Before you even begin, whether you’re a hobbyist, DIY-er, or beginner woodworker, it is crucial to plan ahead. That’s why the first priority should be setting up a woodworking shop, regardless of its size.
The method of doing it mainly relies on the space you have, whether it’s a garage, shed, or basement, and your budget. Regardless of the size, below are some tips on making your shop appear larger, increasing organization, and maximizing workflow within the available space.
How To Start Woodworking In A Basement Or A Garage
If you have always desired your own space specifically for DIY, upcycling, or woodworking but believed that you required a larger area, reconsider your assumptions. Establishing a compact workshop may pose challenges, but it is certainly achievable. Optimal locations for this purpose include even a small garage, basement, or garden shed.
By engaging in careful thought and organizing, it is entirely possible to establish an exceptional area where you can freely express your creativity. Therefore, there is no reason for any justifications. Initially, prioritize considering storage options as well as the necessary hand and power tools.
One should consider the size of the tools, such as benchtop or handheld, rather than large equipment that is only rarely used and takes up space. The storage solution should be carefully planned and adaptable to fit all tools and materials. Further information on this topic will be provided later in the article.
When it comes to materials, if you have limited space, it may not be possible to fit full-sized materials. In such cases, considering pre-cut materials would be advisable. Many places offer the service of cutting these materials to the desired size if you purchase them.
When it comes to upcycling, the majority of projects are of smaller proportions, thus posing little difficulty. However, if you intend to upcycle a large piece of furniture, you need to consider whether it can be transported into your workshop and determine the approach for accomplishing this task.
Setting Up A Small Space For Woodworking Shop/Upcycling Shop
When dealing with a small shop, it is important to consider the most effective utilization of the available space.
Location, location, location
If you’re planning to open a shop, the location is likely something you’ve already considered. In a preexisting space, you are fully aware of the available area and making the most use of that space becomes important. On the other hand, if your intention is to construct a shop, you have more flexibility to customize the size and design of the shop to align with your vision.
Define the work you do
If you currently focus on building gift boxes but aspire to venture into furniture construction, allocate a greater amount of space to accommodate larger parts and assemblies, as well as additional raw materials.
When considering other potential activities for the shop, it is important to inquire whether it will also serve as car storage or an entertainment spot, as well as if there is a requirement for accommodating lawn equipment. Additionally, the frequency of usage should be taken into account. If the shop is going to be used on a daily basis, it would be advantageous to have a permanent setup with tools that have fixed locations. On the other hand, if the shop will only be used occasionally in the evenings or on weekends, it may be more appropriate to have a convertible space where mobile tools can be stored out of the way until needed.
Now, carefully consider the succeeding items in a sequential manner, understanding that choices made for one category may impact decisions in other areas. Therefore, it is important to remain adaptable and modify plans as new possibilities and factors arise.
Determine tool floor spaces
To determine the footprints of the largest items in the shop, such as your bench, stationary tools, and cabinets, follow these step-by-step instructions. First, consider including enough space for infeed and outfeed of materials. Additionally, ensure there is a 24″ clearance on any side that requires walking past. For instance, if your jointer measures 16×48″, but jointing a 5′ board necessitates an extra 36″ on both ends of the infeed and outfeed tables. Furthermore, including 24″ in front of the jointer for standing room would result in a total footprint of 40×120″.
Make an estimation of the amount of enclosed storage that will be required for hand tools, accessories, and supplies.
By carefully considering each step, the determination of cabinet requirements will be made. Base cabinets are frequently used as support for workbench tools like a drill press or mitersaw, and also offer surfaces for work. Don’t be overly concerned with precision; instead, aim to obtain a overall understanding of what is necessary to accommodate the present and future inventory of these tools. Afterwards, consider the addition of a few extra cabinets.
Lumber occupies a considerable amount of space, and by storing it on wall racks, the floor space remains available for tools. To save even more space, wood can be stored in alternative locations such as an outbuilding, basement, or covered porch. By doing so, only the necessary amount of wood needs to be moved to the workshop, allowing it to acclimate properly before being worked with.
Place the big stuff
After determining the space requirements of the largest items, begin figuring out their placement within the designated space. Whether you opt for an analog method [Shown in the photo above] or a digital one [Presented in the opening photo], make sure to consider these ideas.
In order to ensure a logical workflow, it is important to move materials accordingly. Initially, position raw materials near the entrance where they are brought in. Following this, organize tools for specific tasks such as material breakdown (mitersaw), sizing/shaping (tablesaw, bandsaw, jointer, planer), joinery (drill press, mortiser, router table), assembly (workbench and an open space suitable for larger projects), and finally, finishing.
In a lengthy store, the movement can follow a direct path from the entrance to the exit. In a shop with a square shape, activities may circulate along the edges. In a limited space, the necessity to move from side to side may determine the course of action.
Arrange tools in groups to maximize efficiency. It is possible for the infeed and outfeed areas to overlap on surfaces of equal height. An instance of this is when the infeed area of your jointer extends into the work area of your router table since you will not be using both tools simultaneously. Flip-top stands allow you to store two tools in the space typically occupied by one tool.
Instead of overcrowding the workspace with numerous tools, worksurfaces, and storage areas, it is recommended to allow some assembly space. This entails providing open space for subassemblies, like drawers, to be placed while working on the carcase. Additionally, it is essential to leave sufficient room for extending clamps and moving around the project during assembly.
When considering dust collection, it is important to place the dust collector or shop vacuum(s) near the largest chip producers for optimal performance. The planer and jointer produce the largest chips, while the tablesaw, mitersaw, and router table release the most dust into the air. More details on dust collection will be provided later.
Mobility allows for flexibility. By relocating tools to a functioning position and subsequently moving them for storage, floor space utilization is maximized. For instance, a tablesaw can be positioned against a wall for typical cuts, and then rolled away from it in case additional space is required on that specific side.
Take a break and give it a rest. Once you have decided on an arrangement, take a few days away from it. Afterward, return with a fresh perspective and reconsider each of the aforementioned points.
Tips To Make A Small Woodworking Shop Feel Bigger
Here are some tips on how to make your small space feel bigger, as small spaces can often feel cluttered and unorganized, which is not conducive to a good creative working environment.
Things To Avoid:
- Poor lighting, as well as dark-colored walls, make small spaces feel even smaller
- Oversized furniture/storage that is not properly fitted to the space
- Unorganized, cluttered spaces tend to feel smaller and cramped. Keep your place organized, and it will feel much bigger
When painting your space, ensure it is not dark, unwelcoming, or gloomy. Since you will be spending a significant amount of time working there, it is important for the colors surrounding you to be vibrant. By painting everything in the same bright color, you can create an illusion of a larger space. Additionally, using gloss paint will effectively reflect light, which is particularly important if you frequently take pictures of your projects.
When installing lights, ensure that you choose bright LED light fixtures over old-style fluorescent lights that flicker. LED lights provide a brighter ambiance and also help in reducing energy costs.
Making tools mobile is essential for workshops with limited space. By attaching casters or mobile bases to your tools, you can easily relocate them when needed. It is important to ensure that these attachments have breaks, preventing the tools from moving around uncontrollably in your shop.
When considering a solid workbench, it is crucial to remember that it is the location where a significant amount of time will be spent crafting projects. However, in cases where space is restricted, it is important to make intelligent choices. Opting for a space-saving workbench is advisable. Scot, a member of saws on skates, offers numerous suggestions on how to tackle limited space. Below, you will find the solutions he recommends.
When it comes to tool storage, there are two options available: purchasing a ready-made storage system or constructing one on your own. While the former may be pricier, the latter necessitates proficiency in woodworking. You can opt for a wall-mounted pegboard or customize shelves, similar to the ones showcased in the accompanying video.
If you prefer to keep your tools concealed, you have the option to construct your own workshop storage cabinets using these blueprints. Storing all your tools inside the cabinets creates a sense of spaciousness and significantly enhances organization within the shop.
To organize your tools, categorize them based on their functions such as cutting, sanding, drilling, measuring, Kreg jigs, hand tools, etc. Create labels and place them in a visible location to prevent misplacing the tools after use.
