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About 15 years ago, I thought about building a shop myself, but didn't have time. I'd like to know how you would have built (or have built) a shed for a shop. If you've done it, what did it cost, how long did it take to put up? Did you have help, hire someone to help or to build it?
What would you consider a reasonable size shop?
In other words, how about a discussion about shops for hobbyists. I know some of you have very large shops, really almost commercial shops, but I'd like to restrict this to garage size or smaller.
I'll start with mine. My shop is a 12 x 24 ft shed that has been insulated, wired and even has a lean to that houses the dust collection unit. My wife gave me a birthday present and had an electrician install a 60 amp (3 20 amp circuits) sub panel.
The shed was prefab and brought in and put on a rock base via a trailer. Wish I'd gone for the 16 x 24 instead, but it is nice to have a separate shop. Basic cost for the shed was about $4,000. The construction is 2x4 on 24 inch centers. So insulation is a layer of reflective radiant barrier (R4) and fiberglass batts (R13). The ceiling is 2x8, also about on 24 inch centers, so insulation up there is the radiant barrier plus R38 fiberglass batts. The ceiling is 2 inch insulating foam, cut to fit the odd spacing of the rafters, adds another R6 or so with an additional radiant layer.
If I had my druthers, I'd have built it with 2x6 on 16 inch centers and used R38 and radiant barrier all round. The 105 degree heat and below freezing winters here in the high desert would be less oppressive with that extra insulation. I also have some tools and storage space in my garage, so my wood prep happens out there.
Walls are covered by a combination of 1/4 inch pegboard across one long wall with the rest a mix of plywood and some drywall.
There is a second smaller shed next to it that houses my office. It shares the power with the shop, which is no problem since only one is in use at any time. There is a 4 ft space between that is now enclosed completely that has my HF DC, Super Dust Deputy and chip collector inside. The dust comes in via a 4 inch line, and exits the HF unit via a 1 micron drum filter. It then goes into the chamber and returns through a 20x20 filter back into the shop so I don't lose AC or heat. The yellow box on the front, outside wall is the remnants of my first DC system, a washable filter...it didn't work well.
The shed came with two 60 inch long single pane windows, but I covered them over with 2 inch foam sheets because they leaked heat/cold. A couple of years ago I added several very bright LED lights, two 2400 lumen over the bench and table saw, 800 +lumens over key tools and into the corners. No dark spots. It noticeably reduced the power usage and makes it more cheerful. Kind of late to do it now, but wish I'd painted it white before filling the shop. The peg board wall is great for hanging small accessories in their packages.
OK, now what are your thoughts, ideas, wishes, fantasies or plans for a shop, or tell us about your shop or plans for a shop. Would you build your own, got any pictures, plan or drawings?
OK, it's your turn.
What would you consider a reasonable size shop?
In other words, how about a discussion about shops for hobbyists. I know some of you have very large shops, really almost commercial shops, but I'd like to restrict this to garage size or smaller.
I'll start with mine. My shop is a 12 x 24 ft shed that has been insulated, wired and even has a lean to that houses the dust collection unit. My wife gave me a birthday present and had an electrician install a 60 amp (3 20 amp circuits) sub panel.
The shed was prefab and brought in and put on a rock base via a trailer. Wish I'd gone for the 16 x 24 instead, but it is nice to have a separate shop. Basic cost for the shed was about $4,000. The construction is 2x4 on 24 inch centers. So insulation is a layer of reflective radiant barrier (R4) and fiberglass batts (R13). The ceiling is 2x8, also about on 24 inch centers, so insulation up there is the radiant barrier plus R38 fiberglass batts. The ceiling is 2 inch insulating foam, cut to fit the odd spacing of the rafters, adds another R6 or so with an additional radiant layer.
If I had my druthers, I'd have built it with 2x6 on 16 inch centers and used R38 and radiant barrier all round. The 105 degree heat and below freezing winters here in the high desert would be less oppressive with that extra insulation. I also have some tools and storage space in my garage, so my wood prep happens out there.
Walls are covered by a combination of 1/4 inch pegboard across one long wall with the rest a mix of plywood and some drywall.
There is a second smaller shed next to it that houses my office. It shares the power with the shop, which is no problem since only one is in use at any time. There is a 4 ft space between that is now enclosed completely that has my HF DC, Super Dust Deputy and chip collector inside. The dust comes in via a 4 inch line, and exits the HF unit via a 1 micron drum filter. It then goes into the chamber and returns through a 20x20 filter back into the shop so I don't lose AC or heat. The yellow box on the front, outside wall is the remnants of my first DC system, a washable filter...it didn't work well.
The shed came with two 60 inch long single pane windows, but I covered them over with 2 inch foam sheets because they leaked heat/cold. A couple of years ago I added several very bright LED lights, two 2400 lumen over the bench and table saw, 800 +lumens over key tools and into the corners. No dark spots. It noticeably reduced the power usage and makes it more cheerful. Kind of late to do it now, but wish I'd painted it white before filling the shop. The peg board wall is great for hanging small accessories in their packages.
OK, now what are your thoughts, ideas, wishes, fantasies or plans for a shop, or tell us about your shop or plans for a shop. Would you build your own, got any pictures, plan or drawings?
OK, it's your turn.
What a great space!
