Setting up a woodwork shop
Most people start "small" with a few tools to do jobs around the house - changing plugs, putting up a shelf - that kind of thing.
DIY projects get bigger, and the number of hand tools acquired increases, plus that great workhorse the inevitable electric drill.
A hobby develops and a work space is found. Rarely does someone suddenly decide to make rocking horses or something like that.
So the big change comes with some event - retirement, kids moving out -
or with a move of house - which means more room or a place that you didn't have before.
What and Where
The first things to sort are, what are you going to make, and have you now got somewhere to do it. The first indicates the amount of space you need, and the second, have you a garage, shed, basement or a spare room big enough.
If you haven't room - whether to build something (plans on the right) or rent somewhere, and can you afford it.
Most people want to stay at home for hobbies, but if starting a business prefer to be further away.
Using a garage that also must house a car means having lots of mobile stuff that can be moved.
Size
What you are going to make also indicates how much room you need, and what type and number of machines you will use.
Try to organise the space into areas for specific jobs, and remember to allow adequate space for the movements needed for the task - cramped conditions can be dangerous.
Organise your tools into storage where you can easily find them - again it is possible to assign different tools to different areas of use.
Many machines can be arranged on tables with wheels to allow for use and then return to storage out of the way.
Power tools need adequate power sources, and while some hand tools can be used with extension leads, large fixed machine are better with their own supply.
Access
This is important both for getting new materials into the workshop and for removing the finished product.
Working in a basement, or on the first floor, can cause access problem for materials and large workshop tools going in, and products coming out.
Large sheet materials can be reduced in size before being taken into the workshop.
Noise
Many machines used are quite noisy, and can cause problems both within the home, and with your neighbours.
The use of double glazing and lots of insulation in a shed or garage, will not only cut down the noise, but help with heating in the winter months.
In a large workshop, with zones for specific jobs, it is possible to arrange things so that these areas are heated and lit only when being used.
Mess and Dust
Woodworking produces loads of off cuts, shavings, and sawdust including very fine stuff that floats in the air. This is both a health hazard and a fire risk - get a vacuum system and clear up - sawdust and shavings in the house do not usually go down well! Get a fire extinguisher to hand - better safe than sorry.
More interesting Wood work stuff
DIY projects get bigger, and the number of hand tools acquired increases, plus that great workhorse the inevitable electric drill.
A hobby develops and a work space is found. Rarely does someone suddenly decide to make rocking horses or something like that.
So the big change comes with some event - retirement, kids moving out -
or with a move of house - which means more room or a place that you didn't have before.
What and Where
The first things to sort are, what are you going to make, and have you now got somewhere to do it. The first indicates the amount of space you need, and the second, have you a garage, shed, basement or a spare room big enough.
If you haven't room - whether to build something (plans on the right) or rent somewhere, and can you afford it.
Most people want to stay at home for hobbies, but if starting a business prefer to be further away.
Using a garage that also must house a car means having lots of mobile stuff that can be moved.
Size
What you are going to make also indicates how much room you need, and what type and number of machines you will use.
Try to organise the space into areas for specific jobs, and remember to allow adequate space for the movements needed for the task - cramped conditions can be dangerous.
Organise your tools into storage where you can easily find them - again it is possible to assign different tools to different areas of use.
Many machines can be arranged on tables with wheels to allow for use and then return to storage out of the way.
Power tools need adequate power sources, and while some hand tools can be used with extension leads, large fixed machine are better with their own supply.
Access
This is important both for getting new materials into the workshop and for removing the finished product.
Working in a basement, or on the first floor, can cause access problem for materials and large workshop tools going in, and products coming out.
Large sheet materials can be reduced in size before being taken into the workshop.
Noise
Many machines used are quite noisy, and can cause problems both within the home, and with your neighbours.
The use of double glazing and lots of insulation in a shed or garage, will not only cut down the noise, but help with heating in the winter months.
In a large workshop, with zones for specific jobs, it is possible to arrange things so that these areas are heated and lit only when being used.
Mess and Dust
Woodworking produces loads of off cuts, shavings, and sawdust including very fine stuff that floats in the air. This is both a health hazard and a fire risk - get a vacuum system and clear up - sawdust and shavings in the house do not usually go down well! Get a fire extinguisher to hand - better safe than sorry.
More interesting Wood work stuff
Source...