A large number of beginners and hobbyists eventually become professionals, so the number of tools and machinery in the workshop is increasing, which leads to the need for the bigger workshop.

Nowadays, not many people own enough large space to adapt it into a home workshop. Most people are setting their workshops in the basement, garage, or they are adapting some rooms that were originally intended for other purposes. For these reasons, planning and the proper workshop layout will enable you a good and pleasant work.

When planning the workshop layout, it is necessary to consider a number of factors that affect your work:

  • What exactly do you want to do in the workshop: in order to make proper plan about required dimensions of the workshop and its organization, at first think about what are you going to use it for, what are your affinities, plans and working possibilities in the future;
  • Estimate the costs and time required to equip the workshop: evaluate your options and what do you need for your workshop so it could become functional;
  • You should plan the arrangement of the machines and worktables to ensure enough space to maneuver;
  • The number of machines and workshop accessories (e.g. sawhorses, benches...);
  • Calculate the number of workers / people in the workshop;
  • Will you be making small objects such as toys and models, or you will manufacture large items such as doors and windows. This is very important when planning the space requirements, size of the machines, storage space for materials and finished products;
  • Space for storing lumber and other materials for processing, and the storage of finished products;
  • Room for the finish: it is smart to plan a separate room, where you can coat your products with protective oils, paints and lacquer. It should be dust free, with good ventilation for removing various vapors during the drying of coatings, and it should have enough space for comfortable work, because each scratch or blur is noticeable on the coating, and that can seriously reduce aesthetic value of your work;
  • How easy is the access to the home workshop: The workshop should have direct entrance from the outside (not from the house), because it will often be necessary to carry in or out some large, heavy or dirty things, and a lot of waste as well. It may require access for the freight vehicle. Besides that, various works that produce noise, dust or unpleasant smells will be often made in the workshop, so it's good that the workshop is not located in the immediate area of the buildings where the people live;
  • Are the doors of appropriate size for all your needs, so that machinery, lumber and finished products could pass through them;
  • To prevent shop theft with the security measures related to the workshop, but, in the case of the high value machinery and products in the workshop, it should also be considered the business insurance;
  • Are the heating / air conditioning, isolation and ventilation adequate;
  • Is the plumbing and consequently the drainage of waste water needed for your workshop;
  • Are there enough electrical circuits to supply your power needs;
  • Quality lighting;
  • Dust removing system.

An ideal workshop does not exist. Each woodworker has its own unique interests and needs; a number of limiting factors affects the set-up of workshop. The most important thing is to create a workshop that will suit your needs and work habits in the best possible way and to equip your workshop with hand tools, power tools and machines that you need for the work.

 

Submitted by Ceh Jan