Workshop opinions

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RussFromNH

RussFromNH

Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2011
Messages
149
Location
Southern NH
I was talking with my wife the other night about how my tools and work are going to eventually damage the furnace and the hot water heater with all of the dust and shavings. We have decided that it is time to build a workshop.

I have two options and would like to hear some opinions.

Option 1: get a larger shed for storage of items in garage and segment off a section for workshop. The garage has room for two cars plus an additional 15 or so feet for storage.

Option 2: build a workshop in the back yard and keep the garage for storage.

Either way I go I am looking at a workshop of about 10X10 or 10X12 and maybe a pellet stove for heat. Not huge, but I can put most tools on a workbench or on wheels.
 
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go with the shed for the stuff and take over the garage for the shop. that way you can expand and take over the whole garage. and i put in a pellet stove this winter and absolutely love it.
 
Right now my work shop is 15 x 30+ feet. In a few weeks I will be able to expand to 30+x30+ But my shop is 2 miles from the house and while many would kill for the space I long for a small place AT my home so I can work on stuff at home.

Personally I would go for the dedicated building because while I want to be at home I would like to be separated from the house for my own peace of mind. If I am working on something in the "garage" then I am easily nabbed to work on the Honey-Do list. The garage was turned into a den a LONG LONG time ago so it is off limits to things that spread a lot of dust.
 
RussFromNH said:
I was talking with my wife the other night about how my tools and work are going to eventually damage the furnace and the hot water heater with all of the dust and shavings. We have decided that it is time to build a workshop.

I think you already answered your question. If you section off a portion of the garage you are still going to have the issue of dust and shavings possibly damaging the furnace and water heater... The cost of building a wall in your garage, putting in a door, moving power to where you need it, and building a shed for storage would probably be about the same as just building a workshop/shed and putting power in it. Just my opinion.
Click to expand...
 
I have a external shop away from the house. Best thing is having a lock on the door so when the tools are running i don't get distrubed to go do something else till i am done.
 
Thanks everyone,

I am leaning towards a workshop away from the house. I like having the storage in the house for the kids. But I also like the idea that I can have a little get-away to do some woodworking undesturbed.
 
I say the garage. Linda spends as much time in the shop as I do and it is handy. She still won't let me install a urinal. Also insulate the garage well enough, then you will have a year round shop. There is no way I would shovel a path in the back yard to get to a shed style shop in the dead of winter.
 
Build the shed for storage, install a "GOOD" DC system along with an additional air filtration system. Either or both can be home built or purchased turn key. You should have both in the shop anyway for your own health and well being.
Looking out the window and finding pouring rain, ice, snow up to your whatever, knowing full well the shop is below zero degrees is discouraging to say the least for wanting to do woodworking. Clean up the air in the garage, build a storage shed and enjoy the best of both. My $0.02 and NSHO.
Charles
 
I have been in the basement for forty years with HWH, Well Expansion Tank, water softener set up, water purifier light system, all in one corner of the shop. I changed nothing earlier than what their expectancy life time use was projected to be. I have elec. heat, so no furnace. Just light dust on the equipment, no harm. All my tools look new. No wet air hits them when the garage door is opened. No 0 degrees shed to try and heat. No wetness with heat on heat off and i am gradually moving more and more into the finished part of the basement now that the nest is long gone. Carl
 
I went with a sectioned-off (industrial curtain) garage bay mainly because it was my only option. There is plenty of space, it can be easily heated and cooled, and dust is contained pretty well. I also have easy access to a sink and can air out the shop quickly if I need to.
 
Put a 1200sf addition on the house you have to go through the garage to get to. Put a 10 x 10 closet in it for storage. Prepare to live in it.:biggrin:
 
I have a separate 12 x 20 with its own electric meter and am glad it is away from the house. Close the door and leave the mess. No one fools around with anything.
Used to have everything from the garage in there but over the years the lawn mower and snow blower needed to move back. Now I wish it was 12 x 30 or 20 x 20.
 
Where I am currently in the basement is just a little room with the expansion tank, furnace, hot water heater, pipes, freezer, water softener. I am noticing that some of my tools are starting to rust and I assume that is due to the salt in the softener. Some of them are rusting so bad that I have had to toss them.

Also, every time I sand something I set off the fire alarms now. This is very bad when the three boys and my wife are all asleep and I forget to unplug the thing..

There are a lot of great points here, thank you. I do live in NH and the winters can get cold. No matter what I do I will need to heat the area and for that I was thinking about a pellet stove set with a thermostat. The detached option is looking better and better since I can do most of the work myself. If it is the garage SWMBO will insist that someone do the work.

I wish I could do a workshop the size that most of you are suggesting. I think this will start the process, then in a few years when the kids start to drive I will upgrade to a detached garage with a workshop above.
 
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