Dream shop

[Doug Rasmussen]

With my dream shop it was designed without consideration to machine locations. A drive-in garage door along one wall and 120/240 conduit exposed along all walls at about 6 foot intervals. Same with air lines everywhere. There was a first attempt at machine locations, but over time we let machine locations be determined by what proved to be the most efficient. This was not a hobby shop, I had employees for my business.

 

[Roger Dauer]

With my dream shop it was designed without consideration to machine locations. A drive-in garage door along one wall and 120/240 conduit exposed along all walls at about 6 foot intervals. Same with air lines everywhere. There was a first attempt at machine locations, but over time we let machine locations be determined by what proved to be the most efficient. This was not a hobby shop, I had employees for my business.

I did the same - 4 plug 120v outlets and 240v every 7 feet on the walls. I had the 240v wires heavy enough for 30amps just in case, although most of the machines I have are 20amp 240v.

 

[Joel Daniels]

I did the same - 4 plug 120v outlets and 240v every 7 feet on the walls. I had the 240v wires heavy enough for 30amps just in case, although most of the machines I have are 20amp 240v.

That is one mistake I made. I have 5 240v circuits, but ran 12/3 so they max out at 20 amps. Should have planned better and run 10/3 so I could go to 30 amps if needed. That limits the size of motor I can get for things like an upgraded dust collector.

 

[Roger Dauer]

That is one mistake I made. I have 5 240v circuits, but ran 12/3 so they max out at 20 amps. Should have planned better and run 10/3 so I could go to 30 amps if needed. That limits the size of motor I can get for things like an upgraded dust collector.

I had a really top notch electrician who has his own wood shop, so he was really great about making suggestions.

 

[Roger Dauer]

If you had a wish list for your dream shop what would it be?

Reason for asking is I’m doing it now. So far, there will be lots, as in lots of lighting. Plugs out the wazoo (120 and 220). Dust collection and air scrubber. Clean up sink. TV and stereo. Doors to the outside. HVAC. Dust collector and compressor in a closet to reduce noise. Desk area.

My entire life, I’ve made do, cut corners to keep cost down, etc. Now that I’m retired and can afford it, I’m doing it. I’m looking for ideas of goodies you wish you had.

I almost forgot - top quality epoxy floor installed by professionals (grind, expoxy, paint chips, sand the next day, vacuum, polyaspartic top coat). Not only looks like a million bucks but it is SOOOOO easy to sweep up.

 

[Roger Dauer]

I almost forgot - top quality epoxy floor installed by professionals (grind, expoxy, paint chips, sand the next day, vacuum, polyaspartic top coat). Not only looks like a million bucks but it is SOOOOO easy to sweep up.

Oneida sells mufflers for their cyclones. I bought two 3 footers, knocks the db down to 72 from 92. My system discharges in the same room as the shop as a result. I still wear noise reducing headphones as I listen to music while I work.

 

[Ron Solfest]

@Roger Dauer - your experience sounds similar to mine:
- I have at least one 240v outlet on each wall, plus two coming up from the floor. Each using 10ga wire and on it’s own circuit breaker
- ~30+ 120v outlets on 8 interleaved circuits (adjacent outlets on separate breakers) staggered every 2ft around the shop (4ft height, then 14”, then continual hi/lo along each wall) plus two separate ceiling outlets and one coming out of the floor.

Never enough outlets, lighting, or clamps in a woodshop

- Oneida DC in a semi-enclosed corner, with the silencer but I too listen to NPR or WSM with noise canceling earbuds when turning.

 

[Roger Dauer]

@Roger Dauer - your experience sounds similar to mine:
- I have at least one 240v outlet on each wall, plus two coming up from the floor. Each using 10ga wire and on it’s own circuit breaker
- ~30+ 120v outlets on 8 interleaved circuits (adjacent outlets on separate breakers) staggered every 2ft around the shop (4ft height, then 14”, then continual hi/lo along each wall) plus two separate ceiling outlets and one coming out of the floor.

Never enough outlets, lighting, or clamps in a woodshop

- Oneida DC in a semi-enclosed corner, with the silencer but I too listen to NPR or WSM with noise canceling earbuds when turning.

I worked in heavy industry for 40 years (refineries) and wore then, and still wear now hearing protection obsessively. Plus as I get older I have found loud noises bother me more for some reason.

 

[Roger Dauer]

If you had a wish list for your dream shop what would it be?

Reason for asking is I’m doing it now. So far, there will be lots, as in lots of lighting. Plugs out the wazoo (120 and 220). Dust collection and air scrubber. Clean up sink. TV and stereo. Doors to the outside. HVAC. Dust collector and compressor in a closet to reduce noise. Desk area.

My entire life, I’ve made do, cut corners to keep cost down, etc. Now that I’m retired and can afford it, I’m doing it. I’m looking for ideas of goodies you wish you had.

My shop is a remote commercial location, so I had to set up a new internet connection. I set up high speed wifi. Priceless to me as I am online and using email every day in my shop. My log in is “RogMahal” if you can believe it. Hysterical. You could use: TheWebMaster, WebSurfer, SpiderWebb, DarkWebb, SpinAWebb, etc. This is just some fun to add to the dream shop, I mean - Why not, eh? We have our club "hands-on" sessions in my shop so now everyone in the club refers to my shop as the Rog Mahal.

 

[Roger Dauer]

If you had a wish list for your dream shop what would it be?

Reason for asking is I’m doing it now. So far, there will be lots, as in lots of lighting. Plugs out the wazoo (120 and 220). Dust collection and air scrubber. Clean up sink. TV and stereo. Doors to the outside. HVAC. Dust collector and compressor in a closet to reduce noise. Desk area.

My entire life, I’ve made do, cut corners to keep cost down, etc. Now that I’m retired and can afford it, I’m doing it. I’m looking for ideas of goodies you wish you had.

The full bathroom in my shop has a toilet with a heated seat. Is that over the top? Me thinks not.

 

[Roger Dauer]

Not sure what type of cans you are putting in. I went with Hyperlite Hero High Bay (21K lumens) (they aren't cans, but round discs that hang). Hyperlite has a free layout design analysis. I uploaded what I thought (24'x20' with lights at 10'). I had planned 9 lights. Their analysis came back with just 4 lights. So, that's what I installed. Light coverage was super - except, above my table saw and bench in the center of the room, I had to add 2 4' LED strips due to shadows from my head when leaning over the bench. I also have 8' LED strips (Barrina) above my 2 benches and lathe that are up against the wall. Just passing on what I did and I'm very happy with my lighting. [Of course, if your electrical is already pulled, then this lighting option is too late.]

You can see 3 of the 4 Hyperlites in this picture. Also, you can see the 2 4' LED strips above the tablesaw/bench. And the black strips above the bench and lathe are the 8' Barrina LED strips (I put ice shields up to keep the lights from shining into my eyes).

Your shop plan looks super! Looking forward to seeing pictures.

View attachment 87420

This floor, absolutely beautiful. I suspect easy to sweep as well? Oh and well done on the table saw island. Awesome.

 

[John K Jordan]

I don't have a bathroom/shower/toilet in my shop but would love to. I'd have to run water and put in a septic system. But the house is just a few hundred steps up the hill. If it came down to choosing one or the other, I'd pick the HVAC over the plumbing.