New Work Shop.

[Chris Wilson]

Hi all,
         in about three weeks time I have the opportunity to fit out my new work space, kindly supplied by having a single car space from a double car garage, and intend to seriously build control line stunters.

The space is about 2.5 x 5.5 metres long and I want one long wall as a continuous work top, overhead cupboards for storage, under bench drawers for the same and behind me hanging space for models.

But where does one place the obligatory grinder, linisher, drill press and vice?  On that long run of a work top, separately to isolate vibrations or am I over thinking this?
Its just that I have had a work bench before with a vice mounted on each corner and it was just a pain to work around them all the time.

And lighting, can I do any better than a 5 metre strip of florescents directly overhead? Would it be better for lights to be under the overhead cupboards as well?

Ah, decisions, decisions. I suppose what I am asking is for work space solutions, stunt oriented, for that sized space.

Thank in advance, Chris.

[wwwarbird]

 
 I'll suggest two separate benches, at the least. One dedicated only for building/framing/etc. and more delicate work, and then separate areas for the power tools, vice etc. In addition to those, a central "island" work station is a great thing as well.

[Chris Wilson]

 I'll suggest two separate benches, at the least. One dedicated only for building/framing/etc. and more delicate work, and then separate areas for the power tools, vice etc. In addition to those, a central "island" work station is a great thing as well.

The two bench thing ....... makes sense, but the central island (in that sized space) is a no go.

Thanks for the advice.

[Randy Ryan]

The two bench thing ....... makes sense, but the central island (in that sized space) is a no go.

Thanks for the advice.

You'll find building against the wall very annoying I think, I know I did. I have a 4' X 8' island bench. If I had that limited space, I would do something like 2' X 8' which is still a good working area. In fact it may be more space efficient because you can't place things out of reach. 2 feet would still allow a 3' passage between bench and walls. Definitely set your power tools up on a separate bench, not for vibration, but just to eliminate hard obstructions that are sure to be bumped causing damage to airframe parts.

[Clancy Arnold]

Chris
As for the lighting consider two rows of florescents.  One near ceiling height for general illumination and a second row under the overhead cabinets.  The second row eliminates the shadows from the cabinets and you and gives a more intense lighting right on the work area.
Clancy

[proparc]

Make sure you hit us with pics of the new shop.

[Randy Powell]

An island makes life a lot easier but can be worked around. But you need as much light as you can pack in there. My shop is about 7 meters by 5 meters. I have 9 florescent lights and two spot lights for sanding.

[Randy Ryan]

An island makes life a lot easier but can be worked around. But you need as much light as you can pack in there. My shop is about 7 meters by 5 meters. I have 9 florescent lights and two spot lights for sanding.

Yes,
I have 8 foot florescents every other joist and a 4 footer dropped down over my most used build area.

[Steven Kientz]

My shop is 10' by 20'. I have rolling workstations for the tablesaw, disc/belt sander and drill press. They all sit along one wall. My work bench is 8' by 30" wide, it is also on wheels. That way I can pull it out from the wall to access both sides. Below it are shelves, air compressor and one cabinet. My scroll saw sits on one end of the bench. Wheeled benches and storage units make life a lot easier in a narrow space. Just make sure to use 360 degree caster wheels. My router table has some fixed wheels on one end and it is a real chore to maneuver.
Steve

[Chris Wilson]

"You'll find building against the wall very annoying I think, I know I did. I have a 4' X 8' island bench. If I had that limited space, I would do something like 2' X 8' which is still a good working area. In fact it may be more space efficient because you can't place things out of reach. 2 feet would still allow a 3' passage between bench and walls. Definitely set your power tools up on a separate bench, not for vibration, but just to eliminate hard obstructions that are sure to be bumped causing damage to airframe parts."
 
Yep, that makes sense - just got to get my head around a 2' wide bench.

"Chris
As for the lighting consider two rows of florescents.  One near ceiling height for general illumination and a second row under the overhead cabinets.  The second row eliminates the shadows from the cabinets and you and gives a more intense lighting right on the work area.
Clancy"

That makes sense too.

"Make sure you hit us with pics of the new shop."

Sure will but please accept that it may be a month away before completion.

"An island makes life a lot easier but can be worked around. But you need as much light as you can pack in there. My shop is about 7 meters by 5 meters. I have 9 florescent lights and two spot lights for sanding."

I like the island option but it difficult in a gallery shaped space.

"Yes,
I have 8 foot florescents every other joist and a 4 footer dropped down over my most used build area."

8 ' - that's a very long tube mate.

"My shop is 10' by 20'. I have rolling workstations for the tablesaw, disc/belt sander and drill press. They all sit along one wall. My work bench is 8' by 30" wide, it is also on wheels. That way I can pull it out from the wall to access both sides. Below it are shelves, air compressor and one cabinet. My scroll saw sits on one end of the bench. Wheeled benches and storage units make life a lot easier in a narrow space. Just make sure to use 360 degree caster wheels. My router table has some fixed wheels on one end and it is a real chore to maneuver.
Steve"

Ah, rolling work stations!
Now that I can do and it may solve the island problem in a gallery space, thanks.

[Steven Kientz]

If you look at some woodworking sites you should find plans for power tool storage that have flip tops. That might cut down on how many work stations you need. Even if one tool only is mounted it would give you additional work surface when the tool is in storage.


Steve

[Randy Ryan]

"You'll find building against the wall very annoying I think, I know I did. I have a 4' X 8' island bench. If I had that limited space, I would do something like 2' X 8' which is still a good working area. In fact it may be more space efficient because you can't place things out of reach. 2 feet would still allow a 3' passage between bench and walls. Definitely set your power tools up on a separate bench, not for vibration, but just to eliminate hard obstructions that are sure to be bumped causing damage to airframe parts."
 
Yep, that makes sense - just got to get my head around a 2' wide bench.

"Chris
As for the lighting consider two rows of florescents.  One near ceiling height for general illumination and a second row under the overhead cabinets.  The second row eliminates the shadows from the cabinets and you and gives a more intense lighting right on the work area.
Clancy"

That makes sense too.

"Make sure you hit us with pics of the new shop."

Sure will but please accept that it may be a month away before completion.

"An island makes life a lot easier but can be worked around. But you need as much light as you can pack in there. My shop is about 7 meters by 5 meters. I have 9 florescent lights and two spot lights for sanding."

I like the island option but it difficult in a gallery shaped space.

"Yes,
I have 8 foot florescents every other joist and a 4 footer dropped down over my most used build area."

8 ' - that's a very long tube mate.

"My shop is 10' by 20'. I have rolling workstations for the tablesaw, disc/belt sander and drill press. They all sit along one wall. My work bench is 8' by 30" wide, it is also on wheels. That way I can pull it out from the wall to access both sides. Below it are shelves, air compressor and one cabinet. My scroll saw sits on one end of the bench. Wheeled benches and storage units make life a lot easier in a narrow space. Just make sure to use 360 degree caster wheels. My router table has some fixed wheels on one end and it is a real chore to maneuver.
Steve"

Ah, rolling work stations!
Now that I can do and it may solve the island problem in a gallery space, thanks.

2 4 footers end to end are cheaper and do the same thing.

[Chris Wilson]

2 4 footers end to end are cheaper and do the same thing.

Hi Randy,
                I assume that you mean 2 4 foot lighting battens?

[Steve Helmick]

I would take that to mean girlfriends, but could be wrong!  Steve

[Randy Ryan]

Hi Randy,
                I assume that you mean 2 4 foot lighting battens?

Yes

[Randy Ryan]

I would take that to mean girlfriends, but could be wrong!  Steve

The one 5'2" GF I have is plenty!!!!!

[Bill Little]

I have a 4' X 4 tube fixture directly over my table.  There are 2 tube X 4' fixtures over my floor cabinets that line two walls.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM