Are We Ever Satisfied?

[Richard in Smithville]

With shop layout that is.This is the third time in the past six months that I have changed the layout. It's always the same. I start feeling cramped and figure a way to make things run a little smoother. If I had a 12000sqft shop I think I would still want to change it every so often.


Oh, well. Maybe this time I'll be happy with it for a while

[cabinetman]

Actually, change can keep things interesting (in the shop...of course). If you had more space, you have more to clean, more steps to take, more places for things to pile up, and more places to store things (which means spending more money for tools and supplies). Now that I think about it, I'm all for more tools and supplies.
.

[smorris]

My shop setup is dynamic. Seems every project I have to rearrange things because I am using different setups and sizes of materials. The only thing that never seems to get moved is the table saw which is in the center of the whole thing. I've given up on trying to make a static arrangement of the machinery.

[eezlock]

are we ever satisfied?

Richard, I doubt that we are ever satisfied with our shop arrangement!
I tend to move the equipment around as needed, whether or not I really
want to. I did one thing that helps , I made mobile bases for all the machines
and the clamp rack, at least...I can move them without straining my back to do it like I used to have to do it! Gotta' love those mobile machinery bases! I am thinking about making my workbench mobile as well. just to see if it would
serve me better in another location.

[MilDoc]

Nope. I've changed mine about once (and once, twice) a year. STILL ain't go 'er right.

[TB Roye]

I change my small shop (10X12) around at least once a year. I am getting ready to do it again, just a soon as I get a bench top Drill Press and Bandsaw. The 2 HF monsters I have don't need to be in the shop. They will be moved out to the garage where the BT3, Jointer, Planer and Miter Saw Reside. I just don't use them for what they are intended for, ie Big projects. Plan is to make a bench for my Lathe, and pen making stuff and mount a bench top BS and DP on it. Nothing wrong with the HF tools, just take up to much room for the area.

Tom

[leehljp]

My shop setup is dynamic. Seems every project I have to rearrange things because I am using different setups and sizes of materials. The only thing that never seems to get moved is the table saw which is in the center of the whole thing. I've given up on trying to make a static arrangement of the machinery.

I noticed that most of you mentioned changing your shop once a year or so. But nothing hits home like SMorris wrote.

I will be returning to the States in just under a year and have a 12 by 18 shop with a 6 by 18 covered side which I intend to enclose and use for turning, DC housing and office/storage. I have been running things through my mind about placement already.

With a current setup (in Japan) of a small shop of 9 X 12, with an 8 X 10 uncovered wood porch work area in which I move my BT-TS or BS and work table - I think about set up for ease of use. After returning to the States - I will put most items on wheels and move them as needed for the project.

I have found that for small projects with boards 2 to 3 ft I can usually cut in place, but beyond that, I have to move my equipment.

[dbhost]

My shop is in a constant state of flux. I consider the shop itself a continuous project. This is what I get for taking the build first, design later approach...

[crokett]

Hmm... I seem to be the odd man out then because all my shops to date didn't change much, certainly not once or twice a year. My first 'shop' a 10x12 shed never changed. My basement shop changed once in 5 years. It remains to be seen how the current shop will do but it still isn't set up yet. Life and then my operation got in the way.

[catta12]

I have just about everything on wheels. It all gets moved as I work. My area isn't big enough to leave everything in one place only. The table saw is usually toward the middle, but I often move it off to the side and roll in the planer/sander base. The DP usually sets by the wall, but is also mobile. Even my Thien separator is on wheels. The only things without wheels is the CMS and router table.

[Ed62]

That's the beauty of having a cramped shop. You can't move anything, so that problem is eliminated.

Ed