Shopsmith Forums

8iowa wrote:The 5' double doors are a good idea. When I built my shop, which was actually a "garage" packsge, I decided against the typical garage door. After all, I was building a shop - not a garage, and I'll be hanged if I'm going to build for the convenience of the next owner.

I had to compromise between wall space and windows. I opted for as much natural light as possible. I don't have room for those nice wall cabinets that display your "goodies" so nicely. However i'm finding that shelving holds more and is more flexible in use.

After using the shop for a year I installed a Reznor 35000 BTU propane heater. It has the separated combustion feature - no exposed flame.

Please do tell me more about this heater. Cost range, efficiency, fuel requirement (how much does it use) most important do you feel it is efficient? Fjimp

You guys keep talking about all the windows. I try minimize the windows in both my shops and garages. I don't want someone to be able to look in the decide what is in there is worth taking the risk to break in.
Perhaps I'm paranoid but I don't want to put my tools on display for anyone that might be window shopping.

Ed in Tampa wrote:You guys keep talking about all the windows. I try minimize the windows in both my shops and garages. I don't want someone to be able to look in the decide what is in there is worth taking the risk to break in.
Perhaps I'm paranoid but I don't want to put my tools on display for anyone that might be window shopping.

Ed until we moved into this house I shared your feelings. The garage of this house has a long and very high window on one wall of the garage. This window lets in a great deal of natural light yet does not allow anyone short of 8 feet tall to see in. I have always felt I prefer natural light and with these windows on two walls (north and west) I will be able to fill the shop with light for most daylight hours. There will be one lower window on the west side so I can see up the hill behind the shop and a window to allow me to see the pup and granddaughter in the yard. Those two windows will have bars installed. The two exterior doors will have bars on the inside to hopefully stop an intruder from breaking in. The location of the shop on our lot makes seeing in from outside our yard difficult at best. The back portion of our yard is on top of an 8' high hill. Then there is a six foot fence on top of the hill. The shop will be on the same elevation as the house. I apologize for not sending pictures yet. My loving wife is also my techie. She is away until Sunday at a quilters retreat. Yeah I know I need to learn to shrink pictures so they will work with the web site. Too lazy I guess. Fjimp

Jim:

The Reznor heater is mounted on the ceiling in the upper left corner. It shoots out heated air diagonally across the shop. I can raise the temperature about 20 degrees in 15 minutes. I have a 250 gal propane tank outside, although I believe this heater can also burn natural gas if it is available. From a safety standpoint the separated combustion chamber practically eliminates the fire hazzard. Also, the products of combustion, essentially carbon dioxide and water, are exhausted to the outside. Do not get a heater that vents into the shop.

Sounds great! Congratulations. I look forward to seeing the pictures. I would love to be able increase the size of my shop. I shared a few weeks back I was putting siding on my shop. Between flu and rain it has been held up. I am hoping to compete it next week.

cv3 wrote:Sounds great! Congratulations. I look forward to seeing the pictures. I would love to be able increase the size of my shop. I shared a few weeks back I was putting siding on my shop. Between flu and rain it has been held up. I am hoping to compete it next week.

Rain what is that we haven't seen a drop in nearly 2 months.

8iowa - Thanks for sharing the view of your heater and the inside of you shop as well. I would be beyond words to have the room and comfort that your shop has. Nice looking chest of drawers there as well.

Ed in Tampa wrote:Rain what is that we haven't seen a drop in nearly 2 months.

What! No rain in FL for TWO MONTHS? Surely you jest!!!:D

Serious as a heart attack. The trees are actually drooping. Hedges are dying and it ain't pretty. It probably has been less than 2 months but it has been a long time.

Ed in Tampa wrote:Serious as a heart attack. The trees are actually drooping. Hedges are dying and it ain't pretty. It probably has been less than 2 months but it has been a long time.

Sure that ain't spanish moss drifted over the gulf from LA? Maybe Heath sent it!

Happy Halloween all!