Shopsmith Forums

I have a shop, but it's still being used for storage... Had a 15' wide by 18' long addition with a cathedral ceiling built onto the rear of our garage. I had a bedroom built atop the garage, so not much headspace, but it gives me room to expand into the garage.

I ran a 100 amp sub-panel into the garage to power my garage/workshop and also the new bedroom & the entire top floor of our 50 year old house that had only 2 circuits for the entire top floor- not anymore. I used 6 separate 20-amp breakers for the woodworking equipment. Also have a 220 VAC/50 amp & 30 amp sockets in the event I add something that eats power. I have a 220 VAC 20 amp circuit for the PowerPro.

I had the garage/workshop air sealed with closed-cell foam insulation. The walls are almost R-30 & the ceiling/bedroom floor is about R-50. As a result, the shop doesn't get hot in the summer. If I keep the doors shut, it might be 68 degrees in the hot weather. In the winter, it has only gotten down to 42 degrees. Energy efficiency was one of the goals of this project. I have two electric resistance strip heaters and I also have a small propane heater that I haven't needed to use.

One thing you need to consider at some point depending on how large or active a shop you have. Being in a garage, you can always open the doors, but having a good dust control system is something I think you should consider. There are varied opinions on this subject depending on who you talk to. I like my lungs... I have a respirator that I'm not afraid to use. Neither does my dog- he chewed the first one!

Space- that is always a problem. I have less than I thought I'd have. But I've seen a master wood turner work in a 10' x 10' shed he built next to his modular home in Florida. He belongs to a club where they share equipment being everybody is retired and pretty much in the same boat. The turner only had a large bandsaw and his lathe. Not enough room for a shopsmith as his perimeter bench in the rear and right side served as storage space both above & below.

I think most people just use every square inch they have. In the past week or so, I've seen some cabinets forum people have in their shops. I have a set of double doors on the side of the work shop & the garage door in the front. I have several metal shelving units wheels that I picked up from Costco. Allows me to use any space I need along the garage walls.

Here are some of my former shop.