General Wood Shop Layout
Whether youre setting up your small woodwork shop in your car garage, a rental space, or just an outbuilding outside your house, there are a few tips you need in terms of layout. Heres our advice:
Don’t Disrupt The Flow
You want to ensure smooth traffic flows in your shop. You want a smooth, organized process from the beginning to the end.
The journey of the wood from shaping to polishing should be smooth. It is not a good idea to have the first tool you use at the workshop’s center and the last one at the door. You want to create a flow that allows you to move between machines without any hassle.
Tool Storage
For a smooth process, heavy-duty items such as router tables, jointers, router tables, radial armsaws, and table saws should be placed in the right order.
Planning a specific workshop area to store them is important. Ideally, it should be near your work bench orself-made sawhorse,so theyre within reach. You can use the floor, wall space, or tool cabinets in your workspace.
These storage units could be a great help. Wall-mounted organizers are ideal for organizing hand tools. Clamps on walls are great for storage too. Sometimes a door can be found on the floor that opens to a compartment.
Let There Be Light
Inevery book for woodworkers, youll find this tip: woodworking shops have to have good lighting. Safety is key when using a jointer and a tablesaw.
To provide light while you work, have overhead lamps and lamps. If possible, place your workbench (check out our experts freeplan for a DIY Table Saw Workbenchto build your own workbench)or work table near a window to get natural light during the day.Remember, you will sit or stand in your workspace for a length of time, you want it to be well-lit when you cut or plane pieces.
Wood Storage
The best place to store wood pieces or sheet goods is near the front of the shop (like near your garage door) or your workbench. Youd want to grab a piece of wood when you walk in the door, and this makes it more efficient.
A dedicated cabinet for raw wood pieces and one for unfinished workpieces is another option. Plan your floor plan with plywood boards and other sheet goods.
Find A Middle Ground
This is a table or island that sits in the middle. This is also called an assembly table or assembly area, and it holds lumber, boards, a saw, a hand tool or two, jointers.Your screws and nuts can go on here for easy access. This option will allow for a smoother flow.
End At The Window
Once our boards and materials have become beautiful pieces, it is time to paint and finish them. Finishes should be applied near doors and windows. Being near the door helps air out the fumes. And if you have an AC unit on the side or against a wall, that helps fan out fumes too.
You can also have a fan on a floor or wall that is high-velocity. This option allows for greater ventilation to reduce the risk of inhaling chemicals in workshops.
A respirator mask is a good choice. Many people forget to use a respirator mask, which can cause health problems if you are constantly working on wood projects.
Try To Keep Things Moving
Creating a storage system can be tricky and you may never know what works immediately, so be prepared for any adjustments on your shop floor.
Most large tools, such as the router table, jointer, and tablesaw, have mobile bases that allow you to roll your machines around your workspace. This allows you move the machines around when you need it.
Wall clamps are also useful. You can also plan to install shelves on your wall for other products.
Setting Up Your Garage Workshop
If youre just starting out but wanting tocreate profit in woodworking,you might want to begin in the comfort of your own home in your car garage. This will save you money on rent, and you can also customize the wall and floor space to your liking.
Spending time in your shop sounds heavenly. Here’s how you can get started.
The Space
Determine how much space you have to work with. Different garage sizes can accommodate different amounts of workbenches and materials. A one-car garage might not be able to hold the same amount as one with more space. Before you start setting up shop, make sure to clean out the space. Garages often double as storage spaces, so decluttering would reveal how much space you have.
If youre still shopping for larger power tools, aim for mobile ones for more flexibility. Be careful with the big machines though, you might end up choosing between which ones should stay on the floor and which ones should go.
The Equipment
You may not need the equipment that others use in their dream shop. Every woodworker is different, but basic machinery such as a table saw and jointer are common. A beverage cooler may be necessary for some. A wall-mounted heater is a great option if you work in winter. Whatever you choose, just have high-quality and heavy-duty equipment in your floor plan. That is extremely important because you want every piece of equipment to last withou having to buy new ones soon.
Organization
A few organizers such as a toolbox and clamp racks, a workbench, assembly desk, and work belt will make your shop more organized. For keeping your materials organized, hangers, hooks and cabinets are great options.
Depending on what you are doing, bench dog holes can be helpful for your work surface. To make your shop more attractive, you can have an accent wall. This is a great idea if you are concerned about aesthetics and want to brighten up your space.
Power It Up!
You should have outlets that can handle both 110 and 220 Volts. Larger equipment will need more voltage while smaller ones will do well with the 110.
These outlets should be placed in optimal positions for your garage workshop layout. Its nice to be able to plan each receptacle around each machine, but extension cords would help with that.
Heating might be required in your space, so plan accordingly. Minimum 5000 watts is sufficient heating power.
It’s All About Lighting
Lighting is essential in any space. This includes the organization of storage, heating, and wall organisation. You want to be able to create your first woodworking project for beginners with ease and not strain your eyes.
It is generally beneficial to have light from two different sources. If you have a row of overhead lights, use another lamp to offset the overhead light and eliminate the shadows.
Having adequate lighting is crucial to a workshop. It is important to be able create small furniture projects with precision. Its a safety feature as well since youre working with potentially harmful equipment and you dont want any accidents happening.
Dust Collection
Dust can build up on your work surface from a table saw, radial-arm saw, sandpaper, jigsaw and other tools. Dust can cause damage to your airways, especially if it is left for a long time. Therefore, dust extraction is essential.
A dust collection system is recommended. Dust collectors are different from the standard vacuum cleaner for woodworking. They move more air. Combined with blast gates, they gather waste and wood chips from your wood shop to prevent health risks, fires, and safety issues.
Give It A Try
You will need to adjust your organization and plan as you build your projects. You can plan your setup all you want, but sometimes, you still need changes to the space. You might need to add a wall organizer, or move storage near the door. Or you may realize that there are more items missing.
Dont be afraid to work on a few projects even when your layout isnt completely done. Start by building simpler projects like frames, wine holders, address signs and any easy piece. If you need more tips, we have articles packed with beginner woodworking project ideas.
You can also sign-up for services that provide tips and information such as the Woodworkers Guild of American. After youve attempted the easy tasks in your space, move on to a complex project. This will give you a better understanding of the workings of your small workshop.
Small Basement Workshop
A basement workshop can present problems. Basements with hardwood flooring are vulnerable to mold, water damage, and leakage.
Moisture is a killer of heavy machines. Also, make sure the basement is in good condition.
Basements arent usually known for adequate task lighting, so you may need to enlarge the windows and even install a door to let the lights from outside in.
The Tools
Many beginner woodworkers worry about spending too much or getting the wrong accessories. It is difficult to get advice from someone who loves building projects.
We will help you to distinguish the good from the ugly in this guide. Read on to find out how.
Here Are Some Things To Avoid When Buying New Tools
We recommend that you look at real reviews and not just read off untrustworthy websites.
You might also need a combination machine and radial armsaw, a drill presse, router table, miter station and a drill press on the shop floor. Your layouts will need to be well-organized and organized.
Good Tools To Invest In
Power Tools
Table Saw It is possible that you have seen a tablesaw on several of the lists. Table saws can be used to cut angles and through surfaces, regardless of whether they are large or portable. If youre planning to have a table saw, have an outfeed table.
Miter saw This tool is used to cut rounded corners. The standard blade is about 8-38 cm. A miter saw station is common in a basement shop or a garage shop.
Drill Press This is our favorite stationary machine to use in small workshops. Similar to a hand drill, drill presses have precision and are easy to use. Its capable of drilling holes, sanding, and producing grooves as well.
Planer Also known as a thickness plane, these tools are used to cut lumber into consistent sizes.
Sanders This does the same job as any best quality sandpapers, but it’s much faster and more efficient. The abrasive surface smooths down surfaces upon contact. This can be used to finish most projects, including fun plywood projects.
BandsawA bandsaw is a machine with a narrower vertical blade. It moves up and down as it’s powered on. This machine can cut through metal and is common in small shops. You should have space on either side of this equipment.
Router These handy devices can be handheld and are used to hollow out pieces for your project.
Circular Saw An enjoyable piece used by many professional woodworkers, the circular saw is for crosscutting.
Power Drill A power drill is a common tool in the home and shop. It is a common accessory for a job.
Jigsaw Its a versatile power tool. Its ergonomic and gives you a lot of control.
Want to know the power tool for your lawn? You can read our review of the Husqvarna YTA24V48 right here.
Hand Tools
Measuring tape How do you know if you have the right sized lumber? A measuring tape is an essential in any tool box for length, width, and depth measurements.
Hammer One of the most trusted items in the woodshop and in the household space. Its essential for securing nails or whenever you need force.
ChiselsChisels can be found in shops to chiseling surface and are great for beginning woodcarvers.
Speed square This tool is essential in any work shop. It’s used to measure the right angles.
Screwdrivers Even if your electric drill can double as a driver, it is still helpful to have one that you can use with your hands.
Wrench To screw in nuts, you will need a handy wrench.
We also have a list of the top Japanese woodworking tools you might be interested to buy.
Workshop Safety
Even a small workshop could be dangerous. It is important to be familiar with safety procedures in workshops.
Cleaning up and keeping your new workshop neat minimizes risks. This is crucial especially if you let your kids work on the shop from time to time using their ownwood kits to build.
(A clean shop is a safe environment, thus, here arethe top cyclone dust collection systemyou can install in your workspace)
FAQ
How do you Layout a woodworking Shop?
You layout it by thinking first about your workflow and setting things up according to that. Group related tools, place your bench near a window, and have available wood near the entrance. An assembly table at the center helps, too.
What size is ideal for a Woodworking Shop?
The ideal shop size depends on how many tools you have. It can be 75 to 125 square footage. Power tools will occupy much space, so thats one thing to consider in shop size. A lumber storage unit or lumber rack is also necessary.
What is A Workshop Layout?
A workshop layout is a plan which shows where equipment will be placed, how they will be stored, and what your workbench will look like inside the workshop. A good shop layout is ideal for optimum workflow and doesnt result in too much clutter or excessive unnecessary transportation within the floor space.
Conclusion
We hope our guide helps you in setting up a small woodworking shop in your garage. The basics are the same, whether youre renting out a workshop space or working in your basement.
If youre thinking about starting your own small woodworking business from your garage, ensure your success with some of these resources:
