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New workshop

2.1K views 6 replies 7 participants last post by  st3gamefarm  
#1 ·
Hi guys great to be excepted onto this forum. I have finally got a workshop 9m x 12m, and I am looking
at layouts and machinery that you guys think are essentials.
Thanks Roncs
 
#3 ·
First thing I would build is a vise, mounted on a large diameter steel pipe (something like 152 mm) which is mounted to a large truck steel wheel (something like 508 mm) so it will be substantial, but can be moved around in the shop. I might be thinking this type of vise....
https://www.amazon.com/Wilton-14500.../ref=sr_1_21?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1471451546&sr=1-21&keywords=bench+vise+heavy+duty

Also, buy these magnetic nylon jaw liners to protect soft metal pieces like aluminum or plastic that you might be grinding, filing or sawing on.
https://www.amazon.com/Nylon-Multip...rsible/dp/B019VOT6JG/ref=pd_sim_469_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=M1Y6B2TYAZVPMN0E5VSP

Here is what I'm talking about....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...com/albums/v93/lngbedslvy/Vise Pedestal/485434_10150670317428836_1627427668.jpg

The next most-used tools would be a good 3-ton hydraulic floor jack, heavy duty stands and a 6-wheel creeper like this....
http://c.shld.net/rpx/i/s/i/spin/10007528/prod_1517778212??hei=64&wid=64&qlt=50

The next thing I would put into a new shop is compressed air, with metal lines run throughout the shop and connectors so I could just plug in the air gun anywhere. Alternately, you could mount a carousel from the ceiling that would rotate and drop a hose down to attach to.

The next thing would be a good quality AC MIG welder, one that uses compressed argon or "MIG mix" gas, instead of a coated wire with no gas.
You will want to wire the garage for the welder (I used 50 amp, 3-phase, 230 volt service for my last MIG).

The next tools would be a Milwaukee Sawzall with an assortment of blades...
https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-6519-31-Amp-Sawzall-Reciprocating/dp/B003FXD6L4

and an acetylene cutting torch rig with the largest bottles you can find.
http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz181/9ugc7tdz/misc/largerig1.jpg

Somewhere along the way, you will come across a stand-up drill press that you can't live without....
https://www.elitemetaltools.com/sites/default/files/products/machinery/ellis_9400_drill_press.jpg

As you become more sophisticated in your metal-working skills, you will want a vertical milling machine....
http://www.my.all.biz/img/my/catalog/18544.jpeg

and maybe a sheet metal brake...
http://www.americanmachinetools.com/Images/BPU412-6-HandBrake.jpg

a band saw....
http://archives.dcemulation.org/www...titaniumstudios.com/titaniumstudios.com/tooljunkie/machinesnew/MetalBandsaw.jpg

and an English Wheel for forming sheet metal parts....
http://www.frost.co.uk/media/catalo.../image/650x650/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/y/9/y920_wheeling_machine_2.jpg

The sky is the limit, but truthfully, I have not found anything that I cannot build with a MIG, a cutting torch, a Sawzall a good 4" hand grinder a good selection of hand files and a good selection of hammers.
 
#4 ·
One thing that bugs me about some garages is that you can't open the doors of a car all the way. I compromised a bit on mine since I have motorcycles and stuff too but made sure I can position my car to get at least one door fully open AND walk around it. If I were to give up my benches on the side walls I could do two doors open but over the the last 15 year or so just one door at a time has sufficed.
Best to use the area in front of the car for working, less chance of sparks and stuff hitting the car. Sides are best used for storage. Shelves, pegboard, refrigerators, etc. If you are like me you might accumulate more tools than ever expected so reserving room for your car way ahead of time helps.
 
#5 ·
shop

nice size.. but.. if u start getting bigger tools, welders, break, etc. i would suggest building a so called shed on the back of garage to store larger items u don't use often.. u will run out of room fast..
my 24x40 garage ran out of room and i did a 10x16 shed on the back with a 3' door from inside garage. with tools, a good vise, mig welder, gas torch or plasma, drill press, air compressor and storage for smaller power tools.. when wiring i suggest 20A everywhere. and i'd run duel wire and put outlets kinda close but will have separate ckt's, so u don't chance over loading one ckt. insulate it for sure and add heater.
 
#6 ·
When I built my shop I put outlets every 4 feet on the wall about a foot above bench height. I have four circuits for general use outlets with 5 outlets per circuit. I also have 5 dedicated outlets with their own breakers for the stationary tools. (Lathe, drill press, grinder, oven, and buffer) The Welder and compressor have dedicated 240V outlets and two light circuits with 10 lights per circuit. The garage door opener and exterior outlets are also on dedicated circuits. With 20 twin tube light fixtures I can go into my shop after being in the bright sunlight and still see to work.
 
#7 ·
A good quality lathe, and drill press, I've found to be quite handy. But get a lathe with at least a 14" swing and 12' bed, with taper attachement, and steady rest, a 4 jaw chuck is also a must, along with a tool post grinder.
But the basics would be a good bench, a good vice, mabe even a post vice, oxy/acetelyne rig with a decent assortment of welding tips, and a good welder (preferably one that can do tig, mig, and stick, both high and low freq and ac/dc).