Pre planning my workshop (the beginning)

[goslin23]

I may request some help from the fine folks here when we move into the new house next month. I get the whole 2 car garage for my new workshop (except storing our bikes). I'm just starting out with my renewed passion for woodworking and I've purchased a few tools already. I bought a CMS, the C-man 10" BS and a C-man 13 gal compressor. My father-in-law gave me a small DP, router table and scroll saw and I still have to get his woodworking bench that's in storage up in Amarillo. I'll be picking up the C-man 22114 for the TS, then it's a reasonably priced DC. After that, it depends on what I'm going to be building.

I had them install 6 additional outlets in the garage, 4 @ 40" above the floor spaced out on the opposing walls and 2 on the ceiling ran to the light switch. I wasn't thinking clearly at the design center (and on a budget), so I forgot to get the 220 until it was too late. But the main panel is on the garage side of the house, so it shouldn't be a problem running a panel into the garage down the road.

Once we get in, I'll take all the measurments and hopefully y'all can help me lay out the garage in a way that makes sense. I know LCHIEN is just a stones throw away from me in Katy. I'm basically in Katy, but have a Richmond address.

Here's the house a week ago.

[mschrank]

Once you get your measurements, you might want to play with the shop layout planner on Grizzly's website.

Several magazine articles I've read on the topic go into detail about how you should lay out your shop so that tools used for rough/initial cutting are next to your lumber storage area, then onto the finishing tools etc.

That's all well and fine if you have a huge shop, but most of us are lucky to cram everything into a relatively small space (garage) and have it laid out so we can at least move sheet goods and 8' boards around without too much hassle.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Have you address lighting in the shop? I know you have the switched outlets, is that your plan for them? Plugged in fixtures?

Waiting on the 220 is not a problem since you will unlikely know where you will need it anyway. Based upon your current tools and projected tools it doesn't look like you will need 220 anyway.

You say 6 "additional" outlets. How many were already there? 6 ain't a lot especially when two are on the ceiling and likely dedicated to lighting. Are those outlets on seperate breakers? I would want lighting on its own breaker. I would also want a dedicated circuit for DC, especially if its 110 as it will be pulling 15-18 amps.

[Thom2]

A tip that was brought up on the forum years ago. If you do end up running a sub, leave the lighting on the main panel. That way if you have to shut down shop power for anything, you'll still have lights.

[goslin23]

Have you address lighting in the shop? I know you have the switched outlets, is that your plan for them? Plugged in fixtures?

Waiting on the 220 is not a problem since you will unlikely know where you will need it anyway. Based upon your current tools and projected tools it doesn't look like you will need 220 anyway.

You say 6 "additional" outlets. How many were already there? 6 ain't a lot especially when two are on the ceiling and likely dedicated to lighting. Are those outlets on seperate breakers? I would want lighting on its own breaker. I would also want a dedicated circuit for DC, especially if its 110 as it will be pulling 15-18 amps.

I had them just run outlets on the ceiling spaced out on either side of the garage. There's a simple light in the middle. I plan on removing the plugs and that simple screw in fixture with permanent florescent fixtures. It was much cheaper for them to toss some plugs up there. The attic over the garage is also fairly accessible, so adding additional light shouldn't be too difficult.

The garage came "standard" with 1 outlet on the back wall so I had them add 2 on each of the left and right walls. Each 2 share a breaker, the back wall one is on a separate breaker and the lighting is on a separate one as well (don't wanna be in the dark if I trip a breaker).

My plan is to use the outlet on the back wall for the DC. But now that I think about it, I'm going to have to get more in there if I want to leave my MS, BS, RT and scroll saw stationary and still have enough for future tool purchases (I forgot about the compressor too.. aughhh). I should have at least doubled the amount I had installed! In the garage I have now, there's only 1 outlet so 4 more sounded like enough! It appears that I'll be looking for a reasonably priced electrician.

[wardprobst]

I'll agree that it's nice to have abundant outlets but I confess I've gotten along in several shops with creative alternatives. However adding outlets, while easier and cheaper before the drywall is up, is not a huge deal. Looks like a nice shop is on the way!
DP