A couple new shop opinions needed. I have a new shop 16x24. I was working off a bench counter top in my old shop against the wall. It worked fine but you only had access to one side of the bench. The taxidermist I work with sugjested a 4x5 work island in the middle of the room that was on wheels and with shelves cuboards under it, could be moved if needed. Any one use this? I think its a great idea but the cost of this to do it right is kind of high. One more I have a Quebec Light fleshing machine. I havn't used it enough to figure out if I should place this by itself or put it next to a small counter top to give added user space any suggestions?. What size bench grinder is needed to run paper wheels for sharpening? There thats it for now. I'll be back with more as I am now laying out the inside of the shop for the tenth time LOL.
Thanks for all your help Jack
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Jack, In my shop I have my main work bench mounted to the wall by one end. I mostly work from one side but I find the corner especially nice to work on at times. Underneath I have a shelf for storage and a large tool box with all the various tools that see occasional use. Tools used most are in a tackle box on the bench and on a shelf near by. My flesher is on a seperate table which is easily moved if I should change my mind about where I want it. Now, if I were going to do the island thing I would build the work bench seperatly and add the shelving/cabinets also built seperatly. I would forget the wheels- if you need to move it it is in seperate pieces which should be manageable. Once you get it where it suits you how often do you think you would ever want to move it anyway? Enjoy that new space- Aaron H.
I was thinking. If i had to do a life size bear or anything if the work station was mobile it would give more room in the middle of the room for the mount. I think I am going to put a 6 foot counter top next to one wall and cabnets over and shelves under. I need a smaller bench top for grinder and bench vise. Still need a spot for my compressor. I have been keeping my tuckers picks and adjusters on top of the bench in a plastic (large) cup. seems to work good. Peg board on the back wall over the bench to hang other tools (dremal, ear opener, screw drivers, hot glue gun) and many more. Lighting? I was going to go with H.O. florescents in the work area and track lights in the show area.
Thanks again Jack
Hi Jack, I just built a new shop too, about the same size as yours. I put a 10 foot counter/work bench right under the two wimdows to utilize natural lighting. And I have an old table that I keep in the middle of the shop to work off when appropriate. It's not to hard to move when I need to. My fleshing wheel is in a corner with a dedicated light. My salting table is attated to the wall with a piano hinge and folding legs so I can tuck it against the wall when not needed. I have my compressor in a ventilated dog house just outside. And of course shelves for storage. Another thing that was passed on to me by my mentor that you might try is to put your most commonly used tools on a cart. Then you can wheel it around to wherever you need it. I really like that setup. Another thing is in my old workspace the walls had light brown paneling and florescent lights on the ceiling. In my new shop I sheetrocked three walls and put up 1/2 inch plywood on my drying wall, then I painted them an off-white. Much better! I can't believe how much easier it is to see my work, and when I paint the colors are more true. Speaking of painting, I bought an attick fan and installed it in a wall, made a slot for a a cheap replaceable furnace filter and wired a switch. I paint next to it with a resperator on and it works quite well. I also made a cover to go over it to keep the elements out when not in use. Hope this helps and i hope you enjoy your new shop as much as I do mine. Carl
Hey, I have finaly decided on some things. I put plywood on the entire cielling painting it white. I have sheetrock in the work area. Two 3x3 slider windows one over my work bench that is 8ft against the back wall trashed the island idea. I am puting in a 4x6ft counter/devider/work table in the middle of the building off one side wall. I am putting tonge and groove pine on the walls in the show room area and head hanging area that will be varnished. For lights I have two 8ft High output floresents and track lights in the show area. I put in a double steal hung french door to get big things in and out easy. I used 20ft roof trusts that gives me an over hang in the front of 4ft. I am puting my freezer out side under this. The salt table idea is a good one. Is it just a flat table or something diferent? I think I will go with lenolium on the floor. Walls are going to be off white in the work area and green trim. The building has forest green metal roof vinal siding to be done later. Heat is going to be direct vent gas wall mount with a blower. Well I cant wait to get this thing done. Thanks for the imput Jack
Jack, Let me see if I can describe this thing. First I nailed a 1"x4" cross ways on the wall to attach the table to. Then I built a 3'x6' frame out of 1"x6". Screwed 1/2" plywood to the bottom with Lathe strips running lenghtwise to get the hide up a little, then drilled a couple good size holes in one corner for drainage. I used a piano hinge lengthwise and screwed it to the frame. Make sure the rod part where it hinges hangs off the bottom a little. then screw it to the 1x4 on the wall at a height thats comforablefor you. Cut two legs out of 2x2" and make one alittle shorter than the other and put that one next to the drain holes. attach the legs with small hinges and there you go. It just drops down against the wall when I don't need it. saves space in my small shop. I don't know if anyones done it before cause I thought all this up myself. The shop I learned at, he just salted everything on the floor which I didn't like. I Have a folding laundry rack that the skins go over with a fan on them to dry after the two day salting. If you have any more questions feel free to e-mail me. Carl