Workshop Information
Location
United States
My functional shop space is 924sf with a 10ft ceiling. I recommend about 1000sf to anybody looking to build, it is a size that you can live with for a long time (if you are disciplined.) This has turned out to be a manageable size to heat and power. It basically was designed to work around handling 16' stock, be it rough stock or sticks of trim. I have a wooden floor, which is comfortable to stand on all day, and driving cars into it is not even an option.
I have a 6' wide double entry door, I figured if I can't get a project out of my shop through those, it won't go into most houses. Over the double entry doors I have salvaged non-operating windows that let a lot of light in from the east and south. I have four other windows that are 4'h x 5'w to let in lots of daylight.
I have a 200 amp, 1ph service panel separate from the house. I had to have the service line upgraded from the street. Two or three people can run equipment at once with no problem. More than that would be an issue, but then so would the space.
This size of shop is very adequate to work in if you keep control of the space and have good layout to facilitate workflow. I clean everyday that I work in the shop. An orderly shop is safer to work in and more efficient.
I heat the space with a 75,000 BTU overhead HotDawg heater. I don't burn wood in the shop as a big safety issue, but we do in the house. I also should mention that I have 3 fire extinguishers in the shop. I watched the neighbor's welding shop get hosed down on the interior when it caught fire, he only had one small fire extinguisher.
I am on my 3rd shop layout and this one has lasted quite a while so it is a good one. It is a very efficient layout that facilitates good workflow. The keys to success are flexibility through mobility and discipline.
I have a 6' wide double entry door, I figured if I can't get a project out of my shop through those, it won't go into most houses. Over the double entry doors I have salvaged non-operating windows that let a lot of light in from the east and south. I have four other windows that are 4'h x 5'w to let in lots of daylight.
I have a 200 amp, 1ph service panel separate from the house. I had to have the service line upgraded from the street. Two or three people can run equipment at once with no problem. More than that would be an issue, but then so would the space.
This size of shop is very adequate to work in if you keep control of the space and have good layout to facilitate workflow. I clean everyday that I work in the shop. An orderly shop is safer to work in and more efficient.
I heat the space with a 75,000 BTU overhead HotDawg heater. I don't burn wood in the shop as a big safety issue, but we do in the house. I also should mention that I have 3 fire extinguishers in the shop. I watched the neighbor's welding shop get hosed down on the interior when it caught fire, he only had one small fire extinguisher.
I am on my 3rd shop layout and this one has lasted quite a while so it is a good one. It is a very efficient layout that facilitates good workflow. The keys to success are flexibility through mobility and discipline.
