General Woodworking

[apexgym]

I forgot about the changeover. Anyway. Have permission to build new shop on a 26' x  40' cement pad out back. I am in no hurry and want to do this right the first time. I am going to go with a steel  pole building as codes require footings if I were to go stick built. I have been researching the internet about radian heat over  existing cement and that seems to be doable. I will be running a new electrical service and I may run a gas line and just cap it for now but at least it is there. I guess what I am asking for is any suggestions on what to definately do and what not to do. Any tips? Ideas? I am open to anything. I appreciate the couple of responses from the old foum very much. I know this is a broad subject but why not ask the best and I assume many of you have created your own shops and I just want to pick your brains and get the " gee, I wish I would have done this" from you all. I am located in the Rockford, Il area west of Chicago. Shop layout is also important too. Thank you all very much. You don't know how much us beginners get from you guys.

[MSWood]

With a building that big it looks like you'll have the opportunity to do thee particular things that I know I wish were in my shop:

1.) a bathroom in the same building!!

2.) a room that can be closed off, dedicated for finishing.   This lets you apply a finish and then close the door, keeping out the dust from further building/playing/cleaning, etc.    It's always a drag to have to stop activities in the shop just to keep the dust off of a new piece.

3.) a dedicated room for the DC system and the air compressor.    Those are LOUD.  Enclose them in some sort of a service closet to keep the decibel level of the shop reasonable.

Past that... storage, storage and more storage.   And a mobile clamp rack and mobile parts cart are good things to think about.

BEST with it!   Please post some photos as you go.

[ductape]

definately do? Make the shop twice as big. You never have to much room. My serious suggestion is put plenty of electrical outlets, above 48" and LOTS of lights.

[handyman john]

Read my comment below in "New Shop" by my old tools.

I suggest a way to maximize space without increasing the building footprint IF you can do that.

[Sawdustr]

Good Morning Friend,

First off welcome to the best new woodworking forums on the internet and we hope you will continue coming back as there is a lot to learn on each and every one of the forums and plenty of experienced folks to answer most any question you might have.

I for one like Matt Seiler's, answer in putting in a bathroom or even a half bath would be fine. How ever if you get dirty enough you may want to take a shower and not carry the dust and dirt into the house.

Since it is going to be erected by a steel building company they know the codes well enough that the structure will be built correctly and then it is up to you as to how you are going to utilize the space and the best method would be to use a grid square graph paper and layout some of the different tools you intend to have in this shop and by using the triangle approach you can't go wrong. Similar to your kitchen as the triangle would be from the fridge to the sink and then to the stove. In the shop it would be from the lumber storage to the jointer ( if you desire to have one)and then to the saw. The steps you save just may be the answer to your liking because a building of that size if not layed out correctly may cause a lot of un-needed walking.

[JL North GA]

In addition to "general" lighting, have task lighting for specific areas.  How you do the task lighting is your choice.  I have fluorescent fixtures in my shop for general lighting.  I have track lighting above my lathe, workbench and table saw.  What with bifocals and aging eyes, sometimes it is difficult to see those pencil marks.

Plot out your shop carefully, do cut outs on graph paper or whatever.  Plan your DC drops (or stubs) accordingly.  I have my DC piping in the overhead, but I have known others who have put it in the slab.   Consider floor receptacles - for a table saw for instance.  They are often in the middle of a shop.  I am presuming you are going to have some sort of dust collector.  Make a sound baffled enclosure for the dust collector.  It needs to return the air that you are sucking out - which means in the same space - which also means noise.

My $0.02.

[Fred Hargis]

I'm really interested in how you finsh the interior of the pole barn...we just bought another place that has a very nice one. While I have a 24x32 detached garage for shop use immediately, I may consider converting the pole barn into my shop, if I can figure out the interior stuff. Anyway, with a shop the size of yours, what the other fellows said about the seperate finishing room, plumbing, etc is spot on. Even woith nat gas, I would build it as energy efficient as possible. Pole barns have high roofs generally, but when you enclose it, keep you ceiling height at 10' minimum. That size shop should probably have a 200 amp service. My final piece of advice, when I built/finished my current shop 9 years ago, it was one of the MOST FUN  projects I ever had....enjoy!

[handyman john]

Finish by adding purlines and studs but that should be it's own post - so I won't "hi-jack" this one.

[rsmusselman]

Congratulations! I've never had the pleasure, or should I say blessing, of building a new shop so I'm somewhat envious. I like your idea of using radiant heat and running the gas lines.  A bathroom would be wonderful!!!! Just imagine the possibilities, washing your hands anytime you want and not having to bring water from the house for the coffee pot.  I would also run phone and extra conduit from the house to the shop for any other future ties  you might what/need later. I always thought one of those vacuum tubes from the house would be nice if my wife could send out lunch. Now we use an intercom but tuna on wheat and some tea delivered would be wonderful.  I would also like to have my shop equipped with AC. Those hot and humid days really get to me.  Gee, this is sounding like a real man cave! Closing in your dust collector is highly recommended and If you can have an exterior access to empty that would be nice too.  Plenty of 110 and 220 outlets are a must.  It is cheaper and less frustrating to put more in now than to add more later.  I don't think anyone made a suggestion on the wall covering.  The shop I share with my father has painted wafer board which hold up to bumps better than drywall. I would consider drywall for a new shop.  I'd like to hear other would suggestions.  Finally I agree with the 10' ceiling. We have an 8' ceiling now and a lot of care is needed turn wood around. It's nice if you can run your dust collection duct above the lights and out of the way.

 I'm sure if you listen to everyone who posts comments your budget will be blown but the more thought and planning you put into a new structure the greater your satisfaction for years to come.  Congratulations again and share some pictures as you progress.

[wlbrown1910568]

SIR,

i also suggest you build bigger. never have too much

space.  you will fill it up quickly, and wish you had more.

good luck with your project.

wlbrown