber storage is right by the shop door, and the only tool in front of the door is on casters. I am also fortunate that the access into the house is well placed to allow large objects to move with relative ease from the shop to either the stairs or the main floor. Take note of issues like whether you could have others blocking your access doors or not. How much room you have to maneuver is another consideration. Also, make sure you have somewhere to park. If you work out of a basement, can you add an outside entrance that is extra wide, or do you have cart things through your kitchen or living room, much to the chagrin of your significant other. Finally, make sure that you have nothing blocking the way in and out if you can help it. This becomes a major issue in planning a layout for your shop later.
The last category of customization, storage, can be divided into four areas: lumber, sheet goods, tools and hardware storage. When planning your shop space it is necessary to leave a space for storing your sheet goods. Before planning your layout it is wise to consider whether you will store it vertically against a wall, or in a rack, or horizontally, laid out on the floor. The latter is for larger shops that use vast quantities of sheet goods. I would never recommend this in any other situation. Where is truly only critical when you have a very large space and you want to reduce the distance it is moved before being broken down. In the small shop it is more a matter of convenience.
Lumber is usually stored on racks or shelves, or perhaps a separate building. The latter, while fine too, still requires racks to be kept in the shop to hold two or three projects worth of lumber as well. Moisture content in the wood will vary with location, and wood will move, warp or twist, as its moisture content changes. This process is not instantaneous. It can take a little time. Therefore, you must leave it in the shop to acclimatize for a while before use. If you start working wood stored in an outside shed as soon as you bring it in, all of your milling and careful preparation will be for naught as the wood changes shape before you can get your project assembled. Granted the process is more dramatic in some areas than others, but it happens everywhere.
Considering the space involved, the cost of the lumber and sheet goods, and the fact that they must stabilize relative to the micro-climate in your shop, I highly recommend limiting the amount of material you keep on hand. I don’t have the space to store it, nor do I want to heat and pay for that space. Wood hoarding can easily end in disaster, if you are not careful. I you want to store it, or had a windfall of lumber come your way, then do so, but research the matter first. There is much to know about the proper way to store your materials. I would strongly advise the newbie against it.
Tool storage can manifest itself in many guises; from pegboard to cabinets, both recycled and shop made, to commercial rolling carts there are many ways to keep your tools safe. I went with the rolling carts. Why? I got such a good deal at my local Sears store that I couldn’t have built them for any less (the other option). I have tried the pegboard route and I don’t like it. You are always losing hooks behind the bench and your tools are continuously dusty. Besides, leave a door open, and anyone who walks by can take an inventory. Mainly, your tools are very hard to keep clean, as is your shop. This creates a problem if you have no finish room and finish your projects in the same space as you build them, as I do.
I find hardware the most difficult item to store. I already have enough rolling carts taking up floor space, in addition to the tools. However you need some kind of trunk or cabinet to keep your hardware in. As of this writing I am intending to use some kind of wall mounted cabinet. I hope they will hold everything. One thing I can recommend. Don’t buy hardware by the blister pack or individually. Buy it bulk. You can never have too much. There is nothing worse than being on the tail end of a project that gets put on hold until the hardware store is open because you had four screws, needed four screws, and stripped the head on one of them. It pays to be prepared. Plan to store your hardware in bulk.
Well there you have it. Yes, it was rather long winded, and no it wasn’t a treatise on shop layout. That may come later. However, as you put together, or even plan to rearrange your work space, these are important issues that require your consideration. |
