New Shop - Essential Tools?

[Ed in Tampa]

100 amp should be big enough. You only run one machine at a time so if the AC is on 15 amp max 110/220, the dust collector 15 amp max 110/220 and the large tool 15 amp max you are only pulling 45 amp. Pile in a ton of lighting on two circuits 15 am apiece and you are 75 amp and still have plenty of juice for another tool, TV and/or radio.

If you have any 110 tools pulling more than 15 amps get rid of them and get 220 tools. If you have any 220 tools pulling more than 15 amps. You have some really big tools!

Think about running water to shop. To me that is best tool you can add. Allows you to clean up without getting into trouble with the wife. I hate standing in the back yard trying to clean paint brushes with a hose. It sure is nice to have a huge utility sink to clean them up. Also after a glue session it is nice to have plenty of water to clean up the old glue. Need water to sharpen a blade no problem just go to sink instead of trucking into the house. Need water to quench some steel you are welding or bending no problem you got it right there.

Best tool water. Second best is compressed air, third best if natural gas avail get it. Put in a peacock and stub line so you connect a deep fryer outside the shop for fish fries, Thanksgiving turkey and such. Your wife will see the benefit of the shop and let you play in it longer.

Oh yeah I almost forgot a refrigerator is essential to properly equipped shop. Keeps your pop nice and cool, so when you finished working you can take a leisurely cool and refreshing break.

Ah in your shop tools are essential if you can get them in around all the creature comfort items I mentioned, and they are essential if you want to convince the wife the shop is a shop and not your man cave.

[Ed in Tampa]

Here's what I came up with in Sketchup a few months ago as I was planning things out. Amazing how much of this (including the SS) was already modeled and available to use from the Sketchup warehouse.

Okay where is the sink, refrigerator, TV, heater/AC going?

[tnvol]

Build progress to date











I am putting 2 layers of flooring down, about 1/3 of the way done on the second layer. Once done, I'll be framing the walls. I have a bunch of donated 10' 2x4's from my father in law, so I'll be putting up 10' walls instead of 8' (studs are under the blue tarp). Thanks Pops! My neighbor is taking out all the floor insulation in his house and asked if I wanted it. Ummmmm, YEAH! So floor got insulated. There's a bunch more for the walls, so when they're ready.....

[tnvol]

Okay where is the sink, refrigerator, TV, heater/AC going?

Actually, I have a small sink and cabinet I pulled out of the house we tore down. It may go in the back right corner. Same for fridge if I put one in. Wall unit A/C will probably go in upper left area instead of a window. Heating is still up for grabs, since I haven't decided how to go on that yet. I have heard that ins. companies frown on wood furnaces / stoves in a shop....

May mount a flat screen TV somewhere, possibly back wall. Tiger Direct had a 42" the other day for a little over $100

There will be a 10x12 covered front deck too (gotta have a place for the rocking chairs and whittlin'), along with a covered shed roofed area along the right side. Lawn tractor, wood drying, etc. under there. Eventually, I'd like to get into sawing some slabs from felled trees. At least that's the plan anyway.....

[tnvol]

"Think about running water to shop. To me that is best tool you can add"

Yep, definitely figuring to do that. 2 trenches, one for electric line in conduit and another for the waterline.

[tnvol]

..." at least 1 ER10 is mandatory "

Something like this?

I remembered saving a pic of this restored beauty from a CL ad about a year ago. Pretty sweet.

I may just post this as a separate thread, 'cause it deserves it.

["Wild Bad Bob"]

Well hell with running water, might as well do a full bathroom with a shower, I would add a bed too, for afternoon naps. Some sky lights would be nice too. How about a fireplace just for ambiance!!! Is this a working shop or a mother in law flat?

[Ed in Tampa]

Well hell with running water, might as well do a full bathroom with a shower, I would add a bed too, for afternoon naps. Some sky lights would be nice too. How about a fireplace just for ambiance!!! Is this a working shop or a mother in law flat?

You simply don't know how to enjoy life.
Ever do a glue up and realize you are going to have to go into the house to clean your hands before you can clean up the glue lines? I have many times.

Ever get tired of running into the house every time you need water to quench a hot tool, wash your hands so you don't mar a copleted piece ready to finish?

Ever get thirsty and since your still working with machinery you need water more than anything else?

Ever have the luxury of cleaning brushes where you don't have to worry about the floor or splashing the wall? Water in a shop my friend is the most important tool you can have.

["Wild Bad Bob"]

You simply don't know how to enjoy life.
Ever do a glue up and realize you are going to have to go into the house to clean your hands before you can clean up the glue lines? I have many times.

Ever get tired of running into the house every time you need water to quench a hot tool, wash your hands so you don't mar a copleted piece ready to finish?

Ever get thirsty and since your still working with machinery you need water more than anything else?

Ever have the luxury of cleaning brushes where you don't have to worry about the floor or splashing the wall? Water in a shop my friend is the most important tool you can have.

I will take them in order
B4 I start a glue up I know I will need water for clean up, so it is there ahead of the glue up.
I have the water for sharping there B4 the belt/grinder gets turned on.
Thirsty, I just make up another Martini, now ice is another matter.
Just learn how to clean a brush neatly.
And yes Ed, I do know how to enjoy life and all of the creature comforts;)
You start adding all this, you dont have a work shop by code, you have a living quarters, and a whole new set of rules/ordinances and codes.

["Wild Bad Bob"]

After thought, if you have running water, where is your waste going to go to?? A septic/sewer system?