Shopsmith Forums

greetings all I am currently in Afghanistan with the Navy Seabees. I have a one car garage w/attached carport. I use the carport for my car and the garage is a junk collector. I have wanted to turn my garage into a shop but the space is so small. I found a mark V on craigs list with a dc3300, band saw, 4" jointer and a bunch of accessories and I had my parents grab it for me. my big problem is going to be the best layout of benches shelves and miter saw table and how to best store the attachments not in use at the time. I am currently working on drawing up ideas on google sketchup but if any one has any sugestions, plans or tips I would love the help. I hope to have this all drawn up so I can get to work and have it up and running before the snow starts to fly.

I found lockable casters on everything will help determine where to move and place each machine so it can be best used. I worked mostly in my drive way for more than 30 years and used the small shop area for storage of the machines, tables and benches. I found I could quickly set up outside on nice days and let the sawdust fertilize the lawn. I learned to work with what I had available for space. Only in the past 10 or so years that I have a 24X24 shop with a large storage shed for parts.

I moved my unit all over the US in 24 yrs in the Navy. When I retired I set up in a Portable building (15x 20). I put in a workbench with drawers across one end, I made a shelf out of 2x12's along one wall to hold my SPT's. On the other wall I built a bench to hold my chopsaw. By putting perboard on the walls I was able to mount / hold several accessories. I added lights, then added more lights !!!!! Last thing I did was buy a $100 dollar window A/C unit and mounted it in the wall.
Don't put the shelf that holds the SPT's too high or you will regret it when putting them up. Make sure you clean and then wax everything with Johnson's paste wax it will prevent rust and let everything slide smoothly.

Some ideas there

thank you all for the help. josh I really love the pic it is giving me great ideas and I will start drawing them up.

Reading your post made me remember my Grandfather who serves as a Seabee in WWI and then years later he reenlisted to serve again as a Seabee in WWII.

My Dad, a Marine in WWII told me the Seabee often got flak from the regular services but no man messed with grandpa, they were all afraid of him. He was a bear of a man even when he turned 80.

Back when Men were Men LOL

Thanks for triggering the memory.

jebber its always nice to find people who know the Seabees, most people look at me and say "whats a Seabee". just some info for you, the Seabees were created 05 march 1942 after pearl harbor. so in wwI your grandfather was possibly a civilian that went over to help build but they weren't allowed to be given weapons so anytime fighting started they had to be evacuated. that was also the problem at the start of wwII so the formed the bees, trained them to build and to fight to defend what they build. a Japanese admiral wrote a book that my dad read and said that the Seabees were the major contributor to the US victory in the pacific because the could go to an airstrip that was bombed and have it operational in hours not weeks. its awesome being a part of this organization.

I have my SS setup in a 12x16 yard building I turned into a shop. Have room for a 5'carving table and a work bench. I use wire shelving for much of my storage.
I was a Marine Combat Engineer in Vietnam. Thanks for what you are doing! Many at home are proud of you all!!
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this may be an interested thread, i am having a 10 x 16 lofted barn type shed built in the back yard that i will have to creatively store the stuff from the old shed into while making room for two SS tools, a workbench, and a compound miter saw (or a sawsmith if I am lucky!)

Seabee;
It is almost impossible to tell someone how to set up a shop. It becomes very personal and depends on what your primary activities will be. If you are anything like me you will change the layout many times as your interests vary.
I have my SPT's and attachments on one wall of my garage.

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The wall measures 8' from left to right but there are other areas for other tools and storage.
Build some basic storage for the major components and go from there.
Bill V