my workshop feels all wrong, why?

[jchand]

yes steel storage is next on list its driving me NUTS , i have heaps of unistrut to use up so im going to make a rack and i would like to use the large steels to make a good 8x4 bench,
getting rid of 4 old filing cabinets (going free btw if anyone is close enough to collect or knows anyone who is, is there somewhare on here i could post them?.


it would be good if someone was to move into another part of the barn and make it feel less isolated and a bit more "lived in" but belive it or not no one seems to be interested despite rates being cheap and very relaxed landlords, mabey they can sense the feeling to.

 

[dobbslc]

I'm starting to get all 'parra' about what my new garage will be like now! Parra I'll not get planning permission for it, parra it'll feel wrong etc.
I want an old skool bike workshop feel to it but it'll be new, plenty of windows for light but I'll worry about security! I'm bloody spoilt I think.....

I've just had a thought, have you had a massive swearing session in there yet?
I think you have to smack your thumb or cut some important piece of metal wrong and have a right barny at yourself to feel at home.
Make your on karma!

 

[jchand]

This is the good shed where all feels right and i can get creative and get stuff done. its such a tip atm as i had to move everything in in a thunderstorm after the roof fell into my last workshop! Only thing missing is a stove but not for long.
Anyone found a good way to work from two seperate shops? One just for big stuff, i can see it working very well.

 

[jchand]

##CANT see it workig very well that was suposed to be

 

[jchand]

Yes had two massive swearing sessions! One where i almost lost some fingers under an engine and another where i dented the bonnet of the bmw.
Dw about the new shop, i recon that it will soon feel how you want, it if as many people have said, you get some mates in and get working on some good projects, no one comes to mine as its too far out and feels realy nasty, not somewhare people choose to spend time.

 

[daedalusminos]

Consider partitioning off a smaller area for bench work

 

[Wightsparks]

If you prefer being outside then definitely look at the lighting - natural or artificial natural! Also maybe rig an "always on" fan - a 5" shower fan ducted from outside - the air will always be fresh, connecting you to the outdoors and as a bonus you won't have condensation issues.
Two locations is a PITA as that tool you need is always at the other one.

If I had a space that size I would have a dirty side and a clean side partitioned off with cold store type curtain. I hate cutting, grinding, sanding in my workshop as it just covers everything with cac - but then I am building/re-building/modifying a "car" so I need clean space.

 

[jchand]

Like this, great idea thanks, i found two so i can have one in at one end and out at other. Will help clear welding fumes too.
I have tried the curtain idea before i was never strict enough about keeping one area clean, i spent most of my time in the dirty area anyway as i could be 'with the project' i am proberbly going to build a wooden "hutch" type thing on top of the metal cage to have a nicer enclosed area for cups of tea, drawings etc almost like a desk area as long as i remember to close it before gringing etc.
If anyone has e a similar thing post some pics im after any ideas i can get.

 

[Dutch Welder]

Get it cleaned up a bit, paint the exposed wood sheeting in a white or light grey colour, and add a radio to take away the silent moments that can lead you to pondering.
First thing I do when I go into the garage after turning on the lights is turning on the radio/PC with music, just to get the silince away

Maybe in the spring/summer you could add a window or 2.
It's a very nice space IMHO, but could be made better with some small touches.

 

[voipio]

There is something to be said about having a snug and cosy little area. How about creating a subspace, properly partitioned off, with well lit areas, but not necessarily the whole space (e.g. using anglepoise lamps), with a door that can be closed and the space then heated without costing the Earth. It could be used as an office, or for doing some of the smaller stuff, with most of the hand tools, well.... to hand, really. It becomes much more inviting.

 

[waddycall]

Do you have neighbours in the new place that you feel uneasy about?

 

[jchand]

Na no one at all, there is someone in the next building over but they are fine and i know them so no probs there. To be honest id prefer if there were a few people around, im in one corner of a dark dingy 40m by 20m ish barn its like being down a mine shaft, even after fitting flood lights etc. No radio/ phone signal at all either so its very isolated.

 

[bigegg]

Anyone found a good way to work from two seperate shops

I used to regularly work at three different sites - all needing the same tools.

I basically bought a horse trailer and used it to transport my tools from one site to the next.
The trick is to have the table saw, router table, hardware trolley and welder on wheels, and have a chop saw station at each location so it can be dropped into place.
Hand tools in a toolchest (on wheels again).

Depends what sort of work you do, and how close you can get?

My shed at home I could get close enough to unload straight in.
Mum's garage, I flipped the door open, and the horse trailer backed straight up against it.
My warehouse, I just drove the trailer inside.

There's a fair few ideas on youtube for "contractor's trailers" - Ron Paulk built several; I can't do with the bloke, but he has some good ideas!

 

[frank horton]

I get really pxxxed of in/with my shop quite often.......
I find that getting the tunes up real loud an extra large mug o T and then empty the place.......everything in my place is on wheels or on a stand that makes using a pallet truck easy......that's lathes mill's etc etc....luckily I made a hard standing just for this reason.......
a thorough sweeping and then put it all back......but getting the small tools back in the correct places first.....after cleaning the crap outta the pans and topping up the suds tank......
that take's me all day as there's no help here...........
the next day goes with a swing......
hope something works for u.......if all fails bin it and go back to where u we're happy....
nowt lost really...........
If that don't work for me I just leave the place alone and spend time with my dog's or reading this forum.......
it's OK when ur a grumpy old pensioner........hahaha......
Frank

 

[jchand]

Luckily i have most of the common hand and power tools on my van anyway for the day job and the ones that are too expensive / big to have two of are brought in as and when needed so similar to you. I can get close to both places with the van,The stuff i do in workshop is mostly just a hobby/ stuff for me rather thank actual work. Bit of fabrication and car stuff.
I havent felt secure enough to move all of tools to new workshop yet so most are still at home.

 

[jchand]

Yea that seems to work frank, trouble is i end up doing this or reorganizing every other time i go there, i dont get anything done! If i can fit a stove into shop at home i proberbly will move back, for most jobs anyway.

 

[decca]

Bit ped off with my shop ATM too. For me it's because I have no projects at the moment and am ******* about trying to find the best way to sharpen drill bits. Find it hard to justify the time spent in the shop.
The cold doesn't help either.
I'm going to have a tidy up and re-arrange session on Sunday.
Natural light makes a big difference and a bit of music to keep you going.

 

[Exuptoy]

Firstly sorry for all the pics!

I built a partition wall in my garage which is 33'x12' which gave me a bench area at the back and a workshop at the other.
Not quite the same I know but the difference before I shelved it out and after is amazing.

The wall just after building it.



What it hides! Been sorted out a bit since this pic.



Before the tidy up! Don't think that camper will ever be done!





After!

These long stay brackets £5 from Toolstation and some batten has made such a difference! It's free space.








Looking the other way.

I still have room to play!

This is next! A 20'x10' bike shed so I can carry on with the camper.



...and if your cold,build one of these!

 

[Olderisbetter]

Firstly sorry for all the pics!

I built a partition wall in my garage which is 33'x12' which gave me a bench area at the back and a workshop at the other.
Not quite the same I know but the difference before I shelved it out and after is amazing.

The wall just after building it.

View attachment 126447

What it hides! Been sorted out a bit since this pic.

View attachment 126442

Before the tidy up! Don't think that camper will ever be done!

View attachment 126444

View attachment 126443

After!

These long stay brackets £5 from Toolstation and some batten has made such a difference! It's free space.

View attachment 126445


View attachment 126446

View attachment 126449

Looking the other way.

View attachment 126448

I still have room to play!

This is next! A 20'x10' bike shed so I can carry on with the camper.

View attachment 126451

...and if your cold,build one of these!

View attachment 126450

I love to see all the pictures people post, Its always good to use as much of your workshop height for storage and it can take years to get it just right, Also if that camper is in the way i can put it in my workshop....it will make things tidy so fast...LOL

 

[Exuptoy]

My life wouldn't be worth living!