Reply by Logan Windram

I am building the same size shop and I have exactly the same dilemmas. My current shop evolved over many years and I rewired it several times before sealing up the walls. I would like to be able to use my initial setup for a while to see whether it needs changes. I have thought about just running everything in conduit.

As far as sound goes, plain old fiberglass bat insulation and sealing will reduce the outside noise dramatically. I found that out when I insulated my current shop. The shop I am in now is about 200 feet from the nearest neighbor but my new shop (new address) will be about 100 feet away. I don t feel I really have a choice in sound insulation in my new neighborhood.

You are right about the amount of information available on the internet. It is sometimes contradictory and hard to apply. I am going to watch this thread closely.

- ArtMann

Thanks ArtMann- yeah, there is just too much info and many sources contradict or at least appear too… I am quite skeptical about the attainable results of different insulations with regards to cost to install… expensive spray foam is great and all, but is it worth the extra expense which is substantial when what I am looking for is “comfortable”, after al it is a shop/ converted garage. R60 or higher value seem impressive, but if it is only incrementally better than R20 with regards to comfort and expense, then it might not justify the extra expense in a space that is only occupied 20-30 hours a week.

As far the electrical, I am leaning toward conduit unless someone has a reasoning otherwise. I have a seperate Jointer/Planer now, but I am considering do a helical combo machine (that is its own debate)... Id also like to havea drum sander at some point so having a electrical layout that is flexible makes alot of sense… I don’t care about aesthetics and I assume no one who buys this house of we sell cares about the electrical in the garage other than is the lights turn on and opener does its job.

I am going to do a 2 hp or 3hp cyclone as well, and plan to vent that rig outside…. but I have seen others just build a small cabinet for the DC, and just have access to it outside… but I think I could just repipe the filter portion outside since that is the exhaust per se, and just inclose it outside somehow to reduce the dust blowing everywhere… some thoughts on a 1.5, 2 or 3 HP collector would be appreciated as well.. the cost difference isn’t that big, but no reason to mount a 400lb machine rather than a 200lb machine if the end performance is about the same.

Glad you are getting the chance to build your shop as well, AM- this is my midlife crisis project, but I figure I have no kids, live pretty cheap and this is more productive than a sports car or something,, lol…

LW