New Shop Dimensions - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

MinotBob · 04-13-2006, 06:04 AM

Well I have a problem that most people don't have. I get to start with a clean slate and set up a shop. Last fall I put up a 50X50 pole barn in Minot ND. This spring the cement floor goes in and this summer when I'm back I'm going to start building a shop inside the pole barn.

I don't know whether to make the shop 25X25 or 16X50. The square shop will require a special support beam to span the 25 feet and the 16 foot shop will not. That would be the only difference from a construction stand point

Neal Moore · 04-13-2006, 02:52 PM

If heating the shop in the winter is not a big concern I'd make it as large as is feasible. That way you could have a finishing area on one end and create sawdust on the other. 16 x 50 would be my choice.

SharonW0111 · 04-13-2006, 03:27 PM

Depending on how many tools and wood you have I'd make it as big as possible.Is there room for a loft for wood storage? I am always looking at new tools and building a few that I need out of one thing or the other and you need a place to put them ..And you need storage space for supplies .Having a portion away from the sawdust for finishing is a super idea . and too consider what you will be adding in the future- you will need a place to put new toys as you acquire them ..and heaven forbid you have to be able to have a couple of old tools that you just can't part with when you get a replacement for the old one- I just can't get rid of a tool cause someday I may use it for something. I have a weakness for tools ( if you couldn't tell).

Sharon

sheltiecarver · 04-13-2006, 10:21 PM

Bob,
I wish that I had such large dimensions to choose between. In a much smaller shop, I find that a square shop seems to put everything too far apart. In a longer format, I can have a finishing area, one for sanding, and the main one with the saws etc for the cutting work. So I'd go for the rectangular one. Besides, 16 x 50 has more square feet than 25 x 25

.
Either way, sounds like you are gonna have a peach of a shop.
When will you be having the shop-warming party for all your scrolling friends?
Sandy
Is there a list for bringing the snax?

GrayBeard Phil · 04-13-2006, 11:20 PM

Bob:

I vote for the longer shop, even if the 16 foot width will feel cramped.

Assume you are going to rip a 12 foot long board on your table saw in the middle of a SD winter.

You will be standing about 14 feet from the spinning blade as you set up for the cut. When you are finished cutting, the board will extend 12.5 feet on the other side of the spinning blade. Rounding over the numbers: 14+13= longer than the deminsions of the square building.

Phil

MinotBob · 04-14-2006, 05:47 AM

You guys bring up points I had never though of. Good Stuff.

I have ordered a new Grizzly Table Saw and Bandsaw. So in a 16 foot wide shop I should have plenty of room to manouver the big wood.

GrayBeard Phil - Good point

Sharon - I intend to have the whole top of the shop ar storage area. So I shouldn't have to have stacks of wood laying around in the shop

sheltiecarver - I'll let you know what to bring and when to bring it.

Neal - As you can imagine heating anything in a ND winter can be challenging. I had another shop about 6 miles away that I had to sell. it was 16X34 and at time felt narrow. But it was pretty easily heated with a small propane furnace hung from the ceiling. Good insulation is the key.

urband · 04-14-2006, 04:50 PM

Bob,
I am green with envy over all the floor space you will have. My shop is a cozy 12x14 and is jammed with LOTS of tools! As much as I would like a larger shop the small shop creates a certain discipline to keep things reasonably neat and organized. And I have just learned to accept that I cannot rip a board longer than 6 feet, and if I get plywood I have to get it cut into 2x4 foot sections so I can get it into the shop.

Enjoy building your new shop! I hope it has lots of windows. They make a big difference in the general feeling of the place.

Dan

MinotBob · 04-15-2006, 01:02 AM

Oh Man.

I just looked at the pictures below and realized my entry door is about 20 feet from the side of the buliding. Suppose I could have an entry door into the shop from the inside of the larger building. You see I haven't actually laid eyes on the buliding yet. Won't go back to ND until July

Simoli · 04-15-2006, 02:20 AM

I would go with the 16x50 building. You will have more square footage and more importantly more wall footage. You could set up a nice shop where there are power tools on one end and hand tools on the other.

MinotBob · 04-15-2006, 02:02 PM

I think the extra wall space will be nice.

View Poll Results: What sized shop would you build
16 X 50	13	54.17%
25 X 25	11	45.83%
Voters: 24. You may not vote on this poll

04-13-2006, 06:04 AM	#1
MinotBob Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Taipei Taiwan Posts: 139	New Shop Dimensions Well I have a problem that most people don't have. I get to start with a clean slate and set up a shop. Last fall I put up a 50X50 pole barn in Minot ND. This spring the cement floor goes in and this summer when I'm back I'm going to start building a shop inside the pole barn. I don't know whether to make the shop 25X25 or 16X50. The square shop will require a special support beam to span the 25 feet and the 16 foot shop will not. That would be the only difference from a construction stand point __________________ MinotBob Makita MSJ-401 Universal Tools: Remember you only really need 2 tools: WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use WD-40. If it moves and shouldn't, use the Duct Tape

04-13-2006, 02:52 PM	#2
Neal Moore Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cottageville, West Virginia Posts: 1,077	If heating the shop in the winter is not a big concern I'd make it as large as is feasible. That way you could have a finishing area on one end and create sawdust on the other. 16 x 50 would be my choice. __________________ If it don't fit, don't force it....get a bigger hammer!!

04-14-2006, 05:47 AM	#6
MinotBob Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Taipei Taiwan Posts: 139	You guys bring up points I had never though of. Good Stuff. I have ordered a new Grizzly Table Saw and Bandsaw. So in a 16 foot wide shop I should have plenty of room to manouver the big wood. GrayBeard Phil - Good point Sharon - I intend to have the whole top of the shop ar storage area. So I shouldn't have to have stacks of wood laying around in the shop sheltiecarver - I'll let you know what to bring and when to bring it. Neal - As you can imagine heating anything in a ND winter can be challenging. I had another shop about 6 miles away that I had to sell. it was 16X34 and at time felt narrow. But it was pretty easily heated with a small propane furnace hung from the ceiling. Good insulation is the key. __________________ MinotBob Makita MSJ-401 Universal Tools: Remember you only really need 2 tools: WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use WD-40. If it moves and shouldn't, use the Duct Tape

04-14-2006, 04:50 PM	#7
urband Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Glen Ellyn, IL Posts: 89	It's going to be HOW BIG??? Bob, I am green with envy over all the floor space you will have. My shop is a cozy 12x14 and is jammed with LOTS of tools! As much as I would like a larger shop the small shop creates a certain discipline to keep things reasonably neat and organized. And I have just learned to accept that I cannot rip a board longer than 6 feet, and if I get plywood I have to get it cut into 2x4 foot sections so I can get it into the shop. Enjoy building your new shop! I hope it has lots of windows. They make a big difference in the general feeling of the place. Dan

04-13-2006, 03:27 PM	#3
SharonW0111 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ne Texas Posts: 878	Depending on how many tools and wood you have I'd make it as big as possible.Is there room for a loft for wood storage? I am always looking at new tools and building a few that I need out of one thing or the other and you need a place to put them ..And you need storage space for supplies .Having a portion away from the sawdust for finishing is a super idea . and too consider what you will be adding in the future- you will need a place to put new toys as you acquire them ..and heaven forbid you have to be able to have a couple of old tools that you just can't part with when you get a replacement for the old one- I just can't get rid of a tool cause someday I may use it for something. I have a weakness for tools ( if you couldn't tell). Sharon

04-13-2006, 10:21 PM	#4
sheltiecarver Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Rural Central California Foothills Posts: 569	Bob, I wish that I had such large dimensions to choose between. In a much smaller shop, I find that a square shop seems to put everything too far apart. In a longer format, I can have a finishing area, one for sanding, and the main one with the saws etc for the cutting work. So I'd go for the rectangular one. Besides, 16 x 50 has more square feet than 25 x 25 . Either way, sounds like you are gonna have a peach of a shop. When will you be having the shop-warming party for all your scrolling friends? Sandy Is there a list for bringing the snax?

04-13-2006, 11:20 PM	#5
GrayBeard Phil Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Near Detroit, Michigan Posts: 1,137	Bob: I vote for the longer shop, even if the 16 foot width will feel cramped. Assume you are going to rip a 12 foot long board on your table saw in the middle of a SD winter. You will be standing about 14 feet from the spinning blade as you set up for the cut. When you are finished cutting, the board will extend 12.5 feet on the other side of the spinning blade. Rounding over the numbers: 14+13= longer than the deminsions of the square building. Phil

04-15-2006, 02:20 AM	#9
Simoli Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northville, MI Posts: 2	I would go with the 16x50 building. You will have more square footage and more importantly more wall footage. You could set up a nice shop where there are power tools on one end and hand tools on the other. __________________ Jim www.simoli.net

04-15-2006, 02:02 PM	#10
MinotBob Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Taipei Taiwan Posts: 139	I think the extra wall space will be nice. __________________ MinotBob Makita MSJ-401 Universal Tools: Remember you only really need 2 tools: WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use WD-40. If it moves and shouldn't, use the Duct Tape

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