Shop Design considerations

[beck3906]

I'm working on designing my shop and spoke with a contractor today. I'm learning that I have champagne taste and a beer budget as I'm making allowances to keep the cost in line. You don't realize the cost of things like concrete until you begin to look at the size of a project and then get estimates. We're moving down in size from my original dream of 2000 feet and to the 1500 foot range.

I would like to have electrical receptacles installed in the slab for 220 and 120 outlets. I mentioned the possibility of some type of in-slab process and the contractor suggested an overhead reel.

I've Googled reels and not seeing anything for 220 power that is reasonable cost. I'm still leaning toward in-slab outlets but not sure how to get the receptacle cover to be flush and withstand something rolling over it.

Anyone know of a source for an appropriate receptacle? What about overhead reels? Would having the receptacle sticking out of the floor some distance be a problem to work around?

 

[IPD_Mrs]

Rick, my first concern with in the floor receptacles would be water or any type of liquid. While the idea is great for a centrally located table saw, I would still be concerned. Our floor is covered with the 2' x 2' foam mats. It helps to relieve leg and back pain when I am out there working for 12 and 14 hours straight. The only sit down location is at the drill presses and those are stools with no back support. Anyway we run the power cord from the table saw under the mats to the wall. This way we are not tripping over it, we do however trip over the 4" dust collection hose coming off the back of the saw. I had thought many times that having the dust collection in the floor for the table saw would be great. You can get metal receptacle plate covers. If the 220 is for a table saw, if you put it under the table saw wing on the motor side you shouldn't have a worry about rolling over it. When we built this house we knew the 2-1/2 car garage would be the wood shop. We had extra outlets put on the walls at 4' height. It works pretty good but wish we had done more. The other issue is the idiot who said add the outlets (me) didn't think about having them broken up on several breakers. Dumb, dumb move on my part. When running the drum sander, with dust collection while Linda is on a drill press almost always trips the breaker. Check the amps of your equipment and possible future equipment and make sure you plan better than I did. Another thing we did not plan for is lumber storage. When we have a load of oak delivered it is generally 500 bf. (we do a ton of flat work) Stacking it on the concrete floor is bad as it will wick moisture through the floor. We now store our lumber at our warehouse and bring it home when we need to work it. A real pain in the rear.

Anyway, surf the web and get some ideas of shop layouts. A couple of years ago www.woodmagazine.com had a ton of photos of readers shops. Some pretty cool layouts and space saving ideas in there.

Oh and we have a pull down receptacle that is on a retractable reel close to the table saw. It has about 25 feet of cord and three plugs on it. It is great when using a palm sander on the table saw or the festool domino. I think we got it at Lowes for around $30

 

[MesquiteMan]

I assume you will be planning to run a ducted DC system in this new shop! If so, just run your ducting overhead and run the wire down the ducting to the machines. Allows much more flexibility for future changes and will eliminate all the problems with the floor outlets. If you are not planning a DC system, stop what you are doing and re-figure your budget to allow for one!

Here is how mine is set up in case you forgot from your last visit. And yes, for those who may be concerned...code does require this wire to be in conduit but I choose not to do it!

 

[MesquiteMan]

Oh yeah, if you are not considering a metal building, you should. It will be much cheaper than any other construction method. Being a builder, I could have had anything I wanted in the slab and the only thing I choose to put there is the plumbing for the bathroom and sinks!

 

[ctubbs]

I very highly recommend that you forget about floor receptacles. I have installed them and find them to be nothing but problem generators. Even if they stay dry, the openings fill with dirt and gunk making them non-usable. I have been an electrician for more than 35 years. I always try my best to convince anyone asking for one to do it some other way if at all possible. Curtis has a very good idea. When you run your DC system, attach the cord for the equipment to the DC plumbing. In floor power = bad news always. Just my professional opinion.
Charles